Mehmet Aköz

Serum TNF-α, IL-6, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody in women with and without a past history of recurrent miscarriage

ObjectiveThe aim of the this study was to investigate Lupus Anticoagulan (LA), Anticardiolipin Antibody (ACA), Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum levels in 40 pregnant and 20 nonpregnant.Materials and methodsThe women were divided into three groups. The first group consisted of 20 pregnant women of less than 20 gestational weeks and a past history of habitual abortion . The second group consisted of 20 non pregnant patients with a past history of habitual abortion. The third group consisted of 20 healthy non pregnant women. RESULT: LA was found in only one patient in the Group 2. ACA Ig G positivity were found 1 patient in the Group 1, 3 patients Group 2 and 1 patient in Group 3. Mean ACA IgG was highest in the Group 2. High serum TNF-α levels were found in the 12 (60%), 6(30%) and 2 (10%) women in the Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Significant difference were found for TNF-α among the groups (P<0.05). The highest level of TNF-α was found in the Group 1 and the lowest in the Group 3. There were statistically significant differences for IL-6 among the three groups (P>0.05).ConclusionWe propose that cytokines especially TNF-α was found to be related to the pregnancy loss.

Effects of diphenhydramine HCl and methylprednisolone in the prevention of abdominal adhesions

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of diphenhydramine hydrochloride and methylprednisolone in peritoneal adhesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-eight male rats were used in the study. The rats were anesthetized by 5 mg/kg ketamine hydrochloride. After opening the abdomen, 10 longitudinal incisions of 2 to 3 cm in length were made on the right parietal peritoneum, and a 2 cm(2) peritoneal layer was excised from the left abdominal wall. The abdomen was closed with 3/0 silk suture. Group I was the control group, group II was given 10 mg/kg diphenhydramine intravenously, group III was given 20 mg/kg methylprednisolone intravenously, and group IV was administered both of the drugs in the above doses. A blood sample of 2 mL was taken from the rats on the 14th day after the operation. The animals were then sacrificed. The abdomen was opened and abdominal adhesions were examined. A tissue sample of 1 g was taken from the abdominal incision line. Albumin, zinc, and hemoglobin levels and leucocyte counts in the blood were determined as well as hydroxyproline levels in the tissue. RESULTS Numbers of adhesions were as follows: 9 in group I, 3 in group II, and 2 in group III. No adhesion was observed in group IV. Albumin, zinc, and hemoglobin levels and leucocyte counts were found to be similar in all groups. Hydroxyproline levels in the tissue were significantly lower in groups III and IV than in groups I and II (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS Diphenhydramine and methylprednisolone reduced postoperative adhesions significantly in rats. Further investigations are needed in order to use these drugs as antiadhesive agents in humans.

Effect of moderate alcohol intake on lipid peroxidation in plasma, erythrocyte and leukocyte and on some antioxidant enzymes

Plasma, erythrocyte and leukocyte lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and plasma gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels were investigated in 36 healthy non-drinkers aged between 18-55 years (mean 38.7) and 72 alcohol drinkers aged between 20-48 years (mean 35.3) in order to determine the oxidative effect of alcohol. Erythrocyte lipid peroxidation of the drinkers (measured in terms of MDA) was found to be significantly (P < 0.05) reduced compared to that of controls. However, when Tukey-HSD and F test with ANOVA were performed, that significance disappears in those who consume less than 140 g of alcohol per day and persists in those who consume more than 140 g of alcohol per day (P < 0.05). Plasma GGT level was significantly increased compared to that of controls (P < 0.001). Also, there was a significant (P = 0.01) correlation between serum GGT level and the amount of alcohol. There were no significant differences between all the other parameters of both groups. Reduced lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes without any accompanying increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes shows that another mechanism might be responsible for this finding. This mechanism was thought to be an alteration in lipid composition of erythrocyte membranes.

Does large-bowel enema reduce septic complications in acute pancreatitis?

BACKGROUND The source of septic complications in acute pancreatitis was unknown until recent years. The pathogenesis of bacterial translocation from the gut has been accepted as the main source of pancreatic or peripancreatic infection. This study was designed to investigate the role of large bowel enema during acute pancreatitis in preventing bacterial translocation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four Spraque-Dawley rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into two groups. Group I animals received biliopancreatic duct ligation plus colon cleansing by rectal enemas; group II animals received only biliopancreatic duct ligation. Rectal enemas were applied to the first group of animals three times, at 6, 24, and 48 hours after the operation using 10 cc sodium hydrogen phosphate solutions. All animals were sacrificed 72 hours later, and tissue samples were taken from mesenteric lymph nodes, pancreas, spleen, and liver for bacteriologic cultures via a midline laparatomy. Blood and cecum cultures were also prepared. RESULTS Positive mesenteric lymph node cultures were found in all 12 animals in group II but in only 3 of 11 animals of group I (P <0.05). Distant organ cultures were positive in 9 of group II, but the only infected distant organ culture found in group I was the positive liver culture (P <0.05). CONCLUSION As a result of this study, we believe that large bowel enema can reduce the frequency of septic complications in acute pancreatitis by reducing bacterial translocation.

The Effects of Anti-Adhesion Materials in Preventing Postoperative Adhesion in Abdominal Cavity (Anti-Adhesion Materials for Postoperative Adhesions)

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the effects of anti-adhesion materials in postoperative adhesions.Materials and MethodsRats were assigned to five groups: Group 1: Control. Group 2: chitin layers were used. Group 3: Na-hyaluronate / carboxymethylcellulose layers were used. Group 4: Na-hyaluronate gel was poured into the abdomen. Group 5: methylprednisolone was injected. The adhesion frequency and grade were scored according to Granat. Blood was taken for Hb, AST, BUN and albumin levels determination.FindingsThe adhesion frequencies (right and left) and grades were as follow in Groups; I: 82%, 91%, 2.63 ± 1.22; II: 8.3%, 25%, 0.58 ± 0.66; III: 17%, 33%, 1.08 ± 1.08; IV: 50%, 58%, 1.41 ± 1.44; V: 50%, 42%, 1.41 ± 1.50. The adhesion phase in all study groups was found significantly low compared to control group, p < 0.05. No difference was observed among serologic and hematological parameters in all groups.ConclusionAll the materials used significantly lowered the adhesion frequency and grade.

The impact of oral feeding on the severity of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND In the management of acute pancreatitis, oral feeding is prohibited and either enteral or parenteral feeding is commenced for the patients in an effort to not increase the secretion of the pancreatic enzymes. PURPOSE This study was undertaken in an attempt to determine the impact of oral feeding on the severity of acute pancreatitis and to compare this impact with that of parenteral feeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups. In both groups, acute pancreatitis was induced by ligation of the main biliopancreatic duct. The rats in group I were fed orally and the rats in group II were fed parenterally. The rats were sacrificed at 48 hours, and blood samples were obtained from the heart upon exposure of the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The pancreas and the left lung were removed for histopathological examination. The levels of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), glucose, calcium and blood urea nitrogen, base deficit, partial oxygen pressure, leukocyte count, and hematocrit level among Ranson criteria and the level of amylase were measured. The pancreas and the lung were examined under a light microscope. RESULTS The levels of LDH, SGOT, and calcium for the rats in group I were significantly higher when compared with the rats in group II (P <0.05). Similarly, the levels of amylase for the rats in group I were found to be higher when compared with the rats in group II, but the difference was not significant. Inflammatory changes observed in the pancreas were less severe whereas inflammatory changes observed in the lung were more severe for the rats in group I when compared with the rats in group II. CONCLUSION The blood levels of the enzymes were adversely affected for the rats fed orally. In contrast, inflammatory changes observed in the pancreas were more severe for the rats fed parenterally. The study suggests that certain hormones released from the duodenum upon stimulation by oral nutrient intake lessens the severity of pancreatitis through protective effects on the pancreas, whereas the elevated levels of the enzymes cause endothelial damage resulting in destruction in distant organs such as the lung.

The effects of vitamin D supplementation on healthy and hypercholesterolemic rabbits on levels of OSI and paraoxonase

Abstract Objective Conflicting data are available in literature regarding the effects of vitamin D (VitD) supplementation diet on lipid panel. Therefore, we had the purpose to evaluate the effects of VitD supplementation on lipid panel by a controlled experimental study, and those of VitD supplementation on oxidative stress index (OSI) and paraoxonase-1 (PON1) values in healthy and hypercholesterolemic male rabbits. Methods Thirty New Zealand rabbits were randomly separated into control, VD, HC+VD and HC groups. Control and VD groups were fed with standard chow, whereas HC+VD and HC groups were fed with 0.5% cholesterol chow a period of 8 weeks. During this period, VD and HC+VD groups were orally administered with 300 IU/kg/day VitD. Results The increase in serum total cholesterol (TC) and OSI level of HC group were significant compared to those in HC+VD group. Decreases in serum HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) and TC levels of VD group were significant within the groups. Conclusion Without any doubt it is important that applied VitD level should be in the ideal range for healthy living. However, it is also necessary to increase the serum HDL-C level (and hence PON1), which is decreases as a result of VitD supplementation. Therefore, we believe that during VitD supplementation, regular physical activity should be performed to increases serum HDL-C.

Is there a relationship between beginning time and efficiency of octreotide in the treatment of experimental acute pancreatitis

Purpose The efficacy of octreotide in the treatment of acute pancreatitis is controversial. Octreotide treatment for acute pancreatitis often shows poor correlation between results obtained in experimental studies and results of clinical trials. In a clinical setting, there is always a delay between the onset of the disease and initiation of the octreotide treatment. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the beginning of treatment and alteration in effectiveness of octreotide. Methods Acute pancreatitis was induced by pancreatic duct ligation in 50 rats. The rats were randomly divided into five groups. Octreotide was not used in group 1 (control group). Only single dose (4 µg/kg) octreotide was administered subcutaneously to rats in group 2, having induced pancreatitis. Octreotide treatment was begun at different times (8th, 24th, 48th hour) in three other groups and continued treatment at a dosage of 4 µg/kg t.i.d. The animals were sacrificed at the end of the 72nd hour and blood and tissue samples were collected. Results Leukocyte count and plasma amylase values were less in groups 2 and 3. Hemorrhagic focuses were encountered less at pancreas tissues in group 3. Pancreatic necrosis and alveolar capillary basal membrane damage were lower in groups 3 and 4. No difference was found in fasting blood glucose, calcium and hematocrit. Conclusion Octreotide had benefical effects in acute pancreatitis when octreotide treatment was begun in the first 24 hours.