Evaluation by different mechanisms of the protective effects of vitamin B12 on methotrexate nephrotoxicity.

Methotrexate is used for cure of many cancer types. It has many side effects. For this reason, obtaining a nephroprotective agent is obligatory. In the study, our aim is to determine probable effects of Vitamin B12 on MTX caused kidney damages in rats. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, including 8 animals in each group. Control group, VitB12 group (3 µg-kg-ip B12 throughout 15 days), MTX group (at the 8th day of experiment, a single dose of 20 mg-kg-ip MTX), Vit B12 + MTX group (3 µg-kg-ip B12 throughout 15 days and at the 8th day of experiment, a single dose of 20 mg-kg-ip MTX) Animals were anesthetized and kidney tissues were removed to evaluate biochemically, immunohistochemically and histopathologycally. There were histopathological deteriorations, rises of apoptotic cells, expressions of heat shock proteins, endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation markers in the MTX group. In the MTX group, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and Catalase (CAT) levels decreased, but Total Oxidant Status TOS, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin-6 (IL6) levels increased. In addition, there was amelioration in kidney tissue in Vit B12 + MTX group compared to the MTX group. We suggest that Vit B12 can be used to reduce the toxic effects of MTX.

Thymoquinone is a protective agent that reduces the negative effects of doxorubicin in rat testis.

BACKGROUND: Doxorubicin (DOX) is used for treatment of many cancer types. Thymoquinone (THQ) is a powerful antioxidant agent used for reducing side effects of several drugs. The aim of this study is to determine possible therapeutic effects of THQ on doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity in rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into five groups (n = 8): control, THQ, olive oil, DOX (a single dose of 15 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) on seventh day of the experiment), and DOX + THQ (10 mg/kg THQ per day and 15 mg/kg DOX i.p. on seventh day). Animals were euthanized, and testis tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Caspase 3 and HSP90 immunostaining were performed to determine the expression levels of these proteins among groups. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase 2'-deoxyuridine, 5'-triphosphate nick-end labeling method was used for evaluation of apoptotic index. Moreover, serum testosterone levels and total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) in testicular tissue were measured by ELISA assay. RESULTS: The DOX group had histopathological deterioration compared to the control group. There was an increase in apoptotic index, caspase 3 and HSP90 expressions in the DOX group. While TAS level of the DOX group decreased, TOS level increased when compared with the other groups. Serum testosterone levels in the DOX group decreased compared to the control group. However, there was improvement in testicular tissue in DOX + THQ group compared to the DOX group. There was a decrease in apoptotic index, caspase 3, and HSP90 expressions in DOX + THQ group compared to the DOX group. Testosterone level of DOX + THQ significantly increased compared to the DOX group. CONCLUSION: We suggest that THQ can be used as a protective agent to reduce the toxic effects of DOX.

The cardiotoxic effects of acute and chronic grayanotoxin-III in rats.

The purpose of this study is to histologically and immunohistochemically determine the changes created by grayanotoxin-III (GTX-III), which is a sodium channel neurotoxin, on heart tissues in different dosages. Rats were randomly divided into 10 groups to determine the acute and chronic effects of GTX-III. While the rats in groups 1 and 6 were control rats, the rats in groups 2-5 (1, 2, 4, and 8 µg/kg bw GTX-III) received a single dose of intraperitoneal GTX-III, and the rats in groups 7-10 received GTX-III every day for 3 weeks. As a result of the trial, in the heart tissues, histopathological changes were determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining, interleukin-1 (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were determined by the avidin-biotin peroxidase method, and apoptosis was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining method. In the immunohistochemistry sense, while the BNP level in the AGTX-III groups did not vary significantly, an increase in dosage significantly increased the IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α levels in comparison to the control groups. In their comparison to the control groups, the BNP levels increase and the IL-6 and IL-1ß levels decreased in the CGTX-III groups. TUNEL analysis revealed that apoptosis increased in both the acute and chronic groups.

Rapid decolorization of textile wastewater by green synthesized iron nanoparticles.

The effectiveness of green tea (Camellia sinensis) and pomegranate (Punica granatum) extracts for the production of iron nanoparticles and their application for color removal from a textile industry wastewater was investigated. Polyphenols in extracts act as reducing agents for iron ions in aqueous solutions, forming iron nanoparticles. Pomegranate extract was found to have almost a 10-fold higher polyphenolic content than the same amount of green tea extract on a mass basis. However, the size of the synthesized nanoparticles did not show a correlation with the polyphenolic content. 100 ppm and 300 ppm of iron nanoparticles were evaluated in terms of color removal efficiency from a real textile wastewater sample. 300 ppm of pomegranate nanoscale zero-valent iron particles showed more than 95% color removal and almost 80% dissolved organic carbon removal. The degradation mechanisms are is considered to be adsorption and precipitation to a major extent, and mineralization to a minor extent.

The ameliorative effects of vinpocetine on apoptosis and HSP-70 expression in testicular torsion in rats.

Vinpocetine is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger. We investigated the effects of vinpocetine on torsion/detorsion (T/D) induced testicular damage, HSP-70 expression and germ cell apoptosis in rats. Sixty Wistar albino adult male rats were divided into five groups of 12. The groups comprised a control group, a sham treated group, a T/D group, a vinpocetine treated group, and a T/D plus vinpocetine treated group. The left testis of each rat was subjected to unilateral torsion followed by detorsion after 2 h. Vinpocetine was administered intraperitoneally immediately and for 10 days following detorsion. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed and their testes removed and processed. HSP-70 expression, apoptosis and histopathological damage scores were determined for each group. Testicular T/D caused significant increases in apoptosis and HSP-70 expression, and a significant decrease in Johnsen's testicular biopsy scores and mean seminiferous tubule diameter. Vinpocetine ameliorated testicular histopathology and HSP-70 expression in the T/D + vinpocetine group. Consequently, vinpocetine may prevent testicular injury following testicular torsion owing to its antioxidant effects.

THE EFFECTS OF MATERNAL HYPOTHYROIDISM ON THE IMMUNOREACTIVITY OF CYTOCHROME P450 AROMATASE IN THE POSTNATAL RAT TESTICLES.

INTRODUCTION: Abnormal thyroid function affect spermato-genesis and male infertility. For men, the aromatase deficiency can cause infertility. In this study, the aim is to investigate the effect of maternal hypothyroidism on offspring testicular morphology and cytochrome-P450-aromatase (P450arom) immunoreactivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen Wistar albino pregnant rats were divided into three groups, namely A, B and K groups. Hypothyroidism was induced by adding 0.01% of propyl thiouracil (PTU) in drinking water. Hypothyroid mothers, group A: given PTU for 21 days during pregnancy, group B: given PTU for 21 days prior to pregnancy; control mothers, group K, given only water. Hypothyroid and control group mothers' pups at postnatal day (PND) 15 and 60 were sacrificed. We determined immunoreactivity intensity of P450arom and mRNA levels by RT-PCR performed in the testis tissues. ELISA method was used for thyroid function tests for T3, T4 and TSH. Structure of seminiferous tubule was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: It was seen that the aromatase expression in 15-day-old maternal hypothyroid groups was similar to the one in the control group while there was a decline in the aromatase expression of 60-day-old groups. As for mRNA, it was determined that it had a tendency to increase over time in all groups but this increase was not significant. The tubule diameter and Johnsen's Testicular Biopsy Score diminished in all hypothyroid groups in comparison to the control group. CONCLUSION: The changes that occur in the early period of testis development due to maternal hypothyroidism negatively affect testis development in the next stages of life. This situation leads to a decline in aromatase expression in the following years.

The diagnostic importance of CEA and CA 19-9 for the early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: CA 19-9 and CEA were evaluated for their specificity and sensitivity in the early diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma. METHODOLOGY: This prospective study included 40 patients with pancreatic carcinoma. A control group of 60 patients were divided into two subgroups as upper gastrointestinal system malignancies and benign pancreatic disorders. CEA and CA 19-9 levels were measured in all the patients. RESULTS: When the reference value of CA 19-9 was accepted as 74 U/mL, the specificity was 100% when pancreatic carcinoma was compared with benign disorders of the pancreas, but it's specificity for upper gastrointestinal malignancies was 60-90%. When the reference value of CEA was increased, the sensitivity had been decreased but the specificity had been increased when compared with the control group. If the reference value of CEA was accepted as 5 ng/mL, the specificity was 100% when pancreatic carcinoma was compared with acute or chronic pancreatitis, but it is less specific for the differential diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma from the upper gastrointestinal malignancies. CONCLUSIONS: With the progression of the pancreatic carcinoma, serum CEA level and the specificity of CEA were elevated similar to that of CA 19-9. However, the elevation of CEA specificity when compared with the control group was lower than the specificity of the CA 19-9 and the sensitivity of CA 19-9 was superior to that of CEA for pancreatic carcinoma. The level of CA 19-9 was increased with the development of early pancreatic cancer and this elevation steadily continued with the progression of the cancer.

Locoregional chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Investigating whether or not locoregional chemotherapy has an effect on survival among patients with pancreatic cancer. The possibility of radical surgical interventions for treatment of cancer of the pancreas is very low. Locoregional chemotherapy is one of the modalities advocated to increase survival of such patients. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-nine patients with cancer of the pancreas underwent surgery in our clinic. Eleven patients were female and 18 were male. Surgical procedures and adjuvant locoregional chemotherapy applied to these patients as well as survival obtained are evaluated and compared to those reported in the literature. RESULTS: Eight of the 9 patients that received curative surgery and adjuvant locoregional chemotherapy are still alive after 5, 6, 7, 7, 9, 12, 13, and 17 months. Seventeen patients with advanced stage pancreatic cancer had palliative diversion procedures. Mean survival was 10.5 months for the seven that received locoregional chemotherapy, but 6.2 months for the 10 patients that did not receive locoregional chemotherapy. Mean survival of 3 patients that had only laparotomy was 2.3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Neoadjuvant or adjuvant locoregional chemotherapy has a beneficial effect on the survival of patients that undergo curative or palliative surgery for pancreatic cancer. However further multicenter trials are necessary.

Which technique for treatment of pilonidal sinus--open or closed?

PURPOSE: After excision of the pilonidal sinus, some surgeons leave the wound open, and others close the wound primarily. The aim of this study is to compare length of hospital stay, length of time to return to work, wound infection rate, and recurrence rate in chronic pilonidal sinus patients, after modification of both closed and open techniques. METHODS: One hundred ten patients who had chronic-stage pilonidal sinus were randomly assigned to receive one of two excisional surgical procedures. One-half were treated by surgical excision and primary closure (closed technique, Group A). The other one-half were treated with Obeid's surgical excision (open technique, Group B). RESULTS: Ninety-one (46 in Group A and 45 in Group B) of 110 patients were followed for a period four months to three years. Although patients with primary closure had significantly longer hospital stays (P < 0.05) than patients in the open group, they returned to work significantly earlier (P < 0.05). In Group A and Group B, infection rates were 3.6 percent and 1.8 percent (P > 0.01), and recurrence rates were 4.4 percent and 0 percent (P > 0.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: Because both techniques have very low complication rates, treatment of chronic pilonidal sinus should be based on patient preference and characteristics, especially employment status.

Principal causes of mechanical bowel obstruction in surgically treated adults in western Turkey.

A retrospective study of the principal causes of mechanical bowel obstruction occurring in Western Turkey between 1979 and 1989 was undertaken. The records of 14,777 operations performed in the general surgery departments of two hospitals were reviewed. Mechanical bowel obstruction occurred in 582 patients. Among the causes of mechanical bowel obstruction, adhesions were most common (44.0 per cent), followed by strangulated hernia (23.9 per cent), volvuli (12.7 per cent) and colonic carcinomas (10.1 per cent). A previous appendicectomy appeared to be the most important cause of adhesions causing mechanical bowel obstruction.