Search

The present study aimed to investigate serum cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and oxytocin levels of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) combined presentation and those diagnosed with ADHD combined presentation and coexisting conduct disorder. A total of 74 drug-naive children with ADHD combined presentation alone, 32 children with ADHD combined presentation + conduct disorder, and 42 healthy controls were included. The severities of ADHD and conduct disorder symptoms were assessed via parent- and teacher-rated questionnaires. The severity of aggression, anxiety, and depression symptoms of the children were assessed by the self-report inventories. Independent of potential confounders, including age, sex, pubertal stage, and severity of depression and anxiety, serum oxytocin levels of the ADHD combined presentation + conduct disorder group were significantly lower than those of both the ADHD combined presentation alone and control groups. There was also a trend for the ADHD combined presentation + conduct disorder group to show lower serum DHEA levels than that of the ADHD combined presentation alone group. However, serum cortisol levels did not show significant alterations among the groups. These findings suggest that oxytocin and DHEA may play a role in the pathophysiology of conduct disorder, at least in the presence of ADHD combined presentation.

Introduction: The ethiopathogenesis of tympanosclerosis has not been completely under- stood yet. Recent studies have shown that free oxygen radicals are important in the formation of tympanosclerosis. Melatonin and Vitamin C are known to be a powerful antioxidant, interacts directly with Reactive Oxygen Species and controls free radical-mediated tissue damage. Objective: To demonstrate the possible preventative effects of melatonin and Vitamin C on tympanosclerosis in rats by using histopathology and determination of total antioxidant status total antioxidant status. Methods: Standard myringotomy and standard injury were performed in the middle ear of 24 rats. The animals were divided into three groups: Group 1 received melatonin, Group 2 received vitamin C, and Group 3 received saline solution. Results: The mean values of total antioxidant status were similar in the all study groups before the treatment period. The mean values of total antioxidant status were significantly higher in the melatonin and vitamin C groups compared to control group but vitamin C with melatonin groups were similar after the treatment period (p < 0.001). Minimum and maximum wall thicknesses were lower in the melatonin and vitamin C groups compared to the control group but the differences were insignificant. Conclusion: Melatonin increases total antioxidant status level and might have some effect on tympanosclerosis that develops after myringotomy. Resumo Introdução: A etiopatogênese da timpanoesclerose (TE) não foi ainda totalmente esclarecida. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que os radicais livres de oxigênio são importantes na formação de TE. Melatonina e vitamina C são conhecidas por serem poderosos antioxidantes, interagir diretamente com espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) e controlar danos em tecidos mediados por radicais livres. Objetivo: Demonstrar os possíveis efeitos preventivos da melatonina e da vitamina C na TE em ratos com histopatologia e determinação da capacidade antioxidante total (CAT). Método: Miringotomias padronizadas foram feitas na orelha média de 24 ratos. Os animais foram divididos em três grupos: o Grupo 1 recebeu melatonina, o Grupo 2 vitamina C e o grupo 3 solução salina. Resultados: Os valores médios de CAT foram semelhantes em todos os grupos de estudo antes do período de tratamento. Os valores médios de CAT foram significativamente maiores nos grupos que receberam melatonina e vitamina C em comparação com o grupo de controle, mas os grupos vitamina C e melatonina foram semelhantes após o período de tratamento (p < 0,001). As espessuras mínimas e máximas de parede foram menores nos grupos melatonina e vitamina C, em comparação com o grupo controle, mas as diferenças não foram significativas. Conclusão: A melatonina aumenta os níveis de CAT e pode ter algum efeito sobre a TE que se desenvolve após a miringotomia.

WOS: 000487855900001, PubMed: 31559714, Breast milk is a well-balanced ideal nutritional source with high bioavailability for infants. As being a fresh, biological and dynamic product, changes in the breast milk during these storage periods have been the subject of ongoing research. This study aims to evaluate total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) levels of fresh and freeze-stored breast milk. Ten cc of breast milk was obtained from the mothers as the days between 10 and 15 in the morning within a 1-hour period. TAC, TOS, and PON-1 levels were evaluated in the fresh breast milk. Collected breast milk samples were divided into two groups for storage at -20 degrees C or -80 degrees C. Stored samples were tested for TAC, TOS, and PON-1 levels after 72 hours. The highest TAC level was detected in fresh breast milk (p

The aim of our study was to determine whether lipid solutions delivered separately or in mixture with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions effect the balance between oxidant and antioxidant levels in premature infants.A total of 60 preterm newborns who were delivered at their 30-34 gestational weeks and received TPN were included in the study. Premature newborns were randomized into two groups based on the delivery method of the lipid solution, separately (Group 1) or in mixture with TPN solutions (Group 2). Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and paraoxonase (PON-1) levels were analyzed in both blood samples, and oxidative stress index (OSI) was also calculated.Thirty cases from both groups were included in the study. Statistically significant decrease in the level of TAS and increase in the level of PON-1 were detected at 72 h of TPN therapy in both groups (p 0.05). Statistically significant decrease in both TOS and OSI levels were observed in Group 2 (p 0.05). In association with these findings, any statistically significant intergroup difference was not detected in both parameters regarding oxidant balance (p 0.05).Our study showed that according to lipid administration method any difference for oxidant-antioxidant balance was not detected.

It has been suggested that neurotrophins are involved in the etiopathogenesis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to investigate whether there are differences in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurotrophin-3 (NTF3) levels between children with ADHD and healthy controls. A total of 110 treatment-naive children with the combined presentation of ADHD and 44 healthy controls aged 8-18 years were enrolled in this study. The severity of ADHD symptoms was determined by scores on the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised Short and Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised Short. The severity of depression and anxiety symptoms of the children were evaluated by the self-report inventories. Serum levels of neurotrophins were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) revealed a significant main effect of groups in the levels of serum neurotrophins, an effect that was independent of age, sex, and the severity of the depression and anxiety. The analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated that the mean serum GDNF and NTF3 levels of ADHD patients were significantly higher than that of controls. However, serum BDNF and NGF levels did not show any significant differences between groups. No correlations between the levels of serum neurotrophins and the severity of ADHD were observed. These results suggest that elevated serum GDNF and NTF3 levels may be related to ADHD in children.

Background Cardiovascular diseases, among which atherosclerotic heart disease, are known to be one of the most important mortality and morbidity causes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) is a potential marker that can be used to assess atherosclerosis-related myocardial ischemia. Another frequently used marker for the assessment of atherosclerotic lesions is the carotid intima media thickness (CIMT). Aim To evaluate the role that IMA has on atherosclerosis development and its clinical usability in patients with RA, by assessing the values of IMA and CIMT. Methods and materials Our prospective study was conducted between June 2012 and March 2013 at the Rheumatology Department of Necmettin Erbakan Meram Medical School, Turkey. Fifty-two RA patients, diagnosed according to the 1987 criteria of the American College of Rheumatology, and an age- and sex-matched control group of 46 healthy subjects were included in this study. Results No significant difference was detected between the groups with respect to age, sex and body mass index. In the patient group the IMA and CIMT values were found to be 0.37 ± 0.12 absorbance units (ABSU) and 0.80 ± 0.22 mm, respectively, while in the control group they were 0.31 ± 0.11 ABSU and 0.51 ± 0.18 mm, respectively. The IMA and CIMT values were significantly higher in the patient group (P = 0.022 and P < 0.0001, respectively). A positive correlation was found between IMA, CIMT and Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (P = 0.016 and P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusion Since the values of IMA were higher in the patient group compared to controls and because of its correlation with CIMT, we suggest the use of IMA as an early marker of atherosclerosis in RA patients.

Background: Vasculopathy is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Behcet’s Disease (BD). Subclinical atherosclerosis can even be detected in the early stage of BD. Soluble tumor necrosis factor-like (TNF) weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is known as a good marker of the inflammation in vascular tree. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and serum TWEAK levels in patients with BD. Materials and Methods: In line with International BD Study Group criteria, 48 BD, and 30 controls were included in our study. Disease activity was evaluated according to BD current activity form (BDCAF). C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lipid parameters, serum TWEAK levels, and cIMT were measured. Results: Disease activity score of BD patients was found as 2 (range 0–7). cIMT, serum TWEAK, CRP and ESR levels of BD patients were significantly higher comparing to cIMT (0.62 ± 0.13 mm vs. 0.43 ± 0.09 mm, p < 0.001), serum TWEAK (667.5 ± 130.6 vs. 603.4 ± 89.6 pg/ml, p = 0.015), CRP (3.9 ± 4.3 vs. 1.4 ± 1.0 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and ESR (10.2 ± 10.0 vs. 5.6 ± 3.7 mm/h, p = 0.005) levels of the control group. There was a positive correlation between serum TWEAK level and disease activity (r = 0.251, p = 0.030) and cIMT (r = 0.463, p < 0.001). Our study also revealed an independent correlation between cIMT and serum TWEAK levels (beta = 0.354, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Increased serum TWEAK levels can play a part in the development of atherosclerotic heart disease in BD. Due to their liability to atherosclerosis, patients with BD must followed closely.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of cardiac surgery developing in 25-35% cases. Recently, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) was shown to predict AKI development earlier than serum creatinine. Some studies demonstrated the predictive role of post-operative serum uric acid (SUA) as an early marker of AKI. We aimed to study the role of serum and urine NGAL as well as SUA to predict progression of AKI.This is a prospective observational study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Blood and urine samples for measurement of uric acid, serum and urine NGAL levels were collected prior to cardiac surgery (0 h), and in the time course at 2nd and 24th hours after surgery. Patients who developed AKI were divided into two subgroups as progressing and non-progressing AKI.Sixty patients (42 males, 18 females) were included. After cardiac surgery, 40 patients developed AKI, 20 of whom non-progressing AKI, and 20 progressing AKI. All of the markers significantly increased in AKI patients. A receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed higher predictive ability of SUA for progressing AKI compared with serum and urine NGAL. When compared markers obtained at the second hour after surgery, UA had significantly large AUC than NGAL to predict AKI developed at 24 and 48 h, particularly in patients, who require renal replacement therapy (RRT).Uric acid seems to predict the progression of AKI and RRT requirement in patients underwent cardiac surgery better than NGAL.

WOS: 000351942200005, PubMed: 25151992, Serum sialic acid levels are abnormally high in pathological states that exhibit tissue destruction, tissue proliferation or inflammation. We measured total serum sialic acid levels in 139 women and 125 men. Subjects were divided into quartiles according to their body mass index (BMI): Q1 (18-24.9 kg/m(2)), Q2 (25 -29.9 kg/m(2)), Q3 (30 -39.9 kg/m(2)) and Q4 (> 40 kg/m(2)). The patients in Q1 constituted the control group. Serum sialic acid levels of subjects in Q2, Q3 and Q4 were signifi cantly higher than those in Q1. Higher BMI quartiles also were associated with higher levels of serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, malondialdehyde levels, waist circumference, blood pressure and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in both women and men. Lower BMI quartiles were associated with higher levels of serum HDL-cholesterol levels in both women and men. We found positive associations among serum sialic acid levels, BMI and oxidative stress. Serum sialic acid also is related to some conventional cardiovascular risk factors including elevated lipid profile, increased blood pressure, increased serum glucose and insulin levels, and insulin resistance in obese people.

BACKGROUND Tenascin-C (TnC) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that has a major role in tissue remodeling. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the serum TnC level in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD) during childhood. METHODS Twenty-five patients with ARF, 25 patients with CRHD and 20 control subjects were included in the study. The TnC levels were analyzed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method in the ARF group. RESULTS The TnC levels were lower in the acute carditis group compared with the control group (p < 0.001). The cut-off level was estimated as 2.08 ng/ml for diagnosing carditis with 93.3% sensitivity and 95% specificity. On second analysis, prominent decrease was detected in valve insufficiency patients with markedly elevated TnC levels. In the CRHD group, TnC level was significantly lower in cases with severe valve insufficiency (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Serum TnC level can be used as a new biochemical marker for diagnosis and predicting the prognosis of rheumatic carditis.

To investigate ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels in children with acute rheumatic fever (ARF) before and after therapy and compare them with those of controls.Twenty seven patients with ARF and 18 healthy, age and sex matched children were included in the study. The diagnosis of ARF was established according to the modified Jones criteria. Follow-up studies were made when acute phase reactants [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP)] levels returned normal. IMA levels were measured using the rapid and colorimetric method with the albumin cobalt binding test.IMA levels were significantly higher in ARF group (p 0.001) compared with controls at the time on admission. IMA (absorbance units) was measured as 0.41 ± 0.10 in the control group, 0.55 (0.44-1.13) in the study group before treatment and 0.48 ± 0.12 in the study group after treatment. After treatment, statistically important decrements were determined in the levels of ESR (p0.001), CRP (p0.001) and IMA (p0.01). There was no significant difference for IMA levels between after treatment and control group. IMA levels at the time on admission correlated positively with ESR (r = 0.605, p 0.01) and CRP (r = 0.543, p 0.01).The present study shows that increased serum IMA levels in patients with ARF at the time of diagnosis is a sign of increased inflammation. Thus, serum IMA levels may be used as a follow-up marker like CRP and ESR for evaluating the efficacy of treatment in ARF.

Objective To examine whether (1) levels of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), a transmembrane protein and biomarker for renal tubular damage, increase in children with of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and (2) if KIM-1 predicts the grade of renal scarring in children with VUR. Methods The study included 59 VUR patients with renal scarring, 5 VUR patients without renal scarring and 25 healthy controls aged 1 to 17 years. Dimercaptosuccinic acid scans were performed for determination of scarring and graded by 3 independent, blinded pediatric urologists for renal scarring according to the Randomized Intervention for Children with VUR study criteria. Spot urine samples were obtained. Urinary KIM-1 and creatinine levels were measured and the KIM-1/creatinine ratio was calculated. Results Urine geometric mean KIM-1 levels (ng/mg creatinine) were significantly higher in VUR patients than in healthy controls ( P = .018). Although the correlation between VUR grade and geometric mean KIM-1 levels was not significant, a positive correlation was found for scarring grade and geometric mean KIM-1 levels ( r = .30, P = .02). When the patients were divided by subgroups according to scarring grade (group I, grade 1; group II, grades 2 and 3; group III, grade 4), the log KIM-1 in group III was significantly higher than in group I ( P = .004). Conclusion Urinary KIM-1 levels might be used as a noninvasive marker, particularly in showing severe scarring in children with VUR.

Vasopressin exerts robust influences on social communication and behavior in humans. Apelin is a relatively novel neuropeptide that could counteract vasopressin's actions and has been shown to be closely related with a broad range of physiological functions. Abnormalities in vasopressin and apelin have been detected in a variety of psychiatric disorders, but their relation to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is unknown. In the present study, we explored the plasma levels of vasopressin and apelin-13 in children with ADHD.Thirty-four children with ADHD and 36 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The severity of ADHD symptoms was assessed via Conners' Parent Rating Scale and Conners' Teacher Rating Scale. Plasma levels of vasopressin and apelin-13 were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.The mean plasma apelin-13 levels were significantly higher in male children with ADHD than in male control subjects; no significant difference was found between the groups for plasma apelin-13 levels in girls or in the entire subject cohort. Plasma vasopressin levels did not show any significant differences between groups. There were no significant correlations between plasma levels of these neuropeptides and scores for Conners' Parent Rating Scale and Conners' Teacher Rating Scale.Our results suggest a sex-specific association between plasma apelin-13 levels and ADHD. Apelin-13 may play a role in the etiopathogenesis of ADHD either with a direct impact on the apelin receptor or via its opposing effect on the vasopressinergic system.

We investigated serum homocysteine, arginine, citrulline and asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels and conducted a histopathologic examination of the abdominal aorta in rats given acrylamide (AA) for long periods. We used 25 male and 25 female Wistar rats. Females were divided into three groups; two were experimental groups and one was the control group. Each experimental group consisted of ten animals and each control group consisted of five animals; male animals were divided in the same way. AA, 2 or 5 mg/kg/day, was administered to the experimental groups in drinking water for 90 days. At the end of the experiment, serum samples were analyzed for homocysteine, arginine, citrulline and ADMA using high performance liquid chromatography. Serum homocysteine, citrulline and ADMA levels were significantly higher than controls in both female and male rats when AA was administered at a concentration of 5 mg/kg/day. Serum citrulline levels also were significantly higher than controls when administered AA at a concentration of 2 mg/kg/day in female rats. There was no difference in serum arginine levels among the groups. Histopathologic examination of the abdominal aorta revealed degeneration of the external elastic lamina in rats treated with 5 mg/kg/day AA. Our findings show that long term ingestion of high dose AA with food might contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

WOS: 000265312500009, PubMed: 19330810, Psoriasis is a common chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease with unknown etiology that has been associated with abnormal plasma lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. There are controversial results in the previous studies investigating oxidant/antioxidant systems in psoriasis. The aim of this work was to evaluate dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, total antioxidant capacity and serum paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) activities in psoriasis. and to look for a correlation between these parameters and lesion percentage in psoriasis. Thirty psoriatic patients and twenty three sex- and agematched healthy volunteers were included in the study. From blood samples, lipid profile, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAO), serum PON1 and ARE activities were determined. No significant differences between the patients and controls were found in terms of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, MDA and TAO levels. Serum PON1 and sodium-stimulated PON1 activities (p < 0.05) and ARE activity (p < 0.01) were found significantly higher in the patients than in the controls. There was not any significant correlation between lesion percentage and the parameters studied. Copyright (c) 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of cyanocobalamin treatment in patients having recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAUs) with normal or decreased serum vitamin B12 (cobalamin) levels. METHODS: Seventy-two patients with RAU were included in the study. In addition to serum cobalamin levels, hemanitic and biochemistrical parameters were measured. Patients with serum cobalamin levels

Shift work is a work schedule involving irregular or unusual hours, compared to those of a normal daytime work schedule. In developed countries, night shift work is very common. In several cities of our country, 12/24 shift system is implemented in police organization. While night shift work composes half of the 20 shift in a month, in ergonomic shift system, an alternative shift schedule, shift work can be performed in three shifts in a day. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of 12/24 shift work system on insulin resistance and oxidative stress and systemic inflammation. Two hundred and four 12/24 shift workers (age 44.3 ± 5.6 years) and 193 ergonomic shift workers (age 42.6 ± 5.5 years) were included to study. Serum oxidized LDL (ox-LDL), neutrophil gelatinase lipocalin-2 (NGAL) as oxidative stress markers, glucose, insulin, ferritin, high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate values were measured. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated to evaluate insulin resistance. Serum ox-LDL, HOMA-IR, hsCRP and NGAL levels in 12/24 shift system were found to be significantly higher compared with ergonomic shift workers (p

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. However, studies conducted on the relationship of TWEAK and psoriasis patients are limited. In this study, we aimed to explore the serum levels of TWEAK and investigated whether TWEAK levels are associated with clinical variables and expression of other well-known psoriasis-related cytokines including IL-6, IL-23 and TNF-α. Forty-five patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 43 controls were enrolled in this study. The severity of psoriasis was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Serum levels of cytokines were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The mean TWEAK, IL-6, IL-23, and TN-α levels were significantly higher in psoriasis patients than in control subjects. However, there were no significant correlations between the psoriasis severity, the illness duration and serum cytokine levels. This study shows that TWEAK may be associated with the pathogenesis of psoriasis, like TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23.

Objective This study presents the serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with major depression and without any psychiatric disorder. Methods The study sample included 61 patients with a diagnosis of RA. Major depression and other psychiatric disorders were screened with the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Blood sample for the determination of serum TNF-α level was obtained before the psychiatric interview. Results The prevalence rates of any depressive disorder and any anxiety disorder were 40.3% (n = 25) and 22.6% (n = 14), respectively. Fifteen (24.2%) patients had major depression alone, whereas 27 (43.5%) patients were not diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder. We could not determine any significant differences between the patients with major depression alone and patients without any psychiatric diagnosis with regard to the serum levels of TNF-α. Conclusions The existence of major depression in RA patients does not seem to be associated with serum levels of TNF-α.

Aim: Previous studies have shown that carvedilol has a neuroprotective effect in animal models of brain ischemia and brain oxidative damage in vitro. This study was perfomed to investigate the effect of carvedilol on the secondary damage in experimental spinal cord injury (SCI). Material and methods: Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 underwent laminectomy alone. Group 2 underwent laminectomy followed by SCI and received carvedilol. Group 3 underwent laminectomy followed by SCI and received no medication. The neurological functions were assessed by Tarlov’s motor scale at the first and 24th hours. Oxidative stress status was assessed by MDA, SOD, MPO, GSH activities. A TUNEL-based apoptosis kit was used for evaluating apoptosis in the spinal cord samples and hematoxylinand eosin-stained specimens were used for light microscopic examination. Results: Carvedilol reduced apoptosis and regulated oxidant and antioxidant status by increasing SOD and GSH levels and reducing MPO and MDA levels in the spinal tissue homogenate. Neurological examination of rats revealed statistically significant improvement 24 hours after the trauma. Conclusion: Carvedilol has a statistically significant therapeutic effect, especially on functional recovery, and we found that carvedilol reduced secondary damage by inhibiting apoptosis and regulating the oxidant and antioxidant status., Amaç: Beyinde oksidatif hasar ve iskemi ile ilgili daha önce yapılan in vitro hayvan modeli çalışmalarında karvedilolün nöron koruyucu etkilerinin olduğu gösterildi. Çalışmada karvedilolün deneysel spinal travma modelinde ikincil hasar üzerine olan etkileri araştırıldı. Yöntem ve Gereçler: 24 adet Wistar albino tipi sıçan üç gruba ayrıldı. Spinal kord yaralanması ağırlık düşürme modeli ile gerçekleştirildi. Birinci gruba sadece laminektomi uygulandı. İkinci gruba laminektomi yapılarak spinal kord yaralanması oluşturuldu ve karvedilol verildi. Üçüncü gruba laminektomi yapılıp spinal kord yaralanması oluşturuldu ve herhangi bir medikasyon uygulanmadı. Tüm gruplarda deneklerin birinci ve 24. saatlerde Tarlov motor skorlaması ile nörolojik muayeneleri kaydedildi. Oksidatif stres ölçümü için MDA (malonildialdehit), SOD (süperoksit dismutaz), MPO (myeloperoksidaz) ve GSH (glutatyon) aktiviteleri kullanıldı. Apoptozis düzeyini belirlemek için TUNEL kiti ve ışık mikroskobi bulguları için hematoksilen eozin boyası kullanıldı. Bulgular: Karvedilol apoptozis düzeyini azalttı ve SOD ile GSH düzeyini artırıp MPO ve MDA düzeylerini azaltarak oksidasyon ve antioksidasyon olaylarını düzenledi. Sonuç: Karvedilol özellikle fonksiyonel iyileşme üzerine istatistiksel olarak olumlu etki oluşturdu ve apoptozisi azaltıcı ve oksidasyon-antioksidasyon olaylarını olumlu yönde düzenleyici etki gösterdi.

SUMMARY Background: The aim of the study was to determine serum ischemia modified albumin and malondialdehyde levels as markers of oxidative stress and serum superoxide dismutase activity as a marker of antioxidant defense and their associations with clinical outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: 59 patients with fibromyalgia and 38 age and gender matched healthy controls were included in the study. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia was based on the classification criteria declared by American College of Rheumatology in 1990. All patients underwent the clinical assessment, consisting of evaluation for tender point count, visual analogue scale for pain, fibromyalgia impact questionnaire, multidimensional assessment of fatigue, Beck anxiety inventory, Beck depression inventory, and the health assessment questionnaire. Serum levels of ischemia modified albumin, malondialdehyde, and superoxide dismutase activities were measured using colorimetric methods. Results: Malondialdehyde levels of fibromyalgia patients were significantly higher than they were in the control group. Ischemia modified albumin levels in the fibromyalgia group were not significantly different from the control values. There was no significant correlation between ischemia modified albumin and malondialdehyde and clinical measures with the exception that malondialdehyde levels positively correlated with health assessment questionnaire scores. Conclusions: We concluded that increased malondialdehyde levels in patients with fibromyalgia could be considered as a sign of increased oxidative stress. Ischemia modified albumin values were not in concordance with malondialdehyde levels and could not be considered as an oxidative stress marker in the follow-up of fibromyalgia. Further studies are needed to investigate IMA levels in newly diagnosed fibromyalgia patients. (Clin. Lab. 2014;60:1609-1615. DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2014.131017)

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia‐modified albumin (IMA) is a novel marker for diagnosis of myocardial ischemia and it is considered as a serum marker. The aim of the study was to evaluate salivary IMA levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to determine the relation between serum and salivary IMA levels. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with AMI and 40 control subjects who are age and sex matched with AMI group were included in our study. The diagnosis of AMI was based on the WHO classification criteria. All patients underwent the clinical assessment, consisting of electrocardiography, and serum cardiac markers. Serum and salivary IMA levels were measured at the first and second days of AMI by using a colorimetric method. RESULTS: Serum IMA levels were significantly higher in the first and second day of AMI patients, however, salivary IMA levels were significantly higher in the first day of AMI patients compared to the control (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between salivary IMA levels and serum IMA levels both in the first and second day of AMI patients (r = 0.298, P < 0.05; r = 0.319, P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: We concluded that salivary IMA levels at the first day of AMI could be used as an alternative marker to serum IMA levels for diagnosis of AMI. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 27:99–104, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). IL-33 is a proinflammatory cytokine, but its role in AKI is unknown. Here we observed increased protein expression of full-length IL-33 in the kidney following induction of AKI with cisplatin. To determine whether IL-33 promotes injury, we administered soluble ST2 (sST2), a fusion protein that neutralizes IL-33 activity by acting as a decoy receptor. Compared with cisplatin-induced AKI in untreated mice, mice treated with sST2 had fewer CD4 T cells infiltrate the kidney, lower serum creatinine, and reduced acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and apoptosis. In contrast, administration of recombinant IL-33 (rIL-33) exacerbated cisplatin-induced AKI, measured by an increase in CD4 T cell infiltration, serum creatinine, ATN, and apoptosis ; this did not occur in CD4-deficient mice, suggesting that CD4 T cells mediate the injurious effect of IL-33. Wildtype mice that received cisplatin and rIL-33 also had higher levels of the proinflammatory chemokine CXCL1, which CD T cells produce, in the kidney compared with CD4-deficient mice. Mice deficient in the CXCL1 receptor also had lower serum creatinine, ATN, and apoptosis than wildtype mice following cisplatin-induced AKI. Taken together, IL-33 promotes AKI through CD4 T cell-mediated production of CXCL1. These data suggest that inhibiting IL-33 or CXCL1 may have therapeutic potential in AKI.

Background. Asthma is characterized by inflammation and airway hyperesponsiveness, which results in episodic airflow obstruction. A relationship between inflammation and insulin resistance (IR) has been previously characterized, and asthma is known to correlate with increasing IR. Thus, we tested whether patients with asthma bronchiale exhibited abnormally low glucose tolerance. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), two precursors of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), in patients with asthma bronchiale and paired control patients. Patients and Methods. We examined patients diagnosed with asthma bronchiale. We excluded patients taking any medications other than inhaler broncodilators, patients with a history of other systemic illness, and patients with any diabetic risk factors. Age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included as the control group in this study. History, physical examination, and laboratory analyses were performed for both study and control groups. Results. Mean age of the study group was 40.3 > 7.8 (F/M: 32/19), and mean BMI of the study group was 26.7 > 2.2. Mean age of the control group was 39.5 > 6.7 (F/M: 25/15) and mean BMI of the control group was 26.0 > 2.1. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), Pg2hBG, Plasma insulin, Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA IR), IFG, IGT, both IFG and IGT and (LDL) C levels were significantly higher in the asthmatic group, while HDL C levels were significantly higher in the control group. Conclusion. Our results suggest that disturbance of the glucose metabolism caused by inflammation-induced insulin resistance may occur in asthmatic patients and that this phenomenon may increase the risk of diabetes mellitus in these individuals.

The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of prediabetes [impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance are considered to be precursors to type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)] in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) cases and matched controls. Ninety-two patients with IBS and 104 healthy matched controls were included in this study. Type 2 DM was considered an exclusion criterion in both groups. Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were examined; after 1 night of fasting, an oral glucose tolerance test with 75 g glucose was administered, and the blood glucose levels after 2 hours were examined. Although there were no significant differences in the triglyceride levels, significant differences were found for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (P < 0.001, 0.001, and

Aim To assess the prevalence of hepatitis B and C viruses among Turkish patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus and to determine the risk factors affecting the prevalence in these patient groups. Methods This study included 630 diabetic and 314 nondiabetic patients. Serologic testing for anti-hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and HbsAg was done using a third-generation commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and samples positive for anti-HCV and HbsAg were confirmed by a polymerase chain reaction assay. Diabetic patients were classified by HbsAg and anti-HCV status and were evaluated according to demographic features, diabetic characteristics and nondiabetic general risk factors, harmful habits, and aminotransferase (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) levels. Results HbsAg and anti-HCV seropositivity rates were 5.1% and 3.2% in diabetic patients and were 3.8% and 1.3% in control group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to either marker. Shared risk factors for both hepatitis infections were increased aminotransferase levels and history of hospital admission. In addition, long duration of diabetes mellitus, poor diabetic regulation, and insulin treatment usage were found to relate to HbsAg, whereas a history of blood transfusions and surgical procedures were found to associate with anti-HCV seropositivity. Conclusions We determined that hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections were slightly but not significantly higher in diabetic patients compared with a normal population. If it is considered that different results might be obtained in various countries or even in various regions of same country, it may be concluded that multicenter and comprehensive studies are needed to elucidate true infection rates and to identify other risk factors affecting the prevalence of these infections.

Background: Cardiovascular risk is increased in the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and also found to be ongoing in renal transplant (Rtx) patients. As a sign of atherosclerosis, increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) has been widely accepted as a strong predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in CKD patients. A novel markers, soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were introduced as potential markers in inflammatory disorders including CKD. The role of Rtx in terms of atherogenesis is still unclear. We aimed to investigate the relationship between sTWEAK, NLR and CIMT in Rtx patients without overt CVD and to compare these results with those obtained from healthy subjects. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis in which CIMT measurements, NLR and serum TWEAK levels were assessed in 70 Rtx patients (29 females; mean age, 40.6 ± 12.4 years) and 25 healthy subjects (13 females, mean age; 37.4±8.8 years). Results: sTWEAK levels were significantly decreased (p=0.01) and hs-CRP, NLR and CIMT levels of Rtx patients were significantly increased compared to healthy subjects (p