Increased Exhaled 8-Isoprostane and Interleukin-6 in Patients with Helicobacter pylori Infection.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection triggers both local inflammation, usually in gastric mucosa, and chronic systemic inflammation. It is assumed that this local and systemic inflammation is caused by extracellular products excreted by H. pylori. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between H. pylori infection and a local inflammatory response in the airway by using exhaled breath condensate technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes 41 H. pylori seropositive patients who have gastric symptoms and 27 healthy control subjects. Pulmonary function tests (PFT), chest X ray, and physical examination were performed in all patients and interleukin-6 (IL-6), 8-isoprostane and nitrotyrosine levels were measured in exhaled breath condensate. RESULTS: Levels of IL-6 and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were significantly higher in H. pylori positive patients than control subjects (p < 0.05). Nitrotyrosine levels were also higher in H. pylori positive patients but the difference was not statistically significant. Both groups had similar leukocyte counts, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and PFT parameters. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection causes an asymptomatic airway inflammation which can be detected by exhaled breath condensate. The clinical importance of this inflammation remains unclear.

Influence of CPAP treatment on airway and systemic inflammation in OSAS patients.

AIM: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by recurrent respiratory disorders in the upper airways during sleep. Although continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been accepted to be the most effective treatment for OSAS, its role on inflammation remains debatable. In this study, our aim was to examine the influence of 3 months of CPAP treatment on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), 8-isoprostane, and peroxynitrite levels in exhaled breathing condensates (EBC) and serum. METHODS: Thirty-five patients who were newly diagnosed as moderate or severe OSAS with full night polysomnography and used CPAP therapy regularly for 3 months were included in the study. Polysomnography, spirometric tests, fasting blood samples, and EBC were ascertained on entry into the study and after 3 months of treatment. All patients were assessed monthly for treatment adherence and side effects. RESULTS: We found that all polysomnographic parameters were normalized after CPAP therapy in the control polysomnogram. Also, all markers in EBC and nitrotyrosine and 8-isoprostane levels in serum were decreased significantly with CPAP treatment. Sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, IL-6, and TNF-α remained unchanged in serum after treatment. We found that baseline nitrotyrosine levels were significantly correlated with apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, and percent time in SpO2 < 90 % (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: CPAP therapy has primarily a relevant impact on airways, and nitrotyrosine levels correlated well with severity of OSAS. This treatment decreases both inflammation and oxidative stress levels in airways in OSAS patients. Also, this treatment helps to decrease systemic oxidative stress levels in serum.

[Since little time remained to 2015; how far Turkey has achieved to reach the tuberculosis targets?]. / 2015'e az bir zaman kala Türkiye, tüberküloz hedeflerinin neresinde?

Tuberculosis still continues to be a globally major health problem. The one of the priorities of Millennium Development Goals, which was adopted by "United Nations Summit" in 2000 to overcome the obstacles in the development of countries is tuberculosis. The targets about the tuberculosis are the outcome indicators which are used to evaluate of effectiveness in tuberculosis's control. By the effective activities of the national tuberculosis control program; the "Millennium Development Goals" and "Stop TB Strategy Goals" have been completely achieved in Turkey before 2015.

Influence of obstructive sleep apnea on fatty liver disease: role of chronic intermittent hypoxia.

BACKGROUND: Currently the common pathogenetic mechanisms in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are gaining increased attention. The aim of this study is to find out the influence of chronic intermittent hypoxemia and OSA related parameters to the severity of NAFLD. METHODS: We examined the liver functions tests and ultrasonographic data of liver as well as markers of OSA severity (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI], oxygen desaturation index, minimum oxygen saturation, percentage of time spent with S(pO(2)) < 90%) of 106 subjects. RESULTS: Fatty liver disease was diagnosed in 71 subjects (group 1), and the remaining 35 subjects were taken as controls (group 2). The prevalence of OSA was 71.2% versus 35.7% for group 1 and 2, respectively (P < .001). As NAFLD severity increased from mild to severe form, mean AHI and oxygen desaturation index values also increased significantly. Our multivariate analysis showed that AHI, oxygen desaturation index, lowest desaturation values, and percentage of sleep duration with S(pO(2)) < 90% were independent predictors of NAFLD after adjustment for BMI, weight, and insulin resistance. Furthermore, the most correlated parameter for the severity of NAFLD was found as the duration of hypoxia during sleep. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of NAFLD was higher in patients with severe OSA, suggesting a role for nocturnal hypoxemia in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease.

Influence of snoring on microalbuminuria in diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and snoring are known independent risk factors for insulin resistance. Microalbuminuria is an early marker of diabetic nephropathy and an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to search the prevalence of self-reported snoring and high-risk pre-test OSA diagnosis in diabetic patients and search the influence of snoring on microalbuminuria. METHODS: A total of 237 diabetic patients (mean age, 58.6 ± 12.4 years; 126 males), were asked to complete the Berlin Questionnaire that includes questions about snoring, witnessed apnea, tiredness, history of high blood pressure and/or BMI < 30 kg/m(2). Also, their past and current medical records were reviewed for their medications, diabetic control, and complications like neuropathy, retinopathy, and microalbuminuria. RESULTS: According to the Berlin Questionnaire, a high pre-test probability for the diagnosis of OSA was found in 47.3% of the patients. Snoring was detected in 60.3% of the patients. The mean Epworth Sleepiness Scale score was 7.8 ± 4.6 and 31.6% of the patients reported excessive daytime sleepiness. We found that the both BMI and waist circumferences were significantly associated with snoring and high-risk pre-test OSA. There were no differences for age, gender, fasting glucose, HbA1c, and lipid panels between snorers and non-snorers, and between high-risk pre-test OSA and low-risk pre-test OSA patients. Microalbuminuria was significantly more common in patients who snore. Although snoring was independently associated with microalbuminuria, there were no differences between groups for other microvascular diabetic complications. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of OSA-related symptoms was very common in diabetic patients and further prospective studies are needed to elucidate the role of OSA's effect on diabetic control and complications.

Exposure to SO2 does not have a chronic effect on pulmonary functions of apricot workers.

The authors have previously demonstrated that apricot sulfurization workers develop asthma-like syndrome during apricot sulfurization due to exposure to sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) gas. The aim of the current study was to demonstrate if exposure to SO(2) gas had any chronic effects on pulmonary functions and bronchial reactivity of the workers. Twenty-five apricot sulfurization workers and a control group were included in the study. Physical examination, skin prick tests, pulmonary function tests (PFTs), and bronchoprovocation tests (BPTs) were performed before and after the season of sulfurization in the worker group. Skin prick tests, PFTs, and BPTs were performed also in the control group without a history of exposure to SO(2) gas. There was no statistically significant difference between PFT and BPT results of the workers and the control group. Comparison of the PFT results of the workers before and after the season of apricot sulfurization neither reveal a significant difference. Four (16%) out of 25 workers were positive for BPTs before the period. Only one worker who had a negative BPT result before the sulfurization season was positive afterwards. The lack of a chronic effect on pulmonary functions is consistent with the diagnosis of asthma-like syndrome in apricot sulfurization workers.

Secondary antifungal prophylaxis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with invasive fungal infection.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive fungal infection (IFI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients. A previous history of IFI is not an absolute contraindication for allo-HSCT, particularly in the era of secondary antifungal prophylaxis (SAP). Prompt diagnosis and therapy are essential for HSCT outcome. METHODOLOGY: The charts of 58 allo-HSCT recipients [median age:29.5 (16-62); M/F:41/17] who had a previous history of IFI were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Possible IFI was demonstrated in 32 (55.2%), probable in 13 (22.4%) and proven in 13 patients (22.4%). All patients received SAP [liposomal amphoterisin B (n ꞊ 35), voriconazole (n ꞊ 17), caspofungin (n ꞊ 2), posaconazole (n ꞊ 1), combination therapy (n = 3)] which was started on the first day of the conditioning regimen. Treatment success was better in the voriconazole group when compared to the amphotericin B arm (100% vs 69.2%; p = 0.029). Development of breakthrough IFI was more frequent in patients on amphotericin B prophylaxis (42.4% vs 23.1%; p = 0.036). Clinical and radiological response were achieved in 13 of 18 patients (72.2%) who developed breakthrough infection. Overall survival of the study population was 13.5% at a median follow-up of 154 (7-3285) days. Fungal mortality was found to be 23%. Overall survival was better in the voriconazole arm, without statistical significance (90% vs 65.8%, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Secondary antifungal prophylaxis is considered to be an indispensible strategy in patients with pre-HSCT IFI history. Voriconazole seems to be a relatively better alternative despite an underlying necessity of larger prospective trials.

Erdosteine prevents bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, erdosteine, an antioxidant, is expected to have an inhibitor potential against the disease. Rats were given one dose of bleomycin in pulmonary fibrosis groups and saline in controls. The first dose of oral erdosteine (10 mg/kg/day) was given 2 days before the bleomycin injection to achieve the plateau level in blood and continued until killing. At day 14, fibrotic changes were evaluated, using Aschoft's criteria and lung hydroxyproline content. Bleomycin produced a fivefold increase in fibrosis score that was decreased by 87% by erdosteine (P>0.001) and almost twofold increases in hydroxyproline content which were completely prevented by erdosteine. Myeloperoxidase activities and MDA levels, which were significantly higher in the bleomycin group, were then significantly attenuated by erdosteine. These results revealed that oral erdosteine may prevent the development of acute pulmonary inflammation caused by bleomycin injection via the repression of neutrophil accumulation and lipid peroxidation, resulting in the inhibition of subsequent lung fibrosis.

The role of oxidative stress in bronchoconstriction due to occupational sulfur dioxide exposure.

BACKGROUND: We previously showed that apricot sulfurization workers (ASW) are exposed to high concentrations of SO(2), resulting in an asthma-like syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma-like syndrome due to the high concentrations of SO(2) exposure in agricultural environment. METHODS: Serum antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, which are markers of lipid peroxidation, and pulmonary function tests (PFT) were measured in 40 volunteer ASW and compared to 20 healthy control subjects. RESULTS: The superoxide dismutase (SOD, 2.2+/-0.6 vs. 3.2+/-0.7 U/ml), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px, 0.6+/-0.3 vs. 1.1+/-0.3 U/ml) and catalase (107.6+/-27.4 vs. 152.6+/-14.3 k/l) activities in ASW were significantly (p<0.0001) lower than controls, whereas the malondialdehyde concentration (4.1+/-0.9 vs. 1.9+/-5.3 nmol/l) was higher in ASW (p<0.0001). ASW had significant decreases in pulmonary function parameters after exposure. CONCLUSION: These results show that occupational exposure to high concentrations of SO(2) enhances oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation may be considered as a new mechanism of SO(2)-induced bronchoconstriction.

The role of nitric oxide and cytokines in asthma-like syndrome induced by sulfur dioxide exposure in agricultural environment.

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that apricot sulfurization workers are exposed to high concentrations of SO(2), subsequently causing asthma-like syndrome. This study investigated the effects of SO(2) exposure on serum TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, nitrite and nitrate levels to understand the mechanism of SO(2)-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma-like syndrome. METHODS: We measured the serum levels of the cytokines, direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate obtained from 40 volunteer workers after an hour of exposure to SO(2) and 23 healthy controls. RESULTS: The concentrations of the cytokines, direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate were significantly (p<0.0001) higher in the workers than in the controls. The mean serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate were 430.60+/-397.03 pg/ml, 436.67+/-316.31 pg/ml, 752.11+/-394.95 pg/ml, 262.12+/-287.99 pg/ml, 7.75+/-3.34 micromol/l, 115.72+/-48.78 micromol/l and 107.97+/-46.19 micromol/l in the workers, while they were 9.83+/-3.12 pg/ml, <5 pg/ml, 7.49+/-1.27 pg/ml, 9.38+/-1.99 pg/ml, 2.17+/-0.77 micromol/l, 59.91+/-7.56 micromol/l and 57.74+/-7.20 micromol/l in the controls, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results show that TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and nitric oxide may play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchoconstriction in asthma-like syndrome due to the SO(2) exposure.

Inhibitory effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on bleomycine-induced lung fibrosis in rats.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) induced by anticancerogenic bleomycin (BLM) is one of the more common side effects encountered during cancer treatment. It has been suggested in the last decades that the main responsible agent in PF is reactive oxygen species which were generated also in normal physiological conditions in the human body. In this experimental study, we investigated the preventive or attenuating effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) that has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, cytocytatic, anticancerogenic, antiprolipherative and antioxidant effects on BLM-induced PF. METHODS: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into four groups as sham operation, BLM, BLM + vitamin E (vit E), and BLM + CAPE groups. BLM (7.5 mg/kg, single dose) was applied intratracheally, and CAPE and vit E intraperitoneally in the appropriate groups. At the end of the fibrosis processes, lung tissues were removed and the levels of tissues hydroxyproline (OH-proline), malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined. Also, the weights of the rats were recorded at 7th and 14th days of the experiments. RESULTS: BLM application to the rats resulted in a significant increase in the OH-proline level as compared to the controls. Administration of CAPE and vit E led to the remarkable reduction of total lung OH-proline levels compared to the rats treated with BLM alone (p < 0.0001). There were a decreases in antioxidant enzyme (SOD and CAT) activities while an increase in MPO activity in BLM group was found vs. the control group (p < 0.0001). CAPE had a regulator effect on these parameters: the increase in CAT and SOD activities and the decrease in MPO activity were seen after CAPE application. NO, MDA and OH-proline levels were increased in BLM group vs. the control group. CAPE was more effective in decreasing the tissue levels of NO, MDA and OH-proline than vit E. MPO activity, as a good marker of neutrophil sequestration to the tissues, in the BLM group was decreased by CAPE approximately to the control group. CONCLUSION: We suggest that CAPE is more effective on the prevention of BLM-induced fibrosis via antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties than vit E at the doses used in the present study. CAPE has some attenuating effects on BLM-induced PF affecting both oxidant and antioxidant systems as well as neutrophils sequestration.

Discrete pleural nodules associated with a parasternal mass: an unusual manifestation of tuberculosis.

SUMMARY: The case presented describes an unusual appearance of thoracic tuberculosis with multiple pleural nodules associated with a parasternal mass as depicted on computed tomography. The patient is a 22-year-old woman who presented with pleuritic chest pain, a left parasternal mass, and weight loss. The pleura of the left hemithorax was studded with multiple low-attenuation, rim-enhancing nodules, and a left parasternal mass with similar imaging features was seen anterior to an enlarged left internal mammary lymph node. There were no pulmonary parenchymal changes nor any mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy. Cytologic examination of the specimen obtained with fine needle aspiration of the pleural and parasternal masses yielded granulomatous inflammation. The symptoms remitted with antituberculous chemotherapy and a follow-up CT obtained 6 months later showed complete resolution of the pleural nodules and parasternal mass and considerable regression of the left internal mammary lymph node. Involvement of the pleura with discrete nodules in the absence of parenchymal changes or mediastinal lymphadenopathy is rare in tuberculosis. To the best of the present authors' knowledge, the combination of a tuberculous parasternal mass and multiple pleural nodules as the sole manifestations of thoracic tuberculosis has not been reported previously.

Environmental exposure to asbestos in eastern Turkey.

In this study, the authors investigated the prevalence of asbestos-related disorders among the inhabitants of Güzelyurt, a town in Malatya, located in eastern Turkey. The authors examined river bed, white soil, and stucco samples taken from various locales in Güzelyurt, and they confirmed the presence of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos fibers. Subjects (N = 920; 449 males and 471 females) were examined by photofluoroscopy. Eighty-five patients (9.2%) had asbestos-related radiological findings; risk increased with age. Calcified pleural plaques were seen more frequently in individuals > or = 50 yr of age, compared with younger subjects (p < 0.01). Asbestos-related disorders were prevalent in the inhabitants of Güzelyurt, the population of which is exposed environmentally to asbestos--primarily the result of the stuccoing and whitewashing of houses with soil that contains asbestos.

Interdialytic weight gain and pulmonary membrane diffusing capacity in patients on hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) may be useful for assessing disease affecting the alveolar-capillary bed or the pulmonary vasculature. It was reported that hemodialysis (HD) therapy causes DLCO reduction via decrease of pulmonary capillary blood volume components. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of interdialytic weight gain on pulmonary function and especially DLCO. We further determined whether intravascular volume status, assessed by inferior vena cava diameter (IVCD) contributes to DLCO in patients on HD. METHODS: Routine pulmonary function testing including forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, forced mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75), DLCO IVCD index and other echocardiographic parameters were evaluated in 20 patients (mean age 48.6+/-18.3 years, mean dialysis duration 17.4+/-19.2 months) on chronic HD, 1 hour after HD and after an interdialytic period (1 hour before HD therapy). Single-breath DLCO measurements were corrected for hemoglobin concentration (cDLCO). RESULTS: Routine pulmonary function tests (spirometry) showed no significant changes in FEV1, FVC and FEF25-75 whereas a statistically significant fall in FEV/FVC was found. At the end of the interdialytic period a statistically significant increase in weight, IVCD index, left ventriculer diastolic diameter (LVDD), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were observed (P < 0.05). Using the single-breath DLCO, we found unchanged cDLCO at the end of the interdialytic period. There was no correlation of cDLCO with increases in weight, DBP, IVCD index, LVDD (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The accumulation of body water between dialyses has no significant influence on DLCO.

Airway inflammation and tiotropium treatment in stable COPD patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory disease of the lung associated with progressive airflow limitation. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of tiotropium treatment on airway inflammation and symptoms in stable COPD patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Inflammatory markers were measured in the expired breath condensate fluid (EBC) before starting tiotropium treatment and at the end of the first month. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients (81% men) with a mean age of 65.4 ± 10.1 years completed the study. The mean nitrotyrosine and 8-isoprostane levels for oxidative stress markers in EBC before and after treatment were 4.5 ± 2.3, 3.5 ± 1.9 pg/mL (P = 0.06) and 7.3 ± 10.8, 8.1 ± 11.7 pg/mL (P = 0.28), respectively. The mean interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels for inflammation markers in EBC before and after treatment were 1.03 ± 1.1, 0.77 ± 0.8 pg/mL (P = 0.41) and 27.8 ± 2.6, 29.2 ± 5.7 pg/mL (P = 0.36) respectively. The mean symptom scores decreased significantly with tiotropium and a mean increase of 124.6 ± 0.86 mL was observed in a lung function test (FEV1). CONCLUSION: Although a 4-week treatment with tiotropium did not modify any of the inflammatory or oxidative stress markers in EBC fluid, tiotropium treatment helps to control symptoms in COPD.

Effects of the Health Transformation Programme on tuberculosis burden in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The Fifty-ninth Turkish Government announced an emergency action plan and embarked on a comprehensive health reform named "Health Transformation Program" (HTP) in 2003. This study investigated the effects of HTP on tuberculosis (TB) burden from 2003 to 2010 in Turkey. DESIGN: TB incidence, prevalence, mortality and case detection rates, treatment success and direct observed treatment strategy (DOTS) applications rate, and contribution of these applications in the success of the TB war were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: The annual decrease of incidence rate was 2.86 between 1995 and 2002, and 1.22 between and 2003 and 2010, (p < 0.05). The decrease of prevalence rate was 2.88 between 1995 and 2002 and 1.25 between 2003 and 2010 (p < 0.05). The annual declines in mortality were 0.44 between 1995 and 2002 and 0.22 between 2003 and 2010 (p < 0.005). The DOTS application rate increased from 0% in 2003 to 98% in 2010. After the HTP treatment success rate of TB at 85% of Turkey was firstly reached to 89% in 2005 and increased to 91% in 2007. Case detection rate of new pulmonary TB patients was 82% in 2005 and 81% in 2008 reaching the WHO target for the first time with HTP. CONCLUSION: A trend of reduced TB burden began in Turkey in 1997. As a result of the implementation of HTP beginning in 2003, the target treatment success and DOTS application rates were achieved and progress has continued even in the face of the recent worldwide economic crisis.

Interaction of metabolic syndrome with asthma in postmenopausal women: role of adipokines.

The increasing prevalence of both asthma and obesity are major health problems. Recent studies established a possible link between obesity and asthma; however, the underlying mechanism is not clear. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal subjects with asthma and search the interactions between adipokines, metabolic syndrome, and asthma. A total of 45 female patients (57.5 ± 13.9 years) with asthma and 30 healthy subjects (59.6 ± 12.8 years) in postmenopausal status were enrolled in this study. For the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, modified World Health Organization diagnostic criteria were used. Blood levels of glucose, lipid profile, HbA1c, insulin, CRP, leptin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were measured. The mean body mass index was 29.6 ± 5.4 for asthma patients and 28.2 ± 5.3 for the control group. The incidence of metabolic syndrome was found as 26 % for both groups. Insulin resistance as calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and fasting insulin levels were significantly higher in asthma patients (p < 0.001 for both parameters). Leptin levels were significantly higher (p = 0.001) and adiponectin levels were lower (p = 0.029) in asthma patients compared to controls. We concluded that although incidence of obesity and metabolic syndrome was not higher in postmenopausal asthma patients than controls, there was an impairment of glucose metabolism and altered adipokine levels in asthma patients.

Effect of resveratrol on treatment of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats.

Resveratrol has a preventive potential on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in prophylactic use; however, it was not studied in the treatment of the fibrosis. This study investigated the role of resveratrol on the treatment of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Intratracheal bleomycin (2.5 mg/kg) was given in fibrosis groups and saline in controls. First dose of resveratrol was given 14 days after bleomycin and continued until sacrifice. On 29th day, fibrosis in lung was estimated by Aschoft's criteria and hydroxyproline content. Bleomycine increased the fibrosis score (3.70 ± 1.04) and hydroxyproline levels (4.99 ± 0.90 mg/g tissue) as compared to control rats (1.02 ± 0.61 and 1.88 ± 0.59 mg/g), respectively. These were reduced to 3.16 ± 1.58 (P = 0.0001) and 3.08 ± 0.73 (P > 0.05), respectively, by resveratrol. Tissue malondialdehyde levels in the bleomycin-treated rats were higher (0.55 ± 0.22 nmol/mg protein) than that of control rats (0.16 ± 0.07; P = 0.0001) and this was reduced to 0.16 ± 0.06 by resveratrol (P = 0.0001). Tissue total antioxidant capacity is reduced (0.027 ± 0.01) by bleomycine administration when compared control rats (0.055 ± 0.012 mmol Trolox Equiv/mg protein; P = 0.0001) and increased to 0.041 ± 0.008 (P = 0.001) by resveratrol. We concluded that resveratrol has some promising potential on the treatment of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. However, different doses of the drug should be further studied.

Relationship between components of metabolic syndrome and polysomnographic findings in obstructive sleep apnea.

AIMS: Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and metabolic syndrome are both growing health concerns, owing to the worldwide obesity epidemic. This study evaluates the potential association between the parameters of metabolic syndrome and OSAHS. METHODS: A total of 125 consecutive patients undergoing complete full night polysomnography were included. Insulin resistance (IR) was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), and metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) criteria. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 23.8% among patients with OSAHS. We found that IR, age, weight, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome prevalence increased significantly with severity of OSAHS. There were no differences between groups for lipid panels including total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Subjects with metabolic syndrome had significantly lowest desaturation value (76% vs. 81%) desaturation (76% vs. 81%, P = 0.003), lower mean nocturnal oxygen saturation (89.9% vs. 92.3%, P < 0.00.1), higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (40.9 vs. 17, P < 0.001), and higher oxygen desaturation index (38 vs. 17, P = 0.002). Lowest desaturation and mean nocturnal oxygen saturation were significantly lower in subjects with IR (76% vs. 85%, P = 0.004 and 90.4% vs. 93.0%, P = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, the percent of time below 90% saturation [%T < 90]) (P = 0.04) was independently associated with IR. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that metabolic syndrome prevalence increased with severity of OSAHS and vice versa. Nocturnal hypoxic episodes in OSAHS patients could be a risk factor for developing hypertension and IR.

Relationship between asthma and irritable bowel syndrome: role of food allergy.

The increasing prevalence of both asthma and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are major health problems. One hundred twenty-five patients with asthma and 95 healthy subjects were included in this study. The rate of IBS was 29.6% and 12.7% (p < 0.005), and the incidence of food allergy was 7.2% and 2.1% (p > 0.05) respectively for asthma and control group. There was no significant association between asthma related parameters, IBS, and food allergy. There is not a single clear reason as to what causes IBS, so further studies are needed to clarify the potential pathogenic mechanisms underlying the association between IBS and asthma.