The effects of Garcinia kola and curcumin on the dorsal root ganglion of the diabetic rat after peripheral nerve transection injury

OBJECTIVE

To test the protective effects of Garcinia kola and curcumin on the ganglion tissues of diabetic rats following the use of autologous vein graft in peripheral nerve transection injury.

METHODS

The sciatic nerve on the right side was transected, and anastomosis was performed between the proximal and distal ends using an autologous vein graft. Curcumin and Garcinia kola seed extract were administered daily by oral gavage. The ganglion tissues were harvested after a 90-day waiting period. Sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglion at the L4 and L5 levels were used for stereological evaluations. Mean sensory neuron numbers were analyzed using a stereological technique. The size of the light and dark neurons was also estimated, and ultrastructural and immunohistochemical evaluations were performed.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference in sensory neuron numbers was observed between the groups with and without Garcinia kola and curcumin applications. The immunohistochemical results showed that the s-100 protein is expressed selectively between cell types.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study show that curcumin and Garicinia kola prevented sensory neuron loss in diabetic rats following transection injury to the sciatic nerve.

Bilateral Frontoparietotemporal Craniectomy for Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Report

There is no conclusive agreement on the optimal approach to managing severe traumatic brain injury. This article details the methodology and outcomes of bilateral frontoparietotemporal decompression surgery performed on a three-year-old patient with severe traumatic brain injury. As the patient had fixed dilated pupils, GCS (Glasgow coma scale) 4, and marked edema in the frontal and parietal regions, the Kjellberg approach was modified, and decompression including part of the parietal bone was performed. The patient was intubated and sedated in the intensive care unit for one week postoperatively. After extubation, the patient had reactive pupils and a GCS of 13. The patient underwent a cranioplasty two months after the trauma, combining the bone grafts placed in the abdomen. The patient was followed for three days after cranioplasty and discharged with a GCS:15 and intact motor examination.

The effect of dietary sesame oil and ginger oil as antioxidants in the adult rat dorsal root ganglia after peripheral nerve crush injury

AIM

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary sesame oil and ginger oil supplements on the dorsal root ganglia following a sciatic nerve crush model in male Wistar albino rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Crush injury models have been done by means of graded forceps (50 Newton). The animals were given a daily sesame oil (4 ml/kg/day) and ginger oil (400 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage for a period of 28 days. Dorsal root ganglia from the L5 levels were harvested. Processing of tissues was done for electron microscopy and light microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining with active caspase-3 antibody and qualitative ultrastructural analyses of tissues were made by a light and a transmission electron microscope, respectively.

RESULTS

The results showed that crush injury leads to remarkable ultrastructural changes in sensory neurons, such as swollen mitochondria, disruption of cristae structure, glial cell proliferation and, consequently, phagocytosis of the damaged neuron. These ultrastructural changes were less evident in the treated groups, and both natural compounds reduced the expression of activated caspase-3, which may also affect ultrastructural changes.

CONCLUSION

The application of the natural products sesame oil and ginger oil may represent a supportive approach to the protection of sensory neurons against the destructive effects of peripheral nerve crush injury.

Histopathological evaluation of mesenchymal stem cells in the healing of anastomosed carotid arteries

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of mesenchymal stem cells on the healing of experimental carotid artery anastomoses histopathologically. Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. After random separation of the subjects into two groups, in both groups carotid arteries were transected and anastomosed in end-to-end fashion. Anastomoses were locally treated with 1 ml 0.09% NaCl, and 1 ml mesenchymal stem cell suspension (1×10⁶ cells) in control and trial groups, respectively. Anastomoses were wrapped with an 8 mm sheet of surgicel and soaked with BioGlue in order to sequestrate the stem cells. After patencies were confirmed via Doppler USG, surgical site was closed with 2/0 silk sutures. Histopathological evaluation was carried out after 4 weeks. In respect to endothelial continuity, vessel patency (along with presence or absence of restenosis), integrities of internal and external elastic laminae, muscularis and adventitia; no statistically significant differences were present between the trial and control groups. In Trial and Control Groups, luminal thrombus was present in 8 (66.6%) and 3 (25%) of the 12 subjects, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Recanalization was present in 6 subjects in trial group; 1 subjects in Control Group, respectively. Our results suggest that local administration of mesenchyme stem cell does not have a positive influence on success of an anastomosis.

Postlaminectomy Bone and Scar Formations in Presence of Ankaferd Blood Stopper and Bitter Melon (Momordica Charantia): An Experimental Study

AIM

A quantitative model of postlaminectomy was designed in rats. The effects of Momordica Charantia (MC) and Ankaferd blood stopper (ABS) on the bone and scar formation after laminectomy were concurrently evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Eighteen adult Wistar albino rats underwent lumbar laminectomy at L2-L3 vertebral levels, and were randomly assigned to one of three groups of six rats each. The Treatment group received MC and ABS treatment and the Control group was left untreated. Rats were sacrificed 4 weeks after treatment. Then; the lumbar spine was excised en-block, fixed and decalcified. Sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson"s trichrome, and evaluated for peridural fibrosis (PF), new bone formation, and vascular proliferation.

RESULTS

Total volume of new bone in the MC group was significantly increased in comparison to the Control group (p < 0.05). Also; there was highly significant increase in terms of the total volume of fibrous tissue in the MC and ABS groups when compared with the Control group (p < 0.01). Besides; there was a highly significant difference between the MC and the Control groups (p < 0.01) in point of total volume of vessel.

CONCLUSION

Both MC and ABS are not convenient to prevent the PF formation and MC may promote new bone formation and angiogenesis after lumbar laminectomy in rats.

Proconvulsant Effect of Papaverine on Penicillin-Induced Epileptiform Activity in Rats

AIM

Papaverine is a vasodilator agent that is an opium alkaloid. It exhibits its effects by inhibiting the phosphodiesterase enzyme. Papaverine administration is widely used to avoid symptomatic vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. We aimed, in this research, to study the effects of papaverine on the epileptic discharges stimulated by penicillin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Adult female Wistar rats (220±30 g) were included in this research (n=30). Rats were anesthetized with urethane (1.25 g/kg) and then the left cerebral cortex was reached by opening a burr hole with a drill. Penicillin G sodium salt (500 IU)(200 IU/1 μl) was injected into the left lateral ventricle to produce epileptiform activity. Thirty minutes before penicillin G sodium injection, papaverine was administered at doses of 5, 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in spike frequency between the control group and the groups given 5 mg/kg, 10 mg/ kg or 40 mg/kg papaverine, while 20 mg/kg papaverine significantly increased the spike frequency (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Papaverine augments the epileptiform activity produced by penicillin injection. It is important to remember that papaverine might induce convulsions in patients who have epilepsy. More research is required to understand the mechanisms of the proconvulsant influence of papaverine in epilepsy.

Three-Dimensional Microsurgical Anatomy of the Choroid Plexus Using the Volume Rendering Technique

AIM

The choroid plexus (CP) is a specific anatomical structure producing cerebrospinal fluid into the ventricular space. The three-dimensional anatomical structure of the choroid plexus located within the lateral ventricle may be evaluated by using the three dimensional volume rendering technique (3D-VRT) from acquired two-dimensional contrast enhanced computerized tomographic images.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The raw data of Three-dimensional Computerized Tomography Angiography (3D-CTA) were transferred into the computer and recorded in a software program. These images were evaluated in terms of anatomical shape, borders, extensions length and dimensions.

RESULTS

The patient group consisted of 57 (27 female and 30 male) patients. The mean age of the patients was 55±9 years. In male individuals, the distance of the superior tip from Frazier's point was 7.96±0.71 centimeters at the right side. In males, the distance of the inferior tip of the CP was estimated as 1.93±0.26 centimeters posterior-lateral from the anterior clinoid process, 1.64±0.23 centimeters posterior-lateral from the bifurcation of internal carotid artery, and 2.86±0.23 centimeters posterior-medial from the bifurcation of middle cerebral artery on the right side.

CONCLSION

The results of this study showed us that this technique could be used in the three-dimensional evaluation of some anatomical structures such as the choroid plexus.

The evaluation of three-dimensional anatomy of the superficial temporal artery using the volume rendering technique

AIM

The superficial temporal artery (STA) is the one of the terminal branches of the external carotid artery. Three-dimensional anatomical structure of the STA can be evaluated by using three dimensional volume rendering technique (3D-VRT) from acquired two-dimensional contrast-enhanced computerized tomographic images.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The raw data of the Three-dimensional Computerized Tomography Angiography (3D-CTA) was transferred to computer and recorded in a software program. This software program created the three-dimensional images of STA using these transferred raw data with the volume rendering technique. These images were evaluated in terms of the location of the STA bifurcation, the distance from the some anatomical landmarks, the inner diameter of the artery, and the type of the variations.

RESULTS

The total number of patients consists of 53 (27 female and 26 male) patients. The mean age of the patients was estimated as 57.9 ± 9.7 years. It was found that the location of the STA bifurcation was over the posterior third of the zygomatic arch in 58% of the cases. In 40% of the cases the location of the bifurcation was above the zygomatic arch. The location of the bifurcation was below the zygomatic arch in the remaining part of the cases (2%).

CONCLUSION

The STA images created using the volume rendering technique were evaluated in terms of the bifurcation point of the artery, the length of the bifurcation from some anatomical structures, the inner diameter of the artery and arterial variations. The results of this study showed that this technique might be helpful for the three-dimensional microsurgical anatomy of the STA in daily neurosurgical practice.

Fusiform Enlargement of the Superficial Temporal Artery in the Cases with Intracranial Aneurysm

AIM

The superficial temporal artery is one of the main terminal branches of the external carotid artery. This artery ascends through the lateralposterior margin of the zygomatic arch to reach the temporal region of the scalp. The superficial temporal artery divides its frontal and parietal branches around the zygomatic arch.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The raw data of the Three-dimensional Computerized Tomography Angiography (3D-CTA) were transferred to computer and recorded in a software program. This software program created the three-dimensional images of the superficial temporal artery using these transferred raw data with volume rendering technique.

RESULTS

Fifteen cases (5 female and 10 male, mean age 54.26 ± 12.35 years) with intracranial aneurysm were evaluated in terms of the type, location and dimensions of the fusiform enlargements. Fusiform enlargement was bilateral in eleven of the cases. Remaining four cases have unilateral fusiform enlargement of the superficial temporal artery.

CONCLUSION

Fusiform enlargement of the superficial temporal artery may be seen in the cases with intracranial aneurysms. 3D-CTA should be carefully evaluated in the demonstration of extracranial-intracranial vascular pathologies.

Electrophysiological and histopathological effects of mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of experimental rat model of sciatic nerve injury

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate electrophysiological and histopathological effects of mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of sciatic nerve injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-two female Spraque-Dawley rat were used in this study. Eight rats were used as a reference group in electrophysiological analysis for evaluation of non-injured nerve recordings (Control Group). Twenty-four rats were used for experimental evaluation. Twelve rats were anastomosed without treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (Sham Group) and twelve other rats were anastomosed and treated with mesenchymal stem cells (Stem Cell Group). Surgicel and bioglue were used in anastomosed line in both Groups. Eight weeks after the surgery, electrophysiological evaluation of rats was performed and, then, rats were decapitated under anesthesia and specimens including sciatic nerves and anastomosed line were taken for histopathological evaluation. Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity testing and histopathological scoring including rate of Wallerian degeneration, and neuroma and scar formation were evaluated for both Groups.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between Sham and Stem Cell Groups with respect to histopathological evaluation. However, nerve conduction velocity showed significant difference between groups (P = 0.001). Nerve conduction velocity was significantly improved in Stem Cell Group when compared to Sham Group.

CONCLUSION

In this study, based on nerve conduction velocity data, it was concluded that treatment with mesenchymal stem cells during end-to-end anastomosis improves functional regeneration.