Serum concentrations of galectin-3 in patients with cardiac syndrome X.

OBJECTIVE: Microvascular dysfunction has been reported in cardiac syndrome X (CSX), even though the underlying mechanisms still remain uncertain. Galectin-3 has been recently recognized as a biomarker of cardiovascular fibrosis and inflammation. We sought to investigate the role of galectin-3 in the CSX. METHODS: We studied 115 consecutive CSX patients (mean age 55.43 ± 8.71 years, 36 men) and 74 healthy controls (mean age 54.53 ± 10.07 years, 31 men). Serum concentrations of galectin-3 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured on the blood samples. RESULTS: Galectin-3 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with CSX compared to controls (0.90 ng/ml; IQR, 0.40-1.70 ng/ml vs 0.40 ng/ml; IQR, 0.36-0.44 ng/ml, p < 0.0001). Although, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) were significantly higher among patients with CSX, following adjustment for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and family history of CAD, serum galectin-3 concentrations were still found significantly increased in patients with CSX. Galectin-3 concentrations correlated positively with hs-CRP (r = 0.16, p = 0.03). In addition, concentrations of galectin-3, hs-CRP, fasting glucose, uric acid and family history of CAD were determined as independent predictors of the CSX. CONCLUSION: It was found that galectin-3 serum concentrations are higher in patients with CSX compared to healthy controls. Further studies on larger population are needed to confirm the relation between the fibrosis and the CSX, as well as to explore the potential role of galectin-3 in the CSX.

Autologous fascia graft as a biological barrier to silicone application in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cellular effects of providing a fascial interface around subcutaneously-placed silicone implants, in terms of capsule thickness, myofibroblast/fibroblast cell count and inflammatory cell count. STUDY DESIGN: Interventional, comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Istanbul University Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Laboratory of Experimental Animals, Istanbul, Turkey, from May to September 2008. METHODOLOGY: A total of 16 adult New Zealand male rabbits with mean weight of 2508 ± 360 g were used in the study. Animals were divided into two groups as experiment and control groups with equal number of rabbits in each. Fascia injection was applied on silicone implant in the experiment group and compared with the control group in terms of capsule thickness, myofibroblast/fibroblast cell count and inflammatory cell count. At the end of the experiment, tissue samples were examined macroscopically and microscopically for the above. Statistical analysis of data was performed using student's t-test. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between experiment group and control group in terms of mean capsule thickness, mean myofibroblast and fibroblast cell counts and cell density (p < 0.05, each). CONCLUSION: Fascia tissue barrier prevent silicone rod reaction and foreign body reaction developing against silicone prosthesis in the studied animal model.

Effects of lycopene on oxidative stress and remnant liver histology after partial hepatectomy in rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Partial hepatectomy is performed for the treatment of mass lesions in the liver. Lycopene, which is a carotenoid, is present in various physiologic processes. In this study, the effects of lycopene administration in partially hepatectomized rats were evaluated by assessing various oxidant/antioxidant parameters, remnant liver histology and plasma nitric oxide levels. METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino adult male rats were randomly divided into three equal groups as: Sham, Partial Hepatectomy and Lycopene-Administered + Partial Hepatectomy groups. Lycopene (4 mg/kg), which was dissolved in olive oil, was given to the rats per orally (via gavage tube) (0.1 ml) every day for 6 weeks before partial hepatectomy and for one week after partial hepatectomy. Tissue and blood samples were collected one week after partial hepatectomy. RESULTS: Plasma malondialdehyde (p<0.001) and nitric oxide (p<0.05) levels in the lycopene-administered + partial hepatectomy group were significantly higher than in the partial hepatectomy group. Intraerythrocytic glutathione (p<0.001), plasma (p<0.001) and liver tissue Cu-Zn (p<0.05) superoxide dismutase levels of the lycopene-administered + partial hepatectomy group were significantly lower than in the partial hepatectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene administration could be harmful by increasing oxidative stress after partial hepatectomy.

The effect of ß-glucan on trace element levels in intra-abdominal sepsis in rats.

Sepsis is associated with the development of progressive damage in multiple organ systems. The beneficial effect of glucans has been attributed to modulation of immune function and enhances defense against bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the putative protective effect of ß-glucan on changes of trace element levels in various tissues after experimental sepsis in rats. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) in 28 male Wistar albino rats. To evaluate this, rats were divided into four groups as sham operated, ß-glucan treated sham operated, CLP, and ß-glucan treated CLP. Sixteen hours after operation, rats were decapitated and zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels were determined in the liver, kidney, heart, diaphragm, and lung tissues. The results demonstrate that sepsis significantly decreased zinc and copper levels of all tissues. The decrease in tissue zinc and copper levels demonstrates the role of trace elements in sepsis-induced tissue damage. Our results indicated that ß-glucan administration did not return the zinc and copper levels to the control group level, and it seems likely that the given dose of ß-glucan was insufficient to prevent sepsis-induced organ injury.

Thermal effects of mobile phones on facial nerves and surrounding soft tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possible thermal effects of microwaves from mobile phones on facial nerves (FN) and surrounding soft tissue. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study. METHODS: We studied FN conduction rate and compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) on 12 rabbits before exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) emitted from a mobile phone. Also, the temperature change in the soft tissues around the FN was investigated by a four channel Luxtron fiber optic system. A mobile phone with 1900 MHz frequency was placed over the ipsilateral ear of the rabbit for 25 minutes, and FN and surrounding tissues were exposed to a 1.5 watts pulse modulated (217 packets/s) electromagnetic field. During exposure to RFR, immediately after turning off the mobile phone, and 25 minutes after the exposure temperature change in the surrounding tissue of the FN was recorded and compared to preexposure values. Additionally, another recording regarding the FN functions was done and the data were compared to preexposure values. RESULTS: The average temperature of the surrounding soft tissues was 0.39 K higher than the preexposure values during the exposure and immediately after turning off the mobile phone, and decreased to normal levels 25 minutes after the exposure, which was statistically significant. The amplitudes of FN CMAP after radiofrequency radiation exposure were significantly smaller than the preexposure amplitudes and the amplitudes were normal in the 25 minute measurement. CONCLUSION: The RFR emitted from a mobile phone can cause temporary FN dysfunction that can be due to temporary temperature increase in the soft tissue around the FN.

Mesh fixation devices and formation of intraperitoneal adhesions.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of mesh fixation devices on the formation of intra-abdominal adhesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen New Zealand rabbits were used. In seven animals, nickel-titanium (nitinol) anchors (group 1) and titanium tacks (group 2) were applied by laparoscopy on the right and left sides of the abdomen, respectively. In the remaining seven rabbits, the same devices were applied on prosthetic meshes (groups 3 and 4, respectively). On day 30, the rabbits were sacrificed and macroscopic adhesion scoring was performed. All the specimens were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS: All parameters of adhesion except extension were significantly higher in group 4 than group 3 (P < 0.05). Comparisons of group 1 vs. group 2 were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). All the comparisons between a nonmesh group and a mesh group resulted in significant differences. SEM results revealed that the mesothelial cell layer and connective tissue intensively covered the tacks in group 2 whereas no similar findings were observed in group 1. Comparable appearances were encountered in groups 3 and 4. CONCLUSION: The nitinol anchor is associated with an acceptable level of adhesion formation and its intraperitoneal use can be considered safe in this regard.

Synthesis of some 3-(arylalkylthio)-4-alkyl/aryl-5-(4-aminophenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole derivatives and their anticonvulsant activity.

A series of novel 3-[[(substituted phenyl)methyl]thio]-4-alkyl/aryl-5-(4-aminophenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles 11-20 and several related Schiff's bases, 3-[[(substituted phenyl)-methyl]thio]-4-alkyl/aryl-5-[[[(substituted phenyl/5-nitro-2-furyl)methylene]amino]-phenyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazoles 21-31 were synthesized for evaluation of their biological properties. Structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by the use of their spectral data besides elemental analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity by maximal electroshock (MES), subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole (scPTZ) and neurotoxicity (NT) screens. A number of triazole derivatives, exhibited protection after intraperitoneal administration at the dose of 100 and 300 mg/kg in one or both models employed. Compounds 12, 13 and 14 were subjected to oral MES screening in rats at 30 mg/kg and were observed to protect 50% of the animals employed in the experiment. Antimicrobial and antituberculosis activity of these compounds 11-31 were also screened. Some of the tested compounds showed marginal activity against M. tuberculosis H37 Rv.