Adropin, nesfatin-1 and angiotensin II receptor expression in the abdominal aorta in ovariectomized rats after nesfatin-1 treatment.

The aim of the research was to assess the effect of nesfatin-1 on the structure, flexibility parameters, and expression of adropin, nesfatin-1, and angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) in the abdominal aorta in ovariectomized rats. Fragments of aortas were collected after euthanasia of female sham-operated (CONT) and ovariectomized Wistar rats (EXP), which were administered intraperitoneal injection of physiological saline (CONT, n = 7; EXP-O, n = 7) or nesfatin-1 (EXP-N, n = 7) in an amount of 2 µg/kg b.w. once a day for 8 weeks. The samples of aortas were collected for measurement of elasticity as well as histomorphometric, immunohistochemical, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy analysis. The ovariectomy caused a significant increase in the thickness of the total wall and its particular layers in the aorta, in comparison to the CONT and EXP-N groups. However, the ovariectomy led to a decrease in the amount of elastin, collagen (mature, immature collagen, collagen maturity ratio 1660 - 1690 cm-1), and amides, with a simultaneous increase in lipids, especially in the tunica intima-media of the abdominal aorta compared to the other groups. The use of nesfatin-1 significantly increased the amount of collagen, elastin and amides with a simultaneous decrease in the amount of lipids and the expression of AT1R, adropin and nesfatin-1 in the abdominal aorta of ovariectomized rats. In conclusion, our study showed that the ovariectomy surgery induced changes in the abdominal aorta wall characteristic for aging females. Application of nesfatin-1 may prevent the negative consequences in the vessel wall structure in females in conditions of estrogen deficiency and prevent atherosclerotic changes in the cardiovascular system.

Prevalence of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis in Istanbul school children.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and their related symptoms in Istanbul and to investigate the effect of socioeconomic status on the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis and whether there are differences between the prevalence of childhood asthma in the same and different regions as found in previous studies and our own. The study period was the 1996-1997 school year in three primary schools in Istanbul. For proportional representation of high, middle, and low socioeconomic levels, the schools were selected from three different regions of Istanbul. A translated version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) was used. The questionnaire was distributed to the parents of 2600 students aged 6-15 years. All of the 2276 children whose parents responded were included in the survey. The overall cumulative and current prevalences of wheezing were 13.7 and 7.2% respectively and the overall cumulative prevalence of allergic rhinitis was 17.6%. There was no statistically significant difference between asthmatics and non-asthmatics by sex, socioeconomic status and passive smoking. Family history of atopy was found to be significantly higher in asthmatics. Although there are differences in the results of studies concerning the prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis not only between different countries but also between different regions of the same city, by using a standardized international method, the actual values may be obtained.

Latex allergy: the incidence among Turkish children with atopic disease and with neural tube defects.

BACKGROUND: latex allergy occurs mainly in people exposed to latex products because of their occupation or because of repeated surgery. Atopy is a strong predisposing factor. Identification of latex sensitive individuals can be life saving. METHODS: to investigate the incidence of latex hypersensitivity, 212 children with atopic disease, 85 with neural tube defects and 200 normal children aged 2 to 14 years were interviewed and prick skin tests were performed. RESULTS: latex allergy was found in 10.8% of atopic children, 30.5% of children with neural tube defects, and 1% of normal children. Latex allergy incidence in operated children with neural tube defects was found 3.5 times more frequently in compare with non-operated patients. CONCLUSIONS: atopic children and children with neural tube defects should carefully be followed up for latex allergy specially if recurring itching, urticaria, eczema, rhinitis and eye symptoms are present.