Epidermal growth factor mediates spermatogonial proliferation in newt testis

The complex processes of spermatogenesis are regulated by various factors. The aim of the current study is to determine the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on spermatogonial proliferation and clarify the mechanism causing the proliferation in newt testis. In the organ culture, EGF stimulated spermatogonial proliferation, but not their differentiation into spermatocytes. cDNA cloning identified 3 members of the EGF receptors, ErbB1, ErbB2, and ErbB4, in the testis. RT-PCR showed that all the receptors cloned were expressed in both Sertoli and germ cells at the spermatogonial stage. In the organ cultures with inhibitors for the EGF receptors, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), the EGF-induced spermatogonial proliferation was suppressed. Furthermore, when the organ culture was exposed to EGF, the expressions of stem cell factor (SCF), immunoglobulin-like domain containing neuregulin1 (Ig-NRG1), and ErbB4 mRNA were increased. These results suggested that, since the spermatogonia are sequestered within cysts by the blood-testis barrier consisted of Sertoli cells, EGF possibly mediates spermatogonial proliferation in an endocrine manner through the receptors including ErbB1, ErbB2, and ErbB4 expressed on Sertoli cells via activation of MAPK cascade or/and PI3K cascade by elevating the expressions of SCF, Ig-NRG1, and ErbB4

Self-Inflicted Urethrovesical Foreign Bodies in Children

We present two cases of self-inflicted urethrovesical foreign body in children. Case 1 was a 6-year-old girl admitted with a history of self-introduction of a pin. The X-ray revealed the pin as 3.5 cm in length and in the bladder. The foreign body was removed endoscopically. Case 2 was a 13-year-old boy with a self-introduced packing needle, 13 cm in length, partially in the urethra. The end and the tip of the needle passed through the urethra to the surrounding tissues. Foreign body removed via a little skin incision with endoscopic guidance. Foreign bodies are rarely found in the lower urinary tract of children. Definitive treatment is usually the endoscopic removal; however, sometimes surgical intervention may require

Plasma D-Lactic Acid Level: A Useful Marker to Distinguish Perforated From Acute Simple Appendicitis

Early diagnosis of perforated appendicitis is important for reducing morbidity rates. The aim of this study was to determine the value and utility of plasma D-lactic acid levels in identifying the type of appendicitis. In this clinical study, plasma D-lactic acid levels were assessed in 44 consecutive paediatric patients (23 with acute appendicitis, 21 with perforated appendicitis) before laparotomy. D-lactic acid levels were determined by an enzymatic spectrophotometric technique using a D-lactic acid dehydrogenase kit. Patients with perforated appendicitis had higher D-lactic acid levels (3.970 ± 0.687 mg/dL) than patients in the control group (0.478 ± 0.149 mg/dL) and patients with acute appendicitis (1.409 ± 0.324 mg/dL; p < 0.05). For a plasma D-lactic acid level greater than 2.5 mg/dL, the sensitivity and specificity of the D-lactic acid assay were 96% and 87%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 87%, the negative predictive value was 96%, and the diagnostic value was 91%. These results suggest that the measurement of plasma D-lactic acid levels may be a useful adjunct to clinical and radiological findings in distinguishing perforated from acute non-perforated appendicitis in children

The effect of sustained and local administration of epidermal growth factor on improving bilateral testicular tissue after torsion

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) modulates Leydig cell proliferation, steroidogenesis, spermiogenesis, and Sertoli cell activity. It plays an important role in repairing ischemia-reperfusion injury in different tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sustained and local administration of EGF on improving bilateral testicular tissue after torsion. A total of 57 Wistar albino rats were used. For the EGF transport system, 1x2 cm gelatin films containing 2 mug EGF were used. Torsion was created by rotating the right testis 720degrees in a clockwise direction for 4 h in all groups except the control group. Then, in the torsion group, bilateral orchiectomy was performed. After returning the torsioned ipsilateral testes to their normal state, the bilateral testes were wrapped by 1x2 cm unloaded gelatin films in the gelatin (G7 and G21) groups and, by 2 mug EGF loaded gelatin films in the EGF 7 and EGF 21 groups. The testes were removed on the seventh and 21st days, respectively, for biochemical and histological examination. Histologically, Johnsen's spermatogenesis criteria and mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD) measurements were used. The EGF7 group did not show significant loss of Sertoli cells, while in the G7 group the number of these cells decreased. The ipsilateral ischemic testis of the EGF21 group showed Leydig cell hyperplasia, and the contralateral non-ischemic testes in this group were similar to the control group. In the G21 group, the bilateral testes showed Sertoli cell only syndrome in some sections, and most of the cells were undergoing apoptosis. The mean spermatogenesis scores and MSTD in the EGF7 and EGF21 groups were higher than in the G7 and G21 groups (P<0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the EGF groups than in the G groups (P<0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in the G21 group were significantly higher than in the EGF21 group. Our study shows that local and sustained EGF release after testicular torsion improves bilateral testicular injury. EGF administration may be a new treatment choice for bilaterally injured testis after detorsion without removing the twisted testis

Betaine treatment decreased serum glucose and lipid levels, hepatic and renal oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of betaine (BET) on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) in rats. Additionally, the efficiency of BET was compared with metformin (MET), a standard oral antidiabetic drug