Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey and Demographic Characteristics of Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, is increasing in prevalence worldwide. Other than small-scale studies, there is a scarcity of data on the prevalence of MS in Turkey. The present study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of MS in the Middle Black Sea Region and the demographic characteristics of patients. METHODS: Patients living in the Middle Black Sea Region and who were diagnosed with MS were included. The study was designed based hospital of Turkey. RESULTS: A total of 1,787 patients were interviewed, and a diagnosis of MS was confirmed in 1,584. The prevalence of MS was found to be 43.2/100,000 in the Middle Black Sea Region; this was calculated based on the total population and number of patients in the provinces and districts in this region. The mean age at the disease onset was 29.39±7.6 years. Among the patients, 1,299 (81.9%) had relapsing-remitting MS, 74 had secondary progressive MS, 77 had relapsing-progressive MS, 47 had primary progressive MS, and 87 had clinically isolated syndrome. CONCLUSION: The Middle Black Sea Region was found to have a high risk for the prevalence of MS. This study is the most comprehensive epidemiologic study having the largest geographical distribution on the prevalence of MS in Turkey.

Effects of oleuropein on serum inflammatory cytokines and histopathological changes in rats with pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVES: Acute pancreatitis is a severe debilitating disease with high morbidity and mortality. The severity of the disease is largely due to the actions of various inflammatory mediators. No specific therapy is indicated for AP and its treatment remains largely supportive. This study investigated the effect of oleuropein on serum inflammatory cytokines and distant organ injury in rats with acute pancreatitis induced by bile-pancreatic duct obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups of 10 rats each: group I: sham, group II: pancreatitis and group III: pancreatitis+oleuropein. Rats in Group III received oleuropein 20 mg/kg intragastrically during 10 days before surgery. The rats were sacrificed at 24 h after surgery and venous blood, pancreatic and lung tissue samples were obtained for analysis. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between groups regarding serum amylase, LDH, lipase, pancreatic amylase, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α values with a Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between Group II and III regarding pairwise comparison of amylase, LDH, lipase, pancreatic amylase, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α value by using pairwise comparisons with a Mann-Whitney U test (p>0.01). A statistically significant difference between groups was found regarding edema, inflammation, hemorrhage and acinar cell necrosis in histopathological examination of the pancreas (p<0.05). No difference was found between group II and III (p>0.01). A difference was found between the groups in terms of lung tissue edema (p<0.05) but no difference was found regarding hemorrhage and inflammation (p>0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between group II and III with pairwise comparison (p>0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The experimental model used in this study showed to be appropriate for creation of acute pancreatitis. It was concluded that oleuropein as a prophylactic treatment has no protective effect on serum proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines as well as pancreatic tissue.

Effect of Beta-glucan on intestinal anastomoses in a rat model.

OBJECTIVES: The authors aimed to investigate the effect of ß-Glucan on healing of an experimental left-sided colon anastomosis model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty adult male Wistar albino rats were randomized into two groups which had colonic transection and end-to-end anastomosis. Group I (Control): anastomosis group, received no treatment (n = 10); group II, anastomosis + ß-Glucan (50 mg/kg/day within seven days after surgical procedure). Bursting pressure, hydroxyproline levels and histopathological characteristics of the anastomosis were analyzed. RESULTS: The average burst pressure of Groups I and II were 106.67 ± 5.00 and 148.00 ± 11.35 mmHg and hydroxyproline levels were 0.85 ± 0.14 and 1.45 ± 0.46 µg/mg, respectively. Both the burst pressure and hydroxyproline levels in group II were statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed less epithelial damage in group II (p < 0.05). Though not statistically significant, less edema and damage to the submucosal-muscular layer was seen in Group II (p = 0079). CONCLUSIONS: Due to significant increases in anastomotic bursting pressures and tissue hydroxyproline levels and considering the inhibitory effect of ß-Glucan on epithelial damage, edema, and submucosal-muscular layer damage, ß-Glucan was thought to contribute to the healing of the anastomosis.