Association between pentraxin 3 and growth differentiation factor-15 in adolescent male swimmers.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasma pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) concentrations in adolescent male swimmers and compare any possible interactions with canonical biochemical parameters. METHODS: Twenty-six adolescent male swimmers and 29 gender- and age-matched sedentary controls participated in this study. Fasting blood samples were taken from the participants. Biochemical values and plasma PTX3 and GDF-15 levels were measured. RESULTS: Plasma PTX-3 levels were markedly higher in the adolescent male swimmers than in the sedentary controls (378.44 ± 173.93 vs 257.82 ± 103.20 pg mL-1, p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in GDF-15 levels between the two groups (186.12 ± 40.65 vs 203.60 ± 36.77 pg mL-1 in the swimmers and the sedentary, respectively, P = 0.068). Relationship between PTX3 and GDF-15 was linear. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study showing that adolescent male swimmers have higher PTX3 levels than sedentary controls and that there is a linear relationship between PTX3 and GDF-15 (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 26).

Association of Circulating Irisin with Insulin Resistance and Oxidative Stress in Obese Women.

Irisin is a myokine/adipokine with potential role in obesity and diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to assess irisin levels and its association with insulin resistance and oxidative stress markers in premenopausal normal-weight and obese women. Ten obese (mean body mass index, 32.65±3.04 kg m-2) and 10 normal-weight (23.00±2.23 kg m-2) premenopausal women were involved in the present study. Anthropometric, and body composition parameters, blood chemistry, oxidative stress markers, and irisin concentrations of different groups were measured. Correlation analyses were performed between irisin and other measured parameters. Plasma irisin levels were lower in the obese group than the normal-weight group (p<0.05). Glucose, homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-IR), and MDA levels in the obese group were higher than that in the normal-weight group (p<0.05). Plasma irisin was negatively correlated with insulin (r=-0.648, p<0.05), HOMA-IR (r=-0.664, p<0.05) and MDA (r=-0.690, p<0.05). These data suggest that irisin levels are decreased with obesity, and irisin may have an antidiabetic and antioxidant effects.

The effects of beta alanine plus creatine administration on performance during repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise in sedentary men.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of beta alanine and/or creatine supplementation on performance during repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise in sedentary men. METHODS: Forty-four untrained healthy men (aged 20-22 years, weight: 68-72 kg, height: 174-178 cm) participated in the present study. After performing the Wingate Test (WAnT) for three times in the baseline exercise session, the subjects were assigned to one of four treatment groups randomly: 1) placebo (P; 10 g maltodextrose); 2) creatine (Cr; 5 g creatine plus 5 g maltodextrose); 3) beta-alanine (ß-ALA; 1,6 g beta alanine plus 8,4 g maltodextrose); and 4) beta-alanine plus creatine (ß-ALA+Cr; 1,6 g beta alanine plus 5 g creatine plus 3,4 g maltodextrose). Participants were given the supplements orally twice a day for 22 consecutive days, then four times a day for the following 6 days. After 28 days, the second exercise session was applied during which peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) were measured and fatigue index (FI) was calculated. RESULTS: PP and MP decreased and FI increased in all groups during exercise before and after the treatment. During the postsupplementation session PP2 and PP3 increased in creatine supplemented group (from 642.7±148.6 to 825.1±205.2 in PP2 and from 522.9±117.5 to 683.0±148.0 in PP3, respectively). However, MP increased in ß-ALA+Cr during the postsupplementation compared to presupplementation in all exercise sessions (from 586.2±55.4 to 620.6±49.6 in MP1, from 418.1±37.2 to 478.3±30.3 in MP2 and from 362.0±41.3 to 399.1±3 in MP3, respectively). FI did not change with beta alanine and beta alanine plus creatine supplementation during the postsupplementation exercise session. CONCLUSION: Beta-alanine and beta alanine plus creatine supplementations have strong performance enhancing effect by increasing mean power and delaying fatigue Index during the repeated WAnT.

The comparison of preemptive analgesic effects of curcumin and diclofenac.

OBJECTIVE: Preemptive analgesia is an antinociceptive treatment that prevents central sensitization. Antinociceptive effects of diclofenac are well-known. The aim of this study was to investigate preemptive analgesic effects of curcumin and diclofenac, before acute and inflammatory induced pain in rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fourty eight old female (n = 6 in each group) Wistar Albino rats were included in the study. Paw movements in response to paw flinching in response to formalin injection or thermal stimulation were compared after curcumin (400 mg kg-(1), p.o.) and diclofenac (10 mg kg(-1), i.p.) administration. Saline was used as a control. The solvent ethanol was administered in another group of rats. Preemptive analgesic effect was significant in both tests when curcumin and diclofenac was administrated before the pain stimuli. RESULTS: Oral administration of curcumin and intraperitoneal injection of diclofenac increase the response time in hot plate test and decrease the number of flinches in formalin test (p < 0.001 vs p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that curcumin had preemptive analgesic effects on acute thermal, and inflammatory induced pain in rats as diclofenac (Fig. 2, Ref. 35).

Effects of exercise preconditioning on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of exercise preconditioning on oxidative injury in the intestinal tissue of rats. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups as sham (n = 10), ischemia-reperfusion (n = 10), exercise (n = 10), exercise plus ischemia-reperfusion (n = 10), ischemic preconditioning (n = 10), and ischemic preconditioning plus ischemia-reperfusion groups (n = 10). Tissue levels of malondialdehyde and activities of myeloperoxidase and superoxide dismutase, and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 were measured. Intestinal tissue histopathology was also evaluated by light microscopy. RESULTS: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations significantly decreased in the exercise group compared to the sham group (p < 0.05). Myeloperoxidase activity significantly increased and superoxide dismutase activity significantly decreased in ischemia-reperfusion group compared to the sham group (p < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity in the ischemic preconditioning and ischemic preconditioning plus ischemia-reperfusion groups were significantly higher compared to the ischemia-reperfusion and exercise groups (p < 0.05). Histopathologically, intestinal injury significantly attenuated in the exercise plus ischemia-reperfusion group compared to the ischemia-reperfusion group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study indicate that exercise training seems to have a protective role against intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 35).

Protective effects of curcumin supplementation on intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects curcumin on inflammation and oxidative stress markers in the intestinal ischemia reperfusion (IIR) injury induced rats. Rats were divided into four groups: sham (S), intestinal IR (IIR), curcumin plus sham (CS), and curcumin plus intestinal IR (CIIR). Curcumin was given 200 mg kg⁻¹ for 20 days. IIR was produced by 45 min of intestinal ischemia followed by a 120 min of reperfusion. Although interleukin-6 levels tended to increase in IIR group tumor necrosis factor-α levels were not different. Intestinal myeloperoxidase activity in CS group was lower than IIR group. In intestine and heart tissues, malondialdehyde levels in CS and CIIR groups were lower than S and IIR groups. Superoxide dismutase activity in CIIR group was higher than IIR group in intestine and lung tissues. Curcumin has a protective role against ischemia reperfusion injury.

L-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism affects elements and zinc in rats.

There is a significant relation between thyroid hormones and zinc. The establishment of low blood zinc levels in hypothyroidism as opposed to high blood zinc levels in hyperthyroidism testifies to this relation. The present study aims to examine the changes in levels of some elements in sera of rats with induced hyperthyroidism as well as the relation between these changes and zinc.Thirty adult male rats of Sprague-Dawley type were equally allocated to three groups, particularly Group 1: General Control, Group 2: Sham-hyperthyroidism Group, and Group 3: Hyperthyroidism Group. Subsequent to decapitating the animals, their blood samples were taken and analyzed with the help of atomic emission spectrophotometer in terms of serum levels of zinc, selenium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chromium, copper and iron. The levels of zinc, selenium and calcium were higher (p<0.01), while those of chromium, copper, iron and phosphorus were lower (p<0.01) in Group 3, relative to groups 1 and 2. These parameters were not different in groups 1 and 2.The results obtained from the study indicate that hyperthyroidism brings about some changes in the levels of some elements in rats. These changes might be associated with the elevation of zinc levels in hyperthyroidism (Tab. 2, Ref. 41).

Responses of acrylamide-treated rat bladders.

OBJECTIVE: Acrylamide (ACR) is a chemical used in many industries around the world and more recently was found to be formed naturally in foods cooked at high temperatures. ACR was shown to be a neurotoxicant, reproductive toxicant, and carcinogen in animal species. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of ACR treatment on urinary bladder responses to carbachol (10-9-3x10-4 M) and potassium chloride (KCl; 5-100 mM), each of them causes receptor-dependent and receptor-independent contractions, respectively. We also examined the role of gender in these responses. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats of both genders were divided into three groups as follows: (1) Control animals (2) ACR-I; ACR-treated (2 mg/kg-d for 90 days) (3) ACR-II; ACR-treated (5 mg/kg-d for 90 days). RESULTS: In rats treated with ACR, the EC50 values of carbachol and KCl, but not the maximal response, to both agents were significantly higher than in control group. Histopathological parameters such as edema, congestion, inflammatory cells, microvascular proliferation, fibrosis, eosinophils, mast cells and epithelial damage were all higher in the ACR-treated group than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate for the first time that ACR-treatment can induce urinary bladder injury (Tab. 4, Fig. 4, Ref. 30).

Acrylamide-treatment and responses to phenylephrine and potassium in rat aorta.

Acrylamide (ACR) is a chemical used in many industries around the world and was found to form naturally in foods cooked at high temperatures. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the influence of ACR treatment on vascular responses to phenylephrine (PHE; 10-9-3×10-4 M) and potassium chloride (KCl; 5-100 mM). We also examined the role of gender in these responses. The animals in both genders were divided into three groups as follows. (1) Control animals, (2) ACR-I; ACR-treated (2 mg/kg-d for 90 days), (3) ACR-II; ACR-treated (5 mg/kg-d for 90 days). Male rat aortas were more sensitive to PHE and KCl than female aortas. ACR-treatment increased the sensitivity to PHE and KCl, in both genders. Compared to the control group, ACR treatment significantly reduced the luminal area of both male and female rat aortas. Furthermore, the responses to PHE and KCl were similar in both 2 mg/kg-d ACR-treated rat aortas with 5 mg/kg-d ACR-treated rat aortas, in both genders. The results of this study suggest that ACR treatment affects vascular contractility and morphology in both gender of rat aorta.

Age and sex affect spatial and emotional behaviors in rats: the role of repeated elevated plus maze test.

The main objective of the study was to investigate the effects of age and sex differences on locomotor activity, learning and memory in rats. Another objective was to investigate whether repeated elevated plus maze tests induce anxiety in rats. Eighty Wistar rats were divided into eight groups according to their sex, age and anxiety status. Locomotor activity was assessed in open field. Repeated anxiety tests were performed in elevated plus maze. Spatial learning and memory were evaluated with the Morris water maze. All behavioral tests were recorded online and analyzed offline with an analytical software. Exploratory behavior was lower in anxiety-induced rats. Male rats had lower anxiety levels, locomotor activity and exploratory behavior compared to females. During the training period of Morris water maze latency to find platform, total distance traveled and average swimming speed decreased in all groups with repeated tests and young rats generally were faster than aged rats. During the probe trial, although the number of platform crossings was not affected, time spent in the platform zone was higher in the young groups compared to the aged groups. In conclusion, age and sex affect locomotor activity, learning and memory in different aspects.

Role of curcumin in mesenteric ischemia - reperfusion injury in rats.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin is an antioxidant molecule that has been shown to attenuate ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in several organ systems. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the possible effects of curcumin on contractile response to agonists and histopathological alterations in rat esophagus subjected to mesenteric I/R. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly allocated to 4 groups, namely group I: sham-operated animals (n=10); group II: animals subdued to I/R injury only (n=10) and laparotomy; 45 minutes of superior mesenteric artery ligation were followed by 2 hours of reperfusion, group III: curcumin/sham (n=10); 20 days before I/R, curcumin (200 mg/kg/) was administered by gastric gavage, and group IV: curcumin-I/R (n=10). Mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion model was generated by clamping the superior mesenteric artery for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 2 h. Oral administration of curcumin by gavage at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day lasted 20 days just before inducing the mesenteric ischemia. At the end of reperfusion period, all animals were sacrificed and esophagus samples were collected to assess the contractile response to agonists and histopathological alterations. RESULTS: Ischemia/reperfusion significantly decreased the contractile responses to carbachol and KCl and this decrease was attenuated by curcumin. Pretreatment with curcumin caused a remarkable decrease in histopathological parameters such as edema, congestion and inflammatory cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrate for the first time that curcumin can attenuate the esophageal injury associated with I/R (Tab. 4, Fig. 3, Ref. 32).

Effects of CoQ10 supplementation and swimming training on exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress in rat heart.

This study examined the combined effects of swimming training and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation on exhaustive exercise-induced oxidative stress in rat heart. The study was carried out with 4-month-old young adult male Wistar rats. Sixty four rats were divided mainly into two groups: trained and control. Each group was further divided into four subgroups: rest, exhausted, rest with CoQ10, exhausted with CoQ10. The training program consisted of swimming one hour each day, five days a week, for six weeks. At the end of sixth week, rats in exhausted exercise group were forced to swim until exhaustion and then they were immediately sacrificed, while rats in rest group were sacrificed at rest. Training alone or in combination with CoQ10 supplementation reduced to increasing MDA levels due to exhaustive exercise in rat heart (p<0.05). The trained-rest with CoQ10 group showed lower 8-OHdG levels than the control-rest with CoQ10 group. Exhaustive exercise effect was significant on SOD activity. Exhaustive exercise increased GSH levels in control groups while decreased GSH levels in training groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that CoQ10 supplementation combined with training may inhibit lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in the heart tissue. Also, it can be said that SOD activity and GSH levels were not influenced by CoQ10 supplementation (Fig. 4, Tab. 1, Ref. 69).

Curcumin increases vasodilatory effect of cilostazol in diabetic rat aorta.

Increased generation of oxidants and (or) reduced endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms are associated with the etiology of diabetic vascular complications. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether curcumin supplementation increases the vasodilatory effect of cilostazol in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat aorta. Cumulative addition of cilostazol caused concentration-dependent relaxations of thoracic aorta rings. The sensitivity and the maximal response to cilostazol were significantly higher in control than those in diabetic animals. Treatment with curcumin in control rats increased the sensitivity to cilostazol. Further, in aortic rings from diabetic rats treated with curcumin, the responses to cilostazol were significantly increased in comparison to the response in aorta from untreated diabetic rats. It can be conclude, that curcumin increases the cilostazol-induced vasodilation in diabetic rat aorta.

The role of nitric oxide on the responses of curcumin-treated rat aorta.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) on the vascular responses of curcumin-treated rats. METHODS: The experimental groups included the control and curcumin-treated (200 mg/kg/day, p.o., for 4 weeks) group. The concentration response curves to receptor-dependent agent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; 10--3x10- M) and receptor-independent agent potassium chloride (KCl; 5-100 mM) were observed. RESULTS: The concentration response curves to 5-HT and KCl shifted to the right and the maximal response was significantly decreased in the curcumin-treated rat aortas. A pretreatment of rings with L-NAME (a NOS inhibitor, 10- M) increased both the sensitivity and maximal response to only 5-HT. No apparent histological changes were demonstrated in smooth muscle and connective tissue layers in the aortas of the control and curcumin-treated rat preparations. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study suggest that NO release from endothelial cells modulates curcumin-treated rat aorta responses to 5-HT, but not to KCl (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 25).

Effects of treatment with coenzyme Q10 on exercised rat aorta.

In this study, the effect of long-term supplementation of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the responses of swim-trained rat aorta was investigated. Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: untrained, trained, untrained+CoQ10, and trained+CoQ10 group. In the trained groups rats swam for 60 min/day, five days/week for six weeks. The CoQ10 supplements were administered by intraperitoneal injection at a daily dose of 10 mg·kg-1 of body weight five days/week for six weeks. Swimming of the rats was performed in a container containing tap water. Rats were sacrificed and thoracic aortas were removed for ex vivo analysis after the last swimming session. The aortas were cut into rings 2.5 mm in length. Concentration-response curves for phenylephrine (PHE, 10-9-3×10-4 M) and potassium chloride (KCl, 5-100 mM) were isometrically recorded. The sensitivity and maximal responses to PHE and KCl of aortic rings obtained from trained rats were lower than those of untrained rats. CoQ10 supplementation decreased the responses to both vasoconstrictors in untrained and especially in trained groups. Although neither CoQ10 nor training did affect malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels, creatine kinase (CK) activity decreased and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased only with exercise training. Glutathione (GSH) levels increased in CoQ10 supplemented-untrained rats. In conclusion, our results suggest that CoQ10 supplementation may have beneficial effects during exercise.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in plasma after repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise: the effect of coenzyme Q10.

AIM: The purpose was to determine the changes of oxidative stress and antioxidant markers in plasma after repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise and the effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on these changes. METHODS: This randomized, double blind, crossover study was composed of two 8-week periods of supplementation with either 100 mg.day(-1) CoQ10 or placebo. Fifteen healthy and sedentary men participated in the study. Five Wingate tests with 2 min rest between tests were performed. Blood samples were collected at rest, immediately after, 15 and 60 min after the fifth Wingate test for oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, xanthine oxidase and adenosine deaminase) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and uric acid) markers. RESULTS: At baseline exercise session, malondialdehyde increased 15 and 60 min after the exercise compared to the rest and immediately after the exercise. Malondialdehyde at rest, immediately after and 60 min after the exercise decreased with coenzyme Q10 supplementation when compared to baseline. At baseline exercise session, uric acid increased 15 and 60 min after the exercise when compared to the rest. In conclusion, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense increase after repeated short-term supramaximal exercise. CONCLUSION: Coenzyme Q10 supplementation partially prevents the increase in lipid peroxidation after repeated short-term supramaximal exercise.

A rare cause of ileus: invagination due to ectopic pancreas.

INTRODUCTION: Invagination is seen rarely as a cause of ileus in adults. The cause of invagination in children differs from that in adults. In adults it is mostly due to organic lesions (tumour). CASE REPORT: In a 49 years old patient, with 3 months of intermittant abdominal pain, radiologic investigations suspected a of small bowel tumour. The patient was operated on. At exploration, there was an ileo-ileal invagination on the terminal ileum over 40 cm distance A totally necrosed ileum segment was resected and an end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Inside the excised ileal loop their was a polyp-like lesion originating from submucosa, bordered by the wall but not protruding to the lumen. The pathological examination of the lesion revealed ectopic pancreatic tissue between the muscular layers of the bowel wall. RESULT: Intestinal invagination must be got in mind as a rare cause of ileus in adults. During it's clinical course their is enough time to reach the diagnosis. So unnecessory resections and postoperative complications can be prevented.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy with locking trocar: how I do it?

Cholecystectomy and open cholecystostomy are associated with a high mortality rate in critically ill patients. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy has a high success rate with few complications. The following method of percutaneous cholecystostomy with locking trocar (LT) under direct laparoscopic vision is seen to be an effective, safe, and practical procedure. After the abdomen is prepared from xiphisternum to symphysis pubis, the umbilicus and surrounding skin are infiltrated with 1% combined lignocaine and adrenaline. A 10-mm laparoscopy trocar is inserted via a 10-mm subumbilical incision. After a camera is inserted via the trocar, the abdomen and gallbladder are exposed. The skin of the geometric projection of fundus is infiltrated with the same solution, and a 5-mm LT is introduced via a 5-mm skin incision directed to the fundus of the gallbladder guided by the direct view of a laparoscope. When the LT has penetrated to the gallbladder, the bile and contents of the gallbladder are aspirated immediately to reduce the pressure, and the trocar is locked. The locked trocar is fixed to the abdominal wall under traction until the completion of peritonization to prevent bile leakage. The gallstones can be extracted through the trocar by a laparoscopy forceps. This technique was used for a 75-year-old woman with calculous cholecystitis and cardiopulmonary insufficiency, and her progress at this writing is good.

Endoscopic clipping versus band ligation in the management of bleeding esophageal varices.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of endoscopic clipping in the hemostasis of bleeding esophageal varices and the eventual variceal eradication was compared with that of band ligation. METHODS: Forty patients were enrolled in the study in a prospective manner, 19 of whom received endoscopic clipping (group I) and the remaining (n = 21 patients) received endoscopic band ligation (group II). All patients in this study presented with bleeding from esophageal varices. The patient characteristics (age, sex, Child-Pugh score, variceal grade) were comparable in the two groups. After initial hemostasis, the patients were assigned one of the two forms of endoscopic therapy which was continued in the follow-up sessions until varices were eradicated. Early and late results were compared. RESULTS: Initial hemostasis was achieved in all patients in group I but two patients in group II required clip ligation for initial hemostasis because of the failure in band ligation. Those two were treated with band ligation in the follow-up sessions. A total of 224 clips in 53 treatment sessions and 296 bands in 82 treatment sessions were placed in group I and group II, respectively. The rates of complete variceal eradication were 89% and 76% in group I and group II, respectively (p > 0.05). The median number of required treatment sessions for complete eradication of the varices was significantly lower in group I than group II (3 versus 4, p = 0.013). Three patients from group I (15%) and seven patients from group II (33%) were readmitted for variceal bleeding during the follow-up period (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: With the advantages of high initial hemostasis rate, decreased risk of rebleeding, and fewer treatment sessions needed for variceal eradication, endoscopic clipping is as effective as band ligation, or perhaps more effective in the treatment of bleeding esophageal varices.

Does estrogen cause low conversion rates in laparoscopic cholecystectomies for acute and chronic cholecystitis in women?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred treatment for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Severe local inflammation and scar formation are commonly responsible for conversion to open surgery. Fibrosuppressive effects of estrogen on peritoneal inflammatory conditions could provide low, dense fibrosis or scar formation around the gallbladder and make laparoscopic cholecystectomy easier in women and we believe that male sex is a conversion factor in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.