Investigation of the Effect of Astaxanthin on Autophagy in Renal Ischemia-reperfusion Modeled Rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various astaxanthin (ATX) doses on oxidative damage and autophagy in renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury-modeled rats. Methods: The rats were divided into five groups: sham group (n=8), I/R (n=8), I/R + 5 mg/kg ATX (n=8), I/R + 10 mg/kg ATX (n=8), and I/R + 25 mg/kg ATX (n=8) groups. ATX was dissolved in 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 25 mg/kg olive oil for 7 days and administered to the rats in the experimental group. Sham and I/R groups were also administered ATX solution (olive oil) via oral gavage for 7 days. Renal ischemia reperfusion was induced in all rats except the sham group after the last dose was administered on the 7th day. Reperfusion was conducted for 24 hours after 45 minutes of ischemia. Results: Blood samples were collected, and kidney tissue were incised for biochemical and histological analyses. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were significantly lower in the I/R group than in the sham group (p<0.05), whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) values were higher (p<0.05). It was determined that SOD and TAS increased and MDA and TOS decreased in the ATX-administration groups compared with the I/R group, independent of the dose (p<0.05). In the 25 mg/kg ATX + I/R group, Beclin-1 and LC3ß immunoreactivities were significantly higher than those in the other groups (p<0.05). The lowest p62 immunoreactivity was observed in the 25 mg/kg ATX + I/R group. Conclusions: ATX had a protective effect on kidney function and against oxidative damage. Furthermore, high-dose ATX administration protected kidney tissue via autophagy induction in this study.

Evaluation of Willis Polygon Morphometry with Cranial Tomographic Angiography.

AIM: To examine the morphometric properties of the vessels forming the Willis polygon (WP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension (HT) and compare them with healthy individuals. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cranial Tomography Angiography (CTA) of 168 individuals were analyzed retrospectively. The individuals included in the study were divided into four groups according to the diagnosis. Group 1 included 40 individuals who were diagnosed with HT, Group 2 included 43 individuals who were diagnosed with DM, Group 3 included 42 individuals who were diagnosed with DM and HT, and Group 4 was the control group and included 43 individuals. The diameter and length measurements of the vessels forming the WP were included in our study. RESULTS: According to the results of the Kruskal Wallis H test, in female patients statistically significant differences were detected in the diameter measurements of the right and left A1 segment of the ACA, the diameter measurement of the left A2 segment, the diameter measurements of the right and left P1 and P2 segments of the ACP, the diameter measurements of the right and left AComP. (p < 0.05), in male patients statistically significant differences were found in the diameter of the right A1 segment of the ACA, the diameter and segment length measurements of the right and left P1 segments of the ACP, of the right and left P2 diameter measurements, and segment length measurements of the left AComP (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We also found that the vessel diameters were similar in the HT, DM and HT+DM groups, and smaller than the control group. In addition, we think that knowing WP morphometric measurements will both guide the radio-anatomical evaluations to be made and increase the level of microanatomical knowledge in surgical treatment.

Comparison of 'primary repair' and 'placing a drain without repair' methods in duodenum perforations.

BACKGROUND: Duodenal ulcer perforation is a serious condition. A number of methods have been defined and used in surgical treatment. In this study, it was aimed to compare the effectiveness of 'primary repair' and 'drain placement without repair' methods in duodenal perforations using an animal model. METHODS: Three equivalent groups of ten rats each were formed. Perforation was created in the duodenum in the first (primary repair/sutured group) and the second group (drain placement without repair/sutureless drainage group). In the first group, the per-foration was repaired with sutures. In the second group, only a drain was placed in the abdomen without sutures. In the third group (control group), only laparotomy was performed. Neutrophil count, sedimentation, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum total an-tioxidant capacity (TAC), serum total thiol, serum native thiol, and serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) analyses were performed on animal subjects in the pre-operative period and on the post-operative 1st and 7th days. Histological and immunohistochemical (transforming growth factor-beta 1 [TGF-ß1]) analyzes were performed. Blood analysis, histological, and immunohistochemical findings obtained from the groups were compared statistically. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the first and second groups, except for the TAC on the post-operative 7th day and MPO values on the post-operative 1st day (P>0.05). Although tissue healing was more pronounced in the second group than in the first group, there was no significant difference between the groups (P>0.05). TGF-ß1 immunoreactivity observed in the second group was found to be significantly higher than in the first group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: We think that the sutureless drainage method is as effective as the primary repair method in the treatment of duo-denal ulcer perforation and can be safely applied as an alternative to the primary repair method. However, further studies are needed to fully determine the efficacy of the sutureless drainage method.

Evaluation of the relationship between nasal septal deviation and development of facial asymmetry with anthropometric measurements depending on age.

AIM: It was aimed to determine the change of facial asymmetry resulting from nasal septal deviation (SD) depending on age, gender, degree of deviation and the affected area besides the effect of SD on somatotype and craniofacial morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 171 volunteers (90 males, 81 females), 27 individuals aged 9-13, 44 individuals aged 14-18, 44 individuals aged 19-23 and 56 individuals in control group participated in the study conducted in otorhinolaryngology polyclinic.11 photometric, 16 anthropometric measurements were taken from the participants. RESULTS: SD affects facial asymmetry formation, although not statistically significant compared to healthy individuals asymmetry rates (p˃0.05). It was determined that the degree of SD affected asymmetry only between the ages of 14-18 (in adolescence) and the development of asymmetry in all SD patients was not statistically dependent on age and gender (p˃0.05). Photometric measurements demonstrated asymmetries in horizontally-extending parameters of 1/3 middle part of face. There was no statistically significant difference in the cranial anthropometric measurements of the upper and lower 1/3 of the face compared to the control group (p˃0.05). The order of the most asymmetrical parameters is Alare-Zygion, Alare-Subnasale, Cheilion-Gonion, Exocanthion-Cheilion, Midsagittal plane-Zygion, Zygion-Cheilion, Zygion-Gonion, Subalare-Cheilion, Glabella-Exocanthion. In all participants were determined that endomorph somatotype was dominant in female and mesomorph somatotype was dominant in male besides SD did not affect somatotype and somatotype did not alter with age. CONCLUSION: The development of facial asymmetry due to SD is not affected by age and gender furthermore SD does not affect craniofacial asymmetry and somatotype.

Comparison of the effects of conventional physiotherapy and proprioception exercises on pain and ankle proprioception in patients with lumbar radiculopathy.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar radiculopathy is characterized by a significant amount of backache causing loss of workforce and is a significant health problem frequently seen in the general population. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of conventional physiotherapy (CT) and proprioception exercises (PE) on ankle proprioception and lumbar pain between patients with lumbar radiculopathy and a healthy control group. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 89 patients referred to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation outpatient clinic were selected through convenience sampling. They were randomly assigned to three groups: CT (n= 27), PE (n= 31), CT&PE (n= 31). Thirty healthy volunteers were included in the study as the control group. Proprioception measurements were made with an isokinetic dynamometer at 10∘ dorsiflexion (DF), 11∘, and 25∘ plantarflexion (PF) angles. Lumbar pain was assessed by using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS). The data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 via the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of ankle proprioception and NPRS measurements in post-treatment evaluations (p< 0.05). Statistically significant differences were found between CT and PE groups and CT&PE and control groups. There was no statistically significant difference in comparing CT and PE groups and CT&PE and control groups within themselves (p> 0.05). CONCLUSION: The combined use of CT and PE is an effective method that can be used in the clinic to reduce angular differences in ankle proprioception which is one of the primary factors of balance and coordination and lumbar pain.

Investigation of clinical and pathological findings due to anatomical localisation in patients with colorectal cancer.

AIM: We classified anatomical localisation tumours of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and undergoing surgery as right and left colon and we aimed to determine how this funding affects the prognosis of the disease and survival times. METHODS: In our study, 521 patients who applied to the general surgery outpatient clinic of Inönü University Turgut Özal Medical Center 19.06.2009 and 15.08.2019 between dates and operated with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer files were reviewed retrospectively. The patients' data were compared as age, gender, genetic predisposition, stage of tumour, distance to surgical margins (distal and radial), size, number of lymph nodes, metastasising organs, colon macroscopic features, chemotherapy and survival. RESULTS: In total, 42.6% of the patients were female and 57.4% were male. The average age of all patients is 59.79. The average age of women was 60.39 ± 1.023 and the average age of male patients was 59.35 ± 1.800. The anatomical regions where colorectal cancer was most common were rectum, colon sigmoideum and caecum. 40.5% of the patients had a tumour located in the right colon, while 59.5% had a tumour in the left colon. When the distal surgical margin (P = .002), proximal surgical margin (P = .001), tumour size (P = .001) and the number of removed lymph nodes (P = .002) were evaluated in these patients. The mean survival in the right colon was 71.499 ± 3.589 months and in the left colon was 71.121 ± 2.953 months. The longest survival was 76.856 ± 6.117 months in colon ascendens, while the shortest survival was calculated as 57.399 ± 4.671 months in flexura coli dextra. CONCLUSION: We are thinking that in colorectal cancer, the anatomical localisation of the tumour can hold an important place to determine the clinical differences such as, the disease symptoms, course, treatment options and survival status.

Analysis of the effects of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in menstrual cycle on ankle proprioception, dynamic balance scores and visual-auditory reaction times in healthy young women.

OBJECTIVES: Menstrual cycle (MC) can affect not only the female reproductive system, but also functions such as neuromuscular performance. For this reason, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) activity in MC on proprioception, balance and reaction times. METHODS: For cortisol analysis, saliva samples were taken from the same women (n=43) in the four phases of MC. While State Trait Anxiety Inventory-I (STAI-I) was applied in each phase to support cortisol analysis, pain was measured with visual analogue scale (VAS). Proprioception, dynamic balance, visual and auditory reaction times (VRT-ART) measurements were made in the four phases of MC. RESULTS: Cortisol, STAI-I and VAS scores, angular deviations in proprioception measurements, dynamic balance scores, VRT and ART measurements were found to show statistically significant difference between MC phases (p<0.05). As a result of the post hoc test conducted to find out which MC phase the statistical difference resulted from, it was found that statistically significant difference was caused by the mensturation (M) phase (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that neuromuscular performance and postural control was negatively affected by HPA axis activity in M phase of MC and by pain, which is a significant menstrual symptom.

The effect of stress-induced cortisol increase on the sense of ankle proprioception.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of stress-induced cortisol increase on the sense of ankle proprioception. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2016 and May 2016, a total of 60 students (30 males, 30 females; mean age: 19.2±1.5 years; range, 19 to 20 years) from Inönü University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Freshmen were included in the study. Separate measurements were made for the right and left ankle to make ankle proprioception measurements a month before the committee exam during their relaxed period using a device designed with digital inclinometer. The sense of ankle proprioception was measured at 10° dorsiflexion (DF), 11° plantar flexion (PF), and 25° PF angles with open eyes and closed eyes using active reproduction test. Salivary samples were taken for stress assessment and State Trait Anxiety Inventory-I (STAI-I) was conducted. The same tests were repeated on the day of committee exam. RESULTS: Test results showed no statistically significant difference between the right and left ankle proprioception measurements of 10° DF, 11° PF, and 25° PF angles with open eyes (p>0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was found between the right and left ankle proprioception scores at the same angles with closed eyes (p<0.05). According to the Wilcoxon analysis conducted for the comparison of the relaxed and stressed periods of cortisol and STAI-I inventory, a statistically significant difference was found (p<0.05). The Spearman's Rho analysis showed no significant correlation between the right and left ankle proprioception scores and cortisol and STAI-I with open eyes, while there was a statistically significantly positive direction and low correlation between the same angles with closed eyes. CONCLUSION: Our study results show that the increase in the stress-related cortisol is negative for the ankle proprioception sense.

The evaluation of the effect of vaginal delivery and aging on anal sphincter anatomy and function.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of vaginal delivery and aging on anal sphincter anatomy and function. METHOD: Asymptomatic thirty women were included in this prospective study. Group 1 included 10 women (age range: 18-50) who had never been pregnant. Group 2 included 10 women (age range: 18-50) who had vaginal delivery. Group 3 included 10 women over 50 who had vaginal delivery. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of resting and squeeze pressures. It was found that sphincter thickness showed statistically significant difference between the group 1 and group 3, and also group 2 and group 3. There was not statistically significant difference between the group 1 and group 2 in terms of sphincter thickness. There was a positive correlation between the age and sphincter thickness in all groups. In terms of sphincter thickness and pressure findings there was a positive correlation between the squeeze pressure and external anal sphincter thickness only in group 3. CONCLUSION: The vaginal delivery did not have a negative influence on the structure and function of the anal sphincter in asymptomatic women. However, it was found that anal sphincter thickness changed strongly in a positive manner with aging.

The clinical effects of somatotype difference on isokinetic knee muscle strength and dynamic balance scores.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to present the somatotype features of young individuals without any symptoms and to identify whether isokinetic knee muscle strength and dynamic balance scores are affected by somatotype difference. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 146 participants (88 males, 58 females; mean age 22.5±1.9 years; range 19 to 28 years) who had no symptoms were included in this study. Somatotypes of the participants were calculated using the Heath-Carter formula, and anthropometric measurements were taken from each participant. Knee flexion and extension muscle strengths at angular speeds of 90°/sec, 120°/sec and 150°/ sec were measured from the dominant and non-dominant limbs of the participants. Total balance, anterior/posterior balance, and medial/ lateral measurements were made to evaluate dynamic balance performances. RESULTS: Six different somatotypes were found. Endomorphic mesomorph was the most common somatotype in 56 participants. There was no significant somatotype difference in men and women for dominant and non-dominant knee extension and flexion peak strength values at angular speeds of 90°/sec, 120°/sec and 150°/sec (p>0.05). No significant difference was found between the balance scores of men and women who had different somatotypes (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Anatomic structure of the body, which is suitable for the sports branch, has an increasing effect on performance.

Effect of increase in cortisol level due to stress in healthy young individuals on dynamic and static balance scores.

OBJECTIVE: Stress is a condition caused by various factors and characterized by imbalance in body functioning, impair in nervous system, and tension. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cortisol level, which increases in healthy young individuals due to stress, on dynamic and static balance scores as well as to present the results caused by high levels of stress. METHODS: In this study, 107 healthy medicine faculty students in their second year (who will take the same committee exam) aged between 19 and 23 years were included. The first balance measurements and saliva samples were taken 40 days before the committee exam, and this period was acknowledged as the relaxed period. The same students were considered for balance measurements again on the day of committee exam; saliva samples were collected, and cortisol concentration was determined. This period was acknowledged as the stressful period. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was given to the participants in their relaxed and stressful periods. Dynamic balance scores were measured with Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Static balance scores were measured with One Leg Standing Balance Test (OLSBT). RESULTS: The mean cortisol level was found to increase approximately 9 times in stressful periods compared with that in relaxed periods. STAI, which shows state anxiety, showed an increase supporting this increase. In stressful periods, dynamic balance scores showed obvious decrease in all directions. In addition, in stressful periods, an obvious decrease was observed in static balance scores compared with those in relaxed periods. CONCLUSION: This study showed that stress negatively affected dynamic and static balance, even for short periods of time. We believe that our study will form a positive source and basis when correlated with long terms stress and balance measurements.

The effects of pre-obesity on quality of life, disease activity, and functional status in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study was an investigation of effects of pre-obesity on clinical characteristics and quality of life in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: Total of 28 AS patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in the study. Patients and controls with any systemic inflammatory disease and/or cognitive and mental problems were excluded. Disease activity and functional capacity were measured using the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index. For quality of life assessment, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey was used in both groups, and AS group also responded to Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in sociodemographic characteristics between AS patients and healthy controls (p>0.05). Mean quality of life scores were significantly lower in the pre-obese AS patients compared with controls (p<0.05). Functional capacity was positively and significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) (p=0.024) and disease activity was significantly associated with female gender (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Increased BMI in patients with AS is factor that affects quality of life, disease activity, and functional capacity. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs will support improved quality of life for pre-obese patients with AS.

Quantitative Evaluation of Normal Aqueductal Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow Using Phase-Contrast Cine MRI According to Age and Sex.

The aim of this study was cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow quantification in the cerebral aqueduct using phase-contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (PCC-MRI) according to both sexes and three different age groups to obtain normative data. Seventy two volunteers with no cerebral pathology were included in this study. Subjects were divided into three age groups: 20-34 years, 35-49 years, and 50-65 years including equal gender groups. CSF flow's quantitatively evaluation was performed with images that were obtained by 1.5 T Magnetic Resonance (MR) unit from cerebral aqueduct level on the semi-axial plan. Between groups, peak velocity (cm sec-1 ), average velocity (cm/s), forward volume (mL), reverse volume (mL), net forward volume (mL), and average flow over range (ml/min) values of current flowing through aqueduct and average aqueductal areas were compared. There were no statistically significant differences in CSF flow parameters among different age groups and between sexes (P > 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in average cerebral aqueduct area between the age group of 50-65 years and the other age groups (P = 0.002). The average aqueductal area was higher in the age group of 50-65 years. Normal aqueductal CSF flow parameters evaluated with PCC-MRI don't show a significant difference by age and sex. We have achieved the lower and upper values of these parameters would be useful in future clinical studies. The size of aqueductal area may also be explained by atrophy-dependent ventricular system dilatation in the elderly. Anat Rec, 300:549-555, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Detailed Anatomical Analysis of the Sphenoid Sinus and Sphenoid Sinus Ostium by Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

The aim of this study is the evaluation of the anatomical structures of sphenoid sinus ostium used as a reference point for transsphenoidal surgery by cone beam computed tomography. The authors' study was performed using the cone-beam computed tomography images of 16 to 82-year old 200 (112 female, 88 male) patients (Newton 5G, Verona, Italy). Septum deviation of sphenoid sinus and the distance between 2 ostia were evaluated by coronal and axial sections, respectively. Pneumatization degree of sphenoid sinus, diameter of sphenoid sinus ostium, and distance lower edge of superior turbinate to sphenoid sinus ostium were measured by using sagittal sections. The sellar type was the most common pneumatization type of sphenoid sinus in authors' study. While the C-type septum deviation was observed as the most common, T-type deviation was the least type. Sphenoid sinus ostium was bilaterally in 71.5% of individuals, and it was not found in 10% of individuals included in the study. A significant decrease was determined in diameter of the left sphenoid sinus ostium with aging. The distances between 2 sphenoid sinus ostia were 7.30 ±â€Š2.77 mm for women and 6.09 ±â€Š2.58 mm for men, respectively. No statistical differences were found in women and men in terms of distances between the lower edge of the right and left superior turbinate and sphenoid sinus ostium on their sides. Consequently, making detailed preoperative radiological evaluation of anatomic variations of sphenoid sinus and sphenoid sinus ostium is important in terms of guiding the surgeon in the process of a successful transsphenoidal surgery.

An Analysis of Morphometric Qualities of Bulbus Oculi in Cataract Patients: A Comparative Biometric Study.

Cataract is considered to be the primary reason for curable blindness that is caused by progressive loss of lens transparency and affects millions of people around the world. This study aims to analyze the changes in morphometric qualities of bulbus oculi (BO) as well as its morphometric measurements such as anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), vitreous length (VL), axial length (AL), etc. depending on age and gender in cataract patients through comparison with healthy eyes. 200 eyes with cataract were separately analyzed in five different categories of ages for males and females at the ages of 40-89. Biometric measurements of a total of 128 eyes (64 males and 64 females) were used as the control group. The study revealed a strong negative relation between age and ACD and a strong positive relation between age and LT in males and females for healthy eyes and eyes with cataract (P < 0.05). No significant relation was found for VL and AL in either gender (P > 0.05). A significant decrease was observed in ACD with aging while a positive correlation with age was detected in LT. We believe that the data obtained from this study will serve as a guide for BO interventions, diagnose and treatment stages and training of physician assistants. Anat Rec, 299:1308-1312, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Medicinal plant extract (Ankaferd Blood Stopper) application in deep tissue injuries in rats: histopathological investigation of the effect on regional and systemic tissues.

BACKGROUND: This study was planned to evaluate both the histopathological changes under light microscope as well as the systemic organ effects following application of Ankaferd Blood Stopper® (ABS) (a mixture of five plant extracts) in an animal model of deep tissue hemorrhage. METHODS: A total of 50 Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups of 10 rats each. The rats underwent femoral vein puncture and were treated with ABS tampon, ABS spray, or Surgicel, and one group was left untreated. After two weeks, each group underwent partial tissue excision from the same femoral region as well as from the brain, heart, kidney, and liver. RESULTS: The specimens from all groups were obtained from the femoral region after two weeks and evaluated under light microscope. The light microscope revealed no histopathological changes in neurovascular structures or in deep connective tissues in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: ABS provided hemostasis and was observed to stop bleeding. There were no histopathological changes at the tissue level and no pathological effects in other organs tissues under light microscope, and the remote organ tissue remained clear.

Comparison of transforming growth factor ß1 concentrations in the ovaries of rats stimulated by human menopausal gonadotropin or recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of human menopausal gonadotropins (hMG) and recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH) on transforming growth factor (TGF) ß1 concentration in the rat ovary. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-one fertile Wistar-Albino rats were divided into 3 groups of 7. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were injected with saline, hMG or rFSH, respectively, over 5 days, after which they underwent ovariectomy. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used for histological examination. TGF ß1 staining levels in ovarian stroma, vessel walls, granulosa cells of Graafian follicles and corpus luteum cells were investigated immunohistochemically. RESULTS: On histological examination, the number of smaller antral follicles was higher in the control group, while there were more and larger antral follicles in the hyperstimulated groups. There were statistically significant differences in staining in vessel walls and granulosa cells between the control and stimulated groups. Both stimulation protocols caused an increased TGF ß1 concentration in vessel walls, while there was weak staining in granulosa cells in the treatment groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in staining scores between the two treatment groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of two different gonadotropin preparations on TGF ß1 concentrations in different localizations in the rat ovaries are comparable. It may be postulated that the luteinizing hormone (LH) content of hMG contributes little or nothing to the TGF ß1 mediated angiogenesis.

Effect of atorvastatin and ezetimibe treatment on serum lipid profile and oxidative state in rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet.

INTRODUCTION: The effects of ezetimibe and atorvastatin on serum lipid profile and oxidant-antioxidant system were investigated in rats. METHODS: Seventy-two Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 6 groups. Group 1 was fed with standard rat chow. Group 2 and the other 4 groups were fed with a high-cholesterol diet: 10 mg/kg/d atorvastatin to group 3; 1 mg/kg/d atorvastatin to group 4; 10 mg/kg/d atorvastatin and 1 mg/kg/d ezetimibe to group 5; and 1 mg/kg/d ezetimibe to group 6. After 3 months, serum total, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and the activities of malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase were measured in the plasma. In addition, the left anterior descending and femoral arteries were examined histopathologically. RESULTS: Serum total, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels decreased slightly in group 3. However, administration of 1 mg/kg/d atorvastatin or 1 mg/kg/d ezetimibe did not significantly change lipid parameters. Plasma malondialdehyde levels slightly increased in group 2 compared with controls and decreased compared with both the atorvastatin regimens. However, malondialdehyde levels increased with the addition of ezetimibe to atorvastatin. Only the administration of ezetimibe significantly elevated the levels of malondialdehyde. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels were also found to be significantly reduced in the groups receiving ezetimibe when compared with atorvastatin groups. CONCLUSIONS: Atorvastatin has a beneficial effect on oxidative stress in rats fed with high-cholesterol diet. A combination of ezetimibe with atorvastatin diminishes the beneficial effects of atorvastatin. Conversely, the sole administration of ezetimibe increases oxidative stress.