Increased oxidative stress markers may be a promising indicator of risk for primary ovarian insufficiency: a cross-sectional case control study / Marcadores de estresse oxidativo aumentados podem ser um indicador de risco promissor para insuficiência ovariana primária: um estudo transversal caso-controle

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (INOS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidative status (TOS) in women with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) and to compare them with healthy fertile women. We also examined the possible risk factors associated with POI.METHODS: This cross-sectional case control study was conducted in Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital. The study population consisted of 44 women with POI (study group) and 36 healthy fertile women (control group). In all patients, serum levels of INOS, MPO, TAS, and TOS were determined. INOS and MPO levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay whereas colorimetric method was used for evaluating TAS and TOS levels. Age, body mass index (BMI), obstetric history, smoking status, family history, comorbidities, sonographic findings, complete blood count values, C-reactive protein and baseline hormone levels were also analyzed. Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare continuous variables between the groups; categorical data were evaluated by using Pearson χ2 or Fisher exact test, when appropriate. Binary logistic regression method was used to identify risk factors for POI.RESULTS: We found significantly elevated levels of INOS (234.1±749.5 versus133.8±143.0; p=0.005), MPO (3,438.7±1,228.6 versus 2,481.9±1,230.1; p=0.001), and TOS (4.3±1.4 versus 3.6±1.4; p=0.02) in the sera of the study group when compared to the BMI-age matched control group. However, difference in serum levels of TAS were not significant between the 2 groups (1.7±0.2 versus 1.6±0.2; p=0.15). Logistic regression method demonstrated that BMI <25 kg/m2, nulliparity, family history of POI, smoking, and elevated serum levels of INOS, MPO, and TOS were independent risk factors for POI.CONCLUSION: We found an increase in INOS, MPO, and TOS in women with POI. These serum markers may be promising in early diagnosis of POI. Further large-scale studies are required to determine whether oxidative stress markers have a role in diagnosing POI.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os níveis séricos da sintetase nítrica induzível (INOS), da mieloperoxidase (MPO), do estado antioxidante total (EAT) e do estado oxidante total (EOT) em mulheres portadoras de insuficiência ovariana primária (IOP) e compará-las às mulheres férteis. Também examinamos os possíveis fatores de risco associados à IOP.MÉTODOS: Trata-se de estudo transversal caso-controle desenvolvido no Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital. A população de estudo abrangeu 44 mulheres portadoras de IOP (grupo de estudo) e 36 mulheres férteis hígidas (grupo controle). Em todas as pacientes, foram determinados os níveis séricos de INOS, MPO, EAT e EOT.Os níveis de INOS e MPO foram determinados com o uso do teste ELISA e os níveis de EAT e EOT foram determinados mediante método colorimétrico. Analisou-se também a idade, o índice de massa corporal (IMC), os antecedentes obstétricos, tabagismo, histórico familiar, comorbidades, achados sonográficos, valores completos do hemograma, proteína C-reativa e níveis hormonais basais. O teste t de Student ou o teste U de Mann-Whitney foi utilizado para comparar as variáveis contínuas entre os grupos; os dados categóricos foram avaliados pelo teste do χ2 de Pearson ou o teste exato de Fisher, conforme o caso. O método de regressão logística binária foi utilizado para identificar os fatores de risco para IOP.RESULTADOS: Encontramos níveis significativamente elevados de INOS (234,1±749,5 versus133,8±143,0; p=0,005), MPO (3.438,7±1.228,6 versus 2.481,9±1.230,1; p=0,001) e EOT (4,3±1,4 versus 3,6±1,4; p=0,02) nos soros do grupo estudo em relação ao grupo controle pareado por IMC e idade. Entretanto, as diferenças entre os níveis séricos de EAT nos dois grupos não foram significantes (1,7±0,2 versus 1,6±0,2; p=0,15). O método de regressão logística demonstrou que IMC <25 kg/m2, nuliparidade, histórico familiar de IOP, tabagismo e níveis séricos elevados de INOS, MPO e EOT foram fatores de risco independentes para IOP.CONCLUSÃO: Foram encontrados níveis aumentados de INOS, MPO e EOT em mulheres portadoras de IOP. Estes marcadores séricos podem ser promissores para o diagnóstico precoce de IOP. Novos estudos em larga escala são necessários para determinar se os marcadores de estresse oxidativo desempenham um papel no diagnóstico da IOP.

Protective effects of nebivolol against anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy: a randomized control study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the effect of prophylactic nebivolol use on prevention of antracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients. METHODS: In this small, prospective, double-blind study, we randomly assigned 45 consecutive patients with breast cancer and planned chemotheraphy to receive nebivolol 5mg daily (n=27) or placebo (n=18). Echocardiographic measurements and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) levels were obtained at baseline and at 6-month of chemotherapy. RESULTS: Both studied groups had comparable echocardiographic variables and NT-pro-BNP levels at baseline. At 6-month, the left ventricular (LV) end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters increased in the placebo group (LVESD: 29.7 ± 3.4 to 33.4 ± 4.5mm; LVEDD: 47.2 ± 3.8 to 52.0 ± 4.6mm, p=0.01 for both) but remained unchanged in the nebivolol group (LVESD: 30.4 ± 3.5 to 31.0 ± 3.6mm, p=0.20; LVEDD: 47.0 ± 4.4 to 47.1 ± 4.0mm, p=0.93). The placebo group also had lower LVEF than the nebivolol group (57.5 ± 5.6% vs. 63.8 ± 3.9%, p=0.01) at 6-month. NT-pro-BNP level remained static in the nebivolol group (147 ± 57 to 152 ± 69 pmol/l, p=0.77) while it increased in the placebo group (144 ± 66 to 204 ± 73 pmol/l, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic use of nebivolol treatment may protect the myocardium against antracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients.

Modulation of inflammation by mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in peritoneal dialysis in rats.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation on the peritoneal morphology and inflammation markers in rat models of peritoneal dialysis (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups: control (C) (n = 8) and experimental groups (n = 50). PD solution was given to the experimental group during 6 weeks. Then, experimental group was divided into three groups as PD, MSC, and placebo (P) groups. MSC group was treated with MSC (1.5 × 10(6) cells/kg) and P group was treated with phosphate buffer solution via intraperitoneal injection. Evaluation was performed to C and PD groups at the end of 6 weeks and to MSC and P groups at second and third week of the treatment (MSC-2, P-2, MSC-3, and P-3 groups). RESULTS: The submesothelial area was significantly thickened in PD and P groups compared to C and MSC groups. Peritoneal fibrosis was seen in P-3 group but not in MSC group. There were no significant differences between the MSC-3 and C groups according to morphological findings. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly increased in MSC-2 group compared to the other groups (p-values ranged from 0.0001 to 0.04). TNF-α and IL-6 levels in MSC-3 and P-3 groups were lower than PD and C groups (p < 0.0001 for TNF-α and p = 0.0001-0.002 for IL-6). CONCLUSION: Giving MSC may protect the peritoneal membrane from the deleterious effect of PD and extend the life of the peritoneal membrane. Our study is the first on this issue and more detailed studies are needed.

The effects on immune response of levamisole treatment following infection of U-937 macrophages with Candida albicans.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on the immune response of levamisole alone and in conjunction with Candida albicans stimulation in human macrophage cell culture by determining the alterations in the levels of cytokine release. Levamisole treatment was performed before, during and after infecting U-937 human macrophage cells with C. albicans. In cell supernatants, interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-12, IL-18, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured by ELISA. In vitro levamisole treatment accompanied by C. albicans stimulation significantly increased IL-12, IL-1ß and IL-18 production in macrophage cells (p < 0.05). It was observed that when administered before C. albicans infection, levamisole significantly increased IL-12 and IL-1ß production in macrophage cells (p < 0.05). Another finding was that when applied to macrophage cells simultaneously with C. albicans infection, or before infection with C. albicans, levamisole suppressed the TNF-ß production stimulating effect of C. albicans (p < 0.05). These results indicated that levamisole could be useful in treating patients infected with C. albicans or in protecting individuals under the risk of being infected with this pathogen. There is a need for further experimental and clinical studies on this hypothesis.

[Cystic echinococcosis in Turkey from 2001-2005]. / Türkiye'de 2001-2005 Yillari Arasinda Kistik Ekinokokkozis.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the metacestode form of Echinococcus granulosus is a major public health problem especially in animal-raising regions of the world. In the present study, CE cases were determined during 2001-2005 by investigating different hospital and health directorship documents and Health Ministry documents, retrospectively. Our results show that there were 2534 (13.13%) cases in the Marmara region; 2114 (16.94%), in the Aegean region; 2578 (16.09%), Mediterranean region; 5404 (38.57%), in the Middle Anatolian region; 428 (5.70%), in the Black Sea region; 844 (6.80%), in the eastern Anatolian region; and 887 (2.75%), in the southeastern Anatolian region making a total of 14,789 CE cases. Finally, it has been determined that the patients were hospitalized for a total of 149,464 days.

Lens concentration of ofloxacin and lomefloxacin in an experimental endophthalmitis model.

UNLABELLED: Abstract. BACKGROUND: Bacterial endophthalmitis is a serious complication of ocular surgery and penetrating trauma. The primary causative organisms are strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Fluoroquinolones are widely used to treat endophthalmitis. There are a few studies on the penetration of fluoroquinolones into the lens in inflamed eyes. A literature search did not identify any data regarding penetration of topical ofloxacin into the lens in normal and inflamed eyes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the penetration of topical ofloxacin and lomefloxacin into the lens in a rabbit endophthalmitis model. METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. The left eyes were infected with an intravitreal inoculation of S aureus. The right eyes were used as a noninoculated control. Groups 1 and 2 received topical ofloxacin and lomefloxacin treatment, respectively, 24 hours after the inoculation. Two drops of the study drugs were instilled in the eyes every 30 minutes for 3 hours and then every 60 minutes for 3 hours. Lens samples were obtained 30 minutes after the last ofloxacin or lomefloxacin drops were administered. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the fluoroquinolone concentration. RESULTS: Ten rabbits were equally divided into the 2 treatment groups. There was no significant difference in mean (SD) lens concentrations between the control and inoculated eyes in either treatment group-ofloxacin (0.26 [0.32] µg/mL vs 0.11 [0.05] µg/mL, respectively) and lomefloxacin (0.50 [0.87] µg/mL vs 0.12 [0.08] µg/mL, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results of this small experimental study found that topical ofloxacin and lomefloxacin can accumulate in the crystalline lens after installation. Inflammation did not affect the penetration of ofloxacin or lomefloxacin into the lens.