Ozonated autohemotherapy: protection of kidneys from ischemia in rats subjected to unilateral nephrectomy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ozonated autohemotherapy (OA) has been previously successfully used in the treatment of patients affected by peripheral occlusive arterial disease. OA consists of an intrafemoral reinfusion of autologous blood previously exposed to a mixture of oxygen/ozone (O₂/O₃). This study analyzes the effects of OA in protecting rat kidney from ischemia and ischemia/reperfusion damage.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We performed OA 30 min before the induction of 60 min renal ischemia or at the induction of 60 min postischemic reperfusion in rats subjected to unilateral nephrectomy. In addition, to evidence the possible protection induced by O₂/O₃on endothelial functions, the present study analyzes the in vitro effects of O₂/O₃on oxygen consumption by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1) OA preserves rat kidney functions and architecture, as demonstrated by the improved levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and by histology; 2) such protection does not correlate with the increase of plasmatic nitric oxide, but is compatible with a focal renal increase of renal βNADPH-diaphorase; 3) treatment of HUVEC with O₂/O₃significantly increases both the rate of oxygen consumption and the mitochondrial activity assessed by confocal microscopy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The preservation of the mitochondrial activity of endothelium could in vivo limit the endothelial dysfunction provoked by the Isc or Isc/R processes.</p

Prematür ejakülasyon hastalari{dotless}nda mizaç ve karakter farkli{dotless}li{dotless}klari{dotless}

Introduction: The debate on the etiology of premature ejaculation is still ongoing although there was huge amount of biological and psychological theories. We aimed to investigate the personality structure of patients with premature ejaculation via temperament and character inventory. Methods: Forty patients with premature ejaculation and a matched number of healthy people were included. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire booklet with separate sections for general demographic information and the temperament and character inventory. Results: Total novelty seeking scores and subscale 1 (exploration-excitability) scores in premature ejaculation patients were significantly higher than in control groups (p<0.05). Total harm avoidance scores and harm avoidance subscale 2 (fear of uncertainty) scores in premature ejaculation patients was found significantly lower than in control group (p<0.05). Beck depression score was significantly higher in patients with premature ejaculation than in control groups. Discussion: Men with premature ejaculation are more impulsive (excitant), more tempered, more excitable and less prone to harmful behavior. Current findings tend to reinforce premature ejaculation based upon combination of neurobiological and psychological reasons. © Archives of Neuropsychiatry, published by Galenos Publishing

Protective effects of zofenopril on testicular torsion and detorsion injury in rats

Purpose: To investigate the protective effect of zofenopril on torsion/ detorsion-induced biochemical and histopathological changes in experimental testicular ischemia or reperfusion injury in rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 35 prepubertal male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into five groups, including 7 rats in each group: Group I (sham, S), sham operation; group II (torsion/detorsion-early orchiectomy, T/D-E), 2 hours ischemia and 4 hours reperfusion; group III (torsion/detorsion-late orchiectomy), T/D-L), 2 hours ischemia and 5 days reperfusion; group IV (zofenopril-early orchiectomy, Z-E), 2 hours ischemia, 4 hours reperfusion, and a single dose of zofenopril; and group V (zofenopril-late orchiectomy, Z-L), 2 hours ischemia, 5 days reperfusion, and 5 doses of zofenopril. We determined the tissue levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities. Histopathologically, mean seminiferous tubule diameter measurements were used. Results: Malondialdehyde (3.490 ± 0.89 versus 1.729 ± 0.25 in early period; 3.837 ± 1.694 versus 1.694 ± 0.47 in late period) and nitric oxide levels (3.507 ± 0.44 versus 2.853 ± 0.54 in early period; 4.010 ± 0.72 versus 2.446 ± 0.29 in late period) significantly reduced and glutathione peroxidase (0.012 ± 0.001 versus 0.017 ± 0.001 in early period; 0.013 ± 0.002 versus 0.018 ± 0.001 in late period) and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities (58.030 ± 5.97 versus 70.773 ± 3.85 in early period; 57.421 ± 7.81 versus 76.329 ± 4.09 in late period) significantly increased in the testis tissue in zofenopril pretreated groups compared to group T/D both in early and late period (P .05). Conclusion: Treatment with zofenopril decreased damage in ipsilateral testis caused by ischemia/reperfusion, and clinical application of zofenopril might be a new approach for the treatment of testicular torsion in addition to conventional detorsion