Level of trace elements in serum and toenail samples of patients with onychocryptosis (ingrown toenail) and onychomycosis.

BACKGROUND: Onychocryptosis (ingrown toenail) and onychomycosis are common pathologies of the toenail and affecting many people. Since levels of trace elements have been shown to vary in certain diseases, in the presented work, chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) levels of toenail and serum samples of healthy individuals and patients with onychocryptosis and onychomycosis were compared. METHODS: Serum and toenail samples of 88 voluntary subjects (healthy n = 24; onychomycosis n = 24; onychocryptosis n = 40) aged between 19-80 years were collected. Levels of trace elements in the samples were analyzed by using an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP-OES Thermo iCAP - 6000). The differences in medians between the groups for elements were evaluated with Kruskal -Wallis H test with post hoc for pairwise comparisons in SPSS 18. RESULTS: Mg (p < 0.001) and Mn (p = 0.002) levels were significantly increased whereas Zn (p = 0.011) level was decreased in toenails of patients with onychomycosis compared to healthy subjects. Although Mg and Mn levels were higher in female subjects with onychomycosis (p = 0.001; p = 0.019), Mn was only increased in male subjects (p = 0.015). Mg was the only trace element found to be independent of sex, age, and smoking status in patients with onychomycosis. However, no significant difference has been found in serum trace element levels neither between any groups nor toenail trace element levels of patients with onychocryptosis and healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: As a response of the human body to pathogens like fungi in toenails, Mg, Mn and Zn levels vary. Especially the role of Mg ions in onychomycosis needs to be investigated more specifically.

Effects of cigarette smoking on hemorheologic parameters, plasma osmolality and lung function.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking deteriorates human health via vascular disorders, cancer and especially respiratory diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate effects of cigarette smoking on hemorheologic parameters, plasma osmolality and lung function in individuals without diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: Patients diagnosed without COPD utilizing respiratory function test were enrolled in the study with three groups, ex-smokers (n = 21), current-smokers (n = 35) and never-smokers (n = 43). Hemorheologic parameters and plasma osmolality were measured in hemorheology laboratory. SPSS 17.0 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Blood and plasma viscosity, fibrinogen and hematocrit levels, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration were significantly elevated in ex-smokers and current-smokers compared to never-smokers. The standardized red blood cell deformability and oxygen delivery index and lung function were statistically lower in current-smokers than never-smokers. Pulmonary blood flow rate was statistically lower in current-smokers and ex-smokers than never-smokers. Plasma osmolality was statistically significantly higher in ex-smokers and current-smokers than never-smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings clearly show that cigarette smoking has severe effects on hemorheologic parameters, plasma osmolality and lung function even in individuals without COPD. Blood and plasma viscosity with plasma osmolality might be useful markers to detect early hemorheologic-hemodynamic alterations in cigarette smokers.

The evaluation of plasma viscosity and endothelial dysfunction in smoking individuals.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is considered to be one the of risk factors effecting atherosclerosis which is associated the physical forces, biological and chemical stimuli occuring in vessel wall. The aim of this study is analysis of the biomechanical (plasma viscosity) and biochemical effect (nitric oxide, NOx; asymmetric dimethylarginine, ADMA) of smoking on endothelial function. METHODS: One hundred-twenty two individuals were divided into three groups according to their smoking status. Plasma viscosity was measured by Harkness Capillary Viscometer. Plasma NOx level was determined by enzymatic methods using commercial kits. ADMA concentration was determined by Elisa Plasma Assay and and physiologic spirometric and arterial gas parameters and pulmonary blood flow rate (PBFR) were measured. RESULTS: Viscosity variables of former smokers were significantly higher than those of non-smokers (p < 0.001). NOx levels were found to be statistically significantly higher when compared with current smokers and non-smokers (p < 0.001), and former smokers and non-smokers (p < 0.05). There was a higher fibrinogen levels in current smokers (p < 0.05) than smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking increases the plasma viscosity that may lead endothelial damage. Plasma viscosity plays an important role as a biophysical mechanical marker on the behalf of hemodynamics. Biochemical markers, NOx and ADMA may show this damage, however, we observed that plasma viscosity can be consistent with biochemical markers. Thus, plasma viscosity may be useful for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the patients.

Blood viscosity as a forgotten factor and its effect on pulmonary flow.

BACKGROUND: The effect of smoking on blood viscosity is widely known. There are, however, few studies on the effect of blood viscosity on pulmonary circulation. METHODS: We aimed to observe the relationship between blood viscosity and pulmonary circulation among smokers and non-smokers. The study comprised 114 subjects in three groups: group 1, ex-smokers; group 2, smoked at least 10 packs/year and still smoking; group 3, never smoked. Blood viscosity (BV), pulmonary blood flow (PBF), and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) were measured in all subjects. RESULTS: PBF was significantly lower in group 1 compared with group 3 (p < 0.05). BV in group 1 was significantly higher than group 3 (p < 0.05) while BV in group 2 was significantly higher than group 3 (p < 0.05). PBF in group 2 was significantly lower than group 3 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that BV is a significant and forgotten factor that plays an important role in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. BV may affect PF even during the course of smoking, and before the clinical onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, individuals at risk of pulmonary hypertension could be detected earlier with a simple blood test.