The effect of different concentrations of topical ozone administration on bone formation in orthopedically expanded suture in rats.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different concentrations of ozone (O3) therapy on bone regeneration in response to an expansion of the inter-premaxillary suture in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12). In groups I, II, and III, 1ml of O3 at 10, 25, and 40 µg/ml was injected at the premaxillary suture, respectively. In group IV (control group), 1ml of saline solution was injected at the same point during the expansion procedure for 5 days. Bone regeneration in the suture was evaluated histomorphometrically. The area of new bone and fibrotic area, the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and the amount of vascularity were measured and compared. The density of the newly formed bone in the expansion area was measured by using cone beam computed tomography. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and post hoc Student-Newman-Keuls tests. RESULTS: New bone area, fibrotic area, osteoblast and osteoclast numbers, and the amount of vascularity were significantly higher in experimental groups compared with the control group (P < 0.001). The density of newly formed bone (P < 0.001), new bone formation (P = 0.009), number of capillaries (P < 0.001), number of osteoclasts (P = 0.016), and number of osteoblasts (P < 0.001) in the maxillary sutures were highest in the 25 µg/ml O3 group compared with the other experimental groups and control group. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: The application of O3 therapy can stimulate bone regeneration in an orthopedically expanded inter-premaxillary suture during both the expansion and retention periods.

Protective effects of grape seed extract on cadmium-induced testicular damage, apoptosis, and endothelial nitric oxide synthases expression in rats.

This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on cadmium (Cd)-induced testicular apoptosis, endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) expression, and toxicity in rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, namely, control, Cd (2.5 mg/kg), Cd + GSPE (100 mg/kg/day), and GSPE. Spermatogenesis and mean seminiferous tubule diameter were significantly decreased in the Cd groups. Furthermore, the GSPE-treated animals showed an improved histological appearance in the Cd group. The immunoreactivity of eNOS and the number of apoptotic cells were increased in Cd group. Our data indicate a significant reduction of terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nick end-labeling staining and a decrease in the expression of eNOS in the testes tissue of the Cd group treated with GSPE therapy. Therefore, our results suggest that GSPE acts as a potent protective agent against Cd-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

The protective effects of grape seed extract on MDA, AOPP, apoptosis and eNOS expression in testicular torsion: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) is a potent antioxidant and a free radical scavenger. This study was designed to determine whether GSPE could protect against dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by torsion-detorsion injury in rat testis. METHODS: A total of 45 male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups: control group, sham group, torsion-detorsion (T/D) group, T/D + GSPE group, GSPE group. GSPE was administrated 100 mg/kg/day with oral gavage over seven days before torsion. Testicular torsion was performed for 2 h, and afterward, detorsion was performed for 2 h. The rats were decapitated under ketamine anesthesia, and their testes tissues were removed. Tissue malondialdehyde, advanced oxidation protein products levels, eNOS expression, apoptosis and histopathological damage scores were then compared. RESULTS: Testicular torsion-detorsion caused significant increases in malondialdehyde level, apoptosis and eNOS expression level and caused a significant decrease in advanced oxidation protein product levels and testicular spermatogenesis in ipsilateral testes. GSPE prevented the rise in malondialdehyde, apoptosis and eNOS expression and improved testicular morphology and Johnsen's score. CONCLUSIONS: As a result, testicular torsion gives rise to serious damage in testes and GSPE is a potent antioxidant agent in preventing testicular injury.

Effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids against formaldehyde-induced nephropathy in rats.

The aim of this study was to examine the toxicity of formaldehyde (FA) on the kidney and the protective effects of omega-3 essential fatty acids against these toxic effects. Twenty-one male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Rats in Group I comprised the controls, while the rats in Group II were injected every other day with FA. Rats in Group III received omega-3 fatty acids daily while exposed to FA. At the end of the 14-day experimental period, all rats were killed by decapitation and the kidneys removed. Some of the kidney tissue specimens were used for determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The remaining kidney tissue specimens were used for light microscopic evaluation. The levels of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly decreased, and MDA levels were significantly increased in rats treated with FA compared with those of the controls. Furthermore, in the microscopic examination of this group, glomerular and tubular degeneration, vascular congestion and tubular dilatation 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 FA. Additionally, kidney damage caused by FA was decreased and structural appearance was similar to that of the control rats in this group. In conclusion, it was determined that FA-induced kidney damage was prevented by administration of omega-3 essential fatty acids.