Serum irisin and apelin levels and markers of atherosclerosis in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism

ABSTRACT Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate serum irisin and apelin levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) when they were subclinical hypothyroid and become euthyroid after levothyroxine therapy and association of these adipokines with markers of atherosclerosis such as serum homocysteine levels and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Subjects and methods: The study included 160 patients with newly diagnosed subclinical hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 86 euthyroid healty subjects. Serum glucose and lipid profile, insulin, HOMA, TSH, free T3, free T4, anti-thyroperoxidase and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, homocysteine, apelin and irisin levels were measured in all study subjects. Thyroid and carotid ultrasound examinations were performed. The subclinical hypothyroid group was reevaluated after 12-weeks of levothyroxine therapy when they became euthyroid. Results: Clinical characteristics of the patient and control group were similar. Glucose, insulin and HOMA levels, lipid parameters and free T3 were similar between the two groups.. Serum homocystein was higher and apelin was lower in patients with SCH, but irisin levels were similar between the two groups. While thyroid volume was lower, carotid IMT was significantly greater in patients with SCH (pCarotidIMT:0,01). After 12-weeks of levothyroxine therapy, all the studied parameters remained unchanged except, serum freeT4, TSH, homocystein and apelin. While homocystein decreased (p: 0,001), apelin increased significantly (p = 0,049). In multivariate analysis, low apelin levels significantly contributed to carotid IMT (p = 0,041). Conclusions: Apelin-APJ system may play a role in vascular and cardiac dysfunction in patients with SCH and treatment of this condition may improve the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Attenuation of partial unilateral ureteral obstruction - induced renal damage with hyperbaric oxygen therapy in a rat model

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of HBO therapy on biochemical parameters, renal morphology and renal scintigraphy in rats undergoing chronic unilateral partial ureteral obstruction (UPUO). Material and methods: Thirty-five rats were divided into five equal groups: Control group; Sham group; HBO group; UPUO group and UPUO/HBO group. The effects of HBO therapy were examined using biochemical parameters and histopathological changes. After calculating the score for each histopathological change, the total histopathological score was obtained by adding all the scores. In addition, dynamic renal scintigraphy findings were evaluated. Results: Serum parameters indicating inflammation, serum tumor necrosis factor- alpha, ischemia modified-albumin, IMA/albumin ratio and Pentraxin-3 levels, were observed to be high in the UPUO group and low in the UPUO/HBO treatment group. Similarly, in the treatment group, the reduction in malondialdehyde, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index levels and increase in total antioxidant capacity values were observed to be statistically significant compared to the UPUO group (p<0.001, p=0.007, p<0.001, p=0.001, respectively). The total score and apoptosis index significantly decreased after administration of HBO treatment. Dynamic 99mTc-MAG3 renal scintigraphy also showed convincing evidence regarding the protective nature of HBO against kidney injury. In the UPUO/HBO therapy group, the percentage contribution of each operated kidney increased significantly compared to the UPUO group (41.73% versus 32.72%). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that HBO therapy had a reno-protective effect by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and preserving renal function after renal tissue damage due to induction of UPUO.

The acute effects of preoperative ozone theraphy on surgical wound healing

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of preoperative rectal ozone insufflation on surgical wound healing over the proinflammatory cytokines and histopathological changes. METHODS: Twenty one rabbits were divided into 3 groups. Sham, surgical wound, and ozone applied (6 sessions, every other day 70 µg/mL in 12 mL O2-O3 mixture rectally) surgical wound groups were created. TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels from all rabbits were studied at the basal, 24th hour, and 72nd hour. The histopathological examination was done by removing the surgical scar tissue at the end of 72nd hour. RESULTS: TNF-alfa and IL-6 levels were significantly lower compared to the control group, in the rabbits treated with ozone. The increase in angiogenesis, the decrease in the number of inflammatory cells, epidermal and dermal regeneration, better collagen deposition, and increased keratinisation in stratum corneum were observed in the histopathological examination. It was determined that the wound healing noticeably accelerated in the ozone group. CONCLUSION: Preoperative rectal ozone insufflation had a positive effect on surgical wound healing in acute period.