Prunus armeniaca L (apricot) protects rat testes from detrimental effects of low-dose x-rays.

Exposure to low x-ray doses damages the spermatozoa, mainly by late-onset (ie, after 3 months) oxidative stress. Antioxidants ameliorate oxidation and prevent tissue damage. Prunus armeniaca L (apricot), rich in carotenoids and vitamins, is a potent natural antioxidant. We hypothesized that an apricot-rich diet might ameliorate the detrimental effects of low-dose x-rays on testis tissue. A 20% apricot diet was composed isoenergetically to the regular rodent diet. The total phenolic content, reducing power, and antioxidant capacity of both diets were determined. Sprague-Dawley rats received apricot-rich diets before and after x-ray exposure. Regular diets were given to controls. Rats were exposed to 0.2 Gy x-rays at the eighth week and were euthanized at the 20th postexposure week. Testicular oxidative status was determined by tissue thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities. For histologic evaluation, qualitative and quantitative microscopic determinations were performed, and Leydig and Sertoli cell counts and Johnsen scores were measured. The control diet group had significant testicular oxidative stress and mild tissue deterioration. Leydig and Sertoli cell counts, tubule diameters, and Johnsen scores were significantly decreased in the exposure groups. Apricot-rich diet significantly ameliorated the oxidative status and prevented the damage in tubular histology. The protective effects were prominent when the diet was maintained throughout the time course and were partially protected when the diet was initiated after exposure. The natural antioxidant activity of apricot ameliorates the delayed detrimental effects of low-dose irradiation on testis tissue. The high total antioxidant capacity of the apricot deserves further investigation.

Some criteria to attempt second side safely in planned bilateral simultaneous percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the validity of some criteria that could guide in the decision to cancel or proceed with the second side of planned bilateral simultaneous percutaneous nephrolithotomy (bsPCNL). METHODS: Patients with an indication for bilateral PCNL were enrolled in this study. The operation was stopped at the end of the initial side if operative time was >180 min, the hemoglobin level was <11 g/dL, the hemoglobin decrease was >3 g/dL, the systolic arterial pressure was <100 mm Hg, the arterial oxygen saturation was <95%, the arterial blood pH was <7.35, or the blood sodium was <128 mg/mL. The success and complication rates were compared in patients who underwent second side PCNL (group 1) and those for whom the procedure was stopped after the initial side (group 2). RESULTS: Of 42 planned bsPCNLs, 12 were stopped after the initial side, with the cause being prolonged operative time in 7, hemoglobin decrease in 6, systolic arterial pressure decrease in 2, arterial oxygen saturation decrease in 2, pH decrease in 1, and sodium decrease in 1. Differences in patient characteristics, stone burdens, and overall success and complication rates were insignificant. Transfusion, postoperative urinary infection, and prolonged urine drainage rates were similar, but the total hospitalization time was significantly longer in group 2. One hydrothorax and one renal pelvic perforation occurred in group 2. The need for transfusion correlated positively with the number of nephrostomy tracts in group 2 (r = 0.895, P = .001). No such correlation was found in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the best of intentions, about 30% of anticipated bsPCNL cases might be limited to single-sided PCNL, depending on the intraoperative events. Our criteria seem reasonable, because similar success and complication rates were obtained with bilateral, separate-session PCNL and bsPCNL. These criteria can be considered in the decision making to omit the advantages of a single session for safety.