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AbstractIn addition to its nutritional benefits, human milk also has bioactive elements. Limited immunological functions of newborns are supported and altered by the immunological elements of mother milk. Chemokines are of importance among these immune factors. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) has been demonstrated in mother's milk, and its receptors, CXC chemokine receptors (CXCR)-1 and CXCR-2, were detected on cells, responsible for immunological reactions and mammary glandular cells. The soluble forms of these receptors are yet to be described in human milk. In this study, it was aimed to assess the IL-8 levels and the concentrations of its receptors in colostrum and mature mother's milk in regard to preterm and term delivery. The results of this study indicated a decline in IL-8 levels with the lactation stage, but no difference was observed between term and preterm mother's milk. Regarding the CXCR-1 and CXCR-2, the concentrations of these receptors were similar in both colostrum and mature milk. Furthermore, there was not any significant difference between term and preterm mother's milk. In conclusion, this is the first study to investigate the concentrations of CXCR-1 and CXCR-2 with the levels of IL-8 in colostrum and mature human milk of term and preterm newborns. The alterations in IL-8 levels were similar in some of the studies reported. CXCR-1 and CXCR-2 levels did not demonstrate any significant difference. Further studies are required to investigate the soluble forms of these receptors and their relation to IL-8 with larger cohort.

Background:Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains an important complication of preterm births. The soluble form of ST2 (sST2), interleukin-33 (IL-33), and soluble form of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) have attracted increasing attention as biomarkers for different diseases. The aim of the current study was to assess the predictive value of plasma sST2, IL-33, and suPAR levels in patients with risk of BPD development.Methods:A total of 38 babies were studied prospectively on delivery to the neonatal intensive care unit. Serum levels of IL-33, sST2, and suPAR were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum samples were collected from umbilical cord (at the time of delivery, termed CB) and peripheral blood (on day 14, termed PB).Results:Levels of suPAR (PB-suPAR) and sST2 (PB-sST2) in the peripheral blood of the BPD group were significantly higher than the corresponding levels in the non-BPD group (P < 0.001, P = 0.028, respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between PB-suPAR levels and the severity of BPD (P < 0.001)) when the suPAR results were analyzed using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Conclusion:PB-suPAR and PB-sST2 levels are sensitive and specific independent predictive biomarkers in preterm babies with BPD.

High level of circulating red cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophillymphocyte (NL) ratio may reflect ongoing vascular inflammation and play an important role in pathophysiology of hypertension. We evaluate the effects of nebivolol and metoprolol on the RDW and NL in new essential hypertensive patients. After baseline assessment, 72 patients were randomly allocated to 5 mgd of nebivolol (n = 37, 20 men) or 100 mgd of metoprolol (n = 35, 18 men) and treated for 6 months. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), RDW, and NL were measured before and after treatment. BP significantly decreased with both drugs (P< 0.001). Analog reduction was observed for resting HRs (P< 0.001), but metoprolol caused greater HR fall as compared with nebivolol (P< 0.001). After 6 months of treatment, nebivolol significantly lowered not only RDW but also the total white blood cell and NL (P< 0.001, P= 0.023, P= 0.017, respectively). No changes were observed in metoprolol group. Percent decrease in RDW was found to be significantly higher in nebivolol than in the metoprolol group (P= 0.001) and remained also after correction for confounders (P= 0.012). Nebivolol improved RDW and NL to a greater extent than metoprolol in patients with hypertension. These favorable effects may participate, together with the BP reduction, at the favorable properties of the drug in hypertension.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) is a marker of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic complications in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Because previous studies suggested that sevelamer may exert effects on FGF-23 level and endothelial function independently of its phosphate-lowering action, we tested the effect of sevelamer versus calcium acetate on vascular function and FGF-23 levels.

This retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between admission levels of serum γ-glutamyltransferase and poor myocardial perfusion after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract: The operative deliveries can expose the fetus to acute and systemic hypoxia along with an increase in perinatal morbidity. The aim of this study was to reveal any relationship between delivery type and Chitotriosidase and Troponin T levels in cord blood. Ninety babies born in Ankara Etlik Maternity and Women’s Health Teaching Hospital were involved in the study. The babies were divided into three groups; Group 1: Normal vaginal; Group 2: Caesarean section; Group 3: Forceps application. Cord blood samples were drawn from umbilical arteries of the babies soon after the birth. Chitotriosidase enzyme activities in group 3 (141 nmol/ml/h (0–246)) were found higher than groups 1 (100 nmol/ml/h (0–208)) and 2 (91 nmol/ml/h (0–202)) (p<0.01 and p<0.03 respectively). Although cardiac Troponin T levels were higher in group 3, the difference among groups was not statistically significant (p=0.79). Acute or systemic hypoxic exposure of the organism gives rise to a microvascular response characterized by interactions between leukocytes and endothelium. We are hypothesizing that the high levels of chitotriosidase found in the forceps group were due to hypoxia, and that chitotriosidase level can be used as a marker of acute and systemic hypoxia.

Objectives — The purpose of this study is to determine the reference of plasma total homocysteine levels from a Turkish population and to investigate the relationship of plasma total homocysteine levels with sex and age groups. Design and methods — Plasma total homocysteine levels were measured in 2257 Turkish individuals (1381 men and 876 women) aged 1-90 years. Plasma total homocysteine concentrations were determined using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector. Results — The mean plasma total homocysteine level was significantly higher in men (mean, 10.6 μmol/L) than in women (mean, 8.7 μmol/L), P < 0.001. The mean plasma total homocysteine levels for the 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, and 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, and 61-70, 71-80, 81-90 age groups, were 6.5, 9.6, 10.1, and 10.4, 10.5, 10.9, and 11.3, 12.7, 14.6 μmol/L in men and 7.1, 7.6, 7.5, and 7.8, 8.7, 9.4, and 10.3, 11.2, 13.3 μmol/L in women, respectively. Conclusions — These data indicate the significance of sex- and age-associated differences of plasma total homocysteine levels in Turkish subjects. Plasma total homocysteine levels were increasing with age and men were found to have higher levels than women, as is found in other populations.

To determine the effects of nebivolol on oxidative stress, insulin resistance, adiponectin and plasma soluble P-selectin levels in hypertensive patients in comparison with metoprolol.

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effect of Escherichia coli ( E.coli)-derived lipopolysaccharide on rat plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL), malondialdehyde and 3-nitrotyrosine levels (an indicator of protein nitration). Six hours after intraperitoneal administration of E.coli, plasma LDL was measured electrophoretically and malondialdehyde level was measured by spectrophotometric method. Plasma malondialdehyde was significantly (p<0.001) elevated in E.coli-injected rats (4.97 ± 1.33; n=10) in comparison to control animals (1.83 ± 0.5; n=10). In addition, plasma 3-nitrotyrosine level, determined by reversephase HPLC, was also increased in the infected group (2.84 ± 1.17 to 0.22 ± 0.13; n=10). This increase was statistically significant (p<0.001). An increased level of oxidation of lipids and 3-nitrotyrosine was observed as a result of free radical-mediated damage in plasma. In conclusion, asymptomatic infections may increase the risk of atherosclerosis by inducing free radical formation and a consequent increase in the oxidation of LDL.