The investigation of the effects of vitamin A, vitamin E, and ß-carotene plus vitamin E on some fertility parameters in ewes.

This study was aimed at investigating the effects of vitamin A (VITA), vitamin E (VITE), and combined ß-carotene plus vitamin E (ßCAR+VITE) injections on some fertility parameters in ewes. Estrus synchronization was performed by treating the ewes with intravaginal FGA sponges impregnated with 30 mg of fluorogestone acetate. On the days of the insertion and withdrawal of the intravaginal sponges, groups VITA, VITE, and ßCAR+VITE were administered with 500 000 IU of vitamin A, 50 mg of vitamin E, and a combination of ß-carotene plus vitamin E, respectively. The ewes in the control group (C) were maintained for control purposes. Statistically significant differences were determined between groups VITA and ßCAR+VITE, groups VITE and ßCAR+VITE, and groups C and ßCAR+VITE, as well as groups VITE and C, groups VITA and C for the multiple birth rates. While significant differences were determined between groups VITA and C, groups VITE and C, and groups ßCAR+VITE and C for the lambing rates, it was ascertained that the ratio of newborn lambs to delivered ewes (litter size) significantly differed between groups VITA and ßCAR+VITE, groups VITA and C, groups VITE and ßCAR+VITE, groups VITE and C, and groups ßCAR+VITE and C. The highest MDA level and lowest GSH level were determined on day 20 after mating in the control group. In conclusion, it is suggested that both multiple birth rates and litter size can be increased by the combined administration of ß-carotene and vitamin E.

Inhibition of Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 in Obese Male Mice Adversely Affects Reproductive Parameters.

BACKGROUND: As obesity is increasing worldwide, obese people use various methods to get rid of excess weight. BMS309403 (A drug) is a specific inhibitor of fatty acid binding protein 4. In this study, the effects of the BMS309403 on serum biochemical markers, testis tissue spermatogenesis and apoptotic markers were investigated in male mice. METHODS: Balb/c mice (total=56, each group n=14) were divided into control, obese control, obese solvent and obese drug groups. The obese control, obese solvent and obese drug groups were fed on the high sucrose diet to lead to obesity. After the development of obesity, BMS309403 was orally administered to the obese drug group for six weeks. It was performed in testicular tissues (Johnson Score and apoptosis markers) and biochemical tests (total testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, inhibin-B tests and free androgen index) were used to evaluate reproductive parameters. The p<0.05 was considered to indicate a statistical significance. RESULTS: Serum fatty acid binding protein 4 levels were higher in obese control group and obese solvent group, compared to control (p<0.05) and obese drug groups (p<0.001). Serum total testosterone, free androgen index, inhibin-B, sex hormone binding globulin levels, testicular tissue B-cell lymphoma-2 expression level and Johnson Score parameters were lower in all obese groups compared with the control group. Inhibin-B levels and Johnson Score results were lower in obese drug group compared to other two obese groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Contrary to expectations, the use of BMS309403 negatively affected male reproductive parameters. Negative changes in reproductive parameters may be a result of the increased lee index of obesity.

Chemoprotective effect of vitamin E in cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Cyclophosphamide (CP) has a range of adverse effects on liver tissue in humans and animals. Administering an antioxidant with CP might reduce such side effects. Therefore, we examined the role of vitamin E in CP-induced liver toxicity in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups, each of seven rats: control, CP only, CP + vitamin E, and vitamin E only groups. The rats were administered treatments intraperitoneally for 7 days. Then the serum malondialdehyde (MDA), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were determined while the livers were removed, tissue was prepared using routine histological procedures, sections were stained using hematoxylin and eosin, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end-labeling (TUNEL) method was applied. Histopathologically, CP caused hydropic degeneration, necrosis, pleomorphism, and mitotic activity. The number of TUNEL-positive cells and the MDA and ALT levels were significantly higher in the CP group. The antioxidant effects of vitamin E significantly decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells and the ALT and MDA levels, and normalized the liver histopathology. CP induces apoptosis, has toxic effects on liver tissue, and changes the histological structure. The administration of vitamin E prevented the liver tissue damage caused by CP.

Is there a relationship between beginning time and efficiency of octreotide in the treatment of experimental acute pancreatitis?

PURPOSE: The efficacy of octreotide in the treatment of acute pancreatitis is controversial. Octreotide treatment for acute pancreatitis often shows poor correlation between results obtained in experimental studies and results of clinical trials. In a clinical setting, there is always a delay between the onset of the disease and initiation of the octreotide treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the beginning of treatment and alteration in effectiveness of octreotide. METHODS: Acute pancreatitis was induced by pancreatic duct ligation in 50 rats. The rats were randomly divided into five groups. Octreotide was not used in group 1 (control group). Only single dose (4 µg/kg) octreotide was administered subcutaneously to rats in group 2, having induced pancreatitis. Octreotide treatment was begun at different times (8th, 24th, 48th hour) in three other groups and continued treatment at a dosage of 4 µg/kg t.i.d. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the 72nd hour and blood and tissue samples were collected. RESULTS: Leukocyte count and plasma amylase values were less in groups 2 and 3. Hemorrhagic focuses were encountered less at pancreas tissues in group 3. Pancreatic necrosis and alveolar capillary basal membrane damage were lower in groups 3 and 4. No difference was found in fasting blood glucose, calcium and hematocrit. CONCLUSION: Octreotide had benefical effects in acute pancreatitis when octreotide treatment was begun in the first 24 hours.

The effects of anti-adhesion materials in preventing postoperative adhesion in abdominal cavity (anti-adhesion materials for postoperative adhesions).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of anti-adhesion materials in postoperative adhesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were assigned to five groups: Group 1: Control. Group 2: chitin layers were used. Group 3: Na-hyaluronate / carboxymethylcellulose layers were used. Group 4: Na-hyaluronate gel was poured into the abdomen. Group 5: methylprednisolone was injected. The adhesion frequency and grade were scored according to Granat. Blood was taken for Hb, AST, BUN and albumin levels determination. FINDINGS: The adhesion frequencies (right and left) and grades were as follow in Groups; I: 82%, 91%, 2.63 +/- 1.22; II: 8.3%, 25%, 0.58 +/- 0.66; III: 17%, 33%, 1.08 +/- 1.08; IV: 50%, 58%, 1.41 +/- 1.44; V: 50%, 42%, 1.41 +/- 1.50. The adhesion phase in all study groups was found significantly low compared to control group, p < 0.05. No difference was observed among serologic and hematological parameters in all groups. CONCLUSION: All the materials used significantly lowered the adhesion frequency and grade.

Effect of deferoxamine on Na+K+ATPase activity after cerebral ischemia in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of deferoxamine on tissue sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase (Na+-K+ ATPase) activity on cerebral ischemia in rabbits. METHODS: We cared for the animals in the Pharmacology Department of the Medical School of Selcuk University in 2004. We used 30, New Zealand, 7-day-old male rabbits in the experiment. We anesthetized all the animals with xylazine hydrochloric acid and ketamine. We divided the rabbits equally into 3 groups. In group 1 (n=10) (sham group), we observed baseline levels, and did not apply ischemia. In group 2 (n=10) (untreated group) we produced cerebral ischemia by clamping the bilateral common carotid arteries for 60 minutes, and in group 3 (n=10), we administered deferoxamine (DFO) 50 mg/kg intravenously immediately after opening the clamps. RESULTS: The Na+-K+ATPase activity increased after DFO treatment (p=0.045). CONCLUSION: We conclude that Na+-K+ATPase activity in cortical brain tissue was higher in DFO-treated rabbits compared with untreated animals after ischemia.

Determination of operation time in colorectal diseases: preoperative chemotherapy application.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to determine the time it takes for wound healing to return to normal in cases where patients have undergone preoperative chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-four Wistar-albino rats were included in the study. Twelve of them were placed in the control group (Group I), with no further drug administration. Another 12 rats were placed in a sham group (Group II) and were peritoneally injected with 1 cc of isotonic saline solution 5 days a month, for a period of 6 months. The remaining 60 rats were placed in five chemotherapy groups (Groups III-VII) and were administered 20 mg/kg 5-fluorouracil through peritoneal injection, 5 days a month for a period of 6 months. At the end of the sixth cure, 12 rats from the control (Group I), sham (Group II), and chemotherapy groups (Group III) were operated on, and an intestinal transsection was applied to the rectosigmoid junction, followed by one-by-one anastomosis using 5/0 vicryl. Other groups (Groups IV-VI) with chemotherapy treatment were operated on at 1-week intervals and subjected to the same procedure. The subjects were reoperated on on the eleventh day. A full-layer 4 x 4 cm piece was removed from the abdominal wall containing the previous incision line at the middle, for tensile strength pressure measurements. In addition, a 4 cm colon segment was removed for bursting pressure measurements. Plasma albumin and tissue hydroxyproline levels were measured, and fibroblast numbers were counted in the sections prepared from the abdominal wall. RESULTS: The control and sham groups were found to be similar to each other with respect to all parameters measured (P > 0.05). Significant reductions were observed in all parameters in the early chemotherapy groups compared with the control and sham groups (P <0.05). All parameters measured in Groups V, VI, and VII were found to be similar to those in the control and sham groups (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Wound healing is impaired in rats with chemotherapy, but following the second week after the chemotherapy, disrupted parameters return to their normal levels.

Serum TNF-alpha, IL-6, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody in women with and without a past history of recurrent miscarriage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the this study was to investigate Lupus Anticoagulan (LA), Anticardiolipin Antibody (ACA), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels in 40 pregnant and 20 nonpregnant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The women were divided into three groups. The first group consisted of 20 pregnant women of less than 20 gestational weeks and a past history of habitual abortion . The second group consisted of 20 non pregnant patients with a past history of habitual abortion. The third group consisted of 20 healthy non pregnant women. RESULT: LA was found in only one patient in the Group 2. ACA Ig G positivity were found 1 patient in the Group 1, 3 patients Group 2 and 1 patient in Group 3. Mean ACA IgG was highest in the Group 2. High serum TNF-alpha levels were found in the 12 (60%), 6(30%) and 2 (10%) women in the Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Significant difference were found for TNF-alpha among the groups (P<0.05). The highest level of TNF-alpha was found in the Group 1 and the lowest in the Group 3. There were statistically significant differences for IL-6 among the three groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: We propose that cytokines especially TNF-alpha was found to be related to the pregnancy loss.