PURPOSE: To evaluate the early histological effects of the intravesical instillation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in rabbit models of interstitial and hemorrhagic cystitis. METHODS: Thirty-six rabbits were classified into 6 groups: saline (S), S+PRP, hydrochloric acid (HCl), HCl+PRP, cyclophosphamide (CyP), and CyP+PRP. At 48 hours after induction, PRP was prepared and intravesically administered to the S+PRP, HCl+PRP, and CyP+PRP groups. Bladder sections were stained with toluidine blue for mast cell counting and with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathology and mitotic index determination. The proliferation index was determined by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunolabeling. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: No abnormalities were observed in the S group, whereas increased interstitial edema and increased average mitotic and proliferation indices were observed in the S+PRP group (P=0.023, P=0.004, and P=0.009, respectively). Intense epithelial loss, hemorrhage, and leukocyte infiltration were detected in the HCl and HCl+PRP groups, whereas a significantly increased average mitotic index was observed in the HCl+PRP group (P=0.002). When compared with its CyP counterpart, a significant reduction in hemorrhage and an increase in leukocyte infiltration and mitotic index were observed in the CyP+PRP group (P=0.006, P=0.038, and P=0.002, respectively). In addition, PCNA staining revealed a significantly increased proliferation index in the HCl+PRP and CyP+PRP groups (P=0.032 and P=0.015, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The intravesical instillation of PRP increased the mitotic index in the saline and cyclophosphamide groups while decreasing macroscopic bleeding.
Administration, Intravesical* ; Cyclophosphamide ; Cystitis* ; Cystitis, Interstitial ; Edema ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Hematoxylin ; Hemorrhage ; Hydrochloric Acid ; Leukocytes ; Mast Cells ; Mitotic Index ; Platelet-Rich Plasma* ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Rabbits ; Tolonium Chloride ; Urinary Bladder

BACKGROUND: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease that has self-limiting inflammatory attacks during polyserositis. Hepcidin is a protein, and interleukin-6 stimulation increases hepcidin levels. Calprotectin (CLP) is a recently defined cytokine released from monocytes and neutrophils in response to tissue trauma and inflammation. There are studies in the literature showing that it can be used as a biomarker in rheumatic diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we compared the levels of hepcidin and CLP in healthy individuals and FMF patients during an attack-free period and show its relation to genetic mutations.METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. Between July 2017 and December 2017, 60 patients diagnosed with FMF an admitted to the Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine Department of Internal Medicine Rheumatology as well as 60 healthy volunteers without any rheumatic, systemic, or metabolic diseases were enrolled in this study. Blood was collected from a peripheral vein to measure serum CLP and hepcidin levels. Blood tests were examined by ELISA; the study protocol was approved by the local ethics committee.RESULTS: Median serum hepcidin level was 468.1 (210.3–807.8) pg/mL in FMF group and 890.0 (495.0–1,716.9) pg/mL in the healthy control (HC) group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). The median serum levels of CLP in the FMF group were measured as 1,331.4 (969.3–1,584.6 pg/mL and 73.8(45.0–147.9) pg/mL in the HC group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the sensitivity was 66.7% and the specificity was 71.7% at serum hepcidin < 581.25 pg/mL (P < 0.05); the sensitivity was 96.7% and specificity was 100% at CLP > 238 pg/mL (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between serum hepcidin and CLP levels in FMF patients with M694V homozygous and M694V heterozygous (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum hepcidin levels between FMF patients with and without arthritis, proteinuria, and amyloidosis (P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between laboratory findings, gender, age, and serum CLP and hepcidin levels (P > 0.05, r < 0.25).CONCLUSION: Serum CLP levels in FMF patients during an attack-free period are significantly higher than in the HC groups. Serum hepcidin levels in FMF patients are significantly lower than in the HC group. Low levels of hepcidin may be explained by including FMF patients during an attack-free period in the study. CLP may be an important biomarker in FMF. A better understanding of the role of these biomarkers in the diagnosis of FMF is needed to evaluate the results in a more comprehensive way.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Non-dipper hypertension is frequently accompanied by endothelial dysfunction and activation. Previous studies suggested that endocan may be a novel endothelial dysfunction marker. This study aims to investigate the association between circadian blood pressure (BP) pattern and plasma endocan levels together with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients with newly diagnosed untreated hypertension. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was recorded in 35 dipper, 35 non-dipper hypertensives and 35 healthy controls. Endocan levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum levels of hsCRP were also recorded. RESULTS: Despite similar daytime and 24-hour average BP values between dippers and non-dippers, statistically significant high nocturnal BP was accompanied by a non-dipping pattern (Systolic BP: 132±9 vs. 147±11 mmHg; Distolic BP: 80±7 vs. 91±9 mmHg, respectively, p<0.001 for both). Non-dipper patients demonstrated higher endocan levels compared to dippers and normotensives (367 (193-844) pg/mL, 254 (182-512) pg/mL and 237 (141-314) pg/ml, respectively, p<0.001). HsCRP levels were significantly higher in non-dippers than the other groups (p=0.013). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, endocan (p=0.021) and hsCRP (p=0.044) were independently associated with a non-dipping pattern. CONCLUSION: Elevated endocan levels were found in non-dipper groups. Endocan and hsCRP were found to be independently associated with a non-dipping pattern. We suggest that elevated levels of endocan in non-dipper hypertensive patients might be associated with a longer duration of exposure to high BP. These results point to the possible future role of endocan in selection of hypertensive patients at higher risk or target organ damage.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; C-Reactive Protein ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Logistic Models ; Plasma

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies have shown that prostaglandins (PGs) dramatically stimulate healing processes in bone. However, the effect of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) on fracture healing remains unclear. To investigate the effect of PGI2, a study on fracture healing process in closed tibia fractures was designed.

METHODSThirty-six Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into two groups. On the first day, their right tibias were fractured by three-point bending technique. The study group (n = 18) received a single injection of 10 µg/kg iloprost for 5 days, while the control group (n = 18) received saline solution in the same way. On the 7th, 14th and 28th days following the fracture, six rats were sacrificed and their right legs were harvested in each group. The progression of fracture healing was assessed for each specimen by the scores of radiography (by Lane-Sandhu) and histology (by Huo et al).

RESULTSOn the 7th day, the radiographic and histologic scores were equal. On the 14th day radiographic total score was 6 and histologic total score was 23 in the iloprost group, whereas radiographic total score was 11 and histologic total score was 33 in the control group. On the 14th day radiographic and histologic scores were significantly decreased in the iloprost group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). On the 28th day radiographic total score was 12 and histologic total score was 37 in the iloprost group, whereas radiographic total score was 15 and histologic total score was 40 in the control group. On the 28th day although there was a decrease in radiographic and histologic scores of the iloprost group acording to control group, it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIloprost delays fracture healing in early stage in rats.

Animals ; Epoprostenol ; pharmacology ; Fracture Healing ; drug effects ; Fractures, Bone ; pathology ; Iloprost ; pharmacology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tibial Fractures ; pathology ; Wound Healing ; drug effects