Curcumin as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Mitigating Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Evidence from an Experimental Rat Study.

BACKGROUND Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas and causes tissue damage through oxidative stress. We aimed to investigate the protective value of curcumin in CO poisoning. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four female Spraque Dawley rats were divided into 4 subgroups: controls (n=6), curcumin group (n=6), CO group (n=6), and curcumin+CO group (n=6). The experimental group was exposed to 3 L/min of CO gas at 3000 ppm. Curcumin was administered intraperitoneally at a dosage of 50 mg/kg. Hippocampal tissues were removed and separated for biochemical and immunohistochemical analysis. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, nitric oxide (NO) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were assayed spectrophotometrically, and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were measured using the ELISA technique. Tissue Bcl-2 levels were detected by the immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS Tissue CAT and SOD activities and NO levels were significantly lower, and MDA and serum ADMA levels were higher in the CO group than in the control group (P<0.001). The curcumin+CO group had higher CAT activities (P=0.007) and lower MDA than the CO group (P<0.001) and higher ADMA levels than the control group (P=0.023). However, there was no significant difference observed for tissue SOD activity or NO levels between these 2 groups. In the curcumin+CO group, the Bcl-2 level was higher than that in the CO group (P=0.017). CONCLUSIONS The positive effect of curcumin on CAT activities, together with suppression of MDA levels, has shown that curcumin may have a protective effect against CO poisoning.

The effect of atropine in preventing catheter-related pain and discomfort in patients undergoing transurethral resection due to bladder tumor; prospective randomized, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD) has been observed in many patients undergoing a urethral catheterization. CRBD may be so severe that the patients require additional analgesics. Muscarinic receptors are involved in the mechanism of CRBD. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of the antimuscarinic properties of atropine, which is frequently used in current practice on CRBD, by comparing it with sugammadex which has no antimuscarinic effects. METHODS: Sixty patients selected for transurethral resection due to bladder tumors were randomized into 2 groups: an atropine group and a sugammadex group, with no antimuscarinic effect. The patients were given rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) as a neuromuscular- blocker. In addition to the frequency and severity of CRBD postoperatively at 0, 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours, postoperative numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, and postoperative nausea and vomiting were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of CRBD was significantly lower in the atropine group in all postoperative measurements. The score was found to be significantly lower in the atropine group when NRS measurements were performed at all time periods (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the groups in terms of nausea and vomiting (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Atropine is a cheap, easy-to-access, safe-to-use drug for reducing CRBD symptoms, without any observed adverse effects. Since it not only reduces CRBD symptoms but also has a positive effect on postoperative pain, it can be used safely to increase patient comfort in patients receiving general anesthesia and a urinary catheter.

Efficacy and Reliability of Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery in Treatment of Pediatric Kidney Stones.

Introduction  Surgical treatment of pediatric kidney stones has dramatically changed in recent years due to the miniaturization of surgical instruments and the availability of intracorporeal lithotriptors. Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) technique is now considered an effective and minimally invasive procedure in renal stones. However, in the pediatric age group, the number of studies on this subject is very limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the RIRS in the treatment of kidney stones in children. Material and methods  The data of 25 pediatric stone patients who underwent RIRS with the diagnosis of kidney stones were analyzed retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, operative data, and success rates of the patients were recorded. Results  Fourteen (56%) of the cases were male and 11 (46%) were female. The mean age was 10.43 ± 4.26 (3-15) in boys and 10.18 ± 4.92 (4-16) in girls. Eleven stones (46%) were in the left kidney and 14 (56%) in the right kidney. The mean stone size was 10.08 ± 4.33 mm (4-23). Stone localizations were renal pelvis in 15 (60%) cases, upper calyx in four (16%) cases, middle calyx in five (20%) cases, and lower calyx in one (4%) case. The mean operation time was 41.20 ± 6.96 minutes (30-60), the mean duration of scope was 17.40 ± 3.85 seconds (10-30), and the mean hospital stay was 2.32 ± 0.63 days (2-4). Three patients (12%) had undergone percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), and two (8%) patients underwent shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) before this surgery. In six (24%) patients, a double J (DJ) catheter was inserted due to stenosis at the lower end of the ureter. Body mass index (BMI) of these patients was below 18. An access sheath was implanted in six (24%) patients in the second operation. In 18 cases, the first operation was performed with a direct flexible renoscope. In all cases, a postoperative DJ catheter was inserted. Postoperative fever was observed in one (4%) patient, and ureteric steinstrasse was observed in one (4%) patient. The stone-free rate was achieved as 17% (68%) after the first operation and 100% after the second RIRS session. Conclusion  RIRS appears to be an effective and reliable method in the pediatric age group. However, there is a need for multicentre studies involving more cases.