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Backgound/Aim: Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disease resulting in high maternal–fetal morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to investigate antiangiogenesis-associated alterations in antiapoptotic and antioxidative proteins in PE. Method: Of the 46 patients with PE, 25 (54.3%) were with gestational hypertension (GH), 12 (26%) were with mild, and 9 (19.5%) were with severe PE. The serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and B-cell lymphoma/leukemia (Bcl-2) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: In the severe PE group, the VEGFR-1 serum levels (27.3 ± 16.8 vs 13.3 ± 10.7 ng/mL, P = .023) were higher, but the Bcl-2 levels (1.5 ± 0.2 vs 2.1 ± 1.7 ng/mL, P = .047) were lower than the levels in the GH-mild PE group ( P = .047). Also, VEGFR-1/Bcl-2 ratio in the severe PE group was significantly higher ( P = .003) than the ratio in the GH-mild PE group. Conclusion: The Bcl-2 and HO-1 proteins seem to have important roles in the antiangiogenic environment of preeclampsia.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the protective effect of curcumin against ionizing radiation-induced cataract in the lens of rats. Material and Methods: Rats were divided into six groups. Group 1: Control, Group 2: Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), Group 3: DMSO+curcumin, Group 4: Irradiation, Group 5: Irradiation+DMSO, Group 6: Irradiation+DMSO+curcumin. A 15 Gy total dose was given to 4, 5, 6 groups for radiation damage. Curcumin (100 mg/kg) was dissolved in DMSO and given by intragastric intubation for 28 days. At the end of the experiment, lenses were graded and enucleated. The lenticular activity of the antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Results: 100% Cataract was seen in the irradiation group. Cataract rate fell to 40% and was limited at grade 1 and 2 in the curcumin group. In the irradiation group, antioxidant enzyme levels were decreased, MDA levels were increased. There was an increase in antioxidant enzyme levels and a significant decrease in MDA in the group which was given curcumin. Conclusion: Curcumin has antioxidant and radioprotective properties and is likely to be a valuable agent for protection against ionizing radiation. Hence, it may be used as an antioxidant and radioprotector against radiation-induced cataractogenesis. Turkish Başlık: Sıçanlarda İyonizan Radyasyonla Oluşturulan Katarakt Üzerine Curcuminin Koruyucu Etkisi Anahtar Kelimeler: Katarakt, curcumin, iyonizan radyasyon, lipid peroksidasyonu, oksidatif stres, radioprotektif Amaç: Çalışmamızın amacı, sıçan lenslerinde iyonizan radyasyonla oluşturulan katarakt modelinde curcuminin koruyucu etkisini incelemektir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Sıçanlar altı gruba ayrıldı. Grup 1: Kontrol, Grup 2: Dimetil sülfoksid (DMSO), Grup 3: DMSO+curcumin, Grup 4: Radyasyon, Grup 5: Radyasyon+DMSO, Grup 6: Radyasyon+DMSO+curcumin. Grup 4, 5 ve 6'ya hasar oluşturmak için iyonizan radyasyon toplam 15 Gy dozunda verildi. Curcumin (100 mg/kg), DMSO içinde çözülerek 28 gün süresince intragastrik yoldan verildi. Çalışmanın sonunda, lensler sınıflandırıldı ve çıkarıldı. Lens dokusunda antioksidan durumu değerlendirmek üzere total antioksidan, glutatyon peroksidaz (GSH-Px) enzimleri ve oksidan durumu değerlendirmek üzere malondialdehit (MDA) düzeylerine bakıldı. Bulgular: Radyasyon alan grupta %100 katarakt görüldü. Curcumin verilen grupta bu oran %40'a düştü ve grade 1 ve 2 ile sınırlıydı. Radyasyon alan grupta, kontrol grubuna göre antioxidan enzim seviyesi düştü, MDA enzim seviyesi yükseldi. Curcumin verilen grupta radyasyon grubuna göre ise anlamlı şekilde antioxidan enzim seviyesi yükseldi, MDA enzim seviyesi düştü. Sonuç: Curcumin antioksidan ve radioprotektif özelliklere sahiptir ve iyonizan radyasyona karşı koruyucu olarak değerli bir ajan olması nedeni ile antioksidan ve radioprotektör olarak radyasyon nedenli katarakt oluşumunda kullanılması önerilebilir.

This study investigated the role of systemic inflammation in the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). CABG was performed using cardiopulmonary bypass in 77 patients. Pre-operative AF was present in six patients (7.8%) and post-operative AF developed in 13 (18.3%) of the 71 patients with pre-operative sinus rhythm. Post-operative mediastinal drainage was significantly increased in patients with post-operative AF compared with those with sinus rhythm. Plasma E-selectin, P-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule levels were not significantly different between patients with pre- and post-operative sinus rhythm, those with pre-operative sinus rhythm and post-operative AF, and those with pre- and post-operative AF. There were significant differences between pre-and post-operative C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 levels within all three groups, but no differences in these parameters between the groups. Thus, in all groups there were significant alterations in mediators indicative of systemic inflammation following CABG, but comparisons between the groups revealed no differences predictive of AF.

We aimed to evaluate histopathological changes, to detect HIF-1α staining intensities and to determine MDA levels in rat ovaries, which were subjected to torsion and detorsion and treated with l-carnitine or N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Forty-eight prepubertal female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 8): 1, control; 2, ischemia; 3, reperfusion; 4, l-carnitine; and 5, NAC groups. In groups 3, 4 and 5, an ischemic period of 3 h was followed by reperfusion for 24 h. In groups 4 and 5, ischemia was performed and either l-carnitine or NAC was infused intraperitoneally 30 min before reperfusion. Ovarian tissues were examined histopathologically; tissue MDA levels and serum IL-6 levels were determined biochemically. HIF-1α was applied to all ovaries immunohistochemically. Total tissue damage scores, tissue MDA levels and HIF-1α scores, were significantly higher in group 2 (all P < 0.001) than group 4, and group 3 than group 4 (P < 0.001, P = 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). They were also significantly higher in group 2 (all P < 0.001) than group 5. When group 3 is compared to group 5, total tissue damage scores and tissue MDA levels were significantly higher in the former (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Serum IL-6 levels were significantly higher in group 2 when compared to groups 1, 4 and 5 (all P < 0.01). The degree of tissue damage of the torsioned ovaries decreased after a reperfusion period of 24 h in the torsioned ovaries. However, ovaries of both l-carnitine and NAC groups showed better recovery than the reperfusion group.

Breast cancer remains one of the most common types of cancer. High levels of arginase and ornithine in different carcinomas may indicate their relation to cancer. Carnitine is a cofactor required for the transformation of free long-chain fatty acids into acetyl-carnitines. We have examined the protective effect of carnitine and the possibility that it disturbs arginase-nitric oxide (NO) interaction. Histopathological examination, arginase activity, ornithine and NO levels were determined in tumour tissues. Mitotic cells significantly decreased in the treatment group. Tissue arginase activity and ornithine levels decreased significantly with carnitine. NO levels were significantly higher in the treatment group. One of the possible mechanisms of carnitine's protective role in tumour progression might be its promotion of NO. This mechanism could decrease the production of tumour-promoting agents, polyamines, and increase the production of NO, thereby exerting a protective effect on cancer development.

Breast cancer is still the commonest type of cancer in women. It accounts for about 20% of all cancer-related mortality. Therefore, great medical and scientific efforts are continually invested into understanding the disease’s pathology and finding new methods for its early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. In cells, L-arginine is embraced in protein synthesis. Arginine is also used by arginase, arginine decarboxylase, nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) and glycine transaminase. Arginase is a crucial enzyme that is chargeable for nitrogen metabolism. Arginine is its main substrate; from this, urea and L-ornithine are formed (1). There are two types of arginase: Arginase I is cytosolic and mostly found in the liver; it is considered to be primarily liable for the detoxification of ammonia. The other isoenzyme, arginase II, is engaged in ornithine creation. Ornithine is the precursor of some products which take place in cell growth: glutamate, proline and polyamines (spermine, spermidine and putrescine) (2). As polyamines are crucial for cell proliferation, it is probable that the elevated level of ornithine, due to increased arginase activity, could be lead to the development of cancer (3). Nitric oxide (NO) production is dependent on NOSs which are the enzymes that synthesis the oxidation of arginine to NO and citrulline. Three different types of NOS are available: neuronal (nNOS or NOS1), inducible (iNOS or NOS2) and endothelial (eNOS or NOS3). eNOS and nNOS are believed to be constitutive (cNOS) (4). NO has several aspects in cells and its action may vary depending on its level (5). Studies have proposed that in cancer growth, NO may have an important action as a preventative and therapeutic agent. The use of NO donors as cancer therapeutics had been shown as a new venue that has not been appreciated in the past, because NO was primarily used for the treatment of blood vessel-related disorders and in other non-cancer conditions. In cancer cells, the indication of NO-mediated cytotoxicity through its anti-proliferative and chemo-sensitising behaviour supported the idea of their usage in cancer therapy (5). Many different studies conducted on various types of cancer arginase levels in the serum and tissues examined have associated arginase enzyme activity with cancer. Some researchers even emphasised of arginase enzyme activity as an important determinant even in patients with breast cancer (6). Studies have shown that polyamines are the polycationic compounds necessary for growth and division in all cells (7). They are aliphatic molecules that are responsible in various fields such as cell division, protein-DNA interactions, cell differentiation, embryonic development, immunological interactions, signal transduction, apoptosis, DNA and RNA conformational change tasks and cancer (8). Although the increase in level of the polyamine concentration known to be associated with cell proliferation, in recent studies, these molecules have been shown to play an important role in both normal and cancer growth (9). As a synthetic molecule, rosuvastatin was chosen; this is a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor (10). Rosuvastatin selectively, reversibly and competitively inhibits the enzyme which catalyses the formation of mevalonic acid from HMG-CoA as a rate-limiting step in cholesterol synthesis (10). As with other statins, rosuvastatin has some other effects besides the inhibition of HMG CoA reductase. These are the improvements in endothelial function, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic and antioxidant effects (10). It has been emphasised that rosuvastatin decreased the oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant capacity (11). It has also been suggested that it reduced the free radical damage to the DNA through some antioxidant mechanisms such as the down-regulation of NADPH oxidase and increased expression of the enzymes which contribute to glutathione metabolism (12). Statins are emphasised to regulate the endothelial and cardiovascular functions by increasing the formation of NO (13). In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible positive effects of rosuvastatin, a statin for which the antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic effects have been shown in previous studies, on breast cancer development. For this purpose, we determined the breast cancer serum and tissues arginase enzyme activities, as well as ornithine and polyamine levels in mice.

Objective: Gross cystic breast disease (GCBD) is the most common benign breast disease. There are two types of breast cyst; lined by apocrine epithelium (Na/K3). Several studies have shown that women with palpable breast cysts may have 1.7-7.5 times higher risk of developing breast cancer. Patients with malignant disease usually show abnormal amino acid profiles in the peripheral circulation. Changes in amino acid profile diagnostically correlate with organ sites of malignancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of amino acids in two cyst groups and possible mechanisms involved in the development of breast cancer. Material and Methods: The breast cyst fluid aspirated from women with GCBD were analysed. Breast cyst fluid amino acid levels were determined with HPLC. Results: Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, hydroxyproline, serine, glycine, threonine, alanine, proline, tyrosine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and tryptophan levels were significantly higher, and lysine levels were lower in the apocrine epithelial cysts. Conclusion: In this study, higher concentrations of amino acids in apocrine cysts, which are also known to have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, may indicate the possible role(s) of amino acids in the mechanism of breast cancer development. Turkish Başlık: Meme Kist Sıvısı Serbest Amino Asit Profili Anahtar Kelimeler: Meme kist sıvısı; kistik meme hastalıkları; meme kanseri; serbest amino asitler; HPLC Amaç: Kistik meme hastalıkları kadınlarda en fazla görülen meme hastalığıdır. Apokrin epitelli (Na/K3) olmak üzere iki tip meme kisti bulunmaktadır. Yapılan çeşitli çalışmalar memesinde kistik bir oluşum bulunan kadınların 1.7-7.5 kat daha fazla meme kanserine yakalanma riski taşıdıklarını ortaya koymuştur. Kanserli hastaların periferal dolaşımına bakıldığında ise genellikle anormal bir amino asit profili saptanmıştır. Ayrıca, amino asit profilindeki değişiklikler organ düzeyindeki kanserler ile ilişkili bulunmuştur. Bu çalışmanın amacı meme kanseri gelişimi yönünden yüksek ve düşük risk grubu kistlerdeki amino asit düzeylerini incelemek ve bu kistlerden meme kanseri gelişimi yönündeki olası mekanizmaları araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmada kistik meme hastalığı olan kadınlardan alınan meme kist sıvısı kullanıldı. Meme kist sıvısı amino asit düzeyleri HPLC metodu ile ölçüldü. Bulgular: Apokrin epitelli kist grubunda aspartik asit, glutamik asit, hidroksiprolin, serin, glisin, treonin, alanin, prolin, tirozin, metiyonin, izolösin, fenilalanin ve triptofan düzeyleri anlamlı olarak yüksek, lizin düzeyi ise düşük bulundu. Sonuç: Kanser gelişimi yönünden yüksek riske sahip olan apokrin epitelli kistlerde bulunan daha yüksek amino asit düzeyleri, amino asitlerin meme kanseri gelişim sürecinde potansiyel bir role sahip olabileceğini göstermektedir., Amaç: Kistik meme hastalıkları kadınlarda en fazla görülen meme hastalığıdır. Apokrin epitelli (Na/K3) olmak üzere iki tip meme kisti bulunmaktadır. Yapılan çeşitli çalışmalar memesinde kistik bir oluşum bulunan kadınların 1.7-7.5 kat daha fazla meme kanserine yakalanma riski taşıdıklarını ortaya koymuştur. Kanserli hastaların periferal dolaşımına bakıldığında ise genellikle anormal bir amino asit profili saptanmıştır. Ayrıca, amino asit profilindeki değişiklikler organ düzeyindeki kanserler ile ilişkili bulunmuştur. Bu çalışmanın amacı meme kanseri gelişimi yönünden yüksek ve düşük risk grubu kistlerdeki amino asit düzeylerini incelemek ve bu kistlerden meme kanseri gelişimi yönündeki olası mekanizmaları araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmada kistik meme hastalığı olan kadınlardan alınan meme kist sıvısı kullanıldı. Meme kist sıvısı amino asit düzeyleri HPLC metodu ile ölçüldü. Bulgular: Apokrin epitelli kist grubunda aspartik asit, glutamik asit, hidroksiprolin, serin, glisin, treonin, alanin, prolin, tirozin, metiyonin, izolösin, fenilalanin ve triptofan düzeyleri anlamlı olarak yüksek, lizin düzeyi ise düşük bulundu. Sonuç: Kanser gelişimi yönünden yüksek riske sahip olan apokrin epitelli kistlerde bulunan daha yüksek amino asit düzeyleri, amino asitlerin meme kanseri gelişim sürecinde potansiyel bir role sahip olabileceğini göstermektedir.

There are two types of breast cyst and women with apocrine breast cyst may have a higher risk of developing breast cancer than cyst lined by flattened epithelium. Transforming growth factor-beta's growth inhibitory effect on epithelial cells suggests a potential protective role in breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of plasmin in both breast cyst groups and the possible role of plasmin on transforming growth factor beta activation. Presence of high plasmin level may indicate its importance on activation process, but some other proteases may also involve in this activation mechanism.

Free radicals play an important role in the pathophysiology of adjuvant arthritis. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of L-carnitine (LC) and alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) which are known to have antioxidant effects, in the treatment of adjuvant arthritis. Arthritis model was created by the administration of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in 32 of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into five groups. Rats in Group I served as controls and received 0.1 ml kg(-1) saline. Group II received only 0.1 ml of CFA and served as the CFA-control for the other groups. Groups III-V, after being injected with CFA, were treated with LC, alpha-LA or diclofenac, respectively. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were measured in plasma samples. Enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured. The paws of rats were evaluated histopathologically to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects. TNF-alpha levels were measured for the evaluation of inflammation. In Group II plasma MDA increased, levels of glutathione decreased, enzyme activities of SOD and GPx decreased. Histopathological damage increased in the paws of the rats in this group. MDA levels decreased in Groups III-V when compared with Group II. GSH levels significantly increased in Group III and IV than Group V. SOD activity of Group IV was higher than Group III and V. TNF-alpha levels were significantly lower in Group IV and V. LC and alpha-LA seemed to have protective effects against oxidative damage in adjuvant arthritis model.

Melatonin, the chief secretory product of the pineal gland, is a direct free radical scavenger. In addition to a direct scavenging effect on nitric oxide (NO), its inhibitory effect on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity has been also reported. L-arginine is the substrate for both NOS and arginase. It has been suggested that there is a competition between arginase and NOS and that they control each other's level. NO plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of myoglobinuric acute renal failure (ARF). In this study, the authors aimed to investigate the effect of melatonin on arginase activity, ornithine, and NO levels on the myoglobinuric ARF formed by intramuscular (i.m.) injection of hypertonic glycerol. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups. Rats in SHAM were given saline, and those in groups ARF, ARF-M5, and ARF-M10 were injected with glycerol (10 mL/kg) i.m. Concomitant and 24 hours after glycerol injection for the ARF-M5 and ARF-M10 groups, melatonin--5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, respectively--was administrated intraperitoneally. Forty-eight hours after the glycerol injection, kidneys of the rats were taken under anesthesia. Arginase activity, ornithine, and NO levels in the kidney tissue were determined. Melatonin had an increasing effect on kidney tissue arginase activities and ornithine levels while decreasing NO concentration. It is possible that besides the direct scavenging effect, the stimulatory effect of melatonin on arginase activity may result in an inhibition of NOS activity and, finally, a decrease in the kidney NO level.

Background : Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a complex syndrome involving several mechanisms such as renal vasoconstrictions, extensive tubular damage and glomerular injury. N -Acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant by itself, may serve as a precursor for glutathione synthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of NAC on liver and kidney tissue arginase activity, ornithine and plasma nitric oxide levels during the I/R injury of kidney. Methods : Twenty-four female Sprague–Dawley rats divided into three groups: group 1; was given saline intraperitoneally (i.p.). Saline to group 2 and NAC (300 mg kg −1 ) to group 3 were injected i.p. 30 min before induction of ischemia. Groups 2 and 3; subjected to bilateral renal ischemia (60 min) followed by reperfusion (24 h). After the reperfusion period, the rats were sacrificed and liver and kidney tissue arginase activities, ornithine and plasma nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined. Results : NAC had an increasing effect on both of liver and kidney tissue arginase activities and ornithine levels while decreasing plasma NO concentration. Conclusion : The stimulatory effect of NAC on arginase activity may result in an inhibition of the plasma NO level. Moreover, it could be possible that one of the protective mechanisms of NAC might be through the stimulation on the both liver and kidney tissue ornithine levels.