Blood-brain barrier targeted delivery of lacosamide-conjugated gold nanoparticles: Improving outcomes in absence seizures.

Objective: Most currently available antiepileptics are not fully effective in the prevention of seizures in absence epilepsy owing to the presence of blood-brain barrier (BBB). We aimed to test whether binding an antiepileptic drug, lacosamide (LCM), to glucose-coated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) enables efficient brain drug delivery to suppress the epileptic activity in WAG/Rij rats with absence epilepsy.

Methods: In these animals, intracranial-EEG recording, behavioral test, in vivo imaging of LCM and LCM-GNP conjugate distribution in the brain, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis, immunofluorescence staining of glucose transporter (Glut)- 1, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and p-glycoprotein (P-gp) and electron microscopy were performed.

Targeted delivery of lacosamide-conjugated gold nanoparticles into the brain in temporal lobe epilepsy in rats.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of epilepsy with focal seizures, and currently available drugs may fail to provide a thorough treatment of the patients. The present study demonstrates the utility of glucose-coated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) as selective carriers of an antiepileptic drug, lacosamide (LCM), in developing a strategy to cross the blood-brain barrier to overcome drug resistance. Intravenous administration of LCM-loaded GNPs to epileptic animals yielded significantly higher nanoparticle levels in the hippocampus compared to the nanoparticle administration to intact animals.

The effects of CLP-induced sepsis on proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa and theca cells in rat ovary: A histochemical and ultrastructural study.

Sepsis is defined as a systemic inflammatory response to infection. This study is aimed to evaluate the effects of experimental sepsis on the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa and theca cells in the rat ovary. 28-day-old immature Wistar-Albino female rats were treated with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin to develop the first generation of preovulatory follicles.

The effects of magnesium sulfate on cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian damage: Folliculogenesis.

Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is one of the alkylating chemotherapeutic agents and its adverse effects on folliculogenesis in the ovary are well-known due to the previous scientific research on this topic. Magnesium has various effects in organisms, including catalytic functions on the activation and inhibition of many enzymes, and regulatory functions on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and differentiation. In this study, the effects of magnesium sulfate (MgSO) on CYP induced ovarian damage were investigated.

Evaluation of fatal diving accidents in Turkey.

In any kind of diving there is a risk of accidents, as the move from the topside environment to underwater can affect a diver’s physiological and psychological condition. It is important to investigate dive accidents to clarify the causative factors and determine preventive measures. In this study, autopsy files of fatal dive accident cases were reviewed to evaluate demographic data, type of diving, purpose of dive, seasonal distribution, autopsy findings, and causes of death.

Effects of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin on blood-brain barrier permeability in angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability primarily increases in cerebral venules during acute hypertension. Methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD), a cholesterol-depleting agent, decreases the expression of caveolins disrupting caveolar structures. We aimed to determine the effects of MβCD on the BBB permeability of angiotensin (ANG) II-induced hypertensive rats.

The Effects of Lipopolysaccharide on the Disrupted Blood-Brain Barrier in a Rat Model of Preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia is a disorder characterized by high blood pressure and often proteinuria during pregnancy. It is known that a subseptic dose of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces production of proinflammatory cytokines, and possibly increasing the risk for developing preeclampsia. We investigated the effects of LPS on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in pregnant rats with N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced preeclampsia.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for five days increases blood-brain barrier permeability.

This study aimed to explore the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in rats, when administered for one (at 2.5 ATA, 3 HBO₂ sessions a day) and five days (at 2.5 ATA, 3 HBO₂ sessions a day for the first two days, and twice a day for the last three days).

Changes in electroencephalographic characteristics and blood-brain barrier permeability in WAG/Rij rats with cortical dysplasia.

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of cortical dysplasia (CD) on electrophysiology and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in WAG/Rij rats with genetic absence epilepsy.

Methods: Pregnant WAG/Rij rats were exposed to 145cGy of gamma-irradiation on embryonic day 17 to induce CD. An electroencephalogram was recorded from cortices subdurally in the offspring of the pregnant animals.

Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate on brain vascular permeability in rats with traumatic brain injury.

This study investigates the effect of beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity during traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. Evans blue (EB) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were used as determinants of BBB permeability. Glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were estimated in the right (injury side) cerebral cortex of animals.

Effects of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy on behavior deficits and functions in sepsis model.

Background: We aim to demonstrate behavioral alterations in a sepsis model using intravenous (IV) immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulins enriched with IgA and IgM (IgGAM).

Methods: We divided 48 Wistar albino rats into five groups: control group, sham-operated group (only antibiotic treatment), cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) group (CLP plus antibiotic treatment), IgG group (250 mg/kg IV IgG) and IgGAM group (250 mg/kg IV IgGAM). Intravenous immunoglobulins were given 5 min after the CLP procedure.

The effects of superoxide dismutase mimetic MnTMPyP on the altered blood-brain barrier integrity in experimental preeclampsia with or without seizures in rats.

We investigated the effects of a cell-permeable superoxide dismutase mimetic, manganese(III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (MnTMPyP) on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity following pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in experimental preeclampsia symptoms induced by N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) in pregnant rats. To show the functional and morphological alterations in BBB integrity, quantitative analysis of sodium fluorescein (NaFlu) extravasation, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopic assessment of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) permeability were performed. Varying degrees of proteinuria were seen and arterial blood pressure increased in l-NAME-treated pregnant rats (p<0.

The effects of atorvastatin on oxidative stress in L-NAME-treated rats.

Objectives: Current evidence suggests that the beneficial vascular effects of statins are not limited to the statins' lipid-lowering properties; these drugs can also improve vascular endothelial cell function. Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) is a potent synthetic nitric oxide inhibitor, and long-term oral L-NAME treatment is used to induce vascular lesions in experimental animal models.

Methods: We determined the effects of statins on protein carbonyl (PCO), lipid hydroperoxides (LHP), oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL) and antioxidants such as paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and total thiols (T-SH) in long-term L-NAME-treated rats.

The effects of hyperbaric air and hyperbaric oxygen on blood-brain barrier integrity in rats.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment yields conflicting results on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity under various pathological conditions and the effects of HBO on healthy brain is poorly understood. In this experimental study, the effects of HBO on BBB integrity were investigated in comparison with hyperbaric air (HBA) in intact rats. Four sessions of HBA or HBO were applied to intact rats in 24h.

Vagus nerve stimulation inhibits seizure activity and protects blood-brain barrier integrity in kindled rats with cortical dysplasia.

Aims: This study investigates the effects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on seizure severity and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in kindled rats with cortical dysplasia (CD).

Main Methods: Pregnant rats were exposed to 145 cGy of gamma-irradiation on day 17 of pregnancy. In offsprings, kindling was induced by giving subconvulsive doses of pentylenetetrazole.

Topiramate reduces blood-brain barrier disruption and inhibits seizure activity in hyperthermia-induced seizures in rats with cortical dysplasia.

We investigated the effects of topiramate (TPM), a novel broad spectrum anticonvulsant, on seizure severity, survival rate and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity during hyperthermic seizures in rats with cortical dysplasia (CD). Offsprings of irradiated mothers were used in this study. To show the functional and morphological alterations in BBB integrity, quantitative analysis of Evans blue (EB) extravasation, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopic assessment of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) permeability were performed.

Intravenous immunoglobulins prevent the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier in experimentally induced sepsis.

Interventions: The effects of immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulins enriched with immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M on blood-brain barrier integrity and survival rates in septic rats were comparatively investigated.

Measurements: Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and perforation in Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were divided into the following groups: Sham, cecal ligation and perforation, cecal ligation and perforation plus immunoglobulin G (250 mg/kg, intravenous), and cecal ligation and perforation plus immunoglobulins enriched with immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M (250 mg/kg, intravenous).

The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on blood-brain barrier permeability in septic rats.

The mechanisms underlying the changes in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in septic encephalopathy are poorly understood. The present study was designed to examine whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) influences the response of BBB to sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in rats. Cerebral cortical and hippocampal tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured.

Effects of levetiracetam on blood-brain barrier disturbances following hyperthermia-induced seizures in rats with cortical dysplasia.

Aims: The mechanisms underlying the changes in blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and the generation of seizures in childhood associated with preexisting brain lesions like cortical dysplasia (CD) are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) on BBB integrity and the survival during hyperthermic seizures in rats with CD.

Main Methods: Pregnant rats were exposed to 145 cGy of gamma-irradiation on embryonic day 17.

Influence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension on the integrity of the blood-brain barrier in rats.

Hypercholesterolemia and/or hypertension impair endothelial function in peripheral vasculature; however, their impact on endothelial cells of brain microvessels is unclear. We investigated the effects of hypercholesterolemia on the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the activity of astrocytes during N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) hypertension followed by angiotensin (ANG) II. We found significant decreases in superoxide dismutase levels with all treatments except ANG II and L-NAME plus ANG II, and in catalase concentrations except ANG II and cholesterol plus L-NAME.

Levetiracetam decreases the seizure activity and blood-brain barrier permeability in pentylenetetrazole-kindled rats with cortical dysplasia.

This study investigates the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) on the functional and structural properties of blood-brain barrier (BBB) in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled rats with cortical dysplasia (CD). Pregnant rats were exposed to 145 cGy of gamma-irradiation on embryonic day 17. In offsprings, kindling was induced by giving subconvulsive doses of PTZ three times per week for 45 days.

Morphological and functional changes of blood-brain barrier in kindled rats with cortical dysplasia.

Cortical dysplasia (CD) is one of the major causes contributing to epileptogenesis associated with blood-brain-barrier (BBB) disturbances. The current study investigated the functional and ultrastructural changes of BBB in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled rats with CD. Pregnant rats on E17 were exposed to 145 cGy of gamma-irradiation and offspring were used for experiments.

[Pulmonary and systemic fat embolism as a cause of death in forensic autopsy practice].

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlations between the grade of fat embolism and age, gender, severity of trauma and post-traumatic survival time.

Methods: Thirty-one cases with pulmonary and/or systemic fat embolism, auotopsied at the Morgue Department of Council of Forensic Medicine were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: Twenty-eight cases (90%) died due to trauma and its complications.

Long-term L-NAME treatment potentiates the blood-brain barrier disruption during pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats.

We investigated whether the severity of blood-brain barrier disruption caused by pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures is modified by long-term nitric oxide synthase inhibition in rats. Rats were given N-omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, in drinking water for 4 weeks, and then treated with pentylenetetrazole to induce seizures. Damage to the blood-brain barrier was investigated using Evans blue dye extravasation.