Effect of melatonin on element distribution in the liver tissue of diabetic rats subjected to forced exercise.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of melatonin supplementation on elements in the liver of diabetic rats subjected to acute swimming exercise. Eighty adult male rats were equally divided into eight groups. Group 1, general control. Group 2, melatonin-supplemented control. Group 3, melatonin-supplemented diabetic control. Group 4, swimming control. Group 5, melatonin-supplemented swimming. Group 6, melatonin-supplemented diabetic swimming. Group 7, diabetic swimming. Group 8, diabetic control. Liver tissue samples were analyzed for lead, cobalt, molybdenum, chrome, sulphur, magnesium, manganese, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, calcium, zinc, selenium. The highest cobalt, chrome values were found in the groups 7, 8 and the groups 5, 6 respectively. Groups 3 and 7 had the highest copper values. Iron and potassium values were higher in the groups 1 and 4. Group 6 had increased magnesium value, and groups 6, 7, 8 were found to have the highest manganese levels. The highest lead values were found in the groups 5 and 6. Group 6 had the highest selenium levels. The highest zinc levels were established in 1 and 2. Groups 1, 2, 5 and 6 were found to have the highest calcium values. The results of our study indicate that melatonin supplementation in diabetes and forced exercise significantly alters the element metabolism in the liver (Tab. 3,Ref. 33).

The effect of selenium supplementation on elements distribution in liver of rats subject to strenuous swimming.

The present study aims to explore how selenium supplementation affects the element distribution in the liver tissue of rats subjected to strenuous swimming exercise. Thirty-two Spraque-Dawley male rats were equally divided into the four groups: Group 1, normal control group. Group 2, selenium-supplemented, non-swimming (0.6 mg/kg/day sodium selenite) group. Group 3, swimming, no supplementation group. Group 4, swimming, selenium-supplemented (0.6 mg/kg/day sodium selenite) group. After one month, the animals were decapitated and liver tissue samples were collected to determine the levels of lead, cobalt, boron, molybdenum, chromium, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc and selenium. The chromium, molybdenum, iron, sodium and potassium values were higher in the swimming groups, relative to controls. Group 3 had significantly lower lead levels (p<0.001). The highest cobalt levels were obtained in the Group 1 and that of the Group 2 was higher than in the Groups 3 and 4. The boron values in the Group 3 were higher than those in all other groups. The copper and magnesium levels were higher in the Groups 3 and 4, compared to the Groups 1 and 2. The highest phosphorus levels were found in the Group 1. The highest selenium and zinc values were obtained in the Group 2 and those of the Group 4 were higher than in the Groups 1 and 3. Group 1 had higher selenium and zinc levels than the Group 3. The results of the present study demonstrated that selenium-supplemented rats subjected to strenuous swimming exercise had distinct elements distribution in liver tissue. Also, selenium supplementation offsets the decrease in zinc levels in rats subjected to vigorous swimming (Tab. 3, Ref. 20).

The role of zinc supplementation in the inhibition of tissue damage caused by exposure to electromagnetic field in rat lung and liver tissues.

BACKGROUND: The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of zinc supplementation on the oxidant damage in lung and liver tissues in rats exposed to a 50-Hz frequency magnetic field for 5 minutes every other day over a period of 6 months. METHODS: The study included 24 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were divided into the three groups in equal numbers: Group 1, the control group (G1); Group 2, the group exposed to an electromagnetic field (G2); and Group 3, the group, which was exposed to an EMF and supplemented with zinc (G3). At the end of the 6-month procedures, the animals were decapitated to collect lung and liver tissue samples, in which MDA was analyzed using the "TBARS method (nmol/g/protein)", GSH by the "biuret method (mg/g/protein)" and zinc levels by atomic emission (µg/dl). RESULTS: MDA levels in lung and liver tissues in G2 were higher than those in G1 and G3, and the levels in G3 were higher than those in G1 (p<0.01). As for GSH levels, G3 had GSH levels higher than G1 and G2, and G2 had GSH levels higher than G1 (p<0.01). Zinc values in the liver and lung tissues were the highest in the Group 3 and the lowest in the Group 2 (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Results of the study indicated that exposure to an electromagnetic field caused cellular damage in lung and liver tissues and zinc supplementation inhibited the inflicted cellular damage. Another important result of this study that needs emphasis was that exposure to an electromagnetic field led to a significant decrease in zinc levels in lung and liver tissues (Tab. 3, Ref. 23).

Protective effect of melatonin on lipid peroxidation in various tissues of diabetic rats subjected to an acute swimming exercise.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to explore the effect of melatonin administration on lipid peroxidation in various tissues of rats with streptozocin induced diabetes and subjected to an acute swimming exercise. METHODS: The study used 80 adult male rats, which were equally allocated to 8 groups: Group 1, general control; Group 2, melatonin-administered control; Group 3, melatonin-administered diabetic control; Group 4, swimming control; Group 5, melatonin-administered swimming; Group 6, melatonin-administered diabetic swimming; Group 7, diabetic swimming; Group 8, diabetic control. Diabetic rats were administered 3 mg/kg/day ip melatonin for 4 weeks. At the end of the study, the animals were decapitated to collect samples from liver, lung and spleen tissues, which were then analyzed to determine levels of liver MDA (nmol/gram/protein) and GSH (mg/g/protein). RESULTS: The highest MDA values in liver, lung and spleen tissues were obtained in the Group 7. The values in the Group 8 were lower than those in the Group 7, but higher than in all other groups. The Group 5 and 6 had the highest liver, lung and spleen GSH values. CONCLUSION: Results obtained from the study indicate that the increase in free radical production and the inhibition of antioxidant activity in diabetes and acute exercise are both prevented by melatonin administration (Tab. 2, Ref. 30).

Effects of hyperthyroidism induced by L-thyroxin administration on lipid peroxidation in various rat tissues.

Thyroid dysfunctions are associated with many pathological signs in the body. One of these is lipid peroxidation that develops due to over- or under-secretion of thyroid hormones. The present study was conducted to determine lipid peroxidation that develops in different tissues including the brain, liver and heart of rats in experimental hyperthyroidism induced by L-thyroxin. The study was carried out on 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats. They were divided into three groups as control, sham hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in rat tissues were determined at the end of a 3-weeks period of L-thyroxin administration. It was observed that MDA levels in the hyperthyroidism group were significantly higher in the cerebral cortex, liver and ventriculer tissue of heart (p < 0.001) than in the control and in sham hyperthyroidism groups. GSH levels were higher in the hyperthyroidism group than in control and sham hyperthyroidism groups in all tissues (p < 0.001). Results demonstrate that hyperthyroidism induced by L-thyroxin activates both oxidant and antioxidant systems in cerebral, hepatic and cardiac tissues. However, the increase in antioxidant activity cannot adequately prevent oxidative damage.

Serum cytokine and chemokine profiles in patients with alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND: Most evidence supports the role of altered T cell-mediated immunity in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA). Tough cytokines and chemokines play an important role in the immune process of AA, their expressions have been examined in limited studies. OBJECTIVE: To determine serum cytokine levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23, and some of the Th1-(CXCL9), Th2-(CCL17), and Th17-associated (CCL20 and CCL27) chemokines in patients with AA. METHODS: Forty patients with AA and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum concentrations of cytokines and chemokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay techniques. RESULTS: The mean serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-23, CXCL9, CCL17, CCL20, and CCL27 in AA patients were significantly higher than in the controls. However, with logistic regression analyses, only CCL17 and CCL27 levels showed a positive relationship, and IL-23 levels showed a negative relationship, with the presence of AA. Furthermore, serum CCL27 levels were positively correlated with AA severity. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that CCL17 and CCL27 may have an aggravating effect, whereas IL-23 may have a protective effect for the development of AA. Additionally, serum CCL27 levels may be useful as marker of disease severity.

Short-term thyroxine administration leads to lipid peroxidation in renal and testicular tissues of rats with hypothyroidism.

Thyroid dysfunction brings about pathological changes in different organs of the body. The aim of the present study was to examine how experimental hypothyroidism and additional short-term high-dose thyroxine administration (one-week) affected lipid peroxidation in renal and testicular tissues of rats. The study was carried out on 30 male Spraque-Dawley rats. The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups as control, hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism + thyroxine administration. Both malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were lower in renal and testicular tissues of the hypothyroidism group than the control and hypothyroidism + thyroxine administration groups and the levels in hypothyroidism + thyroxine administration group were higher than those in the control and hypothyroidism groups (p < 0.001). Results of the study demonstrate that hypothyroidism reduced oxidant stress in kidney and testis tissues, but short-term, high-dose thyroxine administration in addition to hypothyroidism increased oxidant stress in the same tissues of rats.

Clinical, endocrinological and histopathological evaluation of male infertility.

In the years 1980-1988, 135 infertile males, 38 azoospermic and 98 oligozoospermic patients were studied. Physical findings, hormonal (FSH, LH, testosterone and prolactin) estimations were carried out. After doing testicular biopsies, all findings were evaluated.

Effect of testicular torsion on the contralateral testis.

It has been previously shown that unilateral testicular torsion can cause disruptive anatomic changes in the contralateral testis in rats. In this experimental study plasma and urine prostaglandin E2 levels were studied correlatively with testicular histopathology in acute testicular torsion cases. As a result of this study, necrobiotic morphologic alterations causing testis necrosis and significant increase in plasma prostaglandin E2 levels were observed. Contralateral testicular histology was analyzed in all dogs. None of them showed abnormal tubular architecture.

The use of intraurethral prostatic spiral in high risk patients for surgery with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Under local anaesthesia, 31 patients underwent insertion of an expandable stainless steel tubular spiral into the prostatic urethra under fluoroscopic control. All were considered to be at major risk from prostatic surgery. Most of them had long-term indwelling urethral catheters (14 patients). The spiral allowed unobstructed voiding and is a good alternative to an indwelling urethral catheter. We recommend insertion of a spiral in patients with urinary obstruction if they are unfit for surgery.

[Effect of antisperm antibodies in male infertility]. / Antisperm antikorlarinin erkek infertilitesine etkisi.

Antisperm antibodies and their relationship with infertility has been investigated in semen and serum samples of 100 infertile and 25 fertile males. The investigation of antisperm antibodies has been done by latex agglutination test in semen samples and by ELISA procedure in serum samples. In addition, the semen samples have been investigation for several characteristics. Antisperm antibodies have been found 7% positive in blood and 30% positive in semen. In 28.5% of the patients with positive antisperm antibodies in blood, antisperm antibodies in semen have also been found to be positive. For cases with infertility of unknown cause the antisperm antibodies ratio has been found to be significantly high (p less than 0.002). These results have shown the importance of further investigation of antisperm antibodies in cases with infertility of unknown reasons.

Levels of arginine and its products in dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVES: Chronic renal failure is among significant public health problems all over the world. Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment approaches, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is still high in chronic renal failure patients on dialysis. The aim this study is to investigate the importance of arginine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with dialysis treatment program. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 53 patients with chronic renal failure receiving hemodialysis treatment and 34 healthy persons were participated to the study. Arginine and ADMA levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fluorescence detector. NO levels were assessed by a colorimetric method. Albumin, urea, creatinine levels was performed using the spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Arginine levels were similar in dialysis patients when compared to the control group. Similarly NO levels did not show any difference between patient group and the control group. ADMA levels were found to be significantly high in dialysis patients compared to the control group (p < 0.005). Arginine/ADMA ratio was lower in the patient group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Dialysis patients who have diagnosed coronary artery disease had low levels of albumin and creatinine. Arginine levels, ADMA levels and NO levels did not show any difference in the patients with coronary artery disease or not (p > 0.05). Arginine levels were significantly higher in men compared to women. Pearson correlation analysis showed that there was a correlation between NO and arginine levels. Arginine and Arginine/ADMA showed a positive correlation while ADMA and arginine/ADMA levels showed a negative correlation. CONCLUSIONS: As a result, our data showed that ADMA clearance was impaired in hemodialysis patients. Increase in ADMA levels may play a role in atherosclerosis dependent morbidity and mortality.

The effect of thyroxine administration on lipid peroxidation in different tissues of rats with hypothyroidism.

Thyroid dysfunctions bring about pathological changes in different organs of the body. Findings obtained from in vivo and in vitro studies point out that thyroid hormones have a strong impact on oxidative stress. The present study was conducted to demonstrate how high-dose thyroxin administration for one week affected oxidative damage formed in experimental hypothyroidism. The study was carried out with 30 Spraque-Dawley species male rats. The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups (Group 1, control; Group 2, hypothyroidism; Group 3, hypothyroidism + thyroxine administration). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in cerebral, hepatic and cardiac tissues after the experimental period. MDA and GSH levels in cerebral, hepatic and cardiac tissues of hypothyroidism + thyroxine supplemented group were higher than those in the control and hypothyroidism groups (p<0.001). The same parameters were higher in the control group than those in the hypothyroidism group (p<0.001). The results of the present study show that hypothyroidism reduced the oxidative damage in cerebral, hepatic and cardiac tissues of rats. However, high-dose thyroxine administration in addition to induced hypothyroidism increased oxidative damage in the same tissues and that this damage could not be prevented despite the increase in the antioxidant system activity.