effects of acupuncture on rats with brain ischemia-reperfusion

To investigate the damage of brain ischemia-reperfusion [I/R] caused by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery [MCA], and the effects of acupuncture on this damage. This investigation took place in the Experimental Research Unit of Firat University, Elazig, Turkey in January-February 2007. For this aim, 14 rats were divided into 2 groups: I/R [control] and I/R+acupuncture [experiment]. In the I/R group, the MCA was occluded for 60 minutes, after this reperfusion was applied. In the I/R+acupuncture group, dry needle acupuncture was applied after reperfusion for 10 days. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed. The brain tissues were examined after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. In the samples belonging to the I/R group, widespread necrotic areas, red neurons, vacuolization, congestion, and edema were observed. In the I/R+ acupuncture group, the findings of ischemia were significantly decreased when compared with the I/R group. The damage caused by I/R was decreased by manual acupuncture therapy, however, further clinical studies are needed to determine the mechanism of acupuncture treatment, the optimal timing, and duration of acupuncture treatment in such disorders

Protective effect of omega-3 fatty acids in a rat focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model

To investigate possible neuroprotective effects of dietary supplementation of fish oil in brain ischemia-reperfusion [I/R]. This investigation took place in the Experimental Research Unit, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey, from January-February 2006. The study was carried out on 12 male Wistar rats; divided into 2 groups: I/R [control] and I/R + omega-3 essential fatty acids [EFA] [experiment]. The rats in the I/R group received only ordinary rat food before middle cerebral artery [MCA] occlusion. The I/R + omega-3 EFA group received omega-3 fatty acid daily via intragastric gavage [300 mg/kg Marincap capsule] with normal food before MCA occlusion for 30 days. Structural alterations in the brain tissues were semi-quantitatively analyzed [0: absent, +: slight, ++: moderate, +++: severe]. There was evident severe [+++] edema, vacuolization, and eosinophilic degeneration in the I/R group, while only slight [+] edema and eosinophilic degeneration in the I/R + omega-3 EFA group in which no vacuolization was determined. These findings are consistent with the available studies in this field. Results from this study indicate the beneficial effects of omega-3 EFA supplementation in prevention of I/R - induced damage in rats

Oxidative stress in testicular tissues of rats exposed to cigarette smoke and protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To show the oxidative stress after cigarette smoke exposure in rat testis and to evaluate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-one rats were divided into three groups of seven. Animals in Group I were used as control. Rats in Group II were exposed to cigarette smoke only (4 x 30 min/d) and rats in Group III were exposed to cigarette smoke and received daily intraperitoneal injections of CAPE (10 micromol/kg x d). After 60 days all the rats were killed and the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide-dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the level of malondialdehyde were studied in the testicular tissues of rats with spectrophotometric analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was a significant increase in catalase and superoxide-dismutase activities in Group II when compared to the controls, but the levels of both decreased after CAPE administration in Group III. GSH-Px activity was decreased in Group II but CAPE caused an elevation in GSH-Px activity in Group III. The difference between the levels of GSH-Px in Group I and Group II was significant, but the difference between groups II and III was not significant. Elevation of malondialdehyde after smoke exposure was significant and CAPE caused a decrease to a level which was not statistically different to the control group. A significantly increased level of NO after exposure to smoke was reversed by CAPE administration and the difference between NO levels in groups I and III was statistically insignificant.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Exposure to cigarette smoke causes changes in the oxidative enzyme levels in rat testis, but CAPE can reverse these harmful effects.</p>

Volume assessment of age-related conversion of the tympanic cavity by helical computerized tomography scanning

To investigate the right-left asymmetry, and gender and age groups differences of the tympanic cavities [TC] using the Cavalieri principle for volume calculation on temporal bone computerized tomography [CT] scans. This study was carried out over a 4-year period from 2000 to 2004 at Firat University, School of Medicine, Elazig, Turkey. The areas of the cavities were measured using trace and area measurement functions of CT scanner, and by multiplying the area by slice thickness [0.2 cm] and the volume of each slice was calculated. By summing all volumes of every slice based on the Cavalieri principle for volume calculation, the total volumes were obtained and analyzed. The mean [SD] volumes of right and left tympanic cavities in males were 0.52 [0.15] versus 0.55 [0.14] cm3 and in females were 0.45 [0.16] versus 0.49 [0.14] cm3, and there were statistically significant differences between males and females in both right and left sides [p=0.028 and p=0.043]. There was a statistically significant difference in left TC volumes between age groups [p=0.019]. However, no differences by age were noted for right TC volumes [p=0.065]. A strong correlation was found between right and left volumes. However, there were no strong correlations between age and volumes of right and left cavities in both males and females, although the volumes increased by aging. These results should help surgeons and radiologists to update their knowledge for evaluation of the middle ear region