Bahadır Kumral

Protective effects of thymoquinone against apoptosis and oxidative stress by arsenic in rat kidney

Abstract We aimed to investigate the protective role of thymoquinone (TQ) by targeting its antiapoptotic and antioxidant properties against kidney damage induced by arsenic in rats. We have used the 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were divided into three groups. Physiological serum in 10 mL/kg dose as intragastric was given to the control group. Sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg, intragastric by gavage for fifteen days) was given to the arsenic group. Sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg, intragastric by gavage for fifteen days) and TQ (10 mg/kg, intragastric by gavage for 15 days) was given to the arsenic + TQ group. After 15 days, the animals’ kidneys were taken theirs, then we have performed histological and apoptotic assessment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have examined as the oxidative stress parameters. We have determined the levels of arsenic. Increased renal injury and apoptotic cells have been detected in the arsenic group. Degenerative changes in the arsenic + TQ group were diminished. Although the MDA levels were augmented in the arsenic group, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px enzyme activities were lessened than the other groups. Our findings suggest that TQ may impede the oxidative stress, the cells have been damaged and also the generation of apoptotic cells arisen from arsenic. TQ plays a protective role against arsenic-induced toxicity in kidney and may potentially be used as a remedial agent.

Accidental deaths by hanging among children in Istanbul, Turkey: retrospective analysis of medicolegal autopsies in 33 years

AbstractHanging is a type of strangulation by means of rope or any other similar material. This kind of ligature strangulation occurs by weight of the body dragging due to gravity and applying force to the neck. Hanging almost never occurs by accident, but occurs mostly as a way to commit suicide.A total number of 82,871 autopsies were performed in the Council of Forensic Medicine of the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Justice (Istanbul) between 1979 and 2012, and 4500 (5.43%) of these deaths occurred as a result of hanging. Thirteen of these reported cases have been observed and resulted in death occurring by accident. Seven of these victims were males, and 6 of them were females. Examination of their ages revealed that 3 of these victims were aged 1 year, and 3 victims were aged 6 years. The oldest victim was aged 13 years, and the youngest one was aged 1 year. It has been recorded that 8 of the deaths occurred with rope, 2 with sweater, 2 with scarf, 1 with belt, and 1 with tights. Investigation of the incidents revealed that 3 of the cases occurred by tangling in a rope swing and 2 with a head scarf. Ligature marks on the neck from aforementioned materials and ecchymosis on soft tissue were observed on all of the victims, and the thyroid cartilages and cervical vertebrae were intact. No substance was found in the toxicological analysis performed on all victims.In conclusion, our study showed that although accidental death by hanging took place rarely in these ages, all of the victims were between the ages of 1 and 13 years who recently started walking and entering their teenage years. It is important not to leave the children at home or in the playgrounds alone for a long time (unsupervised at home or in the playgrounds). Precautionary measures must be taken against danger, and the design of materials manufactured for this age group must be reconsidered.

A fatal case of heroin body packing in Turkey

Body packers (sometimes known as ‘‘mules’’) are smugglers who conceal narcotic substances packed in capsules, condoms, balloons, plastic bags, or fingers of latex gloves in various anatomical cavities or body orifices for transport through customs and to avoid detection [1–3]. The mouth, rectum, gastrointestinal tract, ear, vagina, and even foreskin have been reported as sites for drug concealment. The drug containers endanger the carrier, because of the risk of leakage or rupture with the subsequent absorption. Gastrointestinal obstruction may also take place. When poisoning occurs, cocaine ingestors cause the greatest clinical management problems [4, 5]. Death caused by body packing is a rare event in Turkey, and the known cases have usually involved foreign students or tourists. We report a case of a body packer found dead and decomposed at home, and we discuss the medicolegal aspects of this type of fatality. A 30-year-old foreign student, who studied at a university in Turkey, was found dead at his home. External examination of the corpse showed marked decomposition and no traumatic findings (Fig. 1). The postmortem interval was estimated to be 5–7 days. Upon opening of the abdominal cavity, the stomach was found to be heavily expanded, and there were 60 carefully prepared packages in the stomach (Fig. 2). The size of each package was about 5 9 2 cm. Plastic adhesive bandages were coiled around the chemical contents to form each package. These packages were opened at our Chemistry Department, and the total substance weight in the 60 packages was 584 g. Toxicological analysis [6] of the contents revealed 260 g of heroin and 31.3 g of 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM). Toxicological analysis of internal organs showed no toxic substances. There was no alcohol in blood samples. There was 292 ng/ml of opiate metabolite (morphine) in blood; codeine and heroin metabolites (morphine and 6-MAM) were also detected in urine. Microscopic examination of the organs revealed marked autolysis. Such a method of concealment of illicit drugs in drug smuggling via body cavities was first reported in 1975 [7]. The smugglers using this method are known as ‘‘body packers,’’ ‘‘swallowers,’’ or ‘‘stuffers’’. Body packing is mainly used for carriage of cocaine, heroin, amphetamines, and cannabis [1–7]. The process of swallowing or inserting illegal packets of drugs for the purpose of evading law enforcement carries risks to lives other than criminal charges. The risks are dependent on the type of drugs being transported, the size of the packages, and the quality of packaging. The most frequent cause of death among body packers is acute drug intoxication due to rupture of packages within the gastrointestinal tract. There are reports of such package ruptures and the resulting death due to overdose [8, 9]. The need for surgical intervention in suspected rupture, gastrointestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal ulceration, and even respiratory arrest due to the aspiration of a package have been noted [10–13]. These cases are also important for clinicians due to presentation with atypical signs and symptoms. In cocaine A part of this article was presented at the First Eurasian Congress of Forensic Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey, 2008.

Evidence for an association between suicide and religion: a 33-year retrospective autopsy analysis of suicide by hanging during the month of Ramadan in Istanbul

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on the number of suicides in order to assess whether religious faith is associated with a decreased number of suicides during that period. In this retrospective study, a total number of 82,871 autopsies have been performed in the Morgue Department of the Council of Forensic Medicine (Istanbul) of the Ministry of Justice between 1978 and 2012, 33 years. For the study purposes, the earlier start of Islamic calendar months (i.e. 10 or 11 days earlier each year) compared with the Gregorian calendar was taken into account and file details such as crime scene investigation reports, information obtained from the police, and autopsy results were assessed. Of the 4315 suicide cases, 267 were reported during Ramadan, while 4048 were recorded during other months. Of the 33 years examined, only five Ramadan months exhibited a suicide rate above the annual average and there was a significantly lower (p = 0.042) incidence of suicides during Ramadan. Suicide by hanging is less frequent during Ramadan compared with non-Ramadan months, probably reflecting a positive spiritual influence of this period on Muslims.