Objectives: To explore the protective effect of progesterone on inflammation and oxidative stress in a rat model of sepsis created by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Overiectomy group (OVX), sham operated (control), sepsis (CLP) group and progesterone-treated CLP group (CLP+ progesterone). The rats in CLP+ progesterone group received intraperitoneal progesterone (2 mg/kg). Cardiac blood samples were obtained for the measurement levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Tissue samples, including liver, kidney and uterus of rats were prepared to determine activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). Results: Increased serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were found in the CLP group in comparison with the control group (P = 0.01, P = 0.02; respectively). In CLP+ progesterone group, mean MDA concentration of kidney tissue was significantly lower than in CLP group (P = 0.003). Liver MDA concentration of the CLP+ progesterone group was not significantly different from that of the control group. While there were no significant differences among groups regarding liver MPO; in the CLP group, MPO activity in kidney (P = 0.02) and uterine tissues (P = 0.03) were found to be significantly higher compared to the control group. In CLP+ progesterone group, mean MPO activities of all tissues were not different than those of control group. The uterine tissue GPx activity in the CLP+ progesterone group was not statistically significantly different from control group. Conclusions: We suggest that progesterone ameliorates sepsis syndrome by reduction of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α, and by restoration of antioxidant enzyme activities in some tissues.

This study investigated the association between fear of childbirth (FOC) and women’s knowledge about painless childbirth methods. The study was performed on 900 multiparous women within the last month of pregnancy. Data was obtained through a questionnaire including the Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire (W-DEQ) Turkish form A. FOC was defined as W-DEQ sum score ≥85. Women were questioned about their knowledge about painless childbirth and the most important source of this knowledge. Group 1 consists of participants with knowledge about painless childbirth. Group 2 consists of participants without knowledge about painless childbirth. Five hundred and twenty-four women (58.2%) had knowledge while 376 women (41.7%) had no knowledge about painless childbirth. Mean W-DEQ scores in group 1 (68.46±12.53) were found to be lower than group 2 (71.35±12.28) (P=0.001). FOC was associated with increased maternal request for elective caesarean section (OR 4.22, 95% CI 2.91–6.11). Better informed pregnant women about painless childbirth methods may reduce the number of women with FOC and the rate of preferred elective caesarean section.

This study compared intrathecal hyperbaric bupivacaine with low-dose intrathecal plain bupivacaine plus different doses of meperidine (pethidine), administered sequentially, with regard to blood pressure stability, post-operative analgesia and incidence of side-effects in 80 parturients undergoing caesarean section. Patients were randomly assigned to one of four groups ( n = 20 each group): the HB group received 10 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally; the BM35, BM30 and BM25 groups received 5 mg plain bupivacaine plus 35, 30 or 25 mg of meperidine intrathecally, respectively. The incidence of hypotension in the BM25 group was significantly lower than in the HB group. Nausea and vomiting were less prevalent in the BM25 group than in the HB and BM35 groups. In conclusion, sequential administration of 5 mg plain bupivacaine and 25 mg meperidine intrathecally provided better blood pressure stability and a lower incidence of side-effects than bupivacaine alone, without affecting quality of anaesthesia or surgical and patient satisfaction.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the effects of sildenafil on antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation and histopathological changes in ovarian tissue after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in a rat model. Methods: A total of 18 adult female Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250 g were studied as follows: (1) control group: sham operation, (2) I/R group: 3 h of reperfusion after 3 h of ischemia and (3) I/R + sildenafil group: 3 h of reperfusion after 3 h of ischemia; half an hour before reperfusion, sildenafil (1.4 mg·kg-1) was given by oral gavage. At the end of the reperfusion periods, the ovarian tissues were removed for histopathological examination and to determine malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and glutathione peroxidase, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Results: The I/R group had higher ovarian tissue MDA levels than the control group and the IR + sildenafil group (p = 0.016 and p = 0.044, respectively). MPO activity was lower in the IR + sildenafil group compared with the I/R group (p = 0.022). SOD activity was lower in the I/R group compared with the control group and the I/R + sildenafil group (p = 0.030 and p = 0.015, respectively). The I/R + sildenafil group had improved histological appearance which was not different to the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The biochemical and histopathological results of this experimental study demonstrated that I/R injury in the ovary is ameliorated by sildenafil treatment.