Murat Uysal

Protective effect of thymoquinone against testicular torsion induced oxidative injury

We aimed to determine the protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ), against ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in the testis tissue of rats. Twenty‐seven male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three equal groups as follows: Group I, sham group; Group II, torsion group; and Group III, torsion + thymoquinone group. The ischaemia period was 2 h, and orchiectomy was performed after 30 min of detorsion. Testis tissue sections were analysed with the terminal transferase mediated dUTP‐nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay to determine in situ apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Additionally, Caspase 3 and Bax proteins were analysed immunohistochemically. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity levels in the testis tissue were also measured. The superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde levels in the torsion group were significantly higher than those of the sham group (P < 0.05). Thymoquinone administration significantly reduced these levels. Torsion significantly increased active‐Caspase 3 and Bax expression, which was decreased by thymoquinone. The apoptotic index of the torsion group was significantly higher than that of the control group. However, thymoquinone significantly reduced the apoptotic index (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that thymoquinone plays a protective role in oxidative stress induced ischaemia–reperfusion in the testis tissue of rats.

Protective effects of thymoquinone and melatonin on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background/Aim: In the present study, we aimed to compare the potential protective effects of thymoquinone and melatonin by using equivalent dose, on oxidative stress-induced ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in the intestinal tissue of rats. Materials and Methods: The study was performed using 32 male Wistar–Albino rats (weighing 180–200 g) randomly divided into four groups: Group I, sham group; Group II, IR group; Group III, IR with melatonin group; and Group IV, IR with thymoquinone group. After laparotomy, ischemia and reperfusion were performed for 60 and 120 min, respectively, on all the groups. Intestinal tissue sections were stained using routine histological methods and examined under the light microscope. In addition, the sections were immunohistochemically stained using the TUNEL method for determination of apoptosis. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the intestinal tissue were also measured. Results: The IR group had significantly elevated tissue SOD activity, GSH-Px activity, and MDA levels compared with the sham group. Administration of thymoquinone and melatonin efficiently reduced these increases. Statistically significant number of apoptotic cells was observed in the intestinal tissue of IR group rats compared with the sham group. Treatment with thymoquinone and melatonin markedly reduced the number of apoptotic cells. Conclusion The effects of melatonin and thymoquinone on IR-induced oxidative stress in rat intestines were similar. Our findings suggest that melatonin and thymoquinone protect against IR-induced injury to intestinal tissues.

In vivo effects of intravenous lipid emulsion on lung tissue in an experimental model of acute malathion intoxication

Malathion can be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, but acute toxicity is maximized when administered orally. Intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) treatment is used as a new therapeutic method in cases of systemic toxicity caused by some lipid soluble agents. This study aimed to examine the potential treatment effect of ILE on rat lung tissue in a toxicokinetic model of malathion exposure. Twenty-one adult Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. The groups were organized as group I (control), group II (malathion), and group III (malathion + ILE treatment). Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were evaluated in lung tissues. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses were performed to determine the bax, bcl-2, and caspase-3 expression levels. Tissue GSH-Px and SOD activities were decreased and MDA levels were increased in the malathion group. ILE administration increased GSH-Px and SOD activity and decreased MDA levels compared to the malathion group. Furthermore, expression of bax, bcl-2, and caspase-3 significantly increased in the malathion group, and ILE infusion reduced these expression levels. The present study revealed that acute oral malathion administration increased oxidative stress and apoptosis in the lung tissue of rats. ILE infusion prevented oxidative stress and decreased the deleterious effects of malathion. Taken together, the findings of our study suggest that lipid emulsion infusion has treatment efficacy on malathion-induced lung toxicity.

Effects of carvedilol on an ischemia/reperfusion model: Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carvedilol (CVD) on experimentally induced ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.

Investigation of age-related changes in the expression of aquaporin-1 and aquaporin-5 in the salivary glands of mice

Abstract Conclusion: The increased AQP5 expression associated with ageing in glands, which mainly secreted a serous solution, suggests a compensation for the decreased amount of saliva secretion associated with age progression. Objective: To investigate the change in aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and aquaporin-5 (AQP5) expression in the salivary glands in young and elder mice. Materials and method: Twelve female mice from the Balb/C genus (30–50 g) were used. The mice were separated into two groups: Group I had 2-month-old mice and Group II had 18-month-old mice. Salivary glands (glandula parotidea, glandula sublungualis, glandula submaxillaris) were excised and examined immunohistochemically and histopathologically. AQP1 and AQP5 expression of young and elder mice was evaluated using the H-score. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Upon histopathological examination, the acini of glands were found to be atrophic in elder mice. The number and diameter of intercalated ducts were increased. Indeed, the amount of adipose tissue in the gland was increased. Upon immunohistochemical examination, both AQP1 and AQP5 levels in sublingual glands of elder mice were increased (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, only AQP5 levels were increased in the parotid gland of elder mice (p < 0.01).

Vertebral Artery Dissection Occurring with Dizziness and Vomiting

Introduction: Arterial dissections are becoming increasingly common among the causes of cerebrovascular diseases in the young. The dissections are less common in the vertebrobasilar system than in the carotid artery system. Here we report a case of vertebral artery dissection diagnosed after sudden neck movements with dizziness and vomiting. Case Report: A 32-year-old male patient with no significant past medical history presented to our emergency clinic with dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) angiography revealed an aspect coherent with dissection in the right extracranial vertebral artery. Conclusion: Although rare, vertebral artery dissection should always be included in the differential diagnosis of dizziness

Evaluation of Vertebral Fractures in Patients Presenting to Emergency Department with Trauma

Although vertebral fractures are observed in only a minority of patients presenting with trauma, they are serious injuries in terms of mortality and morbidity. Apart from the osteoporotic fractures seen in the elderly people, vertebral fractures generally occur as a result of high energy traumas3. These fractures may have dire consequences, therefore it is best to take preventive measures before they happen. There is a marked increase in the number of vertebral fractures and spinal cord injuries that are in parallel with the increase in motor vehicle accidents and falls from a height. Although treatment of vertebral fractures is one of the most discussed topics in orthopedic surgery, time to diagnosis has been shortened with advanced imaging techniques, and it has been possible to perform early surgical interventions. Considering patient density and limited time in the emergency departments, it is very important to evaluate patients for vertebral fractures promptly ABSTRACT

Caecum location in laboratory rats and mice: an anatomical and radiological study

Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection is the most frequently used method for implementing parenteral therapies in rats and mice. Whether the caecum is located in the right caudal quadrant or left caudal quadrant in the abdominal cavity is not clear. For that reason, we have developed a method for identifying the location of the caecum in rats and mice and thus revealed the most reliable location for i.p. injection in these animals. Two hundred Wistar albino rats and 100 BALB/c mice were used. The location of the caecum was determined by revealing the intra-abdominal organs immediately following euthanasia, photographing the organs, and archiving the images. Both digital photographic images and computed tomographic (CT) sections were analysed in terms of caecum morphology and location. In both rats and mice, the caecum was most commonly located on the animal’s left side. It was less frequently located on the right side or in the centre. The caecum was typically comma-shaped, but it was round or S-shaped in some animals. The direction of rotation of the caecum from the basis to the apex was mostly counterclockwise. Additionally, the apex showed a tendency to be evenly centred. This study demonstrated that the caecum was mostly located on the animal’s left side; and for that reason, the most suitable location for i.p. injection in these animals was understood to be the right caudal quadrant. Furthermore, when we compared the CT images and autopsy findings, the caecum did not change location in the abdominal cavity postmortem.

Spontan Subdural Hematomu Olan Genç Hasta, Olgu Sunumu

Acil servise norolojik sikayetlerle basvurunun oldukca sik sebeplerinden biri bas agrisidir. Subdural hematom genellikle yaslilarda gorulur. Genclerde subdural hematom nadirdir ve genellikle travma sebebiyle olusur. Genclerde spontan subdural hematoma ise cok nadiren rastlanir. Bu olguda acil servise bas agrisi sikayeti ile basvuran 35 yasinda erkek hastayi sunduk. Hastanin travma oykusu yoktu. Cerrahi sonrasi hasta tam duzelme ile taburcu edildi.