ABSTRACT
Objectives: Preeclampsia [PE] is associated with impaired decidual leukocyte and plasma cytokine balance compared with normal pregnancy. We aimed to investigate maternal plasma levels of Interferon-gamma [IFN-g], Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha [TNF-a], Transforming Growth Factor-beta [TGF-b], Interleukin-4 [IL4], IL6, IL10, IL17, IL35, suppressor of Cytokine Signalling-3 [SOCS3] and placental bed leukocytes in preeclamptic and healthy pregnants
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with 40 preeclamptic and 40 normotensive pregnants. Cytokine levels were studied with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CD8, CD56 and CD163 antigens were analysed by immunohistochemical study on placental bed biopsies
Results: In preeclamptic women; IFN-g and TGF-b levels were significantly higher and IL-35 levels were significantly lower than those of controls. CD8, CD56 and CD163 positivity of preeclamptic group were not significantly higher than those of controls. CD8 staining showed negative correlation with plasma IL17 levels. CD163 staining showed negative correlation with TNF-a/IL4 ratio. TNF-a/IL4 ratio showed minimal influence on placental bed CD163 staining
Conclusion: Slightly increased placental bed CD8, CD56 and CD163 positive leukocytes and increased plasma IFN-g, TGF-b and decreased plasma IL35 levels of preeclamptic pregnants indicate an aberrant cell mediated immunity in PE. We could not say yet that this condition is whether result or reason. New studies are needed to discuss our results
ABSTRACT
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
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Acupuncture Therapy , Rats, Wistar , Brain Ischemia/therapyABSTRACT
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