Hüsniye Dilek

Expression and distribution of aquaporin-1 in nasal polyps: does it have any significance in edema formation?

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and AQP4 in polyp tissue. Methods Nasal polyps were obtained from 34 patients with nasal polyposis during endoscopic sinus surgery. Bullous middle turbinates with normal-appearing mucosa of 10 patients were used as controls. Expression of AQP1 and AQP4 water channels were determined by immunohistochemical methods. Results AQP1 has been found to be expressed in fibroblasts located in polyp tissue, especially in the subepithelial area, periphery of seromucous glands, and endothelial cells of venules. Conclusion We have established a high expression of AQP1 water channels in nasal polyp tissue and have suggested two mechanisms to explain this finding. Increased AQP1 expression may be a cause or a consequence of edema formation. Thus, additional studies are needed to elucidate the true mechanism underlying this relationship.

Efficacy of budesonide and interleukin-10 in an experimental rat model with isolated bilateral pulmonary contusion created by blunt thoracic trauma

OBJECTIVES In our study, we aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory mediator effects of budesonide (BS), an inhaled corticosteroid and interleukin-10 (IL-10) on a pulmonary contusion in an experimental rat model in which an isolated bilateral pulmonary contusion was created by blunt thoracic trauma. METHODS Fifty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. Sham, control, BS and IL-10 groups were created. A pulmonary contusion was created by performing isolated blunt thoracic trauma in all groups except for the sham group. The traumas severity was determined as 1.45 J. BS and IL-10 were administered orogastrically to the respective groups 30 min before trauma, and orogastrically and intraperitoneally, respectively, on the first and second days after the trauma. Only the blunt thoracic trauma was performed for the control group. SatO(2), PaO(2) and PaCO(2), blood glutathione, malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) values were recorded on the zeroth, first, second and third days. The histopathological examination and the bronchoalveolar lavage cell count were performed on pulmonary tissues. RESULTS Blood gas analysis revealed that SatO(2) and PaO(2) values on the first and second days were significantly lower in the control, BS and IL-10 groups compared with the sham group (P < 0.05). The SatO(2) and PaO(2) values on the third day in the BS and IL-10 groups were higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). The mean MDA in the control group was higher than in the sham, BS and IL-10 groups (P < 0.05). The mean TNFα in the control group was higher than in the sham, BS and IL-10 groups (P < 0.05). Pulmonary pathology scoring in the control group was observed to be higher than in the sham, BS and IL-10 groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In this rat experiment model in which an isolated pulmonary contusion was created by blunt trauma, BS and IL-10 were observed to reduce contusion severity in the lung and minimize the inflammatory reaction.

Immunohistochemical expression of PTEN and survivin in ductal carcinoma of breast cancer and correlation with apoptotic index

Backround Survivin is a recently identified inhibitor of apoptosis and PTEN plays an important role in arrangement of signals required for cell growing and apoptosis. In case of absence or mutations of PTEN, tumour cells can protect themselves against apoptosis by the way of lipid signal transduction. Methods In this study, the relationship of PTEN and survivin expression with apoptosis was investigated by the means of immunohistochemical method in 39 patients with invasive breast cancer (IBC) and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) within the same breast tissue. Results A decrease or loss in PTEN expression was observed in an important portion in DCIS (46.7%) and IBC (71.8%). In cases with invasive ductal carcinomas, strong staining with survivin was observed in 33.3% of cases, while there was weak staining in 61.6% and no staining in 5.1% of cases. All of the DCIS tumour cells were positive with survivin but staining was weak. Apoptotic index was higher in IBC than in DCIS, but there was no significant difference. No relationship was found between apoptosis and PTEN or survivin expression in breast carcinoma. Conclusion Our results suggest that a decrease in PTEN expression and increase in apoptosis is important in progression of IBC.