The role of prothrombotic factors in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

AIM: Hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP) is a condition occurring as a consequence of a non-progressive damage of the brain with incomplete anatomical and physical development during the early period of life. Its etiology is multifactorial, with the cause remaining unexplained in the majority of cases. This study aims to investigate whether thrombophilic factors correlates with the etiology in children with HCP. METHODS: We included 36 children with HCP in the patient group, and 41 healthy children with no neurologic disorders in the control group. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of factor V leiden, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and prothrombin 20210A mutation frequency and protein C, protein S and antithrombin III levels. RESULTS: Homocysteine levels were significantly higher in the group of patients with HCP as compared to the control group (P=0.012). Because we could not identify the origin of hyperhomocysteinemia as congenital or acquired, the impact of hyperhomocysteinemia on HCP was considered insignificant. Each thrombophilic disorder was assessed in terms of relatedness to atrophy, periventricular leukomalacia, infarct, congenital anomaly and porencephalic cyst, respectively. No significant correlation was detected between thrombophilic disorders and cranial imaging findings. CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that thrombophilic factors are not involved in the etiology of HCP.

Serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein and vitamin D receptor in migraine patients from central Anatolia region.

OBJECTIVES: Inflammation is proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of both vitamin D deficiency and migraine. However, the data examining the relation of vitamin D with migraine are limited. We aimed to investigate the serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in combination, in migraine patients from central Anatolia region. METHODS: Fifty-two newly diagnosed migraine patients and age- and sex-matched 49 control subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional prospective study. Migraine diagnosis was settled according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II diagnostic criteria. Serum samples were analysed for the measurement of vitamin D, VDBP and VDR levels by using commercial enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Serum vitamin D and VDR levels were found to be significantly lower in migraine patients than in controls (p = 0.012 and p = 0.038, respectively); whereas serum VDBP levels were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between serum vitamin D, VDBP and VDR levels and headache characteristics including aura, attack severity, frequency and duration, and disease duration (p > 0.05). In terms of headache characteristics, no significant difference between migraineurs with vitamin D values < 25 and ≥ 25 ng/ml was observed (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings may suggest that decreased serum vitamin D levels were associated with migraine.

Effects of long-term fasting on female hormone levels: Ramadan model.

BACKGROUND: Ramadan fasting is a special model of hunger and particularly affects metabolic processes, including carbohydrate and lipid levels. Endocrine changes induced by Ramadan fasting are not well known. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to evaluate the changes in hormone levels in women before and after the special Muslim fasting period of Ramadan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed in 30 healthy women in Obstetrics and Gynecology department during the Ramadan month of2011. Patients during and after the first menstrual period had menstrual cycles fasting blood samples taken on the same days. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone, and prolactin (PRL) levels were determined. RESULTS: Before and during fasting LH, FSH, E2, testosterone and PRL levels were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Despite the limited available studies on these subjects in women, effect of Ramadan fasting on hormone levels were found to be within the normal limits.

Propofol sedation in total knee replacement : effects on oxidative stress and ischemia-reperfusion damage.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to show the effect of propofol sedation on oxidative stress and inflammation resulting from ischemia-reperfusion. METHODS: After having obtained written informed consent from the patients and ethics committee approval, 36 patients were randomly allocated to 2 groups: group C, control and group P, propofol. Spinal anesthesia was administered to both groups with 15 mg bupivacaine. Patients in group P received a propofol infusion of 2 mg/kgBW/h and the patients in group C received a placebo infusion in an equal dose. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the total antioxidative capacity (TAC) levels were measured in venous blood samples prior to propofol or placebo administration (preischemia T0), 30 min after placing the tourniquet (ischemia T1) and 2 h after deflation of the tourniquet (reperfusion T2). High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and neutrophil levels were measured before propofol was administered (T0) and 12 h after reperfusion (T3). RESULTS: While serum MDA and SOD levels were significantly higher during the reperfusion period than the preischemic period, TAC levels were found to be low in the control group (p < 0.05). In the propofol group there were no differences between the preischemia-reperfusion periods with respect to MDA, SOD and TAC levels (p > 0.05). The neutrophil and hsCRP levels were observed to be increased to a lesser extent in the propofol group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol infusion in addition to spinal anesthesia may reduce oxidative damage and the inflammatory response developing due to the tourniquet in total knee replacement surgery.

The effects of tramadol infiltration on wound healing in rats.

PURPOSE: Infiltration of a local anesthetic to provide postoperative analgesia is a frequently used method. However the infiltrated agents may have negative effects on wound healing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of tramadol, a weak opioid with a local anesthetic effect, on wound healing. METHODS: Wistar albino rats were used in the study. Tramadol and saline infiltration was randomly performed on the left and right backs of rats. Following a linear incision, the site was sutured. A follow-up was conducted after seven days, and the tissue samples from both locations were extracted for histopathological examinations (fibrotic index : no fibrosis 0, mild 1, moderate 2, severe 3) and hydroxyproline measurements. RESULTS: The hydroxyproline level found in the tramadol group was 0.060 +/- 0.04 ng/mg.protein. In the control group the hydroxyproline level was 0.012 +/-0.01 ng/mg.protein (p = 0.01). The fibrotic index levels in the tramadol group were higher than the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that tramadol infiltration in a surgical incision site has no adverse effect on wound healing.

The effects of 201Tl myocardial perfusion scintigraphy studies on oxidative damage in patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate gamma radiation-induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes after 201Tl myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Twenty patients (8 women and 12 men) who performed 201Tl myocardial perfusion scintigraphy were included in this study. The blood samples were taken from patients just before, 1 hour after and three hours after injection of the radiopharmaceutical. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) levels were measured to evaluate the gamma radiation induced oxidative damage. The enzyme activities of SOD, GPX and CAT were decreased 1 hour after (p = 0.042, p = 0.697 and p = 0.653 respectively) and 3 hours after (p = 0.003, p = 0.573 and p = 0.002 respectively) injection of the radiopharmaceutical. Malondialdehyde levels were increased 1 hour after (p = 0.10) and 3 hours after (p = 0.47) injection of the radiopharmaceutical. In this study, we found that radiation due to 201Tl myocardial perfusion scintigraphy decreased the erythrocyte antioxidant levels and increased MDA levels.

Sildenafil citrate as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor has an antioxidant effect in the blood of men.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Sildenafil citrate enhances the action of nitric oxide by preventing the hydrolysis of cGMP, and is widely used to treat erectile dysfunction. We investigated the effects of sildenafil citrate administration on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant redox enzymes in blood of healthy men. METHOD: Thirty healthy male subjects were divided equally into two groups. The first group was used as the control. A single dose of sildenafil citrate was administrated orally to subjects constituting the second group. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 2, 6 and 24 h after intake of the single dose of 100 mg sildenafil citrate or placebo. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The dose of sildenafil citrate resulted in significant increase in the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities at 6 and 24 h. Plasma lipid peroxidation levels decreased slightly. There was no statistical difference in erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity between the placebo and sildenafil citrate groups. CONCLUSION: Treatment of blood with 100 mg sildenafil citrate has protective effects on oxidative stress by inhibiting free radical formation and by supporting antioxidant redox systems.

Gingival crevicular fluid leptin levels in periodontitis patients with long-term and heavy smoking.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) leptin levels and the influence of long-term and heavy smoking on GCF leptin levels in patients with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: In this study, 143 individuals were divided into three groups: non-smokers (NS), smokers (S), and control (C). Three subgroups of NS and S were grouped as follows: a) probing depth (PD) 5 mm. For each patient, PD, gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), gingival bleeding time index (GBTI), and clinical attachment level (CAL) values were recorded. The GCF leptin levels obtained from sampling sites were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: The GCF leptin levels were found significantly lower in the a and b subgroups in the S group than those in the NS group (P <0.05). The inflammatory markers GI and GBTI showed significant correlations with leptin in NS (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that higher leptin GCF levels in healthy sites in periodontitis patients may play a protective role in periodontal disease. Further studies are needed to determine the cellular origin of the leptin in the gingiva and the effect of plasma leptin levels on GCF leptin concentrations.

The importance of the incidental thyroid gland uptake during Tc-99m MIBI myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of study was to investigate whether incidental thyroid gland uptake had an important during Tc-99m sestamibi (MIBI) myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (SPECT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the presented study, 968 consecutive patients were evaluated for the presence or absence of thyroid gland uptake in the raw data of the Tc-99m MIBI SPECT. All of the patients had thyroid gland uptake of the Tc-99m MIBI underwent laboratory evaluation of thyroid function, ultrasonographic imaging, and hystopathological examination. RESULTS: The thyroid gland uptake was detected in 14 of 968 (1.4%) consecutive patients during the evaluation of raw images of Tc-99m MIBI SPECT studies. Among these 14 patients, 4 had subacute thyroiditis, 7 multinodular goiter, 3 Graves disease by ultrasonographic imaging and hystopathological examination. TSH levels of all of these patients were < 0.01 U/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Tc-99m MIBI uptake by thyroid gland has been explained with associated clinical thyrotoxicosis. Although the primary goal of myocardial perfusion imaging is the evaluation of myocardial perfusion, the interpretation of myocardial perfusion imaging should not be limited to the heart. Because, it is possible to observe extracardiac radioactivity accumulation, which may then lead to the diagnosis of a noncardiac disease during this detailed examination.

Role of reactive oxygen species in organophosphate insecticide phosalone toxicity in erythrocytes in vitro.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by organophosphates may be involved in the toxicity of various pesticides. Therefore, in this study we aimed to investigate how an organophosphate insecticide, phosalone, affects lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the antioxidant defence system in vitro. For this purpose, the effects of various doses of phosalone on LPO and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) in erythrocytes were studied. Each phosalone dose was incubated with a previously prepared erythrocyte sample at +4 degrees C for 0, 60 and 180 min. After incubation, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT were determined. Phosalone caused an increase in MDA formation and a decrease in the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT. However, these effects were seen only at extremely high concentrations of phosalone and these concentrations were in the lethal range. Therefore, we suggest that ROS may not involve in the toxic effects of the pesticidal use of phosalone in low concentrations.

Effect of melatonin against oxidative stress in ultraviolet-B exposed rat lens.

PURPOSE: To investigate the defensive effect of melatonin against oxidative stresses in ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation induced cataract development. METHODS: Young rats received 8 kJ/m(2) UVB for 15 min. For the intervention of cataract development intraperitoneal injection of melatonin (4 mg/kg daily for 1 week) following UVB exposure was performed. Lenticular glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined in UVB-melatonin, UVB, and control groups. RESULTS: One week after exposure in the UVB group, lens opacities were observed and CAT, SOD, and GSHPx activities, and GSH level were lower than control and MDA level was higher than control (p < 0.05). In the UVB-melatonin group CAT and SOD activities were lower than control (p < 0.05), and the MDA level was lower than the UVB group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that melatonin may protect against the UVB-induced cataract development by directly quenching lipid peroxides and indirectly by enhancing the production of the endogenous antioxidant GSH.

Free radical damage in nasal polyp tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the free radical injury in nasal polyp tissue exists or not. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective study in patients with nasal polyps. METHODS: Polyp specimens were obtained from 19 patients. Control specimens were acquired from 16 patients who underwent partial turbinectomy with concha bullosa free of rhinitis, sinusitis, and allergy, confirmed by endoscopic nasal examination, coronal paranasal sinus CT scan, and prick test. MDA levels of nasal polyps and control specimens were measured by using the method of Knudsen et al. RESULTS: The mean MDA levels of nasal polyps and control specimens were 38.2 +/- 5.1 (33.3-52.2) and 33.9 +/- 1.6 (32.6-37.4), respectively. MDA levels in NP were significantly higher compared with control specimens (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: High level of MDA in nasal polyp tissue that represents FR increase supports the existence of cell injury in nasal polyp tissue. FRs should be considered in the development and life cycles of NP which is thought to have multifactorial pathogenesis.

The effects of organophosphate insecticide methidathion on lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant enzymes in rat erythrocytes: role of vitamins E and C.

The effects of organophosphate insecticide methidathion (MD) on lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidant enzymes and the ameliorating effects of a combination of vitamins E and C against MD toxicity were evaluated in rat erythrocytes. Experimental groups were: control group, MD-treated group (MD), and MD + vitamin E + vitamin C-treated group (MD + Vit). MD and MD + Vit groups were treated orally with a single dose of 8 mg/kg MD body weight at 0 hour. Vitamins E and C were injected at doses of 150 mg/kg body weight, i.m. and 200 mg/kg body weight, i.p., respectively, 30 min after the treatment of MD in the MD + Vit group. Blood samples were taken 24 hours after the MD administration. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) were studied in the erythrocytes. MDA level increased significantly in the MD group compared to the control group (P < 0.05) and decreased significantly in the MD + Vit group compared to the MD group (P < 0.05). The activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT decreased in the MD group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Only GSH-Px activity increased in the MD + Vit group compared with the MD group. These results suggest that treating rats with MD increases LPO and decreases anti-oxidant enzyme activities in erythrocytes. Furthermore, single-dose treatment with a combination of vitamins E and C 30 min after the administration of MD can reduce LPO caused by MD.

Nephrotoxicity in rats induced by chlorpryfos-ethyl and ameliorating effects of antioxidants.

Nephrotoxicity induced by chlorpyrifos-ethyl (CE) and ameliorating effects of melatonin and vitamin E plus vitamin C were evaluated in rats exposed to CE. Experimental groups were as follows: control (C), CE treated (CE), vitamin E plus vitamin C treated (Vit), melatonin treated (Mel), vitamin E plus vitamin C plus CE treated (Vit+CE), and melatonin plus CE treated (Mel+CE). The rats in the CE, Vit+CE and Mel+CE groups were administered orally with CE in two equal doses of 41 mg/kg body weight (0.25 LD50). Melatonin and vitamins E and C were administrated intramuscularly at the doses of 10, 150 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and antioxidant potential (AOP), and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were studied in the homogenates of kidney tissue. There were no significant differences in the activities of SOD and CAT between the experimental groups. The level of TBARS increased significantly (P<0.05) while AOP decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the CE group compared with the C group. GSH-Px activity was significantly (P<0.05) lower in the CE group and higher in the melatonin group than the control group. Histopathological changes were found in the kidney tissue of rats treated with CE. These were infiltration in mononuclear cells at perivascular and peritubular areas, hydropic degenerations in tubule epithelium and glomerular sclerosis. The severity of the lesions was reduced by administration of vitamins and melatonin. These results suggest that CE increases lipid peroxidation and decreases AOP by increasing oxidative stress, and that high doses of melatonin and a combination of vitamin E plus vitamin C considerably reduce the toxic effect of CE on kidney tissue of rats.

Malondialdehyde levels and superoxide dismutase activity in experimental maxillary sinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: Acute maxillary sinusitis is one of the most common diseases in human. Reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) produced also physiologically in the body, are normally neutralised by antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). Infection is one of the causes of increased ROMs production. The most important mechanism of tissue damage produced by ROMs is the peroxidation of lipids found in cell membranes and it may be estimated by malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The purpose of this study, is to investigate tissue damage caused by ROMs in maxillary sinusitis in 24 rabbits. METHODS: Experimental sinusitis was induced by blocking the right nose and inoculating Staphylococcus aureus into the right maxillary sinuses. Left maxillary sinuses were the control group. Animals were divided into three groups and killed at 3, 5 and 7 days. Mucosas of each maxillary sinus were examined histopathologically and MDA levels were determined. Blood samples were obtained preoperatively (control blood) and on killing days (experimental blood). Serum MDA levels and erythrocyte SOD activities were determined. RESULTS: All the infected sinuses displayed signs of the inflammation. MDA levels and SOD activities in the experimental blood samples were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Mucosal MDA levels in the experimental group were significantly higher than the controls (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In maxillary sinusitis caused by S. aureus an increased ROMs production was observed and it may contribute to tissue damage of sinusitis.

Lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation: prognostic value of malondialdehyde.

Results of recent studies have indicated that during exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), antioxidant capacity is lower and the levels of lipid peroxidation products are higher than those in age-matched healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to assess the time course of changes in oxidant stress during the treatment of exacerbation of COPD. For this purpose, we measured erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and serum levels of the lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) in 18 male patients with acute exacerbation of COPD. Fifteen healthy non-smokers having no history of lung disease served as control subjects. Mean erythrocyte GPx values of patients were 45.54 +/- 9.04 u/gHb on admission and had increased to 72.77 +/- 9.68 by the tenth day of treatment, but still remained lower than those of healthy subjects (83.13 +/- 10.91) (p=0.007). Serum MDA values in patients were Vol. 12, No. 1, 2001 significantly higher (2.68 +/- 1.28 nmol/ml) than those in control subjects (1.04 +/- 0.36 nmol/ml) (p=0.000) and returned to normal values by the tenth day of treatment (1.08 +/- 0.36 nmol/ml) (p=0.766). Erythrocyte GPx values in patients who were current smokers (39.87 +/- 3.82 u/gHb) were lower than those in ex-smokers (49.15 +/- 9.67 u/gHb) (p=0.021). Moreover, serum MDA values in patients who were current smokers (3.32 +/- 1.18 nmol/ml) were higher than those in ex-smokers (1.66 +/- 0.60 nmol/ml) (p=0.007). The results show that oxidative stress in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD is related to higher MDA levels that return to normal conditions during the course of treatment. In conclusion, the results suggest that MDA levels can serve as a marker of prognosis and of the success of treatment of the exacerbation of COPD.

The effect of GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor) on doxorubicin induced tissue necrosis and wound healing.

PURPOSE: The effect of GM-CSF (granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor) on tissue necrosis and ulceration induced with doxorubicin extravasation was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult Wistar-Albino rats (n=36) were used in the study. Doxorubicin (0.4mg/300 g) was applied subcutaneously to abdominal wall. In group I (n=18), half hours after doxorubicin injection, GM-CSF 6 microg/300 mg was applied subcutaneously to the same localization. In group II (n = 18) same amount of physiologic saline (0.5 ml) were given subcutaneously to the injection site (as vehicle control groups). Group II and I were examined for induration or ulceration on 7th and 21st day. After evaluating the lesions, the injection sites were excised. Hydroxyproline (5-HP) values of dry tissue samples were calculated and histopathologic examination was done. RESULTS: At day seven there were four and eight ulceration in groups I and II, while there were four and 14 ulceration in the second evaluation at day 21st (p<0.05). 5-HP values of the groups were as follows. 97.43+/-20.39 in group land 91.34+/-22.26 in group II. Although there was an increase in epithelization, eosinophil and lymphocyte infiltration and mast cell number in group I in histopathologic examinations only the increase in angiogenesis in group I was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that GM-CSF may have beneficial effect in the treatment of doxorubicin induced tissue necrosis.

Splenectomy reduces remote organ damage after intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to reduce mononuclear phagocytic system (MFS) cells with splenectomy and investigate its preventive effects on lung, liver, and kidney ultrastructure and free radical generation after intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (IIR). METHOD: Forty adult male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups as sham laparatomy (SL), splenectomy + sham laparatomy (SSL), intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (IIR), and splenectomy + intestinal ischaemia-reperfusion (SIIR). One hour of mesenteric ischaemia and four hours of reperfusion were applied. Splenectomy was performed just before reperfusing the intestine. Serum levels of malonedialdehyde (MDA) was measured, and tissue samples obtained from the lung, liver, and kidneys were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. RESULTS: Lung, liver, and kidney ultrastructures were normal in both groups of SL and SSL. In the IIR group, type 2 pneumocytes showed lamellar body degeneration, dilation of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and thickening of the basal lamina. Hepatocytes showed dilation of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial degeneration, and cytoplasmic lipid droplets. The glomerular basement membrane was thickened and the endothelial cells showed discontinuity. The foot processes of the podocytes and microvilli of the proximal tubule cells had also disappeared in the kidney. Splenectomy attenuated these ultrastructural changes in the SIIR group. In the IIR group, serum MDA level was significantly increased to 171.7 +/- 6.7 nmol/ml (p < 0.05). Splenectomy significantly reduced serum MDA level to 87.8 +/- 2.5 nmol/ml in the SIIR group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy attenuated degenerative findings encountered in lung, liver, and kidney ultrastructure after IIR. Splenectomy also significantly decreased serum levels of MDA. The possible role of splenectomy is to reduce the MFS cells, which play an important role in the remote organ injury after intestinal reperfusion damage.

Impairment of endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in cadmium-hypertensive rats.

Abnormalities in the production and/or release of relaxing factors from the endothelium have been implicated in the development of hypertension in several animal models. Endothelium-dependent relaxation has been reported to be impaired in thoracic aorta in experimentally induced and genetically hypertensive rats. Present study has extented these observations to thoracic aorta of cadmium-hypertensive rats. The possible role of alterations in oxidant status was also studied. Hypertension was induced by the intraperitoneal administration of 1 mg/kg/day cadmium for 15 days. Mechanical responses produced by acetylcholine (ACh, 10(-9)-10(-4) M) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 10(-10)-10(-5) M) were studied on phenylephrine-precontracted thoracic aorta rings from control and cadmium-hypertensive rats. Serum nitric oxide (NO) and aortic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. ACh-induced relaxation was attenuated in aorta from cadmium-hypertensive rats, whereas relaxation responses to SNP did not differ significantly between the groups. Exposure of aortic rings to N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10(-4) M) resulted in a significantly greater inhibition of relaxation response to ACh in aortic rings of cadmium-hypertensive rats as compared with control rats. Incubation with L-arginine (L-Arg, 10(-3) M) caused a similar reversal of the inhibition of ACh-induced relaxation by L-NAME in both groups. Serum NO levels were decreased and aortic MDA levels were increased in cadmium-treated rats as compared with control rats. However, the differences between the groups did not reach a statistical significance. These findings suggested that the reduction in endothelium-dependent relaxation may play a role in cadmium-induced hypertension as it was in many other hypertension models.

The periodontal status of indirectly lead-exposed apprentices working in autorepair workshops.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the periodontal health status of lead-exposed apprentices and to search the correlation between clinical periodontal parameters and either blood lead or oxidative stress/damage indices in erythrocytes. Sixty male subjects were recruited for this study (30 apprentices and 30 controls). The periodontal health status was determined with gingival index, plaque index, gingival bleeding time index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level records. Additionally, blood lead level and indices of oxidative stress (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase), catalase activities and damage (malondialdehyde concentration) in erythrocytes were determined. The results showed that lead level was significantly higher in apprentices than in controls (P < 0.05). None of the clinical periodontal parameters and oxidative stress/damage indices were significantly different between the groups (P > 0.05). Significant correlation between plaque index and catalase, probing depth and superoxide dismutase, clinical attachment level and superoxide dismutase, and clinical attachment level and malondialdehyde in apprentices group (P < 0.05), and gingival bleeding time index and glutathione peroxidase in control group were found (P < 0.05). In multiple regression analysis, there were statistically significant associations between gingival index and working status, family income and either probing depth or clinical attachment level (P < 0.05). The results of this study showed significant association between the clinical periodontal parameters and oxidative stress/damage indices in apprentices indirectly exposed to low levels of lead.