Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) remains a clinically relevant complication of intravascular contrast media use, involving complex and incompletely understood mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and vasomotor dysregulation. Indirect bilirubin has been proposed as a potential cytoprotective molecule due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this experimental study, twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were randomized into three groups: sham, contrast nephropathy (CN), and contrast nephropathy treated with indirect bilirubin (CNIB). CA-AKI was induced using indomethacin, Nω-Nitro-L-Arginin-Methylester (L-NAME), and iodinated contrast media. Indirect bilirubin (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) was administered after injury induction. Renal function was assessed using serum creatinine (SCR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and urinary parameters. Histopathological injury was evaluated using semi-quantitative tubular damage scoring, and molecular analyses included inflammatory, apoptotic, and anti-apoptotic markers. Contrast media administration induced significant impairment in renal function and marked tubular injury compared with sham animals. Indirect bilirubin administration was associated with a reduction in histological tubular damage and vacuolization compared to untreated CA-AKI animals. However, improvements in Scr, BUN, and urinary indices did not reach statistical significance. In addition, expression patterns of inflammatory and apoptotic markers were inconsistent between functional, histological, and molecular outcomes, and did not uniformly support a classical anti-inflammatory or anti-apoptotic mechanism. Indirect bilirubin was associated with attenuation of histological renal injury in an experimental model of contrast-associated acute kidney injury; however, this effect was not accompanied by consistent functional improvement or coherent modulation of inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. These findings suggest a potential structural protective signal of indirect bilirubin in renal tissue, while highlighting the need for further studies to clarify underlying mechanisms and functional relevance. Contrast-induced nephropathy is a clinically relevant complication of contrast media that can lead to acute kidney failure and the need for hemodialysis, particularly in radiological imaging and invasive cardiology. In this experimental rat study, contrast-induced nephropathy was established using pharmacological inhibition of renal prostaglandins and nitric oxide, followed by contrast media administration. Contrast media exposure induced intracellular vacuolization and tubular cellular damage in renal tissue and resulted in impaired renal function. Indirect bilirubin treatment significantly reduced tubular damage and renal vacuolization and improved renal function. These findings suggest that indirect bilirubin may exert renoprotective effects in contrast-induced nephropathy; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear and warrant further investigation.

Contrast media (CM) are essential in interventional cardiology and radiological imaging but may cause contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) via inflammation, apoptosis, necrosis, vasoconstriction, oxidative stress, and cellular danger signaling. Indirect bilirubin (IB) has shown tissue-protective effects by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were randomized into three groups (n = 8 each). CIN was induced in two groups using intraperitoneal indomethacin (10 mg/kg), intravenous L-NAME (10 mg/kg), and intravenous iohexol (3 g/kg). One CIN group received intraperitoneal IB (30 mg/kg in DMSO), while the other remained untreated. The sham group received vehicle only. Serum creatinine and urea increased significantly in both CIN groups versus sham (p < 0.05), accompanied by marked tubular injury and renal vacuolization. IB treatment reduced tubular damage and vacuolization significantly (p < 0.05), though reductions in creatinine and urea were not statistically significant. Unexpectedly, renal expression of cytochrome-c, IL-1β, and TNF-α was lower in untreated CIN rats compared to IB-treated CIN rats. IB appears to mitigate renal structural injury in CIN, but its effects on apoptotic and inflammatory markers remain complex. Further studies are required to clarify its mechanisms, particularly hypoxia/ischemia, vasoconstriction and cellular danger pathways etc.

Corneal injuries are common in human and veterinary ophthalmology. There are many studies which have investigated the treatment of corneal epithelial defects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Neutral Protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin as an ointment for wound healing in experimental corneal defects. First, a superficial keratectomy was performed on 12 rabbits using a corneal trephine. The animals were divided into two groups, Group I (treated, n = 6) and Group II (vehicle control, n = 6). Insulin ointment was applied topically once daily in the treated group, and saline ointment was applied in the same manner in the vehicle control group. Corneal defects were observed and photographed, and changes in wound surface were recorded on days 7, 14, 21, 30, and 60. In both groups, a significant reduction in the wound surface area was noticeable on the 30th day after defect creation. Between the 30th and 60th days, while the changes in the wound surface area in Group II remained limited, the decrease continued rapidly in Group I. At the end of the study, the corneal opacity score observed was lower in Group I than in Group II. In conclusion, we determined that topical NPH insulin may accelerate corneal wound healing after superficial lamellar keratectomy. A new alternative treatment may be developed for treating corneal wounds through continuing studies on this subject.

In dogs diagnosed with pyometra, cervical patency status may influence the predominance of apoptosis or ferroptosis, two mechanistically distinct forms of regulated cell death. We evaluated the expression of selected transcripts related to apoptotic and ferroptotic pathways in the uterine tissuee of female dogs diagnosed with open- or closed-cervix pyometra. Twenty-four bitches were classified as healthy (n = 8), open-cervix pyometra (n = 8), or closed-cervix pyometra (n = 8). Uterine tissue samples from each dog were collected for the quantification of apoptotic- (BAX, BCL-2, TP53, and CASP3) and ferroptosis-related transcripts (GPX4, SLC7A11, and TFRC) via qPCR. Immunohistochemical analysis was conducted using antibodies specific to the proteins encoded by BAX, BCL2, TP53, CASP3, GPX4, SLC7A11, and TFRC genes. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction (PPI) and enrichment analyses for the same genes were conducted. Data were fitted in Kruskal-Wallis tests to fit the effect of healthy, open-cervix pyometra, or closed-cervix pyometra on gene expression profile and immunohistochemistry staining parameters. Compared to control, the expression of BAX, SLC7A11, TFRC, GPX were upregulated, BCL2 was downregulated in closed-cervix pyometra. Mild and strong immunopositivity in BAX, BCL2, TP53, CASP3 antibodies was observed in closed pyometra cases. In closed-cervix pyometra, severe inflammation was observed in the endometrium, with immunopositivity for SLC7A11 and GPX4 highlighted within the cytoplasm of mononuclear inflammatory cells, primarily located in the endometrial stroma. PPI analysis revealed proteins encoded by target genes, such as FADD, FASLG, and GSDME, considering maximum of 20 interactions per protein, resulting network highlights significant roles of proteins in various biological pathways, including apoptosis, ferroptosis, inflammation, cellular immunity. Apoptosis and ferroptosis are regulated in pyometra related cervical patency status and these pathways, more active in closed-cervix pyometra. This is the first study to identify apoptosis and ferroptosis pathways in pyometra, providing new insights into its pathophysiology and emphasizing prognostic relevance of both pathways, particularly in closed-cervix cases.

Myoepithelial cells (MECs) are known to play an active role in mixed mammary tumors and are found in dogs as well as in humans. The study aimed to assess the morphologic features of epithelial and mesenchymal cells and MECs and investigate their roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transformation in different tumor types in canine mammary tumors. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on 165 specimens from benign mixed tumors (BMT), carcinosarcomas, and simple carcinomas (SC). Double immunohistochemical staining was for the antigen pairs p63/actin, p63/vimentin, p63/CK19, p63/CK8, p63/CK14. BMP6 was demonstrated only by single immunostaining. For BMP6, epithelial cells were positive in BMTs, carcinosarcomas, and SCs. Myoepithelial cells were variably positive for p63, actin, vimentin, and CK14. Epithelial cells were usually positive for CK19 and CK8. MECs include both epithelial and mesenchymal components, so metaplasia in epithelial cells can also form in MECs, and these two cell types should be evaluated together.

It was aimed to identify diseases using immunocytochemical, immunohistochemical, and in-situ hybridization methods, to determine sensitivity and specificity among these techniques, and to highlight their advantages and disadvantages for certain respiratory (Mycoplasma pneumonia, Pasteurella spp., Respiratory syncytial virus, Parainfluenza virus 3) and enteric (Coronavirus, Rotavirus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium spp.) agents. The obtained results were compared, and although the immunocytochemical method was found to be the fastest, immunohistochemistry was proved to be the most reliable method. Our other aim was to establish pathological diagnostic panels for neonatal infections. All antibodies tested were found to be positive except for Pasteurella multocida. The immunohistochemical findings of the study indicate that nearly all cases that result in death involved mixed infections.

Pyometra is a common life-threatening inflammatory disease with a complex etiopathogenesis that develops during the diestrus stage and can be observed in elderly intact bitches. The present study evaluated five aquaporin (AQP1, AQP2, AQP3, AQP5, and AQP9) transcript abundances and immunolocalization in the uterine tissue, and investigated their relationship with uterine tissue and blood lipopolysaccharide (LPS) concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity, and nitric oxide (NO) production in dogs suffering from pyometra. The study sampled 36 client-owned intact bitches from different breeds, of which 24 cases were diagnosed with pyometra. Twelve of these bitches in the diestrus stage that presented for elective ovariohysterectomy were used as the control group. Blood samples were collected into tubes without anticoagulant for serum progesterone, LPS concentration, and antioxidant activities at the time of diagnosis. Bacteriological and tissue samples from the uteri were collected after the ovariohysterectomy. The tissue samples were used to determine antioxidant activity, and hormone and toxin concentrations. Transcript abundance of uterine AQPs were determined by qPCR, and their presence and localization were determined by by immunohistochemistry. For all pyometra samples, the bacteria isolated from the uterine swabs were Escherichia coli. Compared to the control group, AQP1, AQP2, and AQP5 were downregulated more than 2-fold, whereas AQP9 was upregulated nearly 3-fold and AQP3 was upregulated more than 4-fold in the pyometra affected uteri (P<0.05). Uterine AQP1 was moderately negatively correlated with serum LPS concentration (r=-0.568, P<0.01) and tissue NO production (r=-0.407, P<0.05). AQP5 was positively correlated with serum SOD activity (r=0.485, P<0.05) and negatively correlated with serum LPS concentration (r=-0.512, P<0.05). AQP9 was negatively correlated with tissue SOD and serum GPx activity. This is the first study to identify AQP9 transcript abundance and immunolocalization in canine uterine tissue. Uterine AQP1, AQP2, AQP3, AQP5, and AQP9 transcript abundances were altered in spontaneously developed canine pyometra while AQP transcript abundance was negatively related to serum toxin concentration, NO production, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Further studies should be conducted to determine the role of altered abundances of AQPs transcripts in pyometra pathogenesis.

Background: Canine mammary tumor (CMT) is a benign or malignant neoplasm originating from epithelium, myoepithelium and/or mesenchymal cells of the mammary gland. CMTs are the most often diagnosed neoplasia and age, breed, tumor characterizations as risk factors are important in CMTs. Canine mammary tumors are mostly in the malignant form, not in the benign features. There is a connection between the characters and localizations of the CMT and it frequently occurred in the 3rd, 4th and 5th lobes. These mammary lobes have more malignant characteristics than those in the other lobes, and there is no difference in terms of localization in the right and left lobes This study aimed to identify the variety and the differences occurring of breed, age and tumor characteristics in canine mammary tumors in recent years. Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 165 mammary tumors from 64 bitches were collected and investigated morphologically and histopathologically. The tumors were usually elastic or hard in consistency. The cut surfaces were homogeneous or lobular in appearance and gray-white in color. Most tumors were hard and difficult to cut, so had gray-white bone-like areas on the cut section the histopathological examination of tumors; benign mixed tumor (n = 7), carcinoma in situ (n = 9), simple carcinoma (n = 22), comedocarcinoma (n = 1), mucinous carcinoma (n = 1), carcinosarcoma (n = 114), squamous cell cancer (n = 4), basal cell cancer (n = 1), lipoma (n = 5), fibrosarcoma (n = 1) were diagnosed The formation of CMTs especially malignant tumors was mostly in the 9-12 age range (45.31%). According to the breed of other tumors were distributed as follows: Boxer (n = 15), mongrel (n = 9), German Shepherd (n = 7), Cocker Spaniel (n = 6), Poodle (n = 5), Kangal (n = 4), Rottweiler (n = 2) and Golden Retriever (n = 2), unknown breed (n = 11), Pekingese, Russian Poodle and Labrador retriever (n = 1 each). Half of the cases (50%) were Terrier, and it is followed by the mongrel dogs (12.5%). Malignant CMTs were detected in 95% of Terriers (95/101), while 100% were detected in Cocker Spaniel and Mongrel breeds. Although multiple simultaneous tumors in both the right and left mammary lobes (23/64 = 35.94%), CMTs occurred in the 5th mammary lobe with a rate of 15/64 (23.44%). Benign tumors were noticed less frequently (7.2%) in all mammary tumors, while malignant tumors were much more (92.8%). Of these malignant tumors, 13.3% were simple carcinomas and 69.1% were carcinosarcomas. Out of 64 animals, 23 cases (35.94%) had multiple growths and 41 cases (64.06%) had solitary growths. Lymph node metastases were also detected in 13.16% of them; therefore, benign mixed tumors and carcinosarcomas were excluded from grading for similar reasons, and only simple carcinomas were graded. Since the number of subtypes of simple carcinomas is different from each other and few [tubular type (n = 2), tubulopapillary type (n = 1), papillary type (8) and cystic papillary type (n = 4)], there is no statistically significant difference between the gradings. Discussion: In this study, older age, terrier and mongrel breeds, and medium-sized indicate risk factors for malignancy. Likewise, the occurrence of multiple CMTs should be considered a significant risk factor for the development of malignant mammary tumors. Tumor localization and grading in dogs of various ages and breeds in CMTs were updated and examined in detail in the study.

The aim of this study is to determine and compare the distribution, localization, breed, age and gender incidences of head and neck region tumors by years, by evaluating the results of dog-cat biopsies and/or operation material brought to Ankara University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology between the years 2011 and 2021. In the study, 244 (15.9%) of 1533 tumors diagnosed in dogs and cats between 2011 and 2021 belonged to the head and neck region, of which 159 were in dogs and 85 in cats. Dogs with tumors were generally more than 6 years old (n=108) and cats were mostly 1 year old and older (n=75). In the head and neck region tumors observed in dogs, malignant and benign tumors of epithelial origin were most common (n=81; 50.9%), with sebaceous tumors (n=22) being the most common, and mostly observed around the eyes (n=26), while malignant and benign tumors of mesenchymal origin were most commonly found in the mouth region. Among the tumors of this region, epithelial tumors were mostly encountered in cats (n=39, 45.8%), and 51.2% of the epithelial tumors were squamous cell cancer (n=20), with epithelial tumors being the most common in the mouth (n=12) and nose (n=9). As a result, epithelial malignant and benign tumors were mostly seen in the eyes, and mesenchymal malignant and benign tumors were detected in the mouth. Among tumor types, papilloma in benign tumors and squamous cell carcinoma in malignant tumors were noted.

This study aimed to investigate the expression patterns of genes associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in ovarian and uterine tissues of dogs with pyometra, categorized by cervical status (open cervix or closed cervix), which influences disease severity. The control group comprised healthy animals undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. Tissue inflammatory gene expression and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined while microbial and histopathological examinations were conducted, along with immunohistochemical evaluations. In the closed-cervix group, uterine TNF and IL6 were upregulated approximately 10-fold while IL10 was upregulated nearly 5-fold. TNF expression differed remarkably between the pyometra groups. In the closed-cervix group, PTGS2 and HMOX1 were upregulated approximately 5-fold whereas NFE2L2 expression was downregulated. The closed-cervix group also had the highest uterine MDA levels. Regarding ovarian tissue, MDA levels were higher in the closed-cervix group than in the open-cervix group while IL10 expression was lower in the closed-cervix group than the open-cervix group. In the closed-cervix group, NFE2L2 was downregulated whereas HMOX1 was upregulated. Uterine TNF levels were positively correlated with IL6, IL10, PTGS2, and HMOX1, but negatively correlated with NFE2L2. IL6 was positively correlated with IL10, PTGS2, and HMOX1. NFE2L2 was negatively correlated with IL6 and HMOX1. IL10 was positively correlated with PTGS2 and HMOX1. MDA was positively correlated with TNF, IL6, IL10, PTGS2, NFE2L2, and HMOX1. TNF levels were positively correlated with ovarian PTGS2, and with IL6 and NFE2L2. MDA was positively correlated with PTGS2 and HMOX1. MDA could be an important biomarker for understanding the severity of pyometra. Moreover, TNF expression and its relationships with various studied parameters such as IL10 may contribute to treatment and prognostic biomarker studies in closed-cervix pyometra pathology.

Pyometra is a life-threatening disease, the severity of which depends on cervical patency status. This study investigated cervical inflammation status as well as the expression patterns and localization of aquaporin (AQP1, AQP2, AQP3, AQP5, and AQP9), and hormone receptors in cervical tissue that influences canine pyometra. Of the 36 animals enrolled in the study, 24 were diagnosed with pyometra and separated into two groups: open cervix pyometra and close cervix pyometra, while 12 healthy animals presented for elective ovariohysterectomies were allocated into the control group. Surgical treatment was performed for treatment of pyometra. After each operation, cervix samples were collected and analyzed for AQP and hormone receptor expression patterns determined by qPCR and protein expression by means of immunohistochemistry. Blood samples were also collected to determine serum progesterone concentrations. AQP9 expression was downregulated approximately 3-fold while and PGR expression was downregulated more than 2 fold in both pyometra groups compared to the control group. AQP3 and AQP5 gene expression levels were upregulated more than 3 fold in the open-cervix pyometra group than the closed-cervix pyometra group (P < 0.05). This is the first study to describe the expression patterns and immunolocalization of AQPs in canine cervical tissue based on pyometra patency status and to report AQP3 and AQP5 expression in cervical tissue linked to cervical patency.

The objective of this study is to report clinical, MRI, surgical, and histological findings of spinal meningothelial meningioma in a dog. The study material was a 9 years old, spayed dog with a history of progressive nonambulatory tetraparesis. The dog had intact cranial and spinal reflexes and deep pain perception. Magnetic resonance images revealed a mass located at the left side C2-C3 level, hyperintense in T1W, isointense on T2W, and well contrast enhancing on postcontrast T1. The mass was microsurgically resected and subgross. The dog's neurological status was improved at one week and survived for 15 months without signs of metastasis. Histological and histochemical workup revealed grade I, meningothelial meningioma. Surgical intervention for spinal meningioma can be suggested as the sole treatment in dogs.

Present study was designed to evaluate the role of virulence factor genes (papG, cnf1 and hylA) in the pathogenesis of canine pyometra. Antimicrobial susceptibility test and detection of virulence genes were performed Escherichia coli (E. coli) detected in uterine swab samples. Animals were divided into two groups based on the presence (VF+, n:14) or absence (VF-, n:7) of the virulence factor genes papG, cnf1 and hylA. Blood and tissue glutathione peroxidase activity, uterine histopathologic analysis and AQP3, ESR1, PGR, OXTR gene expressions were determined in both groups. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata version 15.1. All E. coli isolates were susceptible to amikacin, whereas resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and lincomycin. None of the isolates were susceptible to cefotaxime. E. coli isolates had at least one virulence gene. The most prevalent gene was fimH (100%), followed by fyuA (95.8%), usp (83.3%), sfa (75%), cnf1 and hlyA (70.8%) genes. Blood GPx activity was greater in VF+ animals. On the other hand, uterine tissue GPx activity was lower in VF+ group compared to the control group. Expression levels of AQP3 were upregulated more than fivefold in VF-dogs compared to the control group. In addition, AQP3 expression levels were found approximately threefold higher in VF (-) than VF (+) group (p < .05). Varying degree of inflammation noted for all animals with pyometra, but the presence of bacteria noted only in VF+ animals. In conclusion, the presence of virulence factor genes does not play a role in the histopathological degree of inflammation, the presence of bacteria was found to vary. Serum GPx activity increased in VF+ animals. While the hormone receptor expressions were similar, AQP expression was upregulated in the absence of virulence factor genes.

Mycobacterial infection in Nile crocodile tissues sent from a private zoo was characterized pathomorphologically and immunohistochemically in this case. Macroscopically, multifocal, greyish -white areas ranging in size from 1 mm to 5 mm were seen in the lung, liver, and spleen. Histologically, a large number of well -demarcated necrotic areas were seen. These areas included nuclei debris locally. Inflammatory cells along with a couple of multinucleated giant cells surrounded the necrotic cores. Numerous acid -fast bacilli were detected by Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. Immunolabelling for both Mycobacterium bovis and anti-BCG antibodies was positive in each tissue.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of panoramic, periapical and two different Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) devices in the detection of dental caries of dog teeth ex vivo . A total of 880 teeth were investigated, 33 of which were with caries, whereas; 33 healthy teeth were the controls. Periapical, panoramic and CBCT scans were made for the assessment of the teeth. All images were evaluated separately by two observers experienced in image interpretation. The presence or absence of occlusal caries was scored using a 5-point scale. Kappa values were calculated to assess intra and interobserver agreement. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to compare the effectiveness of different imaging methods in the detection of dental caries. For both observers, the order of success of the image sets in the estimation of the caries tooth was CBCT Morita, CBCT Iluma, periapical and panoramic radiograph (Area Under Curve (AUC): 0.929, 0.882, 0.861, and 0.704 for observer 1, AUC: 0.927, 0.896, 0.875, and 0.693 for observer 2, respectively). CBCT was found to be the best imaging method for the ex vivo detection of caries in dog teeth. In addition, panoramic images performed worse than all other modalities.

A 1.5-year-old male Siberian Husky dog was presented with a history of progressive twitching and tetraplegia. The dog was humanely destroyed and at necropsy examination an incidental intramural white lesion measuring 10 × 15 × 5 mm was observed in the gallbladder. Histologically, the mass consisted of pancreatic tissue located in the tunica adventitia of the gallbladder. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the islets of Langerhans were positive for insulin, but negative for glucagon. In addition, the dog had non-suppurative meningoencephalitis associated with canine distemper virus infection. The gallbladder lesion was consistent with pancreatic choristoma and is the first case described in a canine gallbladder.

Abstract Canine transmissible venereal tumour (CTVT) is a naturally occurring contagious neoplasm of dogs located mainly on the external genitalia of both sexes. The course of vincristine chemotherapy, the most effective and practical therapy, is affected by the immune status of the host. The aim was to investigate recombinant human interferon alpha‐2a (rhIFNα‐2a) and vincristine for treatment of CTVT. A total of 21 female dogs were included. In group I (n = 9), vincristine (0.025 mg/kg, IV) was administered weekly. In group II (n = 6), dogs were injected intratumorally weekly with 1.5 million IU rhIFNα‐2a. In group III (n = 6), rhIFNα‐2a and vincristine were combined. No tumour regression was observed after three injections of rhIFNα‐2a in group II and weekly vincristine was administered. The number of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), mitotic figures and apoptotic cells were counted in subsequent incisional tumour biopsies. The Kaplan–Meier Method was used to analyse survival using complete tumour regression as the outcome and Breslow Test was used for comparison of survival curves. Differences in TILs, cell proliferation and apoptosis between groups were assessed by analysis of covariance. Complete regression was observed in all animals included. Mean duration of vincristine treatment for complete regression was shorter in group II (3.50 weeks, 95% CI, 3.06–3.94, P < 0.05) and group III (3.17 weeks, 95% CI, 2.84–3.49, P < 0.01) compared to group I (5.11 weeks, 95% CI, 4.42–5.80). Vincristine and rhIFNα‐2a combination increased TILs in CTVT biopsies compared to vincristine treatment (P = 0.017) and vincristine treatment after rhIFNα‐2a (P = 0.049). Vincristine treatment after rhIFNα‐2a (Group II; P < 0.001) and rhIFNα‐2a and vincristine combination (Group III; P < 0.001) decreased apoptosis. The results indicate that intratumoral rhIFNα‐2a treatment alone is not effective in CTVT. However, combination of rhIFNα‐2a and vincristine shortens the duration of treatment compared to vincristine therapy.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE:Aroclor 1254 is a widespread toxic compound of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), which can create significant nervous problems. No remedies have been found to date. The aim of this study was to reveal the damage that occurs in the central nervous system of rat pups exposed to Aroclor 1254 in the prenatal period and to show the inhibiting effect of curcumin, which is a strong anti-oxidant and neuroprotective substance.METHOD:The study established 3 groups of adult female and male Wistar albino rats. The rats were mated within these groups and the offspring rats were evaluated within the group given Aroclor 1254 only (n=10) and the group was given both Aroclor 1254 and curcumin (n=10) and the control group (n=10). The groups were compared in respect of pathomorphological damage. The immunohistochemical evaluation was made of 8-hydroxdeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), 4-hydroxynoneal (4HNE), myelin basic protein (MBP) expressions and TUNEL reaction. The biochemical evaluation was made of the changes in the TAS-TOS and Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE) levels. Damage was seen to have been reduced with curcumin in the 8OHdG and TUNEL reactions, especially in the forebrain and the midbrain, although the dosage applied did not significantly change TAS and TOS levels. Consequently, it was understood that Aroclor 1254 caused damage in the central nervous system of the pup in the prenatal period, and curcumin reduced these negative effects, particularly in the forebrain and the midbrain.CONCLUSION:It was concluded that curcumin could be a potential neuroprotective agent and would be more effective at higher doses.