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Objectives: Several studies have shown increased atherogenic risk factors and biomarkers of inflammation and atherosclerosis in association with growth hormone excess. Mean platelet volume (MPV) and red blood cell distribution (RDW) are currently gaining interest as new independent cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of disease control on MPV and RDW in acromegaly patients., Materials and Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 36 acromegaly patients (23 males, 13 females; mean age 41.94 ± 11.55). Patients were divided into two groups: disease controlled by surgical treatment alone (group A) or by somatostatin analog (SSA) therapy (group B). MPV and RDW measurements were evaluated during active and inactive disease periods in the two groups., Results: There were statistically significant increases in MPV and RDW in patients receiving SSA therapy (P = 0.012 and P = 0.020, respectively). The differences in MPV and RDW changes in patients receiving surgical treatment alone were not statistically significant (P=0.364 and P=0.339, respectively)., Conclusions: This is the first report on the evaluated the effect of disease control on MPV and RDW in acromegaly patients. Our study results showed that MPV and RDW measurements are significantly increased in acromegaly patients with disease controlled by SSA therapy. Therefore, acromegalic patients treated with SSAs may have increased cardiovascular risk based on an increase in MPV and RDW.

Several studies have demonstrated an imbalance between free radicals and the antioxidative system in individuals with thyroid dysfunction. However, oxidative stress has not been evaluated in patients with thyroidectomy and thyroparathyroidectomy, who are under replacement therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress using malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and catalase levels in patients with thyroidectomy and thyroparathyroidectomy. Nineteen patients with thyroidectomy, 20 patients with thyroparathyroidectomy, and 20 controls with no history of thyroid or parathyroid disease or surgery were included in the study. Serum malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and catalase levels were examined. Levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde were elevated, and catalase levels decreased in patients with thyroidectomy and thyroparathyroidectomy compared with controls (p value for all the parameters: p<0.001). Free tetraiodothyronine was a potential predictor of malondialdehyde in the patient groups (p: 0.002). Catalase was negatively correlated with nitric oxide (p<0.01) and malondialdehyde (p<0.01). The results of the current study demonstrated that oxidative stress increased in patients with thyroidectomy and thyroparathyroidectomy despite the application of replacement therapies.

Objective: To investigate the effects of mesterolone on prostate in patients treated for aging male syndrome., Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from June to September, 2009, at endocrinology and metabolism department of Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey, andcomprised patients with symptoms of aging male syndrome and/or low testosterone. They were given mesterolone 50 mg/day per oral for two months. Aging Male Symptoms and International Prostate Symptom Score questionaires and prostate-related quality of life scores were completed and prostate ultrasonography (USG) was performed before and after the treatment. Total testosterone, free testosterone, gonadotropins, estradiol, prolactin, sex-hormone binding globulin, as well as total and free prostate-specific antigen were also studied., Results: Of the 34 patients in the study, 22(64.70%) had their prostate volume increased, while 12(35.29%) had it decreased. The change, however, was not statistically significant (p<0.098). Mesterolone significantly improved Aging Male Symptoms, International Prostate Symptom and prostate-related quality of life scores (p<0.001). These improvements though significant were independent of the changes in prostate volume. Total testosterone, sex-hormone binding globulin andestradiol decreased, while free testosterone showed no change (p<0.002, p<0.001, p<0.024, p<0.337). The fraction of free testosterone increased (p<0.001), while total and free prostate-specific antigen did not change (p<0.368 and p<0.841) CONCLUSION: Mesterolone proved to be a safe alternative in the treatment of Aging Male Syndrome. It also improved lower urinary tract symptoms and prostate-related quality of life.

Previous studies have suggested that prolidase and nitric oxide (NO) regulate many processes, such as collagen synthesis and matrix remodeling. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of microvascular complications in diabetic patients. Data on serum prolidase activity in patients with diabetes mellitus or diabetic neuropathy (DN) are limited and conflicting. The aim of this study was to measure serum prolidase activity, NO, total antioxidant status (TAS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in patients with DN. Forty-five patients with DN and 40 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum prolidase activity, TAS, MDA, and NO levels were determined. Serum MDA and NO levels were significantly higher in DN patients than controls (p = 0.002, p = 0.001, respectively), while prolidase activity and TAS levels were lower (p = 0.003, p = 0.001, respectively). Prolidase activity was negatively correlated with NO and MDA (r = -0.911, p < 0.001; r = -0.905, p < 0.001, respectively), while positively correlated with TAS (r = 0.981, p < 0.001) in DN patients. The current study is the first showing the decreased serum prolidase enzyme activity. Our results suggest that decreased collagen turnover may occur in DN patients, who have increased oxidative stress and increased NO levels. Decreased prolidase activity seems to be associated with increased NO levels and oxidative stress along with decreased antioxidant levels in DN. Therefore, decreased prolidase activity may play a role in pathogenesis of DN. Prospective clinical studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare serum concentrations of some elements [zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), cadmium (Cd) and cobalt (Co)] in acute leukemia patients with those of healthy subjects., Methods: The study group consisted of newly diagnosed acute leukemia patients and the controls were matched for socioeconomic stauts and eating habits. The elements levels in the patient group were measured before treatment with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The selection criteria for the patients and controls were the lack of recent blood transfusion history and taking any medication with mineral supplement., Results: The acute leukemia group composed of 42 patients and there were 40 persons in the control group. There was no difference between the age of the two groups (p=0.239). Serum levels of Zn, Mg and Mn were significantly lower with acute leukemia than in controls (p<0.001, p=0.011, p<0.001, respectively), while Cu, Pb and Cd were significantly elevated (p=0.003, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences regarding Co and Fe (p=0.323 and p=0.508, respectively), Conclusion: In this study, we found levels of Zn, Mg and Mn to be lowered and of Cu, Pb and Cd to be elevated in patients with leukemia. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of these elements in pathogenesis of acute leukemia.

Objective: To determine activity of catalase (CAT) as a antioxidant and carbonic anhydrase (CA) in erythrocytes from acute leukemia cases., Methods: Subjects were recruited from patients attending the outpatient clinics or hospitalised in the ward of the Hematology Department of Yuzuncu Yil University Hospital. Venous blood samples were taken from a total of 67 individuals (31 with acute leukemia and 36 healthy) included in the study. CAT enzyme activity was determined in erythrocytes using Aebi's method and CA by hydration of CO2., Results: CAT activity was found to be significantly decreased (P<0.001) on average in acute leukemia cases as compared to the control group while erythrocyte CA activity was significantly increased (P<0.001)., Conclusions: Our findings point to malfunction of the antioxidant system in acute leukemia patients. Hence we need to investigation the cause and also its possible contribution to prognosis. Furthermore, clarification of the relationship between the antioxidant system and CA inhibitors in the pathogenesis of acute leukemia appears warranted.