Seyit Ankarali

The effect of intra-arterial papaverine on ECoG activity in the ketamine anesthetized rat

The opium alkaloid papaverine (PPV) causes vasodilatation of the cerebral arteries through direct action on smooth muscle that reduces the constriction of smooth muscle. Intra-arterial papaverine (IAP) has been used widely to increase the regional cerebral blood flow in order to reverse the cerebral vasospasm that occurs during endovascular procedures. IAP-induced seizures have been reported, although PPV has anticonvulsive effects. This study determined the effects of IAP on electrocorticography (ECoG) in the ketamine anesthetized rats. We used 24 Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 200-250 g. The animals were divided randomly into four groups: three treatment groups (groups 1-3) and a control (group 4). Groups 1, 2, and 3 were given 1, 7, and 14 mg/kg IAP, respectively. The ECoG was compared across groups. Our results indicated that IAP did not cause seizures and that it decreased the frequency of ketamine-induced epileptiform activity in the 14 mg/kg group.

Further evidence for enhancing effects of NO on monosynaptic and polysynaptic spinal reflexes in cats

There are a number of studies on the effects of different NO donors and inhibitors on spinal cord with quite contradictory results. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nonselective NOS inhibitor, on monosynaptic and polysynaptic spinal reflexes in anesthetized and spinalized cats. After a dorsal laminectomy between L5 and S1, monosynaptic and polysynaptic spinal reflexes were evoked by stimulation of gastrocnemius nerves. Following control recordings, administration of L-NAME in 100, 200, 500 microM (local) and 10, 20, 50 mg/kg (i.v.) doses decreased significantly the monosynaptic and polysynaptic reflex amplitudes in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of SNP in 100, 200, 500 microM (local) and 100, 200, 500 microg/kg (i.v.) doses enhanced significantly the both reflex amplitudes in a dose-dependent manner. In another series of experiments it has been observed that the maximal decrease in reflex amplitudes caused by 500 microM local L-NAME administration in the 15th minute was reversed by locally administered SNP (500 microM). Our results support the hypothesis stating that NO may play a role in the modulation of mono- and polysynaptic spinal reflexes and the NO appears to have an enhancing role on these responses.

Effects of thymoquinone, the major constituent of Nigella sativa seeds, on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rats

Objective: To investigate the effects of thymoquinone (TQ) in a penicillin-induced epilepsy model in rats. Methods: This experimental study included 56 adult male Wistar rats. Experiments were performed in the Research Laboratory of the Department of Physiology, Medical School, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey, between October 2013 and December 2014. Animals were divided into the following 7 groups: sham, control, only thymoquinone, vehicle (Dimethylsulfoxide), and doses of 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg of TQ. After rats were anesthetized, the left part of the skull was removed. A pair of silver/silver chloride electrodes was placed on the somatomotor area, and electrocorticographic recording was started. After 5 minutes basal activity was recorded, and TQ was applied intraperitoneally. At the thirtieth minute after TQ, epileptiform activity was induced by intracortical penicillin. The first spike latency, spike frequency, and the amplitude of epileptiform activity were analyzed statistically. Results: The different doses of TQ significantly increased the latency time to onset of first spike wave, and decreased the frequency, and amplitude of epileptiform activity in the first 20 minutes compared with the control group. Conclusion: Thymoquinone shows potential as an antiepileptic drug resulting from its effects of prolonged latency time, and reduced spike wave frequency and amplitude of epileptiform activity.

Which Measure Should be Used for Testing in a Paired Design: Simple Difference, Percent Change, or Symmetrized Percent Change?

We aimed to determine the most proper change measure among simple difference, percent, or symmetrized percent changes in simple paired designs. For this purpose, we devised a computer simulation program. Since distributions of percent and symmetrized percent change values are skewed and bimodal, paired t-test did not give good results according to Type I error and the test power. To be to able use percent change or symmetrized percent change as change measure, either the distribution of test statistics should be transformed to a known theoretical distribution by transformation methods or a new test statistic for these values should be developed.

Fibromiyalji Hastalarının Yaşam Kalitesini Değerlendirmede Kullanılan Ölçeklerin Karşılaştırılması

Amac: Kompleks ve cok boyutlu bir klinik sendrom olan Fibromiyalji sendromu (FMS), bircok somatik ve psikolojik yakinmalara neden oldugu icin yasam kalitesini bozmaktadir. Calismanin amaci, FMS tanisi almis kisilerin, yasam kalitesini en kisa surede ve en verimli sekilde olcen olcegi belirlemektir. Ayrica SF12, SF8 ve SF6D formlarinin guvenilirligi ve gecerliligi de incelenmis olacaktir. Gerec ve Yontemler: Duzce Universitesi Tip Fakultesi Fiziksel Tip ve Rehabilitasyon AD’ da tanisi konulan, calismaya katilmayi kabul eden ve sorulari tam dolduran 59 FMS hastasi degerlendirildi. SF36, WHOQoLBreef, QuickDush, SF12, SF8 ve SF6D olcekleri ile FMS hastalarinin yasam kalitesi sorgulandi. Bulgular : Elde edilen veriler dogrultusunda olceklerin ic tutarliligi ve olcek puanlarinin tekrarlama derecesi yuksek bulundu. SF36 olcek puanlari ile SF olceklerinin diger 3 kisa formundan elde edilen puanlar arasindaki iliskiler incelendiginde, SF12 ve SF6D olceklerinin gecerliligi SF8’ den daha iyi bulundu. Tartisma ve Sonuc : Gecerlilik icin yapilan butun hesaplamalar degerlendirildiginde, FMS’de SF12 ve SF6D olcekleri yasam kalitesini olcmede SF36 yerine kullanabilir. SF8’in ise butun alt boyutlarda SF12 ve SF6D kadar etkili olmamasi ve mental saglik alt boyutunun bulunmamasi nedenleriyle FMS’de yasam kalitesini olcmek amaciyla kullanimi onerilmemektedir.

In vivo Comparison of the Effects of Bupivacaine and Levobupivacaine on the Pregnant Rat Myometrium Using Electrohysterogram

Background and Aims: The effect of local anesthetics on myometrial contractility during labor analgesia is debatable. We aimed to compare the effects of bupivacaine and levobupivacaine on rat uterine contractility in an in vivo setting. Methods: Electrical activities of 40 pregnant rat uteruses were recorded on electrohysterogram after dividing the rats into bupivacaine and levobupivacaine groups. Uterine contraction frequencies were recorded at each 5-min interval. The first 5-min recording was considered the control, which was immediately followed by intramyometrial administration of either bupivacaine or levobupivacaine. The recordings were continued for 30 min. The changes in frequencies at each time interval of the groups were compared with each other and the control recording. Results: The frequencies from both groups at each interval were lower than the control values, but not different between the groups. The frequencies of the bupivacaine group during the 5–10 min and 10–15 min intervals were lower than the control time interval, but no significant differences were present between the control and the other time intervals. However, no significant differences were found at any time interval for the levobupivacaine group. Conclusion: Levobupivacaine led to less muscle relaxation compared to bupivacaine and may be a better option for labor analgesia and anesthesia considering uterine contractility.