A rare cause of partial intestinal obstruction in a child: colonic lithobezoar.

The accumulation of undigested foreign bodies or nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract forming a conglomeration is called a bezoar. Bezoars are referred to according to the foreign bodies that constitute their core: phytobezoar (fibres or seeds of vegetables and fruits); trichobezoar (hair); lactobezoar (remnants of milk) and lithobezoar (rock or similar substances). Although they can be found in any part of the gastrointestinal system, the stomach is the most common site. Primary colonic bezoar is an exceptionally rare situation. Up until 2007, only four colonic lithobezoars had been reported in the literature. This report aims to present the clinical and surgical features of a 4-year-old male patient with a previous history of pica and iron deficiency anaemia, who underwent pebble extraction from the colon after being diagnosed with partial intestinal obstruction.

Erdosteine improves oxidative damage in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of erdosteine, a new antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, on lipid peroxidation, neutrophil infiltration, and antioxidant enzyme activities in a rat model of renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Twenty-eight rats were divided into three groups: sham operation, I/R, and I/R plus erdosteine groups. After the experimental procedure, rats were sacrificed and kidneys were removed and prepared for malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, myeloperoxidase (MPO), xanthine oxidase (XO), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. MDA level, MPO and XO activities were significantly increased in the I/R group. On the other hand, SOD and CAT activities were found to be decreased in the I/R group compared to the sham group. Pretreatment with erdosteine significantly diminished tissue MDA level, MPO and XO activities. Our data support a role for erdosteine in attenuation in renal damage after I/R injury of the kidney, in part at least by inhibition of neutrophil sequestration and XO activity.