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OBJECTIVE: Testicular torsion is a condition that manifests with acute pain and can lead to infertility despite urgent surgical intervention. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective and preventive effects of etomidate, an imidazole derivative, a non-barbiturate general anesthetic agent, without analgesic effect, on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were used in the study. Torsion was created in all rats by rotating left testes 720° clockwise on the day of the experiment. 30 minutes before detorsion, 4 mg/kg etomidate and 10 mg/kg propofol were administered intraperitoneally to the etomidate and propofol groups, respectively. After an hour of ischemia, the left testis was reinstated, and the tissues were repaired according to their physiology. Following 24 hours of reperfusion, the animals were euthanized after ipsilateral and contralateral testes were removed. RESULTS: Etomidate applied before testicular detorsion significantly suppressed germ cell damage and Leydig cell loss in ipsilateral tissue. It did not cause any significant changes in the percentage of necrosis, histological score, and tubule rupture in ipsilateral tissue. Propofol administered before testicular detorsion significantly suppressed the percentage of necrosis only in the ipsilateral tissue. In addition, no signs of damage were observed in the contralateral testis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that etomidate administered before detortion creates a protective effect by preventing testicular ischemia- reperfusion injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Concomitant use of drugs not only enhances the therapeutic effect, but may also lead to undesirable interactions. Drug interactions are frequently seen in intensive care patients. In this study, we aimed to determine the frequency and clinical severity of drug interactions in Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The ordered drugs and blood analysis results of 314 patients aged =18 years who stayed in the MICU for at least 24 h between January and December 2020 were evaluated. Using the Lexi-Interact online database, clinically significant types of drug interactions, frequently interacting drug/drug groups, and potential adverse reactions were identified. RESULTS: The average number of drugs in 314 patients was 8.98±5.19. It was determined that polypharmacy was associated with comorbidity and the amount of drug used increased as the number of diagnoses increased. Potential drugdrug interactions were observed in 69.7% of the MICU patients, and it was determined that the amount of interactions increased as the amount of drug used increased. The most common X, D, and C type potential drug-drug interactions, were found between furosemide and salbutamol, enoxaparin and acetylsalicylic acid, ipratropium and potassium chloride, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Use of frequently interacting drugs in the treatment of critically MICU patients may lead to potential drug-drug interactions and adverse reactions. Daily monitoring and updating of drug therapy can improve patient's quality of life by preventing or reducing potential drugdrug interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]