The Effects of folic acid and topiramate on peripheral nerve regeneration.

Peripheral nerve injury creates unusual sensitivity and pathological spontaneous activity in neurons that are described as ectopic discharge. Voltage dependent Na channels are responsible for ectopic discharge. Topiramate (TOP) inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels by blocking both the amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA)/kainate receptor and folic acid (FA) activity in neurotransmitter synthesis reactions. FA and TOP are anti-apoptotic agents by both phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt) signaling activation and anti-inflammatory effects at the injury site. We investigated the effects of FA and TOP in peripheral nerve injury. We used rats with a sciatic nerve injury (SNI) treated with FA or TOP once daily for 6 weeks. Histological and electrophysiological tests were used to evaluate the morphology, and motor and sensory functions. Numbers of axons, myelin sheath thickness and axon area were measured using stereological techniques; functionality also was evaluated. Although FA exhibited a positive effect on regeneration by increasing the number of axons, we found no difference in axonal outgrowth or myelin sheath formation between the TOP and FA groups.

Effects of bisphosphonate treatment on mandibular condyle tissues of temporomandibular joint: A stereological study.

INTRODUCTION: Although the adverse effects due to the use of bisphosphonates, such as bisphosphonate-induced osteonecrosis of the jaw, are reported previously, whether adverse events of the temporomandibular joint related with bisphosphonate treatment have been still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of BP treatment on the condylar tissues of the temporomandibular joint due to fibrous cartilage, hyaline cartilage and bone-specific differences in rat animal models. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 12 adult Wistar-Albino rats, weighing from 250 to 300 g were included to the study. The animals were randomly divided into two groups. 0.1 mg/kg Zoledronic Acid were administrated to the animals intraperitoneally in the experimental bisphosphonate group for 60 days. Rest of the animals left as healthy control. All the animals were sacrificed at the end of 60 days. Two condyles were obtained from each animal and total 12 condyles were included to histological analysis in each group. The fibrous cartilage volume, hyaline cartilage volume and bone volume of the condyle were calculated using Cavalieri method. Statistical analysis was performed with Turcosa software. RESULTS: There is a statistically significant difference of fibrous cartilage (P = 0.003) and bone volume between groups (P = 0.002). However, mean hyaline cartilage volume does not statistically differ between groups (P = 0.47). Bone volume and firbrous cartilage volume were increased in bisphosphonate group than control. CONCLUSION: According to our study results Zoledronic Acid treatment did not affect the hyaline cartilage volume however fibrocartilage volume and bone volume were increased when the animals received ZA intraperitoneally for 60 days.

Beneficial Therapeutic Effects of Sildenafil on Bone Healing in Animals Treated with Bisphosphonate.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of sildenafil on mandibular fracture healing in animals treated with zoledronic acid by using histologic, histomorphometric, immunohistochemical, and radiodensitometric methods. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 Sprague-Dawley rats (3 months old) were used. All animals were treated intraperitoneally with 0.1 mg/kg zoledronate three times per week, for a total of 8 weeks. Postoperatively, the animals were divided into two groups: zoledronate group (Z), which had no treatment applied (n = 18), and zoledronate + sildenafil (ZS), which were treated daily with 10 mg/kg sildenafil (n = 18). Each group was divided into two subgroups and the animals were sacrificed at the end of week 1 (Z1 and ZS1, n = 9) and week 4 (Z4 and ZS4, n = 9) after the operation. Histologic, histomorphometric, immunohistochemical analysis, and radiodensitometry were performed on the test subjects. RESULTS: Sildenafil-treated groups showed a significant increase in fracture healing scores. This result was supported by the densitometric, histologic, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical findings. CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil may have positive effects on accelerating and improving fracture healing, and it may be used as a supporting factor in bone healing in patients treated with bisphosphonate (BP) to prevent negative effects of BP's.

Is it possible to change of the duration of consolidation period in the distraction osteogenesis with the repetition of extracorporeal shock waves?

BACKGROUND: In this study we examined the effects of two different repeated Extracorporeal Shock Waves (ESW) on the consolidation period of the distraction osteogenesis (DO) of the rabbit mandible using stereological, radiological and immunohistochemical methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: DO was performed unilaterally in the mandible of 18 New Zealand rabbits (six months old, weighing between 2.5-3 kg). In the consolidation period, rabbits were divided into three groups randomly after the distraction period. The distraction zone of the mandible was received no treatment as controls (E0*2). Group 2 (E 500*2) received ESWT (twice 500 impulses at 14 kV and 0.19 mJ/mm2 energy) in the first and fourth days of the consolidation. Group 3 (E1000*2) treated with ESWT (twice 1000 impulses at 14 kV and 0.19 mJ/mm2 energy) in the first and fourth days of the consolidation period. After the sacrification, radiologically bone mineral density, new bone formation, new fibrous tissue and new vessel formation were analyzed by stereological. RESULTS: It was found a statistically significant difference between the study groups and control group in the bone mineral density measurements and the highest value was in the E1000*2 group. In the stereological analysis, new bone formation was highest in the E1000*2 group and there was a significant difference compared to the other groups (E0*2 and E500*2) (p=0.000). The lowest connective tissue volume was found in the E500*2 and there was a significant difference compared to the other groups (E0*2 and E1000*2) (p=0.000). The volume of the new vessel was highest in the E500*2 and lowest in the E0*2 group. It was found statistically significant difference between the values of the study and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Interestingly, we found that repetition of the 1000 impulses ESWT accelerated the consolidation, 500 impulses ESWT extended consolidation period of the DO.

Effects of prenatal diclofenac sodium exposure on newborn testis: a histomorphometric study.

Diclofenac sodium (DS) is used primarily to treat fever and to alleviate pain and inflammation. We investigated the effects of DS exposure during gestation on the testes of rat pups to investigate the safety of its use during the prenatal period. Pregnant rats were separated into control, saline, low dose, medium dose and high dose groups. DS was given between weeks 15 and 21 of gestation. Total numbers of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells were counted in the testes of 7-day-old male rats using the physical disector method. By the end of the study, the total number of Sertoli cells was decreased significantly in a dose dependent manner in the medium and high dose groups compared to controls. No significant differences were found in the total number of spermatogonia in the control, saline and low dose DS groups. Medium and high dose DS administration reduced the total number of spermatogonia compared to other groups. We suggest that prenatal administration of DS can cause deleterious effects on the testis development, especially in high doses.

Efficacy of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on bone healing in diabetic rats: a stereological and histopathological study.

We evaluated the effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS) and routine antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) on early healing of bone defects in diabetic rats. We used 48 rats in the study. Diabetes was induced in 24 rats using streptozotocin; the remaining 24 healthy untreated rats served as controls. Twelve of the diabetic rats and 12 of the healthy rats were treated with AP for 3 days before surgery. Bilateral bone defects were created in the mandible of all animals. ABS was applied to the defects on the left sides of the mandibles, while nothing was applied to the right sides. Animals were sacrificed on days 7 and 14 after operation and examined for histopathology and by stereology. The volume of newly formed bone was significantly less in the diabetic rats on both days 7 and 14. Local administration of ABS significantly increased the mean volume of newly formed bone in both diabetic and nondiabetic rats at days 7 and 14. No significant difference in new bone formation was found between AP and ABS treatment in diabetic rats. Both AP and local administration of ABS have beneficial effects on bone healing in diabetic animals.

Toxicity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a review of melatonin and diclofenac sodium association.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for the purpose of anti-inflammation, antipyretic, and analgesia. For this aim, they are used for the alleviation of pain, fever, and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis, sports injuries, and temporary pain. However, treatment with NSAIDs may be accompanied by adverse effects such as gastrointestinal damage and platelet dysfunction. As with the other NSAIDs, diclofenac sodium (sodium-(o-((2,6-dichlorophenyl)-amino)-phenyl)-acetate) (DS), an NSAID, has potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. However, treatment with DS may cause some adverse cerebral and cerebellar effects such as convulsions, disorientation, hallucination, and loss of consciousness. Melatonin (MLT) is a free-radical scavenger and possesses antioxidant properties. It has been reported to easily cross the blood-brain barrier, and is found in high concentrations in the brain after exogenous administration. It is also a neuroprotector in a wide range of conditions affecting the central nervous system CNS due to its free-radical scavenging activities and lipophilic-hydrophilic properties. Neuroprotective actions of MLT have been discovered in both in vitro and in vivo, and are a powerful scavenger of oxygen and nitrogen free radicals. Thus, MLT can protect the cell membrane, organelles, and core against free-radical damage. Therefore, it has been postulated that exogenous MLT acts as a neuroprotector contrary to DS neurotoxicity. In this review, we aimed to discuss the possible neuroprotective effects of MLT on DS toxicity.