Oxidant and antioxidant status in experimental rat testis after testicular torsion/detorsion

The aim of this study was to determine oxidative stress [OS] parameters after testicular torsion/detorsion in adult rats. In this experimental study, male adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of seven animals: group I-one hour right testicular torsion with subsequent orchiectomy, group II-one hour right testicular torsion followed by detorsion, group III-unilateral right-sided orchiectomy without previous torsion and group IV-control. After 30 days, bilateral orchiectomies were performed in rats with both testes and unilateral orchiectomies in rats with single testicles. Parameters of OS were determined in testicular tissue and in plasma. Plasma concentrations of advanced oxidation protein products [AOPP] and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] were higher [p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively], whilst the plasma concentration of the total sulfhydryl [T-SH]-groups was lower [p<0.05] in group I compared to the control group. Group II had higher plasma concentrations of AOPP compared to group IV [p<0.05], as well as significantly increased TBARS and decreased T-SH-group levels compared to groups III [p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively] and IV [p<0.01, for both parameters]. There were significant differences in OS markers between the ipsilateral and contralateral testis, as well as significant correlations among levels of both plasma and tissue markers of OS. The increase in TBARS levels seen throughout the experimental period indicated that OS development was caused by ischemia/reperfusion in the testicular tissue. The oxidant-antioxidant system of the testicular tissue was altered during torsion as well as detorsion

Immunosuppressive medication adherence in kidney transplant patients

To assess the degree of immunosuppressive medication adherence in kidney transplant patients [KTPs] and to determine if there is a difference in the rate of adherence to tacrolimus [Tac], cyclosporine [CsA] and sirolimus [Sir]. From a total of 63 KTPs treated at the Clinic of Nephrology, Clinical Centre Nis, Serbia, 60 participated in the study by responding to questionnaires. They were divided into the adherence group [n = 43] and the nonadherence group [n = 17] according to their degree of adherence which was measured using a validated survey form, the simplified medication adherence questionnaire. The KTP adherence to the different immunosuppressive regimens [Tac, CsA and Sir] was compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t test. Adherence was observed in 43 [71.7%] patients, and only 17 [28.3%] did not follow the prescribed therapy. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was significantly lower in the nonadherence group [38.52 +/- 18.22 ml/min] than in the adherence group [52.43 +/- 16.91 ml/min, p < 0.05]. With regard to the Tac level, a significant difference was also found between the adherers and the nonadherers [6.30 +/- 2.06 vs. 5.0 +/- 1.52 ng/ml, p < 0.05]. The KTPs in this study demonstrated a high level of adherence. Nonadherence was associated with worse graft function and a lower Tac level. Knowledge about the degree of adherence could help the early identification of nonadherent patients and the development of strategies to improve this