Hatice Özer

N-acetylcysteine, a thiol antioxidant, decreases alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis in rats.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to analyze the morphometric and histopathologic changes associated with experimental periodontitis in rats in response to systemic administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). METHODS Forty-three Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups: non-ligated (NL) group (n = 10), ligature only (LO) group (n = 10), and groups that were administered NAC systemically (7, 35, or 70 mg/kg body weight per day [NAC7, NAC35, and NAC70 groups, respectively]; n = 8, 9, and 6). Silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin of the lower first molars in a mandibular quadrant. The study duration was 11 days, and the animals were sacrificed at the end of this period. Changes in alveolar bone levels were measured clinically and tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences among the study groups. RESULTS At the end of 11 days, the alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the LO group compared to NL, NAC7, NAC35, and NAC70 groups (P <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the osteoclast numbers among the study groups (P >0.05), whereas the effect of NAC was dose-dependent. CONCLUSION NAC prevented alveolar bone loss in the rat model, in a dose-dependent manner, when administered systemically.

The Efficacy of Bevacizumab, Sorafenib, and Retinoic Acid on Rat Endometriosis Model

Blood vessels are necessary for development and maintenance of the endometriosis and blood flow supplies oxygen and essential nutrient to the disease. Local angiogenesis is regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibitors of VEGF may be a novel therapeutic approach. We inducted endometriosis in 43 rats and they were randomly allocated into 4 groups. The rats in group I (control n = 11) were given no medication. The rats in group II (n = 11) were given bevacizumab. The rats in group III (n = 11) were given Sorafenib, and the rats in group IV (n = 10) were given retinoic acid (RA). Then groups were compared for microvessel density, VEGF, soluble tyrosine-kinase receptor, ovarian reserve, and treatment effectivity. All these medications were effective on endometriosis and we detected that volume of endometriotic implants were significantly decreased. Ovarian reserve was not affected from the medication, in addition RA have induced reproductive capacity.

Preventive effects of thymoquinone in a rat periodontitis model: a morphometric and histopathological study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Thymoquinone has a variety of pharmacologic properties, including antihistaminic, antibacterial, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities. Through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, thymoquinone may play an important role in preventing periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thymoquinone in preventing the initiation and progression of periodontitis in a rat periodontitis model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups: a nonligated (NL) treatment group (n = 8), a ligature-only (LO) treatment group (n = 8) and a ligature plus thymoquinone (10 mg/kg, daily for 11 d) (TQ) treatment group. In order to induce experimental periodontitis, a 4/0 silk suture was placed at the gingival margin of the right-mandibular first molars of the rats. Thymoquinone was administered by gastric feeding until the animals were killed on day 11. Changes in the alveolar bone levels of rats in each group were measured clinically, and tissues of rats in each group were examined histopathologically to determine inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI), osteoblast and osteoclast activities, and osteoclast morphology. RESULTS Alveolar bone loss around the mandibular molar tooth was significantly higher in the LO group compared with NL and TQ groups (p < 0.05). The ratio of the presence of ICI and osteoclast numbers was significantly higher in the LO group than in the NL and TQ groups (p < 0.05). Osteoblastic activity was significantly lower in the LO group than in the NL and TQ groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The present study showed that the oral administration of thymoquinone diminishes alveolar bone resorption in a rat periodontitis model.

Alendronate enhances osseous healing in a rat calvarial defect model

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alendronate on osseous wound healing in an experimental model. METHODS Critical size defects were created in calvaria of 40 male Wistar rats. The animals were divided into four groups of 10 animals each: autogenous bone graft group; autogenous bone graft with systemic alendronate group (0.01 mg/kg body weight per day for 8 weeks); autogenous bone graft with local alendronate group (1mg/mL for 5 min); non-treatment (control) group. Animals were sacrificed after 8 weeks; osteoblast number, lamellar bone formation, and area of newly formed bone were analysed. RESULTS The osteoblast number significantly increased in the autogenous bone graft with local alendronate group compared to the autogenous bone graft group (p<0.05). Both systemic and local application of the alendronate significantly increased the new bone formation compared to the autogenous bone graft group (p<0.05) with no significant difference between local or systemic use (p>0.05). Local alendronate and autogenous bone graft use significantly increased the total bone area compared to autogenous bone graft alone (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Alendronate enhances the new bone formation by autogenous bone graft in the rat calvarial defect model suggesting that the inhibition of the osteoclastic activity allows an increased rate of bone apposition, which could be applicable to the inflammation-induced destruction of the periodontal tissues during disease.

Amyand's hernia in the children: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND The presence of a vermiform appendix in an inguinal hernial sac is termed Amyands hernia. It may present as a tender inguinal or inguinoscrotal swelling, and it is often misdiagnosed as an incarcerated or strangulated hernia. METHODS Between 1998 and 2006, we have managed 564 patients with acute appendicitis, 1,090 patients with inguinal hernia, 33 patients with incarcerated inguinal hernia, and 12 patients with Amyands hernia on our pediatric surgery service. A retrospective analysis of clinical data of these patients with Amyands hernia was performed. RESULTS All patients with Amyands hernia were boys with a median age of 40 days (range, 15 days-14 months). One patients condition was diagnosed pre-operatively. All of them, therefore, underwent emergency operation with a presumptive diagnosis of either incarcerated or strangulated inguinal hernia. Operative findings included 2 normal appendices, 6 inflamed appendices, and 4 appendices with external signs of serosal inflamation of uncertain significaince in the inguinal hernial sac. Two patients with a normal appendix had hernia repair without an appendectomy. The other 10 patients with an abnormal appendix underwent an emergency open appendectomy with repair of the inguinal hernia. None of the patients developed recurrent hernia. The median postoperative follow-up period was 2.5 years. CONCLUSION In pediatric patients with Amyands hernia, the inflammatory status of the appendix can be used to determine the type of hernia repair and the operative approach. Incidental appendectomy in the case of a normal appendix is not favored by us. Treatment includes appendectomy (via the hernia sac) and hernia repair in children with an inflamed appendix.

Immunohistochemistry with apoptotic-antiapoptotic proteins (p53, p21, bax, bcl-2), c-kit, telomerase, and metallothionein as a diagnostic aid in benign, borderline, and malignant serous and mucinous ovarian tumors

BackgroundIn many tumors including ovarian cancer, cell proliferation and apoptosis are important in pathogenesis and there are many alterations in most of the genes related to the cell cycle. This study was designed to evaluate immunohistochemistry with apoptotic-antiapoptotic proteins (p53, p21, bax, and bcl-2), c-kit, telomerase, and metallothionein as a diagnostic aid in typing of benign, borderline, and malignant serous and mucinous ovarian tumors.MethodsTotal of 68 ovarian tumors, 25 benign [13 (19.1%) serous and12 (17.6%) mucinous], 16 borderline [9 (13.2%) serous and 7(10.3%) mucinous], and 27 malignant ovarian tumors [24 (35.3%) serous and 3 (4.4%) mucinous tumors] were included in the study. Immunohistochemical expression of p53, p21, bax, bcl–2, telomerase, c-kit, and metallothionein were evaluated.ResultsWhen all 68 cases were evaluated as benign, borderline, and malignant ovarian tumors without considering histopathological subtypes, the p53, p21, bax and metallothionein showed significantly higher staining scores in the borderline and malignant ones (p < 0.05). After evaluation of all 68 cases, the serous tumors showed significantly higher staining scores of p53, p21, c-kit, and metallothionein compared to the mucinous ones (p < 0.05). For differentiation of benign and borderline and malignant tumors combined, p53 was not used because all benign tumors has no staining, and p21, bax, and metallothionein was determined the significant predictors for borderline and malignant tumors combined (p < 0.05). For differentiation of borderline and malignant tumors, only p53 was determined the significant predictor for malignant tumors (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn conclusion, p53, p21, bax, c-kit, and metallothionein may be helpful for the typing of ovarian tumors as benign, borderline and malignant or serous and mucinous. p53, p21, bax, c-kit, and metallothionein may have different roles in the pathogenesis of ovarian tumor types. p53 and metallothionein may be helpful in the typing of borderline and malignant ovarian tumors. The immunohistochemical staining with bcl-2 and telomerase may not provide meaningful contribution for the typing of ovarian tumors.Virtual slideThe virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2013030833768498

Antitumoral effects of Melissa officinalis on breast cancer in vitro and in vivo.

BACKGROUND There is a long standing interest in the identification of medicinal plants and derived natural products for developing cancer therapeutics. Here we investigated the antiproliferative properties of Melissa officinalis (MO) from Turkey on breast cancer. METHODS MO extracts were studied for cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231). In vitro apoptosis studies were performed by annexin V staining and flow cytometry analyses. Immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 and caspase 7 in the tumoral tissue sections of DMBA-induced mammary tumors in rats was also performed, along with TUNEL assays to detect apoptotic cells. In vivo anticancer activity testing was carried out with reference to inhibition of growth of DMBA induced mammary tumors in rats. RESULTS MO showed cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines, inducing increase in Annexin-positive cells. Expression of caspase-7 protein and TUNEL positive cells were much higher in rats treated by MO, compared with the untreated control group, while expression of Ki-67 was decreased. Furthermore, in vivo studies showed that mean tumor volume inhibition ratio in MO treated group was 40% compared with the untreated rats. CONCLUSION These results indicated that MO extrcts have antitumoral potential against breast cancer.

Effects of boric acid on experimental periodontitis and alveolar bone loss in rats

OBJECTIVE The goal of the present study was to evaluate the histopathologic and morphometric effects of systemic boric acid in a rat periodontitis model. DESIGN Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into three groups of eight animals each: non-ligated (NL), ligature only (LO), and ligature and treated with boric acid (BA) (3mg/kg per day for 11 days). A 4/0 silk suture was placed in a subgingival position around the mandibular first molars; after 11 days the rats were sacrificed, and changes in alveolar bone levels were measured clinically and tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences amongst the study groups. RESULTS The ratio of presence of inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) and osteoclast number in the LO group was significantly higher than that of the NL and BA groups (p<0.05). The ratio of presence of osteoblastic activity in the LO group was significantly lower than that of the NL and BA groups (p<0.05). Alveolar bone loss was also significantly higher in the LO group compared to the BA and NL groups (p<005). CONCLUSIONS This study has demonstrated that systemic administration of boric acid reduced periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in periodontal disease in rats.

Effects of Pazopanib, Sunitinib, and Sorafenib, Anti-VEGF Agents, on the Growth of Experimental Endometriosis in Rats.

We aimed to compare the effects of pazopanib, sunitinib, and sorafenib on endometriotic tissue morphology and histological characteristics as well as ovarian reserve in a rat model. Experimental endometriosis was established in 32 rats. They were randomly divided into 4 groups (8 rats for each group) to administer study drugs: pazopanib, sunitinib, sorafenib, and normal saline. Histological examination with hematoxylin and eosin staining to determine endometriosis score and immunostaining with primary vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD117, and Bax antibodies were performed. Bilateral ovaries excised to determine the ovarian follicle number. The endometriosis score was significantly reduced by pazopanib compared to other study drugs and by sunitinib compared to sorafenib and normal saline (P < .05). Sorafenib did not affect endometriosis score (P > .05). The VEGF score was significantly decreased similarly by pazopanib, sunitinib, and sorafenib compared to normal saline (P < .05). The CD117 score was reduced by pazopanib and sunitinib similarly compared to both sorafenib and normal saline that provided similar effect on the score (P < .05). The Bax scores of all the groups were found similar (P > .05). No study drugs caused meaningful change in the ovarian follicle number (P > .05). Pazopanib reduces the growth of endometriotic implants. This effect may be related to the suppressive effect of pazopanib on the endometriotic tissue expressions of VEGF and CD117 but not Bax. The study drugs do not affect ovarian reserve. The inconsistent effects of study drugs regarding study parameters require further studies to elucidate the molecular bases of their effects on the growth of endometriotic implants.

N-acetylcysteine decreases alveolar bone loss on experimental periodontitis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphometric and histopathological changes associated with experimental periodontitis in diabetic rats in response to systemic administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a sulfhydryl-containing thiol antioxidant. MATERIAL AND METHODS  Sixty Wistar rats were divided into six experimental groups: nonligated (NL) group; ligature-only (L) group; streptozotocin-only (STZ) group; STZ and ligature (STZ + L) group; and systemic administration of NAC and ligature (70 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day, respectively) (NAC70 and NAC100 groups). Diabetes mellitus was induced by 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin. Silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin of the lower first molars of the mandibular quadrant. The study duration was 30 d and the animals were killed at the end of this period. Changes in alveolar bone levels were clinically measured and tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences among the study groups. RESULTS At the end of the 30-d study period, alveolar bone loss was significantly higher in the STZ + L group compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). Also, alveolar bone loss in all the NAC groups was significantly lower than in the STZ + L and L groups (p < 0.05). The osteoblastic activity in the NAC100 group was significantly higher than in the other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION Within the limits of this study, it can be suggested that NAC, when administered systemically, prevents alveolar bone loss in the diabetic rat model.