The effects of Hypericum perforatum on hepatic ischemia- -reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IR) is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Several agents have been used to protect the liver after IR. We aimed to investigated the effects of the Hypericum perforatum on IR of the liver. METHODS: A total of 62 wistar-albino male rats in 4 groups were used. Sham group (n: 8). Control group (IR, n: 18) was underwent partially liver ischemia and reperfusion (IR). Carboxymethyl cellulose group (CMC n: 18) was given 0.5 % carboxymethyl cellulose before IR for a week. Hypericum perforatum group (HP, n:18) was given 0.5 % carboxymethyl cellulose supplemental the extract of Hypericum perforatum before IR for a week. Blood and liver samples were obtained before ischemia, and 1, 2, 4 hours after the reperfusion. AST, ALT, LDH, TNF-α, IL-6, MDA and advanced oxidation protein products(AOPP) levels were determined in blood samples. Histological evaluation and tissue MDA, AOPP levels were determined. RESULTS: Blood levels of ALT, TNF-α, IL-6 and MDA were significantly low in HP group compared with IR and CMC groups (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the liver injury scrores of IR and CMC groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: [corrected] These results indicate that H. perforatum can protect the liver against IR. As antioxidative agent, Hypericum perforatum has both local and systemic protective effects in ischemia reperfusion injury (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 31).

The study of biochemical and histopathological effects of spirulina in rats with TNBS-induced colitis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the beneficial effects of spirulina on the treatment of experimental colitis. BACKGROUND: Spirulina, a planktonic blue green algae from oascillateriaceae family, has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anti-viral, and antimicrobial effects, rendering it a natural drug of prophylactic and therapeutic properties. The effects of spirulina on colitis are not known. METHODS: Wistar rats weighing 200-300 g were used. Experimental colitis was created during anesthesia using the trinitrobenzene sulfonic (TNBS) acid. The rats were randomly divided into the 3 groups. In the group 1 (sham; n = 8), saline was administered via oral gavage 7 days after 1 ml of rectal saline was administered. In the group 2 (experimental colitis + spirulina; n = 8), 2 g/kg spirulina was administered via oral gavage 7 days after the rectal 1 ml TNBS was administered. In group 3 (experimental colitis; n = 8), enema was administered via oral gavage 7 days after the rectal 1 ml TNBS was administered. Eight days after the instigation of TNBS colitis, the rats were sacrificed and blood and tissue samples were taken. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluations were conducted, and malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant status (TAS), and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined. RESULTS: Inflammation on mucosa and submucosa, hemorrhage, necrosis, cellular infiltration and crypt abscess formation, immunoreactivity and tissue MDA levels were decreased in the experimental colitis + spirulina group when compared to the experimental colitis group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate the beneficial effects of spirulina on TNBS-induced inflammatory bowel disease (Tab. 6, Fig. 10, Ref. 40).

The effect of ankaferd to stop bleeding in experimental partial nephrectomy.

AIMS: In kidney surgery, bleeding is one of the most important issues. In partial nephrectomy, as a "blood stopper", we used surgycell and ankaferd which is used traditionally in Turkish medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 24 Wistar-Albino rats were grouped randomly. Laparotomy was performed in the first group, sham group. In the second group, partial nephrectomy was performed to lower-kidney pole and then, serum physiology was given to the lower part of the kidney. In the third group, partial nephrectomy was performed and surgycell was given over the kidney. In the fourth group, partial nephrectomy was performed and then ABS was applied. In all groups, the gauze was weighted on sensitive lift before and after the operation in order to determine the amount of bleeding. After the subjects were left alive for 5 hours, the levels of blood urea, and creatinine and kidney histopathology were evaluated. RESULTS: No meaningful difference between the groups was found as for the levels of blood urea, and creatinine and the kidney histopathology. Bleeding amount was diminished significantly in the group 4, to which ankaferd was applied. CONCLUSION: Ankaferd is a substance which can be used effectively for controlling acute bleeding in kidney surgery (Tab. 2, Ref. 19). Full Text in free PDF www.bmj.sk.

Effects of Cholerella sp. microalgae extract on colonic anastomosis in rats with protein-energy malnutrition.

OBJECTIVE: Algae, which are used as supplementary nutrients in various countries, are products rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of algae extracts on the healing of colonic anastomosis in malnourished rats. METHOD: Seventy-two rats were randomized to three groups. Group 1 was fed with standard diet for 15 days, before and after the colonic anastomosis. Groups 2 and 3 were fed with a malnutrition diet for 15 days prior to colonic anastomosis and then with the basic diet for 15 days there after. Group 3 also received an extract of algae derived from Cholerella sp. via oral gavage postoperatively, in addition to the basic diet. Rats were killed on the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative day. Blood samples were collected to evaluate prealbumin, transferring and albumin levels. Anastomotic bursting pressures (BPs), histopathology and tissue hydroxyproline levels were evaluated after killing. RESULTS: In group 3, the prealbumin level on the 3rd postoperative day and transferrin and albumin levels on the 7th and 15th postoperative days were significantly increased compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Tissue hydroxyproline levels and anastomotic BPs of group 3 were significantly higher than in group 2 on the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative days (P < 0.05). Histopathological examination of the anastomosis revealed significantly better healing patterns for group 3 than for groups 1 and 2 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Extract derived from Cholerella sp. microalgae has favourable effects on healing of experimental colon anastomoses.

L-alanin-L-glutamine supplementation improves the outcome after colorectal surgery for cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of l-alanine-l-glutamine (Gln) on postoperative complication rate and duration of hospitalization in patients operated for colorectal cancer. METHOD: A total of 109 patients operated with the diagnosis of colorectal cancer and given enteral nutrition between January 2001 and January 2005 were prospectively analysed. The patients were randomized and analysed in two groups; Gln group (n = 57): patients were given parenteral Gln (1 g/kg/day, Dipeptiven, Fresenuis Kabi, Germany) together with enteral nutrition (Ensure; Abbott, Zwolle, The Netherlands) and the control group (n = 52) only received enteral nutrition (Ensure; Abbott), which was a standard isonitrogenous and isocaloric formula. The supplemental enteral nutrition was provided for at least 5 days pre- and postoperatively according to the nutritional status of the patients. Age, gender, subjective global assessment (SGA), body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, protein, associated disorders, localization of pathology, techniques of anastomosis, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay were analysed for each patient. RESULTS: The duration of nutritional support in the Gln group was 6 +/- 2 and 5 +/- 1 days pre- and postoperatively; while it was 7 +/- 1 and 6 +/- 1 days for the control group, and there were no significant difference among the groups (P > 0.05). Age, gender, SGA, BMI, levels of serum albumin and protein, localization of pathology and techniques of anastomosis were also similar (P > 0.05). Wound infection (P = 0.038), intraabdominal abcess formation (P = 0.044) and wound dehiscence (P = 0.044) were significantly higher in the control group than in the Gln group. There was no significant difference in terms of anastomotic leakage and other complications between both groups (P > 0.05). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Gln group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Supplementation of parenteral Gln decreased the postoperative complications and hospital stay and in the patients undergoing the colorectal surgery for cancer.

Effects of Johnstone pressure splints combined with neurodevelopmental therapy on spasticity and cutaneous sensory inputs in spastic cerebral palsy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Johnstone pressure splints (JPSs) on spasticity and cutaneous sensory inputs in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Thirty-four children with spastic diplegic CP participated in this study. Children whose motor development levels were similar were divided into a treatment and a control group. Each group consisted of 17 participants (six females and 11 males). Mean age of the treatment group was 48.82 months (SEM 4.42), and the control group, 47.52 months (SEM 5.27). The treatment group underwent Bobath's neurodevelopmental therapy (NDT) combined with JPSs. The control group underwent NDT alone five days a week for three months. Before and after treatments, lower-extremity passive range of motion (ROM) by goniometric measurements, spasticity by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were measured. Passive ROM showed significant improvements in both groups (p<0.01). In the treatment group, all MAS scores increased. In the control group, the difference was significant except for values of internal rotator muscles. Improvements in passive ROM in the treatment group were significantly higher than the control group except in hip abduction and external rotation (p<0.05). MAS scores of the treatment group were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). SEP values increased in both groups but values of the treatment group were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05).