Artichoke for biochemistry, histology, and gene expression in obstructive jaundice

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) in experimental obstructive jaundice. METHODS: Rats were separated into three groups, namely, sham, control, and artichoke leaf extract. Ischemia was created for 60 min, and then liver tissue and blood samples were taken at the 90th minute of reperfusion. Artichoke leaf extract was given at a 300 mg/kg dose 2 h before the operation. Antioxidant enzyme activities and biochemical parameters were examined from the tissue and serum. Histopathological findings of the liver were scored semiquantitatively. RESULTS: Antioxidant enzyme activities in the artichoke leaf extract group were statistically significantly higher than that in the other two groups. Biochemical parameters, which show hepatocellular damage, were found to be similar in both sham and artichoke leaf extract groups. Although the values in the sham group were higher than the artichoke group in terms of protein and gene expressions, no statistically significant difference was found between these two groups. Regarding the hepatocellular effects of obstructive jaundice, the artichoke leaf extract group showed lower scores than the control group in all histopathological scores. CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that artichoke leaf extract had a hepatoprotective effect that was associated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of artichoke leaf extract.

Rectal application of argan oil improves healing of colorectal anastomosis in rats

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the possible effects of argan oil on the healing of colorectal anastomoses. Methods: I n Group 1 (sham), laparotomy was performed and the colon was mobilized. In the control (Group 2) and argan oil (Group 3) groups, colonic resection and anastomosis were applied. To the control and sham groups, 2 mL of 0.9% NaCl was administred rectally, and in the argan oil group, 2 mL/day argan oil was applied rectally for 7 days. Results: The mean bursting pressures of the argan oil and sham groups were significantly higher than the values in the control group. A significant difference was determined between the tissue hydroxyproline and prolidase levels of control group and other groups. Histopathologically, argan oil showed significant beneficial effects on colonic wound healing. In the argan oil and sham groups, the tissue malondialdehyde and fluorescent oxidation product levels were found to be lower and total sulfhydryl levels were higher than the control group. Conclusions: The rectally administered argan oil was observed to have significantly ameliorated wound healing parameters and exerted a significant antioxidant effect. This is the first study in the literature about the beneficial effects of argan oil on colorectal anastomoses.

Erdosteine ameliorates the harmful effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury on the liver of rats

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the potential protective effects of erdosteine against the harmful effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury on the liver in an experimental rat model. Methods: Forty rats were divided into 4 groups. In the sham group, only the hepatic pedicle was mobilized. No other manipulation or treatment was performed. In the other groups, ischemia was achieved by clamping the hepatic pedicle for 60 min. After that, 90 min reperfusion was provided. In the control group, no treatment was given. In the perioperative treatment group, 100 mg/kg erdosteine was administered 2 hours before ischemia induction. In the preoperative treatment group, 100 mg/kg/day erdosteine was administered daily for ten days before the operation. At the end of the procedures, blood and liver samples were obtained for biochemical and histopathological assessment. Results: Treatment with erdosteine ameliorated the histopathological abnormalities when compared with the control group. Furthermore, this treatment significantly decreased the serum liver function test values. It was also found that erdosteine ameliorated the oxidative stress parameters in both the perioperative and preoperative treatment groups. Conclusion: The current study is the first to have shown the favorable effects of erdosteine on the harmful effects of experimental hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Effect of silymarin on oxidative stress and liver histopathology in experimental obstructive jaundice model

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of silymarin on oxidative stress and hepatic injury induced by obstructive jaundice in an experimental model. METHODS: Thirty Wistar-Albino type female rats were divided into 3 groups each including 10 rats. Only laparotomy was performed in group 1. Bile duct ligation was performed in group 2. In group 3, bile duct ligation was performed and orogastic silymarin 300 mg/kg/day dose was given for seven days. At the end of seven days, rats were sacrificed. The blood and liver tissue samples were taken to be examined biochemically and histopathologically. RESULTS: The plasma and liver levels of malondialdehyde were significantly lower in silymarin group than in the bile duct ligated group. Although liver levels of GSH were significantly higher in silymarin group than in the bile duct ligated group, there was no significant difference between the plasma GSH levels of these groups. In silymarin group; the enlargement of hepatocytes, dilatation of canaliculi and the edema were regressed. CONCLUSION: Silymarin diminished the harmful effects of obstructive jaundice on liver.

The effects of enoxaparin on the liver in experimental pneumoperitoneum model

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the potential protective effects of enoxaparin against the adverse events of carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum. METHODS: Thirty four rats were divided into three groups: Group 1 (sham) underwent insertion of Veress needle into the abdomen and 90 min of anesthesia with no gas insufflation. The animals in control and enoxaparin groups were subjected to 90 min of 14 mmHg CO2 pneumoperitoneum. Enoxaparin (100 u/kg) was administered subcutaneously to the rats in enoxaparin group one hour before the operation. After 90 min of pneumoperitoneum, the rats were allowed for reperfusion through 60 min. Blood and liver samples were obtained for biochemical and histopathological examination. RESULTS: Treatment with enoxaparin decreased the histopathological abnormalities when compared with the control group. The highest levels of oxidative stress parameters were found in control group. The use of enoxaparin decreased the levels of all oxidative stress parameters, but the difference between the control and enoxaparin groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Enoxaparin ameliorated the harmful effects of high pressure CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the liver.