Evaluation of oxidative metabolism and oxidative DNA damage in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

AIMS: There are limited published data about the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In addition, oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage have not been investigated together in OCD. In this study, we aimed to evaluate oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage in patients with OCD. METHODS: Forty-two patients with OCD who were diagnosed in the Psychiatry Clinic of Gaziantep University and 38 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Serum 8-hydroxideoxiguanosine (8-OHdG), total antioxidant status, total oxidant status evaluation and oxidative stress index calculation were conducted in Gaziantep University Biochemical Laboratory. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the total antioxidant status, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index levels between the patients and control group. However, 8-OHdG levels were significantly higher in OCD patients than controls (P = 0.022). In addition, 8-OHdG levels were significantly lower in patients who took treatment than in patients who were newly diagnosed (P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we found that oxidative DNA damage increased in OCD patients even though oxidative stress was normal. In addition, DNA damage was lower in patients who were treated compared to those without treatment.

Influence of recurrent electroconvulsive therapy on cardiac function.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of recurrent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on cardiac function as assessed by echocardiography. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients (11 males and 12 females) with different psychiatric disorders who were apparently free of any cardiovascular disorders and underwent ECT were enrolled in the study. Echocardiographic findings including diastolic mitral inflow and tissue Doppler features were recorded at baseline and at the end of the 7th and last ECT in all patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 37.95 ± 13.28 years (range 19-71). There was no significant difference in mitral E wave velocities and tissue Doppler E' velocities between the baseline and after the 1st ECT (p = 0.161 and p = 0.083, respectively). The results were similar after the last ECT session (p = 0.463 and p = 0.310, respectively). However, there was a significant increase in transmitral A wave velocity after the 1st and 7th ECT session compared to the values at baseline (p = 0.008 and p = 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSION: The mitral diastolic inflow A wave velocity increased 20 min after ECT, and this increase persisted after recurrent ECT sessions. This finding could be considered as an indicator of acutely increased sympathetic tone.

Circadian blood pressure variation in normotensive patients with panic disorder.

Nondipper pattern of blood pressure (BP) is associated with cardiovascular risk. In this study, we compared dipper versus nondipper patterns between normotensive patients with panic disorder (PD) and a control group. A total of 25 normotensive patients with PD and 25 controls were enrolled. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory BP monitoring was performed in all patients. At least 10% of sleep-related nocturnal decrease in systolic and diastolic BP was accepted as dipper status, while decreases <10% were defined as a nondipper. Patients with PD had significantly higher incidence of nondipper BP pattern than controls. The reduction of nighttime BP in both systolic and diastolic and mean BP was significantly lower in patients with PD than in the control group (7.6% ± 4.3% vs 13% ± 3.9%, P < .001; 11% ± 7% vs 15% ± 5%, P = .004; 9% ± 5% vs 14% ± 4%, P = .002, respectively). Panic disorder is associated with nondipper BP pattern, causing impaired circadian BP in normotensive settings.