Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of crocin on the doxorubicin mediated hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats.

Doxorubicin (DXR) is widely used in cancer treatment. However, it has not yet been possible to prevent the side effects of DXR. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of crocin against DXR used in cancer treatment. For this reason; forty Wistar rats (male-250-300 g) were allocated into four groups (n = 10/group): Control, Crocin, DXR and DXR+Crocin. Control and Crocin groups were administered saline and crocin (40 mg/kg, i.p) for 15 days, respectively. DXR group, cumulative dose 12 mg/kg DXR, was administered for 12 days via 48 h intervals in six injections (2 mg/kg each, i.p). DXR+Crocin group, crocin (40 mg/kg-i.p) was administered for 15 days, and DXR was given as in the DXR group. The results revealed that serum liver markers (alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased significantly after DXR administration but recovered after crocin therapy. In addition, lipid peroxidation (MDA), and inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) increased after DXR application and the antioxidative defense system (GSH, SOD, CAT) significantly decreased and re-achieved by crocin treatment. Our results conclude that crocin treatment was related to ameliorated hepatocellular architecture and reduced hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation in rats with DXR-induced hepatotoxicity.

Bone mineral density measurements in otosclerosis using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate patients with otosclerosis with respect to bone mineral density (BMD) at different regions of interest (ROI), using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). DESIGN: Cross-sectional controlled study. SETTING: Tertiary referral hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The patients with a definite diagnosis of otosclerosis confirmed intra-operatively were defined as the study group (n = 30). The control group consisted of volunteer, healthy subjects with normal hearing (n = 43). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Following an audiometric evaluation, a venous blood sample was obtained and a single BMD measurement using DXA was applied to each participant. RESULTS: The mean BMD, T and Z scores were higher in the otosclerosis group than in the control group in all the regions considered, but not significantly; only the L2-L3 lateral BMD and its T and Z scores were significant (P = 0.036, P = 0.029 and P = 0.036, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the BMD does not decrease in the presence of otosclerosis despite its genetic and metabolic relevance with osteoporosis. Concerning the L2-L3 lateral BMD measurements, the BMD increased in otosclerosis.