Protective effects of thymoquinone against apoptosis and oxidative stress by arsenic in rat kidney.

We aimed to investigate the protective role of thymoquinone (TQ) by targeting its antiapoptotic and antioxidant properties against kidney damage induced by arsenic in rats. We have used the 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were divided into three groups. Physiological serum in 10 mL/kg dose as intragastric was given to the control group. Sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg, intragastric by gavage for fifteen days) was given to the arsenic group. Sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg, intragastric by gavage for fifteen days) and TQ (10 mg/kg, intragastric by gavage for 15 days) was given to the arsenic + TQ group. After 15 days, the animals' kidneys were taken theirs, then we have performed histological and apoptotic assessment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have examined as the oxidative stress parameters. We have determined the levels of arsenic. Increased renal injury and apoptotic cells have been detected in the arsenic group. Degenerative changes in the arsenic + TQ group were diminished. Although the MDA levels were augmented in the arsenic group, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px enzyme activities were lessened than the other groups. Our findings suggest that TQ may impede the oxidative stress, the cells have been damaged and also the generation of apoptotic cells arisen from arsenic. TQ plays a protective role against arsenic-induced toxicity in kidney and may potentially be used as a remedial agent.

Neuroprotective effect of ebselen against intracerebroventricular streptozotocin-induced neuronal apoptosis and oxidative stress in rats.

The goal of this study was to examine the neuroprotective effect of ebselen against intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV-STZ)-induced oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in rat brain. A total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each: control, ICV-STZ, and ICV-STZ treated with ebselen. The ICV-STZ group rats were injected bilaterally with ICV-STZ (3 mg/kg) on days 1 and 3, and ebselen (10 mg/kg/day) was administered for 14 days starting from 1st day of ICV-STZ injection to day 14. Rats were killed at the end of the study and brain tissues were removed for biochemical and histopathological investigation. Our results demonstrated, for the first time, the neuroprotective effect of ebselen on Alzheimer's disease (AD) model in rats. Our present study, in ICV-STZ group, showed significant increase in tissue malondialdehyde levels and significant decrease in enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the frontal cortex tissue. The histopathological studies in the brain of rats also supported that ebselen markedly reduced the ICV-STZ-induced histopathological changes and well preserved the normal histological architecture of the frontal cortex tissue. The number of apoptotic neurons was increased in frontal cortex tissue after ICV-STZ administration. Treatment of ebselen markedly reduced the number of degenerating apoptotic neurons. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of ebselen, as a powerful antioxidant, in preventing the oxidative damage and morphological changes caused by ICV-STZ in rats. Thus, ebselen may have a therapeutic value for the treatment of AD.

Protective effects of melatonin against arsenic-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in rat testes.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of melatonin against arsenic-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in rat testes. A total of 27 male rats were divided into 3 groups: control (saline: 5 ml kg(-1) day(-1), intragastrically), arsenic (sodium arsenite (NaAsO2): 5 mg kg(-1) day(-1), intragastrically), and arsenic + melatonin (sodium arsenite (NaAsO2): 5 mg kg(-1) day(-1), intragastrically and melatonin: 25 mg kg(-1) day(-1), intraperitoneally) group. At the end of 30 days, the rats were killed under anesthesia. Histopathological examination showed that testicular injury mediated by arsenic was ameliorated by the administration of melatonin. The number of apoptotic germ cell was increased, and the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive germ cell was decreased in testis after arsenic administration. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling, and there was a rise in the expression of PCNA in testis of arsenic + melatonin group. The decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as increased malondialdehyde levels in testis due to arsenic administration were also counteracted by melatonin. These data suggested that melatonin has beneficial effects against arsenic-induced testicular damage by decreasing morphological damage, germ cell apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress. Our results suggest that melatonin plays a protective role against arsenic-induced testicular apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Morphometry, asymmetry and variations of cerebral sulci on superolateral surface of cerebrum in autopsy cases.

BACKGROUND: The cerebral sulci are known as main microanatomical borders that serve as a gateway and surgical passage to reach the ventricles or to the deeper lesions. It is a matter of curiosity that whether there is a convergence between the morphological asymmetry and the functional asymmetry, and also its significance in surgery. The aim of this study is make morphometric measurements and evaluate asymmetry of several sulci on the lateral aspects of the cerebrum in regard to main sulci and related reference key points. METHODS: A total of 100 cerebral hemispheres from 50 autopsy cadavers were examined. The lengths of several sulci on the superolateral aspect of the hemispheres and the distances between the sulci and nearby sulci and the reference key points were measured. Encountered variations were examined and photographed. RESULTS: Evaluation of the variations: superior frontal sulcus (SFS), inferior frontal sulcus, superior temporal sulcus (STS), precentral sulcus and postcentral sulcus were found to be discontinuous in 60, 46, 41, 84 and 70 % of the hemispheres, respectively. Evaluation of the asymmetry: the distances between SFS posterior end and longitudinal fissure, STS posterior end and lateral sulcus posterior end, as well as lengths of external occipital fissure (EOF), and discontinuous course of STS were significantly different between left and right hemispheres. CONCLUSIONS: There is usually a morphological partial asymmetry between the right and left hemispheres for any individual. Also, some of our measurements were found to be compatible with the ones in the literature, while others were incompatible.

The effects of topical treatment with curcumin on burn wound healing in rats.

The present study was designed to determine the role of topical treatment with curcumin (Cur) on burn wound healing in rats. The Wistar-albino rats were randomly allotted into one of three experimental groups: 4th, 8th and 12th day (post burn) and all groups include subgroups which Burn and Burn + Cur. Each group contains 12 animals. Burn wounds were made on the back of rat and Cur was administered topically. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed and the wound tissues removed for analyse to biochemical and histopathological changes. There was a significant increase in the hydroxyproline levels in the skin of the Cur groups. Cur treated wounds were found to heal much faster as indicated by improved rates of inflammatory cells, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation and epithelialization which were also confirmed by histopathological and biochemical examinations. Our data also indicate that there is a rise in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in skin tissues of Cur-treated rats in the Burn group. The results clearly substantiate the beneficial effects of the topical application of Cur in the acceleration of wound healing.

The effects of onion (Allium cepa) extract on doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in aortic endothelial cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of onion (Allium cepa) extracts (ACE) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced apoptosis in aortic endothelial cells. The rats in the ACE-pretreated group were given a daily dose of 1 ml ACE for 14 days. To induce aortic endothelial cell apoptosis, DOX (30 mg kg(-1) body weight) was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose and the rats were sacrificed after 48 h. To date, no such studies have been performed on antiapoptotic potential of ACE on DOX-induced apoptosis in aortic endothelial cells. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling in aortic endothelial cells of the DOX-treated group with ACE therapy. DOX-treated with ACE groups showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels and increased levels of glutathione in comparison with the DOX-treated group. Data from our study show that prevention of endothelial cell apoptosis by ACE may contribute to the restoration of aortic endothelial dysfunction that is associated with DOX treatment.

Antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of onion (Allium cepa) extract on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of onion (Allium cepa) extracts (ACE) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. The rats in the ACE-pretreated group were given a daily dose of 1 ml ACE for 14 days. To induce cardiotoxicity, DOX (30 mg kg(-1) body weight) was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose and the rats were sacrificed after 48 h. To date, no such studies have been performed on the cardioprotective and anti-apoptotic potential of ACE on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling in cardiomyocytes of the DOX-treated group with ACE therapy. The DOX-treated with ACE groups showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels, and increased activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in comparison with the DOX-treated group. Creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase activities and cardiac troponin I levels were significantly decreased in the DOX + ACE group in comparison with the DOX group. These biochemical and histological disturbances were effectively attenuated on pretreatment with ACE. The present study showed that ACE may be a suitable cardioprotector against toxic effects of DOX.

Anomaly of the Conus Artery Arising from the Right Coronary Artery.

UNLABELLED: Some anomalies of the conus artery are relatively common, such as those arising from the discrete ostium of the right coronary artery. We report a 63 y/o male with an unusual anatomic variation of the conus artery terminating in the pericardium. Coronary anomalies may cause coronary ischemia, infarction and sudden cardiac death; hence, it is significant to identify coronary anomalies. Here, we identify an unusual conus artery anomaly for the first time, with accompanying imaging showing its very rare anatomical features that may be of interest to the larger medical community. KEY WORDS: Anomaly; Coronary angiography; Coronary artery.

Absence of middle hepatic vein combined with retro-aortic left renal vein: a very rare case report.

The hepatic and renal veins drain into the inferior vena cava. The upper group of hepatic veins consists of three veins which extend to the posterior face of the liver to join the inferior cava. The left renal vein passes anterior to the aorta just below the origin of the superior mesenteric artery. We detected a variation in the hepatic and renal veins in a multislice CT angiogram of a nine-year-old male patient in the Radiology Department of Afyon Kocatepe University Medical School. The upper group hepatic veins normally drains into the inferior vena cava as three separate trunks, namely the right, left and middle. In our case, we found that only the right and left hepatic veins existed and the middle hepatic vein was absent. Furthermore, the left renal vein, which normally passes anterior to the abdominal aorta, was retro-aortic. Left renal vein variations are of great importance in planning retroperitoneal surgery and vascular interventions. Knowledge of a patient's hepatic vein and renovascular anatomy and determining their variations and anomalies are of critical importance to abdominal operations, transplantations and preoperative evaluation of endovascular interventions.