Neuroprotective effect of atorvastatin in spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury

OBJECTIVES: Prevention of the development of paraplegia during the repair of the damage caused by descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms remains an important issue. Therefore, we investigated the protective effect of atorvastatin on ischemia-induced spinal cord injury in a rabbit model. METHOD: Thirty-two rabbits were divided into the following four equally sized groups: group I (control), group II (ischemia-reperfusion), group III (atorvastatin treatment) and group IV (atorvastatin withdrawal). Spinal cord ischemia was induced by clamping the aorta both below the left renal artery and above the iliac bifurcation. Seventy-two hours postoperatively, the motor function of the lower limbs of each animal was evaluated according to the Tarlov score. Spinal cord and blood samples were obtained for histopathological and biochemical analyses. RESULTS: All of the rabbits in group II exhibited severe neurological deficits. Atorvastatin treatment (groups III and IV) significantly reduced the level of motor dysfunction. No significant differences were observed between the motor function scores of groups III and IV at the evaluated time points. Light microscopic examination of spinal cord tissue samples obtained at the 72nd hour of reperfusion indicated greater tissue preservation in groups III and IV than in group II. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the considerable neuroprotective effect of atorvastatin on the neurological, biochemical and histopathological status of rabbits with ischemia-induced spinal cord injury. Moreover, the acute withdrawal of atorvastatin therapy following the induction of spinal cord ischemia did not increase the neuronal damage in this rabbit model. .

Assessment of the Efficacy of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on the Prevention of Postoperative Pericardial Adhesions : Cardiovascular Topic

Objectives: Ankaferd has been used as a blood-stopping agent and it may also have an anti-inflammatory effect. We investigated the efficacy of Ankaferd in preventing postoperative pericardial adhesions in an experimental rabbit model. Methods: Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits were used and categorised into two groups: an Ankaferd and a control group. The Ankaferd group of rabbits was treated with a sponge impregnated with Ankaferd solution; which was applied over the abraded epicardium. A sponge impregnated with 0.9 isotonic NaCl solution was applied to the control group using the same protocol. Scores for adhesion and visibility of coronary vessels were graded by macroscopic examination; and pericardial tissues were analysed microscopically in terms of inflammation and fibrosis. Results: In the Ankaferd group; the adhesion scores were significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.007).When the groups were compared according to the prevalence of fibrosis and degree of inflammation; the Ankaferd group was found to be statistically significantly different from the control group in terms of prevalence of fibrosis (p = 0.028). Conclusion: Topical application of Ankaferd to prevent postoperative pericardial adhesions increased adhesion and fibrosis scores