The effects of TNF-α inhibitors on carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity.

OBJECTIVES: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), employed in various industrial fields, can cause acute damage in renal tissues. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of the TNF-alpha inhibitor Infliximab on TGF-ß and apoptosis caused by acute kidney image induced by CCl4. METHODS: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into control, CCl4, and CCl4+ Infliximab groups. The control group received an isotonic saline solution, and the CCl4 group 2 mL/kg CCl4 intraperitoneally (i.p). The CCl4+ Infliximab group was given 7 mg/kg Infliximab 24 hours after administration of 2 mL/kg CCl4. Kidney tissues were removed at the end of the experiment and subjected to histopathological and biochemical analysis. RESULTS: The application of CCl4 led to tubular necrosis, inflammation, vascular congestion, and increased Serum BUN and creatinine values. An increase in caspase-3 activity also occurred in the CCl4 group. However, Infliximab exhibited an ameliorating effect on kidney injury by causing a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells. Tissue ADA and TGF-ß values of the CCL4 group were significantly higher than the values of the control group (p = .001, p < .001 respectively) and CCL4+ Inf group (p = .004, p = .015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that Infliximab ameliorates nephrotoxicity by reducing lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in acute kidney damage developing in association with CCl4 administration. These findings are promising in terms of the ameliorating role of TNF-alpha inhibitors in acute kidney injury.

The protective effects of topiramate on intestinal injury induced with infrarenal aortic occlusion via oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Purpose: Prolonged surgical procedures and some clinical conditions such as surgeries of thoracoabdominal aorta, mesenteric ischemia, cardiopulmonary bypass, strangulated hernias and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis may cause decreased perfusion and injury of relevant organs and tissues. After reperfusion, injuries may get worse, leading to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Reperfusion following arterial clamping allows oxygen to ischemic tissues and produce injury by multiple mechanisms, including neutrophilic infiltration, intracellular adhesion molecules, and generation of reactive oxygen radicals. In this study with the analysis of SOD, MDA and Caspase-3 levels, we aimed to investigate the effect of topiramate on the outcome of I/R occured after abdominal aorta clamping on rats.Materials and Methods: Totaly 24 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups; the control group (n = 8), I/R (n = 8) and I/R+ topiramate (n = 8). Topiramate (100 mg/kg/day); 50 mg/kg (single dose) was administered intraperitoneally after being diluted with saline 5 days before I/R.Results: The intestinal tissue of the ischemia group displayed hemorrhage, Crypts of Lieberkuhn degeneration, ulceration, vascular congestion and edematous fields as a result of aortic occlusion. We also observed that MDA levels and Caspase-3 positivity increased and SOD levels decreased in the small intestine. However, topiramate administration decreased Crypts of Lieberkuhn degeneration, ulceration, vascular congestion and edematous fields, Caspase-3 positivity, and MDA levels.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that topiramate is effective against aortic occlusion-induced intestinal injury by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Ethical Assessment of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research According to Turkish Muslim Scholars: First Critical Analysis and Some Reflections.

BACKGROUND: Turkey, with a Muslim population of officially over 99 %, is one of the few secular states in the Muslim world. Although state institutions are not based on Islamic juridical and ethical norms, the latter play a significant role in defining people's attitudes towards controversial issues in the modern world, especially when backed by opinions of Muslim scholars living in Turkey. Accordingly, opinions of Muslim scholars undoubtedly have an important effect on bioethical decisions made by institutions and individuals. OBJECTIVE(S): To explore the ethical positions of Muslim scholars living in Turkey and their arguments used in the ethical assessment of embryonic stem cell research; to discuss the biological-moral tensions arising in medical research on human embryos. DESIGN: Qualitative study. SETTING: Muslim scholars located in different parts of Turkey. METHODS: Qualitative method, involving the collection of opinions of various scholars, by means of 15 individual semi-structured interviews, evaluated using thematic qualitative analysis. RESULTS: Positions regarding embryonic stem cell research differ among Muslim scholars in Turkey. On the other hand, even where positions are similar, they are often supported by different arguments. CONCLUSION: Despite the heterogeneity of the arguments presented, the dominant position considers embryonic stem cell research as morally acceptable.