Volumetric evaluation of fat in the renal sinus in normal subjects using stereological method on computed tomography images and its relationship with body composition

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was: to describe a simple, accurate and practical technique for estimating the volume of adipose tissue within the renal sinus (RS) using stereological method on computed tomography (CT) images; to establish a population database for volume of fat within the RS from 21 to 80 years of age; to investigate the effect of age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and abdominal diameters on RS fat volume in normal subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed abdominal CT examinations of 240 patients without renal pathology between the ages of 21 and 80 years. There were 6 groups of patients, with 40 patients for each decade.

RESULTS

RS fat volumes in the left and right kidney were 5.70 ± 2.87 cm³ and 4.15 ± 2.39 cm³, respectively, in males and 3.51 ± 2.67 cm³ and 2.49 ± 2.16 cm³, respectively, in females. RS fat volume and age were positively correlated for both kidneys (left: r = 0.46; right: r = 0.44; p < 0.001, both), though it appeared to decline after age 70.

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative data may allow clinicians to better estimate the age-related RS fat volume changes and help them in decision making.

Potential role of some oxidant/antioxidant status parameters in prefrontal cortex of rat brain in an experimental psychosis model and the protective effects of melatonin

OBJECTIVES

The etiology of schizophrenia is unknown. However, some of the neuropathological changes in schizophrenia may be the result of increased free radical-mediated or reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated neurotoxicity. Melatonin is a hormone produced especially at night in the pineal gland; additionally is a highly important antioxidant. The aim of this study is to indicate the contribution effect of the neuropathophysiology of schizophrenia and protective effects of melatonin against this oxidative damaged. MK-801 induced selective neurotoxicity has been proposed as an animal model for psychosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

21 healthy adult and male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. MK-801 was given intraperitoneally for 5 days in experimental psychosis group. Melatonin was given to the treatment group for 6 days by intraperitoneally. In control group, saline was given in the same way. At the 7th day of the experiments, rats were killed by decapitation. Brains were removed and prefrontal part of the brain was divided for biochemical analyses.

RESULTS

Some antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl analyses were made by spectrophotometric methods. SOD, GSH-Px, XO activities and malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and NO levels were found to be increased significantly in prefrontal cortex of MK-801 group (p < 0.0001) compared to the control group. In melatonin treated rats, prefrontal tissue malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl levels were decreased significantly in comparison with MK-801 group (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

MK-801 may induce oxidative stress in prefrontal cortex of rats. This experimental study provides some evidences for the protective effects of melatonin on MK-801-induced changes in prefrontal rat cortex.

EFFECTS OF PHOTOPERIOD ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF LEYDIG CELLS IN RAT

The aim of this study was to examine effects of photoperiod on the ultrastructure of Leydig cells in rat. For this purpose, 21 male Wistar rats were used. Animals were divided into three groups: Control rats in group I were kept under 12 hrs light: 12 hrs dark conditions (12L: 12D) for 10 weeks. Animals in group II were exposed to long photoperiods (18L: 6D), while rats in group III were exposed to short photoperiods (6L:18D) for 10 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all animals were killed by decapitation and blood samples were obtained. Serum testosterone levels were determined with the use of a chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. The testes of all rats were removed and weighed, then processed for light and electron microscopy. For morphometric comparison, diameters of seminiferous tubules in each group were measured. In rats exposed to long photoperiods, testicular weights, diameters of seminiferous tubules and serum testosterone levels were significantly increased as compared to those in control rats, whereas exposure of rats to short photoperiods resulted in a significant decrease of testicular weights, diameters of seminiferous tubules and serum testosterone levels as compared to those in control rats and rats maintained in long photoperiods. The amount of mitochondria and cytoplasmic secretory granules were increased in the cytoplasm of Leydig cells of rats exposed to long photoperiods. Furthermore, an increase in extensiveness of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cell cytoplasm was noticed in this group, whereas a decrease in mitochondria and cytoplasmic secretory granules of the Leydig cell cytoplasm was seen in rats exposed to short photoperiods. The results of our study indicate that testicular functions increase after exposure to long photoperiods and decrease after exposure to short photoperiods.

Acquired port-wine stain related to acoustic neuroma

Port-wine stains are frequently seen congenital vascular malformations consisting of ectatic dermal capillaries. Acquired port-wine stain that develops later in life is an uncommon vascular lesion that is morphologically identical to a congenital port-wine stain. In the majority of acquired port-wine stains, the aetiology is unknown, but trauma is an important causative factor. Other proposed aetiologies include chronic sun exposure, hormonal changes, frostbite injury, obstruction of the peritoneovenous shunt, herpes zoster infection, and cerebral arteriovenous malformation. Here we report the first case of a patient who had an acquired port-wine stain related to a solid brain tumour.