Beneficial effects of Oltipraz, nuclear factor - erythroid - 2 - related factor 2 (Nrf2), on renal damage in unilateral ureteral obstruction rat model

ABSTRACT Introduction: We investigated whether Oltipraz (OPZ) attenuated renal fibrosis in a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rat model. Materials and Methods: We randomly divided 32 rats into four groups, each consisting of eight animals as follows: Rats in group 1 underwent a sham operation and received no treatment. Rats in group 2 underwent a sham operation and received OPZ. Rats in group 3 underwent unilateral ureteral ligation and received no treatment. Group 4 rats were subjected to unilateral ureteral ligation plus OPZ administration. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), E-cadherin, nitric oxide (NO) and hydroxyproline levels were measured. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were carried out. Results: TGF-β1, NO and E-cadherin levels in the UUO group were significantly higher than the sham group and these values were significantly different in treated groups compared to the UUO group. In rats treated with UUO + OPZ, despite the presence of mild tubular degeneration and less severe tubular necrosis, glomeruli maintained a better morphology when compared to the UUO group. Expressions of α-SMA in immunohistochemistry showed that the staining positivity decreased in the tubules of the OPZ-treated group. Conclusions: While the precise mechanism of action remains unknown, our results demonstrated that OPZ exerted a protective role in the UUO-mediated renal fibrosis rat model highlighting a promising therapeutic potency of Nrf2-activators for alleviating the detrimental effects of unilateral obstruction in kidneys.

Renal cell carcinoma and visceral adipose index: a new risk parameter

ABSTRACT Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between tumor size and grade with visceral adipose index (VAI) levels in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 310 consecutive patients with RCC who underwent radical nephrectomy at our institution between January 2007 and May 2014. VAI was calculates for males and females seperately as this formula like previous study. The relationship between tumor size and nuclear grade with VAI levels were evaluated statisticaly. Analyses were completed using Chi-square tests and Logistic regression analysis. Results: Among the 310 total patients analyzed in our study, there were 176 males (56.8%) and 134 females (43.2%). VAI levels were statistically higher in men and women with high tumor size (p<0.001). VAI levels were statistically higher in men and women with high fuhrman grade (p<0.001). Conclusions: The components of VAI may have effect on tumor carcinogenesis in similar pathways. In our study patients with high VAI levels were found to have statistically significant higher nuclear grade and tumor size. VAI can be a useful index for the evaluation and calculation of renal cell cancer aggressiviness. Further studies with more patients are needed to confirm our study.

Low serum Insulin Like Growth Factor - 1 in patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence

ABSTRACT Objective: SUI, involuntary loss of urine, occurs when intra abdominal pressure exceeds urethral pressure in women. Recent animal study has shown that there are therapeutic effects of Insulin-like growth factors (IGF-1) on stress urinary incontinence in rats with simulated childbirth trauma. IGF-1 is an important mediator of cell growth, differentiation and transformation in various tissues and stimulates fibroblast proliferation and enhances collagen synthesis. The purpose of the current study was to determine the association between IGF-1 levels and SUI. Materials and Methods: All patients were evaluated for SUI and divided into two groups: 116 women with SUI and 76 women without SUI. Diagnosis of SUI was based on the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form (ICIQSF). Levels of IGF-1 were measured in serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between IGF-1 levels and SUI in patients was evaluated statisticaly. Results: The mean age of patients wiyh SUI was 49.9±8.6 and 48.7±7.8 in control group. Plasma IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in SUI than in control group (106.5±26.4 and 133.3±37.1ng/mL, respectively, P <0.001). Body mass indexes were higher in women with SUI than women without SUI. Conclusion: In this study lower serum IGF-1 levels were found to be associated with SUI. Serum IGF-1 level appears to be a specific predictor of SUI, and it may be used in early prediction of SUI in female population.

Clinical significance of preoperative neutrophil -to - lymphocyte ratio in renal cell carcinoma

ABSTRACT Introduction: We investigated the prognostic significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio on tumor stage and Fuhrman nuclear grade in renal cell carcinoma. Methods: The records of 432 patients with RCC who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy between 2005 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were classified as group lower tumor stage(T1 + T2) and higher(T3 + T4). As like tumor stage, Fuhrman nuclear grade were classified lower (G1+G2) and higher(G3+G4) too. The best NLR cut off value was 3.01. Two sample t-test or Mann–Whitney U-test used for the continuous variables and a chi-square test or Fisher's exact test used for the categorical variables. Results: Among the 432 total patients analyzed in our study, there were 275 males (63.7%) and 157 females (36.3%). Mean laboratory values were CRP 2.73 ± 1.93 mg/dL (normal less than 0.3), neutrophil count 4,23 ± 1.46/μL, lymphocyte count 1,61 ± 0,61/μL and NLR 2.64 ± 1.24. According to our data, statistically pretreatment NLR significantly correlated with CRP (p<0.0001). And tumor patologic stage (p=0.08), tumor histologic grade (p<0.001) was significantly associated with NLR. Discussion: We compared the relationship of preoperative NLR and NC parameters with RCC tumor stage and grade. And NLR were found to have statistically significant higher T stage and grade at RCC. Further studies with more patients are needed to confirm our study.

Protective effect of hydrogen sulfide on renal injury in the experimental unilateral ureteral obstruction

Introduction/Objective: Ureteral obstruction is a common pathology and causes kidney fibrosis and dysfunction at late period. In this present study, we investigated the antifibrotic and antiinflammatory effects of hydrogen sulfide on kidney damage after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats. Materials and Methods: 24 rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was control, group 2 was sham, group 3 included rats with UUO and group 4 rats with UUO which were given sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS)-exogenous donor of hydrogen sulfide (intraperitoneally 56μmoL/kg/day). After 14 days, rats were killed and their kidneys were taken and blood analysis was performed. Tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and interstitial fibrosis were determined histopathologically in a part of the kidneys; nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the other part of the kidneys. Urea-creatinine levels were investigated by blood analysis. Statistical analyses were made by the Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: There was no significantly difference for urea-creatinine levels among groups. Pathologically, there was serious tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 3 and there was significantly decreasing of tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 4 (p<0.005). Also, there was significantly increase of NO and MDA levels and decrease of GSH levels in group 3 compared to other groups (p<0.005). Conclusions: hydrogen sulfide prevents kidney damage with antioxidant and antiinflammatory effect.

Should oncological cases of upper urinary system be excluded at the beginning of the laparoscopic learning curve?

ABSTRACTPurpose:The place of oncological cases of upper urinary system in the laparoscopic learning curve was investigated.Materials and Methods:A total of 139 patients from two different centers underwent laparoscopic operations and were included in this retrospective study.Results:Mean operative times for oncological, and non-oncological cases were 101.3 (range 60-450), and 102.7 (45-490) minutes respectively. Fourty-two (31.3 %) patients were oncological cases. In 4 oncological cases, the surgeons switched to open surgery because of massive bleeding and six (14.2 %) oncological cases required blood transfusions during peri/postoperative periods. Pulmonary embolism was observed in one oncological case. In one non-oncological case, the surgeon switched to open surgery because of intestinal perforation and 10 (9.7 %) non-oncological cases needed blood transfusions during peri/postoperative periods. In addition, some complications such as intestinal perforation (n=1), mechanical ileus (n=1), and pulmonary embolism (n=1) were observed during postoperative period. Intestinal perforation was repaired using laparoscopic (n=1) method. Mechanical ileus was approached with open surgical technique. Mean hospital stay of the patients in the oncological and non-oncological series were 4.5 (3-23) and 4.5 (3-30) days respectively.Conclusion:We think that renal oncological cases should be included in the spectrum of laparoscopic indications even at the beginning of the learning curve. Certainly, we still share the opinion that cancer cases which require highly challenging surgeries like radical cystectomy, and prostatectomy should be postponed till to gaining of higher level of experience.

Beneficial effects montelukast, cysteinyl-leukotriene receptor antagonist, on renal damage after unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats

Introductıon Ureteral obstruction is a common pathology and caused kidney fibrosis and dysfunction at late period. In this present, we investigated the antifibrotic and antiinflammatory effects of montelukast which is cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonist, on kidney damage after unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) in rats. Mateirıals and Methods 32 rats divided four groups. Group 1 was control, group 2 was sham, group 3 was rats with UUO and group 4 was rats with UUO which were given montelukast sodium (oral 10 mg/kg/day). After 14 days, rats were killed and their kidneys were taken and blood analysis was performed. Tubular necrosis, mononuclear cell infiltration and interstitial fibrosis scoring were determined histopathologically in a part of kidneys; nitric oxide(NO), malondialdehyde(MDA) and reduced glutathione(GSH) levels were determined in the other part of kidneys. Urea-creatinine levels were investigated at blood analysis. Statistical analyses were made by the Chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results There was no difference significantly for urea-creatinine levels between groups. Pathologically, there was serious tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 3 and there was significantly decreasing for tubular necrosis and fibrosis in group 4(p<0.005). Also, there was significantly increasing for NO and MDA levels; decreasing for GSH levels in group 3 compared the other groups(p<0.005). Conclusıon We can say that montelukast prevent kidney damage with antioxidant effect, independently of NO. .

Genetic polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region and response to serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with premature ejaculation

OBJECTIVES: Serotonin plays a central role in ejaculation and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been successfully used to treat premature ejaculation. Here, we evaluated the relationship between a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and the response of patients with premature ejaculation to SSRI medication. METHODS: Sixty-nine premature ejaculation patients were treated with 20 mg/d paroxetine for three months. The Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time and International Index of Erectile Function scores were compared with baseline values. The patients were scored as having responded to therapy when a 2-fold or greater increase was observed in Intravaginal Ejaculatory Latency Time compared with baseline values after three months. Three genotypes of 5-HTTLPR were studied: LL, LS and SS. The appropriateness of the allele frequencies in 5-HTTLPR were analyzed according to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium using the χ2-test. RESULTS: The short (S) allele of 5-HTTLPR was significantly more frequent in responders than in nonresponders (p<0.05). Out of the 69 total PE patients, 41 patients (59%) responded to therapy. There was no significant difference in the International Index of Erectile Function score at the end of therapy between the responder and nonresponder groups. The frequencies of the L allele and S allele were 20% and 39%, respectively, in the responder group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that premature ejaculation patients with the SS genotype respond well to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy. Further studies with large patient groups are necessary to confirm this conclusion. .