Beneficial effects of Oltipraz, nuclear factor - erythroid - 2 - related factor 2 (Nrf2), on renal damage in unilateral ureteral obstruction rat model.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated whether Oltipraz (OPZ) attenuated renal fibrosis in a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomly divided 32 rats into four groups, each consisting of eight animals as follows: Rats in group 1 underwent a sham operation and received no treatment. Rats in group 2 underwent a sham operation and received OPZ. Rats in group 3 underwent unilateral ureteral ligation and received no treatment. Group 4 rats were subjected to unilateral ureteral ligation plus OPZ administration. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1), E-cadherin, nitric oxide (NO) and hydroxyproline levels were measured. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were carried out. RESULTS: TGF-ß1, NO and E-cadherin levels in the UUO group were significantly higher than the sham group and these values were significantly different in treated groups compared to the UUO group. In rats treated with UUO + OPZ, despite the presence of mild tubular degeneration and less severe tubular necrosis, glomeruli maintained a better morphology when compared to the UUO group. Expressions of α-SMA in immunohistochemistry showed that the staining positivity decreased in the tubules of the OPZ-treated group. CONCLUSIONS: While the precise mechanism of action remains unknown, our results demonstrated that OPZ exerted a protective role in the UUO-mediated renal fibrosis rat model highlighting a promising therapeutic potency of Nrf2-activators for alleviating the detrimental effects of unilateral obstruction in kidneys.

Sister Mary Joseph nodule in colorectal cancer.

Sister Mary Joseph nodule is the umbilical metastasis detected in cancer patients. There are various theories on the formation of umbilical metastases; however, the primary focus is often placed either in the abdomen or pelvis. Its prognosis is dismal. In this article, we aimed to present a 44-year-old male patient who presented with obstruction and was subsequently diagnosed with colorectal cancer and umbilical metastasis.

Beneficial effects montelukast, cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor antagonist, on renal damage after unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteral obstruction is a common pathology and caused kidney fibrosis and dysfunction at late period. In this present, we investigated the antifibrotic and antiinflammatory effects of montelukast which is cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, on kidney damage after unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 rats divided four groups. Group 1 was control, group 2 was sham, group 3 was rats with UUO and group 4 was rats with UUO which were given montelukast sodium (oral 10 mg/kg/day). After 14 days, rats were killed and their kidneys were taken and blood analysis was performed. Tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and interstitial fibrosis scoring were determined histopathologically in a part of kidneys; nitric oxide(NO), malondialdehyde(MDA) and reduced glutathione(GSH) levels were determined in the other part of kidneys. Urea-creatinine levels were investigated at blood analysis. Statistical analyses were made by the Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: There was no difference significantly for urea-creatinine levels between groups. Pathologically, there was serious tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 3 and there was significantly decreasing for tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 4(p<0.005). Also, there was significantly increasing for NO and MDA levels; decreasing for GSH levels in group 3 compared the other groups(p<0.005). CONCLUSION: We can say that montelukast prevent kidney damage with antioxidant effect, independently of NO.

Protective effect of hydrogen sulfide on renal injury in the experimental unilateral ureteral obstruction.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Ureteral obstruction is a common pathology and causes kidney fibrosis and dysfunction at late period. In this present study, we investigated the antifibrotic and antiinflammatory effects of hydrogen sulfide on kidney damage after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was control, group 2 was sham, group 3 included rats with UUO and group 4 rats with UUO which were given sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS)-exogenous donor of hydrogen sulfide (intraperitoneally 56 µmoL/kg/day). After 14 days, rats were killed and their kidneys were taken and blood analysis was performed. Tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and interstitial fibrosis were determined histopathologically in a part of the kidneys; nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the other part of the kidneys. Urea-creatinine levels were investigated by blood analysis. Statistical analyses were made by the Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: There was no significantly difference for urea-creatinine levels among groups. Pathologically, there was serious tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 3 and there was significantly decreasing of tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 4 (p<0.005). Also, there was significantly increase of NO and MDA levels and decrease of GSH levels in group 3 compared to other groups (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: hydrogen sulfide prevents kidney damage with antioxidant and antiinflammatory effect.

Protective effect of hydrogen sulfide on gentamicin-induced renal injury.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the potential protective effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) against GEN-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of six animals as follows: (1) the rats were control, (2) intraperitoneally injected with GEN 14 consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day), (3) treated with GEN plus %0.9 saline intraperitoneally for 14 days and (4) treated with GEN plus sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS)-exogenous H2S donor (56 µmol/kg/day) for 14 days. After 15 days, rats were sacrificed and their kidneys were taken and blood analysis was performed. Twenty-four hours urine collections were obtained in standard metabolic cages a day before the rats were sacrificed. Tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis scoring were determined histopathologically in a part of kidneys; nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the other part of kidneys. Statistical analyses were made by the chi-squared test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Serum urea and creatinine levels were significantly higher in rats treated with GEN alone, than the rats in control and GEN + NaHS groups. The GSH levels in renal tissue of only GEN-treated rats were significantly lower than those in control group, and administration of NaHS to GEN-treated rats significantly increased the level of GSH. The group that was given GEN and NaHS had significantly lower MDA and NO levels in kidney cortex tissue than those that was given GEN alone. In rats treated with GEN + NaHS, despite the presence of mild tubular degeneration and tubular necrosis are less severe, and glomeruli maintained a better morphology when compared with GEN group. DISCUSSION: We can say that H2S prevent kidney damage with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.

Pomegranate extract attenuates gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by reducing oxidative stress.

Nephrotoxicity is a major complication of gentamicin (GEN), which is widely used in the treatment of severe Gram-negative infections. Reactive oxygen species are important mediators of GEN-induced nephrotoxicity. Because of the strong antioxidant properties of pomegranate extract (PE), we evaluated the protective effect of PE against GEN-induced nephrotoxicity. Thirty-two adult male rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: (1) controls; (2) treated with GEN for 14 consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day); (3) treated with GEN plus distilled water; and (4) treated with GEN plus PE (100 µL). After 15 days, the rats were killed and their kidneys were taken, and blood analysis was performed. Tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis scores were determined histopathologically; and biochemically, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in kidneys were determined. Urea, creatinine, Na(+), and K(+) levels were investigated in the blood analysis. Statistical analyses were made by the chi-square test and analysis of variance. Serum urea and creatinine levels were significantly higher in rats treated with GEN alone than rats in the control and the GEN + PE-treated groups. The GSH level in renal tissue of only GEN-treated rats was significantly lower than those in the control group, and administration of PE to GEN-treated rats significantly increased the level of GSH. The group that was given GEN and PE had significantly lower MDA levels in kidney cortex tissue than those given GEN alone. There was no significant difference of NO levels between the groups. In rats treated with GEN + PE, despite the presence of mild tubular degeneration and tubular necrosis is less severe, and glomeruli maintained a better morphology when compared with the GEN-treated group. We think that PE prevents kidney damage by decreasing oxidative stress in kidney.

Protective effect of montelukast which is cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor antagonist on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage in rat kidney.

Nephrotoxicity is a major complication of gentamicin (GEN). We aimed to evaluate the potential protective effect of montelukast (MK) against GEN-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups, each consisting of eight animals as follows: (1) the rats were control; (2) intraperitoneally injected with GEN 14 consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day); (3) treated with GEN plus distilled water via nasogastric gavage for 14 days; and (4) treated with GEN plus MK (10 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. After 15 days, rats were killed and their kidneys were taken and blood analysis was performed. Twenty-four hours urine collections were obtained in standard metabolic cages a day before the rats were killed. Tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis scoring were determined histopathologically in a part of kidneys; nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the other part of kidneys. Statistical analyses were made by the chi-square test and analysis of variance. Serum urea and creatinine levels were significantly higher in rats treated with GEN alone, than the rats in control and GEN + MK groups.The GSH levels in renal tissue of only GEN-treated rats were significantly lower than those in control group, and administration of MK to GEN-treated rats significantly increased the level of GSH. The group that was given GEN and MK had significantly lower MDA and NO levels in kidney cortex tissue than those that was given GEN alone. In rats treated with GEN + MK, despite the presence of mild tubular degeneration and tubular necrosis are less severe, and glomeruli maintained a better morphology when compared with GEN group. We can say that MK prevents kidney damage with antioxidant effect, independently of NO.

Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in Predicting the Preoperative Grade of Meningiomas.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between the apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) value obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathologic grade of meningiomas. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Radiology, Istanbul Medeniyet University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey between January 2015 and June 2019. METHODOLOGY: Data of 45 patients with meningiomas, who underwent surgery at the University Hospital, were retrospectively reviewed; 28 patients were enrolled in the study. The pathology preparations of the patients were re-evaluated according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 2016 classification updated by a neuropathologist. ADC values were measured in a standard region of interest range from the three consecutive sections where the mass had the largest width and from the opposite white matter. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (50%) were diagnosed with WHO grade I tumor, 11 with grade II (39.3%), and three with grade III (10.7%). The ADCmin value was found statistically significant for the differentiation of tumor grades (p = 0.018). The cut-off point of the ADCmin value was 0.634x10-3mm2s for the differential diagnosis of grade I and grade II/III meningiomas. The sensitivity of the cut-off value was found as 86% and its specificity as 57%. The patients with increased cellularity and Ki67 proliferation index had statistically significantly lower ADCmin values (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The data of this study show a significant difference in the ADCmin values on MRI between low- and high-grade meningiomas. A negative correlation was found between histopathologic grade and ADCmin. Key Words: Meningioma, Apparent diffusion coefficient, Magnetic resonance imaging, Histopathological grade, Quantitative.

Diagnostic accuracy of molecular testing with three molecular markers on thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology with abnormal category.

BACKGROUND: Cases with abnormal category, determined by thyroid fine-needle aspiration (FNA), frequently undergo surgical resection, despite the majority of cases being identified as benign after resection. Additional diagnostic markers are needed to guide the management of patients with abnormal thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The retrospective study enrolled 150 cases diagnosed abnormal by FNA cytology that had undergone molecular testing with three markers (BRAF V600E, NRAS, and KRAS) on the cell block. Seventy-one cases had a surgical follow-up. RESULTS: When NIFTP is not considered as malignant, positive predictive values (PPVs) of cytology and combined cytology and molecular testing (CC-MT) were 67.6% (95% CI: 0.555-0.782) and 89.2% (95% CI: 0.746-0.970) (P = .004), respectively. The sensitivity of the CC-MT was 68.8%, specificity was 82.5%, and the false-positive rate was 17.4%. When NIFTP is considered as malignant, PPVs of cytology and CC-MT were 83.1% (95% CI: 0.743-0.918) and 94.6% (95% CI: 0.873-1.018) (P = .047), respectively. The sensitivity of the CC-MT was 59.3%, specificity was 83.3%, and the false-positive rate was 16.7%. CONCLUSION: The addition of molecular testing with a small panel to FNA cytology may increase the PPV of cytology in abnormal categories. Small panel (BRAF V600E, KRAS, and NRAS) with high specificity and high PPVs may be used particularly for the detection of thyroid malignancy. Cell blocks can be an especially useful and straightforward method for molecular diagnostic studies.

Colloid Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix and Its Immunohistochemical Analysis: A Case Report.

Colloid carcinoma, which is a very rare tumor of the uterine cervix, is composed of an excessive amount of mucus and a relative paucity of tumoral glandular cells within them. Herein, we report a rare case of colloid carcinoma of the cervix with adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), intestinal and usual types, and endocervical adenocarcinoma (usual type) components. We also discuss the morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of this tumor. A 51-year-old woman was referred to our outpatient clinic with the symptom of genital bleeding lasting for 5 months. She had a cervix surrounded by an irregular tumor with a diameter of 5 cm. The colloid carcinoma cells were positive for MUC2, MUC5AC, and cytokeratin (CK) 7, focal positive for CDX2, and negative for MUC6 and CK20. Also, the intestinal type AIS showed a similar staining pattern. Colloid carcinoma cells producing mucin showed an intestinal phenotype and AIS. The intestinal type can be considered as a precursor lesion of colloid carcinoma.

Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression in the Anterior Vaginal Wall of Patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence.

PURPOSE: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are common medical problems, particularlyamong older women. In this study, we aim to explore the relationship between the neurotransmitter nNOS in the vaginal epithelium, and the occurrence of SUI and changes of nNOS levels according to menopausal status.Matherials and Methods: Fourty women were enrolled. The patients were divided into four groups according to menstruaiton status and SUI. The vagina specimens were taken during transobturator tape application. The specimens were examined pathologically in terms of n-NOS expression. nNOS expression was compared between SUI and control groups. The results were evaluated statistically. RESULT: Epithelial total nNOS score in group 1 and group 3 were 2.4 ± 0.5 and 1.4 ± 0.5 respectively (P = .003). Stromal total nNOS score was found 2.2 ± 0.4 in group 1 and 1.3 ± 0.5 in group 3 (P = .001). Epithelial total nNOS score in group 2 and group 4 were 4.4 ± 0.5 and 3.5 ± 0.5 respectively (P = .003). Stromal total nNOS score was found 4.4 ± 0.5 in group 2 and 3.6 ± 0.5 in group 4 ( P = .006). CONCLUSION: Our results show that expression of nNOs in the anterior vaginal epithelium decreased significantly in the SUI group. Altough our findings indicate important results, well designed further studies are needed to comprehend the role of NOS pathways better in SUI pathophysiology.

The effect of darbepoetin alfa on renal fibrosis in rats with acute unilateral ureteral obstruction.

OBJECTIVES: The most important treatment strategy for obstructive nephropathy is to protect renal tissue from the deleterious effects of fibrosis. Therefore, we sought to investigate the renoprotective effects of darbepoetin alfa on unilateral ureteral obstructions. METHODS: We used 12 female and 12 male 3-monthold Wistar rats weighing between 250 and 350 g. The rats were divided equally into sham, darbepoetin and control groups. With the exception of the sham group, left unilateral obstructions were applied to all of the rats. The darbepoetin group received perioperative darbepoetin alfa at a dose of 10 mg/kg. The rats were sacrificed on postoperative day 7, and 3-cc blood samples and bilateral renal specimens were collected from each rat. RESULTS: Renal ectasia was observed significantly less frequently in the darbepoetin group than the obstruction group (p<0.001). Additionally, the uptake rates of cortical TNF and medullary SMA in the darbepoetin group were comparable to those in the sham group but lower than those in the ureteral obstruction group (p<0.001 and p<0.008, respectively). When biomarkers of renal injury, including cystatin-C, malondialdehyde, and B2 microglobulin, were evaluated in combination, B2 microglobulin was found at higher levels in the ureteral obstruction group (p<0.004). CONCLUSION: As we know pelvicalyceal ectasia reflects intrapelvic pressure into renal tubular system via renal reflux. Therefore pelvicalyceal ectasia can be used as an indicator of renal tubular pressure. Although as a limitation of our study, renal tubular pressure was not quantitatively evaluated, parallelism between levels of renal ectasia detected in the rats of the sham, and DPO groups can predict that this drug (darbepoetin-a) can decrease renal tubular pressure in acute ureteral obstruction. Moreover, B2 microglobulin levels in the sham, and DPO groups differed from those of ureteral obstruction group, which suggested that DPO does not impair renal perfusion in addition to its decreasing effects on renal tubular pressure. We think that in countries with higher incidence rates of stone disease similar to our country, DPO may be used among medical treatment alternatives, which aim to preserve renal reserve.

The outcome of a pregnant woman with a minor head injury: an ossified subdural hematoma (OSDH).

We experienced an ossified subdural hematoma (OSDH), which is an extremely rare form of chronic subdural hematoma (SDH), in the dominant hemisphere of a 35-year-old woman. She presented to our outpatient clinic with a complaint of a headache; she had previously experienced a head injury while she was pregnant. We performed surgery with extreme caution because the lesion was attached to the surrounding tissue. Since an OSDH is an extremely rare form of chronic SDH, neurosurgeons might not experienced them during their daily practice. Additionally, head injuries received during pregnancy should be taken seriously, and after delivery, the patient should undergo cranial computed tomography, even if she is asymptomatic.

Comparison of the distinctive pathological features of and p16 and c-Kitexpression levels in benign and malignant endometrial polyps.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Histopathological examination is crucial for the effective management of endometrial polyps. Immunohistochemical markers such as p16 and c-Kit may facilitate the differential diagnoses of benign and malignant polyps. The aim of the present study was to explore the expression levels of c-Kit (CD117) and p16 in endometrial polyps of postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five hysterectomy specimens with malignant endometrial polyps and hysterectomy or polypectomy specimens featuring 55 benign polyps were studied. The polyps were immunohistochemically stained for p16 and c-Kit, and differences in the expression levels of these proteins in the glandular and stromal components of benign polyps and the benign regions of the malignant polyps were assessed by using Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The glandular components of malignant polyps exhibited significantly more intense p16 immunostaining than did benign polyps. Most immunoreactive cells were glandular cells exhibiting tubal metaplasia. The stromal components of either type of polyp did not differ in terms of p16 immunostaining. The extent of c-Kit immunostaining in benign and malignant polyps was similar. CONCLUSION: The extensive tubal metaplasia in and the p16 immunoreactivity of the glandular components of malignant polyps may be useful to distinguish such polyps from benign polyps.

Are Helicobacter Pylori and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Related, and If So, How?

PURPOSE: Although many virulence factors have been defined for Helicobacter pylori (HP), vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) is known to be associated with apoptosis, the cag pathogenicity island protein (Cag-PAI), and growth factors. Both apoptosis and growth factors are thought to be related to the etiology of benign prostatic hyperpla­sia (BPH). Additionally, the relation between atherosclerosis-BPH and atherosclerosis-HP has also been reported in a limited number of studies. The aim of this pioneering study was to investigate the presence of HP in BPH patients who had undergone transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and to discuss the potential pathophysiologic effects of HP on BPH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 113 cases who underwent TURP due to infravesical obstruction due to BPH were included in the study. Preoperatively, parameters including, age, height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume (PVo), maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), fasting plasma insu­lin, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)values were evaluated. The presence of HP was investigated in the prostate specimens with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Postoperatively, histo­pathological evidence of chronic prostatitis (hCP) was also analyzed. RESULTS: HP was detected in 1.8% (n = 2) of the participants. Additionally, hCP was observed in 58.4% (n = 66) of the 113 patients. The demographic and clinical parameters confirmed the presence of BPH disease. CONCLUSION: Although BPH is a common disease, its physiologic etiology mechanisms are not clear. Based on our pilot study, despite its gastric location, we believe that HP should be considered in cases with clinical BPH because HP induces apoptosis and alterations in the equilibrium between apoptosis and local growth factors in addition to its recently demonstrated extragastric effects mediated via the atherosclerotic pathway. Although our uncontrolled pioneer study was not designed to investigate the pathophysiologic mechanism, the isolation of HP from prostatic adenoma suggests the need for further well-designed studies on this topic.

The comparison of GLUT-4 and nNOS expression in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with BPH/LUTS.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in diabetic and non-diabetic patients who underwent TUR-P or transvesical prostatectomy with the diagnosis of BPH. METHODS: Thirty diabetic patients with an average age of 58 and 30 non-diabetic patients with that of 56 were included in the study. T-PSA, IPSS, Q max value and prostate volume were compared between the two groups. The stromal and glandular staining scores of GLUT-4 and nNOS expression were compared. Student's t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in terms of age, IPSS, Qmax and PSA. Patients with diabetes had larger prostate volumes (p = 0.02). Mean GLUT-4 glandular total scores in diabetic and non-diabetic patients were 3.36 ± 1.21 and 2.1 ± 1.39, respectively, whereas stromal total scores were 3.63 ± 1.12 and 2.46 ± 1.33, and they were both statistically significant (p = 0.028 and p = 0.032, respectively). Glandular total nNOS scores in diabetic and non-diabetic patients were 4.53 ± 1.0 and 2.80 ± 1.12, while stromal total scores were 1.76 ± 1,0 and 2.30 ± 1.08 and they were found to be statistically significant (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.037, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: GLUT-4 expression was found higher in prostatic tissue of the patients with diabetes mellitus. The expression value of nNOS was higher in the glandular area in diabetic patients, while stromal area expression score was higher in non-diabetic patients. Although our findings indicate important results, carefully designed further studies are needed to better comprehend the role of GLUT-4 and NOS pathways in BPH/LUTS pathophysiology.

Pomegranate extract attenuates unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal damage by reducing oxidative stress.

AIMS: Ureteral obstruction may cause permanent kidney damage at late period. We know that the pomegranate extract (PE) play a strong role on removal of free oxygen radicals and prevention of oxidative stress. In the current study study, we evaluated the effect of PE on kidney damage after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 32 rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was a control, Group 2 was a sham, Group 3 was rats with UUO and Group 4 was rats with UUO that were given PE (oral 100 µL/day). After 14 days, rats were killed and their kidneys were taken and blood analysis was performed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration, and interstitial fibrosis scoring were determined histopathologically in a part of kidneys; nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the other part of kidneys. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analyses were performed by the Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: There was no difference significantly for urea-creatinine levels between groups. Pathologically, there was serious tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis in Group 3, and there was significantly decreasing for tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and fibrosis in Group 4 (P < 0.005). Furthermore, there was significantly increasing for NO and MDA levels; decreasing for GSH levels in Group 3 compared the other groups (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We think that the PE prevents kidney damage by decreasing oxidative stress in kidney.

The effects of topical antiglaucoma drugs as monotherapy on the ocular surface: a prospective study.

Purpose. The aim was to compare the effects of antiglaucoma eye drops on the tear functions and ocular surface. Method. Eighty-five eyes of 43 patients with glaucoma were included into this randomized prospective study. Timolol without preservative (1), timolol with benzododecinium bromide (2), latanoprost (3), bimatoprost (4), travoprost with benzalkonium chloride (5), and brimonidine with purite (6) were given to 6 groups. Schirmer I, tear film breakup time (TBUT), staining scores, and impression cytology samples were evaluated before and during 12-month-follow-up period. Results. At the end of 12 months, there was no detected change in Schirmer I and TBUT tests indicating dry eye. Corneal staining scores were higher in groups 1 and 2, while conjunctival staining scores were higher in group 6. Goblet cell count decreased in groups 1 and 5 in superior and inferior, group 2 in superior, and groups 3 and 6 in inferior conjunctiva. Squamous metaplasia grades showed a significant increase in groups 1 and 2 at 3rd, 6th, and 12th month controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion. We observed nonserious impact on tear functions and ocular surface with antiglaucoma monotherapy. Beta blockers induced more damage on the ocular surface suggesting the role of the dosing and active substances beside preservatives.

Beneficial effects of Oltipraz, nuclear factor - erythroid - 2 - related factor 2 (Nrf2), on renal damage in unilateral ureteral obstruction rat model

ABSTRACT Introduction: We investigated whether Oltipraz (OPZ) attenuated renal fibrosis in a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rat model. Materials and Methods: We randomly divided 32 rats into four groups, each consisting of eight animals as follows: Rats in group 1 underwent a sham operation and received no treatment. Rats in group 2 underwent a sham operation and received OPZ. Rats in group 3 underwent unilateral ureteral ligation and received no treatment. Group 4 rats were subjected to unilateral ureteral ligation plus OPZ administration. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), E-cadherin, nitric oxide (NO) and hydroxyproline levels were measured. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were carried out. Results: TGF-β1, NO and E-cadherin levels in the UUO group were significantly higher than the sham group and these values were significantly different in treated groups compared to the UUO group. In rats treated with UUO + OPZ, despite the presence of mild tubular degeneration and less severe tubular necrosis, glomeruli maintained a better morphology when compared to the UUO group. Expressions of α-SMA in immunohistochemistry showed that the staining positivity decreased in the tubules of the OPZ-treated group. Conclusions: While the precise mechanism of action remains unknown, our results demonstrated that OPZ exerted a protective role in the UUO-mediated renal fibrosis rat model highlighting a promising therapeutic potency of Nrf2-activators for alleviating the detrimental effects of unilateral obstruction in kidneys.

Contact lens-related dry eye and ocular surface changes with mapping technique in long-term soft silicone hydrogel contact lens wearers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate ocular surface changes in long-term silicone hydrogel contact lens wearers. METHODS: Thirty patients were included in this study. Twenty patients (40 eyes) using contact lenses constituted group 1 and 10 (20 eyes) volunteers constituted group 2. The duration of average contact lens usage was 7.74 ± 3.3 years. Ocular surface was evaluated by surface staining, tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer I test, and conjunctival impression cytology with color-coded mapping technique and by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI). RESULTS: The mean break-up time was lower and staining scores were higher in group 1 (p<0.001) but Schirmer values were not significantly different from group 2 (p>0.05). The mean OSDI score was 34.59 ± 11.93 to 19.28 ± 6.7 in group 1 and 2. Increased metaplastic predominant changes of grade II and III were observed in the interpalpebral and perilimbal areas in group 1. Significant correlations were observed in TBUT, cornea staining, and grade II to grade III metaplasia ratios between duration of the lens usage and contact lens wear time in a day. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone hydrogel lenses produce significant changes on tear film and impression cytology of the ocular surface in long-term use.