Beneficial effects of melatonin and BQ-123 on the rat testis damage caused by cigarette smoke

Background/aim: Several studies have demonstrated that cigarette smoke has detrimental effects on testicular function. However, it is unknown whether melatonin or BQ-123 has beneficial effects on the rat testis damage caused by cigarette smoke. The aim of the present study was to investigate the beneficial effects of melatonin or BQ-123 on the testicular damage caused by cigarette smoke. Materials and methods: Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: control group (n = 5), cigarette smoke group (n = 5), melatonin group (n = 5), and BQ-123 group (n = 5). At the end of 4 weeks, all the rats were sacrificed for histopathological evaluation and subsequent stereological analysis. The optical fractionator counting method, the most efficient and unbiased method, was used to estimate the total number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes. Results: All the control testes demonstrated complete spermatogenesis. There was a significant decrease in the germ cells of rats exposed to cigarette smoke for 4 weeks. After the application of melatonin or BQ-123, the total number of spermatogonia and spermatocytes in the testes was significantly higher. Conclusion: Based on these findings, melatonin and BQ-123 are able to minimize the degenerative effects of cigarette smoke by increasing the germ cell count.Gaziosmanpasa University Research FundGaziosmanpasa University [2006/19]This study was supported by Gaziosmanpasa University Research Fund Project no. 2006/19. We thank Dr Bahadir Ungor (rest in peace) for all his assistance

Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and stereological analysis of the effect of Ginkgo biloba (Egb761) on the hippocampus of rats exposed to long-term cellphone radiation

Cellular phones are major sources of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) that can penetrate the human body and pose serious health hazards. The increasingly widespread use of mobile communication systems has raised concerns about the effects of cellphone radiofrequency (RF) on the hippocampus because of its close proximity to radiation during cellphone use. The effects of cellphone EMR exposure on the hippocampus of rats and the possible counteractive effects of Ginkgo biloba (Egb761) were aimed to investigate. Rats were divided into three groups: Control, EMR, and EMR+Egb761. The EMR and EMR+Egb761 groups were exposed to cellphone EMR for one month. Egb761 was also administered to the EMR+Egb761 group. Specifically, we evaluated the effect of RF exposure on rat hippocampi at harmful EMR levels (0.96 W/kg specific absorption rate [SAR]) for one month and also investigated the possible impact of Egb761 using stereological, TUNEL-staining, and immunohistochemical methods. An increase in apoptotic proteins (Bax, Acas-3) and a decrease in anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2) immuno-reactivity along with a decrease in the total granule and pyramidal cell count were noted in the EMR group. A decrease in Bax and Acas-3 and an increase in Bcl-2 immunoreactivity were observed in rats treated with Egb761 in addition to a decrease in TUNEL-stained apoptotic cells and a higher total viable cell number. In conclusion, chronic cellphone EMR exposure may affect hippocampal cell viability, and Egb761 may be used to mitigate some of the deleterious effects

Effects of systemic Anatolian propolis administration on a rat-irradiated osteoradionecrosis model

Objective: Radiotherapy after head and neck cancer is associated with the risk of osteonecrosis development. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of systemic propolis application to prevent the disease as it has no definite treatment protocol despite the proposed treatment methods and significantly decreases individuals’ quality of life. Methodology: In total, 29 male Wistar-Albino rats were divided into control, 35 Gy irradiation (Group 1), 35 Gy irradiation+100 mg/kg/ml propolis administration (Group 2), and 35 Gy irradiation+200 mg/kg/ml propolis administration groups (Group 3). Propolis was first applied on the day after radiotherapy, except for the control group. Right first and second molars were extracted from all rats three weeks following radiotherapy. Samples were collected seven weeks after radiotherapy. Osteoblast and osteoclast counts were calculated by histomorphometric analysis. Immunohistochemical analysis determined bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor beta-3 (TGFβ-3). Results: Group comparison found non-significant differences regarding osteoblast (p=0.130) and osteoclast (p=0.063) counts. However, Group 1 showed the lowest mean osteoblast (OBL: 82.63 [±13.10]) and highest mean osteoclast counts (OCL: 12.63 [±5.55]). OBL/OCL ratio showed significant differences between groups (p=0.011). Despite the significant difference between the Control and Groups 1 (p=0.006) and 2 (p=0.029), Group 3 showed a non-significant difference (p=0.091). For BMP-2 and TGFB3, the control group showed significant differences with the other two groups (p<0.001), except for Group 3. Conclusion: Anatolian propolis showed beneficial effects in a radiotherapy-mediated osteonecrosis model, highlighting its potential as a promising intervention

Curcumin protects against acoustic trauma in the rat cochlea

WOS: 000406729400019PubMed ID: 28688549Objectives: In this study we evaluated the therapeutic utility of curcumin in a rodent model of acoustic trauma using histopathology, immunohistochemical, and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAEs) measurements. Methods: 28 Wistar albino rats were included in the study and randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups. The first group (group 1) served as the control and was exposed to acoustic trauma alone. Group 2 was the curcumin group. Group 3 was the curcumin plus acoustic trauma group. Group 4 was the saline plus acoustic trauma group. Otoacoustic emission measurements were collected at the end of the experiment and all animals were sacrificed. Cochlea were collected and prepared for TUNEL (TdT-mediated deoxyuridinetriphosphate nick end-labelling) staining assay. Results: Group 3 maintained baseline DPOAEs values at 3000 Hz, 4000 Hz and 8000 Hz on the 3rd and 5th day of the experiment. DPOAEs results were correlated with the immunohistochemical and histopathological findings in all groups. In comparison to the histopathologic control group, Group 1 exhibited a statistically significant increase in apoptotic indices in the organ of Corti, inner hair cell, and outer hair cell areas (p < 0.05). Relative to the control group, rats in Group 3 showed little increase in inner hair cell and outer hair cell apoptotic indices. Conclusions: Our results support the conclusion that curcumin may protect the cochlear tissues from acoustic trauma in rats. Curcumin injection prior to or after an acoustic trauma reduces cochlear hair cell damage and may protect against hearing loss. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Sinapic acid reduces ischemia/reperfusion injury due to testicular torsion/detorsion in rats

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of sinapic acid (SA) on biochemical and histopathological changes in an experimental testicular torsion-detorsion rat model. Twenty-four rats were randomised into four groups: sham group, ischemia/reperfusion (IR) group subjected to testicular torsion for 2 hr and then detorsion for 4 hr, and two groups treated with SA1 and SA2 (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, by single intraperitoneal injection, 30 min before reperfusion). Serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by an autoanalyzer, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), and nitric oxide (NO) oxidative stress parameters by spectrophotometric methods, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) parameters by the Elisa method. In addition, immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations were performed on testicular tissues. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of serum testosterone, FSH and LH levels (p >.05). SA significantly reduced increased testicular damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death and also restored decreased antioxidant enzyme activities (p <.05). Pre-treatment of rats with SA reduced testicular dysfunction and morphological changes IRI. SA's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties were found to be protective against testicular I

Sinapik asidin akut renal iskemi/reperfüzyon hasarı üzerine koruyucu etkileri

Objectives: The aim of this research was to investigate whether sinapic acid (SA) can alleviate oxidative damage, apoptosis, and inflammation in I/R induced renal injury. Methods: A total of 24 male rats were randomly separated into four groups as six rats in each group. Group 1 (Sham), Group 2 (I/R), Group 3 (I/R + SA, 10mg/kg), Group 4 (I/R + SA, 20 mg/kg). In order to evaluate kidney function serum BUN, Cr, and AST were measured in an autoanalyzer. SOD, GSH-Px, MDA, PC and NO oxidative stress parameters were measured with spectrophotometric methods and TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, KIM-1 and NGAL parameters were measured with the ELISA method. In addition, H&E method and immunohistochemical examinations were performed for histological evaluations of kidney tissue. Results: SA significantly decreases the increase in kidney damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, cell death and restore the decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities (p<0.05). Pre-treatment of the rats with SA reduces kidney dysfunction and morphological changes. Conclusions: The development of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation seems to be the leading factors that accelerate inflammation and cell death during renal IRI. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic features of SA displayed a renoprotective effect

The effects of probiotics and Omega-3 fatty acids in liver steatosis induced in rats by high-fructose corn syrup

Aims. This study was designed to reveal the effect of probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids in a fatty liver model in rats induced by high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Methods. In the study, 40 male Wistar Albino rats were used, and these rats were divided into five groups. HFCS was added to the drinking water (30% solution) of four groups (Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5) for three weeks, and the animals were fed ad libitum. At the end of three weeks, the rats in Groups 3, 4, and 5 were administered omega-3 fatty acids (400 mg/kg) and probiotics (1.5 x 10(9) cfu/mL/day) with the gavage method for four weeks. The body weights of rats were weighed and recorded before starting the experiment, at the end of the third week, and before the animals were sacrificed at the last week, all at the same hour. By subtracting the remaining amount of food and water from the daily food and water amount, the amount of food and water consumed was calculated. These values were recorded for seven weeks. At the end of the seven weeks, the rats were sacrificed after blood specimens and tissues were taken. Results. Analyzing the changes in the food intake of each group within itself throughout the experiment, it was observed that there was an increase in the food intake in the control group; from the starting week to the last week, the food intake amount of the HFCS group began to decrease particularly after the second week; and it began to decrease after the third week in the groups that were administered probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids. The changes in the sacrifice weights in the HFCS + omega-3 fatty acid, HFCS + probiotic, and HFCS + probiotic + omega-3 fatty acid groups were found to be lower than that in the HFCS group. The maximum levels of glucose, ALT, ALP, serum cholesterol, triglyceride and AST were found to be in the HFCS group. It was determined that the minimum mean steatosis level was in the control group, while the maximum steatosis level was in the HFCS group. Conclusions. As a result, there was a protective effect of probiotic and omega-3 fatty acid

Microanatomic analyses of extratemporal facial nerve and its branches, hypoglossal nerve, sural nerve, and great auricular nerve

Objective: To investigate microanatomic organizations of the extratemporal facial nerve and its branches, hypoglossal nerve, sural nerve, and great auricular nerve. Methods: Nerve samples were dissected in 12 postmortem autopsies, and histomorphometric analyses were conducted. Results: There was no significant difference between the right and left sides of the nerve samples for the nerve area, fascicle area, number of fascicles and average number of axons. The lowest mean fascicle number was found in the hypoglossal nerve (4.9 ± 1.4) while the highest was in great auricular nerve (11.4 ± 6.8). The highest nerve area (3,182,788 ± 838,430 μm2), fascicle area (1,573,181 ± 457,331 μm2) and axon number (14,772 ± 4402) were in hypoglossal nerve (p < 0.05). The number of axons per unit nerve area was higher in the facial nerve, truncus temporofacialis, truncus cervicofacialis and hypoglossal nerve, which are motor nerves, compared to the sural nerve and great auricular nerve, which are sensory nerves (p < 0.05). The number of axons per unit fascicle area was also higher in motor nerves than in sensory nerves (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In the present study, it was observed that each nerve contained a different number of fascicles and these fascicles were different both in size and in the number of axons they contained. All these variables could be the reason why the desired outcomes cannot always be achieved in nerve reconstruction

EVALUATION OF THE RADIO-PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF HIGH CAFFEIC ACID PHENYL ESTER CONTAINING PROPOLIS ON RADIOTHERAPY-MEDIATED BUCCAL MUCOSITIS

Aim of the study Lesions such as intraoral buccal mucositis encountered during radiotherapy after head and neck cancers are challenging regarding the prognosis and patient survival. For this purpose, the effectiveness of propolis containing high caffeic acid phenyl ester on buccal mucositis was investigated in a rodent model. Material and methods In the study groups, which comprised nine rats each, radiotherapy (15Gy) was delivered to the head and neck regions. In two of the study groups 100 and 200 mg/kg propolis were administered systemically for 14 days. In the harvested buccal mucosa samples, proinflammatory markers (interleukin-6 [IL-6], myeloperoxidase [MPO], tumor-necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) were analyzed with Enzyme Linked-Immuno-Sorbent Assay method, and tissue samples were stained with Hematoxylin-eosin and classified regarding the inflammation scores. Results The tissue levels of IL-6, MPO, and TNF-α significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in experimental groups (P = 0.001, P = 0.016, P = 0.001, respectively). Also, the inflammation scores were highest in Group 2 (P = 0.002), whereas Groups 3 and 4 had the lowest (P = 0.012). Conclusions Aqueous propolis extract containing high caffeic acid phenyl ester can prevent lesions with its superior anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties. The administration of aqueous propolis containing high caffeic acid phenyl ester decreased the inflammatory responses in a dose-dependent manner

The effect of colchicine on alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis

Abstract Colchicine is widely used in the treatment of several inflammatory diseases due to its anti-inflammatory effect, but effects on bone metabolism are unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemically-administered colchicine on healthy periodontium and experimentally-induced periodontitis. In total, 42 male Wistar rats were included in this study. A non-ligated group constituting the negative control group (Control, C, n = 6) and a ligature-only group forming the positive control group (LO, n = 12) were created separately. Twelve rats were treated with 0.4 mg/kg colchicine and another 12 with 1 mg/kg colchicine. In the colchicine-administered groups, right mandibles constituted the ligated groups (1 mgC-L or 0.4 mgC-L) and left mandibles formed the corresponding non-ligated controls (1mgC or 0.4mgC). Silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin of the lower first molars. The animals were euthanized at different time-points of healing (11 or 30 days). Alveolar bone loss was clinically measured and TRAP+ osteoclasts, osteoblastic activity, and MMP-1 expression were examined histologically. There was no increase in alveolar bone loss with either colchicine dose in healthy periodontium (p > 0.05) and the highest level of alveolar bone loss, TRAP+ osteoclast number, and MMP-1 expression were measured in the LO group (p < 0.05). The 0.4 mgC-L group showed less alveolar bone loss at 11 days (p < 0.05), but greater loss at 30 days. The 1 mgC-L group showed higher osteoblast number than the other ligated groups (p < 0.05) at both time-points. In summary, colchicine did not increase alveolar bone loss in healthy periodontium and also may tend to reduce periodontitis progression. However, further extensive study is necessary to understand the mechanism of colchicine action on alveolar bone loss in periodontitis