Tümay Özgür

Protective effects of thymoquinone on vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Aim: Oxidative stress has been implicated as a potential responsible mechanism in the pathogenesis of vancomycin (VCM)-induced renal toxicity. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of thymoquinone (TQ) against VCM-induced nephrotoxicity by tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters and histological changes in rats. Materials and methods: Wistar albino rats were randomly separated into four groups consisting of seven rats per group. The groups had normal saline (control group), VCM, VCM and TQ and TQ, respectively. VCM was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 200 mg/kg and continued at 12-h intervals for 7 days. TQ was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg and continued at 24 h intervals for 8 days. Animals were killed and blood samples were analyzed for the levels of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr). Kidney specimens were analyzed for levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as for histopathological changes. Results: We found that the levels of serum BUN, Cr and kidney tissue MDA were increased in the VCM group. Activities of SOD and GSH-Px in kidney tissue were decreased. TQ administration ameliorated significantly these changes. Conclusion: These results indicate that the TQ produces a protective mechanism against VCM-induced nephrotoxicity and suggest a role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis.

Mature cystic teratomas in our series with review of the literature and retrospective analysis

PurposeMature cystic teratomas are the most common benign ovarian neoplasms. Our aim is to analyse these cases by pathologic and clinical findings in our centre with the view of updated knowledge.Materials and methodsIn our study, 50 case reports diagnosed as mature cystic teratoma (or dermoid cyst) in Mustafa Kemal University Pathology Laboratory between 2005 and 2010 have been reviewed.ResultsOf 50 cases, the findings on mature cystic teratomas were as follows: the number of tumours located at the right ovary was 22, the left ovary, 23, with 5 cases bilaterally. Age range was 14–58 with mean rate 35.4. In two cases, tumour markers were high, one case presented with torsion; one case was obtained incidentally during delivery.ConclusionMature cystic teratomas are benign neoplasms with low malign transformation rate. Our series are low in number but our findings show the dynamic nature of these tumours.

The Protective Effect of Ebselen on Radiocontrast-Induced Nephrotoxicity

Aim: Radiocontrast-induced nephropathy has become one of the most important causes of renal acute failure. The most effective management of reducing the incidence of contrast nephropathy is to understand and prevent its causes. We aimed to investigate the protective role of ebselen against radiocontrast-induced nephrotoxicity in terms of tissue oxidant/antioxidant parameters and light microscopy in rats. Methods: Albino Wistar rats were randomly separated into four groups. The Group 1 rats were treated with sodium chloride as the control group, Group 2 with radiocontrast, Group 3 with radiocontrast plus ebselen, and Group 4 with ebselen alone. After 24 h, the animals over the experimental period were euthanized and blood samples were analyzed for blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (Cr) levels. Kidney sections were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, as well as histopathological changes. Results: In the radiocontrast group, BUN, MDA, and GSH-Px levels increased while SOD activity decreased compared with the control group. These decays were improved by ebselen administration in the radiocontrast group. Significant histological deteriorations were observed in the radiocontrast group. We noted improvement in the histologic findings with ebselen administration. Conclusion: These results indicate that ebselen might produce a protective mechanism against radiocontrast-induced nephrotoxicity.

Oral intralipid emulsion use: a novel therapeutic approach to pancreatic β-cell injury caused by malathion toxicity in rats.

Abstract We aimed to investigate whether oral intralipid emulsion (OIE) reduces pancreatic β-cell injury (PβCI) by chelating with malathion (M), or increases PβCI by increasing M absorption in the stomach. Fifty rats were randomly divided into six groups: control group (C); OIE administered group (L); M-treated group (M); OIE-administered group immediately after given M (M0L); OIE-administered group 6 hours after being given M (M6L) and OIE administered group 12 hours after being given M (M12L). M induced PβCI, hyperglycemia, temporary hyperinsulinemia and oxidative stress (OS). However, there was no significant difference in serum levels of glucose, insulin, total oxidants (TOS) and liver TOS between the M0L group and groups C and L. Also, insulin levels of M12L significantly increased, compared to the M6L group. Biochemical results, which were confirmed by histopathology, indicate that administering OIE after 6 hours and immediately after taking M may markedly prevent PβCI, hyperglycemia and OS. In addition, OIE’s effectiveness decreased after 6 hours and was totally ineffective after 12 hours. We concluded that OIE may help to achieve a better prognosis and reduce mortality rate in cases presented to the emergency department, particularly within the first 6 hours, resulting from organophosphate pesticide poisoning by oral ingestion.

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on dose-dependent intoxication of rats with paraquat

Purpose: Paraquat (PQ; 1,1′dimethyl-bipyridilium 4,4′-dichloride), which is used extensively throughout the world, is highly toxic to humans. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of different doses of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on PQ-intoxicated rats. Materials and methods: A total of 80 rats were divided into the following eight groups, comprising 10 rats in each group: group 1: control; group 2: administered with CAPE (10 µmol/kg); group 3: administered with 15 mg/kg PQ (PQ15 group); group 4: administered with 30 mg/kg PQ (PQ30 group); group 5: administered with 45 mg/kg PQ (PQ45 group); group 6: administered with 15 mg/kg PQ + CAPE; group 7: administered with 30 mg/kg PQ + CAPE and group 8: administered with 45 mg/kg PQ + CAPE. Both PQ and CAPE were injected intraperitoneally. Pancreatic tissue was examined with both haematoxylin and eosin and immunochemical staining. Results: The ratio of the immunohistochemical staining area to the total pancreatic area of the β cells revealed that statistically significant differences were observed only between the PQ and PQ + CAPE groups (p < 0.05). Discussion: The evaluation of the data suggests that CAPE can be used to prevent acute effects of PQ intoxication.

Thymoquinone Attenuates Trauma Induced Spinal Cord Damage in an Animal Model

BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating conditions leading to neurological impairment and disabilities. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential neuroprotective effect of thymoquinone (TQ) histopathologically in an experimental model of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group; SCI group; SCI-induced and 10 mg/kg/day TQ administered group; SCI-induced and 30 mg/kg/day TQ administered group. TQ was given as intraperitoneal for three days prior to injury and four days following injury. Spinal cord segment between T8 and T10 were taken for histopathologic examination. Hemorrhage, spongiosis and liquefactive necrosis were analyzed semiquantatively for histopathological changes. RESULTS Administration of TQ at a dose of 10 mg/kg did not cause any significant change on the histological features of neuronal degeneration as compared to the SCI group (p=0.269); however, 30 mg/kg TQ significantly decreased the histological features of spinal cord damage below that of the SCI group (p=0.011). CONCLUSION Data from this study suggest that TQ supplementation attenuates trauma induced spinal cord damage. Thus, TQ needs to be taken into consideration, for it may have a neuroprotective effect in trauma induced spinal cord damage.

Protective Effects of Minocycline against Short-Term Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rat Brain

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of minocycline on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. The study was carried out on 24 male Wistar albino rats, weighing 200-250 g, which were divided into three groups: (i) control (n = 8), (ii) I/R (n = 8) and (iii) I/R + minocycline (n = 8). Minocycline was administrated at a dose of 90 mg/kg p.o. to the I/R group 48, 24 and 1 h before ischemia. Following bilateral exposure of the common carotid arteries by anterior cervical dissection and separation of the vagus nerve, I/R injury was performed by occlusion. Following reperfusion, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase levels in the blood and brain tissue, and creatine kinase (CK), CK-BB, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and protein S100β levels in the blood were measured and the histopathological changes were monitored. Regarding histopathological evaluation, symptoms of degeneration were significantly improved in the I/R + minocycline group compared to the I/R-only group. Statistical analysis of the biochemical parameters revealed significant differences in MDA (p < 0.001), nitric oxide (p < 0.05), CK (p < 0.05) and CK-MB (p < 0.05) levels between the I/R + minocycline group and the I/R group. According to the literature, the effect of minocycline is firstly assessed by LDH, CK-MB, NSE and S-100β analysis in addition to antioxidant status and histopathological analysis.

Effect of alpha‐lipoic acid on endometrial implants in an experimental rat model

To investigate the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects of alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA) in the treatment of endometriosis in an experimental rat model by evaluating biochemical and histopathologic parameters. Experimental endometriosis was induced by the peritoneal implantation of autologous endometrial tissue. The rats were randomly divided into two groups with eight rats each. Group I was intraperitoneally administered ALA 100 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Group II was intraperitoneally administered saline solution at the same dosage and over the same period. Endometrial implant volume was measured in both groups both pre‐ and post‐treatment. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) was measured in peritoneal fluid. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were assessed in serum. The implants were histopathologically evaluated. In the ALA group, the serum TOS and OSI levels, the endometrial implant volumes, the TNF‐α levels in serum and peritoneal fluid, and the histopathologic scores were significantly lower compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Alpha‐lipoic acid may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of endometriosis due to its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects.

Protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid in methotrexate-induced ovarian oxidative injury and decreased ovarian reserve in rats

Abstract To determine whether the possible oxidative effect of methotrexate (Mtx) on ovary and to evaluate the effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid (ALA), which may be useful in many oxidative stress models. Thirty-two female Wistar-albino rats were randomly divided into four groups; control group, alpha lipoic acid group (ALA 100 mg/kg, 10 days), multiple dose Mtx group (Mtx 1 mg/kg 1, 3, 5, 7 days) and Mtx and ALA group (Mtx 1 mg/kg 1, 3, 5, 7 days and ALA 100 mg/kg, 10 days). Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and total ovarian follicle count were evaluated. Mtx administration caused a significant decrease in TAS, a significant increase in TOS and OSI, a significant increase in MDA levels and a decrease in GSH-Px and CAT activity. Moreover the proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) was increased in the Mtx group. And AMH values and total follicle count were significantly decreased in Mtx group. However, ALA treatment reversed biochemical results and AMH levels and total follicle count. Alpha lipoic acid ameliorates methotrexate induced oxidative damage of ovarian in rats.

Histopathologic and metabolic effect of ursodeoxycholic acid treatment on PCOS rat model.

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment on a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat model. Thirty-two female Wistar–Albino rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows – group 1: sham group (n: 8), group 2: letrozole-induced PCOS group (n: 8), group 3: letrozole-induced PCOS plus metformin-treated (500 mg/kg) group (n: 8) and group 4: letrozole-induced PCOS plus UDCA (150 mg/kg)-treated group (n: 8). Histopathologic examination of the ovaries, circulating estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), testosterone, androstenedione, glucose, insulin and lipid profiles were evaluated. Histopathologic examination results revealed that groups 3 and 4 had significantly lower cystic and atretic follicles compared to group 2. Besides, group 4 had significantly higher antral follicles than group 2 (8.5 ± 2.9 versus 5.4 ± 1.1; p: 0.001). Furthermore, total testosterone (4.9 ± 2.8 versus 8.8 ± 2.9; p= 0.004) and insulin levels were significantly lower in group 4 compared to group 2 (1.7 ± 0.08 versus 2.1 ± 0.5; p = 0.02). However, lipid parameters, E1, E2, glucose and HOMA-IR were comparable between the groups. Our study results demonstrated that UDCA therapy improves ovarian morphology and decreases total testosterone and insulin levels.