Seren Gulsen Gurgen

A Comparison Study of Growth Factor Expression following Treatment with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, Saline Solution, Povidone-Iodine, and Lavender Oil in Wounds Healing

This study compared the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), saline solution (SS), povidone-iodine (PI), and lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) through expression of growth factors in a rat model of wound healing. Six experimental groups were established, each containing 8 rats: a healthy group with no incision wounds, an incision-control group, an incision and TENS group, an incision and SS group, an incision and PI group, and an incision and lavender oil group. Experiments continued for 5 days, after which the skin in the excision area was removed. Tissue concentrations of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Tissue expressions of EGF, PDGF-A, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 were determined using immunohistochemistry. Wound closure progressed more rapidly in the TENS and lavender oil groups than in the control and other study groups. In particular, PDGF-A expressions in the dermis and EGF expression in the epidermis were significantly intense in the TENS group (P < 0.05). In addition, ELISA levels of growth factors such as PDGF-A and EGF were significantly higher in TENS group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). These immunohistochemical and ELISA results suggest that TENS may improve wound healing through increasing growth factors in the dermis and epidermis more than other topical applications.

Histologic and morphologic effects of valproic acid and oxcarbazepine on rat uterine and ovarian cells

Purpose:  To determine the histologic and morphologic effects of valproic acid (VPA) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) on rat uterine and ovarian cells.

Chemoprotective effect of ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and selenium on cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in the rat ovarium

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the protective efficacy of ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and selenium by measuring the glutathione (GSH) levels and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) expression in the ovarian tissues of rats treated with cyclophosphamide (CP) therapy. METHODS Female Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each: (I) control, (II) only CP, (III) CP + ascorbic acid, (IV) CP + α-tocopherol, and (V) CP + selenium. Immunohistochemical stainings and GSH protocol were then applied. RESULTS Following CP administration, the rats exhibited significantly lower GDF-9 expression in oocytes and PCNA expression in granulosa cells of follicles in all stages of development (P < 0.05). In CP + antioxidant groups (Groups III, IV, V), GDF-9 immunoreaction in oocytes and PCNA immunoreaction in granulosa cells of the developing follicles were found to show an increase towards the levels observed in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS CP was found to cause remarkable degenerative effects in normal ovarian tissue, and we believe that this damage can be reduced and ovarian tissue can be spared from the toxic effects of CP by using antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and selenium.

Methylphenidate has dose-dependent negative effects on rat spermatogenesis: decreased round spermatids and testicular weight and increased p53 expression and apoptosis:

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the possible effects of methylphenidate on rat testes. Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly distributed into three experimental groups of 14 rats each. For 90 days, each group via gavage received the following: group 1 = tap water (control group), group 2 = 5 mg/kg/day of ritalin (methylphenidate, MPH), and group 3 = 10 mg/kg/day of ritalin. After sacrificing the animals, the body weights as well as the absolute and relative testicular weights were measured. Testes were sampled, fixed, and processed and, by histopathological examination, quantitative morphometric analysis of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes, and spermatids was performed in stages II, V, and XII. Immunohistochemistry was performed for transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and p53, and the apoptotic index was assessed through the TUNEL method. Group 2 had a reduction of round spermatids in stage II. Group 3 had reduction in both stage II and stage V spermatids, as well as lower testicular weight. The p53 expression was increased in group 3. In groups 2 and 3, the TGF-β1 expression was reduced and the apoptotic index by TUNEL was increased. Body weights remained stable on either group. Our results showed that methylphenidate might negatively affect spermatogenesis not only by reducing testicular weight and amount of round spermatids but also by increasing apoptotic death and p53 activation. The findings of the study, however, must be cautiously interpreted.

Neuroprotective effects of MK-801 against traumatic brain injury in immature rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health problem in pediatric ages and also has major social, economic, and emotional outcomes, with diverse sequelae in many spheres of everyday life. We aimed to investigate the effect of MK-801, a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, on hippocampal damage and behavioral deficits on 10-day-old rat pups subjected to contusion injury. The aims of the present study were to determine: (i) the short term effects of MK-801 on hippocampal BDNF, NGF and NMDA receptor immunoreactivity and neuron density in hippocampus (ii) long term effects of MK-801 on cognitive dysfunction following TBI in the immature rats. MK-801, was injected intraperitoneally at the doses of 1mg/kg of body weight immediately after induction of traumatic injury. Hippocampal damage was examined by cresyl violet staining, BDNF, NGF and NMDAR receptor immunohistochemistry on P10 day and behavioral alterations were evaluated using elevated plus maze and novel object recognition tests two months after the trauma. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluations showed that treatment with a single dose of 1mg/kg MK-801 (i.p.) significantly ameliorated the trauma induced hippocampal neuron loss and decreased BDNF, NGF and NMDAR expressions in CA1, CA3 and DG hippocampal brain regions. Additionally, treatment with MK-801 ameliorated anxiety and hippocampus dependent memory of animals subjected to trauma. These results show that acute treatment of MK-801 has a neuroprotective role against trauma induced hippocampal neuron loss and associated cognitive impairment in immature rats.

The protective role of thymoquinone in the prevention of gentamicin ototoxicity

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential protective effect of thymoquinone in gentamicin-induced ototoxicity through auditory brain stem responses (ABR) testing and histomorphological evaluation of the cochlea. METHODS This study was conducted on 48 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats that were randomized into 4 groups. Group 1 received intraperitoneal gentamicin; group 2 received intraperitoneal gentamicin plus corn oil solution; group 3 received intraperitoneal thymoquinone; and group 4 received intraperitoneal gentamicin plus thymoquinone. All groups received the drugs (once daily) in the above-mentioned protocols over 15 days. After conducting repeated ABR measurements, the rats were sacrificed, and their cochleae were isolated. RESULTS ABR thresholds were preserved in the gentamicin plus thymoquinone group when compared with the group receiving gentamicin alone. There were fewer TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3 and caspase-9 expressions were weaker in the inner and outer hairy cells of the organ of Corti in the gentamicin plus thymoquinone group compared with the group receiving gentamicin alone. CONCLUSION The ABR values and number of apoptotic cells did not significantly increase in the group receiving gentamicin plus thymoquinone when compared to the group receiving gentamicin alone. Again, the cochlear histomorphological findings were supportive of the auditory findings. In light of these findings, we conclude that gentamicin-induced ototoxicity may be prevented by thymoquinone use in rats.

Investigation of the cochlear effects of intratympanic steroids administered following acoustic trauma

To electrophysiologically and histomorphologically demonstrate the effects of intratympanic corticosteroids administered following an acoustic trauma on cochlear hair cells.

Effects of chronic treatment with valproate and oxcarbazepine on testicular development in rats.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to examine the potential effects of valproate (VPA) and oxcarbazepine (OXC) on testicular development in rats. METHODS Forty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of 14 rats each. Each group received the following via gavage over 90 days: group 1, tap water (control group); group 2, VPA (300mg/kg/day); group 3, OXC (100mg/kg/day). After sacrifice, body, testicular and epididymidis weights were measured. Testes were sampled, fixed and processed, and quantitative morphometric analysis of Sertoli cells, spermatocytes and spermatids was performed in stages II, V and XII by histopathological examination. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to transform growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and p53, and the apoptotic index was assessed using the TUNEL method. RESULTS Testis and relative testis weights were significantly lower in the VPA group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Spermatogonia, pachytene spermatocyte and round spermatocyte numbers decreased in all stages in both the VPA and OXC groups compared to the control group, though this was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Apoptotic cell counts and p53 immunoreaction were significantly high and TGF-β1 expression was significantly lower in the VPA group compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). In the OXC group, p53 immunoreaction and TGF-β1 expression decreased compared to the control group, but this difference did not attain statistical significance (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results show that VPA treatment from prepuberty to adulthood significantly negatively affects spermatogenesis, not only by reducing testicular weight, but also by increasing apoptotic death and p53 and decreasing TGF-β1 activation. OXC has a minimal side effect on testicular development.

Usage of whey protein may cause liver damage via inflammatory and apoptotic responses.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the long- and short-term inflammatory and apoptotic effects of whey protein on the livers of non-exercising rats. Thirty rats were divided into three groups namely (1) control group, (2) short-term whey (WS) protein diet (252 g/kg for 5 days), and (3) long-term whey (WL) protein diet (252 g/kg for 4 weeks). Interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and cytokeratin 18 (CK-18-M30) were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunohistochemical methods. Apoptosis was evaluated using the terminal transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) method. Hepatotoxicity was evaluated by quanitation of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Based on the biochemical levels and immunohistochemical results, the highest level of IL-1β was identified in the WL group (p < 0.01). The IL-6 and TNF-α results were slightly lower in the WS group than in the control group and were highest in the WL group (p < 0.01). The CK-18-M30 and TUNEL results were highest in the WS group and exhibited medium intensity in the WL group (p < 0.01). AST results were statistically significant for all groups, while our ALT groups were particularly significant between the WL and control groups (p < 0.01). The results showed that when whey protein is used in an uninformed manner and without exercising, adverse effects on the liver may occur by increasing the apoptotic signal in the short term and increasing inflammatory markers and hepatotoxicity in the long term.

Comparison of Histopathological and CT Findings in Experimental Rabbit Sinusitis

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare histopathological and computerized tomographic (CT) findings of experimental acute sinusitis in an animal model. The noses of five healthy rabbits were inoculated with a gelatin sponge impregnated with a solution containing Staphylococcus aureus, and one healthy rabbit acted as the control. The animals were sacrificed on the tenth day, following the acquisition of paranasal CT scans. Specimens were obtained from the lateral nasal walls, and the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses of the animals for histopathological examination. Histopathological and CT findings were compared. Various degrees of epithelial disorganization, foci of ruptured epithelial cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lamina propria were seen in the histopathological examinations of the five study rabbits, and mucosal thickening and soft tissue density were noted in their CTs. There was no correlation between the histopathological and CT findings. It was shown that CT did not reflect the acute changes in the sinus mucosa. Patients with chronic sinusitis must be evaluated for a chronic process. Computerized tomographic scans should not be obtained in acute sinusitis cases. In this way, both unnecessary radiation exposure and economic waste can be avoided.