M. Turan Akay

A three generation study with genetically modified Bt corn in rats: Biochemical and histopathological investigation.

For the last ten years, in accordance with the increased use of genetically modified (GM) foods for human and livestock, a large number of feeding studies have been carried out. However, the evidence is still far from proving whether the long-term consumption of GM foods poses a possible danger for human or animal health. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of transgenic corn on the rats that were fed through three generations with either GM corn or its conventional counterpart. Tissue samples of stomach, duodenum, liver and kidney were obtained for histopathological examinations. The average diameter of glomeruli, thickness of renal cortex and glomerular volume were calculated and number of affected animals/number of examined animals for liver and kidney histopathology were determined. Amounts of urea, urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, total protein, albumin and globulin were determined; enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma glutamyltransferase, creatine kinase and amylase were measured in serum samples. No statistically significant differences were found in relative organ weights of rats within groups but there were some minimal histopathological changes in liver and kidney. Changes in creatinine, total protein and globulin levels were also determined in biochemical analysis.

EFFICACY OF TOPICAL NITROGLYCERIN AND TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION ON SURVIVAL OF RANDOM-PATTERN SKIN FLAPS IN RATS

We compared the efficacy of topical nitroglycerin and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on the survival of random-pattern skin flaps in rats. Thirty Wistar albino rats were used and a dorsal, cranially-based random-pattern flap was raised. The rats were divided into three groups of 10 rats each. The first group had only the flap raised while the second and third groups were given topical nitroglycerin 5 mg or TENS for one hour a day for seven days. The amount of flap necrosis was measured on the seventh postoperative day. The mean area of necrosis in the flaps were 726.2, 544.2, and 150.0 mm 2 in the control, nitroglycerin, and TENS groups, respectively. The mean percentage of flaps that necrosed were 51.9, 38.9, and 10.7 in the corresponding groups. The TENS group had significantly higher percentage area of flap surviving than the control (p 3 0.0001) and nitroglycerin groups (p = 0.002). TENS, with its efficacy on survival and with negligible side-effects, could be a reliable treatment. Clinically, it can easily be used postoperatively when flaps become ischaemic, and will be tolerated well by patients.

Toxicity of food contaminant furan on liver and kidney of growing male rats

Furan is a chemical used in some industrial products and occurs naturally in heat‐treated foods. We aimed to investigate the effects of orally administered furan on liver and kidney in growing Wistar male rats for 90 days. In this respect, biochemical, morphological, histopathological, and histomorphometrical examinations were performed. Three‐ to 4‐week aged rats were divided into five groups of eight animals each; control, oil control; 2, 4, 8 mg/kg/day furan treatment groups. At the end of the experiment, antioxidant enzyme activities and serum AST, ALT, HDL, Urea, etc. levels were analyzed. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) were also measured in liver homogenates. Also, liver and kidney were examined morphologically and histopathologically under light microscopy. According to the results of biochemical analysis, ALT, ALP, and LDL levels in treatment groups were significantly different compared with control groups. While LDL levels in treatment groups increased significantly, ALT and ALP levels decreased significantly. No significant changes were observed in liver MDA levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in treatment groups. While IL‐6 levels did not change in treatment groups, furan caused dose‐dependent increases in liver TNF‐α level of rats. In treatment groups, absolute and relative liver weights changed significantly, however, no significant changes were observed in kidney and relative kidney weights. Hyperemic blood vessels in the liver and congestion, edema, fibrosis, and tubular damage in the kidney of rats treated with furan were observed histopathologically. According to histomorphometric examinations, glomeruli diameters and glomerular volume decreased in the kidneys of rats in treatment groups.

Pathological and biochemical effects of therapeutic and supratherapeutic doses of celecoxib in Wistar albino male rats.

Celecoxib is intended for acute pain, menstrual cramps, pain, and inflammation of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of celecoxib (10 and 50 mg/kg/day) treatment on rats orally for 28 days. We examined effects on some biochemical parameters and kidney and liver tissues of celecoxib-treated Wistar albino male rats. At the end of the study, hepatic and renal function tests were performed and liver and kidney of rats were microscopically examined to detect systemic toxicity of celecoxib. Celecoxib-treated rats had statistically significant decreases of cholesterol, total bilirubin, total protein, urea, globulin, blood urea nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium. Serum gamma glutamyl transferase levels increased in 10- and 50-mg/kg/day celecoxib-treated rats. Histological examinations showed mononuclear cell infiltration, hyperplasia, and cellular degeneration in liver and tubular damage and mononuclear cell infiltration in kidney. We suggest that high doses of celecoxib may cause changes in liver and kidney histopathology, liver function, and in some biochemical parameters.

The Efficacy of Polidocanol in Pleurodesis in Rats

AbstractPurpose. Pleurodesis is used to treat pleural effusions, and a number of agents with varying degrees of efficacy and systemic toxicity have been trialed. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and systemic toxicity of polidocanol in pleurodesis. Methods. Thirty albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups of ten rats each. Group 1 (control) was given isotonic saline, group 2 was given 35 mg/kg tetracycline, and group 3 was given 2.5 mg 0.5% polidocanol, all intrapleurally in a total volume of 0.5 ml. The rats were killed on postoperative day 30 and the macroscopic pleural adhesions and microscopic evidence of inflammation were evaluated. Hepatic, renal, and pancreatic function tests were done and various tissues were microscopically examined to detect systemic toxicity. The mean values of macroscopic and microscopic scoring and biochemical parameters were compared among the three groups. Results. The polidocanol- and tetracycline-treated rats had significantly more adhesions than the control group rats, and polidocanol was more effective for pleurodesis than tetracycline (P = 0.027). Microscopic scoring was similar in the polidocanol- and tetracycline-treated rats, being significantly higher than that in the control rats. No significant difference was found in the biochemical parameters among the three groups. There were no signs of toxicity in any of the tissues studied microscopically. Conclusions. Polidocanol was found to be a more effective sclerosing agent than tetracycline for pleurodesis. Systemic toxicity was not shown by the biochemical parameters and histopathologic findings.

The effects of maternal exposure to food additive E341 (tricalcium phosphate) on foetal development of rats

E341 (tricalcium phosphate) (TCP) is commonly used as a food additive and also as a nutritional supplement. To evaluate the possible developmental effects, female Wistar rats were treated with E341 (TCP) by oral gavage during pregnancy. There were three groups of each containing five rats. Rats in Groups I-III were fed with standard diet, oil and E341 (TCP) 175mg/kg body weight during gestation days (GD 0-20) respectively. We assessed foetal body lengths and weights and also made morphometric examination of placenta and umbilical cord. The placental weights of E341 (TCP) group (Group III) were found to be decreased statistically. According to skeletal stainings of foetuses, lengths of left ulna (28.3%), right femur (29.8%), left femur (34.9%) and diameter of the skull of y-axis were significantly decreased (12.3%) in E341 (TCP) treatment groups. There was an increase in trans-umbilical diameter in treatment group (14%). This is the first study in which developmental effects of E341 (TCP) have ever evaluated. The results suggest that prenatal development of rats during gestation is sensitive to E341 (TCP) exposure.

Polidocanol at different concentrations for pleurodesis in rats.

PurposeWe previously found that 0.5% polidocanol was more effective than tetracycline for pleurodesis in rats. Thus, we conducted the present study to evaluate the efficacy of different concentrations of polidocanol for pleurodesis in rats.MethodsWe divided 54 albino Wistar rats into six groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were given isotonic saline, 35 mg/kg tetracycline, and 0.6 mg of diluted polidocanol, respectively, being the daily recommended dose for humans. Groups 4, 5, and 6 were given 0.5%, 1%, and 2% polidocanol, respectively. All solutions were given intrapleurally in a volume of 0.5 ml. We examined the rats for macroscopic pleural adhesions and compared the mean values of macroscopic scoring among the six groups.ResultsThe rats given polidocanol and tetracycline had significantly more adhesions than the control group, and polidocanol at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% was more effective for pleurodesis than tetracycline. The diluted polidocanol was not more effective than tetracycline. There was no difference between the effects of the 0.5% and 1% concentrations, but the 2% polidocanol group had significantly more adhesions than the other groups.ConclusionsPolidocanol at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% was a more effective sclerosing agent than tetracycline for pleurodesis. While 2% polidocanol was the most efficient sclerosing agent, the daily maximum recommended dose of polidocanol for humans was not more effective than tetracycline.

Subacute toxicity of celecoxib on thyroid and testis of rats: Hormonal and histopathological changes

Celecoxib is an effective agent in the treatment of signs and symptoms of inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of two different doses of celecoxib on some hormones and endocrine glands of male rats. In this study, the doses of 10 and 50mg/kg/day of celecoxib were given to male rats orally for 28 days. At the end of the study, serum total triiodothyronine (T(3)), total thyroxine (T(4)), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels of rats were analyzed by radioimmunoassay technique using RIA kits. Thyroid and testis tissues of male rats were examined histopathologically. While there was no a change in serum T(3), T(4) and LH levels of celecoxib-treated rats, there were differences in serum TSH and testosterone levels of rats treated with 50mg/kg/day celecoxib for 28 days compared with those of control rats. In histopathological examinations, celecoxib-related changes were found in thyroid glands of the rats.

The Role of Fibrin Tissue Adhesives in Flap Necrosis in Rats

Flap necrosis is an important issue in surgery, and fibrin tissue adhesives, due to beneficial properties in preventing flap necrosis, were used in this study. Two groups, each comprising of 10 rats, were formed. Group I served as a control group, and fibrin tissue adhesive was applied to group II. The fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations in fibrin tissue adhesive were 30 mg/ml and 10 U/ml, respectively. The mean area of flap necrosis was 687.5 ± 72.5 mm2 and 78.5 ± 11.0 mm2 in the control and fibrin tissue adhesive groups (p <. 0001), respectively. The percentage of flap necrosis was significantly lower in the fibrin tissue adhesive group compared to the control group (5.6% vs 49.1%) (p <. 0001). Fibrin tissue adhesives decreased flap necrosis significantly compared to the control group.

The efficacy of fibrin tissue adhesives in pleurodesis in rats.

In search for a new sclerosing agent for pleurodesis, fibrin tissue adhesive is compared to tetracycline for its efficacy in rats. Twenty-four albino Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were given intrapleural isotonic saline, 35 mg/kg tetracycline, and fibrin tissue adhesive with fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations of 30 mg/mL and 10 U/mL, respectively. Rats were evaluated for macroscopic pleural adhesions and mean values of macroscopic scoring were compared among the groups. Fibrin tissue adhesive– and tetracycline-treated rats had significantly more adhesions compared to the control group, whereas fibrin tissue adhesive was more effective for pleurodesis than tetracycline and no deaths or major side effects were observed in any rat. Thus, fibrin tissue adhesive was found as a more effective sclerosing agent than tetracycline for pleurodesis in rats.