Examination of the antioxidant effects of pre-HSG melatonin use on ovarian surface epithelium in rats: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: There is no study of whether the dysplastic changes in the ovarian surface epithelium of X-ray-exposed rats during hysterosalpingography (HSG) decrease or not with the use of Lipiodol and melatonin given both intraperitoneally (i.p.) and into the suspensorium ovarii. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the restorative effects of melatonin and Lipiodol administration during the HSG procedure on the dysplastic changes in the ovarian surface epithelium of X-ray-exposed rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 50 Wistar rats with regular estrous cycles were randomly divided into 5 groups. Group 1 was the control group. In other groups, X-ray was applied (group 2), 0.1 mL Lipiodol was applied to each uterine horn (group 3), 20 mg/kg intraperitoneal melatonin application was followed by 0.1 mL Lipiodol administration to each uterine horn after 15 min (group 4), and 20 mg/kg melatonin was administered to the ligamentum suspensorium ovarii, followed by 0.1 mL Lipiodol application to each uterine horn after 15 min (group 5). The rats in groups 2-5 were exposed to whole body radiation 3 times. After 3 h, the abdomens of all rats were reopened and left oophorectomy was performed. RESULTS: The presence of nucleoli and mitosis values were found similar among the groups. All other parameters were significantly higher in group 2 compared to other groups, except for the presence of nucleoli and mitosis values (p < 0.05). The presence of hyperchromasia and the total score were found to be the highest in group 2, followed by group 3, when compared to other groups (p < 0.05). It was detected that the detrimental effects of X-ray exposure diminished with Lipiodol use, and were further reduced by the use of melatonin in combination. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the use of melatonin and Lipiodol during HSG may prevent the carcinogenic changes exerted by radiation on the ovarian surface epithelium.

How do vegetable oils (hazelnut and canola) affect the reproductive system in male rats?

OBJECTIVE: Vegetable oils have an important place in our daily diet. This study starts from this point to investigate the effects of canola oil and hazelnut oil in the male reproductive system in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 male rats were used in this 16-week study. The animals were divided into three groups: the animals in group I served as the control group, while the animals in group II and group III were fed with hazelnut and canola oil, respectively. The testes of all rats were excised for histopathologic evaluation and immunohistochemical (IHC) evaluation with a standard method. Blood samples were obtained for determination of serum hormone levels. RESULTS: No significant differences were noted with respect to behavior or weight among the three groups. Rats in the canola oil group (group III) had higher luteinizing hormone (LH) and higher testosterone levels than rats in the control group. Rats who received hazelnut oil (group II) exhibited similar findings, with these levels being higher than they were in the control group. No statistical differences were shown for histopathology or IHC testosterone antibody levels across all treatment groups. Conclussion: Canola oil was shown to have a greater effect on serum LH and testosterone compared to the control group and the group fed with hazelnut oil. Further investigation is required into how these oils affect serum hormone and sperm activity.

Protective Role of Selenium and High Dose Vitamin E against Cisplatin - Induced Nephrotoxicty in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most active cytotoxic agents in the treatment of cancer. We investigated the effect of selenium (Se) with high dose vitamin E (VE) administration to prevent CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 40 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. The first group, which served as the control, was administered physiological saline (2.5 cc/day, 5 days) intraperitoneally (IP), while group A was administered cisplatin (6 mg/kg BW/ single dose) plus physiological saline IP. Groups B, C, D received IP five doses of Se (1.5 mg/kg BW), and a high dose of VE (1000 mg/kg BW) (Se-VE) in combination before, simultaneously, and after CDDP, respectively. The rats were sacrificed five days after CDDP administration. Plasma malondialdehide (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, urea, creatinine levels, renal histopathological changes were measured. RESULTS: The histopathological injury score, plasma levels of MDA, urea, creatinine were found to increase in group A compared to the control (p<0.05), while plasma levels of GSH-Px, GSH and catalase decreased (p<0.05). In contrast, plasma levels of MDA decreased (p<0.05) in groups B, C, D, which were treated with Se- VE, whereas levels of GSH-Px, GSH were found to increase only for group D (p<0.05). Plasma urea, creatinine levels improved in the treatment groups compared to group A (p<0.001). Histopathological changes caused by CDDP were also significantly improved after Se-VE treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress increases with CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Se-VE supplementation might thus play a role in the prevention of CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in patients.

Ameliorative effects of resveratrol on acute ovarian toxicity induced by total body irradiation in young adult rats.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ovarian protective effects of resveratrol in rats exposed to total body irradiation. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTINGS: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Thirty female rats were randomized into four groups: (1) control group (n = 7); (2) low-dose (10 mg/kg) resveratrol group (n = 8); (3) high-dose (100 mg/kg) resveratrol group (n =7); and (4) sham irradiation group (n = 8). The drugs were administered intraperitoneally as single doses, and the rats were exposed to total body radiation 24 h after the treatment. The animals were sacrificed the following day, and their ovaries were excised for histopathological and biochemical analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The ovarian follicle counts were calculated, and irradiation-dependent ovarian damage and tissue levels of antioxidant enzymes were evaluated. RESULTS: Group 2 and Group 3 showed significantly higher numbers of total follicle counts compared with Group 1 (P < 0.01). The low-dose resveratrol treatment was associated with significantly higher numbers of primary follicles than the high-dose group. The tissue activities of glutathione peroxidase (GsH-Px) and catalase (CAT) were significantly elevated in the resveratrol-treated animals. Evaluation of ovarian histology revealed no remarkable changes in fibrosis and leucocyte infiltration among the resveratrol-treated and control rats; however, vascularity was significantly reduced in the high-dose group (P = 0.014). CONCLUSION: Resveratrol attenuated irradiation-dependent ovarian damage, suggesting that this natural antioxidant is effective in reducing the follicle loss induced by ionizing radiation.

The effects of acupuncture on rats with brain ischemia-reperfusion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the damage of brain ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) caused by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), and the effects of acupuncture on this damage. METHODS: This investigation took place in the Experimental Research Unit of Firat University, Elazig, Turkey in January-February 2007. For this aim, 14 rats were divided into 2 groups: I/R (control) and I/R+acupuncture (experiment). In the I/R group, the MCA was occluded for 60 minutes, after this reperfusion was applied. In the I/R+acupuncture group, dry needle acupuncture was applied after reperfusion for 10 days. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed. The brain tissues were examined after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. RESULTS: In the samples belonging to the I/R group, widespread necrotic areas, red neurons, vacuolization, congestion, and edema were observed. In the I/R+ acupuncture group, the findings of ischemia were significantly decreased when compared with the I/R group. CONCLUSION: The damage caused by I/R was decreased by manual acupuncture therapy, however, further clinical studies are needed to determine the mechanism of acupuncture treatment, the optimal timing, and duration of acupuncture treatment in such disorders.

Effects of intraoperative oxidated regenerated cellulose on wound healing reaction after glaucoma filtration surgery: a comparative study with Interceed and Surgicel.

BACKGROUND: The successful lowering of the intraocular pressure after glaucoma filtration surgery depends mostly on the nature of the healing response, which is also the single most important modifiable factor. AIMS: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two oxidated regenerated cellulose material, Interceed and Surgicel on wound healing reaction after glaucoma filtration surgery. SETTING AND DESIGN: University hospital, prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Full thickness filtration surgery was carried out on three groups of rabbits. Interceed and Surgicel was applied in Groups 1 and 2 respectively. The third group was the controls. Intraocular pressure, anterior chamber depth and bleb appearance were checked on the first, third, seventh and 14 th days. The rabbits were sacrificed on the 14 th day and the trabeculectomy area with overlying conjunctiva was excised, fixed, stained and evaluated histopathologically. STATISTICS: The values obtained from the clinical and histopathologic evaluation were statistically analyzed using non-parametric tests (Mann Whitney-U and Kruskall Wallis tests) in SPSS for Windows v-10. P values under 0.05 for statistical significance in comparisons were considered significant. RESULTS: The groups were similar with respect to intraocular pressure, anterior chamber depth, bleb appearance and number of the fibroblasts and neutrophils on the seventh and 14 th days. Mean number of the eosinophils and vessels was significantly less in Groups 1 and 2 ( P = 0.014, P = 0.20 respectively). Macrophages in Group 2 were significantly less than Group 1 ( P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Both these agents seem to suppress vascularization. Since they have no significant effect on fibroblast proliferation, it is controversial to talk about wound healing modulation.

Protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids in a rat focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible neuroprotective effects of dietary supplementation of fish oil in brain ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). METHODS: This investigation took place in the Experimental Research Unit, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey, from January-February 2006. The study was carried out on 12 male Wistar rats; divided into 2 groups: I/R (control) and I/R + omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) (experiment). The rats in the I/R group received only ordinary rat food before middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. The I/R + omega-3 EFA group received omega-3 fatty acid daily via intragastric gavage (300 mg/kg Marincap capsule) with normal food before MCA occlusion for 30 days. Structural alterations in the brain tissues were semi-quantitatively analyzed (0: absent, +: slight, ++: moderate, +++: severe). RESULTS: There was evident severe (+++) edema, vacuolization, and eosinophilic degeneration in the I/R group, while only slight (+) edema and eosinophilic degeneration in the I/R + omega-3 EFA group in which no vacuolization was determined. These findings are consistent with the available studies in this field. CONCLUSION: Results from this study indicate the beneficial effects of omega-3 EFA supplementation in prevention of I/R - induced damage in rats.

The protective effects of omega-3 fatty acids against MK-801-induced neurotoxicity in prefrontal cortex of rat.

The aims of this study are to investigate the contribution effect of oxidative stress in MK-801-induced experimental psychosis model, and to show that prevention of oxidative stress may improve prognosis. Because oxidative damage has been suggested in the neuropathophysiology of schizophrenia, the possible protecting agents against lipid peroxidation are potential target for the studies in this field. For this purpose, Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups: the first group was used as control, MK-801 was given to the rats in the second group and MK-801+omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) was given to the third group. MK-801 was given intraperitoneally at the dose of 0.5mg/(kgday) once a day for 5 days in experimental psychosis group. In the second group, 0.8g/(kgday), omega-3 FA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 18%, docosahexaenoic acid, 12%) was given to the rats while exposed MK-801. In control group, saline was given intraperitoneally at the same time. After 7 days, rats were killed by decapitation. Prefrontal brain area was removed for histological and biochemical analyses. As a result, malondialdehyde (MDA), as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl (PC), as an indicator of protein oxidation, nitric oxide (NO) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities as antioxidant enzymes, and xanthine oxidase (XO) and adenosine deaminase (AD) activities as an indicator of DNA oxidation was found to be increased significantly in prefrontal cortex (PFC) of MK-801 group (P<0.0001) compared to control group. In omega-3 FA treated rats, prefrontal tissue MDA, PC and NO levels as well as SOD, GSH-Px, XO, and AD enzyme activities were significantly decreased when compared to MK-801 groups (P<0.0001) whereas catalase (CAT) enzyme activity was not changed. Moreover, in the light of microscopic examination of MK-801 groups, a great number of apoptotic cells were observed. omega-3 FA supplementation decreased the apoptotic cell count in PFC. The results of this study revealed that oxidative stress and apoptotic changes in PFC may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MK-801-induced neuronal toxicity. This experimental study also provides some evidences for the protective effects of omega-3 FA on MK-801-induced changes in PFC of rats.

Protective effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids against formaldehyde-induced neuronal damage in prefrontal cortex of rats.

The aim of this study was to examine the neurotoxicity of formaldehyde on prefrontal cortex and the protective effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids against these toxic effects. For this purpose, 21 male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The rats in group I comprised the controls, while the rats in group II were injected every other day with formaldehyde (FA). The rats in group III received omega-3 fatty acids daily while exposed to formaldehyde. At the end of the 14-day experimental period, all rats were killed by decapitation. The brains of the rats were removed and the prefrontal cortex tissues were obtained from all brain specimens. Some of the prefrontal cortex tissue specimens were used for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The remaining prefrontal cortex tissue specimens were used for light microscopic and immunohistochemical evaluation. The levels of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly decreased, and MDA levels were significantly increased in rats treated with formaldehyde compared with those of the controls. Furthermore, in the microscopic examination of this group, formation of apoptotic bodies, pycnotic cells, and apoptotic cells including nuclear fragmentation and membrane budding were observed. However, increased SOD and GSH-Px enzyme activities, and decreased MDA levels were detected in the rats administered omega-3 fatty acids while exposed to formaldehyde. Additionally, cellular damage caused by formaldehyde was decreased, and structural appearance was similar to that of the control rats in this group. The biochemical and histological findings observed in all groups were also confirmed by immunohistochemical evaluation. It was determined that formaldehyde-induced neuronal damage in prefrontal cortex was prevented by administration of omega-3 essential fatty acids.

Carboxyatractyloside poisoning in humans.

OBJECTIVE: Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium) is an herbaceous annual plant with worldwide distribution. The seeds contain the glycoside carboxyatractyloside, which is highly toxic to animals. We describe nine cases of carboxyatractyloside poisoning in humans which, to our knowledge, has not previously been reported. The clinical, laboratory and histopathological findings and our therapeutic approach are also discussed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The patients presented with acute onset abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, drowsiness, palpitations, sweating and dyspnoea. Three of them developed convulsions followed by loss of consciousness and death. RESULTS: Laboratory findings showed raised liver enzymes, indicating severe hepatocellular damage. BUN and creatinine levels were raised, especially in the fatal cases who also displayed findings of consumption coagulopathy. CPK-MB values indicative of myocardial injury were also raised, especially in the fatal cases. Three of the patients died within 48 hours of ingesting carboxyatractyloside. Post-mortem histopathology of the liver confirmed centrilobular hepatic necrosis and renal proximal tubular necrosis, secondary changes owing to increased permeability and microvascular haemorrhage in the cerebrum and cerebellum, and leucocytic infiltrates in the muscles and various organs including pancreas, lungs and myocardium. CONCLUSIONS: Carboxyatractyloside poisoning causes multiple organ dysfunction and can be fatal. Coagulation abnormalities, hyponatraemia, marked hypoglycaemia, icterus and hepatic and renal failure are signs of a poor prognosis. No antidote is available and supportive therapy is the mainstay of treatment.