Detection of borderline dosage of malathion intoxication in a rat's brain.

OBJECTIVE: Humans and other animals are liable to expose to low doses of malathion (MAL). However, experimental studies on its toxic threshold dose and toxic low-dose effects have not been conducted. The aims of this study were to detect the initiation of the toxic effects of sub-acute low doses (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) of MAL by immunohistochemical and biochemical parameters in rat brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n=7) including control and three different amounts of MAL-exposed groups (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg). RESULTS: On immunohistochemical examination, the number of caspase-3-positive cells in all MAL-exposed groups was significantly higher than in the control group. Consistent with this, the total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and the levels of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and paraoxanase activity were significantly different in the 5 and 10 mg/kg MAL-exposed groups compared with the control group. Additionally, the total oxidant status and malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the 5 and 10 mg/kg MAL-exposed groups compared with those in the 2.5 mg/kg MAL-exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that over 5 mg/kg MAL exposure may result in dose-dependent oxidative stress, increased caspase-3 activity, and launching to the toxic effects in rat brain.

The relationship of the mean platelet volume and C-reactive protein levels with mortality in ischemic stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship of the mean platelet volume (MPV) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values with mortality in patients with ischemic stroke is not clear. Besides, the correlation between CRP and MPV in patients with ischemic stroke has not been adequately studied yet. In the present study, our aim is to investigate the interrelationship of the CRP and MPV parameters together with their influence on mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-three patients with acute ischemic stroke have been enrolled in the study. The stroke patients were divided into 2 groups as those who died within the first 10 days and those who survived. The MPV and CRP in both groups have been compared. Also, the MPV obtained from the ischemic stroke patients were compared with the MPV of the healthy volunteers. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference (p = 0.027) was observed between the MPV of the stroke patients (8.6±1.95 fL) and the control group (7.93±0.82 fl). The MPV (9.24±1.98 fL) and CRP (10.8±7.0 mg/l) of those ischemic stroke patients who died were statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the MPV (8.09±1.75 fl) and CRP (3.2±3.5 mg/l) of the patients who survived. There was also a positive correlation between the MPV and CRP of the ischemic stroke patients (r = 0.31, p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: The fact that there is a relationship between the MPV and CRP in ischemic stroke patients and that the CRP and MPV are higher in the ischemic stroke patients who died in comparison to those who survived may be an indication of the roles these markers play in the mortality of stroke patients.