The effect of Farnesoid X receptor agonist tropifexor on liver damage in rats with experimental obstructive jaundice

ABSTRACT Purpose: To investigate experimentally the effects of Tropifexor, a farnesoid X receptor agonist, on liver injury in rats with obstructive jaundice. Methods: Forty healthy Wistar albino female rats were divided randomly in selected groups. These groups were the sham group, control group, vehicle solution group, Ursodeoxycholic acid group and Tropifexor group. Experimental obstructive jaundice was created in all groups, except the sham one. In the blood samples obtained, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels were established and recorded. Additionally, liver malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and catalase enzyme activity in the tissue samples were studied. Histopathological analysis was also performed. Results: No statistical difference was found between the control group and the Tropifexor group when AST, ALT and ALP values were compared. However, it was found that the Tropifexor group had statistically significant decreases in the values of GGT, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin (p < 0.05). Additionally, Tropifexor decreased the median values of malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase, but this difference was not statistically significant compared to the control group. Finally, the Tropifexor group was statistically significant in recurring histopathological liver damage indicators (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Tropifexor reduced liver damage due to obstructive jaundice.

The potential efficacy of Survanta (r) and Seprafilm (r) on preventing intra-abdominal adhesions in rats

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the potential efficacy of beractant (Survanta(r)) and Seprafilm(r) on the prevention of postoperative adhesions. METHODS: Forty Wistar-albino female rats were used. The rats were randomly allocated into four groups of 10 rats each as control group (CG), beractant group (BG), Seprafilm(r) group (SG), and combined group (COG). All rats underwent cecal abrasion via midline laparotomy. Before abdominal closure, isotonic saline, beractant, Seprafilm, and combined agents were intraperitoneally administered. Adhesions were classified macroscopically with Canbaz Scoring System on postoperative day 10. Ceacum was resected for histopathological assessment. RESULTS: Macroscopic adhesion scores were significantly lower in BG, SG, and COG than CG (p<0.05); (45%, 15%, 25%, and 15%; respectively). Histopathological assessment revealed a reduced inflammation and fibrosis score in the study groups than CG (p<0.05). In BG, adhesion development, inflammation and fibrosis scores were lower than SG; however, it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-abdominal application of beractant is significantly effective for the prevention of adhesion formation with no adverse effect by covering the whole peritoneal mesothelium with excellent gliding properties in a rat model. The combination of both agents is also effective in reducing adhesion formation, however, not superior to single beractant application.