Tolunay Kozlu

The protective effect of erythropoietin and dimethylsulfoxide on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat ovary

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of erythropoietin and dimethylsulfoxide in the recovery from ischemia-reperfusion injury in an experimental rat adnexal torsion model. STUDY DESIGN Thirty-six Wistar-albino rats were divided into six groups. Except for the sham operation group, all groups were subjected to left unilateral adnexal torsion for 3h. Erythropoietin and dimethylsulfoxide were intraperitoneally administered 30min before the detorsion operation. Malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were detected from both the plasma and the tissue samples. The sections of the tissues were evaluated histologically. The results were analyzed by a one-way analysis of the variance (ANOVA) followed by the Duncan test for multiple comparisons using computer software, SPSS Version 15.0 for Windows. RESULTS This study demonstrated that dimethylsulfoxide and erythropoietin pretreatment attenuated ischemia-reperfusion-induced lipid peroxidation, prevented post-ischemic ovarian injury and helped to maintain the ovarian morphology. Malondialdehyde levels of plasma and ovary were higher in the torsion and detorsion groups than the sham group. This showed that ischemia-reperfusion had caused lipid peroxidation of the ovarian tissue, thus leading to oxidative damage. One of the major findings of this study is that malondialdehyde was significantly decreased in the plasma of rats who were pre-treated with dimethylsulfoxide and erythropoietin before detorsion. This suggests that dimethylsulfoxide and erythropoietin might prevent oxidative damage in ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury. Histological examination confirmed that reperfusion caused more detrimental effects than only ischemia, which could be at least partially prevented by dimethylsulfoxide and erythropoietin administration prior to detorsion. CONCLUSION Erythropoietin and dimethylsulfoxide may have beneficial effects in ischemia-reperfusion injury in ovarian torsion.

Effects of Erdosteine on Acetaminophen-induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats

We investigated the effects of erdosteine on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and ALT (alanine transaminase) activities, and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide levels as oxidant/antioxidant biochemical parameters were investigated with light microscopic evaluation in adult female Wistar Albino rats. APAP administration produced a decrease in hepatic SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities, and coadministration of erdosteine (150 and 300 mg/kg) resulted in increases in the activities. MDA and NO levels increased in the APAP group, and erdosteine treatments prevented these increases. Significant elevations in serum AST and ALT levels were observed in the APAP group, and when erdosteine and APAP were coadministered, their serum levels were close to those in the control group. Light microscopic evaluation of livers showed that there were remarkable centrilobular (zone III) hepatic necrosis and mild to moderate sinusoidal congestion in the APAP group, whereas in the erdosteine group, cellular necrosis was minimal and the hepatocytes maintained a better morphology when compared to the APAP group. Erdosteine prevented APAP-induced liver injury and toxic side effects probably through the antioxidant and radical scavenging effects of erdosteine.

Subacute toxicity of piperonyl butoxide and resmethrin in mice

The subacute toxic effects of separate and combined use of piperonyl butoxide and resmethrin (cismethrin) on the liver and kidneys of male mice were investigated. It is known that when given alone, pyrethroids are toxic and their toxicity becomes more complicated when they are co-formulated with piperonyl butoxide. In the present study, macroscopic and microscopic changes were determined in the liver and kidney tissues. Furthermore, biochemical alterations and clinical neurotoxic effects were observed. Toxic effects were more evident in the group subjected to combined use. The results obtained demonstrated that, in mice, piperonyl butoxide and resmethrin are directly toxic to the liver and kidneys. The toxic effects and tissue degeneration were more widespread in the group subjected to combined use.

A comparative study on the histological structure of the spleen in the ostrich (Struthio camelus), the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) and the osprey (Pandion haliaetus)

The spleen structurally and functionally belongs to the hematopoietic organs and is also an important component of the reticuloendothelial system, which is known to play a major role in host defense. The histological structure of the spleen was investigated in the ostrich, a non-flying bird, the kestrel, a raptor, and the osprey, a fish-eating bird of prey (fish eagle). For this purpose, Mallorys modified triple stain, methyl green-pyronin and silver stain were used. Germinal centers were not present in the spleen of the osprey. In the spleen of the kestrel, penicillar arterioles and the surrounding lymphoid tissue were markedly dense. Compared to the other two birds, the red and white pulps were clearly distinguishable in the spleen of the ostrich.