Necati Timurkaan

This study aimed to produce and characterize nanofiber membranes (PLGA/HA@LMWH) containing Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/Hyaluronic Acid (PLGA/HA) immobilized with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and to investigate their physical and chemical effects in preventing intraabdominal adhesions in a rat model using multidisciplinary methods. Forty female Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). Cecal abrasions were induced in three groups: treated with PLGA/HA membrane, PLGA/HA@LMWH membrane, and 0.9% NaCl (SS). The fourth group underwent laparotomy only. On day 21, rats were sacrificed and evaluated macroscopically, histopathologically, immunohistochemically, and biochemically. Macroscopic adhesion, inflammation, fibrosis, neovascularization, collagen scores, and TGF-β1 expression were found to be high in the SS and PLGA/HA groups, while a significant decrease (p < 0.05–0.01) was detected in all of these values in the PLGA/HA@LMWH group. NF-κB activation was significantly decreased in the PLGA/HA and especially the PLGA/HA@LMWH groups compared to the SS group (p < 0.05). In addition, apoptosis was suppressed in the PLGA/HA@LMWH group, with increased Bcl-2 and decreased cleaved caspase-3. The PLGA/HA@LMWH membrane reduced peritoneal adhesions by suppressing inflammation, fibrosis, neovascularization, and collagen deposition, lowering TGF-β1 expression and NF-κB and p-NF-κB levels, and suppressing apoptosis. However, large-scale studies are needed for clinical use.

Objective: This study aimed to produce and characterize nanofiber membranes (PLGA/HA@LMWH) containing Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/Hyaluronic Acid (PLGA/HA) immobilized with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), and to investigate their physical and chemical effects in preventing intraabdominal adhesions in a rat model using multidisciplinary methods. Materials and Methods: Forty female Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups (n=10). Cecal abrasions were induced in three groups: treated with PLGA/HA membrane (NFM), PLGA/HA@LMWH membrane (NFM+H), and 0.9% NaCl (SS). The fourth group underwent laparotomy only. On day 21, rats were sacrificed and evaluated macroscopically, histopathologically, immunohistochemically, and biochemically. Results: Macroscopic adhesion, inflammation, fibrosis, neovascularization, collagen scores, and TGF-β1 expression were found to be high in the SS and NFM groups; while a significant decrease (p < 0.05–0.01) was detected in all of these values in the NFM+H group. NF-κB activation was significantly decreased in the NFM and especially the NFM+H groups compared to the SS group (p < 0.05). In addition, apoptosis was suppressed in the NFM+H group with increased Bcl-2 and decreased cleaved caspase-3. Conclusion: PLGA/HA@LMWH membrane reduced peritoneal adhesions by suppressing inflammation, fibrosis, neovascularization, and collagen deposition, lowering TGF-β1 expression and NF-κB and p-NF-κB levels, and suppressing apoptosis. However, large-scale studies are needed for clinical use.

Kronik obstrüktif akciğer hastalığı (KOAH) ve akciğer fibrozisi, ilerleyici seyirleri ve sınırlı tedavi seçenekleri nedeniyle günümüzde önemli bir araştırma alanı oluşturan kronik solunum sistemi hastalıklarıdır. Bu hastalıkların gelişiminde çevresel maruziyetler, inflamatuvar yanıtlar, oksidatif hasar ve bozulmuş doku onarımı gibi çok sayıda biyolojik süreç rol oynamaktadır. Bu mekanizmaların karmaşık yapısı, hastalık patogenezinin deneysel olarak incelenmesini gerekli kılmaktadır. Deneysel hayvan modelleri, akciğer dokusunda ortaya çıkan yapısal ve fonksiyonel değişikliklerin kontrollü koşullar altında değerlendirilmesine olanak sağlamaktadır. KOAH çalışmalarında sıklıkla sigara dumanına dayalı modeller kullanılarak hava yolu hasarı ve amfizematöz değişiklikler oluşturulmaktadır. Akciğer fibrozisi araştırmalarında ise bleomisin başta olmak üzere çeşitli fibrotik ajanlar ve genetik yaklaşımlar ile progresif fibrotik yanıtlar elde edilmektedir. Her bir deneysel model, hastalığın belirli patolojik yönlerini yansıtmakla birlikte klinik tabloyu bütünüyle temsil etme konusunda sınırlılıklar taşımaktadır. Bu derlemede, KOAH ve akciğer fibrozisi için kullanılan başlıca deneysel hayvan modellerinin uygulama alanları ve translasyonel değerleri ele alınmaktadır Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis are chronic respiratory disorders that constitute a major field of research due to their progressive course and limited therapeutic options. The development of these diseases involves multiple biological processes, including environmental exposures, inflammatory responses, oxidative damage, and impaired tissue repair. The complex nature of these mechanisms necessitates experimental investigation of disease pathogenesis. Experimental animal models enable the evaluation of structural and functional alterations occurring in lung tissue under controlled conditions. In COPD studies, cigarette smoke–based models are frequently used to induce airway injury and emphysematous changes. In pulmonary fibrosis research, progressive fibrotic responses are generated using various fibrogenic agents, particularly bleomycin, as well as genetic approaches. Although each experimental model reflects specific pathological aspects of the disease, they have inherent limitations in fully representing the clinical condition. This review aims to discuss the principal experimental animal models used in COPD and pulmonary fibrosis research, focusing on their applications and translational value.

This study evaluated the effects of taurine supplementation administered in ovo and via drinking water on growth performance, carcass traits, oxidative stress status, and white striping (WS) incidence in broiler chickens. A total of 720 fertilized eggs were randomly allocated to three groups: Control (no treatment), Sham (sterile distilled water injection), and in ovo taurine (IOT; 1.30 mg/egg). After hatching, chicks were assigned to four experimental groups: Control, Sham, IOT, and taurine via drinking water (DWT), administered daily as a freshly prepared stock solution (250mg/10mL). Growth performance was monitored over 42 days. The IOT group exhibited reduced feed intake and body weight gain during the later growth stages. Carcass analysis revealed significantly lower breast and thigh weights in the IOT group (p0.05). Histological evaluation showed that IOT significantly reduced the severity of lipidosis, particularly toward the end of the experimental period (p<0.001). Regarding oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were elevated in the Control and DWT groups, while reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were significantly higher in the IOT and Sham groups (p<0.001). The lowest expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and the highest levels of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5/irisin) were observed in the IOT group (p<0.001). Although in ovo taurine supplementation did not improve growth performance or carcass yield, it enhanced antioxidant capacity and muscle metabolism.

This study was conducted to examine glandular histological changes in the uterus of Kyrgyz breed mares during the first 6 months of pregnancy. The study used 53 Kyrgyz breed mares; 43 of these were at different stages of pregnancy, while 10 were non‐pregnant mares. Uterine samples obtained at the slaughterhouse were evaluated histomorphometrically; endometrial thickness, gland density, gland epithelial height and gland diameter were measured. In conclusion, it was concluded that in Kyrgyz mares, endometrial thickness, glandular epithelial height and diameter increased as pregnancy progressed, while glandular density decreased and that further research on this topic would be beneficial.

This study aimed to investigate the cytological and biochemical effects of tyrosol on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in an experimental lung injury model induced via intratracheal bleomycin (BLM) administration at 4 mg/kg. Tyrosol is a compound found in olive oil with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activity, and there are no publications on its effect on broncho-alveolar lavage. A total of fifty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, BLM only, and BLM combined with tyrosol at doses of 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg. Following a two-week treatment period, BALF samples were collected and evaluated cytologically and biochemically. BLM administration led to significant increases in the proportions of lymphocytes, neutrophils, and epithelial cells (p < 0.05) and a decrease in macrophage percentages in BALF. Tyrosol treatment modulated these cellular alterations in a dose-dependent manner, with notable increases in macrophage ratios and reductions in inflammatory cells, particularly at 40 and 80 mg/kg doses. Furthermore, the presence of foamy macrophages—commonly observed in the BLM group—was found to decrease in a dose-dependent manner with tyrosol administration. Biochemical analyses showed that BLM significantly elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (p < 0.05), while reducing the levels of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT). Tyrosol treatment improved these parameters in a dose-dependent manner, thereby reducing oxidative stress. In cytokine analysis, BLM increased all proinflammatory cytokine levels, whereas tyrosol treatment, particularly at higher doses, significantly decreased IL-6 levels (p < 0.05). In conclusion, tyrosol demonstrated notable protective effects against bleomycin-induced lung injury by exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidative actions at the BALF level.

In the current study, we aimed to determine the distribution of telocytes in the ovary, oviduct and uterus of Kyrgyz mares depending on whether they were pregnant. We also studied the progression during the first 6 months of pregnancy. To this end, ovary, oviduct and uterus tissues from 53 Kyrgyz mares were obtained post‐mortem. The mare tissue samples were divided into two groups: pregnant ( n = 43) and non‐pregnant ( n = 10). Telocyte levels in the tissues were determined using light microscopic and immunohistochemical methods. Subsequently, the data acquired were evaluated based on whether the mare was pregnant, and if so, the month of pregnancy was also taken into account. After the study, we found a higher number of telocytes in the myometrium (5.69 ± 0.90, p < 0.001) and oviduct propria (0.14 ± 0.05, p < 0.006) of pregnant mares. We also noted an increased number of telocytes in the oviduct propria (0.04 ± 0.02, p < 0.03) of mares 4 months into the pregnancy, and in the muscle layer (1.62 ± 0.57, p < 0.01), myometrium (4.83 ± 0.78, p < 0.03) and ovarian stroma (0.14 ± 0.06, p < 0.04) of mares 6 months into pregnancy. In conclusion, we observed an increase in telocytes in the ovaries, oviducts and uterus of Kyrgyz mares during pregnancy, with this increase becoming more marked towards the sixth month of gestation. Therefore, additional research on the role of telocytes in pregnancy may prove beneficial.

The aim of this study was to investigate pathological lesions and the presence of of Israel variant 2 (IS /1494/06) genotype of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in chickens with visceral gout. Sudden deaths were observed in broiler breeders and layer hens belonging to two different flocks located in eastern Türkiye. Broiler chickens were previously vaccinated with a vaccine containing strains of IBV Massachusetts serotype, but no information was available about the vaccination history of laying hens. At necropsy, there was accumulation of white chalk-like material on the serosal surface of the heart, liver, spleen and air sacs. The kidneys were unilaterally or bilaterally enlarged and pale in color and, ureters were also enlarged. Pooled organ samples from diseased chickens and kidneys alone were examined by virus isolation, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR), nucleotide sequencing analysis and histological methods. Israel variant 2 genotype of IBV was detected in the samples of both flocks as a result of virus isolation, rRT-PCR and DNA sequencing analysis. Histological examination revealed multifocal and randomly distributed crystal deposits in the renal tubulus and adjacent interstitium. Mild to moderate crystalline deposits surrounded by heterophils and macrophages were detected in the serosal layers of the heart, spleen, liver, and air sacs. The findings of this study indicated that IBV should be taken into consideration in visceral gout cases of chickens, and detection of IBV genotypes in the field will enable us to use vaccines compatible with these genotypes in order to control the disease more efficiently.

Pulmoner fibrozis (PF), alveolar epitel hasarı sonrası gelişen inflamasyon, fibroblast ve miyofibroblast artışı ile ekstrasellülar matriks (ECM) elemanlarının aşırı birikimi sonucu oluşan, akciğer parankiminin sertleşip skarlaşmasıyla karakterize ilerleyici bir hastalıktır. Bu durum akciğerin esnekliğini kaybettirerek gaz değişimini bozar ve solunum yetmezliğine yol açar. Genetik yatkınlığın yanı sıra çevresel faktörler, ilaçlar, enfeksiyonlar ve özellikle COVID-19 sonrası oluşan hasarlar hastalığı tetikler. Patogenezde inflamasyon ve oksidatif stres anahtar mekanizmalardır. Hasarla birlikte aktifleşen bağışıklık hücreleri; IL-1β, TGF-β ve TNF-α gibi sitokinleri salgılayarak fibrotik süreci ve epiteliyal mezenşimal transizyonu (EMT) uyarır. Artan reaktif oksijen türleri (ROS) ise doku hasarını, apoptozu ve anormal yara iyileşmesini tetikler. Hastalık araştırmalarında en yaygın hayvan modeli olarak DNA kırılması ve ROS üretimiyle fibrozis başlatan bleomisin kullanılmaktadır. PF'nin kesin bir tedavisi olmayıp, pirfenidon ve nintedanib gibi ajanlar yalnızca fonksiyonel düşüşü yavaşlatmaktadır; bu nedenle hücresel ve moleküler mekanizmaların aydınlatılması hayati önem taşımaktadır. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive lung disease characterized by inflammation, an increase in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components following alveolar epithelial damage, leading to the hardening and scarring of the lung parenchyma. This condition causes the lungs to lose their elasticity, disrupting gas exchange and resulting in respiratory failure. In addition to genetic predisposition, environmental factors, medications, infections, and particularly post-COVID-19 damage trigger the disease. Inflammation and oxidative stress are key mechanisms in pathogenesis. Immune cells activated by injury release cytokines such as IL-1β, TGF-β, and TNF-α, stimulating the fibrotic process and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger tissue damage, apoptosis, and abnormal wound healing. Bleomycin, which induces fibrosis through DNA cleavage and ROS production, is the most common animal model used in research. There is no definitive cure for PF, and agents like pirfenidone and nintedanib only slow down functional decline; thus, elucidating cellular and molecular mechanisms is of vital importance.