Enhanced Kidney Damage Induced by Increasing Nonylphenol Doses: Impact on Autophagy-Related Proteins and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Rats.

Nonylphenol (NP) is an organic pollutant and endocrine disruptor chemical that has harmful effects on the environment and living organisms. This study looked at whether kidney tissues subjected to increasing doses of nonylphenol generated alterations in histopathologic, pro-inflammatory, and autophagic markers. Fifty rats were divided into five groups of ten each: group I: healthy group, II: control (corn oil), group III: 25 µl/kg NP, group IV: 50 µl/kg NP, group V: 75 µl/kg NP. The kidney tissue samples were obtained for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses. The histological deteriorations observed in all NP groups included tubular epithelial cell degeneration, inflammation areas, and hemorrhage. The immunohistochemical investigations showed that NP significantly elevated the autophagy markers (Beclin-1, LC3/2, p62), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), HIF-1α, and eNOS in group III, IV and V compared with group I and II. The biochemical analysis also revealed that pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6) increased in correlation with the NP doses, but only IL-1ß reached statistical significance in NP treated rats kidney tissue. The biochemical findings have been confirmed by the histological studies. The damage to renal tissue caused by NP exposure may worsen it by increasing inflammatory and autophagic markers.

Effects of pre and postnatal 2450 MHz continuous wave (CW) radiofrequency radiation on thymus: Four generation exposure.

This study aims to investigate the effects of pre- and postnatal 2450 MHz continuous wave (CW) radiofrequency radiation (RFR) on the thymus of rats spanning four generations. Four groups; sham, irradiated female, irradiated male, irradiated male and female, each consisting of four rats (one male and three females), were created. During the experiment, rats in the exposure groups were whole-body exposed to 2450 MHz CW-RFR for 12 h/day. Irradiation started one month before the fertilization in the experimental group. When the offspring were two months old, four rats, one male and three female, were allocated for the second-generation study. The remaining offspring were sacrificed under general anesthesia, and their thymuses were removed. The same procedure was applied to the next generation. Two months after the second generation gave birth, third-generation rats were decapitated, and their thymuses were removed. In all groups, cortex, medulla and resident cells could be clearly distinguished in the second and third generations. No differences were observed between the control and two experimental groups, defined as irradiated female and irradiated male. In contrast, vascularization was observed in the thymus of the fourth-generation offspring of the group where both males and females were irradiated. The number of offspring and mass of all rats decreased in the third-generation group. Pre-and postnatal 2450 MHz continuous wave radiofrequency radiation exposure may potentially affect the thymus of future generations.

Antiinflammatory effects of adalimumab, tocilizumab, and steroid on lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Acute lung injury (ALI) is a major cause of death in the intensive care unit. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced lung injury is the most widely used experimental ALI model and provides opportunities for new targeting therapy. In this study, we investigated the effects of tocilizumab, adalimumab, and methylprednisolone in LPS-induced acute lung injury. METHODS: Lung injury was established by intratracheal instillation of LPS. The rats were randomly divided into six groups: LPS, control, and treatment groups (adalimumab, tocilizumab, methylprednisolone, adalimumab + tocilizumab). Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissues were collected at 48 h and 96 h following LPS administration from each group. For histological analysis, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was performed. The sections were obtained for immunohistochemical analysis. IL-6 and TNF-alpha immunoreactivity were measured. RESULTS: Intratracheal LPS application resulted in inflammatory cell infiltration of interstitial and alveolar spaces and thickening of the alveolar wall. All treatment groups showed significantly amelioration compared to LPS at 48 h. Interestingly, adalimumab and adalimumab + tocilizumab groups showed a significant amelioration of the lung histoarchitecture, compared to the prednisolone group at 96 h (p = 0.028, p = 0.025, respectively). Compared to the control group, LPS stimulation resulted in a significant increase in IL-6 and TNF-alpha immunoreactivity (p < 0.001). IL-6 and TNF-alpha expression were markedly reduced in all treatment groups at 48 h but the reduction was greater in the adalimumab and tocilizumab group than in the steroid. Administration with adalimumab and/or tocilizumab effectively decreased expression of TNF-alpha (p = 0.001) and IL-6 (p < 0.001) at 96 h, but prednisolone did not exert an effective decrease (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION: Adalimumab and/or tocilizumab significantly reduce the release of proinflammatory cytokines and improve the tissue inflammation in the experimental model of ALI. Our results suggest that adalimumab and/or tocilizumab have a more potent antiinflammatory effect on lung injury than the steroid.

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.

Obestatin Reduces Intestinal Damage in Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Newborn Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pretreatment with obestatin (OB), an endogenous hormone also found in mother's milk, in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). STUDY DESIGN: Pups were randomized into four groups: control, OB-control, NEC, and OB-NEC. NEC was induced by asphyxia and hypothermia in the NEC and OB-NEC groups. OB was administered to the OB-control and OB-NEC groups. Macroscopic scoring of the intestinal tract was evaluated and tissue samples were obtained for histopathological and biochemical examination on the fourth day. RESULTS: OB improved the macroscopic appearance of the gut and the clinical score during the experiment (p < 0.05). The rate of occurrence of NEC in the OB-NEC group was lower than the NEC group (p = 0.001). OB prevented necrosis and reduced the number of apoptotic cells in the OB-NEC group compared with the NEC group (p = 0.006). Furthermore, interleukin-6 and malondialdehyde levels in the OB-NEC group were lower than the NEC group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: OB reduced intestinal damage and prevented necrosis through anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in experimental NEC. This effect of OB should be confirmed in clinical studies. Furthermore, future research should investigate whether OB plays a role in NEC pathogenesis or NEC is associated with OB levels in the serum and in breast milk.

Impact of prenatal exposure to bisphenol A on pregnant rats: Fetal bone development and immunohistochemistry implications.

BACKGROUND:: Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most commonly produced chemicals in the world. BPA is used in products such as food packaging, personal care products, detergents, and plastic bottles. This study was conducted to determine the effect of BPA on fetal bone development. MATERIAL AND METHODS:: In this study, 16 pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The rats were divided into four groups: the control group and 0.5 mg/kg/day, 5 mg/kg/day, and 50 mg/kg/day dose BPA groups. The skeletal system development of fetuses was examined with double skeletal and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and the alkaline phosphatase (AP) expressions) methods. RESULTS:: The highest ossification rates in the humerus, radius, and ulna were detected as 41.05%, 39.25%, and 37.26% in the control group, respectively. The highest ossification rates in the femur, tibia, and fibula were detected as 23.04%, 30.73%, and 32.78% in the control group, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between control and experimental groups in the TRAP and AP expression of the femur by IHC staining ( p < 0.001). CONCLUSION:: Exposure to BPA during pregnancy adversely affected ossification and bone growth. A dose-dependent decrease was observed in the rate of ossification.

Experimental investigation of effects of platelet-rich plasma on early phases of orthodontic tooth movement.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma on orthodontic tooth movement in rats. METHODS: We divided 48 Wistar male albino rats into 3 groups: control group, platelet-rich plasma group, and platelet-poor plasma group. The rats in all study groups had orthodontic tooth movement of their maxillary right first molars. Either platelet-rich plasma or platelet-poor plasma was injected into the animals in the platelet-rich plasma and platelet-poor plasma groups, respectively; the rats in the control group had no injection. Distances between the maxillary molar and incisor were measured on days 0, 1, 3, 7, and 14. Active osteoblast numbers in tension sites and osteoclast numbers in compression sites were examined histologically. Immunohistochemical evaluations of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expressions were also performed. RESULTS: The rats in the platelet-rich plasma group showed less tooth movement than those in the control group at day 3. At day 14, maximum tooth movement was observed in all groups. However, there was no statistical significance among the groups at day 14. In terms of osteoclast and osteoblast cells, no significant differences were observed in any group or at any time. Also, there were no significant differences in TRAP, ALP, and TGF-ß expressions in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The application of platelet-rich plasma was not beneficial as an adjunct to orthodontic treatment.

Metaphoric perceptions of individuals with diabetes in Turkey: A content analysis.

Background: The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus adversely impacts the quality of life due to treatment, changes in daily life, functional disability, and emerging complications. Using metaphors to convey perceptions of diseases and life experiences is crucial for understanding healthcare behaviors. Objective: This study aimed to explore the metaphorical perceptions of "diabetes" and "being a person with diabetes" within a sample group of individuals with diabetes in Turkey. Methods: A qualitative design was employed to investigate the metaphoric perceptions of 72 people with diabetes. Data were collected face-to-face between 15 May and June 2023 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: From the statements of the individuals with diabetes in the sample, seven metaphoric themes related to diabetes - "pain and distress, helplessness and hopelessness, instability, attention and sensitivity, captivity, positive outlook and acceptance, deprivation" - and six metaphoric themes concerning being a person with diabetes - "suffocation and distress, helplessness, powerlessness and disappointment, captivity, attention and sensitivity, guilt, and being worn out" - were identified. Commonly recurring sub-themes with negative connotations included "darkness, well, convict, prison, captivity, microbe, infectious disease, a hot flush, guilt, clouding life, and being ruined." Some positively framed statements included "friend, traffic sign, and driving a car." Conclusion: The majority of patients in the study used negative metaphors, with fewer expressing positive sentiments regarding the necessity of accepting and paying attention to the disease. Defining individuals' metaphorical perceptions of their disease may enable the provision of better quality and holistic care. Nurses, in particular, play a crucial role in facilitating behavioral changes for patients with diabetes to achieve self-management.

Dental Pulp-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Increase Axon Numbers in Mental Nerve Repair.

Aim: The mental nerve, the extended part of the inferior alveolar nerve, is often injured during dentoalveolar, orthognathic, or tumor surgery. Numerous therapeutic interventions, including surgery and pharmacotherapy, have been used to enhance the recovery of nerve injuries. Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) represent an easily accessible source of adult stem cells that can be isolated from the pulp of extracted teeth. This study evaluated the effect of DPSCs on the regeneration of the mental nerve injury model of rabbits. Methods: In this presented study, DPSCs were cultured and cell characterizations were performed by using flow cytometry and immunostainings. Bilateral mental nerve injury models of rabbits were created. In the control group (n = 10), saline was applied, and in the study group (n = 10), 2 × 106 DPSCs were applied to the repaired nerve areas. After 3 weeks, animals were killed and histological examination was obtained by using Masson's trichrome staining. An unpaired Student's t test was used when comparing the groups. Differences were considered to be statistically significant at P values of less than 0.05. Results: The DPSCs demonstrated a homogeneous population of mesenchymal stromal cells which expressed cluster of differentiation CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 and lack of CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR. Our finding clearly demonstrated that a lower number of cross-sectioned axons were founded in the control group (60.18 ± 2.52) compared to the study group (72.96 ± 2.43) (p = 0.00). Conclusions: DPSCs promote mental nerve axonal regeneration. These results suggest that DPSCs provide an important accessible source of adult stem cells for mental nerve regeneration.

Investigation of the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of melatonin on experimental liver damage by radiation.

Radiotherapy is one of the inevitable treatment approaches for several types of cancer. We aimed to show the protective and therapeutic effects of daily use of melatonin on liver tissues subjected to a single dose of 10 Gy (gamma-ray) total body radiation. Rats were divided into 6 groups, of which 10 were in each: control, sham, melatonin, radiation, radiation+melatonin, and melatonin+radiation. The rats received 10 Gy of external radiation throughout their entire bodies. The rats were given 10 mg/kg/day of melatonin intraperitoneally before or after radiation treatment, depending on the group. Histological methods, immunohistochemical analysis (Caspase-3, Sirtuin-1, α-SMA, NFΚB-p65), biochemical analysis by ELISA (SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, MDA, TNF-α, TGF-ß, PDGF, PGC-1α) and the Comet assay as a marker of DNA damage were applied to the liver tissues. Histopathological examinations showed structural changes in the liver tissue of the radiation group. Radiation treatment increased the immunoreactivity of Caspase-3, Sirtuin-1 and α-SMA, but these effects were relatively attenuated in the melatonin-treated groups. The melatonin+radiation group had statistically significant results close to those of the control group, in terms of Caspase-3, NFΚB-p65 and Sirtuin-1 immunoreactivity. In melatonin treated groups, hepatic biochemical markers, MDA, SOD, TNF-α, TGF-ß levels, and DNA damage parameters were decreased. Administration of melatonin before and after radiation has beneficial effects, but using it before radiation may be more efficient. Accordingly, daily melatonin usage could mitigate ionizing radiation induced damage.

Protective effects of melatonin on female rat ovary treated with nonylphenol.

We investigated using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry ovarian damage caused by nonylphenol (NP) and the protective effect of melatonin treatment of NP induced ovarian damage. We used 21 female rats divided randomly into three groups: control, NP and melatonin + NP. Histopathological examination of the ovaries, and counting and classification of follicles were performed using Masson's trichrome staining. Expression of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 was detected in the ovaries using immunohistochemistry. Melatonin had an ameliorative effect on NP induced follicular atresia and absence of corpora lutea. More follicles were observed in the ovaries of animals treated with melatonin prior to treatment with NP. AMH immunoreactivity was significantly lower in the NP group than in the melatonin + NP group. NP increased immunostaining for Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3. Melatonin significantly reduced the increased expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3 due to NP exposure. We found that pretreatment with melatonin is beneficial for protecting the ovaries from damage by NP.

Investigation of the effects of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and curcumin on Achilles tendon healing - can they act synergistically?

BACKGROUND: It is known that curcumin and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) positively affect experi-mental tendon injury healing. This study investigated individual effects and potential synergistic effects of using curcumin and UC-MSCs alone and together. METHODS: Eighty female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control, curcumin, sesame oil, MSCs, and Curcumin+MSCs groups. In all rats, punch tendon defect was created in both right and left Achilles tendons. While no additional treatment was applied to the control group, curcumin, sesame oil used as a solvent for curcumin, MSCs, and MSCs and curcumin com-bination were applied locally to the injury site, respectively, in the other groups. Curcumin was solved in sesame oil before application. In each group, half of the animals were euthanized in the post-operative 2nd week while the other half were euthanized in the post-operative 4th week. The right Achilles was used for biomechanical testing, while the left Achilles was used for histological evaluation and immunohistochemical analysis of type I, Type III collagen, and tenomodulin. RESULTS: Histologically, significant improvement was observed in the curcumin, MSCs, and Curcumin+ MSCs groups compared to the control Group in the 2nd week. In the 2nd and 4th weeks, Type III collagen was significantly increased in the curcumin group com-pared to the control group. In week 4, tenomodulin increased significantly in the curcumin and MSCs groups compared to the control group. Tendon tensile strength increased significantly in MSCs and Curcumin+MSCs groups compared to the control group in the 4th week. No superiority was observed between the treatment groups regarding their positive effects on recovery. CONCLUSION: Locally used curcumin and UC-MSCs showed positive effects that were not superior to each other in the healing of injury caused by a punch in the Achilles tendons of rats. However, synergistic effects on healing were not observed when they were applied together.

An evaluation of the effects on the ovaries of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a rat model of premature ovarian failure created with cyclophosphamide.

Objective: To evaluate hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) based on ovarian histology, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), in the ovarian insufiency (POI) model created with cyclophosphamide (CYP). Materials and Methods: The rats were separated into 3 groups of the control group (n=6), the CYP group (n=6), and the CYP+HBO group (n=6). The rats in the CYP group and the CYP+HBO group were injected intraperitoneally with 200 mg/kg CYP on day 1, followed by 8 mg/kg/day for 14 days to create POI. From the 15th day onwards, the rats in the CYP+HBO group were placed in a hyperbaric cabin and exposed to 100% oxygen at 2.4 atm pressure for one h, and were then returned to their cages at the end of the hour. Results: A statistically significant decrease was determined in the primordial and primary follicle counts in the CYP group compared with the control group (p<0.05). In the CYP+HBO group, a statistically significant increase was determined in the primordial and primary follicle counts (p<0.05). The serum AMH levels were seen to be significantly decreased in the CYP group compared with both the control group and the CYP+HBO groups. The HBO was seen to decrease TOS and increase TAS. Conclusion: HBO could be an alternative treatment to minimize the effect of ovarian follicle loss caused by CYP, which is used for treating tumors that commonly occur in young females of reproductive age.

The effect of different doses of nonylphenol on the blood-testicular barrier integrity, hormone level, and DNA damage in the testes of rats.

Determining the molecular characteristics of the damage caused by NP exposure in the testis is very important for understanding the source of the damage and developing treatment methods accordingly. Therefore, in this study, it is aimed to evaluate the toxic effects that different doses of NP may cause in the testis, including blood-testicular barrier integrity and sperm DNA damage. For this purpose, 50 adult male Wistar albino rats were used in the study. Low, medium, and high-dose NP groups and the corn oil group were formed. After NP administration at determined doses for 15 days, the testis tissue taken under anesthesia was fixed in formaldehyde. Paraffin blocks were embedded using the routine histological tissue follow-up method. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed by taking 5 µm thick sections from paraffin blocks. The other testicular tissue was taken for the Western blot, Elisa, and comet methods, and the findings of sperm DNA analysis and the blood-testicular barrier were examined. NP caused the seminiferous epithelium to be disorganized and have significantly fewer cells in the testes of rats in different dose NP-induced groups. Compared with the control group, mTOR, Cx43, SCF, and HSP70 protein levels were decreased, while the expression of MMP-9 levels was increased in the different NP dose groups. Furthermore, tissue testosterone and inhibin B levels and SF-1 immunoreactivity intensity gradually decreased depending on the dose increase of NP. DNA damage of testicular tissues were increased in NP groups depending on NP dose. These results suggest that it is evident that NP, a commonly used industrial chemical, is an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) with estrogenic activity exerting adverse effects on health and that urgent measures are needed regarding the use.

Changes in the histopathology and in the proteins related to the MAPK pathway in the brains of rats exposed to pre and postnatal radiofrequency radiation over four generations.

The development of new technologies and industry increases the number and variety of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources. Researcher are increasingly interested in the effects of EMF on brain health. The brain's function is largely dependent on electrical excitability, so it would be expected to be vulnerable to EMF. We therefore investigated the effects of brain development in the fetus, histopathological changes in female rats and the hippocampal level of MAPK proteins in male rats after exposed to pre and postnatal 2450 MHz continuous wave (CW) radiofrequency radiation (RFR) over four generations. Four groups; sham, irradiated female, irradiated male, irradiated male and female, with each consisting of four rats (one male and three females) were created. Rats in the exposure groups were whole-body exposed to 2450 MHz CW-RFR for 12 h/day during the experiment. Irradiation started one month before fertilization in the experimental group. On the 18th day of the gestational period, one pregnant rat from each group was decapitated under general anesthesia and the fetuses were taken. The remaining two pregnant rats completed the normal gestation period. When the offspring were two months old, four rats, one male and three female, were allocated for the second generation study. Next generation animals were also experienced the same processes as the first generation rats. This study were evaluated development of brain in fetuses and histopathological changes in brain of female rats using haematoxylin eosin staining, and the hippocampal level of MAPK proteins in brain of male rats by Western Bloting. We observed hemorrhagic areas, irregular cellular localization and vascular structures in the brain of fetal and adult female rat of exposed groups in the all generations. pERK, ptau, pJNK and pP38 were increased in the brain of adult male rat of exposed groups in the all generations (p < 0.005). Pre and postnatal 2450 MHz continuous wave radiofrequency radiation exposure may cause changes in the function of the MAPK pathway affecting cognitive processes such as learning and memory and may cause damage to both the fetus and adult brain tissue. Also, EMF may have potential to affect brain of future generations.

Hepatotoxicity and renal toxicity induced by radiation and the protective effect of quercetin in male albino rats.

PURPOSE: Although radiation is one of the basic methods commonly used in cancer treatment, it inevitably enters the field of treatment in healthy tissues and is adversely affected by the acute and chronic side effects of radiation. This study evaluated the possible protective effects of quercetin, an antioxidant agent, against liver and kidney damage in rats exposed to a whole-body single dose of radiation (10 Gy of gamma-ray). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study groups were formed as control, sham, quercetin, radiation, quercetin + radiation and radiation + quercetin using 60 male Wistar albino (200-250 g, 3 months old) rats, including 10 rats in each group. The gamma-ray provided by the Co60 teletherapy machine was given to the whole body as external irradiation. According to the groups, quercetin was administered to rats at 50 mg/kg/day via oral gavage before or after radiation administration. The rats were sacrificed the day after irradiation and the extracted tissue samples from all groups were compared histologically and immunohistochemically. DNA damage was determined by the neutral comet assay technique. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) were evaluated in liver and kidney tissues by the ELISA method. RESULTS: Histopathological changes were observed altered morphology of liver and kidney tissues in the radiation groups. Sinusoidal dilatations, vacuolization, and hepatic parenchyma necrosis in the liver, while in kidneys, glomerular shrinkage, widened Bowman's space, tubular dilatation, and inflammation were evident. TNF-α, IL1-α, HIF1-α, and caspase 3 immunoreactivities in tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry. High caspase 3 positive cell number confirmed apoptosis, the comet parameters were decreased in the quercetin + radiation group. When compared to the control group, the exposure to radiation showed a marked elevation in MDA which was accompanied by high GSH. This damage was reduced in the quercetin + radiation group. CONCLUSIONS: With the results obtained from the study; Quercetin is thought to have a protective potential against radiation-induced liver and kidney damage due to its radioprotective effect.

A different perspective on the filtration barrier after kidney stone formation: An immunohistochemical and biochemical study.

The aim of this study is to investigate whether the filtration barrier is affected by experimental kidney stone formation. Thirty-two rats divided into 4 equally groups (n = 8) at random. Group I control; Group II 1% ethylene glycol; Group III 1% Ethylene glycol + 0.25% Ammonium chloride; Group IV 1% Ethylene glycol + 0.5% Ammonium chloride group. Tissues applied hematoxylin-eosin, periodic-acid-Schiff, Pizzolato's staining. Immunohistochemically stained with integrin α3ß1, type IV collagen, laminin, nephrin, CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) and podocin to show the filtration barrier structure. The TUNEL method was used for apoptosis. The amount of calcium, magnesium, creatinine and uric acid in urine and blood samples, also urine microprotein determined. Stones were formed in all experimental groups. Urine calcium, creatinine, uric acid levels decreased, magnesium levels were not changed. No statistically significant change was observed in blood serum results and TUNEL analysis. Immunohistochemical results showed an increase in nephrin, podocin, CD2AP, laminin and a decrease in integrin α3ß1 and type IV collagen. Consequently, there is an increase in the expression densities of the proteins incorporated in the structure to prevent loss of functionality in the cellular part supporting the structure against a weakening of the basement membrane structure in the glomerular structure in which urine is filtered.

The effect of erythropoietin and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells on nerve regeneration in rats with sciatic nerve injury.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effects of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and erythropoietin on nerve regeneration in the sciatic nerve 'crush injury' in a rat model. METHODS: Experimental animals were randomly divided into 5 groups: Crush Injury, Sham, Crush Injury + Erythropoietin, Crush Injury + Mesenchymal Stem Cell, Crush Injury + Erythropoietin + Mesenchymal Stem Cell groups. Crush injury made with bulldog clamp. Mesencyhmal stem cells delivered by enjection locally. Erythropoietin administered by intraperitoneally. On the 0th, 14th and 28th days, all groups underwent a sciatic functional index test. On 28th day, sciatic nerves were harvested and histopathological appearance, axon number and axon diameter of the sciatic nerves were evaluated with Oil Red O staining. Immunoreactivity of nerve growth factor, neurofilament-H and caspase-3 were determined by immunofluorescence staining in nerve tissue. RESULTS: In histopathological examination, axons and nerve bundles exhibiting normal nerve architecture in the Sham group. Crush Injury + Mesenchymal Stem Cell group has similar histological appearance to the Sham group. The number of axons were higher in the Mesenchymal Stem Cell groups compared to the Crush Injury group. Nerve growth factor immunoreactivity intensity was significantly lower in Crush Injury + Mesenchymal Stem Cell group compared to Crush Injury group. Neurofilament-H density was higher in the treatment groups when compared to the Crush Injury group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, it was found that umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and erythropoietin treatments effects positively regeneration of crush injury caused by bulldog clamp in the sciatic nerve of rats.

Protective effects of curcumin and beta-carotene on cisplatin-induced cardiotoxicity: An experimental rat model.

OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin (CDDP) has been known to be an effective antineoplastic drug; however, it has a cardiotoxic effect. Curcumin (CMN) and beta-carotene (BC) have been suggested to protect biological systems against CDDP-induced damage. The current study was conducted to evaluate the possible protective roles of CMN and BC on CDDP-induced cardiotoxicity in rat cardiac tissues. METHODS: A total of 49 adult female Wistar albino rats were equally divided into seven groups as follows: control (no medication), sesame oil (1 mg/kg), CDDP (single dose injection two times as once a week, 5 mg/kg/week), BC (100 mg/kg), CDDP+BC (pretreated BC for 30 min before CDDP injection), CMN (200 mg/kg), and CDDP+CMN (pretreated CMN for 30 min before CDDP injection). These treatments were applied intraperitoneally for CDDP and with gavage for CMN and BC. The oxidative/antioxidant indicators, inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological alterations were examined. RESULTS: These alterations included a marked increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level, significant decrease in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and significant elevation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, interleukin (IL)-6 in the CDDP group compared with the other groups. Histopathologically, CDDP-induced severe myocardial degenerative changes were observed. However, the CDDP-induced disturbances in the above-mentioned parameters significantly improved by treatment with BC and particularly CMN. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that CDDP treatment markedly caused cardiotoxicity; however, treatment with CMN or BC ameliorated this cardiotoxicity in rats. Furthermore, these findings revealed that treatment with CMN has a higher cardioprotective effect than that with BC against CDDP-induced cardiotoxicity in rat cardiac tissues.