Abstract Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate whether there is any relationship between mean argyrophilic nucleolar organizing regions (AgNOR) number and total AgNOR area/total nuclear area (TAA/TNA) ratio and the levels of brain hypoxia after exposure to different acute doses of carbon monoxide (CO) gas. Methods: Each experimental group was exposed to CO gas (concentrations of 1,000, 3,000 and 5,000 ppm). Then, the rats were anesthetized, and blood samples were taken from the right jugular vein for carboxyhemoglobin levels detection. The rats were sacrificed on seventh day. AgNOR staining was applied to brain tissues. TAA/TNA and mean AgNOR number were detected for each nucleus. Results: Significant differences were detected among the all groups for TAA/TNA ratio, mean AgNOR number and carboxyhemoglobin level. According to double comparison of groups, the differences between control and 1000ppm, control and 3000ppm, control and 5000ppm and 1000 and 5000ppm were significant for TAA/TNA ratio. When mean AgNOR number to be considered, significant differences were detected between control and 1000ppm, control and 3000ppm, control and 5000ppm and 1000 and 3000ppm. Conclusion: AgNOR proteins may be used for early detection of the duration, intensity and damage of brain injury caused by CO intoxication. Thus, effective treatment strategies for the prevention of hypoxic conditions may be developed.

Resumen Objetivos: El objetivo del estudio es investigar si existe alguna relación entre el número medio de regiones organizadoras nucleolares argirófilas (AgNOR) y la proporción de área total de AgNOR/área nuclear total (TAA/TNA) y los niveles de hipoxia cerebral en la exposición a diferentes dosis agudas de gas monóxido de carbono (CO). Métodos: Cada grupo experimental fue expuesto a gas CO (concentraciones de 1,000, 3,000 y 5,000 ppm). Luego las ratas fueron anestesiadas, se tomaron muestras de sangre de la vena yugular derecha para la detección de los niveles de carboxihemoglobina. Las ratas se sacrificaron el séptimo día. Se aplicó tinción con AgNOR en los tejidos cerebrales. Se detectaron el TAA/TNA y el número medio de AgNOR para cada núcleo. Resultados: Se detectaron diferencias significativas entre todos los grupos para la relación TAA/TNA, el número medio de AgNOR y el nivel de carboxihemoglobina. Según la doble comparación de grupos, las diferencias entre control y 1,000 ppm, control y 3,000 ppm, control y 5,000 ppm y 1,000 y 5,000 ppm fueron significativas para la relación TAA/TNA. Cuando se consideró el número de AgNOR medio, se detectaron diferencias significativas entre control y 1,000ppm, control y 3,000ppm, control y 5,000 ppm y 1,000 y 3,000 ppm. Conclusión: Las proteínas AgNOR pueden usarse para la detección temprana de la duración, intensidad y daño de la lesión cerebral causada por la intoxicación por CO. Por lo tanto, se pueden desarrollar estrategias de tratamiento efectivas para la prevención de condiciones hipóxicas.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of Urtica dioica on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: Thirty adult male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham group (group 1), control group (group 2), and Urtica dioica group (group 3). All the rats were exposed to hepatic ischemia for 60 min, followed by 60 min of reperfusion. In group 2, a total of 2 ml/kg 0.9% saline solution was given intraperitoneally. In group 3, a total of 2 ml/kg Urtica dioica was given intraperitoneally. At the end of the procedure, liver tissue and blood samples were taken from all rats. Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, ceruloplasmin, catalase, paraoxonase, arylesterase, and lipid hydroperoxide levels were measured. Liver tissue histopathologies were also evaluated by light microscopy. RESULTS: Serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1, and significantly lower in group 3 than in group 2. Also, group 2 had higher serum lipid hydroperoxides and ceruloplasmin levels but lower catalase, paraoxonase, and arylesterase levels than group 1. In group 3, serum lipid hydroperoxides and ceruloplasmin levels were significantly lower, and catalase, paraoxonase, and arylesterase levels were higher than those in group 2. Histopathological examination showed that liver tissue damage was significantly decreased in group 3 compared with group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Urtica dioica has a protective effect on the liver in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion-injured rats.