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Copyright of Acta Medica Medianae is the property of Acta Medica Medianae and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Medianae is the property of Acta Medica Medianae and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Mutations in genes encoding antioxidant enzymes may reduce their activity and make organism more prone to oxidative damage. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) Pro200Leu gene polymorphism in renal transplant recipients and healthy volunteers, as well as the association between investigated gene polymorphism and erythrocytes' antioxidative status and estimated GFR (eGFR) within a two-year follow-up after renal transplantation. A total of 85 patients with transplanted kidney and 110 healthy volunteers were genotyped for GPX1 Pro200Leu gene polymorphisms using the polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Of all patients enrolled in genotyping analysis, only 72 patients on tacrolimus went into oxidative stress parameters research. We measured the erythrocytes' concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of GPX and glutathione reductase (GR). GFR was estimated by MDRD formula for creatinine clearance. There was no statistical difference in the distribution of GPX1 gene polymorphism between patients and controls. The obtained results demonstrated that renal transplant recipients with Leu/Leu genotype of tested GPX1 polymorphism had higher erythrocytes' activity of GR compared to the carries of Pro/Pro genotype, but there were no differences in other oxidative stress parameters. The carriers of at least one Leu allele (Pro/Leu + Leu/Leu genotype) had significant decline in eGFR between the first and second year post-transplant. Genotyping of tested polymorphism in clinical practice may represent significant predictor of renal function decline and may provide identification of patients at high risk of graft loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Medica Medianae is the property of Acta Medica Medianae and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Medianae is the property of Acta Medica Medianae and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Early detection and analysis of the values of the parameters of oxidative stress, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive carbonyl groups (RCG) in saliva, as possible biochemical markers in the diagnosis and prognosis of periodontal disease, may be of particular importance in children. For this reason, the aim of this study was to examine the levels of lipoproteins in the saliva of children without gingivitis and with gingivitis, as well as the degree of gingival inflammation. The testing was conducted in 120 children aged 12.2 years, with permanent dentition. Gingival index by Löe-Silness was used for the gingival estimation. A modified method with thiobarbituric acid was used for the determination of MDA in unstimulated saliva. Colorimetric reaction with 2.4 dinitrophenylhydrazine (2.4 DNPH) was applied for the determination of RCG. Results of the analysis of the average values of prooxidizer in the saliva of the patients in a study and the control group showed as statistically significantly higher in the patients of the study group, in RCG concentration (UMW=667.5, z=-4.137, p<0.001) as well as in the level of MDA (UMW=452.5, z=-5.44, p<0.001). The results of the analysis of the MDA level showed an increase in average values with increasing degree of gingival inflammation with statistical significance between the groups confirmed by the Kruskal- Wallis test (χ²KW=32.45, p<0.001) but not by the Mann-Whitney test. Results of the analysis of concentration of carbonyl groups in patients with varying degrees of gingival inflammation showed an increase with statistically significant differences in the values of this parameter among all groups of patients (χ²KW=45.23, p<0.001) and by the Mann- Whitney test the highest among the patients with healthy gingiva and patients with severe gingival inflammation (UMW=113.00, z=-4.98, p<0.001). The presence and increase in the parameters of oxidative stress of malondialdehyde and carbonyl groups in the saliva of children with gingivitis is in accordance with the existence and severity of periodontal disease. These biochemical parameters may be an important diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of paradontium health state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beside the traditional risk factors which have an effect on cardiovascular diseases, hemodialysis patients are exposed to metabolic factors, such as malnutrition, microinflammation and oxidative stress, along with mineral bone disorder. The aim of this study was to determine a three-year survival in patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis and to analyse correlation with parameters of mineral bone metabolism. During the three-year follow-up 186 patients were included, of which 115 men (61.83%) and 71 women, with a mean age 61.47±12.42. The exact date and the direct cause of death were recorded and mineral bone metabolism parameters were analysed. Out of 67 dead patients, 33 (49.25%) died from cardiovascular cause. Out of the total number of deaths in our study, only 11.9% of patients had a target PTH values. Patients with PTH>600 pg/ml are exposed to an increased risk from the overall mortality (RR=0.48, 95% CI (0.24-0.95), p=0.04), but also from cardiovascular mortality (RR=0.34, 95% CI (0.12-0.93), p=0.034) compared to patients with normal serum PTH. These patients have a statistically significant higher serum phosphorus in comparison with patients with normal PTH levels (1.72±0.42 vs. 1.39±0.36, p=0.032). Phosphorus above 2.10 mmol/L increases the relative risk for the overall mortality rate by 60% (RR=0.59, 95% CI (0.35-0.89), p=0.049). In our study, 2-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality (RR=2.00, 95% CI (0.92-4.36), p=0.048), and even 3-fold higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (RR=3.03, 95% CI (0.71-1.29), p=0.039) were found in patients with CaxP levels above 4.50 mmol2/L2. Three-year mortality rate of patients undergoing hemodialysis was 36.02%, while half of the patients died from cardiovascular disease. Patients with hyperparathyroidism and elevated calcium phosphorus product are at the highest risk, both for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Patients with hyperphosphatemia are at higher risk for all-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal pollution is a serious environmental and health problem. The negative effects of heavy metals that can enter human body can be reduced by the addition of some supplements. In this study, the effects of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) on the hematological parameters in Wistar rats in the absence and presence of lipoic acid and glutathione were analyzed. Pb, Cd and Cu intoxication significantly affected the hematological parameters of treated animals. The main effects in the case of Pb and Cd intoxication were decreased values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin and hematocrit (up to 30% and 20% for these two metals, respectively) compared with the control group. Cu intoxication caused decrease in hematocrit, thrombocytes, mean cell volume values (c.a. 15%) and slight decrease in the erythrocyte number, while the value of hemoglobin increased (c.a. 7%). The treatment with lipoic acid and glutathione reduced the toxic effects of these metals in all cases. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Copyright of Serbian Dental Journal / Stomatološki Glasnik Srbije is the property of National Library of Serbia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The complexation of humic acid with certain heavy metal ions (Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Pb(II)) was investigated. The stability constants of humate complexes were determined by a method based on the distribution of metal ions between solution and resin in the presence and the absence of ligand, kn own as Schubert’s ion exchange method. Experiments were performed at 25 ° C, pH 4.0 and ionic strength of 0.01 mol dm –3. It was found that the 1:1 complexes were formed be tween metal ions and humic acid. Obtained results of the stability constants, log βmn, of complexes formed between the metal ions and humic acid follow the order Co(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II) > Zn(II), which is the same as in the Irving–Williams series for the binding strength of divalent metal ion complexes. The stability constant of complex between Pb(II) ions and humic acid is greater than the stability constants of other investigated metal–humate complexes. The investigation o f interaction between heavy metal ions and humics is important for the prediction of the distribution and control of the migration of heavy metals in natural environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a higher mortality between patients with end-stage renal disease than patients in the general population. These circumstances have led to a search for risk factors as predictors of mortality in dialysis patients. Amongst those, inhibitors of the nitric-oxide (NO) synthesis deserve special attention, since patients with end-stage renal disease are also characterized by accelerated atherosclerosis. Asymmetric-dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric-dimethylarginine (SDMA), as well as C-reactive protein (CRP), have also been recognized as predictors of mortality in patients on dialysis. The aim of our study was to compare the prediction power of ADMA, SDMA and CRP for all-cause mortality in patients with end stage renal disease during the fourteen month follow-up. In total 162 patients on hemodialysis were included. ADMA and SDMA were measured by the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); CRP was measured using immunonephelometric assays. During the 14-month period 28 patients (34.1%) died from all-cause mortality. Using univariate analysis, hazard ratios (HR) of the potential independent predictors of mortality in hemodialysis patients were ADMA (HR 1.39 (1.01-1.91) p=0.043) and CRP (HR 1.024 (1.009-1.1.040) p=0.001). Further, multivariate analysis (MVA), however, showed that ADMA is the only predictor of all-cause mortality (HR 1.76 (1.002-3.11) P=0.049), while SDMA failed to predict death in this population. Therefore, our data shows that ADMA is an independent and better marker of all-cause mortality compared with CRP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacground/Aim. Hepcidin may play a pathogenetic role in iron metobolism disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between hepcidin concentration and parameters of iron metabolism in patients with different stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods. The study involved 104 patients with CKD: 64 on hemodialysis (HD) and 40 patients in pre-dialysis stadium (pre-HD) with adequate erythropoetin therapy and iron supplementation. The HD group was divided in four subgroups according to the level of serum ferritin (up to 100; 100-199; 200-499 and over 500 ng/mL). Parameters of anemia, iron status, inflamation and hepcidin level were evaluated. Results. The HD patients had a significantly lower eritrocyte count, erythrocytes indexes, hemoglobin and transferrin saturation and significantly higher iron, ferritin, hepcidin and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). The HD subgroups up to 199 ng/mL of serum feritin had lower high-sensitivity Creactive protein (hsCRP), iron and higher unbuffered iron binding capacity (UIBC), transferrin saturation and TIBC compared to the HD subgroups over 200 ng/mL. The lowest and the highest ferritin subgroups had the highest hepcidin level and it showed significant correlation with ferritin. Conclusion. Hepcidin may serve as a marker for better diagnosing and monitoring anemia and iron metabolism disorders in CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and/or impaired NO bioavailability may occur in patients with the chronic kidney disease (CKD), and could contribute to elevation of blood pressure, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and progression of renal injury in these patients. Free guanidinomethylated arginine residues occur endogenously as a result of proteolysis of post-translational methylated tissue proteins. The asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) is a competitive inhibitor of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes. The kidney has a predominant role in ADMA elimination by combining two mechanisms; urinary excretion and metabolization of ADMA The degradation of ADMA is accomplished intracellularly by the enzyme dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). ADMA is not only a uremic toxin, but also a strong marker of the endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis and a stronger independent predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcome in patients with the chronic renal failure. There are at least four mechanisms that may explain the accumulation of ADMA in CKD: increased methylation of proteins, increased protein turnover, decreased metabolism by DDAH and impaired renal excretion. A strong positive correlation between symmetric dimethyl arginine (SDMA) and creatinine suggests that SDMA might be of value as a marker of the renal function. Reduced NO elaboration secondary to accumulation of ADMA and elevated inflammation may be important pathogenic factors for endothelial dysfunction in patients with the renal disease. Elevation of ADMA may be a missing link between CVD and CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Medical Biochemistry is the property of Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Medical Biochemistry is the property of Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aim: This study explores the degree of oxidative stress in essential arterial hypertension (EAH). Even oxidative stress appears as one of several metabolic abnormalities involved in essential hypertension, it remains uncertain whether is primary or secondary. However measurement of the main oxidant may be useful in order to recognize and monitor oxidative stress. Methods: Lipid peroxidation products (TBA reac tive substances) were determined in red blood cells (RBC) and serum together with markers of antioxidant status: total antioxidative capacity (AOC), catalase activity (CAT) and RBC glutathione (GSH) content in four investigated groups. The first group consisted of regularly and adequately treated hyper tensive patients without complication (regulated), patients with hyper tension and complication of some organs and organic systems were the non-regulated group. Third group were patients at the beginning of EAH (non-treated) and controls were normotensive individuals. Results: Compared with controls, regulated and non-treated group, non-regulated hyper tensive pati ents had higher TBARS concen tration in plasma (p<0.001) and lower AOC, CAT activity without differences in GSH content. Conclusion: Recent findings suggest that hyper tension is a condition followed by intensive oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant factors. Adequate and strictly controlled therapy, hygienic and diet regime and possible use of antioxidants can signi fi cantly reduce blood pressure and prevent possible complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Medica Medianae is the property of Acta Medica Medianae and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction/Aim. By analysing activity of some of the enzymes normally present in the saliva and the level of malondialdehyde in gingivitis, it is possible to estimate the functional condition of parodontium, and the examined parametres can be considered as biochemical markers of its functional condition. The aim of this paper was to examine activity of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and the level of malondialdehyde in the saliva of children affected with gingivitis, as well as the values of the mentioned parametres in relation to the level of the inflammation of gingiva. Methods. The research included 120 children at the age of 12.2 with permanent dentition. Löe and Silness gingival index was used to estimate the condition of gingiva, based on which the childen were classified into four groups: the children with healthy gingiva (the control groups), the children with mild, moderate and severe inflammation of gingiva (the study group). Enzymes of the saliva were determined by the use of original tests and measured by the autoanalyser (Bio Systems A25, Spain). A modified method with tiobarbituric acid was used to determine malondialdehyde in nonstimulated mixed saliva. Results. The results of the examined enzyme activity and the level of malondialdehyde in the saliva of the study groups showed statistically considerably higher values for the level of malondialdehyde (p < 0.001), for the activity of aspartate aminotransferase and gamma glutamyl transferase (p < 0.01), as well as for alanine aminotransferase (p < 0.05) in comparison with the control group, whereas the activity of lactate dehydrogenase did not show a statistically significant increase. In relation to the level of the inflammation of gingiva, the results of the examination of the enzyme activity in the study groups showed statistically significantly higher values in the group with severe inflammation in comparison with those with mild, as well as the moderate inflamatiory, except for the gamma glutamyl transferase, and in the group with moderate inflammation compared to that with the mild one, except for alanine aminotransferase. The results of the examination of the level of malondialdehyde in the saliva of the study groups did not show a statistically significantly increase in relation to the level of the inflammation of gingiva. Conclusion. There is a higher level of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transferase and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme activity together with the higher level of malondialdehyde in the saliva of children with gingivitis in comparison with the activity of the same enzymes and the level of malondialdehyde in the saliva of children without gingivitis. The activity of the examined enzymes in the saliva of children with gingivitis increases in relation to the intensity of the pathological process, whereas the level of malondialdehyde shows no significant difference in relation to the level of the inflammation of gingiva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: Oxidative stress has been implicated in numerous pathological conditions including chronic tonsillitis. The aim of this study was to assess levels of lipid peroxidation, evidenced by formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), level of total sulfhydryl groups (TSH), and carbonyl content in patients with tonsillar hypertrophy (TH) and recurrent tonsillitis (RT), before and after tonsillectomy. Methods: In this study the serum and tonsillar tissue levels of TBARS, TSH and carbonyl content were investigated in 35 patients with TH and RT, before and 1 month after the operation, compared to 30 age-matched controls. Results: In both TH and RT groups, a significantly higher serum TBARS levels were observed before and 4 weeks after tonsillectomy in comparison with healthy subjects. The serum level in TH patients after operation was even higher compared to the levels before. There was statistically significant difference in serum TSH levels between patients with RT before operation compared to the control group. After tonsillectomy the serum levels of TSH were higher compared to control groups and TH and RT patients before operation. Carbonyl content was attenuated only in TH patients after tonsillectomy. In tonsillar tissue, significantly lower level of glutathione content (GSH) has been observed in RT related to TH patients. Conclusions: Oxidative stress, in patients with tonsillar hypertrophy and recurrent tonsillitis, is still present 1 month after the removal of tonsillar tissue. Antioxidant therapy, during the recovery period after tonsillectomy, could be optional treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A number of data demonstrated that there is a close relation between inflammation, oxidative stress and atherosclerosis. The initial event in atherogenesis is some form of endothelial dysfunction or activation. It can be triggered by mechanical, chemical, infectious or immunological insults, indicating that almost all risk factors for atherosclerosis could promote endothelial dysfunction. This triggers a cascade of inflammatory reactions, in which monocytes, macrophages, T lymphocytes and smooth muscle cells participate. These cells and the endothelium produce adhesion molecules, cytokines, growth factors and metalloproteinases, thus prolonging atherogenesis. An activation of oxidative producing enzymes such as NADPH oxidases and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) leads to oxidative stress and subsequent oxidative modification of LDL, and oxLDL can in turn activate the endothelial cells. Oxidatively modified LDL is uptaken by macrophages via scavenger receptors. This results in the accumulation of cholesterol within the macrophages and the formation of foam cells, a hallmark of atherosclerosis. The process continues with repeated cycles leading to the characteristic advanced lesions with the core of lipids and necrotic tissue which is covered by a fibrous cap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]