Murat Caliskan

Effect of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on spinal cord tissue after experimental contusion injury

The purpose of this study was to investigate the early effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and ultrastructural findings in rats after spinal cord injury (SCI). We also compared the effects of G-CSF and methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS). Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, SCI alone (50 g/cm weight drop trauma), SCI+MPSS (30 mg/kg), and SCI+G-CSF (50 μg/kg). Administration of G-CSF and MPSS significantly decreased LPO (p < 0.05) and MPO activity (p < 0.05) in the first 24 hours. MPSS was more effective than G-CSF in reducing LPO (p < 0.05) and in minimizing ultrastructure changes. The results of this study indicate that G-CSF exerts a beneficial effect by decreasing MPO activity and LPO and may reduce tissue damage in the first 24 hours after SCI. Our findings do not exclude the possibility that G-CSF has a protective effect on spinal cord ultrastructure after the first 24 hours following SCI.

Effect of local use of L-carnitine after myringotomy on myringosclerosis development in rats.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the effect of local and intraperitoneal administration of L-carnitine on the prevention of experimentally induced myringosclerosis, and to compare treatment efficiency. METHODS Twenty-four Albino-Wistar rats (48 ears) were bilaterally myringotomised and divided randomly into four groups: group one received no treatment, group two received intraperitoneal L-carnitine, group three received local L-carnitine, and group four received both intraperitoneal and local L-carnitine. On the 15th day after treatment, tympanic membranes were harvested and evaluated histopathologically for myringosclerotic plaque formation, fibroblastic proliferation, tympanic membrane thickness and new vessel formation. RESULTS The group one tympanic membranes showed extensive thickness, and the incidence of myringosclerosis and fibroblast proliferation were greater than in groups two and four. There were statistically significant differences in tympanic membrane thickness between groups three and four, and in myringosclerosis incidence and fibroblast proliferation, comparing groups two, three and four. CONCLUSION Myringosclerosis development was significantly reduced in rats receiving myringotomy plus intraperitoneal L-carnitine. Intraperitoneal L-carnitine administration prevented fibroblastic proliferation and tympanic membrane thickening (both of which cause further tympanic membrane destruction), thus reducing myringotomy-associated morbidity. Local L-carnitine administration had limited effectiveness in this experimental setting.

Imaging and surgical outcomes of spinal tumors in 18 dogs and one cat

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, histological appearances and surgical outcomes of 18 dogs and one cat with spinal tumors are presented. Medical records of the cases admitted for spinal disorders were reviewed, and cases of spinal tumors that were diagnosed by MRI and confirmed by histological examination were included in this study. T1 weighted, T2 weighted and contrast enhanced T1 weighted images were taken and interpreted to evaluate the spinal tumors. The tumors were diagnosed as: meningioma (n = 6), ependymoma (n = 1), nerve sheath tumor (n = 4), metastatic spinal tumor (n = 3), osteosarcoma (n = 2), osteoma (n = 1), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1), and nephroblastoma (n = 1). Thirteen cases underwent surgical operation and the remaining six cases were euthanized at the request of the owners. The neurological status of the surgical cases did not deteriorate, except for one dog that showed ependymoma in the early period after the operation. These results indicate the potential for surgical gross total tumor removal of vertebral tumors to provide better quality of life and surgical collection of histological specimens for definitive diagnosis. For effective case management, dedicated MRI examination is important to accurate evaluation of the spinal tumors, and surgical treatment is useful for extradural and intradural-extramedullary spinal tumors.

Comprasion of Etanercept, Etomidate and Erythropoietin and Their Combinations in Experimentally Induced Spinal Cord Injury.

AIM The aim of this study was to compare the preventive effects of Etanercept, Etomidate, Erythropoietin and their combination in experimentally induced spinal cord trauma by clinical, histopathological, electrophysiological parameters and biochemical examination. MATERIAL AND METHODS 85 healthy female Wistar-Albino rats were used in this study. Rats were divided 8 trauma groups that consisted of 10 rats for each, and 5 rats for the sham group. Laminectomy was performed under general anesthesia and the spinal cord was exposed with intact dura mater, and injury was created by the clip compression model. After the spinal cord injury, drugs were administered immediately intraperitoneally or subcutaneously. Except the sham group, all groups received drugs and were observed 24 or 72 hours. At the 72nd hour each group was anesthesized and somatosensorial evoked potentials (SEP) were recorded from the interarcuate ligament from the 2 vertebra proximal to the injured spinal cord and spinal cord tissue samples were taken for histopathological and biochemical evaluation. RESULTS Etomidate groups showed a lower effect on spinal cord injury than etanercept and erythropoietin in terms of clinical, SEP and TNF-α. Etanercept and erythropoietins neuroprotective effectiveness was shown alone or in combination treatments. More meaningful results were achieved with the use of erythropoietin and etanercept combination after spinal cord injury (SCI) than using erythropoietin alone. After SCI, highest Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores were achieved in the group which Etanercept and Erythropoietin applied together. CONCLUSION The neuroprotective activity of etomidate was suspect. The neuroprotective effect of etanercept and erythropoietin after SCI was shown in individual and combined applications in this study. However, more experimental studies are needed for clinical use.