Effect of linopirdine on forced swimming test in rats

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Kv7 type voltage-gated potassium channel blocker linopirdin in Forced Swimming Test (FST) in rats. Material and Method: For this purpose, on the second day of the swimming test, rats received %0.9 NaCl (4 µl) or a Kv7 type voltage-gated potassium channel blocker linopirdine (0.1, 1, 10 µg/4 µl) intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.), 15 min before the test. Results: Linopirdine at a dose of 0.1 µg/4 µl significantly decreased immobilisation (p=0.003) and significantly increased swimming (p<0.01) with respect to the control grup. Linopirdine at the doses of 1 µg/4 µl and 10 µg/4 µl; i.c.v., significantly decreased immobilisation (p values< 0.001) and significantly increased swimming (p=0.003 and p=0.021, respectively), and climbing (p=0.009 and p=0.006, respectively) with respect to the control grup. Conclusion: The results we obtained shows that linopirdine applied through i.c.v way produces similar effects as the anti-depressant drugs in the FST model. Therefore, we believe that drugs that block Kv7 type voltage-gated potassium channels can be considered as antidepressant drug targets. © 2019, Nobelmedicus. All rights reserved

The Effect Of 900mhz Electromagnetic Field On Rat Spinal Cord In The Prenatal Period:A Histopathological Investigation

Amaç: Günümüzde yaşantımıza giren ve giderek artan belli bir frekansta elektromanyetik dalga yayılımına neden olan teknolojik cihazlar insanları elektromanyetik alana maruz bırakmaktadır. Bu cihazlar tarafından yayılan elektromanyetik alanın embriyonal ve pubertal gelişim süresince olumsuz etkilere neden olduğu ve dokularda patolojik değişikliklere sebep olduğu bilinmektedir. Omurilik, dokusunda gelişebilecek hasar sonucunda ortaya çıkabilecek patolojik değişiklikler beyin ve periferik sinir sistemi arasındaki sinyal iletiminde sorunlara neden olabilir. Bu nedenle çalışmamızda prenatal dönemde histopatolojik analiz teknikleriyle 900MHz frekansında elektromanyetik alana maruz bırakılan sıçanların omurilik dokusunda meydana gelen değişiklikleri araştırılmıştır.Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmamızda 6 adet gebe Sprague-Dawley dişi sıçan ve bu gebe sıçanlardan elde edilen 12 adet yavrularından olmak üzere toplam 18 adet sıçan kullanıldı. Çalışmamız kontrol ve elektromanyetik alan olmak üzere iki gruba ayrıldı. Elektromanyetik alan grubu, doğum öncesi dönemde elektromanyetik alana maruz bırakılmış altı yeni doğmuş sıçandan oluşmaktadır. Elektromanyetik alan grubuna ait gebe sıçanların bulunduğu kafeslerin ortasına 20 gün süreyle 24 saat boyunca dijital sinyal üreteci (ER cihazı) ile 900MHz radyo frekansı ile manyetik alana maruz bırakıldı. Yeni doğan sıçanlar pubertal evre gelişimi için 60 gün bekletildikten sonra uyutulmuştur.Bulgular: Elektromanyetik alan grubuna ait örnekler incelendiğinde özelikle nöronların perikaryonları ve oligodendrositlerin piknotik çekirdek yapılarına sahip olduklarını gözlemledik. Elektromanyetik alan grubu omurilik doku örneklerinin gri cevherlerindeki nöronlarda ve oligodendrositlerde Kaspaz-3 pozitif hücre sayısı kontrol grubuna kıyasla anlamlı olarak artmış olduğu saptanmıştır (p=0,001, p<0,05).Sonuç: 900Mhz frekansa sahip elektromanyetik alanın omuriliğin histolojik tabakalarında hasara neden olduğunu gözlemledik.Objective: Technological devices, which are introduced into our daily lives and radiate increasingly more electromagnetic waves with a certain frequency, expose people to an electromagnetic field. It is also well known that electromagnetic fields caused by these devices have certain adverse effects on the embryonic and pubertal development, and cause pathological changes in the tissues. Pathological changes, which emerge as a result of the damages in the spinal tissue, may cause signal conduction problems in the brain, and peripheral nervous system. Therefore, in our study, we investigated with histopathological analysis techniques the changes in the spinal tissue of rats during the prenatal period that were exposed to an electromagnetic field (frequency: 900MHz).Materials and Methods: Total 18 rats (6 pregnant Spraque-Dawley female rats and 12 baby rats delivered by these rats) were included into our study. We divided the rats into two groups as electromagnetic field group and control group. The electromagnetic group consisted of 6 newborn rats, which were exposed to the electromagnetic field during the prenatal period. Pregnant rats in the electromagnetic field group were exposed to a magnetic field of 900MHz radio frequency with a digital signal generator (ER device) that was placed in the center of the cage for 24 hours and 20 days. Newborn rats were kept 60 days for the pubertal stage development, and then they were anesthetized.Results: We observed that the neuronal perikaryon and oligodendrocytes in the samples of the electromagnetic field group had pyknotic nuclear structures. We also determined that the Kaspaz-3 positive cells were increased in the neurons and oligodendrocytes in the gray matter of the spinal tissue samples in the electromagnetic field group compared to the control group (p=0.0001, p<0.05).Conclusion: We observed that an electromagnetic field with a frequency of 900MHz caused injuries in the histological layers of the medulla spinalis

The Effects of Lockdowns and Restrictions During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Perspectives and Experiences From Ankylosing Spondylitis patients.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting our world and all people for 2 years and It has been the subject of many studies that have been published in the literature. Common result of these studies is that the pandemic has increased people's stress levels and also many papers report the negative impact of the pandemic on private patient populations, such as those with chronic diseases, but there are no clinical studies in Turkey that have revealed the effects of pandemic restrictions on patients with rheumatic diseases yet. Our study aims to evaluate the effects of quarantine and restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis. METHOD: This study was carried out in the USAK province of Turkey with patients with ankylosing spondylitis aged 18-65 years. After a detailed literature review, a 35-question questionnaire was prepared. This survey was aimed at determining the treatment routines and habits of patients during the COVID-19 restriction period, such as exercise and nutritional status. At the same time, the effects of the closure and restriction period on the mental health of patients were investigated.During this period, the availability of doctors and medicines of patients was questioned. RESULTS: All participants reported an impact of lockdown. 43.7% reported lesser exercising levels than before the lockdown. These patients mainly consumed more vitamin C (65.7), as media advice for the public. However, despite specialist advice, some patients consumed more alcohol (21.4%). 78% of the patients reported sleep-wake rhythms markedly changed under restriction and the majority of patients could not go to a rheumatologist for follow-up. CONCLUSION: The majority of the AS did not consult specialists or physicians during the lockdown period but most of them continued their medications to control the disease activity