Oxidative stress in testicular tissues of rats exposed to cigarette smoke and protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester

Aim： To show the oxidative stress after cigarette smoke exposure in rat testis and to evaluate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester （CAPE）. Methods： Twenty-one rats were divided into three groups of seven. Animals in Group Ⅰ were used as control. Rats in Group Ⅱ were exposed to cigarette smoke only （4 × 30 min/d） and rats in Group Ⅲ were exposed to cigarette smoke and received daily intraperitoneal injections of CAPE （10 μmol/kg.d）. After 60 days all the rats were killed and the levels of nitric oxide （NO） and anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide-dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） and the level of malondialdehyde were studied in the testicular tissues of rats with spectrophotometric analysis. Results： There was a significant increase in catalase and superoxide-dismutase activities in Group Ⅱ when compared to the controls, but the levels of both decreased after CAPE administration in Group Ⅲ. GSH-Px activity was decreased in Group Ⅱ but CAPE caused an elevation in GSH-Px activity in Group Ⅲ. The difference between the levels of GSH-Px in Group Ⅰ and Group Ⅱ was significant, but the difference between groups Ⅱ and Ⅲ was not significant. Elevation of malondialdehyde after smoke exposure was significant and CAPE caused a decrease to a level which was not statistically different to the control group. A significantly increased level of NO after exposure to smoke was reversed by CAPE administration and the difference between NO levels in groups Ⅰ and Ⅲ was statistically insignificant. Conclusion： Exposure to cigarette smoke causes changes in the oxidative enzyme levels in rat testis, but CAPE can reverse these harmful effects. （Asian J Andro12006 Mar; 8： 189-193）     

The role of azurocidin in patients with familial Mediterranean fever and AA amyloidosis and its association with cardiovascular risk factors

International Urology and Nephrology - Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is characterized by sporadic, recurrent attacks of fever and serosal inflammation. AA amyloidosis (AAA) is a disorder...     

Arterial stiffness is associated with left ventricular dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Arterial stiffness (AS) has a detrimental effect on cardiovascular system particularly on left ventricle (LV). The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of AS on LV functions in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Forty patients with RA and 25 age-sex matched control subjects (mean age 48.5?±?6.3 vs. 45.1?±?6.9 years, respectively, p?=?0.06) were enrolled in study. AS was assessed by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (CF-PWV) and heart rate corrected augmentation index (AIx@75) measured by applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor). LV function was evaluated using tissue Doppler-derived myocardial performance index (MPI) from lateral mitral annulus. CF-PWV (28.3?±?10.3 vs. 21.8?±?9.3 m/s, p?=?0.03), AIx@75 (10.2?±?2.3 vs. 9.2?±?1, %, p?=?0.01) and MPI (0.46?±?0.12 vs. 0.36?±?0.1, p?<?0.001) were significantly higher in patients with RA than in controls. LV MPI was found to be significantly positive correlated with CF-PWV, AIx@75, and ESR (r?=?0.360, p?=?0.005; r?=?0.334, p?=?0.009; r?=?0.293, p?=?0.023, respectively). Arterial stiffness parameters including CF-PWV and AIx@75 are associated with subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in patients with RA.     

High Helicobacter pylori resistance rate to clarithromycin in Turkey

GOALS: To assess the resistance of Helicobacter pylori to clarithromycin in Turkey. BACKGROUND: Recent studies have emphasized the remarkable reduction in H. pylori eradication rates. Resistance to clarithromycin is the most important factor affecting the success of H. pylori eradication therapies. STUDY: The study involved 110 consecutive adult dyspeptic patients infected with H. pylori. Resistance to clarithromycin was studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction method on gastric biopsy specimens. RESULTS: Of the 110 patients, 56 (50.9%) were male and mean age (+/-SD) was 45.1+/-13.1 years. Overall, 53 (48.2%) patients were found to be resistant to clarithromycin. Resistance to clarithromycin was not statistically associated with age, sex, previous macrolide use, residence (urban/rural), education status, and presence of peptic ulcer. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of resistance to clarithromycin was found to be markedly high. This result may explain the recently reported low success rates of H. pylori eradication therapies with clarithromycin.     

Xanthogranulomatous pancreatitis treated by duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection

BACKGROUND:Xanthogranulomatosis is an idiopathic,rare process in which lipid-laden histiocytes are deposited at various locations in the body.We present two cases who were treated by duodenum-preserving pancreatic head resection and eventually diagnosed as having xanthogranulomatous pancreatitis. METHODS:A 30-year-old caucasian man was admitted to our clinic for vague abdominal pain and epigastric dullness. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography suggested the e...     

Fulminant Budd-Chiari syndrome associated with polycythemia rubra vera and factor V Leiden mutation

Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a severe disorder characterized by hepatic venous outflow obstruction. Hypercoagulable states are the major etiological factors for the development of BCS and can be identified in about 75% of patients. Multiple etiological factors can be found in the same patient. Hematologic abnormalities, especially myeloproliferative disorders, are the most common causes of BCS. Furthermore, the prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation is three times greater in patients with BCS. Although the clinical course tends to be chronic, BCS may, on rare occasions, cause acute liver failure. Herein, we report a patient who had factor V Leiden mutation and polycythemia rubra vera, presented as fulminant BCS.     

Cephalometric evaluation of patients with Sagliker syndrome: uglifying human face appearance in severe and late secondary hyperparathyroidism in chronic renal failure patients.

It is well known that secondary hyperparathyroidism may be an extremely severe condition in chronic renal failure, and almost all patients with chronic kidney disease, even in the well-developed countries, encounter every kind of bone abnormalities if they are not treated properly. Although some sporadic cases have been reported of unique facial bone changes, the largest collection of this phenomenon has been reported by Sagliker et al. We also have found 6 of 9 patients who have these changes (Sagliker syndrome) to manifest class II malocclusion of the upper and lower jaws according to dental universally accepted criteria by performing cephalometric studies, x-ray plain films, tomographic procedures, and drawing technology.