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Background: The purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate the relationship betweensocial support and self-care agency in elderly patients who are hypertensive.Methods: This study was conducted with 150 patients who were hypertensive aged ?65 whoapplied to the cardiology outpatient clinic of Firat University Hospital (Elazığ, Turkey). Patientinformation form, including sociodemographic and disease-related data, Self-Care AgencyScale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used for data collection.Independent t-test for pairwise comparison, Kruskal-Wallis test for multiple group compari son, and Pearson’s correlation analysis for correlation between the study variables were usedto assess the data.Results: The correlation analysis made between self-care agency and social support revealedthat self-care agency had a positive and significant correlation with family support (r=0.944, P < .001), friend support (r=.380, P < .001), significant other support (r=.386, P < .001), and totalsupport (r=.406, P < .001). It was found that patients with high self-care agency mean scoreshad high mean scores of support from family, friends, and significant other and total support.Conclusion: This study revealed that there was a significant correlation between self-careagency and social support in elderly patients who are hypertensive and that social supportincreased self-care agency. According to these results, attention should be paid to the socialsupport used by patients who are hypertensive.

WOS: 000374903500025 PubMed: 26419593 Metastasis occurs due to migration of the cells from primary tumor toward other tissues by gaining invasive properties. Since metastatic invasion shows a strong resistance against conventional cancer treatments, the studies on this issue have been focused. Within this context, inhibition of migration and determination of the relationships at the gene level will contribute to treatment of metastatic cancer cases. We have aimed to demonstrate the impact of TGF-beta 1 and fluvastatin on human breast cancer (MCF-7) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep3B) cell cultures via Real-Time Cell Analyzer (RTCA) and to test the expression levels of some genes (NDRG1, SGK1, TWIST1, AMPKA2) and to compare their gene expression levels according to RTCA results. Both of cell series were applied TGF-beta(1) and combinations of TGF-beta(1)/fluvastatin. Primer and probes were synthesized using Universal Probe Library (UPL, Roche) software, and expression levels of genes were tested via qPCR using the device LightCycler 480 II (Roche). Consequently, fluvastatin dose-dependently inhibited migration induced by TGF-beta 1 in both groups. This inhibition was accompanied by low level of SGK1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and high levels of NDRG1 and AMPKA2 mRNA. Thus, we conclude that fluvastatin plays an important role in reducing resistance to chemotherapeutics and preventing metastasis.

WOS: 000405948700007 PubMed: 28759087 Background: We aimed to compare ghrelin, obestatin, homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B-12 and folate levels in the serum and saliva of ischaemic heart disease patients. Methods: Serum and saliva were collected from 33 ischaemic heart disease (IHD) patients and 28 age- and body mass index-matched healthy individuals. Levels of acylated and desacylated ghrelin, obestatin and Hcy were determined using the ELISA method. Results: Acylated ghrelin, desacylated ghrelin and obestatin levels in the saliva were found to be higher than those in the serum of the control group, while acylated and desacylated ghrelin levels in the saliva were significantly lower than those in the serum. Obestatin levels were higher in IHD patients (p = 0.001). Saliva and serum vitamin B-12 and folate levels in IHD patients were significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.001). Conclusions: It was determined that serum ghrelin levels increased in ischaemic heart disease patients, while serum levels of obestatin decreased.

Guvenc, Tolga/0000-0003-1468-3415; Acikgoz, Mehmet/0000-0003-1091-9697; KOZAN, AHMET/0000-0002-7442-694X WOS: 000383600400015 PubMed: 27473159 The therapeutic efficiency of an anti-inflammatory agent, dexamethasone (DXM), and a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), in lung tissue injury after lung contusion was investigated. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-10 (IL-10), YKL-40, an inflammatory peptide, inducible NOS (iNOS), and Clara cell protein 16 (CC-16) were evaluated. Immunohistochemical analyses were also performed, and the lung tissue was examined histopathologically. The study consisted of eight groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 10 in each group), weighing 250-300 g: (1) control, (2) contusion, (3) control + DXM, (4) contusion + DXM, (5) control + L-NAME (6) contusion + L-NAME, (7) control + DXM + L-NAME, and (8) contusion + DXM + L-NAME. A previously developed lung contusion model was used, in addition to the control group. The rats were administered DXM and L-NAME intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 15 and 60 mg/kg/day, respectively. DXM and L-NAME administration decreased the iNOS level in the contusion groups. DXM increased the levels of YKL-40 and IL-10 in both the control and contusion groups, with higher levels in the contusion groups. L-NAME increased the serum level of IL-10 in the lung contusion groups. DXM increased the synthesis of CC-16 in the control and contusion groups. The combined use of a high-dose steroid and NOS inhibitor resulted in the death of the rats. Steroids can increase the level of cytokines, such as YKL-40 and IL-10, and the synthesis of CC-16 and prevent pneumonia, ALI/ARDS, and sepsis in lung contusion. Scientific and Technological Research Council of TurkeyTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [114S008] This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (project no. 114S008) project number. We thank the council for its support.

Sepsis impairs diaphragmatic contractility and endurance capacity and increases diaphragmatic fatigability. Several investigations have shown that administration of a number of free radical scavengers, such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), protects the diaphragm from the development of endotoxin-mediated diaphragmatic dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of melatonin (CAS 73-31-4), a naturally occurring potent antioxidant, on diaphragmatic contractility and lipid peroxidation as a marker of oxidative stress in endotoxemic rats. Rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, endotoxemic group, melatonin group and endotoxemic plus melatonin group. Melatonin was administered by intraperitoneal injection 30 min before endotoxin inoculation to animals. Diaphragmatic function and malondialdehyde (MDA) level analysis as an indicator of lipid peroxidation were assessed 17 h after endotoxin or saline inoculation. Endotoxemia decreased the tensions generated in response to all frequencies of stimulation and increased the development of diaphragm fatigue and diaphragmatic MDA levels. The effects of endotoxemia on diaphragmatic contractions and fatigability were reversed and returned to control levels by melatonin administration. However, melatonin did not prevent the increase in muscle MDA content. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that melatonin attenuated the endotoxin-induced impairment of diaphragm function. This effect of melatonin does not seem to be related to its antioxidant properties.

WOS: 000277432000018 PubMed: 20047070 The underlying molecular mechanism of carcinogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is poorly understood and appears to be controlled on many genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. Obestatin and ghrelin, two recently discovered hormones, are co-expressed in endocrine cells. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the immunohistochemical features of OSCCs in relation to the tissue concentration of ghrelin and obestatin. The association between OSCC and Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) status was also explored. The expression of ghrelin and obestatin was examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoassay in oral biopsy specimens: 10 benign squamous epithelial cell samples, 10 microinvasive squamous cell carcinomas, and seven well-differentiated and seven poorly differentiated OSCCs. The presence of EBV was evaluated in these samples using immunohistochemistry. The concentrations of ghrelin and obestatin in tissue homogenates were measured by RIA and ELISA, respectively. Squamous cell carcinomas and benign tissue samples were positive for anti-EBV antibody, and obestatin and ghrelin were shown to be co-expressed in all stratified squamous epithelium samples. Expression of ghrelin and obestatin was decreased or absent in OSCCs in relation to the invasiveness of the carcinoma; ghrelin and obestatin levels in cancerous tissue homogenates were lower than in benign tissue homogenates. These results indicate that the concentrations and distribution of immunoreactive obestatin and ghrelin might be helpful in distinguishing OSCC from benign tumors. Maintaining normal levels of these hormones might be required for regulation of normal cell division. However, detailed studies will be required for better understanding of the complex mechanism of carcinogenesis relating to OSCCs.

Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin are the two recently discovered peptide hormones involved in the control of appetite. Besides its main appetite-control function, ghrelin also has anticonvulsant effects, while nesfatin-1 causes depolarization in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The aims of this study, therefore, were to investigate: (i) whether there are differences in the concentrations of nesfatin-1 and ghrelin in saliva and serum samples between eplilepsy patients and normal controls and (ii) whether salivary glands produce nesfatin-1. The study included a total of 73 subjects: 8 patients who were newly diagnosed with primary generalized seizures and had recently started antiepileptic drug therapy; 21 who had primary generalized seizures and were continuing with established antiepileptic drug therapy; 24 who had partial seizures (simple: n = 12 or complex: n = 12) and were continuing with established antiepileptic drug therapy; and 20 controls. Salivary gland tissue samples were analyzed for nesfatin-1 expression by immunochemistry and ELISA. Saliva and serum ghrelin levels were measured by ELISA and RIA, and nesfatin-1 levels by ELISA. Nesfatin-1 immunoreactivity was detected in the striated and interlobular parts of the salivary glands and the ducts. The nesfatin-1 level in the brain was around 12 times higher than in the salivary gland. Before antiepileptic treatment, both saliva and serum nesfatin-1 levels were around 160-fold higher in patients who are newly diagnosed with primary generalized epilepsy (PGE) than in controls; these levels decreased with treatment but remained about 10 times higher than the control values. Saliva and serum nesfatin-1 levels from patients with PGE and partial epilepsies who were continuing antiepileptic drugs were also 10-fold higher than control values. Serum and saliva ghrelin levels were significantly (twofold) lower in epileptic patients before treatment than in controls; they recovered somewhat with treatment but remained below the control values. These results suggest that the low ghrelin and especially the dramatically elevated nesfatin-1 levels might contribute to the pathophyisology of epilepsy. Therefore, serum and saliva ghrelin and especially the remarkably increased nesfatin-1 might be candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of epilepsy and for monitoring the response to anti-epileptic treatment.

Rickets is a common metabolic bone disease in infants. The predominant cause of rickets is vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is required for bone formation. The role of ghrelin in bone metabolism is unclear, but it may have an indirect effect. There are also reports in the literature suggesting that ghrelin acts directly on osteoblasts as a positive regulator. To evaluate the relationship between ghrelin levels and the development of rickets. We evaluated the relationship between serum/ saliva ghrelin levels and rickets in a cohort of 10 patients aged 6-24 months with nutritional rickets and completely healthy 14 children. Plasma ghrelin levels were measured using a commercial radioimmunoassay kit. The saliva ghrelin measurements were performed using a Human-ghrelin- radioimmunoassay-sensitive kit. Ghrelin levels in blood and saliva were found significantly lower in the rickets group compared to the healthy subjects in this study. Findings of this study shows that there is a relationship between ghrelin and the development of rickets. Decreased ghrelin levels may have caused to poor infant appetite and impaired nutritional status. Furthermore the absence of ghrelin\'s calciotropic effects may have contributed to the development of rickets. Detailed studies with larger series are warranted to support these findings., Rikets erken çocukluk döneminde sık rastlanan metabolik bir kemik hastalığıdır. Başlıca sebebi vitamin D eksikliğidir. Vitamin D kemiklerin oluşumu için gereklidir. Kemik metabolizmasında ghrelinin rolü açık değildir ancak dolaylı yoldan etkisi olabilir. Ayrıca literatürde ghrelinin osteoblastlar üzerine doğrudan pozitif bir düzenleyici olarak etki ettiğine dair yayınlar vardır. Ghrelin düzeyleri ile rikets gelişimi arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemek. Nutrisyonel riketsi olan, yaşları 6- 24 ay arasında değişen 10 hasta ve 14 sağlıklı çocukta serum/ tükürük ghrelin düzeyleri ile rikets arasındaki ilişkiyi inceledik. Plazma ghrelin düzeyleri ticari bir radioimmunoassay kiti kullanılarak ölçüldü. Tükürük ghrelini ölçümleri, İnsan ghrelini- radioimmunoassay- duyarlı kit kullanılarak yapıldı. Kan ve tükürük ghrelin düzeyleri, rikets grubunda çalışmadaki sağlıklı kişilere göre anlamlı olarak düşük bulundu. Çalışmanın sonuçları rikets gelişimi ile ghrelin arasında bir ilişkinin var olduğunu göstermektedir. Azalmış ghrelin düzeyleri, infantın iştahının ve nutrisyonel durumunun olumsuz yönde etkilenmesine hem de ghrelinin kemik dokusu üzerindeki kalsiyotropik etkisinin ortadan kalkmasına sebebiyet vermiş olabilir. Ancak daha fazla olguyu içeren ayrıntılı çalışmalarla bunun desteklenmesi gerekir

Background: The effects of short-term and long-term regular exercise on body mass index and early follicular phase serum levels of leptin, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in young female subjects are presented in this study. Methods: Volunteer young women (n = 94) participated. The volunteers were divided into three groups. Group I, the control group had a sedentary lifestyle. Group II had exercised regularly for more than 10 hours a week for 5 years. Group III had exercised for over 10 hours a week for more than 5 years. The serum leptin concentrations were determined using a specific human leptin radioimmunoassay. The testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate concentrations were also determined radioimmunologically. Results: Compared with sedentary control subjects (group I), age-matched subjects with short-term (group II) and long-term (group III) sporting activity showed a statistically significant decrease in BMI (p

In the last 10 years, saliva has been increasingly used as a diagnostic fluid and in predictions of disease progression. Leptin and ghrelin are synthesized in several tissues including the salivary glands. The action of ghrelin is antagonistic to that of leptin. This study was undertaken to measure and compare the saliva ghrelin-leptin and plasma ghrelin-leptin levels in healthy young subjects. In 30 healthy subjects, after an overnight fast, saliva and plasma leptin levels were measured using the ELISA method while saliva and plasma immunoreactive ghrelin levels were measured using a commercial radioimmunoassay (RIA). The latter uses 125I-labeled bioactive ghrelin as a tracer and a rabbit polyclonal antibody raised against full-length octanoylated human ghrelin (Phoenix, Europe, Karlsruhe, Germany). The results of this investigation revealed that saliva leptin levels (6.19+/-2.10 microg/l) were lower than plasma levels (7.39+/-3.23 microg/l) while saliva ghrelin levels (188.5+/-84.7 pg/ml) were higher than plasma levels (126.4+/-38.5 pg/ml), when male and female subjects were considered together. Saliva leptin levels (5.93+/-1.94 microg/l) were lower than plasma levels (6.22+/-2.92 pg/ml) while saliva ghrelin levels (190.3+/-80.2 pg/ml) were higher than plasma levels (120.4+/-35.7 pg/ml) in young males. Saliva leptin levels (6.47+/-2.29 microg/l) were lower than plasma levels (8.73+/-3.14 microg/l) while saliva ghrelin levels (183.2+/-90.2 pg/ml) were higher than plasma levels (129.3+/-42.8 pg/ml) in young females, and both saliva and plasma leptin levels were slightly lower in male subjects in comparison with female subjects. Also, Immunohistochemistry study indicated that ghrelin positivity was found in ductus epithelium of salivary gland. We have demonstrated for the first time that saliva ghrelin levels were higher than in plasma while saliva leptin levels were almost the same as in plasma. Measurements of ghrelin and leptin in saliva is non-invasive, simple, and generally much preferred by patients and thus may be an acceptable alternative to plasma sampling.

Object.This is an investigation into the effects of two barrier membranes in the prevention of peridural fibrosis in an animal model.Methods.Seprafilm or Gore-Tex was applied to a laminectomy defect overlying the dura mater in rats separated into treatment groups. A third group of rats underwent laminectomy only and served as controls. Two months postoperatively a histological study was performed to compare the amount of scar tissue in each group.The gross dissection demonstrated that both membranes created a controlled dissection plane, facilitated access to the epidural space, and provided a reduction in the amount of tissue adhering to the dura mater. Statistically, Seprafilm was superior to Gore-Tex in preventing peridural fibrosis (p < 0.05).Conclusions.Seprafilm can prevent peridural fibrosis better than Gore-Tex and can be used in humans in spinal surgery.

Background: Chronic exposure to cement dust has been reported to lead to several health problems. This study was designed to investigate the plasma oxidant and antioxidant status in cement plant workers and control subjects. Methods: Twenty-eight volunteer male cement plant workers and 30 volunteer office male workers (control) aged 29–54 years participated. The concentration of plasma vitamin C (P-VC), plasma vitamin E (P-VE), plasma malondialdehyde (P-MDA), and the activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (E-SOD), plasma glutathione peroxidase (P-GSH-Px), and some serum biochemical parameters were measured in both groups. Results: The levels of MDA (175%), ALT (61%), and AST (39%) were significantly increased, while total RBC count (12%), Hb (11%) vitamin E (51%), C (35%), SOD (44%), and GSH-Px (51%) activities were markedly decreased, and the levels of urea, protein, and albumin triglyceride and cholesterol were almost the same in cement plant workers versus the control subjects. Conclusion: Cement workers are exposed to more oxidative stress compared to control subjects. To overcome these oxidative stresses, supplementation of antioxidant vitamins, such as α-tocopherol and ascorbic acid, may be beneficial. In addition, proper precaution to protect workers could prevent serious health problems.

STUDY DESIGN Investigation of the effects of prostaglandin E1, melatonin, and oxytetracycline on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant and paraoxonase activities, and homocysteine levels in an experimental model of spinal cord injury. OBJECTIVES To determine the antioxidant efficacy of prostaglandin E1, melatonin, and oxytetracycline and whether paraoxonase and homocysteine can be used as monitoring parameters in the acute oxidative stress of spinal cord injury. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Melatonin has been found useful in spinal cord injury in previous studies. No study exists investigating the effects of melatonin, prostaglandin E1, and oxytetracycline as well as the response type of paraoxonase enzyme and homocysteine levels in the acute oxidative stress of spinal cord injury. METHODS Sixty-three male albino Wistar rats were anesthetized with 400 mg/kg chloral hydrate and divided into 5 groups. The G1 (n = 7) control group provided the baseline levels. G2-G5 underwent T3-T6 total laminectomies and spinal cord injuries by clip compression at the T4-T5 levels. Medications were applied to G3-G5 right after clip compression. Hence, G2 constituted laminectomy + injury, G3 laminectomy + injury + prostaglandin E1; G4 laminectomy + injury + melatonin, and G5 laminectomy + injury + oxytetracycline groups. Animals were decapitated either the first or fourth hour after injury. Spinal cord tissue and blood malonyldialdehyde and plasma homocysteine levels, plasma glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, paraoxonase activities were assayed. The SPSS 9.0 program was used for statistical analysis and graphics. Intergroup comparisons were made by Bonferroni corrected Mann Whitney U test (P < 0.025) and intragroups comparisons by Wilcoxon Rank test (P < 0.03). RESULTS In injury groups, plasma homocysteine levels decreased and paraoxonase activities increased as erythrocyte superoxide dismutase levels and plasma glutathione peroxidase activities decreased in parallel to increases of tissue and blood malonyldialdehyde levels. These alterations were relatively suppressed by prostaglandin E1, melatonin, and oxytetracycline administrations in varying degrees. Melatonin was the most powerful agent, particularly at the fourth hour. Oxytetracycline was also effective, both at the first and fourth hour. Prostaglandin E1 was effective in comparison to injury group, but not as much as melatonin and oxytetracycline. CONCLUSIONS Melatonin and oxytetracycline are effective in preventing lipid peroxidation in spinal cord injury. Paraoxonase and homocysteine can be used in monitoring the antioxidant defense system as well as superoxide dismutase and plasma glutathione peroxidase, both in injury and medicated groups.

The effects of chromium (chromium picolinate, CrPic) and zinc (ZnSO(4)H(2)O) supplementation on serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) (an indicator of lipid peroxidation) and serum status of some antioxidant vitamins and minerals of laying hens (Hy-Line) reared at a low ambient temperature (6.8 degrees C) were evaluated. One hundred twenty laying hens (Hy-Line; 32 wk old) were divided into 4 groups, 30 hens per group. The hens were fed either a basal diet or the basal diet supplemented with either 0.4 mg Cr/kg of diet, 30 mg Zn/kg of diet, or 0.4 mg Cr plus 30 mg Zn/kg of diet. Digestibility of nutrients (dry matter [DM], organic matter [OM], crude protein [CP], and ether extract [EE]) increased by supplementation of chromium and zinc (p0.05). Supplemental chromium and zinc increased serum vitamins C and E but decreased MDA concentrations (p0.05). Additionally, supplemental chromium and zinc caused an increase in the serum concentrations of Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cr (p0.05). The present study showed that low ambient temperature causes detrimental effects on the digestibility of nutrients and antioxidant status and that such detrimental effects caused by low ambient temperature can be alleviated by chromium and zinc supplementation, particularly when Cr and Zn were simultaneously included into the diet. Data obtained in the present study suggest that such supplementation can be considered as a protective management practice in a diet of laying hens for alleviating negative effects of cold stress.

Effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate, enoxaparin and pentoxyfylline on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defence system, paraoxonase activities, and homocysteine levels in an experimental model of spinal cord injury were investigated.Sixty-three male albino Wistar rats were anaesthetized by 400 mg/kg chloral hydrate and divided into 5 groups. G1 (n 7) = control group provided the baseline levels. G2-G5 underwent T3-6 total laminectomies and spinal cord injuries by clip compression at T4-5 levels. Medications were applied to G3-G5 right after the injury. Hence, G2 constituted laminectomy + injury (lam+I); G3 = lam + I + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), G4 = lam + I + enoxaparin (E), and G5 = lam+I+pentoxyfylline (P) groups. Animals were decapitated either at the 1st or 4th hour after injury. Tissue and blood malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and plasma homocysteine and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and plasma paraoxonase (PON1) activities were assayed. SPSS 9.0 program was used for statistical analysis and graphics. Intergroup comparisons were made by Bonferroni corrected Mann Whitney U test ( P0.025), and intragroups comparisons by Wilcoxon Rank test ( P0.03).In intergroup comparison, G1-G2, G1-G3, G1-G5, G2-G3, G2-G4, and G4-5 groups differed from each other for all parameters ( P0.025, MWU) except for G4-G5 4th hour MDA levels. G1-G4 was similar for all 1st hour parameters ( P0.025, MWU), but different for 4th hour ( P0.025, MWU) except for GSH-Px and SOD levels. For G2-G5, all parameters for 1st and 4th hour were similar except for 4th PON1, Hcy and SOD levels. For G3-G4, all 1st hour parameters were different from each other ( P0.025, MWU); whereas all 4th hour parameters were similar except for SOD level. For G3-G5, all parameters at 1st and 4th hour were similar except for 4th hour GSH-Px, PON1, and Hcy. In intragroup comparison, all parameters differed from each other at all times (P0.03, WRT) except for 1st hour G4 MDA, Hcy and SOD levels compared to basal levels.In injury groups, plasma Hcy levels decreased and PON1 activities increased as erythrocyte SOD level and GSH-Px activities decreased in parallel to increases of tissue and blood MDA levels. These changes were relatively suppressed by MPA, enoxaparin and pentoxyfylline administrations at varying degrees. Enoxaparin was the most powerful agent, particularly at 1st hour. MPA was also effective, particularly at 4th hour. Pentoxyfylline despite having slight effect at 4th hour, was not effective according to both control and injury groups. Enoxaparin and MPA can be used in the treatment of spinal cord injuries. PON1 and Hcy are helpful in monitoring the antioxidant defence system as well as SOD and GSH-Px, both in injury and medically treated groups.

Malnutrition is fairly common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, persistent lack of appetite being a major symptom. Ghrelin and obestatin are two hormones that are involved in appetite and energy homeostasis. The present study examined ghrelin and obestatin levels in 24 ESRD patients undergoing haemodialysis and 24 age-matched healthy controls. Serum and saliva ghrelin and obestatin levels in the ESRD patients were significantly higher compared with controls, while saliva ghrelin and obestatin levels in all study participants were significantly higher than serum levels. Saliva ghrelin correlated with serum ghrelin and saliva obestatin correlated with serum obestatin in all study participants, although there was no correlation between ghrelin and obestatin levels. In conclusion, the results suggest that the kidneys may have a role in the metabolism and/or clearance of obestatin, as they do for ghrelin. Further studies are needed to determine if elevated levels of these hormones in ESRD patients contribute to the malnutrition that is common in these patients.

Ghrelin and obestatin are a single gene products and are a multiple functional peptides that regulates energy homeostasis, and food intake. In the present work, we studied the secretion of ghrelin and its co-secreted peptide obestatin in 44 patients with ischemic heart disease with that of 27 healthy matched controls. Here we first conducted using an immunohistochemistry assay to screen whether human salivary glands have any obestatin immunoreactivity. Then, serum and saliva obestatin and acylated ghrelin levels were determined by using Radioimmunoassay. Our immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that obestatin was localized in the striated and excretory duct of human salivary gland. We also report for the first time that obestatin, like ghrelin, is present in human salivary gland and saliva. No evidence of the role of obestatin or ghrelin saliva levels in the context of ischemic heart disease was found. Salivary ghrelin and obestatin levels are correlated in controls with the blood levels. Determination of salivary values could represent a non-invasive alternative to serum ones that can be useful in clinical practice.

Objective The peptide hormones ghrelin and leptin have been found in blood and breast milk. This study was undertaken to investigate whether breast milk also contains obestatin, which is derived from the same gene as ghrelin but has opposite actions, and to characterize the relations among serum and milk ghrelin, obestatin, and leptin levels in lactating mothers. Methods Venous blood, colostrum, and mature milk were obtained from healthy lactating women ( n = 31) just before suckling. The ghrelin and obestatin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Leptin levels were measured by enzyme-amplified sensitivity immunoassay. Results Obestatin levels in colostrum (538.9 pg/mL) and mature milk (528.5 pg/mL) were more than twice the corresponding blood levels (270.3 and 289.4 pg/mL, respectively). In contrast, leptin levels in colostrum (2.01 ng/mL) and mature milk (2.04 ng/mL) were more than five-fold lower than the corresponding blood levels (11.54 ng/mL). There was no correlation between breast milk ghrelin levels and leptin ( r = −0.18, P > 0.05). However, there was a positive correlation between leptin levels in breast milk and blood ( r = 0.369, P Conclusion The origin of milk obestatin is not currently known, but it comes from the blood or breast and may drain through the mammary glands into the milk. Ghrelin, obestatin, and leptin in the milk may directly affect appetite and their levels may be related to the regulation of energy balance and the pathogenesis of obesity.

Ghrelin belongs to the family of a gut-brain hormone that promotes food intake and controls energy balance. Recently, it has also been shown to regulate bone formation directly. Dental tissue shares several functional, developmental and anatomical similarities with bone, and in the present study we have investigated the presence of ghrelin in 44 human teeth using immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay. Both methods showed that the hormone is present in canines and molars, mainly in the odontoblasts but also in the pulp. Ghrelin could potentially play interesting physiological roles in teeth.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants. Aroclor 1221 (A1221) and Aroclor 1254 (A1254) are commercial PCB mixtures with low and high number of chlorination, respectively. We have comparatively investigated effects of A1221 and A1254 on serum levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid gland histology in adult female Wistar rats. Animals were subcutaneously injected with A1221 (10 mg/kg) or A1254 (10 mg/kg) for six weeks. One group of animals served as control. At the end, all animals were decapitated and trunk blood collected. Serum levels of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were measured by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method. Thyroid glands were removed for histopathological examination under light microscopy. Serum total T4 levels were significantly increased in A1221- and A1254-treated rats (p < 0.05). Serum free T4 levels were significantly increased in the A1254-treated rats (p < 0.01), but not in the A1221-treated rats. In contrast, the treatment with A1221 caused a significant increase in serum free T3 concentrations (p < 0.05) but not with A1254. Notably, either A1221 or A1254 caused distinct histopathological changes, such as formation of many microfollicles in the thyroid gland, which mimic the changes seen in thyrotoxicosis. In conclusion, both PCB mixtures induce toxic effects in the thyroid gland regardless of their degree of chlorination. We suggest that these environmental contaminants may disrupt thyroid hormone homeostasis in exposed individuals and thus pose a threat to human health.

Obesity is among the main contributing factors in the etiology of essential hypertension (EHT). Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is expressed mainly in adipose tissue. We examined the relationship between two trace elements, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), and leptin in patients with EHT (n=35) and normotensive (NT) controls (n=50) because leptin as well as Zn and Cu were reported to be associated with the pathophysiology of EHT. Plasma leptin levels were determined with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was utilized to determine plasma Zn and Cu levels. There was a negative correlation between leptin and Zn, and the Zn/Cu ratio (r= -0.359, p

To comparatively investigate the effects melatonin and oxytetracycline as antioxidants on autologous intraperitoneal ovary transplantation in rats.28 adult female Wistar rats with regular estrous cycles were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (n=7) was the control group; Group 2 (n=7) bilateral oophorectomy and intraperitoneal transplantation group; and Groups 3 (n=7) and 4 (n=7) firstly received 20 mg/kg/IP melatonin and 10 mg/kg/IP oxytetracycline., respectively and fifteen minutes after that, they had bilateral oophorectomy and intraperitoneal transplantation. Ovarian tissue and blood malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) levels were determined. Vaginal cytology and ovarian necrosis were histopathologically investigated. Kruskall Wallis analysis of variance was used in the statistical analysis of data.Ovarian necrosis, tissue MDA and plasma MDA levels were significantly higher in Group 2 compared to the Groups 1, 3 and 4 (p0.03). SOD and GSHPx levels were significantly lower in group 2 compared to the groups 1, 3 and 4 (p0.03). Melatonin was found to be more effective on ovarian necrosis and tissue MDA level than the use of oxytetracycline following autologous intraperitoneal ovary transplantation (p0.03). There was a significant positive correlation between tissue MDA level and ovarian necrosis and a very strong negative correlation between tissue MDA and SOD level (rs = +/-0.9, n=28, p=0.000).Although both melatonin and oxytetracycline were found to be effective in autologous intraperitoneal pelvic ovary transplantation, melatonin is more effective against both the ovarian necrosis and tissue MDA level in rats.

The effects of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) on nerve conduction and efficiency of iron therapy were investigated by peripheral nerve-electrophysiological measurements. Eighteen children (10 boys, eight girls; mean age 31 +/- 1.3 months) with IDA and 12 healthy children (six boys, six girls; mean age 29 +/- 1.3 months) were enrolled into the study. Nerve conduction velocity was measured in the median and posterior tibial nerve. After nerve conduction values were determined in the patients and controls, 6 mg/kg/24 h ferrous sulphate was given orally to the patients for 3 months and nerve conduction velocity tests were performed again. Median/motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity and tibial/motor nerve distal-amplitute values of children with IDA were lower than for the control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively). With iron supplementation these values increased to the normal levels and even higher than control levels for some parameters. In correlation studies between whole blood parameters and nerve conduction velocity results, there was a correlation between median/sensory nerve conduction velocity values and serum iron levels. Additionally there was a correlation between some nerve conduction velocity values and age. In conclusion, the evidence from this preliminary study suggests that peripheral neuropathy may develop in children with IDA. Peripheral neuropathy symptoms in these patients may be improved by iron therapy.

Objective: To investigate the effects of tibolone on levels of plasma homocysteine, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, in postmenopausal women. Design: Prospective, randomized clinical study. Setting: University hospital. Patient(s): Postmenopausal healthy women. Intervention(s): Tibolone (2.5 mg/d) or calcium (1250 mg/d) and conjugated equine estrogens (0.625 mg/d) plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (5 mg/d) were administered orally for 6 months. Blood samples were collected at the start and the end of therapy. Main Outcome Measure(s): Plasma homocysteine levels. Result(s): Administration of tibolone and calcium caused only a 4% decrease in plasma homocysteine levels compared with initial levels. In contrast, conjugated equine estrogens plus medroxyprogesterone acetate caused a 29% decrease in plasma homocysteine levels. Conclusion(s): Despite the reported beneficial effect of tibolone on the serum lipid profile, tibolone had no statistically significant effect on serum homocysteine levels in postmenopausal women. The possible cardiovascular protective role of tibolone might be unrelated to its effects on homocysteine levels.

Aim To investigate the relationship between serum paraoxonase (PON1), AST, ALT, GGT, and arylesterase (AE) activity alterations and the degree of liver damage in patients with chronic hepatitis. Methods We studied 34 chronic hepatitis patients and 32 control subjects, aged between 35 and 65 years, in the Department of Infection and Clinical Microbiology at the Firat University School of Medicine. Blood samples were collected from subjects between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. following a 12-h fast. Baseline and salt-stimulated PON1 activities were measured by the hydrolysis of paraoxon. Phenyl acetate was used as the substrate and formed phenol was measured spectrophotometrically at 270 nm after the addition of a 10-fold diluted serum sample in AE activity measurements. Results The results of this investigation revealed that the levels of AE activity decreased from 132+/-52 to 94+/-36 (29%), baseline PON1 activity from 452+/-112 to 164+/-67 (64%), salt-stimulated PON1 activity from 746+/-394 to 294+/-220 (61%), HDL from 58.4+/-5.1 to 47.2+/-5.6 (20%), triglyceride from 133+/-51.2 to 86+/-34.0 (35%), while a slight increase in the level of LDL (from 163+/-54.1 to 177.3+/-56.0; 9%) and significant increases in the levels of AST (from 29+/-9.3 to 98+/-44), ALP (from 57.2+/-13.1 to 91+/-38.1), ALT (from 27.9+/-3.32 to 89+/-19.1), GGT (from 24.3+/-2.10 to 94+/-48.2), total bilirubin (from 0.74+/-0.02 to 1.36+/-0.06; 84%) and direct bilirubin (from 0.18+/-0.01 to 0.42+/-0.04; 133%) were detected. However, the levels of albumin, total protein, cholesterol, and uric acid were almost the same in chronic hepatitis and the control subjects. Conclusion Low PON1 and AE activity may contribute to the increased liver dysfunction in chronic hepatitis patients by reducing the ability of HDL to retard LDL oxidation and might be clinically useful for monitoring the disease of chronic hepatitis.