Protective Effect of Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction on Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury of Rat Liver.

BACKGROUND: Flavonoids have been subjected to considerable investigation because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, there is no previously reported study about its effect on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). We investigated the effects of micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) on hepatic I/R injury in rats. METHODS: Thirty rats were recruited in the study as follows: group A, sham operation (n = 10); group B, I/R (n = 10); and group C, I/R+MPFF (n = 10). In group C, rats received (80 mg/kg/day) MPFF by gavage for 3 days before surgery, 30 minutes before ischemia and just before the reperfusion. Blood samples were taken, and serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were measured to assess liver functions. Liver tissues were taken for histological evaluation and to determine the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and myeloperoxidase (MPO). RESULTS: The present data showed a decrease in AST, ALT, and LDH levels in the MPFF-treated rats when compared with I/R group rats (P < .001 for all). In the MPFF-treated rats, tissue levels of TOS, OSI, and MPO were significantly lower than those in the I/R group (P < .01, P < .001, and P < .05, respectively). Increases in TAC and CAT levels were statistically significant in the MPFF-treated rats compared with the I/R group (P = .01 for both). On the other hand, MPFF attenuated histological alterations that were induced by I/R. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that MPFF ameliorates I/R-induced liver damage, probably through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Is the local acid output an important factor for Helicobacter pylori colonization?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Low local acid production is considered to be an important factor for Helicobacter pylori colonization. The increased bacterial density and inflammation are expected in cardiac mucosa because of low acid secretion. We aimed to investigate the bacterial density and the histologic pattern of gastritis in the cardia, and to compare with those of the antrum and corpus. METHODOLOGY: The biopsy specimens taken from the antrum, corpus and cardia in 97 patients during endoscopy were examined histopathologically. RESULTS: The mean scores for bacterial density in the cardia, corpus and antrum were 1.32 +/- 0.35, 1.09 +/- 0.86, 1.42 +/- 0.97, respectively. Bacterial density of the cardia was significantly higher than that in corpus, but was similar to the antrum. The mean scores for the degree of gastritis in the cardia, corpus and antrum were 1.56 +/- 0.79, 1.64 +/- 0.75, 1.85 +/- 0.77, respectively. Gastritis was significantly more severe in the antrum than in the corpus and cardia. The activity scores of gastritis in the three regions were statistically similar. CONCLUSIONS: Although bacterial density in the cardiac mucosa were found to be high, the degree of gastritis was low.

Efficacy of lodoxamide eye drops on tear fluid cytology of patients with vernal conjunctivitis.

A double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of lodoxamide tromethamine 0.1% eyedrops in preventing inflammatory cell accumulation in the tear fluid of patients with vernal conjunctivitis. A 1-week baseline period was followed by 4 weeks of treatment with either lodoxamide tromethamine 0.1% ophthalmic solution or placebo in 30 symptomatic subjects with vernal conjunctivitis. Cytological evaluation of tear fluid was performed before and after the treatment. In the lodoxamide-treated group, but not in the placebo-treated group, the number of neutrophils (P = 0.051) and eosinophils (P = 0.020) in the tears significantly decreased at the end of 4 weeks when compared with baseline (Wilcoxon-signed rank test). It was concluded that lodoxamide treatment was significantly more effective than the placebo in terms of reducing inflammatory cells in the tear fluid in vernal conjunctivitis. This objective inhibition of inflammatory cells may be associated with clinical relief.

Pretarsal and marginal orbicularis oculi muscle fiber changes in trachomatous cicatricial entropion: histopathological evaluation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the histopathological changes of pretarsal and orbicularis muscle fibers in trachomatous cicatricial entropion. METHODS: Orbicularis muscle tissue specimens were histopathologically evaluated in 17 eyes of 11 cases in which anterior lamellar reposition and/or wedge-shaped tarsal resection or Wies procedure were performed. RESULTS: Degeneration of orbicularis muscle fibers, atrophy, connective tissue increase between muscle fibers and edema were observed in 13 tissue specimens. Muscle fiber changes were more commonly observed in cases with severe entropion, in which Wies procedure was performed. CONCLUSIONS: These histopathological changes, which may develop secondary to other structural changes that can cause entropion in the eyelid and weaken the orbicularis muscle, may be a co-factor influencing the severity of entropion more than causing entropion alone.

The relationship between expression of p53/bcl-2 and clinicopathological criteria in endometrioid adenocarcinomas of the endometrium.

OBJECTIVE: Thirty patients with endometrioid adenocarcinomas of the endometrium who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy were reviewed histopathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissues were stained immunohistochemically with p53 and bcl-2, respectively. Ten cases were selected as grade 1, ten cases grade 2 and ten cases grade 3. RESULTS: We observed 14 cases (46.6%) of bcl-2 and four cases (13.3%) of p53 positivity; p53 expression showed an opposite correlation to bcl-2 staining, estrogen and progesterone. CONCLUSION: We observed a decrease in bcl-2 reactivity and an increase in p53 positive staining as the histological differentiation worsened.

The relationship between expression of p53/bcl-2 and clinicopathological criteria in cervix squamous cell carcinomas.

OBJECTIVE: Thirty cases with squamous carcinomas of cervix who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salphingo-oopherectomy were reviewed histopathologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tissues were stained immunohistologically with p53 and bcl-2. Ten cases were selected as well differentiated (large cell keratinizing) carcinoma, ten cases moderately differentiated (large cell non keratinizing) carcinoma and ten cases poorly differentiated carcinoma (includes small cell squamous cell carcinoma). RESULTS: We observed 11 cases (36.6%) with bcl-2 and 13 cases (43.3%) with p53 positivity. P53 expression showed the opposite correlation to bcl-2 staining. CONCLUSION: A decrease in bcl-2 reactivity and an increase in p53 positive staining was noted as the histological differentiation worsened.

Polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine lowers collagen deposition in a rat model of corrosive esophageal burn.

Esophageal strictures are characterized by excess deposition of collagen in the esophageal wall. Polyunsaturated phosphatidyl-choline (PPC) stimulates collagen breakdown in experimental models of liver cirrhosis and colitis. This study was done in order to investigate the therapeutical effect of PPC in preventing esophageal strictures due to alkali-induced esophageal burns in rats. Fifty-five albino rats were divided into four groups as follows: control group (Group A, 10 rats), rats with sham operation and treated with saline (Group B, 15 rats), rats with esophageal burns only (Group C, 15 rats), and PPC-fed rats with esophageal burns (Group D, 15 rats). A standard esophageal burn was produced as described by Gehanno. PPC was administered orally to Group D rats in doses of 100 mg/day for four weeks. All animals were sacrificed on the 28th day of the experiment. Hydroxyproline levels in esophageal tissue was determined in each rat, and histopathologic evaluation was performed for each group. Hydroxyproline levels were significantly lower in the PPC-fed rats than in the rats with pure esophageal burns (p < 0.001). Histopathologically, collagen deposition in the submucosa and tunica muscularis was lower in Group D rats (PPC-fed rats with esophageal burn) than Group C rats (pure esophageal burn) (p < 0.05). As a result of our study, we concluded that PPC has an ameliorating effect on stricture formation after alkali-induced corrosive esophageal burns in rats.

Echinococcosis multilocularis in south-eastern Anatolia, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the human prevalence, elucidate possible risk factors and present other epidemiological parameters of human alveolar echinococcosis in the south-eastern region of Turkey. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTINGS: South-eastern region (Anatolia) of Turkey by two medical centres: Dicle University Medical Faculty in Diyarbakir and Harran University Medical Faculty in Urfa. SUBJECTS: Forty seven cases of human alveolar echinococcosis were presented between the period of 1980 and 2000. METHODS: For the majority of our patients, personal anamnestic, clinical data and addresses were available from their files, and we visited their villages to investigate the risk factors for human alveolar echinococcosis. Epidemiological parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The 47 cases consisted of 18 (38.3%) males and 29 (61.7%) females. The average age was 34.6 years. In all cases, lesions occurred in the liver. No village or district had more than one case. The majority of patients (73.8%) were farmers and 33 had a history of dog ownership. CONCLUSION: This region has a higher incidence than Turkey as a whole, and domestic dogs and free-ranging dogs seem to be the main source of infection.

Tear functions in patients with pinguecula.

PURPOSE: To investigate the tear flow, tear film stability and condition of mucus in patients with pinguecula. METHODS: The Schirmer I and ferning tests were performed and break-up time (BUT) was determined in 57 patients with pinguecula [random eyes; 34 males and 23 females, 18 to 70 years of age (mean +/- SD: 39.1 +/- 13.5 years)] and in 57 age-matched subjects (control) [random eyes; 35 males and 22 females, 11 to 70 years of age (mean +/- SD: 37.8 +/- 15.2 years)], and the test results were statistically analysed. RESULTS: The mean Schirmer test value was 22.72 +/- 12 mm in the eyes with pinguecula and 22.7 +/- 8.5 mm in the control eyes. There was no statistically significant difference (t = 0.01, p = 0.99) between the groups. The mean BUTs were 11.42 +/- 6.89 s in the eyes with pinguecula and 15.46+/-5.85 s in the control eyes. Comparison of BUTs between the groups revealed a statistically significant difference (t = 3.37, p = 0.0010). Also, ferning types were found to be significantly abnormal in the eyes with pinguecula (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The alteration in the mucin layer is a possible change inducing pinguecula formation, or it may reflect an already existing pathology in the cells on the ocular surface.

Experimental intravitreal application of trovafloxacin in rabbits.

This study was performed to examine the retinal toxicity of trovafloxacin, a broad-spectrum fourth-generation fluoroquinolone, in rabbit eyes after intravitreal injection. The left eyes of 20 albino rabbits were divided into four groups, and each was injected intravitreally with 0.1 ml of trovafloxacin in a 50-microg, 100-microg, 250-microg or 500-microg concentration. The right eyes of these rabbits served as control and received normal saline solution. Retinal function was assessed from the electroretinogram (ERG), and retinal structure was also examined by ophthalmoscopy and histologic study (light microscopy). The intravitreal injections of 50 microg, 100 microg, and 250 microg trovafloxacin did not significantly change the ERG a-wave, b-wave or the oscillatory potential throughout the follow-up period of 4 weeks. While no ERG changes were observed at 4 weeks after injection, in the 3 eyes that received trovaloxacin 500 microg/0.1 ml, the a-wave amplitudes showed a diminution of 56-49% and those of b-waves one of 53-44% of the preinjection amplitudes at 4 weeks after injection, but oscillatory potentials remained unchanged in the other 2 rabbits intravitreally injected with 500 microg trovafloxacin. However, in none of the injected eyes and the control eyes in all groups were ophthalmoscopically visible fundus changes and histologic abnormality observed. The results suggest that intravitreally injected trovafloxacin at a dose of up to 500 microg is nontoxic to the rabbit retina. If future studies in other species confirm our findings, intravitreal trovafloxacin may be a good alternative in the treatment and prevention of clinical bacterial endophthalmitis.