Kerim Çayır

Pomegranate Seed Extract Attenuates Chemotherapy-Induced Acute Nephrotoxicity and Hepatotoxicity in Rats

Cisplatin (CDDP), one of the most active cytotoxic agents against cancer, has adverse side effects, such as nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of pomegranate seed extract (PSE) against oxidative stress caused by CDDP injury of the kidneys and liver by measuring tissue biochemical and antioxidant variables and immunohistochemically testing caspase-3-positive cells. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: control; CDDP: injected intraperitoneally with CDDP (7 mg/kg body weight, single dose); PSE: treated for 15 consecutive days by gavage with PSE (300 mg/kg per day); and PSE+CDDP: treated by gavage with PSE 15 days after a single injection of CDDP. The degree of protection against CDDP injury afforded by PSE was evaluated by determining the levels of malondialdehyde as a measure of lipid peroxidation. The levels of glutathione and activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase were estimated from liver and kidney homogenates; the liver and kidney were also histologically examined. PSE elicited a significant protective effect toward liver and kidney by decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation; elevating the levels of glutathione S-transferase; and increasing the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and superoxide dismutase. These biochemical observations were supported by immunohistochemical findings and suggested that PSE significantly attenuated nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity by the way of its antioxidant, radical-scavenging, and antiapoptotic effects. This PSE extract could be used as a dietary supplement in patients receiving chemotherapy medications.

Protective effect of L-carnitine against cisplatin-induced liver and kidney oxidant injury in rats

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of L-carnitine (LC) on changes in the levels of lipid peroxidation and endogenous antioxidants induced by cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II, CDDP) in the liver and kidney tissues of rats. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats were equally divided into four groups of six rats each: control, cisplatin, L-carnitine, and L-carnitine plus cisplatin. The degree of protection produced by L-carnitine was evaluated by determining the level of malondialdehyde (MDA). The activity of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were estimated from liver and kidney homogenates, and the liver and kidney were histologically examined as well. L-carnitine elicited significant liver and kidney protective activity by decreasing the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) and elevating the activity of GSH, GSHPx, GST, and SOD. Furthermore, these biochemical observations were supported by histological findings. In conclusion, the present study indicates a significant role for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their relation to liver and kidney dysfunction, and points to the therapeutic potential of LC in CDDP-induced liver and kidney toxicity.

Rapidly developing giant sized lupus vulgaris on the chest associated with bilateral scrofuloderma on the neck

Lupus vulgaris and scrofuloderma are the opposite poles of cutaneous tuberculosis. Lupus vulgaris of a giant size and scrofuloderma in the vicinity of this lesion were both present in a 70‐year‐old female patient. The purified protein derivative of tuberculin (PPD) skin test was strongly positive. In histopathological examination, granulomatous infiltration without caseation necrosis was seen in the dermis. The patient was treated with a four‐drug therapy consisting of pyrazinamide (25 mg/kg), isoniazid (5 mg/kg), rifampin (10 mg/kg) and ethambutol (15 mg/kg) daily for 2 months, followed by dual therapy with isoniazid and rifampin for 6 months. Her cutaneous lesions significantly regressed after 4 months, leaving keloid scars.

Evaluation of nitric oxide synthase activity, nitric oxide, and homocysteine levels in patients with active Behcet’s disease

Behcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic, progressive disorder that affects many systems of the body including the eye. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of nitric oxide synthase activity (NOS), nitric oxide

Serum Paraoxonase and Arylesterase Activities in Esophageal Cancer: A Controlled Study

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Evre II-III kolon kanserli hastalarda adjuvan tedavinin yan etki profilinin değerlendirilmesi

, and homocysteine (Hcy) levels in patients with active BD. Included in this study were 18 male BD patients and 16 male healthy volunteers as controls. Erythrocyte NOS activity,

A case of ichthyosiform sarcoidosis with unusual localization

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