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In patients with nerve tissue defects, the use of autologous nerve grafts is the standard method of treatment. Alternatives to autologous, nerve grafts have attracted the attention of reconstructive surgeons. In this study, the results of nerve repairs using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in an experimental rat sciatic nerve defect model are presented.Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 5 groups: Group 1: control group, Group 2: negative control group (The compound muscle action potential was observed to be distinctly lower in Groups 3, 4 and 5 in comparison to the control group. In Group 4, the gastrocnemius ratio (GCR) values on the 6th month were statistically significantly lower than the GCR values in Group 3 and Group 5, The histological scores and myelinated axonal counts in Group 5 were statistically significantly higher than the values in Group 3 and Group 4.The results of this study showed that wrapping ADM around nerve grafts resulted in better outcomes with respect to nerve healing.

Amaç: Bu çalışma, sıçanlarda yaşa bağlı olarak timus ve periferal kan dokusunda bulunan lenfositlerin histokimyasal ve histometrik incelenmesi amacıyla yapıldı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmada 60 Wistar Albino sıçan kullanıldı. Farklı yaş grubundaki sıçanlar dekapite edilerek timus ve kan dokuları uzaklaştırıldı. Timus dokuları sırasıyla formol-sukroz ve Holtz solüsyonunda tespit edildi. Kan dokuları ise heparinli tüplere alındı. Alfa naftil asetat esteraz (ANAE) pozitif lenfositleri belirlemek amacıyla kriyostatta timus dokusundan alınan kesitler, pH 5.8'de 5 dakika, kan dokusundan yapılan frotiler ise pH 5.8 'de 3 saat süre ile inkübasyon solüsyonunda boyandı. Bulgular: Timusta her dönem için korteks ve medullada bulunan toplam ANAE (+) lenfosit dağılımı istatistiksel olarak değerlendirildiğinde en fazla puberte, en az ergin dönemde bulunduğu; prepuberte döneminde ise ergin döneme göre bu sayının anlamlı bir şekilde fazla oldugu saptandı. Kan dokusunda ise ANAE pozitif lenfosit sayılarının prepuberte döneminde oldukça az, puberte dönerninde en fazla, ergin dönemde ise puberteye göre az ancak prepuberte dönemine göre fazla olduğu saptandı. Kan dokusunda ANAE negatif lenfositler B lenfosit olarak değerlendirildi. Sonuç: Kan ömeklerinde ANAE (+) lenfositlerin oranı prepuberte ve puberte dönernlerinde timustaki dağılımla paralellik gösterirken, sadece ergin dönemde periferal kandaki pozitiflik oranının timusa göre oldukça yüksek çıkması timustaki involusyona bağlanabileceği gibi, periferdeki bellek T hücrelerinin sürekli olarak proliferasyonu sonucu da bu artışın olabilecegi kanaatini taşımaktayız.

Introduction It is unclear how effective is the intratympanic (IT) steroid treatment on organ of Corti type 1 spiral ganglion, its optimal dosage and frequency of administration. The effect of dexamethasone on cochlear functions in individuals with a normal hearing ability is also unknown. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate, at the electrophysiological and ultrastructural levels, the effect of IT dexamethasone administration in guinea pigs with normal hearing on organ of Corti type 1 spiral ganglion. Methods A total of 20 guinea pigs (n = 40 ears) whose hearing was detected to be normal by electrophysiological tests were included in the study and randomly divided into 6 groups. Four groups were considered study groups, while 2 groups were considered control groups. Dexamethasone was administered intratympanically in doses of 2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL in the guinea pigs in the study groups. The animals in the control groups received physiological saline in equal doses as the study groups. All interventions were performed under general anesthesia, and the electrophysiological tests were repeated following the IT injections. Results No statistically significant differences were found among the groups when the IT injections were evaluated in terms of the electrophysiological measurements (p > 0.05). The ultrastructural evaluation showed a cellular mitochondrial increase in the spiral ganglions of the cochlea in the groups in which dexamethasone was administered in a dose of 4 mg/mL. Conclusion According to the findings of this study, it can be suggested that the IT injection of dexamethasone is safe, and when applied in a dose of 4 mg/mL, it increases metabolic activity at the cellular level.

Objectives: : In this study, we aimed to compare morphological and histological differences between magnetic field and electric stimulation therapies in an experimental burn injury model in rats. Materials and methods: Between February 2011 and July 2011, a total of 21 Sprague-Dawley female rats were used in this study. Second-degree burns were induced on the back areas of the rats. All rats were equally divided into three groups including seven in each: the first burn group was treated with antibacterial pomade (Group 1, control group); the second group was treated with both antibacterial pomade and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (Group 2); and the third group was treated with antibacterial pomade and electric stimulation for 14 days (Group 3). Results: Earlier re-epithelialization, wound area contraction, reduction of edema, and hyperaemia were observed on gross examination in the pulsed electromagnetic fields and electric stimulation therapy groups compared to the control group. Neovascularization, collagen density, granulation tissue formation, cell proliferation, and inflammatory cell response of the pulsed electromagnetic fields and electric stimulation group increased, compared to the control group, in the histopathological evaluation (p

Amaç: Bu çalışmada, östrüs siklusu (proöstrüs, östrüs, metöstrüs, diöstrüs) boyunca endometriyumda görülen humoral savunma sistemi hücreleri dağılımının histokimyasal olarak belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Ağırlıkları 200-250g arasında değişen üç aylık 28 adet Wistar Albino dişi sıçan (kullanıldı) incelemeye alındı. Sıçanlar, östrüs siklus evrelerine göre her grupta 7 adet sıçan olacak şekilde 4 gruba ayrıldı. Östrüsun dönemlerini belirlemek için, vajinal smear yöntemi uygulandı. Alınan sürüntü temiz bir lam üzerine yayılarak metilen mavisi ile boyandı. Bu bloklardan alınan 6 µ kalınlığındaki kesitler plazma hücrelerini belirlemek için metil green-pironin boyama yöntemi uygulandı.Bulgular: Plazma hücrelerinin en fazla sayıda proöstrüs grubundaki sıçanlarda görüldü. Plazma hücre sayısının sırasıyla östrüs, metöstrus ve diöstrus evrelerine doğru oldukça azaldığı belirlendi. Sonuç: Endometriyumdaki humoral savunma sistemi hücrelerinin, östrüs siklusunun farklı evrelerinde değişik dağılımlar gösterdiği sonucuna varıldı. Östrüs siklusunun, hormonal regülasyonun kontrolü altında birbirini takip eden farklı evreler içerdiği ve evreler arasındaki immunolojik tepkilerdeki farklılığın yine bu hormonal kontroltü altında ortaya çıktığı kanaatine varıldı.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of curcumin on oxidative stress, cell proliferation, and apoptosis in the rat intestinal mucosa after bile duct ligation (BDL).A total of 18 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham control, BDL and BDL+curcumin; each group contain six animals. The rats in the curcumin-treated group were given curcumin (100 mg/kg) once a day orally for 14 days, starting 3 days prior to BDL operation. Following 14 days of treatment, all the animals were decapitated and intestinal tissues samples obtained for biochemical and histopathological investigation.Curcumin treatment was found to significantly lower elevated tissue malondialdehyde levels and myeloperoxidase activity, and to raise reduced glutathione levels in intestinal tissues samples. BDL caused severe histopathological injury, including shortening of the villi, loss of villous epithelium, multiple erosions, inflammatory cell infiltration, necrosis, and hemorrhage into the intestinal wall. Curcumin treatment significantly attenuated the severity of intestinal injury, with inhibition of BDL-induced apoptosis and cell proliferation.Curcumin treatment has a protective effect against intestinal damage induced by BDL. The ability of curcumin treatment is to inhibit BDL-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cell proliferation.

The purpose of this study was to ideal cutoff in plasma glucose levels in screening for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in twin pregnancies. A total 311 twin pregnancies were identified from hospital data base from 2007 to 2015. A 50 gram oral glucose challenge test (GCT) was performed at 24–28 weeks’ gestation. In those with a GCT of≥130 mg/dL underwent a 100-gram threehour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The diagnosis of GDM was made if two of the four values on the oral glucose tolerance test were abnormal (The Carpenterand Coustanvalues). The screening results of the GCT was evaluated with ROC curve analysis to obtain a complete sensitivity/specificity at different cut-off points. We excluded all patients with pre-gestational diabetes and GDM diagnosed before 24 weeks of gestation. The positive screen rate was 32.5%. The incidence of GDM was 7.1%. The ROC analysis showed that a GCT cutoff of >135 mg/dL maintained 100% sensitivity, with a specificity of 78.2%. The positive predictive value was 22.9% and the negative predictive value was 100%. Area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.948. Compared to a cutoff of ≥130 mg/dL, a cutoff of >135 mg/dL resulted in 5.1% less patients testing positive while maintaining the same 100% sensitivity. In twin pregnancy screening, a 50 gram GCT cutoff appears to be 135 mg/dL.

Background: The study aimed to examine whether methylene blue (MB) prevents different pulmonary aspiration materials-induced lung injury in rats. Methods: The experiments were designed in 60 SpragueeDawley rats, ranging in weight from 250e300 g, randomly allotted into one of six groups (n ¼ 10): saline control, Biosorb Energy Plus (BIO), hydrochloric acid (HCl), saline þ MB treated, BIO þ MB treated, and HCl þ MB treated. Saline, BIO, and HCl were injected into the lungs in a volume of 2 mL/kg. After surgical procedure, MB was administered intraperitoneally for 7 days at a daily dose of 2 mg/kg per day. Seven days later, rats were killed, and both lungs in all groups were examined biochemically and histopathologically. Results: OurfindingsshowthatMBinhibitstheinflammatory responsereducingsignificantly (P < 0.05) peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar septal infiltration, alveolar edema, alveolar exudate, alveolar histiocytes, interstitial fibrosis, granuloma, and necrosis formation in different pulmonary aspiration models. Pulmonary aspiration significantly increased the tissue hydroxyproline content, malondialdehyde levels, and decreased (P < 0.05) the antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) activities. MB treatment significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the elevated tissue hydroxyproline content and malondialdehyde levels and prevented the inhibition of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.05) enzymes in the tissues. Furthermore, there is a significant reduction in the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling, and arise in the expression of surfactant protein D in lung tissue of different pulmonary aspiration models with MB therapy. Conclusions: MB treatment might be beneficial in lung injury and therefore shows potential for clinical use.

In this study, it is aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and intraoperative frozen section in determining the depth of myometrial invasion in patients with endometrioid type endometrial cancer. Retrospective evaluation of 69 patients with endometrioid type endometrial cancer who underwent preoperative MRI and subsequently intraoperative frozen-section and surgical staging between February 2004 and September 2011. Surgical staging was performed according to 2009 FIGO classification. Final histopathological examination was accepted as the standard of reference. The median age of patients was 59 years (range 41-80 years). Histopathological evaluation revealed that 41 patients had superficial myometrial invasion (

OBJECTIVE Medial olivocochlear efferent (MOCE) neurons innervate outer hair cells (OHCs) of the cochlea, which in turn leads to basilar membrane motion. We hypothesized that MOCE-induced alterations in basilar membrane motion, independent of traveling waves, is responsible for the cochlear frequency discrimination of sound. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eleven guinea pigs underwent bilateral otoscopic and audiologic evaluations under general anesthesia. The study comprised two parts. Part I (n=11) included spontaneous otoacoustic emission (SOAE) recordings with or without contralateral pure-tone acoustic stimuli (1 and 8 kHz) at 60 dB sound pressure level (SPL). Part II involved pure-tone (1 or 8 kHz) acoustic trauma in the right ears of two randomly selected subgroups (G1: 1 kHz; n=4 and G8: 8 kHz; n=4). The remaining three animals served as controls. After frequency-specific deafness was confirmed by distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), SOAEs were recorded in the left ears in the presence of a contralateral pure-tone (1 and 8 kHz) stimulus of 60 dB SPL. Furthermore, the surface of the organ of Corti was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). RESULTS The contralateral pure tone led to frequency-specific activation in SOAEs in part I (without trauma) and part II (with trauma) measurements. SEM showed heterogeneous OHC damage along the cochlea in traumatized ears with pure tone. CONCLUSION We suggest that MOCEs convey acoustic information from traumatized ears to intact ears. Traumatized ears can show frequency-specific activation in the presence of diffuse damage in OHCs that excludes the passive transmission of the pressure wave from the perilymph to the basilar membrane.

To date, there is no available information on the protective effect of onion (Allium cepa) extract (AcE) on cadmium (Cd)-induced cardiotoxicity. The present study was performed to assess the possible antioxidant and anti-apoptotic roles of AcE in Cd-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. A Cd group was injected subcutaneously with CdCl2 dissolved in saline at a dose of 2 ml/kg/day for 30 days, resulting in a dosage of 1 mg/kg Cd. The rats in the AcE-treated group were given 1 ml of AcE via intragastric intubation for 30 days. The rats intoxicated with Cd for 30 days showed increased tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased levels of the enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in cardiac tissue. AcE attenuated these adverse effects of Cd. After Cd exposure, histological abnormalities were observed, including myofibrillar loss, vacuolization of cytoplasm and irregularity of myofibrils. These histological alterations were effectively attenuated by the treatment with AcE. Furthermore, our data indicate a significant reduction of apoptosis in the cardiomyocytes of the Cd group treated with AcE therapy. Animal studies show antioxidant effects of AcE. But to date, no study reported the effect of AcE on biochemical and histopathological changes due to Cd induced on rat heart. Our study showed that AcE therapy reduced Cd-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, possibly through its antioxidant and anti-apoptotic activity.

Objective: It was aimed to display ascorbic acid’s protective efficiency in preventing ototoxicity caused by cisplatin use with electrophysiological tests (Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission and Auditory Brainstem Responses) and ultrastructural study (light and electron microscopic). Methods: As a result of electrophysiological tests, 30 ears of 15 guinea pigs with detected normal hearing threshold and emission have been taken into the scope of this survey and they have been randomly divided into 3 groups. One of these three groups have been planned as the control group (Group I), the other two (Group II and III) as working groups. The guinea pigs of the working group, Group II and Group III, have been intraperitoneally administered single dose of 1,5 mg/kg/day cisplatin and, additionally in Group III 300 mg/day Vitamin C administered intraperitoneally for a period of 8 days. Electrophysiological tests for 20 ears of 10 guinea pigs in Group II and III, who have been intraperitoneally drug administered, have been repeated. Internal and inter-group statistical comparisons of data acquired before and after intraperitoneal drug administration have been performed. Temporal bones have been prepared after the measurements, for ultrastructural examinations (for light and electron microscope). Results: No statistically significant differences in emission parameters (reproductibility, response and Signal/Noise rate) and auditory brainstem responses between the working group and control group before drug administration have been identified. The difference between otoacoustic emission parameters and auditory brainstem responses before and after drug administration in Group II (working group) have been identified as statistically significant (p0.05). In working groups II and III when emission parameters after the treatment are compared, difference between reproductibility rates have been identified as statistically significant whereas when response values, Signal/Noise rates and auditory brainstem response thresholds are evaluated, despite lower deterioration compared to those in Group II, this difference is not statistically significant (p>0.05). In light and electron microscope findings of our works, normal cochlear structures have been observed in control group. After drug administration in working group II, clear dystrophic changes, hyper functions and activation of organelles have been observed both in light and electron microscopic images. No clear dystrophic changes have been identified in either light or electron microscopic images of receptor and support cells in Group III after drug administration. Conclusions: We may claim that use of ascorbic acid in preventing ototoxicity developing as a result of cisplatin use has a protective efficiency in line with electrophysiological and ultrastructural findings.

Unicornuate uterus with non-communicating rudimentary horn is a rare congenital uterine malformation. It may lead to a variety of infertility and obstetric complications. A 32-year-old woman - para III gravida IV - presented at the third stage of pregnancy with acute onset of severe right abdominal pain. Cesarean delivery with abdominal exploration were performed. During cesarean section a unicornuate uterus with a rudimentary horn was accidentally observed. This is a rare and interesting clinical example of patient who had four healthy babies as results of four uneventful pregnancies despite having a unicornuate uterus which carries a significant risk of infertility and advers pregnancy outcomes.

To evaluate the matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in different parts of pelvic connective tissue in postmenopausal women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Ninety-one samples were obtained from only postmenopausal women (42 with POP and 49 non-POP subjects). All women were evaluated by pelvic organ prolapse quantitation. The POP group had stage 2 or more, and the controls had stage 1 or less. Round ligament (RL) and uterosacral ligament (USL) biopsies were obtained from women with POP and controls. Immunohistochemistry for MMP-1 was performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections. The two groups were matched for age, body mass index, parity and postmenopausal status. MedCalc Statistical Software Programme Version 12.0.5 was used for statistical analysis. Expression of MMP-1 were significantly higher in both RL and USL tissue from postmenopausal women with POP, compared with controls. MMP-1 immunoreactivities were identified in both RL and USL biopsies from all women with and without POP. The expression pattern of MMP-1 were similar in these ligaments and were significantly higher in POP group compared with control subjects. These changes indicate a possible relation between MMP-1 expression of RL and USL in women with and without POP.

The aim of this study was to examine the protective effects of fish omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids on acute doxorubicin (DOX)-induced testicular apoptosis and oxidative damage. 24 male rats were divided into three groups: control, DOX-treated and DOX+fish n-3 fatty acids. Fish n-3 fatty acids (400 mg kg(-1) ) were given for 30 days by intragastric gavage. The rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of DOX (30 mg kg(-1) ) and were sacrificed after 48 h. The DOX+fish n-3 fatty acids group showed a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and increased activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in comparison with the DOX-treated group. Acute DOX treatment caused severe damage such as disorganisation and separation of germ cells. The fish n-3 fatty acids-pretreated rats showed an improved histological appearance in the DOX-treated group. Our data indicate a reduction in the activity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labelling; there was a rise in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in testis tissues of the DOX+fish n-3 fatty acids group compared with DOX-treated group. These data suggested that fish n-3 fatty acids pre-treatment may be beneficial for spermatogenesis following acute DOX-induced testicular damage by decreasing germ cell apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) on the liver tissue against bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced oxidative damage and fibrosis in rats. Materials and methods We divided 32 adult male Sprague Dawley rats into four groups: sham, sham plus HBO, BDL, and BDL plus HBO; each group contained eight animals. We placed the sham plus HBO and BDL plus HBO groups in an experimental hyperbaric chamber in which we administered pure oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres absolute 100% oxygen for 90 min on 14 consecutive days. Results The application of BDL clearly increased the tissue malondialdehyde level, myeloperoxidase activity, and hydroxyproline content and decreased the antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase activities) and glutathione level. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue malondialdehyde level, myeloperoxidase activity, and hydroxyproline content and increased the reduced superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and glutathione level in the tissues. The changes demonstrating the bile duct proliferation and fibrosis in expanded portal tracts include the extension of proliferated bile ducts into lobules, mononuclear cells, and neutrophil infiltration into the widened portal areas were observed in BDL group. Treatment of BDL with HBO attenuated alterations in liver histology. Alpha smooth muscle actin, cytokeratin-positive ductular proliferation, and the activity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase 2′-deoxyuridine, 5′-triphosphate nick end labeling in the BDL decreased with HBO treatment. Conclusions The data indicate that HBO attenuates BDL-induced oxidative injury, hepatocytes damage, bile duct proliferation, and fibrosis. The hepatoprotective effect of HBO is associated with antioxidative potential.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of quercetin (QE) in protecting the cadmium (Cd)-induced neuronal injury in frontal cortex of rats. A total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of 10 animals each: control, Cd treated and Cd treated with QE. The Cd-treated group was injected subcutaneously with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) dissolved in saline at a dose of 2 ml/kg/day for 30 days, resulting in a dosage of 1 mg/kg Cd. The rats in QE-treated groups were given QE (15 mg/kg body weight) once a day intraperitoneally starting 2 days prior to Cd injection, during the study period. Rats were sacrificed at the end of the study and the frontal cortex tissues were removed for biochemical and histopathological investigation. To date, there is no available information on the effect of QE on neuronal injury after Cd exposure. Rats intoxicated with Cd for 30 days, significantly increased tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and significantly decreased enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the frontal cortex tissue. Administration of QE with Cd significantly diminished the levels of MDA and significantly elevated the levels of enzymatic antioxidants in the frontal cortex tissue. The histopathological studies in the brain of rats also supported that QE markedly reduced the Cd-induced histopathological changes and well preserved the normal histological architecture of the frontal cortex tissue. The caspase-3 immunopositivity was increased in degenerating neurons of the Cd group. Treatment with QE markedly reduced the immunoreactivity of degenerating neurons. In conclusion, the results of the current study suggest that QE may be beneficial in combating the Cd-induced neurotoxicity in the brain of rats. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of QE may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment for neurodegeneration after Cd exposure in rats.

The aim of the present study was to assess the influence of curcumin on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. A total of 24 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: sham-operated (SH), PH, and PH + curcumin; each group contains eight animals. The rats in curcumin-treated groups were given curcumin (in a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight) once a day orally for 7 days, starting 3 days prior to hepatectomy operation. At 7 days after resection, liver samples were collected. The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels were estimated in liver homogenates. Moreover, histopathological examination, mitotic index (MI), proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling, proliferation index (PI), transferase-mediated 2′-deoxyuridine, 5′-triphosphate nick end-labeling assay, and apoptotic index (AI) were evaluated at 7 days after hepatectomy. As a result, curcumin significantly increased MI and PI and significantly decreased AI in PH rats. Additionally, curcumin remarkably inhibited MDA elevation, restored impaired antioxidant SOD activity and GSH level and also attenuated hepatic vacuolar degeneration and sinusoidal congestion. These results suggested that curcumin treatment had a beneficial effect on liver regenerative capacity of the remnant liver tissue after hepatectomy, probably due to its antioxidative, antiapoptotic, and proliferative properties.

Objective: Free radicals and nitric oxide play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by ischemia and reperfusion (IR). Despite the protective effects of L-carnitine on renal ischemia reperfusion injury, reports are lacking on its effects on anemia and the erythrocyte antioxidant status of long-term post IR injury in the rat kidney. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine on long-term IR injury in rat kidney. Material and Methods: Male Wistar Albino rats were divided into three groups (eight rats each) as Sham, IR (60 minutes of bilateral ischemia and 168 hours reperfusion) and IR+L-carnitine (intraperitoneally; 300 mg/kg/day for 7 days) groups. Anemia, kidney function, lipid peroxidation and kidney and erythro - cyte antioxidant enzyme activities as well as expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were examined. The kidneys were histologically eval - uated. Results: L-carnitine treatment attenuated IR-induced histological alteration and reduced iNOS activitiy, increased eNOS activity, reduced urea and creatinine (each p=0.001), decreased malondi - aldehide levels (p=0.001) and increased both kidney and erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes activitiy and glutathione levels (p=0.001). Hematocrit was significantly increased (p=0.038). Conclusion: Our results show that L-carnitine plays a protective role in the pathogenesis of renal injury induced by IR. In addition, L-carnitine may ameliorate the anemia observed after renal IR injury.

To investigate the potential beneficial effects of low-intensity exercise on histopathological changes of sciatic nerves in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.The rats were allotted randomly into 3 experimental groups: A (control), B (diabetic untreated), and C (diabetic treated with low-intensity exercise); each group contained 8 animals. Groups B and C received STZ. Diabetes was induced in 2 groups by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (40 mg/kg, freshly dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer, pH 4.2). Two days after STZ treatment, diabetes in 2 experimental groups was confirmed by measuring blood glucose levels. Rats with blood glucose levels ≥ 250 mg/dL were considered to be diabetic. Animals in the exercise group were made to run the treadmill once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. Exercise started 3 days prior to STZ administration.The treatment of low-intensity exercise caused a sharp decrease in the elevated serum glucose and an increase in the lowered serum insulin concentrations in STZ-induced diabetic rats. STZ induced a significant decrease in the area of insulin-immunoreactive β cells. Low-intensity exercise treatment resulted in increased area of insulin-immunoreactive β cells signficantly. Myelin breakdown decreased significantly after treatment with low intensity exercise. The ultrastructural features of degenerated axons also showed remarkable improvement.We believe that further preclinical research into low-intensity exercise may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment for peripheral neuropathy in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

To investigate the possible protective effects of Vitamin E (Vit E) on oxidative stress and jejunal damage in the rat intestinal mucosa after methotrexate (MTX)-induced enterotoxicity.Rats were divided into 3 groups: control, MTX, and MTX+ Vit E; each group contained 8 animals. The control group was given physiological serum in addition to sunflower oil for 3 days. The second group was given sunflower oil with intragastric tube daily, followed by MTX injection (20 mg/kg intraperitoneally). To the third group, starting 3 days before injection, Vit E was given dissolved in sunflower oil (600 mg/kg orally) in addition to MTX injection. Four days after MTX injection the anesthetized rats were sacrificed, and the tissue samples obtained from their jejunums were investigated for histological and biochemical analysis.Vit E treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue malondialdehyde levels and increased the reduced glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in comparison to the MTX-treated group. MTX treatment caused severe histopathological injury including mucosal erosions, inflammatory cell infiltration, necrosis, hemorrhage, and villous congestion. Vit E treatment significantly attenuated the severity of intestinal injury caused by MTX via inhibiting induced nitric oxide synthase levels and NF-κB p65 activation.Because of its reconstructing and antioxidant effects, Vit E pretreatment may have protective effects in the intestinal tissue of MTX-treated rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of quercetin on cadmium-induced oxidative stress, testicular damage, and apoptosis in rat testes.The rats were randomly allotted into 1 of 3 experimental groups: control, cadmium-treated, and cadmium-treated with quercetin; each group con- tained 10 animals. Control animals received daily injec- tions of the saline vehicle alone. The cadmium-treated group was injected subcutaneously with cadmium chloride (CdCl2) dissolved in saline at a dose of 2 mL/kg/ day for 30 days, resulting in a dosage of 1 mg/kg cadmium. The rats in quercetin-treated groups were given quercetin (15 mg/kg body weight) once a day i.p., starting 2 days prior to the cadmium injection during the study period. All animals were sacrificed and testes tissues were removed for histopathological and biochemical (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px], and serum testosterone levels) investigation.The mean seminiferous tubule diameter, Johnsen's mean testicular biopsy score values, biochemical parameters (MDA, SOD, GSH-Px, and serum testosterone levels), and amount of germ cell apoptosis were significantly decreased in the cadmium-treated groups as compared to the control group. Furthermore, the quercetin-treated animals showed improved histological and biochemical parameters in the cadmium-treated group.The present study showed that quercetin treatment protected testes against toxic effects of cadmium. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of quercetin may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment for spermatogenesis after testicular injury caused by cadmium-treated rats.

Objective: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective anti-cancer drug with limited clinical use due to its serious cardiotoxicity. Urtica dioica L. seeds (UD), have been widely used in folk medicine, particularly in the therapy for advanced cancer patients, possesses a potent anti-oxidant properties. The goal of present study was to investigate the cardioprotective effects of UD on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Method: The rats in the UD treated group were given intraperitoneally 2 ml/kg UD. To induce cardiotoxicity, 30 mg/kg DOX was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose and the rats were sacrificed after 48 h. Results: The present study revealed for the first time a protective role of UD against DOXinduced cardiotoxicity. UD therapy significantly protected against DOXinduced myocardial damage which was characterized by conduction abnormalities, vacuolization, inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhag es, and myofibrillar disarrangement. As indicators of oxidative stress, DOX caused significantly increase lipid peroxidation and reduction in activities of antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase. UD treatment significantly attenuated DOXinduced oxidative injury. Conclusion: The present study showed that UD might be a suitable cardioprotector against toxic effects of DOX.

To show apoptotic and mitotic activities in differentiation and proliferation of the trophoblast through the techniques of immunohistochemistry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-uridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL), apart from achieving a morphological examination of placental development during early gestation in rats.Animals were sacrificed on days 7, 9, 11, and 13 of pregnancy. The samples removed from those rats were processed for purposes of microscopic analysis. The decidual structure resulting from the differentiation of the endometrial stromal cells in the uterus on days 7, 9, and 11 of pregnancy was determined.It was observed that the placenta, with an increasing trophoblast proliferation and differentiation, matures on day 13 of pregnancy, after which time the growth seems to be continuous. Density of PCNA-positive cells and PCNA immunostaining was observed to decrease in parallel with the age of pregnancy. The excessive number of apoptotic cells seen in the early periods of pregnancy decreased as the placenta matured.We speculate that the rat placenta grows to maturity by day 13 of pregnancy along with increased proliferation and apoptosis in the early days of pregnancy. In addition, a significant decrease of proliferation and apoptosis was observed in the placenta with increasing age of the pregnancy.

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of low intensity exercise on heart of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods The rats were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: A (control), B (diabetic untreated), and C (diabetic treated with low intensity exercise); each group contains 8 animals. B and C groups received STZ. Diabetes was induced in 2 groups by a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of STZ (40 mg/kg, freshly dissolved in 0,1 M citrate buffer, pH 4.2). 2 days after STZ treatment, diabetes in 2 experimental groups was confirmed by measuring blood glucose levels. Rats with blood glucose levels of 250 mg/dl or higher were considered to be diabetic. Animals in the exercise group were made to run the treadmill once a day for 4 consecutive weeks. Exercise started 3 days prior to STZ administration. Results After induction of diabetes, histological abnormalities were observed, including myofibrillar loss, vacuolization of cytoplasm and irregularity of myofibrils. These alterations were attenuated by low intensity exercise. Our data indicates a significant reduction of oxidative stress and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes after exercise. Treatment of diabetic animals with low intensity exercise, decreased the elevated tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased the reduced activities of the enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) in cardiac tissue. Conclusion These findings suggest that low intensity exercise has a therapeutic protective effect in diabetes by decreasing oxidative stress and apoptosis, and by preservation of myocardial integrity.

There is a controversy whether GnRH agonist can reduce the deleterious effects of chemotherapy to prevent ovarian failure. We aimed to examine the possible protective effects of a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) on the fertilization rate and sequential embryonic development in mouse oocytes exposed to Cy. Mice were assigned to three groups of six animals each. A single dose of 75 mg/kg Cy was given intraperitoneally to the Cy mice group. The subcutaneous GnRHa injection was initiated 1 week before and continued for 1 week after the Cy injection in the GnRHa + Cy group. The animals given cyclophosphamide mated 1 week after the Cy injection. At the end of the injection period, the animals underwent a superovulation regime with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin and human chorionic gonadotrophin and were mated. Early embryos were collected at 48 h after mating. The control group received only the superovulation regime and then mated. Cyclophosphamide caused a significant decrease in the fertilization rate (p

The uterosacral ligaments are an important part of the pelvic support system. The objective of this study was to compare the expression of collagen type I and collagen type III in the uterosacral ligament biopsies from women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The uterosacral ligament biopsies were obtained from women with POP (n = 29) and non-POP subjects (n = 35). Immunohistochemistry for collagen type I and collagen type III was performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections. The two groups were matched for age, body mass index, parity and postmenopausal status. The expression of collagen type I (p

The goal of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of melatonin against cholestatic oxidative stress, liver damage and hepatocyte apoptosis in the common rats with bile duct ligation (BDL). A total of 24 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control, BDL and BDL + received melatonin; each group contains eight animals. Melatonin-treated BDL rats received daily melatonin 100 mg/kg/day via intraperitoneal injection. The application of BDL clearly increased the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) activities. Melatonin treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue MDA levels and increased the reduced SOD and GSH enzyme levels in the tissues. The changes demonstrate that the bile duct proliferation and fibrosis in expanded portal tracts include the extension of proliferated bile ducts into lobules, mononuclear cells and neutrophil infiltration into the widened portal areas as observed in the BDL group. The data indicate that melatonin attenuates BDL-induced cholestatic liver injury, bile duct proliferation and fibrosis. The α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in the BDL were observed to be reduced with the melatonin treatment. These results suggest that administration of melatonin is a potentially beneficial agent to reduce liver damage in BDL by decreasing oxidative stress.

The present study was designed to determine the role of topical treatment with curcumin (Cur) on burn wound healing in rats. The Wistar-albino rats were randomly allotted into one of three experimental groups: 4th, 8th and 12th day (post burn) and all groups include subgroups which Burn and Burn + Cur. Each group contains 12 animals. Burn wounds were made on the back of rat and Cur was administered topically. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed and the wound tissues removed for analyse to biochemical and histopathological changes. There was a significant increase in the hydroxyproline levels in the skin of the Cur groups. Cur treated wounds were found to heal much faster as indicated by improved rates of inflammatory cells, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation and epithelialization which were also confirmed by histopathological and biochemical examinations. Our data also indicate that there is a rise in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in skin tissues of Cur-treated rats in the Burn group. The results clearly substantiate the beneficial effects of the topical application of Cur in the acceleration of wound healing.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury may occur after renal transplantation, thoracoabdominal aortic surgery, and renal artery interventions. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Urtica dioica L. (UD), in I/R induced renal injury. A total of 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, UD alone, I/R and I/R + UD; each group contain 8 animals. A rat model of renal I/R injury was induced by 45-min occlusion of the bilateral renal pedicles and 24-h reperfusion. In the UD group, 3 days before I/R, UD (2 ml/kg/day intraperitoneal) was administered by gastric gavage. All animals were sacrificed at the end of reperfusion and kidney tissues samples were obtained for histopathological investigation in all groups. To date, no more histopathological changes on intestinal I/R injury in rats by UD treatment have been reported. Renal I/R caused severe histopathological injury including tubular damage, atrophy dilatation, loss of brush border and hydropic epithelial cell degenerations, renal corpuscle atrophy, glomerular shrinkage, markedly focal mononuclear cell infiltrations in the kidney. UD treatment significantly attenuated the severity of intestinal I/R injury and significantly lowered tubulointerstitial damage score than the I/R group. The number of PCNA and TUNEL positive cells in the control and UD alone groups was negligible. When kidney sections were PCNA and TUNEL stained, there was a clear increase in the number of positive cells in the I/R group rats in the renal cortical tissues. However, there is a significant reduction in the activity of PCNA and TUNEL in kidney tissue of renal injury induced by renal I/R with UD therapy. Our results suggest that administration of UD attenuates renal I/R injury. These results suggest that UD treatment has a protective effect against renal damage induced by renal I/R. This protective effect is possibly due to its ability to inhibit I/R induced renal damage, apoptosis and cell proliferation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of quercetin (QE) on oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cell proliferation in the rat testis after streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). The rats in the QE-treated group were given QE (15 mg/kg) once a day intraperitoneally for 8 weeks starting 3 days prior to STZ injection. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed. Testis tissues and blood samples were collected for histopathologic and biochemical analysis. QE treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and increased the reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities in testis tissues samples. The QE-treated rats in the diabetic group showed an improved histologic appearance and serum testosterone levels. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) and there was a rise in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in testis tissues of QE-treated rats in the diabetic group. These results suggest that administration of QE is a potentially beneficial agent to reduce testicular damage in diabetic rats by decreasing oxidative stress.

Myoglobinuric acute renal failure (ARF) is a uremic syndrome caused by traumatic or non-traumatic skeletal muscle breakdown and intracellular elements that are released into the bloodstream. We hypothesized that hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy could be beneficial in the treatment of myoglobinuric ARF caused by rhabdomyolysis. A total of 32 rats were used in the study. The rats were divided into four groups: control, control+hyperbaric oxygen (control+HBO), ARF, and ARF+hyperbaric oxygen (ARF+HBO). Glycerol (8 ml/kg) was injected into the hind legs of each of the rats in ARF and ARF+HBO groups. 2.5 atmospheric absolute HBO was applied to the rats in the control+HBO and ARF+HBO groups for 90 min on two consecutive days. Plasma urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactic dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase and urine creatinine and sodium were examined. Creatinine clearance and fractional sodium excretion could then be calculated. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed in renal tissue. Tissue samples were evaluated by Hematoxylin-eosin, PCNA and TUNEL staining histopathologically. MDA levels were found to be significantly decreased whereas SOD and CAT were twofold higher in the ARF+HBO group compared to the ARF group. Renal function tests were ameliorated by HBO therapy. Semiquantitative evaluation of histopathological findings indicated that necrosis and cast formation was decreased by HBO therapy and TUNEL staining showed that apoptosis was inhibited. PCNA staining showed that HBO therapy did not increase regeneration. Ultimately, we conclude that, in accordance with our hypothesis, HBO could be beneficial in the treatment of myoglobinuric ARF.

The aim of this study was to examine the preventive and therapeutic effects of thymoquinone (TQ) against cholestatic oxidative stress and liver damage in common bile duct ligated rats. A total of 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, bile duct ligation (BDL) and BDL + received TQ; each group contain 8 animals. The rats in TQ treated groups were given TQ (50 mg/kg body weight) once a day orally for 2 weeks starting 3 days prior to BDL operation. To date, no more biochemical and histopathological changes on common bile duct ligated rats by TQ treatment have been reported. The application of BDL clearly increased the tissue hydroxyproline (HP) content, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased the antioxidant enzyme [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] activities. TQ treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue HP content, and MDA levels and raised the reduced of SOD, and GPx enzymes in the tissues. The changes demonstrating the bile duct proliferation and fibrosis in expanded portal tracts include the extension of proliferated bile ducts into lobules, mononuclear cells, and neutrophil infiltration into the widened portal areas were observed in BDL group. Treatment of BDL with TQ attenuated alterations in liver histology. The immunopositivity of alpha smooth muscle actin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in BDL were observed to be reduced with the TQ treatment. The present study demonstrates that oral administration of TQ in bile duct ligated rats maintained antioxidant defenses and reduces liver oxidative damage and ductular proliferation. This effect of TQ may be useful in the preservation of liver function in cholestasis.

WOS: 000321979000008 PubMed: 22252860 The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of curcumin on acute lung injury induced by intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R). A total of 30 male Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups: sham, I/R, and I/R + curcumin; each group contains 10 animals. Sham group animals underwent laparotomy without I/R injury. After I/R groups animals underwent laparotomy, 1 h of superior mesenteric artery ligation were followed by 1 h of reperfusion. In the curcumin group, 3 days before I/R, curcumin (100 mg/kg) was administered by gastric gavage. All animals were killed at the end of reperfusion and lung tissue samples were obtained for biochemical and histopathological investigation in all groups. To date, no more biochemical and histopathological changes on intestinal I/R injury in rats by curcumin treatment have been reported. Curcumin treatment significantly decreased the elevated tissue malondialdehyde levels and increased reduced superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities in lung tissue samples. Intestinal I/R caused severe histopathological injury including oedema, haemorrhage, increased thickness of the alveolar wall, and infiltration of inflammatory cells into alveolar spaces. Curcumin treatment significantly attenuated the severity of intestinal I/R injury. Furthermore, there is a significant reduction in the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase and increase in the expression of surfactant protein D in lung tissue of acute lung injury induced by intestinal I/R with curcumin therapy. It was concluded that curcumin treatment may have beneficial effects in acute lung injury, and therefore has potential for clinical use.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Ginkgo biloba (EGb 761) on testicular torsion/detorsion induced ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. A total of 24 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control, I/R and I/R treated with EGb 761; each group contains 8 animals. Testicular torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction. The ischemia period was 5 h and orchiectomy was performed after 5 h of detorsion. EGb 761 (50 mg/kg, orally) was administrated only once, 40 min prior to detorsion. To date, no more histopathological changes on testicular torsion/detorsion induced ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats by EGb 761 treatment have been reported. Spermatogenesis and mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD) were significantly decreased in I/R groups were compared to the control group. Furthermore, EGb 761 treated animals showed an improved histological appearance in I/R group. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of TUNEL and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in testes tissue of I/R treated with EGb 761 therapy. Electron microscopy of the testes of rats demonstrated that EGb 761 pretreatment was particularly effective in preventing the mitochondrial degeneration, dilatation of SER and enlarged intercellular spaces in both Sertoli and spermatid cells in I/R treated animals. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of EGb 761 may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment on testes injury after I/R in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiapoptotic and proliferative activity of curcumin (Cur) on the ovarian follicles in mice exposed to whole body ionizing radiation (Rd). The mice were exposed to 8.3 gray whole body Rd, and Cur groups were given as a daily dose of 100 mg/kg of Cur for 10 days (10 days before Rd). The ovaries were collected 3 and 12 h after irradiation. To date, no such studies have been performed on antiapoptotic and proliferative activity of Cur on the ovarian follicles in mice exposed to whole body Rd. Analysis of mice ovary after exposure to Rd by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling showed that there were apoptotic cells both in the follicular wall and the antrum, and that the number of follicles showing early atresic features was high 3 h after Rd. On the other hand, analysis of mice ovary 12 h after exposure to Rd showed that the number of follicles containing apoptotic cells with advanced atresic features was significantly higher when compared to the 3-h Rd exposure group. The proliferating cell nuclear antigen -positive granulosa cells were decreased in association with follicular atresia. The groups given treatment were observed to have some benefit from Cur against the damage caused by Rd. The results of this study demonstrate that Cur prevents follicular atresia in Rd-induced apoptosis in ovarian follicles.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of onion (Allium cepa) extracts (ACE) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. The rats in the ACE-pretreated group were given a daily dose of 1 ml ACE for 14 days. To induce cardiotoxicity, DOX (30 mg kg−1 body weight) was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose and the rats were sacrificed after 48 h. To date, no such studies have been performed on the cardioprotective and anti-apoptotic potential of ACE on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling in cardiomyocytes of the DOX-treated group with ACE therapy. The DOX-treated with ACE groups showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels, and increased activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in comparison with the DOX-treated group. Creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase activities and cardiac troponin I levels were significantly decreased in the DOX + ACE group in comparison with the DOX group. These biochemical and histological disturbances were effectively attenuated on pretreatment with ACE. The present study showed that ACE may be a suitable cardioprotector against toxic effects of DOX. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of onion (Allium cepa) extracts (ACE) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced apoptosis in aortic endothelial cells. The rats in the ACE-pretreated group were given a daily dose of 1 ml ACE for 14 days. To induce aortic endothelial cell apoptosis, DOX (30 mg kg−1 body weight) was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose and the rats were sacrificed after 48 h. To date, no such studies have been performed on antiapoptotic potential of ACE on DOX-induced apoptosis in aortic endothelial cells. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling in aortic endothelial cells of the DOX-treated group with ACE therapy. DOX-treated with ACE groups showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels and increased levels of glutathione in comparison with the DOX-treated group. Data from our study show that prevention of endothelial cell apoptosis by ACE may contribute to the restoration of aortic endothelial dysfunction that is associated with DOX treatment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of quercetin (QE) on liver injury caused by chronic toluene exposure in rats. The rats were randomly allotted into one of three experimental groups: control, toluene treated and toluene treated with QE; each group contained 10 animals. The control group received 1 ml physiologic serum, and toluene treatment was performed by inhalation of 3000 ppm toluene, for 8 h/day and 6 days/week for 12 weeks. The rats in the QE-treated groups were given QE (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) once a day for 12 weeks starting just after toluene exposure. Tissue samples were obtained for histopathological investigation. To date, no histopathological changes in the liver of rats after chronic toluene exposure by QE treatment have been reported. Light microscopic evaluation of liver tissue samples of toluene-exposed rats revealed enlarged sinusoids filled with blood. In addition, some of the hepatocytes showed loss of cytoplasm, and some had a hyperchromatic nucleus. QE treatment attenuated alterations in liver histology. The alpha smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor beta-positive cells and the activity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling in the toluene-treated group were observed to be reduced with QE treatment. The data indicate that QE attenuates toluene-induced liver injury, but further investigation is still absolutely necessary.

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the environmental pollutants affecting various tissues and organs including testis. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-apoptotic effects of curcumin (Cur) on Cd-induced apoptosis in rat testes. The rats were randomly allotted into one of three experimental groups: control, Cd treated and Cd treated with Cur; each group contained 10 animals. The control group received 2 ml/day of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). To induce toxicity, Cd (1 mg/kg body weight) was dissolved in normal saline and subcutaneously injected into rats for 4 weeks. The rats in Cur-treated group was given a daily dose of 100 mg/kg of Cur for 4 weeks. To date, no examinations of the anti-apoptotic properties of Cur on Cd-induced apoptosis in rat testes have been reported. The mean seminiferous tubule diameter, mean testicular biopsy score values and serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased in Cd-treated groups were compared to the control group. Furthermore, the Cur-treated animals showed an improved histological appearance and serum testosterone levels in Cd-treated group. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling in testis tissues of the Cd-treated group with Cur therapy. The present study showed that Cur treatment protected testes against toxic effects of Cd. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of Cur may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment on the spermatogenesis after testicular injury caused by Cd-treated rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of quercetin (QE) on testicular torsion/detorsion-induced ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. A total of 24 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control, I/R and I/R treated with QE; each group contain eight animals. Testicular torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction. The ischaemia period was 5 h and orchiectomy was performed after 5 h of detorsion. QE (15 mg kg(-1) , i.p.) was administered only once, 40 min prior to detorsion. Left orchiectomy was performed in all I/R groups. To date, no histopathological changes on testicular torsion/detorsion-induced I/R injury in rats by QE treatment have been reported. Spermatogenesis and mean seminiferous tubule diameter were significantly decreased in I/R groups were compared with the control group. Furthermore, QE treated animals showed an improved histological appearance in I/R group. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of TUNEL, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and a rise in the expression of testosterone in testes tissue of I/R treated with QE therapy. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of QE may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment on testes injury after I/R in rats.

The aim of this study was designed to evaluate the possible protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ) on the lung injury in rats after chronic toluene exposure. The rats were randomly allotted into one of three experimental groups: control, toluene-treated and toluene-treated with TQ; each group contain 10 animals. Control group received 1 mL serum physiologic and toluene treatment was performed by inhalation of 3000 parts per million (ppm) toluene, in an 8-hr/day and 6 day/week order for 12 weeks. The rats in TQ treated group was given TQ (50 mg/kg body weight) once a day orally for 12 weeks starting just after toluene exposure. Tissue samples were obtained for histopathological investigation. To date, no histopathological changes of lung in rats after chronic toluene exposure by TQ treatment have been reported. Our study showed that TQ treatment inhibits the inflammatory pulmonary responses reducing significantly peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, alveolar septal infiltration, alveolar edema, alveolar exudate, interstitial fibrosis and necrosis formation in toluene-treated rats. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and a rise in the expression of surfactant protein D in lung tissue of toluene-treated with TQ therapy. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of TQ may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment on lung injury after chronic toluene exposure in rats.

This study evaluated the possible effects of flaxseed oil on renal damage associated with hyperlipidaemic rats. Wistar albino male rats were divided into three groups. Group I was fed with a pellet chow. Group II was fed with a high cholesterol diet (HCD) consisting of 5% cholesterol and 0.35% cholic acid added to the pellet chow. Group III was fed with the same HCD, but were orally treated with a dose of 15 mg/kg body wt/day flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil treatment started 1 week before and continued throughout the 22 weeks of the HCD. At the end of the experiment, renal tissue and blood samples were collected. The biochemical and histopathological findings confirmed renal damage in hypercholesterolaemia conditions. Flaxseed oil reduced the hypercholesterolaemia-induced increase in the serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL and urea. Oil red O stain revealed that lowered serum lipid was accompanied by a decreased deposition of neutral lipid. Flaxseed oil effectively reversed these abnormalities, verifying the protective effects of flaxseed oil in ameliorating renal injuries associated with hypercholesterolaemia.

The aims of the study were to investigate the effects of immunization against GnRH using OL protein (Ovalbumin-LHRH-7) on feedlot performance, carcass, meat quality and some reproductive traits in Kıvırcık ram lambs. Ram lambs in the immunization (I, n=7) group were immunized against GnRH using OL protein and boosted 2 weeks later. Control (C, n=7) group was not treated. The animals were kept at pasture for 6 weeks after the first immunization, subjected to a 70 day fattening program, and then slaughtered. Growth performance, various carcass and meat quality characteristics were not affected from the immunization. GnRH immunization induced GnRH antibody production, suppressed testosterone production and testicular growth (P0.01). Testicular structure was negatively affected from the immunization, but not pituitary. These results suggest that immunization against GnRH with OL could be an alternative castration technique in ram lambs without negatively affecting carcass and meat quality characteristics.