No abstract

Throughout its half a century of development, stem cell research has included two main fields: embryonic stem (ES) cell research and the reprogramming of body somatic cells. In the present review we focused on stem cell reprogramming and its relation with otolaryngology. The human body somatic cells are transformed into pluripotent cells by three basic methods: the somatic nuclear transfer method, the somatic cell fusion method (getting cellular pluripotent capacity in cellular reprogramming), and by transcription factors influencing the body somatic cells to generate reprogrammed induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. ES cells and iPS cells have pluripotency and differentiate into cells originating from the three germ layers; they are preferred for cellular treatment, drug development, and disease modeling research. Because of ethical restrictions in obtaining ES cells, iPS cells are an alternative pluripotent cell source and patient-specific autologous pluripotent cells are obtained by this method. Cellular treatment and regenerative medicine with pluripotent cells are currently developing and we aimed to raise awareness about this topic in our paper on using iPS cell technology in the biological treatment of hearing loss, which is an important area of research in otolaryngology.

Augmentation of viability of random pattern flaps has long been an issue in plastic surgery. Up to date no agents were clinically introduced. Atorvastatins are used clinically for lipid lowering. They are also effective on flap survival with their angiogenic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant effects with systeic administration. In this study, Atorvastatin is used topically for flap survival alleviation in Mc Farlane flap in rats. Wibstar albino type 20 male rats weighing about 180-230 grams were classified as experiment and control group. Results were evaluated by flap necrosis ratios, lymphocyte cells, neutrophile cells, capillary and granulation tissue density on the 7th postoperative day.. Flap necrosis areas were evaluated with Sasaki's paratemplate method. Tissue biopsies of 1x1 cm at the transition zone between necrotic and healthy tissue, were embedded in parafin blocks after fixation in 10% formalin. Biopsies were sliced by 4 micrometer thickness with a microtome. Cross sections were painted with hematoxylene eosin and evaluated with a light microscope. Whitneyy U test was performed for clinical and histopathological evaluation of groups (p<0,05). Flap viability was alleviated. Average necrosis ratios on flaps were 32.1% in the control group and 14.17% in experimental group. Capillary tissue and neutrophile cell density were found to be higher in atorvastatin group. . Granulation tissue and lymphocyte cell density were not found significantly higher.. Atorvastatins, when applied topically, are effective on flap survival. Further studies should be carried out for human clinical use.