Assessment of therapeutic effect of human choriogonadotropin in a chemical cystitis model

In this study, female rats induced with chemical cystitis were administered the hormone human choriogonadotropin (HCG), and it was aimed to reveal the usefulness of HCG in the treatment of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome. The materials for this study were 32 Wistar albino female rats. The study groups were formed as follows: the cystitis group (Group 1), the cystitis + HCG protection group (Group 2), the cystitis + HCG treatment group (Group 3), and the control group (Group 4), with eight rats in each group. In this study, blood and urine samples were taken from the rats, they were euthanized, and their bladders were removed for glutathione, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interferon gamma measurements. It was observed that tissue damage in Group 2 was lower than that in the other two groups. Glutathione levels in Groups 2 and 4 were significantly higher than in Groups 1 and 3 (p = 0.01). Malondialdehyde levels of Groups 2 and 4 were significantly lower than the values in Groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.001). When the cystitis groups were compared in terms of their interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels, the lowest interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were detected in Group 3. It was found that HCG has positive effects on experimental cystitis in rats. This study revealed that HCG should be researched as a therapeutic agent and formed a step for studies to be carried out on this subject.     

Maternal active or passive smoking causes oxidative stress in placental tissue

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of active and passive maternal smoking on placenta total oxidant/antioxidant status in term infants. The levels of cord blood total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured in samples of fetal placental tissue, cord blood, and the maternal peripheral blood serum and from 19 mothers who were active smokers, 19 who were passive smokers, and 22 who were nonsmokers (not exposed to active or passive smoking). The pregnancies were between 37 and 40 weeks' gestation, were uncomplicated, and the infants were delivered vaginally. Birth weight and head circumference in the active smokers were significantly (P < 0.001) lower than those in the controls. Placenta, cord blood, and the maternal peripheral TAC levels were significantly lower in the active smokers compared with the controls (P < 0.001), while TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in the active and passive smokers than in the controls (P < 0.001). A positive significant correlation was found between active maternal smoking and placenta TOS and OSI levels (P < 0.016), and a significant negative correlation was found between number of cigarettes exposed to and birthweight and head circumference (P < 0.05). In conclusion, active or passive maternal smoking is associated with important alterations in oxidant and antioxidant balance in fetal placental tissue and causes potent oxidative stress.     

DNA damage in children exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke and its association with oxidative stress

Objective

To compare oxidative status, total antioxidant capacity and values of DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes in children exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke with healthy controls.

Design

Analytical, Observational.

Participants

54 children without any chronic diseases, attending the healthy child monitoring polyclinic. These comprised 27 children who had been exposed to passive cigarette smoke and 27 children who had not been exposed to cigarette smoke.

Main Outcome Measures

Urine cotinine levels by the chemiluminescent technique; DNA damage by alkaline comet assay; and total oxidant status (TOS) using a novel automated measurement method.

Results

The mean urine cotinine, TOS, Oxidative Stress Index (OSI) and DNA damage values of the group exposed to cigarette smoke were determined to be at significantly higher level compared to the group not exposed to cigarette smoke (P<0.001). No statistically significant difference was determined in the TAS level between the two groups (P=0.1)

Conclusions

The results showed that TOS levels, OSI index and DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes were significantly higher in children exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke than in those not exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke.