Search

The noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) is widely used for the treatment of the patients’ chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory failure. noninvasive mechanical ventilationis effective in increasing the ventilation of the lungs and decreasing the work of the heart on the left ventricle and the consumption of the oxygen. In spite of the positive effects of the noninvasive mechanical ventilationtreatment, an increase of cardiac damage is seen in the patients . The aim of this study is to search certain ischemia markers in order to assess and measure the impact of this treatment on the striated muscle and the cardiac muscle of the patients who have been tied to the noninvasive mechanical ventilator, due to their suffering from the difficulty of breathing. With this objective, 64 patients with the diagnosis of COPD are included in this research, and they are divided into two groups. Group I (control group, n=31) consists of the patients who are suffering from mild respiratory failure and not connected to the ventilator. The patients with the severe respiratory failure, prior to their being tied to the ventilator, constitute Group II (before ventilation (vo)) (n=33), after their having been connected to the ventilator (3rd day), are the members of Group II (after ventilation (vs)) (n=33). The levels of blood pH, pO2 and pCO2, serum troponin, myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), CKMB, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), albumin, and the ischemia modified albumin (IMA) have been measured in the patients. The level of serum troponin has been observed higher in prior to NIMV (Group II (vo)) than control group (Group I). Likewise, it has been noted significant increase in group after NIMV (Group II (vs)). Serum AST and IMA has also been seen a significant increase in group after NIMV (Group II (after)) as compared to the control group (Group I). There was no significant difference among the groups at the levels of serum myoglobin, CK-MB, ALT, CK, LDH (p>0.05). It was concluded that, depending on the severity of respiratory failure, that are markers of ischemia, serum troponin, AST and IMA levels increased, NIMV application contributed to this increase is limited and cardiac function more careful should be followed during the non-invasive mechanical ventilation application.

There exist various harmful substances in cigarette and in its smoke. Nicotine, taken as a result of active and second hand smoking, turns into “cotinine” with metabolite. Cigarette is known to have toxic effects on peripherical nervous system, cardiovasvcular system and endocrin system. Besides, it causes lung, larynx, kidney and urinary bladder and breast cancer. Some mechanisms of cigarette have been reported to cause renal damage. It increases blood pressure leading to the activation of acute sympatethic system. It causes the formation of oxidative stress. It brings about renal dysfunction affecting the structure and functions of kidney. It may cause renal dysfunction both in healthy individuals and in patients with hypertension and diabetes. As a result of this review, the active and passive smoking are discussed in a negative impact on renal function.

The effects of many intravenous drugs, which are used for sedation anesthesia, on free radicals are well known. Two of these drugs are propofol and dexmedetomidine. This study was designed to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine and propofol on the oxidant and antioxidant systems. Subjects were divided into two groups. Propofol were given to the first group (n=19) and dexmedetomidine to the second group (n=13) for sedation. Blood pressure and heart rate were recorded and serum ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), creatinine, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), MDA (malondialdehyde), catalase and GSH-Px (glutathione peroxidase) were measured before and 2 hours and 2 days after the drug administration. When propofol and dexmedetomidine groups were compared in terms of blood pressure, heart rate, serum AST, ALT, BUN and creatinin values no statistically significant difference was detected. In propofol group MDA values decreased significantly (p

By the time patients require dialysis replacement therapy, nearly all chronic kidney diseases (CKD) patients are affected with uremic bone diseases. High-turnover osteodystrophy can be prevented; patients with CKD should be monitored for imbalances in calcidiol (25 OH vitamin D), calcium, and phosphate homeostasis. We aimed to determine the effect of a monthly oral 300,000 IU vitamin D(3) (cholecalciferol) supplementation on the uremic bone diseases (UBD) markers such as iPTH and alkaline phosphatase in CKD patients. Among a total of 70 patients under treatment in the nephrology unit, 40 predialysis CKD patients (mean age of 49 +/- 14, male/female 20/20) were included the study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Treatment group included 20 patients (mean age of 51 +/- 14, male/female 9/11), and the control group comprised 20 patients (mean age of 47 +/- 14, male/female 9/11). Treatment group patients were given a single dose of Devit3 ampoule (300,000 U cholecalciferol) per month orally way. Patients in the control group did not take any vitamin D for a month. The level of calcidiol was lower than normal range in two groups. After a month, treatment group patient's calcidiol increased statistically significant (6.8 +/- 3.5 to 17.8 +/- 21.4 ng/mL, p < 0.001). After a month, iPTH level decreased in the treatment group statistically significantly (368 +/- 274 to 279 +/- 179 pg/ml, p < 0.001). At the 30(th) day of the treatment, in 9/20 of the treatment group patients (45%), the iPTH value decreased at least 30% (p < 0.001). We suggest that oral depot cholecalciferol treatment causes a statistically significant decrease of serum iPTH level but does not cause a statistically significant change in Ca, P, ratio of Ca x P, or urinary calcium creatinine rate in UBD predialysis CKD. This treatment can be used safely for the predialysis CKD patients, along with the cautious control of serum calcium and phosphor.

WOS: 000382752700003, Objective: Vitamin D is essential for bone development and health, and deficiency resulting in rickets and skeletal deformities is seen mainly during rapid growth. Hereditary vitamin D dependent rickets type I and type II rickets is a very rare form of rickets, characterized by 1-alpha-hydroxylase deficiency or end-organ resistance to vitamin D. We aimed to investigate, clinical and laboratory characteristics of eight cases with Vitamin D-dependent rickets (VDRR). Method: The mean age of patients during diagnosis was 2.6 years. Excluding one patient, others were males (87.5%). Results: Mean laboratory values during referral was calcium 7.5 +/- 1,5 mg/dl, phosphorus 4 +/- 1.2 mg/dl, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 1679 +/- 641 U/L and parathyroid hormone (PTH) 524 +/- 498 pg/ml. Patients received 1.2 mu g/kg/day calcitriol. During follow-ups serum ALP and PTH values of patients turned to normal levels. Conclusion: In rickets, cases with persistent increased serum ALP and PTH levels it will be appropriate to investigate serum 25 (OH) D levels in cases diagnosed with vitamin D-dependent rickets even though hypocalcaemia is absent. Administration of adequate doses of calcitriol in some cases is able to clinical and laboratory values return to normal.

Background One of the potential mechanisms to explain the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is imbalance of autonomic nervous system tone. The myocardium is innervated not only by cholinergic and adrenergic nerves but also by peptidergic nerves that synthesize and secrete neuropeptides. To investigate the possible role of cardiac neuropeptides in the development of AF after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), we analyzed the plasma levels of substance P (SubP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and angiotensin II (Ang II) in patients who underwent elective on-pump CABG. Methods This prospective study group included 83 consecutive patients scheduled for elective, on-pump CABG. Depressed left ventricular (LV) function (ejection fraction [EF] less than 0.30), concomitant cardiac procedures, history of atrial fibrillation, second or third degree atrioventricular block, implanted pacemaker, postoperative myocardial infarction, use of class I or III antiarrhythmic drug, and hemodynamic deterioration were exclusion criteria. Preoperative and postoperative serum levels of SubP, NPY, and AngII were measured by radioimmunoassay technique. Results Postoperative AF occurred in 27 patients (32.5%). Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, only a decrease in SubP level (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.767 to 0.99, p = 0.031) and an increase in AngII level (OR = 2.61, 95% CI=1.002 to 1.021, p = 0.023) after CABG were found to be independently associated with AF. Increased age ( p = 0.02), diabetes mellitus ( p = 0.023), preoperative use of beta blocker ( p = 0.024), proximal right coronary artery involvement ( p = 0.024), low preoperative sodium levels ( p = 0.023), low LVEF ( p = 0.013), and increased mitral E wave deceleration time ( p = 0.044) were also associated with AF. Conclusions These results indicate that the increase in AngII and the decrease in SubP after CABG may play a role in the occurrence of postoperative AF. Further studies are needed to define the physiologic and pathologic relevance of these substances at the occurrence of AF in patients who undergo CABG.

Aim: Liver and kidney are exposed to a lot of oxidant substances that are both from exogen and endogen sources. The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of C vitamine, Melatonine (MLT) and N-acetylcystein (NAC) in carbon tetrachlorur (CCl4) induced oxidative stress in mouse. Methods: The study involved 6 groups; control group (Group 1), CCl4 group (Group 2), CCl4 + C vitamine group (Group 3), CCl4 + MLT group (Group 4), CCl4 + NAC group (Group 5) and combined (CCl4 + C vitamine + MLT + NAC) group (Group 6) with each group containing 10 mice. Starting from the 4th day of the study 0,4 ml/kg CCl4 were given intraperitoneally (i.p.) to all groups except the control group. In Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6; 150 mg/kg/day C vitamine, 10 mg/kg/day MLT, 150 mg/kg/day NAC and C vitamine + MLT + NAC combination, respectively, were given for 7 days. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutatyon peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were measured in the tissues of liver and kidney of the mice. Results: The MDA and MPO levels in the tissues of liver and kidney of the toxicity group (Group 2) were significantly higher than those of the control group (p

Objectives Rhinolithiasis is the presence of mineralized and calcareous formations located in the nasal cavity. They have rare occurrence and can be easily confused with infection or obstruction of upper airways. If they are undetected for a long time, they may grow large enough to cause of nasal obstruction, mimicking sinusitis. Seven cases of rhinolithiasis were presented, and their diagnosis was made by rigid endoscopic nasal examination. Also computerized tomography scan was used to describe the size and site of the rhinoliths accurately. Our purpose was to determine the role of rigid nasal endoscopy in the diagnosis and the treatment of rhinolithiasis. Methods In this study, seven cases of rhinolithiasis, who were diagnosed and treated by rigid nasal endoscopy were presented. Results Between January 2000 and November 2004, seven cases (four males and three females; age ranged from 8 to 45 years) with rhinolithiasis were diagnosed. The most frequent symptoms were nasal obstruction with purulent rhinorhea, nasal and oral malodor. As complementary examinations, computerized tomography and simple X-ray of paranasal sinuses were used to locate and measure the dimension of calcareous mass, and to reveal possible invasion of the adjacent structures. The removal of rhinolithiasis was done with rigid nasal endoscopy under topical anesthesia in six cases and general anesthesia in one case. Conclusion Rhinolithiasis is a rare condition but must always be suspected in patients with long standing nasal obstruction, nasal and oral malodor, purulent rhinorrhea and chronic headache.

Leptin is a 167 amino acid protein encoded by the obesity gene that is synthesized in adipose tissue and interacts with receptors in the hypothalamus linked to the regulation of appetite and metabolism. It is known to suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure. Cyproheptadine is a piperidine antihistamine that increases appetite through its antiserotonergic effect on 5-HT2 receptors in the brain. Although both leptin and cyproheptacline are effective in controlling appetite, their interaction has not been addressed in clinical studies. This study evaluated serum leptin concentrations in patients who received cyproheptadine to treat a variety of disorders. Sixteen patients aged 7 to 71 years (mean, 26.25 years) were given cyproheptacline 2 to 6 mg/day for a minimum of 7 days. Body weight was measured and blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 1 week of treatment. Serum leptin levels were determined by leptin radioimmunoassay. The mean body weight at baseline (52.59 kg) did not differ significantly from that at 1 week after treatment (52.84 kg; P >.05), but the mean leptin level after 1 week of treatment with cyproheptacline (3.14 ng/mL) was 14.2% higher than that at baseline (2.75 ng/mL; P

Summary The aim was to investigate the serum levels of leptin, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-6, insulin, and growth hormone in patients with upper gastrointestinal cancer and cachexia. A total of 39 patients with various advanced stage (stage IV) gastrointestinal malignancies were enrolled. These cancer patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of cachexia. Fifteen healthy adults were recruited as the control group. Body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) was calculated. Serum leptin, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α interleukin (IL)-1 beta, interleukin (IL)-6, growth hormone, insulin, glucose, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and CRP were measured. In both cancer groups (cachectic and non-cachectic) body mass index and serum leptin levels were lower than controls (p

Breast cancer is a hormone-dependent neoplasm. Conflicting results regarding the clinical correlation between breast cancer and thyroid diseases have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the goiter prevalence, thyroid hormones and antithyroid antibody levels in patients with breast cancer. For this purpose, thyroid ultrasonography was performed and serum levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3 ), free thyroxine (FT4 ), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO ab) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (anti-TG ab) were determined in 50 operable breast cancer patients at the time of diagnosis and 30 healthy individuals as control group. Goiter prevalence was found to be significantly higher in the study group (50% vs 10%). FT3 , FT4 , and TSH levels of patients were not different compared to controls, whereas anti-TPO ab and anti-TG ab levels were significantly higher in patients than in the control group. In conclusion, goiter prevalence and thyroid antibody levels were found to be increased in breast cancer patients and thyroid functions should be monitored.

In this study, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status were investigated in children with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis. The aim was to determine whether there was a possible role of free radicals in meningitis and encephalitis in childhood. Our study included 16 children with acute bacterial meningitis, 13 with encephalitis, and 17 control subjects. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and retinol levels were studied in all subjects within 6 h of admission. There was a statistically significant difference for serum MDA, GSH, and vitamin C between the groups. Serum MDA and vitamin C levels were higher, and serum GSH levels were lower in the study groups compared to the control group. Vitamin C levels were similar in both the encephalitis and control groups, but they were significantly lower in the children with encephalitis than the meningitis group. In conclusion, our study showed that serum MDA and GSH levels were affected in children with both meningitis and encephalitis, but vitamin C level was affected only in children with meningitis. Serum vitamin E, beta-carotene, and retinol levels were not changed in childhood meningitis and encephalitis.

We studied serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), thyroid hormones (total thyroxine [TT4], free thyroxine [FT4], thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]), parathyroid hormone (PH), and osteocalcine levels in children with epilepsy who had been receiving long-term carbamazepine (CBZ) therapy to determine whether there was any effect of CBZ therapy on these hormones. The study included 18 patients with epilepsy receiving CBZ and 16 healthy age-matched controls. The age ranged from 4-18 years (11.26 +/- 3.59 years) and 4.5-17 years (11.16 +/- 3.13 years) in the study and control group, respectively. The duration of CBZ use was between 10 months-5 years (3.12 +/- 1.09 years). When comparing the results we did not find any significant difference in serum calcium, phosphorus, ALP, osteocalcine and TSH and PH levels between the groups (p >.05). However, serum TT4 and FT4 levels were found to be significantly lower in the study group than those of control group (p

Antioxidant status was investigated in children with acute bacterial meningitis and encephalitis to investigate the possible role of free radicals in children with meningitis and encephalitis. Our study included 16 children with acute bacterial meningitis, 13 with encephalitis, and 17 control subjects. Serum ceruloplasmin, uric acid, albumin, bilirubin superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels were studied in all subjects within 6 h of admission. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for all parameters except for serum uric acid. All antioxidant activities except for albumin level were increased in the study groups. Albumin level was higher in the control group than those of meningitis and encephalitis groups. When the values of meningitis and encephalitis were compared, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups for serum SOD, GPx, ceruloplasmin, and albumin. In conclusion, our study showed that serum SOD, GPx, cat...

In this study, we investigated the effects of erythropoietin (Epo), and pentoxifylline (Ptx) on the oxidant and antioxidant systems in the experimental short bowel syndrome. Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and all animals underwent 75% small bowel resection. Group E was treated with 500 IU kg− 1 Epo subcutaneously (s.c.), group P with 50 mg kg− 1 day− 1 s.c. Ptx and group E+P with 500 IU kg− 1 s.c. Epo plus 50 mg kg− 1 day− 1 s.c. Ptx for a period of 28 days. In group C, which is the control group, no drug treatment was given. At the end of 28 days the experimented rats were killed and ileum samples excised for biochemical and histopathological testing. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were determined in ileum homogenates. When compared to group C, the MDA and GSH-Px levels were significantly decreased (p 0.05) in groups P and E+P, whereas both MDA and SOD and also GSH-Px activities were not changed significantly in group E (p > 0.05). The average villous length, crypt depth, muscular thickness and mucosal length were measured in all groups. The average crypt depth and mucosal length were statistically higher in the group P than group C (p

In this study, we studied serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, thyroid hormones (total thyroxine, free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone), parathyroid hormone, and osteocalcine levels in children with epilepsy who had been receiving long-term valproate (VPA) therapy in order to determine whether there was any effect of VPA therapy on these hormones. The study included 31 patients with epilepsy receiving VPA and 22 healthy age-matched controls. The age ranged from 15 months to 16 years and 18 months to 17 years in the study and control group, respectively. The duration of VPA use was between 12 months and 5 years (1.93 +/- 1.90 years). When comparing the results, we did not find any significant difference in any of the parameters, including serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcine, and thyroid and parathyroid hormone levels, between the study and control group. We suggest that VPA can safely be used with regard to thyroid and parathyroid dysfunction in childhood epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that glucose concentrations of peritoneal dialysis solutions are detrimental to the peritoneal membrane. In order to determine the effect of glucose concentration on cytokine levels of peritoneal fluid of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, a cross-sectional study was performed. METHODS: Nine non-diabetic CAPD patients participated in two 8-h dwell sessions of overnight exchanges in consecutive days, with 1.36% and 3.86% glucose containing peritoneal dialysis solutions (Baxter-Eczacibas). Peritoneal dialysis fluid tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 levels were measured. RESULTS: TNF-alpha levels after 1.36% and 3.86% glucose used dwells were 23+/-14 pg/ml and 28+/-4 pg/ml, respectively (p=0.78). The IL-6 levels were 106+/-57 pg/ml and 115+/-63 pg/ml (p=0.81), respectively. CONCLUSION: In our in vivo study we found that the glucose concentration of the conventional lactate-based CAPD solution has no effect on basal IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels of peritoneal fluid. Further in vivo studies with non-lactate-based CAPD solutions are needed in order to determine the effect of glucose concentration per se on cytokine release.

Increased oxidative stress is a well-known phenomenon in dialysis patients. However, the contribution of hypertension to the oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients has not yet been assessed. The present study aimed to investigate if hypertension had an additional effect on oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients. A total of 50 patients treated with peritoneal dialysis were divided into two groups: The patients with mean of last three blood pressure results as 135/90 mmHg and above were considered hypertensive, the patients with lower blood pressure were considered normotensive. The control group included 25 healthy individuals. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were measured in all groups. MDA level, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was significantly higher in the hypertensive group compared to the control group, while the increase in the normotensive group was not significant. However, the difference between the hypertensive and normotensive groups was significant. The levels of AOPP, an indicator of protein oxidation level, and MPO, an indicator of neutrophil activation, were not different between the groups, while the activities of antioxidant CAT and GSH-Px decreased in both normotensive and hypertensive groups compared to the control group, and there was no significant difference between the patient groups. This study shows that both normotensive and hypertensive peritoneal dialysis patients have increased-oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant levels and hypertension might have an additional effect on oxidative stress by increasing MDA level in peritoneal dialysis patients. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Myringosclerosis, one of the most common complications of ventilation tube placement, is a kind of tympanosclerosis and is defined as subepithelial hyalinization of the tympanic membrane. There are two arguments in the development of myringosclerosis: inflammation triggering the development of myringosclerosis and free oxygen radicals released during inflammation causing myringosclerosis.The aim of the present study was to explore the effects on the development of myringosclerosis of mitomycin, which has anti-inflammatory effects, and trimetazidine, which is believed to inhibit free oxygen radicals when given systemically.The study was carried out on rabbits. Animals were divided into five groups, with six rabbits in each group: three control groups (paracentesis only, paracentesis+tube placement, and no intervention), a trimetazidine group, and a mitomycin group. Mitomycin (0.4 mg/mL) and trimetazidine (20 mg/mL) were applied topically to the tympanic membrane, and the presence and degree of sclerosis were graded histopathologically after Masson's trichrome staining.In the histopathologic examination, sclerosis that developed in the tympanic membranes of rabbits that had undergone paracentesis or paracentesis plus tube application or received trimetazidine was significantly more extensive than sclerosis in the membranes of unoperated animals and those that had been administered mitomycin.Paracentesis in rabbits, independent of tube placement, causes sclerosis of the tympanic membrane. Results show that topical use of mitomycin, due to its anti-inflammatory effect, had alleviating effects on myringosclerosis, whereas topical trimetazidine did not.

In this study, our objective is to investigate the effects of mannitol and 7.5% hypertonic saline (HS) therapy on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the early stages of experimental head traumas in rats. Rats included in the study were divided into four groups: Group I Control, Group II Trauma, Group III Mannitol, and Group IV 7.5% Hypertonic Saline. Rats in Group 11 were subject to head trauma only. Mannitol was injected intraperitoneally to rats in Group III after head trauma and 7.5% HS was injected intraperitoneally to rats in Group IV after head trauma. Rats were sacrificed 4 h after administration of mannitol. or 7.5% HS, and the levels of MDA catalase and GSH-Px in brain tissues extracted from rats were determined. MDA levels in the trauma group were significantly increased compared with the control group (p

Hyperthyroidism is associated with increased bone turnover. Besides the hormones of calcium metabolism, locally produced factors are important in maintaining normal bone metabolism. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), in particular, has a major influence on bone turnover. In this study, serum IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels, as well as bone turnover markers and relationships between them, were investigated in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. A total of 20 female patients with hyperthyroidism, 15 with subclinical hyperthyroidism, 16 with hypothyroidism, and 15 with subclinical hypothyroidism constituted the patient groups. In all, 15 age-matched healthy female volunteers were recruited as controls. When compared with controls, serum TNF-alpha levels showed no significant difference in any of the patient groups (P>.05). In the groups with hyperthyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism, IL-6 levels were significantly higher compared with control group values (P

Molecular and genetic signatures may predict brain tumor behavior and may soon guide tumor classification, diagnosis, and tumor-specific treatment strategies. Free oxygen radicals ( FOR) are thought to take part in oncogenesis and cellular differentiation. This article explored the state of FORs and antioxidant system in patients with cerebral tumor. The serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities were measured in the serum of 35 patients with cerebral tumors ( 21 glioma, 14 meningioma) and 11 controls. MDA measurement was done with fluorometric method and catalase and GSH-Px enzyme activities were done with photometric method. Mean serum MDA levels, catalase, and GSH-Px enzyme activities were significantly higher for both glial and meningiomal tumor cases when compared to controls (p < .05). There is no significant difference between glioma and meningioma groups in terms of the aforementioned parameters ( p > .05). In conclusion, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes as assessed by MDA, catalase, and GSH-Px were increased in patients with brain tumors, for this respect there is no difference between gliomas and meningiomas.

SUMMARY: Aim: This study has been carried out to see whether renal function is acutely altered in patients undergoing sevoflurane anaesthesia. For this purpose, the urinary levels of markers of renal tubular function, namely leucine amino peptidase (LAP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and beta-2 microglobulin (beta-2M), and urinary albumin as a predictor of renal glomerular function were measured before and after sevoflurane anaesthesia. Methods: This study was comprised of 20 patients (11 males and nine females) aged 18–55, who underwent various elective surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Urine samples of all patients were collected before and 1, 2 and 8 h after the anaesthesia. The levels of LAP, GGT, beta-2M, and albumin were then expressed as factored by urinary creatinine. In all patients, the anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane (2% end-tidal) at a high flow-rate (6 L/min). Results: Urinary beta-2M and LAP levels after anaesthesia were unchanged (P > 0.05). While urinary GGT and ALP levels were found elevated in the first hour, LDH levels were higher in the second hour (P

Objective Inflammation markers can predict restenosis after successful intracoronary stenting. There is evidence that testosterone suppresses the expression of the inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that testosterone therapy after coronary stenting can reduce the inflammation markers. Methods We selected 41 men with coronary artery disease who underwent successful stent implantation for a >70% diameter stenosis of a major coronary artery. Patients, who had stable angina and positive exercise test results, were recruited after diagnostic coronary angiography. Twenty-five men were treated with 3 doses of i.m. testosterone administration once a week for 3 weeks following diagnostic angiography. Sixteen patients were recruited as a control group and they received standard therapy. First venous blood samples were obtained after angiography. Stents were implanted 3 weeks after diagnostic angiography. Second venous blood samples were taken 24 h after the coronary stenting. Results Baseline biochemical or hematological parameters were similar between the control and treatment groups. After coronary stenting, free testosterone, total testosterone, and sex hormone binding globulin were significantly elevated in the testosterone group ( P P P =0.02; respectively). After coronary stent implantation, there was a significant increase in IL-6 and CRP levels in the control group only ( P =0.02 and P =0.038), while TNF-α levels were increased significantly in both groups ( P =0.016 and P =0.014; respectively). Statistical analysis revealed that testosterone treatment prior to stent implantation attenuated IL-6 and hs-CRP levels significantly ( P =0.042 and P =0.043; respectively). Conclusions The present study shows that 3 weeks testosterone treatment prior to intracoronary stenting results in a significant suppression in hs-CRP and IL-6 levels after the stent implantation.

Objective: To examine serum lipid levels in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and to test whether panic symptoms affect lipid concentrations in OCD patients. Methods: We assessed 33 OCD patients and 33 healthy control subjects matched for sex and age. Results: OCD patients had higher low-density lipoprotein, very-low-density lipoprotein, and tryglyceride levels, but lower high-density lipoprotein levels, than normal control subjects. We also found that only OCD patients with panic attacks had higher serum lipid concentrations, compared with normal control subjects. Serum lipid levels of pure OCD patients did not differ from control values. Conclusion: These findings suggest that high serum lipid concentrations are related to panic anxiety rather than other symptoms of the illness.

Summary Objective: Antioxidant enzymes status was investigated in children with acute otitis media (AOM) and acute tonsillitis. The aim was to determine the effect of oxidative damage due to free radicals on the antioxidant enzymes status in children with AOM and acute tonsillitis. Methods: We measured erythrocyte levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and activity of serum catalase, ceruloplasmin, albumin and total bilirubin in 23 children with AOM, 27 with acute tonsillitis and 17 control subjects. Results: There was statistically significant difference between the groups for all parameters. All antioxidant activities except for albumin level were increased in the studies groups. When the values of AOM and acute tonsillitis were compared, there was statistically significant difference between the groups for erythrocyte GPx. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that not only a few antioxidant enzymes but almost all antioxidant activities showed a significant enhancement in children with AOM and acute tonsillitis.

Hepatoprotective activity of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) essential oil (FEO) was studied using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver injury model in rats. The hepatotoxicity produced by acute CCl4 administration was found to be inhibited by FEO with evidence of decreased levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin. The results of this study indicate that FEO has a potent hepatoprotective action against CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

In this study, we studied serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, thyroid hormones (total thyroxine, free thyroxine, thyroid-stimulating hormone), parathyroid hormone, and osteocalcine levels in children with epilepsy who had been receiving long-term valproate (VPA) therapy in order to determine whether there was any effect of VPA therapy on these hormones. The study included 31 patients with epilepsy receiving VPA and 22 healthy age-matched controls. The age ranged from 15 months to 16 years and 18 months to 17 years in the study and control group, respectively. The duration of VPA use was between 12 months and 5 years (1.93 +/- 1.90 years). When comparing the results, we did not find any significant difference in any of the parameters, including serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcine, and thyroid and parathyroid hormone levels, between the study and control group. We suggest that VPA can safely be used with regard to thyroid and parathyroid dysfunction in childhood epilepsy.

In this study, we investigated the effects of erythropoietin (Epo), and pentoxifylline (Ptx) on the oxidant and antioxidant systems in the experimental short bowel syndrome. Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and all animals underwent 75% small bowel resection. Group E was treated with 500 IU kg(- 1) Epo subcutaneously (s.c.), group P with 50 mg kg(- 1) day(- 1) s.c. Ptx and group E+P with 500 IU kg(- 1) s.c. Epo plus 50 mg kg(- 1) day(- 1) s.c. Ptx for a period of 28 days. In group C, which is the control group, no drug treatment was given. At the end of 28 days the experimented rats were killed and ileum samples excised for biochemical and histopathological testing. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were determined in ileum homogenates. When compared to group C, the MDA and GSH-Px levels were significantly decreased (p0.05), but SOD activity was not changed (p0.05) in groups P and E+P, whereas both MDA and SOD and also GSH-Px activities were not changed significantly in group E (p0.05). The average villous length, crypt depth, muscular thickness and mucosal length were measured in all groups. The average crypt depth and mucosal length were statistically higher in the group P than group C (p0.001, p0.01, respectively). In addition, the crypt depth was statistically higher in both E and E+P groups as compared to group C (p0.001, p0.01, respectively). Therefore, our study indicates that Ptx may be more effective than Epo in reducing lipid peroxidation. Moreover, we considered that Ptx may give this protective effect by inhibiting the free oxygen radicals to a greater extent than developing the antioxidant capacity.

BACKGROUND: Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) results from food insufficiency as well as from poor social and economic conditions. Development of PEM is due to insufficient nutrition. Children with PEM lose their resistance to infections because of a disordered immune system. It has been reported that the changes occurring in mediators referred to as cytokines in the immune system may be indicators of the disorders associated with PEM. AIMS: To determine the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines in children with PEM, and to find out whether there was an association with the clinical presentation of PEM. METHODS: The levels of serum total protein, albumin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 were measured in 25 patients with PEM and in 18 healthy children as a control group. PEM was divided into two groups as kwashiorkor and marasmus. The kwashiorkor group consisted of 15 children and the marasmus group consisted of 10 children. RESULTS: Levels of serum total protein and albumin of the kwashiorkor group were significantly lower than both the marasmus group and controls (p < 0.05). In view of tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels, there was no difference between groups (p > 0.05). While levels of interleukin-6 in both the marasmus group and the kwashiorkor group were significantly higher compared with controls (p < 0.05), there was no significant difference between the groups of marasmus and kwashiorkor (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was observed that the inflammatory response had increased in children with malnutrition.

OZBAY, B. and DULGER, H. Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Enzymes in Turkish Population: Relation to Age, Gender, Exercise, and Smoking. Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 2002, 197 (2), 119-124 - The purpose of this study was to examine the change in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in healthy subjects and to evaluate the concentrations of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and malondialdehyde, an end product of lipid peroxidation in exercise and smoking. Study included 257 appearently healthy individuals, 133 males and 124 females. In all subjects, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were analyzed as an indicator of the lipid peroxidation activities. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities were measured as an indicator of antioxidant activities. Oxidative stress was estimated by the method based on thiobarbituric acid reactivity. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were estimated on hemolysates by use of commercial available kits (Randox lab., Dublin, Ireland). For all groups serum lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px were obtained at the initial and the following periods. Serum MDA level was higher in the elderly than in the children and in the adults. MDA levels were higher in the smoking, acute exercise than their counterparts in the control groups. GSH-Px activity was significantly lower in the acute exercise group, and higher in the trained group than those as controls. SOD decreased in the elderly, smoking and acute exercise groups and increased in trained individuals. There was a significant increase in lipid peroxidation activity and a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity in cases of acute exercise and smoking as well as the elderly - lipid peroxidation; antioxidants; smoking; exercise. (C) 2002 Tohoku University Medical Press.

The aim of the study was to compare serum levels of cytokeratin-18 of patients with bladder cancer with those of the healthy controls, and to investigate the relation between cytokeratin level and the tumor stage.Serum cytokeratin-18 levels of 38 patients with bladder cancer and of 25 healthy people were determined. Tumor stage was T(1) in 12 patients, T(2) in 9 patients, T(3) in 10 patients and T(4) in 7 patients. The serum cytokeratin-18 levels in these cases were analyzed with respect to the stage of the tumor.Cytokeratin-18 level in the patient group was found to be significantly higher than that of the control group (p0.010) when the groups were totally compared. However, when the levels in patients with different tumor stages were compared with that of the controls, the difference was not significant in patients with stage 1 and 2 tumors (p0.05). Regarding the cut off value as 4.0 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity for serum cytokeratin-18 were found to be 53% and 72% respectively. When sensitivity was calculated with respect to tumor stages, it was 8% for T(1,) 33% for T(2,) 90% for T(3) and 100% for T(4.) On the other hand, considering higher stage (T(3) and T(4)) tumors only, the sensitivity was calculated as 94%, but the sensitivity for lower stage (T(1) and T(2)) tumors was 19%.It is clear that serum cytokeratin-18 level increases in patients with bladder cancer. However, it can only be useful as a tumor marker in the diagnosis of T(3) and higher staged tumors. This study indicated that cytokeratin-18 does not have any diagnostic value in lower stage bladder cancers.

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta are pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing myocardial dysfunction and a negative inotropic effect. The drugs used to treat heart failure affect the production of cytokines. Digoxin, on which this study was focused, is one of the drugs for the treatment of heart failure. AIM: The present study was designed to examine the early effects of high doses of digoxin on the production of cytokines in healthy dogs. METHODS: Digoxin was given parenterally to dogs at 0.15 mg/kg. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production and levels of digoxin in the serum were measured 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h following administration of digoxin. RESULTS: As the levels of serum digoxin taken at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of administration were considered significantly high compared with preceding values (p < 0.001), no notable change in serum IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that high doses of digoxin do not cause a significant cytokine production in heart muscle in the early phase.

Cardiac troponin levels are regarded as the most specific of currently available biochemical markers of myocardial damage. Elevated levels of troponin have been previously reported in patients with left heart failure, reflecting small areas of undetected myocardial cell death. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of the cardiac troponin I (cTnl) in patients with left- and right-sided heart failure. Cardiac troponin I levels were studied with immunochemical methods in patients with right heart failure (n = 17) resulting from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic left heart failure (n = 23), and nonischemic left heart failure (n = 18) who were admitted to departments of cardiology and chest diseases. Also, cTnl levels were measured in 32 healthy subjects as control group. Protein markers of myocardial injury (cTnl and myoglobin) in patients with left and right heart failure were collected approximately 12 to 36 hours after onset of obvious symptoms. Serum creatine kinase MB band was determined on admission and thereafter twice a day during the first 3 days. Elevated levels of serum cTnl were found in patients with nonischemic (0.83 ±0.6 ng/mL, p 0.05). In addition, creatine kinase MB band and myoglobin levels were not significantly different between patient and healthy groups. The mean of cTnl levels in ischemic and even nonischemic left heart failure were increased compared to the mean of values in healthy individuals but without significant creatine kinase MB band and myoglobin elevations. But cTnl levels were not increased in patients with right heart failure due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These data indicate that the cTnl levels are abnormal in left heart failure but not in cor pulmonale.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary treatment on serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidative enzyme activity of patients with Type 2 diabetes.A total of 30 patients with newly diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes were enrolled to the study. A total of 30 healthy subjects served as controls. Diabetic patients were given standard dietary treatment that was composed of 50% to 55% carbohydrate and 30% fat for 2 months. No diet was applied for controls. For both groups serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were obtained at first and at the end of 2 months.Diabetic patients had higher serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation than those of controls before dietary treatment(p0.05). However, there was no absolute differences in erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px (p0.05). At the end of 2 months of dietary treatment, while diabetics had still higher glucose and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation than controls (p0.05), serum lipid peroxidation, erythrocyte SOD, and GSH-Px levels did not differ significantly from those of controls (p0.05). In diabetic patients, after 2 months of dietary treatment, whereas serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation decreased, erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities showed significant increase (p0.05).Our results showed significant alteration in serum and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme status of patients with Type 2 diabetes by dietary treatment. However, whether such alterations have clinical importance for diabetic patients needs further investigation.

Burn injury is accompanied by complex pathophysiological alterations that exert deleterious effects on various organ systems (1). Inflammatory shock mediators that are implicated in the pathogenesis of burn shock include histamine, serotonin, kinins, oxygen free radicals (OFR), prostaglandins, thromboxane and interleukins (2). There is also experimental evidence documenting superoxide radical involvement in the pathogenesis of burn shock (3). Harmful metabolites (O

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown aetiology, and recognised as a multi-system vasculitis. It has been postulated that an imbalance of the oxidant and antioxidant systems related to the disease are important in its pathogenesis. Previous publications have reported increased levels of enzymatic antioxidant defence systems in patients with BD. The non-enzymatic antioxidant systems, including vitamin C and uric acid, were looked for in the present study. For this aim, the serum malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, and vitamin C and uric acid, as endogenous antioxidants, were determined in 20 patients with BD (11 in active and 9 in inactive periods) and 20 healthy subjects. The MDA level was significantly higher in both the active and inactive period patients compared with the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). The MDA level was also significantly higher in the active period patients compared with the inactive period patients (p < 0.05). The vitamin C levels were significantly lower in both the active and inactive period patients compared with the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). There was no significant difference in the vitamin C level between the active and inactive period patients (p > 0.05). There was also no significant difference in uric acid levels between the groups (p > 0.05). In the patients group, a negative correlation was found between the levels of serum MDA and vitamin C (r=-0.517; p < 0.05). Our results indicate that decreased vitamin C and increased MDA levels reflect the increased levels of oxidative stress in BD patients, and this situation may be important in relation with its pathogenesis.