Molecular mechanism of the protective effect of adenosine triphosphate against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity in rats.

Toxic doses of paracetamol are also known to be close to therapeutic doses. This study aimed to biochemically investigate the protective effect of ATP against paracetamol-induced oxidative liver injury in rats and to examine the tissues histopathologically. We divided the animals into the paracetamol alone (PCT), ATP + paracetamol (PATP), and healthy control (HG) groups. Liver tissues were examined biochemically and histopathologically. Malondialdehyde level, AST and ALT activity in the PCT group were significantly higher than those in the HG and PATP groups (p < 0.001). The glutathione (tGSH) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity in the PCT group was significantly lower than that in the HG and PATP groups (p < 0.001), while animal SOD activity was significantly different between the PATP and HG groups (p < 0.001). The activity of CAT was almost the same. In the group treated with paracetamol alone, lipid deposition, necrosis, fibrosis, and grade 3 hydropic degeneration were observed. No histopathological damage was observed of the ATP-treated group, except for grade 2 edema. We discovered that ATP reduces the oxidative stress caused by paracetamol ingestion and protects against paracetamol-induced liver injury at the macroscopic and histological levels.

Assessment of Renal and Hepatic Tissue-Protective Effects of N-Acetylcysteine via Ammonia Metabolism: A Prospective Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND The present study sought to assess the renal and liver protective effect of N-acetylcysteine through NH3 and urea metabolism in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who were scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were divided into 2 groups so as to receive (Group 1, n=35) or not receive (Group 2, n=35) 900 mg/day of n-acetylcysteine for 7 days before the operation starting from their admission to the service by a pulmonologist with the purpose of treating COPD until the day of surgery. Both groups were subjected to the same anesthesia protocol. Blood samples were taken preoperatively, within the first 15th minute following cessation of the cardiopulmonary bypass, at postoperative 24th hour, and at postoperative 48th hour. Blood tests included ammonia (NH3), lactate, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), troponin I (Tn I), and creatinine kinase-muscle brain (CKMB). RESULTS There was a significant difference between the groups' NH3 and lactate levels after cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative 24th hour, and postoperative 48th hour (respectively, NH3: 39.0±8.8 vs. 55.4±19.6 and 40.1±8.4 vs. 53.2±20.2 mcg/dl, lactate: 1.7±0.9 vs. 2.1±1.2 and 1.2±0.5 vs. 1.8±1.4 mmol/L; p<0.01). Creatinine and BUN levels in Group 2 were found to be significantly higher at the postoperative 48th hour compared to the levels of Group 1 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS N-acetylcysteine pretreatment appears to improve renal and hepatic functions through regulation of ammonia and nitrogen metabolism and reduction of lactate in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. We found that N-acetylcysteine improved kidney and/or liver functions.

Effects of Fentanyl and Morphine on Shivering During Spinal Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Endovenous Ablation of Varicose Veins.

BACKGROUND We sought to investigate the effect of morphine and fentanyl on shivering when used adjunctively with bupivacaine during spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing varicose vein surgery on an outpatient basis. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included a total of 90 patients, aged 25-45 years, ASA I-II, scheduled to undergo endovenous laser ablation under spinal anesthesia for lower extremity venous insufficiency/varicose vein disease. Patients were randomly allocated into 3 groups: Group M (morphine group) received 5 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine + 0.1 mg morphine, Group F (fentanyl group) received 5 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine + 25 µg fentanyl, and Group C (control group) received 5 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine + physiologic saline. The level of sensory blockade was assessed with pin-prick test and the level of motor blockade was assessed with Bromage scale at 5-min intervals. Shivering grade and time to first postoperative analgesic requirement was recorded. RESULTS Level and time of sensory block showed a slight but insignificant increase in the Morphine Group and Fentanyl Group. Time of postoperative analgesic requirement was significantly longer in patients who received morphine (p<0.05). Shivering was significantly less common in patients who received morphine and fentanyl than in patients who are in the Control Group (p<0.02). CONCLUSIONS Morphine or fentanyl may be used as adjunctives to spinal anesthesia to prevent shivering in patients undergoing venous surgery.

Apoptosis, autophagy & endoplasmic reticulum stress in diabetes mellitus.

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is increasing secondary to increased consumption of food and decreased physical activity worldwide. Hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance and hypertrophy of pancreatic beta cells occur in the early phase of diabetes. However, with the progression of diabetes, dysfunction and loss of beta cells occur in both types 1 and 2 DM. Programmed cell death also named apoptosis is found to be associated with diabetes, and apoptosis of beta cells might be the main mechanism of relative insulin deficiency in DM. Autophagic cell death and apoptosis are not entirely distinct programmed cell death mechanisms and share many of the regulator proteins. These processes can occur in both physiologic and pathologic conditions including DM. Besides these two important pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) also acts as a cell sensor to monitor and maintain cellular homeostasis. ER stress has been found to be associated with autophagy and apoptosis. This review was aimed to describe the interactions between apoptosis, autophagy and ER stress pathways in DM.

The effect of melatonin on oxidative stress and apoptosis in experimental diabetes mellitus-related ovarian injury.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of melatonin on oxidative stress and ovarian injury in rats. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups: Group 1 as nondiabetic healthy controls (n = 8), group 2 as nontreated diabetic rats (n = 8) and group 3 as melatonin-treated diabetic rats (n = 8). After overt diabetes was produced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozosin, 20 mg/kg/day of melatonin was given intraperitoneally to group 3 for a week. NF-kB and caspase-3 immunoexpressions, lipid peroxidation, the activities of antioxidative enzymes, total oxidant capacity and total antioxidant capacity were assessed. Immunoexpressions of NF-kB and caspase-3 were significantly lower in group 3 than group 2. There was a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase activity in group 2 than group 1 and a significant increase in group 3 compared with group 2. We observed a nonsignificant decrease in catalase activity between group 1 and group 2 and a nonsignificant increase between group 2 and group 3. There was a nonsignificant increase in the plasma level of total oxidant status in group 2 than group 1, but a significant decrease was observed in group 3 compared to group 2. Total antioxidant status was significantly lower in group 2 compared with group 1 and group 3. In conclusion, melatonin ameliorates the negative effects of oxidative stress on DM-related ovarian injury.

Melatonin Attenuates Contrast-Induced Nephropathy in Diabetic Rats: The Role of Interleukin-33 and Oxidative Stress.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and oxidative stress (OxS) contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Patients with DKD were found to be more prone to CIN. Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a proinflammatory cytokine, but its role in DKD and CIN is unknown. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were enrolled. The first group was comprised of healthy rats (HRs), whereas the other four groups were made up of diabetic rats (DRs), diabetic rats with contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN + DRs), melatonin-treated diabetic rats (MTDRs), and melatonin-treated CIN + DRs (MTCIN + DRs). All groups except the HRs received 50 mg/kg/day streptozotocin (STZ). CIN + DRs were constituted by administrating 1.5 mg/kg of intravenous radiocontrast dye on the 35th day. MTDRs and MTCIN + DRs were given 20 mg/kg/day of intraperitoneal injection of melatonin (MT) from the 28th day for the constitutive seven days. RESULTS: We observed increased IL-33 in the kidney tissue following induction of CIN in DRs. To determine whether MT is effective in preventing CIN, we administered MT in CIN + DRs and demonstrated that kidney tissue levels of OxS markers, inflammatory cytokines, and IL-33 were significantly diminished in MTCIN + DRs compared with other groups without MT treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of IL-33 with MT provides therapeutic potential in DKD with CIN.

The Effects of Diabetes Mellitus on Ovarian Injury and Reserve: An Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to investigate the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on ovarian injury and reserve in a rat model. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective experimental study, 16 female Sprague-Dawley albino rats (12 weeks, 220-240 g) were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 8 normal healthy rats as controls. No drug was administered to the controls. Group 2 included the other 8 rats in which diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (STZ). After overt DM occurred (blood glucose >250 mg/dl), all the animals were euthanized and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. Bilateral oophorectomy was performed for histopathological examination. Immunoexpressions of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) and caspase-3 as well as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were assessed. Values were analyzed by t test. RESULTS: Immunoexpressions of NF-kB and caspase-3 were significantly higher in non-treated diabetic rats than in the control group (p = 0.011 and p = 0.010, respectively). In healthy control group, AMH levels (3.22 ± 0.58 ng/ml) were significantly higher than in the non-treated diabetic group (1.41 ± 0.25 ng/dl; p = 0.024). CONCLUSION: Hyperglycemia causes severe ovarian injury via NF-kB pathway and caspase-3 apoptotic pathway, leading to the decrease in ovarian reserve in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

The Effect of Intra-abdominal Pressure on Heart Rate Variability and Hemodynamics During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate hemodynamic changes using heart rate variability (HRV) measurements in diabetic and nondiabetic patients who will undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to provide our preoperative measurements to guide us for better perioperative anesthesia management. Materials and methods The study included 143 patients aged 40 years and older who would undergo elective laparoscopic surgery, did not have any comorbidities other than diabetes mellitus (DM) type II, and were in the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I-III risk group. Patients were divided into two groups: the control group (n = 77) and the DM group (n = 66). The preoperative glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level was measured. Peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) and hemodynamic parameters such as systolic arterial pressure (SAP), diastolic arterial pressure (DAP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and HRV parameters were measured preoperatively, perioperatively, and postoperatively. Intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) was administered at 10-12 mmHg. Results Even though SAP, DAP, MAP, and HR decreased with induction, they increased with insufflation, and an overall decrease was seen at the postoperative 24th hour for all parameters. When the groups were evaluated, no difference was observed except that the DAP was significantly lower in the DM group (p = 0.029) at insufflation and the HR was higher in the DM group at induction, and the difference was significant (p = 0.001). Preoperative HRV parameters were significantly lower in the DM group. According to the HRV parameters, although a decrease was observed after induction and insufflation, conversely, an increase was observed postoperatively. When the postoperative and preoperative values were compared, the standard deviation of the NN (R-R) intervals (SDNN), SDNN index, high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), and LF/HF parameters were found to be significantly lower in the DM group than in the control group. Conclusion Diabetic patients are more sensitive to increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) in laparoscopic surgery, and the effects on cardiac autonomic functions can be determined by HRV measurements without clinically reflecting on hemodynamic data. Additionally, in diabetic patients with preoperative LF and/or HF values less than 100, we believe that careful follow-up in terms of autonomic neuropathy complications and anesthesia management should be done more meticulously in these patients.

Evaluation of the effects of total intravenous anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia on postoperative cognitive recovery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and inhalation anesthesia (IA) used in lumbar disc herniectomy on postoperative cognitive recovery based on the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study sample consisted of 80 patients aged 18-65 years who were scheduled for elective lumbar disc herniectomy. The patients were divided into two groups according to the anesthesia technique applied, such as TIVA or IA. The patients in the TIVA group were administered remifentanil and propofol and those in the IA group were administered sevoflurane for maintenance. The MMSE was applied to the patients before the operation and 1h and 24 h postoperatively. Venous blood samples were obtained for the measurement of NSE before the operation and on the 24 h postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean preoperative MMSE scores were similar in the two groups. In the TIVA group, the preoperative and postoperative MMSE scores at 1 h were similar but were higher at 24 h postoperatively compared to the previous two scores (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). In the IA group, the preoperative and postoperative 24 h MMSE scores were similar but lower at 1h postoperatively than the other two scores (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively). In the TIVA group, there was a significant decrease in the postoperative serum NSE levels than the preoperative values (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The use of IA may result in higher cognitive dysfunction 1h after the operation compared to TIVA. The effects of both methods on cognitive functions were similar at 24 h postoperatively.

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema after mammoplasty: a case report.

Negative-pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a rare but life-threatening postoperative complication that occurs due to the acute obstruction of the upper airway. In our case report, we present a 25-year-old female patient who underwent elective mammoplasty under general anesthesia and developed NPPE 4 hours after extubation. The patient had a preoperative mallampati score of 3. After routine anesthesia induction, the patient was intubated with an endotracheal tube with a guide wire. Aspiration wasn't observed during extubation. The patient was followed in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) for 30 minutes with a saturation of 95% and was subsequently transferred to the service. Four hours after the operation, the patient was re-examined due to dyspnea and shortness of breath. Due to oxygen saturation of 88% and pO2of 56mmHg despite mask ventilation, the patient was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed extensive diffuse ground-glass opacities and consolidations in both lungs. She did not respond to mask ventilation and was given non-invasive ventilation with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Forced diuresis was induced with furosemide. Tachypnea resolved within 2 hours after CPAP was initiated, the patient did not require oxygen support and COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing was negative. Subsequently, the patient was discharged to the clinical ward on postoperative day 1. When considering NPPE, early diagnosis and respiratory support are associated with reduced mortality and rapid recovery. Patients who develop laryngospasm during extubation must be closely monitored, and in the case of pulmonary edema, NPPE should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Effects of ketamine, thiopental and their combination on the rat liver: A biochemical evaluation.

BACKGROUND: In the literature, it has been suggested that ketamine-related oxidative organ damage results from increased blood adrenaline level, and thiopental-related oxidative damage is caused by decreased adrenaline level, suggesting that ketamine-thiopental combination (KT) may be beneficial in reducing the hepatotoxic effect of ketamine. OBJECTIVES: To biochemically investigate the effects of ketamine, thiopental and KT on the liver in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male albino Wistar type rats received intraperitoneally (ip.) 30 mg/kg ketamine in the ketamine alone (KG) group (n = 6), 15 mg/kg thiopental in the thiopental alone (TG) group (n = 6), and 30 mg/kg ketamine + 15 mg/kg thiopental in the ketamine+thiopental (KTG) group (n = 6). The same volume of distilled water as solvent was given to the healthy (HG) animal group. This procedure was repeated once daily for 30 days. At the end of this period, the animals were killed by decapitation and their livers were removed. In liver tissue, malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (tGSH), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured. The IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, adrenalin (ADR), noradrenalin (NDR), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were determined in blood samples taken from the tail veins. RESULTS: In the group treated with ketamine and thiopental alone, MDA, TOS, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, ADR, NDR, ALT, and AST levels were found to be high, and those of tGSH and TAS to be low. However, there was no significant change in the levels of these parameters in the KTG. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that oxidative stress and inflammation developed in the liver tissue of the group that used ketamine and thiopental alone, suggesting that the KT form may be safer in terms of toxicity in the clinical usage.

The effect of dexmedetomidine on gastric ischemia reperfusion injury in rats. Biochemical and histopathological evaluation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the protective effect of dexmedetomidine on gastric injury induced by ischemia reperfusion (I/R) in rats. METHODS: A total of 18 male albino Wistar rats were divided groups as: gastric ischemia reperfusion (GIR), gastric ischemia reperfusion and 50 µg/kg dexmedetomidine (DGIR) and sham operation (HG) group. After the third hour of reperfusion, the biochemical and histopathological examinations were performed on the removed stomach tissue. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were found to be significantly higher in GIR compared to HG (p < 0.05). A statistically significant decrease was observed at the DGIR compared to the GIR for oxidants levels. Total glutathione (tGSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were statistically significantly decreased at the GIR, and antioxidants levels were found to be significantly higher in the DGIR (p < 0.05) There was no significant difference between HG and DGIR in terms of SOD (p = 0.097). The DGIRs' epitheliums, glands and vascular structures were close to normal histological formation. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine is found to prevent oxidative damage on the stomach by increasing the antioxidant effect. These results indicate that dexmedetomidine may be useful in the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion-related gastric damage.

Effect of taxifolin on oxidative gastric injury induced by celiac artery ligation in rats.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of taxifolin on I/R induced gastric injury in rats using biochemical and histopatholohical methods. METHODS: Eighteen albino Wistar male rats equally grouped as; gastric I/R (I/R), 50 mg/kg taxifolin + gastric I/R (TAX+ I/R) and sham operation applied (SHAM). Ischemia induced for 1 hour, and reperfusion induced for 3 hours. RESULTS: Oxidant parameters like, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Hydroxyguanine (8-OHdG) were higher, whereas total glutathione (tGSH) was lower in the I/R group according to SHAM group, histopathological findings such as marked destruction, edema, and proliferated dilated congested blood vessels were observed severely in the I/R group, whereas there was not any pathological finding except mild dilated congested blood vessels in the TAX+ I/R group. CONCLUSION: The taxifolin can be clinically beneficial in the treatment of gastric injury due to I/R procedure.

Effect of melatonin on antioxidant capacity, inflammation and apoptotic cell death in lung tissue of diabetic rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of melatonin on antioxidant capacity, inflammation and apoptotic cell death (through expression of cleaved-caspase 3) in lung tissue samples of diabetic rats. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (control group) was made up of healthy rats. Group 2 (diabetes group) received streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days.Group 3 (diabetes plus melatonin group) received streptozotocin at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day for 5 days and then they received melatonin at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day between 28thand 35thdays of the study. RESULTS: Tissue MDA and MPO levels were found to be significantly higher in diabetes group compared to control group (p<0.05) whilst administration of melatonin was found to significantly lower this increase down to normal levels (p<0.05). Bronchus associated lymphoid tissue (BALT) was more severe in diabetics whereas administration of melatonin alleviated this hyperplasia. Cleaved caspase 3 activity was severe in hyperplastic BALT in diabetic rats however in lowered down to moderate level when melatonin was administered. CONCLUSION: The melatonin caused an increase in antioxidant capacity and decreased the expression of cleaved-caspase 3.

The effect of thiamine and its metabolites on peripheral neuropathic pain induced by cisplatin in rats.

Thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) is the active metabolite of thiamine. This study aimed to investigate the effects of thiamine and TPP on cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP). Male albino Wistar type Rattus norvegicus were divided into six groups (n=6) that received 2 mg/kg cisplatin (CIS), 25 mg/kg thiamine (TM), 2 mg/kg cisplatin+25 mg/kg thiamine (CTM), 25 mg/kg TPP (TPP), 2 mg/kg cisplatin+25 mg/kg TPP (CTPP), or distilled water (healthy group; HG) for 8 days intraperitoneally. Analgesic effect was measured with a Basile Algesimeter. IL-1ß, malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (tGSH), thiamine, and TPP were determined in blood samples. Histopathological examinations were performed on removed sciatic nerves. The percent analgesic effects of the CTM and CTPP groups were calculated to be 21.3% and 82.9%, respectively. Increased production of IL-1ß and MDA by cisplatin was inhibited by TPP, while it was not inhibited by thiamine. Conversion of thiamine to TPP significantly decreased in the CIS group. Histopathological and biochemical investigations demonstrated that hyperalgesia and sciatic nerve damage developed in the CIS and CTM groups with low TPP levels. These results indicate that cisplatin inhibits the formation of TPP from thiamine, leading to severe PNP. This finding suggests that TPP may be more beneficial than thiamine for the treatment of cisplatin-induced PNP.

The effect of desflurane and propofol protocols on preconditioning.

BACKGROUND: Preconditioning is one of the most powerful mechanisms preventing the myocardial ischemic damage that occurs during coronary artery bypass grafting. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the effects of different propofol and/or desflurane administration protocols in terms of the prevention of ischaemia-reperfusion damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety patients, aged > 18 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) category III, scheduled to undergo primary elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), were included in the study. During maintenance, the patients in group 1 (n = 30) received a propofol infusion (5-6 mg/kg/h) combined with a fentanyl infusion (3-5 mcg/kg/h); the patients in group 2 (n = 30) also received a propofol infusion (5-6 mg/kg/h) combined with a fentanyl infusion (3-5 mcg/kg/h), but they were also given 6% desflurane inhalation for 15 min both before cross-clamping of the aorta and after removal of the clamp; the patients in group 3 (n = 30) received a propofol infusion (2-3 mg/kg/h) combined with a fentanyl infusion (3-5 mcg/kg/h) and received the continuous 6% desflurane inhalation. Blood samples were drawn in the preoperative period (S1), during cardiopulmonary bypass, before cross-clamping the aorta (S2), after removal of the cross-clamp (S3) and 24 h after the operation (S4). RESULTS: All groups were similar in terms of age and BMI (p > 0.05). TNF-α levels were higher at S3 compared to S1, S2 and S4 (p > 0.001). The TNF-α levels at S4 were lower in group 3 than those in group 1 and group 2 (p < 0.05). In all groups, h-FABP levels showed an increase in S3 but were significantly lower at S4 (p < 0.05). In group 3, h-FABP levels at S2 and S3 were significantly lower than those in group 1 (p < 0.05). There was a moderate correlation between h-FABP and TNF-α levels (Spearman's rho = 0.472, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the measurement of h-FABP and TNF-α, low-dose propofol and continuous desflurane inhalation provide more effective preconditioning than propofol alone or a short course of desflurane in patients undergoing CABG.

Risk Factors for Acute Kidney Injury after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery and Its Detection Using Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin.

INTRODUCTION: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an important complication of cardiac surgery due to its high mortality. The aim of the present study was to detect the factors leading to AKI in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) and also to determine the optimal timing for detecting AKI using the biomarker neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of 375 patients who underwent CABS were reviewed in this case-control study. Ejection fraction (EF), common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) and cross-clamp (C-C) time of the patients were recorded. Blood samples were taken from all patients on preoperative day 1 as well as 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 h and 7 days after operation. Biochemical parameters were studied in patients with and without AKI. RESULTS: According to the Risk Injury Failure Loss End Stage criteria, 24 patients had renal risk, 17 had injury and 4 had failure. Postoperative 24-hour serum creatinine levels indicated the risk of renal dysfunction for only 4 patients in the AKI group. CCA-IMT, C-C time, haematocrit (HCT) and preoperative interleukin-6 levels were significantly higher in the AKI group than in the non-AKI group. Postoperative 6- and 12-hour NGAL levels in the AKI group correlated with postoperative 36-hour serum creatinine levels. The optimal cut-off values for postoperative 6- and 12-hour NGAL test were 310 and 283 ng/ml, respectively. The area under the curve was higher in the 12-hour NGAL test (p < 0.0086). CONCLUSION: The number of stenotic coronary arteries, EF, CCA-IMT and HCT are all important risk factors. Early postoperative NGAL results were highly specific for the early recognition of AKI.

Management of Anesthesia during Lung Transplantations in a Single Turkish Center.

AIM: The aim of this study is to present our institutional experience during the management of anesthesia in lung transplantation (LT) surgeries as a definitive surgical treatment option in end-stage lung diseases. METHODS: From a total of 15 patients, lung transplantation was performed as single LT (SLT) in 4 patients (n = 4) and as sequential bilateral LT (BLT) in 11 patients (n = 11). The anesthetic management included; for induction; intravenous ketamine, midazolam at doses of 2 mg/kg, 0.05 mg/kg, respectively or propofol, fentanyl at doses of 1 mg/kg, 3 mcg/kg, respectively. For maintenance, all patients received; 100% O2 and total intravenous infusion of propofol and remifentanil at doses of 0.02 mcg/kg/min and 0.1-0.25 µg/kg/min, respectively. All patients received intravenous rocuronium bromide for induction and maintenance. Hemodynamic stability was maintained with appropriate and adequate administration of vasodilators (intravenous Prostaglandin (PGI2) (0.5-1 ng/kg/min), inhaled   nitric oxide  (10-40 ppm),  dopamine (2 mcg/kg/min) and vasopressors (intravenous dobutamine (5-15 mcg/kg/min), norepinephrine (0.05-1 mcg/kg/min),ephedrine (5 to 10 mg bolus doses ) to keep mean arterial blood pressure above 50 mmHg. RESULTS: Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was performed in five patients who underwent sequential BLT and one SLT case. Venoarterial (VA) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was used in four cases of sequential BLT and in two cases of SLT. Neither ECMO nor CPB was performed in two BLT and in one SLT patient. One SLT patient who underwent CPB was admitted to the intensive care unit with support of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and ECMO. Intraoperative death did not occur. CONCLUSION: During SLT or BLT, management of anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil provides a stable hemodynamic and medical support. Although our experience with VA ECMO was limited, our experience shows that this support system is a valuable tool to provide hemodynamic stability for patients undergoing LT.

The Effect of Anakinra on Paclitaxel-Induced Peripheral Neuropathic Pain in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Paclitaxel is used in the treatment of cancer, and it may cause interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß)-related peripheral neuropathic pain. While our primary aim was to investigate the analgesic efficacy of an IL-1ß antagonist, a secondary outcome was to assess whether a correlation exists between analgesic effects and antioxidant activity. METHODS: A total of 24 albino Wistar male rats were divided into the following groups: paclitaxel-control, paclitaxel+50 mg kg-1 anakinra, paclitaxel+100 mg kg-1 anakinra and healthy group (HG). After the normal paw pain threshold in all animal groups was measured using a Basile algesimeter, a single dose of 2 mg kg-1 paclitaxel was intraperitoneally administered on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th days. Anakinra was intraperitoneally administered following the final paclitaxel administration. The paw pain thresholds in the groups were measured before and seven days after paclitaxel administration and at the 1st and 3rd hours after anakinra administration. After the third hour of measurement, the rats were killed with high doses of ketamine, and the paw tissues were removed. Malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and total glutathione levels were measured in claw tissues, and IL-1ß gene expression was determined. The biochemical results were compared with the results of the HG; in the meanwhile the claw pain threshold results were compared with the results obtained after the last paclitaxel and the results obtained from the 1st and 3rd hours after the anakinra application. RESULTS: The claw paw pain threshold of the rats decreased one and three hours after anakinra administration. Further, 100 mg kg-1 anakinra had greater analgesic activity than 50 mg kg-1 anakinra. A correlation was found between the antioxidant and analgesic activities of 100 mg kg-1 anakinra. CONCLUSION: Anakinra may be useful to reduce paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain; further, 100 mg kg-1 anakinra may have greater analgesic and antioxidant activities.

The effect of dexmedetomidine on gastric ischemia reperfusion injury in rats: biochemical and histopathological evaluation

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effect of dexmedetomidine on gastric injury induced by ischemia reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Methods: A total of 18 male albino Wistar rats were divided groups as: gastric ischemia reperfusion (GIR), gastric ischemia reperfusion and 50 g/kg dexmedetomidine (DGIR) and sham operation (HG) group. After the third hour of reperfusion, the biochemical and histopathological examinations were performed on the removed stomach tissue. Results: Malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were found to be significantly higher in GIR compared to HG (p 0.05). A statistically significant decrease was observed at the DGIR compared to the GIR for oxidants levels. Total glutathione (tGSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were statistically significantly decreased at the GIR, and antioxidants levels were found to be significantly higher in the DGIR (p 0.05) There was no significant difference between HG and DGIR in terms of SOD (p = 0.097). The DGIRs epitheliums, glands and vascular structures were close to normal histological formation. Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine is found to prevent oxidative damage on the stomach by increasing the antioxidant effect. These results indicate that dexmedetomidine may be useful in the treatment of ischemia-reperfusion-related gastric damage.(AU)