Left and right ventricular function by echocardiography, tissue doppler imaging, carotid intima media thickness, and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels in female adolescents with vitamin D deficiency.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to assess left and right ventricle systolic and diastolic functions in female adolescents with vitamin D deficiency using conventional echocardiography and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging and to investigate carotid intima media thickness and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels. METHODS: Sixty-six female adolescents were enrolled in this study. The female adolescents were divided into a vitamin D deficiency group (n: 34) and a control group (n: 32). All subjects underwent laboratory blood tests, including asymmetric dimethyl arginine, complete two-dimensional, pulse, and tissue Doppler echocardiography, and measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness. RESULTS: The vitamin D-deficient female adolescent group had normal left and right ventricle systolic and diastolic functions and normal global systolic and diastolic myocardial performance. In the patients with vitamin D deficiency, the carotid intima-media thickness was higher than that in the controls. In the patients within the vitamin D deficiency group, vitamin D was found to be positively correlated with magnesium and negatively correlated with phosphorus and left atrial dimension. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that vitamin D deficiency in female adolescence is associated with normal myocardial geometry and function. Although it has been associated with normal levels of asymmetric dimethyl arginine concentration, high measured carotid intima-media thickness may reflect endothelial dysfunction.

Neurotrophic Factor Levels and Cognitive Functions before and after the Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in Treatment Resistant Depression.

OBJECTIVE: To determine relationship between the therapeutic effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on cognitive impairment and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) levels in treatment resistant depression (TRD). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Psychiatry Clinic of Konya Beyhekim Training and Research Hospital in Turkey, between June and November 2019. METHODOLOGY: The study included 33 TRD patients and 33 healthy subjects. Patients received a total of 20 sessions of rTMS treatment. Serum BDNF and GDNF levels were measured before and after rTMS treatment. Additionally, the severity of depression as well as cognitive functions were assessed at the baseline and after the treatment. RESULTS: The rTMS treatment significantly improved depressive and cognitive symptoms in patients with TRD. Although the level of serum BDNF and GDNF increased after rTMS treatment, it was associated with the improvement in symptoms, but not significantly. CONCLUSIONS: rTMS treatment contributes to the antidepressant effect by normalising serum BDNF and GDNF levels in patients with TRD. Adding rTMS to antidepressants is, therefore, an appropriate treatment option for depressive patients with cognitive impairment. Key Words: rTMS, BDNF, GDNF, Cognitive function.

Evaluation of the interference of lamotrigine on the analysis of synthetic cannabinoids in urine by the immunoassay method.

We aimed to evaluate the interference of lamotrigine (LMG) on the synthetic cannabinoids metabolite-K2/1 (SCm/K1) urine test by Homogeneous Enzyme Immunoassay (Immune-SCm/K1). This study consists of two parts: case-control and interference effect research. In the case-control study, two groups using LMG and a non-use of LMG were formed, all of them non-SC users. In the interference effect research, four groups were formed by adding either a LMG stock solution or a LMG user's urine to a SCm/K1 negative urine, and Immune-SCm/K1 test calibrators and quality control (QC) materials. Immune-SCm/K1, SCm/K1 by LC/MS-MS and LMG tests were performed on all samples in the study. The case-control study was performed on a total of 55 participants (mean age 39.76 ± 9.84 years). Both groups were statistically insignificant in terms of age and gender. Urine LMG levels were 5.71 ± 10.61 mg/L in the LMG group and <0.30 mg/L in the control group. Immune-SCm/K1 results were 35.84 ± 7.62 ng/mL in the LMG group, <3.00 ng/mL in the control group and the LC/MS-SCm/K1 urine test of both groups were found to be 'NEGATIVE'. Results were interpreted as a cross-reaction in the interference study and a statistically significant relationship was found between LMG levels and Immune-SCm/K1 levels in the SCm/K1 negative samples (groups 1 and 2) (R2 = 0.9341 and R2 = 0.9941, respectively; p < .001). LMG interference was observed in SCm/K1 positive samples ranging from -6.17 to 714.77%. LMG in the specimen interferes with the Immune-SCm/K1 screening test and causes false positivities.

The relationship of soluble klotho level with uremic cardiomyopathy and ecocardiographic parameters in hemodialysis patients.

There are studies reporting that soluble kltho (sKlotho) deficiency plays a role in cardiovascular disease in addition to traditional risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, anemia, smoking, and excessive volume burden. Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationship of sKlotho with uremic cardiomyopathy and echocardiographic parameters in patients receiving hemodialysis treatment. According to the median value, the sKlotho value was divided into two groups as ≥1.24 and <1.24 ng/ml. Ventricular wall thicknesses, ejection fractions, left atrium, M mode aorta systole, and diastole diameter measurements were taken. The left ventricular mass (LVM) was calculated using the Devereux formula. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, number of patients with diabetes mellitus, comorbidity, dialysis time, sKlotho, phosphorus, parathormone, and albumin parameters. No significant difference was found between the two groups that were separated according to the median sKlotho value, when the echocardiographic parameters of interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular posterior wall thickness, left atrial diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, and LVM index were compared. In conclusion, sKlotho is not a marker for showing and predicting uremic cardiomyopathy in hemodialysis patients.

The evaluation of thiol/disulphide homeostasis in recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

The objective of our study was to determine thiol/disulphide homeostasis in recurrent aphtous stomatitis (RAS) patients. A prospective monocentric study was designed. Forty-three recurrent aphtous stomatitis patients and 43 healthy subjects were included to study. Venous blood samples collected and assessed with novel automatic system. Results compared statistically. Disulphide levels were found significantly higher in RAS patients than control group. There was no significant difference between native thiol and total thiol levels. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis is impaired in RAS patients in favor of disulphide levels compared with control group. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first examination on the correlation between thiol and disulfide homeostasis in patients with RAS.

Assessment of ADMA, IMA, and Vitamin A and E Levels in Patients with Acne Vulgaris.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease in adolescents known to be associated with oxidative stress. However, the number of studies in which oxidative stress and antioxidants are evaluated together is limited. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to investigate L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway metabolites, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), and vitamin A and E levels in patients with acne and its association with disease severity. PATIENTS/METHODS: Ninety patients with acne and 30 healthy adults were included in the study. The serum levels ofL-arjinin, L-arginine metabolites, IMA, and vitamins A and E measured in the patient and control groups. RESULTS: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), LNG -monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), and IMA levels were significantly higher in the patients with acne than in the control group (P Ë‚ .05). The L-arginine/ADMA ratio and citrulline and vitamin A levels were significantly lower in patients with acne than those of the controls (P Ë‚ .05). ADMA and IMA plasma levels were increased in parallel with the disease severity (P Ë‚ .05). L-arginine/ADMA ratio, L-arginine, citrulline, and vitamin A plasma levels decreased as the disease became severe (P Ë‚ .05). Although L-arginine and vitamin E levels were lower in the patient group compared to the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (P Ëƒ .05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that IMA and L-arginine-NO pathway associated with ischemia and oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis and progression of acne vulgaris.

The association of decreased testosterone with atherosclerosis and inflammation in male predialysis patients with chronic kidney disease.

PURPOSE: To investigate the frequency of hypogonadism and its relationship to inflammation and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in male patients with predialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: A total of 105 patients with CKD, 55 (52.4%) as stage 3, 33 (31.4%) as stage 4 and 17 (16.2%) as stage 5, were enrolled into the study. Total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT), interleukin 6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and CIMT were measured. RESULTS: According to TT and FT, hypogonadism was detected in 18 (17.1%) and 22 (20.9%) patients, respectively. There was no difference in terms of TT and FT, CIMT, CRP and IL-6 between the stages of CKD. According to TT, the patients with hypogonadism had significantly higher CRP and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) levels (p=0.004 and p=0.005, respectively). There was no significant difference in other parameters. According to FT, the patients with hypogonadism had significantly higher CRP (p=0.017), and TT were negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, and CRP levels. FT was negatively correlated with age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and CRP. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of hypogonadism was found around 17-21% among the patients with CKD. Despite similar IL-6 and CIMT levels, CRP was found to be higher in the patients with hypogonadism. We consider that further studies with larger populations are needed to elucidate the entity.

Correlation between Depression Severity and Thiol Disulfide Homeostasis in Patients undergoing Hemodialysis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between depression severity and oxidative stress in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) using thiol disulfide homeostasis (TDH). STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Konya Health Application and Research Center, Konya, Turkey from September 2019 to March 2020. METHODOLOGY: A total of 67 patients including 35 males (52.2%) and 32 females (47.8%), receiving HD treatment, were included in the study. The Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D) was applied to the participants. Thiol disulfide homeostasis (total thiol (TT), native thiol (NT), disulfide, disulfide/NT ratio, disulfide/TT ratio, and NT/TT ratio) parameters, albumin, and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels were determined. The study groups were investigated by dividing them into groups according to their gender and HAM-D score. RESULTS: According to HAM-D score, there were 32 (47.8%) patients with depression symptom (DS, HAM-D score of ≥8) and 35 (52.2%) patients without DS (HAM-D score: 0-7). Modified Charlson comorbidity index (MCCI), disulfide, disulfide/NT%, and disulfide/TT% levels were statistically and significantly higher and NT/TT% was statistically and significantly lower in DS group than the values of the groups without DS (p = 0.003, p =0.043, p = 0.017, p=0.017 and p = 0.017, respectively). HAM-D score and MCCI were statistically and significantly higher in females than males (p <0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). While, 21 patients (65.6%) had DS in women; according to HAM-D score, this rate was found to be statistically higher than men (11 patients, 31.4%, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Almost half of HD patients had at least moderate depression symptoms. In the group of HD patients with DS, TDH shifted in the oxidative direction. This may contribute to the future studies in enlightening depression etiology in HD patients. Key Words: Hemodialysis, Depression, Thiol disulfide homeostasis (TDH), IMA.

Serum and urinary levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in enuresis. / Niveles séricos de factor neurotrófico derivado de cerebro en la enuresis.

OBJECTIVES: Enuresis is one of the most frequently seen psycho-social problems in childhood, which causes anxiety and stress in the child, thus affecting his/her self-respect and quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the role of bladder function or psychologic factors or both as factors causing enuresis. METHODS: This study on pediatric patients with primary enuresis included 30 patients with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (MonoNE), 30 patients with polysymptomatic nocturnal enuresis (PolyNE), and 30 healthy controls, making a total of 90 subjects with an age range of 8-18. In all subjects, the levels of serum and urinary Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) were measured, in addition to urinary creatinine levels and calculated as BDNF/Cr ng/mg creatinine (BDNF/ Cr). RESULTS: The serum BDNF results of the PolyNE group (0.949±0.587) were significantly lower than those of the control group (1.158±0.587) (p=0.014). The urinary BDNF results of the PolyNE group (1.107±0.360) were significantly higher than those of both the MonoNE (0.657±0.272) and the control (0.670±0.271) groups (p<0.0001). The BDNF/Cr results of the PolyNE group (1.472±0.714) were significantly higher than those of the MonoNE group (0.956±1.017) and the control group (0.931±0.618) (p=0.044 and p=0.032, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to bladder-specific problems, it is possible for anxiety and psychological stress-induced problems to occur in PolyNE. Therefore, in addition to the increasing number of studies on the bladder in enuresis, further studies on the neurogenic and psychogenic aspects of enuresis should be carried out.

OBJETIVOS: La enuresis es uno de los problemas psicosociales más frecuentes en la infancia, que causa ansiedad y estrés a los niños, afectando a su autoestima y calidad de vida. El objetivo de este estudio es la determinación del papel de la función vesical, los factores psicológicos o ambos como factores causales de la enuresis.MÉTODOS: Este estudio en pacientes pediátricos con enuresis incluyó 30 pacientes con enuresis nocturna monosintomática (ENmono), 30 pacientes con enuresis nocturna polisintomática (ENpoli) y 30 controles sanos, sumando un total de 90 individuos con un rango de edad entre 8-18 años. En todos los casos se midieron los niveles séricos y urinarios de factor neurotrófico derivado del cerebro (FNDC), además de los niveles de creatinina urinaria y se hizo el cálculo de FNDC/Cr ng/mg creatinina. RESULTADOS: Los resultados de FNDC sérico en el grupo ENpoli (0,949±0,587) fueron significativamente menores que los del grupo control (1,158±0,587) (p=0,014). Los resultados de FNDC urinario en el grupo de ENpoli (1,107±0,360) fueron significativamente mayores que los de los grupos ENmono (0,657±0,272) y control (0,670±0,271) (p<0,0001). Los resultados de FNDC/Cr el grupo ENpoli (1,472±0,714) eran significativamente mayores que los de los grupos ENMono (0,956±1,017) y control (0,931±0,618) (p=0,044 y p=0,032, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: Además de problemas específicos vesicales, es posible que los problemas de ansiedad e inducidos por estrés psicológico ocurran en la ENPoli. Por lo tanto, además del creciente número de estudios sobre la vejiga en enuresis, es necesario desarrollar más estudios sobre los aspectos neurogénicos y psicogénicos de la enuresis.

Left and right ventricular function by echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging, carotid intima-media thickness, and asymmetric dimethyl arginine levels in obese adolescents with metabolic syndrome.

PurposeThe aim of our study was to assess left ventricle and right ventricle systolic and diastolic functions in obese adolescents with metabolic syndrome using conventional echocardiography and pulsed-wave tissue Doppler imaging and to investigate carotis intima-media thickness, and asymmetric dimethyl arginine levels. METHODS: A total of 198 obese adolescents were enrolled in the study. The obese patients were divided into metabolic syndrome group and non-metabolic syndrome group. All subjects underwent laboratory blood tests, including asymmetric dimethyl arginine, complete two-dimensional, pulsed, and tissue Doppler echocardiography, and measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness. RESULTS: Obese adolescents were characterised by enlarged left end-diastolic, end-systolic and left atrial diameters, thicker left and right ventricular walls compared with non-obese adolescents. The metabolic syndrome group had normal left ventricle systolic function, impaired diastolic function, and altered global systolic and diastolic myocardial performance. In the metabolic syndrome obese group patients, left ventricle mass was found positively correlated with body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, diastolic blood pressure, age, and waist-to-hip circumference ratio. The carotid intima-media thickness was found positively correlated with waist and hip circumferences and total cholesterol levels. Asymmetric dimethyl arginine levels were found positively correlated with systolic blood pressure, waist-to-hip circumference ratio, and diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that metabolic syndrome in adolescence is associated with significant changes in myocardial geometry and function. In addition, it has been associated with a high level of asymmetric dimethyl arginine concentration and thicker carotid intima-media thickness reflecting endothelial dysfunction.

Pubertal Status and Gonadal Functions in Obese Boys with Fatty Liver.

BACKGROUND: In adult studies, obese subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have been shown to have poor sperm quality, and lower testosterone and luteinizing hormone levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the pubertal status and gonadal functions in obese boys with NAFLD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 119 obese and 78 nonobese age-matched adolescents. The obese boys were separated into two groups based on the presence (NAFLD group) or absence of liver steatosis with high transaminases (non-NAFLD group). The levels of serum AMH (anti-Mullerian hormone), inhibin B, gonadotropins, total testosterone, lipids, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, fasting glucose, insulin levels, and aortic intima media thickness were measured in all subjects. RESULTS: Of the total 197 children, 174 had reached puberty. There were no significant differences between the groups in respect of testicular sizes and the prevalence of pubertal status among the groups (84.3% of NAFLD vs. 70.6% of non-NAFLD vs. 98.7% of control subjects). No significant differences were found in respect of gonadotropins and AMH levels. Total testosterone levels in the NAFLD group were significantly lower than those of the non-NAFLD obese group (P < 0.001) and the control group (P < 0.001). Inhibin B levels were also significantly lower in all (NAFLD and non-NAFLD) obese groups compared to the control group (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study demonstrated that diminished testosterone and inhibin B levels occur in pubertal obese boys with NAFLD. No significant differences were detected according to pubertal status, AMH levels, and testicular volumes in the age-matched groups.

The impact of serum adropin and ischemia modified albumin levels based on BMI in PCOS.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and body mass index (BMI) on serum adropin and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study was performed with a total of 120 women [group1; non-PCOS = 60 (BMI < 25 = 30, BMI ≥25 = 30) and group 2; PCOS = 60 (BMI < 25 = 30, BMI ≥25 = 30)]. Blood samples were collected between the third and fifth days of the women's menstrual cycles after a night of fasting. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups in relation to age, basal follicle stimulating hormone, estradiol, thyroid stimulating hormone, prolactin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressures. A significant difference was found in basal luteinizing hormone, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, free testosterone levels, waist-to-hip ratios and the Ferriman-Gallwey scores between the PCOS and non-PCOS patients in the lean and overweight groups (p < 0.05). The serum adropin levels in the lean PCOS group were lower than in the lean non-PCOS group (p < 0.05) and were lower in the overweight PCOS group than in the overweight non-PCOS group (p < 0.05). There was also a statistically significant difference in serum IMA levels in the PCOS group than in the non-PCOS group in both the lean and overweight groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although serum adropin levels were significantly decreased in the PCOS group, IMA levels increased. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of adropin and IMA in women with PCOS and to use a new marker to monitorize treatment outcomes. < /p > < p >.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone and Inhibin B Levels in Obese Boys; Relations with Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity may reduce sertoli cell functions in men. The aim of the study was to investigate antimullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B levels (sertoli cell markers) in obese boys and their relations to cardiovascular risk factors such as insulin sensitivity index, aortic intima media thickness (aIMT) and high sensitive c-reactive protein (hsCRP). PATIENTS, METHODS: 121 obese and 38 healthy lean adolescents were included in the study. Serum AMH, inhibin B, gonadotropins, total testosterone, lipids, hsCRP, glucose and insulin levels were detected and analyzed. Insulin resistance was analyzed using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR). aIMT was measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography. RESULTS: Serum AMH, inhibin B and total testosterone levels were lower in the obese adolescents (p=0.01, p=0.009 and p=0.002, respectively). aIMT measurements (p<0.001, 0.63±0.09 and 0.47±0.06 mm, respectively) and hsCRP levels (p<0.001, 2.5±0.4 and 0.66±0.69 mg/L, respectively) were significantly increased in the obese group. Obese with IR group had decreased AMH levels (p=0.02, 53.0±20.5 and 66.7±19.5 ng/mL, respectively) and increased triglycerides, HOMA-IR, aIMT measurements than non-IR obese group. AMH levels were correlated negatively with body mass index (r:-0.108, p=0.03), HOMA-IR (r:-0.358, p=0.003) and fasting insulin levels (r:-0.389, p=0.001) in obese group with IR. CONCLUSION: We found that concentrations of both sertoli cell markers (AMH and inhibin B) were significantly lower in obese pubertal boys especially in obese with IR. Obesity and IR might be important factors for the sertoli cell impairment in pubertal boys.

Increased oxidative stress parameters in children with moderate iodine deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Iodine is a part of thyroid hormones and has been reported to act directly as an antioxidant or induce indirectly antioxidant enzymes. This study aimed to assess the urinary iodine concentration and its relationship between the antioxidant and oxidative stress capacity in healthy school-aged children. METHODS: In total, 196 students from five primary schools, randomly selected between 9 and 12 years (mean age: 10.2±1.2 years), were enrolled in the study. Urinary iodine levels were measured by spectrophotometry with the Sandell-Kolthoff reaction. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were analysed from urine samples. The ratio of TOS to TAS was regarded as an oxidative stress index (OSI), an indicator of the degree of oxidative status. RESULTS: Fifty-four percentage (107) of the children had iodine deficiency (ID) and the majority of them (30%) had mild ID. There was no severe-ID child in the population (<20 µg/L). Urine TAS levels were significantly lower in the moderate-ID group than in the mild-ID group (6.5±4.1 vs. 11.3±4.1 mmol, p<0.001) and the iodine-sufficient group (11.0±5.3 µmol, p<0.001). TOS levels and OSI were found higher in the moderate-ID group than in the mild-ID group (4.8±2.1 vs. 3.7±2.1 µmol, p<0.001) and the iodine-sufficient group (4.8±2.1 vs. 3.4±2.5 mmol, p<0.001). In the moderate-ID group, low urine iodine levels exhibited significant negative correlations with OSI (r=-0.660) and TOS (r=-0.248) and a positive correlation with TAS (r=0.475). CONCLUSIONS: We found that children with moderate ID were exposed to more oxidative burden than children with mild ID or iodine sufficiency. Increased systemic oxidative stress induced by moderate ID could cause development of ID-related complications and diseases. Iodine supplementation could have a beneficial role in the prevention of oxidative stress.

Effect of medical treatment on histological findings in rabbits with acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is the most common reason for abdominal surgery in the world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of medical treatment on histological findings in rabbits with AA. METHODS: Twenty-one male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups: appendix ligation and medical treatment, appendix ligation and no treatment, and control group, which underwent only laparotomy. RESULTS: In appendix ligation without treatment group, AA findings were much more severe. CONCLUSION: Medical treatment reduced inflammation of AA.

Frequency of metabolic syndrome in patients with knuckle pads.

Knuckle pads are hyperkeratotic, benign skin lesions that we commonly observe in obese patients. There is no study that investigates the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and knuckle pads. We aimed to investigate the frequency of MetS in patients with knuckle pads. Forty-seven patients with knuckle pads and 46 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. The presence of MetS was evaluated according to National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. In the patient group, waist circumference (P < 0.01), body mass index (BMI; P < 0.01), and systolic (P < 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.01) were higher than controls, and most of the patients had a history of hypertension (P < 0.01). The presence of MetS was found in 66% of the patients with knuckle pads and in 52.2% of the controls (P = 0.25). In the patient group, compared with controls, more patients had blood pressure above reference values or were on antihypertensive therapy (70.2% and 43.5%, P = 0.017, respectively), and had greater waist circumference value (93.6% and 76.1%, P = 0.038, respectively). The presence of the other three criteria were similar in both groups. Although we found similar MetS frequency in both groups, patients with knuckle pads should be examined for the presence of MetS components, especially abdominal obesity and hypertension.

Acute and chronic impact of smoking on salivary and serum total antioxidant capacity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate increased oxidative stress in saliva of smokers along with their serum. METHODS: The case-control study was conducted from September to December 2008 in the Department of Biochemistry of the Medical School, Kirikkale University, Kirikkale, Turkey. A blood sample and saliva samples before and after smoking were collected from the smokers, while blood and saliva samples were taken from the controls. All samples were taken concurrently. The samples were measured for total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant stress, oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and total sulfhydryl groups. Levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were also measured on saliva samples. SPSS 13 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 54 subjects in the study, 27(50%) were smokers with a mean age of 28.4 ± 5.42 years, and 27 (50%) were controls with a mean age of 29.7 ± 8.03 years. Total oxidant stress, oxidative stress index, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were found higher in the serum samples of smokers (p < 0.05), and the levels of total sulfhydryl groups in smokers were lower compared with the controls (p < 0.05). Among the smokers, salivary malondialdehyde levels were higher before and after smoking (p < 0.05), glutathione peroxidase levels were lower than the controls, and salivary nitric oxide levels after smoking were higher than both those of the control group and the levels before smoking (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both acute and chronic increased oxidative conditions may be a significant sign of the destructive effects of smoking. The investigation of disorders in smokers concerning oxidative stress will be beneficial in terms of novel approaches and treatment modalities.

Serum ischemia-modified albumin levels in children with epileptic seizures.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to determine the level of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) in children with epileptic seizures (ESs) and its relation with the seizure duration. METHODS: The study was performed with 88 children as a prospective case-control study. Blood samples for IMA were obtained from 57 patients (mean age [SD], 50.86 [51.15] months) within 3 hours after ES and 31 healthy control subjects (mean age [SD], 53.13 [40.87] months). Ischemia-modified albumin was measured by the albumin cobalt binding test. RESULTS: Although the mean (SD) of serum IMA level of the patients with seizure was 13.66 (13.16) U/mL, the mean (SD) of serum IMA level for the control group was 3.73 (1.93) U/mL. Ischemia-modified albumin levels were significantly higher in patients with seizure, compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). When patients were grouped in itself according to the duration of ESs, the levels of IMA were detected to be increased in patients as the duration of seizures was lengthened. CONCLUSIONS: Increased IMA levels after seizures suggest that IMA assay during seizure may be useful for predicting the diagnosis and severity of convulsion.

Association between insulin resistance and oxidative stress parameters in obese adolescents with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

OBJECTIVE: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common chronic liver diseases in children. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of oxidative stress with insulin resistance and metabolic risk factors in obese adolescents with NAFLD. METHODS: Forty-six obese adolescents (23 girls and 23 boys, mean age: 12.8 ± 2.2 years) and 29 control subjects (15 girls and 14 boys, mean age: 12.7 ± 2.7 years) were enrolled in the study. The obese subjects were divided into two groups (NAFLD group and non-NAFLD group) based on the elevated alanine aminotransferase levels (>30 IU/L) and the presence or absence of liver steatosis detected by ultrasonography. Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) from fasting samples. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) level measurements (REL Assay Diagnostics) were done in all participants. The ratio of TOS to TAS was regarded as an oxidative stress index (OSI), an indicator of the degree of OS. RESULTS: Fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR values in the NAFLD group were significantly higher than in the non-NAFLD and control groups. TAS measurements were decreased in both obese groups (NAFLD and non-NAFLD) in comparison with the control group. TOS and OSI measurements were higher in the NAFLD group than in the non-NAFLD and control groups. OSI was positively correlated with fasting insulin (r=0.67, p=0.01) and HOMA-IR (r=0.71, p=0.02) in the NAFLD obese group. CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional study, elevated OS markers in obese adolescents with NAFLD were associated with insulin resistance. This data suggest that an antioxidant therapy might have a potential for treating NAFLD associated with insulin resistance.

Malondialdehyde levels in dental follicles of asymptomatic impacted third molars.

PURPOSE: Increased levels of reactive oxygen species lead to oxidative stress and tissue damage. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is one of many low-molecular-weight endproducts of lipid peroxidation that increases with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to determine oxidative stress in dental follicles (DFs) of radiologically asymptomatic impacted third molars (ITMs) using MDA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 40 DFs of 40 patients referred for clinically and radiographically asymptomatic ITMs. Forty healthy gingival tissues in the same patients were obtained during surgical removal of teeth as a control group. DF widths on periapical radiographs narrower than 2.5 mm were included in the study. All tissues samples were analyzed for MDA as an indicator of oxidative stress. RESULTS: Levels of MDA were significantly higher in DFs from ITMs than those from healthy gingival tissues of the same patients (P < .01). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that significant oxidative stress may occur in DFs of asymptomatic ITMs. The findings suggest that increased MDA may play an important role in oxidative stress in DFs. In light of these preliminary findings of the present study, further investigations and comprehensive studies are required to determine the role of antioxidants that scavenge free radicals in DFs.