Investigation of taurine and aqueous garlic extract diet supplementation effect on the healing of rat osteoporotic fractures.

BACKGROUND: We have evaluated the effects of taurine and aqueous garlic extract (AGE) as a dietary supplement on osteoporotic fracture (OPF) healing in the ovariectomized rat femur fracture model. METHODS: In this experimental animal study,twenty-four osteoporosis-remodeled female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n: 8) according to their supplemented diet; control, taurine, and AGE groups. Unilateral femur middiaphysis mini-open osteotomy was stabilized with Kirschner wires. Six weeks after osteotomy, the rats were sacrificed before the femurs were harvested and OPF healing was evaluated with biochemical, histologic, microcomputed-tomography, and scintigraphic methods. RESULTS: As an indicator of the antiosteoporotic effect, the calcium levels of the taurine group were significantly lower than the AGE and control groups in biochemical analyzes (p < 0.01). In histological studies, the new bone diameter and new bone volume values of the taurine group were significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.032, respectively), while higher trabecular-compact callus was observed in the taurine and AGE groups, respectively, compared to the control group. In morphological analyses, taurine and AGE groups had significantly higher bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular number, bone surface density, and lower trabecular separation than the control group (p < 0.05). The scintigraphic imaging showed a significant increase in osteoblastic activity of the taurine group compared to the control group (p = 0.005). DISCUSSION: Taurine and AGE have positive anabolic effects, respectively, on the healing of OPFs, demonstrated by biochemical, histological, morphological, and scintigraphic methods.

Evaluation of the effects of locally applied rosuvastatin on bone formation in a three-dimensional reconstruction rabbit xenograft model

Background/aim: Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is commonly performed to repair bone defects, and rigid occlusive titanium barriers play a vital role in bone formation in regions with no prior bone tissue. The statin, rosuvastatin (RSV), strongly affects bone apposition when applied locally. Here, we aimed to evaluate the anabolic effects of locally applied RSV with a xenograft placed on rabbit calvaria. Materials and methods: Two rigid occlusive titanium caps were used in 16 rabbits after decorticating the calvarial bone. In the control group, the area under the cap was filled with a xenograft, while in the RSV group, a xenograft in combination with RSV (1 mg) was used. In both groups, at 6 and 12 weeks, new bone, residual graft, soft tissue areas, and histological and radiological bone volume were evaluated. Results: At 12 weeks, histologically, the RSV group exhibited superior new bone proportion values, and radiologically, new bone and total bone volume in the RSV group were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05); there were no significant differences at 6 weeks (p > 0.05). Conclusion: According to our results, RSV applied locally under a titanium barrier on an area to be repaired with bone grafts increases new bone and total bone volume.

Evaluation of the chemopreventive effects of Hypericum perforatum L on DMBA-applied rat oral mucosa.

OBJECTIVE: Hypericum perforatum L also known as St. John's wort is known to have many beneficial properties for the organism including its antioxidant and anticancer activities. It is also known to have shown antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Hypericum perforatum L on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene-induced rat oral squamous cell carcinoma model. DESIGN: The in vitro antioxidant properties of Hypericum perforatum L was determined and an extract was prepared. Thirty Wistar male rats were divided randomly into 4 groups (Control group, DMBA group, HP + DMBA group, HP group). The antioxidant defense mechanisms in tissue and blood samples were evaluated biochemically and immunohistochemically, the carcinomatous changes in connective tissue were investigated immunohistochemically and epithelial changes in the tissue samples were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: The extract revealed inhibitory effects on some antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase). Immunohistochemical evaluations revealed no invasive changes in the connective tissue. Hypericum perforatum L demonstrated chemopreventive effects although it did not prevent carcinomatous changes altogether. CONCLUSIONS: Hypericum perforatum L is a promising chemopreventive agent and further studies are needed in order to evaluate the full potential of this plant.

Intramedullary implants coated with cubic boron nitride enhance bone fracture healing in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: Boron nitride is a biocompatible and an osteo-inductive material for orthopedic applications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of two different allotrope boron nitride coated implants, cubic boron nitride and hexagonal boron nitride, on fracture healing. METHODS: In this experimental study, a total of 24 rats were divided into three groups. Group A was the control group with Kirschner wire without coating, while the wires were coated dominantly by cubic boron nitride in Group B and hexagonal boron nitride in Group C. Then a mid-third femoral fracture was created. The fracture healing was examined in terms of new bone formation with micro-CT analysis and histopathological examination, quantitative measurement of bone turnover metabolites and scintigraphic examination of osteoblastic activity on 28th day post fracture. RESULTS: Micro-CT measurement results revealed a statistically significant increase in bone volume/tissue volume ratio and bone surface values in group B compared to group A. Cortex diameter and osteoblast counts were statistically higher in group B compared to group A. Inflammatory response was increased in group C compared to groups A and B. Biochemical test results showed significantly increased alkaline phosphatase levels and decreased osteocalcin levels in group B compared to group A. The increase in serum phosphorus and decrease in serum calcium levels was statistically significant in group C compared to Group A. CONCLUSION: Both types of boron nitride coating had superior fracture healing features compared to control group. Therefore, c-BN coating can accelerate the fracture healing and could lead to shorten of union time.

The Effect of Quetiapine on Treatment of Experimental Acute Spinal Cord Injury.

AIM: It is well known that treatment modalities against secondary damage due to spinal cord injury (SCI) are very important. This phase has been researched in many experimental studies. Apoptosis is one of the major mechanisms of secondary damage on spinal cord. The present study was undertaken to determine if quetiapine, a 5-HT2 receptor blocker atypical antipsychotic agent can rescue neuronal cells from apoptosis in a SCI model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two female Wistar rats were separated to 4 equal groups. Total laminectomy was performed at T5-7 level and spinal cord injury was produced by using the clip compression technique. Each rat from groups "1 day" (D-I) and "7 days" (D-II) was daily injected intraperitoneally with Quetiapine (10 mg/kg/day). No treatment was administered to the control groups "1 day" (K-I) and "7 days" (K-II). At the end of follow-up periods, all animals were sacrificed and spinal cords were removed. Apoptotic cells were evaluated by using immunohistochemical technique (TUNEL) in injured spinal cord specimens. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference while counting ApopTag positive cells, both at 1 day groups of K-I and D-I (p=0.00000008) and at 7 day groups of K-II and D-II (p=0.000005). Unlike the 1-day period, a statistically significant difference was found between grey and white matter ApopTag positive cells at the 7 < sup > th < /sup > day (p=0.0001). CONCLUSION: Quetiapine has a protective effect on secondary damage caused by SCI, while also can be used in post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and agitation as a versatile agent.