Protective effect of dexpanthenol on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Cisplatin (CIS) is an antineoplastic agent used for treating solid organ tumors. Toxic side effects of CIS treatment include nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, ototoxicity, myelosuppression and hepatotoxicity. Dexpanthenol (DEX) exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and protective effects against free oxygen radicals. We investigated the protective effects of DEX on CIS induced nephrotoxicity. Animals were divided into four groups of 10. The control group was given saline. The DEX group was treated with DEX for 10 days. The CIS group was treated with a single dose of CIS. The DEX + CIS group was given a single dose of CIS followed by DEX for 10 days. We found increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine, while superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were decreased in the CIS group. MDA, BUN and creatinine levels were decreased, while SOD, CAT, GPx and MPO levels were increased in the DEX + CIS group. Renal tubule damage, inflammation and histopathology scores were significantly higher in the CIS group than the control. The DEX + CIS group exhibited less renal tubule damage and inflammation, and lower histopathological assessment scores than the CIS group. Significant cortical tubule damage and interstitial inflammation were observed in the CIS group. Tubule damage was slightly less, and mild tubule dilation and less cast formation were observed in the DEX + CIS group; also, inflammation was less severe than for the CIS group. DEX may have therapeutic potential for treating CIS induced nephrotoxicity due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

[Herbal supplement usage in cardiac patients]. / Kardiyoloji hastalarinda bitkisel ürün kullanimi.

OBJECTIVE: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has become more and more widespread around the world. CAM is a broad term that refers to all medical healthcare services, methods, and practices that are not part of standard medical care, as well as the accompanying theories and beliefs. The aim of the present study was to investigate the use of herbal medicinal products in cardiac patients, as well as the methods of administration of the products. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 199 patients aged over 18 years who were hospitalized in the Defne Hospital department of cardiology and volunteered to participate in a 20-item survey between April 2016 and June 2016. RESULTS: The study results indicated that 28.6% (n=57) of patients were using herbal products and 71.6% (n=142) said they did not. Only 14.03% (n=8) of those who used herbal products said they used them in consultation with their physician; 85.9% (n=49) had used herbal medicine without consulting their doctor. Of the participants with hypertension, 35.7% of them reported using herbal medicinal products. Of these, 22.5% of them were consuming lemon, 17.5% pomegranate syrup, and 17.5% green tea. Of the participants with cardiovascular diseases, 23.5% of them stated that they were taking herbal products. Of these, 25% were consuming green tea, 25% ginger, and 18.8% sage. CONCLUSION: Herbal medicinal supplements were used by a large portion of the cardiac patients in this study. Furthermore, most of the patients stated that they were using these products without informing their physician, a practice that can have unwanted consequences.