Blood and tissue nitric oxide and malondialdehyde are prognostic indicators of localized prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to examine blood and tissue levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and their correlations with well-known prognostic indicators [total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), %free/total PSA (%f/t PSA), pathological stage (pT), and Gleason sum] in patients who had radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for localized prostate cancer (PCa) without metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Preoperatively 31 patients' bloods were obtained for determination of NO, MDA, fPSA, tPSA, and %f/tPSA ratios. Tissues were obtained from RRP specimens for determination of NO and MDA. Gleason sum was assigned for each patient, and pT was determined according to 2002 TNM staging system. pTs were as follows: 10 pT2a, 7 pT2b, 8 pT2c, 4 pT3a, and 2 pT3b. Gleason sum of the PCa in the RRP specimens was as follows: 5 in 1, 6 in 14, 7 in 14, and 9 in 2 patients. RESULTS: There were strong correlations between blood and tissue levels of NO (r=0.83, p<0.001) and MDA (r=0.63, p<0.001), between serum NO and plasma MDA (r=0.88, p<0.001), and finally between tissue NO and tissue MDA (r=0.83, p<0.001). There was also a significant (p<0.05) relationship between all well-known prognostic indicators of PCa (tPSA, %f/tPSA, Gleason sum, and pT) and blood and tissue NO and MDA levels, with single exception of correlation between tissue MDA and Gleason sum (p=0.073). CONCLUSION: Clinically appropriate correlations shown in this study indicates that NO and MDA may be used for prognostic assessment of localized PCa, especially if supported with other well-designed studies including higher number of patients through multi-institutional collaboration.

Effect of pentylenetetrazole and sound stimulation induced single and repeated convulsive seizures on the MDA, GSH and NO levels, and SOD activities in rat liver and kidney tissues.

OBJECTIVES: the aim of our study was to evaluate the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) in liver and kidney tissues in a rat model of convulsive seizure induced by single and repeated doses of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and sound stimulation with key ringing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: male Wistar adult rats (n=48), were used in the experiment. The animals were divided into six groups: (1) Single Seizure Control Group (SS-Control; n=8), (2) Repeated Seizures Control Group (RS-Control; n=8), (3) PTZ induced Single Seizure Group (SS-PTZ Group; n=8), (4) PTZ induced Repeated Seizures Group (RS- PTZ Group; n=8), (5) Key-Ringing Induced Single Seizure Group (SS-KEY Group; n=8), (6) Key-Ringing Induced Repeated Seizures Group (RS-KEY Group; n=8). Following injections rats were observed for seizure activity for 30 min. Animals were sacrificed 24h after induced seizure (single or last seizure) or saline administration. MDA, NO, GSH levels and SOD activities were determined in liver and kidney tissues. RESULTS: there was no significant difference between SS-Control and RS-Control groups, SS-PTZ and SS-KEY groups, and RS-PTZ and RS-KEY groups (p>0.05) in none of the examined 4 parameters in liver and kidney tissues. The liver and kidney levels of MDA and NO in SS-PTZ group were found to be significantly higher than the SS-Control group (p<0.05). In SS-KEY group, the liver and kidney levels of MDA and NO were found to be significantly higher and GSH levels were significantly lower than the SS-Control group (p<0.05). While liver and kidney levels of MDA in RS-PTZ group and RS-KEY group were found to be significantly higher than the RS-Control group (p<0.05), liver and kidney GSH levels were significantly lower (p<0.05). The liver levels of NO in RS-PTZ group and RS-KEY group were found to be significantly higher than the RS-Control group (p<0.05). Kidney SOD activities in RS-PTZ group and RS-KEY group were found to be significantly lower than the RS-Control group (p<0.05). When RS-PTZ group is compared with the SS-PTZ group, the liver SOD activity and kidney NO level were found to be significantly lower in the RS-PTZ group (p<0.05). While the liver NO level and GSH level in RS-KEY group were significantly higher than the SS-KEY group, SOD activity was significantly lower in the RS-KEY group (p<0.05). When RS-KEY group was compared with SS-KEY group, the kidney NO level and SOD activity were found to be significantly lower in the RS-KEY group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: in conclusion, key-ringing or PTZ induced single and repeated seizures result in increased oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation, and decreased antioxidant defense mechanisms.

Rapid communication: protective effect of a nuclear factor kappaB inhibitor, pyrolidium dithiocarbamate, in the kidney of rats with nephrolithiasis induced by ethylene glycol.

PURPOSE: To study the protective effects of a selective nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) inhibitor, pyrolidium dithiocarbamate (PDTC), on ethylene glycol-induced crystal deposition in the renal tubules, renal toxicity, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NF-kappaB activities in rat kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were divided into three equal groups: control, ethylene glycol-treated (EG), and ethylene glycol + PDTC treated (EG+PDTC). Rats were sacrificed on day 7, 15, or 45, and tissue sections were evaluated under light and transmission electron microscopy for the presence and degree of crystal deposition and toxicity in the kidneys. The iNOS and NF-kappaB activity were evaluated immunohistochemically, with p65 being stained to define NF-kappaB activity. Crude extracts of the cortex were used to determine reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. RESULTS: Crystal depositions were more evident in the proximal tubules on day 7 in the EG than in the other groups. Mild crystallization was observed on day 15, and severe crystallization and granulovacuolar epithelial-cell degeneration were observed on day 45. There was limited or no crystal formation in the EG+PDTC group and completely normal renal and tubular structures in the control group. Whereas ethylene glycol administration stimulated iNOS and NF-kappaB/p65 activity in renal tubules, PDTC inhibited it. Rats given only vehicle demonstrated no significant alterations. Hyperoxaluria, a marked increase in MDA and NO concentrations, and a decrease in GSH were observed in the EG group. CONCLUSION: This experiment has shown the role of transcription factors, NF-kappaB, and iNOS in ethylene glycol-induced crystal depositions in renal tubules.