Cengiz Ünsal

Comparison of mitomycin-c and heparin affects in experimental corrosive esophagitis on rats

OBJECTIVE We comparative effects of mitomycin-c and heparin which have different mechanism of action in a minimal invasive corrosive esophagitis model which was formed by NaOH 40%. METHOD The study was performed on forty female Wistar albino rats; were divided into four equal groups each including ten animals. Group C (n=10); control, the group that esophagus was washed with normal saline, group I (n=10); injury group; alkali esophagus burn, not treated, group M (n=10); alkali esophagus burn, mitomycin-c treatment group, group H (n=10); alkali esophagus burn, heparin treatment group. The study was performed on a minimal invasive model which did not require general anesthesia and abdominal operation. In 28 day, all subjects were killed and their esophaguss were removed by thoraco-abdominal cut. Total esophagi from oropharynx to stomach were removed and they were examined macroscopically and microscopically and evaluated for esophageal tissue collagen deposition and histopathologic damage score. RESULTS When group C is compared with each of the other groups, statistically significant weight losses were detected; [(p<0.005, p<0.05, p<0.005), respectively]. Significant inflammation increase was detected in groups I, M and H in comparison to group C [(p<0.001, p<0, 0001, p<0.005)]. When granulation scores of groups were compared; statistically significant granulation increases were detected in groups I, M, and H [(p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05) compared to group C]. Significant collagen increase was detected in all 3 layers in groups; I, M and H according to group C [(p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05)]. Collagen increase in every 3 layers in groups M and H were significantly less according to group I [(p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05)]. Collagen increase in every 3 layers was less in group M than group H (p<0.05). CONCLUSION In corrosive esophagitis due to NaOH, heparin treatment is more effective in inflammation and granulation formation, mitomycin-c treatment is more effective in preventing the collagen accumulation step. Heparin decreases the tissue damage by preventing the inflammation and granulation formation; and prevents collagen accumulation and stricture development. As completing the effect of heparin; mitomycin prevents fibroblastic activity inhibition with direct collagen accumulation and stricture development strongly.

The short-term protective effects of lycopene on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury may occur due to nephron-sparing surgery in patients with a solitary kidney or restricted renal parenchymas. Prophylactic agents do not always achieve their intended effects and may exhibit side effects. The present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene against hypoxia-induced renal damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twelve Wistar rats were used in the study. Female Wistar rats were divided into two groups of six rats each; the first group served as the control, and the second group was treated for two days with oral lycopene (4 mg/kg per day) before surgery. All Wistar rats were subjected to right nephrectomy and abdominal aorta clamping for 45 minutes to induce ischemia, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Blood samples were collected from all rats twice before surgery and 24-hours after surgery for analyses of serum urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium levels. Left nephrectomies were performed following reperfusion. Then histopathological scores were estimated, and malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in renal tissue samples were measured, and compared between groups. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the control, and the lycopene group with respect to postischemic urea, creatinine, or potassium levels. A significant difference between the groups was observed with respect to postischemic sodium levels (p=0.028). Pathological scores were higher in the control group than in the lycopene group (p<0.05). Mean tissue MDA levels in the control group were higher than in the lycopene group (p=0.055). The mean tissue GSH-Px levels were similar in the control, and lycopene groups. The mean GSH levels in the control group were higher than in the lycopene group (p>0.05). The mean tissue SOD levels were similar in the control, and lycopene groups. The mean CAT levels in the control group were higher than in the lycopene group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Lycopene may have a protective effect on the short-term biochemical and histopathological parameters following renal ischemia/perfusion injury.

Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field and Swimming Exercise on Rats with Experimental Sciatic Nerve Injury

[Purpose] The current study aimed to reveal the therapeutic effects of a pulsed electromagnetic field and swimming exercises on rats with experimental sciatic nerve injury, which was induced with crush-type neuropathy model damage, using electrophysiological methods. [Subjects] In the current study, the sample consisted of 28 adult male Wistar albino rats. [Methods] The rats were randomized into four groups (n=7). Swimming exercise and PEMF (2 Hz and 0.3 MT) were applied one hour a day, five days a week, for four weeks. Electroneuromyographic (ENMG) measurements were taken on day 7. [Results] When the data were evaluated, it was found that the 4 weeks of PEMF and swimming exercises led to an increase in motor conduction rates and a decrease in latency values, but the changes were not significant in comparison with the control and injury groups. The compound muscle action potential (CMAP) values of the left leg were lower in weeks 2, 3, and 4 in the swimming exercise group in comparison with the control group, although for the PEMF group, the CMAP values of the left leg reached the level observed in the control group beginning in week 3. [Conclusion] PEMF and swimming exercise made positive contributions to nerve regeneration after week 1, and regeneration was enhanced.

The expression of matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 by neutrophils of wistar albino rats with severe qualitative and quantitative protein malnutrition

Neutrophils are the major cellular immune components in response to bacterial infections. Neutrophil enzymes are important in invasion, inflammation, and infection processes. In order to understand the basic effects of protein malnutrition on neutrophils we studied matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 (MMP-8 and MMP-9) production in severe quantitative and qualitative protein malnutrition in rats. Wistar rats (2 months old) were divided into four groups each with three subgroups and fed various protein-containing diets (24% protein, 20% gelatin-containing and N-free) for 7, 14, 21, and/or 28 days. Neutrophil enzyme expression was determined by Western blotting. Leukocytes decreased significantly due to malnutrition (p = 0.001 ) whilst the percentage of neutrophils increased (p = 0.02) in protein-deprived groups. Neutrophils of malnourished rats produced lower levels of MMP-8 at early stages of protein deprivation with an increase in the following weeks. MMP-9 production by neutrophils from N-free diet fed animals was highest after one week. Serum MMP-9 levels decreased in the qualitative but not in the quantitative protein malnutrition groups. Results suggest that neutrophils might be important in reuse of body cell proteins during fasting or malnutrition conditions and dietary manipulation might have profound effects on MMP-8 and -9 production in rats.

Time-dependent effects of dietary qualitative and quantitative protein malnutrition on some members of the cecal microbiota in male Wistar rats

Objective: Protein deficiencies are common conditions around the world. They may affect organisms directly or indirectly by changing their normal microbiota. This study aimed to determine time-dependent effects of the quality and quantity of dietary proteins on intestinal microbiota. Materials and methods: Sixty young male Wistar rats were used in four experiments with durations of 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks, respectively. In each experiment 15 animals were divided into 3 equal groups and given either a complete rat chow (controls) or semi-synthetic diets containing almost no protein (N-free) or 20% gelatin ad libitum. Total aerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, coliform, and lactobacilli colonies were counted in cecal contents. Results: Generally, total aerobic bacteria and lactobacilli were most affected by protein malnutrition in all experiments. Both types of protein malnutrition decreased the numbers of total aerobic bacteria in all experiments except for the gelatin-fed animals in experiment I. Mean lactobacilli counts also decreased in both malnutrition groups but the decrease in lactobacilli count was more severe in N-free groups than in gelatin-fed groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that the effects of dietary proteins on cecal bacteria are dependent on the type of bacteria and partly time-dependent.

Neurotoxicity of Cuprizone in Female and Male Rats: Electrophysiological Observations

Cuprizone induces massive demyelination in the CNS; however, the effects of cuprizone on the functions of the peripheral nervous system, as well as differential effects it may exert on males and females, have not yet been studied. Thus, we aimed to examine changes in the electromyographic characteristics of female and male Sprague-Dawley rats with cuprizone-induced demyelination. The body mass, food intake, nerve conduction velocity (NCV) along the sciatic nerve, latency, amplitude, and integral intensity (area) of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP; m. gastrocnemius) were measured weekly throughout a 4-week demyelination period, and histological sections of the brain and sciatic nerve were examined. Cuprizone led to a reduction in the NCV, CMAP amplitude and area, body mass, and food intake; simultaneously, it led to an increase in the CMAP latency. Notably, electrophysiological observations reveal that cuprizone affects both female and male rats, but males are more sensitive. This is the first study showing gender differences for the peripheral neurotoxicity of cuprizone.

Evaluation of proximal and distal motor nerve conduction using the electrical root stimulation technique in the femoral and obturator nerves

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the adaptability of the electrical root stimulation technique by achieving normative data from the obturator and femoral nerves of healthy dogs. METHODS For this purpose, two stimulations and recordings were performed on both the obturator and femoral nerves in 40 dogs (22 males and 18 females). Electrical root stimulation was applied via monopolar needle electrodes between the sixth to seventh and fifth to sixth lumbar interarcuate spaces to the obturator and femoral nerves, respectively. Muscle waves were recorded from the gracilis and sartorius muscles of the left and right pelvic limb. RESULTS The proximal motor nerve conduction velocity was 60.89 ± 3.93 m/s and 59.87 ± 4.83 m/s in the obturator and femoral nerves, respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Our results showed that electrical root stimulation could be a useful method to test the integrity of the roots of obturator and femoral nerves and their proximal parts.

Comparison of Clinical and Hemodynamic Effects of Isoflurane and Sevoflurane Anesthesia in Calves

Background: Inhalation anesthesia is the preferred method for use on many animal species, including ruminants, due to its superiority over the injectable anesthetics. The most commonly used inhalation anesthetics are isoflurane and sevoflurane The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia on the cardiovascular system of calves. Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 20 calves (11 male, 9 female) between 1 and 6 months in age and 50 to 85 kg in body weight were used. The calves were divided randomly into two groups of 10 each, with one group being administered isoflurane and the other sevoflurane. An intramuscular dosage of 0.1 mg/kg of xylazine was administered to the calves as premedication. Induction was performed 10 min after calves were given an intramuscular dosage of 4 mg/kg of ketamine. Inhalation anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane or sevoflurane in 100% oxygen saturation. Before anesthesia, after induction and at intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, and 60 min of anesthesia, the body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate of the calves were recorded. Additionally, before anesthesia, after induction and at intervals of 15, 30, 45, and 60 min of anesthesia, serum electrolyte (Na+, Ca++, K+, Mg++) and blood gases (pH, pCO2, pO2, HCO3-, TCO2, O2Sat, HCT) were evaluated from blood samples taken from both groups. The second derivation, durations and amplitudes of the P and T waves, the durations and amplitudes of the QRS complex, and the durations of PQ and QT intervals were evaluated on the ECGs recorded before anesthesia, after induction and during anesthesia. Following anesthesia termination, the extubation time and the time it took for straightening of the head and standing up were recorded. Decrease in heart rate and body temperature were found significant in two of the groups. Decrease in respiratory rate compared to initial values after premedication was statistically significant for both groups. However, during anesthesia, an increase occurred. This incresae in respiration rate was not statistically significant compared to initial values. The incease in the values of pCO2, pO2, HCO3 and the decrease in the values of pH and Hct comparing the initial values was found statistically significant in both groups. Discussion: In ruminants, isoflurane has an induction concentration of 3-5% and an anesthetic concentration of 1.5-3%, while sevoflurane has an induction concentration of 4-6% and an anesthetic concentration of 2.5-4%. In this study, the concentration of isoflurane was 2.3% (2-5) and the of sevoflurane was 4.07% (3-5) for surgery. In the isoflurane group, extubation, straightening of the head and standing up times were 12.40 ± 3.77 min, 20.4 ± 1.57 min, and 30.80 ± 1.89 min, respectively. In the sevoflurane group, extubation, straightening of the head and standing up times were 13.40 ± 4.99, 19.2 ± 1.49, and 28.0 ± 1.83 min, respectively. Although the calves in the isoflurane group were extubated earlier than those of the sevoflurane group, the time elapsed for straightening of the head and standing up were longer than that of the sevoflurane group. The anesthesia protocol provided a smooth anesthetic administration, general anesthesia and awakening. In conclusion, the effects of isoflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia on the cardiovascular and respiratory system were similar, and although the changes that emerged during anesthesia were statistically significant, it was nonetheless found that the changes were within the physiological limits.