Abstract Purpose: To investigate the place of the transcription factor nuclear kappa B (NF-kB), which is a marker of chronic inflammation, in the etiology of the ovarian carcinoma. Methods: NFkB analysis with the immunohistochemical method has been performed. To evaluate immunohistochemical NF-kB expression in the ovarian tissue, the H-score method. H-score = ∑ Pi (i+1), where ‘‘Pi’’ is the percentage of stained cells in each intensity category (0-100%) and ‘‘i’’ is the intensity indicating weak (i=1), moderate (i=2) or strong staining (i=3). Results: It has been seen that, the mean H score is statistically significantly higher in the patient group with serous and musinous adenocarcinoma diagnosis than the two other patient groups (p<0.005). Conclusions: Factor nuclear kappa B is an important mediator that acts in the chronic inflammation. The highest expression rates are determined by the immunohistochemical method in the ovarian cancer group.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the impact of systemic cyclophosphamide treatment on the rat uterus and investigate the potential therapeutic effects of natural antioxidant preparations curcumin and capsaicin against cyclophosphamide side effects. Methods: A 40 healthy adult female Wistar albino rats were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into four groups to determine the effects of curcumin and capsaicin against Cyclophosphamide side effects on the uterus (n=10 in each group); Group 1 was the control group (sham-operated), Group 2 was the cyclophosphamide group, Group 3 was the cyclophosphamide + curcumin (100mg/kg) group, and Group 4 was the cyclophosphamide + capsaicin (0.5 mg/kg) group. Results: Increased tissue oxidative stress and histological damage in the rat uterus were demonstrated due to the treatment of systemic cyclophosphamide chemotherapy alone. The level of tissue oxidant and antioxidant markers and histopathological changes were improved by the treatment of curcumin and capsaicin. Conclusion: Cytotoxic effects of natural alkylating chemotherapeutic agents like cyclophosphamide on the uterus can be prevented by curcumin and capsaicin.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the cause of congenital anomalies resulted from gestational diabetes on fetal cardiac tissue in experimental animal study model. Methods: Totally 12 female Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups, each consisting of 6 rats. Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to the study group by dissolving in citrate solution. The rats with a blood glucose level of 200 mg/dL and above were considered to be diabetic rats. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative stress (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) values were calculated in the cardiac tissues and maternal serum samples of the fetuses delivered by cesarean section after the mating process. The cardiac tissues were also subjected to histopathological examination. Results: TOS and OSI values in fetal cardiac tissues of the diabetic rats were found to be significantly higher than that of the control group (p=0.026 and p=0.005). Histopathological examination revealed that the mitotic index was lower and the cell organization was found to be damaged in the fetuses of the study group rats. Conclusion: Increased levels of free oxygen radicals considered to be due to hyperglycemia may cause congenital anomalies, especially during organogenesis period, by disrupting cell homeostasis and adversely affecting mitosis.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To determine the toxic effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on reproductive system and the beneficial effects of Montelukast (ML) with histological and biochemical analysis. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four equal groups (control, TCDD, ML and TCDD+ML). Tissue samples were collected on day 60 and oxidative status and histological alterations were analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase in oxidative and histological damage on uterine and ovarian tissues. Otherwise, the oxidative and histological damages caused by TCDD were prevented with ML treatment. CONCLUSION: The toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on female reproductive system were reversed with Montelukast treatment. Therefore, we claimed that ML treatment might be useful for TCDD toxicity.