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This study was designed to evaluate the malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, and also prolidase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activities in malignant and benign cancers of bladder tissue. A total of 59 patients admitted to our clinic due to microscopic or macroscopic haematuria, were prospectively included in the study. Because of some reasons (no request to participate in the study, the inability to reach, other malignancies, alcohol consumption, metabolic disease), eight patients were excluded from study. Of the 51 patients, 25 were bladder tumor patients, and 26 were patients without cancers. The bladder tissue samples were obtained from all patients under anesthesia (spinal, epidural or general) for the measurement of MDA, GSH and NO levels, and prolidase, GSH-Px and SOD enzyme activities. Among the patients with bladder cancers, 7 patients were females and 18 patients were males, with an average age of 68.4 ± 2.49. Among patients without tumors, 6 patients were females and 20 patients were males, with an average age of 58 ± 2.05. In patients with bladder tumors, the oxidants (MDA, NO, prolidase) were higher, and the antioxidants (SOD, GSH, GSH-Px) were lower than those in patients without tumors. It was concluded that the oxygen free radicals play a role in the etiology of bladder cancers similar to many other tumors and inflammatory conditions. Therefore, we assume that antioxidants may provide benefits in the prevention and treatment of bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Human neutrophil proteins-1, -2, and -3 (HNPs -1, -2, and -3) are expressed in several tumor types. However, the role of HNPs 1-3 in human bladder cancer has not yet been determined. We investigated the association between the plasma levels of HNPs 1-3 and clinicopathological parameters in bladder cancer patients. Design and methods: The plasma levels of HNPs 1-3 were measured in 60 patients with bladder cancer and in 58 healthy controls. The plasma levels of HNPs 1-3 were determined by a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma samples were obtained before surgery. Plasma samples were permitted to clot and were then stored at −80 °C until use. Results: The levels of the HNPs increased from grade 1 to 4 tumors and this difference was statistically significant ( p < 0.001). Additionally, plasma HNP levels were significantly higher in patients with metastatic bladder cancer and in patients with lymphovascular involvement, metastasis of the lymph nodes, and increased tumor burden ( p < 0.001). Conclusions: The preoperative plasma levels of HNPs 1-3 paralleled the progression and pathological stages of the malignancies. This study suggests that HNPs 1-3 promote tumor invasion and are potential indicators of disease progression in patients with bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at risk of deficiency of essential trace elements and excess of toxic trace elements. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relation between the serum levels of some trace elements and heavy metals (iron, zinc, manganese, copper, magnesium, cobalt, cadmium, and lead) and endothelial function in HD patients. Methods: Forty-eight chronic HD patients without known atherosclerotic disease and 42 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were included in the study. The serum levels of trace elements (iron, zinc, manganese, copper, and magnesium) and heavy metals (cobalt, cadmium, and lead) were measured by Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer (UNICAM-929). Results: The serum levels of iron, zinc, and manganese were lower, and levels of copper, magnesium, cobalt, cadmium, and lead were higher in HD patients compared to controls. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD %) in HD patients was lower than that in the control group (7.27 ± 0.76 vs. 11.29 ± 0.82, P < 0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between FMD % and serum levels of cobalt ( r = −0.313, P = 0.03) and cadmium ( r = −0.524, P < 0.01). A linear regression analysis showed that serum cadmium levels were still significantly and negatively correlated with FMD % (regression coefficient = −0.526, P < 0.001). Conclusion: We first demonstrated that serum cadmium levels independently predict endothelial function in HD patients without known atherosclerotic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although many techniques have been described, new techniques with a wide range of therapeutic options are needed. The Kutlay technique is a novel technique that is based on the reconstruction of the neourethra with two horizontal meatal-based skin flaps. In the present study, the data of 31 patients who underwent surgery with the Kutlay technique are presented. Patients and methods: Thirty-one patients with hypospadias with an average age of 5.6 years who did not have previous hypospadias repair were operated on with the Kutlay technique. Ten patients had chordee. Among those patients, three patients were circumcised. Results: The patients were followed up for 4-13 months (average, 9.3 months). During the follow-up period, a fistula was observed in only one patient. None of the patients developed neourethral dehiscence, meatal stenosis, urethral stricture, wound infection, penile torsion, hematoma, or persistent or recurrent chordee. On uroflowmetry studies, the maximum flow rate of the patients was approximately 10.5 ml/s (range, 6-17 ml/s). The patients were observed to void with a single straight urinary stream in a forward direction. Conclusion: The Kutlay technique is a technique that is easily applied in patients with chordee and that provides a low risk of fistulas and acceptable functional and esthetic results. The factors that reduce the risk of fistula are the lack of the superposition of the suture lines of the skin and the urethra, the reconstruction of the urethra with well-vascularized flaps, and the replacement of the neourethra in its appropriate location through the tunnel created in the glans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Prolidase is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family. It plays a major role in collagen turnover, matrix remodeling and cell growth. Nitric oxide (NO) regulates many processes such as collagen synthesis and matrix remodeling. Thus, NO may augment angiogenesis, tumor invasion, and metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO levels in patients with bladder cancer and to determine their relationship with prolidase activity. Design and methods: Thirty-five patients with bladder cancer and 32 controls were enrolled. Serum TAS, MDA, prolidase activity and NO levels were determined. Results: Serum prolidase activity, NO levels and MDA levels were significantly higher in bladder cancer than controls (all, P < 0.05), while TAS levels were significantly lower ( P < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results show that increased prolidase seems to be associated with increased NO levels and oxidative stress along with decreased antioxidant levels in bladder cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) on kidney oxidative stress and trace element levels of adult rats. Twelve male Wistar albino rats were divided equally into two groups. First group was used as control. The right-side kidneys of animals in second group were treated with 2,000 18-kV shock waves under anesthesia. Localization of the right kidney was achieved following contrast medium injection through a tail vein under flouroscopy control. The animals were sacrificed 72 h after the ESWL treatment, and the kidneys were taken. Malondialdehyde level was higher in the ESWL group than in the control. Reduced glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were lower in the ESWL group than those of the control. Fe, Cu, Pb, Mn, Cd, and Ni levels were lower in the ESWL group than in the control, although Mg level was higher in the ESWL group than in the control. In conclusion, the result of the present study indicated that ESWL treatment produced oxidative stress in the kidney and caused impairments on the antioxidant and trace element levels in the kidneys of rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of paraurethral spongial tissue plus dartos flap using an additional urethral cover to prevent fistula formation in patients who underwent surgery with the Snodgrass technique. Patients and methods: A retrospective study was performed on 161 patients aged 10 months to 15 years who underwent midpenile and distal hypospadias repair using the Snodgrass technique. The patients were assigned to one of two groups. In Group I (75 patients), the neourethra was covered with the dartos flap, and in Group II (86 patients), the neourethra was covered with the dartos flap plus spongioplasty. Results: Urethral fistulae were encountered in six cases (8%) in Group I, and no fistulae were encountered in Group II. Conclusion: The use of corpus spongiosum as an intermediate layer in urethral coverage, combined with the dartos flap, reduces the likelihood of fistula formation. This procedure can be applied easily and effectively to prevent the formation of fistulae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]