The expression and localization of Toll-like receptors 2, 4, 5 and 9 in the epididymis and vas deferens of a adult tom cats.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important molecules, which provide protection against infections of the reproductive tract. This study demonstrates for the first time the expression and localization patterns of TLRs in the caput, corpus and cauda segments of the epididymal duct (ED) and the vas deferens (VD) of adult domestic cats using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. While immunoblot analyses revealed relatively similar protein levels for TLRs 2, 4, 5, and 9 in three segments of the ED, the protein levels of TLR2 and TLR4 in the VD were found to be significantly higher than those measured in the ED segments (P < 0.05). On the other hand, immunostaining showed that TLRs exhibited regional- and cell-specific localization patterns. TLR2 and TLR5 were immunolocalized to the nucleus and cytoplasm of the principal cells in all ducts. TLR4 was restricted to the stereocilia, and TLR9 was located in the cytoplasm of the principal cells. Narrow cells displayed positive immunoreactions for TLR4 and TLR5. The basal cells of the different ED segments were positive for all four TLRs. TLR2, TLR5 and TLR9 were detected in the cytoplasmic droplets of the spermatozoa. TLR4 and TLR9 were detected along the entire length of the sperm tail, whilst TLR2 and TLR5 were absent in the midpiece. TLR2 and TLR5 were also detected in the equatorial segment of the sperm head. These results suggest that TLR2, TLR4, TLR5 and TLR9 are important not only for the protection of the ED, VD and spermatozoa but also for the maturation and storage of spermatozoa in the ED and VD, respectively.

Effect of Mg2SO4 usage on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury: electron microscopic and functional evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of intravenous magnesium sulfate (Mg(2)SO(4)) administration on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the spinal cord. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixteen rabbits were randomly assigned to the control (group I, 8 rabbits) and the study group (group II, 8 rabbits). The abdominal aorta was clamped for a period of 30 min followed by a reperfusion period of 60 min. The animals in group II received 0.25 ml/kg/h Mg(2)SO(4) intravenous infusion (15% Mg(2)SO(4)) throughout this procedure. The animals were then observed for 24 h after which their neurological states were evaluated and tissue samples obtained from the spinal cord were examined with electron microscopy. RESULTS: Aortic pressure distal to the cross-clamp during the occlusion period was 9 +/- 3 mm Hg in group I and 19 +/- 6 mm Hg in group II. All animals in group I were paraplegic at the end of the study. In group II the neurological outcome of 1 animal was poor while the other 7 animals were neurologically in a good condition. Electron microscopic examinations of the spinal cord tissues of group I revealed severe injury but the ultrastructure was well preserved in group II. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous Mg(2)SO(4) administration may have protective effects on the ischemia-reperfusion injury of the spinal cord. We propose that Mg(2)SO(4) may be an additional protective pharmacological agent in thoracal and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.

Contractile response of different segments of the latissimus dorsi muscle to chronic stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: This study was planned to investigate if there is any difference in terms of the muscle force between the distal and proximal segments of the latissimus dorsi muscle. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An inplantable mock circulation system was placed around the latissimus dorsi muscle. The wrapping procedure around the implantable mock circulation was performed by using two different latissimus dorsi muscle segments. In group 1, the very proximal and in group 2, very distal part of the latissimus dorsi were wrapped. The main difference is the blood supply to the distal part of the latissimus dorsi that was interrupted during dissection. During the stimulation period which lasted 120 minutes, the pressure developed in this system and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured. RESULTS: The stimulation at 20 Hz did not result in any change in pressure and metabolic data. When it was switched to 43 and 85 Hz, ATP levels decreased with a resultant drop in pressure in group 2. However ATP levels were 15.9 +/- 2.2 micromol/gr and 14.8 +/- 2.5 micromol/gr in group 1, 12.0 +/- 1.4 micromol/gr and 6.1 +/- 1.2 micromol/gr in group 2 at 43 and 85 Hz respectively (p < 0.05) at the end of the 90 minutes. The pressures at the same time interval were 89 +/- 11 and 102 +/- 7 mmHg in group 1, 61 +/- 7 and 65 +/- 8 mmHg in group 2 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrated that changes in the distal segment of the latissimus dorsi muscle affects its performance in terms of metabolic and pressure changes during high frequency electrical stimulation at 43 and 85 Hz.

Magnesium-enriched coronary sinus retroperfusion during acute coronary artery occlusion.

BACKGROUND: The protective effect of coronary sinus retroperfusion in cases of ischaemic myocardium is clearly known. It restores the blood flow to the ischaemic tissue, reduces the infarct size, and improves the left ventricular pump function. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effects of coronary sinus retroperfusion with the addition of magnesium sulphate on myocardial haemodynamics. A total of sixteen animals were entered into the study and divided equally into four groups: group I, control group, left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion only; group II, LAD artery occlusion and Mg SO infusion; group III, LAD occlusion and retrograde coronary sinus perfusion; and group IV, LAD occlusion, retrograde coronary sinus perfusion and Mg SO infusion.(4) (4) RESULTS: Haemodynamic measurements were obtained throughout the study, at baseline, during the first and third hour of occlusion, and in the second, fourth and sixth hour of reperfusion. Although, the cardiac index was decreased in all groups, in the second hour of reperfusion it was significantly higher in groups III and IV compared to the control group. In the second hour of reperfusion cardiac index values were 56 +/- 5 and 63 +/- 6 ml/kg per min in groups III and IV respectively (P < 0.05) and as time passed this incremental change in groups III and IV became more apparent. In the fourth hour of reperfusion, group II showed significantly higher values than the control group. Group IV had higher values compared to group III at the fourth and sixth hours post-reperfusion. In general there were significant differences between groups II, III and IV at four and six hours post-reperfusion. The first derivative of pressure measured over time-the dP/dt value-was higher in groups III and IV compared to the control group in the first hour of occlusion (being 1650 +/- 55 and 1700 +/- 35 in groups III and IV respectively, and 1420 +/- 45 in the control group) and these differences continued throughout the occlusion and the reperfusion periods (P < 0.05). Group IV had the highest left ventricular stroke work index (LVSWI) values compared to the other groups in various pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) measurements (P < 0.05). It was 0.78 g.m/kg at the 20 mmHg PCWP. CONCLUSIONS: Magnesium, if administered in an antegrade direction had only a limited effect, whereas magnesium-enriched retrograde coronary sinus perfusions appeared to significantly protect the ischaemic myocardium against the hazardous effects of ischaemic reperfusion injury.