The Association Between Follicular Fluid Sialic Acid Levels, Oocyte Quality, and Pregnancy Rates.

Sialic acid residues perform important roles in both physiological and pathologic processes. Our aim was to measure the levels of sialic acid in the follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) and to assess correlations between IVF parameters and sialic acid levels. All women meeting the inclusion criteria underwent gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist treatment and during oocyte retrieval, follicular fluids of mature follicles were collected and pooled for each patient. Correlation analysis was made between sialic acid levels and oocyte quality. Eighty-seven patients meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. In terms of oocyte quality and sialic acid, follicular fluid total sialic acid (FF-TSA) levels positively correlated with germinal vesicle oocytes and metaphase I oocytes. In terms of clinical parameters, no correlation between sialic acid levels and body mass index, serum levels of hormones, duration of infertility, and the total dose of gonadotropins was observed. The mean FF-TSA was 86.1±35.19 mg/dl in the clinical pregnancy positive group and was 73.64±22.15 mg/dl in the clinical pregnancy negative group. FF-TSA levels positively correlated with immature oocytes. This can be either as part of the normal oocyte maturation or as a compensatory mechanism against reactive oxygen species during the oocyte maturation process.

A potential role of Sirtuin3 and its target enzyme activities in patients with ovarian endometrioma.

OBJECTIVE: Sirtuin3 (SIRT3) is a NAD+-dependent major mitochondrial deacetylase. In this study, we aimed to investigate SIRT3 levels and their target enzyme activities, including glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), also to determine the antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress in tissue, mitochondria and serum samples in ovarian endometrioma patients. METHODS: We collected serum and endometrioma tissue samples from 30 patients. In the control group, we collected serum and eutopic endometrial tissue samples from 26 women without endometriosis. RESULTS: SIRT3 levels were significantly decreased in endometrioma tissue samples compared to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in SIRT3 levels between patient and control serum samples. Furthermore, there was a decrease in GDH and SDH enzyme activities in both endometrioma tissue homogenate and mitochondria. MnSOD activity was decreased in tissue homogenate but increased in mitochondria and there was no difference in serum. While total SOD activity was decreased, CuZnSOD activity was increased in both tissue and serum samples. Besides these, total antioxidant capacity and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) levels were decreased in endometrioma tissue and mitochondria, but there was no difference in serum. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that decreased levels of SIRT3 in endometrioma may be an important factor in the weakening of mitochondrial energy metabolism and antioxidant defense in endometriosis. We think that SIRT3 deficiency may be an important factor underlying the pathogenesis of endometriosis. More detailed studies are needed to reveal the relationship between SIRT3 and metabolism and oxidative stress in ovarian endometrioma.

Do urinary mast cell mediators predict immune response to BCG in patients with primary high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer?

BACKGROUND: Mast cells play a critical role in cancer-associated immunity. We aimed to determine the predictive value of urinary mast cell mediators in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy. METHODS: In this prospective study, 19 patients who received immunotherapy because of NMIBC (Group 1) and 19 healthy participants (Group 2) were enrolled. Urine samples were collected to assay N-methylhistamine, histamine, and tryptase levels immediately before the first BCG instillation, immediately after the third and sixth instillations, and 4 weeks after the sixth instillation in Group 1 and at a single visit in Group 2. The changes in urinary markers because of BCC response, BCG instillation, and the presence of NMIBC were assessed. RESULTS: The average age was 56.1 ± 10.5 years in Group 1 and 52.6 ± 9.7 years in Group 2. Fourteen patients had high-grade Ta tumours and five had T1 tumours. While 12 patients had responded to the BCG, seven patients did not respond to the BCG. There was no correlation between mast cell mediators and BCG response. The N-methylhistamine and histamine levels significantly increased with the onset of immunotherapy, and N-methylhistamine levels significantly decreased when immunotherapy was terminated (P < .05). The pre-BCG estimated marginal mean values of N-methylhistamine were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to identify the changes in mast cell mediators with the onset of immunotherapy and in presence of bladder cancer. However, these mediators cannot predict patients' response to immunotherapy.

Saliva profiles in children with congenital heart disease.

PURPOSE: The low salivary pH and buffering capacity are caused by using heart failure medications. For this reason oral health should be supported in cardiac patients, it is necessary that they attend dental clinics for regular follow up. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the salivary oxidative stress markers and salivary pH, salivary buffering capacity, salivary flow rate and dental caries of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional study was carried out with 42 CHD and 42 healthy children. The participants' gender, age, general health and medications, and caries scores (dfs/ DMFS) were written down, then their unstimulated saliva samples were collected. These specimens were evaluated in terms of the salivary secretion rate, salivary buffering capacity, pH, protein levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl, protein thiols, total sialic acid. RESULTS: Both groups showed caries at similar levels. The salivary pH and buffering capacity were significantly less in the children with CHD than in the controls. The levels of TBARS and protein carbonyl were significantly higher in the children with CHD than in the controls. There was not any significant difference relating to the mean salivary secretion rate, protein levels, SOD, FRAP, protein thiols and total sialic acid. CONCLUSION: The elevated TBARS and protein carbonyl levels in the patients with CHD were observed as an indicator of the free radical damage leading to oxidative stress.

Gender and chronological age affect erythrocyte membrane oxidative indices in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-formula 1 (CPDA-1) blood bank storage condition.

It is well known that in vitro storage lesions lead to membrane dysfunction and decreased number of functional erythrocytes. As erythrocytes get older, in storage media as well as in peripheral circulation, they undergo a variety of biochemical changes. In our study, the erythrocytes with different age groups in citrate phosphate dextrose adenine-formula 1 (CPDA-1) storage solution were used in order to investigate the possible effect of gender factor on oxidative damage. Oxidative damage biomarkers in erythrocyte membranes such as ferric reducing antioxidant power, pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance, protein-bound advance glycation end products, and sialic acid were analyzed. Current study reveals that change in membrane redox status during blood-bank storage condition also depends on both gender depended homeostatic factors and the presence of CPDA-1. During the storage period in CPDA-1, erythrocytes from the male donors are mostly affected by free radical-mediated oxidative stress but erythrocytes obtained from females are severely affected by glyoxidative stress.

Evaluation of prolidase activity and oxidative stress in patients with oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid contact reactions.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate prolidase activity and oxidative stress in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid contact reactions (OLCR) using serum and salivary samples and to compare these biomarkers with each other as well as with a group of healthy subjects in order to be able to opine their role in the estimation of OLP and OLCR. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen recently diagnosed patients with OLP, 32 patients with OLCR and 18 healthy controls with matched periodontal status were recruited to the study. Prolidase activity, lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), sialic acid (SA), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) levels in both serum and saliva were determined. Additionally, salivary flow rate and its buffering capacity were estimated. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test, t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and Spearman's rho correlation coefficient. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were observed between the study groups and the control group regarding to the basic characteristics and the periodontal status (P > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between OLP and OLCR groups regarding to the distribution of lesions' type, severity, and location (P > 0.05). No significant differences were found between the two study groups with regard to Prolidase activity, MDA, SA, and AOPPs (P ˃ 0.05), whereas statistically significant differences were found between the two study groups and the control group with regard to all evaluated parameters except of serum prolidase (P ˂ 0.01). Moderate correlation was found between salivary MDA and the OLP/OLCR lesion severity, whereas a weak correlation was observed between serum SA and the OLP/OLCR lesion severity (P ˂ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest an increased prolidase activity and oxidative stress and imbalance in the antioxidant defense system in biological fluids of patients with OLP and OLCR when compared with the healthy subjects. Both OLP and OLCR patients revealed almost similar prolidase activity and oxidative stress levels although these two conditions have different etiopathogenesis.

Effects of a regular exercise program on biochemical parameters of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the effects of a regular exercise program on exercise capacity, blood biochemical profiles, certain antioxidant and oxidative stress parameters of type 2 Diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. METHODS: Thirty one type 2 DM patients (ages ranging from 42-65 years) who have hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels ≥7.5% and ≤9.5% were included to study and performed two cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) before and after the exercise program. Subjects performed aerobic exercise training for 90 minutes a day; 3 days a week during 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected to analyze certain oxidant and antioxidant parameters (advanced oxidation protein products [AOPP], ferric reducing ability of plasma [FRAP], malondialdehyde [MDA], and sialic acid [SA]), blood lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and HbA1c. RESULTS: At the end of the program HbA1c and FBG, triglyceride (TG) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels decreased and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) increased significantly (P=0.000, P=0.001, P=0.008, P=0,001 and P=0.02, respectively). AOPP, FRAP, SA levels of the patients increased significantly following first CPET (P=0.000, P=0.049, P=0.014 respectively). At the end of the exercise program AOPP level increased significantly following last CPET. Baseline SA level increased significantly following exercise program (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that poor glycemic control which plays the major role in the pathogenesis of DM and its complications would be improved by 12 weeks of a regular exercise program. Whereas the acute exercise induces protein oxidation, regularly aerobic training may enhance the antioxidant status of type 2 DM patients.

Effect of tempol on redox homeostasis and stress tolerance in mimetically aged Drosophila.

We aimed to test our hypothesis that scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) with tempol, a membrane permeable antioxidant, affects the type and magnitude of oxidative damage and stress tolerance through mimetic aging process in Drosophila. Drosophila colonies were randomly divided into three groups: (1) no D-galactose, no tempol; (2) D-galactose without tempol; (3) D-galactose, but with tempol. Mimetic aging was induced by d-galactose administration. The tempol-administered flies received tempol at the concentration of 0.2% in addition to d-galactose. Thiobarbituric acid reacting substance (TBARS) concentrations, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), sialic acid (SA) were determined. Additionally, stress tolerances were tested. Mimetically aged group without tempol led to a significant decrease in tolerance to heat, cold, and starvation (P < 0.05), but tempol was used for these parameters. The Cu,Zn-SOD activity and SA concentrations were lower in both mimetically aged and tempol-administered Drosophila groups compared to control (P < 0.05), whereas there were no significantly difference between mimetically aged and tempol-administered groups. Mimetically aged group without tempol led to a significant increase in tissue TBARS and AOPPs concentrations (P < 0.05). Coadministration of tempol could prevent these alterations. Scavenging ROS using tempol also restores redox homeostasis in mimetically aged group. Tempol partly restores age-related oxidative injury and increases stress tolerance.

Increased protein oxidation and loss of protein-bound sialic acid in hepatic tissues of D-galactose induced aged rats.

A redox basis of the increased oxidative protein damage and free radical-mediated desialylation have not been fully elucidated in aging. It is well known that the incidence of several liver diseases increase with age. This original research focuses on protein oxidation mechanisms and protein-bound sialic acid levels in liver tissue of the mimetic aging rats. Injection of D-galactose (60 mg/kg/day) for six weeks to male Sprague-Dawley rats (20-week-old) used to establish mimetic aging model. We investigated the tissue levels of various protein oxidation markers such as protein carbonyl groups, suitable advanced oxidation protein products and protein thiol groups. Our study also covered protein-bound sialic acid in liver tissue of D-galactose-induced aging rats. PCO (Protein Carbonyl Groups), P-OOH (Protein Hydroperoxides) and AOPP (Advanced Oxidation Protein Products) levels in aging rats were significantly higher compared to young control groups. On the other hand, P-SH (Protein Thiol Groups) levels were not found to be different between two groups. SA (Sialic Acid) levels in D-galactose-induced aging rats were significantly lower compared to control groups. Our results demonstrated greater susceptibility to hepatic oxidative protein damage and desialylation of hepatocellular proteins in Dgalactose- induced aging rats. These molecular mechanisms may be operative in the many age-related liver diseases, which are pertinent to increased oxidative stress and altered redox homeostasis.

Comparison of oxidative stress biomarkers in renal tissues of D-galactose induced, naturally aged and young rats.

Ageing of kidneys is a clinical health issue of the society. Age-related renal insufficiency has important implications due to impaired redox homeostasis. We examined protein, DNA and lipid oxidation biomarkers as well as protein-bound sialic acid (SA) in the kidney tissues of D-galactose induced ageing rats, naturally aged rats and their corresponding young control group. Intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose (60 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks to young male Sprague-Dawley rats (20-week-old) was used to establish mimetic ageing model. In this study, we investigated the levels of protein carbonyl groups (PCO), various thiol fractions such as total thiol groups (T-SH), protein (P-SH) and non-protein thiol groups (NP-SH), lipid oxidation parameters such as lipid hydroperoxides (LHP) and malondialdehyde (MDA), SA and 8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) parameters for comparison of naturally aged, induced aged and young rats. In D-galactose induced aged group, PCO, LHP, MDA, and 8-OHdG concentrations were significantly higher than young control group, whereas T-SH, P-SH levels were significantly lower than the young rats. In addition, NP-SH and SA concentrations were similar between the mimetic ageing and young control groups. In naturally ageing rats, PCO and MDA levels were significantly higher, whereas T-SH, P-SH, NP-SH concentrations were low compared to young controls. On the other hand, SA and 8-OHdG levels were not different between the naturally ageing group and the young control group. Our results demonstrated that the rats in the mimetic ageing group, have significant similarities with the naturally aged rats in terms of impaired redox homeostasis and can be used as a reliable animal model for renal ageing.

Protein and DNA oxidation in different anatomic regions of rat brain in a mimetic ageing model.

It has been reported that d-galactose administration causes an increase in oxidative and osmotic stresses in several tissues of rodents. In this study, we established a brain ageing model by using d-galactose and investigated the concentrations of oxidative stress markers on the hippocampus, parietal and frontal lobes of male Sprague-Dawley rats. A mimetic ageing model was established by injecting d-galactose (60 mg/kg/day/i.p.) in the experimental group for 42 days. At the end of this period, we tested spatial memory using the Morris water maze test. To investigate the magnitude of oxidative damage in proteins, lipids and DNA, we studied the concentrations of various oxidative stress parameters in the hippocampus, parietal and frontal lobes of the brain. Glial and neuronal cell oxidative damage was observed in each of the three anatomic regions. It was found that protein carbonyl groups and advanced oxidation product concentrations in the d-galactose applied group were significantly high in each of the three brain lobes compared with the control group. Thiol concentration was found to be decreased in the parietal lobe. A concurrent increase in lipid hydroperoxides was also observed in this lobe. On the other hand, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine concentration was significantly increased in the hippocampal lobe of rats in the experimental group when compared with the controls. The results obtained from the mimetic ageing model rats showed that various anatomical regions of brain have different susceptibility to oxidative damage of proteins, lipids and DNA.

Redox homeostasis of albumin in relation to alpha-lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid.

Albumin represents the predominant circulating antioxidant agent in plasma exposed to continuous oxidative stress and a change in serum albumin structure accounts for its antioxidant properties. Alterations in the redox status of albumin may result in impairments of its biological properties. Alpha-lipoic acid (LA), a naturally occurring thiol compound found in virtually all species, is a potent antioxidant with high efficacy which is also involved in the chelation of metal ions, regeneration of antioxidants, and repair of oxidatively damaged proteins. In human body LA is rapidly reduced to dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) after intake into the cell. Both, LA and DHLA are amphipathic molecules which act as antioxidants both in hydrophilic and lipophilic environments. The present study aimed to investigate the antioxidant/pro-oxidant effects of LA and DHLA due to their concentrations in metal-catalyzed protein oxidation (MCO) of human serum albumin (HSA). Progressive oxidative modification of albumin was found in MCO system by an increased content of protein hydroperoxides (POOH), protein carbonyl groups (PCO) which is the former's major breakdown product, and other protein oxidation markers such as advanced oxidized protein products (AOPP) and protein thiol groups (P-SH). The possible antioxidant protective effects of LA and DHLA were observed with 25 microM and 50 microM; DHLA being more influential. Protein oxidation parameters were found to be lower and P-SH levels seemed higher. However, prooxidant effects of both LA and DHLA came on the scene with increased concentrations of 75 microM and 100 microM where the latter seemed the most hazardous with contradicted results. It is clear that the loss of biological activity of human serum albumin by MCO system appears of medical relevance and if LA exerts similar effects seen in the present study, it is possible that cellular prooxidant activity can also result consuming this unique antioxidant in certain doses.

Protective effect of the nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate in lung injury in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes debilitating complications and, as a result, diabetics frequently require intensive care. Although lungs are not thought to be affected primarily by DM, an increasing number of studies indicate physiological and structural abnormalities in diabetic lungs. OBJECTIVES: Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) is a metal chelator and a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB. Keeping in mind that NF-kappaB activation may be crucial in end-organ injury due to DM, we studied the role of PDTC on the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation and its effects on possible lung injury in rats with streptozotocin-induced DM. METHODS: 36 Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into 4 groups: diabetes, diabetes + PDTC, control and control + PDTC. At the end of 10 weeks, rats were sacrificed and their lungs were taken for histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation [for NF-kappaB (p65) and endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) immunoreactivities]. Protein carbonyl content (PCC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities were measured. RESULTS: Histopathologically, basal membranes were thickened and there was intense inflammatory reaction in diabetic lungs. However, the PDTC group, in which there were poor positive expressions of eNOS and p65 activity compared to diabetes group, revealed fewer inflammatory changes. PCC levels in diabetic lungs were higher, but SOD and GSH activities were lower. However, measurements of these parameters in the PDTC group and controls gave similar results. CONCLUSION: Lungs are exposed to changes induced by oxidative stress in diabetes through NF-kappaB activation and PDTC seems to be useful to prevent diabetic lung injury.

Mechanical bowel preparation with different solutions in rats with selective left colonic ischemia and reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of preoperative mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on colonic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Seventy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into 7 equal groups of 10 rats each. Groups were assigned as follows: group I = sham surgery; group II = I/R of left colon (control group); group III = intravenous heparin and metronidazole followed by I/R of the left colon; groups IV through VII = before I/R of the left colon, heparin and metronidazole and MBP were performed with sodium chloride (NaCl), Na phosphate, polyethylene glycol, and mannitol, respectively. Histopathologic and biochemical parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: According to the histopathologic changes, the groups least affected by I/R injury were groups V and VII. Catalase activity was significantly higher in groups V and VII, and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase activity was significantly higher in group VII compared with the control group (P <.002). CONCLUSIONS: MBP with sodium phosphate and mannitol appears to be more protective against I/R injury.

Increased serum sialic acid levels in primary osteoarthritis and inactive rheumatoid arthritis.

Accumulation of oxidized proteins and impaired antioxidant system have been shown to be associated with arthritis. Serum sialic acid (SA) is known as a parameter of inflammation. In the present study, to explore the potential role of SA in arthritis, we measured serum SA levels, plasma protein oxidation, and antioxidant status in patients with primary osteoarthritis (POA) and inactive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Inactive RA (iRA) was defined upon the American College of Rheumatology criteria for clinical remission of RA. A total of 40 patients (20 POA patients, including 4 male subjects, and 20 iRA female patients) and 20 healthy female subjects were included in this study. SA, antioxidants, and protein oxidation levels were determined spectrophotometrically in serum or plasma samples. Serum SA levels were significantly increased in POA (3.34 +/- 0.37 mM, p < 0.0001) and iRA (3.11 +/- 0.47 mM, p < 0.05), compared with healthy controls (2.41 +/- 0.16 mM). Plasma total antioxidant activity, plasma superoxide dismutase activity and serum reduced glutathione levels were significantly decreased in patients with POA and those with iRA, whereas plasma carbonyl content and serum total protein were increased in those patients. Moreover, plasma total thiol levels were significantly increased in iRA and decreased in POA. Thus, increased SA and protein oxidation levels are associated with the decreased antioxidant levels in POA and iRA patients. These results suggest that SA may be considered as a potent defense molecule against oxidative damage in arthritis. Antioxidant therapy may halt or ameliorate the progression of arthritis.

Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase levels in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Tumour markers play an important role in the diagnosis of cancer and the early detection of recurrences during follow-up. This study aimed to assess the clinical value of measuring urinary N-acetyl-beta-d-glucosaminidase (U-NAG) levels in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. DESIGN: Prospective, controlled study. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study included 21 patients with primary laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and 17 cases with recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. U-NAG levels of patients with tumours at different stages were compared with a control group of 19 healthy individuals with no known cancer. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients' age, TNM stage, blood urea, glucose, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and U-NAG. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found between U-NAG levels of patients with a primary tumour (preoperative period) and the control group (one-way analysis of variance, p = .00; Dunnett's t-test, p = .00). In the postoperative period, the observed trend was that of a significant decrease among primary cases (paired t-test, p = .00). U-NAG levels of patients with a recurrent tumour and patients with a primary tumour (preoperative period) were not significantly different (Tukey honest significant difference test, p = .841). There was no statistically significant difference for blood urea (t = -1.95, p = .064), glucose (t = -1.84, p = .074), or ALT (t = -1.79, p = .080). No significant relationship was found between the TNM stage and preoperative U-NAG levels (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that U-NAG might be used in the diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma and the early detection of recurrences during follow-up. Further investigations are warranted to clarify the prognostic significance of U-NAG levels.

Serum cystatin C level as a potentially good marker for impaired kidney function.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the diagnostic significance of serum cystatin C levels in clinical practice. DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum (99m)Tc-DTPA clearance was compared with serum cystatin C, creatinine, beta(2)-microglobulin levels and creatinine clearance in a group of patients aged 42.61 +/- 7.55 years with glomerular filtration rates of 10-60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (n = 52) and healthy controls aged 43.90 +/- 12.06 years (n = 52). RESULTS: No effect of sex on serum cystatin C levels was observed, but average levels increased with age. No significant difference was evident between the mean cystatin C levels of three blood samples taken at 1 month intervals from healthy subjects. Reference clearance was correlated with creatinine clearance (r = 0.957), cystatin C (r = 0.828), beta(2)-microglobulin (r = 0.767) and creatinine (r = 0.682). 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) was chosen as the borderline for receiver-operating characteristics analysis. The values for the cut-off point, sensitivity, specificity and the area under curve were determined for cystatin C as 1.36 mg/L, 98%, 99% and 0.99 +/- 00.1, respectively; for creatinine, the values were 103 micromol/L, 80%, 100% and 0.97 +/- 0.01, respectively, and for beta(2)-microglobulin, the values were 2.51 mg/L, 86%, 92% and 0.94 +/- 0.02, respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum cystatin C level can be used as a marker for renal damage.

Effects of recombinant human growth hormone and nandrolone phenylpropionate on the healing of ischemic colon anastomosis in rats.

PURPOSE: Recombinant human growth hormone and nandrolone phenylpropionate are two different anabolic agents. This study was designed to investigate the effects of these anabolic agents on the healing of ischemic colon anastomosis in rats. METHODS: Seventy adult male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 14). Group I was the sham laparotomy group. In the other groups, surgical procedures consisting of transsection and anastomosis were made at a distance 3 cm from the peritoneal reflection. Group II was the nonischemic control group. Ischemic colon model was produced in the remaining groups. Group III was the untreated control group. Groups IV and V received recombinant human growth hormone and nandrolone phenylpropionate, respectively. Bursting pressure and hydroxyproline levels were measured on the third and seventh postoperative days to evaluate anastomotic healing. RESULTS: Recombinant human growth hormone increased both collagen deposition and bursting pressure significantly at postoperative Days 3 and 7 compared with the sham and untreated control groups (P < 0.005). When compared with the untreated control, nandrolone phenylpropionate significantly increased collagen deposition at postoperative Days 3 and 7 (P < 0.005) and bursting pressure only at postoperative Day 3 (P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Recombinant human growth hormone has more favorable therapeutic effects on the healing of ischemic colonic anastomoses than nandrolone phenylpropionate. Recombinant human growth hormone also improves healing of nonischemic colonic anastomosis.

Effect of regular training on plasma thiols, malondialdehyde and carnitine concentrations in young soccer players.

Physical activity is known to induce oxidative stress in individuals subjected to intense exercise. Contrarily, there are enzymatic and nonenzymatic defence systems against oxygen radicals in aerobic organisms. Sulphydryl groups such as thiol and glutathione (GSH) can be given as an example to non-enzymatic low molecular weight antioxidants. Carnitine may be related to the performance enhancement in high intensity intermittent exercises and might probably improve the aerobic capacity by stimulating lipid oxidation in muscle cells during long term exercise. But, the effects caused by this supplement during physical activity have not been fully described in the literature. The aim of the study was to compare plasma thiols (PSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and carnitine levels and maximal oxygen uptake (VO2(max)) of the soccers under regular training with the values of the healthy controls. Our results demonstrates that soccers seem to be under less oxidative stress, as their MDA levels were significantly lower (P < 0.001) when compared with the control group while their PSH levels were significantly elevated (P < 0.001), during resting condition. In addition, the plasma carnitine concentrations of the soccer group yields lower values while the VO2(max) yields a higher value when compared with the control group. The differences between the soccer and the control groups are significant (for both, P < 0.001). The present research reveals the fact that regular soccer training shows beneficial effect on decreasing of lipid peroxidation levels. Furthermore; the sportsmen who are under intense training programs have low plasma carnitine values which do not cause negative effect on their sportive performance.