The antioxidant effects of dry apricot in the various tissues of rats with induced cold restraint stress.

α-Tocopherol and ß-carotene are the best known and most widely used natural antioxidant substances. Apricot contains ß-carotene, tocopherols and flavonoids. This experimental study was designed to investigate the protective effect of Malatya kabashi apricot in stress-induced injury in various tissues of rats. In total, 32 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: control, apricot, stress and apricot-stress groups. Apricot was administrated to rats by gavage for 10 days in the apricot and apricot-stress groups. Then rats were kept at 4°C for 4 h in stress and apricot-stress groups. The rats were killed at the end of the experiment for biochemical and histological examinations. This study shows apricot supplementation decreased oxidative stress injury in both the stomach and intestine.

Resveratrol attenuates inflammation and stricture formation in experimental caustic esophageal burns.

The purpose of medical treatment in the caustic esophageal burns (CEB) is to decrease inflammatory reaction and to prevent stricture formation. Resveratrol has anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties. The aim of this study is to investigate potential therapeutic effects of resveratrol in experimental CEB. We divided 42 male Wistar albino rats into five groups: a control group, caustic groups 4 and 28 (esophageal burns were created), and resveratrol groups 4 and 28 (esophageal burns were created and resveratrol was administered). We used 25% NaOH to form CEB following the method of Gehanno and Guedon as modified by Liu and Richardson. Animals were killed on the 4th and 28th days for biochemical and histopathological examinations. We found that the mean malondialdehyde and nitric oxide assays of the caustic groups were significantly higher than that of the resveratrol groups (P < 0.05). On the other hand, glutathione assay of the resveratrol groups was significantly higher than that of the caustic groups (P < 0.05). Histologically, edema, inflammation and necrosis were found to be significantly lower in the resveratrol 4 group compared with the caustic 4 group (P < 0.05). Submucosal and muscular collagen accumulation were found significantly lower in the resveratrol 28 group compared with the caustic 28 group (P < 0.05). We conclude that resveratrol decreased both the inflammatory reaction and the stricture formation in experimental CEB.

Reduction of peritoneal adhesions by sustained and local administration of epidermal growth factor.

Previous studies have shown epidermal growth factor (EGF) facilitate peritoneal membrane healing by augmenting cell adhesion and migration. The objective of this study was to show the effect of sustained and local administration of EGF on peritoneal adhesion. Fourty-two rats were divided into six groups: control 7 and 14, gelatin 7 and 14, and EGF 7 and 14. Adhesions were created by scraping the cecum with mesh gause followed by application of absolute alcohol and placement of silk suture in the parietal peritoneum. The anterior walls of the intestines were covered with 5 x 5 cm unloaded, and EGF loaded gelatin films in the gelatin and EGF groups, respectively. The rats were killed on days 7 and 14 to assess the adhesion occurring, and for biochemical examination. The mean adhesion grades of EGF groups were significantly lower than in the other groups (P < 0.008). The mean adenosine deaminase (ADA) measurements of EGF 7 group were lower than in the gelatin 7 and control 7 groups but the difference was not significant (P > 0.008). The mean ADA measurements in the 14 days groups were as follows: control 14 < EGF 14 < gelatin 14 groups. The mean ADA measurements between 14 days groups did not significantly differ from each other (P > 0.008). The mean hydroxyproline measurements did not differ among the groups (P > 0.008). EGF decreased intestinal adhesion in our study. EGF has important roles in DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Further studies are required to determine the exact mechanism by which EGF lowers the efficiency of intestinal adhesion.

Resveratrol may reduce apoptosis of rat testicular germ cells after experimental testicular torsion.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on apoptosis of testicular germ cells after experimental testicular torsion. Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups. Torsions were created by rotating the right testis 720 degrees in a clockwise direction for 4 h in all groups except the control group (group 1). They were then repaired by counter-rotation and replaced into the scrotum. In group 2, saline was infused 30 min before detorsion. In group 3, 30 mg/kg resveratrol was infused 30 min before detorsion. In groups 2 and 3, the bilateral testes were removed to determine germ cell apoptosis after 20 h of detorsion. The number of apoptotic cells was evaluated using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) technique and caspase 3. Mean apoptotic score of ipsilateral testes in group 3 was lower than that of group 2 (p < 0.05). Mean apoptotic score of the contralateral testes in group 3 was not different from that of group 2 (p > 0.05). The present study demonstrates that intraperitoneal administration of resveratrol in rats may decrease germ cell apoptosis in the ipsilateral testes.

Effects of pentoxifylline and vitamin E on the bilateral ovary after experimental ovarian ischemia.

Pentoxifylline (PTX) and vitamin E inhibit the release of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, and PTX improves capillary flow and tissue oxygenation. This experimental study was designed to determine the effects of PTX and vitamin E in the ovary after unilateral ovarian ischemia reperfusion (I-R) in albino Wistar rats. A vascular clamp was placed on the left ovary for 4 hours in all groups except for the control group. Following this, in the ischemia (I) group bilateral ovariectomy was performed. Saline, PTX, vitamin E, and PTX plus vitamin E were infused 30 min before reperfusion in the reperfusion (R), pentoxifylline (P), vitamin E (E), and pentoxifylline plus vitamin E (PE) groups, respectively. After 4 hours of reperfusion, the ovaries were removed for biochemical and histologic examination. MDA levels of bilateral ovaries in the PE group were significantly lower than in the E group (p < 0.0033). NO levels of bilateral ovaries in the PE group were significantly lower than in the P and E groups (p < 0.0033). Massive hemorrhage was determined in the ipsilateral ovaries of the R group. Hemorrhage was minimal or moderate in the ipsilateral ovaries of other groups. The contralateral ovaries showed congestion in different degrees. The contralateral ovaries of the group PE and the bilateral ovaries of the control group showed no pathological changes. PTX and vitamin E given together seems to be more effective in reducing I-R injury in ovarian tissue compared to administration of PTX, or vitamin E alone. However, further studies are required to evaluate the effective dose and duration of PTX and vitamin E on bilateral ovaries.

Resveratrol reduces ischemia reperfusion injury after experimental testicular torsion.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of resveratrol on testicular ischemia reperfusion injury. Forty Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups. Torsions (ischemia) were created by rotating the right testis 720 degrees in a clockwise direction for 4 hours in all groups except the control group. In the torsion group after 4 hours' ischemia bilateral orchiectomy was performed. In the detorsion group, saline was injected by an intraperitoneal route, 30 min before detorsion (reperfusion). In the resveratrol group, 30 mg/kg resveratrol was injected by an intraperitoneal route, 30 min before detorsion. In the detorsion and resveratrol groups, the bilateral testes were removed after 20 hours of detorsion. In all groups, the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and histological changes were determined. In rats treated with resveratrol, MDA levels (138 +/- 25 nmol/mg protein) were significantly decreased compared with torsion (426 +/- 178 nmol/mg protein) and detorsion (370 +/- 76 nmol/mg protein) groups (p < 0.05). GSH levels (6.54 +/- 0.8 micromol/g wet tissue) were significantly increased compared with torsion (4.61 +/- 0.4 micromol/g wet tissue) and detorsion groups (5.24 +/- 0.9 micromol/g wet tissue) (p < 0.05). The mean testicular tissue injury score in the resveratrol group was significantly lower than in torsion and detorsion groups (p < 0.05). The present study demonstrates that intraperitoneal administration of resveratrol in rats may protect testis against injury associated with reperfusion.

The effect of sustained and local administration of epidermal growth factor on improving bilateral testicular tissue after torsion.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) modulates Leydig cell proliferation, steroidogenesis, spermiogenesis, and Sertoli cell activity. It plays an important role in repairing ischemia-reperfusion injury in different tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sustained and local administration of EGF on improving bilateral testicular tissue after torsion. A total of 57 Wistar albino rats were used. For the EGF transport system, 1x2 cm gelatin films containing 2 microg EGF were used. Torsion was created by rotating the right testis 720 degrees in a clockwise direction for 4 h in all groups except the control group. Then, in the torsion group, bilateral orchiectomy was performed. After returning the torsioned ipsilateral testes to their normal state, the bilateral testes were wrapped by 1x2 cm unloaded gelatin films in the gelatin (G7 and G21) groups and, by 2 microg EGF loaded gelatin films in the EGF 7 and EGF 21 groups. The testes were removed on the seventh and 21st days, respectively, for biochemical and histological examination. Histologically, Johnsen's spermatogenesis criteria and mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD) measurements were used. The EGF7 group did not show significant loss of Sertoli cells, while in the G7 group the number of these cells decreased. The ipsilateral ischemic testis of the EGF21 group showed Leydig cell hyperplasia, and the contralateral non-ischemic testes in this group were similar to the control group. In the G21 group, the bilateral testes showed Sertoli cell only syndrome in some sections, and most of the cells were undergoing apoptosis. The mean spermatogenesis scores and MSTD in the EGF7 and EGF21 groups were higher than in the G7 and G21 groups ( P<0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the EGF groups than in the G groups ( P<0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in the G21 group were significantly higher than in the EGF21 group. Our study shows that local and sustained EGF release after testicular torsion improves bilateral testicular injury. EGF administration may be a new treatment choice for bilaterally injured testis after detorsion without removing the twisted testis.

The effects of acetylsalicylic acid, interferon-alpha, and vitamin E on prevention of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Cholestasis is one of the major complications of parenteral nutrition. The purpose of this experimental study was to detect the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), vitamin E (Vit E), and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) on prevention of parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis. METHODS: Ten experimental groups, each consisting of 10 4-week-old Wistar albino rats, were formed: control 10- and 20-day groups (C10 and C20), parenteral nutrition-only 10- and 20-day groups (T10 and T20), ASA-supplemented parenteral nutrition 10- and 20-day groups (TA10 and TA20), Vit E-supplemented parenteral nutrition 10- and 20-day groups (TE10 and TE20), and IFN-alpha-supplemented 10- and 20-day groups (TF10 and TF20). Acetylsalicylic acid, Vit E, and IFN-alpha were administered in the parenteral nutrition solution through an intraperitoneal route. At the end of the study, serum total bile acids, serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, and alkaline phosphatase were measured biochemically. In addition, the histopathologic findings of cholestasis were evaluated by using a morphologic portal inflammation index. RESULTS: Although the difference in the serum levels of transferases and alkaline phosphatase was not significant among all groups (p > 0.05), it was significant in total bile acid levels (p < 0.05). There was also a significant correlation between the histopathologic changes of the liver and serum total bile acid concentrations (p < 0.05). Portal inflammation in varying degrees was seen in all experimental groups, but not in the control groups. Serum total bile acid concentrations in parenteral nutrition groups receiving ASA were significantly lower than those in the parenteral nutrition-only group (p < 0.01). Although Vit E-supplemented parenteral nutrition was effective in preventing the development of cholestasis in the 10-day group (p < 0.05), it was not effective in the 20-day group when compared with incidence of cholestasis in the parenteral nutrition-only group (p > 0.05). Conversely, IFN-alpha-supplemented parenteral nutrition had no effect on cholestasis in the 10-day group (p > 0.05) but lowered cholestasis in the 20-day group when compared with incidence the parenteral nutrition-only group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that acetylsalicylic acid may be beneficial in preventing, and (alpha-interferon in treating, parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis.

Intraoperative laparoscopy by a flexible scope: is it reliable in contralateral childhood hernias?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Negative contralateral groin exploration for childhood hernias raises the question of whether contralateral groin exploration is necessary or not. To find out whether a contralateral processus vaginalis was patent, we performed laparoscopy with a flexible scope. METHODS: After carbon dioxide insufflation, a flexible laparoscope was inserted through the opened hernia sac and the contralateral processus vaginalis orifice was examined. We considered a patent processus vaginalis as a potential hernia. The study involved 20 children: 16 boys and 4 girls. The symptomatic side was explored in a conventional manner and laparoscopy was performed through the opened hernia sac. RESULTS: A contralateral processus vaginalis was found in 6 children: 4 boys and 2 girls. These results were confirmed by exploring the opposite groin. We did not explore if the laparoscopic examination was within normal limits. There was one false-positive result in a female patient. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative non-puncture laparoscopy utilizing a flexible laparoscope through the hernia opening is an uncomplicated, reliable and precise method for identifying a patent contralateral processus vaginalis. It may represent a satisfactory alternative to routine bilateral inguinal exploration. Also, use of the flexible laparoscope may be more beneficial than use of a rigid laparoscope passed through the umbilicus or hernia sac.