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The present study investigated the effectiveness of intra-operative bupivacaine–lidocaine (BLK) combination administration concurrently with meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), on the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale Short Form (GCPS-SF) scores and pain mediators in the early post-operative ovariohysterectomy (OHE) period in 30 female dogs of different breeds and ages divided into three equal groups. OHE is reportedly associated with moderate pain. BLK was administered inside the ovarian bursa 10 min before ovary removal in Groups (G) 1 and G2 and linear to the incision line 10 min before entering the abdomen in G1. G3 was the control group. The intergroup comparison of pain mediators and GCPS-SF scores showed no significant difference between the GCPSSF scores at postop0, postop2, postop4, postop8 and postop24 h and the cortisol, TNF-α, IL1-β and NO levels determined at the same timepoints. TNF-α at postop24 h showed a significant positive correlation with the postop0 h GCPS-SF score. NO at postop8 h showed a significant negative correlation with the postop4 h GCPS-SF score. However, since these results were not simultaneous, they were disregarded. Although there was no statistically significant difference in post-operative pain and stress among the three groups, surgical stress was higher in G3, as indicated by high postoperative cortisol levels, which suggested the other two protocols involving BLK to be remarkable. Hence, using G1 and G2 protocols appeared feasible considering the post-operative cortisol stress hormone values. Nevertheless, further studies with larger samples are warranted to confirm these inferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) against apical periodontitis (AP) in rats with adriamycin (ADR)‐induced kidney and heart diseases. Methodology: Fourty‐eight Wistar albino rats were divided into six groups: (1) Control group, (2) ADR group (1 mg/kg/day ip for 10 days), (3) AP Group (1st mandibular molar tooth), (4) AP + ADR Group, (5) AP + NAC group (150 mg/kg/day ip), and (6) AP + ADR + NAC group. After 3 weeks, the rats were decapitated and blood and tissue samples (heart, kidney, and jaw) were collected. Tissue samples were evaluated by biochemical (inflammatory cytokines and hemodynamic parameters) and radiological analyses. One‐way anova with Tukey post hoc tests was used to compare data, considering p <.05 as statistically significant. Results: The serum levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, BUN, Creatinine, CK, and LDH were elevated in the test groups compared with the control group, and treatment with NAC reduced these levels (p <.05). Heart and kidney tissue analysis showed a higher heart‐to‐body weight ratio (HW/BW) and kidney‐to‐body weight ratio (KW/BW) in the test groups compared with the control group (p <.05). No significant differences in HW/BW and KW/BW were found between the control and AP + NAC groups. Volumetric apical bone resorption analysis showed an increase in periapical radiolucencies in AP‐induced groups indicating apical periodontitis. NAC treatment reduced the total area and volume of resorption cavities (p <.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that NAC's antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory effects can reduce adriamycin‐mediated heart and kidney damage and may have a positive effect on apical periodontitis in individuals with nephropathy and cardiomyopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of α‐lipoic acid (ALA) on an induced‐acute pulpitis model in rats. Twenty‐four Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, induced‐acute pulpitis (PULP) and PULP + ALA groups. In the PULP and PULP + ALA groups, the crowns of the maxillary left incisors were removed horizontally. All exposed pulp tissues were treated with 5 µL LPS solution. In the PULP + ALA group, the rats were treated intraperitoneally with a single dose of ALA (100 mg/kg). The rats were sacrificed 24 h after pulp injury, and the trunk blood and pulp samples were collected and then determined using ELISA assay kits. TNF‐α, IL‐1β, MMP‐1 and MMP‐2 levels in the serum and pulp tissues were considerably higher in the PULP group than the control group (p < 0.01–0.001). In the PULP + ALA group, TNF‐α, IL‐1β, MMP‐1 and MMP‐2 levels in the serum and pulp tissues decreased significantly compared to the PULP group (p < 0.05–0.001). ALA decreases pro‐inflammatory mediators and proteolytic enzymes, which might relieve acute inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SARS-CoV-2 infection has led to COVID-19 outbreak worldwide. To date, a specific antiviral drug does not exist to treat the disease and control the virus. In this paper, we have explored the potential utility of alpha lipoic acid, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant molecule, for treatment. Alpha lipoic acid exhibits strong antioxidant properties and modulates the immune system by regulating T cell activation making it a useful therapeutic candidate for cytokine storm triggering SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the present communication, we focused on the therapeutic potential of ALA with respect to its potential role on reducing the severity of symptoms and the adverse effects of other antiviral drugs used. We consider different mechanisms by which modulating ACE2 levels after virus replication and preventing cytokine storm and also focus on a new therapeutic venue that utilizes ALA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholestasis is associated with the accumulation of bile acids and bilirubin in the hepatocytes and leads to liver injury. Pregnane X Receptor (PXR) coordinates protective hepatic responses to toxic stimuli, and this receptor was reported to stimulate bile secretion by increasing MRP2 expression. Since PXR activators were reported to be anti-inflammatory in the liver, PXR was proposed as a drug target for the treatment of chronic inflammatory liver diseases. We investigated the potential protective effect of spironolactone (SPL), an enzyme inducer, in hepatotoxicity induced by bile duct ligation in rats. Wistar Albino (250-300 g) rats were divided into the control group and the bile duct ligated (BDL) group. BDL group was divided into three subgroups; following BDL, for 3 days, the first group received propylene glycol (vehicle of SPL) (blinded), the second subgroup received spironolactone (SPL) (200 mg/kg oral), and the third subgroup received SPL for 3 days, starting 3 days after the bile duct ligation, in order to investigate if it has a healing effect after hepatitis had developed. The control group was sham-operated and received saline. At the end of the experiment, blood and tissue samples were collected. Serum TNF-a, NFĸB, bilirubin, IL-6 levels, ALT, AST, ALP activities and tissue MPO activity and oxidant damage increased after the bile duct ligation was significantly decreased following SPL administration. PXR and MRP2 activity showed an increase in the hepatocytes as a result of the treatment. In conclusion, it was observed that SPL administration significantly decreases liver inflammation and damage related to BDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic agent inducing liver and kidney damage. In this study, we intended to investigate the impact of kefir beverage, an essential probiotic and functional food, on liver and kidney damage induced by cisplatin. Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: Control, Cisplatin (single dose of 7 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), Kefir (2 ml/d, 7 d, oral gavage), and Cisplatin+Kefir (CK). At the end of day 7, animals were euthanized. Blood, kidney, and liver tissue samples were collected. For both tissues, biochemically ALT, AST, Urea, Creatine; histomorphologically, hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's Trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining of caspase-3, a marker of apoptosis, were performed. Serum urea and creatinine levels of the Cisplatin group were significantly higher than the Control group (p<0.05). In the CK group, kefir consumption decreased urea and creatinin levels approached to Control and Kefir groups. Cisplatin resulted in higher ALT and AST activities, indicating hepatocellular damage, compared to the Control group (p<0.05). Kefir consumption decreased ALT activities approached to both the Control and Kefir group. Histomorphological observations were in agreement biochemical results. In liver and kidney tissues, structural damage was observed with an increase in collagen fibers in the Cisplatin group, and Caspase-3 activity was immunohistochemically higher than in the other groups. In the CK group, collagen fiber increase, structural damage, and Caspase-3 activities were less than in the Cisplatin group. Kefir consumption alleviated liver and kidney damage. However, more research is required to understand such effect of kefir better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]