Deniz Mukaddes Turet

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ionizing radiation (iR) on corpus cavernosum and the potential of astaxanthin (AST) in preventing radiation-induced erectile dysfunction (RiED). Male Wistar Albino rats (10–12 week, 250–300 g) were divided-into four groups: sham (SH, n = 8), radiotherapy (RT, n = 8), vehicle-administered (olive oil (OO); RT + OO, n = 12), and astaxanthin (RT + AST, n = 12). The RT-group received 12-Gy prostate-targeted iR. The vehicle-administered (OO) group received iR with daily 1 ml OO via oral gavage, while the AST-group received iR with 50 mg/kg AST dissolved in OO. After the treatment-period (12-week), intracavernosal pressure to mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) ratios in the RT [0.28(0.14–0.65)] and OO groups [0.26(0.19–0.64)] were significantly lower than in the SH [0.6(0.43–0.72)] and AST [0.53(0.35–0.64)] groups ( p < 0.05). iR caused narrowing of the cavernous sinusoids (RT:95.38 (84.62–110.05) vs SH:132.33 (113.27–155.86), AST:124.44 (112.11–131.97) µm, p < 0.001). Alpha smooth muscle actin (SH:165 (136.25–188.75) vs RT:100 (87.5–112.5), AST:137.5 (107.5–155), p < 0.001), endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) (SH:127.5 (115–167.5) vs RT:92.5 (81.25–98.75), AST:115 (86.25–128.75), p = 0.002) and neuronal NOS (SH:152.5 (133.75–163.75) vs RT:95 (81.25–103.75), AST:135 (125–140), p < 0.001) were diminished in the RT-group and preserved in the AST-group according to immunohistochemical scoring. Biochemical measurements of the corpus cavernosum revealed that the level of cGMP was significantly higher (93.15 (71.22–103.38) vs 70.8 (65–72.35) pmol/ml) in the AST-group, while lipid peroxidation was significantly higher (32.38 (29.07–36.98) vs 20.14 (17.85–21.04) nmol.mda/g) in the RT-group ( p = 0.004, p < 0.001). This trial showed that AST preserved ICP/MAP values and histopathological-biochemical parameters after exposure to iR.

The search for new drugs to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) is ongoing, with the use of herbal extracts emerging as a current research focus in this field. This study primarily intended to investigate the antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties of the ethanolic extract of Thymus longicaulis subsp. chaubardii (TLC) in vitro. Secondly, we aimed to perform an acetic acid (AA)–induced rat UC model and assess the effects of TLC extract (200 mg/kg/orally/day, during three days) using ELISA test in terms of IL‐1 β , TNF‐ α , IL‐17, IL‐10, Na ⁺ /K ⁺ ‐ATPase, TLR‐9, MMP‐3 level, caspase‐3 and caspase‐9, luminol, lucigenin, and SOD. In addition, we accomplished macroscopic and histological evaluations. Our phytochemical investigation revealed TLC contained secondary metabolites including total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total triterpenes in quite concentrated amounts. The extract demonstrated anti‐2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity that was 2.3 times more potent than ascorbic acid, anti‐2,2‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) free radical scavenging activity that was 3.28 times less potent than Trolox, and antilipoxygenase Type V (LOX‐5) activity that was 1.31 times more potent than indomethacin in vitro. Due to colitis, increased luminol and lucigenin CL, TNF‐ α , IL‐1 β , IL‐17, TLR‐9, caspase‐3, caspase‐9, MMP‐3, and macroscopic and microscopic scores and decreased IL‐10, Na+/K + ‐ATPase levels in colon ameliorated with TLC and sulfasalazine (as reference drug) treatments. As a result, it can be said that TLC improves UC in rats, mainly on account of its free radical scavenging activity, anti‐inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Origanum onites ethanolic extract (O. onites EE) in vitro and its effects on inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and tissue damage-related parameters in the acetic acid (AA)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) model in rats. Material and Method: Dried parts of O. onites were extracted with ethanol using the maceration method. Then, the extract’s anti-DPPH and anti-ABTS free radical scavenging, anti-5-lipoxygenase (LOX) activities, and total secondary metabolic quantities were evaluated in vitro. The rat groups were determined as control + saline (C), AA + saline (A), AA + O. onites EE (O), AA + Sulfasalazine (S). The treatments were applied once a day for 3 consecutive days. Result and Discussion: O. onites EE showed high amount of total phenolic, total flavonoid, and total triterpene contents, high antioxidant activity against ABTS, DPPH radicals, and anti-inflammatory effects against 5-LOX enzyme. Due to AA-induction, increased luminol-lucigenin, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17, TLR-9, caspase-3, caspase-9, MMP-3, macroscopic and microscopic scores attenuated by O. onites EE and sulfasalazine treatments. In conclusion, O. onites EE has a significant therapeutic effect on rats' colitis due to its total flavonoid, phenolic, and triterpene content, and its Anti-5-LOX and free radical scavenging activity.

Hyaluronic acid (HA), known for diverse properties, was investigated for its potential in dental pulp therapy. This study investigated the potential of HA in dental pulp therapy by examining the physical properties and effects of zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) pulpotomy materials containing varying HA concentrations on rat molar teeth. In vitro tests assessed compressive strength and hardness of ZOE materials blended with HA (0.5%, 1%, 3%) and HA gels (0.54%, 0.8%). 120 samples, encompassing the control group, underwent compressive strength testing, while 60 samples were designated for hardness assessment. In vivo experiments on rat molars studied histological effects of HA-containing ZOE on dental pulp over 1 week and 1 month. Gels with HA concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 0.54% were used in pulpotomy on 22 rats. Each rat underwent the procedure on four teeth, with one tooth serving as a control, totaling 88 teeth subjected to the intervention. In the analyses, SPSS 22.0 was used and the significance level was set at P = 0.05. Findings showed that HA at 0.5% maintained compressive strength, but higher concentrations decreased mechanical properties significantly (P = 0.001). Histological assessments indicated better outcomes with lower HA concentrations in terms of odontoblast layer continuity (P = 0.005 at 1 month) and pulp vitality (P = 0.001 at 1 week and P = 0.018 at 1 month). The study suggests HA holds promise for pulpotomy and regenerative endodontic treatments, but further research is needed to understand long-term clinical implications.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the acute hemostatic effects of liquid and powder forms of AHA in severe bleeding model of rat renal vein. Materials and Methods: 10-12 weeks old, 24 male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight animals each as the control, AHA liquid, AHA powder. The left renal artery and vein were revealed with a 3 cm vertical incision and the tip of the injector was used to puncture renal vein, causing bleeding. In all animals, regular gauze patch was pressed over the incised area for 10 seconds as soon as the bleeding began. Immediately after removing the sponge; physiological saline, AHA liquid and powder were applied with compress to injured site of relevant groups for 2 minutes, respectively. The time was recorded by chronometer and the area was checked after two minutes. Hemostasis that was not achieved after three applications was accepted as failure. Results: Cessation of the bleeding failed in all rats after three successive 2-minute physiological saline impregnated gauze applications in control group. Among AHA-treated groups, significant hemostasis efficacy was obtained from the liquid form than that of powder. Within first two minutes, bleeding in renal veins of five rats was controlled successfully in liquid group whereas powder group achieved hemostatic success in four rats. Conclusions: The vessel incision model in our study revealed fast-acting physical hemostatic properties of the liquid and powder formulations of AHA in the renal vein. This natural applicable product could be used to induce hemostasis in rat models of bleeding caused by various renal damages or trauma, and it could also prevent local bleeding in humans. More studies are needed to compare the efficacy of different formulations of the polysaccharide-based herbal product in various organs and surgical models.

Background/Aim: Nowadays, many deaths are related to vessel injury-induced blood loss. Failure to control bleeding also increases the risk of death. This study aimed to investigate the hemostatic effects of the Algan Hemostatic Agent (AHA) foam application in a rat model in which severe femoral artery bleeding was induced. Methods: Fourteen rats were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) control (physiological saline) (n = 7) and (2) AHA foam (n = 7). The left femoral artery of the rats was incised and when the bleeding started, and the area was pressed with another sponge for 10 s in all rats. Afterwards, physiological saline solution impregnated gauze or AHA foam was placed over same area. A chronometer was started and area was checked after 2 min. If no bleeding occurred during the first 2 min of application, it was recorded as “successful”. If bleeding occurred, the same procedure was repeated up to three times. If hemostasis could not be achieved even after the third application, it was considered a failure, and “failed” was recorded. All animals were sacrificed under high anesthesia for least 10 min after the experiment. Results: Application of AHA resulted in complete (100%) control of bleeding in all rats within the first 2 min. In control group, hemostasis was achieved in 1 out of 7 (14.3%) rats by the third application. Failure was recorded for the remaining six rats. The hemostatic success rate of the AHA foam was significantly higher than the rates of control group (P = 0.005). Conclusion: AHA foam is a very effective hemostatic agent and can be applied easily on vascular trauma models. Further studies are needed to elucidate hemostatic features of AHA.