Protection against α-Amanitin-induced liver toxicity: Efficacy of pomegranate seed oil and black cumin oil.

The consumption of mushrooms containing α-Amanitin (α-A) can lead to severe liver damage. In this study, toxicological experiments were conducted to confirm the protective effects of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) and black cumin oil (BCO) against α-A-induced hepatotoxicity. Rats exposed once to α-A (3 mg/kg bw, i.p.) or saline alone (0.1 ml, i.p.) were either left untreated or treated with PSO or BCO at a dose of 2 ml/kg bw/day by oral gavage on the same day, and the treatment was continued for 7 days. Serum aminotransferases (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein levels were measured and the active caspase 3 (cl-caspase 3) was evaluated by western blotting in the liver. Serum ALT, AST and ALP levels tended to decrease in the α-A exposed group, but no statistically significant difference was found compared to the saline group (p > 0.05). PSO and BCO did not affect serum liver function tests in rats exposed to saline or α-A. α-A toxicity was demonstrated by a significant decrease in serum total protein level (p < 0.05), a significant increase in liver cl-caspase 3 expression (p < 0.05), and structural liver damage mainly characterized by mononuclear inflammation and steatosis. When α-A exposed rats were treated with BCO, the increase in cl-caspase 3 was not inhibited, on the contrary BCO increased cl-caspase 3 in healthy rats (p < 0.05). PSO significantly ameliorated α-A-induced cl-caspase 3 increase and inflammatory histopathology in the liver. Both PSO and BCO completely prevented α-A-induced protein degradation. The findings indicate that PSO and BCO may protect liver functions against α-A-induced hepatotoxicity, encouraging future comprehensive studies to test them at different doses and frequency.

Evaluation of irrational drug use of individuals over the age of 18 who applied to a university hospital.

BACKGROUND: Irrational drug use not only causes a delay in the treatment of patients, failure to achieve full well-being, drug interactions and side effects, drug resistance but also creates economic negativities such as waste of resources and unnecessary workload. This study aims to investigate the irrational drug use behaviors of individuals over the age of 18 who applied to a university hospital. METHODS: This sectional study included 1247 people over the age of 18 who applied for Gazi University Health, Research and Application Center. A questionnaire was applied to the applicants by face-to-face interview technique. Logistic regression analysis was performed among the factors associated with the subcomponents of irrational drug use. RESULTS: Participants (20.1%) used medication without a doctor's prescription (self-medication), 3.4% did not comply with the recommended dose and duration for medications, 47.4% applied to the physician to prescribe the medication they wanted, 65% had medication for later use at home. It was determined that 24.1% of them used drugs without looking at the expiration date and 45.5% of them used drugs without reading the patient information leaflet. Among the risk groups identified for the different irrational drug use behaviors mentioned are the following: males, lower educational groups, housewives, not having social insurance, continuous drug users. DISCUSSION: Irrational drug use behaviors are still observed in society. The fact that the risk is higher in lower education groups is an example of the negative consequences of limited health literacy. The fact that different risk groups have been identified for different behaviors related to irrational drug use shows that intervention studies on this subject should be directed to specific groups. The effect of having social security reveals its connection with universal health coverage and rational drug use.

Effects of cannabinoid and vanilloid receptor antagonists on nicotine induced relaxation response enhancement in rabbit corpus cavernosum.

Objectives: Endocannabinoids and nicotine regulate the neurotransmitter release in different central and peripheral synapses. Various studies in the literature demonstrate the interaction between endocannabinoid and nicotinic systems, especially in the central nervous system. The interaction between nicotinic and endocannabinoid systems was investigated in this study. We aimed to show the effects of cannabinoid and vanilloid receptor antagonists on nicotine-induced relaxation response increases in rabbit corpus cavernosum. Materials and Methods: From a total of seven male albino rabbits, three or four equal strips were cut from each corpus cavernosum and inserted in isolated organ baths. Tissues were contracted with phenylephrine (3×10-5 M). After contraction reached a plateau, strips were stimulated with EFS, and with the stabilization of EFS relaxation responses, 10-4 M of nicotine was administered to tissues. After that, in order to investigate the effects of AM251 (CB1 antagonist), AM630 (CB2 inverse agonist) or capsazepine (a vanilloid receptor antagonist) were given to different tissues, after the resting period. Results: Nicotine (10-4 M) increased the EFS-induced relaxation responses (14.60%±2.94%, P<0.05). AM630 decreased the enhancement of nicotine-induced EFS relaxation responses (nicotine 10-4 M enhancement: 17.16%±3.19%; nicotine 10-4 M enhancement in the presence of AM630 10-6 M: 4.44%±3.43% P<0.05; n=6), whereas effects of AM251 and capsazepine were not significant. Conclusion: In the present study, nicotine increased the amplitudes of EFS-induced relaxation responses probably via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors located on the nitrergic nerves of the corpus cavernosum. We showed the role of cannabinoid-like endo-ligands in nicotine-induced enhancement via CB2 receptors but not CB1 and VR1 receptors.

Enhancing effect of nicotine on electrical field stimulation elicited contractile responses in isolated rabbit bladder straight muscle; the role of cannabinoid and vanilloid receptors.

BACKGROUND: Nicotine acts as an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR). These receptors belong to a superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels. We previously demonstrated that nicotine increased electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced contractile or relaxation responses, possibly by facilitating neurotransmitter release from nerve terminals in various rabbit tissues. Studies have shown that there is an interaction between the endocannabinoid and nicotinic systems. This study aimed to investigate the interaction between nicotine and the endocannabinoid system in the rabbit urine bladder and also investigate the enhancing effect of nicotine on EFS-induced contractile responses in rabbit isolated bladder smooth muscle and its interaction with the endocannabinoid system. METHODS: The New Zealand albino male adult rabbits were used for this study. Following scarification, the urine bladder was rapidly excised, and then uniform strips were prepared. Each strip was mounted under 1 g isometric resting tension in an organ bath containing 20 mL of Krebs-Henseleit solution. After obtaining EFS-induced contractile responses, 10-4 M concentrations of nicotine were applied to the preparations, and EFS was stopped after 5 stimulations. Following washing, the same experimental procedure was performed with the same tissue in the presence of AM251 (a cannabinoid CB1R antagonist, 10-6 M), AM630 (a cannabinoid CB2R antagonist, 10-6 M), and capsazepine (a vanilloid receptor antagonist, 3 × 10-6 M). RESULTS: Nicotine enhanced the EFS-induced contraction responses by 17.16% ± 2.81% at a 4-Hz stimulation frequency. Cannabinoid receptor antagonists AM251 and AM630 reduced this increasing effect of nicotine although it was not significant and vanilloid receptor antagonist capsazepine did not significantly alter the nicotines' effect. DISCUSSION: These results show that enhancing effect of nicotine in the smooth muscle of the rabbit bladder, even though it was not significant endocannabinoid system possibly have a role in nicotines' effect.

Substance Use in Refugee Camps and Local Community: Sanliurfa Sample.

INTRODUCTION: Although substance use has increased in recent years in Turkey, it is still lower than in other European countries. Turkey is home to the largest Syrian refugee population. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and substance use among local people living in city centers and refugees living in refugee camps in Sanliurfa. METHODS: The study was based on a cross-sectional epidemiologic survey conducted with a total of 6041 people, 4040 (67%) from camps and 2001 (33%) from districts. Face-to-face interviews were accompanied by local interviewers or interpreters who spoke Arabic, and a survey form used in our country for drug addiction screening was used. According to the number of samples selected, households with proportional distribution were chosen from the districts, which were selected from the address based from Turkish Statistical Institute. In the refugee camps, interviews were conducted in tents selected using a random numbers table according to the number of samples. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of tobacco use was 22.3% (n=902) in the camps, whereas in the districts this rate was 33.5% (n=670). The lifetime prevalence of alcohol use was found as 0.2% in the camps and 3.5% in the districts. The lifetime prevalence of substance use was found as 2.6% in the camps and 4.3% in the districts. The most commonly used substance type was cannabis. Some 45.7% of the people who used a substance in the camps were male and 54.3% were female. In districts, these rates were 64.4% and 35.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Alcohol and substance use rates are low in Turkey compared with most countries in the world. Substance use in the city center is higher than in refugee camps in Sanliurfa. Substance use is a significant mental health problem that concerns every community including refugees. Identifying characteristics and attitudes related to substance use may help to improve policies regarding protective measures.

Fundamental Characteristics, Attitudes and Behaviors Regarding Substance Use Focusing on Cannabis: Findings from the General Population Survey in Turkey, 2011.

Cannabis is the most prevalent illicit drug used in the world. We aimed to determine prevalence and some characteristics of cannabis use in Turkey. The study was based on a cross-sectional survey conducted with a nationally representative sample of 8045 individuals with in-house interviews. The life-time prevalence of substance use was found as 2.8%. Cannabis with 0.7% life-time prevalence, was the most commonly used substance. Cannabis users were concerned about some adverse outcomes such as anxiety with withdrawal (14%), losing control about using the drug (14%), daily performance problems (10.9%) and problems about interpersonal violence (6.9%). 35.1% of them wanted to quit and 18% regretted using cannabis. Prevalence of cannabis use is lower in Turkey compared with most of the other countries in the world. Nevertheless, it is a significant health concern. Identifying characteristics and attitudes related with cannabis use may help to improve policies about protective measures.

Neuroprotective effect of systemic and/or intravitreal rosuvastatin administration in rat glaucoma model.

AIM: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of rosuvastatin, in a rat experimental glaucoma model. METHODS: Ocular hypertension was induced in right eyes of Long-Evans rats (n=30) by cauterization of three episcleral veins. Left eyes were defined as controls. Rats were divided into five groups: oral rosuvastatin, intravitreal rosuvastatin, oral+intravitreal rosuvastatin, intravitreal sham and glaucoma without intervention. Rats were sacrificed at day 14. Retinal ganglion cell (RGC) number was assessed by histopathological analysis. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining and the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in RGC layer was also examined. RESULTS: A significant intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation was seen (P=0.002). Elevated IOP resulted in a significant decrease in number of RGCs in group 5 (70.33±8.2 cells/mm(2)) when compared with controls (92.50±13.72 cells/mm(2); P=0.03). The RGC number in group 1 (92.4±7.3 cells/mm(2)) was significantly higher than group 5 (P=0.03). The numbers of RGC in groups 2, 3 (57.3±8.2 cells/mm(2), 60.5±12.9 cells/mm(2)) were comparable with that of group 5 (P=0.18 and P=0.31). The apoptosis rates with TUNEL staining were also parallel to RGC number. Animals with experimentally induced glaucoma showed an increase in retinal GFAP immunoreactivity. CONCLUSION: Decrease in RGC loss and apoptosis suggest the neuroprotective potential of oral rosuvastatin treatment in a rat model of ocular hypertension. However intravitreal rosuvastatin showed a contrary effect and further studies are required.

Self-medication with antibiotics: questionnaire survey among primary care center attendants.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and reasons for self-medication with antibiotics within the last 12 months among primary healthcare center attendants aged 18 or over, in Ankara. METHODS: A questionnaire was applied by face to face interview technique to 2696 subjects attending at five primary healthcare centers. Information on demographic characteristics, intention to self-medication with antibiotics and self-medication within last 12 months were collected. RESULTS: It was found that 28% of the subjects were storing antibiotics at home. The percentage of self-administering antibiotics was 19.1% in the last 12 months. The most common reasons for self-administration of antibiotics were sore throat (59.6%), fever (46.2%), and cough (40.0%). Other reasons were dental infection, rheumatism, and fatigue. According to age groups, the most common self-medicating group was those aged 40-49 with 23% while the least self-usage was in the 60-69 age groups with 11.8%. Male sex, being single, educational level of secondary school or higher, being employed and not having social security increased self-administration of antibiotics (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated the need for legal regulations regarding the sale of antibiotics without prescription and, health education is required for the community to decrease the inappropriate use of antibiotics and self-medication.

Enhancement effects of nicotine on neurogenic contractile responses in rabbit gastric fundus.

Nicotine, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, plays a role in the modulation of neurotransmitter release following nerve stimulation in both the central and the peripheral nervous system. Nitric oxide and prostaglandins modulate the release of various neurotransmitters in different tissues. We aimed to investigate the effects of nicotine on neurogenic contractile responses via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and, if a change occurred, to investigate the effects of N(W)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and indomethacin on this change in rabbit gastric fundus. Electrical field stimulation (EFS)-evoked contractile responses were recorded from gastric fundus strips obtained from rabbits with an isometric force displacement transducer. Nicotine was applied to preparations at varying concentrations. Then, the effects of hexamethonium, cadmium (Cd(2+)), indomethacin, and L-NAME were tested on the EFS-evoked contractions in the presence of nicotine. Nicotine-induced transient neurogenic contractions in a dose-dependent manner. Cd(2+) and hexamethonium inhibited nicotine-induced transient neurogenic contractions, but indomethacin and L-NAME produced no effect. In conclusion, nicotine increased EFS-evoked contractile responses, possibly by facilitating neurotransmitter release from nerve terminals by a mechanism dependent on the influx of Ca(2+) from voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels via activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in isolated rabbit gastric fundus. Endogenous nitric oxide and prostaglandins do not play a physiological role in the regulation of this neurotransmitter release.