ABSTRACT
Ankaferd blood stopper [ABS] is a herbal extract that enhances mucosal healing. In this study, we aimed to investigate the efficiency of ABS in the treatment of experimental distal colitis. Twenty one male albino rats were divided into three groups: Sham control [Group 1], colitis induced by acetic acid and treated with saline [Group 2], colitis induced by acetic acid and treated with ABS [Group 3]. At end of the 7[th] day of induction, all the rats were lightly anesthetized with intramuscular ketamine [8 mg/kg] and thereafter laparotomy and total colectomy were performed. The distal colon segment was assessed macroscopically and microscopically. In addition malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and nitric oxide [NO] levels of the colonic tissue and changes in body weight were measured. The MDA and NO levels of the colonic tissues and weight loss were significantly higher in Group 2 compared to Group 1 and Group 3. Microscopic and macroscopic damage scores were significantly higher in Group 2 and Group 3 than Group 1 [P: 0.001, P: 0.004, respectively]. Although the microscopic and macroscopic damage scores in Group 3 were slightly lower than Group 2, the difference was not statistically significant. The SOD levels of the colonic tissues were not different between the three groups. Weight alterations and high-levels of the colonic tissue MDA and NO suggested that ABS might have anti-inflammatory effects on experimental distal colitis. However, this suggestion was not supported by histopathological findings
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Plant Extracts , Rats, Wistar , Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Models, Animal , Nitric Oxide , Superoxide Dismutase , Malondialdehyde , Acetic AcidABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Previous studies have focused on the relationship between halitosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease and Helicobacter pylori. In this study we aimed to investigate the interaction between halitosis and upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Patients who previously had dyspepsia and had undergone endoscopic examination were included in the study. Symptoms of dyspepsia were investigated by means of a questionnaire that investigated halitosis. Patients who suffered from objective halitosis (confirmed by questions both to the patient and their relatives) were further investigated. Patients with known local or systemic causes of halitosis or structural disorders at endoscopy were excluded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The study included 358 patients (121 men and 237 women) with dyspeptic symptoms. The patients with and without halitosis had mean ages of (39.4 ± 13.5) and (43.1 ± 14.9) years, respectively. Patients without halitosis were significantly older than those in the halitosis group (P < 0.05). Patients in the halitosis group had significantly higher frequencies of regurgitation, bloating and nausea (P < 0.05) when compared to patients without halitosis. Endoscopic findings, including esophagitis, open cardia, hiatal hernia, gastritis and duodenitis, were comparable in the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The frequency of halitosis was high in patients with dyspepsia who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Halitosis had a close relationship with several upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including regurgitation, nausea and bloating. There was no significant association between upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings and halitosis.</p>