Effect of atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in rats: A stereological study

Purpose: To investigate the effects of oral atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in a rat model.Methods: Rats were equally assigned into control and study groups, the latter receiving atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day). At the end of 12 weeks, spermatogenetic activity was evaluated using stereological and optical fractionator methods. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured using micro–ELISA kits. Total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL - C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also measured by enzymatic colorimetric assays.Results: Testicular stereological analysis revealed that atorvastatin reduced Sertoli cell numbers (p < 0.001), spermatogonia (p < 0.001), spermatocytes (p < 0.001), and seminiferous tubule diameters (p < 0.001). LDL – C (p = 0.01) and TG (p = 0.01) values were significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in FSH (p = 0.44), LH (p = 0.48),and TT (p = 0.06) levels between the groups.Conclusion: The findings show that atorvastatin causes deleterious effects on rat spermatogenesis. It should therefore be used with caution in clinical practice owing to its potential adverse effects, especially on male fertility. Keywords: Statin, Atorvastatin, Spermatogenesis, Stereology, Testi

Pre-opereative Parathormone Levels are Correlated with Mean Diameter of Parathyroid Adenoma and Pre-operative Serum Calcium and Alkaline Phosphatase Levels

The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between biochemical parameters, mean diameter of parathyroid adenoma (MDPA) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in patients who underwent parathyroid surgery.Materials and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from patients with hyperparathyroidism who were operated and followed in our hospital between September 2011 and April 2014. Twenty-nine (male/female = 8/21) patients with a mean age of 58.31 ± 12.59 years were enrolled into the study. The mean pre-operative serum calcium and intact PTH (iPTH) levels were 11.98±1.23 mg/dl and 386.52±374.96 pg/ml, respectively. Serum pre-operative calcium levels were found to be significantly higher in patients who had nephrolithiasis than those who did not, whereas pre-operative serum phosphate levels were lower. Pre-operative iPTH levels were found to be correlated with pre-operative calcium, alkaline phosphatase and MDPA but not with pre-operative serum phosphate. Also, pre-operative calcium levels were found to be significantly correlated with MDPA.Conclusion: Presence of nephrolithiasis is associated with higher pre-operative calcium and lower phosphate levels. Pre-operative iPTH and calcium levels were also found to be significantly correlated with MDPA; this suggests that serum iPTH and calcium levels can be useful in predicting MDPA. [Med-Science 2015; 4(3.000): 2401-13

High-dose thiotepa, etoposide and carboplatin as conditioning regimen for autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with relapsed or refractory germ cell tumors

Purpose: As well as standard chemotherapy, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is also seen as a good therapeutic alternative in the relapsed/refractory germ cell tumors (GCT). The combination of thiotepa, carboplatin and etoposide (TECA) is also one of the high-dose chemotherapy options that can be used before ASCT. Except a phase-II study there are no large studies conducted with the TECA regimen in GCT. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the TECA regimen in patients who underwent ASCT. Methods: Patients who underwent ASCT with TECA for relapsed/refractory GCT in our center between 2013-2020 were included in the study. Results: The median age of 15 patients included in the study was 31 years (19-46). The majority of patients (n=12; 80.0%) had a diagnosis of non-seminoma GCT. All of the patients had previously received bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatin (BEP) combination chemotherapy. They were relapsed/refractory to platinums and had at least one distant metastasis. ASCT was administered as a second-line therapy in 12 (80.0%) patients. In all patients etoposide, thiotepa and carboplatin were administered before ASCT as myeloablative therapy. Complete response was obtained in 6 (40.0%) patients and partial response in 5 (33.3%). The objective response rate was 73.3%. Three-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 43.1% and the estimated median PFS was 12.6 months (2.7- 41.7). The estimated median overall survival (OS) was 37.3 months and 3-year OS was 54.5%. None of the patients had ASCT-related death. Conclusions: High-dose TECA is an effective and safe myeloablative regimen for ASCT in relapsed/refractory GCT

Gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin (GDP) is an effective and well-tolerated mobilization regimen for relapsed and refractory lymphoma: A single center experience

Background/aim: Gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin (GDP) is a well-established salvage regimen for relapsed and refractory lymphomas. In this study, we aimed to share our experience with the patients who received GDP/R-GDP (rituximab-gemcitabine, dexamethasone and cisplatin) for stem cell mobilization. Materials and methods: Data of 69 relapsed and refractory Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients who received GDP/R-GDP as salvage chemotherapy in our center between July 2014 and January 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. After the evaluation of response, 52 patients had a chemosensitive disease and underwent mobilization with GDP/R-GDP plus G-CSF (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor). Collected CD34+ stem cells and related parameters were compared in terms of diagnosis of HL and NHL, early and late stage, patients who did not receive RT and those who received RT, and patients aged under 60 and over 60. Results: On the 15th day on average (range 11-20), a median number of 8.7 × 106 /kg (4.1-41.5) CD34+ stem cells were collected in 51 (98%) of our 52 chemosensitive patients and 1 (2%) patients failed to mobilize. We observed acceptable hematological and nonhematological toxicity. The targeted amount of 2 × 106 /kg CD34+ stem cells was attained by 98% (n: 51) patients, and all of them underwent autologous stem cell transplantation. Moreover, low toxicity profiles provide outpatient utilization option clinics with close follow-up and adequate supportive care. Conclusion: We suggest that GDP/R-GDP plus G-CSF can be used as an effective chemotherapy regimen for mobilizing CD34+ stem cells from peripheral blood in relapsed and refractory lymphoma patients due to low toxicity, effective tumor reduction, and successful stem cell mobilization. It can also be assumed that the GDP mobilization regimen may be more effective, especially in patients with early-stage disease and in HL patients