The ameliorative effects of quercetin and curcumin against subacute nephrotoxicity of fipronil induced in Wistar rats.

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide that is widely used in agricultural, veterinary, and public health fields for controlling a wide variety of insect species and it is an environmentally potent toxic substance. Curcumin and quercetin, which are well-known natural antioxidants, are widely used to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals on biological systems. The present study aimed to determine the potential ameliorative effects of quercetin and/or curcumin on fipronil-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Curcumin (100 mg/kg of body weight), quercetin (50 mg/kg of body weight), and fipronil (3.88 mg/kg of body weight) were administered to male rats by intragastric gavage for 28 consecutive days. In the present study, body weight, kidney weight, the renal function markers (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid levels) in the blood, antioxidant enzyme activities, and malondialdehyde level as markers of oxidative stress, and histological changes of the renal tissue were evaluated. The levels of serum blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid were significantly increased in fipronil-treated animals. Additionally, while superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were decreased in the kidney tissue of rats treated with fipronil, malondialdehyde level was significantly increased. Histopathological analyses showed that the glomerular and tubular injury occurred in the renal tissue of fipronil-treated animals. Also, the supplementation of quercetin and/or curcumin with fipronil significantly improved fipronil-induced alterations in renal function markers, antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde levels, and histological features of renal tissue.

The effects of natural mating and artificial insemination on reproductive traits of 1-and 2-year-old domestic Turkish geese.

The aim of this study was to assess the sperm quality traits of 1- and 2-year-old ganders and the reproduction traits of 2-year-old domestic Turkish geese in natural mating (NM) and artificial insemination (AI) conditions. The study comprised 72 two-year-old females, 12 one-year-old, and 12 two-year-old ganders. Thirty-six female geese were mated naturally (18 with 1-year-old ganders, 18 with 2-year-old ganders); the remaining thirty-six were inseminated artificially (18 with 1-year-old ganders, 18 with 2-year-old ganders). Twenty-four ganders were separated into groups (12 for NM; 12 for AI). The male:female ratio was 1:3 for NM and AI groups. Egg production, broodiness, fertility and hatching traits were determined in female geese, sperm quality traits such as semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm quality factor (eSQF: ejaculated semen SQF; dSQF: diluted semen SQF), sperm motility, and sperm morphological traits in ganders. The insemination method and gander's age did not affect egg production, AI geese showed significantly more broodiness than NM groups as the breeding months progresses (p < 0.05). Fertility was higher in the groups containing 2-year-old ganders than in those 1-year-old ganders, and NM groups compared to AI (p < 0.05). The insemination method significantly affected semen volume, sperm concentration, eSQF, sperm motility, total live sperm, normal sperm, macro-cephalic sperm, and dead sperm percentages in ganders (p < 0.05).Managing females in the NM system with ganders was able to partially suppress the broodiness behavior, possibly due to synchronization of pair-bond behaviors. Greater fertility was achieved with 2-years-old AI ganders, which had lower dSQF compared to 1-year-old NM ganders. This is a good indication that only SQF is not sufficient to achieve sustainable-desired fertility, and sexual experience is also an important factor.

Lead nitrate and cadmium chloride induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity: Protective effects of sesamol on biochemical indices and pathological changes.

Lead nitrate (LN) and cadmium chloride (CdCl2 ), regarded as environmental contaminants, are toxic heavy metals. Sesamol is a dietary phytochemical found in sesame oil. We aimed to analyze the hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of LN and CdCl2 and to evaluate the possible protective effect of sesamol. LN (90 mg/kg bw per day), CdCl2 (3 mg/kg bw per day), and sesamol (50 mg/kg bw per day) were given to rats via gavage for 28 days. Total protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, total cholesterol, urea, uric acid, creatinine, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, malondialdehyde, acetylcholinesterase, and histopathological changes were investigated in liver and kidney tissues. Lead and cadmium were found to result in decreases in the antioxidant enzymes and acetylcholinesterase activities, increases in malondialdehyde levels, and changes in serum biochemical parameters and various pathological findings. An improvement in all these parameters was observed in the sesamol-treated groups. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Heavy metals are used in many areas of the industry all over the world. Heavy metals which include lead nitrate and cadmium chloride cause cell damage by oxidative stress. Some of the examining parameters for oxidative stress are SOD, GST, MDA, GPx, and CAT. However, some chemicals such as sesamol are well-liked and widely used as antioxidants against xenobiotic toxicity. We also indicate that sesamol has been shown to protective effect against heavy metals caused cell damage.

Juglans Sporopollenin for High-Performance Supercapacitor Electrode Design.

Recently, plant pollen has been used as a source of activated carbon to produce carbon-containing supercapacitor electrodes. However, in this study, pollen was used as a biotemplate with a completely different approach. As a biotemplate, pollen offers a wide range of varieties in terms of exterior, porosity, shape, and size. An electrode formed by the use of metal oxide grown on the pollen exine layer (sporopollenin microcapsules) as the active substance will inevitably exhibit good electrochemical capacitive properties. Juglans male flowers have been distinguished by dissection from anthers. Isolation of pollen grains from anthers was carried out using sieving from suitable sieves (45-200 µm). Juglans sporopollenin exine microcapsules (SECs) were separated from the intine and protoplasm by acetolysis in combination with reflux. The solution containing SECs, metal ions, and Ni foam was put into a Teflon-lined hydrothermal container, and then, it was reacted at 120 °C for 15 h. The resulting precipitate, as well as the Ni foam, was heat-treated at 300 and 360 °C for 3 h in air. The raw pollen, chemically treated pollen, and cobalt-coated SEC (CoSEC) and CoSEC/Ni foam were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Two different types of supercapacitor electrode designs, with the use of exine microcapsules of Juglans sporopollenin, were performed for the first time. The maximum specific capacitance was up to 1691 F g-1 at 5 A g-1.

Relationship between appendicitis and diameter of ileocecal lipomatosis and also ileocecal angle.

PURPOSE: One of the most widespread surgical conditions is acute appendicitis in industrialized countries. Nevertheless, diagnosis of borderline cases is mostly troublesome and needs subsequent researches. For this reason, we aimed to investigate new parameters to improve estimation of acute appendicitis. Lymphoid hyperplasia, impacted stool, faecolith, caecal or appendiceal tumors have been accepted as causes of appendicitis formation, but anatomic variations of diameter of ileocecal lipomatosis and ileocecal angle have been never discussed before. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between appendicitis and diameter of ileocecal lipomatosis and ileocecal angle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 96 Patients (51 women, 45 men) who were found to have acute appendicitis during exploration and 67 patients (32 women, 35 men) who were not pre-diagnosed with acute appendicitis were enrolled in the study. The diameter of ileocecal lipomatosis and also ileocecal angle values were obtained via computed tomography (CT) scans. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between two groups in the mean of ileocecal angle (p > 0.05) but diameter of ileocecal lipomatosis values was significantly higher in the appendicitis-positive group compared with the appendicitis-negative group (p: 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between increase in diameter of ileocecal lipomatosis and appendicitis formation.

Furan-induced cardiotoxicity in diabetic rats and protective role of lycopene.

The objective of this current study is to search the impacts of furan and lycopene on a diabetic rat's heart. Diabetes increases prevalence with a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Furan, a carcinogen, was detected in foods that had undergone thermal treatment. Two groups were formed, such as: the control and diabetic groups. Diabetic groups fall into four allocated groups: control, lycopene, furan, and furan + lycopene. The changes in malondialdehide levels, antioxidant enzymes' activities, and histopathology of the heart were pointed out. We observed that the changes in both the MDA level and the antioxidant enzymes' activities were due to diabetes. Furan-induced increment in MDA levels, but GST, CAT, SOD, and GPx activities showed a decrease. Lycopene influenced these changes positively. In terms of the pathological studies, changes were also observed in diabetic rats. The histological damage in the diabetic furan groups was found to be very serious. Lycopene was protective against furan that caused histopathological changes. Diabetes and furan resulted into heart damages in rats and lycopene showed preventive effects. But this was not a complete protection. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Furan by product of chlorinated chemical compounds production and chemical processes including combustion, are virtually ubiquitous in the environment. Because of this, furan occur potential risk for human health. Furan is known to exist at higher levels in fatty foods, such as full-fat milk and dairy products, meat and eggs. They can accumulate in the fatty tissues of animals and humans. Diabetes increase in the prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Diabetes with furan-induced cardiotoxicity. Foods should not be heated over and over again, especially diabetic heart patients should stay away from this situation.

Histopathological and biochemical studies on the effect of curcumin and taurine against bisphenol A toxicity in male rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in environmental xenoestrogen. In the present study, olive oil, curcumin, taurine, BPA, curcumin plus BPA, and taurine plus BPA were exposed to rats for 4 weeks via gavage. Content of malondialdehyde and activities of antioxidant enzymes (GPx, GST, SOD, CAT) and also histopathological and cytopathological changes of heart were studied. No significant changes in all studied parameters were seen between control, olive oil, curcumin, and taurine-treated groups. However, there were significant differences in levels of malondialdehyde and activities of antioxidant enzymes in BPA-exposed rats and some histo/cytopathological changes determined. In curcumin plus BPA-exposed and taurine plus BPA-exposed groups, we measured the preventive effects on some parameters but not exactly. As a result, curcumin and taurine significantly minimized BPA-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

Changes in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios in postcardiac arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management.

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic value of changes in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) in cardiac arrest survivors receiving targeted temperature management (TTM) is unknown. The current study investigated NLR in postcardiac arrest (PCA) patients undergoing TTM. METHODS: This retrospective single-center study included 95 patients (59 males, age: 55.0±17.0 years) with in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrests who underwent TTM for PCA syndrome within 6 h of cardiac arrest. Hypothermia was maintained for 24 h at a target temperature of 33°C. NLR was calculated as the absolute neutrophil count divided by the absolute lymphocyte count. RESULTS: Of the 95 patients, 59 (62%) died during hospital stay. Fewer vasopressors were used in patients who survived. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was more frequent in decedents (p=0.005). Length of stay in the hospital and intensive care unit were significantly longer in patients who survived (p=0.0001 and p=0.001, respectively). NLR on admission and during rewarming did not differ between survivors and decedents. NLR during cooling was significantly higher in decedents (p=0.014). Delta NLR cut-off of 13.5 best separated survivors and decedents (AUC=0.68, 95% CI: 0.57-0.79, p=0.003 with a sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 67%, respectively). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, larger increase in NLR was significantly associated with decreased survival (OR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94-0.99, p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Changes in NLR are an independent determinant of survival in patients with return of spontaneous circulation PCA treated with TTM. An NLR change can be used to predict survival in these patients.

Bendiocarb induced histopathological and biochemical alterations in rat liver and preventive role of vitamins C and E.

In this study, biochemical changes and histological structure of rat liver after bendiocarb administration and possible preventive effects of vitamins C and E were studied. The animals were given with bendiocarb, vitamin C and vitamin E, daily 0,8mg/kg of body weight (bw), 100mg/kg-bw and 100mg/kg-bw for 28days, respectively. Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities, histological alterations and antioxidant capacity assays of liver and also liver function tests and lipid profile were measured. Bendiocarb treatment decreased the antioxidant enzyme activities, FRAP and TEAC values and increased malondialdehyde levels compared to control. Also, there were statistically significant alterations in liver function tests, lipid profile parameters and histopathological changes in bendiocarb treated groups. Vitamins C and E showed protective effects against examining parameters. According to results we can say that co-treatment of vitamin C and vitamin E may be more effective than use of them alone.

Furan toxicity on testes and protective role of lycopene in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: Furan (C4H4O) is a heat-induced food contaminant that is utilized as an industrial chemical agent. Lycopene is a natural substance that is produced by plants and tomatoes. We aimed to evaluate the toxicity of furan on testes and the protective effect of lycopene in diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups: Group 1 (control group) received 1 mL/kg corn oil. Group 2 (diabetic control group) received 55 mg/kg STZ and 1 mL/kg corn oil. Group 3 (diabetic lycopene group) received 55 mg/kg STZ and 4 mg/kg lycopene. Group 4 (diabetic furan group) received 55 mg/kg STZ and 40 mg/kg furan. Group 5 (diabetic furan + lycopene group) received 55 mg/kg STZ, 40 mg/kg furan, and 4 mg/kg lycopene. After 28 days, the testes were extirpated in all groups. In the testicular tissue samples, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reducted glutathione (GST) were studied. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels were measured. Histopathologic examination was performed by light microscope. RESULTS: The MDA level and the activities of CAT, GPx, SOD, and GST were found to be higher in the furan group than in the control and diabetic control groups (p<0.05). The MDA level and the activities of CAT, GPx, SOD, and GST were significantly lower in the furan + lycopene group than in the furan group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The low blood testosterone level in the rats who received furan suggested the presence of endocrinological defects and cellular degenerative changes. Lycopene may be effective to reverse furan toxicity in diabetic rat testes.

Furan-induced hepatotoxic and hematologic changes in diabetic rats: the protective role of lycopene.

Furan forms as a result of thermal treatment of food and induces harmful effects on organisms. In our work, lycopene, furan, and a combination of the two were given to diabetic male rats for 28 days. Hematological changes, total protein and cholesterol, triglyceride, and albumin levels, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities of the serum, malondialdehyde levels, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase activities, DNA damage in liver tissues and hepatic histopathological alterations were compared to a control group. There were significant changes in the liver function tests, DNA damage, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde levels between diabetic control and non-diabetic control groups, between diabetic control and diabetic lycopene groups, and also between diabetic furan and diabetic control groups. In diabetic lycopene and diabetic furan + lycopene treated groups we designated the preventive effects of lycopene against diabetes and furan, however, on the analysed parameters only. In spite of some pathological alterations designated in diabetic furan treated group's liver, fewer pathological alterations were observed in furan+lycopene treated groups at the end of week 4. Consequently, lycopene significantly reduced furan- and diabetes-induced toxicity in rat liver.

Protective Effects of Lycopene on Furan-treated Diabetic and Non-diabetic Rat Lung.

We assessed the effects of furan and lycopene on the histopathological and biochemical changes on lungs, body and lung weights, and food consumption of rats. Furan and diabetes caused histopathological changes, increment in malondialdehyde levels, and decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities. Lycopene showed a protective effect against these damages, except for glutathione-S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Consequently, furan and diabetes resulted in lung toxicity. Our findings demonstrate that furan treatment resulted in more alterations in histology and biochemical parameters in diabetic rats and lycopene showed protective effects against these alterations.

Subacute effects of low dose lead nitrate and mercury chloride exposure on kidney of rats.

Lead nitrate and mercury chloride are the most common heavy metal pollutants. In the present study, the effects of lead and mercury induced nephrotoxicity were studied in Wistar rats. Lead nitrate (LN, 45 mg/kg b.w/day) and mercury chloride (MC, 0.02 mg/kg b.w/day) and their combination were administered orally for 28 days. Four groups of rats were used in the study: control, LN, MC and LN plus MC groups. Serum biochemical parameters, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes in kidney tissues were investigated in all treatment groups. LN and MC caused severe histopathological changes. It was shown that LN, MC and also co-treatment with LN and MC exposure induced significant increase in serum urea, uric acid and creatinine levels. There were also statistically significant changes in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx and GST) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) in all groups except control group. In this study, we showed that MC caused more harmful effects than LN in rats.

Mercuric chloride induced hepatotoxic and hematologic changes in rats: The protective effects of sodium selenite and vitamin E.

This study focuses on investigating the possible protective effect of sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) and/or vitamin E against mercuric chloride (HgCl2)-induced hepatotoxicity in rat. Male rats were given HgCl2 (1 mg/kg body weight (bw)) and HgCl2 plus Na2SeO3 (0.25 mg/kg bw) and/or vitamin E (100 mg/kg bw) daily via gavage for 4 weeks. HgCl2-treated groups had significantly higher white blood cell and thrombocyte counts than the control group. Serum activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl-transferase, and lactate dehydrogenase significantly increased and serum levels of total protein, albumin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol significantly decreased in the HgCl2-treated groups compared with control group. Malondialdehyde level significantly increased and superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities decreased in liver tissue of HgCl2-treated rats. Also, HgCl2 exposure resulted in histopathological changes. Supplementation of Na2SeO3 and/or vitamin E provided partial protection in hematological and biochemical parameters that were altered by HgCl2 As a result, Na2SeO3 and/or vitamin E significantly reduced HgCl2-induced hepatotoxicity, but not protected completely.

Nephrotoxic effects of lead nitrate exposure in diabetic and nondiabetic rats: Involvement of oxidative stress and the protective role of sodium selenite.

Heavy metals are known to be toxic to organisms. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of sodium selenite against lead nitrate (LN)-induced nephrotoxicity in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. Animals were divided into eight groups where the first was served as a control, whereas the remaining groups were treated with sodium selenite (1 mg/kg b.w.), LN (22.5 mg/kg b.w.) and a combination of LN and sodium selenite and diabetic forms of these groups. Changes in antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehide levels, serum urea, uric acid, creatinine levels, body, and kidney weights and histopathological changes were determined after 28 days. LN caused severe histopathological changes, increment in urea, uric acid, creatinine, and MDA levels, also decreasing in antioxidant enzyme activities, body, and kidney weights. In sodium selenite + LN group, we observed the protective effect of sodium selenite on examining parameters. Also diabetes caused alterations on these parameters compared with nondiabetic animals. We found that sodium selenite did not show protective effect on diabetes caused damages. As a result, LN caused nephrotoxicity and sodium selenite alleviated this toxicity but sodium selenite did not protect kidneys against diabetes mediated toxicity. Also, LN caused more harmfull effects in diabetic groups compared with nondiabetic groups. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1229-1240, 2016.

Effect of circadian variability in frequency of premature ventricular complexes on left ventricular function.

BACKGROUND: Frequent idiopathic premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) can result in a reversible form of cardiomyopathy. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of variability in PVC frequency throughout the day on PVC-induced cardiomyopathy. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 107 consecutive patients (58 men [54%]; mean age 49.7 ± 15.0 years; left ventricular ejection fraction 50.4% ± 11.4%) referred for ablation of frequent PVCs. All patients underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring before the ablation procedure. The circadian variation in PVC burden was determined and correlated with the presence or absence of cardiomyopathy. RESULTS: A total of 43 patients (40%) had cardiomyopathy. Patients with cardiomyopathy had an ejection fraction of 38.4% ± 6.9%, a higher PVC burden (28.5% ± 11.5% vs 19.5% ± 10.5%; P = .0001), less variability in circadian PVC distribution (coefficient of variation hourly: 31.5% ± 21% vs 59.8% ± 32.4%; P = .0001), and more frequent interpolated PVCs (20 patients [47%] vs 15 patients [23%]; P = 0.022), and were more frequently asymptomatic than patients without cardiomyopathy (56% vs 19%; P = .0001). In multivariate analysis, consistency in PVC burden throughout the day was an independent predictor of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy (odds ratio 16.3; 95% confidence interval 1.7-155.3; p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: In patients with frequent PVCs, consistency in hourly PVC frequency throughout the day is an independent predictor of PVC-induced cardiomyopathy.

Antioxidant Status, Lipid Peroxidation and Testis-histoarchitecture Induced by Lead Nitrate and Mercury Chloride in Male Rats

ABSTRACT This study was done to evaluate the effects of lead nitrate and mercury chloride in testis tissues of Wistar rats. Lead nitrate and mercury chloride are widely used heavy metals in industry. Oral lead and mercury administrations to adult male rats at doses 45 mg/kg bw and 0.02 mg/kg bw, respectively for 4 weeks caused a significant increasing in MDA levels and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, GPx and GST). The MDA levels and acivities of antioxidant enzymes was lower in rats that were administrated by lead nitrate than mercury chloride treated group. Light microscopic analyses revealed that lead nitrate and mercury chloride induced numerous histopathological changes in testis tissues of rats. Histopathological observations of the testis tissues showed that mercury chloride caused more harmful effects than lead nitrate, too. The results indicate that lead nitrate and mercury chloride have reproductive toxicity, in male rats at the tested doses. The effect which we observed applying the lead nitrate and mercury chloride together, was more greater than when we used them alone.

Lycopene Protects the Diabetic Rat Kidney Against Oxidative Stress-mediated Oxidative Damage Induced by Furan

Furan is a food and environmental contaminant and a potent carcinogen in animals. Lycopene is one dietary carotenoid found in fruits such as tomato, watermelon and grapefruit. The present study was designed to explore the protective effect of lycopene against furan-induced oxidative damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat kidney. At the end of the experimental period (28 days), we found that lycopene markedly decreased the malondialdehide (MDA) levels in the kidney, urea, uric acid and creatinine levels in the serum of furan-treated rats. The increase of histopathology in the kidney of furan-treated rats were effectively suppressed by lycopene. Furthermore, lycopene markedly restored superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities in the kidney of furan-treated rats. In conclusion, these results suggested that lycopene could protect the rat kidney against furan-induced injury by improving renal function, attenuating histopathologic changes, reducing MDA production and renewing the activities of antioxidant enzymes.

Protective effects of sodium selenite on lead nitrate-induced hepatotoxicity in diabetic and non-diabetic rats.

In the present study, the effect of sodium selenite on lead induced toxicity was studied in Wistar rats. Sodium selenite and lead nitrate were administered orally for 28 days to streptozotocin induced diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Eight groups of rats were used in the study: control, sodium selenite, lead nitrate, lead nitrate+sodium selenite, streptozotocin-induced diabetic-control, diabetic-sodium selenite, diabetic-lead nitrate, diabetic-lead nitrate+sodium selenite groups. Serum biochemical parameters, lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes in liver tissues were investigated in all groups. There were statistically significant changes in liver function tests, antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation levels in lead nitrate and sodium selenite+lead nitrate treated groups, also in diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Furthermore, histopathological alterations were demonstrated in same groups. In the present study we found that sodium selenite treatment did not show completely protective effect on diabetes mellitus caused damages, but diabetic rats are more susceptible to lead toxicity than non-diabetic rats.

Occult obstructive sleep apnea and clinical outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) after successful cardioversion can be predicted by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosed by polysomnography. However, it is not known whether the validated STOP-BANG questionnaire can predict AF recurrence after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Our objective is to determine the prevalence of unrecognized OSA in patients with AF and its relation to freedom from AF after RFA. METHODS: Validated surveys were administered to 247 consecutive AF patients following radiofrequency ablation from January to October 2011. OSA status was assessed at baseline RFA. Clinical follow up occurred at 3-6 month intervals. RESULTS: OSA had been previously diagnosed in 94/247 (38%). Among 153 patients without prior diagnosis of OSA, 121 (79%) had high risk STOP-BANG scores for OSA. Probability of maintaining sinus rhythm after RFA was similar among patients with known OSA (66/94, 70%) and high risk OSA scores (95/124, 77%) and higher than among patients with low risk OSA scores (29/32, 91%, P=0.03). Among patients without prior OSA, a high risk STOP-BANG score did predict recurrent AF (OR = 3.7, 95 % CI 1.4-11.4, P = 0.0005). Multivariate analysis showed a higher risk of atrial arrhythmia recurrence for non-paroxysmal AF patients (OR = 3.1, ± 95 % CI 1.4-7.1, P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of AF patients undergoing RFA have high risk OSA scores, suggesting that OSA is vastly underdiagnosed in this population. STOP-BANG independently predicted recurrent AF in patients without a prior diagnosis of OSA.