Effects of voluntary and involuntary exercise on cognitive functions, and VEGF and BDNF levels in adolescent rats

Regular treadmill running during adolescence improves learning and memory in rats. During adolescence, the baseline level of stress is thought to be greater than during other periods of life. We investigated the effects of voluntary and involuntary exercise on the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and spatial learning, memory and anxiety in adolescent male and female rats. The voluntary exercise group was given free access to a running wheel for 6 weeks. The involuntary exercise group was forced to run on a treadmill for 30 min at 8 m/min 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Improved learning was demonstrated in both exercise groups compared to controls. Neuron density in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, dentate gyrus and prefrontal cortex were increased. Hippocampal VEGF and BDNF levels were increased in both exercise groups compared to controls. In females, anxiety and corticosterone levels were decreased; BDNF and VEGF levels were higher in the voluntary exercise group than in the involuntary exercise group. The adolescent hippocampus is affected favorably by regular exercise. Although no difference was found in anxiety levels as a result of involuntary exercise in males, females showed increased anxiety levels, and decreased VEGF and BDNF levels in the prefrontal cortex after involuntary exercise

The effects of resveratrol on chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol (RVT) in chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve by behavioral, histomorphological and immunohistochemical evaluations in rats. In this study, male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: sham (n = 7), CCI+saline (n = 7) and CCI+RVT (n = 7). After inducing CCI, treatment with 10 mg/kg/day of RVT or saline for 14 days was given. Locomotor function was assessed with rota-rod and open field tests. Morphologic alterations of sciatic nerve were assessed histologically by light and electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry for insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were performed. RVT treatment prevented motor impairment and histomorphological alterations caused by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve. IGF-1 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in RVT treated group then CCI induced group and positive correlated with morphometric parameters. These results indicate that RVT may reduce CCI induced damage and this effect may be mediated through the restoration of IGF-1 immunoreactivity. Crown Copyright (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved

Anxiety- and depression-like behavior are correlated with leptin and leptin receptor expression in prefrontal cortex of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Anxiety and depression are common in diabetics. Diabetes also may cause reduced leptin levels in the blood. We investigated the relation between diabetes induced anxiety-and depression-like behavior, and leptin and leptin receptor expression levels in diabetic rats. The anxiety-and depression-like behaviors of rats were assessed 4 weeks after intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Diabetic rats exhibited greater anxiety-like behavior; they spent more time in closed branches of the elevated plus maze test and less time in the center cells of the open field arena. Increased depression-like behavior was observed in diabetic rats using the Porsolt swim test. Prefrontal cortex (PFC), blood leptin levels and PFC neuron numbers were decreased, and leptin receptor expression and apoptosis were increased in diabetic rats. Blood corticosterone levels also were increased in diabetic rats. These results indicate that reduction of leptin up-regulates leptin receptor expression and may affect PFC neurons, which eventually triggers anxiety-and depression-like behaviors in diabetic rats

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Multicenter Experience

Aim: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disease. It accounts for 5-10% of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The aim of this multicenter study was to investigate the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with ADPKD. Methods: 1,139 patients with ADPKD who were followed up at 12 different centers were recruited for this study. The investigated demographic and clinical characteristics were gender, age, smoking history, educational status, the existence of hypertension, hematuria, urinary tract infection, urinary tract stones and renal replacement therapy. Patients were considered as hypertensive if they were taking antihypertensive medications or if they had blood pressure (BP) of 140/90 mm Hg or greater. If the patients were currently on antihypertensive drugs, the classes of these agents were noted. Results: 548 male and 591 female patients were included and the mean age at initial diagnosis was 37.1 +/- 16.3 years. 20.3% were current smokers whereas 15% were ex-smokers. The mean systolic and diastolic BPs were 136.1 +/- 29.8 and 84.9 +/- 17.8 mm Hg, respectively. 63.7% used antihypertensive drugs and 73.1% of those used renin-angiotensin system blockers. 11.8% had ESRD, of which 75.8% were treated with hemodialysis. Conclusion: This study showed that hypertension is the most common (72.6%) clinical finding in ADPKD patients in Turkey and renin-angiotensin system blockers are widely used. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Base

Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii Isolates and Toxoplasmosis Seroprevalence in Stray Cats of Izmir, Turkey

WOS: 000340879300061PubMed ID: 25127360Currently, some Toxoplasma gondii genotypes are being associated with serious clinical presentations. A recent report showing the Africa 1 genotype in two local congenital toxoplasmosis cases acquired in Turkey formed the basis of this study because atypical Africa 1 genotype is most frequently detected in animals and patients from sub-Saharan Africa. Since stray cats are considered as the linkage between wild life and urban life in T. gondii transmission, the present study aimed to isolate and characterize T. gondii strains circulating in stray cats of Izmir (Western Turkey). A secondary objective was to determine toxoplasmosis seroprevalence in this cat population. Tissues obtained from 100 deceased stray cats were bioassayed and isolated strains were genotyped using 15 microsatellite markers. In addition, toxoplasmosis seroprevalence was analyzed in 1121 cat sera collected from several large veterinary clinics in Izmir. Among the 22 isolates, 19 were Type II (86.3%), two were Type III (9%) and one was Africa 1 genotype (4.5%). The overall seropositivity rates in cats were 42-48% and 33.4-34.4% according to IFA and ELISA, respectively. Seroprevalence in deceased cats was significantly higher than in healthy cats (P = 0.0033). Finding both the major clonal Type II lineage together with the Type III lineage also found in Middle East, and an atypical genotype, Africa 1 appears consistent with the specific geographic location of Turkey between three continents and raises the possibility of transportation of these strains between continents through trade routes or long distance migratory birds. In addition, the first large study of toxoplasma seroprevalence in a stray cat population was also reported. The relatively high seropositivity rates and the variety of T. gondii genotypes confirm the local stray cat population as a risk factor for human toxoplasmosis in Izmir.Scientific Research Projects Branch Directorate of Ege University, TurkeyEge University [2010-TIP-091, 2011-TIP-034]This study was supported by the grants given by the Scientific Research Projects Branch Directorate of Ege University, Turkey (Grant No: 2010-TIP-091 and 2011-TIP-034) to Y.G. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity in Turkey

Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate the current incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the need for treatment in preterm infants in Turkey. Methods: The study included preterm infants who had been screened for ROP between 2011 and 2013 in 49 neonatal intensive care units. Infants with birth weight (BW) ≤1500 g or ≤32 weeks' gestational age and those with BW >1500 g or >32 weeks' GA with an unstable clinical course were included. The incidence of any ROP or severe ROP and treatment modalities were determined. Results: The study population included 15 745 preterm infants: 11 803 (75%) with GA ≤32 weeks, and 3942 (25%) with GA >32 weeks. Overall, 30% were found to have any stage of ROP, and 5% had severe ROP. Severe ROP was diagnosed in 8.2% of infants with BW ≤1500 g and 0.6% of infants with BW >1500 g. Of all infants diagnosed with ROP, 16.5% needed laser photocoagulation, and 20 patients born at >32 weeks' GA required this treatment modality. Vitroretinal surgery was performed in 28 infants with severe ROP: 23 with GA ≤28 weeks and 5 with GA 29-32 weeks. Conclusions: The findings of our study have the important implication that more mature babies are at risk of severe ROP requiring treatment. An effective programme for detecting and treating ROP should be established in Turkey

Incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity in Turkey

Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate the current incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the need for treatment in preterm infants in Turkey. Methods: The study included preterm infants who had been screened for ROP between 2011 and 2013 in 49 neonatal intensive care units. Infants with birth weight (BW) ≤1500 g or ≤32 weeks' gestational age and those with BW >1500 g or >32 weeks' GA with an unstable clinical course were included. The incidence of any ROP or severe ROP and treatment modalities were determined. Results: The study population included 15 745 preterm infants: 11 803 (75%) with GA ≤32 weeks, and 3942 (25%) with GA >32 weeks. Overall, 30% were found to have any stage of ROP, and 5% had severe ROP. Severe ROP was diagnosed in 8.2% of infants with BW ≤1500 g and 0.6% of infants with BW >1500 g. Of all infants diagnosed with ROP, 16.5% needed laser photocoagulation, and 20 patients born at >32 weeks' GA required this treatment modality. Vitroretinal surgery was performed in 28 infants with severe ROP: 23 with GA ≤28 weeks and 5 with GA 29-32 weeks. Conclusions: The findings of our study have the important implication that more mature babies are at risk of severe ROP requiring treatment. An effective programme for detecting and treating ROP should be established in Turkey

Incidence and severity of retinopathy of prematurity in Turkey

PubMed ID: 25868788Background: The purpose of this study was to estimate the current incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and the need for treatment in preterm infants in Turkey. Methods: The study included preterm infants who had been screened for ROP between 2011 and 2013 in 49 neonatal intensive care units. Infants with birth weight (BW) ?1500 g or ?32 weeks' gestational age and those with BW >1500 g or >32 weeks' GA with an unstable clinical course were included. The incidence of any ROP or severe ROP and treatment modalities were determined. Results: The study population included 15 745 preterm infants: 11 803 (75%) with GA ?32 weeks, and 3942 (25%) with GA >32 weeks. Overall, 30% were found to have any stage of ROP, and 5% had severe ROP. Severe ROP was diagnosed in 8.2% of infants with BW ?1500 g and 0.6% of infants with BW >1500 g. Of all infants diagnosed with ROP, 16.5% needed laser photocoagulation, and 20 patients born at >32 weeks' GA required this treatment modality. Vitroretinal surgery was performed in 28 infants with severe ROP: 23 with GA ?28 weeks and 5 with GA 29-32 weeks. Conclusions: The findings of our study have the important implication that more mature babies are at risk of severe ROP requiring treatment. An effective programme for detecting and treating ROP should be established in Turkey