Effects of Spirulina on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Ovarian Toxicity in Rats: Biochemical and Histomorphometric Evaluation of the Ovary

Cyclophosphamide (Cyc) is known to cause ovotoxicity and infertility in women. Our aim is to investigate the possible ovotoxic effects of Cyc and possible antioxidant and protective effects of blue-green algae, Spirulina (Sp), in rat ovaries. Eighteen rats were given: group I (n=6, control); group II (n=6, CP), a single dose Cyc; group III (n=6, Sp+Cyc), 7 days Sp+single dose Cyc. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities are assessed biochemically. Normal and atretic primordial and primary follicle counts for all sections obtained for each ovary are calculated. Mean number of follicle counts for each group are compared. In Sp+Cyc group, tissue MDA levels were significantly lower than those in the CP and higher than those in the C group (CP>Sp+Cyc>C). Tissue SOD activity was significantly higher in Sp+Cyc group than that in the CP group and lower than that in the C group (C>Sp+Cyc>C). No statistically significant difference was found between the ovarian CAT activities in any group. Histomorphometrically, there was also no significant difference between the mean numbers of normal and atretic small follicle counts. Our results suggest that single dose Cyc has adverse effects on oxidant status of the ovaries and Sp has protective effects in Cyc-induced ovotoxicity

Evaluation of cervical cytological abnormalities in Turkish population

Introduction: Cervical cancer is one of the most common female malignancy with high mortality rates in developing countries. Our purpose was to determine the prevalence of cervical cytologic abnormalities in population (strict Islamic religious area) and the detection rate of epithelial abnormalities by cervical cytology (CC). Materials and Methods: A total of 32,026 conventional pap smear tests collected between January 2006 and January 2010 from three hospitals are retrospectively analyzed. Results: Total of 900 (2.8%) cases had epithelial abnormalities. The numbers and rates of epithelial abnormalities were as the followings: Atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASCUS; n=615 [1.9%]); atypical squamous cell suspicious for high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (ASC-H; n=27 [0.1%]); atypical glandular cell of undetermined significance (AGUS; n=73 [0.2%]); low- grade squamous intraepitelial lesion (LSIL; n=147 [0.5%]); high- grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL; n=35 [0.1%]); and squamous cell carinoma (SCC; n=3 [0.0%]). Conclusion: The prevalence of cervical cytological abnormality in our study was 2.8%. Recently, some conflicting results from the same population were published. More prospective studies with larger numbers are needed

Real-world efficacy, safety, and clinical outcomes of ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir +/- dasabuvir +/- ribavirin combination therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 or 4 infection: The Turkey experience experience

Background/Aims: mbitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (OMV/PTV/r) +/- dasabuvir (DSV) +/- ribavirin (RBV) combination has demonstrated excellent rates of sustained virologic response (SVR) and a very good safety profile in patients with the chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 or 4 infections. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of OMV/PTV/r +/- DSV +/- RBV combination regimen in a real-world clinical practice

Low recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma following ledipasvir and sofosbuvir treatment in a real-world chronic hepatitis C patients cohort

WOS: 000469027000006PubMed ID: 30740820The aims of the present study were to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) with or without ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in patients with advanced liver disease and to analyse whether the use of LDV/SOF treatment is associated with a new occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during and after LDV/SOF treatment. The Turkish Early Access Program provided LDV/SOF treatment to a total of 200 eligible CHC patients with advanced liver disease. The median follow-up period was 22months. All patients were Caucasian, 84% were infected with genotype 1b, and 24% had a liver transplantation before treatment. The sustained virological response (SVR12) was 86.0% with ITT analysis. SVR12 was similar among patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B and C disease and transplant recipients. From baseline to SVR12, serum ALT level and MELD score were significantly improved (P<0.001). LDV/SOF treatment was generally well tolerated. Only one patient developed a new diagnosed HCC. Seventeen of the 35 patients, who had a history of previous HCC, developed HCC recurrence during the LDV/SOF treatment or by a median follow-up of 6months after treatment. HCC recurrence was less commonly observed in patients who received curative treatment for HCC compared with those patients who received noncurative treatment (P=0.007). In conclusion, LDV/SOF with or without ribavirin is an effective and tolerable treatment in CHC patients with advanced liver disease. Eradication is associated with improvements in liver function and a reduced risk of developing a new occurrence of HCC. Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir with or without ribavirin is an effective and tolerable treatment in hepatitis C virus-infected patients with advanced liver disease. Eradication is associated with improvements in liver function and reduces the risk of developing a new occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma