Dilek Burukoglu

Protective Effects of Zinc on Testes of Cadmium-Treated Rats

In this microscopic study, the toxic effects of cadmium (Cd) and the protective role of a zinc (Zn) co-treatment were investigated in the testes of the rats treated with Cd. At the dose and duration used, Cd severely damaged the seminiferous tubules and caused the degeneration and disintegration of spermatogenic cells. Leydig cells were also lost after Cd treatment. The present study showed that zinc co-treatment protected testes against toxic effects of cadmium.

Silver ion doped ceramic nano-powder coated nails prevent infection in open fractures: In vivo study §

BACKGROUND Despite improvement in operative techniques and antibiotic therapy, septic complications still occur in open fractures. We developed silver ion containing ceramic nano powder for implant coating to provide not only biocompatibility but also antibacterial activity to the orthopaedic implants. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES We hypothesised silver ion doped calcium phosphate based ceramic nano-powder coated titanium nails may prevents bacterial colonisation and infection in open fractures as compared with uncoated nails. METHODS 33 rabbits divided into three groups. In the first group uncoated, in the second group hydroxyapatite coated, and in the third group silver doped hydroxyapatite coated titanium nails were inserted left femurs of animals from knee regions with retrograde fashion. Before implantation of nails 50 μl solution containing 10(6)CFU/ml methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) injected intramedullary canal. Rabbits were monitored for 10 weeks. Blood was taken from rabbits before surgery and on 2nd, 6th and 10th weeks. Blood was analysed for biochemical parameters, blood count, C-reactive protein and silver levels. At the end of the 10 weeks animals were sacrificed and rods were extracted in a sterile fashion. Swab cultures were taken from intramedullary canal. Bacteria on titanium rods were counted. Liver, heart, spleen, kidney and central nervous tissues samples were taken for determining silver levels. Histopathological evaluation of bone surrounding implants was also performed. RESULTS No significant difference was detected between the groups from hematologic, biochemical, and toxicological aspect. Microbiological results showed that less bacterial growth was detected with the use of silver doped ceramic coated implants compared to the other two groups (p=0.003). Accumulation of silver was not detected. No cellular inflammation was observed around the silver coated prostheses. No toxic effect of silver on bone cells was seen. CONCLUSION Silver ion doped calcium phosphate based ceramic nano powder coating to orthopaedic implants may prevents bacterial colonisation and infection in open fractures compared with those for implants without any coating.

A comparative study on the therapeutic effects of silymarin and silymarin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles on D-GaIN/TNF-α-induced liver damage in Balb/c mice.

Nanostructure-mediated drug delivery is known to have a potential to improve drug bioavailability, apart from fostering release deviation of drug molecules and enabling precision drug targeting. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have drawn great deal of the attention of scientists in finding a solution to minimize pharmaceutic limitations of the drugs used. Silymarin (Sm) has so far been used for treating diverse liver and gallbladder disorders, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and jaundice, and for protecting the liver against poisoning from chemical and environmental toxins on account of its antihepatotoxic and antioxidative properties. The present study aims to develop a novel silymarin-loaded solid lipid nanoparticle (Sm-loaded SLN) system with enhanced bioavailability and with an ability to provide excellent hepatic protection for poorly water-soluble drugs. Based upon our investigation results with apoptotic markers, PCNA and lightmicroscopic findings, it can be concluded that Sm-loaded SLN significantly reduced D-GaIN/TNF-α-induced hepatotoxicity, which suggested improved bioactivity compared to Sm. In conclusion, Sm-loaded SLN could be a useful system for the delivery of poorly water-soluble Sm, apart from providing favourable hepatic protection.

Chitosan and blueberry treatment induces arginase activity and inhibits nitric oxide production during acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity

Background: Liver diseases have become a major problem of the worldwide. More than 50% of all cases of liver failure can be attributed to drugs. Among these, acetaminophen is the most common cause. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the the hepatoprotective effects of blueberry and chitosan on tissue arginase activity, ornithine and nitric oxide levels during the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Acetaminophen (250 mg/kg body weight per day), blueberry (60 mg/kg body weight per day) and, chitosan (200 mg/kg body weight per day) were administered to the rats by oral gavage during the experimental period. Results: Blueberry and chitosan significantly decreased liver arginase activity and ornithine levelsand and increased nitric oxide levels. Glutathione levels were remarkably increased by chitosan and blueberry treatments. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that blueberry and chitosan effectively protected against the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. The hepatoprotective effect afforded by blueberry and chitosan can be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

The effects of carnosine in an experimental rat model of septic shock

Background To examine the effect of carnosine on liver function and histological findings in experimental septic shock model, 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Material/Methods Rats were divided into control, septic shock, and carnosine-treated septic shock groups. Femoral vein and artery catheterization were performed on all rats. Rats in the control group underwent laparotomy and catheterization; in the test groups, cecal ligation-perforation and bladder cannulation were added. Rats in the treatment group received a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of 250 mg/kg carnosine 60 minutes after cecal ligation-perforation. Rats were monitored for blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature to assess the postoperative septic response, and body fluids were replaced as necessary. At the end of 24 hours, rats were sacrificed and liver samples were collected. Results Statistically significant improvements were observed in liver function, tissue and serum MDA levels, and histological findings in rats treated with carnosine, compared to rats with untreated sepsis. HB and HCT values did not change significantly during the course of the experiment. Rats exposed to septic shock and treated with carnosine exhibited decreased sinusoidal dilatation and cellular inflammation into the portal region, compared to the sepsis group; the livers of rats in this group had near-normal histological structure. Conclusions We conclude that carnosine may be an effective treatment for oxidative damage due to liver tissue perfusion defects in cases of septic shock.

The histopathological effect of thymoquinone on experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in rats.

Background Rhinosinusitis is a common disorder and its treatment includes a variety of topical and systemic drugs. This study was designed to determine the histopathological effect of thymoquinone on experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in rats. Methods Sixty rats were randomly allocated into 3 test and 2 control groups, each of which consisted of 12 animals. The rhinosinusitis model was induced using intranasal application of platelet-activating factor. In test groups, the animals were separated into groups: (1) rhinosinusitis-antibiotherapy, (2) rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone, (3) rhinosinusitis-combination therapy. The positive and negative control groups were defined: rhinosinusitis group without any treatment and the group without rhinosinusitis, respectively. The histopathological features (vascular congestion, inflammation, and epithelial injury) in nasal respiratory and olfactory mucosa of animals were examined and graded according to their severity. A quantitative and statistical analysis of histopathological features was performed. Results All histopathological features showed statistically significant differences between negative and positive control groups, respectively. Conversely, neither the group with rhinosinusitis-antibiotherapy nor the group with rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone had a statistically significant difference with the negative control group. Moreover, none of the histopathological features showed a statistically significant difference, when the group with rhinosinusitis-antibiotherapy and the group with rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone were compared. A statistically significant difference was not determined when the group with rhinosinusitis-combination therapy was compared with the group with rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone. The histopathological features did not show a statistically significant difference between the group with combination therapy and the negative control Conclusion Thymoquinone is a promising bioactive agent for the treatment of rhinosinusitis, and its histopathological effect is as equivalent as an antibiotic.

The investigation of the prenatal and postnatal alcohol exposure-induced neurodegeneration in rat brain: protection by betaine and/or omega-3

PurposeWe aim to study the effect of neurodegeneration on the brain of rat pups caused by prenatal and postnatal ethanol exposure with modified liquid diet to elucidate protective effects of betaine and omega-3 supplementation. When ethanol is consumed during prenatal and postnatal periods, it may result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in the offspring.MethodsRats were divided into control, ethanol, ethanol + betaine, ethanol + omega-3, ethanol + omega-3 + betaine groups. The effect of betaine and omega-3 in response to ethanol-induced changes on the brain, by biochemical analyses cytochrome c, caspase-3, calpain, cathepsin B and L, DNA fragmentation, histological and morfometric methods were evaluated.ResultsCaspase-3, calpain, cathepsin B, and cytochrome c levels in ethanol group were significantly higher than control. Caspase-3, calpain levels were decreased in ethanol + betaine, ethanol + omega-3, and ethanol + omega-3 + betaine groups compared to ethanol group. Cathepsin B in ethanol + omega-3 + betaine group was decreased compared to ethanol, ethanol + betaine groups. Cathepsin L and DNA fragmentation were found not statistically significant. We found similar results in histological and morfometric parameters.ConclusionWe found that pre- and postnatal ethanol exposure is capable of triggering necrotic cell death in rat brains, omega-3, and betaine reduce neurodegeneration. Omega-3 and betaine may prove beneficial for neurodegeneration, particularly in preventing FAS.

Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory meloxicam on stomach, kidney, and liver of rats

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs are the most commonly used group of drugs today. Increase in the use of standard NSAI for treating pain and inflammation was restricted by the fact that these drugs were proven to possibly cause gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Meloxicam is a NSAI that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. This study aims to investigate the effects of meloxicam on stomach, kidney, and liver of rats under light microscopy level. Based on the light microscopic observations, mononuclear cell infiltration and pseudolobular formation was established in liver samples of animals in the experimental group. Metaplasia in surface and glandular epithelia and atrophy were observed in stomach samples. Glomerular stasis-related hypertrophy and focal interstitial nephritis were found in kidneys. It was concluded in this study that meloxicam might cause hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and gastric metaplasia in rats at a used dose and duration.

Use of Dural Graft to Prevent Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leakage and its Effects on Medulla Spinalis: An Experimental Study

Introduction: Dural injuries are encountered generally as trauma, spinal tumor excision or postop complications. It is a major problem leads to cerebrospinal fluid leakage meningitis. The method used often in repair is applying the watertight suture to the damaged area with appropriate measures of fascia and dural grafts. The used grafts can be ranged as bovine pericardium, synthetic collagen matrices, fibrin tissue adhesive, vicryl, and polydioxanone graft. In the studies, it is observed that there is still no significant difference between grafts and fascia. Material-Methods: In our study, 60 Spraque Dawley rats whose weights are ranging from 200-250 gr were used. The solution consists of the ketamine hydrochloride (60 mg/kg) and xylazine (12 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to the subjects and the subjects were taken into anesthesia. The subjects were divided into 5 groups. In the first group no extra action was taken, in the second group, fibrin tissue adhesive was applied on the dural injury and in the third group collagen matrix was applied on the dural injury, in the fourth group bovine pericardium was applied on the dural injury, in the fifth group subcutaneous fascia (autogenetic graft) was applied on the dural injury. Surgical Operation: After providing the sterile conditions and operating the anesthesia agents, the experimental animals were laid down on the operating table in the prone position for surgical operation. Following the local area cleaning and environment isolation, subcutaneous incision was applied. Fascia was opened and paravertebral muscles were scarred subperiostally. After applying L1-4 laminectomy, approximately 2 cm linear incision was made with bistoury and cerebrospinal fluid leakage was observed from the dural injury. Analgesia was applied with 10 mg/kg paracetamol on the subjects which survived approximately 6 weeks after the operation. On the 7th day (early group) after the operation, 6 animals from each group and 6 animals from each group after 6 weeks from the operation were injected 100 mg/kg phenobarbital intraperitoneally and scarification operation was completed. Former incision was opened and spinal cord under the laminectomy area was removed with the dural graft as a block and histopathological findings was provided. Histopathological findings: The incisions from this area were stained with Hematoxylin Eosin and Masson Trichrome. In the examination, collagen, vascular diagenesis and necrosis from histopathological findings were examined in early period (first week) and late period (sixth) week. It was observed that in the groups.

Protective Effects of the Nuclear Factor Kappa B Inhibitor Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate on Experimental Testicular Torsion and Detorsion Injury

Testicular torsion results with the damage of the testis and it is a surgical emergency. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is a low-molecular-weight antioxidant and potent inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of PDTC to testicular torsion-detorsion (T/D) injury. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into four groups. A sham operation was performed in group I. In group II, torsion is performed 2 hours by 720 degree extravaginally testis. In group III, 4 h reperfusion of the testis was performed after 2 h of testicular torsion. In group IV, after performing the same surgical procedures as in group III, PDTC (100 mg/kg, intravenouss) was administered before 30 min of detorsion. The testes tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) catalase (CAT) level was evaluated. Histological evaluations were performed after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Testicular tissue MDA levels were the highest in the T/D groups compared with treatment group. Administration of PDTC prevented a further increase in MDA levels. Significant decrease occurred in CAT and SOD levels in treatment group compared with the control group. The rats in the treatment group had normal testicular architecture. The results suggest that PDTC can be a potential protective agent for preventing the biochemical and histological changes related to oxidative stress in testicular injury caused by testis torsion.