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Psoriasis patients are determined to have a high ratio of coronary artery calcification. Fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin are systemic calcification inhibitors and related to vascular calcification and cardiovascular mortality. In this study we investigated the relationship between fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin levels in psoriasis patients. The study included 40 healthy volunteers and 40 psoriasis patients. Venous blood were collected from healthy volunteers and psoriasis patients in order to search the fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin levels. Disease severity were grouped as mild, moderate and severe according to psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). The relationship between fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin levels and clinical features as sex, PASI and presence of psoriatic arthritis were analyzed. Fetuin-A levels in psoriasis patients were statistically lower than the control group (p 0.05). Serum fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin level differences were not statistically significant between patients with psoriatic arthritis history and those without. When we grouped patients in respect of their sexes fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin levels of males and females were not significantly different (p > 0.05). No correlation was detected between the ages and PASI scores and the fetuin-A and osteoprotegerin levels of patients. As a result fetuin-A levels in psoriasis patients are found to be low but not related to disease severity. In the light of our results we concluded that fetuin-A may have a role in psoriasis pathogenesis and may contribute to the calcification process developed in psoriasis. © 2016, Association of Clinical Biochemists of India.

Sclerostin, which is a glycoprotein produced by osteocytes, reduces the formation of bones by inhibiting the Wnt signal pathway. Thyroid hormones are related with Wnt signal pathway and it has been reported that increased thyroid hormones in hyperthyroidism fasten epiphysis maturation in childhood, and increase the risk of bone fractures by stimulating the bone loss in adults. The aim of this study was to examine the sclerostin serum levels, the relation between sclerostin and thyroid hormones as well as the biochemical markers of the bone metabolism in patients with hyperthyroidism (including multinodular goiter and Graves' disease), whose treatments have not started yet. No difference was found in the serum sclerostin levels between the hyperthyroidism group (n = 24) and the control group (n = 24) (p = 0.452). The serum osteocalcin levels and 24- hour urinary phosphorus excretion were found to be higher in the hyperthyroid group than in the control group (p < 0.001, p = 0.009). A positive correlation was determined between the sclerostin and bone alkaline phosphatase levels (p < 0.001); a negative correlation between the osteocalcin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (p < 0.05); a positive correlation between the osteocalcin and thyroid hormones (FT3,FT4) (p < 0.001); and a positive correlation between the deoxypyridinoline and hydroxyproline (p < 0.001). No correlation was determined between sclerostin and TSH,FT3,FT4 (p > 0.05). Therefore, we consider that a long-term study that covers the pre-post treatment stages of hyperthyroidism, including both the destruction and construction of the skeleton would be more enlightening. Moreover, the assessment of the synthesis of sclerostin in the bone tissue and in the serum level might show differences.

Objectives: The circumventricular organs (CVOs) are essential for most autonomic and endocrine functions. Trauma and bleeding can affect their function. The aim of this study was to investigate apoptosis and necrosis in CVOs in the early period after experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats, using annexin V affinity and caspase 3 immunostaining.Methods: Three experimental groups were used: Days 1 and 2 after SAH, and a control group, seven Wistar albino rats each. Subarachnoid hemorrhage was accomplished by transclival basilar artery puncture. Rats were perfused with 0.9%NaCl and 0.1M phosphate buffer pH 7.4 until heart stoppage. Apoptosis and necrosis in CVOs were measured by flow cytometry with annexin V staining, and by caspase 3 immunostaining.Results: Apoptosis in the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT), median eminence (ME), and area postrema (AP) was significantly higher in the Day 1 group than in the control group. Apoptosis in the subfornicial organ (SFO), OVLT, ME, and AP was significantly higher in the Day 2 group than in the control group. There were significant differences between the Day 1 and Day 2 groups, except for AP. Necrosis in SFO and OVLT was significantly higher in the Day 2 group than in the Day 1 or control groups, whereas necrosis in the ME and AP did not differ between the three groups. Caspase 3-positive cell density was more intense in the Day 2 group than in the Day 1 and control groups.Discussion: Prevention of apoptosis may potentially improve impaired functions of CVOs after SAH. © W. S. Maney & Son Ltd 2014.

The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective efficacy of dexmedetomidine in a rat experimental spinal cord injury model. The rats (n = 40) were equally divided into four groups: G1, G2, G3, and G4. Rats in the Cl group underwent a laminectomy only. For the rats in the G2, G3, and G4 groups, spinal cord injury was induced by placing an aneurysm clip extradurally for 60 Sat T10. The rats in G2 did not receive any post-injury treatment. Immediately after trauma was induced, rats in G3 were given methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) and in G4, dexmedetomidine (10 mu g/kg), both intraperitoneally. The rats were sacrificed under anesthesia 24 hours later and 1.5 cm lengths of injured spinal cord were obtained. Malonyldialdehyde values were significantly increased in G2 compared to G1, G3 and G4 (p < 0.05). The neuronal cell count in G1 was significantly higher than in G2 and G3 (p = 0.0001; p = 0.007). G4 had higher cell counts compared to G2 and G3 (p = 0.0001; p = 0.05). These findings indicated that dexmedetomidine might have neuroprotective effects in spinal cord injury. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background: Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a complex phenomenon causing destruction of both local and remote tissues, as well as multiple-organ failure. We investigated the role of lipid peroxidation in damage to intestinal, liver, and lung tissues in this pathology. Materials and Methods: The superior mesenteric artery was blocked for 30 min followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Tissues were removed and the presence of oxidized LDL, the activities of the superoxide dismutase enzyme, malondialdehyde levels, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression were each evaluated in the intestinal, liver, and lung tissues. Results: While there was no staining in the control group tissues, ischemia/reperfusion resulted in positive oxidized LDL staining in all of the I/R test group tissue samples. Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was significantly increased in the ischemia/reperfusion group tissues. Compared with those of the control group rats, the ischemia/reperfusion group tissues showed significantly higher malondialdehyde levels and lower superoxide dismutase activities. Conclusions: This study demonstrated for the first time that oxidized LDL accumulated in the terminal ileum, liver, and lung tissues after intestinal ischemia/reperfusion. This occurrence (or the presence of oxidized LDL) may be an indicator of ongoing oxidative stress and enhanced lipid peroxidation. Augmentation of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression may play a role in progression of inflammation and LDL oxidation. These data support the hypothesis that cellular oxidative stress is a critical step in reperfusion-mediated injury in both the intestine and end organs, and that antioxidant strategies may provide organ protection in patients with reperfusion injury, at least through affecting interaction with free radicals, nitric oxide, and oxidized LDL. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the anti-inflammatory response of methylprednisolone and the ?2-agonist dexmedetomidine in spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods: Twenty-four male adult Wistar albino rats, weight 200-250 g, were included in the study. The rats were divided into four groups as follows: the control group (n: 6) received only laminectomy; the SCI group (n: 6) with trauma alone; the SCI+methylprednisolone group (n: 6) with trauma and 30 mg/kg methylprednisolone, followed by a maintenance dose of 5.4 mg/kg/h; and the SCI+dexmedetomidine group (n: 6) with trauma and 10 µg/kg dexmedetomidine treatment intraperitoneally. Twenty-four hours after the trauma, spinal cord samples were taken for histopathological examination and serum samples were collected for interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? measurement. Results: TNF-? (P=0.009) and IL-6 (P=0.009) levels were significantly increased in the SCI group. TNF-? and IL-6 levels were significantly decreased with methylprednisolone (P=0.002, 0.002) and dexmedetomidine (P=0.002, 0.009) treatment, respectively. Methylprednisolone and dexmedetomidine treatment reduced neutrophils' infiltration in SCI. Conclusions: The current study does not clarify the definitive mechanism by which dexmedetomidine decreases inflammatory cytokines but it is the first study to report the anti-inflammatory effect of dexmedetomidine in SCI. Further studies are required to elucidate the effects of dexmedetomidine on the inflammatory response. © 2009 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.

Background/purpose: Despite decades of research and clinical trials, a specific therapeutic treatment for acute pancreatitis (AP) has yet to be developed. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of erythropoietin on the severity of taurocolic acid-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Methods: Forty-seven male Wistar albino rats were randomized into seven experimental groups. In group I, animals were sham-operated (n = 5). In groups II, III, IV, IIepo, IIIepo, and IVepo, AP was induced by sodium taurodeoxycholate treatment (n = 7). In groups II, III, and IV, 1 ml normal saline and in groups IIepo, IIIepo, and IVepo, 1000 U/kg body weight erythropoietin (EPO) was administered intramuscularly immediately after the induction of AP. Animals were killed at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively. Histopathological and biochemical evaluations were performed. Results: The serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tissuelevels of malondialdehyde were found to be significantly lower in EPO-administered groups when compared with the levels in groups without EPO treatment. The severity of pancreatic edema, acinar necrosis, inflammation, and perivascular infiltrate were reduced in all the EPO groups compared with the no-treatment groups. Conclusions: Our findings may reflect the possible cytoprotective effect of EPO in acute necrotizing pancreatitis. © Springer 2009.

WOS: 000271092000006, PubMed: 19842890, Introduction: Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural polyphenolic compound found in grape skins and the red wine which improves histological reorganization of the regenerating tissue in dermal wound healing. Since anastomotic healing possesses paramount importance to prevent complications in colorectal surgery, the present study is aimed to evaluate the effect of RSV on the healing of experimental left colonic anastomoses. Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were randomized into two groups and subjected to colonic anastomosis. The study group was treated with RSV and the control group received tap water instead. The rats were sacrificed 3 and 7 days postoperatively. Wound complications, intra-abdominal abscesses, and anastomotic leaks and stenosis were recorded. Four types of assessment were performed: bursting pressure, hydroxyproline (OHP) content, histopathology, and biochemical analysis. Results: Compared to the control group, the RSV-treated rats displayed a higher bursting pressure (p < .001) and anastomotic OHP content (p < .05)]. RSV treatment leads to significant increase in PON activity at both time points and decrease in malondialdehyde levels on postoperative day 3 (p < .001). Histopathological analysis revealed that RSV administration leads to a better anastomotic healing in terms of mucosal ischemia, neovascularization, reepithelialization, fibroblast, and lymphocyte infiltration. Conclusion: The study results suggest that exogenous RSV administration exerts a positive effect on experimental colonic wound healing in the rat. Although the precise cellular mechanisms by which RSV enhances anastomotic wound healing is not clear, stimulation of neovascularization, generation of collagen synthesis, inhibition of overinflammation, and restriction of oxidative injury seems to be of paramount importance.

Mounting evidence suggests that impaired wound healing is a well-defined consequence in obstructive jaundice and, as redox-regulated processes are relevant to wound healing, it is not unreasonable to suppose that oxidative stress associated with lipid peroxidation in cholestasis might be a systemic phenomenon probably comprising all tissues and organs, including wounds. The aim of the present investigation was to analyse the lipid peroxidation status of surgical wounds, in terms of oxidized low-density-lipoprotein (oxLDL) accumulation in experimental obstructive jaundice.Sixteen Wistar-Albino rats weighing 200-230 gr were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (n = 8) was designed as the prolonged obstructive jaundice group and was subjected to bile duct ligation. Group II (Sham-control, n = 8) rats underwent laparotomy alone and bile duct was just dissected from the surrounding tissue. Histopathological evaluation, immunohistochemical screening and immunoflourescent staining of the surgical wound was conducted to the bile-duct ligated rats and control group on the 21st postoperative day.Wound healing was found to be impaired in jaundiced rats histopathologically. When compared with the control group, significant positive oxLDL staining and intracellular accumulation of TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IL-6 was detected in the wound sections of the prolonged obstructive jaundice group.Our present data is the first in the literature, indicating significant oxLDL accumulation in surgical wounds of cholestatic rats, which might be one of the results of systemic oxidative stress leading to deficient healing capacity as a consequence of persistent inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias associated with not only increased morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting but also increased healthcare costs. Many factors are associated with atrial fibrillation onset after coronary artery bypass grafting. We prospectively examined which factors could predict atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive patients (37 men, mean age=60.2±12 years) with sinus rhythm before coronary artery bypass grafting are included the study. Clinical, demographic, laboratory and echocardiographic characteristics are all evaluated prospectively. The maximum and minimum P-wave duration (Pmax and Pmin) were measured from the 12-lead surface electrocardiogram. The difference between the Pmax and the Pmin was calculated and defined as P-wave dispersion. Preoperative venous blood samples were taken for N-terminal proBrain natriuretic peptide level analysis. RESULTS: Ten (17%) patients had postoperative atrial fibrillation. Patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation were older (69.4±6 versus 58.2±12 years, P=0.01), had lower ejection fraction (44.1±8.9% versus 54.3±9; P=0.002), higher proBrain natriuretic peptide levels (538±136 pg/ml versus 293±359 pg/ml; P=0.03), longer Pmax (142.2±13.7 ms versus 120.8±21.2 ms; P=0.006) and longer P-wave dispersion (55.0±8.2 ms versus 41.3±14.3 ms; P=0.008) compared with the patients without atrial fibrillation. Univariate analysis showed that increased age (P=0.01), lower ejection fraction (P=0.02), enlargement of left atrium (P=0.02), increased Pmax (P=0.006) and increased P-wave dispersion (P=0.008) and increased level of preoperative proBrain natriuretic peptide (P=0.03) were associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation. Positive correlation was seen between the age and level of proBrain natriuretic peptide (r=0.322 and P=0.015). In multivariate analysis, age (P=0.05), lower ejection fraction (P=0.03), left atrial enlargement (P=0.05), longer Pmax (P=0.01) and P-wave dispersion (P=0.01) were found to be independent predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION: Age, poor left ventricular functions, Pmax and P-wave dispersion are found to be independent predictors of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting. © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.

Synthesis of Poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA- multigraft copolymers derived from linseed oil, soybean oil, and linoleic acid PMMA-g-polymeric oil/oily acid-g-poly(3- hydroxy alkanoate) (PHA), and their protein adsorption and bacterial adherence have been described. Polymeric oil/oily acid peroxides (polymeric soybean oil peroxide (PSB), poly- meric linseed oil peroxide (PLO), and polymeric linoleic acid peroxide (PLina)) initiated the copolymerization of MMA and unsaturated PHA-soya to yield PMMA-PLO-PHA, PMMA- PSB-PHA, and PMMA-PLina-PHA multigraft copolymers. PMMA-PLina-PHA multigraft copolymers were completely soluble while PMMA-PSB-PHA and PMMA-PLO-PHA multigraft copolymers were partially crosslinked. Crosslinked parts of the PLO- and PSB-multigraft copolymers were iso- lated by the sol gel analysis and characterized by swelling measurements in CHCl3. Soluble part of the PLO- and PSB- multigraft copolymers and completely soluble PLina-multi- graft copolymers were obtained and characterized by spectro- scopic, thermal, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. In the me- chanical properties of the PHA-PLina-PMMA, the elonga- tion at break is reduced up to � 9%, more or less preserv- ing the high stress values at its break point (48%) when compared to PLina-g-PMMA. The solvent casting film sur- faces were studied by means of adsorption of blood pro- teins and bacterial adhesion. Insertion of the PHA into the multigraft copolymers caused the dramatic increase in bacterial adhesion on the polymer surfaces. PHA insertion into the graft copolymers also increased the protein ad- sorption. � 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 105: 3448-3457, 2007

To diversify edible-oil polymer composite, polymeric linoleic acid (PLina) peroxide was obtained by the auto-oxidation of linoleic acid in a simple way for use as a macroinitiator in free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers. Peroxidation, epoxidation, and/or perepoxidation reactions of linoleic acid under air at room temperature resulted in PLina, having soluble fraction more than 91 weight percent (wt%), with molecular weight ranging from 1,644 to 2,763 Da, and containing up to 1.0 wt% of peroxide. PLina initiated the free radical polymerization of ether styrene (S), methyl methacrylate (MMA), or n-butyl methacrylate (nBMA) to give PLina-g-polystyrene (PS), PLina-g-poly-MMA (PMMA), and PLina-g-poly- nBMA (PnBMA) graft copolymers. The polymers obtained were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) techniques. Microstructure of the graft copolymers was observed by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Graft copolymers obtained contained polymeric linoleic acid in a range between 8.5 and 19.3 mol percent (mol%). PLina-g-PS, PLina-g-PMMA and PLina-g-PnBMA graft copolymer samples were also used in cell culture studies. Fibroblast and macrophage cells were strongly adhered and spread on the copolymer film surfaces. These newly synthesized copolymers were tested for their effects on human blood protein adsorption compared with PMMA graft copolymers containing polymeric soybean oil and polymeric linseed oil; interestingly we observed a dramatic decrease in the protein adsorption on the linoleic acid graft copolymer, which is important in tissue engineering. © AOCS 2007., 104M128, Acknowledgment This work was financially supported by Zonguldak Karaelmas University Research Fund and partially supported by TÜBİTAK research project (Grant no. 104M128).

Liver biochemical test (LBT) changes can be commonly observed in hyperthyroid patients. Those kinds of changes could also be observed because of propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy. We prospectively evaluated LBT changes because of PTU use for 1 year in patients who had been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism first. We studied 64 patients who had been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. These patients took at least 1-year PTU treatment. We analysed LBT at diagnosis and after 2 and 12 months of treatment with PTU. Prior to PTU treatment, 30 (46.8%) of the 64 patients had at least one LBT abnormality. We observed at least one LBT abnormality in 11 (32%) patients after 2 months and nine (26%) patients after 12 months of treatment with PTU in 34 patients whose CBT were normal before treatment. We did not observe any deterioration in clinical picture and bilirubin levels. Elevated serum LBT during the pretreatment and PTU treatment period is common and usually transient and asymptomatic. PTU could be used for long times by lowering the dose and close follow-up in patients who have elevated LBT during the pretreatment and after PTU treatment period.

Pepsinogen, the precursors of pepsin, is classified into two subtypes: pepsinogen I (PG I) and pepsinogen II (PG II). Patients with impaired renal function are associated with elevated concentrations of serum pepsinogen. Contradictory results have been reported about the effect of dialysis on the serum pepsinogen levels, as the previous studies were conducted only in a particular period of dialysis. We therefore investigated the effect of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or hemodialysis on serum pepsinogen levels in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) before and after dialysis treatment. Thirty-four patients with CRF were enrolled in this study and were treated by CAPD (n = 22) or hemodialysis (n = 12). As a control group, subjects with normal renal function were included (n = 20). Serum PG I and PG II levels were measured in control subjects and CRF patients before dialysis treatment and after three-month dialysis treatment. Before dialysis treatment, serum PG I levels were significantly higher in CRF patients than control subjects. In patients treated by CAPD, the serum PG I levels were significantly decreased but its levels were still higher than the values of the control subjects, whereas PG I levels remained unchanged in patients treated by hemodialysis. There were no differences in serum PG II levels between control subjects and CRF patients before or after dialysis treatment. Thus, CAPD is more effective than hemodialysis in the clearance of PG I. © 2005 Tohoku University Medical Press.

Not all clinical laboratories have an osmometer, and calculations for osmolality are a frequently used method for determining osmolality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of four formulas for the estimation of osmolality, with cryoscopic measurement as the reference standard in intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and head injury (HI) patients who were not treated with mannitol. Forty HI and 31 ICH patients treated in the Neurosurgery Department were included in the study. Every 6 h over a period of 24 h, serum samples were collected from patients and osmolality was measured. In conclusion, our study shows that only formulas F1 [Osmolality = 1.86(Na) + 1.86(K) + Glucose + Urea] and F4 [Osmolality = 1.86(Na) + Glucose + Urea + Ethanol + 9] can be used to evaluate osmolality in ICH patients who were not treated with mannitol. In HI patients, none of the formulas should be used to calculate osmolality. © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Aim: Several studies suggest that coal miners are under risk of severe health problems such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, renal, hematological and musculoskeletal disorders. However, there are limited data on biochemical changes in underground workers. In our study we aimed to evaluate the association between serum homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12, cystatin C and folate levels in the blood of underground coal miners. Materials and Methods: Eighty one coal miners who work as underground or surface workers were recruited into our study. The study population was divided into two groups: the surface worker group (control group, n=33) and the underground worker group (n=48). The folate, vitamin B12, Hcy, cystatin C levels and body mass indexes (BMI) of both groups were measured and compared. Serum folate, Hcy and vitamin B12 levels were measured with a competitive chemiluminescence immunassay. Serum levels of cystatin C were determined by the latex particle-enhanced turbidimetric method using a cystatin C kit. Urea values were measured with a kinetic method on an automated analyzer. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the underground workers and surface workers in the urea, cystatin C and vitamin B12 levels. High serum Hcy levels and low folate levels were found in underground workers compared with those in surface workers. The correlation between Hcy and folate levels was also statistically significant. Similarly, there was also a significant correlation between Hcy and vitamin B12, and between Hcy and cystatin C levels. Conclusions: Elevated Hcy levels may be associated with underground working but further research is necessary to understand the relation between elevated Hcy and increased prevalence of health problems in coal miners.

In vitro literature studies have suggested that atherosclerotic oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) inhibits trophoblast invasion. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of OxLDL and to examine the relationship between antioxidative estradiol, estriol, and prooxidative progestin in normal and preeclamptic placental tissues and measure the serum activity of antioxidative paraoxonase (PON1). The study included 30 preeclamptic and 32 normal pregnant women. OxLDL was determined with ELISA, estradiol, unconjugated estriol, and progesterone that were determined with chemiluminescence method in placental tissues. Serum PON1 activity was determined with spectrophotometric method. Levels of OxLDL (P = 0.027), estriol (P < 0.001), estradiol (P = 0.008), and progesterone (P = 0.00 9) were lower in the placental tissues of preeclamptic group compared to the normal pregnant women. Serum PON1 activity was higher in preeclamptic group (P = 0.040) and preeclamptic group without intrauterine growth restriction (P = 0.008) compared to normal pregnant women. Tissue estriol of preeclamptic group without/with IUGR (P < 0.001, P = 0.002) was lower than the normal group. Results of our study suggest that the events leading to fetoplacental insufficiency lead to a reduction in the levels of estriol limit deposition of OxLDL in placental tissues. The serum PON1 activity is probably important in the inhibition of OxLDL in preeclampsia. © 2013 Şerefden Açikgöz et al.

Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder that can manifest clinically with hypertension and proteinuria. Previous studies reported the presence of placental PSA in normal pregnancy but no study has been done in preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate PSA content in preeclampsia. Preeclampsia was diagnosed according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists criteria. Placentas were obtained from 33 preeclamptic and 34 normotensive women. Placenta samples were homogenized and the supernatants were immediately analyzed. The tissue PSA content was measured by Immulite 2000 PSA assay. The data were analyzed with Student's t-test and Pearson correlation test. There was a significant difference in placental PSA content between preeclamptic and normotensive women. Placental content of PSA was higher in the preeclamptic group with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) than in the preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant without IUGR groups. No significant difference was found in this respect between preeclamptic and normotensive women without IUGR. In conclusion, we found that placental PSA content is elevated in preeclampsia and negatively correlated with infant birth weight. Further studies will be necessary to define the roles of PSA more precisely and to examine its effects on the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

This study aimed to establish reference values for serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in children. The study included samples from 4,102 healthy children (2,003 boys and 2,099 girls) ages 1-18 years. The serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-C were determined using the Advia 2400 autoanalyzer. The LDL-C levels were calculated using the Friedewald equation. The mean, standard deviation, and 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, and 95th percentile values of the biochemical parameters for boys and girls were detected. The total cholesterol and HDL-C levels were higher among the girls than among the boys in 15- to 18-year-old group. No significant difference was found for the other serum lipid levels among any of the age groups. This study provided pediatric reference intervals for the lipid parameters for children. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

WOS: 000309233400004, PubMed: 22878793, An important reason for production of ischemia and reperfusion injury and oxidative stress is the sudden and rapid changes in body temperature during the institution of cardiopulmonary bypass. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of warm priming solution on oxidative stress and atrial fibrillation. This is a preliminary prospective study on a group of 40 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass grafting operation using cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were randomized into two groups, each consisting of 20 patients; one group was primed with a solution at 20 A degrees C and the other at 36 A degrees C initially for cardiopulmonary bypass. Blood samples from both of the groups were drawn preoperatively and at the 15th and 60th min of aortic cross clamping and 24th h following the surgery. Serum malondialdehyde levels, protein carbonyl content and total antioxidant status were detected. Patients were followed for postoperative atrial fibrillation. Malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl content were found to be significantly higher and total antioxidant status was concordantly lower in the cold priming group at the 15th and 60th min, recovering to the normal range postoperatively at the 24th h. Patients in the cold priming group had developed a significantly higher rate of atrial fibrillation when compared with the patients in the warm priming group during the postoperative period. In conclusion, although this study has its limitation about the sample size it may provide an insight about the probable preventive effects of 36 A degrees C warm priming solution in oxidative stress and postoperative atrial fibrillation.

WOS: 000296765600010, Sepsis is the inflammatory response against infection. The existence of DIC during sepsis indicates a poor prognosis and coagulation abnormalities and thrombocytopenia may exist. The aim of this study was to investigate platelet and erythrocyte indices in sepsis patients with DIC and without DIC. In both groups coagulation tests, platelet count and indices, erythrocyte count and indices were retrospectively analysed. In the sepsis plus DIC patients the prothrombin time and D-dimer values were found significantly higher and fibrinogen, platelet and plateletcrit were found significantly lower than in the sepsis without DIC group. The ana lysis of mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, erythrocyte count and indices revealed no significant differences between the two groups. These results showed us that the depression of bone marrow in septic patients with DIC and without DIC did not differ. The activation of the coagulation system might probably be the cause of thrombocyte depletion in DIC.

WOS: 000294217100001, PubMed: 21801363, Background: Head trauma is one of the most important clinical issues that not only can be fatal and disabling, requiring long-term treatment and care, but also can cause heavy financial burden. Formation or distribution of free oxygen radicals should be decreased to enable fixing of poor neurological outcomes and to prevent neuronal damage secondary to ischemia after trauma. Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)), a component of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, is a strong antioxidant that plays a role in membrane stabilization. In this study, the role of CoQ(10) in the treatment of head trauma is researched by analyzing the histopathological and biochemical effects of CoQ(10) administered after experimental traumatic brain injury in rats. A traumatic brain-injury model was created in all rats. Trauma was inflicted on rats by the free fall of an object of 450 g weight from a height of 70 cm on the frontoparietal midline onto a metal disc fixed between the coronal and the lambdoid sutures after a midline incision was carried out. Results: In the biochemical tests, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly higher in the traumatic brain-injury group compared to the sham group (p < 0.05). Administration of CoQ(10) after trauma was shown to be protective because it significantly lowered the increased MDA levels (p < 0.05). Comparing the superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels of the four groups, trauma + CoQ(10) group had SOD levels ranging between those of sham group and traumatic brain-injury group, and no statistically significant increase was detected. Histopathological results showed a statistically significant difference between the CoQ(10) and the other trauma-subjected groups with reference to vascular congestion, neuronal loss, nuclear pyknosis, nuclear hyperchromasia, cytoplasmic eosinophilia, and axonal edema (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Neuronal degenerative findings and the secondary brain damage and ischemia caused by oxidative stress are decreased by CoQ(10) use in rats with traumatic brain injury.

Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a complex phenomenon that causes destruction of both local and remote tissues. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible participation of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in renal tissue damage after intestinal I/R. The superior mesenteric artery was blocked for 30 minutes, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. At the end of the reperfusion period, renal tissues were removed; the presence of oxLDL, superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, malondialdehyde levels, and iNOS expression were evaluated. I/R resulted in positive oxLDL staining in renal tissue. Compared with control rats, tissue from the I/R group showed significantly higher malondialdehyde levels and lower superoxide dismutase enzyme activity. Strong and diffuse iNOS expression was present in the I/R group. Our findings support the hypothesis that I/R of intestinal tissue results in oxidative and nitrosative stress and enhances lipid peroxidation in the end organ. These data show that oxLDL accumulates in rat renal tissue after intestinal I/R. Antioxidant strategies may provide organ protection in patients with reperfusion injury, at least by affecting interactions with free radicals, nitric oxide, and oxLDL. This study demonstrates for the first time that oxLDL may play a role in renal tissue damage after intestinal I/R. Antioxidant strategies may be beneficial for protection from reperfusion injury. © 2011, Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000298781000014, PubMed: 22187678, Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), a member of kallikrein family, is a specific serine protease of prostatic tissue. In some case reports, changes in PSA levels after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been reported. In this study we evaluated variations in PSA levels post-AMI. Twenty-six male patients who had PSA levels within reference limits were included in the study. The diagnosis of AMI was confirmed by clinical findings, ECG (electrocardiogram) and cardiac marker studies. Serum total PSA (tPSA) and free PSA (fPSA) levels were measured at days 0 (day of admission), 1, 2 and 3 after AMI. PSA/albumin ratio was also calculated in order to evaluate the effect of dilution. A statistical analysis of the results of all patients revealed significant decrease in tPSA levels and tPSA/Albumin ratio at day 2 when compared to days 0 and 3, which showed a similar pattern. Changes of fPSA and fPSA/Albumin ratio according to days were not found significant. In only four patients we found increased levels of tPSA and increased fPSA levels in three of them. These patients displayed severe problems such as renal failure, cardiac failure, ventricular aneurysm and cerebral ischemia due to cardiac arrest. The lower tPSA levels on day 2 suggest that tPSA can be eliminated rapidly from the circulation on days 1 and 2, probably through the formation of complexes of tPSA with acute phase proteins.

Background: Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria that begins in the second half of pregnancy. Endothelial dysfunction and trophoblastic hypoperfusion seen in preeclampsia suggested to be part of an increased maternal inflammatory response to pregnancy. In this study, we aimed to evaluate some inflammatory markers in pre-eclamptic and normotensive pregnants. Methods: The study included 36 cases with mild preeclamp-sia, 36 cases with severe preeclampsia and 33 cases of normotensive pregnant. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and serum amyloid A (SAA) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, serum procalcitonin was measured by enzyme-linked fluorescent immunassay. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was used as an indicator of the severity of the disease. Results: In severe preeclampsia group hsCRP, serum amyloid A and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher than mild preeclamptic and normotensive groups. SAA and hsCRP levels were higher in mild preeclamptic group when compared with normotensive pregnant but no significant difference was found in procalcitonin between these groups. There were significant correlations betweeen hsCRP, SAA, procalcitonin and MAP. Conclusions: The results confirm that inflammatory reactions are closely associated with preeclampsia. © 2011 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston.

Macroprolactinemia is often a cause of misdiagnosis, unnecessary expensive investigation, and unsuitable treatment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical findings and the concentrations of macroprolactin in patients with hyperprolactinemia in our region. Eighty-four female hyperprolactinemic patients were screened for macroprolactinemia. Prolactin was measured by chemiluminesans method on an Immulite 2000 analyzer (Siemens Health Diagnostics, Deerfield, IL, USA). Recoveries less than or equal to 40% after polyethylene glycol precipitation were indicative of macroprolactinemia. Clinical features and biochemical values were compared in true hyperprolactinemic and macroprolactinemic patients. Macroprolactinemia was detected in 31 patients (36.9%), with 84 hyperprolactinemic female patients. There was no difference in frequency of galactorrhea and oligomenorrhea/ amenorrhea between the two groups. When we evaluated the clinical features of patients according to prolactin levels, no significant difference was found between the groups. In conclusion, our initial data show that no clinical features could reliably differentiate macroprolactinemic from true hyperprolactinemic patients, but at least one of these symptoms was present in most macroprolactinemic patients. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc.

We investigated the effect of ebselen relative to nimodipine in an animal model of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups: G1, no intervention; G2, sham surgery without subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); G3, SAH only; G4, SAN plus nimodipine treatment; G5, SAN plus ebselen treatment. For G2 animals, physiological saline (0.9% NaCl) was injected into the cisterna magna. For G3, G4 and G5 animals, SAH was induced by injecting autologous non-heparinized blood into the cisterna magna. One hour after injection, G4 animals received nimodipine at 6-hour intervals and G5 animals received ebselen twice a day for 48 hours. After treatment, brain tissue and blood samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological examination. Mean malonyldialdehyde concentration was significantly higher in G3 than in G1 (p < 0.0001), G2 (p = 0.01), G4 (p = 0.002) and G5 (p = 0.014), and significantly higher in G5 than in Cl (p = 0.013). Mean superoxide dismutase activity was significantly lower in G4 than in both Cl (p = 0.025) and G2 (p = 0.02). Mean wall thickness was significantly greater in G3 than in Cl (p < 0.0001), G2 (p = 0.01), G4 (p < 0.0001) and G5 (p < 0.0001). Mean wall thickness was also significantly greater in both Cl and G2 than in G4 (p < 0.0014 and p < 0.0001) and G5 (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001). Mean luminal diameter of the basilar artery was significantly smaller in G3 than in G2 (p = 0.02), G4 (p < 0.018) and G5 (p < 0.001). Our results confirm that ebselen may have neuroprotective effects by acting to prevent vasospasm. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the Friedewald Formula with direct homogeneous low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) assay for the detection of LDL-C levels. Methods: Fasting serum samples were obtained for lipid analysis from 1001 patients. Total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured with enzymatic methods and the measurements of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and LDL-C levels were detected using direct methods. Results: The mean levels of serum TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C were detected with in the reference range. The LDL-C estimated by the Friedewald formula was significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with the direct method but there was a negative bias among them. Conclusion: Laboratories cannot use direct method as a substitute for Friedewald formula because direct method has not been standardized in large populations and increase cholesterol assay costs. © 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

We examined the effects of the phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE-5) inhibitor vardenafil on cerebral vasospasm in an experimental rat subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) model. Thirty-two albino Wistar rats were divided into five groups: G1, no experimental intervention; G2, administered subarachnoid physiological saline after sham surgery; G3, subjected to SAH; G4, subjected to SAH and administered low-dose (0.5 mg/kg) vardenafil treatment; and G5, subjected to SAH and administered high-dose (5 mg/kg) vardenafil treatment. For animals in G3. G4 and G5, SAH was induced by an injection of autologous non-heparinized blood into the cisterna magna. Immediately after SAH, for animals in G4 and G5, vardenafil was administered by gavage at intervals of 8 hours for 2 days. The rats were then decapitated, and basilar arteries and blood samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological examination. Malonyldialdehyde values in G2 (p = 0.004) and G3 (p = 0.002) were significantly higher than those in G1. G4 and G5 had significantly lower values than G2 and G3 (p = 0.014, G4 v. G2; p = 0.005, G4 v. G3; p = 0.005, G5 v. G2; p = 0.002, G5 v. G3). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) values in G3 were significantly lower than those in G1 (p = 0.041). TAC values in G4 and G5 were significantly higher than those in G3 (p = 0.043). Mean luminal diameter in G3 was significantly smaller compared with G1 and G2 (p = 0.002), but larger in G4 (p = 0.002) and G5 (p = 0.001) compared with G3. Mean luminal diameter was also significantly larger in G5 than in G2 (p = 0.008) and G4 (p = 0.038). Mean wall thickness in G2 (p = 0.015) and G3 (p = 0.002) was significantly thicker compared with Cl. Wall thickness was significantly thinner in G4 and G5 compared with G2 and G3 (p = 0.008, G4 v. G2; p = 0.001, G4 v. G3; p = 0.005, G5 v. G2; p = 0.001, G5 v. G3). Our results confirm that vardenafil may induce vasodilatation and provide potential benefits in SAH therapy by preventing vasospasm. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Annual Congress on Turkish National Surgery -- MAY, 2008 -- Antalya, TURKEY, WOS: 000268575000024, PubMed: 19578821, Simvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor commonly known as a cholesterol-lowering drug with additional pleiotropic effects. Also, it is demonstrated that it prevents postoperative peritoneal adhesions in rat. This study was designed to assess its effects on the healing process of colonic anastomosis. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were randomized into two groups and subjected to colonic anastomosis. The study group was treated with simvastatin and the control group received only tap water instead. The rats were killed 3 and 7 days postoperatively. Wound complications, intra-abdominal abscesses, and anastomotic leaks and stenosis were recorded. Four types of assessment were performed: bursting pressure, hydroxyproline content, histopathology, and biochemical analysis. Compared to the control group, simvastatin-treated rats displayed a higher bursting pressure (p < 0.001) and anastomotic hydroxyproline content (p < 0.05). Simvastatin treatment leads to a significant decrease in malondealdehyde levels (p < 0.05) and increase in paraoxonase activity (p < 0.001) at both time points. Histopathological analysis revealed that simvastatin administration leads to a better anastomotic healing in terms of reepithelialization, decreased granuloma formation, reduced ischemic necrosis, and inflammatory infiltration to muscle layer. Clinically relevant doses of simvastatin do not have a negative impact on colonic anastomosis but improve intestinal wound healing in rats.

WOS: 000255955700024, PubMed: 17932755, Introduction Sildenafil both enhances vasodilatation by relaxing the smooth muscle in the vessels and inhibits platelet aggregation. We have therefore examined the potential benefits of sildenafil on an animal model for ischemic colitis (IC). Methods Twenty-eight female Wistar albino rats weighing 250-300 g were randomized into three experimental groups as follows: in Group 1, animals were sham operated (n = 8) and received tap water; in Groups 2 and 3, the rats underwent a standardized surgical procedure to induce IC (n = 10 in each group). Group 2 animals served as the controls, receiving only tap water, while Group 3 animals received 10 mg/kg sildenafil per day as a single dose for a 3-day period. All animals were sacrificed 72 h after devascularization. To determine the severity of the ischemia, we scored the macroscopically visible damage, measured the ischemic area and scored the histopathology. Tissue malondialdehyde levels were also evaluated. Results The mean area of ischemic changes were 116.80 +/- 189.93 and 0.55 +/- 1.01 mm(2) in Group 2 and 3 animals, respectively (p = 0.0001), while the macroscopically mean visible damage score decreased to 0.66 +/- 0.70 (p = 0.0001) for Group 3 animals. The Chiu scores were 0.00, 3.80 +/- 0.91 and 2.66 +/- 1.00 in Group 1, 2 and 3 animals, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between Group 2 and 3 animals (p = 0.017). Conclusions Our findings support the view that sildenafil leads to a improvement in IC due to its well-known effects on the vascular smooth muscle and on the microcirculatory hemodynamics.

Background/Aims. The aim of this study was to identify oxidative damage of kidney during ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) by evaluating changes in lipid peroxidation markers in tissue and blood by an experimental model. Oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) was used as an oxidative stress biomarker, whereas paraoxonase (PON-1) activity was used as an antioxidative biomarker. Methods. Sixty-three male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into three groups: renal IRI, sham, and control. In the renal IRI group, the right kidney was removed and the artery and vein of the left kidney were clamped for 90 minutes. The presence of ox-LDL in the kidney tissue sections was determined by using an immunofluorescent staining method. Results. The plasma ox-LDL levels did not increase significantly at the 24th hour following IRI, made a peak at the 48th hour, and declined at the 72nd hour. Accumulation of ox-LDL was detected in the kidney tissue on the 24th, 48th, and 72nd hours of the renal IRI. Serum PON-1 levels have peaked on the 24th hour and then declined. Conclusion. This study demonstrates the accumulation of ox-LDL molecules in the renal tissues of the IRI model. Future strategies aimed to reduce the lipid peroxidation during the initial hours of renal IRI may be useful to prevent complications of ischemia. Copyright © Informa Healthcare.

WOS: 000251840200007, PubMed: 18069756, AIM: To investigate the effect of exogenous erythropoietin (EPO) administration on acute lung injury (ALI) in an experimental model of sodium taurodeoxycholate-induced acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). METHODS: Forty-seven male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: sham group (n = 5), 3 ANP groups (n = 7 each) and 3 EPO groups (n = 7 each). ANP was induced by retrograde infusion of 5% sodium taurodeoxycholate into the common bile duct. Rats in EPO groups received 1000 U/kg intramuscular EPO immediately after induction of ANP Rats in ANP groups were given 1 mL normal saline instead. All animals were sacrificed at postoperative 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. Serum amilase, IL-2, IL-6 and lung tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Pleural effusion volume and lung/body weight (LW/BW) ratios were calculated. Tissue levels of TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IL-6 were screened immunohistochemically. Additionally, ox-LDL accumulation was assessed with immune-fluorescent staining. Histopathological alterations in the lungs were also scored. RESULTS: The mean pleural effusion volume, calculated LW/BW ratio, serum IL-6 and lung tissue MDA levels were significantly lower in EPO groups than in ANP groups. No statistically significant difference was observed in either serum or tissue values of IL-2 among the groups. The level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-6 and accumulation of ox-LDL were evident in the lung tissues of ANP groups when compared to EPO groups, particularly at 72 h. Histopathological evaluation confirmed the improvement in lung injury parameters after exogenous EPO administration, particularly, at 48 h and 72 h. CONCLUSION: EPO administration leads to a significant decrease in ALI parameters by inhibiting polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) accumulation, decreasing the levels of proinflammatory cytokines in circulation, preserving microvascular endothelial cell integrity and reducing oxidative stress-associated lipid peroxidation and therefore, can be regarded as a cytoprotective agent in ANP-induced ALI. (c) 2007 WJG. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION: Regulation of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II (ang-II) levels is under genetic control. 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 treatment has been shown to reduce the ang-II level, reduce myocardial hypertrophy and to decrease blood pressure. This study was designed to examine the effect of ACE gene polymorphisms on 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement (24 h) values, vitamin D levels and target organ damage in hypertensive patients. METHODS: This study was carried on 118 patients with essential hypertension (female/male: 70/48, mean age: 49.1±7.6 years, hypertension duration: 56±40.5 months). All patients were assessed for target organ damage; the eye by retinal examination, the heart with echocardiography and the kidney with blood and 24-h urine analysis. 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement was performed in all patients. PCR amplification was employed to detect ACE genotypes. RESULTS: ACE genotypes were as follows: DD (n=49) 41.5%; ID (n=37) 31.4% and II (n=32) 27.1%. No difference was present between groups of ACE polymorphism when 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement values, retinal vascular changes and microalbuminuria were taken into account. Statistically significant left ventricular mass index levels were obtained in the DD group when compared with the non-DD (ID+II) group (P: 0.009). Positive correlations have been noted between left ventricular mass index and day/night and early morning systolic pressures. A negative correlation exists between serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure measurement values (P

WOS: 000241193800014, PubMed: 16958606, Background: The aim of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase (PON1) activity in relation to homocysteine, malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipid parameters in active and inactive Behcet's disease, (BD). Methods: A total of 46 consecutive BD patients and 25 healthy control subjects were included in the present study. Results: Serum PON1 activity in both active and inactive BD was significantly lower compared with healthy subjects (p < 0.05). When compared to the control group, serum MDA levels were significantly higher in both active and inactive BD (p < 0.05). Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in active BD than those in inactive BD and control subjects (p < 0.05). In addition, there was significant negative correlation between serum PON1 and MDA levels (r= -0.697, p < 0.05) and serum PON1 activity was also negatively correlated with homocysteine levels (r= -0.428, p < 0.05) in BD patients. Conclusions: Decreased PON1 could explain the increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress observed in BD. Also, according to our results, we suggest that homocysteine may contribute to decreased serum PON1 activity.

Preeclampsia is a syndrome of unknown etiopathogenesis. Recent studies carried out on preeclampsia have focused on the increase in free radicals in the feto-placental unit with poor perfusion. It is believed that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has a role in the poor perfusion of the placenta. It is uncertain whether there is a pre-existing impairment in RAS in pre-eclamptic pregnant women or not. In the present study, we measured angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), malonaldehyde (MDA), zinc, and copper levels in the placental tissue of 16 pre-eclamptic pregnant women and compared them with those in 20 healthy pregnant women. Whereas ACE activity and MDA were found to be high in the placentas of pre-eclamptic patients, zinc and copper levels were low and there was a negative correlation between ACE activity and zinc concentration. These findings suggest that high ACE activity might play a role in the increase in tissue hypoxia and consequent lipid peroxidation through vasoconstriction; zinc deficiency in the placental tissue might cause insufficiency of superoxide dismutase, an antioxidant enzyme. Furthermore, deficiency in placental zinc also plays a role in the biosynthesis of connective tissue, maintaining its integrity, which might have an impact on the structure of the spiral arteries. © Copyright 2006 by Humana Press Inc. All rights of any nature, whatsoever, reserved.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients have increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The cardiovascular markers associated with OSA are currently not defined. Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine whether OSA is associated with serum cardiac risk markers and to investigate the relationship between them. Methods: Sixty-two male patients were classified into two groups with respect to apnea-hypopnea index (AHI): group 1, sleep apnea (n = 30), with AHI > 5; and group 2 (n = 32), with AHI < 5. We compared cardiovascular risk factors in both groups with control subjects (n = 30) without OSA (AHI < 1). Serum cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein (a), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine were measured. Statistical significance was assessed with analysis of variance at p < 0.05. In correlation analysis, Pearson correlation was used. Results: There was no significant difference between group 1 and group 2 in total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglyceride, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B, and lipoprotein (a). All of the M-mode echocardiographic parameters were in the normal reference range. Serum homocysteine and CRP levels were significantly increased in group 1 compared to group 2 (p < 0.05). Serum CRP values were increased in both group 1 and group 2 when compared with control subjects (p < 0.05). Serum homocysteine values were higher in group 1 than in control subjects (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our results show that OSA syndrome is associated not only with slight hyperhomocysteinemia but also with increased CRP concentrations. Increased plasma concentrations of homocysteine and CRP can be useful in clinical practice to be predictor of long-term prognosis for cardiovascular disease and the treatment of OSA.

Objectives. To determine the total sperm creatine kinase, HspA2 chaperone protein (creatine kinase-M isoform), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), LDH-X activities, and lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde [MDA]) levels in infertile men with varicocele and to examine the possible effect of varicocelectomy on these parameters. Methods. Eighty-one men were enrolled in this study. The study population consisted of a control group (n = 25) and a varicocele group (n = 56). Of the 56 patients with varicocele, 26 underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy at our institution between July 2002 and July 2003. The standard semen parameters (sperm concentration and motility and Kruger morphology) and total sperm creatine kinase, HspA2, LDH, and LDH-X activities, and MDA levels were assessed in the control and varicocele groups. The differences were compared between the two groups. The same parameters were repeated at 6 months postoperatively in the varicocelectomy group and the preoperative and postoperative results were compared. Results. The sperm concentration was significantly lower in the varicocele group than in the control group (P = 0.01). The mean sperm HspA2 activities were significantly lower and the LDH activities and MDA levels were significantly greater in the varicocele group than in the control group (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, P

Background and Aim: Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (LDL), which are produced during oxidative stress by the process of lipid peroxidation, have also been proposed to have complex roles in many other immuno-inflammatory mechanisms. It has been shown that bile-duct ligation results in oxidative stress in the liver of animals. The aim of this study was to investigate if oxidized LDL are produced in the liver tissues of bile-duct-ligated mice. Methods: Obstructive jaundice was induced in BALB/c mice by the ligation and division of the common bile duct. Liver concentrations of glutathione and malondialdehyde were measured in the sham-operated (n = 10) and bile-duct-ligated (n = 10) mice on the 10th day of obstructive jaundice. The presence of oxidized LDL in the liver tissue sections was evaluated using a special, novel immunofluorescent staining method. The final step was to explore the existence of oxidized LDL under fluorescent microscopy. Results: Compared with sham-operated mice, jaundiced mice showed significantly higher levels of malondialdehyde and lower concentrations of reduced glutathione in the liver. While there was no staining in the sham-operated group, bile-duct ligation resulted in positive oxidized LDL staining in the liver tissues of mice. The present study testifies that bile-duct ligation results in oxidative stress and enhanced lipid peroxidation in the hepatic tissues of BALB/c mice and moreover, that oxidized LDL accumulate in the liver of mice with experimental obstructive jaundice. Conclusion: Oxidized LDL may be an important and direct indicator of ongoing oxidative stress and enhanced lipid peroxidation in obstructive jaundice. The potential roles of this finding were also discussed, briefly. © 2004 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

Background: Cardiac complications are often developed after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and may cause sudden death of the patient. There are reports in the literature addressing ischemia modified albumin (IMA) as an early and useful marker in the diagnosis of ischemic heart events. The aim of this study is to evaluate serum IMA by using the albumin cobalt binding (ACB) test in the first, second, and seventh days of experimental SAH in rats.Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups each consisting of seven animals. These were classified as control group, 1st, 2nd and 7th day SAH groups. SAH was done by transclival basilar artery puncture. Blood samples were collected under anesthesia from the left ventricles of the heart using the cardiac puncture method for IMA measurement. Histopathological examinations were performed on the heart and lung tissues. Albumin with by colorimetric, creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined on an automatic analyser using the enzymatic method. IMA using by ACB test was detected with spectrophotometer.Results: Serum IMA (p = 0.044) in seventh day of SAH were higher compared to the control group. Total injury scores of heart and lung tissue, also myocytolysis at day 7 were significantly higher than control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001), day 1 (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001) and day 2 (p = 0.001, p = 0.007, p = 0.001). A positive correlation between IMA - myocytolysis (r = 0.48, p = 0.008), and between IMA - heart tissue total injury score (r = 0.41, p = 0.029) was found.Conclusion: The results revealed that increased serum IMA may be related to myocardial stress after SAH. © 2014 Açi{dotless}kgöz et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the levels of cystatin C, which protects neurodegeneration in the central nervous system with the inhibition of cysteine protease and by inducing autophagy in the pathogenesis of cerebral vasospasm and levels of vasoconstrictive neuropeptid Y (NPY) in the brain tissue homogenates of rat model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Three experimental groups were used: Day 2 and Day 7 groups after SAH, and also a control group. There were seven Wistar albino rats in each group. SAH was accomplished by transclival basilar artery puncture. Rat cystatin C, rat NPY were determined with ELISA in brain tissue homogenates. Day 2 group showed significantly enhanced cystatin C values in comparision with the control group (P=0.048). NPY levels between the Day 2 and Day 7 groups and the control groups were not significantly different (P=0.315). In histopathological examination, there was less neuronal loss in the Day 2 group than in the Day 7 group. Regarding our results, it would be more valuable to measure NPY levels in specific brain areas. The increased cystatin C levels on the second day after SAH is probably a pathophysiologic mechanism to organize protease activity.