Ertugrul Uzar

The anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of nebivolol and zofenopril in a model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats.

The aim of this experiment was to investigate whether nebivolol and zofenopril have protective effects against oxidative damage and apoptosis induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). There were seven groups of rats, with each containing eight rats. The groups were: the control group, I/R group, I/R plus zofenopril, I/R plus nebivolol, I/R plus nebivolol and zofenopril, zofenopril only and nebivolol only. Cerebral I/R was induced by clamping the bilateral common carotid artery and through hypotension. The rats were sacrificed 1h after ischemia, and histopathological and biochemical analyses were carried out on their brains. The total antioxidant capacity was evaluated by using an automated and colorimetric measurement method developed by Erel. I/R produced a significant increase in the levels of total oxidant status and malondialdehyde levels, the number of caspase-3 immunopositive cells and activities of prolidase and paraoxonase in brain when compared with the control group (p<0.05). A significant decrease in brain total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide levels were found in I/R group when compared with the control group (p<0.05). Both nebivolol and zofenopril treatment prevented decreasing of the total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide levels, produced by I/R in the brain (p<0.05). Both nebivolol and zofenopril treatment prevented the total oxidant status, malondialdehyde levels, activities of paraoxonase and prolidase from increasing in brains of rats exposed to I/R (p<0.05). In conclusion, both nebivolol and zofenopril protected rats from ischemia-induced brain injury. The protection may be due to the indirect prevention of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Protective Effects of Beta Glucan and Gliclazide on Brain Tissue and Sciatic Nerve of Diabetic Rats Induced by Streptozosin

There have not been yet enough studies about effects of beta glucan and gliclazide on oxidative stress created by streptozotocin in the brain and sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. The aim of this paper was to investigate the antioxidant effects of gliclazide and beta glucan on oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation created by streptozotosin in brain and sciatic nerve. Total of 42 rats were divided into 6 groups including control, diabetic untreated (DM) (only STZ, diabetic), STZ (DM) + beta glucan, STZ (DM) + gliclazide, only beta glucan treated (no diabetic), and only gliclazide treated (no diabetic). The brain and sciatic nerve tissue samples were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and paraoxonase (PON-1) levels. We found a significant increase in MDA, TOS, and OSI along with a reduction in TAS level, catalase, and PON-1 activities in brain and sciatic nerve of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Also, this study shows that in terms of these parameters both gliclazide and beta glucan have a neuroprotective effect on the brain and sciatic nerve of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat. Our conclusion was that gliclazide and beta glucan have antioxidant effects on the brain and sciatic nerve of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat.

Serum Levels of Calcification Inhibitors in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage

ABSTRACT The vascular calcification regulators and inflammatory markers including fetuin-A, osteopontin (OPN), and matrix Gla protein (MGP) may play an important role in the development of intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs). So far, the relationship between these parameters and ICH has not been studied. Therefore, this study was designed to elucidate whether fetuin-A, MGP, and OPN are involved in the pathophysiology of ICH. The ICH group consisted of 27 consecutive patients with spontaneous ICH evaluated in the neurology intensive care unit within the first 24 hours from the onset of the stroke. The serum OPN levels were significantly increased in patients with ICH compared to the controls. On the other hand, the serum MGP and fetuin-A levels were significantly decreased in the patients with ICH in comparison to the controls. In the patients with ICH, the serum MGP levels of the nonsurvivors were statistically significantly lower than the MGP levels of the survivors. In conclusion, the change in serum fetuin-A, MGP, and OPN levels after ICH indicates that these parameters play a role in the pathophysiological processes leading to an ICH. Measurement of the serum MGP levels may also be of value to estimate mortality.

The role of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in high-fat diet induced peripheral neuropathy

OBJECTIVE Earlier studies suggest that high-calorie diet is an important risk factor for neuronal damage resulting from oxidative stress of lipid metabolism. In our experimental study of rats under high-fat diet, oxidative stress markers and axonal degeneration parameters were used to observe the sciatic nerve neuropathy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pathophysiology of neuropathy induced by high-fat diet. METHODS A total of 14 male rats (Wistar albino) were randomly divided into two experimental groups as follows; control group (n=7) and the model group (n=7); while control group was fed with standard diet; where the model group was fed with a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, the lipid profile and blood glucose levels, interleukin-1β (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) levels were studied. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels and super-oxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were studied. The distal blocks of the left sciatic nerves were evaluated for histomorphological analysis (including mean axon area, axon numbers, nerve fiber diameters, axon diameters, and thickness of myelin sheets). RESULTS Body weights, serum glucose and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels of rats were found not statistically significantly different compared between the model and the control groups (p>0.05). Serum cholesterol, triglyceride, TGF-β and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in the model group when compared with the control group (p<0.05). IL-1 and IL-6 levels were not statistically significantly different compared between the model group and the control group (p>0.05). The MDA and NO levels and the SOD and GPx activities of the sciatic nerves in model group were statistically significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). In addition, the activities of PON-1 were statistically significantly lower in the model group when compared with the control group (p<0.05). The difference in the total number of myelinated axons between the control group and the model group was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The nerve fiber diameter and the thickness of the myelin sheet were statistically significantly lower in the model group when compared with the control group (p<0.05). The axon diameter and area were significantly decreased in the model group when compared with the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Our results support that dyslipidemia is an independent risk factor for the development of neuropathy. In addition, we postulated that oxidative stress and inflammatory response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of high-fat diet induced neuropathy.

Therapeutic effects of thymoquinone in a model of neuropathic pain.

Background The goal of our study was to determine the therapeutic effects of thymoquinone in a dose-dependent manner in a model of neuropathic pain following an experimentally applied spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods Fifty female adult Wistar albino rats weighing between 220 and 260 g were included in the study and were divided into 5 groups as follows: Group S (sham), Group C (control), Group T100 (100 mg/kg thymoquinone), Group T200 (200 mg/kg thymoquinone), and Group T400 (400 mg/kg thymoquinone). To begin the experiment, SCI was applied to all groups (with the exception of the sham group) following a mechanical and heat–cold test. Two weeks later, the mechanical and heat–cold tests were repeated, and a single normal saline dose was given to the sham and control groups, whereas 3 varying doses of thymoquinone were given to the other groups. The mechanical and heat–cold tests were repeated at 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after receiving thymoquinone. Finally, the animals were put to death via the removal of intracardiac blood. The levels of nitric oxide, total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, paraoxonase, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β were determined in all of the blood samples. Results The withdrawal threshold and withdrawal latency values recorded from the mechanical and heat–cold allodynia measurements for all 3 thymoquinone groups were higher than that of the control group at all time points (ie, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes). There were no differences in these results between the 3 thymoquinone groups. The paraoxonase and total antioxidant status serum levels of all 3 thymoquinone groups were higher than those of the control group, whereas total oxidant status, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, interleuken-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α levels were lower in the 3 thymoquinone groups than in the control group. Conclusions Thymoquinone is beneficial for decreasing experimental neuropathic pain following SCI. However, increasing the dose does not change the effect.

Diagnostic value of F-wave inversion in patients with early carpal tunnel syndrome.

Routine electrophysiological studies usually give normal results in patients with early stage carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Diagnostic significance of the F-wave inversion (the median of F-wave minimal latencies (FWML) exceeds a normal ipsilateral ulnar FWML by 1ms) has not been previously reported in early stage CTS. In this study, our primary aim was to investigate the diagnostic value of F-wave inversion in early stage CTS. Additionally, we aimed to demonstrate any possible relationship between F-wave inversion and symptom scores of the Boston questionnaire and functional capacity in early stage CTS. The study included 60 early stage CTS patients who presented with a median sensory nerve conduction velocity of ≥50m/s. The symptom severity and functional status of the patients were assessed by using the Boston questionnaire. The control group consisted of 45 healthy volunteers. We compared early stage CTS patients and healthy control subjects in terms of the results obtained from median-ulnar FWML. Existence of F-wave inversion was found in 32 (53.3%) of the early stage CTS patients and in 3 (8.7%) of the healthy controls (p=0.001). It was also found to be positively correlated with the Boston questionnaire scores (p=0.001, r=0.41) and functional capacity scores (p=0.001, r=0.41). The sensitivity and specificity of F-wave inversion for the diagnosis of early stage CTS were calculated as 53.3% and 93.3%, respectively. The addition of F-wave inversion measurement to the set of the routine nerve conduction studies can increase the reliability of the electrophysiological studies in patients with early stage CTS.

Association of Polymorphisms within the Serotonin Receptor Genes 5-HTR1A, 5-HTR1B, 5-HTR2A and 5-HTR2C and Migraine Susceptibility in a Turkish Population

Objective Migraine, a highly prevelant headache disorder, is regarded as a polygenic multifactorial disease. Serotonin (5-HT) and their respective receptors have been implicated in the patogenesis. Methods We investigated the 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2C receptor gene polymorphisms and their association with migraine in Turkish patients. The rs6295, rs1300060, rs1228814, rs6311, rs6313, rs6314, rs6318, rs3813929 (−759C/T) and rs518147 polymorphisms were analyzed in 135 patients with migraine and 139 healthy subjects, using a BioMark 96.96 dynamic array system. Results We found no difference in the frequency of the analyzed eight out of nine polymorpisms between migraine and control groups. However, a significant association was found between the rs3813929 polymorphism in the promoter region of 5-HTR2C gene and migraine. Also, the allele of rs3813929 was more common in the migraine group. Conclusion This result suggests that the 5-HTR2C rs3813929 polymorphism can be a genetic risk factor for migraine in a Turkish population.

Three-dimensional analysis of foramen magnum and its adjacent structures.

AbstractThe goal of this effort is to evaluate the anatomy of the foramen magnum (FM) using 3-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT), and determine whether or not the anatomical features of vascular structures and condylar foramen (CF) affect the types of FM.The CT angiography records of 101 patients (44 men and 57 women) were retrospectively examined in this study. Details of the FM, CF, and the vertebral and basilar arteries were examined using maximum intensity projection and 3D rendering images. The average age of the 101 patients was 45.28 ± 16.3 years. The 8 types of FM, in order of their frequency of occurrence, are as follows: round (19 cases; 18.8%), 2 semicircles (18; 17.8%), egg-shaped (15; 14.9%), hexagonal (14; 13.9%), tetragonal (11; 10.9%), oval (11; 10.9%), pentagonal (9; 8.9%), and irregular (4; 4%). There was no statistically significant relationship between the anatomical features of the vertebral and basilar arteries and the CF with the different types of FM (P ≥ 0.05). In our study, the diameter of the anteroposterior (AP) FM was 34.7 ± 3.6 mm, and the transverse (T) diameter was 29.5 ± 2.5 mm. The AP and T diameters were significantly higher in men than in women (P = 0.006 and P ⩽ 0.001, respectively).Our study revealed that 3D CT is a safe and easy method for visualizing the anatomical structure of the FM and neighboring structures. Furthermore, this study was the first to demonstrate that there is no correlation between the 8 types of FM and the vertebral artery, basilar artery, and CF.

Effects of intrathecal caffeic acid phenethyl ester and methylprednisolone on oxidant/antioxidant status in traumatic spinal cord injuries.

PURPOSE To examine the effect of intrathecally given caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on peroxidation and total oxidant and antioxidant systems, and the effect of intrathecally given methylprednisolone (MP) in spinal cord injury (SCI) models. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four groups of 10 rats were formed: (1) Laminectomy, intrathecal saline injection, no SCI (sham: S); (2) Laminectomy, intrathecal saline injection, SCI (control: SCI); (3) Laminectomy, intrathecally given single dose of 3 mg/kg MP, SCISCI (SCI + MP). 4) Laminectomy, intrathecally given single dose of 1 µg/kg CAPE, SCI (SCI + CAPE). Malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant activity (TOA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) values in the spinal cord tissue were evaluated. RESULTS When group S and group SCI were compared, MDA, TOA, and SOD parameters increased post-SCI (p < 0.01). When compared with group SCI, it was observed that CAPE and MP decreased the MDA, TOA, and SOD levels (p < 0.01). This decrease was more pronounced in the SCI + CAPE group. When group S and group SCI were compared, a statistically substantial decrease was observed in the post-SCI TAC levels. When compared with group SCI, it was shown that CAPE and MP treatment substantially increased TAC levels (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Intrathecal injection of both CAPE and MP inhibits lipid peroxidation and increase of oxidants in SCIs.

Hydroxycloroquine-induced oxidative stress on sciatic nerve and muscle tissue of rats A stereological and biochemical study

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-induced oxidative stress on sciatic nerve and muscle tissues of rats. The oxidant/antioxidant parameters in the sciatic nerve and muscle tissues were analyzed, and stereological analysis of the sciatic nerve was performed. Levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide in the tissues were significantly higher in the HCQ group than in the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were found to be significantly higher in the HCQ group than the control group (p < 0.05). There were significant decreases in nerve fiber diameter and myelin sheet thickness in the HCQ group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). These results revealed that HCQ might increase oxidative stress on sciatic nerve and muscle tissues of rats, which may correlate with axonal atrophy in sciatic nerves.