Evaluation of radioactivity levels and radiological hazards of some endemic plants used as medicine in Ankara, Turkey.

In this study, natural radioactivity levels (226Ra, 232Th, and 4 K) of some medicinal plant samples with known anti-oxidative properties, which are frequently consumed by animals and humans, were obtained from Ankara province and its surroundings (Mamak, Kizilcahamam, Beypazari, Kahramankazan, and Polatli districts) were determined using a thallium-doped sodium iodide NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometry. By using the determined natural radioactivity concentrations in the collected plant samples, the number of radiological doses that people could be exposed by consuming these plants was calculated. As a result of the study, 226Ra, 232Th, and 4 K radioactivity concentration ranges of the plant samples were found be 14.69 ± 1.27-59.08 ± 3.12 Bq kg-1, 1.78 ± 0.04-50.05 ± 2.76 Bq kg-1 and 207.24 ± 34.09-826.13 ± 25.40 Bq kg-1, respectively. The highest 226Ra, 232Th, and 4 K activity concentrations were measured in Astragalus densifolius subsp. ayashensis (Kahramankazan), Astragalus kochakii (Kahramankazan) and Rumex patientia (Patience Dock) (Kahramankazan) plants, respectively. The lowest 226Ra, 232Th and,4 K activity concentration plants were determined respectively as Rumex patientia (Mamak), Lavandula angustifolia (Kizilcahamam), and Astragalus acikirensis (Polatli). The establishment and routine repetition of environmental radioactivity monitoring programs in each region are important for human and animal health, and the results of this study gain importance for Ankara and its surroundings in terms of environmental health.

HEV seroprevalence in blood donors in Turkey by two commercial total anti-HEV Ab ELISA kits.

Previous hepatitis E virus (HEV) seroprevalence studies in Turkey have shown high variabilities, leading to conflicting results. We aimed to re-evaluate HEV seroprevalence among blood donors in Turkey using the Wantai (Beijing, China) and the Dia.Pro (Milan, Italy) total anti-HEV antibody (Ab) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and compare their performances and to investigate the presence of HEV RNA in blood donors. Serum total anti-HEV antibodies were determined in a total of 2011 volunteer blood donor samples collected from different regions of Turkey (807 from Ankara, 243 from Kayseri, 284 from Izmir, 200 from Malatya, 200 from Kahramanmaras, and 277 from Van). HEV RNA was evaluated by a real-time polymerase chain reaction in a total of 272 anti-HEV seropositive samples. The country-wide HEV seroprevalence was calculated as 11.5% (Dia.Pro) and 12.2% (Wantai) with seropositivity rates of 12.0%-12.5% in Ankara, 7.4%-8.2% in Kayseri, 14.5%-15.5% in Malatya, 8.1%-8.8% in Izmir, 15.0%-16.0% in Kahramanmaras, and 12.6%-13.4% in Van by Dia.Pro and Wantai kits, respectively. The lowest detectable Ab concentrations were 0.16 and 0.14 units/mL WHO, for the Dia.Pro and the Wantai assays, respectively, showing no significant difference between assays. HEV RNA was not detected in any of the anti-HEV seropositive samples. Compared with previous studies, HEV was shown to have a higher overall seroprevalence in Turkey. Despite its limitation, the current study represents the most comprehensive HEV seroprevalence study in Turkey performed with two different commercial ELISA assays with high sensitivities so far. Further investigation is required to determine HEV genotypes in Turkey.

Specificity and sensitivity of differentiation antigens in superficial soft tissue tumors: comparison of SMA, calponin, H-caldesmon, C-kit, PLAP and HPL.

We examined the expression pattern of smooth muscle actin (SMA), h-caldesmon (HCD), calponin (CALP), placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and human placental lactogen (HPL) in benign and malignant spindle cell superficial soft tissue tumors in order to determine the role of these markers in differential diagnosis. Archival tissue from 38 patients with superficial smooth muscle cell and so-called fibrohistiocytic tumors (8 benign fibrous histiocytomas (BFHs), 6 dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFPT), 9 malignant fibrous histiocytomas (MFHs), 9 leiomyomas (LMs) and 6 leiomyosarcomas (LMSs)) were immunostained with antibodies against SMA, HCD, CALP, PLAP and HPL. smooth muscle cell (SMC) tumors showed significantly high immunopositivity for HCD than that of so-called fibrohistiocytic tumors (p is less than or equal to 0.05) but 1/3 of DFPT and MFH cases and half of BFH cases also showed HCD immunopositivity; thus, this difference is debatable and not highly discriminative as expected. All tumor groups showed 100% immunopositivity for CALP. SMC tumors displayed significantly stronger and more widespread immunostaining pattern for PLAP than so-called fibrohistiocytic tumors (p < 0.05). Superficial soft tissue tumors did not express c-kit. In conclusion, HCD and PLAP can be used as ancillary immunomarkers in differential diagnosis of SMC tumors (Tab. 2, Fig. 7, Ref. 37).

Central nervous system complications of diabetes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: a histopathological and immunohistochemical examination.

Diabetes mellitus is a common, potentially serious metabolic disorder. Over the long term, diabetes leads to serious consequences in a number of tissues, especially those that are insulin insensitive (retina, neurons, kidneys). It also causes a variety of functional and structural disorders in the central and peripheral nervous systems. We investigated whether neurodegenerative changes were observable in the hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum after 4 weeks of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats and the effect(s) of melatonin. Male Wistar rats (n = 32) were divided into four groups (n = 8 each): untreated controls, melatonin-treated controls, untreated diabetics, and melatonin-treated diabetics. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single dose of STZ (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (ip)). For 3 days before the administration of STZ, melatonin (200 microg/kg/day, ip) was injected and continued for 4 weeks. Sections of hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined using light microscopy. In addition, brain tissues were examined immunohistochemically for the expression of glial and neuronal markers, including glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70). No neurodegenerative changes were observed in the hippocampus, cortex, or cerebellum of the untreated diabetic group after 4 weeks compared with the other groups. We did not observe any change in GFAP, NSE, or HSP-70 immunostaining in the brain tissues of STZ-induced diabetic rats. In summary, after 4 weeks of STZ-induced diabetes in rats, no degenerative or immunohistochemical changes were detected in the hippocampus, cortex, or cerebellum.

Genetic diversity of local geese of varying productivity and feather color in Kars.

The local geese in the transition region between the Caucasus Mountains and Anatolia have economically significant differences in productivity and are identified by four feather colors, white, black, piebald, and yellow. This study was undertaken to determine the genetic structure, evolutionary relationships, and genetic diversity among these birds. DNA samples were obtained from 100 animals, and 50 random primers were screened. Genetic relationships were determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA polymorphisms obtained from a total of 48 loci, showing 40 bands (83.33%) that were polymorphic among all the populations investigated. A dendrogram constructed for this study revealed a close relationship between the white and the black birds. Additionally, the piebald birds showed close similarity to white and black geese, and the yellow birds displayed a clear distance from the other three populations.

Early glutamine-enriched enteral feeding facilitates colonic anastomosis healing: light microscopic and immunohistochemical evaluation.

Problems related to colonic anastomosis healing constitute the major morbidity in colorectal surgery. Patients without appropriate nutritional support are at higher risk of postsurgical complications, mainly due to reduced wound healing. Therefore, we investigated the effect of early and late postoperative total enteral nutrition (TEN) and glutamine addition on colon anastomosis healing using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry (IGF-I immunolabelling). In this study, 40 Wistar-albino rats underwent distal left colonic transection and anastomosis. The rats were then divided into four groups given different diets: delayed total enteral nutrition (dTEN; beginning 3 days postoperatively), delayed TEN with added glutamine (dTEN+Glutamine), early TEN (eTEN; beginning within 6h postoperatively), and early TEN with added glutamine (eTEN+Glutamine). Colon segments, including the anastomosis, were excised 7 days postoperatively and evaluated histopathologically for inflammation, mucosal healing, submucosal-muscular layer repair, the amounts of necrosis and vascularisation and immunohistochemically for IGF-I labelling. The inflammation and necrosis scores in the dTEN and dTEN+Glutamine groups were significantly greater than in the eTEN and eTEN+Glutamine groups. The IGF-I immunoreactivity increased in the eTEN, eTEN+Glutamine, and dTEN+Glutamine groups compared to dTEN (p<0.05). We concluded that early TEN and glutamine enrichment in the postoperative period improve anastomosis healing via IGF-I.

Melatonin protects against epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

We investigated the cytoprotective effect of melatonin in epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity using four experimental groups of male Wistar rats: untreated control rats, epirubicin-treated rats, epirubicin+melatonin-treated rats, and melatonin-treated rats. We examined the histopathological and biochemical effects of melatonin on the epirubicin-induced changes and measured the levels of the lipid peroxidation end-product (malondialdehyde, MDA), an indicator of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis (nitrite/nitrate production), and reduced glutathione (GSH) in the heart. We also studied the extracellular matrix components (fibronectin, laminin) in the heart. Vacuole formation, mitochondrial deformation and degeneration, and disordered myofibrillary structures were detected ultrastructurally in the epirubicin-treated group. The degeneration was reduced in the heart tissues of the epirubicin+melatonin group. Epirubicin increased the nitrite/nitrate production, but did not change the MDA and GSH levels significantly. Melatonin treatment lowered the nitrite/nitrate concentrations, while increasing the GSH levels, which exceeded the levels in epirubicin+melatonin-treated rats. We conclude that the epirubicin increased the nitrozative stress, not the oxidative stress, in heart tissue, and the cardioprotective effect of melatonin was partially attributed to the suppression of epirubicin-induced nitrozative stress. These results suggest that melatonin partially protects against epirubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Erythropoietin stimulates wound healing and angiogenesis in mice.

Erythropoietin exerts hematopoietic effects by stimulating proliferation of early erythroid precursors. Nonhematopoietic effects of erythropoietin have also been shown. It may act as a new angiogenic factor in wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the effect of systemic administration of recombinant human erythropoietin on wound healing in mice. Dorsal incisional wounds were performed in mice, which were then divided into two groups; a group treated for 7 days with recombinant human erythropoietin, and a control group. Sacrificing animals on day 7, the wound tissues were collected for analysis of wound breaking strength, malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid peroxidation, hydroxyproline, an index of reparative collagen deposition, reduced glutathione levels, and for histological evaluation. The immunohistochemical determination of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which is believed to be the most prevalent angiogenic factor throughout the skin repair process, was also studied. The treatment significantly increased wound breaking strength by decreasing malondialdehyde and increasing hydroxyproline levels on day 7 after wounding. No statistically meaningful change was observed in reduced glutathione content. VEGF was immunostained significantly more on wound tissue of treated animals compared to the control group. Recombinant human erythropoietin treatment may be effective in wound healing due to inhibition of lipid peroxidation, deposition of collagen, and VEGF expression in wound area.

Effects of melatonin on streptozotocin-induced diabetic liver injury in rats.

This study investigated the possible protective effects of melatonin as an antioxidant against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic liver injury in rats. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: untreated control (UC), melatonin-treated control (MC), untreated diabetic (UD), and melatonin-treated diabetic (MD). Experimental diabetes was induced by a single-dose (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (ip)) STZ injection, and melatonin was injected (200 microg/kg/day, ip) for 4 weeks. Upon light and electron microscopic examination, we observed that melatonin improved the morphological and histopathological changes of the liver caused by diabetes. Malondialdehyde levels in the liver homogenates of UD rats were higher than those of controls and were markedly reduced after melatonin treatment. Although no significant difference was observed with respect to antioxidant status, the superoxide dismutase activity tended to be higher in the UD rats than in the treated rats. Our findings showed that melatonin administration partially reduced liver injury in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

In vivo evaluation of the genotoxic effects of clomiphene citrate on rat reticulocytes: a micronucleus genotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the genotoxic effects of clomiphene citrate (CC) on rat reticulocytesin vivo. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, controlled study, rats were each assigned randomly to the CC 50, CC 100, CC 200, or control group and were given repeat doses of 0.16, 0.32 or 0.64 mg CC, or normal saline, respectively. Each study group received its CC dose in 2 ml of saline intraperitoneally for 5 days, while the control group received only 2 ml of saline. Each treatment cycle was repeated six times. Six months later, the rats were euthanized. Bone marrow tissues were removed, and pluripotent reticulocyte cells with micronuclei, nuclear buds, and binuclear abnormalities were analyzed using an in situmicronuclei assay under light microscopy. The proportion of micronucleated erythrocytes was measured. RESULTS: Fewer cells with nuclear buds and binuclear abnormalities were detected in the CC 50 group and controls. The CC 100 and 200 groups had significantly (p < 0.05) more nuclear buds and binuclear abnormalities compared with the CC 50 group and controls in the cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow stem cells. CONCLUSION: In rats, the micronucleus genotoxicity assay suggests a dose-dependent CC effect on genomic instability in bone marrow stem cells in vivo.

Effect of clomiphene citrate on ovarian, endometrial, and cervical histologies in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of clomiphene citrate (CC) on the ovarian, endometrial, and cervical histologies in a rat model. METHODS: The rats (n = 40) were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups: CC 50 (repetitive doses of 0.2 mg CC); CC 100 (repetitive doses of 0.4 mg CC); CC 200 (repetitive doses of 0.8 mg CC), and control (repetitive doses of normal saline). Each study group received its CC dose intraperitoneally in 2 ml saline for 5 days and the controls received 2 ml saline only. Each treatment cycle was repeated six times. Six months later the rats were euthanized. Their ovaries, uterine horns, and cervices were removed and examined for histologic changes. RESULTS: We found no significant difference in the number of follicles and corpora lutea of the study groups (p > 0.05). The numbers of granulosa, theca, and luteal cells of the CC 100 and CC 200 groups were significantly higher than those of the CC 50 group and controls (p < 0.05). There was no important finding related to pre-malign and malign changes in ovarian, endometrial and cervical samples of the control and CC 50 groups. Focal atypia and atypical mitoses were noted in 2 cases of granulosa cells in the CC 100 and CC 200 groups. CONCLUSION: We did not find an association between the use of CC and ovarian, endometrial, and cervical neoplasms; nevertheless, we noticed an increase in granulosa, theca and luteal cells with high doses of CC, which may be a risk factor for granulosa, theca, and luteal cell tumors.

Protective effect of melatonin on beta-cell damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats.

The aim of the present study was the evaluation of possible protective effects of melatonin against beta-cell damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats. Malondialdehyde levels and glutathione peroxidase activity were measured in pancreatic homogenates. Pancreatic beta-cells were examined by immunohistochemical methods. Streptozotocin was injected intraperitoneally at a single dose of 60 mg/kg for induction of diabetes. Melatonin (200 microg/kg/day, ip) was injected for 3 days prior to administration of streptozotocin; these injections were continued until the end of the study (4 weeks). Streptozotocin induced a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.01) and a significant decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity (p < 0.05) in pancreatic tissue. Degeneration of islet cells and weak immunohistochemical staining of insulin was observed in diabetic rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with melatonin markedly reduced malondialdehyde production (p < 0.05) and increased glutathione peroxidase activity (p < 0.01) without affecting hyperglycemia. Increased staining of insulin and preservation of islet cells were apparent in the melatonin-treated diabetic rats. These data suggest that melatonin treatment has a therapeutic effect in diabetes by reduction of oxidative stress and preservation of pancreatic beta-cell integrity.

Protective effects of chronic melatonin treatment against renal injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin as an antioxidant, on prevention and treatment of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic renal injury in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) untreated, (2) melatonin-treated, (3) untreated diabetic (UD), (4) melatonin-treated diabetic (MD). Experimental diabetes was induced by single dose (60 mg/kg, i.p.) STZ injection. For 3 days prior to administration of STZ, melatonin was injected (200 microg/kg/day, i.p.); these injections were continued until the end of the study (4 weeks). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as a marker of lipid peroxidation were significantly increased in the renal homogenates of UD animals and decreased after melatonin administration. The activity of the antioxidative enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was significantly reduced in UD rats. Melatonin treatment reversed STZ-induced reduction of GSH-Px activity without having an effect on blood glucose. Upon histopathological examination, it was observed that the melatonin treatment prevented the renal morphological damage caused by diabetes. Upon immunohistochemical investigation, glomerular anti-laminin beta1 staining decreased in MD rats. Additionally, no tubular anti-IGF-1 staining was observed in melatonin-treated rats. In conclusion, chronically administered melatonin reduced renal injury in STZ-induced diabetic rats and thus it may provide a useful therapeutic option in humans to reduce oxidative stress and the associated renal injury in patients with diabetes mellitus.

A new mutation of the fukutin gene in a non-Japanese patient.

Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD), Walker-Warburg syndrome, and muscle-eye-brain disease are clinically similar autosomal recessive disorders characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy, cobblestone lissencephaly, and eye anomalies. FCMD is frequent in Japan, but no FCMD patient with confirmed fukutin gene mutations has been identified in a non-Japanese population. Here, we describe a Turkish CMD patient with severe brain and eye anomalies. Sequence analysis of the patient's DNA identified a homozygous 1bp insertion mutation in exon 5 of the fukutin gene. To our knowledge, this is the first case worldwide in which a fukutin mutation has been found outside the Japanese population. This report emphasizes the importance of considering fukutin mutations for diagnostic purposes outside of Japan.