Effects of Cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid in a Rat Model of Vestibular and Cochlear Toxicity.

Objective: To investigate the effects of cross-linked hyaluronic acid (CLHA) in an experimental model of vestibulotoxicity and cochleotoxicity. Methods: Twenty-eight female Wistar albino rats (200-250 g) were divided into four groups. Group A received 0.06 mL of 13.33 mg/mL gentamicin, Group B received 0.06 mL of CLHA, Group C received 0.03 mL of 26.66 mg/mL gentamicin and 0.03 mL CLHA, and Group D received 0.06 mL of 0.09% saline. All groups underwent auditory brainstem response testing at 4-32 kHz, signal-to-noise ratio of distortion product otoacoustic emission measurements at 1.5-8 kHz and vestibular tests on days 0,1,7,10. The rats were sacrificed, and their labyrinths were histologically assessed and scored. Results: The hearing thresholds of Groups A and C were similar and significantly higher than those of the other groups at all frequencies, beginning from day 1. The vestibular and histological scores of Groups A and C were similar and significantly higher than those of the other groups from day 1. The audiological results, vestibular scores, and histological scores of Groups B and D were similar, except for a temporary middle ear effusion and hearing threshold shift in Group B. No significant deterioration was observed in the audiological, vestibular, and histological analyses of Groups B and D. Conclusion: That both Group A and Group C similarly showed worsening audiological, vestibular, and histological tests suggests that CLHA did not alter the pharmacokinetics and histologic results of gentamicin.

Cognitive function in Meniere's disease.

Meniere's disease is an otological disease characterized by various symptoms that include episodic peripheral vertigo, sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness, all of which deteriorate the maintenance of daily activities. We aimed to investigate cognitive function in Meniere's disease patients and compare their results to those of healthy controls. Eighteen patients diagnosed with definite Meniere's disease without any psychiatric, neurological or otological comorbidity, and 30 healthy controls with normal cognitive functions were included in the study. General cognitive status, attention, verbal memory, visual memory, executive and visuospatial function were measured by detailed neuropsychological tests in both groups. In the patients with Meniere's disease, pure-tone hearing thresholds, and speech discrimination scores were also measured. Patients with Meniere's disease showed lower levels of performance in the trail making test, Oktem verbal memory processes, Rey Complex Figure Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, semantic and phonemic fluency than did healthy controls. In other words, there were deficits in attention, recognition and recall in verbal memory, recall in visual memory, visual spatial construction, and planning skills in patients with Meniere's disease. Education years and depression scores of participants had a significant effect on cognitive function in all groups. This study is an update and confirmation of the findings of studies showing cognitive impairment in patients with Meniere's disease. In addition to previous findings, this study found a decrease in executive function performance in patients with Meniere's disease compared to healthy controls. Unlike previous studies, this study comprehensively addressed all cognitive functions and included a control group. Our results emphasize that executive functions, which are high-level cognitive processes, may affect the compliance of patients with Meniere's disease treatment and follow-up processes.

Methotrexate for recurrent chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: A randomized, controlled, phase 2 clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized, controlled, open-label, phase 2 clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of low-dose methotrexate as maintenance therapy for recurrent postoperative chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNPs). METHODS: Forty-one patients with CRSwNPs who experienced postoperative polyp recurrence(s) were randomly divided into three groups to receive one of the following treatments for 8 weeks: daily intranasal mometasone furoate monohydrate 200 mcg (control [intranasal corticosteroids (INCS)] arm, n = 13]); daily per oral methylprednisolone 8 mg (oral corticosteroids [OCS] arm, n = 14); and once weekly per oral 10 mg methotrexate (MTX arm, n = 14). All patients were assessed at three clinical visits according to the Lund-Kennedy endoscopic grading system (LKES), visual analog scale (VAS), Turkish version of the Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22), peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), butanol olfactory threshold test (BuOT), serum total IgE level, presence of peripheral eosinophilia, serum biochemical assays, and adverse events. RESULTS: All efficacy outcome measures significantly improved in all three groups, except for the nonrecovery of peripheral eosinophilia in the INCS group. There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of LKES scores. Scores for the Turkish version of the SNOT-22, PNIF, BuOT, and serum IgE levels were also similar among the groups. However, total VAS scores recovered significantly better in the INCS group than in the MTX group. Serum biochemical assays remained normal in all groups. Adverse events were minor and observed only in the OCS group. CONCLUSION: Low-dose MTX was a safe and effective maintenance therapy for patients with recurrent postoperative CRSwNPs.

Evaluation of serum neopterin, periostin, Tenascin-C, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels in obese pregnant women

Objective: To investigate the role of extracellular matrix proteins in the molecular mechanism of inflammatory response in obese pregnant women by comparing serum levels of neopterin, periostin, Tenascin-C, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 between obese and normal weight pregnant women in the third trimester. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2021 and December 2021. A total of 84 pregnant women were included and three groups were formed with 28 participants in each group. Results: Serum levels of neopterin, periostin, Tenascin-C and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 were significantly higher in class II-III obese pregnant women than in class I obese and normal-weight women (p=0.002, p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels between the groups (p=0.769). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that Tenascin-C and periostin were effective in predicting pre-eclampsia [area under the curve (AUC)=0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-0.90, p<0.001 and AUC=0.71, 95% CI, 0.60-0.80, p=0.007, respectively]. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that class II-III obese pregnant women had significantly higher serum levels of neopterin, periostin, Tenascin-C, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in the third trimester. These higher serum levels may be associated with the adverse perinatal effects of obesity during pregnancy.

The Relationship Between the Third Window Abnormalities and Inner Ear Malformations in Children with Hearing Loss.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between the third window abnormalities and congenital inner ear malformations in pediatric patients with different types of hearing loss. If such a relationship should exist, it would be important to take it into account, in order to diagnose and treat pediatric hearing loss cases more accurately. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-one children with hearing loss who had temporal bone computed tomography (CT) examination and were identified from 2013 to 2018 were retrospectively evaluated. The types of hearing loss were grouped as sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), conductive hearing loss (CHL), and mixed hearing loss (MHL). Third window abnormalities included superior semicircular canal (SC) dehiscence, posterior SC dehiscence, enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA), X-linked stapes gusher, perilymph fistula, and bone dyscrasias. Congenital inner ear malformations included cochleovestibular, SC, and internal acoustic canal malformations. The relationships were analyzed with chi-square and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: In the study, 40 patients had unilateral hearing loss and 181 had bilateral hearing loss. In 402 ears, the rates of SNHL, CHL, and MHL were 88.5%, 6.9%, and 4.4%, respectively. EVA was the most common third window abnormality (41/402; 9.7%), and SC malformations were the most common inner ear malformations (53/402; 13.2%). In the SNHL group, superior and posterior SC dehiscence were associated with cochleovestibular malformations (P = .035 and.020, respectively). In the CHL group, there was a relationship between EVA and SC malformations (P = .041). No relationships were found in the MHL group. CONCLUSION: Third window abnormalities and congenital inner ear malformations may be encountered simultaneously in children with SNHL and CHL.

Turkish Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis (ART).

OBJECT: To prepare a national guideline for Otorhinolaryngologist who treat allergic rhinitis patients. METHODS: The study was conducted by three authors, namely the writing support team. The support team made the study plan, determined the writing instructions, chose the subgroups including the advisory committee, the advisors for authors and the authors. A workshop was organized at the very beginning to explain the details of the study to the team. Advisors took the chance to meet their coworkers in their subgroups and determined the main headings and subheadings of the guideline, together with the authors. After key words were determined by the authors, literature search was done in various databases. The authors keep in touch with the advisors and the advisors with the advisory committee and the support group at every stage of the study. National and International published articles as well as the abstracts of unpublished studies, imperatively presented in National Congresses, were included in this guideline. Only Guideline and meta-analyses published in last seven years (2013-2017) and randomized controlled studies published in last two years (2015-2017) were included. After all work was completed by the subgroups, support team brought all work together and edited the article. RESULTS: A detailed guideline about all aspects of allergic rhinitis was created. CONCLUSION: The authors believe that this guideline will enable a compact and up-to-date information on allergic rhinitis to healthcare professionals. This guideline is the first in the field of Otolaryngology in Turkey. It should be updated at regular intervals.

Therapeutic effects of melatonin on an ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis model in rats.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of melatonin in an experimental AR model. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomised into four groups (n = 8 each). The experimental AR model was established in the saline (SF), ethanol, and melatonin groups via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections and intranasal application of ovalbumin. The SF, ethanol, and melatonin groups received daily i.p. saline, 2% ethanol dissolved in saline, and 10 mg/kg melatonin dissolved in 2% ethanol and saline. The control group received the same amount of i.p. and intranasal saline. Total nasal symptom scores were recorded in all rats on days 1 (baseline), 15, 20, 25, and 30. Serum ovalbumin-specific IgE, IL-13, and melatonin levels were measured on days 1 (baseline), 15, and 30. The nasal mucosa of all rats was scored histopathologically. RESULTS: The total nasal symptom scores and serum ovalbumin-specific IgE values of the SF, ethanol, and melatonin groups were significantly higher on day 15 than those of the control group. On day 30, the scores and serum ovalbumin-specific IgE values of the melatonin group were similar to those of the control, whereas the SF and ethanol groups had statistically higher scores. The histological scores of the SF and ethanol groups were significantly higher than those of the control and melatonin groups, but no significant difference was found between the melatonin and control groups. CONCLUSION: Melatonin reduced total nasal symptom scores and serum ovalbumin-specific IgE levels and improved histological inflammation parameters in the ovalbumin-induced rat experimental AR model.

Determination of Retronasal Olfactory Threshold Values.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to generate normative data of retronasal olfactory threshold values for normosmic and hyposmic individuals and to test the validity of that data by determining the discriminative power for normosmic/hyposmic differentiation. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive and methodological study. METHODS: The orthonasal olfactory function of 20 normosmic and 20 hyposmic cases was evaluated using the Sniffin' Sticks Olfactory test. Sniffin' Sticks odor threshold, odor discrimination, and odor identification values and threshold discrimination identification (TDI) scores were recorded. A 13-item test battery previously prepared in our Rhinology Laboratory for retronasal olfactory threshold test that consisted of concentrated solutions prepared from 2:1 diluted 99% phenylethyl alcohol (PEA) and water was used. Each concentration was evaluated with water control, and if not answered correctly, the same process was continued by moving to a higher concentration series. Four consecutive correct answers were determined as the patient's retronasal olfactory threshold. RESULTS: A strong correlation was found between Sniffin' Sticks TDI scores and retronasal odor threshold values in the normosmic group (P < .001, r:0.67). A very strong correlation was found between Sniffin' Sticks TDI scores and retronasal olfactory threshold values in the hyposmic group (P < .001, r:0.81). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the sensitivity and the specificity of normosmic/hyposmic differentiation of retronasal olfactory threshold test was 95% and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic cutoff value was 8.5. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the retronasal olfactory test, a psychophysical odor test performed using an orally presented stimulus, can be used to differentiate normosmic and hyposmic cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:1608-1614, 2021.

Ophthalmic Abnormalities among Children Treated with Cochlear Implants.

OBJECTIVES: To review the ocular abnormalities in children treated with cochlear implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 51 children (29 boys, 22 girls) who were under 18 years old, presented previously with severe to profound hearing loss, and underwent cochlear implantation surgery were included in this study prospectively. A detailed ophthalmic examination, including refraction, best corrected visual acuity, ocular motility, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and dilated fundus examination, was performed for each patient. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 80.10±38.64 (range, 18-168) months. A total of 13 (25.4%) children had at least 1 ophthalmic abnormality. The majority of the detected ophthalmic abnormalities were hyperopia and astigmatism (6 patients had hyperopia, 5 had astigmatism, and 2 had hyperopia plus astigmatism). Strabismus (esotropia) was found in 2 patients, 2 patients had refractive amblyopia, and 2 patients had nystagmus. Moreover, 3 patients had microcornea, 2 patients had cataract, and 1 patient had epiblepharon. Optic disc coloboma (3 patients), choroidal coloboma (1 patient), and pigmentary abnormality (1 patient) were noticed on fundus examination. Congenital rubella syndrome (2 patients), Waardenburg's syndrome (1 patient), and CHARGE syndrome (coloboma, heart defects, choanal atresia, growth retardation, genital abnormalities, ear abnormalities) (1 patient) were also present. CONCLUSION: Children treated with cochlear implant should be consulted with an ophthalmologist to identify any treatable ocular abnormality.

Effects of familial Mediterranean fever on the middle ear.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate middle and inner ear function and hearing status of children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). METHODS: We assigned 56 patients with FMF to the study group and 52 healthy volunteers to the control group. The mean age of patients in the study and control groups were 10.10 ± 3.70 and 9.77 ± 3.74 years, respectively. Physical examination and hearing evaluation were performed in both groups. The audiological test battery included 226-Hz tympanometry, pure tone audiometric evaluation, acoustic stapedial reflex measurements, distortion product otoacoustic emission recording, and wide-band tympanometry assessment. RESULTS: The groups were similar in age and sex ratio (p > 0.05 for both comparisons). Pure tone audiogram and distortion product otoacoustic emission results were also similar for both groups (p > 0.05). The ipsilateral acoustic stapedial reflex were present in both of the groups and all participants had Type A tympanogram. The contralateral acoustic stapedial reflex thresholds were significantly higher in the familial Mediterranean fever group (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). The ambient and peak pressure absorbance values of wide-band tympanometry were significantly lower at 2000 Hz and significantly higher at 4000 Hz in the familial Mediterranean fever group (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). The severity and duration of disease adversely affected the absorbance values of wide-band tympanometry at 2000 and 4000 Hz (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the adverse subclinical effects of familial Mediterranean fever on the middle ear. We recommend that children diagnosed with FMF should be closely monitored for future clinical middle ear pathologies.

The Diagnostic Efficacy of MRI in the Evaluation of the Enlarged Vestibular Aqueduct in Children with Hearing Loss.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study is to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to computed tomography (CT) in the detection of enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) in childhood. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three children who underwent temporal bone CT and MRI examinations for hearing loss between 2013 and 2020 were evaluated retrospectively. All CT and MRI images were examined by two pediatric radiologists, according to the Valvassori and Cincinnati criteria for EVA. Imaging findings on CT and MRI of the vestibular aqueduct were recorded. Two pediatric radiologists performed the measurements for EVA on CT and MRI. In addition, an otolaryngologist performed the measurements independently. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of MRI compared to CT were calculated to detect EVA. The difference between the measurements on CT and MRI was investigated. The inter-observer agreement was evaluated for measurements. RESULTS: The mean age of 123 children (65 boys and 58 girls) was 50.18±50.40 months. Two hundred forty-six ears were evaluated in 123 children. On CT images, EVA was present in 28 (11.3%) of 246 ears according to Cincinnati criteria and 27 (10.9%) of 246 ears according to Valvassori criteria, respectively. While sensitivity, specificity, PPD, and NPD rates of MRI were 100%, 99%, 92.8%, and 100%, respectively, for Cincinnati criteria, for Valvassori criteria, they were 100%, 97.3%, 77.7%, and 100%, respectively. According to the visual evaluation performed without using measurement, the enlarged appearance of the vestibular aqueduct was significant for the diagnosis of EVA (p<0.001), while the absence of this appearance was significant for the exclusion of EVA (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the measurements on CT and MRI. There was a perfect correlation between the observers for measurements. CONCLUSION: MRI can be used as an initial imaging technique in children with suspicion of EVA to reduce radiation exposure.

Our Experience in the Management of CSF Otorrhea: A Transmastoid Approach with Middle Ear Cavity Obliteration and a Middle Cranial Fossa Approach.

In this report, we present two cases of patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea who underwent surgical repair through either a transmastoid or middle cranial fossa approach. In our first case, a 34-year-old male after head trauma with conductive hearing loss and a House-Brackmann grade 2 facial palsy was found to have a soft tissue mass protruding through his right tympanic membrane. Radiological examination revealed a wide tegmen tympani defect. He underwent surgery via a transmastoid approach with repair of the defect and blind sac closure of the external auditory canal after middle ear cavity obliteration. Our second case involved a 50-year-old female who had developed chronic clear otorrhea following tympanostomy tube placement. Radiological evaluation revealed a tegmen tympani defect and CSF fistula. She underwent a middle cranial fossa approach in which a multilayer closure technique was performed. These two cases illustrate that the type of surgical approach for the CSF otorrhea repair depends on the location and size of the defect and hearing status. We recommend a multilayer closure to ensure proper resolution of the defect.

Wide-Band Tympanometry Results during an Acute Episode of Ménière's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Wide-band tympanometry (WBT) was introduced as a beneficial diagnostic test for Ménière's disease (MD) almost 15 years ago. However, an acute episode of MD has not been evaluated by using WBT yet. OBJECTIVE: To investigate WBT findings in patients with MD during acute attacks. METHOD: Thirty definite MD patients with unilateral acute low-tone sensorineural hearing loss and aural fullness, and thirty age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled prospectively in a tertiary referral center. Ears were divided into three groups as follows: (1) affected ears of MD patients, (2) contralateral ears of MD patients, (3) control ears. Individuals underwent WBT. The resonance frequency (RF), mean absorbance value, mean low- and high-frequency absorbance values (LF-A and HF-A), and double peak width at 2 kHz of conductance tympanometry (2-kHz PW) were assessed. RESULTS: Seventy percent in group 1, 66.7% in group 2, and 78.3% in group 3 demonstrated double peaks at 2 kHz. The mean 2-kHz PW values were 157.52 ± 79.19, 177.40 ± 79.14, and 139.64 ± 87.501 daPa for groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to 2-kHz PW, RF, absorbance, LF-A, and HF-A. CONCLUSION: This was the first study that evaluated the effects of acute Ménière attacks on WBT findings. An acute Ménière attack was found to have no significant effect on the 2-kHz PW and other variables measured using WBT.

Favourable effect of ß-glucan treatment against cisplatin-induced reproductive system damage in male rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential beneficial effects of ß-glucan treatment against oxidative, histological and spermatological damage caused by cisplatin on the male reproductive system. Twenty-eight Sprague Dawley male rats were used in the study. The rats were randomly divided into four equal-sized groups: a control group, cisplatin group (7 mg/kg in a single-dose cisplatin administered intraperitoneally), ß-glucan group (ß-glucan given at a dose of 50 mg kg-1  d-1 for 14 day) and a cisplatin plus ß-glucan group (cisplatin and ß-glucan administered together at the same dose). Cisplatin administration induced an increase in the level of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, a lipid peroxidation indicator. It induced a decrease in enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) activities and nonenzymatic (reduced glutathione) antioxidant levels. In addition, cisplatin caused both histological and spermatological damage, as shown by a decrease in sperm motility and epididymal sperm concentrations and an increase in abnormal sperm rates. The ß-glucan treatment improved cisplatin-induced oxidative, histological and spermatological damage. This study revealed that ß-glucan treatment provided prevention against male reproductive system damage caused by cisplatin. These preventative effects were likely due to its antioxidant properties.

Turkish validation of the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22.

OBJECTIVES: The Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT)-22 is a widely used health-related quality of life questionnaire. This study aimed to conduct a translation and validation study of the SNOT-22 in the Turkish language. DESIGN: We achieved a convenient translation and cultural adaptation process to translate the original SNOT-22 into the Turkish language (observational prospective cohort study). SETTING: This study was conducted in a single tertiary-level university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: We performed reliability, validity and responsiveness analyses in 313 participants. One hundred eighty-nine of the participants were the chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) group, and 79 healthy volunteers enrolled in the control group. Twenty-nine participants who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS were evaluated for pre-postoperative responsiveness analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reproducibility), validity, responsiveness, sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: The internal consistency coefficient (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.909 in the CRS test group, 0.955 in the CRS retest group, and 0.916 in the control group. The reliability value (Pearson correlation coefficient) of the test-retest group was 0.901. The validity was assessed by the independent sample t-test between the CRS and control groups and resulted in a significant difference (P < 0.001). Responsiveness was interpreted using the paired t-test between pre- and post-medical and pre- and post-surgical treatment groups; statistical analysis found significance in both groups (P < 0.001). When using the SNOT-22 cut-off value of 33.5, the sensitivity and specificity of the Turkish version of the SNOT-22 was 54.5% and 75.9%, respectively (95% CI, area under the curve (AUC): 0.69, range 0.624â€"0.756, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: The authors suggest that the Turkish SNOT-22 is a valid, reliable, reproducible and responsive questionnaire.

The therapeutic effects of curcumin and capsaicin against cyclophosphamide side effects on the uterus in rats.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of systemic cyclophosphamide treatment on the rat uterus and investigate the potential therapeutic effects of natural antioxidant preparations curcumin and capsaicin against cyclophosphamide side effects. METHODS: A 40 healthy adult female Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into four groups to determine the effects of curcumin and capsaicin against Cyclophosphamide side effects on the uterus (n=10 in each group); Group 1 was the control group (sham-operated), Group 2 was the cyclophosphamide group, Group 3 was the cyclophosphamide + curcumin (100mg/kg) group, and Group 4 was the cyclophosphamide + capsaicin (0.5 mg/kg) group. RESULTS: Increased tissue oxidative stress and histological damage in the rat uterus were demonstrated due to the treatment of systemic cyclophosphamide chemotherapy alone. The level of tissue oxidant and antioxidant markers and histopathological changes were improved by the treatment of curcumin and capsaicin. CONCLUSION: Cytotoxic effects of natural alkylating chemotherapeutic agents like cyclophosphamide on the uterus can be prevented by curcumin and capsaicin.

The therapeutic effects of curcumin and capsaicin against cyclophosphamide side effects on the uterus in rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the impact of systemic cyclophosphamide treatment on the rat uterus and investigate the potential therapeutic effects of natural antioxidant preparations curcumin and capsaicin against cyclophosphamide side effects. Methods: A 40 healthy adult female Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into four groups to determine the effects of curcumin and capsaicin against Cyclophosphamide side effects on the uterus (n=10 in each group); Group 1 was the control group (sham-operated), Group 2 was the cyclophosphamide group, Group 3 was the cyclophosphamide + curcumin (100mg/kg) group, and Group 4 was the cyclophosphamide + capsaicin (0.5 mg/kg) group. Results: Increased tissue oxidative stress and histological damage in the rat uterus were demonstrated due to the treatment of systemic cyclophosphamide chemotherapy alone. The level of tissue oxidant and antioxidant markers and histopathological changes were improved by the treatment of curcumin and capsaicin. Conclusion: Cytotoxic effects of natural alkylating chemotherapeutic agents like cyclophosphamide on the uterus can be prevented by curcumin and capsaicin.

The beneficial effects of nerolidol and hesperidin on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model.

The objective of this article is to analyze the effects of nerolidol and hesperidin treatment on surgically induced endometriosis in a rat model. Endometriosis was induced in 24 healthy adult female Wistar albino rats via homologous uterine horn transplantation. Three operations were performed on each rat. After the second operation, the rats were randomized into control, nerolidol, and hesperidin treatment groups, and medications were administered for 2 weeks. The effects of the drugs on the endometriotic foci were evaluated after the third operation. Compared with the endometriosis control group, the average volume of the lesions was significantly lower in rats treated with hesperidin and nerolidol. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced in the nerolidol-treated group, and glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly elevated in the endometriotic foci of both the hesperidin- and nerolidol-treated groups compared with the endometriosis group. Hesperidin and nerolidol treatment also improved histological parameters, such as hemorrhage, vascular congestion, necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the endometriotic foci. The results of this study demonstrated that treatment with the potent antioxidants nerolidol and hesperidin caused a significant regression of surgically induced endometriotic foci in rats.

Protective and therapeutic effects of dexpanthenol on isoproterenol-induced cardiac damage in rats.

The purpose of the study was to explore the protective and therapeutic effects of dexpanthenol (DEX) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac damage. Forty rats were distributed into four groups: group I (Control); group II (ISO); ISO (150 mg/kg/day) was given to rats once a day for 2 consecutive days with an interval of 24 h; group III (DEX+ISO): DEX (250 mg/kg) was applied 30 min before the first ISO administration and continued in the next two days after second ISO administration; group IV (ISO+DEX): After the ISO treatment at 1st and 2nd days, DEX was given at 3rd and 4th days. Rats were monitored for mean arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate, oxygen saturation (%SO2 ), and electrocardiography (ECG). Heart tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), reduced glutathione (GSH), total oxidant status (TOS); total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), and caspase-3 were determined. BP and SO2 values indicated a significant decrease in the ISO group. Also, T wave negativity was observed in 6 of 10 rats, SOD, CAT, and GPX levels were significantly lower in ISO group than control group. ISO administration increased TOS and OSI levels, whereas DEX treatment significantly reduced these parameters. Also, ISO-induced morphological alterations such as disorganization of cardiomyocytes, loss of myofibrils and cytoplasmic vacuolization whereas these histological damages were significantly decreased in ISO+DEX and DEX+ISO groups when compared to the ISO group. This study implies the cardioprotective effects of DEX on ISO-induced cardiotoxicity.

Beneficial effects of curcumin and capsaicin on cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, cancer rates have been rising among reproductive-age women. Thus, chemotherapy exposure has become an important cause of premature ovarian failure (POF). There has been growing interest regarding the preservation and restoration of ovarian function before and after oncological treatment because of the reproductive risk of chemotherapeutics and improved long-term survival of cancer patients. In this study, we sought to analyze the effects of curcumin (CRC) and capsaicin (CPS) on cyclophosphamide-induced POF in a rat model. METHODS: POF in rats was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg cyclophosphamide on day 1 and then 8 mg/kg/day for the following 14 days. After 14 days of cyclophosphamide administration, rats were randomly divided into three groups as follows (n = 10/group): POF, POF + CRC (100 mg/kg/day), and POF + CPS (0.5 mg/kg/day) to determine the effects of CRC and CPS on the cyclophosphamide-induced POF rat model. Biochemical, hormonal, and histopathological evaluations were performed on blood and tissue samples 14 days after the CRC and CPS treatments. RESULTS: Malonaldehyde levels were significantly reduced, and glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly increased, in ovarian tissues in the POF + CRC and POF + CPS groups compared with the POF group. In the POF group, we observed hemorrhage and prominent mononuclear cell infiltration beneath the germinative epithelium, vascular congestion in ovarian stroma, hemorrhage around the corpus luteum, and atresia in ovarian follicles. This histopathological damage was significantly improved by treatment with CRC and CPS. There was a significant reduction in serum follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels in rats treated with CRC and CPS compared with the POF group. Moreover, the levels of estradiol and anti-mullerian hormone in rats treated with CRC and CPS were significantly increased compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, CRC and CPS treatment of rats with cyclophosphamide-induced POF had a beneficial effect on reducing ovarian damage by improving tissue oxidative stress marker levels, ovarian reserve marker levels, and histopathological parameters. The significant improvements in ovarian tissue histopathological damage and hormonal levels detected in this study indicate that treatment with CRC or CPS might be a conservative treatment approach for cyclophosphamide-induced POF.