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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disease of the lung associated with progressive airflow limitation. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of tiotropium treatment on airway inflammation and symptoms in stable COPD patients. Materials and methods: Inflammatory markers were measured in the expired breath condensate fluid (EBC) before starting tiotropium treatment and at the end of the first month. Results: Twenty-two patients (81% men) with a mean age of 65.4 ± 10.1 years completed the study. The mean nitrotyrosine and 8-isoprostane levels for oxidative stress markers in EBC before and after treatment were 4.5 ± 2.3, 3.5 ± 1.9 pg/mL (P = 0.06) and 7.3 ± 10.8, 8.1 ± 11.7 pg/mL (P = 0.28), respectively. The mean interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels for inflammation markers in EBC before and after treatment were 1.03 ± 1.1, 0.77 ± 0.8 pg/mL (P = 0.41) and 27.8 ± 2.6, 29.2 ± 5.7 pg/mL (P = 0.36) respectively. The mean symptom scores decreased significantly with tiotropium and a mean increase of 124.6 ± 0.86 mL was observed in a lung function test (FEV1). Conclusion: Although a 4-week treatment with tiotropium did not modify any of the inflammatory or oxidative stress markers in EBC fluid, tiotropium treatment helps to control symptoms in COPD.

research Aim: Inflammation plays an important role in acute ischemic stroke. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between acute ischemic stroke and serum amyloid A, fetuin-A, and pentraxin-3 which are inflammation markers. Materials and methods: We enrolled 52 patients with acute ischemic stroke and 30 sex-matched control subjects in the study. The patients were followed for 3 months. We evaluated the common risk factors, laboratory variables, and neurological examination of stroke patients according to prognosis scales. Results: The median serum amyloid A, fetuin-A, and pentraxin-3 levels in the stroke patients were higher than in control subjects (respectively, P = 0.000, P = 0.002, and P = 0.037). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, glucose, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and white blood cell count showed differences within the group in terms of the serum amyloid A tertiles statistically. Conclusion: Pentraxin-3, fetuin-A, and serum amyloid A all arise together as novel prognostic factors in a group of patients with ischemic stroke. Relationships between higher levels of inflammation markers, especially serum amyloid A, and the severity of acute ischemic stroke were shown. Aim: Inflammation plays an important role in acute ischemic stroke. In this study we aimed to investigate the relationship between acute ischemic stroke and serum amyloid A, fetuin-A, and pentraxin-3 which are inflammation markers. Materials and methods: We enrolled 52 patients with acute ischemic stroke and 30 sex-matched control subjects in the study. The patients were followed for 3 months. We evaluated the common risk factors, laboratory variables, and neurological examination of stroke patients according to prognosis scales. Results: The median serum amyloid A, fetuin-A, and pentraxin-3 levels in the stroke patients were higher than in control subjects (respectively, P = 0.000, P = 0.002, and P = 0.037). National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores, glucose, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and white blood cell count showed differences within the group in terms of the serum amyloid A tertiles statistically. Conclusion: Pentraxin-3, fetuin-A, and serum amyloid A all arise together as novel prognostic factors in a group of patients with ischemic stroke. Relationships between higher levels of inflammation markers, especially serum amyloid A, and the severity of acute ischemic stroke were shown.

Behçet's disease is a relapsing vasculitis characterized by endothelial dysfunction. This study was conducted to determine the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and 2 related parameters, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and homocysteine levels, in relation to the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease. Materials and methods: A total of 49 Behçet's patients, comprising 26 patients with the active disease and 23 patients with the inactive disease, and a healthy control group of 24 individuals participated in this study. International Study Group Diagnostic Criteria were followed in the diagnosis of Behçet's disease; patients who had at least 2 signs were considered as having the active disease. Results: Serum NO and plasma homocysteine levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with active Behçet's disease compared to patients with inactive Behçet's disease and healthy controls. In active and inactive Behçet's patients, serum ADMA levels were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. No statistically significant difference was found between patients with inactive Behçet's and healthy controls with respect to serum homocysteine levels. Conclusion: The increased serum levels of ADMA presumably cause endothelial dysfunction because of a deficiency in NO production, which also appears to be involved in the vasculitis of Behçet's disease.