Antioxidant effect of Legalon(r) SIL in ischemia-reperfusion injury of rat skeletal muscle.

PURPOSE: To evaluated the potential antioxidant agent Legalon (r) SIL (silibinin-C-2',3-bis(hydrogensuccinat)) in the skeletal muscle of rats. METHODS: IRI was achieved via tourniquet application in Wistar-albino rats. Experimental groups were chosen as (i) sham control, (ii) IRI (3+2 h), (iii) IRI and Legalon (r) SIL-50 (50 mg/kg/i.p.), (iv) IRI and Legalon (r) SIL-100 (100 mg/kg/i.p.), and (v) IRI and Legalon (r) SIL-200 (200 mg/kg/ i.p.). Muscle viability (evaluated by triphenyltetrazolium chloride dye method), malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were assessed in muscle samples using a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Although viability of the injured limb non-significantly declined in the IRI group, administration of Legalon (r) SIL did not prevent injury. However, dramatic increase observed in malondialdehyde levels in the IRI group was prohibited by Legalon (r) SIL in a statistically significant manner. In comparison with the sham-control group, IRI and Legalon (r) SIL administration did not cause any significant alterations in the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. CONCLUSION: Although Legalon (r) SIL was not sufficient to prevent muscle injury in terms of viability, it is found to be an effective option to reduce reactive oxygen species-induced cell injury.

The short- and long- term effects of estrogen deficiency on apoptosis in musculoskeletal tissues: an experimental animal model study.

BACKGROUND: Estrogen is the major sex steroid affecting the growth, remodeling, and homeostasis of the female skeleton. Estrogen loss in postmenopausal women leads to osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the early and long- term effects of estrogen loss on bones, tendons, muscles, and menisci in ovariectomized rats.  METHODS: Fifteen rats were randomized into three groups of five animals each. The first group was the control group with no additional surgical procedure, but the rest (groups 2 and 3) were bilaterally ovariectomized . All animals in the group 2 were sacrificed at 14th week to evaluate the short- term effect, and all of other animals in the groups 1 and 3 were sacrificed at 28th week to analyze the long- term effect of estrogen loss in the ovariectomized group and to control with the group 1. Quadriceps muscles, Achilles tendons, menisci, and femur cortical bones from both lower extremities were taken. The amount of apoptosis was measured. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in cell apoptosis in bones, muscles, and tendons with insignificant increase in cell apoptosis in menisci at early and late periods in rats with ovariectomies than the control.  CONCLUSION: The results indicated that estrogen loss after ovariectomy does not only affect bones; it may also increase cell apoptosis in different tissues such as muscles, tendons, and menisci.

Effects of silibinin and ethanol on skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: To investigate the potential beneficial effect of silibinin in ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) of skeletal muscle. METHODS: Under urethane anesthesia, four experimental groups were established in Balb/c mice: I) Sham-control, II) IRI (Tourniquet-induced) (2+1 h), III) IRI+ethanol (10%), and IV) IRI+silibinin (50 mg/kg/IP). The viability of muscle (left) was evaluated by the triphenyltetrazolium chloride dye method and calculated as the percentage of the contralateral control muscle (right). Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were measured in the gastrocnemius muscle via a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The viability of gastrocnemius muscle in group II was significantly lower in comparison with that seen in group I. The administration of either ethanol or silibinin rendered the tissues to recover nearly to the baseline level. Additionally, malondialdehyde levels were higher in group II than those in group I. The application of silibinin prior to the reperfusion attenuated these to the control levels. However, malondialdehyde levels in the ethanol administrated group were reduced as well. The enhanced superoxide dismutase activity seen in the IRI group was not diminished in the animals treated with either silibinin or ethanol. Similarly, there were no differences between groups regarding the catalase activities. CONCLUSION: Ethanol seems to be effective in attenuating IRI in skeletal muscle and no definite conclusion can be made on silibinin effect.

Gouty arthritis at interphalangeal joint of foot after sildenafil use: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Interphalangeal joint of foot is a very unusual location for gouty arthritis and sildenafil use may cause this phenomenon. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 58-year-old hypertensive man was admitted to hospital with pain and swelling over interphalengeal joint of his right great toe. His health history included the use of diuretics for a long time and his last gout attack was two years ago at first metatarsophalengeal joint of right foot. Sildenafil, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), was administered in case of erectile dysfunction for two months. Subsequently, he had several episodes of pain and swelling at first interphalangeal joint of right great toe. Both the onset and recurrence of symptoms were just seen the day after sildenafil use. The patient was free of symptoms after discontinuation of the drug. After an initial evaluation, gout was diagnosed on the basis of synovial fluid analysis. DISCUSSION: This case demonstrates a rare location of gouty arthritis with an uncommon etiology: sildenafil. Regarding the clinical data, the discussion was made to expand the horizon for diagnosis of patients with similar symptoms, to identify risk factors for gout relevant to elderliness, and to review the management of gout. CONCLUSION: Sildenafil use may cause gouty arthritis, and surgical decompression may be helpful for definitive diagnosis and symptom relief in atypical presentation of gout.

Neural fibrolipoma of the digital nerve: a case report.

A 32-year-old woman underwent microsurgical resection of a neural fibrolipoma of the digital nerve of the ring finger. At the 6-month follow-up, the patient had good recovery, no recurrence, and preservation of neural function. Caution should be exercised while planning microsurgical dissection on soft-tissue masses of fingers and hands. Total resection of the lesion and nerve grafting should be avoided.

Deformity correction by Ilizarov distraction osteogenesis after distal radius physeal arrest.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of osteotomy and distraction osteogenesis using Ilizarov circular external fixator to treat radial shortening and severe wrist deformity due to neglected post-traumatic distal radius physeal arrest. METHODS: The study retrospectively reviewed 4 patients (4 males; average age: 16 years; range: 14 to 19 years) who underwent osteotomy and distraction osteogenesis to treat radial shortening and severe wrist deformity due to neglected distal radius physeal arrest. Mean interval between trauma and surgical intervention was 8 (range: 4 to 12) years and mean follow-up time was 83 (range: 40 to 126) months. Patients were evaluated with radiographic measurements (shortening and lengthening ratio, radioulnar joint leveling, distal radioulnar joint congruency), objective functional measurements (grip and pinch strength, range of motion measurements [ROM]) and subjective functional measurements (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH] questionnaire and Mayo wrist score). Statistical analysis was made using the Mann-Whitney U non-parametric test. RESULTS: Radiographic measurements were obtained preoperatively and at the final follow-up. The mean shortening ratio of the radius was 14.6% (range: 9.3% to 18.7%) and mean lengthening ratio was 15.9% (range: 13.2% to 18.3%). Normal distal radioulnar joint leveling and distal radioulnar congruency resembling a joint was established in all but one patient with four millimeters of ulna plus deformity. According to the Mann-Whitney U non-parametric test, there was no statistical difference in grip and pinch power, ROM on flexion/extension, and ulnar/radial deviation axis between the operated and non-operated sides. There was statistically significant pronation/supination restriction between the operated and non-operated sides (p<0.04). Mean DASH score was 2.07 (range: 0.0 to 8.3) and the mean Mayo wrist score was 89 (range: 75 to 100) points. According to the Mayo wrist score, results were excellent in one patient, good in two patients, and satisfactory in one patient. CONCLUSION: The use of distal metaphyseal osteotomy and Ilizarov distraction osteogenesis is a viable treatment method for neglected physeal fractures of the distal radius as it establishes acceptable deformity correction and a functional wrist joint.

Relationship between meniscal tears and tibial slope on the tibial plateau.

OBJECTIVE: The geometry of the tibial plateau has a direct influence on the translation and the screw home biomechanics of the tibiofemoral joint. Little information on the relationship between the tibial slope and meniscal lesions is available. The objective of this retrospective study was to examine the effect of the tibial slope on the medial and lateral meniscus lesions in patients with intact ACLs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MRIs and lat roentgenograms of 212 patients with meniscus lesions were examined to determine the possible effect of the tibial slope on meniscal tears. First, the anatomic axis of the proximal tibia was established. Then, the angle between the line drawn to show the tibial slopes (medial and lateral) and the line drawn perpendicular to the proximal tibial anatomic axis was established on MRI. The patients with previously detected meniscus lesions were classified into three categories: patients with only medial meniscal tear (Group 1, 90 patients); patients with only lateral meniscal tear (Group 2, 15 patients); and patients with both medial and lateral meniscal tear (Group 3, 19 patients). Group 4 had no meniscal tear (88 patients). The MRIs of the patients who had applied to the Orthopedic Outpatient Clinic with patellofemoral pain and no meniscal tear were included as the control group. RESULTS: The average tibial slope of the medial tibial plateau was 3.18° in group 1, 3.64° in group 2, 3° in group 3, and 3.27° in group 4. The average tibial slope of the lateral tibial plateau was 2.88° in group 1, 3.6° in group 2, 2.68 in group 3, and 2.91 in group 4. The tibial slope on the medial tibial plateau was significantly larger than the lateral tibial plateaus in group 1 and group 4 (p<0.05). In group 2, there was no statistically significant difference between the tibial slopes of the two sides (p>0.05). In addition, the tibial slope on the lateral side of group 2 was significantly larger than that of groups 1, 3, and 4 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: An increase in the tibial slopes, especially on the lateral tibial plateau, seems to increase the risk of meniscal tear.

Unicameral bone cyst of the lunate in an adult: case report.

We report a case of a symptomatic unicameral (simple) bone cyst of the lunate in a 42-year- old woman. The lesion was treated with curettage and cancellous autogenous iliac bone grafting. At five years of follow-up the wrist was pain free, there were no limitations of motion, and the radiographs showed complete obliteration of the cavity. To the best of our knowledge, no other unicameral bone cyst of the lunate has been reported in an adult. Cysts with significant cavities at the carpal bones in an adult should be approached cautiously, as they may require early curettage and bone grafting for healing, before collapse and degenerative changes occur.

Protective effect of zinc aspartate on long-term ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat skeletal muscle.

The present study investigated the protective effect of zinc aspartate, in connection with reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, on long-term ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rat skeletal muscle. Following ketamine anesthesia, 24 rats were randomly assigned to four groups: groups 1 and 2, each without tourniquet application, received no drug and zinc, respectively; groups 3 and 4, each subjected to tourniquet-induced IRI (3 + 24 h), received no drug and zinc, respectively. IRI was achieved by the application of an elastic rubber band in the left hind limb of the anesthetized rats. Gastrocnemius muscle samples were obtained for biochemical measurements. Malondialdehyde levels were lower in group 2 and higher in group 3 than those seen in group 1. However, zinc aspartate (group 4) totally reversed malondialdehyde levels to control levels. Superoxide dismutase activity was increased in group 2 compared with group 1; however, there was no difference between groups 1 and 3, and Zn injection (group 4) increased superoxide dismutase activity. While catalase values were similar in groups 1 and 2, significant increments were observed in 3 and 4. A similar enhancement in glutathione levels were observed in groups 2 and 4 compared with group 1. Nitric oxide levels were lower in group 2 than 1, and no difference between groups 1 and 3 was demonstrated. In conclusion, zinc seems to be an effective treatment option against IRI.

Modified Judet's quadricepsplasty for loss of knee flexion.

We reviewed the results of a modified Judet's quadricepsplasty in eleven patients with inability to fully flex the knee. The patients were examined at an average follow-up of 49 months (4 to 108 months). Their mean pre-operative knee flexion was 30 degrees (range 10 degrees -50 degrees ). At the final follow-up the mean active flexion was improved to 100 degrees (range 70 degrees -130 degrees ) with an average flexion gain of 70 degrees (range 45 degrees -100 degrees ). None of the patients developed an extension lag. According to Judet's criteria, the results were three excellent, seven good and one fair. Staged quadricepsplasty is a useful procedure to correct the disabling flexion loss in the knee.

Upper-extremity digital amputation secondary to non-traumatic ischemia.

In an attempt to evaluate the factors that result in upper-extremity digital amputation secondary to acute non-traumatic ischemia, nine patients with digital amputations secondary to septic or non-septic emboli were evaluated retrospectively. Although some evidence was present in three patients, no primary focus of emboli could be confirmed in six cases. All patients were consulted about hand surgery > or = 7 days following the clinical suspicion of ischemia for different reasons. No patient had cardiac disease that might result in emboli. The most important factor that resulted in unfavorable prognosis was unknown or unproven primary focus of the emboli, including septic emboli. As a consequence, delay in recognition of the ischemia affects the outcome. Age, gender, and health condition before the incidence did not affect the outcome. Health condition of the patient at the time of diagnosis affects the outcome, as life-threatening conditions change the focus of attention and result in late recognition of the ischemia. Upper-extremity digital ischemia needs a high index of suspicion in cases with unknown or unproven primary focus of the emboli. Prompt recognition and early consultation seem necessary to prevent or reduce the extent of the amputation.

A very large Schwannoma originating from the median nerve in carpal tunnel.

Schwannomas are common benign nerve tumors occurring in the peripheral nerves. A very large schwannoma of more than 5 years duration, originating from the median nerve in the carpal tunnel in a 38-year-old woman, is reported. There was a painful mass, 60 mm in length and 42 mm in diameter, on the palm without signs of sensory disturbance or atrophy on the thenar muscles. Surgical removal was performed under high-power magnification by separating the sensory and motor fascicles from the tumor. Histological examination resulted in a Schwannoma. At 4-year follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic with excellent relief of symptoms. The tumor did not recur. Although cases have been reported in the literature, this is one of the largest ever described without any neurologic deficit.