Evaluation of the Effects of Favipiravir Combined with Vitamin C on Alveolar Bone in Rats

Evaluation of the effect of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) in wound healing and growth factor release in rats: a split-mouth study

This experimental study aimed to evaluate the effects of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) on mucosal healing and the release of growth factors in rats. 40 rats were used; i-PRF was administered in the right buccal area while saline was injected in the left. Cytokeratin, FGF, PDGF, TGF, and VEGF expressions were determined with immunohistochemistry. Gene expressions of EGF, TGF-β, and VEGF were analysed. Epithelialization started on the 3rd day, and connective tissue maturation was more prominent in the i-PRF-applied group. Also, the releases of VEGF, EGF, TGF-β, PDGF, and FGF were higher in the i-PRF group during the 14 days. Gene expression analysis showed that changes in TGF-β at 14 days after i-PRF injection and VEGF after 21 days were statistically significant. The results of this study suggested that autologous i-PRF application enhanced the healing of oral mucosal wounds by increasing the release of growth factors for 21 days.

The effect of vitamin C supplementation on favipiravir-induced oxidative stress and proinflammatory damage in livers and kidneys of rats

Background: Favipiravir (FPV), an effective antiviral agent, is a drug used to treat influenza and COVID-19 by inhibiting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of RNA viruses. FPV has the potential to increase oxidative stress and organ damage. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the oxidative stress and inflammation caused by FPV in the liver and kidneys of rats, as well as to investigate the curative effects of vitamin C (VitC).Methods: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly and equally divided into the following five groups: 1st; Control, 2nd; FPV = 20 mg/kg, 3rd; FPV = 100 mg/kg, 4th; FPV = 20 mg/kg + VitC (150 mg/kg), and 5th; FPV = 100 mg/kg + VitC (150 mg/kg) groups. Rats were given either FPV (orally) or FPV plus VitC (intramuscular) for 14 days. Rat blood, liver, and kidney samples were collected at 15 days to be analyzed for oxidative and histological changes.Results: FPV administration resulted in an increase in proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in the liver and kidney, as well as oxidative and histopathologic damage. FPV increased TBARS levels significantly (p < .05) and decreased GSH and CAT levels in liver and kidney tissues but had no effect on SOD activity. VitC supplementation significantly reduced TNF-a, IL-6, and TBARS levels while increasing GSH and CAT levels (p < .05). Furthermore, VitC significantly attenuated FPV-induced histopathological alterations associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in the liver and kidney tissues (p < .05).Conclusion: FPV caused liver and kidney damage in rats. In contrast, co-administration of FPV with VitC improved FPV-induced oxidative, pro-inflammatory, and histopathological changes.