Bilge Can

Protective Effect of Lycopene against Radiation-Induced Hepatic Toxicity in Rats

The radioprotective effect of lycopene against liver damage was investigated in 80 female Sprague Dawley rats (10 per group). Early-group rats included: controls (group 1), lycopene (group 2), radiotherapy alone (group 3), and lycopene + radiotherapy (group 4). Lycopene (5 mg/kg per day) was administered orally for 7 days; single-fraction 8 Gy abdominopelvic radiotherapy was administered on day 8. Early-group rats were sacrificed on day 10. Late-group rats (groups 5 – 8) underwent treatment with the same regimens but, in groups 6 and 8, lycopene was administered until all rats were sacrificed, 60 days postradiotherapy. Liver malondialdehyde levels increased significantly and glutathione (GSH) levels, GSH-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity decreased significantly in radiotherapy versus control groups. In lycopene + radiotherapy groups, malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly and GSH levels, GSH-Px and SOD activity increased significantly compared with radiotherapy groups. No significant between-group histopathological differences were observed in early groups; in late groups, histopathological changes increased significantly in the radiotherapy group versus control group. A significant decrease in histopathological changes occurred in the lycopene + radiotherapy group compared with the radiotherapy group. Lycopene supplementation significantly reduced radiotherapy-induced oxidative liver injury.

Arthroplasty for the treatment of joint degeneration caused by ochronosis in two cases

Ochronosis is a rare metabolic disease caused by the deficiency of the homogentisic acid oxidase enzyme. With increasing age, accumulation of pigment deposits of homogentisic acid in the joint cartilage results in ochronotic osteoarthritis. We presented two female patients, with ages 55 and 60 years, who underwent staged bilateral uncemented total hip and bilateral cemented total knee arthroplasty, respectively, for osteoarthritis caused by ochronosis. Both patients had no significant complaints at final follow-up examinations made 12 months and 10 months after the second operation in the hip and knee, respectively. Plain radiographs did not show any abnormality in the components of the prostheses. Histopathologic examination of surgical specimens showed brown-black pigment deposits in the connective tissue and cartilage tissue.

Thymosin β4 is a novel potential prognostic marker in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Thymosin beta‐4 (Tβ4) is a major actin‐sequestering molecule that contributes to cell growth, differentiation, motility, survival, mitosis and angiogenesis. It is overexpressed in certain type of carcinoma and fibrosarcoma cell lines and is associated with metastatic potential. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between Tβ4 expression and clinicopathologic features and VEGF status in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Retrospectively, 60 GISTs were re‐examined and immunohistochemistry for Tβ4 and VEGF was performed. Increased expression of Tβ4 and VEGF was observed in 26 (43.3%) and in 19 (31.6%) of the tumors, respectively. Tβ4 expression was positively correlated with VEGF expression (p < 0.01). Tβ4 and VEGF expression were significantly associated with tumor size (p = 0.00 and p = 0.02, respectively) and high mitosis (p = 0.03 and p = 0.00, respectively). Although Tβ4 expression was positively associated with pleomorphism (p = 0.01), VEGF expression was positively associated with necrosis (p = 0.03). Tβ4 expression was related with local recurrence and/or metastasis (p = 0.03), but VEGF expression was not (p = 0.12). We firstly demonstrate the presence of Tβ4 protein in GISTs. Our study reveals that increased expression of Tβ4 could be considered as an indicator of aggressive behavior of tumor.

Intrathoracic malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with angiosarcoma in a child with NF1.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are uncommon in children and adolescents but occur more frequently in NF1 patients. Angiosarcomatous differentiation in MPNSTs is a rare entity with poor prognosis. We report on a 13-year-old boy with intrathoracic angiosarcoma arising in MPNST associated with NF1.

Effect of rosiglitazone on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Aim: Nephrotoxicity is a major side effect of cisplatin (Cis), a widely used chemotherapeutic drug. Recent studies have strongly suggested that inflammatory mechanisms may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Cis nephrotoxicity. Rosiglitazone (Ros), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist has been recently demonstrated to regulate inflammation by modulating the production of inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ros on the prevention of Cis-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods: Eighteen male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 150–200 g were included in the study. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: group 1: Cis-treated group; group 2: Cis–Ros-treated group; group 3: saline-treated group. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations were measured. In addition, extent of histological renal tubular injury in each animal was graded histologically. Results: Mean BUN and serum creatinine concentrations were significantly lower in group 3 than in group 1 (p < 0.05) and group 2 (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in terms of BUN and serum creatinine concentrations between groups 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). Acute tubular injury with karyomegalic changes in corticomedullary junction was significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than group 3 (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study indicates that post-insult administration of Ros does not seem to have a beneficial effect on prevention and severity of nephrotoxicity induced by Cis.

Metastasis of adenocarcinoma of the gall bladder to an endometrial polyp detected by endometrial curettage: case report and review of the literature.

SUMMARY Polyps are the most common benign lesions in the endometrium. Metastasis to the endometrial polyp from a distant primary tumor is rare. Breast carcinoma is the most frequent extragenital cancer that metastasizes to the endometrial polyp. We report the case of a 63-year-old with metastatic gall bladder adenocarcinoma involving endometrial polyps detected by endometrial curetting. It was the first sign of her metastatic disease. After this diagnosis, bone metastases were detected during radiologic screening. Gastrointestinal tumor metastasis to an endometrial polyp is a very rare event, but if a patient with a known primary extragenital tumor has abnormal vaginal bleeding, the possibility of metastasis should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Inhibition of vein graft intimal hyperplasia by periadventitial application of hyaluronic acid–carboxymethyl cellulose: An experimental study

Objective. Placement of an external support has been reported to prevent intimal hyperplasia of vein grafts. In this study, we investigated the effect of HA/CMC on intimal hyperplasia in a rabbit model. Design. Right jugular vein to common carotid artery bypass grafting was performed in 24 female New Zealand white rabbits (2.5–3.0 kg). Animals were divided into two groups: control group (n=12) and HA/CMC group (n=12). Absorbable membrane barrier was wrapped around vein grafts in HA/CMC group. In control group, no material was applied following venous graft bypass. Results. At 1 month, in the vein grafts supported with the HA/CMC membrane neointimal thickening was significantly less (109 µm [IQR, 78–166]) compared to the unsupported control grafts (220 µm [IQR; 101–312]; p<0.001). Medial thickening in the HA/CMC group (128 µm [IQR, 101–181]) compared to unsheathed control grafts (182 µm [IQR, 131–255] p<0.001) was also significantly less. Conclusion. Periadventitial placement of HA/CMC as an absorbable membrane inhibits intimal hyperplasia of vein bypass grafts in a rabbit model.

The effect of simvastatin and erythropoietin on renal fibrosis in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Abstract Prevention of fibrosis is a very important therapeutic strategy in the treatment of obstructive nephropathy (ON). The aim of this study is to show and compare the actions of Simvastatin (Simv) and Erythropoietin (Epo) in renal expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor B (PDGF-B), fibronectin and development of interstitial fibrosis in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). A total of 48 Sprague–Dawley rats were allocated to 4 groups of sham, Epo, Simv and control. Unilateral ureteral ligation was performed on all rats except the Sham group. For interstitial fibrosis Masson’s trichrome stain and for the expression of TGF-β, PDGF-B, bFGF, NFκB and fibronectin, immunohistochemical methods were used. In the Epo and Simv groups, expression of TGF-β and fibronectin and staining with Masson’s trichrome were less compared to the control group. In addition, fibronectin expression in the Epo group was less than the Simv group. Unlike the Simv group, NFκB and bFGF expression in the Epo group were less when compared to the control group. Consequently, it was seen that both Epo and Simv prevented fibrosis in ON. Epo was superior in this effect by suppressing the expressions of NFκB and bFGF more effectively than Simv. Based on this finding, Epo might be a better agent than Simv in the prevention of fibrosis in ON.

Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Metastatic Oligodendroglioma: Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Systemic metastasis of a glial tumor is a rare event. However, metastatic cases are anticipated to increase due to prolongation of survival as a result of the development of new treatment modalities. The possibility of metastasis should be considered in patients with a history of a glial tumor rather than a second primary tumor. Fine-needle aspiration cytology is one of the diagnostic procedures primarily applied for confirmation of metastasis in cases with a known primary focus. Therefore, comprehensive knowledge of diagnostic cytomorphologic findings is required in these cases. Case Report: We report a young woman with oligodendroglioma metastasizing to the cervical lymphatic chain 5 years after initial diagnosis. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed a highly cellular smear with dispersed single cells and loosely cohesive cell clusters showing rosette-like features on a clean background. The relatively monotonous tumor cells were small sized and had round nuclei with moderate anisonucleosis and scant cytoplasm without extensions. Diagnostic confirmation was made by excisional biopsy and demonstration of 1p19q codeletion on tissue section by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Conclusion: A brief review of the literature with an emphasis on the cytologic features of metastatic oligodendroglioma and differential diagnosis with respect to other metastatic small round cell tumors is provided.

Incidentally detected renal adenomatosis in a patient with urolithiasis: a case report.

A renal epithelial tumor with a papillary or tubulopapillary pattern and a low nuclear grade is defined as a renal adenoma if its diameter is 5 mm or less. Two important issues related to the renal adenoma are the lack of exact criteria for the histopathological differentiation from a papillary renal cell carcinoma and the lack of consensus as to whether it is a precancerous lesion. Renal adenomatosis is very rarely seen entity entity characterized by multiple and usually bilateral adenomas. Innumerable adenomas, adenomatous transformations within a single tubule and adenomas measuring 7 mm or less, were detected in a 47-year-old man who underwent simple nephrectomy due to nonfunctional hydronephrosis secondary to urolithiasis. In this paper, our diagnostic approach to this fairly rare entity is discussed along with a brief literature review.