Role of Expression of Inflammatory Mediators in Primary and Recurrent Lumbar Disc Herniation

OBJECTIVE: To assess role of some inflammatory mediators in patients with primary and recurrent lumbar disc herniation. Expression of IL-6, transforming growth factor (TGF)-1, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) have been shown to be more intense in the primary group than the recurrent goup, but this mediators may be important aspects prognostic. METHODS: 19 patients underwent primary and revision operations between June 1, 2009 and June 1, 2014, and they were included in this study. The 19 patients’ intervertebral disc specimens obtained from the primary procedures and reoperations were evaluated. Expression of IL-6, TGF-1, IGF-1, and BAX were examined immunohistochemically in the 38 biopsy tissues obtained from the primary and recurrent herniated intervertebral discs during the operation. RESULTS: For IL-6 expression in the intervertebral disc specimens, there was no difference between the groups. The immunohistochemical study showed that the intervertebral disc specimens in the primary group were stained intensely by TGF-1 compared with the recurrent group. Expression of IGF-1 in the primary group was found moderate. In contrast, in the recurrent group of patients was mild expression of IGF-1. The primary group intervertebral disc specimens were stained moderately by BAX compared with the recurrent group. CONCLUSION: The results of our prognostic evaluation of patients in the recurrent group who were operated due to disc herniation suggest that mediators may be important parameters.

Effects of cobalt nitrate on histopathological and morphometric changes in rat femoral artery vasospasm model

Objective: To determine the effects of cobalt nitrate on the arterial wall in a rat femoral artery vasospasm model

Study Design: Experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, between November 2009 and September 2010

Methodology: Twenty-four rats were separated into three groups named group 1 [n=8, sham-control]; group 2 [n=8, vasospasm], and group 3 [n=8, vasospasm + cobalt nitrate treated]. Group 3 rats were subjected to intraperitoneal administration of 0.1 mg/kg/day cobalt nitrate for 7 days, followed by histological and morphometric analyses. ANOVAand post hoc analyses were carried out

Results: The mean vascular wall thickness of the group 1, 2 and 3 rats was found to be 133 +/- 13, 210 +/-15 and 160 +/- 11 micron, respectively. The mean vascular lumen diameter of the group 1, 2 and 3 rats was 698 +/- 20, 240 +/- 15 and 540 +/- 22 micron, respectively. Arteries in the group 3 had thin smooth endothelium, thin mildly folded internal elastic lamina, and concentric smooth muscle cells. The mean vascular lumen diameter of the group 3 rats showed a significant decrease compared to the group 2 rats

Conclusion: Cobalt nitrate may potentially serve as an agent in preventing cerebral vasospasm after a hemorrhagic episode