Are serum levels of ADAMTS5, TAS and TOS at 24-28 gestational weeks associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in gestational diabetic women?

We aimed to determine the role of placental A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5), and maternal serum ADAMTS5, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels at 24-28th gestational weeks in GDM. This study included 57 patients, who had been diagnosed as having GDM at their 24-28th gestational week, and 29 controls. The maternal blood samples were collected at the 24-28th gestational week and ADAMTS5 was studied with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, whereas an automated colorimetric method was used to study TAS, TOS, and OSI. The level of ADAMTS5 in maternal serum of patients with GDM were significantly lower than the controls (p = .017); whereas TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher (p = .003 and p = .008). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed ADAMTS5 and TOS levels were independently associated with adverse perinatal outcomes (p = .004 and p = .018). We found that serum ADAMTS5 levels decreased and TOS level increased in GDM pregnant at 24-28th gestational weeks. In addition, we found that increased levels of serum ADAMTS5 and decreased TOS levels at 24-28th weeks were associated with adverse perinatal outcomes independent of the mode of treatment in GDM.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. The insulin resistance, which starts at the 24-28th gestational weeks, increases during gestation. GDM increases maternal complications like preeclampsia, cesarean rate, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes after pregnancy; and neonatal complications like macrosomia, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, delivery trauma, shoulder dystocia, and adult-onset obesity, and diabetes.What the results of this study add? A significant relationship between ADAMTS5, TOS levels and adverse perinatal outcome. insulin resistance and was observed.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Based on this finding, we concluded that increased levels of oxidative stress and decreased ADAMTS5 levels are associated with GDM and predictive for adverse perinatal outcomes. The results of the present study were consistent with the previous reports and indicated that increased oxidative stress in GDM patients are related to adverse perinatal outcomes.

Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Predicting Adverse Neonatal Outcomes in Fetal Growth Restriction.

Aim: The main aim of this study was to investigate thiol/disulfide homeostasis associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and to evaluate whether alterations are predictive for adverse neonatal outcomes. Methods: 273 pregnant women (77 with FGR and 196 with normal fetal growth) were enrolled in this prospective case-control study. Results: Native thiol and total thiol were decreased in FGR compared to the control group (p < .001; p < .001). Decreased levels of maternal serum native and total thiol were significantly associated with adverse neonatal outcomes in FGR (OR: 0.983, 95% CI 0.976-0.991, p < .001; OR: 0.983, 95% CI 0.976-0.991, p < .001). Decreased maternal serum total thiol levels were the only significantly associated risk factor with adverse neonatal outcomes in FGR (OR: 0.981, 95% CI 0.963-1.000, p = .046). Conclusion: The decrease in the antioxidants of thiol/disulfide mechanism may be related to the development of both FGR and adverse neonatal outcome in FGR.

Comparison of Serum A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-19 Levels in Different Fertility Situations: Could It Be a Serum Marker of Ovarian Function and Oocyte Pool?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) enzymes take part in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling which has been shown to contribute to the ovulation and follicular functions. We aimed to compare serum levels of ADAMTS-19 in patients with different fertility situations. METHODS: A total of 86 women were enrolled to this cross sectional and case-control study. Four groups were constituted with respect to women's clinical and hormonal status: group 1, women with premature ovarian failure (POF; n = 21); group 2, women with natural menopause (n = 21); group 3, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; n = 22); and group 4, healthy fertile controls. Serum ADAMTS-19 levels and individual characteristics were compared among groups. RESULTS: -ADAMTS-19 levels were found as 36.7 ± 10.2, 40.1 ± 12.6, 46.7 ± 16.1, and 51.0 ± 18.8 ng/mL in POF, fertile, natural menopause, and PCOS groups, respectively (p = 0.012). Especially, ADAMTS-19 levels in the PCOS group were significantly higher than the POF group, as found in dual comparisons (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: ADAMTS-19 was found to be higher in PCOS patients than in POF patients. This work provides a novel vantage point for function of ECM within the ovary. ADAMTS-19 may have a potential for being an important marker of ovarian function and oocyte pool.

The effect of tinea versicolor on thiol/disulphide homeostasis.

INTRODUCTION: Tinea versicolor is a superficial fungal infection caused by Malassezia spp. Malassezia spp. is a member of the normal human skin flora. It becomes a pathogen by transforming from the yeast form to the mycelium form. The oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis may be responsible for this. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis is a new marker indicating oxidative stress. This homeostasis is affected in many illnesses. AIM: To investigate the thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with tinea versicolor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with tinea versicolor (median age: 36 years, min.-max.: 19-58) and 36 healthy controls (median age: 32 years, min.-max.: 18-60) were included in the trial. The levels of native thiol, disulphide, and total thiol were measured by an automated method in the patient and control groups. Disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol and native thiol/total thiol rates were calculated as percentage. RESULTS: For the patient group and the control group, the native thiol levels were found to be 464.32 ±51.48 mmol/l and 465.18 ±51.32 mmol/l, disulphide levels - 19.80 ±7.08 mmol/l and 21.27 ±8.90 mmol/l, total thiol levels - 503.92 ±53.65 mmol/l and 508.07 ±56.59 mmol/l, respectively. No statistical difference was detected between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was not affected in tinea versicolor. According to our findings, oxidative stress seems to have no role in the pathogenesis of tinea versicolor.

The effects of transport by car on coagulation tests.

BACKGROUND: This research investigated the effects of the transport of blood samples between centers/laboratories by car on coagulation tests. METHODS: Five tubes of blood samples were taken from 20 healthy volunteers. The samples consisted of a baseline (control) group, centrifuged and noncentrifuged transported samples; centrifuged and noncentrifuged untransported samples. The groups of centrifuged and noncentrifuged samples were transported by car for 2 h. The centrifuged and noncentrifuged untransported samples were incubated in the laboratory until the transported samples arrived. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) tests were conducted for all samples. RESULTS: Significant differences between the baseline group and the centrifuged and noncentrifuged transported samples and the noncentrifuged untransported samples were found for APTT levels (p<0.05, for all). In addition, significant mean percentage differences in PT values were found between the baseline group and the noncentrifuged transported samples (p<0.001) and the noncentrifuged untransported samples (p=0.005). The mean level of PT in the noncentrifuged transported samples was outside the upper limit of the clinical decision level. CONCLUSIONS: Noncentrifuged transported samples showed clinically significant differences in PT test results that may have stemmed from mechanical agitation during transportation. Therefore, we recommend not transporting noncentrifuged specimens for PT testing by car.

Maternal venous SHARP1 levels in preeclampsia.

AIM: Owing to its mysterious etiology, pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) remains controversial. Here we aimed to compare the levels of an angiogenesis marker, split and hairy related protein-1 (SHARP1), in PE vs. normal pregnancy. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with early-onset PE (EOPE), 26 patients with late-onset PE (LOPE), and 33 patients as a control group were recruited for this study in a tertiary referral center in Ankara, Turkey. Maternal venous SHARP1 levels and individual characteristics of the three groups were compared. RESULTS: Age and body mass indices were similar among the three groups. SHARP1 levels in patients with PE (27.7±13.2 ng/mL) were significantly lower than in the control group (34.7±17 ng/mL) (P=0.006). Additionally, SHARP1 levels were significantly different among patients in EOPE, LOPE, and control groups (P=0.022). Birth weights and Apgar scores in patients in EOPE group were significantly lower than the other two groups and showed a gradual increase from the EOPE group to the LOPE and the control group. Binary logistic regression method demonstrated that maternal venous SHARP1 level was a risk factor for PE. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal venous SHARP1 levels in PE are lower than a normal pregnancy. Its clinical applicability and role as a candidate for making sense of the distinctive pathogenesis of the EOPE and LOPE remain to be elucidated.

Follicular ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan levels in polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of ovulatory dysfunction and female infertility. The etiopathogenetic mechanisms of PCOS have been studied for many years, although exact causes remain unclear. It has been demonstrated that proteoglycan degradation by a disintegrin-like metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type motifs-1 (ADAMTS-1) is essential for ovulation and fertilization. The objective of our study is to analyze the levels of ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan in the follicular fluid (FF) of PCOS patients compared with normal ovulatory women and to determine whether these markers could be a predictor of in vitro fertilization (IVF) success in PCOS patients. METHODS: Women with PCOS (n = 21) and normal ovulatory controls (n = 22) undergoing IVF treatment were recruited. ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan levels were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared between PCOS and normal ovulatory controls. The predictor effect of ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan on fertilization rate and implantation was evaluated. RESULTS: FF ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan levels increased in women with PCOS compared to controls. Elevated ADAMTS-1 levels but not aggrecan were related to increased implantation in PCOS. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that altered levels of ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan may have a partial role in the etiopathogenesis of PCOS, and ADAMTS-1 could be a predictive marker for implantation success in PCOS patients.

A comprehensive study of oxidative stress in sudden hearing loss.

Little is known about the association between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) and oxidative stress. We investigated changes in a wide range of oxidants and antioxidants to create a comprehensive picture of oxidative imbalance. In the peripheral blood of 50 ISSNHL patients and 50 healthy subjects, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), paraoxonase (PON), thiol/disulphide levels were measured. Moreover, a global oxidative stress index, reflecting both oxidative and antioxidant counterparts, was also calculated. One-way analysis between oxidative markers and severity of hearing loss were evaluated. The ISSNHL patients showed significantly higher TOS levels than controls (6.02 ± 3.17 vs. 4.5 ± 2.22; p = 0.018). The oxidative index was also significantly higher in patients than controls (0.39 ± 0.19 vs. 0.3 ± 0.14; p = 0.035). TAS, PON, native thiol, and total thiol were not altered. There was no statistical significance between oxidative markers and severity of hearing loss. The binary logistic regression model revealed that disulphide and TOS were associated with ISSNHL. There are alterations in a wide array of oxidants and antioxidants, with balance shifting toward increased oxidative stress in ISSNHL. Our findings may suggest endothelial dysfunction in ISSNHL etiopathogenesis.

Investigation of thiol-disulphide balance in patients with acute urticaria and chronic spontaneous urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Thiol-disulphide balance plays a major role in health and diseases. This balance may be disrupted by various diseases. We aimed to determine status of the effect of thiol-disulphide balance in urticaria. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the thiol-disulphide balance in patients with acute urticaria (AUP) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). METHODS: Study included 53 AUP and 47 healthy controls plus 57 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSUP) and 57 healthy controls. Levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols were evaluated in plasma using a new and automated spectrophotometric method. Ratios of disulphides/total thiols, disulphides/native thiols and native thiols/total thiols were calculated. RESULTS: For AU, there was no statistical difference compared to control group in levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols. For CSU, however, there was an increase in levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols and the ratio of thiol/disulphide in favour of disulphide. CONCLUSION: Thiol-disulphide balance was not affected by AU but shifted towards to disulphide in CSU indicating the presence of oxidative stress (OS).

The effects of adding ischemic preconditioning during desflurane inhalation anesthesia or propofol total intravenous anesthesia on pneumoperitoneum-induced oxidative stress.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to explore the differences in oxidative stress during anesthesia with desflurane/N2O or propofol/remifentanil in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and additionally to evaluate the differential effects of desflurane and propofol on ischemic preconditioning (IP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred patients were randomly allocated to four groups. For anesthesia maintenance, the inhalation group (Group I) and the inhalation plus IP group (Group IIP) received desflurane at an end-tidal concentration of 4-6 vol% in oxygen/N2O, and the TIVA group (Group T) and TIVA plus IP group (Group TIP) received infusions of propofol and remifentanil. In Groups IIP and TIP, IP was carried out by 10 min of pneumoperitoneum followed by 10 min of deflation. Preoperative and postoperative plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), paraoxonase, stimulated paraoxonase, arylesterase, ceruloplasmin, and myeloperoxidase levels were analyzed; oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. RESULTS: When oxidative stress parameters were compared between groups, myeloperoxidase values in Group I were statistically significantly lower compared to Group TIP (p = .004 with Bonferroni's correction). There were no differences between preoperative and postoperative TAS, paraoxonase, stimulated paraoxonase, arylesterase, or ceruloplasmin levels (p > .05). In intragroup evaluations, postoperative paraoxonase and stimulated paraoxonase levels were found to be lower than preoperative values in Group TIP (p = .021 and .012, respectively). CONCLUSION: In laparoscopic cholecystectomy lasting less than 60 min, there were no differences in the measured oxidative stress parameters between maintenance of anesthesia by desflurane/N2O and propofol/remifentanil/N2O. The addition of 10 min IP administration during both anesthesia techniques did not result in additional changes in the analyzed oxidative stress.

Impact of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Maternal Obesity on Cord Blood Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis.

AIM: Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on cord blood dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was carried out in 125 pregnant women (27 GDM, 30 obese, 68 controls). Cord blood samples were collected from all participants and native thiol-disulfide exchanges were examined with automated method enabling the measurement of both sides of thiol-disulfide balance. RESULTS: Disulfide amounts, disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios were increased (p < 0.001), while native thiol/total thiol was decreased in the cord blood of babies born to an obese or diabetic mother (p < 0.001). Moreover, increased disulfide amounts, disulfide/native thiol, disulfide/totalthiol ratios and decreased native/total thiol were found to be significantly associated with adverse outcomes in GDM. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that the offsprings born to obese or diabetic mothers are exposed to increased oxidative stress.

Decreased oxidative stress may contribute to the disease process in placenta accreta

Background/aim: The main aim of this study was to investigate serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and arylesterase levels in pregnant women with placenta accreta and to compare those with age-matched healthy pregnant women. Materials and methods: A total of 27 pregnant women who had clinically and pathologically proven placenta accreta and 30 age- and BMI- matched healthy pregnant women were enrolled in this case control study. Maternal serum TOS, TAS, OSI, and arylesterase levels were evaluated using logistic regression analysis to determine if there was an association with abnormal placental invasion or not. Results: Decreased OSI (OR= 0.999, 95%CI: 0.998-1.000, P = 0.035) and increased arylesterase levels (OR= 0.981, 95%CI: 0.970-0.993, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with the presence of placenta accreta. Maternal serum TOS, TAS, OSI, and arylesterase levels were not predictive for adverse perinatal outcomes (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Decreased OSI and increased arylesterase levels are significantly associated with placenta accreta and may contribute to the abnormal invasion process.

The association of thiol/disulphide homeostasis and lipid accumulation index with cardiovascular risk factors in overweight adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To assess thiol/disulphide homeostasis and lipid accumulation product index, and to determine whether they are associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk or not in overweight adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Education and Research Hospital. PATIENTS: Group 1: 43 overweight+PCOS, Group 2: 45 normal weight+PCOS, Group 3: 27 overweight adolescents and Group 4: 96 age-matched, normal weight healthy controls. INTERVENTIONS: Serum lipid profiles, hormonal parameters and thiol/disulphide homeostasis were measured. Lipid accumulation index (LAP index) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) were calculated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relation between thiol/disulphide homeostasis and LAP index, and increased CVD risk were evaluated in overweight adolescents with PCOS. RESULTS: Native and total thiol levels were significantly lower in overweight+PCOS adolescents when compared with both normal weight PCOS and control adolescents (P = 0·002). LAP index values were significantly higher in Group 1 when compared separately with the rest of the three groups (P < 0·001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed serum total thiol levels of lower than 405·45 µmol/l were independently associated with increased risk of CVD in overweight PCOS adolescents (OR: 1·019, 95% CI: 1·001-1·036). In addition, a LAP index greater than 21·54 was also associated with increased CVD risk in overweight PCOS adolescents (OR: 1·270, 95% CI: 1·174-1·374). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we suggest that increased LAP index and decreased total thiol levels may contribute to the increased CVD risk in overweight adolescents with PCOS.

Increased levels of serum clusterin is associated with intrauterine growth restriction and adverse pregnancy outcomes in preeclampsia.

AIM: Our aim was to investigate serum clusterin levels in preeclampsia and to determine whether any changes in clusterin levels are useful in distinguishing the presence of concomitant intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was carried out which included 86 pregnant women (47 patients with preeclampsia and 39 healthy controls). Maternal serum samples obtained from all participants and clusterin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared with controls, women with preeclampsia had significantly higher clusterin levels (mean 83.8±23.6 vs. 119.2±40.5, P<0.01). Further analysis revealed the highest clusterin levels were in patients with preeclampsia and IUGR (P<0.001). According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis performed for the predictive value of clusterin levels for adverse maternal outcomes, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.738 (95% CI: 0.616-0.859). The best clusterin cut-off value in predicting adverse maternal outcomes was 102.6 pg/mL with 75% sensitivity and 66% specifity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed serum clusterin levels of >102.6 pg/mL was independently associated with preeclampsia (OR: 6.18, 95% CI: 2.41-15.9) and maternal adverse outcomes (OR: 5.13, 95% CI: 2.01-13.1) and also clusterin levels higher than 117.4 pg/mL were associated with adverse neonatal outcomes (OR: 5.02, 95% CI: 1.04-24.3). CONCLUSIONS: The current study suggests that increased levels of clusterin is associated with IUGR and probably predictive for adverse pregnancy outcomes in preeclampsia.

Role of ADAMTS5 in Unexplained Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR).

AIM: We aim to determine the role of serum and placental A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif 5 (ADAMTS5) in fetal growth restriction (FGR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 43 pregnancies suffering FGR and 45 healthy ones were homogenized for their body mass indices, ages, and gestational weeks. Expression of ADAMTS5 in placental samples was determined by immunohistochemical methods and concurrent maternal serum ADAMTS5 levels were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Expression of ADAMTS5 was higher in FGR group than the healthy control in placenta. Both the cytoplasmic staining pattern of the syncytiotrophoblasts and staining of the decidual plate were shown in the FGR group; but not in the control group. A negative correlation between serum ADAMTS5 levels and birth weight in FGR group was observed. CONCLUSION: Increased ADAMTS5 levels were observed in placental insufficiency cases. This study demonstrates that ADAMTS5 may be a sensitive indicator of placental insufficiency which has variable factors in etiology. Additional work is needed to delineate the mechanism of its involvement.

ADAMTS4 and Oxidative/Antioxidative Status in Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes.

AIM: To determine the function of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS4), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and aryl esterase (ARES) in preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and to investigate the association with premature rupture of membranes (PROMs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 58 pregnant women were included in this prospective study which comprised 29 PPROM patients as the study group and 29 patients, having healthy amniotic membranes, as the control group. ADAMTS4, TAS, TOS, and ARES levels were studied in the amniotic membrane homogenates of the patients. RESULTS: ADAMTS4, TAS TOS, and ARES levels of amniotic membrane lysates were significantly different between PPROM and control groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.008 and p = 0.002, respectively). Increased amniotic membrane ADAMTS4 (OR: 1.051 95% CI 1.006-1.098, p = 0.024) and TOS (OR: 12.777 95% CI 1.595-102.323, p = 0.016) were found to be significantly associated with the increased risk of PPROM. CONCLUSION: ADAMTS4, TOS, and ARES levels were higher and TAS level was lower in PPROM patients than the normal healthy control group which had healthy amniotic membranes at term. As a result, ADAMTS4 may have a role in the pathogenesis by causing increased oxidative and inflammatory environment in PPROM.

Oxidative stress markers in severe preeclampsia and preeclampsia-related perinatal morbidity - preliminary report.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to determine maternal serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase levels in severe preeclamptic pregnants and also to investigate whether these parameters are implicated in the occurence of perinatal morbidity or not. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study was carried out including 60 pregnant women (30 with severe preeclampsia and 30 healthy controls). The optimal cut off points of oxidative stress markers for the diagnosis of severe preeclampsia and for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Multi-variate logistic regression analysis was used to determine if a relationship between adverse perinatal outcomes and serum oxidative stress markers was present or not. RESULTS: TAS (OR = 37.486, 95% CI 3.535-397.519, p = 0.003), TOS (OR = 15.588, 95% CI 2.135-113.818, p = 0.007) and ary-lesterase (OR = 31.356, 95% CI 2.284-430.548, p = 0.01) were found to be diagnostic for preeclampsia. Statistically significant positive correlation of adverse perinatal outcomes with serum TAS, PON and arylesterase levels were determined. Besides, a significant negative correlation was found between serum TAS levels and gestational week (r = -0.342, p = 0.007) and also between serum PON levels and birthweight (r = -0.262, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Increased maternal serum TAS, TOS and arylesterase levels are significantly associated with the presence of severe preeclampsia. Furthermore, elevated maternal serum TAS, PON and arylesterase levels are significantly and positively correlated with adverse perinatal outcomes. We suggest that in preeclampsia increased oxidative status may cause adverse perinatal outcomes and antioxidants may be increased in order to protect the fetus against oxidative damage.

Anti-Müllerian hormone as a marker of premature ovarian aging in autoimmune thyroid disease.

There is an increased incidence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) in women with infertility. We hypothesized that serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels will be lower in premenopausal women with AITD than controls. We evaluated ovarian reserve in women with AITD (n = 85) and healthy controls (n = 80), all <40 years old. Detailed data on reproductive history were obtained. Gonadotrophins, steroids, AMH, and inhibin B levels were measured during the follicular phase. The number of pregnancies as well as live births was lower in women with AITD (p < 0.01). No difference was observed in terms of FSH, estradiol, and inhibin B. AMH levels were lower in AITD women than in controls (1.16 + 0.17 versus 1.28 + 0.25 ng/ml, mean + SD, p = 0.001). According to the multiple regression analysis, even after age adjustment, AITD was significantly and independently affected AMH levels (t = 2.674, p = 0.008). Women with AITD seem to have a diminished ovarian follicular reserve and measurement of serum AMH level has the potential to be used to predict this comorbidity.

Effects of everolimus on a rat model of cerulein-induced experimental acute pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biochemical and histopathological effects of everolimus in an experimental rat model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of everolimus on blood biochemical parameters and tissue histopathology in an experimental rat model of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 30 Wistar albino rats (male; 240-260 g), acute pancreatitis was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of cerulein (50 µg/kg) administered twice in 2 h. They were equally divided into the following three groups: 0.9% isotonic solution (Group 1; control), everolimus once (Group 2), and everolimus twice (Group 3) by oral gavage after cerulein injection. Thirty hours after the induction of pancreatitis, blood samples were collected by direct intracardiac puncture, rats were sacrificed, and pancreatic tissue samples were obtained. RESULTS: Biochemical analyses of the blood samples showed statistically significant difference in red blood cell count as well as hemoglobin, hematocrit, urea, and alanine transaminase levels among the study groups (p<0.05 in all). Everolimus proved to significantly increase red blood cell count in a dose-independent manner. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels significantly increased only after treatment with one dose of everolimus. Urea level was significantly different between the Groups 2 and 3; however, no change was observed in both groups when compared with the control. Alanine transaminase level significantly decreased only after treatment with two doses of everolimus. Histopathological analyses revealed that everolimus significantly decreased inflammation and perivascular infiltrate in a dose-dependent manner (35% in Group 2, 75% in Group 3; p=0.048). CONCLUSION: Treatment with two doses of everolimus improved some biochemical and histopathological parameters of experimental rat models of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and implied the specific inhibition of inflammatory response pathways.

Diminished arylesterase enzyme activity and total thiol levels in bladder cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: It is difficult to think of a disease in the etiology of which free radicals would not be involved. The human body has a number of endogenous free-radical scavenging systems to avoid harm that can lead to any disease including cancer. This study aims to measure the total anti-oxidative status (TAS), in particular the activities of HDL-associated anti-oxidative enzymes paraoxonase (PON1), arylesterase (ARE), and total thiol levels (Ttl) in bladder cancer (BC) patients for the first time in literature. METHODS: Forty two male patients (mean age, 66.6 +/- 12.7 years) with BC who had presented at the Urology Outpatient Clinic were prospectively included in the study. Forty age- and gender-matched healthy control subjects (mean age 65 +/- 7.4 years) were also enrolled for comparison. Analysis of PON1, ARE activities, measurement of TAS, and Ttl of serum were carried out using colorimetric measurement methods. Statistical analyses were performed using the MedCalc statistical software program. RESULTS: ARE enzyme activity and Ttl levels were significantly lower in patients with BC compared to controls (p = 0.03; p = 0.02, respectively), whereas PON1 enzyme activity and TAS did not show significant differences. Ttl levels were lower in patients with a high grade cancer compared to those with a low grade cancer (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-oxidant measurements might be essential in routine clinical use, not only as cancer disease markers but also as major actors in the management of anti-oxidant remedies in the very near future. Our findings showed that determination of ARE enzyme activity and Ttl levels were more precise than PON1 enzyme activity or TAS measurements, particularly in BC patients. When composing a marker panel, it should be kept in mind that determination of anti-oxidant levels based merely on TAS or PON1 activity may be deceptive and must include ARE enzyme activity and/or Ttl measurements. However, long-term clinical studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiological role of serum anti-oxidative levels and HDL-associated PON1 activity in BC patients.