The Use of Albino Adult Hair and Blond Prepubertal Hair Yields Equivalent Results in an In Vitro Hair Perforation Test to Differentiate Between Different Dermatophytic Fungi

An in vitro hair perforation test is used to differentiate isolates of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton rubrum complexes because morphological criteria are insufficient. Here, we performed in vitro hair perforation tests using blond prepubertal hair and albino adult hair to determine whether they differentiate between fungal species. We tested 43 well-characterized dermatophyte strains, Arthroderma spp. [n = 4], Epidermophyton floccosum [n = 1], Microsporum spp. [n = 8], and Trichophyton spp. [n = 30], and examined hair perforation at 3–30 days postinoculation (p.i.). The perforation times were not significantly different between the two hair types (P > 0.05). The T. mentagrophytes complex strains perforated hair 4–5 days p.i., whereas T. rubrum complex strains perforated hair 13–30 days p.i., except for Trichophyton violaceum, which perforated hair after 6–7 days. Thus, the hair perforation test is highly sensitive (100 %) and specific (100 %) for differentiating T. mentagrophytes from T. rubrum complexes 5 days p.i. At 14 and 30 days, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of the test remained unchanged (100 %), but the specificity was reduced (64.3 and 14.3 %, respectively). Consistent with previous reports, we observed “perforating organs” of zoophilic Microsporum canis and geophilic Microsporum gypseum at 4 and 3 days, respectively. This paper offers a “low-cost” and “low-tech” alternative to differentiating dermatophyte species where standard morphological techniques fail and/or where molecular techniques are not a viable option.     

Seleno <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l-</Emphasis>Methionine Acts on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Kidney Toxicity

The anticancer drug cyclophosphamide (CP) has nephrotoxic effects besides its urotoxicity, which both in turn limit its clinical utility. The nephrotoxicity of CP is less common compared to its urotoxicity, and not much importance has been given for the study of mechanism of CP-induced nephrotoxicity so far. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during inflammation is one of the reasons of the kidney injury. Selenoproteins play crucial roles in regulating ROS and redox status in nearly all tissues; therefore, in this study, the nephrotoxicity of CP and the possible protective effects of seleno l-methionine (SLM) on rat kidneys were investigated. Forty-two Sprague–Dawley rats were equally divided into six groups of seven rats each. The control group received saline, and other rats were injected with CP (100 mg/kg), SLM (0.5 or 1 mg/kg), or CP + SLM intraperitoneally. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels in kidney homogenates of rats were measured, and kidney tissues were examined under the microscope. CP-treated rats showed a depletion of renal GSH levels (28% of control), while CP + SLM-injected rats had GSH values close to the control group. MDA levels increased 36% of control following CP administration, which were significantly decreased after SLM treatment. Furthermore, these biochemical results were supported by microscopical observations. In conclusion, the present study not only points to the therapeutic potential of SLM in CP-induced kidney toxicity but also indicates a significant role for ROS and their relation to kidney dysfunction.     

The relation between the effect of a subhypnotic dose of thiopental on claw pain threshold in rats and adrenalin,noradrenalin and dopamine levels

Thiopental sodium (TPS) needs to be applied together with adrenalin in order to establish its analgesic effect in general anesthesia. We aimed to investigate the effect of TPS on the claw pain threshold in rats and evaluated its relationship with endogenous adrenalin (ADR), noradrenalin (NDR), and dopamine (DOP) levels. Intact and adrenalectomized rats were used in the experiment. Intact animals were divided into the following groups: 15 mg/kg TPS (TS), 0.3 mg/kg ADR+15 mg/kg TPS (ATS) and 0.3 mg/kg ADR alone (ADR). Adrenalectomized animals were divided into the following groups: 15 mg/kg TPS (A-TS), 0.3 mg/kg ADR+15 mg/kg TPS (A-ATS) and 0.3 mg/kg ADR alone (A-ADR). Claw pain threshold and blood ADR, NDR, and DOP levels were measured. The TS group’s claw pain threshold was found low. However, the claw pain thresholds of the ATS and ADR groups increased significantly. In the A-TS group, the pain threshold decreased compared with normal, and in the A-ATS and A-ADR groups, the pain threshold increased. TPS reduced the blood ADR levels in intact rats; however, no significant changes were observed in the NDR and DOP levels. #TPS provides hyperalgesia by reducing the production of ADR in rats. The present study shows that to achieve analgesic activity, TPS needs to be applied together with ADR.     

Clinical features, epidemiology, and efficacy and safety of intralesional antimony treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis: recent experience in Turkey

A total of 1,030 patients, 40.2% men and 59.8% women, identified during the period of October 1998 to November 2002 as having cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), were studied; 1,431 lesions were identified in the 1,030 patients. One lesion was present in 80.7% of the patients. The size of the lesions (longest axis) was 13.6 mm (standard, 12.1 mm; range 3-150 mm). Most of the lesions were of the papular type (51.2%), although several atypical clinical presentations of CL were observed. The duration of the disease ranged between 1 and 72 mo (mean duration, 10.8 mo). The clinical suspicion of CL was confirmed by the observation of amastigotes on lesion tissue samples stained by Giemsa. The test was positive in 851 of 1,030 patients (82.6%). Intralesional meglumine antimonate solution (85 mg Sb/ml, 0.2-1 ml, depending on the size of the lesion) weekly until complete cure or up to 20 wk was used for first-line therapy of 890 patients (86.4%). We found that this regimen of intralesional Sb has an efficacy of 97.2% with a low relapse rate of 3.9% and no serious adverse side effects.     

The mitogenic activity of endothelin-1 on megakaryocytopoiesis in vitro

Endothelin (ET)-1 induces proliferation of various cells including smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, glomerular mesangial cells, endothelial cells and osteoblasts. ET-1 also stimulates synthesis of interleukin (IL)-6 in endothelial and bone marrow stromal cells of rat. It is well known that IL-6 modulates megakaryocytopoiesis. Some studies have indicated that megakaryocytes express both ET receptors and they are targets for ET. Therefore we planned to examine the effects of ET-1 on the growth of normal megakaryocytic cells in rat bone marrow primary cell culture. Bone marrow cells were cultured at 37 degrees C, in an incubator atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air and 95% relative humidity for nine days. ET-1 at 10(-7), 10(-8 ) and 10(-11) M, and control with saline were added at the beginning of the experiment protocol. At each day, plasma clots were stained using direct-coloring thiocholin method for acetylcholinesterase activity. Although 10(-7) M ET-1 did not change the proliferation of megakaryocytic cells, this could be due to the presence of over crowded fibroblasts in the same environment. 10(-8) M ET-1 stimulated megakaryocytic cell growth to 234% over the control on the fifth day. ET-1 at a concentration of 10(-11) M also rised the megakaryocytic cell number significantly reaching up to 86% at the sixth day. Our results indicate that ET-1 may modulate the growth of megakaryocytic cells by an autocrine and/or paracrine action.     

Comparison of different needle diameters and flow rates on bone marrow mononuclear stem cell viability: an ex vivo experimental study

Considerable information is available regarding the experimental and clinical applications of bone marrow derived stem cells (BMDSC) for regenerative medicine. Optimized stem cell delivery systems might help to maintain better stem cell viability. We have investigated whether needle diameters and flow rates through the needles cause any difference in terms of BMDSC viability.     

The effects of lycopene on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

There is a very little information about the protective effect of lycopene (LYC) against hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury. The present study was designed to examine the possible protective effect of the strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, LYC, on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury. For this purpose, rats were subjected to 45 min of hepatic ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion period. LYC at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg body weight (bw) were injected intraperitoneally, 60 min prior to ischemia. Upon sacrification, hepatic tissue samples were used for the measurement of catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Also, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assayed in serum samples. As a result of the use of LYC at the doses of 2.5 and 5 mg/kg bw; while improvements of the ALT, AST, LDH and MDA values were partial and dose-dependent, the improvement of CAT activity was total and dose-independent (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that LYC has a protective effect against ischemia/reperfusion injury on the liver.     

Protective Effect of Seleno-<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-Methionine on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Urinary Bladder Toxicity in Rats

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used antineoplastic drug, which could cause toxicity of the normal cells due to its toxic metabolites. Its urotoxicity may cause dose-limiting side effects like hemorrhagic cystitis. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during inflammation is one of the reasons of the urothelial injury. Selenoproteins play crucial roles in regulating ROS and redox status in nearly all tissues; therefore, in this study, the urotoxicity of CP and the possible protective effects of seleno-l-methionine (SLM) on urinary bladder of rats were investigated. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of 50, 100, or 150 mg/kg CP induced cystitis, in a dose-dependent manner, as manifested by marked congestion, edema and extravasation in rat urinary bladder, a marked desquamative damage to the urothelium, severe inflammation in the lamina propria, focal erosions, and polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes associated with occasional lymphocyte infiltration determined by macroscopic and histopathological examination. In rat urinary bladder tissue, a significant decrease in the endogenous antioxidant compound glutathione, and elevation of lipid peroxidation were also noted. Pretreatment with SLM (0.5 or 1 mg/kg) produced a significant decrease in the bladder edema and caused a marked decrease in vascular congestion and hemorrhage and a profound improvement in the histological structure. Moreover, SLM pretreatment decreased lipid peroxide significantly in urinary bladder tissue, and glutathione content was greatly restored. These results suggest that SLM offers protective effects against CP-induced urinary bladder toxicity and could be used as a protective agent against the drug toxicity.     

The effects on immune response of levamisole treatment following infection of U-937 macrophages with Candida albicans

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on the immune response of levamisole alone and in conjunction with Candida albicans stimulation in human macrophage cell culture by determining the alterations in the levels of cytokine release. Levamisole treatment was performed before, during and after infecting U-937 human macrophage cells with C. albicans. In cell supernatants, interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-12, IL-18, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured by ELISA. In vitro levamisole treatment accompanied by C. albicans stimulation significantly increased IL-12, IL-1β and IL-18 production in macrophage cells (p < 0.05). It was observed that when administered before C. albicans infection, levamisole significantly increased IL-12 and IL-1β production in macrophage cells (p < 0.05). Another finding was that when applied to macrophage cells simultaneously with C. albicans infection, or before infection with C. albicans, levamisole suppressed the TNF-β production stimulating effect of C. albicans (p < 0.05). These results indicated that levamisole could be useful in treating patients infected with C. albicans or in protecting individuals under the risk of being infected with this pathogen. There is a need for further experimental and clinical studies on this hypothesis.