[Investigation of the protective effects of beta-D-glucan against invasive encapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae sepsis in splenectomized rats]. / Splenektomili siçanlarda kapsüllü invazif Streptococcus pneumoniae sepsisinde beta-D-glukanin koruyucu etkilerinin arastirilmasi.

In asplenic individuals depending on the weakness of the immune response, sepsis are known to be developed with a high mortality rate. The most common species which are responsible for sepsis are encapsulated bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria meningitidis. Sepsis caused by immune deficiencies linked to splenectomy leads to infections particularly in the lungs and liver and causes multiple organ failure. On the other hand, -D-glucan (BDG), a branched glucose polymer, shows immunomodulatory activity, by enhancing the resistance of the host against microbial agents, and promotes phagocytic and proliferative activities of reticuloendothelial system. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of BDG alone and in combination with ceftriaxone on sepsis caused by encapsulated invasive S.pneumoniae serotype 19F. A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study, and the animals (6 in each group) were equally divided into six groups as control, splenectomy, sepsis, BDG, ceftriaxone and BDG+ceftriaxone groups. Treatment groups were intravenously infected with S.pneumoniae 19F strain, and after sacrification, microbiological [bacterial counts (cfu/mL)], biochemical (myeloperoxidase activity, DNA oxidation, specific IgM and IgG levels) and histopathological analysis were performed in the tissue samples. In the study, BDG, ceftriaxone and BDG+ceftriaxone groups had statistically significant decrease in the amount of bacteria in all tissues when compared to the sepsis group (p<0.05). We demonstrated that, BDG alone or combined treatment partially recovered the low serum IgM levels in splenectomized rats (p<0.001 ve p<0.02, respectively) and completely inhibited oxidative DNA damage in lung and liver after S.pneumoniae infection (p<0.00001). In addition, BDG alone or combined treatment fairly minimized the presence of bacteria in all tissues, when compared with sepsis group (p<0.00001). The data of our study suggests that, BDG, an immunomodulatory agent, alone and in combination with ceftriaxone can reverse the systemic inflammatory reaction in S.pneumoniae sepsis and thereby can reduce multiple organ failure.

The effect of degenerated neuron density of petrosal ganglion on the development of blood pressure variabilities after subarachnoid hemorrhage in a rabbit model: an experimental study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between ischemic neurodegeneration, of the petrosal ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve, and BP fluctuations, after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four rabbits had their blood pressure and heart rhythms studied daily over 20 days. Then, the histopathology of the petrosal ganglion was examined in all animals. Normal and apoptotic neuron density of the petrosal ganglion and blood pressure values were compared statistically. RESULTS: Mean total volume of the petrosal ganglia was calculated as 0.9 ± 0.34/mm3. BP level of control group was 96.1 ± 2.1 mmHg; 116.5 ± 4 mmHg of mild hypertension (HT) group and 128.1 ± 3.6mmHg in the severe HT group. When the groups were compared to each other they were significantly different. The level of normal-apoptotic neuron in control group was 11,240 ± 802/mm³ -40 ± 6.3/mm³; 9730 ± 148.7/mm³ - 1560 ± 256.2/mm³ in the mild HT group and 6870 ± 378.8/mm³-4240 ± 628.2/mm³ in the severe HT group. When the groups were compared to each other there was significantly difference. CONCLUSION: Blood pressure variability observed in this study may be explained by ischemic neurodegeneration of petrosal ganglia caused by SAH. The results of this study suggest that petrosal ganglion ischemia has potential implications for the development of hypertension. These findings suggest that new treatment strategies should be considered for the treatment of SAH.

Relationship between oxidative stress and cardiomyopathic changes in ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVES: Menopause has a negative effect on cardiovascular functions. However, very little is known of the overall effect of menopause on the cardiac ultrastructure or the pathophysiological basis of this. METHODS: A group of 12-week-old female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated to healthy control (n = 6) and ovariectomy groups (n = 6). Twelve weeks after ovariectomy, the rats' cardiac tissues were histopathologically analyzed for determination of oxidant and antioxidant enzymes [activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and amount of glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (LPO)]. RESULTS: When compared to the control group, the ovariectomy group showed cardiomyopathic changes. In tissue, activities of CAT (185 ± 2.4 vs. 112 ± 1.4 mmol/min/mg tissue; p < 0.05), SOD (153 ± 1.0 vs. 146 ± 0.7 mmol/min/mg tissue; p < 0.05) and MPO (19 ± 0.8 vs. 8.6 ± 0.11 µmol/min/mg tissue; p < 0.05) and LPO levels (32.1 ± 0.77 vs. 14.4 ± 0.20 nmol/g tissue; p < 0.05) were significantly increased in the ovariectomy group when compared to the control group. However, GSH levels (3.43 ± 0.02 vs. 3.73 ± 0.01 nmol/g tissue; p < 0.05) were significantly lower in the ovariectomy group when compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Using an experimental animal model, we were able to demonstrate that menopause causes cardiomyopathic changes, and we propose that these changes could be mediated by oxidative stress.

Effects of hypertension and ovariectomy on rat hepatocytes. Are amlodipine and lacidipine protective? (A stereological and histological study).

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Calcium channel blockers are increasingly used for the treatment of hypertension. Menopause and hypertension are both important risk factors for liver damage and several other circulatory abnormalities. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of amlodipine and lacidipine in an ovariectomy-induced postmenopausal period model and a deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced hypertensive model in rats. METHODS: In this study, animals were divided into six groups as follows: control (Group 1), hypertension (Group 2), ovariectomy (Group 3), ovariectomy and hypertension (Group 4), ovariectomy, hypertension and amlodipine-treated (Group 5), and ovariectomy, hypertension and lacidipine-treated (Group 6). At the end of the experiment, the livers were removed and tissue samples were histologically and stereologically examined. RESULTS: The numerical densities of the hepatocytes according to group were 0.000422, 0.00329, 0.000272, 0.00259, 0.00374 and 0.000346 µm3, respectively. Significant differences were found between values of all groups (p<0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). According to histopathological investigation, Group 3 and particularly Group 4 showed some microscopic abnormalities such as dilatation in sinusoids central veins and branches of portal vein, irregularities of the hepatocyte columns, significant mononuclear cell infiltrations, and unstained vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. Histological structure was protected from the destructive effects of ovariectomy and hypertension in Groups 5 and 6. CONCLUSIONS: Our experimental results show that both hypertension and the postmenopausal period have negative effects on the number of hepatocytes and histological structure of the liver. Both amlodipine and lacidipine appear to ameliorate the hypertension and/or postmenopausal period-related decrease in hepatocyte number. We thus suggest that lacidipine and particularly amlodipine have important protective and recovering effects on the liver.

Evaluation of patients with multiple sclerosis using a combination of morphometrical features and clinical scores.

Our aim was to measure cerebellum volume (CV), sclerotic plaque numbers (PN), and plaque surface area (SA) in the parietal lobe, and to investigate the relationship between CV and PN or SA in the parietal lobe, and the clinical status of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MRIs were performed in 14 patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), 13 patients with secondary progressive MS (SPMS), and 26 healthy control participants. The Cavalieri method was used to measure CV and SA. The cerebellum volume was significantly reduced in MS patients compared to controls (p < 0.01). In all patients, CV was negatively correlated with the duration of the disease, relapse number, and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores (p < 0.01). CV was related to mean PN in both the right and left parietal lobes (p < 0.01) and mean SA (p < 0.05) in RRMS patients; CV was also correlated with mean PN (p < 0.01) and mean SA (p < 0.05) in SPMS patients. The progression index (Pi) values were 2.03 +/- 0.4 in RRMS patients and 0.83 +/- 0.2 in SPMS patients (p = 0.023, t = 2.612) (where Pi = EDSS/time from onset in years). We propose that atrophy begins both in the supratentorial and infratentorial areas simultaneously in the RR stage, and that the Cavalieri method can be used to predict SPMS among patients with RRMS.

Number of axons in the right and left optic nerves of right-pawed and left-pawed rats: a stereologic study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the number of axons in the right and left optic nerves of right- and left-pawed rats. STUDY DESIGN: In this study, optic nerve samples were obtained from right- and left-pawed rats and axon numbers of optic nerves and vice versa were stereologically and histologically evaluated. RESULTS: In the right-pawed rats, more axons were found in the right optic nerve than in the left optic nerve, and left-pawed rats had more axons in the left optic nerve than in the right optic nerve. CONCLUSION: The paw preference is associated with eye dominance and the number of axons in the ipsilateral optic nerve.

A novel application for the cavalieri principle: a stereological and methodological study.

OBJECTIVE: The Cavalieri principle was applied to consecutive pathology sections that were photographed at the same magnification and used to estimate tissue volumes via superimposing a point counting grid on these images. The goal of this study was to perform the Cavalieri method quickly and practically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 10 adult female Sprague Dawley rats were used. Brain tissue was removed and sampled both systematically and randomly. Brain volumes were estimated using two different methods. First, all brain slices were scanned with an HP ScanJet 3400C scanner, and their images were shown on a PC monitor. Brain volume was then calculated based on these images. Second, all brain slices were photographed in 10× magnification with a microscope camera, and brain volumes were estimated based on these micrographs. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the volume measurements of the two techniques (P>0.05; Paired Samples t Test). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that personal computer scanning of serial tissue sections allows for easy and reliable volume determination based on the Cavalieri method.

Dyskeratosis congenita with isolated neutropenia and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor treatment.

A 3-year-old Turkish boy with a history of chronic cough, recurrent bronchopneumonia, and a borderline sweat chloride test (40 mEq/L) was referred for further evaluation to our department. He was born at term (2100 g) to a marriage with no consanguinity. His mother and father were 40 and 46 years old, respectively. Physical examination (Fig. 1) revealed hypopigmented, atrophic, and hyperkeratotic skin lesions surrounded by reticulate hyperpigmentation on the entire body, predominantly on the face, neck, arms, shoulders, and legs, which had been noticed initially at the age of 18 months. Dystrophic toenails, sparse and thin hair, and phimosis were also observed. Laboratory tests disclosed an isolated neutropenia (white blood cell count, 1800/mm3). Bone marrow (BM) aspiration showed a decreased myelopoiesis without myelodysplastic changes, but normal erythropoiesis, megakaryopoiesis, and normal stroma. Lymphocyte subgroups containing CD4, CD5, CD6, CD8, CD19, CD23, and CD25, and immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, IgA, and IgE, were in the normal range; hemoglobin F (HbF), 2.8%. Spontaneous and clastogen-induced chromosome breaks were not increased. A skin biopsy showed increased pigmentation at the basal layer, dyskeratotic epidermal cells, and marked IgM deposition and cytoid bodies and mild IgA and IgG deposits at the dermo-epidermal junction. Lactate response to glucose challenge, amino acid chromatography, and urine organic acid analysis were normal. A diagnosis of dyskeratosis congenita (DC) was made with typical skin lesions, dystrophic toenails, thin and sparse hair, and neutropenia with decreased myelopoiesis in BM. Treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was considered for the neutropenia. As the increase in neutrophil count at a dose of 5 microg/kg was not adequate, 10 microg/kg G-CSF was tried (Fig. 2). With 10 microg/kg once to three times a week, a 1.8-4.8-fold increase in the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) was achieved with no side-effects. Treatment was more frequent during infection (days 22-28).