Assessment of acute toxicity and histopathology of the fungicide captan in rainbow trout

Acute toxicity of the fungicide, captan, to juvenile rainbow trout was evaluated under static-renewal test condition. Actual concentrations of captan ranged from 0.05 to 1.00 mg/L. The concentrations of captan that killed 50% of the rainbow trout (3.11 ± 0.8 g) within 24 (24 h; LC₅₀), 48, 72 and 96 h were 0.57 ± 0.09, 0.49 ± 0.10, 0.44 ± 0.11 and 0.38 ± 0.13 mg/L (95% confidence limits), respectively. None of the unexposed control fish died and the first fish died 6 h after exposure to captan (≥0.65 mg/L). Hypertrophy, separation of epithelium from lamellae, lamellar fusion, and epithelial cell necrosis were observed on captan exposed fish. Gills also had scattered areas of focal lamellar hyperplasia. Fish exposed to fungicide had inflammation and necrosis in liver, trunk kidney and spleen. In order, the most affected organs were gill, trunk kidney and liver.     

Over-the-Counter “Adrenal Support” Supplements Contain Thyroid and Steroid-Based Adrenal Hormones

Objective

To assess whether dietary supplements that are herbal and/or animal-derived products, marketed for enhancing metabolism or promoting energy, “adrenal fatigue,” or “adrenal support,” contain thyroid or steroid hormones.

Effects of left ventricular systolic dysfunction on left atrial appendage and left atrial functions in patients with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

OBJECTIVE: It has been claimed that left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction impairs left atrial (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) functions. In this study, we compared the LA and LAA function parameters in patients with chronic nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) with and without LV systolic dysfunction. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population consisted of 28 patients with chronic nonvalvularAF. Group I consisted of 12 patients with LV systolic dysfunction (mean age: 61 +/- 14 years; LV ejection fraction: 44 +/- 6%), group II of 16 patients with normal LV systolic function (mean age: 52 +/- 15 years; LV ejection fraction: 65 +/- 3%). LV ejection fraction (EF) was measured by echocardiography utilizing bi-plane area length method.The following LA and LAA transoesophageal echocardiography parameters were obtained: I) LA diameter, 2) LAA ejection velocity, 3) LAA filling velocity, 4) LAA ejection fraction, 5) pulmonary venous (PV) systolic velocity, 6) PV diastolic velocity, 7) PV systolic velocity/diastolic velocity ratio.The left atrium diameter was significantly larger in group I than in group 11 (4.7 +/- 0.7 cm vs. 3.8 +/- 0.6 cm, p < 0.05).The LAA ejection velocity and LAA ejection fraction were significantly lower in group I than in group 11 (22.6 +/- 15.5 cm/s vs 37.5 +/- 11.3 cm/s and 26.9 +/- 20.8% vs. 41.3 +/- 10.9%, p < 0.05 for both comparisons).The PV systolic velocity and PV systolic velocity/diastolic velocity ratio were significantly smaller in group I than in group II (26.2 +/- 14.8 cm/s vs. 51.5 +/- 22 cm/s and 0.7 +/- 0.6 vs. 1.2 +/- 0.5, p < 0.05 for both comparisons).Although decreased LAA filling and PV diastolic velocities were determined in group I, no significant difference existed between groups I and II.Thrombus and/or spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) in the LA and/or LAA were more frequent in group I (75% vs. 18%, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that LV systolic dysfunction impairs various LA and LA function parameters and is associated with an increased frequency of SEC and/or LA thrombus in patients with chronic nonvalvularAF.     

Effects of paracetamol and etodolac on plasma adrenaline levels of rats

Adrenaline, which is released from the adrenal medulla, is an important compound in the reaction of sympathetic nerve system. This hormone can increase the body’s normal metabolic rate up to 100 %, and thus improves the effectiveness of the whole body. It has been considered to be involved in the control of inflammation. Therefore, we investigated whether there are effects of paracetamol and etodolac on adrenaline levels of rats after oral administration. The rats were divided into three subgroups while analysing the effects of adrenaline on paracetamol and etodolac. The first group was the control, second group was composed of rats given paracetamol, and third group was composed of rats given etodolac. In order to measure adrenaline plasma concentration, we have used the high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection. According to the result of the analysis, there are statistically important differences at adrenaline levels between control group and rats-applied drugs. Obtained results showed that although adrenaline level in the paracetamol-applied group decreased, adrenaline level in the etodolac-applied group increased. It is concluded that different effects of etodolac and paracetamol on circulating adrenaline levels can be related to their different effects on inflammation, COX enzymes, prostaglandins, etc. Also we can suggest usage of paracetamol instead of etodolac in patients with cardiovascular system diseases.     

The suppression of endogenous adrenalin in the prolongation of ketamine anesthesia

This study investigated whether or not the anesthetic effect of ketamine in rats is dependent on adrenal gland hormones. The study was performed on two main rat groups, intact and adrenalectomized. Rat were divided into subgroups and given appropriate doses of ketamine, metyrapone or metyrosine. Durations of anesthesia in the groups were then recorded. Endogenous catecholamine levels were measured in samples taken from peripheral blood. This experimental results showed that ketamine did not induce anesthesia in intact rats at doses of 15 or 30 mg/kg, and that at 60 mg/kg anesthesia was established for only 11 min. However, ketamine induced significant anesthesia even at a dose of 30 mg/kg in animals in which production of endogenous catecholamine (adrenalin, noradrenalin dopamine) was inhibited with metyrosine at a level of 45–47%. Ketamine at 60 mg/kg in animals in which endogenous catecholamine was inhibited at a level of 45–47% established anesthesia for 47.6 min. However, ketamine at 30 and 60 mg/kg induced longer anesthesia in adrenalectomized rats with higher noradrenalin and dopamine levels but suppressed adrenalin production. Adrenalin plays an important role in the control of duration of ketamine anesthesia, while noradrenalin, dopamine and corticosterone have no such function. If endogenous adrenalin is suppressed, ketamine can even provide sufficient anesthesia at a 2-fold lower dose. This makes it possible for ketamine to be used in lengthy surgical procedures.     

A novel antioxidant agent caffeic acid phenethyl ester prevents shock wave-induced renal tubular oxidative stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the novel free radical scavenger caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) induced renal impairment. The study was performed using 30 rabbits which were divided into two groups, each exposed to 3,000 shock waves at 18 kV: (1) control group, (2) ESWL+CAPE treated group. Malodialdehyde (MDA), urine N-acetyl--glucosaminidase (NAG) activity, uric acid and white cell counts were used as markers of oxidative stress. Following shock wave exposure there was a significant rise in MDA, NAG and uric acid and white cell counts. CAPE reduced the rise in MDA, NAG, uric acid and white cell counts. Thus CAPE treatment to a great extent prevented the induction of these renal changes. Our results suggest that the antioxidant capacity of the kidney tissue was reduced after ESWL treatment and that the tissue was exposed to oxidant stress. We conclude that CAPE treatment provided significant protection against ESWL induced free radical damage.     

The effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors on penile rigidity variables during a period with no sexual stimulation: a laboratory setting double‐blind study

Study Type – Therapy (RCT)
Level of Evidence 1b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? There is a positive effect of PDE5 inhibitors on several aspects of the men’s sex lives, chiefly erectile function, personal self‐esteem, and satisfaction from their sex lives. To our knowledge, our study is the first study to evaluate the effects of PDE5 inhibitors on erectile variables simultaneously in a laboratory setting. In the present study, significant penile rigidities were obtained with PDE5 inhibitors in a short period, with no sexual stimulation, in laboratory conditions. Our findings might support the use of PDE5 inhibitors in the men who need penile rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors on erectile variables during a period with no sexual stimulation in a laboratory setting double‐blind study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 80 men without erectile dysfunction (ED) but with lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) were included in the study. The men were divided equally in to four groups and received either placebo, vardenafil (10 mg), sildenafil (50 mg) or tadalafil (20 mg) in a double‐blind study design. The men attended the laboratory following 3 days of sexual abstinence and placebo or one of the PDE5 inhibitors was ingested after ≥2 h of fasting and non‐smoking. The men were then immediately placed in a silent room and real‐time penile rigidity and tumescence monitoring with Rigiscan Plus (Rigiscan Plus® System, Osbon Medical Systems, Augusta, GA, USA) began. The men read some magazines or newspapers that contained no sexually stimulating material for 1.5 h. There was no interaction between the men and observer during the test period. Times to first measured and total durations of base and tip rigidities, and also total and per minute rigidity were evaluated.

RESULTS

The recorded base and/or tip rigidity ratios were 40% (eight of 20), 71% (12/17), 47% (nine of 19) and 70% (14/20) in men who took placebo, sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, respectively (P= 0.126). The ratio of men who could obtain ≥60% base and/or tip rigidities were 10% (two of 20), 41% (seven of 17), 26% (five of 19) and 55% (11/20) in placebo, sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil groups, respectively (P < 0.05). The median time to first measured base rigidity was 58.0, 21.5, 54.5 and 57 min with placebo, sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, respectively (P= 0032). The median total duration of recorded base rigidity was 4.0, 27.5, 10.0 and 11.5 min in men who took placebo, sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, respectively (P= 0.013). The median total base rigidity (area under the curve) was 72.8, 699.0, 360.5 and 553.0 with placebo, sildenafil, tadalafil and vardenafil, respectively (P= 0.016).

CONCLUSIONS

Significant penile rigidities were obtained with PDE5 inhibitors during the short test period, with no sexual stimulation, in laboratory conditions. This finding might support the use of PDE5 inhibitors in men who need penile rehabilitation.     

The effect of adrenalectomy on leptin levels and some metabolic parameters in rats with diet-induced obesity

Recently, there has been many investigations on the relationship between leptin and obesity, which is the main health problem in developed countries. In some reports, it has been claimed that the adrenalectomy has lead to weight loss and thus prevented obesity induced in rodents in various ways. It has also been accepted that diet-induced obesity in animals is very similar to obesity in humans beings. In this study, obesity has been developed with high-calorie diet given for 8 weeks in Sprague-Dawley rats. Then, it has been investigated how leptin and some metabolic parameters change in blood samples obtained from rats 15 d after adrenalectomy. Leptin levels was determined with Radio Immun Assay (RIA, Linco Research Co) method. Our study showed that, there were statistically significant increases in leptin (p<0.001), glucose (p<0.05), triglyceride (p<0.01) levels in diet-induced obese rats (n=19) when compared with the findings of control rats, lean ones (n=16), (Tables 3, 4). Adrenalectomy led to decreased serum leptin (p<0.001) and triglyceride (p<0.01) levels both in the obese and lean rats (Table 5). As a conclusion, it could be claimed that the decrease in leptin levels may be attributed to reduced adipose tissue due to adrenalectomy. On the other hand, the decreases in glucose and triglyceride levels might be the consequence of reduced lipogenesis and impaired gluconeogenesis with the effect of adrenalectomy. It was concluded that adrenalectomy might prevent obesity by affecting leptin and intermediate metabolism.