Comparison of lipemia interference created with native lipemic material and intravenous lipid emulsion in emergency laboratory tests.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the effects of lipemia on clinical chemistry and coagulation parameters in native ultralipemic (NULM) and intravenous lipid emulsion (IVLE) spiked samples. Materials and methods: The evaluation of biochemistry (photometric, ion-selective electrode, immunoturbidimetric method), cardiac (electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method) and coagulation (the viscosity-based mechanical method for prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen and the immunoturbidimetric method for D-dimer) parameters were conducted. In addition to the main pools, five pools were prepared for both types of lipemia, each with triglyceride (TG) concentrations of approximately 2.8, 5.7, 11.3, 17.0 and 22.6 mmol/L. All parameters' mean differences (MD%) were presented as interferographs and compared with the desirable specification for the inaccuracy (bias%). Data were also evaluated by repeated measures of ANOVA. Results: Prothrombin time and APTT showed no clinically relevant interference in IVLE-added pools but were negatively affected in NULM pools(P < 0.001 in both parameters). For biochemistry, the most striking difference was seen for CRP; it is up to 134 MD% value with NULM (P < 0.001) at the highest TG concentration, whereas it was up to - 2.49 MD% value with IVLE (P = 0.009). Albumin was affected negatively upward of 5.7 mmol/L TG with IVLE, while there was no effect for NULM. Creatinine displayed significant positive interferences with NULM starting at the lowest TG concentration (P = 0.028). There was no clinically relevant interference in cardiac markers for both lipemia types. Conclusions: Significant differences were scrutinized in interference patterns of lipemia types, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of lipemia interferences in clinical laboratories. It is crucial to note that lipid emulsions inadequately replicate lipemic samples.

The protective effect of roflumilast and ibuprofen on testicular ischemia reperfusion injury: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study is to investigate the efficiency of roflumilast and ibuprofen in an experimental rat testicular ischemia reperfusion injury model in the light of histological and biochemical data. METHODS: A total of 32 prepubertal male rats were randomly divided into four groups as G1: Control Group (testicular torsion/detorsion + saline (0.9% of 2 ml) was applied). G2: Sham Group only right scrotal incision was performed; G3: Ibuprofen Group (tes-ticular torsion/detorsion + ibuprofen administration); and G4 Roflumilast Group (testicular torsion/detorsion + roflumilast adminis-tration). Oxidative markers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total sulfhydryl (TSH), and nitrite (NO) levels as well as histopathological changes were analyzed. RESULTS: Tissue MPO, MDA, and NO levels were significantly higher and TSH levels significantly lower in control group compared to sham group (p<0.001). The histopathologic scores of drug groups (Groups 3 and 4) were significantly lower than group 1 (p<0.001). In comparison of Group 3 and Group 4 with each other, the mean values of MPO and MDA were statistically significantly lower in Group 4 (p<0.001). A higher mean value of TSH was found in Group 3 without statistically significance (p=0.32). There was also an insignificant decrease in mean NO values of Group 3 compared to Group 4 (p=0.44). In comparison of drug groups, Group 4 had statistically insignificant better scores. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that administrating ibuprofen and roflumilast reduced testicular ischemia reperfusion injury in rat testis torsion model. In comparison, roflumilast is found to be more beneficial.

The examination of the nephroprotective effect of montelukast sodium and N-acetylcysteine in renal ischemia with dimercaptosuccinic acid imaging in a placebo-controlled rat model.

PURPOSE: To determine the nephroprotective effect of NAC and Montelukast Sodium administration against the development of renal damage associated with long warm renal ischemia. METHODS: Twenty-seven rats were randomly divided into 3 study groups, which received NAC, montelukast and placebo, and 3 rats were included in the sham-treated control group. Medications were given 3 days before the procedure. DMSA renal scintigraphy was performed before and after surgery. The right renal pedicle was occluded for 45 min to induce ischemia and then subjected to reperfusion for 6 h (I/R groups). RESULTS: On pathological examination, the mean pathological scores of the montelukast and NAC groups were significantly lower than those of the placebo group. (p <0.05). In biochemical examination, significant differences were found in all parameter levels between the placebo group and the montelukast and NAC groups. (p <0.05) When postoperative DMSA renal scintigraphy measurements and renal function levels were compared, significant differences were found between the montelukast and NAC groups and the placebo and sham groups. CONCLUSION: The administration of NAC and montelukast sodium was seen to have a nephroprotective effect against the development of renal damage associated with warm renal ischemia.

Protective effects of Ranolazine on testicular torsion and detorsion injury in rats.

Ranolazine is a drug used in refractory chronic stable angina. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the protective effect of ranolazine in a testis torsion model in light of objective biochemical and pathological data. A total of 24 pre-pubertal male Wistar albino rats were separated into three groups of 8 as the sham group, control group and ranolazine group. Testis torsion was applied for 3 hr to all the rats in Group Control and Group Ranolazine. In Group Control, 0.9% NaCl was applied 1 hr after the torsion. In Group Ranolazine, ranolazine 30 mg/kg was dissolved in a 0.9% NaCl solution and was administered intraperitoneally 1 hr after torsion. Histopathological evaluation was made using the Cosentino score. As a result of the objective biochemical and pathological criteria used in this study, this protective effect of ranolazine was observed in testis torsion. The results obtained in this study may suggest that ranolazine is a drug that could be applied after detorsion to patients diagnosed with torsion.

The examination of the nephroprotective effect of montelukast sodium and N-acetylcysteine in renal ischemia with dimercaptosuccinic acid imaging in a placebo-controlled rat model

Abstract Purpose To determine the nephroprotective effect of NAC and Montelukast Sodium administration against the development of renal damage associated with long warm renal ischemia. Methods Twenty-seven rats were randomly divided into 3 study groups, which received NAC, montelukast and placebo, and 3 rats were included in the sham-treated control group. Medications were given 3 days before the procedure. DMSA renal scintigraphy was performed before and after surgery. The right renal pedicle was occluded for 45 min to induce ischemia and then subjected to reperfusion for 6 h (I/R groups). Results On pathological examination, the mean pathological scores of the montelukast and NAC groups were significantly lower than those of the placebo group. (p <0.05). In biochemical examination, significant differences were found in all parameter levels between the placebo group and the montelukast and NAC groups. (p <0.05) When postoperative DMSA renal scintigraphy measurements and renal function levels were compared, significant differences were found between the montelukast and NAC groups and the placebo and sham groups. Conclusion The administration of NAC and montelukast sodium was seen to have a nephroprotective effect against the development of renal damage associated with warm renal ischemia.

Scintigraphic evaluation of renoprotective effects of coenzyme Q10 in a rat renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) may occur secondary to several reasons leading to renal failure. Coenzyme-Q10 (CoQ10) is a well-known antioxidant. However, the effects CoQ10 against RIRI have not been evaluated. Our aim was to evaluate protective effects of CoQ10 to renal ischemia-reperfusion by biochemical, immunohistochemical and scintigraphic findings. METHODS: Thirty Wistar-albino rats were randomly separated into groups of 10; Group Sham; Group ischemia-reperfusion (IR) had left renal pedicle clamping; Group CoQ10+IR had IR and CoQ10. Twenty-four hours later after reperfusion, scintigraphy was performed and after that, rats were sacrificed. To demonstrate effects of RIRI, serum urea and creatinine levels and tissue levels oxidative stress markers were evaluated. Both kidneys were subjected to histopathological evaluation and to confirm RIRI-induced immunohistochemical aspects of apoptosis, terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase mediated-deoxyuridine-triphosphate-nick-end-labeling assay and caspase-3 were assessed. RESULTS: Tissue oxidative stress, histopathologic changes, apoptosis scores and quantitative scintigraphic parameters were significantly higher in Group IR compared with Group Sham. Although tissue oxidative stress levels and histopathologic changes were not significant, quantitative scintigraphic parameters of contralateral kidney of Group IR were significantly increased. Compared with Group IR, Group CoQ10+IR presented decreased tissue oxidative stress levels; decreased scores of histopathology and apoptosis; and decreased quantitative scintigraphic parameters with increased split renal function in ischemic kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that other than its antioxidant properties, CoQ10 shows antiperoxidative, antiapoptotic and antiinflammatory potential in protecting renal functioning of ischemic kidney. Furthermore, our results show that renal scintigraphy is a feasible method to detect early changes in renal functioning after RIRI.

The Evaluation of Exogenous Melatonin Administration in Supraspinatus Overuse Tendinopathy in an Experimental Rat Model.

BACKGROUND: Increased oxidative stress and inflammation play a critical role in the etiopathogenesis of chronic tendinopathy. Melatonin is an endogenous molecule that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and histopathological effects of exogenous melatonin administrations in supraspinatus overuse tendinopathy. METHODS: Fifty rats were divided into the following four groups: cage activity, melatonin treatment, corticosteriod therapy, and control. Melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal; twice a day) and triamcinolone (0.3 mg/kg, subacromial; weekly) were administered to the treatment groups after the overuse period. Biochemical and histopathological evaluations were performed on serum samples and biopsies obtained from rats. Plasma inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels were evaluated biochemically. RESULTS: The TAS, TOS, OSI, iNOS, and VEGF values were significantly lower than the pre-treatment levels in rats receiving exogenous melatonin treatment (3 or 6 weeks) (p<0.05). TOS, iNOS, VEGF, and OSI values after 3 weeks of triamcinolone administration, and TOS, VEGF, and OSI levels after 6 weeks of triamcinolone application, were significantly lower than the pre-treatment levels (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exogenous melatonin application in overuse tendinopathy reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. Melatonin might be an alternative potential molecule to corticosteroids in the treatment of chronic tendinopathy.

Comparison of Amniotic Fluid Cytokine Levels in Postterm and Term Pregnancy: a Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate amniotic fluid pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in women with postterm and term pregnancies in labor and not in labor. METHODS: The study involved three groups: postterm (Group 1, n = 29), term in labor (Group 2, n = 28), and control (Group 3, n = 30). All groups were compared with respect to age, gravidity, parity, obstetric history, gestation week, cervical dilatation and effacement, maternal serum C-reactive protein and white cell count, amniotic interleukin 4, 6, and 10 levels, birthweight, and cord blood pH. RESULTS: The amniotic fluid interleukin 10 level was 24.4 ± 8.8 pg/mL in the postterm group, 13.5 ± 5.1 pg/mL in the term in labor group, and 19.8 ± 5.4 pg/mL in the control group (p < 0.001). The amniotic fluid interleukin 4 level was 86.5 ± 57.7 pg/mL in the postterm group, 38.2 ± 29.2 pg/mL in the term in labor group, and 81.9 ± 68.4 pg/mL in the control group (p = 0.002). The amniotic fluid interleukin 6 level was 329 ± 135.1 pg/mL in the postterm group, 252.8 ± 138.7 pg/mL in the term in labor group, and 227.9 ± 114.4 pg/mL in the control group (p = 0.02). There was a positive correlation between gestational age and IL-10 levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Amniotic fluid IL-10 and IL-4 cytokine levels were increased in postterm pregnancy and they decreased with active labor.

Impairment of thiol-disulfide homeostasis in preeclampsia.

AIM: To investigate the effects of severity of preeclampsia on thiol-disulfide homeostasis (TDH). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 108 participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 was composed of pregnant women with no obstetric complications, Group 2 included pregnant women with mild preeclampsia, and Group 3 consisted of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. TDH parameters were determined, and comparisons of clinical and routine laboratory test findings were made in all groups. RESULTS: The serum native thiol level was 347.9 ± 27.4 in the control group, 237.2 ± 44.2 in the mild preeclampsia group, and 227.9 ± 53.1 in the severe preeclampsia group (p < 0.001). The serum total thiol level was 376.1 ± 31.9 in the control group, 261.8 ± 49.4 in the mild preeclampsia group, and 248.3 ± 57.4 in the severe preeclampsia group (p < 0.001). The disulfide level was 14.1 ± 5.6 in the control group, 12.3 ± 5.1 in the mild preeclampsia group, and 10.2 ± 4.8 in the severe preeclampsia group (p = 0.001). A significant correlation between impairment in degree of TDH and severity of preeclampsia was observed. CONCLUSION: TDH was impaired in women with preeclampsia, and this impairment increased with disease severity. Therefore, impaired TDH may have a role in the etiopathogenesis of the disease.

The Effect of Montelukast on Liver Damage in an Experimental Obstructive Jaundice Model.

BACKGROUND: Montelukast is a cysteinyl-leukotriene type 1 (CysLT1) selective receptor antagonist. In recent years, investigations have shown that montelukast possesses secondary anti-inflammatory activities and also antioxidant effects. For this reason, we aimed to determine the possible effects of montelukast on liver damage in experimental obstructive jaundice. METHODS: 30 Wistar-Albino male rats were randomized and divided into three groups of 10 animals each: group I, sham-operated; group II, ligation and division of the common bile duct (BDL) followed by daily intraperitoneal injection of 1 ml of saline; group III, BDL followed by daily intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg montelukast dissolved in saline. The animals were killed on postoperative day 7 by high-dose diethyl ether inhalation. Blood and liver samples were taken for examination. RESULTS: In this study, liver malondialdehyde (MDA) (p = 0.001), myeloperoxidase (p = 0.003), and total sulfhydryl (SH) (p = 0.009) were found to be significantly different between the BDL + montelukast and the BDL groups. Plasma total SH (p = 0.002) and MDA (p = 0.027) values were also statistically different between these groups. Statistical analyses of histological activity index scores showed that the histopathological damage in the BDL + montelukast group was significantly less than the damage in the control group (p < 0.05 for all pathological parameters). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, montelukast showed a significant hepatoprotective effect in this experimental obstructive jaundice model, which might be due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Effects of the Oral Nutritional Supplement Containing Arginine, Glutamine, and Hydroxymethylbutyrate (Abound®) on Healing of Colonic Anastomoses in Rats.

We evaluated the effects of the oral nutritional supplement containing arginine, glutamine, and hydroxymethylbutyrate (Abound®) on healing of colonic anastomoses in experimental rat model. Seventy Wistar-Albino male rats were divided into seven groups. Colon transection and anastomosis were performed in all groups except for the sham group. In groups 2 and 5, rats were fed with standard rat chow after the operation. Oral nutritional supplement was added to standard nutrition for 3 days postoperatively in group 3 and 7 days in group 6 and preoperative 7 days plus postoperative 3 days in group 4 and preoperative 7 days plus postoperative 7 days in group 7. Bursting pressures were measured, adhesions were evaluated, and tissue samples were taken for measurement of tissue hydroxyproline levels and for histopathological examination. The usage of oral nutritional supplement had positive effects on bursting pressures, tissue hydroxyproline levels, and histopathological findings of anastomoses, but feeding with oral nutritional supplement both preoperatively and postoperatively had no additive effect on these parameters when compared with the groups that were fed only postoperatively. The mixture of arginine, glutamine, and hydroxymethylbutyrate may be safely used for achieving better healing results after colonic anastomoses.

The effect of sildenafil and udenafil on testicular damage following ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

PURPOSE: Ischemia-reperfusion injury can cause testicular damage and phosphodiesterase inhibitors are reported to regulate antioxidant activity. We investigated the prevention of ipsilateral and contralateral testicular damage using 2 phosphodiesterase inhibitors after testicular detorsion in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 adult male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of 7 each, including group 1-sham operation, group 2-testicular torsion and detorsion, group 3- testicular torsion and detorsion with sildenafil administration before detorsion and group 4- testicular torsion and detorsion with udenafil administration before detorsion. Tissue levels of malondialdehyde, total sulfhydryl and nitrite were evaluated, and histopathological changes in the groups were examined. RESULTS: Compared to group 1 significantly increased tissue malondialdehyde (p = 0.001), significantly decreased total sulfhydryl (p = 0.038) and insignificantly increased nitrite were found in group 2. Compared to group 2 malondialdehyde decreased significantly and total sulfhydryl increased significantly in groups 3 and 4. The decrease in nitrite was insignificant in the latter 2 groups. Histopathology revealed increased hemorrhage, congestion and edema in group 2 rats. The testicular injury score was lower in groups 3 and 4. In group 2 grades II to IV injury was detected while most specimens in treated groups showed grade II injury. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that intraperitoneal administration of sildenafil and udenafil efficiently suppresses radical production while decreasing histological changes after testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Does the method of expression of venous blood affect ischaemia/reperfusion damage in tourniquet use? An experimental study on rabbits.

The aim of this study was to compare the ischaemia and reperfusion phases of two tourniquet application models (Group 1: expressing the blood by a sterile rubber bandage and Group 2: elevation of the limb for several minutes) using an analysis of ischaemia/reperfusion parameters and blood pH. Sixteen New Zealand rabbits were used. Muscle samples were extracted from the triceps surae; at phase A (baseline: just before tourniquet application), phase B (ischaemia: 3h after tourniquet inflation) and phase C (2h after tourniquet deflation). Nitrite, nitrate, reduced glutathione, myeloperoxidase, malondyaldehyde were measured in the samples. Blood pH was also measured at each phase. Group 2 had significantly decreased nitrite (p=0.007) and nitrate (p=0.01) levels compared to Group 1 while passing from phase A to phase B. The pH decrease through the phases was significant within Group 1 (p=0.006) and was not significant within Group 2 (p=0.052). Lower levels of NO metabolites nitrate and nitrite, result from tourniquet use with incomplete venous blood expression by elevation. Also, with this technique severe acidosis is less likely to occur than when a tourniquet is used with expression of the venous blood by rubber bandage. These findings may help in the decision of which tourniquet technique is to be used for potentially long operations which may exceed 2h.

Nebivolol improves renal function in patients who underwent angioplasty due to renal artery stenosis: a pilot study.

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is a progressive disease and may lead to chronic kidney disease by deterioration of renal functions. Endothelial dysfunction is an important causative factor for kidney damage after RAS revascularization. Nebivolol, a new generation beta blocker induces endothelium-related arterial relaxation by nitric oxide (NO) and may improve endothelial dysfunction. This pilot study tested the effect of nebivolol on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in a series of 33 patients with severe RAS (>70%) who underwent revascularization. After revascularization, nebivolol was added to antihypertensive treatment in 17 randomly selected patients while 16 patients (control group) continued their standard treatment. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), proteinuria as well as nitrite and nitrate levels were measured at baseline and 6 months after the revascularization procedure. Six months after revascularization, eGFR increased from 44.8 to 50.6 ml/min in the nebivolol group. In contrast, eGFR did not change in the control group. Nitrite/nitrate levels decreased to a significant extent both in the nebivolol and in the control group. Proteinuria decreased more in the nebivolol group compared to the control group. These pilot data support a full-fledged clinical trial, testing whether nebivolol may be beneficial in the post-revascularization phase in patients with RAS.

Effect of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 on ischaemia/reperfusion in rabbit skeletal muscle.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Tourniquet use is a common tool in surgical procedures of the limbs. Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) 130/0.4 not only has a role in replacement of the liquid deficits due to trauma, bleeding or shock, but it is also effective in enhancing tissue oxygen tension and regulation of microcirculation. The aim of this study was to investigate how 6% HES 130/0.4 affects ischaemia and reperfusion in skeletal muscle. METHODS: An ischaemia/reperfusion model (3 and 2 h, respectively) was applied in 14 rabbits. Group S (n = 7) was infused with 0.9% NaCl (0.2 ml kg(-1) min(-1)) and group HES was infused with 6% HES 130/0.4 (0.2 ml kg(-1) min(-1)). The total liquid was divided into equal one-thirds and given in the preischaemia, ischaemia and reperfusion phases. Ketamine HCl (30 mg kg(-1)) was used for anaesthesia, and blood pressure, pulse and blood gases were monitored. Muscle biopsies were taken in the preischaemic (A), ischaemic (B) and reperfusion (C) phases. In these samples, nitrite, nitrate, reduced glutathione (GSH) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured to assess oxidative stress elements, and malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured to assess lipid peroxidation. Repeated variance analysis, Mann-Whitney U test and Student's t test were used for statistical analysis of these parameters. RESULTS: In group S, the MPO levels were significantly increased in the reperfusion phase compared with baseline, whereas there was a decrease in MPO levels in the reperfusion period in the HES group. This difference between groups was statistically significant (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that 6% HES 130/0.4 solution is more effective in the prevention of ischaemia/reperfusion injury than saline when given in the same volume.

Ginkgo biloba (EGB 761) affects apoptosis and nitric-oxide synthases in testicular torsion: an experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the effect of ginkgo biloba on germ cell apoptosis and also on expressions of endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS) nitric oxide synthases after testicular torsion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups. Torsion/detorsion (T/D) was performed on the rats in group 1, group 2 received ginkgo biloba for a month before T/D, group 3 received only gingko biloba for a month, and group 4 was the sham group. Left testicular torsion was created in group 1 and group 2, and the testes were untwisted and replaced in the scrotum for reperfusion. No procedure was applied to group 3, and after 1 month, testes were removed in all groups. RESULTS: Mean apoptotic cell, eNOS, and iNOS were increased in group 1. Group 2 showed significantly decreased apoptotic cells, eNOS, and iNOS in testes compared to group 1 (P < 0.05). The rats in group 3 had significantly decreased apoptotic cell, eNOS, and iNOS values, like the sham group (P < 0.05), and this group provided basal values. CONCLUSIONS: Ginkgo biloba, as a free radical scavenger, seems to have a protective role against apoptosis in testicular ischemia reperfusion injury.

Is there a role for nitric oxide activity in cervicogenic headache?

Cervicogenic headache (CEH) is a unilateral headache that can be provoked by neck movement, awkward head positions or pressure on tender points in the neck. The mechanisms underlying the stimulation of pain in CEH are not clearly known. In this study, we measured serum nitrate and nitrite levels as an index of nitric oxide (NO) activity in 15 patients with CEH during headache and headache-free periods and in 15 healthy controls. Total nitrate+nitrite levels were found to be higher in CEH patients during headache periods than in healthy controls (20.7+/-3.8 micromol/l vs 14.4+/-3.6 micromol/l, p<0.001), but not in CEH patients during headache-free periods (16.1+/-2.2 micromol/l) compared with the controls (p>0.05). In the patients with CEH, serum total nitrate+nitrite levels were found to be higher during headache periods than during headache-free periods (p=0.001). It can thus be hypothesized that the changes observed are a cause of the attack rather than a consequence of the disease process.

Effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on the healing of left colonic anastomoses in rat.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on healing of experimental colonic anastomoses in a rat model. METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups: postoperative day (POD) 3 untreated control group, POD 3 EGb 761 group, POD 7 untreated control group, and POD 7 EGb 761 group. In the oral EGb 761 groups, the agent was given at 9.6 mg daily per orogastric route using a 4-F fine feeding catheter. We measured bursting pressures and hydroxyproline content and histologically examined the resected anastomoses on POD 3 and POD 7. RESULTS: The bursting pressures increased more in the EGb 761 group than in the untreated control group on POD 3, but this difference was not statistically significant. Hydroxyproline content was higher in the EGb 761 group than in the untreated control group on POD 3, and this difference was statistically significant. Anastomosis bursting pressure values and hydroxyproline contents were significantly higher in the EGb 761 group than in the untreated control group on POD 7. Histological examination showed greater fibroblastic activity in the EGb 761 group than in the untreated control group on POD 3. There was no significant difference in anastomotic polimorphonuclear leukocyte, mononuclear cells and blood vessel neodevelopment between the POD 3 groups, but there was significant difference in fibroblastic activity and blood vessel neodevelopment between the POD 7 groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed us that EGb 761 administration resulted in enhanced stability of colonic anastomoses during the first postoperative week.

Increased nitrosative and oxidative stress in platelets of migraine patients.

The molecular mechanisms of migraine have not been fully clarified yet. Increased nitrosative and oxidative stress may be associated with migraine attacks. Platelets may play an important role in migraine patients and they can reflect the lability of tissues to nitrosative/oxidative stress. In the present study, we aimed to determine the levels of nitrosative and oxidative stress markers in platelets of migraine patients during headache-free and attack periods. A total of 56 subjects (22 migraine without aura, 14 migraine with aura, and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls) were included in the study and nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, malondialdehyde (MDA), and thiol (SH) groups were measured in platelets. During migraine attacks, platelet levels of nitrate, nitrite and MDA were significantly higher in migraineurs than these in control subjects (p = 0.042, p = 0.005 and p = 0.042, respectively). By contrast, during headache-free period, no statistically significant differences were found in the platelet levels of nitrate, nitrite and MDA between migraineurs and controls (p > 0.05), although the marginal increases were detected in migraineurs. These results suggest that increased biomarkers of nitrosative and oxidative stress in platelets may be important in migraine patients, especially during attacks; increase of NO metabolites in platelets during attacks supports the opinion that NO may play a modulatory role in biological processes particularly by vasodilatation in migraine attacks. Therefore, MDA and NO metabolites may serve as useful markers to show the increased vulnerability to nitrosative and oxidative stress in migraine patients.