Priapism in the newborn: management and review of literature

P>Priapism is a pathological condition of a penile erection that persists beyond or is unrelated to sexual stimulation. Priapism is broadly classified into two types: (i) ischaemic priapism (veno-occlusive) (low-flow), (ii) nonischaemic priapism (arterial) (high-flow). We report the case of a newborn presenting with priapism on the first day of life and also review published data on the management and follow-up of this condition

Quercetin ameliorates methotrexate-induced renal damage, apoptosis and oxidative stress in rats

Background: In the present study, the protective and therapeutic effects of quercetin (QE) on renal injury induced by methotrexate (MTX) have been examined. Materials and methods: A total of 24 male rats were divided into the following three groups: control group, MTX group, and MTX+QE group. Rats in MTX group received 20mg/kg of single dose of MTX, while those in MTX+QE group received 20mg/kg of single dose MTX, in addition to 15mg/kg of QE administered 30min prior to MTX and in the following 5-day period as a single daily dose. At the end of the experimental period, renal tissues were removed for histopathological and biochemical assessments. Results: Light microscopic examination showed a disruption of the renal structure in rats in MTX group in the form of tubular degeneration and dilation, with shedding of the tubular epithelial cells into the lumen. QE treatment was associated with less marked degenerative changes, with a similar histological appearance to that of controls. Furthermore, QE treatment resulted in decreased the number of apoptotic cells. Biochemical assessments showed significantly higher malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in MTX group as compared to control and MTX+QE groups. superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) levels showed a significant decrease in MTX group as compared to controls. However, QE significantly suppressed MDA level, compensated deficits in the anti-oxidant defenses [reduced SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT levels] in kidney tissue resulted from MTX administration. Conclusions: In conclusion, renal toxic effects of MTX may be alleviated by QE

Effect of Cadmium on Trophoblast Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis in Different Gestation Periods of Rat Placenta

In this study, we aimed to show how cadmium (Cd) affects the trophoblast proliferation and differentiation in the placenta and the apoptotic activity in different gestational days and, hence, its effects of placental development with immunohistochemical and TUNEL techniques. Experimental model of our study consisted of placental development of control and Cd groups on 15, 17, 19, and 21th days of the gestation. Female rats in Cd groups were subcutaneously administered a single dose of 0.5 mg Cd/kg/day dissolved in sodium chloride as 2 mL/kg Cd chloride until the day they sacrificed. Embryo and placenta of female rats were separately removed on 15, 17, 19, and 21th days of the gestation in which the placental development takes place and placentas were processed for microscopic examinations. In the placentas of the control group, all layers were observed to be formed on the 15th gestational day and thereafter a continuous growth was monitored. In the Cd group also all layers existed from the 15th gestational day. However, they were smaller in size than control groups. Frequency of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells was decreased and the number of apoptotic cells was increased in all the gestational days related to Cd. In conclusion, Cd administered during the pregnancy was observed to cause abnormal placental development by disrupting the normal structure of the placenta, inhibiting the proliferation of trophoblast and increasing the number of apoptotic trophoblast cells

Anti-Apoptotic and Anti-Oxidant Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester on Cadmium-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats

Cadmium (Cd) is a serious environmental and occupational contaminant and may represent a serious health hazard to humans and other animals. Cd is reported to induce the generation of reactive oxygen species, and induces testicular damage in many species of animals. The goal of our study was to examine the anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on Cd-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and testicular injury in rats. A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: control, CAPE alone, Cd-treated, and Cd-treated with CAPE; each group consisted of 10 animals. To induce toxicity, Cd (1 mg/kg body weight) was dissolved in normal saline and subcutaneously injected into rats for 30 days. The rats in CAPE-treated group were given a daily dose of 10 mu mol/kg body weight of CAPE by using intraperitoneal injection. This application was continued daily for a total of 30 days. To date, no examinations of the anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidant properties of CAPE on Cd-induced apoptosis, oxidative damage, and testicular injury in rat testes have been reported. CAPE-treated animals showed an improved histological appearance and serum testosterone levels in Cd-treated group. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the number of apoptotic cells in testis tissues of the Cd-treated group with CAPE treatment. Moreover, CAPE significantly suppressed lipid peroxidation, compensated deficits in the anti-oxidant defenses in testes tissue resulted from Cd administration. These findings suggest that the protective potential of CAPE in Cd toxicity might be due to its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, which could be useful for achieving optimum effects in Cd-induced testicular injury.Namik Kemal University Research Center, Tekirdag, TurkeyNamik Kemal University [NKUBAP.00.20.AR.14.13]This study was funded under Project NKUBAP.00.20.AR.14.13 by the Namik Kemal University Research Center, Tekirdag, Turkey