Recai Tunca

A Case of Aspergillosis in a Broiler Breeder Flock

SUMMARY. A case of aspergillosis in a broiler breeder flock having respiratory and nervous system problems caused by Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger is documented. Dyspnea, hyperpnea, blindness, torticollis, lack of equilibrium, and stunting were observed clinically. On postmortem examination of the affected birds, white to yellow caseous nodules were observed on lungs, thoracic air sacs, eyes, and cerebellum. Histopathologic examination of lungs and cerebellum revealed classic granulomatous inflammation and cerebellar lesions, necrotic meningoencephalitis, respectively. No lesions were noted in the cerebrum histopathologically. Aspergillus hyphae were observed in stained sections prepared from lesioned organs. Fungal spores and branched septate hyphae were observed in direct microscopy. Aspergillus fumigatus and A. niger were isolated from the inoculations prepared from the suspensions of organs showing lesions.

Determination of cardiac troponin I in the blood and heart of calves with foot-and-mouth disease

The current study was designed to determine the changes of the cardiac troponin I (cTnI) expression in blood and tissue during the myocardial degeneration in calves with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Seventeen crossbred calves presenting pathological signs for FMD confirmed by viral analysis were studied. A biochemistry panel and immunohistochemistry were performed on 17 diseased calves and 7 calves used as controls. Creatine kinase (CK), CK-myocardial band (CK-MB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities were analyzed for both groups. Cardiac troponin I levels were measured by a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Mean cTnI (14.8 ± 1.9 ng/ml) concentration and CK (573 ± 407 U/l), CK-MB (238 ± 37 U/l), AST (84 ± 7), and LDH (298 ± 29 U/l) activities were higher in FMD cases compared with controls. Immunohistochemistry revealed loss or depletion of cTnI expression in myocardium of all cases. None of the 7 controls showed loss of cTnI expression. Increased serum cTnI concentration correlated with myocardial injury and loss of cTnI immunolabeling in cardiomyocytes of calves with FMD.

Pyridine induction of cytochrome P450 1A1, iNOS and metallothionein in Syrian hamsters and protective effects of silymarin

An in vivo assessment for the protective effects of silymarin for pyridine toxicity was investigated through cytochrome P450 isoform CYP1A1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity prevention. Moreover, the effect of pyridine-induced oxidative stress on metallothionein I-II (MT), a scavenger of oxygen-derived free radicals, was investigated. Forty Syrian hamsters were allocated into 4 groups. Syrian hamsters were dosed with pyridine (400mg/kg) intraperitoneally with and without silymarin (200mg/kg daily by gavage) for 4 days. Pyridine induced diffuse degeneration and necrosis of the proximal and distal renal tubular cells; cloudy swelling, necrosis and hepatocellular atypia of the liver; and degenerative changes in the myocardium. The degree of pathological alterations was less severe with simultaneous silymarin application. CYP1A1, iNOS and MT expression levels were elevated in liver, kidney and heart in response to acute pyridine toxicity. Silymarin application abolished or significantly suppressed the induction of CYP1A1, iNOS and MT expressions in liver, kidney and heart of the pyridine-treated Syrian hamsters. Enhanced synthesis of MT by pyridine possibly implies a purposive cellular response to prevent damage caused by oxygen radicals. However, silymarin significantly reduced the oxidative-stress-inducing effect of pyridine as reflected by decreased synthesis of MT. These results suggest that through oxidant generation, pyridine may cause alteration of the metabolic ways, including nitric oxide-mediated CYP1A1 activity.

PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF SILYMARIN ON FUMONISIN B1-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY IN MICE

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of silymarin on experimental liver toxication induced by Fumonisin B1 (FB1) in BALB/c mice. The mice were divided into six groups (n = 15). Group 1 served as the control. Group 2 was the silymarin control (100 mg/kg by gavage). Groups 3 and 4 were treated with FB1 (Group 3, 1.5 mg/kg FB1, intraperitoneally; and Group 4, 4.5 mg/kg FB1). Group 5 received FB1 (1.5 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg), and Group 6 was given a higher dose of FB1 (4.5 mg/kg FB1) with silymarin (100 mg/kg). Silymarin treatment significantly decreased (p < 0.0001) the apoptotic rate. FB1 administration significantly increased (p < 0.0001) proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 expression. Furthermore, FB1 elevated the levels of caspase-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha mediators while silymarin significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) the expression of these factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) expressions were significantly elevated in Group 4 (p < 0.0001). Silymarin administration alleviated increased VEGF and FGF-2 expression levels (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, silymarin ameliorated toxic liver damage caused by FB1 in BALB/c mice.

Cyclin A expression is associated with apoptosis and mitosis in murine 3-methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcomas.

The chemical carcinogen MCA induces fibrosarcoma and tissue damage at the injection site. Despite the importance of ROS in the development of cancer, little is known about the pattern of expression of ROS in MCA-induced fibrosarcomas. To gain some insight into the biological significance of iNOS and Cu/Zn-SOD, comparative immunohistochemical analyses were performed to characterize their expression in MCA-induced fibrosarcomas. Cyclin A is overexpressed in various tumors, but its expression in MCA-induced fibrosarcoma in mice and its correlation to mitosis and apoptosis are unclear. The presence of apoptotic cell death was evaluated using the TUNEL method and findings were compared with cyclin A expression and mitotic count of fibrosarcomas. Subcutaneous application of MCA caused fibrosarcoma development in 14 of 20 mice (70%) in 26 weeks. Limited cytoplasmic Cu/Zn-SOD and iNOS immunostainings were detected in 13 of 14 and 9 of 14 tumors with median immunoreactive scores of 2 and 1, respectively. Prominent nuclear cyclin A immunostaining and TUNEL-positive reactions were seen in all the fibrosarcoma cases. Cyclin A immunoreaction significantly correlated with the TUNEL index (P<0.01) and MC (P<0.001). The present findings show a low level of iNOS expression in neoplastic cells indicating limited synthesizing capacity of tumor cells. Limited Cu/Zn-SOD reaction could be associated with an imbalance in between pro-oxidant/antioxidant levels. Furthermore, it was shown that cyclin A is overexpressed in MCA-induced fibrosarcomas and possibly plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of fibrosarcomas. Cyclin A could be useful for detecting the S phase of the cell cycle and could also indicate that cyclin A may induce S phase arrest associated with apoptosis in the MCA-induced fibrosarcomas.

Protective effects of silymarin and curcumin on cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity

INTRODUCTION Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a potent anticancer agent; its clinical use is limited due to its marked cardiotoxicity. AIM The present study was aimed at evaluating the cardioprotective effects of silymarin (SLY) and curcumin (CUR), which have strong antioxidant properties, against the toxic effects of high-dose CP on the heart of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 36 adult Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into six groups. Group I (control group; nothing was administered), Group II (CP group; 30mg/kg/day CP was administered intraperitoneally to each animal for seven days), Group III (SLY group; 100mg/kg/day SLY by gavage for 14 days), Group IV (CUR group; 100mg/kg/day CUR by gavage for 14 days), Group V (SLY+CP group; 100mg/kg/day SLY by gavage for 14days plus 30mg/kg/day CP intraperitoneally starting from the seventh day) and Group VI (CUR+CP group; 100mg/kg/day CUR by gavage for 14days plus 30mg/kg/day CP intraperitoneally starting from the seventh day). Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical methods were utilised for evaluation of the cardiotoxicity. RESULTS The result showed that an increase in heart MDA and DNA fragmentation levels were detected while significant decreases were seen in SOD levels in CP alone group when compared to the other groups. CP caused severe damage in the histopathological status of heart tissue including intersititial oedema, haemorrhage, degeneration and necrosis in muscle fibrils and perinuclear vacuolization. A significant increase in the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells and γH2AX protein expression was detected in the CP-treated group compared to the control and other treated groups. There was significant increase in the percentage of caspase 3-positive cells and decrease in the percentage of Bcl-2 positive cells in the CP group compared to the control group and other treated groups. However, a significant decrease in the percentage of cTnI and cTnT immunoreactivity was also observed in the CP-treated group compared to the control and other treated groups. In the groups in which SLY and CUR were administered concurrently with CP, biochemical parameters, histopathological and immunohistochemical results were found to be significantly lower than in the CP-only group. CONCLUSIONS These results lead to conclusion that the natural antioxidant SLY and CUR might have protective effects against CP-induced cardiotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats.

Pathomorphological, immunohistochemical and bacteriological findings in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) naturally infected with S. Gallinarum

The present study describes the pathological and bacteriological findings and diagnosis by immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence methods in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) naturally infected with Salmonella gallinarum obtained from three commercial budgerigar rearing farms. The course of the disease in young budgerigars was peracute or acute, whereas in adult budgerigars the disease was acute or chronic. Clinically, yellow–white diarrhoea was observed in the young budgerigars with the acute form. In the adult budgerigars with the acute and chronic forms, a decrease in feed and water consumption with loss in body condition together with greenish-yellow diarrhoea was generally noted. Peritonitis and pericarditis were the most common findings in young budgerigars at necropsy, while in adult budgerigars scattered grey–white necrotic foci were found in the livers. Histopathologically, the lesions in young budgerigars were characterized with fibrinonecrotic peritonitis and/or pericarditis and necrotic hepatitis. In adult budgerigars with acute infection, hepatic necrosis with focal heterophil infiltration was present; whilst lesions in the chronic cases were granulomatous in nature with the infiltration of macrophages, lymphocytes and histiocytes. For the detection of S. Gallinarum in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues, the avidin–biotin peroxidase complex and immunofluorescence methods were used. Both methods showed bacteria to be localized in the liver, kidney, peritoneum, heart, spleen and intestines of both young and adult budgerigars. The results of the present study indicate that the avidin–biotin peroxidase complex method was more sensitive than the immunofluorescence method in the detection of the bacteria.

Histopathologic Evaluation of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Hypothyroidism-Induced Rats

It is speculated that thyroid hormones may be involved in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis. A literature scan, however, demonstrated conflicting results from studies investigating the relationship between hypothyroidism and NAFLD. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate NAFLD, from the histopathologic perspective, in hypothyroidism-induced rats. Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: the experimental group consumed water containing methimazole 0.025% (MMI, Sigma, USA) for 12 weeks and the control group consumed tap water. At the end of week 12, serum glucose, ALT, AST, triglyceride, HDL, LDL, TSH, fT4, fT3, visfatin, and insulin assays were performed. Sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and “Oil Red-O” for histopathologic examination of the livers. In our study, we detected mild hepatosteatosis in all hypothyroidism-induced rats. There was statistically significant difference with respect to obesity between the two groups (p < 0.001). The mean fasting blood glucose was 126.25 ± 23.4 mg/dL in hypothyroidism-induced group and 102.63 ± 15.51 mg/dL in the control group, with a statistically significant difference between the groups (p = 0.032). The two groups did not differ statistically significantly with respect to visfatin levels (p > 0.05). In conclusion, we found that hypothyroidism-induced rats had mild hepatosteatosis as opposed to the control group histopathologically. Our study indicates that hypothyroidism can cause NAFLD.

Granulosa cell tumor in two dogs.

Granüloza hücre tümörleri, granüloza hücrelerinden köken alan ve ovaryumun en yaygın görülen seks kord-gonadostromal tümörlerdendir. Bu vaka sunumu ile iki köpekte granüloza hücre tümörü klinik ve patolojik bulguları ile tanımlandı. Birinci olguda (iki yaşlı, kırma köpek) klinik olarak orta derecede vulvar ödem ve hemorajik vajinal akıntı ve transabdominal ultrasonografide sağ ovaryum üzerinde 8.0 mm ve 10.0 mm boyutlarında iki kistik yapı dikkati çekti. Önceden kısırlaştırıldığı ve son üç aydır aralıklı olarak seyreden kanamalı vajinal akıntının görüldüğü bildirilen ikinci olguda (dokuz yaşlı, Alman çoban köpeği), klinik muayenede şiddetli vulvar ödem ile transabdominal ultrason muayenesinde sağ paralumbal bölgede hiperekojenik doku ile çevrelenmiş kistik bir yapıya rastlandı. Birinci olguda, makroskobik incelemede her iki ovaryumun dış yüzünde çapları 1.0 mm’den 3.0 mm’ye varan büyüklüklerde, çok sayıda, boz-beyaz renkli ve sert kıvamlı nodüller mevcuttu. Sağ ovaryumun dış yüzünde biri 8.0 mm diğeri 10.0 mm çapında, içleri seröz sıvı dolu kistler bulunmaktaydı. İkinci olguda, sağ ovaryum yüzeyinde biri 1.0 mm diğeri 10.0 mm çapında, boz-beyaz renkte ve sert kıvamlı nodüller bulunmaktaydı. Mikroskobik incelemede; her iki olguda, fibröz stroma ile sınırlandırılmış kistik ya da solid yapılar halinde neoplastik alanlar dikkati çekti. Bu alanlar; sitoplazmaları vakuollü, çekirdekleri yuvarlak ya da oval şekilli, pleomorfik, bir ya da birkaç sıra halinde dizilmiş neoplastik granüloza hücrelerinden oluşmuştu. Bu yapıların bazılarının merkezlerinde eozinofilik globuler Call-Exner cisimciği dikkati çekti. Her iki olguda da post operatiftedaviyi takiben vulvar ödem ve vajinal kanamada azalma, ilerleyen haftalarda da tam iyileşme sağlandı.