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BackgroundAlthough the role of neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in nasal polyps development has been studied, the contribution of neurotrophin-3 has not been evaluated yet. This study aimed to investigate the possible role of neurotrophin-3 in nasal polyps pathogenesis.MethodsThe study group comprised 70 non-allergic nasal polyps patients and the control group consisted of 53 patients with middle turbinate concha bullosa. Specimens were taken, during surgery, from the ethmoid sinus nasal polyps in the nasal polyps group and from the lateral part of the middle turbinate concha bullosa in the control group. Tissue and serum levels of neurotrophin-3 were assessed by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.ResultsNasal polyps patients had higher tissue neurotrophin-3 scores (p< 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding serum neurotrophin-3 levels (p= 0.417). Tissue neurotrophin-3 staining scores in the nasal polyps group had no statistically significant correlation with Lund–Mackay scores (p= 0.792).ConclusionNeurotrophin-3 may have a local effect in nasal polyps pathogenesis, without joining systemic circulation.

Periodontal diseases are chronic inflammatory diseases and tissue destruction increases with oxidative stress in periodontal tissues. Periodontal diseases are associated with systemic diseases such as diabetes, cardio-vascular diseases and rheumatoid arthritis by means of systemic inflammation. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which vaso-occlusive crisis and endothelial dysfunction are present. It is not known whether the chronic systemic inflammation seen in SCD affect periodontal tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between periodontal and systemic inflammation in children with SCD. Forty-three children with SCD and 43 healthy children were included in the study. Physical, dental and periodontal statuses were examined, blood and saliva samples were taken. Levels of pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators in serum and saliva were evaluated. The periodontal findings of the groups were similar. The majority of the subjects in both groups had gingival inflammation. In SCD group, significantly higher serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, total oxidant status (TOS), nitric oxide (NO) and salivary IL-6 were observed (p 0.05). There were positive correlations between salivary IL-6 levels and serum Hs-CRP levels (r = 0.303, p 0.05). In addition; it was determined that salivary IL-6, TNF-α and NO levels were increased 3-6 times in children with a history of painful crisis or acute chest syndrome compared to children who had never had a painful crisis or acute chest syndrome. Although, observed oral health status was similar in both groups, salivary cytokine levels were increased in children with SCD. The higher salivary cytokine levels may be associated with chronic systemic inflammation and vaso-occlusion observed in children with SCD.

WOS: 000404505700013, PubMed: 28694726, Introduction: A nationwide multicentre study was conducted to establish well-defined reference intervals (Rls) of haematological parameters for the Turkish population in consideration of sources of variation in reference values (RVs). Materials and methods: K2-EDTA whole blood samples (total of 3363) were collected from 12 laboratories. Sera were also collected for measurements of iron, UIBC, TIBC, and ferritin for use in the latent abnormal values exclusion (LAVE) method. The blood samples were analysed within 2 hours in each laboratory using Cell Dyn and Ruby (Abbott), LH780 (Beckman Coulter), or XT-2000i (Sysmex). A panel of freshly prepared blood from 40 healthy volunteers was measured in common to assess any analyser-dependent bias in the measurements. The SD ratio (SDR) based on ANOVA was used to judge the need for partitioning RVs. Rls were computed by the parametric method with/without applying the LAVE method. Results: Analyser-dependent bias was found for basophils (Bas), MCHC, RDW and MPV from the panel test results and thus those Rls were derived for each manufacturer. Rls were determined from all volunteers' results for WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, MCV, MCH and platelets. Gender-specific Rls were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, iron, UIBC and ferritin. Region-specific Rls were required for RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit, UIBC, and TIBC. Conclusions: With the novel use of a freshly prepared blood panel, manufacturer-specific Rls' were derived for Bas, Bas%, MCHC, RDW and MPV. Regional differences in Rls were observed among the 7 regions of Turkey, which may be attributed to nutritional or environmental factors, including altitude., Research Fund of Uludag Universty [UAP(T)-2011/48]; Abbott Diagnostics (Abbott Laboratories, IL, USA); Becton Dickinson (BD Diagnostics, Oxford, England), This study was supported by the Research Fund of Uludag Universty (UAP(T)-2011/48), Abbott Diagnostics (Abbott Laboratories, IL, USA) and Becton Dickinson (BD Diagnostics, Oxford, England). We wish to thank Dr. David Armbruster from Abbott Diagnostics (Abbott Laboratories, IL, USA) for his kind support for realization of the study. We especially thank all the volunteers for their participation in this study. Finally, we are grateful to Professor Andrew Myron Johnson for his detailed scientific editing of this manuscript.

Antrochoanal polyp (ACP) is a benign soft tissue lesion arising from the inner wall of the maxillary sinus that extends into the nasal cavity and choana. Although it was first explained by Killian in 1906, the underlying pathogenesis has not been yet fully understood. Neurotrophins have been demonstrated to have a possible role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis, idiopathic rhinitis and nasal polyps. To date any study has not investigated the function of neuronal inflammation and neurotrophins in the development of ACP. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible effect of neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in ACP pathogenesis.Twenty adult patients with ACP who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery in our department were included in the study group. The control group included 15 patients with concha bullosa of middle concha who underwent lateral excisional surgery. Nasal tissue NT-3 staining scores were evaluated using immunohistochemical methods. Blood NT-3 levels of both groups were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).There were no statistically significant differences between these two groups regarding tissue NT-3 staining scores (p=0.843) and blood NT-3 levels (p=0.463). In addition, no statistically significant correlation has been observed between tissue NT-3 staining scores and blood NT-3 levels in both ACP (p=0.578) and control (p=0.359) group patients.NT-3-related neuronal inflammation does not seem to have any role in ACP pathogenesis.Antrokoanal polip (AP), maksiller sinüs iç duvarından kaynaklanan, nazal kavite ve koanaya uzanan benign yumuşak doku lezyonudur. İlk kez 1906’da Killian tarafından açıklanmasına rağmen, altta yatan patogenezi halen tam olarak anlaşılamamıştır. Nörotropinlerin alerjik rinit, idiyopatik rinit ve nazal polip patogenezinde rolü olabileceği gösterilmiştir. Bugüne kadar nöronal inflamasyon ve nörotropinlerin AP oluşumundaki fonksiyonunu araştıran çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Nörotropin 3 (NT-3)’ün AP patogenezinde olası etkisini araştırmaktır.Çalışmaya kliniğimizde endoskopik sinüs cerrahisi yapılan AP’li 20 erişkin hasta alınmıştır. Kontrol grubu, lateral eksizyon yapılan 15 orta konka büllozalı hastayı içermektedir. Nazal dokuda NT-3 boyanma skorları immünohistokimya ile değerlendirilmiştir. Her iki grubun kan NT-3 seviyeleri Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) ile değerlendirilmiştir.İki grup arasında doku NT-3 boyanma skorları (p=0,843) ve kan NT-3 seviyeleri (p=0,463) bakımından anlamlı fark yoktur. Ek olarak doku NT-3 boyanma skorları ile kan NT-3 seviyeleri arasında hem AP (p=0,578) hem de kontrol (p=0,359) grubunda istatistiksel olarak anlamlı korelasyon yoktu.NT-3 bağımlı nöronal enflamasyonun, AP patogenezinde rol oynamadığı düşünülmüştür.

PubMedID: 26411723 Aim To evaluate the remote effect of intestinal ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury mediated by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-?) on diaphragm contractility functions and whether administration of NAC may counteract the possible detrimental effects in an experimental neonatal rat model. Methods 40 Wistar rat pups were randomized into four groups; ten animals in each. Intestinal ischemia was conducted by obstructing mesentery of intestines by a silk loop. In the control group; only laparotomy was performed. After 1 h ischemia, reperfusion was conducted for 1 h in 1 h group, 24 h for 24 h group and 24 h for 24 h + NAC group but administration of NAC (150 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally twice a day was performed. Inflammatory response was evaluated by tissue TNF-? level and contractility functions by mechanic activity studies of the diaphragm. Electrophysiology of the diaphragm and the phrenic nerve was conducted to determine neuropathy or myopathy and transmission electron microscopy was performed to evaluate ultrastructural changes in the phrenic nerve. Results Diaphragm tissue TNF-? level significantly increased in 1 h and 24 h groups (P = 0.004, P = 0.0001; respectively). Diaphragm mechanic activation force and duration significantly decreased at 1 h and 24 h (P = 0.004, P = 0.02 and P = 0.0001, P = 0.0001; respectively). NAC administration significantly prevented decrease in the maximal contraction and the duration (P < 0.001). Phrenic nerve compound action potential (CMAP) amplitude significantly decreased in 1 h group (P < 0.0001) and NAC administration significantly prevented this decrease when compared with 24 h group (P < 0.001). In diaphragmatic needle electromyography, the duration of motor unit potentials (MUP) was prolonged significantly when compared with control group. Contractility and electrophysiological studies were indicating primarily neuropathy in diaphragm dysfunction. Histopathology revealed axonal and myelin degeneration in the 1 h and 24 h group, but less injury in the NAC administered group. Conclusions Intestinal IR induced elevation of TNF-? level in the diaphragm. Impairment in the diaphragm contractility and neuropathic changes in the phrenic nerve occurred even in the first hour of reperfusion. NAC administration prevented these detrimental effects. © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the healing of colonic anastomosis in the presence of sepsis.Fifty Wistar-albino male rats were used. Ten healthy rats were euthanized to prepare PRP, the rest were subjected to colonic anastomosis and randomly allocated into four groups of 10 rats each as anastomosis without PRP (C), without PRP in sepsis (SC), anastomosis with PRP (C-PRP), and with PRP in sepsis (S-PRP). Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture procedure. All animals were euthanized on postoperative day 7. The body weight change, anastomotic bursting pressure (ABP), tissue hydroxyproline (TH) and histopathological examination of each group were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance (ANOWA) and Tukey's HSD post-hoc test to assess the differences between the groups.There was no statistical difference among the groups in terms of body weight changes. The ABP was measured at a mean value of 179.5 ± 10.3, 129.3 ± 14.2, 209 ± 14.4, and 167.5 ± 7.5 mm-Hg, in group C, SC, C-PRP, and S-PRP, respectively. The ABP and TH of C-PRP group was significantly higher than three groups (p.05, for each comparison). In sepsis, PRP significantly raised the mean ABP and TH levels up to the levels of C group. Tissue regeneration was significant with increased collagen formation in C-PRP group than the other groups (p.05). The healing effect of PRP in the presence of sepsis was significant than S-group (p.05), while similar to C group (p = .181).PRP application to colonic anastomosis promotes the healing process in rats with intra-abdominal sepsis.

Objective Nasal Polyp (NP) is a benign mass of the paranasal sinuses that protrudes into the nasal cavity. The exact underlying pathogenesis is not known. In this study we aimed to determine the genetic susceptibility of NP formation in relation to TNF-α-308 and IL-1β-511 promoter region gene polymorphisms. Methods A total of 71 patients with NP with asthma (n=21) or without asthma (n=50) were taken as the study group, and 91 healthy volunteers were taken as the control group. Blood was gathered into EDTA-containing tubes, and patient DNA was extracted. The polymorphisms of the IL-β and TNF-α cytokine genes were analyzed using real time polymerase chain reaction. Results The GG genotype in the TNF-α-308 region and the CC genotype in the IL-1β-511 region were found to be risk factors for NP formation (OR: 9.2, p=0.007 and OR: 33.3, p=0.001, respectively). Regarding allelic frequencies, the G allele at the TNF-α-308 promoter region was a risk factor for NP formation (OR: 6.06, p

Class-II human leukocyte antigens (HLA) present tumor antigenic peptides on the cell surface in order to be recognized by T lymphocytes. Thereby, these molecules can play an important role in the immune response to breast cancer tumor antigens. The aim of this study was to determine the relation between breast cancer and HLA class-II alleles in Turkey. The study groups consisted of 69 breast cancer patients and 45 healthy controls. Typing of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 from DNA samples was performed by Sequence Specific Oligonucletide Hybridisation. Significant negative correlations were observed between HLA-DRB1 03 and HLA-DQB1 02 alleles and breast cancer (p1 = 0.019; p2 = 0.019) and also between HLA-DQB1 02 allele and postmenopausal breast cancer (P = 0.022) and c-erb-B2 positivity (P = 0.038). Furthermore, there was a significant positive correlation between HLA-DRB1 13 and HLA-DQB1 06 alleles and progesteron receptor positivity (p1 = 0.012; p2 = 0.001); and a significant negative correlation between HLA-DQB1 03 allele and progesteron receptor positivity (P = 0.009) in breast cancer. Additionally, another significant positive correlation was seen between HLA-DRB1 04 allele and c-erb-B2 positivity (P = 0.036). As a result, while HLA-DRB1 03, HLA-DQB1 02, HLA-DRB1 13, and HLA-DQB1 06 alleles were found to be involved in protectiveness against breast cancer and good prognosis; HLA-DQB1 03 and HLA-DRB1 04 alleles were found to be involved in poor prognosis. In conclusion, by determining allele types showing predisposition to breast cancer, a systematical screening and follow up systems can be developed for patients who are at high risk.

ABS TRACT Ob jec ti ve: We ai med to de ter mi ne MHC Class 2 al le le fre qu en ci es of chro nic he pa ti tis B ca ses (CHB) and inac ti ve he pa ti tis B (IHB) car ri ers in our po pu la ti on, and to as ses the prog no sis of di se a se ac cor ding to MHC Class 2 type in early sta ge. Ma te ri al and Met hods: Forty-eight CHB pa ti ents, 46 IHB car ri ers and 100 nor mal con trol sub jects par ti ci pi a ted in this study. DNAs we re am p li fi ed by PCR using ap prop ri a te oli go nuc le o ti des. Then, the se PCR pro ducts we re disp la yed by aga ro se gel elec trop ho re sis tech ni qu e by using UV tran sul li mi na tor. The poly morp hism of the al le les HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 we re analy zed ba sed on ge noty ping inc lu ding the lengths of the bands disp la yed on the gel. Re sults: The IHB car ri ers had sig ni fi cantly hig her fre qu en ci es of DQB1*01, DRB1*14 and DQB1*05 al le les than the con trol sub jects. When two gro ups of pa ti ents we re com pa red, the fre qu en ci es of HLA-DQB1*01 al le les we re sig ni fi cantly hig her in the CHB pa ti ents than in the IHB car ri ers. The fre qu en ci es of HLA-DRB1*14-*15 and HLA-DQB1*01-*01 ge noty pes we re sig ni fi cantly hig her in the CHB pa ti ents than in the IHB car ri ers. Conc lu si on: It might be ad vi sed to de ter mi ne HLA-DRB1*14 ve HLA-DQB1* 01 al lells and HLA-DRB1*14-*15, HLA-DQB1*01-*01 ge noty pes in the in di vi du als fa cing with he pa ti tis B vi rus, and if the re sults are po si ti ve, the se pa ti ents sho uld be fol lo wed up for chro ni city.

Scarce data exist on the relationship of C-reactive protein (CRP) or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) to the occurrence of heart failure (HF) or cardiogenic shock (CS) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and on the relationship between these biomarkers and mortality in CS patients. Thus, we compared high-sensitivity CRP and PAI-1 antigen plasma levels on admission among 3 age- and gender-matched AMI patients groups (consisting of 60 patients with CS, 60 with HF, and 60 without HF on admission), after determining that PAI-1 levels did not vary significantly diurnally in these groups by comparing the data among subgroups which were divided according to admission time within the groups. For CS patients, we also conducted regression analyses to examine the relations of these biomarkers to mortality. CRP levels both in CS (P0.001) and HF (P0.05) patients were significantly higher compared to those without HF, PAI-1 levels in CS patients were significantly higher compared to both those with (P0.05) and without HF (P0.01), and CRP and PAI-1 were independent predictors of in-hospital (Odds ratio [OR] = 6.12, 95% confidence intervals [95%CI] = 1.47-25.54 and OR = 5.92, 95%CI = 1.31-26.77, respectively) and 1-year mortality (OR = 5.53, 95%CI = 1.21-25.17 and OR = 5.48, 95%CI = 1.09-27.52, respectively) in CS patients. In conclusion, at admission, CRP is associated with the occurrence of CS and HF and PAI-1 is associated with the occurrence of CS after AMI, and they are of prognostic value in CS complicating AMI.

Propolis is the generic name for the resinous substance collected by honeybees, which is known to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, apoptosis-inducible effects. Anastomotic dehiscence after colorectal surgery is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. We aimed to assess the effect of propolis on healing in an experimental colon anastomosis in rats.Forty adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into 5 treatment groups with 8 rats in each: Group I, anastomosis+no treatment; Group II, anastomosis+oral propolis (600 mg/kg/d); Group III, anastomosis+oral ethyl alcohol (1 cc/d); Group IV, anastomosis+rectal propolis (600 mg/kg/d); Group V, anastomosis+rectal ethyl alcohol (1 cc/d). The bursting pressures, hydroxiproline levels and histopathological changes in each group were measured.When bursting pressures were compared between groups, we observed that they were increased in the groups treated with propolis in contrast to all other groups. Hydroxiproline levels in the propolis groups were also significantly increased in contrast to the other groups. There was also a statistically significant difference in histopathological changes between the treatment types. When propolis administration methods were compared, we did not observe a statistically significant difference.Propolis has a significantly favourable effect on healing in experimental colon anastomosis, independent from the method of administration.

PubMedID: 18029336 This study was conducted to investigate the effects of propolis and mesalamine on experimental colitis in rats. Distal colitis was induced in rats by intracolonic instillation of 2 mL of 4% acetic acid. The animals were randomly assigned to 5 groups: group 1, control, (n=8); group 2, colitis, received no treatment (n=8); group 3, colitis+mesalamine, 2 mL once a day via an enema (n=8); group 4, colitis+propolis, 600 mg/kg once a day via intragastric lavage (n=8); and group 5, colitis+mesalamine+propolis for 1 wk (n=8). Levels of nitric oxide were statistically significantly different in comparisons between groups 1 and 2, groups 2 and 3, and groups 4 and 5. Malondialdehyde levels were significantly different when group 2 was compared with groups 3, 4, and 5. A significant difference was observed when group 3 was compared with group 4 for myeloperoxidase. Most propolis-treated rats had normal histology; mesalamine-treated and propolis+mesalamine-treated rats had inflammatory cell infiltration at rates of 50% and 33%, respectively. The investigators concluded that propolis and mesalamine are efficient independently and in combination, but that their combined effect was not observed to be additive in experimental colitis. ©2007 Health Communications Inc.

Objectives:Wound healing, epithelial regrowth and collagen synthesis are very important factors in the repair of the traumatised tympanic membrane. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of plasma fibronectine in the aetiopathogenesis of tympanosclerosis.Methods:This prospective study included 58 patients with and 49 without tympanosclerosis. No inflammation or trauma was noted in either patient group. All patients underwent otoscopic and otomicroscopic examination, and the degree of tympanosclerosis was graded from mild (stage I) to severe (stage III). Following otological examination, blood samples were taken for plasma fibronectine measurement.Results:Following otoscopic and otomicroscopic examinations, patients' tympanosclerosis was graded as follows: 18 patients were stage I; 29 were stage II; and 11 were stage III. Statistical analyses revealed that the plasma fibronectine concentrations were significantly lower in the study group compared with the control group (p = 0.031). In addition, fibronectine levels were lowest in the patients with severest tympanosclerosis (p = 0.0001 in each comparison).Conclusion:The results of the present study show that serum fibronectine is important in the development and severity of tympanosclerosis.

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common inflammatory nasal mucosal disease characterized by sneezing, watery nasal discharge, nasal obstruction and itching. Although allergen-specific antibodies play a main role in the allergic airway inflammation, neuronal inflammation may also contribute to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Neuronal inflammation is primarily caused by the stimulation of sensory nerve endings with histamine. It has been shown that neurotrophins may also have a role in allergic reactions and neuronal inflammation. Nerve growth factor, neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), neurotrophin 4/5 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor are members of the neurotrophin family. Although nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor are well studied in allergic rhinitis patients, the exact role of Neurotrophin-3 is not known. Aims: To investigate the possible roles of neurotrophin-3 in allergic rhinitis patients. Study Design: Case-control study. Methods: Neurotrophin-3 levels were studied in the inferior turbinate and serum samples of 20 allergic rhinitis and 13 control patients. Neurotrophin-3 staining of nasal tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and ELISA was used for the determination of serum Neurotrophin-3 levels. Results: Neurotrophin-3 staining scores were statistically higher in the study group than in the control patients (p=0.001). Regarding serum Neurotrophin-3 levels, no statistically significant difference could be determined between allergic rhinitis and control patients (p=0.156). When comparing the serum NT-3 levels with tissue staining scores, there were no statistically significant differences in the allergic rhinitis and control groups (p=0.254 for allergic rhinitis and p=0.624 for control groups). Conclusion: We suggest that Neurotrophin-3 might affect the nasal mucosa locally without being released into the systemic circulation in allergic rhinitis patients.

Corticosteroids are used to reduce the oedema and prevent scar tissue formation of the upper airways by their ability to inhibit influx of inflammatory cells, limit capillary permeability and block collagen synthesis in the early stages of wound healing. Triazolopyrimidine (Trapidil) is an antiplatelet agent that acts in part as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and as a competitive inhibitor of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor. Trapidil, with its vasodilator and NO releasing effect may have some potential to diminish the tissue injury. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of trapidil (triazolopyrimidine) on lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide in the corticosteroid-impaired healing of tracheal anastomoses. Thirty-four adult Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The animals underwent tracheal transection and primary anastomoses. The groups were assigned as follows: group I, control, (GI, n = 6); group II, sham, (GII, n = 6); group III, dexamethasone, 0.1 mg kg−1 twice daily intramuscularly, (GIII, n = 8); group IV, trapidil, 6 mg kg−1 twice daily intraperitoneally (GIV, n = 7); group V, dexamethasone, 0.1 mg kg−1 plus trapidil, 6 mg kg−1 twice daily (GV, n = 7), for 1 week. After 1 week, anastomotic healing was assessed by measurement of bursting pressure, evaluation of histopathology, measurement of MDA and nitrite/nitrate levels. In GIII, GIV and GV bursting pressures resulted in significantly reduced anastomotic strength compared to the controls (p

Myocardial bridging (MB) is associated with clinical and metabolic evidence of ischaemia. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the extent of atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in patients with MB. The study population consisted of 15 patients with MB [9 women (60%), aged 56 +/- 9 years] and 14 control subjects [8 women (57%), aged 54 +/- 10 years]. All patients underwent coronary angiography. The femoral artery and coronary sinus endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NOx) plasma levels were measured before and after right atrial pacing in all subjects. Also, intravascular ultrasonography was performed in 13 patients with MB. With right atrial pacing, coronary sinus ET-1 levels increased significantly in patients with MB compared with baseline levels (5.77 +/- 6.76 versus 11.32 +/- 9.40 pg/ml, p0.05). The coronary sinus ET-1 levels remained unchanged in controls with pacing (3.99 +/- 4.00 versus 4.19 +/- 7.15 pg/ml, p0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups according to the increase in NOx levels with atrial pacing. Ten (77%) of the 13 patients had plaque formation in the segments proximal to the bridge with an area stenosis of 37 +/- 21% (12% to 75%). In patients with MB, post-pacing levels of coronary sinus ET-1 correlated significantly with the cross-sectional area of the plaque (r = 0.65, p = 0,04). Increased ET-1 levels and the pathological data of intravascular ultrasonography may be associated with endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis development in patients with MB. The presence of atherosclerosis in the proximal segments to the bridge may contribute to the myocardial ischaemia detected in these patients.

Background: Trapidil has various properties including vasodilatation, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and platelet aggregation as well as, and reduction of, the inflammatory response to injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of trapidil on dexamethasone-impaired colonic anastomotic healing in an experimental rat model. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats underwent colonic transsection and primary anastomosis. Rats were divided into four groups of six: group 1 (G1), control; group 2 (G2) trapidil, 8 mg/kg per day intravenously; group 3 (G3) dexamethasone, 0.1 mg/kg per day intramuscularly; and group 4 (G4) dexamethasone 0.1 mg/kg intramuscularly and trapidil 8 mg/kg intravenously per day, for 1 week. Anastomotic bursting pressure, hydroxyproline level, histopathological grading, malondialdehyde and nitrite/nitrate levels were determined. Results: Dexamethasone-impaired anastomotic healing was found to be improved by trapidil administration in terms of anastomotic bursting pressure and hydroxyproline content (P = 0.026, and P = 0.017). In addition, histopathological examination revealed an increase in fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition (P = 0.004, and P = 0.015) and a decrease in leucocyte infiltration (P = 0.004). Moreover, serum nitrite/nitrate and malondialdehyde levels decreased when G3 was compared to G4 (P

Several studies have shown that serum procalcitonin levels increase conspicuously in acute and systemic inflammatory diseases. However, there is insufficient information concerning its activity in chronic infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. In this study, we aimed to assess serum level of procalcitonin in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and in medical staff at high risk due to close patient contact (high-risk staff).For this purpose, 30 patients (6 female, 24 male) and 20 staff (8 female, 12 male) were evaluated. Twenty eight healthy blood donors (9 female, 19 male) made up the control group.Serum procalcitonin level in patients with tuberculosis was 0.76 +/- 0.20 ng/mL. Procalcitonin levels in active tuberculosis patients and staff were not significantly different (p=0.381); however, differences between active tuberculosis patients and control group were significant (p0.001). In addition, serum procalcitonin levels were also different in staff and control groups (p0.001).This study showed that procalcitonin levels increased both in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and in the staff. This result considered that procalcitonin could be a good indicator of inflammation in patients with chronic diseases and in persons exposed to long-lasting infections.

In this study, the endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in slow coronary flow (SCF) patients were assessed before and at the peak of the exercise stress test and compared with the values from healthy controls. The study population was 25 patients who underwent coronary angiography and were diagnosed as SCF (11 females (44%), aged 56.7+/-9.8 years), and 20 normal subjects (9 females (45%), aged 54.3+/-9.2 years). Mean TIMI frame count in the patients was 54.1+/-13.4. Blood samples were drawn at rest and immediately at the end of exercise testing. The baseline ET-1 concentrations of the control subjects were lower than those of the patients (7.0+/-4.5 pg/ml vs 11.1+/-5.9 pg/ml p

Objective: The association of bone mineral density (BMD) with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) related to diabetes mellitus was studied. Methods: We measured BMD and elevated known determinants of BMD (bone markers) in 35 patients with DISH-related type 2 diabetes mellitus, 47 type 2 female diabetics, and 52 female controls with no systemic disease and no drug administration. All subjects were matched for age and body mass index (BMI). All subjects were in the postmenopausal period. Results: Among subjects, BMD values were significantly higher in DISH patients than in diabetics and controls (p < 0.05). In addition, the duration of diabetes mellitus was longer in DISH patients and significantly correlated with total hip BMD in DISH patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with DISH have higher BMD, and increased BMD probably results from hyperostosis of the axial skeleton, which may cause decreased fracture risk.

Myringosclerosis (MyS) is a common sequela of acute and chronic otitis media and ventilation tube treatment of serous otitis media. We aimed to study the effect of topical administration of N -acetylcysteine (NAC) on MyS by assessment of otomicroscopic evaluation, lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) (nitrite/nitrate) levels in experimental myringotomized rat tympanic membrane. Thirty adult rats were used and the upper posterior quadrant of the tympanic membranes of rats was myringotomized. Thereafter, they were divided into four groups. Group I received no treatment, group II was treated with saline, groups III and IV were treated with topical NAC (0.1 ml of 6 and 12 mg ml(-1), respectively). The levels of nitrite/nitrate and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in serum samples. In the otomicroscopic evaluation, non-treated and saline treated ears (controls) showed extensive occurrence of myringosclerotic plaques. Groups III and IV showed fewer occurrences of sclerotic plaques. There was no significant difference between groups III and IV regarding the development of MyS. The development of myringosclerotic lesion was found to be significantly different between NAC treated groups (III and IV) and the control groups (I and II). The levels of nitrite/nitrate of both groups III and IV were significantly lower than the control groups. The levels of MDA of these groups were also significantly lower than the control group. The relationship between groups III and IV was not statistically significant for the levels of nitrite/nitrate and MDA. We conclude that the topical treatment of NAC reduces the levels of MDA and NO products in rats. These results suggest that topical NAC application may be useful for the prevention of MyS.

Background Angiogenesis has been shown to be increased in various human tumors including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is thought to be one of the most important angiogenic factors in tumorigenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether polymorphism of VEGF-1154 (A/G) genotypes are associated with the risk of laryngeal SCC. Methods A prospective, randomized, case-control study in a tertiary university hospital was done. The study group consisted of 57 Caucasian patients with laryngeal SCC and 89 control subjects. Blood samples were obtained before surgery or from the patients under follow-up to 5 years after surgery. VEGF-1154 (A/G) genotypes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction with thermal cycler system. Results According to the high-risk (GG) genotype, the difference between the patient and control groups was statistically significant (OR 0.43, 95% CI=0.19–0.95, p = 0.037). Conclusions GG genotype of the VEGF gene may increase the risk of laryngeal SCC in this population. VEGF gene polymorphism may be an important potential genetic and therapeutic marker of laryngeal SCC.

Background: A nationwide multicenter study was organized to establish reference intervals (RIs) in the Turkish population for 25 commonly tested biochemical analytes and to explore sources of variation in reference values, including regionality. Methods: Blood samples were collected nationwide in 28 laboratories from the seven regions (?400 samples/region, 3066 in all). The sera were collectively analyzed in Uludag University in Bursa using Abbott reagents and analyzer. Reference materials were used for standardization of test results. After secondary exclusion using the latent abnormal values exclusion method, RIs were derived by a parametric method employing the modified Box-Cox formula and compared with the RIs by the non-parametric method. Three-level nested ANOVA was used to evaluate variations among sexes, ages and regions. Associations between test results and age, body mass index (BMI) and region were determined by multiple regression analysis (MRA). Results: By ANOVA, differences of reference values among seven regions were significant in none of the 25 analytes. Significant sex-related and age-related differences were observed for 10 and seven analytes, respectively. MRA revealed BMI-related changes in results for uric acid, glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, and ?-glutamyltransferase. Their RIs were thus derived by applying stricter criteria excluding individuals with BMI >28 kg/m2. Ranges of RIs by non-parametric method were wider than those by parametric method especially for those analytes affected by BMI. Conclusions: With the lack of regional differences and the well-standardized status of test results, the RIs derived from this nationwide study can be used for the entire Turkish population. © by De Gruyter 2014., Applied Scientific Research Fund: :24256003:2012-2014 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Acknowledgments: This study was supported by Research Fund of Uludag Universty (UAP(T)-2011/48), IFCC C-RIDL, Scientific Research Fund (No:24256003:2012-2014) provided by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Abbott Diagnostics and Becton Dickinson. We had invaluable input from the IFCC C-RIDL and the Turkish National Biochemical Association. We are very grateful to Uludag University Central Laboratory, We are thankful to David Ambruster from Abbott Diagnostics for his kind cooperation to realize this study. The final manuscript was edited with generous support by Prof. A. Myron Johnson.

PubMedID: 21479698 Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) contribute to the pathogenesis of diverse kind of diseases. Previous studies have shown associations between KIR genes, their ligands and either protection or susceptibility to leukemias or virally associated solid tumors. However, the possible roles of KIR gene polymorphisms in the development of breast cancer remain largely unknown. To investigate the association of KIR gene polymorphisms with breast cancer, we carried out the present study on 33 breast cancer patients and 77 healthy controls by means of sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes analysis, and then all data were statistically analyzed by Fisher exact test. Our results showed that the frame genes KIR2DL4, 3DL2, 3DL3, and 3DP1 were found in all patients and all controls. The rate of activating KIR2DS1 was much higher in patients with breast cancer than that in healthy controls (P = 0.032) while the allelic types of activating 2DS4 (2DS4*003/4/6/7) were lower in patients with breast cancer compared with healthy controls (P = 0.028). Additionally, there was a statistically significant negative correlation between 2DL1 genes and breast cancer development (P = 0.025). In conclusion, this study suggests that the activating KIR2DS1 may trigger breast cancer development, while 2DL1 gene and 2DS4*003/4/6/7 alleles are possibly protectors for breast cancer. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.

PubMedID: 21655956 Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a family of inhibitory and activating receptors expressed by natural killer (NK) cells and regulate NK cells' activity. KIR genes are highly polymorphic markers, characterized by a wide diversity, and can therefore be considered as good population genetic markers. The aim of this study was to determine KIR gene frequencies, ratios of haplotypes and genotypes in Southern Turkey and also to compare the data with other worldwide populations studied previously. The study group consisted of 200 non-related individuals from Southern Turkey. The percentage of each KIR gene in the population group was determined by direct counting. Differences between populations in the distribution of each KIR gene and genotype profile were estimated by two-tailed Fisher Exact test. The most frequent non-framework KIR genes detected in Southern Turkey population were: KIR 2DL1 (97%), KIR 3DL1 (91%), KIR 2DS4 (92%) and the pseudogene 2DP1 (96%). Fourty different genotypes were found in 200 subjects and AA1 genotype was the most frequent (27%). Among 40 different genotypes, ten of these were described for the first time in this study and were added to the database (http://www. allelefrequencies.net) numerized as genotype ID from 400 to 409. Gene frequencies and found genotypes demonstrated similarity of Southern Turkey's KIR repertoire with the KIR repertoires of Middle East and European population. High variability seen in KIR genome in this region is thought to be formed as a result of migration and settlement of different civilizations in this region and heterogenity formed in time. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. Acknowledgments This study was approved and funded by BAP of Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey (grant number: BAP-TF-TB(ÖGÖ)2008-3TU).

An extensive research has been performed to investigate the mechanisms of action by which the application of subatmospheric pressure to wounds increases the rate of healing. Increased blood flow with vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) use is the most popular aspect. Fibronectin, which is an adhesion molecule, has several functional domains mediating chemotaxis, adhesion and migration. This is thereby involved in differentiation, proliferation, inflammation and thus in wound healing. In this study, plasma fibronectin levels were measured before and after VAC in patients with wounds. The results showed that there was an increase in pre- and post-VAC levels of plasma fibronectin. This statistically significant increase could be another explanation of how VAC therapy promotes wound healing.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum L-carnitine levels and its effect on lipoproteins in chronic viral hepatitis B or C patients. Design and Methods: Blood samples were taken from 41 patients and 30 healthy subjects after 12 h fasting. Results: Patients’ serum L-carnitine levels (11.19 ± 6.67 mg/L) (p < 0.0001) and hepatic enzyme activities (AST and ALT) (49.02 ± 42.80 and 58.35 ± 57.51 U/L) (p < 0.0005) were significantly higher than controls’. Serum total (3.85 ± 0.82 mmol/L), LDL (2.08 ± 0.76 mmol/L) and HDL (1.02 ± 0.29 mmol/L) cholesterol levels were significantly lower in patients (p < 0.01). On the other hand triglyceride levels (1.65 ± 0.85 mmol/L) were significantly higher in patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The higher L-carnitine levels of patients may result from the leakage of hepatic cellular carnitine. If there is a decreased hepatic cellular carnitine levels, this may affect the transport of acetyl moiety for cholesterol synthesis and alter lipoprotein composition. Further investigation is needed for hepatic tissue L-carnitine levels.

Hypersecretion of prolactin (PRL) by lactotroph cells of the anterior pituitary may lead to hyperprolactinemia in physiological or pathological conditions. However, some of the patients may present with another cause of hyperprolactinemia, described by various authors as macroprolactinemia.The clinical, radiological and biochemical assessment of 124 patients were carefully evaluated for differential diagnosis in light of the literature. Macroprolactinemia was assessed by the polyethylene glycol (PEG) method in all of the patients, with high PRL level but without significant symptomatology, presenting to our clinic between 2004 and 2006.The sera from 124 patients with hyperprolactinemia were screened for macroprolactinemia using the PEG method and macroprolactinemia was detected in 10 patients (8%). The average age of the patients was 35 years (range 23-46). Nine of the ten patients were female (90%) and one was male (10%). All of the patients had MRI. An intrasellar mass and stalk lipoma were found in three of the ten patients (30%).In conclusion, macroprolactinemia should be taken into consideration as a probable cause of high serum prolactin levels to avoid repeated hormone assessments, neuroradiological examinations and unnecessary medical and surgical treatments.

Although the neuropathology of ischemic nerve fiber degeneration is relatively well known, its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Local cytokines, which have neuroprotective effects on inflammation and repair, participate in the process by undefined mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the sciatic nerve of the rat and investigated the probable effects of cytokines on this period.In the current study, ischemia and reperfusion injury of sciatic nerve was rendered by clamping the femoral artery and vein of the rat for three hours and was followed by varying durations of reperfusion. Activin A, TGF Beta1 and TGF, Beta2 levels were measured in serum samples.TGF Beta1 and Activin A were found to be increased in the ischemic groups compared with the control group (p0.05). A significant difference was found between the experimental groups after reperfusion (p0.05). There was no statistical significance for TGF Beta2 levels between the study groups (p0.05).Ischemia causes some important changes in biochemical parameters, and nerve injury continues for a while according to the reperfusion time. Ischemia-reperfusion injury of peripheral nerves caused by various reasons therefore affects the levels of cytokines.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of octreotide on side effects of immediate usage of 5-fluorouracil after colonic anastomosis. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups and underwent standardized left colonic anastomosis. The rats served as control or received intraperitoneal 5-fluorouracil (20 mg/kg daily), subcutaneous octreotide (20 μg/kg daily), or both. Diarrhea and wound complications were noted during the experiment. The colonic anastomoses were assessed for healing on postoperative Day 7 by determining the anastomotic bursting pressure, performing histologic examination, and measuring the tissue hydroxyproline content, serum malondialdehyde, and nitric oxide levels. Intraperitoneal adhesions and anastomotic leakage were also noted. No statistical significant difference was found between the control and octreotide groups for each of the parameters measured. Immediate 5-fluorouracil use resulted with higher adhesion score (P = 0.002), significant depression in anastomotic bursting pressure (P = 0.0001), histopathologic score (P = 0.0001), hydroxyproline content (P = 0.0001), and increasing nitric oxide (P = 0.0001) and malondialdehyde levels (P = 0.0001) compared with the control group. Diarrhea was seen in 80 percent of the 5-fluorouracil group but in neither the control nor octreotide groups (P = 0.0001 for each comparison). However, all these parameters were ameliorated by use of concomitant octreotide and 5-fluorouracil (P = 0.019, P = 0.023, P = 0.0001, P = 0.006, P = 0.0001, and P = 0.013, respectively). In addition, diarrhea was found to be prevented (P = 0.0001). The results of this study showed that concomitant octreotide use might prevent the side effects of 5-fluorouracil, such as diarrhea, postoperative adhesion, and delaying the anastomotic healing parameters. In addition, it might reduce tissue damage and inflammation.

Summary Rationale To evaluate bacterial colonization and the airway inflammatory response, and its relationship to the frequency of exacerbation in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods Quantitative bacteriologic cultures, neutrophil elastase, myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF- α ) and interleukin (IL)-8 were measured in bronchoalveoler lavage (BAL) in 39 patients with stable COPD [19 with frequent exacerbation (⩾3/year), and 20 with infrequent] and in 18 healthy controls (10 smokers and 8 non-smokers). Results BAL revealed the microorganisms with potential pathogenicity above the established threshold (⩾10 3 cfu/ml) in 68.4% of patients with frequent exacerbation, 55% of infrequent exacerbation, 40% of smokers and 12.5% of non-smokers controls ( P = 0.05 ). BAL MPO, IL-8 and TNF- α levels were found to be significantly higher in COPD as compared to controls ( P = 0.001 ). However, only IL-8 level was significantly higher in COPD patients with frequent exacerbation as compared to infrequent ( P = 0.001 ). Airway bacterial load correlated with levels of airway inflammation markers in COPD ( P 0.05 ). Conclusion The bacterial load and airway inflammation contributes to each other in stable COPD. However, there is a link only between interleukine (IL)-8 and frequent exacerbations. Clearly, the relationship between bacterial colonization, airway inflammation and frequent exacerbations is of major importance in understanding of the COPD pathogenesis.

Background We aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on delayed colonic anastomotic healing induced by remote ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. Materials and methods Forty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups, each consisting of 10 rats: the control group (C), the remote I/R group [I/R, 40 min of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) occlusion], the preconditioned I/R group (IPC, two cycles of 5 min temporary occlusion of SMA before an ischemic insult of 40 min), and the preconditioned group (PC, two cycles of 5 min temporary occlusion of SMA). Colonic anastomosis was performed immediately after the ischemic insult. Anastomotic healing was assessed on postoperative day 7 by determining anastomotic bursting pressure (ABP), tissue hydroxyproline content, histopathological examination, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide levels. Results Remote I/R injury resulted with significant impairment in anastomotic healing in terms of mean ABP (P = 0.004), hydroxyproline content (P = 0.002), histopathological healing score (P = 0.001), nitric oxide level (P = 0.010), and MDA levels (P = 0.0001) when compared with the control group, but remote IPC did not improve all above mentioned parameters (P = NS for all), except MDA level (P = 0.011) when compared with I/R group. PC alone impaired the ABP (P = 0.0001), but it did not significantly change the other parameters measured (P = NS). Conclusions The results of this study showed that remote IPC did not prevent I/R-induced delaying in colonic anastomotic healing.

Background and aims Postprandial increase of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) has been implicated in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). There is evidence that nitric oxide (NO) may act as a mediator of 5-HT-evoked secretions in the colon. Our aim is to investigate the role of urinary 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) and plasma NO levels (with diarrhoea) in IBS patients. Methods Nineteen (with constipation) IBS patients (group 1), 22 IBS patients (group 2) and 18 healthy controls (group 3) were included in the study. The diagnosis of IBS was made according to the Rome I Criteria. The urine was collected for determination of 5-HIAA and venous blood was collected from each subject for the measurement of plasma NO levels. Results The levels of urinary 5-HIAA mmol/day and plasma NO mmol/l of group 1 (22.4 +/- 2.2 and 29.4 +/- 2 respectively) were significantly higher than group 3 (14.2 +/- 2.3 and 21.3 +/- 2.1 respectively) (p = 0.036 and p = 0.019 respectively). The NO level of group 1 was also significantly higher than group 2 (21.8 +/- 1.9) (p = 0.021). The 5-HIAA level of group 1 was higher than group 2 (15.2 +/- 2.1) and the difference was marginally significant (p = 0.055). There was no difference between group 2 and group 3 with respect to 5-HIAA and NO levels. Conclusions The results of this preliminary study lend support to the involvement of 5-HT in some symptomatology of diarrhoea predominant IBS. Furthermore, NO may be one of the effector mediators of the 5-HT-induced symptoms in these patients.

Gastrointestinal cancers are one of the most common malignancies in the world. Various etiologic factors have been proposed including viruses, chemical agents, and genetic factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of fibronectin (FN) and nitric oxide (NO) in gastric and colorectal cancers.Thirty-nine patients (22 males, 17 females) with colorectal, 18 (10 males, 8 females) with gastric cancer, and 22 healthy control subjects were included in the study. The Griess reaction was used for the measurement of NO levels. An immunochemical reaction was used for measurement of FN levels.We found increased levels of NO in colon and gastric cancer, and decreased levels of FN in colon cancer when compared with healthy control subjects. Neither FN nor NO levels were associated with age, gender, stage of disease and survival status. No significant association was found between NO and FN levels.In conclusion, these two molecules might contribute to the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal cancers. The combination with standard chemotherapy and nitric oxide synthase inhibitors may be useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer.

PubMed: 16362366 The aim is to investigate the differences in the circulating nitric oxide (NO) levels of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, healthy controls and osteoporotic (OP) patients. We also examined whether the circulating NO levels may be correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) in RA patients. Forty-five patients with RA, 30 healthy women and 30 osteoporotic patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic. All the subjects were female and postmenopausal. Serum NO levels were measured (Nitrite/Nitrate, calorimetric method 1746081, Roche diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) and BMD was measured at the spine and hip using dual energy X-Ray absorbtiometry (DEXA, Norland XR-46). Height and weight were measured and body mass index was calculated. Circulating NO levels were significantly higher in RA patients than other groups. Moreover, the RA group showed significantly higher BMD at lumbar spine and femoral neck regions compared to osteoporotic patients. However, the RA group showed significantly lower BMD at all sites than the controls. There was no correlation between circulating NO levels and BMD in all groups. We suggest that, unlike postmenopausal osteoporosis, inflammation induced osteoporosis is associated with RA is characterised by relatively preserved bone mass at the axial bone regions, and circulating NO levels as a parameter or determinant of inflammation are not correlated with axial BMD in RA patients. © Springer-Verlag 2005.

Corticosteroids are used to reduce the oedema and prevent scar tissue formation of the upper airways by their ability to inhibit influx of inflammatory cells, limit capillary permeability and block collagen synthesis in the early stages of wound healing. Triazolopyrimidine (Trapidil) is an antiplatelet agent that acts in part as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and as a competitive inhibitor of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor. Trapidil, with its vasodilator and NO releasing effect may have some potential to diminish the tissue injury. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of trapidil (triazolopyrimidine) on lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide in the corticosteroid-impaired healing of tracheal anastomoses. Thirty-four adult Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The animals underwent tracheal transection and primary anastomoses. The groups were assigned as follows: group I, control, (GI, n = 6); group II, sham, (GII, n = 6); group III, dexamethasone, 0.1 mg kg(-1) twice daily intramuscularly, (GIII, n = 8); group IV, trapidil, 6 mg kg(-1) twice daily intraperitoneally (GIV, n = 7); group V, dexamethasone, 0.1 mg kg(-1) plus trapidil, 6 mg kg(-1) twice daily (GV, n = 7), for 1 week. After 1 week, anastomotic healing was assessed by measurement of bursting pressure, evaluation of histopathology, measurement of MDA and nitrite/nitrate levels. In GIII, GIV and GV bursting pressures resulted in significantly reduced anastomotic strength compared to the controls (p0.001 for all groups). The difference between bursting pressures of GIII and GIV was not found to be statistically significant (p = 0.966). In regard to fibroblast proliferation and collagen content, a significant difference was found between GIII and GI (p0.01), A significant difference was also found when GIV and GV were compared to GIII (p0.01). MDA and nitrite/nitrate levels were found to be higher in GIII when compared to all other groups. MDA levels of GIV and GV rats were found to be lower than GIII (p0.001, for both groups). The nitrite/nitrate levels of GIV and GV rats were found to be lower than GIII (p0.05), and higher than GI (p0.001). Trapidil may be useful for its preventive effects on lipid peroxidation and possible increases in NO in cases with corticosteroid-impaired healing of trachea anastomoses.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of L-carnitine in ischaemia and reperfusion of the rat kidney. Rats were randomly allocated into three groups. Group I (control group; n = 6) received no treatment. Group II (isotonic saline group; n = 6), received 2 ml of isotonic saline 15 min before the renal ischaemia, and group III (carnitine group; n = 6) received L-carnitine hydrochloride (100 mg kg(-1)) intraperitoneally. At the end of the reperfusion period, rats were sacrificed. Tissue malondialdehyde level (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and nitrite/nitrate (NO) level of renal tissue were measured to evaluate the lipid peroxidation, neutrophil function, and nitric oxide metabolism, respectively. The tissue levels of MDA, MPO and NO were lower in group III (71.8 +/- 8.4, 172.1 +/- 27.4 U g(-1) tissue, 76.3 +/- 29.7 micromol l(-1) respectively) than levels in groups I (103.4 +/- 13.4 nmol g(-1), 325.9 +/- 20.2 U g(-1) tissue, 144.5 +/- 39.2 micromol l(-1), respectively) and II (103.5 +/- 11.4 nmol g(-1), 317.1 +/- 41.5 U g(-1) tissue, 148.9 +/- 23.9 micromol l(-1), respectively). It is shown that carnitine protects kidney tissue against ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

In this study, the plasma fibronectin levels in the cases of chronic hepatitis B and C infection and this protein's response to the interferon therapy were examined.Totally, 38 patients with chronic hepatitis, 21 of them being hepatitis B, 17 of them being hepatitis C; and 24 healthy blood donors, as the control group, took part in this study. The quantitative determinations of fibronectin in plasma samples were performed with the Bohring Nephelometer BN 100 (N Antiserum to Human Fibronectin, code no OUND, Dade Behring Marburg GmbH, Marburg Germany).It was observed that the fibronectin plasma levels of the control group were significantly higher than those of the patient group before the therapy (p=0.043). After the interferon therapy of six months, the difference between the fibronectin levels of 16 examined patients before and after the treatment was found to be significant (p=0.001). A negative correlation was detected between the fibronectin levels before the therapy and the inflammatory grade as far as the histopathology of the illness was concerned (r=-0.49), which is a statically significant value (p=0.002). The correlation between the levels of fibronectin and the stage of the fibrosis was found to be insignificant statistically (p=0.225). When comparing the levels before and after the therapy, as far as ALT and AST values were concerned, it was observed that both parameters fell significantly after the therapy (p=0.002). However, no correlation was observed between the fibronectin levels and ALT, AST before and after the therapy.Fibronectin can be a useful marker for showing the hepatic inflammation and damage in the cases of chronic hepatitis, and can also be used in the evaluation of the response to the interferon therapy like other biochemical parameters (ALT, prothrombin activity etc.).

Objective: To determine the effect of alprostadil on the ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury of the sciatic nerve in rats. Materials and methods: Pre-reperfusion administration of alprostadil (0.05 μg kg−1) was assessed in the I/R injury model of the rat sciatic nerve. In this model, blood samples were investigated for the I/R injury markers namely malondialdehyde (MDA), an indicator of lipid peroxidation, and nitrite/nitrate levels, products of nitric oxide (NO) metabolism. Results: A significant decrease in MDA, and increase in NO levels were observed in the groups which received alprostadil before reperfusion, when compared to their corresponding untreated controls (I/R only) at all time intervals (P=0.0001). There was a statistically significant difference in both MDA, and NO levels between certain time intervals. There was no statistical linear correlation between MDA and NO levels. Conclusion: Alprostadil may be suggested as a protective anti-inflammatory and a vasodilator pharmacological agent for I/R injury in peripheral nerves. Also, measurements of NO and MDA may be complementary to the generally accepted evaluation parameters of I/R injury including electromyography and nerve histopathology.

The objective of this study was to investigate the possible effect of L-carnitine on the prevention of experimentally induced myringosclerosis. Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally myringotomized. The rats were divided into two groups randomly: group 1 which were intraperitoneally administered saline and group 2 which were intraperitoneally administered L-carnitine. Blood samples were collected for biochemical evaluation and the tympanic membranes were harvested after 28 days. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation were done under light microscopy. The mean malondialdehyde levels were 3.9+/-0.9 in group 2, and 7.9+/-1.1 in group 1 (P0.001), nitric oxide levels were 25.6+/-6.4 in group 2 and 30.8+/-8.2 in group 1 (P=0.14) and acetylcholinesterase was 1035+/-60 in group 2 and 678+/-35 in group 1 (P=0.001). Myringosclerosis was more frequent and severe in group 1 than group 2 (P0.007). Immunoreactivity was seen in 16 of 20 tympanic membranes in group 2 and six of 20 tympanic membranes in group 1 (P=0.005). We conclude that L-carnitine diminishes the occurrence of myringosclerosis in rats after myringotomy possibly by antioxidant activity and decreasing the formation of reactive oxygen species.

Objective: This study investigates the effect of bronchoscopy on intestinal mucosal barrier function and its association with intestinal nitric oxide production. Methods: 30 rats were used. The study group (n=15) underwent rigid bronchoscopy. At 24 h following bronchoscopy, ileal nitrite/nitrate levels were evaluated. The ileum was also examined for mucosal damage, and graded according Chiu's histologic injury scale. Results: In the bronchoscopy group, the ileal nitrite/nitrate levels were significantly higher than those of controls (398.5±85.1 and 44.5±6.6 nmol/g tissue, respectively, P=0.001). In the bronchoscopy group, the mucosal damage was significant, compared with those of controls (mean ranks, 22.8 and 8.2, P

We investigated the effect of carnitine on wound healing of trachea in tracheotomyzed rats. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that treatment with carnitine would protect the wound tissue, which was evaluated by measuring nitrite and nitrate, thus nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and cholinesterase in blood, and examining the histopathological changes.Standard vertical tracheotomy was performed on 24 Wistar-Albino type rats. Then the animals were randomly divided into two groups; group A (the study group) was administered intraperitoneal carnitine 100 mg/kg for 10 days; group B (the control group) was administered intraperitoneal saline for 10 days. On the 10th day, all animals were decanulated. Three weeks later, cardiac blood samples were taken for biochemical assays and trachea specimens were harvested for histopathologic examination.In the carnitine-administered group, granulation tissue thickness resulting from the wound healing in the level of tracheotomy incision was lower compared to the control group (P0.01). When serum malondialdehyde levels were considered, a lower malondialdehyde level was found in the carnitine-administered group (P0.01). However, serum nitric oxide levels were close to each other in both groups (P0.05), while serum cholinesterase level was higher in the carnitine-administered group than in the control group (P0.01).Carnitine treatment partially prevents and significantly reduces the severity of tracheotomy induced laryngotracheal stenosis.

Chronicity of inflammation or fibrosis of liver parenchyma in patients with hepatitis C virus infection can be related to features of immunological responses in the liver. Adhesive interactions and free radicals are two important aspects of this inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate serum sICAM-1 and nitric oxide levels in the sera of patients with post-hepatitis C chronic hepatitis.Twenty chronic hepatitis patients diagnosed histopathologically and positive for antihepatitis C virus antibody and 20 healthy carriers of hepatitis C virus were included as study and control groups, respectively. Serum hepatitis C virus-RNA, sICAM-I, nitric oxide, blb, albumin and ALT determinations were made in the specimens of each subject in the study and control group.The mean serum sICAM-I levels of study and control subjects were 463.85 +/- 20.42 ng/mL and 241.85 +/- 13.71 ng/mL, respectively (p0.01). The same values for nitric oxide levels were 53.57 +/- 3.63 mumol/L and 32.17 +/- 2.19 mumol/L in the same order and also significantly different from each other (p0.01). There was a close correlation between fibrosis scores and serum sICAM-I levels (r = 0.77, p0.001), serum albumin (r = -0.54, p = 0.014) and ALT (r = 0.49, p = 0.02). Nitric oxide levels, on the other hand, negatively correlated with fibrosis scores (r = -0.59, p = 0.006), sICAM-1 (r = -0.57, p = 0.009) and ALT (r = -0.54, p = 0.013).Increased serum levels of sICAM are associated with increased fibrotic changes of patients with hepatitis C virus infection, whereas, nitric oxide which may be a suppressor molecule for fibrosing levels are inversely related to fibrotic process.

Recent experimental studies have described protective effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury of the intestine. We hypothesize that to reach a new point of view on the effect of IPC in intestinal barrier function, the relationship between I/R-induced mucosal injury and apoptosis must first be clarified. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of IPC on intestinal apoptosis and probable contributions of bcl-2 expression to this process. We also investigated the effect of intestinal IPC on ileal malondyaldihyde levels. Forty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into four groups each consisting of 11 rats: sham-operated control, I/R group (30 min of superior mesenteric artery occlusion), IPC-I/R group (10 min of temporary artery occlusion prior before an ischemic insult of 30 min), and IPC alone group (10 min of preconditioning). Twenty-four hours later, ileum samples were obtained. Ileal malondyaldihyde levels were increased in the I/R group (31.9 +/- 18.8 vs. 106.8 +/- 39.8) but not in the IPC alone and IPC-I/R groups (38.1 +/- 13.6 and 44.7 +/- 12.7; P < 0.01). The number of apoptotic cells was significantly lower in IPC-I/R group than that of I/R group, and these findings were further supported by DNA laddering and M30 findings. Diminished bcl-2 expression observed in the ileal specimens of I/R group was prevented by IPC. Our results indicate that IPC may provide a protective effect on ileal epithelium and that this effect is probably the result of a significant increase in the expression of bcl-2 after the insult. The reversal of apoptosis by IPC might help preserving the vitality of intestinal structures that have a critical function, cessation of which often leads to multiorgan dysfunction syndrome.

Objective: In ischemia and burn injuries, there are major alterations threatening tissue survival. Increased energy flow requirements are among the major problems in these disorders. Carnitine is an endogenous cofactor, which has a regulatory action on the energy flow from different oxidative sources. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of carnitine in an experimental flap model. Biochemically, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and acetylcholinesterase levels, and histopathologically tissue examination under light microscope were studied. Methods: In the rat dorsal skin, a 10 cm ×3 cm flap was marked. The most distal 3 cm ×3 cm of the flap was burned to full-thickness. The dorsal flap was elevated, and sutured back to its original site. Sixteen rats were divided into two groups (a control (1) and a study group (2)), consisting of eight rats in each. While the animals in the control group were just followed, the animals in the study group were administrated carnitine with a dose of 100 mg/kg per day for 7 days. Results: At the end of the experiment: the mean surviving areas of the flaps were 15.22 cm2 (50.73%) in group 1, 20.53 cm2 (68.43%) in group 2, and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.008). In the analysis of blood samples; the mean levels of NO were 22.63 and 40.78 μmol/l; of MDA were 6.74 and 3.79 ng/ml; and of acetylcholinesterase were 136.14 and 222.85 U/l in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The differences in the levels of NO (P=0.001), MDA (0.027) and acetylcholinesterase (P=0.006) were statistically significant. Histopathological examination revealed a full-thickness muscle necrosis in addition to skin tissue in the control group, while healing tissue was present with marked cellularity including mixed inflammatory cells and fibroblast proliferation with an increased vascularity in the form of capillary budding in the study group. Conclusion: Carnitine has a positive effect in such a model, particularly in preventing the progressive effect of burn, and limiting the necrosis in the full-thickness burned part.

The aim of the study was to evaluate whether there was an imbalance between endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NOx) release and diffuse atherosclerotic changes existed in patients with slow coronary flow (SCF). Baseline and post-atrial pacing coronary sinus ET-1 and NOx levels were measured in 19 patients with SCF (11 female, 56 +/- 9 years) and in 14 control subjects (nine female, 54 +/- 7 years). All patients underwent subsequent intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) investigation at the same setting with right atrial pacing. Baseline arterial (12.4 +/- 9.9 vs. 6.3 +/- 5.1 pg/ml, P

les auteurs ont etudie le role du metabolisme de l'oxyde nitrique et de la peroxydation de lipides chez des patients atteints de malaria a P. vivax. Les niveaux de nitrite et de nitrate ont ete analyses enutilisant un procede base sur la reaction de Griess et les niveaux de malondialdehyde index de la peroxydation de lipides ont ete determines par la reaction a l'acide thiobarbiturique. Les niveaux de nitrile/nitrate et de malondialdehyde des malades etaient plus eleves que ceux des temoins de facon statistiquement significative (p < 0,001). Cette etude a ete realisee pour determiner si le NO et la peroxydation de lipides s observent au cours du stade sanguin du cycle de P vivax. Il apparait que la peroxydation de lipides s'observe dans la malaria a P. vivax; les niveaux de l'oxyde nitrique etant associes a cette peroxydation.