Abdurrahman Karaman

The effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on ischemia-reperfusion injury in comparison with α-tocopherol in rat kidneys

Abstract Oxygen-derived free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of renal injury after ischemia-reperfusion. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis extract, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. To determine whether CAPE offers any advantage over α-tocopherol, we compared their effects on an in vivo model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. CAPE at 10 μmol/kg or α-tocopherol at 10 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally before reperfusion. Acute administration of CAPE suppressed ischemia-reperfusion induced renal lipid peroxidation and tissue injury more than α-tocopherol. CAPE may therefore offer a therapeutic advantage in acute injury settings.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester prevents intestinal reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Ischemia-reperfusion injury is encountered frequently in conditions that diminish intestinal blood flow. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which is a specific component of the honeybee hive product propolis, exhibits potential antioxidant properties. This experimental study was designed to determine the effect of CAPE on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat intestine. METHODS Fifty rats were divided into 5 groups; sham (SH), saline ischemia (SI), saline reperfusion (SR), CAPE ischemia (CI), and CAPE reperfusion (CR). Either CAPE, 10 micromol/kg, or saline was administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes before ischemia. Intestinal ischemia for 30 minutes and reperfusion for 60 minutes were applied. Ileum specimens were obtained to determine the tissue levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and histological changes. RESULTS Malondialdehyde levels in the CR group did not increase after reperfusion when compared with the CI group. However, statistically significant differences were observed between the SR and SI groups. Additional mucosal injury in the CR group when compared with the CI group was not observed. Whereas, there was a statistically significant increase in mucosal injury in the SR group. Reperfusion did not cause further injuries through both biochemical and histological parameters in the CR group. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study showed that prophylactic administration of CAPE in ischemic condition prevents reperfusion injuries by eliminating oxygen radicals and inhibiting polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration. CAPE may be useful in combating the diseases of oxidative stress.

Testicular nitric oxide levels after unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion in rats pretreated with caffeic acid phenethyl ester

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in modulating blood flow in normal and in several pathological conditions, and its levels seem to change with ischemia–reperfusion injuries. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, exhibits antioxidant properties. This experimental study was designed to determine the changes in NO levels and the effect of CAPE on NO levels after testicular torsion/detorsion in rats. Thirty-five adult male albino rats were divided into four groups: sham operation (n=8), torsion (n=9), saline/detorsion (n=9), and CAPE/detorsion (n=9). Rats in the sham operation group were killed after the testes were handled without torsion. Rats in the torsion group were killed after 720° clockwise testicular torsion for 2 h. CAPE was administered 30 min before detorsion in the CAPE/detorsion group and saline was administered in the saline/detorsion group. After 4 h of testicular detorsion in both of these groups, the rats were killed and bilateral orchiectomy was performed to determine the tissue levels of NO. The level of NO in the torsion group (113.77 ± 33.18 nmol/g protein) was significantly higher than that of the sham operation group (64.53 ± 29.64 nmol/g protein). In the saline/detorsion group, the NO level (31.26 ± 12.58 nmol/g protein) was significantly lower than in the torsion and sham operation groups. CAPE administration in the CAPE/detorsion group seemed to raise the NO level (72.63 ± 23.87 nmol/g protein) above the level of the sham operation group. Contralateral testes were not affected by the torsion/detorsion processes performed on the ipsilateral testes. These results show that NO levels increase with torsion and decrease with detorsion. CAPE administration seems to increase tissue NO levels and this may be important for protecting the testes from torsion/detorsion injuries.

Small-Dose Capsaicin Reduces Systemic Inflammatory Responses in Septic Rats

We investigated the influence of small- and large-dose capsaicin in modulating systemic inflammatory responses during different stages of sepsis in rats. Rats were divided into six groups: group C, control; group S, sepsis; group CLC, small dose of capsaicin (1 mg/kg subcutaneously); group SLC, small dose of capsaicin plus sepsis; group CHC, large dose of capsaicin (150 mg/kg subcutaneously); group SHC, large dose of capsaicin plus sepsis. Rats were made septic by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Each group was subdivided into two subgroups. The animals were killed at 9 or 18 h after CLP. Plasma concentrations of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-&agr;, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and total nitrite/nitrate (NOx) were measured. Superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in liver, lung, and heart tissues. CGRP was increased in groups S, CLC, and SLC when compared with the other groups. In the SLC group, plasma concentrations of TNF-&agr;, IL-6, NOx, and tissue MDA levels were reduced and IL-10 level was increased when compared with groups S and SHC 18 h after CLP (P < 0.05). Small-dose capsaicin treatment increased antiinflammatory IL-10 levels and attenuated the increases in proinflammatory cytokines, NOx, and tissue MDA in septic rats.

Urethral polyps in children : A review of the literature and report of two cases

Abstract  A solitary polyp of the urethra is a rare benign fibroepithelial growth and has often been described in boys. Its occurrence in girls is exceptional. In the present paper, two children with solitary polyps of the urethra are presented and discussed. The first case was an 18‐month‐old boy with a posterior urethral polyp arising from the posterior urethra and extending to the bladder. It was excised by cystostomy because of an unsuccessful endoscopic removal attempt. The second case was a 2‐year‐old girl with an interlabial mass arising from the posterior wall of urethra and protruding from the external urethral meatus. It was excised transurethrally.

Prevention of renal ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury in rats by leflunomide

Objective: There is increasing evidence to suggest that toxic oxygen radicals play an essential role in the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the kidney. This study was designed to investigate the effects of leflunomide, an isoxazole derivative and a unique immunomodulatory agent, in I/R‐induced renal injury in rats.

Pain, fentanyl consumption, and delirium in adolescents after scoliosis surgery: dexmedetomidine vs midazolam

The study aim was to compare the efficacy of dexmedetomidine vs midazolam for sedation during the early postoperative period in adolescents who underwent scoliosis surgery.

Plasma superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde level correlate with the extent of acute appendicitis

Abstract Although the mechanism of acute appendicitis (AA) is partly understood, the progression following the onset of inflammation has not yet been clarified. To determine oxidative activities in the plasma of patients with AA, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in samples from 31 patients diagnosed as having AA and 10 otherwise healthy children with inguinal pathologies. The patients with AA were divided into three subgroups: acute focal (AFA) (n=8), acute suppurative (ASA) (n=9), and acute perforated appendicitis (APA) (n=14), according to the intraoperative findings and histopathologic examination. SOD and MDA were compared statistically between these subgroups and between them and the control group. Additionally, mean leukocyte counts of each group were determined and the differences between the groups were evaluated. Both SOD and MDA were significantly higher in the ASA and APA groups compared to controls and AFA group. The mean leukocyte numbers of the ASA and APA groups were significantly higher compared to the AFA group. Based to these results, it may be speculated that oxygen free radicals (OFR) may play an important role in the extent of AA. To prevent the hazardous effects of OFR, the organism may increase SOD and other antioxidant enzyme levels and/or activities.

Schwannoma with an Uncommon Upper Lip Location and Literature Review

Schwannomas are usually single, encapsulated, and benign tumors of the nerve sheath that arise from the perineural Schwann cells. Schwannomas are mostly seen in the fourth decade. Despite its location in the head and neck region is 25–45%, lip location of schwannoma are very rare. We present a case of a upper lip schwannoma in the pediatric age and review the literature.

Plasma D-Lactic Acid Level: A Useful Marker to Distinguish Perforated From Acute Simple Appendicitis

Early diagnosis of perforated appendicitis is important for reducing morbidity rates. The aim of this study was to determine the value and utility of plasma D-lactic acid levels in identifying the type of appendicitis. In this clinical study, plasma D-lactic acid levels were assessed in 44 consecutive paediatric patients (23 with acute appendicitis, 21 with perforated appendicitis) before laparotomy. D-lactic acid levels were determined by an enzymatic spectrophotometric technique using a D-lactic acid dehydrogenase kit. Patients with perforated appendicitis had higher D-lactic acid levels (3.970 +/- 0.687 mg/dL) than patients in the control group (0.478 +/- 0.149 mg/dL) and patients with acute appendicitis (1.409 +/- 0.324 mg/dL; p < 0.05). For a plasma D-lactic acid level greater than 2.5 mg/dL, the sensitivity and specificity of the D-lactic acid assay were 96% and 87%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 87%, the negative predictive value was 96%, and the diagnostic value was 91%. These results suggest that the measurement of plasma D-lactic acid levels may be a useful adjunct to clinical and radiological findings in distinguishing perforated from acute non-perforated appendicitis in children.