Effect of High Fructose Corn Sirup on Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Induced by Dimethyl Benzantracene (DMBA) in Rats.

Increased risk of pancreatic cancer may be associated with consumption of sugar containing foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of peach nectar containing high fructose corn sirup (HFCS) consumption in a pancreatic carcinogenesis rat model induced by 7,12-Dimethyl benzanthracene (DMBA). Fifty-day-old male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with peach nectar containing HFCS + chow, peach nectar containing sucrose + chow and only chow. After 8 mo, feeding period, each group was divided into two subgroups, in which the rats were implanted with DMBA and no DMBA (sham). Histologic specimens were evaluated according to the routine tissue processing protocol. The animals with ad libitum access to pn-HFCS, pn-sucrose and chow (only) showed significant differences in chow consumption and glucose level. Necropsy and histopathologic findings showed tumor formation in the entire group treated with DMBA. Excluding one rat in chow group, which was classified as poorly differentiated type, the others were classified as moderately differentiated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study demonstrated that daily intake of HFCS did not increase body weight and there was no effect of peach nectar consumption on the development of PDAC induced by DMBA in rats.

Which frequency is better for pediatric shock wave lithotripsy? Intermediate or low: a prospective randomized study.

PURPOSE: Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is the first option in the treatment of pediatric kidney stones; however, optimal frequency is still uncertain. The aim of this study was to compare low frequency [60 shocks per minute (SWs/min)] and intermediate frequency [90 SWs/min] in terms of lithotripsy success, complications, cardiac arrhythmia, anesthesia time, secondary procedures, and efficiency quotient (EQ) in children. METHODS: Seventy-eight consecutive children who received SWL for radiopaque renal stones between July 2016 and January 2020 were randomly divided into two groups: Group 60 (SWL frequency: 60 SWs/min) and Group 90 (SWL frequency: 90 SWs/min). After exclusion (remaining 71 children), Group 60 (n = 38) and Group 90 (n = 33) were compared using univariate analysis. RESULTS: The median age of children (37 girls, 34 boys) was 5 (1-16) years. Patient demographics and stone features were similar between the groups. Success rate after the last SWL session was 81.6% (n = 31) for Group 60 and 87.9% (n = 29) for Group 90 (p = 0.527). Stone-free rate after the first, second, and third sessions was 42.1%, 18.4%, and 21.1% for Group 60 and 48.5%, 27.3%, and 12.1% for Group 90, respectively. Additional treatment rate was similar between the groups. In Group 60, the EQ was 57.83, and it was 64.07 in Group 90. Median total anesthesia time was significantly longer in Group 60 (74.5 min) than in Group 90 (32 min; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Intermediate frequency and low-frequency pediatric SWL have similar success rates; however, intermediate-frequency SWL has a shorter anesthesia time.

The association between cardiac valvular calcification and fetuin-A levels in kidney transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Low fetuin-A levels in hemodialysis patients can be associated with development of vascular and valvular calcifications. The mechanisms underlying vascular and valvular calcifications are multifactorial. There are a few studies showing the relationship between low fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification after kidney transplantation. We aimed to evaluate the association between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: The cardiac valvular calcification was assessed by echocardiography in 56 recipients. Patients were divided into two groups as those with (n = 11) and without (n = 45) aortic and/or mitral valve calcification. The extent of valvular calcification was visually assessed according to the standard visual score method: moderately (multiple larger spots) and heavily calcified (extensive thickening and calcification) of all cusps. Serum fetuin-A levels were measured. RESULTS: The demographic features of both groups were comparable. There was no significant difference between regular physical exercise (63.6% vs. 55.6%), obesity (18.2% vs. 17.8%), abdominal obesity (54.5% vs. 46.7%), smoking (0% vs. 13.3%), hypertension (63.6% vs. 68.9%), left ventricular hypertrophy (45.5% vs. 33.3%) and diabetes mellitus (9.1% vs. 20%) ratios in groups with or without valvular calcification, respectively (p > 0.05). Fetuin-A levels of both groups did not differ. Fetuin-A levels positively correlated with serum creatinine (r 0.326, p = 0.014), and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (r - 0.297, p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: We could not find a relationship between serum fetuin-A levels and valvular calcification in kidney recipients. In this population, further studies are needed to assess the role of serum fetuin-A in valvular calcification.

Serum paraoxonase activity in patients with ischaemic and nonischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: This study examined whether the serum PON1 activity is different in patients with ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) and nonischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NDCM) and the relation between the serum PON1 activity and serum pro-BNP levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, we enrolled 60 patients with left ventricular systolic failure (New York Heart Association [NYHA] class III-IV) and a left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) < 40% as determined by echocardiography and 30 healthy subjects. The patients with systolic heart failure were divided into two groups: patients with IDCM and patients with NDCM. Blood samples were obtained to measure the serum PON1 activity and the serum pro-BNP levels. The median serum PON1 activities were lower among the patients with IDCM or with NDCM compared with the control subjects (p < .001, p = .043, respectively). Compared with the control subjects, the patients with IDCM or with NDCM had higher serum pro-BNP levels (p < .001, p < .001, respectively). The serum PON1 activity was negatively correlated with the serum pro-BNP levels in patients with IDCM (r = -0.548, p < .001). The area under the ROC curve of the serum PON1 activity was 0.798. Using a serum PON1 activity of 201.3 U/L as a cut-off value, the sensitivity was 86.84% and specificity was 66.67% for the diagnosis of IDCM. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the serum PON1 activity was significantly reduced in the patients with IDCM or with NDCM compared with the control subjects. The serum PON1 activity of the patients with IDCM was negatively correlated with the serum pro-BNP levels.

The relationship between serum lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 levels and systolic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) appears to be involved in atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability and rupture. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the utility of serum LOX-1 levels in the diagnosis and assessment of left ventricular systolic HF and LOX-1's relationship with serum pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP). DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This was a cross-sectional study of all eligible patients admitted to the department of cardiology of the University Hospital between July 2011 and April 2012. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with a diagnosis of systolic heart failure and 25 patients without systolic HF were enrolled in this study. Serum C-reactive protein, NT-proBNP, and LOX-1 were studied. RESULTS: Serum LOX-1 and NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in the heart failure group and showed a positive correlation with NT-proBNP and negative correlations with left ventricular ejection fraction (EF). In addition, LOX-1 levels in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy were significantly higher, while they were similar in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy compared to control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates the utility of the serum LOX-1 levels in the diagnosis of left ventricular systolic heart failure. LOX-1 may have a place in the diagnosis of heart failure, in particular in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

Adiponectin, leptin, nitric oxide, and C-reactive protein levels in kidney transplant recipients: comparison with the hemodialysis and chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) including kidney transplant recipients (KTR). Secondary lipid metabolism disorders, endothelial dysfunction, and inflammation enhance the risk of CVD development in these patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the lipid profile, adiponectin, leptin, nitric oxide (NO), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in KTR and to compare these parameters with those of the patients with chronic renal failure (CRF), hemodialysis (HD) patients, and healthy controls. METHODS: Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay; hs-CRP was determined immunoturbidimetrically. Determination of NO was based on the Griess reaction. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, serum NO and adiponectin levels were significantly higher in the KTR, CRF, and HD groups; hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in the KTR and HD groups; leptin levels were significantly higher in the KTR. In addition, serum NO level was significantly higher in the KTR compared to CRF cases. Adiponectin correlated positively with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol in the control and patient groups. A positive correlation was observed between hs-CRP and NO in the KTR and the patients with CRF. Serum adiponectin levels were inversely correlated with hs-CRP and leptin in the HD group. CONCLUSION: KTR suffer from inflammation and accompanying changes in levels of adipocytokines and NO which contribute to the increased risk of CVD in these patients.

First-episode psychosis is associated with oxidative stress: Effects of short-term antipsychotic treatment.

AIMS: In the present study, our aim was to investigate the oxidative-antioxidative systems in unmedicated first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients at the beginning and after short-term treatment. METHODS: This study consisted of 29 patients who experienced an FEP and 25 control subjects. In order to investigate the oxidative status, we determined plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, oxidizability of red blood cells, oxidation and oxidizability of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (apo B-basal MDA and apo B-ΔMDA). In order to evaluate the antioxidative defense, we measured serum total antioxidative capacity, uric acid, albumin, total bilirubin and vitamin E levels and serum paraoxonase/arylesterase, whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and red blood cell superoxide dismutase activities before and after 6 weeks of treatment in patients with FEP. RESULTS: Plasma MDA and apo B-basal MDA levels and red blood cell superoxide dismutase activity were significantly higher and serum arylesterase and whole blood-GPx activities were lower in the FEP group than those of the healthy control group. There were not any significant changes in the oxidative and antioxidative system parameters (except increased vitamin E levels) after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that FEP is accompanied by oxidative stress. However, further studies are needed to clarify the role of oxidative stress in the physiopathologic mechanisms of FEP, so that oxidative and antioxidative system parameters can be used in the management of these patients. In accordance with psychiatric evaluation, for a better management, patients with FEP may require a multidisciplinary approach, including oxidative and antioxidative system parameters.

Serum fetuin-A levels in patients with systolic heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation and dystrophic calcification have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic heart failure (CHF). The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential usefulness of fetuin-A as a biomarker in CHF. METHODS: Serum fetuin-A was measured in 66 CHF patients with left ventricular function < 50% and in 31 healthy controls at baseline. Fetuin-A was evaluated as a diagnostic marker for systolic heart failure and compared with C-reactive protein (CRP) and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP). RESULTS: The levels of serum fetuin-A were significantly decreased in the CHF patients compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Although there were significant correlations between fetuin-A and certain parameters in patients and controls, none of these were present consistently in either group. It was found that serum fetuin-A levels could identify patients with systolic heart failure with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Serum fetuin-A is decreased in CHF patients, indicating that anti-inflammatory activity is downregulated in CHF and that calcification may be associated with CHF.

Vitamin B6 supplementation improves oxidative stress and enhances serum paraoxonase/arylesterase activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin B6 (Vit B6) on oxidant and antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), control + Vit B6 group (C + Vit B6), diabetes (D), and diabetes + Vit B6 group (D + Vit B6). Vit B6 (4 mg/kg body weight) was administered in drinking water for 4 weeks after the induction of diabetes. Vitamin B6 reduced serum total cholesterol level in the C + Vit B6 (P < 0.01) and D + Vit B6 (P < 0.05) groups. Plasma and tissue malondialdehyde levels were reduced in the C + Vit B6 and D + Vit B6 groups. Whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were higher in the D group (P < 0.05). GSH-Px and SOD activities were increased in C + Vit B6 group while these parameters decreased in the D + Vit B6 group. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were decreased in the D group while they were increased in C + Vit B6 and D + Vit B6 groups. The results of present study suggest that vitamin B6 supplementation might be a promising adjunctive agent for improving oxidative stress and metabolic disturbances and for preventing diabetic complications including atherogenesis.

Can BDNF and IL-2 be indicators for the diagnosis in schizophrenic patients with depressive symptoms?

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study is to determine whether serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) can be biological indicators for the diagnosis of schizophrenia in patients with depressive symptoms. METHOD: Forty-seven patients (11 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, 16 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and comorbid depression and 20 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder) and 20 healthy subjects were enrolled. The Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale, the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used for assessment. The serum BDNF and IL-2 levels of all the subjects were studied. RESULTS: Decreased levels of serum BDNF and increased levels of serum IL-2 were found in the patients diagnosed with either schizophrenia, schizophrenia with depression, or major depressive disorder (p = 0.049, p = 0.010; p = 0.001 and p = 0.044; p = 0.027, p = 0.003; respectively) compared with control group. There were no significant differences between the patient groups in their serum BDNF and IL-2 levels. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that neurotrophic factors and immune system changes are involved in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia with or without depressive symptomatology. However, the data do not clarify whether depressive symptoms in schizophrenia occur as a dimension of schizophrenia or as symptoms of major depression that is comorbid with schizophrenia.

Effects of vitamin C supplementation on oxidative stress and serum paraoxonase/arylesterase activities in patients on long-term hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress increases oxidizability of apolipoprotein-B containing lipoproteins and decreases paraoxonase (PON) activity in hemodialysis (HD) patients and plays an important part in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. In HD patients, plasma ascorbic acid (AA) levels are decreased either due to the loss by hemodialysis membranes or due to malnutrition and contribute to the imbalance of antioxidant defense mechanisms. We hypothesized that long-term ascorbic acid (AA) supplementation recovers oxidizability of lipoproteins in HD patients by reinforcing PON activity. METHODS: Twenty-nine adult patients were treated with 100mg and 500mg AA at the end of each HD session thrice a week for two consecutive 16 weeks-periods, respectively. Blood samples were obtained before the first HD session and prior to the first HD sessions following the 100mg AA-supplemented and the 500mg AA-supplemented periods. RESULTS: PON activities were significantly increased after 100mg (p<0.05) and 500mg AA (p<0.001) supplementation periods compared to the basal level. Apo-B lipoprotein oxidizability (Δ-MDA) was significantly decreased after 500mg AA supplementation compared to both basal (p<0.05) and 100mg AA supplementation periods (p<0.05). Plasma AA concentrations were negatively correlated with Δ-MDA levels (R=-0.327; p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that long-term parenteral 500mg AA supplementation improves PON activity alleviating apo B-containing lipoproteins oxidizability in HD patients.

The effects of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers on serum ischemia-modified albumin levels in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Among one of the common hereditary causes of chronic kidney disease is autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), and its incidence rate is reported as one between 500 and 1.000 individuals. The most common complications of ADPKD are hypertension (HT) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). HT occurring in the early stage of ADPKD leads to deteriorations in renal function. AIMS: It was aimed to investigate the ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels and the effect of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers on serum IMA levels in patients with ADPKD. METHODS: One hundred and fifteen patients were included as ADPKD (n = 50), HT (n = 35), and healthy control (HC) groups (n = 30). Patients with ADPKD and HT were divided into two subgroups as RAAS blocker-users and non-users. RESULTS: Serum IMA levels were detected as 0.42 (0.17-0.80) in ADPKD and 0.28 (0.04-0.51) in HT and 0.36 (0.22-0.56) in HC groups as absorbance units (ABSU), and the highest serum IMA level was seen in Group ADPKD. Serum IMA levels were 0.33 ± 0.14 in RAAS blocker-users and 0.41 ± 0.11 ABSU in non-users with ADPKD. Serum IMA levels were witnessed to be significantly lower in RAAS blocker-users in Groups ADPKD (p = 0.038) and HT (p = 0.004), compared to non-users. Given basal and 6-month values of those with ADPKD, the levels of serum IMA within 6 months were significantly lower (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We consider that serum IM levels should be assessed in oxidative stress (OS)-related conditions, such as ADPKD, and RAAS blockers may be effective in reducing serum IMA levels in ADPKD and HT patients.

Ulva rigida improves carbohydrate metabolism, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Ulva rigida, one of the green algae, on the lipid profile and oxidative-antioxidative systems in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty Wistar rats randomly divided into four groups: control (C), control + U. rigida extract (C + URE), diabetes (D) and diabetes + U. rigida extract (D + URE). U. rigida (2%) was administered in drinking water for 5 weeks after the induction of diabetes. U. rigida reduced the blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride levels and plasma and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the D + URE group. Insulin levels were significantly higher in the D + URE than those of the D group. Serum total cholesterol and tissue MDA levels were reduced in the C + URE group. Whole blood glutathione peroxidase and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activities were higher in the D and C + URE groups compared with the C group. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were lower in the D group while U. rigida increased paraoxonase activities in C + URE and D + URE groups. This is the first study which showed U. rigida has antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effects and improves oxidative stress in diabetic rats. We conclude that U. rigida might have a potential use as a protective and/or therapeutic agent in diabetes mellitus.

Body fat distribution has no effect on serum visfatin levels in healthy female subjects.

Obesity is the presence of either abnormal absolute amount or relative proportion of body fat. Contrary to gluteal obesity, visceral obesity is associated with different metabolic alterations including insulin resistance (IR). A relatively new adipocytokine visfatin is shown to be expressed predominantly in visceral fat and exhibit insulin-mimicking effects in rodents. It is still unclear whether serum visfatin levels are associated with increased total or visceral fat mass in humans. The aim of our study was to investigate the relation between visfatin and obesity parameters namely body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WaC) and IR in healthy female subjects. Eighty one female subjects 20 years of age, having no diagnosis of glucose intolerance or diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia were chosen. The patients were divided into four groups according to their BMI and WaC values. Serum visfatin and HOMA-IR levels did not differ among groups. No correlation was detected between serum visfatin levels and obesity and metabolic parameters. In conclusion, we demonstrated that body fat distribution did not affect serum visfatin levels in healthy female subjects. Further studies are needed to clarify the exact factors influencing and determining serum visfatin levels and its clinical reflections.

The effects of vitamin E-coated dialysis membranes on serum paraoxonase activity in hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis patients are exposed to oxidative stress, which can lead to several complications. We therefore sought to evaluate the effect of using vitamin E-coated dialysis membranes for a period of 3 months on serum paraoxonase activity and oxidative stress markers. METHODS: Twenty patients and 25 healthy controls were included in this study. Hemodialysis patients were evaluated before and after 3 months of treatment with vitamin E-coated dialysis membranes. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as the oxidizability of red blood cells (RBCs) and apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (expressed as RBC-MDA and DeltaMDA, respectively) were determined in order to investigate the patients' oxidative status. Plasma vitamin E and vitamin C levels, serum total carotenoid levels and paraoxonase activity were measured to investigate the patients' antioxidative defenses. RESULTS: After 3 months of treatment with vitamin E-coated membranes, vitamin E levels were significantly increased and the oxidizability of RBCs was significantly reduced in the hemodialysis patients. However, there were not any differences from baseline in serum paraoxonase activity, plasma MDA levels or the oxidizability of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Despite promising improvements in vitamin E levels and the oxidizability of RBCs, the results of this study do not support a satisfactory antioxidative effect of vitamin E-coated dialysis membranes. Further studies are needed to identify antioxidative treatments for hemodialysis patients.

Neuroprotective effects of postconditioning on lipid peroxidation and apoptosis after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

AIM: Apoptosis after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury leads to the process of cell death. The deal therapeutic approach would target the apoptosis after I/R. Ischemic postconditioning is a recently discovered neuroprotective strategy that involves the application of brief mechanical reperfusion with a specific algorithm at the onset of reperfusion following an ischemic period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Transient MCAo was performed on male SD (275+/-25 g) rats with intraluminal thread insertion for 2 hrs. Rats (n:36) were treated with postconditioning after 60 minutes of occlusion. The postconditioning algorithm was 30 secs of brief reperfusion followed by 30 secs of MCAo and this cycle was repeated 3 times at the onset of reperfusion. RESULTS: After I/R injury, % change of the malonyldialdehyde (MDA) levels in the cortex, which is an index of lipid peroxidation, was found significantly higher in the I/R group. On the other hand postconditioning upregulated Bcl-2 and Bax translocation to the mitochondria, and caspase-3 activity and also reduced oxidative stress levels. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated this neuroprotective effect is most likely achieved by antiapoptotic mechanisms through caspase pathways.

Hypertension in children (12-14 years)--a case-control study in Bursa, Turkey.

The aim of this study was to determine the cardiovascular disease risk factors (risk of overweight/overweight, dyslipidemia, paraoxonase-1 activity, positive family history, physical inactivity, smoking) that accompany hypertension and investigate the relationship between hypertension and some of these risk factors. This study included 118 hypertensives and 118 age- and sex-matched non-hypertensive controls aged 12-14 years. Among controls, 64.4% had no risk factor. Among cases, 34.8% had no risk factor other than hypertension, and 65.2% had two or more risk factors. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of hypertension was 5.65 (2.88-11.09) for risk of overweight/overweight. Body mass index, paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly higher in hypertensives than those of the control group. We conclude that it would be useful to routinely evaluate blood pressure and body weight at schools and, additionally, considering that hypertension alone is encountered rarely, it would be appropriate to examine the hypertensive students for other risk factors.

Serum arylesterase activity is negatively correlated with inflammatory markers in patients with acute coronary syndromes.

OBJECTIVES: To examined whether serum paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) activities are correlated with inflammatory biomarkers (procalcitonin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Departments of Cardiology and Biochemistry, Uludag University School of Medicine, Bursa, Turkey, from April 2007 to December 2007. Seventy-eight consecutive patients with ACS and 39 healthy controls were investigated. Acute coronary syndrome patients were divided into 3 groups according to their clinical presentation: unstable angina pectoris (UAP) (Braunwald III-B, n=25), non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) (n=18), and ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (n=35). Serum PON1/ARE activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Levels of procalcitonin and hs-CRP were measured by immunoassay. RESULTS: Paraoxonase/ARE activities were significantly lower in all patient groups compared to controls. No correlation between PON1/ARE activities and high-density-cholesterol levels was seen. Among ACS patients, serum ARE activity correlated inversely with baseline and 48-hour procalcitonin (r=-0.577, p=0.009, and r=-0.642, p=0.019) and hs-CRP levels (r=-0.614, p=0.03, and r=-0.719, p=0.044). CONCLUSION: Serum ARE activity is reduced in ACS patients and inversely correlated with inflammatory markers.

Oxidative stress and ferritin levels in haemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Increased oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Ferritin may have other effects in addition to its role in storing intracellular iron. This study was performed to determine any relationships between markers of OS, nutrition and inflammation in HD patients with normal and high ferritin levels. METHODS: Our cohort comprised 34 maintenance dialysis patients on erythropoietin therapy and 22 healthy controls. HD patients were divided into two groups: 17 with normal (<800 ng/ml) and 17 with high (>800 ng/ml) ferritin levels, and we measured lipid profile, albumin, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), anti-oxidant enzymes [whole blood glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase, arylestherase (AE) and total anti-oxidant status (TAOC)], anti-oxidants (vitamin C) and lipid peroxidation products [red blood cell malondialdehyde (RBC MDA)]. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the HD patients had higher serum urea, blood pressure, triglyceride, hsCRP, RBC MDA, SOD and TAOC values and lower albumin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein AI, paraoxonase, AE and whole blood Gpx activities. Serum vitamin C, uric acid, apolipoprotein B, total- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B MDA, and lymphocyte levels in the HD patients with normal and high ferritin levels were similar. The OS markers of HD patients did not differ, whether or not they received intravenous iron supplementation or had transferrin saturations < 50% or > or = 50%. CONCLUSION: HD patients are in a higher oxidative state, which results in the reduction of total anti-oxidant capacity and also have an increased inflammation status. We could not find a relationship between ferritin level and OS markers in HD patients receiving erythropoietin.

Effects of various antidepressants on serum thyroid hormone levels in patients with major depressive disorder.

A total of 62 patients with major depressive disorder were analyzed in the study. Patients were evaluated for 11 weeks in an open label design to investigate the differential effects of reboxetine, sertraline and venlafaxine on thyroid hormones. Serum thyrotrophin (TSH), thyroxine (T4) and free (f)T4 levels were measured before and after treatment. All groups showed significant improvement in HAM-D scores. TSH level significantly reduced and T4 level significantly increased in the reboxetine group, however TSH level significantly increased and T4 level significantly reduced in the sertraline group. Percent changes of TSH (p=0.007) and T4 (p=0.001) were significantly different between the reboxetine and sertraline groups. In the sertraline group, baseline TSH levels were correlated with response to treatment as determined by the change in HAM-D scores (p=0.03, r=0.648). There was a significant association between the percent changes in TSH values and the reduction in HAM-D scores in the reboxetine group (p=0.03, r=-0.434). In the whole study group, female patients had lower values of basal T4 compared with men (p=0.043), however percent changes of T4 did not differ between genders. In the treatment-responders significant increase in the reboxetine group and significant decrease in the sertraline group regarding the T4 values were found. We observed that various antidepressants had different effects on thyroid hormone levels and this could be attributed to the different mechanisms of actions of these antidepressants.