The Protective Role of Dexpanthenol on the Endometrial Implants in an Experimentally Induced Rat Endometriosis Model.

OBJECTIVE: Dexpanthenol (Dxp), antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, plays an important role in the repair systems against oxidative stress and inflammatory response. The objective of this study is to determine the effect of Dxp on experimental endometriosis model. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective experimental study was conducted in Experimental Animal Laboratory of Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay. Twenty nonpregnant female Wistar albino rats, in which experimental model of endometriosis was surgically induced, were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 was administered 500 mg/kg/d Dxp intraperitoneally for 14 days, and group 2 was given the same amount of saline solution. After 2 weeks of medication, the rats were killed and implant volumes, histopathologic scores; and levels of serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were evaluated. Plasma and peritoneal fluid levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were analyzed. RESULTS: The endometriotic implant volumes, histopathologic scores, and serum TOS and OSI values were significantly decreased ( P < .05) in the Dxp group compared to the control group. Plasma and peritoneal fluid TNF-α levels were significantly decreased ( P < .05) in the Dxp group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Dexpanthenol has free radical scavenger effects, and antioxidant properties has significantly regressed endometriotic implant volumes, histopathologic scores, and serum TOS and OSI values. Serum and peritoneal fluid TNF-α levels were significantly decreased in the Dxp group. So Dxp decreased oxidative stress.

Does the presence of anhydramnios affect the duration of medical abortion?

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine whether anhydramnios affected the duration of medical abortion in cases with various indications as compared to cases with normal amniotic fluid volume. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients who were admitted to our clinic because of medical abortion between January 2010-December 2013 were included in this retrospective study. A total of 32 pregnant women with anhydramnios (study group) and 67 pregnant women with normal amniotic fluid volume but with fetal abnormality (control group) were included in the study. Patient age, gravidity, parity, gestational age, previous delivery route, and duration of the abortion were recorded. RESULTS: Mean duration of the abortion in the study group was 71.93 ± 47.51 h as compared to 79.08 ± 52.62 h in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of duration of the abortion (p = 0.516). Also, we found no statistically significant differences in duration of the abortion with regard to previous delivery route (p = 0.220). CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant differences between the study group and controls in terms of duration of the abortion. In addition, neither parity nor previous delivery route affected the duration of the abortion.

Histopathologic and metabolic effect of ursodeoxycholic acid treatment on PCOS rat model.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment on a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat model. Thirty-two female Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows - group 1: sham group (n: 8), group 2: letrozole-induced PCOS group (n: 8), group 3: letrozole-induced PCOS plus metformin-treated (500 mg/kg) group (n: 8) and group 4: letrozole-induced PCOS plus UDCA (150 mg/kg)-treated group (n: 8). Histopathologic examination of the ovaries, circulating estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), testosterone, androstenedione, glucose, insulin and lipid profiles were evaluated. Histopathologic examination results revealed that groups 3 and 4 had significantly lower cystic and atretic follicles compared to group 2. Besides, group 4 had significantly higher antral follicles than group 2 (8.5 ± 2.9 versus 5.4 ± 1.1; p: 0.001). Furthermore, total testosterone (4.9 ± 2.8 versus 8.8 ± 2.9; p= 0.004) and insulin levels were significantly lower in group 4 compared to group 2 (1.7 ± 0.08 versus 2.1 ± 0.5; p = 0.02). However, lipid parameters, E1, E2, glucose and HOMA-IR were comparable between the groups. Our study results demonstrated that UDCA therapy improves ovarian morphology and decreases total testosterone and insulin levels.

Effect of colchicine on polycystic ovary syndrome: an experimental study.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether there is any therapeutic effect of colchicine on a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Twenty-two Wistar-Albino rats were randomly assigned into four with 8 rats in each group: control group; PCOS only group; PCOS-metformin group and PCOS-colchicine group. PCOS was induced by gavage with letrozole once daily at the concentration of 1 mg/kg orally with 21 consecutive days. After PCOS model assessment, PCOS-metformin group was received metformin orally with 500 mg/kg and PCOS-colchicine group was received colchicine orally with 1 mg/kg for the 35 day. Histopathology of ovaries, circulating estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), total testosterone, androstenedione and c-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated. RESULTS: cystic and atretic follicle number was significantly decreased, but CRP and hormone parameters were not significantly changed with colchicine treatment. CONCLUSION: Colchicine has provided histopathological improvement compared with metformin in PCOS rat model.

Relation of platelet distribution width (PDW) and platelet crit (PCT) to preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: While the relationship between platelet crit (PCT), platelet distribution width (PDW) and hypertension has been well-documented, data on the association between PCT, PDW and preeclampsia are scant at best. In our study we aimed to investigate the possible correlation of PCT and PDW with preeclampsia and disease severity MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 110 preeclamptic and 100 healthy pregnant women were included in the study Baseline PCT and PDW were measured using an automatic blood counterin the entire study population. RESULTS: While there were no significant differences between the preeclampsia group and the control group in terms of hemoglobin and platelet counts, the PDW, mean platelet volume (MPV), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, proteinuria, WBC and Hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the preeclampsia group. In addition, PCT level was significantly lower in the preeclampsia group as compared to controls. Moreover subgroup analysis revealed that PDW and MPV levels were significantly increased in severely preeclamptic patients when compared to mildly preeclamptic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results revealed that PCT and PDW levels were associated with both, the presence and severity of preeclampsia.

Association of breast arterial calcification and osteoporosis in Turkish women.

OBJECTIVE: Breast arterial calcification (BAC), medial calcific sclerosis of small to medium-sized muscular arteries, is a benign finding of mammographic evaluation. Previous studies have shown the relationships between BAC and systemic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the association between reduced bone mineral density and BAC. METHODS: The study population consisted of 567 women who had both mammography and bone mineral density evaluation. BAC (+) and BAC (-) women were compared for age, body mass index, postmenopausal duration, number of deliveries, breastfeeding duration, DM, HT, lipid treatment, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. RESULTS: BAC was seen in mammographic evaluation of 179 women and 388 subjects without BAC accepted as the control group. There was a statistically significant relationship between age, postmenopausal duration, number of deliveries, history of DM, HT, lipid treatment and BAC. While the prevalence of osteopenia was higher in control group (52.8%), the rate of osteoporosis (48.7%) was higher in group with BAC. CONCLUSION: There was statistically significant relationship between BAC and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Determination of BAC in routine screening mammography might be helpful in both identifying women with risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

Can the ductus venosus doppler predict the hemoglobinopathies?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to investigate the ductus venosus doppler between 11-13+6 (week-day) in pregnant women with hemoglobinopaties and its relation with fetal outcomes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 100 pregnant women with hemoglobinopathies and 100 healthy pregnant women were included in our study. Ultrasonography (USG) was performed to all pregnant women and the ductus venosus doppler (DVD) flows were evaluated. The results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean hemoglobin level was significantly lower in hemoglobinopathy group (9.7 ± 0.7) than control group (10.67 ± 0.82) (P<0.001). There was a significant relationship between Vmax, Vmin, S/D and reverse 'a' wave in fetuses with hemoglobinopathies. Vmax, Vmin and S/D parameters were higher in the group of hemoglobinopathies (respectively mean value, 31.3 ± 1.66, 8.90 ± 0.81, 2.97 ± 0.49). Reverse 'a' wave was detected especially in all fetuses with sickle cell anemia. There was no significantly relationship between the groups in terms of PI, RI and HR. In a logistic regression analyses, fetal hemoglobinopathy was independently associated with Vmin (ß = 1.07, P = 0.001), S/D (ß = 2.61, P = 0.001) and reverse 'a' wave (ß = 2.46, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with hemoglobinopathies had changed ductus venosus doppler values in compared to normal pregnant women. Maternal anemia may cause this doppler changes. Furthermore all fetuses with sickle cell anemia (n = 5) had abnormal ductus venosus doppler findings. Further studies are needed to investigate the relationship between abnormal ductus venosus doppler findings and fetuses diagnosed with sickle cell anemia.

Protective effect of colchicine on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficiency of colchicine in the experimental rat ovarian torsion model in the light of histological and biochemical data. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 35 Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, group 1: (control-sham operated, n = 7); group 2: (torsion/detorsion, n = 7) 2 hours of ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion; group 3: (torsion/detorsion, n = 7), 2 hours of ischemia and 5 days of reperfusion; group 4: (torsion/detorsion, n = 7) 2 hours of ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion and a signal dose of oral 1 mL/kg colchicine; and group 5: (torsion/detorsion, n = 7), 2 hours of ischemia and 5 days of reperfusion and 5 days of oral 1 mg/kg colchicine. Histopathologic evaluation was performed by a scoring that assesses congestion, bleeding, edema, and cellular degeneration in the ovarian tissue. Catalase, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl levels were calculated. RESULTS: The histopathologic scores, MDA, and protein carbonyl levels in the control and colchicine groups were significantly lower than groups 2 and 3 (P < .001). Catalase activities were significantly higher in the control and colchicine groups than in groups 2 and 3 (P < .001). The results of the histopathologic parameters and biochemical markers showed that protective effects of colchicine treatment persisted up to 5 days. CONCLUSION: Our study results revealed that colchicine reduced ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury in experimental rat ovarian torsion model. As the ovarian detorsion is the first choice of the treatment modality in the early phase, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory treatment modalities like colchicine might be used to reduce ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The effect of Ramadan fasting on fetal development.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Ramadan fasting on fetal development and outcomes of pregnancy. METHODS: We performed this study in Antakya State Hospital of Obstetrics and Child Care, between 28 June 2014 and 27 July 2014 (during the month of Ramadan). A total of two hundred forty healthy pregnant women who were fasting during Ramadan, were included in the groups. The three groups were divided according to the trimesters. The each group was consisted of 40 healthy pregnant women with fasting and 40 healthy pregnant women without fasting. For evaluating the effects of Ramadan on fetus, ultrasonography was performed on all pregnant women in the beginning and the end of Ramadan. We used the essential parameters for the following measurements: increase of fetal biparietal diameter (BPD), increase of fetal femur length (FL), increase of estimated fetal body weight (EFBW), fetal biophysical profile (BPP), amniotic fluid index (AFI), and umbilical artery systole/diastole (S/D) ratio. RESULTS: No significant difference was found between the two groups for the fetal age, maternal weight gain (kilogram), estimated fetal weight gain (EFWG), fetal BPP, AFI, and umbilical artery S/D ratio. On the other hand, a statistically significant increase was observed in maternal weight in the second and third trimesters and a significant increase was observed in the amniotic fluid index in second trimester. CONCLUSION: In Ramadan there was no bad fetal outcome between pregnant women with fasting and pregnant women without fasting. Pregnant women who want to be with fast, should be examined by doctors, adequately get breakfast before starting to fast and after the fasting take essential calori and hydration. More comprehensive randomized studies are needed to explain the effects of fasting on the pregnancy and fetal outcomes.

Relationship of red cell distribution width with the presence and severity of preeclampsia.

AIM: Although the relationship between red cell distribution width (RDW) and hypertension has been well documented, there is an absence of data on the association between RDW and preeclampsia. In the present study, we have aimed to investigate the correlation of RDW with preeclampsia and its severity. METHODS: The study population consisted of 52 (35 mild and 17 severe) patients with preeclampsia and 50 control pregnancy patients. For the entire study population, baseline RDW was measured using an automatic blood counter. RESULTS: Although there were no significant differences between the preeclampsia group and the control group in terms of hemoglobin and platelet counts, the RDW (14.1 ± 1.1 vs 16.9 ± 1.7, P < .001), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, proteinuria, white blood cell, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in the preeclampsia group. Moreover, subgroup analysis revealed that RDW levels were significantly increased in patients with severe preeclampsia when compared to the patients with mild preeclampsia (18 ± 1.5 vs 16.4 ± 1.5, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Our study results revealed that RDW levels were associated with both the presence and the severity of preeclampsia.

Protective effects of colchicine in an experimental rat endometriosis model: histopathological evaluation and assessment of TNF-α levels.

OBJECTIVE: Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic inflammatory disease observed in reproductive period. The aim of the present study is to assess the efficacy of colchicine, widely used to treat many inflammatory diseases, in an experimental rat endometriosis model. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental endometriosis was constituted with implantation of autogenous endometrial tissue. Rats were divided randomly into 2 groups as colchicine group (n = 8) and control group (n =8). Although oral 0.1 mg/kg colchicine was administered 4 weeks to the colchicine group, the same amount of saline solution was administered to the control group. Before and after 30 days of treatment period, peritoneal and tissue tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), the volumes and histopathological properties of the implants were evaluated. RESULTS: Although the implant volume decreased significantly in the colchicine group (89.2 ± 13.4 mm(3) to 35.2 ± 4.5 mm(3), P < .05), the implant volume increased in the control group (85.1 ± 14.2 mm3 to 110.3 ± 10.5 mm(3), P < .05). When compared to the control group, the colchicine group had significantly lower histopathologic sores (1.4 ± 0.2 vs 2.6 ± 0.4, P < .001). Although peritoneal fluid TNF-α levels were significantly decreased in the colchicine group (45.2 ± 5.3 pg/mL vs 12.1 ± 5.2 pg/mL, P < .001), the peritoneal fluid TNF-α levels were significantly increased in the control group after the treatment (44.2 ± 3.5 pg/mL vs 61.3 ± 12.2 pg/mL; P < .001). Tissue TNF-α levels were significantly lower in the colchicine group when compared to the control group (45.4 ± 8.6 pg/mL vs 71.3 ± 11.2 pg/mL; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Colchicine resulted in regression of endometrial implant volumes in experimental rat endometriosis model and decreased peritoneal and tissue TNF-α levels.

Relation of inflammatory markers with both presence and severity of hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study is to determine the newly introduced systemic inflammation marker, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) patients and to investigate the association between severity of the disease and NLR. METHOD: The study population consisted of 55 pregnant patients with HG and 50 pregnant women without complaints matched for gestational age as a control group. The HG patients were grouped as mild (n = 16), moderate (n = 19) and severe (n = 20) according to Modified Pregnancy- Unique Quantification of Emesis and Nausea Scoring Index Questionnaire. Furthermore, hsCRP, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and NLR were evaluated with complete blood count. RESULTS: The HG group had significantly higher NLR values compared to the control group (2.69 +/- 1.81 vs 1.97 +/- 1.34, p = 0.004). HsCRP levels were significantly higher among HG patients compared to the control group (1.95 +/- 2.2 vs 0.56 +/- 0.30, p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis revealed statistically significant increases in NLR and hsCRP values with increased HG severity (p < 0.001, p = 0.002). The correlation analysis demonstrated a strong correlation between NLR and hsCRP levels (r: 0.703, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study results showed that NLR and hsCRP levels are increased in HG disease compared to gestational age matched control group subjects. Furthermore, NLR and hsCRP values are correlated with severity of disease. NLR could be used as a marker for both presence and severity of hyperemesis gravidarum.

Evaluation of Mean Platelet Volume values in lean women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) is an important indicator of platelet activation. It is known that MPV increases in patients with coronory artery disease, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis and Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Our aim was to measure the MPV in lean patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: The present study was designed to examine the platelet function by measuring MPV in non-obese women with PCOS. A total of 50 outpatients with PCOS were included. The control group consisted of 50 healthy subjects. Serum platelet, MPV, and white blood cell (WBC) levels were compared and evaluated retrospectively in all participants. These values were compared by statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant difference in between groups regarding MPV (p═0.357), WBC (p═0,414) and platelet (p═0,666). CONCLUSION: There are studies implying MPV increase in PCOS patients, in our patients MPV levels did not correlate with PCOS except for patients with obesity. We think that PCOS itself has no effect on MPV levels and obesity changes MPV levels.

Randomized trial of vaginal prostaglandin E2 versus oxytocin for labor induction in term premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of a prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) vaginal insert with those of oxytocin for labor induction. The present study also examined whether its use reduces the rate of cesarean delivery in term pregnancies with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and low Bishop scores. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 240 women with singleton pregnancies at >or= 37 weeks, no prior uterine scar, vertex presentations, reactive nonstress tests, PROM for >or= 12 hours and Bishop scores of