Ultrastructural view of a promising anti TNF-α agent on hepatic ischaemia reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND

Ischemia reperfusion causes injury to the liver cells during transplantation, trauma and emergency surgery. We investigated whether the anti TNF-α agent, etanercept, can reduce injury in an animal model of ischemia reperfusion owing to the fact that TNF-α plays a critical role in the process of inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty rats were divided into three groups: sham (Group 1), control (Group 2), etanercept (5 mg/kg) treatment (Group 3). Ischemia-reperfusion model was carried out by clamping the hepatic pedicle for 45 min and then reperfusing the liver for 60 min. Etanercept (5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 5 min prior to reperfusion. At the end of the procedures, blood and liver tissue samples were obtained for biochemical and histopathological assessment.

RESULTS

Control and treatment groups showed significant differences in hepatic function tests, plasma and tissue oxidative stress parameters. Samples in the control group histopathologically showed morphologic abnormalities specific to ischemia reperfusion. Histomorphologic findings in the treatment groups showed similar features as the sham group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our evidence suggests that TNF-α plays a key role in liver ischemia reperfusion injury and etanercept may provide a novel therapeutic approach for patients undergoing liver surgical procedure (Tab. 3, Fig. 4, Ref. 22).

The effect of diosmin on pancreatic injury induced by hepatic ischemia reperfusion in rats

PURPOSE

This experimental study aimed at comparing the cyanoacrylate abdomen closure to the effectiveness of triclosan coated polidioxanone abdomen closure.

METHODS

The abdomen layers were closed with 3/0 polidioxanone suture in the first group. In the second group, the layers were closed with triclosan coated polidioxanone suture in a single layer. The abdomen layers of rats in the third group were attached with cyanoacrylates without sutures. The rats were sacrificed on the 14th day and the adhesive level was recorded. The incision resistance strength was measured. The tissue was examined blindly in the terms of inflammatory cell infiltration, capillary proliferation, fibrosis and micro-abscess by the pathologist.

RESULTS

No significant difference was determined between the 1st and 2nd groups in the terms of inflammatory cell infiltration, capillary proliferation, collagen deposition, fibroblast activity, adhesive and tissue distension strength. The fibrosis and adhesive rate of the 3rd group was significantly higher than the 1st and 2nd groups statistically. The tissue distension strength was lower than in the other groups and the differences between the groups were found to be significant (p < 0.05). No significant difference was determined between the groups in the term of micro-abscess.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibacterial suture is not superior to the conventional suture. It is concluded that cyanoacrylate is not an appropriate molecule for abdomen closure (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 17).

Effects of diosmine-hesperidine on experimental colonic anastomosis

AIM

Our goal was to determine the effects of a diosmine-hesperidine combination on wound healing in a rat model of colonic anastomosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 20 Wistar Albino female rats were randomized into four experimental groups containing five rats in each group. A segment of 1 cm of colon was excised 4 cm proximally to the peritoneal reflection in all rats without carrying out any mechanical or antibacterial bowel preparation. Colonic anastomosis was performed with interrupted, inverting sutures of 6/0 polypropylene. Beginning from the first postoperative day, the rats in Groups II and IV received 100 mg/kg per day of diosmine-hesperidine via orogastic route by 4F fine feeding catheter.

RESULTS

A significant difference was detected between groups in terms of their hydroxyproline levels (p<0.05); the hydroxyproline level of Group I was significantly lower than that of the other groups while no significant difference was noted between Groups II and III.

CONCLUSION

The administration of diosmine-hesperidine increased the amount of collagen and bursting pressures at the anastomotic site and thus had favorable influences on the healing of colonic anastomosis (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 33).

Effect of propolis on oxidative stress and histomorphology of liver tissue in experimental obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND

Propolis is a natural product collected by honey bees from various plant sources. We aimed to determine the possible effects of propolis on oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis in experimental obstructive jaundice.

METHODS

Thirty rats were divided into three groups: group I, sham-operated; group II, ligation and division of the common bile duct (BDL); group III, BDL followed by oral supplementation of propolis in a daily dose of 100 mg/kg. Liver samples were examined under the light microscope and transmission electron microscope. Hepatocyte apoptosis was quantitated using the transferase-mediated uridine nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Plasma and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were measured.

RESULTS

The plasma and liver levels of MDA were significantly lower in the propolis group than in the BDL group (p < 0.05 and 0.014, respectively). Although liver GSH-Px activities were significantly higher in the propolis group than in the BDL group (p < 0.001), there was no significant difference between the plasma GSH-Px activities of these groups (p > 0.05). In the propolis group, the enlargement of hepatocytes, dilatation of canaliculi and the edema regressed. The regenerating and normal hepatocytes were demonstrated. In the TUNEL assay, propolis administration reduced hepatocyte apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Propolis showed a significant hepatoprotective effect in this experimental obstructive jaundice model.