Vitamin E protected the mouse adrenal gland against immobilization stress.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of vitamin E on mouse adrenal glands in immobilization stress. Twenty-eight male, 10-week-old, BALB/C mice weighing 30-45 grams were divided into four groups. Mice were placed in a cage where no movement was allowed 6 hours/day for 7 days for immobilization stress. 10 ml/kg vitamin E was administered orogastrically 1 hour before immobilization stress in the vitamin E and stress+vitamin E group. At the end of the 7th day, all the animals were subjected to elevated-plus maze (anxiety) and forced swimming (depression) tests. Left adrenal glands were dissected for routine paraffin tissue embedding protocol. Adrenal sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Azan. Malonaldehyde (MDA) levels were also measured in the adrenal tissues. Anxiety level (0.023), depression level (p=0.042) and MDA values (p=0.01) were significantly increased in the stress group. Histological sections of the stress group showed cortical atrophy, medullary hypertrophy, vascular dilation and hemorrhage. Azan staining revealed a thinned capsule and corticomedullary fibrosis in the stress group. Pathologies induced by immobilization stress were mostly reversed after vitamin E administration. The results suggested that vitamin E alleviates adverse effects of immobilization stress (oxidative, behavioral and histopathologic changes) in mice.

Effects of N-acetyl-cysteine and acetylsalicylic acid on the tonsil bacterial biofilm tissues by light and electron microscopy.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the bacterial biofilm formation on the tonsil surface exposed N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) of patients undergoing tonsillectomy by light and electron microscopy. The general process of biofilm formation comprises adhesion of free-living or planktonic bacteria to a surface, which subsequently develop into microcolonies and form a biofilm. Based on studies that have shown the presence of biofilms in common sites of chronic infections, it has become clear that bacteria may persist on mucosal surfaces through formation of biofilms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients between 4 and 39 years of age (mean, 11.9 ± 11.2 years). In all cases, periodic acide Schiff (PAS) staining was found to be an accurate predictor of the presence or absence of biofilm using light microscopy as a control standard. Therapeutic doses of NAC and ASA were identificated as the effective on the tonsil bacterial biofilm using light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: Biofilm formation was detected on all samples. Tonsils removed from patients with ASA-10 had showed higher-grade inhibitory effect at the biofilm formation than the other group (p ≤ 0.0001). The correlation was found between drug dose and decrease at the biofilm formation. CONCLUSIONS: In chronic or recurrent tonsillitis patients, decrease on the tonsils surface biofilm formation may be associated with ASA dose. Whether effect on the tonsils surface biofilm formation of other agent have a role is not known. Key Words: Acetylsalicylic acid, Chronic tonsillitis, In vitro, Mucosal biofilm, N-Acetyl-cysteine.

Protective effect of ethyl pyruvate on liver injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Diabetes Mellitus, leading to an increase in oxidative stress, can cause liver damage. Our aim was to investigate the antioxidant effects of Ethyl Pyruvate (EP) on the liver tissue in diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were separated into four equal groups. Groups were assigned as follows: (1) Non-diabetic group; (2) EP-treated non-diabetic group; (3) diabetic group; and (4) EP-treated diabetic group. In order to induce diabetes mellitus, 45 mg/kg b.w. streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneally to the rats in groups 3 and 4. On the 3rd day, blood glucose was assessed. Rats with blood glucose levels higher than 300 mg/dl were considered to be diabetic. The EP solution was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. twice daily for 14 days to the rats in groups 2 and 4. The other rats were simultaneously given the same amount of Ringer's lactate solution intraperitoneally. Liver tissue was obtained for malondialdehyde (MDA) analyses and histopathological examination. RESULTS: In group 4, Total Antioxidant Status (TOS) and MDA levels were significantly lower as compared to group 3. Also, morphological abnormalities occurred in group 3 when compared with non-diabetic groups (groups 1 and 2), whereas the disorders resulting from diabetes improved significantly in group 4. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that EP has protective effects against diabetes-induced liver injury.

Effects of mesenchymal stem cells in critical size bone defect.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare culture-expanded, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) loaded to biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bone ceramic in the repair of rat calvarial bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Critical-size (7 mm dia.) calvarial defects were prepared in the frontal-parietal bones of 90 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, according to defect filling, as follows: Group I (n = 21), BCP; Group II (n = 21), BCP+PRP; Group III (n = 21), BCP+MSC; Group IV (n = 21), BCP+PRP+MSC; Group V (n = 6) (control), no treatment. Animals were sacrificed at 2, 8 and 12 weeks postsurgery and bone regeneration was evaluated both histologically and immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in bone osteoblastic activity in calvarial defects among the groups (p < 0.05). PRP and MSC used in combination with BCP as a defect filling resulted in greater osteoblastic bone formation activity when compared to the use of BCP alone. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of mesenchymal stem cells, platelet rich plasma and synthetic bone substitute was found to be more effective in inducing new bone formation (osteogenesis) than the use of platelet rich plasma combined with synthetic bone substitute and the use of synthetic bone substitute alone.

Analysis of human omentum-associated lymphoid tissue components with S-100: an immunohistochemical study.

Milky spots are opaque patches in the greater omentum. They were first described by von Recklinghausen (1863) in the omentum of rabbits. In man, milky spots are relatively uniform, highly vascularized accumulations of mononuclear cells. The objective of this study was to describe in human omental lymphoid tissue components with S-100. Tissue samples (greater omentum) were collected from 14 patients operated with different reasons in our Department of General Surgery, in order to histologically present the presence of S-100 in the cells making up the milky spots in human omentum tissue. Tissue samples were cut approximately 5-8 micrometer thick with frozen-sections and stained with an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, as described previously. Then milky spots were examined by light microscopy. These data indicate that unstimulated milky spots in the human greater omentum are to a great extent just a preformed specific accumulation of primarily macrophages within the stroma of the greater omentum, secondarily B- and T-lymphocytes. In addition to these cells, we observed that a few mast and reticular cells were seen in the milky spots by S-100 reactive cross-sections of greater omentum. In the human omentum tissue that was stained with indirect immunoperoxidase method using anti S-100 monoclonal antibody, an arteriole cross-section in the center, reactive nerve cross-sections in the adjacent stroma and endogenic peroxidase reactivity in a few granulocytes in omental tissue were observed.

The effects of GnRH analogues and antiandrogenes in preventing the gonadotoxic effects of COPP chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: In this study we aimed to discuss whether the gonadal suppression is effective or not in preventing the gonadal toxic effects of some chemotherapeutics. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley adult male rats were randomised into 4 groups, each consisting of 10. No drugs were given to the first group. The second group received GnRH agonist and antiandrogen, the third group received COPP chemotherapy protocol and the last group received COPP together with GnRH agonist and antiandrogen. Ninety days after drug application we sacrificed all rats. Total body weight, testicular weight and testicular size measurements were all recorded. All testicular tissues were examined histologically for the ratio of active seminiferous tubules. RESULTS: There was no difference in total body weight. The weight and measurements of testicular tissues were decreased in-group 3 and 4 when compared with 1 and 2. The amount of active seminiferous tubules was significantly less in the third group. CONCLUSIONS: As a conclusion we think that gonadal suppression applied during chemotherapy regimen could decrease the testicular toxic effects of chemotherapeutic but more clinical investigations needed for routine application.

Potentiation of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats by allopurinol.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is an effective chemotherapeutic agent used against various human malignancies. However, it induces nephrotoxicity, a severe side effect in which oxygen free radicals have been implicated to play an important role. The effect of allopurinol (Allp) given in a dose of 50 mg/kg subcutaneously (s.c.) for five days was examined on induced nephrotoxicity by a single dose of 5 mg/kg CDDP intraperitoneally (i.p.) in male wistar rats. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were found significantly higher in the group given both Allp and CDDP than in the group given CDDP alone, p < 0.001, and histopathological examination showed more excessive degree of proximal tubular necrosis in the kidneys of animals given CDDP plus Allp than in those treated with CDDP alone. Increased renal lipid peroxidation, p < 0.001 associated with these pathological alterations suggested that oxidative stress may be involved in the potentiation of CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity by Allp.

Impression cytology, tear film break up, and Schirmer test in patients with inactive trachoma.

Schirmer I and tear film break up time (BUT) test were used to determine cytological changes and conjunctival surface epithelial morphology was investigated using impression cytology in patients with inactive trachoma; patients with mild and severe scarring, and control subjects, were compared. Schirmer I, BUT, and goblet cell populations were significantly lower whereas the grade of squamous metaplasia was significantly higher in patients with inactive trachoma. There was a close correlation between our findings and the clinical severity of trachoma.