Lycopene Prevents Development of Steatohepatitis in Experimental Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Model Induced by High-Fat Diet

We investigated the preventive effect of lycopene on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-induced by high-fat diet in rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. They were fed standard diet, high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet plus lycopene at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight and the high-fat diet lycopene at a dose of 4 mg/kg BW for a period of 6 weeks. Inflammation, steatosis, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1) expression increased significantly in the rats fed HFD and decreased in the rats administered by lycopene. Significantly elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor (TNF α), and serum and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed in rats fed the high-fat diet as compared to the control rats (P < .01). Supplementation with lycopene lowered serum MDA and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) levels and elevated liver GSH level (P < .001). Insulin resistance was higher in the rats fed HFD than in rats supplemented with lycopene. The data indicate that supplementation with lycopene can reduce high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress to the cells

Protective Role of Genistein in Acute Liver Damage Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride

Aim. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of genistein in experimental acute liver damage induced by CCl4. Method. Forty rats were equally allocated to 5 groups. The first group was designated as the control group (group 1). The second group was injected with intraperitoneal CCl4 for 3 days (group 2). The third group was injected with subcutaneous 1 mg/kg genistein for 4 days starting one day before CCl4 injection. The fourth group was injected with intraperitoneal CCl4 for 7 days. The fifth group was injected with subcutaneous 1 mg/kg genistein for 8 days starting one day before CCl4 injection. Plasma and liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver glutathione levels, as well as AST and ALT levels were studied. A histopathological examination was conducted. Results. Liver tissue MDA levels were found significantly lower in group 3, in comparison to group 2 (P < .05). Liver tissue MDA level in group 5 was significantly lower than that in group 4 (P < .001). Liver tissue glutathione levels were higher in group 5 and 3, relative to groups 4 and 2, respectively (P > .05 for each). Inflammation and focal necrosis decreased in group 3, in comparison to group 2 (P < .001 for each). Inflammation and focal necrosis in group 5 was lower than that in group 4 (P < .001). Actin expression decreased significantly in group 5, relative to group 4 (P < .05). Conclusion. Genistein has anti-inflammatory and antinecrotic effects on experimental liver damage caused by CCl4. Genistein reduces liver damage by preventing lipid peroxidation and strengthening antioxidant systems

Fasciola Hepatica Case with Hemobilia

Fasciola hepatica (FH) can lead to important hepatobiliary diseases. Here we present a case of hemobilia associated with biliary FH, which is quite a rare case. The 41–year-old patient, who underwent common bile duct exploration due to hemobilia, was found to have arterial bleeding associated with ulcer caused by a dead parasite in the common bile duct. Hemobilia is a very rare complication associated with FH. When searching for the cause of hemobilia, FH should be considered

Cost of Alzheimer's disease in a developing country setting

Purpose: To evaluate the economic impact of AD in Denizli, Turkey. Design and methods: This observational study was conducted with 42 AD patients and their primary caregivers. During the initial interview, demographic data and medical histories were collected with questionnaires. For an observational period of 15 days, data on time spent for patient care were collected using standard forms. Calculations on direct cost (e.g. per day medication, outpatient physician visits during the last 3 months), indirect cost (e.g. time spent for care by caregiver for daily living (ADL) and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL)) were made by summing up and taking averages of the appropriate items. ANOVA, and linear regressions were the methods for comparisons. Results: The primary caregivers of the patients mainly were their children and/or spouses. The maximum mean time spent (h/week) was 21.0 (17.5) for severely damaged cognition. The average annual cost per case was between $1,766 [95$4,930 (95% CI; 3.3714-6.147). The amount of caregiver cost was the most significant item in the overall cost and it showed an increase with the declining cognitive function of patients. Daily medication cost reflected the same pattern. In contrast, cost of outpatient physician was the lowest among the patients with the worst cognition. Conclusions: These results suggest that recently AD has become a significant cost for developing countries. This pilot study gives an idea of the cost of AD in developing countries where determining the actual cost can be difficult. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Effects of a comprehensive educational program on quality of life and emotional issues of dementia patient caregivers

The aim of this community-based pre-post interventional study was to investigate the effectiveness of a comprehensive educational program reinforced by an individualized component (CEPRIC) on problems likely to be experienced by caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease, as defined by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA). The Beck Depression Scale, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Duke scales were used to measure depression, anxiety, and quality of life, respectively. Sixty-four participants (32 caregiver-patient pairs) took part in the program. This study suggests that caregiver problems (disturbed sleep and eating patterns, trauma risk, anxiety) were reduced and caregiver depression and anxiety scores were diminished; quality of life of caregivers was increased by the intervention. In conclusion, the CEPRIC is a viable option for Alzheimer's caregivers' education programs, particularly in an environment with limited respite care options. © 2005 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved

The role of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the primary staging of rectal cancer

Background: In this study we aimed to determine the need for F-18-flourodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the preoperative staging of rectal carcinoma in our large patient group according to level and location of tumor. Method: Totally, 97 patients diagnosed with primary rectal adenocarcinoma between May 2009 and July 2011 were included in the study. Preoperative staging was performed by evaluating contrast- enhanced thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic computed tomographies. After staging by conventional methods, all patients underwent an F-18-FDG PET/CT. In all cases, the relationship between F-18-FDG uptake and gender, tumor height at the anal canal, localization in the rectal wall, plasma carcinoembryonic antigen levels, histopathological tumor type, and tumor stage were examined. Results: While the ceCT was normal in 4 (4%) patients, it was positive for the rectum in 93 (95%), pelvic lymph nodes in 22 (22%), and distant metastases in 14 (14%) (liver (8), lung (8), bone (2), distant lymph nodes (6), and uterus (1)). Using computed tomography, disease stages were determined as stage 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 in 4, 8, 48, 23, and 14 patients, respectively; F-18-FDG PET/CT was normal in two (2%) patients. The mean SUVmax of FDG-positive rectal tumors was calculated as 17.31 +/- 9.37. Additionally, F-18-FDG uptake was seen in pelvic lymph nodes in 15 (15%) patients and in distant organs in 24 (24%) patients (liver (9), lung (12), bone (5), distant lymph nodes (11), uterus (1), and sigmoid colon (1)). According to an F-18- FDG PET/CT, 2, 7, 47, 20, and 21 patients were staged as stage 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. In 14 patients (14.4%), the stage of the disease was either changed, and there was a need to make adjustments to the patient's treatment strategy (n = 10), or the type of operation was changed (n = 4). In seven patients (0.7%), findings from F-18- FDG PET/CT images did not require any changes of the treatment plan. Conclusion: F-FDG PET/CT provides new findings in addition to conventional techniques in the staging of primary rectal cancer. These findings could change the patients' treatment strategies