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Background The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between elabela (ELA), a recently identified peptide also known as Toddler and Apela, and diabetic retinopathy (DR). ELA, produced in various tissues, acts as a natural ligand for the apelin receptor (APJ). Upon reviewing the existing literature, only one study was found investigating ELA, one of the APJ ligands, in the pathogenesis of DR. Methods In our study the patient group comprising individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), categorized into three subgroups based on detailed fundus examination: those without DR (non-DR) (n = 20), non-proliferative DR (NPDR) (n = 20), and proliferative DR (PDR) (n = 20). A control group (n = 20) consisted of individuals without DM. Blood samples were collected during outpatient clinic admission to measure serum ELA levels, which were determined using a commercial ELISA kit. Results The age, sex, and body mass index of the between groups were similar (p = 0.905, 0.985 and 0.241, respectively). The HbA1c levels of the between DM subgroups were similar (p = 0.199). Serum ELA levels were 217.19 ± 97.54 pg/mL in the non-DR group, 221.76 ± 93.12 pg/mL in the NPDR group, 302.35 ± 146.17 pg/mL in the PDR group and 216.49 ± 58.85 pg/mL in the control group. While ELA levels were higher in DM patients compared to the control group, this elevation did not reach statistical significance. Further analysis dividing DM patients into subgroups (non-DR, NPDR, and PDR) revealed higher ELA levels in the PDR group compared to the other subgroups, but this increase was not statistically significant. Conclusion Despite the absence of a significant difference in our study, the identification of elevated ELA levels in the PDR group offers valuable insights for future investigations exploring the association between DR and ELA.

Objective: In this study, in hemodialysis patients, we aimed to compare the osmolality values calculated by the equations that are frequently used in the literature and the values measured on the osmometer device, and also to present new equations that are obtained from regression analysis for calculating serum osmolality. In addition, in the evaluation of hemodialysis adequacy of patients, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of our equations by comparing the osmolality values calculated with our equations and the measured osmolality values. Methods: New equations for pre- and posthemodialysis were obtained by linear regression analysis from the pre- and posthemodialysis examination parameters that were analyzed for hemodialysis adequacy assessment: For prehemodialysis serum osmolality = 1.37 × ([Na+ ] + [K+ ]) + 1.1 × BUN+Glucose + 85 For posthemodialysis serum osmolality = 1.2 × ([Na+ ] + [K+ ]) +BUN+Glucose + 110 Comparison and correlation of measured and calculated osmolality values were carried out with statistical tests, separately for before and after hemodialysis. Results: Considering the high correlation strength, low osmolal gap mean and standard deviation, and the lack of significant difference between the measured and calculated osmolality in the selection of the equation with the best results, it is seen that the best results were obtained using our equations and the “2 × ([Na+ ] + [K+ ]) +Glucose +BUN” equation. Conclusion: We suggest using our equations and the equation “2 × ([Na+ ] + [K+ ]) +Glucose +BUN,” which are evaluated as better performing equations according to the results of our study.

Purpose: The study aim was to investigate the contribution of the Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and that platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) to the prognosis of Bell’s palsy patients. Materials and Methods: Data of 71 patients with Bell’s palsy and 40 participants in control group were retrospectively evaluated. Within the study scope, patients were assessed in detail according to patient age, gender, BP side, House-Brackmann score (HBS) system grading, NLR, PLR, and SII ratios. In addition, ROC analysis was performed in BP patients, and parameters that may have prognostic significance were evaluated. Results: The groups were matched in terms of age and gender distribution. NLR, PLR, and SII values were statistically significant in BP patients. Especially SII parameter was found to be more valuable for prognosis in the ROC analysis. Conclusion: Bell’s palsy has an inflammatory component. SII, NLR, LR values can indicate an inflammatory condition in these patients. They may be used as markers and prognostic indicators in Bell’s palsy.

Purpose: In this study, we applied platelet rich fibrin (PRF) and pure olive oil on the incision surfaces of rats. We aimed to examine whether PRF may be used safely to prevent peritoneal adhesions. Materials and Methods: Fourty rats were divided into 4 groups (n=8). Eight rats, not included in the study groups, were used to obtain PRF material. Group 1 had no surgical procedure, Group 2 was operated without medication, Group 3 was operated and received 1cc olive oil, Group 4 was operated and received 1 cc PRF. After 21 days, cecum areas were examined histopathologically. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) levels were measured in serum by ELISA. Results: The adhesion scores and severity of fibrosis in Group 3 and 4 were significantly lower than Group 2. Plasma TNF-α value was significantly higher in Group 2 than Group 4. Plasma PDGF value was significantly higher in Group 2 than Group 3 and 4. Discussion: PRF reduced intestinal adhesion by inhibiting the proliferation of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells, and promoting the proliferation of mesothelial cells. PRF has anti-inflammatory effect and prevented postop adhesions, based mainly on growth factors and cytokines in its content.

OBJECTIVE: Renin angiotensinogen system (RAS) inhibitors, ramipril and sacubitril/valsartan are frequently used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Although they are known as contraindicated during pregnancy in hypertensive women, there is not any outcome of their safety in male fertility after exposure to ramipril or sacubitril/valsartan. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of ramipril and sacubitril/valsartan to highlight their safety in the male fertility in normotensive and hypertensive rats. METHODS: Adult male normotensive and dexamethasone-induced hypertensive rats were treated with sacubitril/valsartan, ramipril and saline for 18 days. Arterial blood pressures were verified using carotid artery cannulation. Male fertility parameters, including the testis weights, histopathologic scoring of the testis, sperm count, sperm motility, morphology, and serum testosterone levels, were analyzed in treated and nontreated normotensive/hypertensive rats. RESULTS: Sacubitril/valsartan or ramipril treatments did not reveal a significant difference in sperm production, testicular morphology, and radioimmunoassay of serum testosterone levels compared to the control group. However, sperm motility was significantly reduced in rats under RAS inhibition. CONCLUSION: This finding was likely mediated by the identification of Ang receptors in the tails of rat sperm given that Ang receptors may play a role in the modulation of sperm motility. Identification of RAS-related proteins involved in sperm motility may help to explain their roles in motility. Our data provide general safety evidence for the male fertilization ability after paternal sacubitril/valsartan and ramipril exposure.

Aim:The imbalance between production of reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defense determines the degree of oxidative toxicity and severity of subsequent myocardial damage.We aimed to evaluate the anti-oxidative effects of neprilysin and angiotensin inhibition on cardiovascular target tissues in dexhamethasone-induced hypertensive rats.Methods:Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into six groups. Three groups received 30 μg/kg/day dexamethasone for 14 days to induce arterial hypertension. Mean arterial blood pressures were verified by carotid artery cannulation. Ramipril (10 mg/kg), and sacubitril/valsartan (80 mg/kg) were administered for 18 days to the hypertensive and normotensive groups. Glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde levels were evaluated in cardiovascular target tissues.Results:Serum and cardiac malondialdehyde levels were lower, while cardiac glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were higher in treatment groups than in control groups. Aortic malondialdehyde in sacubitril/valsartan group was lower; aortic and renal superoxide dismutase in sacubitril/valsartan and ramipril groups were significantly higher than in control group. Serum glutathione peroxidase was higher in hypertensive sacubitril/valsartan group than in hypertensive control group.Conclusion:We demonstrated that neprilysin and/or angiotensin inhibition had protective properties against oxidative stress exerted by dexhamethasone-induced hypertension in cardiovascular target organs, which may be mediated by reversal of natriuretic peptides degradation.m, hypertension, oxidative stress, dexamethasone, rat

Objective: Currently, there is uncertainty about the increased risk of myocardial infarction following ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack and the method of risk management after the stroke. In this experimental study, we aimed to evaluate myocardial injury after inducing global cerebral ischemia in rats and assess their responses to the treatments with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and ischemic postconditioning (PC). Materials and Methods: Global cerebral ischemia was induced by occluding the bilateral common carotid arteries for 20 minutes and subsequently reperfusing them. Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into 4 treatment groups (n=8 for each group). Group I received 7 mg/kg/day infliximab immediately and at 6 hours after the stroke and group II received 10 mg/kg/day leflunomide immediately and at 6 hours after the stroke. In group III, the skeletal muscle in the limbs was clamped for 180 minutes immediately after the stroke and was reperfused for 120 minutes. Group IV was sham-operated and received saline immediately and at 6 hours after the stroke. Myocardium tissue samples were collected for histopathologic assays and to create hypoxia-induced tissue oxidative markers. Results: We found that apoptosis and nucleus loss in the myocardium were significantly decreased after the administration of infliximab, leflunomide, and remote ischemic PC. Necrosis in the myocardium and cardiac malondialdehyde (MDA) level were also significantly decreased after treatment with remote skeletal muscle PC. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that remote ischemic PC and DMARDs were protective against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. They acted by mobilizing the endogenous adaptive mechanisms in the myocardium and inhibited oxidative stress by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

This study aimed to investigate the role of inflammatory markers and progranulin levels in diagnosing cholecystitis, assessing their potential as diagnostic biomarkers. The research involved 54 patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis in the emergency department. Routine complete blood count and biochemistry analyses were conducted. Blood samples were obtained, centrifuged, and stored at -80°C. Progranulin levels in sera were assessed using a spectrophotometric method. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS v.22.0, revealing significant variances between patients and healthy controls. Acute cholecystitis patients exhibited elevated levels of inflammatory markers (white blood cells, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin) and decreased progranulin levels compared to controls. Progranulin showed a high sensitivity (86.5%) and specificity (87.5%) in diagnosing acute cholecystitis. Other markers had varying sensitivity and specificity values. Inflammatory markers, particularly progranulin, show promise in diagnosing cholecystitis. Evaluating these markers together can enhance diagnostic accuracy. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore progranulin's specificity to cholecystitis. [Med-Science 2024; 13(3.000): 649-53]

Abstract Objective: We aimed to investigate the protective effect of adrenomedullin (ADM) on cerebral tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomized into four groups (n=8). In the I/R Group, bilateral common carotid arteries were clamped for 30 minutes and, subsequently, reperfused for 120 minutes. In the ADM Group, rats received 12 µg/kg of ADM. In the I/R+ADM Group, bilateral common carotid arteries were clamped for 30 minutes and, subsequently, the rats received 12 µg/ kg of ADM. Then, reperfusion was performed for 120 minutes. The Control Group underwent no procedure. Blood and brain tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were analysed. Brain tissue was evaluated histopathologically and neuronal cells were counted in five different fields, at a magnification of ×400. Results: Brain MDA in I/R Group was significantly higher than in ADM Group. Brain GPx and SOD in I/R+ADM Group were significantly higher than in I/R Group. The number of neurons was decreased in I/R Group compared to the Control Group. The number of neurons in I/R+ADM Group was significantly higher than in I/R Group, and lower than in Control Group. Apoptotic changes decreased significantly in I/R+ADM Group and the cell structure was similar in morphology compared to the Control Group. Conclusion: We demonstrated the cerebral protective effect of ADM in the rat model of cerebral I/R injury after bilateral carotid artery occlusion.