Search

In this study, poly(lactic acid) samples were printed by using the fused deposition method whereas ambient relative humidity conditions and filling percentages varied. The effects of the relative humidity on the mechanical and thermal properties of the samples were investigated. It was observed that the mechanical properties of the samples decreased as the relative humidity increased and that specimens with low filling percentages were affected more by relative humidity. Differential scanning calorimetry results showed that the glass transition temperature, melting point, and crystallization temperature were inversely correlated with relative humidity. The surface structure was also negatively affected by the relative humidity, and the intensity and size of the voids increased as the relative humidity increased. In addition, this study recommends that the manufacture of materials with a 3D printer be conducted at low humidity to achieve high flexural strength and modulus.

Objectives We aimed to investigate the effects of hesperetin as a flavanon both histopathologically and immunohistochemically on cochlear apoptosis in a rat model of cisplatin-induced ototoxicity (CIO). The evaluation of the effects of hesperetin on cisplatin-induced hearing loss was performed using distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE). Methods Twenty-eight wistar albino rats were used in the current study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups with seven rats in each group. Group C was exposed to a single dose of cisplatin (12 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. Group CH received intraperitoneally cisplatin (12 mg/kg) and hesperetin (20 mg/kg). Group H was exposed to hesperetin (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The sham group (group S) received normal saline (6 cc) intraperitoneally. The measurements of DPOAE and signal-noise ratios (SNR) were performed before the treatment and again on the first and 6 days after administration of the drugs. Rats were sacrificed and cochleae were dissected 10 days after drug administration. The cochlear tissue was assessed in all groups by histopathologic, immunohistochemical and TUNEL assay. In addition, serum oxidative stress markers and antioxidant parameters were analyzed. Results There was a significant difference between the basal value and the sixth day at frequencies 8.4, 9.6 and 9.96 for group C. We also found a significant difference between the first and sixth day at frequencies 7.2, 8.4, 9.6 and 9.96. On the 6th day, there were significant differences between C and S groups at all frequencies except 2.4. We showed a significant difference between C and H groups at frequencies 4.8, 6.0, 8.4, 9.6 and 9.96. There was also a significant difference between C and CH groups at frequencies 2.4, and 3.6. We found lower levels of oxidants and higher levels of antioxidants in CH group as compared to C group. C group had a significantly greater number of TUNEL-positive cells than did S, H and CH groups. The number of TUNEL-positive cells in CH group was higher than in S and H groups. There was a significant difference between the positive PCNA cells of CH group compared to S and H groups in spiral ganglion and stria vascularis. In addition, there were no positive PCNA cells in C group. Conclusions Hesperetin may prevent ototoxicity by increased antioxidant enzymes and reduced oxidant parameters and protected against apoptosis resulting from a proliferation of cochlear cells in CIO.

To investigate the antiapoptotic effect of topically administered azithromycin (AZM) on corneal epithelial and endothelial cells in a rat model of corneal alkali burn.Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 equal groups as pseudovehicle (group 1), control (group 2), alkali burned (group 3), and treatment (group 4) groups. Alkali injury was induced only in the right corneas of rats belonging to groups 3 and 4 using 1N NaOH. The rats in group 3 and the rats in group 4 were respectively treated either with an artificial tear gel or with 1.5% AZM eye drops for 5 days. At the fifth day of the experiment, the apoptosis in the corneal epithelium and endothelium of all rats was assessed using a terminal dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. In addition, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) density in the corneal epithelium was measured in all rats.The mean numbers of TUNEL+ cells in the corneal epithelium and endothelium of rats in group 3 were 117.1 ± 23.8 and 34.6.± 11.3, respectively, whereas in group 4, they were 75.8 ± 15.7 and 14.7 ± 3.5, respectively. Also the mean TNF-α densities in the corneal epithelium in group 3 and group 4 were 2.65 ± 1.3 and 1.65 ± 1.1, respectively. There was a significant decrease in the mean number of TUNEL+ cells in the corneal epithelium and endothelium and in the mean TNF-α density in the corneal epithelium of rats in group 4, when compared with group 3.Topically applied AZM can decrease TNF-α-induced apoptosis in corneal alkali burn.

To examine the effects of royal jelly (RJ) on testicular damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Eighteen adult Wistar albino rats were used, 6 in each of the 3 treatment groups: Group A: control, Group B: STZ-induced diabetes (untreated), Group C: STZ-induced diabetes plus RJ (400 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Four weeks after the onset of diabetes, testicular apoptotic cell death was examined using immunohistochemical staining for caspase-3 and Ki67 staining for localization of proliferative cells. Results: Compared with the control, the body and testicular weights of the RJ-treated and untreated diabetic rats were decreased (P < 0.05). The histopathological examination showed a significant increase in degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules and in spermatogenesis of the STZ-treated rats. In contrast, the RJ treatment group showed near-normal morphology, in addition to an increased intensity of immunohistochemical staining for Ki67-positive cells. Conclusion: Diabetes induced a significant increase in testicular apoptotic cell death (caspase-3-positive cells). Caspase-3-positive cells were significantly decreased in the STZ plus RJ-treated group compared with the untreated STZ-induced diabetic group (P < 0.05).

Hesperidin (HES), a citrus fruit extract, has beneficial effects on various ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) models. We aimed to evaluate the possible positive effects of hesperetin (HPT), an active metabolite of HES, on a rat ovarian I/R model. We divided 24 Wistar Albino rats into four groups. Group I (n = 6) was sham operated, Group II (n = 6) was the I/R group, Group III (n = 6) was the I/R + solvent group and Group IV (n = 6) was the I/R + HPT group. Three hours of ischemia and 3 h of reperfusion were performed on each rat in Groups II, III, and IV. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was given intraperitoneally to the rats in the III. Group, and 50 mg/kg of HPT dissolved in DMSO was given intraperitoneally to the rats in the IV. Group 30 min before reperfusion. After 3 h of reperfusion, the ipsilateral ovaries of the rats were examined immunohistochemically to detect apoptosis. Hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining demonstrated less edema and hemorrhage in the group where HPT was applied. Caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining showed significantly lower apoptosis in the group where HPT was used when compared to either the I/R or solvent group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that shows the beneficial effects of HPT in an ovarian I/R injury. HPT improved tissue damage and apoptosis caused by I/R injury. To identify the possible positive effects of HPT in ovarian torsion of humans and use in clinical practice, more studies must be performed.

Summary Background and objective Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory condition of the colon in the gastrointestinal system. Currently, the most potent medications used for ulcerative colitis produce no response in 20–30% of cases. There is a need for more efficient and reliable medications. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown efficacy in some inflammatory diseases. Although dasatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, suppresses proinflammatory cytokines in colonic tissue, there are a few cases of hemorrhagic colitis with dasatinib. There is no study investigating the effect of dasatinib on experimental colitis. We aimed to investigate the effect of dasatinib in a colitis model induced with acetic acid in our study. Methods In the study, 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly distributed into 4 groups of 6 rats each as control, dasatinib, colitis and dasatinib + colitis groups. For colitis induction, 4% acetic acid was used. Sacrificing of the rats was performed on the seventh day. Disease activity, morphologic and histological injury, superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde activity, TNFα and CD3 expression were assessed in colonic tissue. Results Apart from malondialdehyde, significant difference in all parameters between the control and colitis groups was determined. Difference between the colitis and colitis + dasatinib groups was not significant in only weight loss and biochemical parameters. Though dasatinib does not fully resolve the changes in colitis, there was significant regression. Conclusions Dasatinib decreased the inflammation in a rodent model of colitis. It may be provide this effect by the suppression of TNFα. Dasatinib may be one of the treatment options for ulcerative colitis.

This study investigated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vascular density, and apoptosis in fetal rat adrenal glands with hyperthyroidism in late gestation. Twelve mature female Wistar albino rats with the same biological and physiological features were used for this study. Rats were divided into two groups: control and hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous injections of L-thyroxine (250 μg/kg) before pregnancy for 21 days and during pregnancy. Rats in the control and hyperthyroidism groups were caged according to the number of male rats. Zero day of pregnancy (Day 0) was indicated when the animals were observed to have microscopic sperm in vaginal smears. Pregnant rats were sacrificed on the 20th day of pregnancy; blood from each animal was collected to determine the concentrations of maternal adrenocorticotropic hormone and thyroxine. Rat fetuses were then quickly removed from the uterus, and the adrenal glands of the fetuses were dissected. VEGF expression, vascular density, and apoptosis were analyzed in fetal rat adrenal glands. Maternal serum levels of the adrenocorticotropic hormone and free thyroxine were significantly higher in the hyperthyroidism group than in the control group. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the number of VEGF positive cells and vessel density significantly increased in the hyperthyroidism rat fetal adrenal group compared with the control group. Hyperthyroidism did not change the fetal and placental weights and the number of fetuses. This study demonstrates that hyperthyroidism may have an effect on the development of rat adrenal glands mediated by VEGF expression, angiogenesis, and apoptosis.Â

Background/aim: To investigate the efficacy of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis and staging of fibrosis induced by experimental bile duct ligation (BDL). Materials and methods: Twenty-four rats were divided randomly into four groups: control, BDL - 3 days, BDL - 2 weeks, and BDL - 4 weeks. DWI was performed with b-values of 100 and 500 on the rats from control group at day zero, on the rats from the BDL - 3 days group at the end of day 3, on the rats from the BDL - 2 weeks group at the end of day 14, and on the rats from the BDL - 4 weeks at the end of day 28. Results: When fibrosis scores generated in all groups were evaluated together, a strong negative correlation was detected between fibrosis scores and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values measured using b 100 and b 500. ADC values obtained using b 100 were found to be significantly higher compared to the fibrosis observed in both the BDL - 2 weeks and BDL - 4 weeks groups (P < 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: We think that DWI may be an alternative to liver biopsy for the diagnosis and staging of hepatic fibrosis with underlying extrahepatic cholestasis.

Akşit, Hasan (Balikesir Author), Background and aims: Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal system. In some cases, current medications used for inflammatory bowel disease may not be enough for remission, creating a need for more potent and reliable medications. There is no study showing the efficacy of fostamatinib, with proven effects on some inflammatory diseases, on ulcerative colitis. In our study we planned to research the efficacy of fostamatinib, a spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on acetic acid-induced colitis. Methods: The study included 28 male Sprague-Dawley rats, randomly divided into control group, fostamatinib group, colitis group and fostamatinib + colitis group, each containing seven rats. Colitis induction was performed with 4% acetic acid. Colonic inflammation was assessed with disease activity index, macroscopic and histological damage scores, colonic myeloperoxidase, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase activity, and tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF alpha], CD3, Syk, and phospho-Syk expression. Results: There was a significant difference between the colitis and control groups in terms of all parameters. The disease activity index, macroscopic and microscopic damage scores, immunohistochemical TNF alpha, CD3, Syk, and phospho-Syk expression, and tissue myeloperoxidase activity were found to be significantly lower in the colitis + fostamatinib group compared with the colitis group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde activity. Conclusions: Fostamatinib reduced the inflammatory damage in the experimental colitis. This effect may be due to suppression of TNF alpha, T-lymphocytes, and neutrophils in colonic mucosa via suppression of Syk. Fostamatinib may be an appropriate treatment alternative for ulcerative colitis. Further clinical studies are required to support this.

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of quercetin (QE), an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agent, on torsion–detorsion induced histopathological changes and blood IMA levels in experimental ovarian ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Study design: Twenty-four female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups in this study (n = 6). Group I, (sham operation); Group II, torsion–detorsion plus saline (IR); Group III, torsion– detorsion plus solvent (dimethylsulfoxide: DMSO, IR + DMSO); Group IV, torsion–detorsion plus 15 mg/ kg/bw quercetin (IR + QE) injected intraperitoneally 30 min prior to detorsion. After 3 h of reperfusion, the right ovaries were removed surgically. The ovary tissue samples were fixed in 10% formalin solution for histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Blood samples were obtained at the end of the procedures for each group of animals. Results: Ovarian sections in Groups II and III showed higher follicular cell degeneration, hemorrhage, vascular congestion and edema when compared with Group I. Administration of quercetin in rats significantly prevented degenerative changes in the ovary. Significantly less histopathological changes were found in Group IV compared with Groups II and III. Caspase-3 and TUNEL positive cells were detected in the ovarian surface, follicle epithelium, and stromal cells in all experimental groups, and there was a significant increase in Groups II and III compared with Group I (P < 0.05). Treatment with quercetin decreased the number of caspase-3 and TUNEL positive cells. IR increased the ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels in comparison to the sham group (1.06 0.10 ABSU and 0.92 0.08 ABSU, P < 0.05). Quercetin administration before IR reduced the levels of IMA (0.93 0.08 ABSU, P < 0.05). Conclusion: Administration of quercetin is effective in preventing tissue damage induced by IR injury in ovaries.

Background/purpose The goal of this study was to evaluate effects of exogenous sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) administration on acute lung injury induced by pulmonary contusion in rats. Methods Eight animals were included in each of the following five groups: control, contusion, contusion phosphate-buffered solution (PBS), contusion SPC 2, contusion SPC 10. SPC was administered 3days at a daily two different doses of 2μm/ml and 10μm/ml intraperitoneally. The severity of lung injury was determined by the neutrophil activation and histological and immunohistochemical changes in the lung. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) were determined to evaluate the oxidative status in the lung tissue. Results Treatment with 2μM SPC inhibited the increase in lung MDA and NO levels significantly and also attenuated the depletion of SOD, GPx, and GSH in the lung injury induced by pulmonary contusion. These data were supported by histopathological findings. The inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) positive cells and apoptotic cells in the lung tissue were observed to be reduced with the 2μM SPC treatment. But, the 10μM SPC treatment did not provide similar effects. Conclusions In conclusion, these findings suggested that 2μM SPC can attenuate lung damage in pulmonary contusion by prevention of oxidative stress, inflammatory process and apoptosis. All these findings suggest that low dose SPC may be a promising new therapeutic agent for acute lung injury.