Protective effect of ebselen on experimental testicular torsion and detorsion injury.

Ebselen is used as a drug in clinical trials against stroke, reperfusion injury with anti-atherosclerotic and renoprotective effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of ebselen, on torsion/detorsion (T/D)-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in experimental testicular ischaemia/reperfusion injury. A total of 28 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups: group 1(sham-operated group, n = 7), group 2(ebselen group, n = 7), group 3(torsion/detorsion + saline, n = 7) and group 4(T/D + 10 mg kg(-1) ebselen group, n = 7). The tissue homogenate samples were used for immediate nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione measurement. Testes in all groups were evaluated for the biochemical assay and histopathological examinations. To evaluate spermatogenesis, Johnsen scoring system was used. Testicular tissue MDA and NO levels in group 3 were significantly higher than in group 1 and 4. In histological evaluation of the testicular tissues, ebselen administration improved tubular histology significantly compared with T/D group. Significant increase in histological score was observed in the testis of group 3 compared with group 1 and 2. Histological score in group 4 significantly decreased compared with group 3. Johnson score was significantly lower in T/D group compared with all other three groups, ebselen administration increased the score significantly compared with T/D group. Ebselen reduced oxidative biochemical and histopathological damage in our testicular T/D rat model.

Effects of montelukast and methylprednisolone on experimental spinal cord injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The development of secondary brain injury after trauma is known to involve in many cellular mediators. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the effects of the use of both methylprednisolone and montelukast on serum and tissue concentrations of NO, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and tissue glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: SCI was induced in Wistar albino rats by dropping a 10 g rod from a 5.0 cm height at T9-10. The 28 rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: montelukast, methylprednisolone, non-treatment and sham groups. Rats were neurologically tested at 24 hours after trauma and spinal cord tissue levels of MDA, SOD, GSH-PX, CAT levels and blood CK, CK-BB, LDH levels were measured. In addition, histopathological changes were also examined. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in Tarlov scores in methylprednisolone and montelukast administered group compared to the trauma group (p = 0.001). When compared to trauma group, methylprednisolone and montelukast groups had significant differences in MDA (p < 0.05), SOD (p < 0.001), CK-BB (p < 0.001) and LDH (p < 0.05) levels. Histopathologically, no significant changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows effects of montelukast with biochemical and histopathological parameters and compares its effects with those of methylprednisolone for the first time. Our research has shown that montelukast and methylprednisolone have a neuroprotective effect on spinal cord injury.

The effects of mobile phones on apoptosis in cerebral tissue: an experimental study on rats.

INTRODUCTION: The concern about mobile phone effects is increasing as the number of users increasing too. Different studies have different results, so this topic is still open to discussion. Aim of this report was to investigate the effects of the mobile phones on the Bcl-2 gene and p53 proteins in rat brains. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study group of 10 rats; mobile phones that spread EMW at a frequency between 1900-2100 MHz and Specific Absorption Rate range between 0.005 W/kg and 0.288 W/kg (Dialing mode), 0.004 W/kg and 0.029 W/kg (Calling mode) were attached to rat ears for simulating usage in daily life for 7 times a day during 5 minutes (3 seconds dialing mode, 4 minutes and 47 seconds of calling mode) for a four week period. Sham group (n=10) rats were only immobilized without EMW exposure. Another group of rats (n=10) were counted as control without any application. immunohistopathological examination was performed for p53 and Bcl-2 expression. RESULTS: Immunohistopathological examinations revealed that the samples in the study group had more p53 and Bcl-2 positive stained cells and they were stained denser. In both evaluations, these differences between the study and control group were found statistically significant (p < 0.003); In Bcl-2 evaluation statistically significant difference was found between study and sham group to (p < 0.005); however, the p53 evaluation between the study and the sham group did not show any statistically significant difference (p > 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the electro-magnetic waves emitted by the mobile phones may have effect on apoptosis. Besides, obtained data revealed that more realistic application of mobile phones during experiments is more important as expected.