Mursel Davarci

Protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

Introduction. Cyclosporine A, an immunosuppressive agent, is widely used after organ transplantation such as the liver and kidney. However, its widespread use is restricted because it has serious toxic effects on the kidney. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural product with potent anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant activities, and it attenuates inflammation and lipid peroxidation induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAPE on cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity. Material and Methods. Rats were divided into four groups and treated with saline, CAPE, CsA, and CsA + CAPE. Control rats were given saline; the CAPE group was given CAPE (10 μmol/kg/day) for 11 days intraperitoneally; the CsA group was given CsA (15 mg/kg/day) for 10 days subcutaneously; and the CsA+CAPE group was given CAPE for 11 days, and rats were s.c. injected with CsA in 0.5 ml of saline once a day for 10 days at the same time. Results. The administration of CsA alone resulted in higher myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) than in the control. The enzyme activities except CAT in rats treated with CAPE alone were not changed. CAPE treatment prevented the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased CAT activity more, but did not affect the activities of MPO and SOD enzymes. Discussion. CsA causes renal injury and CAPE prevents CAT- and lipid peroxidation-mediated nephrotoxicity via inhibition of oxidative process.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of thymoquinone in a rat model of acute bacterial prostatitis

Prostatitis plays a major role in morbidity and mortality related to prostate diseases. The aim of this study was to detect whether thymoquinone (TQ) could ameliorate oxidative damage and the proliferative response induced by Escherichia coli (E. coli) in rats. A total of 42 adult male Wistar rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into seven groups (three treatment groups, three infected groups and one control group). Control group received saline and was killed 24 h after saline administration. Infected rats were killed after 24, 48 and 72 h following direct injection of E. coli into the prostate. Treatment groups were administered with 10 mg/kg dose of TQ intraperitoneally following E. coli injection and after 24 and 48 h following E. coli injection. The rats were killed at 24, 48 and 72 h after the first drug administration. Each group was compared with each other and with the control group. In addition, infected groups were compared with treatment groups. Our findings show that the treatment with TQ has a protective effect against bacterial prostatitis-induced tissue injury. Increase in malondialdehyde levels and histological damage caused by E. coli were improved markedly with TQ treatment. TQ treatment particularly increased the activity of glutathione peroxidase and decreased the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase. These observations might be attributed, at least in part, to the antioxidant effect of TQ and suggest that it could be a clinically valuable agent in the prevention of acute prostatitis caused by E. coli.

Beneficial effect of erdosteine on methotrexate-induced testicular toxicity in mice.

Methotrexate is used to treat certain types of cancer of the breast, skin, head and neck, or lung. Methotrexate can cause serious or life-threatening side effects on liver, lungs, kidneys, and immune system. Methotrexate chemotherapy causes testicular damage in humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of erdosteine on testicular toxicity of methotrexate in mice. Twenty-six male mice were divided into four groups as follows: group 1, control; group 2, erdosteine-treated; group 3, methotrexate-treated; and group 4, methotrexate + erdosteine treated. On the first day of experiment, a single dose of methotrexate was intraperitoneally administered to groups 3 and 4, although a daily single dose of erdosteine was orally administered to group 2 and 4 for 7 days. At the end of the experiment, the testes of the animals were removed and weighed. The levels of total antioxidant capacity and total oxidative stress, and myeloperoxidase activity in the methotrexate group were higher than the control group (p<0.05). Lipid peroxidation levels were not changed in methotrexate group compared with control group. In conclusion, erdosteine could effectively protect the testes in methotrexate-induced toxicity.

Protective effect of ebselen on experimental testicular torsion and detorsion injury.

Ebselen is used as a drug in clinical trials against stroke, reperfusion injury with anti‐atherosclerotic and renoprotective effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of ebselen, on torsion/detorsion (T/D)‐induced biochemical and histopathological changes in experimental testicular ischaemia/reperfusion injury. A total of 28 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups: group 1(sham‐operated group, n = 7), group 2(ebselen group, n = 7), group 3(torsion/detorsion + saline, n = 7) and group 4(T/D + 10 mg kg−1 ebselen group, n = 7). The tissue homogenate samples were used for immediate nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione measurement. Testes in all groups were evaluated for the biochemical assay and histopathological examinations. To evaluate spermatogenesis, Johnsen scoring system was used. Testicular tissue MDA and NO levels in group 3 were significantly higher than in group 1 and 4. In histological evaluation of the testicular tissues, ebselen administration improved tubular histology significantly compared with T/D group. Significant increase in histological score was observed in the testis of group 3 compared with group 1 and 2. Histological score in group 4 significantly decreased compared with group 3. Johnson score was significantly lower in T/D group compared with all other three groups, ebselen administration increased the score significantly compared with T/D group. Ebselen reduced oxidative biochemical and histopathological damage in our testicular T/D rat model.

Hereditary Behavior of Varicocele

The inheritance of varicoceles and the potential transmission to first-degree relatives has rarely been investigated. In the present study, we examined the first-degree relatives of men with known varicocele to reveal the familial risk for varicocele. Of the patients with clinical varicocele who presented with infertility, testicular pain, or asymmetrical swelling of the scrotum between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009, 49 agreed to have their available first-degree relatives contacted for screening of varicoceles (n = 66). A cohort of 100 consecutive men who applied to the department of internal medicine between 2008 and 2009 for checkup procedure without a history of subfertility or a varicocele were used as a control population. Of the 92 first-degree relatives contacted, 66 (71.7%) decided to participate in this study. Of these 66 men, 21 (33.9%) had a palpable varicocele on physical examination. Compared with a control population (12%), the prevalence of palpable varicocele in the first-degree relatives of patients with known varicocele (33.9%) was approximately 3-fold greater (P < .005). Among the first-degree relatives, 4 (21.1%) of 19 fathers and 17 (36.2%) of 47 brothers had palpable varicocele. As a conclusion, a significant increase in varicocele prevalence is present in the first-degree relatives of men with known varicoceles. Patients should be counseled about this increased risk in male relatives of patients.

Toxic effects of formaldehyde on the urinary system.

Formaldehyde is a chemical substance with a pungent odor that is highly soluble in water and occurs naturally in organisms. Formaldehyde, when taken into organisms, is metabolized into formic acid in the liver and erythrocytes and is then excreted, either with the urine and feces or via the respiratory system. Form-aldehyde is widely used in the industrial and medical fields, and employees in these sectors are frequently exposed to it. Anatomists and medical students are affected by formaldehyde gas during dissection lessons. Because full protection from formaldehyde is impossible for employees in industrial plants using this chemical and for workers in laboratory conditions, several measures can be implemented to prevent and/or reduce the toxic effects of formaldehyde. In this review, we aimed to identify the toxic effects of formaldehyde on the urinary system.

Relationship between endothelial dysfunction and nocturia with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract Objective. There are limited data on whether there is an association between nocturia, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether there is an association between nocturia and endothelial dysfunction in patients with BPH. Material and methods. Forty-two men with a diagnosis of BPH and 42 age-matched controls were enrolled. All patients were assessed for frequency and duration of nocturia, and prostate volume, completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, and underwent brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) evaluation. Results. There was a negative correlation between FMD and frequency of nocturia (r = –0.879, p < 0.0001). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between duration of nocturia and FMD (r = –0.890, p < 0.0001). In addition, FMD was significantly decreased in the BPH group compared with the control group (6.0 ± 0.09 to 7.8 ± 0.10%) (p = 0.0001). Conclusion. In patients with BPH, nocturia is associated with endothelial dysfunction and may be an insidious risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Direct pelvic access percutaneous nephrolithotomy in management of ectopic kidney stone: a case report and literature review

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is an effective procedure for the treatment of patients with large or complex stones. PNL is challenging in anomalous kidneys, certain patients, such as those with renal ectopia. It is unable to undergo PNL in conventional technique safely in these cases. We presented a case report of laparoscopic-assisted PNL via direct pelvic puncture in a pelvic kidney stone and discussed previous published literature. A 49-year-old man presented with right lower quadrant pain and hematuria. Intravenous pyelography and three-dimensional computerized tomography revealed an opaque 2.7 × 1.7 cm pelvis renalis stone in a right side ectopic pelvic kidney with grade III hydronephrosis. Laparoscopic-assisted tubeless PNL was performed to remove the calculus. Laparoscopic-assisted PNL as a minimally invasive therapy in ectopic kidney has many advantages. Our case showed that, in pelvic ectopic kidney with pelvic stones greater than 1.5 cm in size, laparoscopic-assisted PNL via direct pelvis puncture is a safe and effective technique.Abstract Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is an effective procedure for the treatment of patients with large or complex stones. PNL is challenging in anomalous kidneys, certain patients, such as those with renal ectopia. It is unable to undergo PNL in conventional technique safely in these cases. We presented a case report of laparoscopic-assisted PNL via direct pelvic puncture in a pelvic kidney stone and discussed previous published literature. A 49-year-old man presented with right lower quadrant pain and hematuria. Intravenous pyelography and three-dimensional computerized tomography revealed an opaque 2.7 × 1.7 cm pelvis renalis stone in a right side ectopic pelvic kidney with grade III hydronephrosis. Laparoscopic-assisted tubeless PNL was performed to remove the calculus. Laparoscopic-assisted PNL as a minimally invasive therapy in ectopic kidney has many advantages. Our case showed that, in pelvic ectopic kidney with pelvic stones greater than 1.5 cm in size, laparoscopic-assisted PNL via direct pelvis puncture is a safe and effective technique.

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on the dose‐dependent acute nephrotoxicity with paraquat in a rat model

Paraquat (PQ), which is used extensively as a potent herbicide throughout the world, is highly toxic in humans. We aimed to determine PQ‐induced biochemical and histologic changes in the kidneys, and to evaluate the ability of the protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) against PQ‐induced injury in rats. Forty‐eight rats were divided into eight groups of six: Group 1: Control; Group 2: 10 μmol/kg CAPE; Group 3: 15 mg/kg PQ; Group 4: 30 mg/kg PQ; Group 5: 45 mg/kg PQ; Group 6: 15 mg/kg PQ+CAPE; Group 7: 30 mg/kg PQ+CAPE; Group 8: 45 mg/kg PQ+CAPE. PQ and CAPE were injected intraperitoneally. The levels of the total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were determined in the supernatants of the excised left kidney. Right kidney tissue of each rat was removed to obtain a histologic score. When PQ‐administrated (15, 30, 45) groups compared with other groups, TOS values were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.01). PQ (15, 30, 45) groups had significantly diminished values of TAS than the other groups (p < 0.001). Of histologic score evaluation, only the PQ45 group had a significantly higher value than the sham, and CAPE groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, in CAPE+PQ45 group, the level of histologic score was decreased compared to PQ45 group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the evaluation of the data suggests that CAPE can be used to prevent the acute effects of PQ nephrotoxicity.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) protects against acute urogenital injury following pneumoperitoneum in the rat

Abstract Purpose: Our aim is to determine the biochemical and histologic changes induced in the kidneys, testis and prostate on possible ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury caused by pneumoperitoneum (PNP) in a rat model and to evaluate the ability of protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE). Methods: Twenty-eight adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided to one of three treatment groups, with seven animals in each group. Sham, laparoscopy (L), and laparoscopy plus CAPE (L + C) group were subjected to 60 min of PNP with 15 mmHg one hour before the desufflation period. Total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were determined in kidney, testis, and prostate. Kidney and testis tissues were removed to obtain a histologic score. Also, Johnsen scoring system was used for testicular tissue analysis. Results: L group had significantly higher TOS and lower TAS levels on kidney and testis compared to the other groups. In prostate biochemical analysis, there was not any difference between groups. No difference was found between groups according to kidney and testis tissues’ histologic evaluation. In evaluation of Johnsen scoring, L group showed significant lower score compared to the other two groups. Conclusions: Increased intraabdominal pressure (IAP) had an oxidative effect on kidney and testis but not on prostate in rats. Moreover, it could affect the testicular Johnsen score. All these adverse effects of IAP on both kidney and testis could be prevented by CAPE administration.