Effect of atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in rats: A stereological study

Purpose: To investigate the effects of oral atorvastatin on spermatogenesis in a rat model.Methods: Rats were equally assigned into control and study groups, the latter receiving atorvastatin (20 mg/kg/day). At the end of 12 weeks, spermatogenetic activity was evaluated using stereological and optical fractionator methods. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured using micro–ELISA kits. Total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL - C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also measured by enzymatic colorimetric assays.Results: Testicular stereological analysis revealed that atorvastatin reduced Sertoli cell numbers (p < 0.001), spermatogonia (p < 0.001), spermatocytes (p < 0.001), and seminiferous tubule diameters (p < 0.001). LDL – C (p = 0.01) and TG (p = 0.01) values were significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in FSH (p = 0.44), LH (p = 0.48),and TT (p = 0.06) levels between the groups.Conclusion: The findings show that atorvastatin causes deleterious effects on rat spermatogenesis. It should therefore be used with caution in clinical practice owing to its potential adverse effects, especially on male fertility. Keywords: Statin, Atorvastatin, Spermatogenesis, Stereology, Testi

The effect of atorvastatin on penile intracavernosal pressure and cavernosal morphology in normocholesterolemic rats

Objective: A debate is open on the effects of lipid-lowering drugs on sexual function. We aimed to investigate the effect of atorvastatin use on penile intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and cavernosal morphology. Material and methods: Fourteen mature male Sprague-Dawley-rats were randomly assigned to either the control group (which received standard food and water ad libitum) or the atorvastatin group (which received standard food, water, and statin) for twelwe weeks. At the end of the study, ICPs were measured with cavernosometry. Penectomy specimens were histologically examined. Results: The following mean values were obtained for the control and atorvastatin groups, respectively: pre-study body weights (350±16.9 g and 331.4±24.9 g); post-study body weights (356±18 g and 368±22.5 g (p>0.05); ICPs at 5 V (5.96±5.16 mmHg and 2.11±1.22 mmHg (p=0.07)); ICPs at 10 V (18.28±14.1 mmHg and 5.56±5.58 mmHg) (p=0.09); testosterone (1.23±0.78 and 0.78±0.58 mmol/dL) (p=0.39); blood glucose (151±22 mg/dL and 168.6±16.2 mg/dL) (p=0.12); triglyceride (93.4±19.8 mg/dL and 52.1±18.6 mg/ dL) (p=0.01); total cholesterol (50.2±7.2 mg/dL and 47.7±6.6 mg/dL) (p=0.51); and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (10.0±4.4 mg/dL and 3.5±2.1 mg/dL) (p=0.01). The mean collagen thickness was similar (p=0.09); but the mean elastin thickness increased in the atorvastatin group (p=0.01). Conclusion: The present study showed that the use of atorvastatin reduced the intracavernosal pressure in 10 V stimulation, and minimally decreased testosterone levels in rats, within a short period of time. When statin treatment is considered for its protective properties on cardiovascular system or for its lipid-lowering effect. It should be kept in mind that atorvastatin may also adversely contribute to erectile dysfunction. © 2019 by Turkish Association of Urology

The effect of three different sealers on the radiopacity of root fillings in simulated canals

WOS: 000243300400023PubMed ID: 17178508Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 3 root canal sealers on radiopacity of root fillings in simulated canals by means of direct digital radiography. Study design. Thirty simulated root canals in transparent acrylic blocks were prepared with a 4% tapered, size 25 instrument. A single 4% tapered, size 25 gutta-percha cone was inserted into each canal. Standardized images of the blocks with an aluminum step-wedge were obtained by using Digora storage phosphor plates. Then, 3 root canal sealers (Roeko, Diaket, Pulpdent) were mixed according to the manufacturers' instructions. The gutta-percha cones were completely coated with one of the sealers and placed in the identical canal to the full working length. The images of the blocks were reobtained after sealer application. The mean gray values (MGVs) of root fillings were measured with or without the sealer at 3 different levels 0 mm, 6 mm, and 11 mm from apex) by using the Image Tool program. Each MGV measurement was then converted to its aluminum equivalent by means of the step-wedge values. A paired t test was used for statistical analysis. Results. RoekoSeal caused a significant decrease in the radiopacity of the root fillings at the 1-mm level (P 0.05). Conclusion. The type and the thickness of root canal sealers can influence the radiopacity of the root fillings

The effect of atorvastatin on penile intracavernosal pressure and cavernosal morphology in normocholesterolemic rats

Objective: A debate is open on the effects of lipid-lowering drugs on sexual function. We aimed to investigate the effect of atorvastatin use on penile intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and cavernosal morphology

Bioguided Isolation of Secondary Metabolites from Salvia cerino-pruinosa Rech. f. var. cerino-pruinosa

In the current study, the ethanol extracts prepared from the aerial parts and roots of an endemic species, Salvia cerino-pruinosa Rech. f. var. cerino-pruinosa were fractionated on silica gel columns and tested for determination of their antioxidant activity using DPPH free radical and ABTS cation radical scavenging, and cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) test assays. Twenty known secondary metabolites were isolated from the active antioxidant fractions; rosmarinic acid (1), chlorogenic acid (2), caffeic acid (3), 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4), benzoic acid (5), luteolin 7-O-glucoside (6), bis-(2-ethylhexyl)benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate (7), salvianolic acid A (8), salvianolic acid B (9), 7-acetylroyleanone (10), 6,7-dehydroroyleanone (11), ferruginol (12), inuroyleanol (13), 12-hydroxy-6,7-secoabieta-8,11,13-triene-6,7-dial (14), ursolic acid (15), oleanolic acid (16), taraxasterol (17), lupenone (18), beta-sitosterol (19), and stigmasterol (20). Rosmarinic acid, which was obtained from the aerial parts, was found to be the best antioxidant compound among the isolated secondary metabolites in DPPH free radical and ABTS cation radical scavenging, and CUPRAC assays (IC50: 1.20 +/- 0.04 mu g/mL, IC50: 1.74 +/- 0.06 mu g/mL, A(0.5): 1.22 +/- 0.02 mu g/mL, respectively). Chlorogenic and caffeic acids, luteolin 7-O-glucoside, salvianolic acids A and B, and inuroyleanol exhibited also high antioxidant activity in the mentioned assays

Reasons for Undesirable Pregnancy Outcomes among Women with Appendicitis: The Experience of a Tertiary Center

Background. Although laparoscopic appendectomy increases its popularity today, the answer to the question of whether to perform open or laparoscopic appendectomy during pregnancy is appropriate in many studies, and the choice of surgery depends on the surgeon. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the variables that affect undesirable pregnancy outcomes that occur as a result of appendicitis during pregnancy. Methods. Seventy-eight pregnant patients with acute appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic or open technique intervention enrolled in this retrospective study. In addition to the demographic structure of the patients, surgical technique, the number of pregnancies, multiple pregnancy status, surgical pathologies, laboratory values, radiological imaging methods, and length of hospital stay were evaluated. The severity of appendicitis was classified according to the pathology results. The patients were divided into two groups according to the outcomes of their pregnancy. Preterm delivery and abortion involved in the study as a single complication section. Results. The mean age of the pregnant patients was 28.6 ± 5. Of the 78 pregnant women with appendicitis, 47.4% had their first pregnancy, 37.2% had their second pregnancy, and 15.4% had 3 or more pregnancies. The preterm delivery and abortus were 19.5% in the open appendectomy (OA) group and 16.2% in the laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) group. No statistically significant difference was detected in this group in terms of appendicitis pathology triggering preterm delivery or abortion (p 0.075). When white blood count (WBC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated by laboratory findings, CRP was found to be statistically significantly higher in patients with preterm birth (p 0.042). Conclusion. Consequently, acute appendicitis may cause serious intra-abdominal infection and inflammation in addition to the complexity of the diagnosis due to the nature of pregnancy, as well as undesired pregnancy outcomes with the surgical technique, or independently with other variables

Tadalafil versus alpha blockers (alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin and silodosin) as medical expulsive therapy for < 10 mm distal and proximal ureteral stones

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of tadalafil compared with four alpha blockers (alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin and silodosin) as medical expulsive treatment for ureteral stones in male adults

Computed tomography findings predicting the success of silodosin for medical expulsive therapy of ureteral stones

Aim of the study is to investigate the relationship between non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) findings and stone expulsion rate with medical expulsive therapy (MET) using silodosin for ureteral stones in male adults. Between January 2014 and June 2015, we retrospectively reviewed the patient charts with uncomplicated ureteral stones on NCCT images, who were treated with silodosin for MET. Stone diameter, volume and hounsfield units (HU) measured by NCCT and treatment findings were noted at the end of treatment. Patients were divided into three groups according to the localization as distal, mid and proximal ureteral stones. NCCT and treatment findings were compared between MET success and failure groups in different localizations. Stone expulsion rate was 81.3% for 134 distal, 45.5% for 22 mid and 27.7% for 47 proximal stones. Stone diameter, volume, and HU were significantly lower for success groups with distal and proximal stones (p < 0.05). In ROC analysis the cut-off values for stone volume and HU were detected as 48.7 mm3 and 598 HU for success group with proximal stones. Stone expulsion rate was found to be 24 times more (OR = 24; p = 0.001) in patients with <598 HU and 14 times more (OR = 14; p = 0.002) in patients with <48.7 mm3 proximal stones. Lower stone diameter, volume and HU were significant predictors of success with silodosin for MET for ureteral stones. Patients with <598 HU and/or <48.7 mm3 proximal stones may be prescribed silodosin for MET