Do novel oral anticoagulant drugs used in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation act only as anticoagulants?

OBJECTIVE: Although inflammation has an important role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF), the effect of novel oral anticoagulants (NOAC) used to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke and embolism on inflammation remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of NOAC, which have been shown to have anticoagulant properties, on inflammation and platelet reactivation, which have an important role in the pathogenesis of AF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 530 patients, including 380 patients with nonvalvular AF using NOAC and 150 patients with nonvalvular AF who did not use any NOAC were included in the study. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was calculated as the ratio of absolute neutrophil count to absolute lymphocyte count. Mean platelet volume (MPV), red cell distribution width (RDW), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values of both groups were assessed both on admission and at three-month follow-up. RESULTS: When the complete blood count (CBC) changes of the groups included in the study were compared, the RDW, MPV, and NLR values showed a greater decrease in the NOAC group compared to the non-NOAC group (p=0.000 for all). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated that the NOAC used in anticoagulation treatment do not only act as anticoagulants but also reduce inflammation and platelet reactivation, which have an important role in the pathogenesis of AF and thromboembolism.

MOTS-c as a predictor of coronary lesions and complexity in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis plays a major role in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). It has been shown that mitochondrial open-reading-frame of the twelve S rRNA-c (MOTS-c), a mitochondrial-derived peptide, has preventive effects on atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between MOTS-c levels and CAD presence and severity using SYNTAX score (SS) in patients with stable angina pectoris. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-two consecutive patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD+) and ninety-two consecutive patients with normal coronary artery (CAD-) were included. Presence and severity of coronary artery disease were determined using the SS. RESULTS: We observed that the MOTS-c levels was lower in the CAD group (111±13 vs. 161±23, p<0.001). The MOTS-c levels were also found to be significant independent predictors for CAD in multiple regression analysis (p<0.001). A MOTS-c levels ≥130.9 had 80.3% sensitivity and 73.2% specificity (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.858, 95% CI: 0.895-0.999, p<0.001) for predicting CAD. CONCLUSIONS: The authors revealed that there is a strong correlation between MOTS-c levels and CAD. Therefore, MOTS-c may help identify patients with CAD, thus allowing for early preventive treatment.

Alteration of serum and cardiac tissue adropin, copeptin, irisin and TRPM2 expressions in DOX treated male rats.

Doxorubicin (DOX) cardiotoxicity is a significant side effect in cancer survivors. DOX and its metabolites alter cardiac gene expression and affect metabolic energy-related peptides. Adropin, copeptin, irisin and TRPM2 are produced locally in the heart and play a role in energy homeostasis. We investigated the fates of adropin, copeptin, irisin and TRPM2 in serum and cardiac tissues of DOX treated rats. Animals were divided into three groups of six: 1) untreated controls, 2) DOX treated and 3) saline treated. The rats were fed a standard diet ad libitum for 14 days then were sacrificed and heart and serum samples were taken. Adropin, copeptin, irisin levels in tissue homogenates and serum were measured using ELISA. Immunoreactivity of heart tissue adropin, copeptin, irisin and TRPM2 also were investigated. The peptides increased in both serum and cardiac tissue homogenates in animals treated with DOX compared to the other groups. DOX increased adropin in endocardial and myocardial cells, but it decreased expression of copeptin. DOX did not affect endocardial irisin and TRPM2 expressions, but myocardial irisin and TRPM2 expressions were increased. Serum adropin, irisin and copeptin were increased in DOX treated rats. Cardiac adropin, copeptin, irisin and TRPM2 are affected by DOX and may play a role in DOX cardiotoxicity.

The induction of chromosomal aberrations by tetra antibiotic in bone marrow cells of rats in vivo.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo effects of Tetra (Tetralet) antibiotic on the chromosomal aberrations (CA) in bone marrow cells of rats (Rattus norvegicus var. albinos). Tetra antibiotic significantly increased the percentage of abnormal cells and the chromosomal aberrations per cells (CA/cell) in bone marrow cells of rats at concentrations of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for 12 and 24 hours treatment periods for each. In addition, the percentage of abnormal cells and the CA/cell increased dose-dependently for 12 hours treatment period; In contrast, mitotic index (MI) was decreased when compared with negative control and solvent controls for 12 hours treatment period. However, MI increased depend on Tetra antibiotic dose for 24 hour treatment period.

[The prevalence of intestinal parasites in primary school students in Trabzon and the importance of education of parasite patients]. / Trabzon'da bir ilkokulun ögrencilerinde barsak parazitlerinin prevalansi ve paraziter hastaliklarda egitimin önemi.

Hundred and forty stool samples obtained from fourth classes (10 years of age) of the primary school students were examined for intestinal parasites. In addition, effect of education and variety of education on parasitic diseases were investigated. Of the 140 students 65% were found to be positive for intestinal parasites. Ascaris lumbricoides 15.7%, Trichuris trichiura 22.85%, Giardia intestinalis 7.14%, Ascaris lumbricoides + Trichuris trichiura 15.7%, Giardia intestinalis + Trichuris trichiura 3.57% were found. The infested students were treated with antiparasitic drugs, and were educated for parasitic diseases. 50% of the student were given brochure, the others were given brochure and verbal education. After 1.5 month control stool samples were taken. In both groups infestation rate was 27.14%. Ration was 18.57% in only brochure given group, and 8.57% in brochure and verbal education given group. The difference between two group was meaningful (X2 = 3.89 P less than 0.05).