Muharrem Balkaya

The short-term protective effects of lycopene on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury may occur due to nephron-sparing surgery in patients with a solitary kidney or restricted renal parenchymas. Prophylactic agents do not always achieve their intended effects and may exhibit side effects. The present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene against hypoxia-induced renal damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twelve Wistar rats were used in the study. Female Wistar rats were divided into two groups of six rats each; the first group served as the control, and the second group was treated for two days with oral lycopene (4 mg/kg per day) before surgery. All Wistar rats were subjected to right nephrectomy and abdominal aorta clamping for 45 minutes to induce ischemia, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Blood samples were collected from all rats twice before surgery and 24-hours after surgery for analyses of serum urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium levels. Left nephrectomies were performed following reperfusion. Then histopathological scores were estimated, and malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in renal tissue samples were measured, and compared between groups. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the control, and the lycopene group with respect to postischemic urea, creatinine, or potassium levels. A significant difference between the groups was observed with respect to postischemic sodium levels (p=0.028). Pathological scores were higher in the control group than in the lycopene group (p<0.05). Mean tissue MDA levels in the control group were higher than in the lycopene group (p=0.055). The mean tissue GSH-Px levels were similar in the control, and lycopene groups. The mean GSH levels in the control group were higher than in the lycopene group (p>0.05). The mean tissue SOD levels were similar in the control, and lycopene groups. The mean CAT levels in the control group were higher than in the lycopene group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Lycopene may have a protective effect on the short-term biochemical and histopathological parameters following renal ischemia/perfusion injury.

The expression of matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 by neutrophils of wistar albino rats with severe qualitative and quantitative protein malnutrition

Neutrophils are the major cellular immune components in response to bacterial infections. Neutrophil enzymes are important in invasion, inflammation, and infection processes. In order to understand the basic effects of protein malnutrition on neutrophils we studied matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 (MMP-8 and MMP-9) production in severe quantitative and qualitative protein malnutrition in rats. Wistar rats (2 months old) were divided into four groups each with three subgroups and fed various protein-containing diets (24% protein, 20% gelatin-containing and N-free) for 7, 14, 21, and/or 28 days. Neutrophil enzyme expression was determined by Western blotting. Leukocytes decreased significantly due to malnutrition (p = 0.001 ) whilst the percentage of neutrophils increased (p = 0.02) in protein-deprived groups. Neutrophils of malnourished rats produced lower levels of MMP-8 at early stages of protein deprivation with an increase in the following weeks. MMP-9 production by neutrophils from N-free diet fed animals was highest after one week. Serum MMP-9 levels decreased in the qualitative but not in the quantitative protein malnutrition groups. Results suggest that neutrophils might be important in reuse of body cell proteins during fasting or malnutrition conditions and dietary manipulation might have profound effects on MMP-8 and -9 production in rats.

Comparison of Double Vertical Incision with Various Tubularization Techniques and Its Clinical Application

Introduction: Tubularization is one of the indispensable practices of reconstructive surgery, especially in the repair of hypospadias. In all procedures of forming a tube, the desired diameter should be reached without any complication. Materials and Methods: We used as a new technique, ‘double vertical incision’, in 8 rabbits and compared it with free skin graft, local flap and single vertical incision. We formed 32 tubes randomly around an 8-french catheter using 7/0 PDS suture. Twenty-one days after the operation, the tubes were taken, randomized to staining with hematoxylin and eosin and with Masson’s trichrome and then subjected to histopathological examination. Inflammation, fibrosis and lumen diameter were statistically evaluated. Results: Widest lumen diameters were found in the double incision group and this result was statistically different when compared with the results of the other groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Double vertical incision is promising in that it is easier to perform, provides a desired amount of tissue in cases in which the urethral bed is narrow, and causes no scar. Based on the results we obtained, we applied double vertical incision, a modification of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty popularized by Snodgrass, in 4 patients. The tubes were not distended, their long-term follow-up showed no complication and a urethra of the desired diameter was obtained.

Time-dependent effects of dietary qualitative and quantitative protein malnutrition on some members of the cecal microbiota in male Wistar rats

Objective: Protein deficiencies are common conditions around the world. They may affect organisms directly or indirectly by changing their normal microbiota. This study aimed to determine time-dependent effects of the quality and quantity of dietary proteins on intestinal microbiota. Materials and methods: Sixty young male Wistar rats were used in four experiments with durations of 1, 2, 3 or 4 weeks, respectively. In each experiment 15 animals were divided into 3 equal groups and given either a complete rat chow (controls) or semi-synthetic diets containing almost no protein (N-free) or 20% gelatin ad libitum. Total aerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, coliform, and lactobacilli colonies were counted in cecal contents. Results: Generally, total aerobic bacteria and lactobacilli were most affected by protein malnutrition in all experiments. Both types of protein malnutrition decreased the numbers of total aerobic bacteria in all experiments except for the gelatin-fed animals in experiment I. Mean lactobacilli counts also decreased in both malnutrition groups but the decrease in lactobacilli count was more severe in N-free groups than in gelatin-fed groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that the effects of dietary proteins on cecal bacteria are dependent on the type of bacteria and partly time-dependent.

The Effects of Nitric Oxide Supplementation and Inhibition on Bacterial Translocation in Bile Duct Ligated Rats

Abstract Obstructive jaundice promotes bacterial translocation from the gut, but the role of nitric oxide is controversial in this process. We studied the effects of nitric oxide synthase substrate, L-arginine, and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-¿-arginine methyl ester, on bacterial translocation in bile duct ligated rats. The animals were randomized into five groups; control, sham, common bile duct ligation alone, nitric oxide inhibition, and nitric oxide supplementation. Obstructive jaundice was performed with common bile duct ligation. ¿-arginine or NG-nitro-¿-arginine methyl ester was injected once daily for 14 days. Blood bilirubin level, liver histology, and bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes as well as to the liver were assessed. The ¿-arginine supplemented group had the lowest bacterial translocation rate, but the most prominent hepatic fibrosis. Nitric oxide inhibition increased bacterial translocation to the mesenteric lymph nodes. Therefore, the administration of nitric oxide donor or inhibitor acts as a significant regulatory factor for bacterial translocation in obstructive jaundice.

Strangulated ventral hernia model in rats.

This study was performed to describe a new model of strangulation obstruction mimicking the situations relevant to abdominal hernias. The strangulation obstruction was induced either by intra-abdominal ligation of an ileal segment 2 cm in length ( n = 20) or by a pursestring suture around a fascial defect with a strangulated intestinal loop placed subcutaneously ( n = 20). Ten animals served as sham operated controls ( n = 10). All animals were euthanized at 12 h postoperatively; strangulated ileum segments were collected for histopathological examination. Microscopic injury scores were similar in both strangulation groups, which were significantly different from the control group ( p < .001). The model described here seems to be appropriate for use in further experimental studies concerning strangulation obstruction injury and its consequences, with the added advantage of visualization of the strangulated intestinal loop beneath the skin.

The study of expanded tri-lobed flap in a rabbit model: possible flap model in ear reconstruction?

BackgroundLocal flaps are widely used in reconstructive surgery. Tri-lobed skin flap is a relatively new flap and there has been no experimental model of this flap. This flap can be used for repair of full thickness defects in the face, ears and alar region. Based on the size of ears in a rabbit, we designed a model of ear reconstruction using expanded tri-lobed flap. Local flaps are more advantageous in that they provide excellent color and texture matching up with those of the face, adequately restore ear contour, place scars in a favorable location and ideally accomplish these goals in a single stage with minimal donor site morbidity.MethodsEight adult New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups. 50 ml round tissue expander were implanted to four rabbits. After completion of the expansion, a superiorly based tri-lobed flap was elevated and a new ear was created from the superior dorsal skin of each rabbit. Scintigraphy with Technetium-99m pertecnetate was performed to evaluate flap viability.ResultsSubtotal flap necrosis was seen in all animals in non-expanded group. New ear in dimensions of the original ear was created in expanded group without complication. Perfusion and viability of the flaps were proved by Technetium-99m pertecnetate scintigraphy.ConclusionAccording to our knowledge this study is the first to demonstrate animal model in tri-lobed flap. Also, our technique is the first application of the trilobed flap to the possible ear reconstruction. We speculated that this flap may be used mastoid based without hair, in human. Also, tri-lobed flap may be an alternative in reconstruction of cylindrical organs such as penis or finger.