Investigation of Therapeutic Effects of Erdosteine on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in a Rat Model.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a serious endocrine disorder. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of erdosteine in letrozole-induced PCOS in rats. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino female rats were grouped as control group (C), PCOS group (PCOS), PCOS-metformin group (PCOS+MET), and PCOS-erdosteine group (PCOS+Erd). PCOS was induced by administering letrozole; such rats presented with sex hormone disorder, abnormal estrous cycles determined by daily vaginal smear, large cystic follicles, and increasing fasting insulin levels. After induction of PCOS, metformin (500 mg/kg/day) and erdosteine (100 mg/kg/day) were given orally to the treatment groups for 30 days. Serum concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, low- and high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, as well as the total oxidant and antioxidant status, oxidative stress index, circulating estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), testosterone, and androstenedione were evaluated. The ovaries were graded histologically. RESULTS: Weights of ovarian tissues (p < 0.05) and the number of atretic follicles (p < 0.001) and cystic follicles (p < 0.01) decreased in the PCOS+Erd group; the corpus luteum number was significantly higher in the PCOS+Erd group (p < 0.01) as compared with the PCOS group. Lipid parameters (total-C, LDL-C, and TG), E1 (estrone), E1/E2 ratio, testosterone, and androstenedione significantly decreased, while HDL-C and E2 (estradiol) significantly increased in the PCOS+Erd group as compared with the PCOS group. Moreover glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR were reduced with treatment of erdosteine (p > 0.05, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: It is suggested that erdosteine may be used in the treatment of PCOS as an alternative to metformin. It appears that our findings might be supported by clinical and molecular studies.

Protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid in methotrexate-induced ovarian oxidative injury and decreased ovarian reserve in rats.

To determine whether the possible oxidative effect of methotrexate (Mtx) on ovary and to evaluate the effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid (ALA), which may be useful in many oxidative stress models. Thirty-two female Wistar-albino rats were randomly divided into four groups; control group, alpha lipoic acid group (ALA 100 mg/kg, 10 days), multiple dose Mtx group (Mtx 1 mg/kg 1, 3, 5, 7 days) and Mtx and ALA group (Mtx 1 mg/kg 1, 3, 5, 7 days and ALA 100 mg/kg, 10 days). Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and total ovarian follicle count were evaluated. Mtx administration caused a significant decrease in TAS, a significant increase in TOS and OSI, a significant increase in MDA levels and a decrease in GSH-Px and CAT activity. Moreover the proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) was increased in the Mtx group. And AMH values and total follicle count were significantly decreased in Mtx group. However, ALA treatment reversed biochemical results and AMH levels and total follicle count. Alpha lipoic acid ameliorates methotrexate induced oxidative damage of ovarian in rats.

YKL-40 expression in abnormal invasive placenta cases.

OBJECTIVE: YKL-40 is a secreted glycoprotein and has been implicated in the proliferation and differentiation of malignant cells, extracellular tissue remodelling, neovascularisation, inhibition of cancer cell apoptosis and stimulation of tumour-associated fibroblasts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate YKL-40 tissue expression in extravillous trophoblast invasion and its possible implication in placenta creta. METHODS: A total of 35 placenta creta cases and six control cases were included in the study, of which eight cases were placenta accreta, 12 were increta and 15 were percreta. Histological YKL-40 staining was scored in tissue as weak (1), medium (2) and strong (3). RESULTS: YKL-40 immunoreactivity intensity in the percreta group was significantly higher compared to the increta and accreta groups (2.47±0.74, 1.33±0.49 and 1.37±0.52, respectively; P=0.000). YKL-40 immunoreactivity intensity was positively correlated with creta (r=0.6; P=0.000), depth of invasion (r=0.49; P=0.003) and depth of invasion to full thickness ratio (r=0.58; P=0.000). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that YKL-40 is strongly expressed in placenta percreta and is correlated with extravillous trophoblast invasion. These findings may be informative for understanding the pathophysiology of placenta creta.

Histopathologic and metabolic effect of ursodeoxycholic acid treatment on PCOS rat model.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment on a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat model. Thirty-two female Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows - group 1: sham group (n: 8), group 2: letrozole-induced PCOS group (n: 8), group 3: letrozole-induced PCOS plus metformin-treated (500 mg/kg) group (n: 8) and group 4: letrozole-induced PCOS plus UDCA (150 mg/kg)-treated group (n: 8). Histopathologic examination of the ovaries, circulating estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), testosterone, androstenedione, glucose, insulin and lipid profiles were evaluated. Histopathologic examination results revealed that groups 3 and 4 had significantly lower cystic and atretic follicles compared to group 2. Besides, group 4 had significantly higher antral follicles than group 2 (8.5 ± 2.9 versus 5.4 ± 1.1; p: 0.001). Furthermore, total testosterone (4.9 ± 2.8 versus 8.8 ± 2.9; p= 0.004) and insulin levels were significantly lower in group 4 compared to group 2 (1.7 ± 0.08 versus 2.1 ± 0.5; p = 0.02). However, lipid parameters, E1, E2, glucose and HOMA-IR were comparable between the groups. Our study results demonstrated that UDCA therapy improves ovarian morphology and decreases total testosterone and insulin levels.

Effect of colchicine on polycystic ovary syndrome: an experimental study.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether there is any therapeutic effect of colchicine on a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Twenty-two Wistar-Albino rats were randomly assigned into four with 8 rats in each group: control group; PCOS only group; PCOS-metformin group and PCOS-colchicine group. PCOS was induced by gavage with letrozole once daily at the concentration of 1 mg/kg orally with 21 consecutive days. After PCOS model assessment, PCOS-metformin group was received metformin orally with 500 mg/kg and PCOS-colchicine group was received colchicine orally with 1 mg/kg for the 35 day. Histopathology of ovaries, circulating estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), total testosterone, androstenedione and c-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated. RESULTS: cystic and atretic follicle number was significantly decreased, but CRP and hormone parameters were not significantly changed with colchicine treatment. CONCLUSION: Colchicine has provided histopathological improvement compared with metformin in PCOS rat model.

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on dose-dependent intoxication of rats with paraquat.

PURPOSE: Paraquat (PQ; 1,1'dimethyl-bipyridilium 4,4'-dichloride), which is used extensively throughout the world, is highly toxic to humans. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of different doses of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on PQ-intoxicated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 80 rats were divided into the following eight groups, comprising 10 rats in each group: group 1: control; group 2: administered with CAPE (10 µmol/kg); group 3: administered with 15 mg/kg PQ (PQ15 group); group 4: administered with 30 mg/kg PQ (PQ30 group); group 5: administered with 45 mg/kg PQ (PQ45 group); group 6: administered with 15 mg/kg PQ + CAPE; group 7: administered with 30 mg/kg PQ + CAPE and group 8: administered with 45 mg/kg PQ + CAPE. Both PQ and CAPE were injected intraperitoneally. Pancreatic tissue was examined with both haematoxylin and eosin and immunochemical staining. RESULTS: The ratio of the immunohistochemical staining area to the total pancreatic area of the ß cells revealed that statistically significant differences were observed only between the PQ and PQ + CAPE groups (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: The evaluation of the data suggests that CAPE can be used to prevent acute effects of PQ intoxication.

Oral intralipid emulsion use: a novel therapeutic approach to pancreatic ß-cell injury caused by malathion toxicity in rats.

We aimed to investigate whether oral intralipid emulsion (OIE) reduces pancreatic ß-cell injury (PßCI) by chelating with malathion (M), or increases PßCI by increasing M absorption in the stomach. Fifty rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group (C); OIE administered group (L); M-treated group (M); OIE-administered group immediately after given M (M0L); OIE-administered group 6 hours after being given M (M6L) and OIE administered group 12 hours after being given M (M12L). M induced PßCI, hyperglycemia, temporary hyperinsulinemia and oxidative stress (OS). However, there was no significant difference in serum levels of glucose, insulin, total oxidants (TOS) and liver TOS between the M0L group and groups C and L. Also, insulin levels of M12L significantly increased, compared to the M6L group. Biochemical results, which were confirmed by histopathology, indicate that administering OIE after 6 hours and immediately after taking M may markedly prevent PßCI, hyperglycemia and OS. In addition, OIE's effectiveness decreased after 6 hours and was totally ineffective after 12 hours. We concluded that OIE may help to achieve a better prognosis and reduce mortality rate in cases presented to the emergency department, particularly within the first 6 hours, resulting from organophosphate pesticide poisoning by oral ingestion.

Do histopathologic findings improve by increasing the sample size in cholecystectomies?

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder diseases present with cholelithiasis in a wide spectrum of adenomas and cancers. Two or three specimens are sampled in cholecystectomies in routine pathology practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the increase in frequency of histologic alterations in cholecystectomies, particularly precancerous lesions, by increasing the sample size to understand the carcinoma pathway. METHODS: Cholecystectomies of 432 patients with pathology records and materials from two medical centers were collected, and two groups were created. Initial data with two or three samples were allocated to Group 1 and the new six samples with the initial ones were allocated to Group 2. Hematoxylin and eosin (HandE) sections were examined for histopathologic alterations, and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) Alcian blue (pH 2.5) and high iron diamine (pH 2.5) stains were used to signify the mucin profile in case of metaplasias. For the comparison of findings, non-parametric tests, McNemar's tests, chi-squared tests and Fisher's exact test were performed. RESULTS: Of the 432 patients, 308 (71.3%) patients were female and 124 (28.7%) patients were male. The mean age of patients was 47.9±14.6 years. Cholesterolosis was observed in 95 (22%) patients in Group 1 and 108 (25%) patients in Group 2. Gallstones were detected in 255 (59%) of the cholecystectomies. There was a significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 by increasing the sample size when we compared cholesterolosis, metaplasia and polyps (P<0.05). Cholecystitis and dysplasia rates were the same in both of the groups. There was no cancer determined. CONCLUSION: Increasing the sample size in cholecystectomies increased the diagnosis of some histologic alterations, but further studies with a larger number of samples over a longer period time might increase the ability to determine precancerous lesions and concomitants.

Somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1) and somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5)expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Somatostatin analogues are considered for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinomas which express somatostatin receptors (SSTR). There is limited data for the SSTR subtypes. Somatostatin receptor 1 (SSTR1) and Somatostatin receptor 5 (SSTR5) expressions are investigated in needle biopsy materials of patients diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma, using immunohistochemical methods in the assistance of antibody kits. METHODOLOGY: The needle biopsy materials of forty-one patients that were diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma between 2000 and 2006 have been examined. The underlying diseases, 4FP values, treatments received and the sections were evaluated after SSTR1 and SSTR5 staining. RESULTS: SSTR1 expression was found in 31 (75.6%) and SSTR5 expression in 21 of (51.2%) 41 biopsies. SSTR1 and SSTR5 expressions were not determined in 10 (24.4%) and 20 (48.8%) of the cases. In addition, no significant correlation of the SSTR1 and SSTR5 stains with the underlying diseases (chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis) and gender was observed. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the tumor cells in the tissue samples of the patients diagnosed with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma expressed a high proportion of SSTR1 and SSTR5.

Protective effects of minocycline against short-term ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat brain.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of minocycline on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. The study was carried out on 24 male Wistar albino rats, weighing 200-250 g, which were divided into three groups: (i) control (n = 8), (ii) I/R (n = 8) and (iii) I/R + minocycline (n = 8). Minocycline was administrated at a dose of 90 mg/kg p.o. to the I/R group 48, 24 and 1 h before ischemia. Following bilateral exposure of the common carotid arteries by anterior cervical dissection and separation of the vagus nerve, I/R injury was performed by occlusion. Following reperfusion, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels in the blood and brain tissue, and creatine kinase (CK), CK-BB, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and protein S100ß levels in the blood were measured and the histopathological changes were monitored. Regarding histopathological evaluation, symptoms of degeneration were significantly improved in the I/R + minocycline group compared to the I/R-only group. Statistical analysis of the biochemical parameters revealed significant differences in MDA (p < 0.001), nitric oxide (p < 0.05), CK (p < 0.05) and CK-MB (p < 0.05) levels between the I/R + minocycline group and the I/R group. According to the literature, the effect of minocycline is firstly assessed by LDH, CK-MB, NSE and S-100ß analysis in addition to antioxidant status and histopathological analysis.

Necrotizing fasciitis in a patient with bullous pemphigoid treating with systemic steroid.

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rarely seen, life-threatening soft tissue infection characterized by progressive necrosis of skin, subcutaneous tissues and fasciae. Herein, we present a case of NF in a patient with bullous pemphigoid. A 78-year-old female patient was admitted with the left leg pain, swelling, redness and blistering. Streptococcus pyogenes was isolated from the wound culture. In the skin biopsy and the left leg magnetic resonance imaging, signs of NF were observed. The diagnosis of NF was considered. Then, urgent surgical debridement was performed by the department of plastic surgery. While under treatment with intravenous antibiotics therapy, unfortunately the patient died of acute renal insufficiency.

The expressions of AMACR and iNOS in prostate adenocarcinomas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death in men. The localized disease often responds to conventional therapies like androgen ablation via castration and/or administration of chemical inhibitors but advanced disease resistant to any curative therapies is still challenge for investigators. There are increasing efforts to enhance the possibility of finding positive and sensitive immune markers for diagnosing and treating prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of AMACR and iNOS in prostate adenocarcinomas with different histopathologic grade. METHODOLOGY: We applied immunohistochemical markers; AMACR and iNOS. Formalin-fixed parafin embedded tissues of 64 prostate needle biopsy specimens diagnosed as prostate adenocarcinoma between 2005-2010 years were included in the study. RESULTS: AMACR expression were found in 58 (90.6%) and iNOS expression in 54 (84.4%) of 64 prostate adenocarcinomas. No significant relationship of AMACR and iNOS was obtained (p>0.05). There was no significant correlation of histopathologic grade of the tumors with AMACR and iNOS expression (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of AMACR and iNOS might be important diagnostic immune markers for prostate adenocarcinomas especially in needle biopsies where the quantity and quality of tissue are limited.

Adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis: Not a true hyperplasia, just proliferation!

There are several tumor-like lesions and miscellaneous neoplasms of the rete testis. We present a case with adenomatous hyperplasia of the rete testis (AHRT). The patient was 24 years old with undescended testis and was referred to our hospital. There were no clinical or endocrine abnormalities. Cryptorchidism was unilateral and the other testis was normal. Right orchiectomy was performed and sent to the pathology laboratory for examination. Morphologic and immunohistochemistry findings confirmed the diagnosis of AHRT in this case. The patient's postoperative course continues uneventfully. AHRT is a rare lesion and can be confused with malignancy. It is incidentally detected in microscopic investigation. It may present as a very small lesion detected in microscopic examination or a solid-cystic mass lesion which is macroscopically evident. Clinical history, localization, histologic features and immunohistochemistry are criteria for differentiating these lesions. We present this rare case for both surgeons and pathologists due to its importance as it can be confused with malignancy.

Prognostic value of Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) for 5-year recurrence-free survival in surgically resected gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have investigated the role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammation index (SII), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) on prognosis for various malignancies. However, the value of these markers in determining the prognosis for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) remains controversial. We investigated the effect of NLR, PLR, SII, and PNI on 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with surgically resected GIST. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients (n=47) who had undergone surgical resection for primary, localized GIST at a single institution between 2010 and 2021. The patients were divided into two groups according to the recurrence status in the 5-year period as 5-year RFS(+) (patients with no recurrence (n=25) and 5-year RFS(-) (patients with recurrence (n=22) groups. RESULTS: In univariate analyses, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS), tumor localization, tumor size, PNI, and risk category were significantly different between the RFS(+) and RFS(-) groups while NLR, PLR, SII were not. Multivariate analyses revealed that only the tumor size (HR =5.485, 95% CI: 0.210-143.266, p=0.016), and PNI (HR= 112.020, 95% CI: 8.755-1433.278, p<0.001) were independent prognostic factors for RFS. The patients with a high PNI (≥46.25) had a higher 5-year RFS rate than the patients with low PNI (<46.25) (95.2% to 19.2%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A higher preoperative PNI is an independent positive predictor for 5-year RFS for patients with surgically resected GIST. However, NLR, PLR, and SII have no significant effect. KEY WORDS: GIST, Prognostic Nutritional Index, Prognostic Marker.

Mature cystic teratomas in our series with review of the literature and retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Mature cystic teratomas are the most common benign ovarian neoplasms. Our aim is to analyse these cases by pathologic and clinical findings in our centre with the view of updated knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, 50 case reports diagnosed as mature cystic teratoma (or dermoid cyst) in Mustafa Kemal University Pathology Laboratory between 2005 and 2010 have been reviewed. RESULTS: Of 50 cases, the findings on mature cystic teratomas were as follows: the number of tumours located at the right ovary was 22, the left ovary, 23, with 5 cases bilaterally. Age range was 14-58 with mean rate 35.4. In two cases, tumour markers were high, one case presented with torsion; one case was obtained incidentally during delivery. CONCLUSION: Mature cystic teratomas are benign neoplasms with low malign transformation rate. Our series are low in number but our findings show the dynamic nature of these tumours.

The protective effect of ebselen on radiocontrast-induced nephrotoxicity.

AIM: Radiocontrast-induced nephropathy has become one of the most important causes of renal acute failure. The most effective management of reducing the incidence of contrast nephropathy is to understand and prevent its causes. We aimed to investigate the protective role of ebselen against radiocontrast-induced nephrotoxicity in terms of tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters and light microscopy in rats. METHODS: Albino Wistar rats were randomly separated into four groups. The Group 1 rats were treated with sodium chloride as the control group, Group 2 with radiocontrast, Group 3 with radiocontrast plus ebselen, and Group 4 with ebselen alone. After 24 h, the animals over the experimental period were euthanized and blood samples were analyzed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) levels. Kidney sections were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, as well as histopathological changes. RESULTS: In the radiocontrast group, BUN, MDA, and GSH-Px levels increased while SOD activity decreased compared with the control group. These decays were improved by ebselen administration in the radiocontrast group. Significant histological deteriorations were observed in the radiocontrast group. We noted improvement in the histologic findings with ebselen administration. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that ebselen might produce a protective mechanism against radiocontrast-induced nephrotoxicity.

Should a fourth category be added to the international tumor budding consensus conference tumor budding scoring system in colorectal adenocarcinomas?

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between tumor budding (TB) and clinicopathologic prognostic criteria in colorectal adenocarcinomas and to discuss the inclusion of the fourth group in the scoring system. A total of 131 cases were included in the study. TB was scored according to the classical 3-tiered scoring system and our proposed 4-tiered scoring system: BD0 (no buds), BD1* (1-4 buds), BD2 (5-9 buds), and BD3 (≥10 buds). Cytokeratin staining was applied to 80 randomly selected cases and TB scoring was re-evaluated. TB was not observed in 31 (23.7%) of 131 cases and was categorized as BD0. Patients with BD0 budding had lower pT category, AJCC stage, tumor grade, less lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular invasion, tumor deposits (p < 0.05), and longer overall survival than BD1* patients (log-Rank p: 0.018). There was significant compatibility between the evaluation of TB with H&E and cytokeratin (kappa: 0.727, p < 0.001). In conclusion, we think it is valuable to add the "BD0" category to the International Tumor Budding Consensus Conference (ITBCC) scores. However, more research with larger cohorts is needed for clinical applicability. H&E staining is sufficient for the assessment of budding, except in conditions such as increased inflammation where the tumor-stroma interface may be obscured.

PD-L1 Expression in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Is Associated With the Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition.

OBJECTIVES: Colorectal carcinomas are the third-most common tumors in the world, and colorectal cancer ranks second in cancer-related deaths. Our aim in this study was to investigate the correlation between programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and clinicopathologic parameters in colorectal carcinomas and their relationship to the tumor immune microenvironment, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and microsatellite instability. We also investigated the predictive and prognostic role of PD-L1. METHODS: One hundred patients with a diagnosis of colorectal adenocarcinoma who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy were included in the study. The relationships among the altered expression of PD-L1; vimentin; E-cadherin; mismatch repair status; and pathologic microenvironmental features, including the presence of tumor budding and CD8-positive tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), were assessed. RESULTS: Increased PD-L1 expression in tumor cells was associated with increased TILs (P = .013), high histologic grade (P = .011), advanced pathologic T stage (P = .007), lymph node metastasis (P = .002), distant metastasis (P < .001), perineural invasion (P = .009), high bud score (P = .023), EMT (P < .001), and shorter disease-free survival (P = .029). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, PD-L1 expression in colorectal carcinoma tumor cells is a marker of poor prognosis, and the positive correlation detected between EMT status and PD-L1 expression suggests that patients with the mesenchymal phenotype may be more likely to benefit from programmed cell death 1 protein/PD-L1 immunotherapy.

Effects of Dexamethasone on Bupivacaine-Induced Peripheral Nerve Injection Injury in the Rat Sciatic Model.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of perineural dexamethasone against intraneural bupivacaine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were divided into 9 groups with 6 animals in each group; Group 1 (Intraneural saline 600 µL-2ndday), Group 2 (Intraneural saline 600 µL-7th day), Group 3 (Intraneural saline 600 µL + perineural dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg-2nd day), Group 4 (Intraneural saline 600 µL + perineural dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg-7th day), Group 5 (Intraneural bupivacaine 10 mg/kg-2nd day), Group 6 (Intranueral bupivacaine 10 mg/kg-7th day), Group 7 (Intraneural bupivacaine 10 mg/kg + perineurald exam ethasone 0.5 mg/kg-2nd day), Group 8 (Intraneural bupivacaine 10 mg/kg + perineural dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg-7th day), Group 9 (Control group). At the end of the application period, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: It was observed that caspase 3 levels significantly increased in the 5th and 6th groups compared to the 1st and 2nd groups (p < 0.01). However, in the 7th and 8th groups, these levels were similar with 1st and 2nd groups. While a significant decrease in S 100 levels was detected in group 6 (p < 0.05), a significant increase occurred in Group 8 and reached the same levels as Group 2. According to histopathological evaluation, edema, vacuolization and myelin degeneration were significantly increased in groups 5 and 6 (p < 0.05). However, in the 8th group, the mentioned data showed a significant decrease and reached the same levels as group 2. As a result, perineural dexamethasone was found to have protective effects against intraneural bupivacaine induced sciatic nerve damage.

Protective Effects of Colchicine on Testicular Torsion/Detorsion-Induced Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the short-term use of colchicine on preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury after surgery in an experimental animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 rats were divided into five groups (n = 8). Sham (Sh), ischemia-reperfusion (I/R), I/R and colchicine-treated for once per-operatively (I/Rc1), I/R and colchicine-treated for 5 days postoperatively (I/Rc5), and I/R and placebo given for 5 days (I/Rp) groups. Testicular torsion was created by rotating the testicle 720o in clockwise direction and held for 3 hours. In group I/Rc1 30 minutes before detorsion, p.o. 1 mg/kg mL infusion of colchicine was given only once. In group I/Rc5, colchicine continued p.o. once daily for five days. Tissue malonyldialdehite (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) were measured for evaluating the oxidative stress. Apoptosis levels shown with Caspase-3 staining and mean seminiferous tubular diameter (MSTD), germinal epithelial cell thickness (GECT), and mean testicular biopsy score (MTBS) were used to evaluate the germ cell damage. RESULTS: Decreased protein MDA levels therewithal increased SOD, CAT and GPx levels achieved in I/Rc5 group when compared to I/R group and did not differ from the I/Rp group (p<0.05). MSTD, GECT, and JS were better in I/Rc5 than I/Rp which showed the natural course of I/R damage in testis (p<0.005). Caspase 3 positivity, as an apoptosis indicator, were significantly lower (p<0.05) in I/Rc5 group in comparison with I/R, I/Rc1, and I/Rp groups. CONCLUSION: The usage of colchicine as a complementary treatment after definitive surgery reduce early-onset ischemia-reperfusion damage and diminishes apoptosis.