SUMMARY:We aimed to investigate the potential harmful effects of maternal valproic acid (VPA) on fetal sciatic nerve, and the protective effects of vitamin E (Vit E) and folic acid (FA) on fetal rats. Valproic acid (400mg/kg), folic acid (400mg/kg) and vitamin E (250 mg/kg) were administered to rats on each of gestation days 8-10. All fetuses were collected on gestation day 20. With thin sections of biopsies, sciatic nerve of fetuses were stained with uranyl acetat and were examined under transmission electron microscope. The fetuses (n:36) were divided into five groups: control, vpa, vpa+fa, vpa+vit e and vpa+fa+vit e groups. In each group; drug procedure, surgical procedure and histological methods were performed. Later, weights and lengths of fetuses in each group were compared and analyzed by One-Way Anova test. Administration of single doses of valproic acid (400 mg/kg) resulted in weight and length loss between control and vpa group. However, length and weight differences between the other groups were not significant. The histopathological findings of control group was normal. In vpa group, it showed extensive degenerative changes especially in myelin coat. In addition, most prominent finding in this group was condensation of collagen fibers in extensively demyelinated samples, while moderately effected areas were relatively normal. Both vpa+fa and vpa+ vit e groups exhibited similar ultrastructural changes, reflecting minimal to moderate degenerative changes. In vpa+fa+vit e group had almost the normal structure. Administration of single doses of valproic acid (400 mg/kg) resulted in a deteriorative effect on sciatic nerve at ultrastructural level. Administration of FA and Vit E had a protective effect to prevent the degenerative changes to a certain degree. Combination of FA and Vit E together following VPA administration had a more potent protective effect. The objective of the present study is to analyze histopathologic changes which may occur in a high risk experimental model after the administration of valproic acid. In addition, protective roles of the administration of folic acid and vitamin E are assessed.

OBJECTIVE:Osteoporosis is progressive metabolic bone disease that decreases bone density and features deterioration of bone structure. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is commonly used and reliable method to measure bone mineral density (BMD). Aim of this study was to determine normal ranges of BMD in left proximal tibia.METHODS:Fifty-five females were included in this study. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and the left proximal tibia using DXA. BMD value of subregions in the left proximal tibia was significantly correlated with BMD value of the total lumbar spine (r=0.111–0.766). New average BMD values of the left proximal tibia were calculated according to age using linear regression formula, leading to average BMD value for the total lumbar spine (L1-L4) in normal population. New simulated T-scores for proximal subregions of the tibia were then calculated.RESULTS:T-scores for proximal subregions were not different from T-scores of total lumbar spine (p>0.05).CONCLUSION:It was concluded that proximal tibia is an ideal region for measurement of BMD in osteoporosis.

Kisspeptin levels are an important factor in AG.

Previous studies have shown no impairment in bone mineral density in girls with