BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been reported that proton pump inhibitors induce relaxation in different types of smooth muscles. The aim of this study is to investigate in vitro effects of proton pump inhibitors on human pylorus muscle. METHODS: Pyloric sphincters were studied in 10 patients who were operated for stomach cancer. In isolated organ bath, control and response to rabeprazole were recorded following contraction with carbachol. During the treatment experiment, while distilled water was applied during the control experiment in every 5 minutes, rabeprazole was administered in every 5 minutes at doses of 10-6, 10-5, 10-4, and 10-3 M respectively. Contraction frequencies, maximum contraction values and muscle tones were measured. RESULTS: The contraction frequencies in the control group were greater than the rabeprazole group in the second, third and fourth intervals while the maximum contraction values in the rabeprazole group were lower in the fourth interval. Even though muscles tones were not different in both groups during all intervals, it was remarkable that the muscle tone was significantly decreased in the rabeprazole group during the fourth interval compared to the first and second intervals. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, high doses of rabeprazole reduced contraction frequencies, maximum contraction values, and muscle tone of human pylorus.
Baths ; Carbachol ; Humans ; Muscle Tonus ; Muscle, Smooth ; Muscles ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Pylorus* ; Rabeprazole* ; Relaxation ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Water

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory demyelination. Recent studies have shown that long-term exposure to air pollutants (including PM10 particulates) is potentially an environmental risk factor for MS. We aimed to determine the prevalence rates of MS in two cities with different levels of air pollution. METHODS: This door-to-door population-based study was conducted between April 2014 and June 2015. Two cities were screened for the prevalence rates of MS: 1) Karabük, which borders an iron-and-steel factory, and 2) Akçakoca, which is a coastal city located in the same region. A validated survey form was used for screening MS. The 2010 McDonald Criteria were used for diagnosing MS. The patients were examined twice, first by a neurology assistant in the field and then by a senior neurologist in public health centers in the cities. RESULTS: The prevalence of MS was 95.9/100,000 in Karabük and 46.1/100,000 in Akçakoca. In total, 33 patients were diagnosed with clinically definite MS. The female/male ratio was 1.5, and 21 patients were diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, 9 with secondary progressive MS, and 3 with primary progressive MS. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the prevalence of MS was more than two fold higher in Karabük than in Akçakoca, which supports a link between air pollution and the pathogenesis of MS. However, larger etiological and epidemiological studies are needed to confirm this hypothesis.
Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Demyelinating Diseases ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Humans ; Iron* ; Mass Screening ; Multiple Sclerosis* ; Neurology ; Prevalence* ; Public Health ; Risk Factors ; Steel* ; Turkey

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin on the healing of colon anastomosis following chemotherapy.

METHODS32 rats were randomised into four groups: (a) control group, which underwent sigmoid colon transection and primary anastomosis; (b) melatonin group, which received melatonin daily following anastomosis; (c) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) group, which received 5-FU for five days prior to anastomosis; and (d) 5-FU+melatonin group, which received 5-FU for five days prior to anastomosis and melatonin daily following anastomosis. The rats were sacrificed on Postoperative Day 7 and anastomotic bursting pressures were measured. The anastomotic segment was extracted for hydroxyproline, luminol and lucigenin measurement and histopathological examination. Blood samples were obtained from the vena cava for measurement of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) plasma levels.

RESULTSCompared to the 5-FU group, bursting pressures of anastomosis and hydroxyproline levels were significantly higher, while luminol and lucigenin levels were significantly lower, in the control and 5-FU+melatonin groups. In addition, TNF-α and IL-1β plasma levels were significantly lower in the control and 5-FU+melatonin groups than in the 5-FU group. Histopathological examination showed a significant decrease in inflammation and necrosis formation in the melatonin group when compared to the control group. The positive effect of melatonin was also seen in the rats that received 5-FU.

CONCLUSIONOur study results showed that the adverse effects of chemotherapy on the mechanical, biochemical and histopathological parameters of anastomosis healing were attenuated through melatonin treatment.