Examination of protective and therapeutic effects of ruscogenin on cerulein-induced experimental acute pancreatitis in rats.

Purpose: To determine the potential protective and therapeutic effects and action mechanism of ruscogenin on cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) model in rats.

Methods: Overall, 32 rats were attenuated to the sham (2-mL/kg/day isotonic solution for 4 weeks), control (20-µg/kg cerulein-induced AP for 12 hours), prophylaxis groups (cerulein-induced AP following 3-mL/kg/day ruscogenin for 4 weeks) and treatment (3-mL/kg/day ruscogenin following cerulein-induced AP for 12 hours). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1/neuronal NOS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1).

Potent therapeutic effects of ruscogenin on gastric ulcer established by acetic acid.

Background/objective: The present study investigated the potent therapeutic effects of Ruscogenin, main steroid sapogenin of traditional Chinese plant called 'Ophiopogon japonicas', on chronic ulcer model established with acetic acid in rats.

Methods: 24 rats were attenuated to the sham (2 ml/kg/day isotonic solution), control (untreated ulcer) and treatment (3 ml/kg/day ruscogenin) groups. After treatment for 2 weeks, gastric tissues were collected and prepared for light microscopic (H&E), immunohistochemical (Collagen I, III and IV) and biochemical analysis [Epidermal growth factor (EGF), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin 6 and 8 (IL-6 and IL-8), Lipid Peroxidase (LPO), Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Glutathione (GSH) and Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px)] and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 levels in patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Aim: Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. In this study, we quantified the serum vascular endothelial growth factor-3 (VEGFR-3) expression in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to evaluate the role of VEGFR-3 in ESCC.

Materials And Methods: Ninety five patients with ESCC were studied.

Effects of mesenchymal stem cells and VEGF on liver regeneration following major resection.

Purpose: The study aims to determine the effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy and a combination therapy of MSCs transfected with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) for liver regeneration after major resection.

Methods: Thirty-eight rats were divided into four groups: group 1: control (sham operation); group 2: control (70 % hepatic resection); group 3: 70 % hepatic resection + systemically transplanted MSCs; and group 4: 70 % hepatic resection + systemically transplanted MSCs transfected with the VEGF gene. MSCs were injected via the portal vein route in study groups 3 and 4.

Comparison of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT findings with vascular endothelial growth factors and receptors in colorectal cancer.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET/CT findings with the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and its receptor (VEGFR) levels in metastatic and nonmetastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Fluorine-18 FDG-PET/CT scans were performed for initial staging and restaging of patients with CRC. FDG-PET/CT findings of tumor (such as the presence of a primary tumor, the lymphatic or distance metastases, and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary tumor), serum VEGF A-C-D-E levels, and serum VEGF receptor 1-2-3 levels were analyzed.

Serum leptin levels in gastric cancer patients and the relationship with insulin resistance.

Introduction: Serum leptin levels have been examined in various cancers, with conflicting results. However, there is limited information regarding serum leptin levels and insulin resistance in gastric cancer patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate serum leptin levels, performance status, insulin levels and insulin resistance in patients with gastric cancer.

Serum and biliary MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Aim: Cholangiocarcinoma is generally detected late in the course of disease, and current diagnostic techniques often fail to differentiate benign from malignant disease. Ongoing biomarker studies for early diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma are still continues. By this study, we analyzed the roles of serum and biliary MMP-9 and TIMP-1 concentrations in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma.

Impact of GLP-1 analogue on oxidative damage and hepatic regeneration in experimental 70% hepatectomy model.

Background/aims: The purpose of our study is researching into impact of glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP 1) analogue on liver regeneration after major hepatectomy.

Methodology: 24 wistar albino rats were consecutively divided into 3 groups. Group 1: Control (sham) group day 14 (n = 8), Group 2: Liver resection group day 14 (n = 8); 70% Liver resection was performed, Group 3: Study group day 14 (n = 8); Subsequent to performing 70% liver resection, GLP-1 analogue was administered 2 times a day.

Preoperative serum levels of mesothelin in patients with colon cancer.

Background: Screening for biochemical markers is important for diagnosing colon cancer. In this study, the reliability of serum mesothelin levels as a potential diagnostic and screening instrument was evaluated concerning colon cancer.

Methods: Ninety-five patients who had undergone colonoscopic examination and who were diagnosed with colon cancer were included in the study.

Diagnostic value of strain echocardiography, galectin-3, and tenascin-C levels for the identification of patients with pulmonary and cardiac sarcoidosis.

Background: Cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis has been associated with poor prognosis. We evaluated myocardial contractility quantitatively in a cohort of pulmonary sarcoidosis (PS) patients with and without cardiac involvement. We also studied markers of fibrosis (tenascin-C [Tn-C] and galectin-3 [Gl-3]) as diagnostic tools for PS and cardiac sarcoidosis (CS).

Metabolic and inflammatory responses after ERCP.

Background: We aim to evaluate the metabolic and inflammatory responses after ERCP procedure in patients who have common bile duct stones.

Methods: Between September 2009 and October 2010, we studied prospectively 50 patients who diagnosed with common bile duct stones. Our study was included patients who had previously been suspected with common biliary duct stone via radiological and biochemical examinations.

Dickkopf-1 levels in Turkish patients with bladder cancer and its association with clinicopathological features.

Background: Evidence indicates that Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) levels may be a biomarker for cancer risk. The aim of this study was to assess DKK-1 and its correlation with clinic-pathological features in patients with bladder cancer.

Materials And Methods: DKK-1 levels were determined in serum samples from 90 patients with bladder cancer before transurethral tumor resection.

The effect of vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis.

Purpose: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious condition, predominantly observed in premature infants. We used an experimental NEC model to investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cloned into a plasmid.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four newborn Wistar albino rats were randomized equally into three groups as follows: control, NEC and NEC+VEGF.

Effect of systemic carnitine therapy on serum fibronectin level in diabetic rats.

Background: L-carnitine has been shown to enhance wound healing. There has, however, not been sufficient research on the effect carnitine has on diabetic wound healing. We investigated the relationship between the viability of full thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) and fibronectin (FN) serum levels in diabetic rats that were administered carnitine.

Diagnostic significance of serum eotaxin-1 level in gastric cancer patients.

Introduction: Gastric cancer is the second cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Delayed diagnosis leads to high mortality rates. Eotaxin-1 was originally discovered as an eosinophil-selective chemoattractant and may play a role in a number of chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, and other gastrointestinal disorders.

Matrix metalloproteinases in pathogenesis of hemorrhoidal disease.

The aim of this study is to investigate the accuracy of serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels in an effort to find a reliable factor that may play an important role in pathogenesis of hemorrhoidal disease. Twenty control subjects and 21 Grade I, 19 Grade II, 20 Grade III, and 21 Grade IV patients with internal hemorrhoid were included in this prospective study. The mean ages of control subjects were 47.

Protective effect of dimethyl sulfoxide on stricture formation in corrosive esophageal burns in rats.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on stricture formation in corrosive esophageal burns.

Materials And Methods: A total of 21 male rats were divided equally into three groups. In Group 1 (burn) and Group 2 (burn + DMSO) burns were induced in the distal esophagi with a 30% NaOH solution.

Assessment of tenascin-C levels in ventricular noncompaction/hypertrabeculation patients: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Ventricular noncompaction/hypertrabeculation (NC/HT) is a rare form of congenital cardiomyopathy. We aimed to investigate the presence of serum tenascin-C (TN-C) in adult patients with NC/HT and evaluate its value.

Methods And Results: Serum TN-C levels were measured by ELISA in 50 NC/HT patients both with/without systolic dysfunction and in 23 normal controls.

Effects of montelukast on the healing of ischemic colon anastomoses.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine whether treatment with montelukast, a selective leukotriene antagonist, would affect anastomotic healing in a reperfused colon rat model with remote ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Methods: Rats (n = 12 per group) were intraperitoneally administered normal saline or 10 mg/kg montelukast sodium 60 minutes before and for 5 days after surgery. Ischemia was induced for 45 minutes through superior mesenteric artery occlusion.

Preoperative levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 relation to pathologic parameters in bladder carcinoma patients.

Our aim was to test the hypothesis that preoperative serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and -9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) levels correlate with pathological features. Serum levels of MMP-7, and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were determined in 90 bladder cancer patients and 40 healthy controls using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Preoperative serum MMP-7 and MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in cancer patients than control groups (p<0.

Troponin and anti-troponin autoantibody levels in patients with ventricular noncompaction.

Ventricular hypertrabeculation/noncompaction is a morphologic and functional anomaly of myocardium characterized by prominent trabeculae accompanied by deep recessus. Dilated cardiomyopathy with left ventricular failure is observed in these patients, while the cause or pathophysiologic nature of this complication is not known. Anti-troponin antibodies are formed against circulating cardiac troponins after an acute coronary event or conditions associated with chronic myocyte necrosis, such as dilated cardiomyopathy.

Relationship between serum fibronectin levels and carnitine administration: an experimental study in rats.

We aimed to investigate the relationship between dorsal flap viability and serum fibronectin levels in carnitine-administered rats. A total of 24 rats were equally divided into three groups and operated on. Group 1 (sham group n = 8): following surgery, no agent was given.

Association of insulin resistance with overactive bladder in female patients.

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome and obesity have been advocated to be risk factors for the development of overactive bladder (OAB). Additionally, insulin resistance is the underlying mechanism of metabolic syndrome. We aimed to investigate the association of insulin resistance with overactive bladder in female patients.

Preoperative serum levels of soluble endoglin for prediction of recurrence in stage III colorectal cancer patients.

Background: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum levels of soluble form of endoglin in stage III colorectal adenocarcinomas (CRC) patients for detection of recurrence.

Methods: The case-control study consisted of 80 stage III CRC patients who underwent surgery with curative intent and 70 age-and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Serum levels of soluble form of endoglin (sol-end) were measured in both groups.

Plasma human neutrophil proteins-1, -2, and -3 levels in patients with bladder cancer.

Objectives: Human neutrophil proteins-1, -2, and -3 (HNPs -1, -2, and -3) are expressed in several tumor types. However, the role of HNPs 1-3 in human bladder cancer has not yet been determined. We investigated the association between the plasma levels of HNPs 1-3 and clinicopathological parameters in bladder cancer patients.