Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory meloxicam on stomach, kidney, and liver of rats.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAI) drugs are the most commonly used group of drugs today. Increase in the use of standard NSAI for treating pain and inflammation was restricted by the fact that these drugs were proven to possibly cause gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. Meloxicam is a NSAI that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. This study aims to investigate the effects of meloxicam on stomach, kidney, and liver of rats under light microscopy level. Based on the light microscopic observations, mononuclear cell infiltration and pseudolobular formation was established in liver samples of animals in the experimental group. Metaplasia in surface and glandular epithelia and atrophy were observed in stomach samples. Glomerular stasis-related hypertrophy and focal interstitial nephritis were found in kidneys. It was concluded in this study that meloxicam might cause hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and gastric metaplasia in rats at a used dose and duration.

The role of perivitelline space abnormalities of oocytes in the developmental potential of embryos.

OBJECTIVE: In assisted reproductive technology (ART), high embryo quality is closely related to high-quality oocytes. Cytoplasmic maturation and extracytoplasmic maturation are the most important components in determining oocyte quality. One of the most important components of extracytoplasmic maturation is perivitelline abnormalities. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of perivitelline abnormalities on the development of high-quality embryos. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study material consisted of 217 of 1154 oocytes from 98 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles undertaken due to male factor infertility. Only cycles with long gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs combined with recombinant Follicle-stimulating hormone (rec-FSH) were included in study. We compared 105 metaphase-II oocytes that had dominantly perivitelline space abnormalities (large perivitelline space with or without granules) with 112 normal metaphase-II oocytes, based on the embryo grade determined by Alpha Scientists in Reproductive Medicine and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Special Interest Group of Embryology. Normal metaphase-II oocytes were characterized by a round, clear zona pellucida; a small perivitelline space containing a single unfragmented first polar body; and a pale, moderately granular cytoplasm with no inclusions. RESULTS: The development rates of Grade I, II, and III embryos were 68.5%, 23.8%, and 7.7%, respectively, in the 105 oocytes with perivitelline abnormalities. The development rates of Grade I, II, and III embryos were 82.1%, 17.9%, and 0%, respectively, in the 112 morphologically normal oocytes. When compared with normal oocytes, Grade I (68.5% vs. 82.1%, p value; 0.019) and Grade III (7.7% vs. 0%, p value; 0.003) embryo development rates were significantly lower in oocytes that had perivitelline abnormalities. CONCLUSION: It is important to analyze oocyte quality using multiple parameters, including the perivitelline space. Perivitelline space abnormalities might negatively affect embryo development in male factor-infertile couples that are stimulated with rec-FSH. Therefore, when choosing embryos for transfer, we must take into consideration the historical oocyte data.