Combined usage of estrogen and melatonin restores bladder contractility and reduces kidney and bladder damage in ovariectomized and pinealectomized rat.

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of urinary bladder disturbances and renal structural changes and functional decline are found to increase with age. METHODS: We investigated the effect of melatonin treatment in addition to estrogen replacement therapy in pinealectomized (Px) and ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. 56 female Wistar rats were divided into seven groups, each containing eight animals: Sham, (Ovx), (Px), Px+Ovx, Px+Ovx receiving estrogen (Px+Ovx+E), Px+Ovx receiving melatonin (Px+Ovx+M) and Px+Ovx estrogen and melatonin supplemented (Px+Ovx+EM) group (EM group). We evaluated reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The mean collagen fiber (CF)/smooth muscle (SM) ratio in the bladder wall and structure of the kidney were examined histolologically. We also recorded response of the bladder contractility to acetylcholine (Ach). RESULTS: Px and Ovx groups showed statistically significant reductions of antioxidant defenses, impaired Ach-evoked contraction, histological changes compared with the control group. Also, these changes were prominent in Px+Ovx group compared with all other groups. Both estrogen and melatonin reversed these changes however best restoration was observed in the EM group. CONCLUSIONS: Px performed in addition to Ovx led to a distinct increase in oxidative damage in bladder and renal tissue and deteriorate of the detrussor function. Either estradiol or melatonin replacement alone or in combination prevents significant alterations of tissue histology and bladder contractility following Ovx and Px. Thus, combination treatment appears to be the best method to restore both contractility and histomorphology of bladder and kidney tissues after Ovx and Px (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 44).

Evaluation of the effects of ozone therapy on Escherichia coli-induced cytitis in rat.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of ozone on oxidative/nitrosative stress and bladder injury caused by Escherichia coli in rat bladder. METHODS: Twenty-one Wistar-Albino-type female rats included in the study were divided into three groups of equal number: (1) sham operation (control), (2) E. coli-only (EC), (3) EC + ozone. After ozone therapy for 3 days, urine and tissue samples were obtained for biochemical, microbiological, and histopathological analysis. RESULTS: Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) level were increased, whereas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was decreased in the EC group. MDA, MPO, and NO levels were decreased, whereas SOD, GPx activity was increased in the ozone-treated group. Also, there was no bacterial translocation in this group. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that ozone may be used as an agent to protect the bladder from oxidative/nitrosative stress occurring in cystitis.

Protective role of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (cape) on gentamicin-induced acute renal toxicity in rats.

The toxicity of gentamicin (GEN) in the kidney seems to relate to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has been demonstrated to have antioxidant, free radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory effects. It has been proposed that antioxidant maintain the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) may restore the cellular defense mechanisms and block lipid peroxidation thus protect against the toxicity of wide variety of nephrotoxic chemicals. We investigated the effects of CAPE on GEN-induced changes in renal malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation product, nitric oxide (NO) generation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, GSH content, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) levels. Morphological changes in the kidney were also examined. A total of 32 rats were equally divided into four groups which were: (1) control, (2) injected with intraperitoneally (i.p.) GEN, (3) injected with i.p. GEN+CAPE and (4) injected with i.p. CAPE. GEN administration to control rats increased renal MDA and NO generation but decreased SOD and CAT activities, and GSH content. CAPE administration with GEN injections caused significantly decreased MDA, NO generation and increased SOD, CAT activities and GSH content when compared with GEN alone. Serum level of BUN and Cr significantly increased as a result of nephrotoxicity. CAPE also, significantly decreased serum BUN and Cr levels. Morphological changes in the kidney due to GEN, including tubular necrosis, were evaluated qualitatively. In addition, CAPE reduced the degree of kidney tissue damage induced by GEN. Both biochemical findings and histopathological evidence showed that administration of CAPE reduced the GEN-induced kidney damage. Our results indicated that CAPE acts in the kidney as a potent scavenger of free radicals to prevent the toxic effects of GEN both at the biochemical and histological level. Thus, CAPE could be effectively combined with GEN treatment.