Akgül Arıcı

The Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Curcumin in Middle Ear Infection.

Aim:To investigate and analyze the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy of curcumin in experimentally induced middle ear infection. Method:Twenty-four Wistar albino rats with otomicroscopic examination findings within normal limits were included in the study. Study groups were established after Streptococcus pneumoniae was inoculated into the middle ear cavity of all rats. No medication was administered to Group 1, the control group. Group 2 was administered 50 mg/kg/day amoxicillin intraperitoneally. Group 3 was administered 50 mg/kg/day amoxicillin together with 30 mg/kg/day curcumin intraperitoneally. Blood specimens and temporal bones were collected on the 10th day of medication from the 22 rats in which acute otitis media developed. Serum glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde levels were measured. Inflammatory cell infiltration, vascular proliferation, and epithelial proliferation were assessed histopathologically in middle ear mucosa specimens, and the results were compared among the groups. Results:Malondialdehyde levels in the group given curcumin were significantly lower than those of the control group, while serum glutathione peroxidase activity was also lower compared to that of the control group. No significant difference was observed among the groups in terms of superoxide dismutase activity. Although there were no significant findings in terms of histopathological data, epithelial proliferation in the groups receiving antibiotherapy was suppressed compared to the control group. Similarly, curcumin was observed to have a positive effect on inflammatory cell infiltration. No significant changes were observed in terms of vascular proliferation. Conclusion:With its wide and safe dose range, curcumin represents grounds for optimism in terms of anti-inflammatory treatment in acute otitis media.

Acute cardiotoxic effects of high dose toluene: an experimental study

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the acute cardiotoxic effects of high dose toluene and its damage mechanisms on heart tissue in the acute period. METHODS Twenty adult male Wistar Albino rats (200-220 g) were used in this controlled experimental animal study. Animals were divided into two equal groups: a control group (Group 1) and a high dose (6 mL/kg/gavage) toluene-administered group (Group 2). Arterial blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) values were measured at 30th, 60th and 90th minutes after toluene was administered. At the end of the experimental period, blood samples and heart tissues were taken from the rats. Serum troponin T levels were assayed. Heart tissue sections were stained using routine histological methods and examined under a light microscope. In addition, the sections were immunohistochemically stained using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method to determine caspase-3 immunoreactivity and TUNEL to detect apoptosis. To compare the apoptotic index, the Mann-Whitney U test was used. For comparisons between the two groups, the independent t- test was used. In addition, time-based changes of intra-group parameters were evaluated using paired t tests. RESULTS BP and HR values were low in toluene-treated rats compared to the control group. Troponin T levels were increased in toluene-administered animals as compared with controls [Toluene group: 0.140 (0.010-2.000) ng/mL vs control group: 0.010 (0.010-0.010) ng/mL, p=0.01]. Histopathologic examination of heart tissue sections showed congestion and edema in toluene administrated rats. Higher TUNEL positivity and (+++) immunoreactivity for caspase-3 protein were observed in the toluene group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated that high doses of toluene cause apoptosis and may lead to impairment of cardiac function in the acute period.

Effects of carvedilol on an ischemia/reperfusion model: Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carvedilol (CVD) on experimentally induced ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.

Investigation of age-related changes in the expression of aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-5 in the salivary glands of mice

Abstract Conclusion: The increased AQP5 expression associated with ageing in glands, which mainly secreted a serous solution, suggests a compensation for the decreased amount of saliva secretion associated with age progression. Objective: To investigate the change in aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and aquaporin-5 (AQP5) expression in the salivary glands in young and elder mice. Materials and method: Twelve female mice from the Balb/C genus (30–50 g) were used. The mice were separated into two groups: Group I had 2-month-old mice and Group II had 18-month-old mice. Salivary glands (glandula parotidea, glandula sublungualis, glandula submaxillaris) were excised and examined immunohistochemically and histopathologically. AQP1 and AQP5 expression of young and elder mice was evaluated using the H-score. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Upon histopathological examination, the acini of glands were found to be atrophic in elder mice. The number and diameter of intercalated ducts were increased. Indeed, the amount of adipose tissue in the gland was increased. Upon immunohistochemical examination, both AQP1 and AQP5 levels in sublingual glands of elder mice were increased (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, only AQP5 levels were increased in the parotid gland of elder mice (p < 0.01).

Tracheobroncopathia osteochondroplastica: Three case reports with literature review

Tracheobroncopathia osteochondroplastica (TO) is a benign disease of the large airways seen very rarely. It is characterized by 1-3 mm sized ossified nodular lesions in submucosa. Its etiology is unclear, but it is stated that malignancy, chronic inflammation, amyloidosis, and genetic factors might have an effect on it. It was first described by Wilks in a 38-year-old man diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1857. Generally, patients are asymptomatic and TO is diagnosed incidentally. But symptoms become significant with infections and obstruction in tracheabronchial tree. Generally chest radiography is normal, so thorax computed tomography can be remarkable in diagnosis of TO. Besides, final diagnosis can be established by viewing ossified nodules in trachea and bronchus through the fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Amyloidosis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, bronchial carcinoma, and tracheobronchial calcinosis must be remembered in differential diagnosis. Also ossifications in submucosa and proof of bone marrow in histopathological examinations are important in diagnosis of TO. Mostly palliative treatment is performed to the symptoms . We want the clinicians to keep in mind for this very rarely seen tracheal disease with three case reports.

Effects of Ecballium elaterium on brain in a rat model of sepsis-associated encephalopathy

ABSTRACT Despite recent advances in antibiotic therapy, sepsis remains a major clinical challenge in intensive care units. Here we examined the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Ecballium elaterium (EE) on brain, and explored its therapeutic potential in an animal model of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) [induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)]. Thirty rats were divided into three groups of 10 each: control, sepsis, and treatment. Rats were subjected to CLP except for the control group, which underwent laparatomy only. The treatment group received 2.5 mg/kg EE while the sepsis group was administered by saline. Twenty-four hours after laparotomy, animals were sacrificied and the brains were removed. Brain homogenates were prepared to assess interleukin 1beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant status (TOS). Brain tissue sections were stained by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) to semi-quantitatively examine the histopathologic changes such as neuron degeneration, pericellular/perivascular edema and inflammatory cell infiltration in the cerebral cortex. We found a statistically significant reduction in brain tissue homogenate levels of TNF-α 59.5 ± 8.4/50.2 ± 6.2 (p = 0.007) and TOS 99.3 ± 16.9/82.3 ± 7.8 (p = 0.01) in rats treated with EE; although interleukin 6 levels were increased in the treatment group compared to the sepsis group, this was not statistically significant. Neuronal damage (p = 0.00), pericellular/perivascular edema and inflammatory cell infiltration (p = 0.001) were also significantly lower in the treatment group compared to those in the sepsis group. These data suggest that Ecballium elaterium contains some components that exert protective effects against SAE in part by attenuating accumulation of proinflammatory cytokines, which may be important contributors to its anti-inflammatory effects during sepsis.

Stevens-Johnson Sendromu sonrasında gelişen Fox-Fordyce hastalığı: olgu sunumu

Fox-Fordyce hastaligi (FFH), apokrin ter bezlerin kronik, nadir gorulen, klinik olarak kasintili papullerle karakterize bir hastaligidir. Kadinlarda daha sik gorulur ve etyolojisi tam olarak net degildir. Bu makalede Stevens-Johnson Sendromu sonrasinda dudaklarinda FFD gelisen 17 yasinda bir erkek hasta sunuldu.

Sub-branch and mixed-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas: 2 case reports

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN) is one of the cystic neoplasias of the pancreas. The imaging findings provide that these tumors are differentiated from the other cystic lesions of the pancreas, especially from the chronic pancreatitis, where the treatment protocol is completely different. Therefore, the correct diagnosis and classification of the IPMN ensures that the patient receives the correct approach and the appropriate surgery, if necessary. The purpose of this study is to emphasize the imaging findings of the different types of the IPMN and the changes in the management protocol of the patients according to these radiological findings.

Evaluation of iron and zinc levels in recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to look into the roles of iron and zinc metals in etiopathogenesis of recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy by evaluating the levels of iron and zinc elements in the palatine tonsillar tissue. METHODS In total, 40 patients who underwent a tonsillectomy to treat recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy were included in the study. Patients were classified into two groups, recurrent tonsillitis and tonsillar hypertrophy, determined by the results of clinical and histopathological examination. The levels of iron and zinc elements were determined for each tonsillar tissue sample. RESULTS There was a significant difference in the iron and zinc concentrations (p<0.001) between the tonsillar hypertrophy and recurrent tonsillitis groups. The levels of iron and zinc were significantly lower in the recurrent tonsillitis group. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that low tissue concentrations of iron and zinc may lead to recurrent tonsillitis.

Nadir Bir Olgu: Erkekte Memenin İnvaziv Papiller Karsinomu

Breast cancer is a rare disease among male patients. All types of woman breast cancer can also be see in male patients. Invazive papillary carcinoma is rare type of breast cancer. Right mastectomy and dissection of lenf nodes was performed in a 61 years old male patients suffering from a mass in the breast. Macroscopic examination revealed cyctic regions located centrally and solid tumoral lesion surrounding this region. Microscopic examination detected papillary, adenoid and cribriform structures. Myoepithelial layer was not detected in the basal. Examination of three lenf nodes revealed metastatic tumor. The patient was diagnosed with invasive papillary carcinoma. Rare types should also be kept in mind beside more common subtypes in male breast cancer.