Investigation of neuroprotective and therapeutic effects of cannabidiol in an acute coronary syndrome model.

PURPOSE: The ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury seen in the heart can cause severe damage to essential organs such as the brain. Cannabidiol (CBD) obtained from Cannabis sativa is used today to treat various diseases. This study aimed to demonstrate CBD's neuroprotective and therapeutic properties in rats with brain damage caused by I/R in the heart. MATERIALS: Rats were divided into four groups; sham, I/R, I/R + Prophylactic CBD, and I/R + Therapeutic CBD. End of the experiment, brain tissues were collected for biochemical, histopathological, and genetic examinations. RESULTS: I/R damage increased the number of degenerative neurons, caspase-3 and TNF-α immunoexpression, total oxidant status levels, and oxidative stress index. Both prophylactic and therapeutic CBD administration reduced these increased values. In addition, the relative fold changes of AMPK, PGC-1α, SIRT1, and Bcl 2 decreased in the I/R group, and the relative fold change of Bax increased, which are indicators of ER stress and apoptosis. Both administrations of CBD reversed these genes' relative fold changes. CONCLUSION: CBD can be protective against brain injury caused by cardiac I/R damage through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.

Analgesic effect of erector spinae plane block after cesarean section: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block is also a technique for providing analgesia after a cesarean section. Aim: We hypothesized that bilateral erector spinae plane block applied from the transverse process of T9 who underwent elective cesarean section could provide effective postoperative analgesia. Patients and Methods: Fifty parturients who were scheduled to undergo elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were included in the study. Group SA (n = 25) was categorized as the group in which spinal anesthesia alone (SA) was performed, and Group SA+ESP (n = 25) was categorized as the group in which SA + ESP block was performed. All patients were given a solution containing 7 mg isobaric bupivacaine + 15 µg fentanyl intrathecally through spinal anesthesia. In the SA + ESP group, the bilateral ESPB was performed at level T9 with 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine + 2 mg dexamethasone immediately after the operation. Total fentanyl consumption in 24 h, the visual analogue scale for pain, and time to the first analgesic request were evaluated postoperatively. Results: The total fentanyl consumption in 24 h was statistically significantly lower in the SA + ESP group than the SA group (279 ± 242.99 µg vs. 423.08 ± 212.55 µg, respectively, P = 0.003). The first analgesic requirement time was statistically significantly shorter in the SA group than the SA + ESP group (150.20 ± 51.83 min vs. 197.60 ± 84.49 min, respectively, P = 0.022). Postoperative VAS scores at 4th, 8th, and 12th h at rest were statistically significantly lower in group SA + ESP than in group SA (P = 0.004, P = 0.046, P = 0.044, respectively). VAS scores during the postoperative 4th, 8th, and 12th h cough were statistically significantly lower in group SA + ESP than in group SA (P = 0.002, P = 0.008, P = 0.028, respectively). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided bilateral ESP provided adequate postoperative analgesia and significantly decreased postoperative fentanyl consumption in patients having cesarean section. Also, it has a longer analgesia time than the control group, and it has been shown to delay the first analgesic requirement.

La eficacia de [18F]FDG PET/TC en el seguimiento de la progresión de la enfermedad en el mesotelioma pleural maligno / The efficacy of [18F]FDG PET/CT in monitoring disease progression in malignant pleural mesothelioma

Objetivo En caso de sospecha de progresión del mesotelioma pleural maligno (MPM), la imagen juega un papel importante. Nuestro objetivo es evaluar la eficacia de la PET/TC con [18F]FDG en el seguimiento de la progresión de la enfermedad, comparándola con la TC, y estimar la mediana de supervivencia global (OS, del inglés Overall Survival) según el estado de progresión en función de la TC y la PET/TC con [18F]FDG. Materiales y métodos Se trata de un estudio observacional, retrospectivo y unicéntrico con pacientes con MPM a los que se les realizó tanto la PET/TC con [18F]FDG como la TC para controlar la progresión de la enfermedad desde marzo de 2009 hasta febrero de 2020. Se registraron las características clínicas, los hallazgos radiológicos y el estado de progresión según la TC (progresión radiológica negativa [PRN], progresión radiológica positiva [PRP]) y la PET/TC con [18F]FDG (progresión metabólica negativa [PMN], progresión metabólica positiva [PMP]). Se evaluaron las discrepancias y la concordancia entre ambos métodos. La OS se estimó mediante el método de Kaplan-Meier. Resultados Se incluyeron un total de 56 pacientes. Había 31 (55,3%) PRN y 25 (44,7%) PRP, mientras que había 26 (46,5%) PMN y 30 (53,5%) PMP. También todos los pacientes con PRP resultaron ser PMP, sin embargo, entre los PRN, 5 pacientes (8,9% de todos los pacientes) fueron evaluados como PMP. La concordancia entre los 2 métodos en el seguimiento de la progresión de la enfermedad fue muy buena (K=0,423; p<0,01). La OS fue de 26±2,6 meses en todos los pacientes. Las curvas de Kaplan-Meier entre PRN y PRP, y entre PMN y PMP no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,56 y 0,25, respectivamente). Conclusiones Ambos métodos son igualmente aceptables en el seguimiento de la progresión de la enfermedad en el MPM, aunque la PET/TC con [18F]FDG detectó más progresión que la TC (AU)

Objective In the event of suspicion of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) progression, imaging plays an important role. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of [18F]FDG PET/CT in monitoring disease progression by comparing it with CT, and estimate median overall survival (OS) according to progression status with CT and [18F]FDG PET/CT. Materials and Methods This was an observational, retrospective, single-institution study with MPM patients who had both [18F]FDG PET/CT and CT for monitoring disease progression from March 2009 to February 2020. Clinical features, radiological findings, and progression status according to CT [radiologic progression negative (RPN), radiologic progression positive (RPP)] and [18F]FDG PET/CT [metabolic progression negative (MPN), metabolic progression positive (MPP)] were recorded. The discrepancies and concordance between two methods were evaluated. The OS was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results A total of 56 patients were included. There were thirty-one (55.3%) RPN and 25 (44.7%) RPP, while there were 26 (46.5%) MPN and 30 (53.5%) MPP. All RPP patients were also found to be MPP, however, among RPN, 5 patients (8.9% of all patients) were evaluated as MPP. The concordance between two methods in monitoring disease progression was very good (K=.423; P<.01). The OS was 26 ± 2.6 months in all patients. Kaplan-Meier curves between RPN and RPP, and between MPN and MPP did not show statistically significant differences (P=.56 and P=.25, respectively). Conclusions Both methods are equally acceptable in monitoring disease progression in MPM, even though [18F]FDG PET/CT detected more progression than CT did (AU)

Erratum to: Evaluation of the Effects of Favipiravir Combined with Vitamin C on Alveolar Bone in Rats.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1134/S0022093022020119.].

Evaluation of the Effects of Favipiravir Combined with Vitamin C on Alveolar Bone in Rats.

Introduction: Favipiravir and Vitamin C (Vit C) were used together in the treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the effects of favipiravir on the periodontium are still unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Favipiravir and Vit C treatment on alveolar bone metabolism. Experimental: Fifty healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (2-3 months old) were randomly divided into five equal groups (n = 10): Control, Favi 20, Favi 100, Favi 20+Vit C, Favi 100+Vit C. Favipiravir (20 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, i.m.) and Vit C (150 mg/kg/day, oral) were administered to the rats for 14 days. Alveolar bone loss (ABL) and histopathological changes were examined using a light microscope. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), caspase-3, bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP-2) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the bone tissues. Results: Favipiravir increased the levels of RANKL and caspase-3 expression but decreased BMP-2 and ALP levels in a dose-dependent manner. Favi 20+Vit C and Favi 100 +Vit C groups showed decreased RANKL and caspase-3 levels in addition to increased BMP-2 and ALP levels. Conclusion: Favipiravir can cause histopathological damage to the periodontium, but administration of favipiravir combined with Vit C can provide a protective effect against this damage.

Agomelatine protects heart and aorta against lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiovascular toxicity via inhibition of NF-kß phosphorylation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible ameliorating effects of agomelatine (AGO) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endothelial and cardiac damage. Twenty-four female Wistar Albino rats divided into 3 groups as follows: Control, LPS and LPS + AGO. Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kß)/p65, p-NF-kß, full caspase-8 (Cas-8) and cleaved cas-8 levels were measured in cardiac tissues and creatine kinase MB (CKMB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in blood biochemically. In addition; cas-8, sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), haptoglobin measured histopathologically in cardiac and aortic tissues. The levels of CKMB, AST, LDH and TOS were increased and TAS were decreased in the LPS group. In Western blot analyses NF-kß/p65, p-NF-kß/p65, full and cleaved cas-8 protein levels increased in cardiac tissues of LPS group. In histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of the heart sections; hyperemia, micro-hemorrhages and inflammatory cell infiltrations, increase of cas-8, haptoglobin, IL-4 and IL-10 and decrease of SIRT-1 levels were observed in cardiac and endothelial tissues of LPS groups. AGO treatment reversed all these parameters. It was shown that LPS-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis via increasing of NF-kß/p65 signaling, decreasing of SIRT-1 levels and increase of cas-8 levels in heart and endothelial tissues respectively. AGO corrected all these parameters by its antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antiapoptotic activities.

Apigenin alleviates methotrexate-induced liver and kidney injury in mice.

Methotrexate (MTX) is a drug used in the treatment of various types of cancer and inflammatory diseases, but its clinical use has been restricted due to its toxicity. Apigenin (API) is an effective flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to determine the protective effect of API against MTX-induced liver and kidney toxicity. Four groups with 12 male mice each were used. The control and API groups were received 0.9% saline (ip) and API (3 mg/kg ip) for 4 days, respectively. The MTX group were given a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg ip) on the fourth day. The MTX + API group were administered API for 7 days and then MTX on fourth day. Blood, liver and kidney were collected to evaluate tissue injury markers, oxidative stress biomarkers, and histopathological and immunohistochemical assessments. In MTX-treated group, significant increases in aminotransferases activities, creatinine and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significant decreases in catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) activities and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined compared to the control group. Furthermore, histopathological changes and significant increases in caspase-3, C-reactive protein (CRP), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions were detected in both liver and kidney tissues of MTX-treated mice. Pretreatment with API alleviates liver and kidney toxicity by attenuating oxidative stress and tissue injury markers, histopathological alterations, and apoptosis and inflammation. These results suggest that API has a protective effect against oxidative stress and liver-kidney toxicity induced by MTX.

The Effect of Pre-emptive Dexketoprofen Administration on Postoperative Pain Management in Patients with Ultrasound Guided Interscalene Block in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery.

Background: Postoperative pain is an important problem for patients undergoing shoulder surgery. Our study investigated analgesic efficacy, duration of analgesia, postoperative analgesic use and patient satisfaction with the use of preemptive intravenous dexketoprofen for interscalene block in addition to general anesthesia in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods: 60 patients, scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomized (30 patients each) into either: - control group (Group1) or dexketoprofen group (Group 2). Patients were followed for 48 hours to compare both groups for; post-operative pain scores, effectiveness of postoperative analgesia, duration of analgesia, and analgesia consumption. Duration of postoperative sensory block of the shoulder joint was defined as time to onset of pain at the incision site. Duration of postoperative motor block of the shoulder joint was defined as time to onset of first shoulder movement. Results: While no significant difference was determined for motor block time, sensory block time was significantly longer in the dexketoprofen group (p < 0.05).VAS scores were significantly lower at all times in the dexketoprofen group (p < 0.05).Total PCA fentanyl consumption was 274.16 ± 314.89 (µg) in the dexketoprofen group, and 490.00 ± 408.98 (µg) in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups' demographic and hemodynamic data. Conclusion: Pre-emptive IV dexketoprofen may be a good option for arthroscopic shoulder surgery and provides effective analgesia.

Ameliorative effects of pregabalin on LPS induced endothelial and cardiac toxicity.

We investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of pregabalin (PREG) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced sepsis related cardiotoxicity via NF-kß pathways. We used 24 female Wistar albino rats divided into three groups: control, LPS treated and LPS + PREG treated. Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kß)/p65, p-NF-kß/p65, caspase-3 (Cas-3) and cleaved Cas-3 were measured in cardiac tissues and creatine kinase MB (CKMB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were measured in blood samples. Also, Cas-3, granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum amyloid A (SAA) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured immunohistochemically in heart and aorta tissue. In the LPS group; the levels of CKMB, AST, LDH, TOS, OSI increased and TAS decreased. TNF-α, p-NF-kß/p65 and Cas-3 protein levels also increased in the LPS group. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the heart and aorta revealed a significant increase in the levels of Cas-3, G-CSF, SAA, IL-6 and iNOS in the LPS group. PREG treatment restored all measurements to near normal. LPS induced cardiovascular toxicity was due to inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis. PREG ameliorated the damage by inhibition of NF-kß phosphorylation.

Examination of skin lesions in rats with induced hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

We investigated the pathogenesis of skin lesions due to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in rats. We used 30 rats allocated into hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and control groups. Blood samples were evaluated for levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Skin samples were examined for melan-A, lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronic acid receptor 1 (LYVE1), cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), calretinin, chromogranin, synaptophysin and pancytokeratin. Histopathological examination of the skin sections revealed thickened epidermis in the hyperthyroidism group due to an increased number of cells, and a decreased number of hair follicles and epithelial cell rows in the epidermis with an increased number of fat cells in the dermis of the rats in the hypothyroidism group. No significant difference was observed in the immunoreactions of pancytokeratin, PGP9.5, CD31 and synaptophysin among the groups. The hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism groups exhibited a marked increase in melan-A immunoreaction. Expression of LYVE-1, chromogranin and calretinin was increased in the hyperthyroidism group and decreased in the hypothyroidism group. We found that melan-A, LYVE-1, chromogenin and calretinin play an important role in the pathogenesis of skin lesions caused by thyroid disorders.

Artemisinin attenuates doxorubicin induced cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats.

We investigated the effects of artemisinin on doxorubicin (Dox) induced heart and liver pathology in rats. We divided 49 male rats into seven groups: group 1 was the untreated control. Dox was administered intraperitoneally to groups 2, 3 and 4 on day 1. Artemisinin was administered by gavage to groups 3 and 6 at a dose of 7 mg/kg, and to groups 4 and 7 at a dose of 35 mg/kg for 14 days. Group 5 was given only 0.9% NaCl orally for 14 days. At the end of the study, heart and liver samples were collected for histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Hyperemia and slight hemorrhages were observed in both livers and hearts of rats treated with Dox only. Significant increases in caspase-3, TNF-α, iNOS and NF-κB expression were observed in the myocardial cells and hepatocytes of group 2. Significant reductions in caspase-3, TNF-α, iNOS and NF-κB expression were observed in groups 3 and 4 following artemisinin treatment compared to group 2. Artemisinin may exert protective effects against Dox induced cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats.

Agomelatine could prevent brain and cerebellum injury against LPS-induced neuroinflammation in rats.

Sepsis, systemic hyper-inflammatory immune response, causes the increase of morbidity and mortality rates due to multi-organ diseases such as neurotoxicity. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis to cause brain damage. We aimed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects of Agomelatine (AGM) on LPS induced brain damage via NF-kB signaling. Twenty-four animals were divided into three groups as control, LPS (5 mg/kg) and LPS + AGM (20 mg/kg). Six hours after the all administrations, rats were sacrificed, brain tissues were collected for biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. In LPS group; total oxidant status (TOS), OSI index, Caspase-8 (Cas-8), NF-kß levels increased and Total antioxidant status (TAS) levels decreased biochemically and Cas-8, haptoglobin and IL-10 expressions increased and sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) levels decreased immunohistochemically. AGM treatment reversed these parameters except haptoglobin levels in hippocampus and SIRT-1 levels in cerebellum. Besides, AGM treatment blocked the phosphorylation of NF-kB biochemically and ameliorated increased the levels of hyperemia, edema and degenerative changes histopathologically. In conclusion, AGM enhanced SIRT-1 levels to negatively regulate the transcription and activation of p-NF-kB/p65 which caused to ameliorate inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis.

The Impact of Prophylactic Lacosamide on LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation in Aged Rats.

Sepsis-induced central nervous system damage is called sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). In addition to neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis act in the development of SAE. In the current study, we evaluated the protective effects of lacosamide (LCM) on neuroinflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups as controls, LPS group (5 mg/kg i.p.), and LPS plus LCM group (5 mg/kg i.p and 40 mg/kg i.p, respectively). In the rat brain, LPS-induced tissue damage was revealed histopathologically as hyperemia and microhemorrhages. LCM pretreatment ameliorated these histopathological changes. LPS decreased brain TAS levels and significantly increased MDA, CRP, HSP, IL-1ß, and TNF-α expressions in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Western analysis revealed increased brain tissue levels of TNF-α, NF-Kß, and caspase-3 following LPS. Prophylactic LCM treatment reversed these parameters including oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum.

Melatonin protects the heart and endothelium against high fructose corn syrup consumption-induced cardiovascular toxicity via SIRT-1 signaling.

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has been shown to cause cardiovascular toxicity via oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the protective effects of melatonin (MLT) against HFCS-induced endothelial and cardiac dysfunction via oxidative stress and inflammation. Thirty-two Sprague Dawley male rats were distributed into three groups as control, HFCS, and HFCS + MLT. HFCS form F55 was prepared as 20% fructose syrup solution and given to the rats through drinking water for 10 weeks, and MLT administrated 10 mg/kg/day orally for last 6 weeks in addition to F55. After decapitation, blood and half of the heart samples were collected for biochemical analysis and other half of the tissues for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis. Aspartate transaminase, creatine kinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index, and caspase-3 levels increased and total antioxidant status levels decreased significantly in HFCS group. MLT treatment reversed all these parameters. Histopathologically, hyperemia, endothelial cell damage and increased levels of angiogenin, C-reactive protein, inducible nitric oxide synthase, myeloperoxidase and decreased sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) expressions were observed in HFCS group. MLT ameliorated all these changes. MLT has an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiapoptotic effects on HFCS-induced cardiovascular toxicity through enhancing the expression of SIRT-1.

Comparison of efficiency of hyaluronic acid and/or bone grafts in healing of bone defects.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of bone defects in oral and maxillofacial surgery has widespread uses. In recent years, the capacity of various biomaterials alone or in combination with bone graft materials to increase bone healing has been an intensive research topic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of hyaluronic acid and/or bone graft material on bone healing in defects created in the rat mandible. Methods: In our study, rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 is designated to be treated with no materials, Group 2 with graft material, Group 3 with only hyaluronic acid, and Group with hyaluronic acid and graft material. A critical-size defect of 5 mm in diameter was created bilaterally in the rat mandibles and the rats were divided into the indicated groups accordingly. At the end of the postoperative 6th week, the experiment was terminated. The right halves of the mandibles were evaluated immunohistochemically and histopathologically in terms of bone healing, and the left in terms of mineralization level via microcomputed tomography. RESULTS: Histopathological evaluation showed that healing in the empty group was significantly lower than the other groups that were treated with materials (P < 0.05); but the difference between the material-treated groups was not significant. Immunohistochemical evaluation revealed that the staining was moderately positive/strongly positive in all groups, but the difference between the groups was not significant. The highest mineralization values observed in the defected areas that belonged to 2 groups using hyaluronic acid, and the difference between them was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). The lowest mineralization values observed in the defected areas was most frequent in the group where only the hyaluronic acid was used, and there was a statistically significant difference between the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the use of hyaluronic acid alone or in combination with bone grafting has been shown to contribute positively to the improvement of bone defects in the jaw area.

Anti-inflammatory and antiresorptive functions of melatonin on experimentally induced periapical lesions.

AIM: To investigate the effects of systemically administered melatonin on inflammation and alveolar bone resorption in rats with experimentally induced periapical lesions. METHODOLOGY: Thirty adult Sprague Dawley rats were divided equally into negative, positive control and melatonin groups. The pulp chambers of their mandibular first molars were exposed to the oral environment to induce experimental periapical lesions in the positive control and melatonin groups. The melatonin group received daily intraperitoneal injections of melatonin at a dose of 10 mg kg-1 . After 21 days, the animals were euthanized; the hemi-mandible parts were prepared for radiological, histopathological, immunohistochemical (IL-1ß, RANK, RANKL, OPG and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and Brown-Brenn (bacteria) evaluations. Data were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis (for non-parametric data) and one-way anova tests (for parametric data) (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The area of radiographic periapical bone loss was significantly smaller in rats that were given daily intraperitoneal injections of melatonin (P < 0.01). The histopathological scores of the melatonin group were significantly lower than those of positive control group (P < 0.01). Histomorphometrically, the area of periapical bone loss in the melatonin group was significantly smaller than the positive control group (P < 0.01). The expression of IL1-ß, RANK and RANKL was significantly higher in the positive control group, whereas OPG was significantly higher in the melatonin group (P < 0.01). The number of osteoclasts was significantly greater in the positive control group by TRAP staining analyses (P < 0.01). The scores for bacteria localization using Brown-Brenn staining in the melatonin group was significantly lower than that of the positive control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin demonstrated antiresorptive effects on bone associated with experimentally induced periapical lesions in rats via its anti-inflammatory activity. Further studies are necessary to evaluate its possible effects on the healing of periapical lesions.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of natural cases of encephalitic listeriosis in sheep.

Listeriosis is an important public health problem in the world. It can cause abortion, encephalitis, septicemia, conjunctivitis and mastitis in ruminants. The development of central nervous system lesions is not fully understood in encephalitic listeriosis. We performed a retrospective analysis of 15 sheep with encephalitic listeriosis. Hyperemia and opacification of the meninges were common necropsy findings. Lesions generally were localized in the caudal part of the brain including the pons, medulla oblongata, thalamus and cerebellum. Microabscesses usually were found in the caudal brain and cerebellum, while perivascular infiltrates were found most often in other parts of the brain. Evidence of Listeria monocytogenes was detected immunohistochemically in the medulla oblongata, pons, thalamus and cerebellum. Prominent reactions for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S100 protein, N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-1 (NMDAR1) and inducible co-stimulatory protein (ICOS) were detected in the caudal brain, which indicates that these proteins may play roles in the pathogenesis of encephalitic listeriosis.

Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on high fructose induced hepatic pathology.

Little is known about the pathogenesis of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) induced hepatic toxicity. We investigated hepatic lesions induced by chronic HFCS consumption and the protective effects of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on liver pathology. We used 24 rats allocated randomly into three groups of eight. The HFCS group was given in drinking water for 10 weeks. The ALA + HFCS group was given the same dose of HFCS and ALA also was administered during the last 6 weeks of the experiment. The control group was untreated. The rats were euthanized at the end of 10 weeks and 24 h after the last ALA administration. A significant increase was observed in the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level of the HFCS group compared to controls. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels also increased significantly and catalase (CAT) activity decreased significantly in the HFCS group. Caspase-3 expression increased significantly in the HFCS group compared to controls. In the ALA treated group, the levels of MDA, CAT and caspase-3 returned to near control levels. HFCS caused hepatic toxicity by increasing oxidative stress and apoptosis. ALA administration ameliorated the pathological changes.

Successful Treatment of Renal Infiltration Complicated by Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome in a Leukemic Child.

Renal infiltration in children with acute leukemia has been reported previously; however, it has rarely been described in association with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). We present a case of 9-year-old boy who developed life-threatening aHUS in the 1st week of Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma diagnosis with renal infiltration. Complete resolution of aHUS was achieved after therapeutic plasma exchange. This is an uncommon complication of Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma in a pediatric case.

The effects of chronic smoking on lung tissue and the role of alpha lipoic acid.

We investigated the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on blood and lung tissue exposed chronically to cigarette smoke (CS). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 was the control group (CON): fresh air was supplied twice daily and 0.1 ml physiological saline was given orally for 8 weeks. Group 2 was exposed to CS: 12 cigarettes were smoked daily at two sessions for 1 h and 0.1 ml saline was given orally for 8 weeks. Group 3 (CS + ALA) was exposed to 12 cigarettes daily in two sessions for 1 h and 100 mg/kg/day ALA was given orally for 8 weeks. DNA damage was assessed using comet analysis; oxidative damage was assessed using ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) from blood; and total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured in blood and lung tissue. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and -2α, caspase-3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) were conducted using lung tissue. The oxidative markers, TOS, OSI and IMA, and the comet analysis score were increased and the TAS level was decreased in the blood of the CS group compared to the CON group. IMA levels in blood, and TOS and OSI levels in the lung were decreased significantly in the CS + ALA group compared to the CS group. We observed increased septal wall thickness, marked and diffuse inflammatory reaction, emphysema, and necrotic cell debris in bronchial and bronchiolar lumens in the CS group. HIF-1α, HIF-2α, caspase-3 and FGF2 expressions were increased, while VEGF expression decreased in the lung tissues of the CS group compared to the CON group. ALA slightly ameliorated the damage caused by chronic exposure to CS in the lungs, but further investigation is needed to determine its possible protective effects at different dosages.