The effect of ionizing radiation on the fetal bone development in pregnant rats: Role of melatonin.

Radiation has been widely used in many business sectors over the last century. Our study investigated the possible teratogenic effects of radiation on the bones of rat fetuses and the protective effect of melatonin against these effects. In this study, 15 pregnant female Wistar albino rats were used. These rats were divided into four groups: the control group, melatonin group (10 mg/kg/day), radiation group (0.5 gray), radiation (0.5 gray) + melatonin group (10 mg/kg/day), and sham group (1 mm hanks/day). The skeletal system development of fetuses was examined with double skeletal and scanning electron microscope (SEM), histopathological methods. In our study, fetal weight, placental weight, and fetal morphometric values were found to be statistically significantly decreased in the radiation group compared to the control group (p < .05). In immünohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, alkaline phosphatase, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) concentrations were found to be significantly lower in the radiation group compared to the other groups. In the SEM analysis, it was observed that the amount of calcium and sodium decreased when the radiation group was compared with the other groups. As a result, when exposed to ionizing radiation during pregnancy, melatonin has a protective feature against the negative effects of radiation on the bone development of fetuses. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: In our study, fetuses obtained from pregnant rats exposed to ionizing radiation were examined. In this study, the effect of melatonin on bone development in fetuses exposed to gray ionizing radiation was investigated. There are few studies on our subject in the literature. We believe that our findings will contribute to other planned studies.

Bone development in offspring of pregnant rats treated with carbamazepine: Evaluation by three different methods.

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to determine the effect of intrauterine carbamazepine (CBZ) exposure on fetal bone development during pregnancy. METHODS: In the study, 24 female Wistar pregnant rats were used. Rats were 20 weeks old. They had an average body weight of 150-200 g. Pregnant rats were randomly selected and divided (n = 6) into a control group, low-dose CBZ (10 mg/kg/day) group, medium-dose CBZ (25 mg/kg/day) group, and high-dose CBZ (50 mg/kg/day) group. The ossification length (mm) and ossification area (mm2 ) of the long bones of the fetuses in the experimental and control groups were calculated. The densities of alkaline phosphatase (AP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were analyzed. The ossification regions of the femurs of the fetuses were examined under a light microscope. Microstructural images of the femurs were evaluated with scanning electron microscope photographs. The densities of minerals involved in the ossification process were analyzed. RESULTS: According to the results of the study, all three doses of CBZ caused loss of ossification areas, and it was observed that this bone loss also increased statistically significantly depending on the dose increase (p < .05). Calcium concentration decreased in the CBZ groups. When the electron microscope images were examined, it was determined that the cartilage matrix of the CBZ groups was thinned. In the histological evaluation of the groups, narrowing of the primary bone collar and smaller bone spicules in the ossification region compared to the control group were noted due to the increase in dose in the CBZ groups. In immunohistochemical staining, it was observed that the TRAP and AP expression values of the femurs were the lowest in the CBZ groups. These decreases were also statistically significant when compared with the control group. SIGNIFICANCE: It was revealed with both microscopic and macroscopic findings that exposure to intrauterine CBZ negatively affected ossification and bone growth.

Cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury: from public health perspectives to mechanisms.

Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury has emerged as an intricate mechanism. However, identification of wide-ranging mechanisms which mechanistically regulate reperfusion injuries have significantly improved our understanding. Recent advancements in our knowledge about the molecular consequences of ischemia and reperfusion might be advantageous in the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for the treatment of patients with ischemia and reperfusionassociated organ dysfunction and tissue inflammation. Some of the extensively studied mechanisms of reperfusion injury consist of oxidative stress, mitochondrial mechanisms, infiltration of leukocytes, activation/aggregation of the platelets, complement activation, and disruption of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB), which eventually results in the brain oedema or haemorrhagic transformations. In this review, we have attempted to provide a review of the protein networks involved in the regulation of cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury and how different natural products have shown potential in the amelioration of reperfusion induced injuries.

The effect of antioxidants in Ehrlich Ascites Cancer.

A fundamental goal in molecular oncology is to unravel the underlying mechanisms which cause the cell transformation. In line with this approach, genome-wide functional screening approaches have revealed exciting insights into heterogeneous nature of cancer. Rapidly expanding horizons of research have unraveled myriad of pathways which play instrumental role in carcinogenesis and metastasis. Oxidative stress has also been reported to be significantly involved in cancer onset and progression. In line with this approach, oxidative stress modulating chemicals have always been sharply divided into antioxidants and oxidative stress-inducing agents. Conceptual and experimental advancements have enabled us to critically analyze full potential of these two different groups of chemicals in cancer chemoprevention. Different antioxidants are currently being analyzed in different phases of clinical trials. Although it has been reported in the literature that antioxidant supplements reduce tumor cells in some tumors or cause volume reduction in solid tumor sizes, there is no definite consensus. Therefore, an antioxidant supplement guideline based on more detailed clinical research and as a result of these is needed to achieve the best care for cancer patients and to avoid risky treatments for cancer patients.

Is female urge associated with incontinence, somatosensory amplification, health anxiety and depression?

PURPOSE: Incontinence is a condition that can cause significant problems that can affect patients' quality of social, emotional, psychological and sexual life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of anxiety, health anxiety, depression and somatosensory amplification in patients with urge incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 58 patients that met the inclusion criteria. The control group consisted of 67 volunteer participants that did not have physical or psychiatric illness and incontinence complaints. All participants filled out sociodemographic data form, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) and Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI). RESULTS: The mean duration of incontinence in patients with urge incontinence was 16.55 ± 10.03 months. The mean age in urge incontinence group and the control group were 40.98 ± 9.58 and 39.1 ± 7.89 years, respectively. The mean values of SSAS, HAI and BAI scores in the incontinence group were significantly higher than the control group (P < .001), but there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of BDI scores. The linear regression analysis indicated that HAI and BAI significantly affected SSAS (P = .025 and 0.019, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety, health anxiety and somatosensory amplification are more common in patients who report urge incontinence. For these reasons, we believe that psychiatric evaluation should be included in the diagnosis and treatment process of patients presenting with urgency and incontinence symptoms.

The protective role of melatonin against the effects of different doses of caffeine on the fetus.

Skeletal system and some organs development changes in rat fetuses with 30 and 60 mg/kg caffeine and melatonin's (10 mg/kg) protective role against rat fetuses were investigated. Groups (n = 4) were formed as Control, LDC, HDC, LDC+melatonin, HDC+melatonin and melatonin. Fetuses were taken by cesarean section and stained using dual skeletal staining method and FESEM. TRAP and AP immune-reactivity concentrations were calculated.  Oxidative stress and inflammatory markers were also measured by liver, bone and placenta samples.  TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, VEGF-A, SOST and Fetuin-A levels were measured in tissue by using ELISA. TBARS, SOD, GSH, GSSG, TOS, TAS, measured by spectrophotometric assay method.  The mRNA levels of Agtr2 gene expressed in placental tissues of control rats and in placental tissues of rats exposed to HDC, LDC, MEL, HDC+MEL, LDC+MEL were analyzed by Real-time PCR. The gene expressions of Agtr2 were significantly upregulated in the placentas exposed to HDC, MEL, HDC+MEL and LDC+MEL (P<0,001). No significant difference in samples of the LDC group (P>0,05). According to these data, caffeine used during pregnancy delayed ossification; melatonin, a powerful antioxidant, was found to eliminate this effect. Besides, changes in angiotensin receptor expression observed in response to a caffeine and melatonin exposure result from high dose and join effect.

Cornus Mas L improves Antioxidant Status in the Liver, Lung, Kidney, Testis and Brain of Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Bearing Mice.

Cornelian Cherry (Cornus Mas L) has widespread use due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and anti-oxidant properties. In this study, the effects of Cornus Mas L (C. mas L) in different dosages on the biochemical values of mice organs were investigated in the Ehrlich Ascites tumor model, which originated from mice breast adenocarcinoma and developed in Balb/C mice. In our study, 32 Balb/C type male mice were used. Ehrlich Ascites Tumor (EAT) cells (1x106 EAT cell) from the stock animal were injected into all the mice in an intraperitoneal way. Experimental groups were given 100 and 200mg/kg C. mas L extract intraperitoneally for 9 days. The weights of the animals were recorded every day and were sacrificed on the 9th day. To estimate tumor proliferation of the lung, brain, kidney, liver, and testis, antioxidant parameters were recorded including, the reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation, glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Treatments of different doses of C. mas L. meaningfully (p < 0.05) modulated the lung, brain, kidney, liver and testis tissues antioxidant parameters as compared to the control. Our study showed the anti-tumor effect of C. mas L. in assisted tumor development with EAT cells, conceivably moderated by the enhancement of oxidative stress due to numerous mechanisms.
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Investigating Cardiac Morphological Alterations in a Pentylenetetrazol-Kindling Model of Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a group of neurological disorders characterized by abnormal electrical activity in the central nervous system (CNS) and recurrent seizures representing the principal clinical manifestation. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the predominant cause of death in young epileptic patients. SUDEP patients displayed an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk, probably due to an impaired autonomic control of CV functions, but the underlying mechanisms need to be explored yet. Therefore, we aimed to examine the cardiac morphological alterations in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-kindled rat model, a well-established tool for studying chronic epilepsy. To complete this, the distance between the atria, between the atrium and ventricle were measured, the heart was weighed, and the pathological morphology of dissected hearts was analyzed by histological assessment with hematoxylin and eosin staining. A significantly decreased distance between atria and a significant increase in heart weight were observed in PTZ-kindled rats which interestingly also displayed increased hemorrhagic content when compared with controls. Our findings provided evidence that changes in cardiac morphology may be related to autonomic CV dysfunctions occurring during SUDEP while also opening up more avenues to better develop novel drugs for the treatment of this disorder.

Apilarnil: A Novel Neuroprotective Candidate.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the effect of apilarnil on neuronal damage and related mechanisms in a sepsis model in order to demonstrate whether or not apilarnil has neuroprotective effect. METHODS: In this study, 64 adult male Sprague-Dawley species rats were randomly divided into eight groups. The rats were administered apilarnil and/or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), xanthine oxidase (XOD) and testican-1 levels were measured in the brain tissue. Proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin 1 beta [IL-1ß], interleukin 6 [IL-6]) were measured in brain tissue. Histological examinations were performed on hippocampus and cortex tissues in all groups. Apoptotic cell count was estimated using the Tunel method to observe the apilarnil's effect on apoptosis. Purkinje cells were counted in the hippocampus to measure the protective effect of apilarnil on the hippocampus. RESULTS: Apilarnil reduced the decrease in SOD and CAT levels in the brain developing sepsis. Apilarnil reduced the increase in MDA, XOD, and testican-1 levels in the septic brain. It was observed that the number of degenerated neurons due to sepsis decreased as apilarnil dose increased. Apilarnil reduced the elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1ß) induced by sepsis. Apilarnil prevented sepsis-related apoptosis in the brain. CONCLUSION: The neuroprotective potential of apilarnil against brain damage in the sepsis model was demonstrated and suggested that it has the potential to contribute to new therapeutic targets against various neurological disorders.

Carob attenuates nicotine-induced oxidative stress and intratesticular damage in male rats.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of carob extract against intratesticular histological, apoptotic, biochemical and spermatogenic changes in rats exposed to nicotine. Twenty-eight rats were divided into four groups and were administered saline, nicotine, carob, or nicotine + carob once a day for 35 days. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), GSH, total anti-oxidative status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), IL-6, TNF-α and seminal parameters were evaluated. Johnsen's testicular histopathological examination, factor VIII protein (angiogenesis marker) and the number of apoptotic cells were determined in the testicular tissues. The spermatogenic and histopathological examination revealed that nicotine + carob group had significant positive changes in seminal parameters, Johnsen score, apoptotic cell count and factor VIII protein compared to nicotine group. Biochemical test results indicated that the nicotine + carob group had significantly lower TAS levels compared to the control group; however, those levels were higher than those of the nicotine group. Nicotine caused a significant increase in IL-6 and TNF-α levels compared to the control group, but carob seems to significantly counteract that increase. In conclusion, carob extract had positive effects on spermatogenesis and reduced testicular parenchymal damage, apoptosis and angiogenesis.

Dextrocardia and situs inversus totalis in a Turkish subject: a case report / Dextrocardia y situs inversus totalis en un sujeto turco: reporte de un caso

Dextrocardia with situs inversus is an uncommon anomaly affecting about 1 to 2 per 10,000 in the general population. This report describes an adult male patient with dextrocardia and in a Turkish subject. The photographic illustrations revealed transposition of some of the visceral organs such as the spleen was located right and the liver and gall bladder on the left. The heart was flattened and flipped to the right. Many people with situs inversus totalis are unaware of their unusual anatomy until they seek medical attention for an unrelated condition. So, early detection may lead to a successful surgical management and consequently offer a safer chance of survival. This report showed that dextrocardia and situs inversus can be seen amongst Turkish subjects.

La dextrocardia con situs inversus es una anomalía poco frecuente que afecta aproximadamente de 1 a 2 personas por 10.000 en la población general. Este informe describe un paciente masculino adulto con dextrocardia. Las figuras revelaron que la transposición de algunos de los órganos viscerales, como el bazo, se ubicada a la derecha y el hígado y la vesícula biliar a la izquierda. El corazón fue aplastado y girado hacia la derecha. Muchas personas con situs inversus totalis desconocen su anatomía inusual hasta que buscan atención médica por una afección no relacionada. Por lo tanto, la detección temprana puede llevar a un manejo quirúrgico exitoso y, en consecuencia, ofrecer una posibilidad más segura de supervivencia. Este informe mostró que la dextrocardia y el situs inversus se pueden encontrar entre los sujetos turcos.