Olcay Eser

The protective effect of fish n-3 fatty acids on cerebral ischemia in rat hippocampus

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cerebral injury after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Fish n-3 essential fatty acids (EFA), contain eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA) and docosahexoenoic acids (DHA), exhibit antioxidant properties. DHA is an important component of brain membrane phospholipids and is necessary for the continuity of neuronal functions. EPA prevents platelet aggregation and inhibits the conversion of arachidonic acid into thromboxane A(2) and prostaglandins. They have been suggested to be protective agents against neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, the neuroprotective effects of fish n-3 EFA on oxidant-antioxidant systems and number of apoptotic neurons of the hippocampal formation (HF) subjected to cerebral I/R injury was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Six rats were used as control (Group I). Cerebral ischemia was produced by occlusion of both the common carotid arteries combined with hypotension for 45 min, followed by reperfusion for 30 min, in rats either on a standard diet (Group II) or a standard diet plus fish n-3 EFA (Marincap((R)), 0.4 g/kg/day, by gavage) for 14 days (Group III). At the end of procedures, the rats were sacrificed and their brains were removed immediately. The levels of malonedialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured in left HF. In addition, the number of apoptotic neurons was counted by terminal transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay in histological samples of the right HF. We found that SOD activities and MDA levels increased in Group III rats compared with Group II rats. On the other hand, CAT activities and NO levels were found to be decreased in Group III rats compared with Group II rats. Additionally, the number of apoptotic neurons was lower in Group III in comparison with Group II rats. The present findings suggest that fish n-3 EFA could decrease the oxidative status and apoptotic changes in ischemic rat hippocampal formation. Dietary supplementation of n-3 EFA may be beneficial to preserve or ameliorate ischemic cerebral vascular disease.

Does dexmedetomidine reduce secondary damage after spinal cord injury? An experimental study

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the possible protective effect of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Twenty-two New Zealand rabbits were divided into three groups: sham (no drug or operation, nxa0=xa06), Control [SCIxa0+xa0single dose of 1xa0mL saline intraperitoneally (i.p), after trauma; nxa0=xa08] and DEX (SCIxa0+xa01xa0μg/kg dexmedetomidine in 1xa0mL, i.p, after trauma, nxa0=xa08). Laminectomy was performed at T10 and balloon angioplasty catheter was applied extradurally. Four and 24xa0h after surgery, rabbits were evaluated by an independent observer according to the Tarlov scoring system. Blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), tissue samples from spinal cord were taken for biochemical and histopathological evaluations. After 4xa0h of SCI, all animals in control or DEX treated groups became paraparesic. On the other hand, 24xa0h after SCI, partial improvements were observed in both control and DEX treated groups. Traumatic SCI leads to increase in the lipid peroxidation and decreases enzymatic or nonenzymatic endogenous antioxidative defense systems. Again, SCI leads to apoptosis in spinal cord. DEX treatment slightly prevented lipid peroxidation and augmented endogenous antioxidative defense systems in CSF or spinal cord tissue, but failed to prevent apoptosis or neurodeficit after traumatic SCI. Therefore, it could be suggested that treatment with dexmedetomidine does not produce beneficial results in SCI.

Bone wax as a cause of foreign body reaction after lumbar disc surgery: a case report.

This report describes a 45-year-old patient who was admitted to the hospital with complaints of low-back pain, lower extremity weakness, and difficulty in walking for the previous 6 mo. The patient’s history revealed 2 lumbar-disc surgeries that were performed 1 y earlier. The patient underwent surgery at our hospital because of clinical symptoms and radiologic findings on magnetic resonance imaging. During the operation, 1×1×1 cm of bone wax that was compressing the dural sac and spinal root was extirpated from the surgical area. Bone wax use should be limited in spinal surgery because of the potential for compression and chronic inflammation.

Intradiploic cavernous hemangioma of the skull in a child: a case report

IntroductionIntradiploic cavernous hemangioma of the skull is seen rarely. Intradiploic cavernous hemangiomas arise from the intrinsic vasculature of the bone and generally picks up at the fourth and fifth decades.Discussion and conclusionIn this report, we present a 16-year-old child who was admitted with a swelling lesion in the right parietal bone and diagnosed as cavernous hemangioma after total extirpation.

Neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid and methylprednisolone on the spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury in rabbits

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate the putative neuroprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on spinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rabbits. Methods. Thirty-five adult female New Zeland rabbits, weighing 2,000–3,500 g (mean: 2,800), were divided randomly into five groups of seven rabbits each (n: 7) as Group 1: sham, only laparotomy; Group 2 (İ/R): I/R; Group 3 (LA): I/R and 100 mg/kg of LA; Group 4 (MP): I/R and 30 mg/kg of methylprednisolone (MP); and Group 5 (LA + MP): I/R and 100 mg/kg of LA plus 30 mg/kg of MP. Results. A statically significant effect of LA, MP, and LA plus MP on lowering malondialdehyde levels both in the blood and in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been observed. Nitric oxide is significantly decreased in the blood and spinal cord tissues, and also in the CSF but it is not significant. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione levels were increased by LA administration. Conclusion. LA exhibits antioxidant efficacy in spinal cord I/R injury, but it cannot decrease the oxidative stress. The histopathological result of the present study also demonstrated that LA has neuroprotective effect in spinal cord injury.

The neuroprotective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in the hippocampal formation of cigarette smoke exposed rabbits

Backround: In this study, the neuroprotective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in the hippocampus of cigarette smoke exposed rabbits were investigated. Materials and methods: Eighteen rabbits were used as experimental subjects and divided into three equal groups. The control group (Group A) was exposed to clean air. Rabbits in the cigarette smoke (CS) group (Group B) were exposed to cigarette smoke 1 hour daily in a room within a glass chamber for 4 weeks. Animals in the CS+CAPE group (Group C) were exposed to cigarette smoke as in Group B and administered CAPE (10 µmol/kg/day) intraperitoneally for 4 weeks just before the exposure to cigarette smoke. Rabbits in all three groups were sacrificed with intraperitoneal administration of 100 mg/kg sodium pentothal and their brains were removed immediately. In the hippocampal formation samples of left hemispheres, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured and the number of apoptotic neurons was counted by ‘terminal transferase dUTP nick end labelling’ (TUNEL) assay in the right hippocampal formation. Results: We found that MDA levels increased significantly in the Group B rabbits compared with the control group (Group A; p = 0.001). In contrast, SOD activities decreased significantly in Group B rabbits compared with the control group (p = 0.001). In the CAPE treated rabbits (Group C), MDA levels decreased and SOD activities increased significantly as compared with Group B rabbits (p = 0.002, p = 0.002, respectively). The number of apoptotic neurons (TUNEL+) in the CA1, CA2, CA3 and dentate gyrus areas of rabbits hippocampal formation were significantly increased in Group B rabbits compared with the control group. On the other hand, the number of apoptotic neurons in the hippocampus areas was decreased significantly in Group C rabbits compared with Group B rabbits. Conclusion: These findings suggest that cigarette smoking induces apoptosis in the hippocampal formation of rabbits and CAPE has a protective role against this induction.

Umbilical perforation: an unusual complication of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt

IntroductionVentriculoperitoneal shunt operations are the most common pediatric neurosurgical procedures in the treatment of hydrocephalus. However, ventricular shunting is frequently associated with a wide variety of complications. Umbilical perforation is an extremely rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts.Case reportWe present an infant with umbilical abscess, meningitis, and umbilical perforation of the distal end of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which was placed for congenital hydrocephalus.

Occipital Mega Encephalocele Associated with Acute Inflammation

scopically, yellow-green-colored granular tissue examination showed patchy, dense polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration. The baby had no more problems and was discharged from the hospital. At follow-up, the neurological examination was normal, and no abnormal increase in the head circumference was observed. Almost 70% of the encephaloceles occur in the occipital region and are most commonly located in close proxA 4-hour-old newborn was referred to our hospital because of a large sac at the back of the head ( fig. 1 ). The past medical history revealed no pathology for the antenatal period. At physical examination, the head circumference was 33 cm, and both fontanels were pulsatile but not tense. A 25 ! 30 ! 20-cm liquid-filled, large sac originating around the external occipital protuberance was present. The sac was soft, fluctuant, and translucence, and its walls were intact. A computed tomography scan showed a bone defect at the occipital region and neural structures related to inflammatory areas, including hypodense areas. The ventricular system was within normal limits. The sac was excised and the defect repaired. Macroscopically, in the inner surface of the sac, highly vascularized, congested, yellow-green-colored, granular, fragile atypical tissue was seen ( fig. 2 ). A control cranial computed tomography scan showed dilations at third and lateral ventricles. A right ventriculoperitoneal shunt was placed. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed corpus callosum dysgenesis. Microscopic examination of resected tissues revealed keratinized multilayered squamous tissue beneath the epithelia, covered with ectatic, congestive vascular proliferation extending to the deep layers, and neural tissue at the deep layers ( fig. 3 a). Microscopic examination of the green-yellow-colored granular tissues revealed dense microcystic areas containing polymorphonuclear leukocytes ( fig. 3 b). Macro-

A neck mass with brachial plexus injury: Pott's disease

Tuberculous osteomyelitis of the spine is most commonly seen in lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Cervical spine tuberculosis is a very rare condition, and it represents a very small part of all patients with Potts disease. We present a case with thoraco-cervical Potts disease, with left-sided neck mass and left arm and hand weakness and numbness. The patient had a paraspinal abscess under the sternocleidomastoid muscle that was compressing the brachial plexus.

Does Botox effect neural tube development in early chick embryos

Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a potent neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum and has wide usage in different areas. The current study aimed to analyze the effects of C. botulinum toxin on the central nerve system in chick embryos. Forty fertile Hubbard Broil eggs, all at Stage 8 of development, were divided into four equal groups: Group 1 embryos (n=10), the control group, were explanted and grown for 18xa0h in a nutrient medium (thin albumin). Group 2 embryos (n=10) were grown in medium containing 5xa0U BTX, Group 3 embryos (n=10) in a medium containing 10xa0U BTX and Group 4 embryos (n=10) in medium containing 20xa0U BTX. After the incubation period, 80% of Group 1 and 2 embryos and 90% of Group 3 and 4 embryos had intact neural tubes (P>0.05). The results of this study suggest that BTX had no additional effect on neural tube development in early chick embryos.