Investigation of the protective effect of gel incorporating Eugenia jambolana leaf extract on 5-fluorouracil-induced oral mucositis: an animal study.

PURPOSE: The study aimed to evaluate the possible preventive effect of two concentrations (3 and 5% w/w) of Eugenia jambolana (EJ) extract against 5-FU-induced mucositis. METHOD: Sixteen adult rats were separated into four groups: two control and two preventive groups. Animals in Groups 1, 2, and 3 were injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg/kg/day of 5-FU on Day 1 followed by 150 mg/kg/day on Day 5. The rats in Group 4 (negative control) were given physiological saline at the same times and doses. Furthermore, on the fifth day of the study, the cheek and sublingual mucosa were irritated by external superficial scratches using the tip of an 18-G needle, followed by the application 15 µL of 20% acetic acid, after which 3 and 5% EJ w/w gels were applied topically for animals in Groups 2 and 3, respectively. RESULTS: The weight and the mucositis scores were recorded. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory markers and biochemical tests were analyzed. Significant differences were found between the study groups in weight loss, clinical mucositis scores, mortality rates, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory parameters. CONCLUSION: The preventive effect of 3% gel was significant, with no mortality rate, making it an option for preventive strategies.

Effects of systemic androgens on late-stage urethral wound healing: An animal study.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data regarding the effects of systemic androgens on late-stage urethral wound healing. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of systemic androgens on fibrosis and scar formation in late-stage urethral wound healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups. First group consisted of 15 rats that were castrated on 23 days of age and were given 5 mg/kg testosterone undecanoate with 1/25 ml cottonseed oil intraperitoneally at weekly intervals for 3 weeks (castrated and replaced with testosterone rats [CAS+T] group). The castrated rats (CAS) group included 15 castrated rats. The remaining 15 rats underwent sham surgery. CAS and sham groups also received 1/25 ml cottonseed oil intraperitoneally at weekly intervals for 3 weeks. Furthermore, all groups were divided into three subgroups after testosterone/placebo administration (urethroplasty performed after first, second, and third weeks) in accordance with the urethroplasty timing. All animals were sacrificed 6 weeks after urethroplasty. Serum testosterone level was measured, tissue samples were investigated using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome. Alpha-SMA, Coll 1 and Coll 3 primary antibodies were applied for immunohistochemical examination. Expression of cytokines and growth factors, such as Bax, Bcl2, IL-10, IP-10, TNF-alpha, TGFb1, MMP9, Col-I, Col-III, TIMP-1, fibronectin, fibroblast growth factor 10, platelet-derived growth factor, alpha-SMA, were also evaluated in the tissues. RESULTS: The blood testosterone levels were significantly higher in CAS+T group at the time of urethroplasty compared with the levels in CAS group; however, this difference was not observed at the time of sacrification (p < 0.001 and 0.97, respectively). Histological analysis with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson's trichrome staining revealed a significantly higher fibrosis in the sham group compared with the others. Significantly lower fibrosis was detected in the CAS group in the pairwise comparison of the pathological fibrosis area between the CAS and CAS+T groups (p < 0.001). Furthermore, tissue collagen-1, collagen-3, and alpha-SMA expression levels were statistically different between CAS and CAS+T groups (p < 0.001, <0.05, and <0.001, respectively). The tissue levels of BAX, TIM-1, MMP-9, Coll-I, Coll-III, TGF-beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 mRNA expressions in the CAS+T group were different than the levels in CAS group (as <0.5-fold and >1.5-fold changes, respectively). The expressions of all these markers were significantly higher in the sham group. The subgroup analysis of CAS+T group (urethroplasty performed after first, second, and third weeks) revealed similar histopathological wound healing findings. DISCUSSION: Debate continues on the effects and benefits of androgen use regarding urethral healing. There are two main routes for administration as systemic or local. This study focuses on the late-stage histologic and biochemical effects of systemic androgens. CONCLUSION: Systemic androgens adversely affect wound healing and cause abnormal extracellular matrix as well as scar formation.

The preventive effect of medicinal herbal extract and gelatin sponge on alveolar osteitis: An in vivo micro-computed tomography and immunohistochemical analysis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preventive effect of medicinal herbal extract (MHE) and gelatin sponge on alveolar osteitis (AO) in an experimental rat model. DESIGN: Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley male rats with a mean age of 12 weeks were used. After extraction of the maxillary right first molar, an AO model was created for each animal. The animals were randomly separated to three equal groups. Group I served as a control, Group II was subjected to an intra-alveolar MHE application, and gelatin sponge was left in the sockets of Group III. On the 7th post-extraction day, the animals were sacrificed. The specimens were analyzed by micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), histopathologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Macroscopic evaluation revealed mild to intense signs of AO in all groups, but the difference was not significant (p < 0.05). Micro-CT analysis showed that bone formation was the highest in Group III (bone volume/total volume; 10.63 ± 4.9 %), whereas bone mineral density was the highest in Group I (2.05 ± 0.2 g/cm3). The difference was not significant (p > 0.05). In Group III, only 16.7 % of specimens showed no signal of inflammatory response (p < 0.01). The difference was not significant between the positive labeling for receptor activator of nuclear kappa-ß (RANK), receptor activator of nuclear kappa-ß ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin and osteopontin, but the intensity of Groups II and III was higher than the Group I for osteopontin (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: MHE and gelatin sponge were not effective enough to prevent alveolar osteitis, but positive results were obtained in bone healing.

Pretreatment of simvastatin on liver trace element levels during endotoxemia.

There are a number of studies investigating anti-inflammatory effects of simvastatin in patients with sepsis and animal models. There are a few studies which investigated effect of simvastatin on elements in sepsis. In the present study, the impact of pretreatment with simvastatin on element levels was evaluated in liver during endotoxemia. Rats were divided into control, LPS, simvastatin, and simvastatin + LPS. The histopathologic examination of the liver was performed using hematoxylin and eosin. Selenium, zinc, iron, manganese, magnesium, and copper were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectroscopy. In the LPS, the hepatocyte cell structure was damaged. In the simvastatin + LPS, hepatocyte, and sinusoidal cord damage were partially smaller than LPS. Levels of selenium, and copper significantly decreased in both of LPS and simvastatin + LPS. In the LPS group, iron was found to increase. In the simvastatin + LPS, zinc was increased. Simvastatin partially smaller liver damage by increasing zinc levels during endotoxemia.

Effects of betaine supplementation on nitric oxide metabolism, atherosclerotic parameters, and fatty liver in guinea pigs fed a high cholesterol plus methionine diet.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high cholesterol (CHOL) and CHOL + methionine (MET) diets on atherogenic and oxidative index parameters and on the factors that influence nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Also, attempts were made to determine whether dietary betaine (BET) resulted in any improvement in the changes that occurred after CHOL + MET administration. METHODS: Guinea pigs were fed chow containing 1.5% CHOL with or without 2% MET for 10 wk. A third group received the CHOL + MET + BET diet. Control groups were given standard chow or standard chow + BET. Arginine, NO, nitrotyrosine (NT), and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels; lipid profile; and dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity were measured. The liver and aorta were subjected to histopathologic analysis. RESULTS: The CHOL + MET diet caused higher serum CHOL and homocysteine levels, but no further increases were seen in aortic CHOL and diene conjugate (DC) levels and histopathologic lesions as compared with the CHOL group. Hepatic lipids and DC levels were also higher, and histopathologic lesions were more severe. CHOL + MET feeding increased ADMA and NT levels as compared with those of the CHOL-fed group. When BET (1 g/kg body weight/d) was added to the CHOL + MET diet, homocysteine and lipid levels decreased and histopathologic changes were reversed. BET diet decreased serum ADMA and hepatic and aortic DC levels and partly restored DDAH activity. CONCLUSIONS: BET supplementation may be effective in preventing hyperlipidemia, disturbed NO availability, oxidative stress, and the development of fatty liver and atherosclerotic lesions that might result from excess amounts of cholesterol and methionine in the diet.

Effect of the plant-based hemostatic agent Ankaferd Blood Stopper® on the biocompatibility of mineral trioxide aggregate.

BACKGROUND: Due to the detrimental effect of blood contamination on the physico-chemical properties of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), obtaining an effective hemostasis in the surgical crypt during apical surgery is of paramount importance. The purpose of this in vivo study was to analyze the effect of Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS) contamination on the biocompatibility of MTA. METHODS: Forty of 56 Wistar-Albino rats were divided randomly and equally into two groups (MTA and MTA-ABS) according to whether or not a hemostatic agent was used. The remaining 16 rats were designated as the control group. Rats in the experimental groups received freshly mixed MTA-Angelus in polyethylene tubes, which were inserted into monocortical bore holes created in their tibias. In the MTA-ABS group only, 0.5 mL of ABS solution was administered topically on the defect sites followed by implantation of MTA tubes. Inflammation, foreign-body reaction (FBR), necrosis, fibrosis, and new bone formation (NBF) were studied 7, 30, 60, and 90 days after implantation. RESULTS: On day7, statistically significant differences were found in tissue reactions with regard to NBF and necrosis (p = 0.044 and p = 0.024, respectively), the latter being observed in 40 % of the samples only in the MTA-ABS group. Slight inflammation in all groups was confined to day-7 only. Mild necrosis was present in the MTA-ABS group only on day-7. Severity of the foreign body reaction and fibrosis was limited. New bone formation increased gradually over time in all groups, reaching a maximum on day-90. CONCLUSIONS: MTA and ABS-contaminated MTA are equally biocompatible. ABS does not impair the properties of MTA.

Impact of Superoxide Dismutase-Gliadin on Radiation-induced Fibrosis: An Experimental Study.

AIM: Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) has since long been considered as irreversible. Further understanding of its mechanisms has led to trials investigating RIF treatment and prevention. The effect of superoxide dismutase (SOD)-gliadin, an oral form of SOD that resists gastrointestinal inactivation, on RIF treatment was evaluated in this experimental study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 Wistar albino mice were randomly distributed into four groups. According to group, 25 Gy radiation or sham-radiation were performed on day 0. Acute and late reactions were recorded. After 6 months, mice were treated with SOD-gliadin, 10,000 units per kg per day, or placebo. SOD-gliadin and placebo treatments were administered daily for 8 days by oral gavage. Later the mice were sacrificed, dissected and histopathologically analyzed. Accumulated hyaline and collagen at the dermis is an indicator of fibrosis. Therefore measurements of the dermal thickness were used to quantify the degree of RIF. Additionally, the morphological changes were analyzed, and the differences reported. RESULTS: The mean and standard deviation for dermal thickness were 0.45±0.09 mm in the sham-irradiated placebo-treated group, 0.51 mm±0.16 mm in the sham-irradiated SOD-gliadin-treated group, 0.92 mm±0.23 mm in the irradiated placebo-treated group and 0.71 mm±0.17 mm in the irradiated SOD-gliadin-treated group. The difference in mean dermal thickness between irradiated placebo-treated and irradiated SOD-gliadin-treated mice was statistically significant (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: Quality of life while prolonging survival has an increasing importance in patients with cancer. RIF can be a crucial problem after all radiotherapy modalities. SOD-gliadin has advantageous effects on conditions that call for an increased expression of antioxidant enzymes. The results of our study suggest that oral SOD-gliadin may prevent or ameliorate RIF and patients can benefit from the positive effects of SOD.

The effects of supplemental melatonin administration on the healing of bone defects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate histologic and biochemical effects of supplemental melatonin administration on bone healing and antioxidant defense mechanism in diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were used in this study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Surgical bone defects were prepared in the tibia of each animal. Diabetic animals and those in control groups were treated either with daily melatonin (250 µg/animal/day/i.p.) diluted in ethanol, only ethanol, or sterile saline solution. Rats were humanely killed at the 10th and 30th postoperative days. Plasma levels of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were measured. The number of osteoblasts, blood vessels and the area of new mineralized tissue formation were calculated in histologic sections. RESULTS: At the 10th day, DM+MEL (rats receiving both STZ and melatonin) group had significantly higher number of osteoblasts and blood vessels as well as larger new mineralized tissue surfaces (p<0.05 for each) when compared with DM group. At the 30th day, DM group treated with melatonin had significantly lower levels of AOPP and MDA than those of DM group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Melatonin administration in STZ induced diabetic rats reduced oxidative stress related biomarkers and showed beneficial effects on bone healing at short term.

The effects of supplemental melatonin administration on the healing of bone defects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes an increased production of free radicals that can impair bone healing. Melatonin is a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland, which participates in the neutralization process of free radicals. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate histologic and biochemical effects of supplemental melatonin administration on bone healing and antioxidant defense mechanism in diabetic rats. Material and Methods Eighty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were used in this study. Diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Surgical bone defects were prepared in the tibia of each animal. Diabetic animals and those in control groups were treated either with daily melatonin (250 μg/animal/day/i.p.) diluted in ethanol, only ethanol, or sterile saline solution. Rats were humanely killed at the 10th and 30th postoperative days. Plasma levels of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products (AOPP), Malondialdehyde (MDA), and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) were measured. The number of osteoblasts, blood vessels and the area of new mineralized tissue formation were calculated in histologic sections. Results At the 10th day, DM+MEL (rats receiving both STZ and melatonin) group had significantly higher number of osteoblasts and blood vessels as well as larger new mineralized tissue surfaces (p<0.05 for each) when compared with DM group. At the 30th day, DM group treated with melatonin had significantly lower levels of AOPP and MDA than those of DM group (p<0.05). Conclusion Melatonin administration in STZ induced diabetic rats reduced oxidative stress related biomarkers and showed beneficial effects on bone healing at short term.

Blueberry treatment attenuated cirrhotic and preneoplastic lesions and oxidative stress in the liver of diethylnitrosamine-treated rats.

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced liver cancer normally develops in stages that progress from cirrhosis and carcinoma. Increased oxidative stress is suggested to play a role in DEN-induced carcinogenicity. Blueberries (BB) contain high antioxidant capacity. We investigated the effect of BB supplementation on development of DEN-induced cirrhosis and neoplastic lesions in the liver. Rats were injected with DEN (200 mg/kg; i.p.) three times with an interval of 15 days at 4, 6, and 8 weeks and sacrificed 8 weeks after the last DEN injection. They were also fed on 8% BB (w/w) containing chow for 16 weeks. Hepatic damage markers in serum were determined together with hepatic histopathological examinations. Hydroxyproline (HYP), malondialdehyde (MDA), diene conjugate (DC), protein carbonyl (PC), and glutathione (GSH) levels, and CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and their mRNA expressions were measured. Protein and mRNA expressions of glutathione transferase-pi (GST-pi) were evaluated as a marker of preneoplastic lesions. BB supplementation decreased hepatic damage markers in serum and hepatic MDA, DC, and PC levels, but SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities and their mRNA expressions remained unchanged in DEN-treated rats. BB attenuated cirrhotic changes and decreased hepatic HYP levels and GST-pi expressions. Our results indicate that BB is effective in decreasing development of DEN-induced hepatic cirrhosis and preneoplastic lesions by acting as an antioxidant (radical scavenger) itself without affecting activities and mRNA expressions of antioxidant enzymes.

Effect of olive leaf extract treatment on doxorubicin-induced cardiac, hepatic and renal toxicity in rats.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is known to increase in oxidative stress in several organs. Olive leaf extract (OLE) has potent antioxidant effects; therefore, we evaluated the ability of OLE to reduce DOX-induced toxicity in the heart, liver, and kidneys of rats. DOX (30mg/kg; i.p.) was administered to rats, which were sacrificed 4 days after DOX. The rats received OLE (6 and 12mL/L in drinking water) for 12 days. Serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, urea and creatinine levels, as well as prooxidant and antioxidant status in organs were measured. DOX was found to increase serum markers that indicate tissue injury, malondialdehyde (MDA), diene conjugate (DC), and protein carbonyl (PC) levels, and to decrease glutathione (GSH) levels in organs. Histopathologic changes were also evaluated. OLE, especially OLE 1000, led to decreases in serum cTnI and urea levels, ALT and AST activities, and amelioration in histopathologic findings. Decreases in MDA, DC, and PC, and increases in GSH levels were observed in organs of DOX-treated rats due to OLE. We conclude that OLE treatment may be effective in decreasing DOX-induced cardiac, hepatic and renal oxidative stress and injury.

Effect of probiotic supplementation on bacterial translocation in common bile duct obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of probiotics on bacterial translocation in the obstructive common bile duct with comparison to an enteral product containing arginine and glutamine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In our study, 40 Sprague-Dawley rats each weighing 250-300 g were used. Animals in Group 1 (sham) were laparatomized and fed standard chow supplemented with physiologic saline at daily doses of 2 ml through orogastric tube for 7 days. Common bile ducts of the animals in the other groups were ligated with 3/0 silk sutures. Group 2 (control group) was fed standard chow supplemented with daily doses of 2 ml physiologic saline. Group 3 (probiotic group) was fed standard chow supplemented with a probiotic solution (Acidophilus plus) containing strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus bulgaricus at a daily doses of 2 × 10(9) colony forming units (CFU). Group 4 (formula group) was fed only an enteral solution (Stresson Multi Fiber) containing glutamine, arginine and a medium-chain fatty acid at daily doses of 2 g/kg. At the end of the 7th day, all animals were relaparatomized, and to determine bacterial translocation, aerobic, and anaerobic cultures were obtained from the specimens of mesenteric lymph nodes, intestinal mucosa, and blood samples. Smear cultures prepared from caecum were examined to determine the number of CFU. Finally, for histological examination specimens were excised from terminal ileum, and oxidative damage was assessed in liver tissues. Afterwards all animals were killed. RESULTS: Moderately lesser degrees of bacterial translocation, and mucosal damage were seen in Groups 3, and 4 relative to Group 2 (p < 0.05). In Group 4, any difference was not seen in the number of cecal bacteria relative to baseline values, while in Group 3, significant decrease in cecal colonization was seen. Among all groups, a significant difference between levels of malondialdehyde, and glutathione was not observed. CONCLUSION: At the end of our study, we have concluded that both probiotics, and enteral diets which contain immunomodulators such as glutamine, and arginine alleviate bacterial translocation, and impairment of intestinal mucosa.

Effect of blueberry pretreatment on diethylnitrosamine-induced oxidative stress and liver injury in rats.

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) treatment increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, necrosis and proliferation in the liver. Blueberries (BB; Vaccinium corymbosum L.) contain polyphenols and other active components and have high antioxidant capacities. We investigated the effect of BB pretreatment on DEN-induced liver injury and oxidative and nitrosative stress in male rats. Rats were fed with 5% and 10% BB containing diet for six weeks and DEN (200mg/kg; i.p.) was applied two days before the end of this period. Liver function tests were determined in serum and histopathological evaluation was performed in the liver tissue. Apoptosis-related proteins, Bax and B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expressions were also examined. Oxidative and nitrosative stress were evaluated in the liver by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, diene conjugate, protein carbonyl and nitrotyrosine levels, and glutathione levels and glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione transferase (GST) activities. Pretreatment with high dose of BB reduced apoptotic, necrotic and proliferative changes in the liver induced by DEN. Dietary BB also decreased hepatic lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and nitrotyrosine levels together with increased GST activity. In conclusion, BB may have an inhibiting effect on acute liver injury by reducing apoptosis, necrosis, proliferation, oxidative and nitrosative stress in DEN-treated rats.

Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on tense repair of the peripheral nerves.

BACKGROUND: After a peripheral nerve cut, tense repair of a nerve compromises circulation of the nerve at the injury site, making the site hypoxic. Hyperbaric oxygen might increase tissue oxygenation and therefore diminish the effects of injury. We investigated whether hyperbaric oxygen treatment affects peripheral nerve healing when repaired nerves are under tension. METHODS: Sixteen young female albino Wistar rats were used. Sciatic nerves of the animals were cut and a 3mm part of each nerve was excised. The animals were distributed into two groups: 1) The HBO2 group (n = 8), which received surgical repair and HBO2 therapy; and 2) The Control group (n = 8), which received only surgical repair. Walking track analysis was performed five times, on Days 12, 15, 18, 20 and 22 after surgery. The healing of sciatic nerves was evaluated by histopathological study and electrophysiological study. Pillai's Trace test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Walking track analysis: Sciatic function index (SFI) scores of HBO2 group were significantly higher than SFI scores of Control group (p:0.026). Electrophysiological study: A statistical difference was not found between groups. Histopathological study: Counts of HBO2 group axons were significantly greater than in the control group (p: 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice, tension after nerve repair frequently occurs. However, neither grafting nor other current surgical methods are functionally perfect. Since primary end-to-end repair is known to be the best repair when possible, we think HBO2 allows for the use of primary repair even when nerve tension is foreseen.

The influence of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on the healing of experimental defects filled with different bone graft substitutes.

To assess potential effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT) on artificial bone grafts, ß - Tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) and calcium phosphate coated bovine bone (CPCBB) substitutes were applied to standard bone defects in rat tibiae. The control defects were left empty. Half of the animals received 60 minutes of 2.4 atmosphere absolute (ATA) of HBOT. Rats were sacrificed at one, two and four weeks. Bone healing was assessed histologically and histomorphometrically using light microscopy. The periosteum over the bone defects was examined ultrastructurally. Cardiac blood was collected to determine the serum osteocalcin levels. The HBOT increased new bone formation in the unfilled controls and ß-TCP groups and significantly decreased cartilage matrix and fibrous tissue formations in all groups. Active osteoblasts and highly organized collagen fibrils were prominent in the periosteum of ß-TCP and control groups. Serum osteocalcin levels also increased with HBOT. The healing of defects filled with CPCBB was similar to the controls and it did not respond to HBOT. These findings suggested that the HBOT had beneficial effects on the healing of unfilled bone defects and those filled with ß-TCP bone substitute but not with CPCBB, indicating a material-specific influence pattern of HBOT.

Effect of probiotic supplementation on bacterial translocation in thermal injury.

PURPOSE: To examine the effects of probiotic supplementation and enteral solutions containing glutamine and arginine on bacterial translocation (BT) and intestinal villous atrophy in thermal injury. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into four groups of ten. Group 1 served as control group without thermal injury and was fed standard chow. Thermal injury was inflicted as a 30% scald burn in the other three groups. Group 2 was fed standard chow and group 3 was fed standard chow supplemented with a probiotic (Acidophilus plus) containing Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus bulgaricus (2 x 10(9) CFU/day) via an orogastric tube. Group 4 was fed only an enteral diet (Stresson multifiber) containing glutamine, arginine, and medium chain triglyceride, at 1 g/kg per day amino acid and 230 kcal/kg, for 7 days before thermal injury. All the animals were killed 24 h after thermal injury, and ileal segments were resected and examined histopathologically. To evaluate BT, samples from blood, mesenteric lymph nodes, and cecal content were cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Terminal ileum specimens were histologically examined to evaluate mucosal integrity. RESULTS: Significantly less BT was seen in groups 3 and 4 than in group 2 (P < 0.001). No significant difference was found between groups 3 and 4. Histological evaluation showed significant reduction in villous atrophy in groups 3 and 4. CONCLUSION: Probiotic supplementation seems to reduce bacterial translocation and decrease intestinal mucosal atrophy in rats with thermal injury, as do enteral solutions with arginine and glutamine.

[The role of supplementation or inhibition of nitric oxide production in burn injury to reduce ischemic damage]. / Yanikta nitrik oksit üremtiminin desteklenmesi veya azaltilmasinin iskemik hasari azaltmadaki rolü.

BACKGROUND: To determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) which is vasodilator agent and inflammatory cytokine, in burn injury. METHODS: Rats were divided into 5 groups, and a 30 % burn was inflicted. In addition to sham control and burn control groups, other 3 groups were given L-Arginine, and L-nitro-L-Arginine methylester (L-NAME), and both. Neutrophil and hematocrit percentage in blood, NO, TNF-alpha and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and neutrophil infiltration in the lung were evaluated at 24 hours after thermal injury. RESULTS: The inhibition of NO production with L-NAME treatment significantly decreased these parameters when compared to burned control group. MDA was decreased significantly in all groups which were given drugs. CONCLUSION: The induction and inhibition of NO production both reduced lipid peroxidation but induction increased the mortality, plasma TNF-alpha and neutrophil in the blood. Inhibition of NO production is found more useful after thermal injury in rats.

[The effects of hyperbaric oxygen and surgical decompression in experimental compartment syndrome]. / Deneysel kompartman sendromunda cerrahi dekompresyonla kombine edilen hiperbarik oksijen tedavisinin etkinligi.

BACKGROUND: To determine the beneficial effects of adjuvant hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) in an experimental compartment syndrome model. METHODS: Twenty Wistar albino male rats, weighing between 270-325 g. were divided into four groups as: Control, Fasciotomy, HBO and HBO-Fasciotomy. Rear legs of all animals were strangulated with a tourniquet for 4 hours. Fasciotomy was performed by double incisions. HBO protocol was set as: 6 sessions/day in the first two days, 4 sessions/day in the 3rd and 4th days. The intra-compartmental pressure and leg volume in all groups were measured daily. The legs of the sacrificed animals underwent histopathological examination. RESULTS: Fasciotomy was more effective than HBO to decrease leg volume and intra-compartmental pressure. The combination of HBO and fasciotomy was more effective than the single application of HBO and fasciotomy. The findings of inflammation and necrosis were less in the HBO group when compared with the fasciotomy and HBO-fasciotomy groups. This result was attributed to the higher risk of infection and mechanical damage in the groups with fasciotomy. CONCLUSION: Adjuvant HBO is beneficial in the treatment of compartment syndrome.

[Histologic effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy administered immediately after or two hours after ischemia-reperfusion injury: a rat abdominal skin flap model]. / Siçan karin deri flebi modelinde, iskemi-reperfüzyon hasarindan hemen sonra ve iki saat sonra uygulanan hiperbarik oksijen tedavisinin histolojik etkileri.

OBJECTIVES: In a rat abdominal skin flap model, we investigated the histologic effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on the skin flaps and the lung tissue immediately after and two hours after ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). STUDY DESIGN: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to three groups equal in number. The first group was left as controls. The left inferior abdominal skin flap based on the superficial inferior epigastric vessels was elevated. Following 10 hours of global ischemia, HBO therapy was started immediately after and two hours after reperfusion in groups 2 and 3, respectively. Our protocol included a course of 16 HBO treatments in six days at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes, with four sessions on the first day, three sessions on the second and third days, and two sessions on the fourth, fifth, and sixth days. On the sixth day, survival rates for all flaps were calculated. Histologic examination was made on specimens taken from rat flaps and lungs. RESULTS: The mean flap survival was 25.87% in the control group. It significantly increased to 90.93% and 84.34% in HBO-treated rats in groups 2 and 3, respectively (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between HBO-treated groups (p>0.05). Histologically, neither minor nor major changes were observed in HBO-treated rat lung tissues. Similarly, compared to the controls, thrombosis in flap microvasculature, intimal damage, edema, neutrophil infiltration, and necrosis were considerably less and neovascularization was significantly higher in HBO-treated flap tissues. CONCLUSION: Intense HBO treatment protocol used in this study significantly increases flap survival in rat axial skin flap model and reduces deleterious effects of IRI.