Demonstration of the protective effect of ghrelin in the livers of rats with cisplatin toxicity

Despite the various and newly developed chemotherapeutic agents in recent years, cisplatin is still used very frequently as a chemotherapeutic agent, even though cisplatin has toxic effects on many organs. The aim of our study is to show whether ghrelin reduces the liver toxicity of cisplatin in the rat model. Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley albino mature rats were chosen to be utilized in the study. Group 1 rats (n = 7) were taken as the control group, and no medication was given to them. Group 2 rats (n = 7) received 5 mg/kg/day cisplatin and 1 ml/kg/day of 0.9% NaCl, Group 3 rats (n = 7) received 5 mg/kg/day cisplatin and 10 ng/kg/day ghrelin, Group 4 rats (n = 7) received 5 mg/kg/day cisplatin and 20 ng/kg/day ghrelin for 3 days. Glutathione, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and liver biopsy results were measured in rats. It was determined that, especially in the high-dose group, the MDA, plasma ALT, and SOD levels increased less in the ghrelin group as compared to the cisplatin group, and the glutathione level decreased slightly with a low dose of ghrelin, while it increased with a higher dose. In histopathological examination, it was determined that the toxic effect of cisplatin on the liver was reduced with a low dose of ghrelin, and its histopathological appearance was similar to normal liver tissue when given a high dose of ghrelin. These findings show that ghrelin, especially in high doses, can be used to reduce the toxic effect of cisplatin

Hypophosphatasia Presenting with Pyridoxine-Responsive Seizures, Hypercalcemia, and Pseudotumor Cerebri: Case Report

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is an inborn error of metabolism characterized by defective bone mineralization caused by a deficiency in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity due to mutations in the tissue-nonspecific ALP (TNALP) gene. The clinical expression of the disease is variable. Six forms of HPP are identified according to age at presentation and clinical features. Patients with the infantile form are normal at birth. First symptoms appear within the first 6 months of life. Along with skeletal findings, HPP patients may present with hypercalcemia, seizures, pseudotumor cerebri, and pulmonary insufficiency. Seizures in HPP are refractory to conventional antiepileptic drugs, but are responsive to pyridoxine. Herein, we report a case of HPP who presented with pyridoxine-responsive seizures in the early neonatal period and was found to have hypercalcemia, skeletal demineralization and increased intracranial pressure. Key words: Hypophosphatasia, pyridoxine-responsive seizures, bisphosphonates, alkaline phosphatase, bone resorption, hypercalcemi

Comparison of blood ethanol stabilities in different storage periods

Abstract Introduction: Measurements of blood ethanol concentrations must be accurate and reliable. The most important factors affecting blood ethanol stability are temperature and storage time. In this study, we aimed to compare ethanol stability in plasma samples at -20 °C for the different storage periods. Materials and methods: Blood samples were collected from intoxicated drivers (N = 80) and initial plasma ethanol concentrations were measured immediately. Plasma samples were then stored at -20 °C and re-assessed after 2, 3, 4, or 5 months of storage. Differences between the initial and stored ethanol concentrations in each group (N = 20) were analyzed using Wilcoxon matched-pairs test. The deviation from the initial concentration was calculated and compared with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA’88) Proficiency Testing Limits. Relationships between the initial concentrations and deviations from initial concentrations were analyzed by Spearman’s correlation analysis. For all statistical tests, differences with P values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed between the initial and poststorage ethanol concentrations in the overall sample group (P < 0.001). However, for the individual storage duration groups, analytically significant decreases were observed only for samples stored for 5 months, deviations from the initial concentrations exceeded the allowable total error (TEa). Ethanol decreases in the other groups did not exceed the TEa. Conclusion: According to our results, plasma ethanol samples can be kept at -20 °C for up to 3-4 months until re-analysis. However, each laboratory should also establish its own work-flow rules and criterion for reliable ethanol measurement in forensic case

The effect of social responsibility activities in business on the personnel perception: Research on a telecommunication company

Rekabet avantajı yakalamak için farklılık yaratmanın zorunluluk haline geldiği bu çağda, işletmelerin kurumsal sosyal sorumluluk bilinci taşıması çok önemli bir farklılaşma kriteri olarak karşımıza çıkmaktadır. Bu çalışmada bir telekomünikasyon şirketi tarafından gerçekleştirilen sosyal sorumluluk projelerine kurum çalışanlarının bakış açısı değerlendirilmek istenmektedir. İletişim sektöründe faaliyet gösteren bir şirketin sosyal sorumluluk projelerinin işletmenin çalışanları üzerindeki algısını ölçümlemek amacıyla basit tesadüfi örnekleme yöntemiyle ulaşılan çalışanlar üzerinde bir anket çalışması gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışmanın sonucunda elde edilen verilere göre kurum tarafından gerçekleştirilen sosyal sorumluluk projeleri hakkında kurum çalışanlarının pozitif yönde algısı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Kurumlar, çevre, eğitim, sağlık vb. birçok alanda projeler gerçekleştirmektedirler ve bu projeler ile topluma karşı sorumluluklarını yerine getirmektedirler. Kurumsal sosyal sorumluluk faaliyetleri hakkında çalışanların algı düzeylerinin yüksek olması sonucunda kurumda sosyal sorumluluk bilincine sahip çalışanların olduğu bir örgüt kültürü geliştirilmesine katkı sağlayacağı söylenebilir.In today’s world, creating something novel is vital for competitive advantage. One of the criteria for being original and different from others is undoubtedly the social responsibility spirit in a business. This study aims to assess the attitude and perception of the personnel in a telecommunication company towards its social responsibility projects. In order to measure the perception of the social responsibility projects of a company operating in the communication sector on the employees of the company, a survey study was conducted on the employees who were reached by a simple random sampling method. It can be seen from the results of the study that the personnel of that company has a positive perception about the social responsibility projects held by their company. Many corporations hold projects in various fields, including education, health and environment and via these projects have a chance to give back to society. It can be said that the high level of perception of employees about corporate social responsibility activities will contribute to the development of an organizational culture in which employees with social responsibility awarenes

The valuable effects of potent antioxidant curcumin in cisplatin induced liver and kidney injury

Amaç: Sisplatin (CIS) sıklıkla kullanılan oldukça güçlü bir anti kanser ajandır. Sisplatinin toksik etkileri kullanımını sınırlandırmaktadır. Sunulan bu deneysel çalışmada, sisplatinin nefrotoksik ve hepatotoksik yan etkilerine karşı kurkuminin (CUR) etkilerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır.Yöntem: Sıçanlar her biri 7'şerli toplam 3 gruba ayrıldı. İlk grup, control grubu olarak, ikinci grup CIS (6 mg/kg, i.p)+ salin grubu ve 3. grup CIS (6 mg/kg, i.p) + CUR (100 mg/kg i.p) olarak belirlendi. Sisplatin tek doz olarak ve kurkumin ise 3 gün boyunca sıçanlara verildi. 3 gün sonra, karaciğer ve böbrek dokuları ve kan örnekleri histopatolojik ve biyokimyasal tekniklerle analiz edildi. Bulgular: Sisplatin+ kurkumin gurubunda BUN ve ALT değerleri sadece sisplatin uygulanan gruba göre daha düşük bulundu. Bunun yanında, SOD ve GSH düzeyleri sadece sisplatin verilen grupta CIS+CUR grubuna göre daha yüksekti. Karaciğer ve böbrek dokusunda histopatolojik olarak kurkuminin yararlı etkileri gözlendi. Sonuç: Sisplatin böbrek ve karaciğer dokuları üzerinde güçlü bir toksik etkiye sahiptir. Sunulan bu çalışma; kurkuminin, nefrotoksik ve hepatotoksik yan etkileri iyileştirmede önemli bir etkisi olduğunu öne sürmektedir.Objective: Cisplatin (CIS) is a potent anticancer drug that uses commonly. The toxic effects of CIS limit its usage. In the present experimental study, it is aimed to evaluate effects of curcumin (CUR) on CIS induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Method: The rats were separated into three groups as each composed of 7 rats. First one is control group, the second is the CIS (6 mg/kg, i.p) + saline group, and third is the CIS (6 mg/kg, i.p) + CUR (100 mg/kg i.p) group. CIS was given at single dose and CUR was given for 3 days. After 3 days, kidney, liver and blood samples were analyzed with histopathological and biochemical technics. Results: In CIS+ CUR group, there was decline in levels of Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ALT and compared with CIS group. Besides, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels were found increased as compared with CIS group. The ameliorating effects of CUR were presented with histopathological findings. Conclusions: CIS has serious toxicity on kidney and liver and oxidative stress play an important role on toxicity. The present study suggests that CUR has important healing effects on nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity of CIS

Beneficial effects of agomelatine in experimental model of sepsis-related acute kidney injury

WOS: 000374753400002PubMed ID: 27193977BACKGROUND: Sepsis-related acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of sepsis. Problems persist regarding early diagnosis and treatment of AKI. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of agomelatine, which is primarily known for its positive effects on depressive and anxiety disorders in sepsis-related AKI. METHODS: Sepsis model was created with cecal ligation puncture (CLP). Rats were separated into 4 groups of 8 each: the control group, the sham-operated group, the CLP+saline group, and the CLP+agomelatine group. Agomelatine was administered intraperitoneally in doses of 20 mg/kg. RESULTS: In the agomelatine group, reductions were observed in levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), malondialdehyde (MDA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine, as well as in histological kidney scores, compared to the non-treated group. In addition, it was demonstrated that agomelatine treatment had positive effect on sepsis-induced morphological damage to renal and tubular tissues. CONCLUSION: Agomelatine showed strong efficacy in sepsis-related AKI, demonstrated with histological and biochemical results in an experimental model. It is believed that antioxidant and pro-inflammatory effects of agomelatine are responsible for the improvement in kidneys