Effect of carvacrol on IL-6/STAT3 pathway after partial hepatectomy in rat liver.

BACKGROUND: Carvacrol is a component in the essential oil of Lamiaceae family. Beside its antihepatotoxic and hepatoprotective properties it is known to be a contribution to liver regeneration. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the effects of carvacrol in rat liver regeneration after 70 % partial hepatectomy (PHx) through interleukin-6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways. METHODS: In our study six groups were formed from 3-month old Wistar albino male rats. Group I and II were Sham operated; Group III and IV received 1 mL 0.9 % NaCl; and Group V and VI were the groups that were treated with 73 mg/kg carvacrol. Group III, IV, V, and VI animals underwent 68-70 % PHx. Dissection was performed 24 and 48 after surgical procedure. Serum Alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were determined. The liver regeneration rate (RR) was calculated. Histopathological analysis was performed by Hematoxylin(et)Eosin staining and the proliferation by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemical staining in liver samples. In the liver, certain genes expressions in IL-6/STAT3 and MAPK pathways with RT-PCR analysis and protein expression with Western blot analysis were measured. CONCLUSION: Carvacrol showed a positive effect on hepatocyte proliferation and liver regeneration 24 and 48 hours after PHx (Tab. 1, Fig. 7, Ref. 39).

Effect of leucine on NF-κB pathway in liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in rats, as determined by miniarray analysis.

BACKGROUND: Although some amino acids are recognized to have favorable effects on the liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH), molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are barely known. OBJECTIVE: Our study was aimed to investigate the effects of valine, glutamine, and leucine amino acids on PH-induced NF-κB signal pathway. The research team studied Leucine in a rat model in vivo. The study took place in the medical and surgical experimental research center at the Eskisehir Osmangazi University in Eskisehir, Turkey. The animals were Wistar albino male rats. RESULTS: Group I, the sham group, was administered phosphate buffered saline (PBS) after laparotomy. After 70 % PH procedure, group II, III, IV, and V received single intraperitoneal doses of PBS, valine, glutamine, and leucine amino acids, respectively. At hour 6 after PH, expressions of 88 genes involving in NF-κB signal pathway were examined by RT-PCR mini array method in the liver tissue specimen. Fold values below 0.5 and above 2 were regarded as significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that valine, glutamine, and leucine amino acids may alter expressions of the genes of NF-κB signal pathway. In addition, among these amino acids, glutamine and valine proved to be much more effective on NF-κB signal pathway after the PH (Tab. 1, Ref. 41).

Outcomes of moderate sedation in paediatric dental patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of moderate sedation with nitrous oxide/oxygen (N(2) O/O(2)) alone or combined with different dosages and administration routes of midazolam in uncooperative paediatric dental patients using the Bispectral Index System (BIS). METHODS: This one-year clinical study examined first-visit moderate sedation performed in 240 healthy children aged 4-6 years. Subjects were randomly divided into four groups according to drug, route and dosage, as follows: Group 1 - 0.20 mg/kg midazolam (40 mg/ml) delivered intranasally; Group 2 - 0.75 mg/kg midazolam (15 mg/3 ml) delivered orally; Group 3 - 0.50 mg/kg midazolam (15 mg/3 ml) delivered orally. All children in these three groups also received inhalation sedation with 50%-50% N(2) O/O(2), whereas children in Group 4 received inhalation sedation with 50%-50% N(2) O/O(2) only. The outcome of sedation was evaluated as either 'successful', 'failed' or 'not accepted'. RESULTS: The highest success rate was found in Group 1 (0.20 mg/kg intranasally, 87%), followed by Group 2 (0.75 mg/kg orally, 79%). The overall mean success rate for all groups was 73%. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate sedation can be successfully used in the clinical management of paediatric dental patients, with both intranasal and oral sedation using midazolam in conjunction with nitrous oxide found to be effective methods.

Clinical, pathological and radiological evaluation of disseminated Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in a 30-month-old boy.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is a rare disease characterized histologically by the proliferation of Langerhans' cells. Oral involvement is frequent and the disease simulates severe localized periodontitis. In this report, we present a case of disseminated Langerhans' cell histiocytosis in a 30-month-old boy who had a mass covering the entire maxillopalatine region and suffered severe periodontal destruction in the posterior maxilla and mandible. We discuss the radiological, histopathological and immunohistochemical findings.

Comparison of additional metformin or NPH insulin to mealtime insulin lispro therapy with mealtime human insulin therapy in secondary OAD failure.

AIM: It has been found that non-fasting plasma glucose is a better marker of diabetic control than fasting plasma glucose in type 2 diabetes. The main aim of treatment of type 2 diabetic patients is to control plasma glucose and HbA1c levels. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of three different insulin regimens (group I: lispro insulin + NPH insulin, group II: lispro insulin + metformin and group III: regular insulin + NPH insulin) on overall glycaemic control and metabolic parameters in type 2 diabetic patients with secondary oral anti-diabetic drug failure. METHODS: Sixty type 2 diabetic patients with secondary OAD failure were randomly allocated into three different treatment groups equally. There were no significant differences between groups concerning age, body mass index, diabetes duration, HbA1c and serum lipid levels at the beginning of the study. During the 6-month treatment period, blood glucose levels were determined 10 times during 24 h at pre-meal, post-prandial 1 and 2 h and at bedtime. RESULTS: Group I was found to be the most effective treatment regimen in controlling HbA1c levels (group I vs. group II, p = 0.013; group I vs. group III, p = 0.001; group II vs. group III, p > 0.05). When the comparison was made in each group, change in HbA1c was statistically significant for all groups (-3.18%, p = 0.001; -2.02%, p = 0.043 and -2.66%, p = 0.008 respectively). Group I was found to be more effective in controlling fasting and post-prandial plasma glucose levels measured at all times during the day when compared with group II and group III. In group II triglyceride levels were found to be significantly reduced, whereas other groups had no effect on lipids. No serious hypoglycaemic episodes were observed in any of the cases, whereas in group I hypoglycaemic episode rates were increased (chi2 = 8.843, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Lispro insulin plus NPH insulin regimen is more effective in controlling both pre- and post-prandial glucose levels and HbA1c when compared to regular insulin plus NPH insulin combination. Mealtime lispro insulin plus metformin combination therapy should also be seriously considered as an effective and alternative treatment regimen. It is worthy of attention that insulin lispro plus metformin lowered triglyceride levels.

Methanol intoxication with bilateral basal ganglia infarct.

Methanol is a toxic agent that affects the central nervous system, especially the optic nerves and basal ganglia. Symmetrical hypodense lesions in the basal ganglia, which can be demonstrated by CT or MRI, is accepted as the most characteristic radiological feature of the disease. A case of a patient with bilateral putaminal hypodense infarcts due to methanol intoxication is presented.