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Objective: To investigate the effects of Potentilla fulgens as a prophylactic agent on tibial defects in the rat., Study Design: Twenty-eight male Wistar albino rats weighing 200-215 g each were divided into 3 experimental groups. The tibial bone defect group served as the control group. The experimental groups were Potentilla fulgens with tibial defect (14 days) and Potentilla fulgens with tibial defect (28 days). Extract of Potentilla fulgens was mixed with water (400 mg/kg/day) and given to groups 14 and 28 as drinking water. The histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of each tibial bone cavity within each group were observed. The trabecular new bone formation was evaluated by expression rate of osteonectin and osteopontin., Results: In the Potentilla fulgens + tibial defect group (14 days), trabecular bone had started combining extensive new bone formation, osteocyte cells were evident, and lamellar bone was formed. Osteoblasts showed a positive reaction with osteonectin. Osteopontin expression was positively observed between fibrous structures and in the osteoblast and osteocyte cells. This can be considered indicative of new bone formation. In the Potentilla fulgens + tibial defect group (28 days), an increase in expansion in trabecular bone and myeloid tissue was observed. Osteoblastic activity and osteocyte cells began to be observed in new bone fragments., Conclusion: In our study we show that Potentilla fulgens extract provided a protective effect on new bone formation and aided in the development of osteocytes and secretion of matrix in osteoblasts. Additionally, we show the inductive effect of the extract on new bone formation. In particular, the expression of osteopontin and osteonectin was also supported with the Western blot technique on the development of osteoblasts and osteocytes, showing a similar trend with our results.

Objective: To determine the effect of zoledronic acid on graft materials in bone calvarial defects., Study Design: Eighty adult (12 weeks) Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing from 300-350 g were divided into groups: calvarial defect, calvarial defect + synthetic graft, and calvarial defect + xenograft. All groups received zoledronate intravenously for a week after surgery and were sacrificed at either 6 or 12 weeks after their operation. The rat calvariae were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin before decalcification in 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid for 20 days. Calvarial bone samples were then dehydrated and processed for embedding in paraffin wax. Sections 5 μm thick were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and examined by light microscopy., Results: The effects of zoledronic acid, a third-generation nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, on different graft materials in rats with critical-size calvarial defects were analyzed and compared. Significantly less graft resorption was identified in zoledronic acid-treated rats that had received a xenograft than in either the untreated rats or those with a synthetic graft. In the xenograft group primary ossification was visible at week 12, and the graft had entered the bone to a greater extent than in the other experimental groups or in the control group. Osseous structures were also observed more clearly in this group than in the others., Conclusion: Zoledronic acid histopathologic bone graft stimulates bone formation. Zoledronic acid may be considered among the therapeutic methods available to improve the bone formation process in calvarial bone formation.

Objective: To evaluate the histopathological and immunohistochemical effects of systemically administered nicotine on rat tongue mucosa., Study Design: Rats were assigned to one of two groups: the experimental group received nicotine systemically (nicotine sulphate 2 mg/kg subcutaneously daily for 28 days), while the rats in the control group were administered physiological saline (1.5 mL subcutaneously for 28 days). All animals were sacrificed at the end of the study, and tongue tissue samples were removed and prepared according to routine histological procedures. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and observed by light microscopy. Immunoreactivity of tongue mucosa was assessed with E-cadherin, collagen IV, and VEGF expression by immunohistochemical staining., Results: There were significant differences in the average histopathological score between the nicotine-treated and untreated groups. Morphological changes, including inflammatory leukocyte infiltration and cellular desquamation, blood vessel dilation, hemorrhage, and epithelial degeneration, were noted. Further, E-cadherin expression was significantly decreased in the nicotine-treated group versus the untreated group. The nicotine treatment group showed an increase in collagen IV secondary papillae and basal cells., Conclusion: The increased level of VEGF expression in the nicotine-treated group may have affected endothelial cell apoptosis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Potentilla fulgens as a prophylactic agent on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in the rat ovary., Study Design: A total of 32 Wistar rats were divided into 4 equal groups: (I) sham, (II) ischemia, (III) ischemia + reperfusion, and (IV) IR + Potentilla fulgens. In groups I and II, ovary torsion was not performed and no drug was administered. In group III, 1 hour of ischemia and 2 hours of reperfusion were performed and no drug was given. Group IV received 400 mg/kg/day Potentilla fulgens intraperitoneally 5 days before I/R injury., Results: The detorsion group showed preantral ovarian follicles and corpus luteum around the blood vessels and positive expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In the Potentilla fulgens group (IV) the stromal vascular endothelium with weak expression of VEGF was detected in small areas, and the ovarian follicles and the corpus luteum showed negative expression of VEGF. In the detorsion group the theca cells and apoptotic cells in preantral follicles showed positive expression of E-cadherin in the ovarian surface epithelium. Moreover, the E-cadherin expression was found to be positive in terms of follicular development, theca cells, granulosa cells, and corpus luteum. Potentilla fulgens, given after ischemic injury and apoptosis, was seen to decrease the effect of Bcl-2 expression., Conclusion: These results provide compelling evidence that the expression of E-cadherin in the ovary is an important component of ovarian function.

Objective: To evaluate the histopathologic and immunohistochemical effects of systemic use of nicotine on the submandibular glands., Study Design: We investigated the effects of nicotine on apoptosis and angiogenesis. Twenty adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: nicotine (n = 10) and controls (n = 10). The rats of the nicotine group were administered 2 mg/kg nicotine sulphate for 28 days. All animals were sacrified at the end of the study, and submandibular samples were removed and prepared for histologic examination. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and Bcl-2 antibodies were used for immunohistochemical examination., Results: In the group treated with nicotine, we observed degeneration in serous cells and striated duct cells, dilation and hemorrhage of blood vessels in the stromal area, and an increase of fibrous tissue and edema. An increase was observed in the number of PCNA-positive cells as compared to in the controls. VEGF expression was found to be positive in vascular endothelial cells and inflammatory cells around the excretory ducts in the stromal area. The duct cells are immunoreactive to Bcl-2 antibody. Apoptosis was observed in some cells of the serous glands and ducts., Conclusion: Nicotine administration in this study induced apoptosis with salivary gland cell proliferation and is thought to have affected angiogenesis.

Objective: To compare the protective effects of resveratrol, gliclazide, and losartan, at biochemical and histopathological levels, on the rat kidney with experimentally induced type 1 diabetes., Study Design: A total of 35 adult male Wistar rats were divided into control, diabetic, diabetic gliclazide, diabetic resveratrol, and diabetic losartan groups. For biochemical analysis, based on one of the kidneys, superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and catalase were used for measurement. The other kidney was stained for histochemical and immunohistochemical markers and examined by light microscopy., Results: Nephropathy due to diabetes was developed at the end of the third week in the diabetic group: in the glomeruli, contraction from Bowman distance, diffuse mesangial matrix increasing and tubular dilation, and cytoplasmic vacuolar changes were observed. In tubulointerstitial areas, some tubular structures, an increased expression of VEGF was observed., Conclusion: As a result, in diabetic rats, the effects of gliclazide, resveratrol, and losartan cure were equivalent to each other according to the parameters which were followed. Resveratrol, gliclazide, and losartan significantly protected renal glomeruli and the proximal and distal tubules.

Objective: To study the toxic processes of lead in teeth by investigating the histopathologic and immunohistochemical effects of lead on incisor teeth of rats., Study Design: Thirty Wistar Albino rats weighing 180-200 g were divided into 2 groups: a control group and a lead acetate group (i.e., the experimental group). The experimental group received lead acetate at 500 ppm in their drinking water for 60 days, and the control group received distilled water. The sections of the control group and the experiment group were histopathologically compared., Results: The longitudinal cross-sections of the mandibular incisor teeth were analyzed. Degeneration in the periodontal membrane and vascular dilation in pulp and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed, and vimentin expression was seen in the dental pulp and the periodontal membrane., Conclusion: The presence of vimentin in the dentinal tubules indicated that the odontoblast processes in these tubules were positive. In the experimental group the profile of dentinal tubules was found to be impaired and disorganized. These results indicate a loss of collagen fibers in the periodontal membrane of incisor teeth in the experimental group. In the same group the gripping function of the incisor teeth was affected due to the spacing of the intermediate filaments that are located between the alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament. The expression of vimentin on the tooth was reduced by the lead acetate treatment. Lead acetate may affect the adhesion of the tooth to the alveolar bone.

Objective: To determine the immunohistochemical and histopathological changes in facial skin after exposure to maneb (manganese ethylene bisdithiocarbamate), a fungicidal dithiocarbamate pesticide., Study Design: In the experimental group maneb was administered by inhalation to 10 male Wistar albino rats for 5 days each week for 3 weeks. As a biological control, the control group (n = 10) received distilled water by spray for the same time period. The experiment was terminated after 3 weeks. Sections of rat facial skin were examined histopathologically., Results: In the experimental group, microscopic examination of facial skin revealed degeneration of the epidermis, detection of mild inflammatory reaction, and vascular dilation in the connective tissue. Hair follicles and degenerative changes were observed in the deeper parts. In the experimental group, dilation of the blood vessels in the dermis and hemorrhage were supported by an increase in CD34 expression. In addition, a reduction in the number of melanocytes (hypopigmentation) was observed in the hair follicles and epidermis, along with a decrease in the expression of CD117., Conclusion: Epidermal degeneration, intradermal cell infiltration, vascular changes, and reduction in the number of melanocytes in the follicle and content of cytokeratin in both the epidermis and hair follicle keratinocytes were detected after maneb application. These findings may have important implications in the association with main signaling pathways, including keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. Disruption of these pathways may cause some dermatoses.

Objective: To investigate histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in the Fallopian tube structure following ovarian torsion., Study Design: Thirty fertile, female, adult Wistar albino rats, weighing 200-220 g, were randomly divided into 3 equal groups (n = 10): sham, torsion, and detorsion. In the torsion and detorsion groups, bilateral adnexal torsion (3-hour ischemia) was carried out. Bilateral adnexal detorsion (3-hour reperfusion) was performed in the detorsion group. Fallopian tube sections were stained hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, Mallory-Azan and immunohistochemically-stained desmin, α smooth actin, and CD68 antibodies., Results: In the sections of the ischemic group, degeneration of epithelium, loss of cilia, dilation of blood vessels, and hemorrhages were observed. Image analysis of the studied Fallopian section revealed a significant decrease in density of desmin in the torsion group. Moreover, strong positive cytoplasmic CD68 expression was observed in the torsion group., Conclusion: The use of effective antiinflammatory treatments may contribute to the conservative surgery in preservation of ovarian reserve and tubal structure.

Objective: To evaluate Hofbauer cells in the placentas of women diagnosed with HELLP syndrome., Study Design: The present study compared 20 patients with HELLP syndrome and 20 control patients with respect to demographics, hematological parameters and the presence of Hofbauer cells in placental samples. CD-68 antibody was used for immunohistochemical examination. The total number and size of Hofbauer cells were measured in the placental villi, and the proportion of Hofbauer cells relative to the vascular structure was also compared between groups., Result: The patient and control groups were similar according to baseline obstetric characteristics. White blood cell counts in patients with HELLP syndrome and the control group were 15,139 +/- 4,169 and 10,806 +/- 2,888, respectively, and were significantly increased among patients with HELLP syndrome (p < 0.001). Hofbauer cell numbers in the placental villi of patients with HELLP syndrome were significantly elevated in comparison to normotensive controls (p = 0.046). The proportion of Hofbauer cells in the placental villi according to proximity to the vascular structure were 3.85 +/- 1.66 in the HELLP group and 1.75 +/- 1.12 in controls (p < 0.001). Sizes of the Hofbauer cells were not statistically different between groups., Conclusion: Increased Hofbauer cells may be associated with increased inflammation or may have an adaptive mechanism at the fetal site of the placenta in patients with HELLP syndrome.

Objective: To investigate morphologic differences of the placenta in pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes compared to nondiabetic pregnancies., Study Design: This was a comparative morphological study of the placentas from 20 women with gestational diabetes and 20 healthy pregnancies at 28-35 weeks of gestation., Results: The presence of lesions such as fibrinoid necrosis, villous edema, syncytial knot and vascular lesions like chorangiosis was apparent, mainly in the diabetes group. There was an apparent decrease in the intensity of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) immunostaining in the syncytiotrophoblast from the 28th to 35th weeks of gestation in the placentas of the healthy control group. No hCG immunostaining was observed in the villous or intervillous areas of any of the placentas. In diabetic placentas the expression of hCG was homogeneous with a moderate to intense immunoreactivity in the syncytiotrophoblast. Several syncytiotrophoblast cells showed dilations of both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and loss and alteration of microvilli, and large vacuoles were observed just below the plasma membrane, as well as irregularities in the mitochondria., Conclusion: Syncytial cells play an important role in the placental transition. Increased expression of beta-hCG, deterioration, degeneration of organelles and cell structure and the basal membrane disorder in chorionic vessels were seen in placentas with gestational diabetes. These changes can affect placental transfer. However, further studies are needed to clarify this issue.