Mice with diet-induced obesity demonstrate a relative prothrombotic factor profile and a thicker aorta with reduced ex-vivo function.

: Classical risk factors such as cholesterol and lipoproteins are currently not sufficient to explain all physiopathological processes of obesity-related vascular dysfunction as well as atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. Therefore, the discovery of potential markers involved in vascular dysfunction in the obese state is still needed. Disturbances in hemostatic factors may be involved in the developmental processes associated with obesity-related cardiovascular disorders. We hypothesized that alterations of several hemostatic factors in the obese state could correlate with the function and morphology of the aorta and it could play an important role in the development of vascular dysfunction. To test this, we fed mice with a high-fat diet for 18 weeks and investigated the relationships between selected hemostatic factors (in either plasma or in the liver), metabolic hormones and morphology, and ex-vivo function of the aorta. Here, we show that 18-week exposure to a high-fat diet results in a higher plasma fibrinogen and prolonged prothrombin time in diet-induced obese mice compared to the controls. In addition, liver levels or activities of FII, FX, activated protein C, AT-III, and protein S are significantly different in diet-induced obese mice as compared to the controls. Curiously, FII, FVIII, FX, activated protein C, PTT, and protein S are correlated with both the aorta histology (aortic thickness and diameter) and ex-vivo aortic function. Notably, ex-vivo studies revealed that diet-induced obese mice show a marked attenuation in the functions of the aorta. Taken together, aforementioned hemostatic factors may be considered as critical markers for obesity-related vascular dysfunction and they could play important roles in diagnosing of the dysfunction.

Evaluation of proximal and distal motor nerve conduction using the electrical root stimulation technique in the femoral and obturator nerves.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the adaptability of the electrical root stimulation technique by achieving normative data from the obturator and femoral nerves of healthy dogs. METHODS: For this purpose, two stimulations and recordings were performed on both the obturator and femoral nerves in 40 dogs (22 males and 18 females). Electrical root stimulation was applied via monopolar needle electrodes between the sixth to seventh and fifth to sixth lumbar interarcuate spaces to the obturator and femoral nerves, respectively. Muscle waves were recorded from the gracilis and sartorius muscles of the left and right pelvic limb. RESULTS: The proximal motor nerve conduction velocity was 60.89 ± 3.93 m/s and 59.87 ± 4.83 m/s in the obturator and femoral nerves, respectively. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results showed that electrical root stimulation could be a useful method to test the integrity of the roots of obturator and femoral nerves and their proximal parts.

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field and swimming exercise on rats with experimental sciatic nerve injury.

[Purpose] The current study aimed to reveal the therapeutic effects of a pulsed electromagnetic field and swimming exercises on rats with experimental sciatic nerve injury, which was induced with crush-type neuropathy model damage, using electrophysiological methods. [Subjects] In the current study, the sample consisted of 28 adult male Wistar albino rats. [Methods] The rats were randomized into four groups (n=7). Swimming exercise and PEMF (2 Hz and 0.3 MT) were applied one hour a day, five days a week, for four weeks. Electroneuromyographic (ENMG) measurements were taken on day 7. [Results] When the data were evaluated, it was found that the 4 weeks of PEMF and swimming exercises led to an increase in motor conduction rates and a decrease in latency values, but the changes were not significant in comparison with the control and injury groups. The compound muscle action potential (CMAP) values of the left leg were lower in weeks 2, 3, and 4 in the swimming exercise group in comparison with the control group, although for the PEMF group, the CMAP values of the left leg reached the level observed in the control group beginning in week 3. [Conclusion] PEMF and swimming exercise made positive contributions to nerve regeneration after week 1, and regeneration was enhanced.

Protective effects of citicoline on TNBS-induced experimental colitis in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of citicoline on the development of colitis and antioxidant parameters in rats subjected to tribenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis. Twenty four Wistar Albino female rats were divided into four subgroups (n=6) (control, colitis control, colitis + 50 mg/kg citicoline, colitis + 250 mg/kg citicoline). Colitis was induced using an enema of TNBS and ethanol; following which citicoline was administrated for 3 days and effects of citicoline was subsequently evaluated. Based on microscopic damage scores, there was no difference between rats of the TNBS-colitis and 50 mg/kg citicoline treated groups, whereas treatment with 250 mg/kg citicoline, caused significant reduction in colon injury compared to that observed in rats of TNBS-colitis group. In terms of the biochemical analyses, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), and IL-6 levels in rats from 250 mg/kg citicoline group were significantly different from that TNBS-colitis group. The levels of MPO, MDA, GSH and IL-6 in control rats were also significantly different those of rats in the TNBS-colitis group. Citicoline may have a positive protective effect on the inflammatory bowel disease treatment process and could, therefore, be used as an adjunct therapy in colitis. These effects of citicoline may exist through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanism.

Electrical stimulation of lumbar spinal nerve roots in dogs.

The aim of this study was to test the applicability of electrical stimulation of lumbar spinal nerve roots and obtain normative electrical root stimulation (ERS) data for L7 nerve root and sciatic nerve in dogs. For that purpose ERS and sciatic nerve stimulations were performed consecutively, in totally 40 healthy dogs. ERS was applied in the L7/S1 intervertebral space via monopolar needle electrodes. Muscle responses were recorded from the gastrocnemius muscles on the left and right hind limbs. Sciatic nerve stimulation was performed at the greater trochanter level on the left hind limb, with records obtained from the left gastrocnemius muscle. Mean root latencies of the left and right side were 5.22 ± 0.49 ms and 5.29 ± 0.53 ms, respectively. There was no significant difference in root latency between the right and left sides. The mean terminal latency was 3.82 ± 0.46 ms. The proximal motor nerve conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve was 63.15 ± 3.43 m/s. The results of this study show that ERS provides objective data about the integrity of lumbar spinal nerve roots by evaluating the entire population of motor fibres and total length of the motor axon in dogs. ERS can be considered a useful diagnostic method for confirmation of diagnoses of lumbosacral diseases.

The short-term protective effects of lycopene on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury may occur due to nephron-sparing surgery in patients with a solitary kidney or restricted renal parenchymas. Prophylactic agents do not always achieve their intended effects and may exhibit side effects. The present study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene against hypoxia-induced renal damage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve Wistar rats were used in the study. Female Wistar rats were divided into two groups of six rats each; the first group served as the control, and the second group was treated for two days with oral lycopene (4 mg/kg per day) before surgery. All Wistar rats were subjected to right nephrectomy and abdominal aorta clamping for 45 minutes to induce ischemia, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Blood samples were collected from all rats twice before surgery and 24-hours after surgery for analyses of serum urea, creatinine, sodium, and potassium levels. Left nephrectomies were performed following reperfusion. Then histopathological scores were estimated, and malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in renal tissue samples were measured, and compared between groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the control, and the lycopene group with respect to postischemic urea, creatinine, or potassium levels. A significant difference between the groups was observed with respect to postischemic sodium levels (p=0.028). Pathological scores were higher in the control group than in the lycopene group (p<0.05). Mean tissue MDA levels in the control group were higher than in the lycopene group (p=0.055). The mean tissue GSH-Px levels were similar in the control, and lycopene groups. The mean GSH levels in the control group were higher than in the lycopene group (p>0.05). The mean tissue SOD levels were similar in the control, and lycopene groups. The mean CAT levels in the control group were higher than in the lycopene group (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Lycopene may have a protective effect on the short-term biochemical and histopathological parameters following renal ischemia/perfusion injury.

Comparison of mitomycin-c and heparin affects in experimental corrosive esophagitis on rats.

OBJECTIVE: We comparative effects of mitomycin-c and heparin which have different mechanism of action in a minimal invasive corrosive esophagitis model which was formed by NaOH 40%. METHOD: The study was performed on forty female Wistar albino rats; were divided into four equal groups each including ten animals. Group C (n=10); control, the group that esophagus was washed with normal saline, group I (n=10); injury group; alkali esophagus burn, not treated, group M (n=10); alkali esophagus burn, mitomycin-c treatment group, group H (n=10); alkali esophagus burn, heparin treatment group. The study was performed on a minimal invasive model which did not require general anesthesia and abdominal operation. In 28 day, all subjects were killed and their esophagus's were removed by thoraco-abdominal cut. Total esophagi from oropharynx to stomach were removed and they were examined macroscopically and microscopically and evaluated for esophageal tissue collagen deposition and histopathologic damage score. RESULTS: When group C is compared with each of the other groups, statistically significant weight losses were detected; [(p<0.005, p<0.05, p<0.005), respectively]. Significant inflammation increase was detected in groups I, M and H in comparison to group C [(p<0.001, p<0, 0001, p<0.005)]. When granulation scores of groups were compared; statistically significant granulation increases were detected in groups I, M, and H [(p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05) compared to group C]. Significant collagen increase was detected in all 3 layers in groups; I, M and H according to group C [(p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05)]. Collagen increase in every 3 layers in groups M and H were significantly less according to group I [(p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.05)]. Collagen increase in every 3 layers was less in group M than group H (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: In corrosive esophagitis due to NaOH, heparin treatment is more effective in inflammation and granulation formation, mitomycin-c treatment is more effective in preventing the collagen accumulation step. Heparin decreases the tissue damage by preventing the inflammation and granulation formation; and prevents collagen accumulation and stricture development. As completing the effect of heparin; mitomycin prevents fibroblastic activity inhibition with direct collagen accumulation and stricture development strongly.

New experimental corrosive esophagitis model in rats.

PURPOSE: Caustic esophagitis is a serious clinical problem and many agents are currently tried out in many experimental models. The model of Gehanno is the most commonly used invasive model, which is required general anesthesia and laparotomy. We aimed to form a new pratic and non-invasive model. METHODS: Twenty rats were studied. The stomachs of the rats were reached through guidance catheter with ether anesthesia, Fogarty catheter was send in through, it was filled with pressure in the stomach. Then, Fogarty was pulled back and stomach entrance was closed. Control group was given; n = 10; 0.25 cc isotonic, injury group was given; n = 10; 0.25 cc, %40 NaOH and it was waited for 60 s. Their esophagi were examined after 28 days. RESULTS: In the histopathologic evaluation of the control group, no pathology was discovered. Sub-mucosal collagen increase, muscularis mucosa and tunica muscularis damage have all been detected in the injury group p < 0.005; p < 0.003; p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Corrosive esophagitis was formed without general anesthesia and laparotomy. Burn was formed in the total esophagus, unlike other models in which the burn is just formed at the below end. With our less invasive, more easily applied model; treatment agents can be given just as the corrosive esophagitis can be formed.

The short-term effects of different doses of dexamethasone on the numbers of some bacteria in the ileum.

Glucocorticoids are known to affect intestinal biota both directly or indirectly. The aim of the study reported here was to determine the short-term effects of different doses of dexamethasone on the numbers of various ileal bacteria populations. Rats were randomly put into groups, and each group was administered a single-dose injection of dexamethasone at either 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg body weight. At 48-h post-injection, the numbers of total aerobe, anaerobe, lactobacilli and coliform bacteria in the ileum were determined. The numbers of total aerobes and lactobacilli were higher in the groups receiving 5 and 10 mg/kg dexamethasone than in the control and other dose groups (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). The number of ileal anaerobic bacteria was higher in group receiving 5 mg/kg than in the other groups (P < 0.01). There were more coliform bacteria in the group receiving 0.1 mg/kg than in the groups receiving 0.5, 1 and 10 mg/kg (P < 0.05). In light of these results, the effects of dose-dependent increases in the number of different bacterial groups affecting gut functions have still to be determined in future studies.

The expression of matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 by neutrophils of Wistar albino rats with severe qualitative and quantitative protein malnutrition.

Neutrophils are the major cellular immune components in response to bacterial infections. Neutrophil enzymes are important in invasion, inflammation, and infection processes. In order to understand the basic effects of protein malnutrition on neutrophils we studied matrix metalloproteinases 8 and 9 (MMP-8 and MMP-9) production in severe quantitative and qualitative protein malnutrition in rats. Wistar rats (2 months old) were divided into four groups each with three subgroups and fed various protein-containing diets (24% protein, 20% gelatin-containing and N-free) for 7, 14, 21, and/or 28 days. Neutrophil enzyme expression was determined by Western blotting. Leukocytes decreased significantly due to malnutrition (p = 0.001 ) whilst the percentage of neutrophils increased (p = 0.02) in protein-deprived groups. Neutrophils of malnourished rats produced lower levels of MMP-8 at early stages of protein deprivation with an increase in the following weeks. MMP-9 production by neutrophils from N-free diet fed animals was highest after one week. Serum MMP-9 levels decreased in the qualitative but not in the quantitative protein malnutrition groups. Results suggest that neutrophils might be important in reuse of body cell proteins during fasting or malnutrition conditions and dietary manipulation might have profound effects on MMP-8 and -9 production in rats.