Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of Seseli L. species (Apiaceae) growing in Turkey

The ethyl acetate and methanol (80%) extracts obtained from 10 Seseli L. species (Apiaceae) growing in Turkey, Seseli andronakii Woron., Seseli campestre Besser, Seseli gummiferum Pall. ex Sm. subsp. corymbosum (Boiss. and Heldr.) P.H. Davis, Seseli gummiferum Pall. ex Sm. subsp. gummiferum, Seseli hartvigii Parolly and Nordt, Seseli libanotis (L.) W. Koch, Seseli petraeum M. Bieb., Seseli peucedanoides (Bieb.) Koso-Pol., Seseli resinosum Freyn and Sint., Seseli tortuosum L. were evaluated for their in vivo anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities. For the preliminary screening of anti-inflammatory activity, carrageenan-induced hind paw edema and for the antinociceptive activity, p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test were used. Among the plant extracts, the ethyl acetate extracts from Seseli andronakii, Seseli campestre, Seseli gummiferum subsp. corymbosum, Seseli petraeum, Seseli resinosum and Seseli tortuosum showed 30.1, 32.3, 36.9, 39.8, 35.1, 37.6% inhibition in p-benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test, respectively. The ethyl acetate extracts of Seseli gummiferum subsp. corymbosum, Seseli petraeum, Seseli resinosum and Seseli tortuosum also exhibited notable inhibition, ranging between 24.5-29.7, 28.1-33.3, 17.4-27.5 and 27.9-31.3%, respectively, in carrageenan-induced hind paw edema model at 100 mg/kg dose without inducing any gastric damage, quite comparable to indomethacin (41.8-44.8% inhibition) as a reference sample. During the acute toxicity evaluation, neither death nor gastric bleeding was observed for any of the plant extracts. Results have supported the traditional use of some Seseli species against inflammatory disorders. Further studies are warranted to define and isolate the active anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive components from the active species which may yield safe and effective agents to be used in current treatments.     

Influence of Indomethacin in the Rat Aneurysm Model

The objective of this study was to trigger the formation of rat abdominal aortic aneurysm by applying calcium chloride periarterially and then to detect the degree of prevention of aneurysm occurrence by oral introduction of indomethacin in some of the rats. Thirty-one rats were divided into three groups. The infrarenal aorta above the iliac bifurcation of rats was treated with sodium chloride in group 1 (control, n = 7), calcium chloride in group 2 (n = 12), and calcium chloride-indomethacin in group 3 (n = 12) periarterially. The rats of each group were randomly selected at the end of the first, second, and third weeks postoperatively; and vessel diameters of abdominal aortas were measured by digital photography using a micrometer. Aneurysmal development was not observed in any of the rats in the control group. None of the comparisons was statistically significant (p > 0.05). Aneurysmal development was observed in all of the rats in the calcium chloride group. Results from the first, second, and third weeks postoperatively were statistically significant (p < 0.05). A middle aneurysmal development was observed in all rats in the calcium chloride-indomethacin group. Only results from the second and third weeks postoperatively were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Measurements in groups 2 and 3 were statistically significant when compared to group 1 (p < 0.001). However, the mean increase in the indomethacin-treated group (group 3) was only 26.1%. The macroscopic appearance of the control group and an aneurysm induced by calcium-chloride application are shown.Presented at the Sixteenth Annual Meeting of the Mediterranean Association of Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Bodrum, Turkey, September 26-29, 2004.     

Surgical management of coronary artery stenosis and peripheral artery occlusive disease of the lower extremity in a patient with neurofibromatosis: Report of a case

We herein report the case of a patient demonstrating both coronary artery and peripheral artery occlusive disease with neurofibromatosis, which were successfully treated during the same session with coronary artery bypass graft surgery and a femoropopliteal bypass graft surgery procedure. The recognition of a possible association between neurofibromatosis and coronary artery and other vascular structures will further facilitate the successful surgery and clinical management of this rare clinical entity.     

Isolated avulsion fracture of lesser tuberosity of the humerus: Review of the literature and report of two cases

Two cases of acute isolated avulsion fracture of the lesser tuberosity of the humerus and their short-term outcome are presented with a review of previously reported cases. Open reduction and internal fixation was performed. Outcomes were excellent, and the patients regained their normal pain-free shoulder function 3 months after the operation. This was a Level IV study.     

Anaphylactic reaction owing to ondansetron administration in a child with neuroblastoma and safe use of granisetron: a case report

A 1-year-old girl with stage-IV neuroblastoma developed ondansetron hydrochloride anaphylaxis. Safe use of granisetron as an antiemetic after skin prick, oral, and intravenous challenge tests is presented. We present this case to emphasize that ondansetron hydrochloride may cause a serious anaphylactic reaction. In such a case, granisetron may be given to patients as an antiemetic after some provocative tests performed.     

Successful treatment of hemophilic hand pseudotumors by only radiotherapy

Hemophilic pseudotumor is a rare complication of hemophilia. We describe a 14-year-old young male with hemophilic pseudotumor in the second and fifth fingers of the left hand. We treated him only with radiotherapy. A total dose of 2000 cGy in 10 fractions was administered in 2 weeks. Factor VIII was not given. After 4 months, complete healing was seen. The patient was followed up at 24 months, and there was no evidence of recurrence and no bone growth disturbance. Based on our experience and a review of the literature, radiotherapy can be an effective alternative modality in treating hemophilic pseudotumor.     

Serum myeloperoxidase level predicts reperfusion in patients with myocardial infarction receiving thrombolytic therapy

Polymorphonuclear leukocytes play a central role in all stages of the atherothrombotic inflammatory process. The atherothrombotic activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes is exerted by mediators such as myeloperoxidase (MPO). Although the role of MPO has been studied with respect to the development of adverse cardiac events in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), the association of this molecule with effectiveness of reperfusion in patients receiving thrombolysis is not yet known. The study population consisted of a total of 158 patients with acute coronary syndromes. Final diagnosis was ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in 86 patients, 80 of whom received thrombolysis. Blood samples were drawn at presentation of the patients and serum myeloperoxidase levels were measured. Reperfusion was defined in terms of electrocardiographic ST-segment resolution. The serum levels of MPO were found to be correlated with rates of in-hospital adverse events including death (P < 0.001), reinfarction (P < 0.001), recurrent ischemia (P < 0.001), arrhythmias (P < 0.001), clinical heart failure (P < 0.001), and cardiogenic shock (P < 0.001). There was a significant difference in serum MPO levels between subjects with three-vessel disease and two- or one-vessel disease (P < 0.001). Pre-lytic serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in patients with successful reperfusion were lower than in patients with failed reperfusion (P < 0.001). Analysis of patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction receiving thrombolytic therapy revealed that pre-lytic serum MPO levels in patients with successful reperfusion were significantly lower than those of patients with failed reperfusion (P < 0.001). In the present study, serum MPO levels were found to be a strong predictor of response to thrombolytic treatment in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Therefore the level of inflammatory activity in acute coronary syndromes seems to influence the effectiveness of fibrinolysis.     

Effects of intra-arterial heparin on cytokine levels in the ischemic tissue

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of systemic and intra-arterial application of heparin by measuring tissue levels of inflammatory cytokines. Twenty-one adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups (Group A, B and C). All the rats had undergone ligation of the right femoral artery with 4-0 silk suture to induce limb ischemia. Group A was the control group. In Group B, unfractionated heparin of 1500 U/kg/day was given through the tail vein for 10 days, the same dose was given to distal part of ligated right femoral artery for 10 days in Group C. On the 3^rd, 5^th, and 10^th days, biopsies were taken from rectus femoris muscle on the ischemic extremities. Tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and vascular cell adhesion molecule levels in muscle tissue were measured by a standard enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay method. An increase in tumor necrosis factor-α level was found in all three groups throughout the duration of the experiment. The increase in Group C was statistically significant as compared with the other groups. The significant increases that occurred in tumor necrosis factor-α level as a result of intra-arterial application of heparin can be postulated to be one of the results of angiogenesis induced by the heparin in ischemic extremities. This might delay the formation of a necrosis in ischemic extremities, depending on the increased angiogenesis response by means of intra-arterial heparin application and may result in extended vitality of an extremity.