Effects of ovariectomy and ascorbic acid supplement on oxidative stress parameters and bone mineral density in rats

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of ovariectomy on bone mineral density [BMD] and oxidative state in rats, and the alterations in these effects that vitamin C supplementation may produce. Twenty female Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: control [C, n=6]; ovariectomy [O, n=7]; and ovariectomy+vitamin C supplement [OV, n=7]. Oxidative stress [OS] was assessed 100 days postovariectomy by measuring the activity of several enzymes, including catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and glutathione peroxidase, as well as the concentrations of malondialdehyde [MDA], nitric oxide [NO], and total sulfhydryl groups in plasma and bone homogenates. A significant decrease in BMD was observed in O group compared with C group [p=0.015], and a significant increase was observed in OV compared with O group [p=0.003]. When groups were compared with respect to parameters of OS, MDA and NO levels in bone tissue were significantly higher in O than in C [p=0.032, p=0.022] and were significantly lower in OV than in O [p=0.025, p=0.018]. SOD activity was significantly higher in O than in C [p=0.032]. In plasma, MDA activity was significantly higher in O than in C [p=0.022] and NO level was significantly higher in O than in C and OV [p=0.017, p=0.018]. Our results suggest that ovariectomy may produce osteoporosis and OS in females, and vitamin C supplementation may provide alterations regarding improvement in OS and BMD values. We assume that studies including more subjects are needed to make a decisive conclusion about OS-BMD relation

The role of sensory nerve conduction study of the palmar cutaneous nerve in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with polyneuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Conventional methods in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in patients with polyneuropathy (PNP) are insufficient. AIMS: We suggest that the comparison of the conduction of the median nerve with that of the neighboring peripheral nerves may be more beneficial in the diagnosis of entrapment neuropathy. SETTING AND DESIGN: The median nerve sensory conduction in healthy volunteers, in cases of CTS, PNP cases without CTS and in cases of PNP in whom clinical findings point to CTS, were compared by palmar cutaneous nerve (PCN) sensory conduction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparative parameters were difference of PCN-1st digits' nerve conduction velocities (NCV), PCN/1st digit NCVs ratio, difference of 5th-2nd digits' NCVs and 5th/2nd digits' NCVs ratio. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS package for statistics. Student t test and receiver operating characteristic were used. RESULTS: Although the ratio of PCN-1st digit did not differ significantly between the control group and the polyneuropathy group, there was a significant difference between CTS and PNP+CTS groups and the control group ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The ratio of PCN-1st digit nerve conduction velocity was also significantly different between polyneuropathy and PNP+CTS groups ( P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: To diagnose CTS on a background of polyneuropathy in mild cases in which sensory conduction is preserved, the ratio of sensory nerve conduction velocities of the palmar cutaneous nerve and the median nerve 1st digit-wrist segment may be a criterion.