The effects of progesterone on the healing of obstetric anal sphincter damage in female rats.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of postpartum progesterone on obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) healing in female rats using an experimental OASI model. Twenty-eight female rats were divided into four groups after birth: sham-30, sham-90, progesterone (P4)-30, and P4-90. Moreover, OASI model was established in all groups. Subsequently, except for the sham groups, medroxyprogesterone acetate (0.15 mg) was intramuscularly injected into the P4 groups. After 30 and 90 days, the rats were euthanized under general anesthesia after recording the data. The anal sphincter region was collected for histopathological examination. Progesterone and thiol/disulfide homeostasis studies were performed on blood samples. No significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the external anal sphincter (EAS), internal anal sphincter (IAS), or connective tissue thickness (p = 0.714, p = 0.135, and p = 0.314, respectively). No statistically significant differences in the total thiol, native thiol, disulfide, and progesterone levels were found between the groups (p = 0.917, p = 0.503, p = 0.361, and p = 0.294, respectively). The endometrial thickness was lower in the P4 groups than in the sham groups (p = 0.031). Postpartum progesterone administration did not affect IAS and EAS or connective tissue thickness or disrupt the thiol-disulfide balance. However, this administration led to endometrial thinning.

Effects of testosterone treatment on anal sphincter damage repair in ovariectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: Fecal incontinence (FI) generally occurs with anal sphincter damage caused by vaginal delivery in women, obvious FI can develop in the postmenopausal stage. This pelvic floor dysfunction has no rational medical therapeutic options. We investigated the effect of testosterone treatment on the anal sphincter structure, serum thiol/disulfide levels, uterine tissue, and body composition in female rats in an experimental menopause-FI model. METHODS: The animal experiments were performed between September and November 2020 at Experimental Animal Application and Research Center, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. Thirty-two female rats were divided into four groups: sham, saline, 10 mg/kg testosterone undecanoate, 100 mg/kg testosterone undecanoate. Except for the sham group, all the other groups underwent ovariectomy (OVE) to create a menopause model. Two weeks after this procedure, the FI model was created under general anesthesia in all rat groups. At the end of the experiment, the rats were placed under general anesthesia, weighed, and euthanized after recording the data. The anal sphincter region and uterine tissue samples were collected for histopathological examinations, and blood samples were collected for total testosterone and thiol/disulfide homeostasis analyses. RESULTS: An increase in anal sphincter muscles and connective tissue thickness was observed in the testosterone-administered groups (p = 0.001). No difference was detected between the groups in the total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide balance (p = 0.087, p = 0.604, p = 0.092). The testosterone-treated groups did not have severe uterine epithelial degradation, hyperemia, or increased endometrial thickness (p = 0.186, p = 0.222, p = 0.630). The body weight of all rats increased (p < 0.05), but the omental weight did not increase (p = 0.061). DISCUSSION: Testosterone treatment increased the anal sphincter muscle and connective tissue thickness without causing any oxidative stress and did not result in a pathological change in the uterine tissue and body fat composition.

Difficulties in Emotion Regulation: Are They the Preventable Cause of Suicide, Impulsivity, and Aggression in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder?

BACKGROUND: Difficulties in emotion regulation have begun to be seen as the source of psychopathologies. It is one of the underlying factors of patients' suicidality, impulsivity, and aggression. This study aims to determine the difficulties in emotion regulation in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) patients and their relationship with suicidality, aggression, and impulsivity. It also emphasizes the importance of emotion regulation in these patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 52 healthy individuals, 58 BD, and 55 SZ patients in remission were included in the study. The participants were informed before the study, and their written consent was obtained. Suicide Probability Scale (SPS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11), and Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) were administered to all three groups. RESULTS: DERS scores of patients with BD and SZ were higher than healthy individuals. SPS scores of patients with BD and SZ were higher than healthy individuals. The motor and total scores of the Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS-11) were higher in patients with BD than in patients with SZ and healthy individuals. According to Spearman correlation analysis, a significant positive relationship was found between all subscales of DERS and all subscales of SPS; physical aggression, anger, and hostility subscales of BPAQ; attention and motor subscales of BIS-11. CONCLUSION: Suicidality may increase in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder who have difficulty in emotion regulation. Determining the difficulties of emotion regulation may contribute to the presumption and prevention of suicides in BD and SZ patients with a high risk of death by suicide.

Vortioxetine Induced Hypomania: A Case Presentation and Review of the Literature.

Antidepressant-induced hypomania/mania is a complex issue that can be seen in mood disorders but is not clarified. There are case reports in the literature regarding vortioxetine-induced mania and hypomania; however, there is insufficient data. Here, we aim to present a case of vortioxetine-induced hypomania in a major depressive disorder patient who previously used various antidepressants but did not experience hypomania or mania. Our case is expected to contribute to the literature.