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Objective: To explore the protective effects of curcumin against renal injury induced by formaldehyde in rats. Methods: A total of 21 male Sprague-Dawley rats were included. The animals were divided into three groups. The control group received 10 ml/kg of physiological saline intragastrically and intraperitoneally on a daily basis. The formaldehyde group were given 10 ml/kg of physiological saline intragastrically plus 10 mg/kg of formaldehyde intraperitoneally. The formaldehyde + curcumin group received 10 mg/kg of intraperitoneal formaldehyde daily as well as 100 mg/kg of curcumin intragastrically. After the completion of 14 days, the kidneys were removed. Tissue microscopic examination was performed with haematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining. Also, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured in tissue samples. Results: Formaldehyde induced renal injury. The degenerative tissue changes in the formaldehyde + curcumin group seemed to regress, exhibiting similar characteristics to those of the controls. MDA, XO and NO were significantly higher in formaldehyde group than in controls, while a significant reduction occurred in SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities in the formaldehyde group. Also, renal tissue MDA, XO and NO were significantly lower in the formaldehyde + curcumin group than in the formaldehyde group, while tissue SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities were significantly higher. Conclusion: Curcumin improved the formaldehyde-induced renal degeneration. Also, curcumin was found to prevent the reduction in SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities, while preventing MDA, XO and NO levels, exhibiting a protective effect against the formaldehyde-induced oxidative renal injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of fish omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced acute cardiotoxicity. A total of 24 rats were divided into three groups: control, DOX-treated, and DOX treated with fish n-3 fatty acids. Control group received 0.4 ml/kg/day of saline intragastrically. The rats in the fish n-3 fatty acid-pretreated group were given 400 mg/kg/day fish n-3 fatty acids for 30 days by intragastric intubation. To induce acute cardiotoxicity, DOX (30 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose and the rats were killed after 48 h. DOX treatment caused severe damage in heart tissues. Disorganization of myocardial muscle fibers, myofibrillar loss, and cardiotoxic myocardial fibers with cytoplasmic vacuoles were seen. Fish n-3 fatty acid-treated rats showed an improved histological appearance in the DOX-treated group. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling in cardiomyocytes of the DOX-treated group with fish n-3 fatty acids therapy. The DOX-treated with fish n-3 fatty acids group showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels, and an increase in superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in comparison with the DOX-treated group. This study showed that fish n-3 fatty acids may be a suitable cardioprotector against acute toxic effects of DOX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liver has long been identified as a target organ of arsenic exposure. Arsenic is a potent environmental toxicant and its accumulation in the liver causes hepatotoxicity. In our study, the investigation of effects of melatonin on arsenic-induced liver damage in rats was planned. In our study, 27 male rats were divided into three groups: control (saline, 5 ml/kg/day, intragastrically), arsenic (sodium arsenite, 5 mg/kg/day, intragastrically), and arsenic+melatonin (sodium arsenite, 5 mg/kg/day, intragastrically and melatonin, 25 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally) group. At the end of 15 days, the rats were weighed and sacrificed then liver tissues were collected. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidise (GSH-Px) activities as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by spectrophotometry. The amount of arsenic in liver tissue was analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma/Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). There were no significant differences in respect to weights of rats among the groups. Arsenic significantly decreased the enzyme activities of SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px as well as increased the levels of MDA in liver tissues. Melatonin treatments significantly increased of reduced SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px enzyme activities and decreased the elevated tissue MDA levels in liver tissues. The amount of arsenic in liver tissues significantly increased in arsenic group. There were no significant differences in respect to the amount of arsenic in liver tissues between the arsenic group and melatonin group. These data suggested that melatonin has beneficial effects against arsenic-induced liver damage by decreasing oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic is a toxic and carcinogenic substance. Arsenic is known to have negative effects on male reproductive functions. In this study, protective effects of quercetin against arsenic-induced testicular damage in rats were investigated. In this study, 27 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups. Control group (10 ml/kg/day SF), arsenic group (10 mg/kg/day sodium arsenite), arsenic + quercetin group (10 mg/kg/day sodium arsenite + 50 mg/kg/day quercetin). At the end of the 15 days, rats were sacrificed. Testis tissues were collected and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological analysis. Apoptotic cells were studied by using TUNEL assay. Cell proliferation was studied by PCNA method. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured by spectrophotometry. As a result of exposure to arsenic in rat, our study showed that reduced germ cells and degeneration of seminiferous tubules, increase TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells in the walls of the seminiferous tubules and decreased PCNA-positive cells in testes by histopathological methods. After quercetin treatment, we have demonstrated that structural deterioration in testes was ameliorated, decreased TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells, increased PCNApositive cells. After arsenic exposure; decreased SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activities, increased in the MDA levels in testes tissues was detected by biochemical analyses. After quercetin administration, an increase of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px activity and a decrease of MDA levels were determined. These data suggested that quercetin has protective effects against arsenicinduced testicular damage by decreasing morphological damage, apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare the morphological differences between individuals with one functioning kidney and individuals with two functioning kidneys through the measurement of dimensions and stereological renal volume estimations. Methods: The target sample consisted of patients who underwent an abdominal CT examination after attending Namik Kemal University's Clinical Research and Application Center seeking medical attention. The volumetric estimations of CT images were based on the Cavalieri Principle. Results: Of the overall study population, 22 had one healthy kidney and 30 had two healthy kidneys. Average renal dimensions were volume 159 cm3, length 10.7 cm, width 6.6 cm, and thickness 5 cm among anatomically normal individuals. The corresponding figures in the sole-functioning kidney group were volume 274 cm3, length 12 cm, width 7 cm, and thickness 6 cm. Conclusions: Sole-functioning kidneys were longer, thicker, wider, and more voluminous compared with normal kidneys. We believe that the morphological differences between solitary and normal kidneys observed in this study in terms of dimensions and volume may represent a contribution to the existing literature that may assist in accurate volume and dimension estimations for clinical diagnosis and treatment of renal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Noise is described as disturbing and unwanted sound. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of noise on oxidative stress parameters in rat. Methods: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the study. Noise group (n=10) was exposed to noise for 20 days / 4 hour 100 dB. Control group (n=10) that was not exposed to any noise and was kept from any stress source, was hold in the same conditions. Baseline and after 20th day of the experiment, blood samples of rats were collected and their sera were separated. Malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were analyzed in rat sera. Results: MDA and NO levels and GSH-Px activities were found to be increased significantly at the end of experiment in the group exposed to noise. No parameters were significantly differed between at baseline and at the end of experiment in the control group. Conclusion: The present study showing an elevation in MDA level, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, as well as NO level and GSH-Px activity by noise exposure suggests the presence of oxidative stress which may lead to various degrees of damages in the cells, mainly via lipid peroxidation pathway.in the noise group. Therefore, these results appear to support the fact that noise might cause damage not only in the ears but also in whole body leading to oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of melatonin against arsenic-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in rat testes. A total of 27 male rats were divided into 3 groups: control (saline: 5 ml kg(-1) day(-1), intragastrically), arsenic (sodium arsenite (NaAsO2): 5 mg kg(-1) day(-1), intragastrically), and arsenic + melatonin (sodium arsenite (NaAsO2): 5 mg kg(-1) day(-1), intragastrically and melatonin: 25 mg kg(-1) day(-1), intraperitoneally) group. At the end of 30 days, the rats were killed under anesthesia. Histopathological examination showed that testicular injury mediated by arsenic was ameliorated by the administration of melatonin. The number of apoptotic germ cell was increased, and the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive germ cell was decreased in testis after arsenic administration. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling, and there was a rise in the expression of PCNA in testis of arsenic + melatonin group. The decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as increased malondialdehyde levels in testis due to arsenic administration were also counteracted by melatonin. These data suggested that melatonin has beneficial effects against arsenic-induced testicular damage by decreasing morphological damage, germ cell apoptosis, lipid peroxidation, and oxidative stress. Our results suggest that melatonin plays a protective role against arsenic-induced testicular apoptosis and oxidative stress., (© The Author(s) 2013.)

The goal of this study was to examine the neuroprotective effect of ebselen against intracerebroventricular streptozotocin (ICV-STZ)-induced oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in rat brain. A total of 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups of 10 animals each: control, ICV-STZ, and ICV-STZ treated with ebselen. The ICV-STZ group rats were injected bilaterally with ICV-STZ (3 mg/kg) on days 1 and 3, and ebselen (10 mg/kg/day) was administered for 14 days starting from 1st day of ICV-STZ injection to day 14. Rats were killed at the end of the study and brain tissues were removed for biochemical and histopathological investigation. Our results demonstrated, for the first time, the neuroprotective effect of ebselen on Alzheimer's disease (AD) model in rats. Our present study, in ICV-STZ group, showed significant increase in tissue malondialdehyde levels and significant decrease in enzymatic antioxidants superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the frontal cortex tissue. The histopathological studies in the brain of rats also supported that ebselen markedly reduced the ICV-STZ-induced histopathological changes and well preserved the normal histological architecture of the frontal cortex tissue. The number of apoptotic neurons was increased in frontal cortex tissue after ICV-STZ administration. Treatment of ebselen markedly reduced the number of degenerating apoptotic neurons. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of ebselen, as a powerful antioxidant, in preventing the oxidative damage and morphological changes caused by ICV-STZ in rats. Thus, ebselen may have a therapeutic value for the treatment of AD., (© The Author(s) 2013.)

We aimed to investigate the protective role of thymoquinone (TQ) by targeting its antiapoptotic and antioxidant properties against kidney damage induced by arsenic in rats. We have used the 24 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were divided into three groups. Physiological serum in 10 mL/kg dose as intragastric was given to the control group. Sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg, intragastric by gavage for fifteen days) was given to the arsenic group. Sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg, intragastric by gavage for fifteen days) and TQ (10 mg/kg, intragastric by gavage for 15 days) was given to the arsenic + TQ group. After 15 days, the animals' kidneys were taken theirs, then we have performed histological and apoptotic assessment. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have examined as the oxidative stress parameters. We have determined the levels of arsenic. Increased renal injury and apoptotic cells have been detected in the arsenic group. Degenerative changes in the arsenic + TQ group were diminished. Although the MDA levels were augmented in the arsenic group, SOD, CAT and GSH-Px enzyme activities were lessened than the other groups. Our findings suggest that TQ may impede the oxidative stress, the cells have been damaged and also the generation of apoptotic cells arisen from arsenic. TQ plays a protective role against arsenic-induced toxicity in kidney and may potentially be used as a remedial agent.

Background: The cerebral sulci are known as main microanatomical borders that serve as a gateway and surgical passage to reach the ventricles or to the deeper lesions. It is a matter of curiosity that whether there is a convergence between the morphological asymmetry and the functional asymmetry, and also its significance in surgery. The aim of this study is make morphometric measurements and evaluate asymmetry of several sulci on the lateral aspects of the cerebrum in regard to main sulci and related reference key points., Methods: A total of 100 cerebral hemispheres from 50 autopsy cadavers were examined. The lengths of several sulci on the superolateral aspect of the hemispheres and the distances between the sulci and nearby sulci and the reference key points were measured. Encountered variations were examined and photographed., Results: Evaluation of the variations: superior frontal sulcus (SFS), inferior frontal sulcus, superior temporal sulcus (STS), precentral sulcus and postcentral sulcus were found to be discontinuous in 60, 46, 41, 84 and 70 % of the hemispheres, respectively. Evaluation of the asymmetry: the distances between SFS posterior end and longitudinal fissure, STS posterior end and lateral sulcus posterior end, as well as lengths of external occipital fissure (EOF), and discontinuous course of STS were significantly different between left and right hemispheres., Conclusions: There is usually a morphological partial asymmetry between the right and left hemispheres for any individual. Also, some of our measurements were found to be compatible with the ones in the literature, while others were incompatible.

Unlabelled: Some anomalies of the conus artery are relatively common, such as those arising from the discrete ostium of the right coronary artery. We report a 63 y/o male with an unusual anatomic variation of the conus artery terminating in the pericardium. Coronary anomalies may cause coronary ischemia, infarction and sudden cardiac death; hence, it is significant to identify coronary anomalies. Here, we identify an unusual conus artery anomaly for the first time, with accompanying imaging showing its very rare anatomical features that may be of interest to the larger medical community., Key Words: Anomaly; Coronary angiography; Coronary artery.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of onion (Allium cepa) extracts (ACE) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced apoptosis in aortic endothelial cells. The rats in the ACE-pretreated group were given a daily dose of 1 ml ACE for 14 days. To induce aortic endothelial cell apoptosis, DOX (30 mg kg(-1) body weight) was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose and the rats were sacrificed after 48 h. To date, no such studies have been performed on antiapoptotic potential of ACE on DOX-induced apoptosis in aortic endothelial cells. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling in aortic endothelial cells of the DOX-treated group with ACE therapy. DOX-treated with ACE groups showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels and increased levels of glutathione in comparison with the DOX-treated group. Data from our study show that prevention of endothelial cell apoptosis by ACE may contribute to the restoration of aortic endothelial dysfunction that is associated with DOX treatment., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects of onion (Allium cepa) extracts (ACE) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. The rats in the ACE-pretreated group were given a daily dose of 1 ml ACE for 14 days. To induce cardiotoxicity, DOX (30 mg kg(-1) body weight) was injected intraperitoneally by a single dose and the rats were sacrificed after 48 h. To date, no such studies have been performed on the cardioprotective and anti-apoptotic potential of ACE on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of in situ identification of apoptosis using terminal dUTP nick end-labeling in cardiomyocytes of the DOX-treated group with ACE therapy. The DOX-treated with ACE groups showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels, and increased activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase in comparison with the DOX-treated group. Creatine kinase, creatine kinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase activities and cardiac troponin I levels were significantly decreased in the DOX + ACE group in comparison with the DOX group. These biochemical and histological disturbances were effectively attenuated on pretreatment with ACE. The present study showed that ACE may be a suitable cardioprotector against toxic effects of DOX., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

The present study was designed to determine the role of topical treatment with curcumin (Cur) on burn wound healing in rats. The Wistar-albino rats were randomly allotted into one of three experimental groups: 4th, 8th and 12th day (post burn) and all groups include subgroups which Burn and Burn + Cur. Each group contains 12 animals. Burn wounds were made on the back of rat and Cur was administered topically. At the end of the study, all animals were sacrificed and the wound tissues removed for analyse to biochemical and histopathological changes. There was a significant increase in the hydroxyproline levels in the skin of the Cur groups. Cur treated wounds were found to heal much faster as indicated by improved rates of inflammatory cells, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, granulation tissue formation and epithelialization which were also confirmed by histopathological and biochemical examinations. Our data also indicate that there is a rise in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in skin tissues of Cur-treated rats in the Burn group. The results clearly substantiate the beneficial effects of the topical application of Cur in the acceleration of wound healing.

The hepatic and renal veins drain into the inferior vena cava. The upper group of hepatic veins consists of three veins which extend to the posterior face of the liver to join the inferior cava. The left renal vein passes anterior to the aorta just below the origin of the superior mesenteric artery. We detected a variation in the hepatic and renal veins in a multislice CT angiogram of a nine-year-old male patient in the Radiology Department of Afyon Kocatepe University Medical School. The upper group hepatic veins normally drains into the inferior vena cava as three separate trunks, namely the right, left and middle. In our case, we found that only the right and left hepatic veins existed and the middle hepatic vein was absent. Furthermore, the left renal vein, which normally passes anterior to the abdominal aorta, was retro-aortic. Left renal vein variations are of great importance in planning retroperitoneal surgery and vascular interventions. Knowledge of a patient's hepatic vein and renovascular anatomy and determining their variations and anomalies are of critical importance to abdominal operations, transplantations and preoperative evaluation of endovascular interventions.