Evaluation of topical Dexmedetomidine administration in postlaminectomy epidural fibrosis rat model.

Epidural fibrosis is a challenging topic in spinal surgery. Numerous clinical and experimental studies have been focused on this issue to clarify problems faced in spinal procedures for the patient as well as the surgeon and find out new methodologies. Dense cytokines and growth factors which are released from inflammatory cells have been suggested to play a major role in the inception and progression of fibrosis. One of the most investigated and important actor in epidural fibrosis is assumed to be the transforming growth factor-1ß (TGF-1ß) formation. Studies showed that Dexmedetomidine (DEX) downregulates TGF-ß pathway with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. From this point of view, for the first time in the literature we try to observe if there will be an effect of topical DEX administration over epidural fibrosis in a rat model. We hypothesized that DEX might have preventive effects on epidural fibrosis via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Twenty-four adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to three groups (Topical DEX, Spongostan, Laminectomy). A total laminectomy was performed at the L3-L5 level and then the ligamentum flavum and epidural fat tissue were cleared away from the surgical site. Histopathological assessment was performed postoperatively after 4 weeks. Our study revealed that topical DEX administration may have effects on reducing epidural fibrosis. Topical DEX administration may be helpful in preventing epidural fibrosis after laminectomy in rats through multiple anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms as well as through TGF -1ß pathway.

Acute oxidative stress and antioxidant status responses following an American football match.

AIM: Intense physical activity is known to induce oxidative stress. Though regular physical training enhances the antioxidant defence system, the effects of diminished training periods are unclear. American football is one of the recently popular sports in Türkiye and is defined as a mixed activity. The aim of the research was to examine some markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in occasionally competitive American football players following a match, and relations with aerobic power and playing position. METHODS: Twenty two male players volunteered for the study. To determine oxidative stress and antioxidant status from blood samples collected before and immediately following a match, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and total antioxidant status (TAS) were assessed, using spectrophotometric methods. Wilcoxon's signed rank test was used to determine the match effect, and Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare playing position and VO2max effects. RESULTS: Plasma MDA (P<0.001) and NO (P<0.05) levels increased significantly following the match. Antioxidant parameters were unchanged following the match when compared with the resting level, except for a VO2max related effect (P<0.05) on TAS. CONCLUSION: Collected data revealed that an American football match caused excessive production of free radicals and oxidative stress. The training loads players underwent were not high enough to cause positive effects on the antioxidant status. To enhance training-induced antioxidant status adaptation, higher amounts of physical activity may be required.