Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Balance in Patients with Seborrheic Dermatitis: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Seborrheic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease, in which many endogenous and exogenous factors play a role. Recent studies have shown that oxidative stress increases in these patients. The role of the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis, an important component of the oxidative stress, in the pathogenesis of seborrheic dermatitis has not yet been investigated. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to investigate the relationship between the dynamic thiol/disulfide balance in the plasma of seborrheic dermatitis patients and disease severity. METHODS: In this case-control study, 70 seborrheic dermatitis patients and 61 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis was calculated from venous blood samples, and tests were performed by automated spectrophotometric method. The thiol/disulfide balance between the patient and control groups was compared. In addition, disease severity and other demographic characteristics and thiol/disulfide balance parameters were compared. RESULTS: Native and total thiols were significantly higher in the patient group than that in the control group (P < 0.001). Disulfide levels were nonsignificantly lower in the patient group than controls (P = 0.821). Patients' age and age at the onset of disease were found to have a negative correlation with native and total thiol levels. CONCLUSION: Higher levels of thiols in the serum may be responsible for the increased proliferation of seborrheic dermatitis lesions. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on the correlation between thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with seborrheic dermatitis.

Are serum levels of ADAMTS5, TAS and TOS at 24-28 gestational weeks associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in gestational diabetic women?

We aimed to determine the role of placental A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS5), and maternal serum ADAMTS5, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels at 24-28th gestational weeks in GDM. This study included 57 patients, who had been diagnosed as having GDM at their 24-28th gestational week, and 29 controls. The maternal blood samples were collected at the 24-28th gestational week and ADAMTS5 was studied with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, whereas an automated colorimetric method was used to study TAS, TOS, and OSI. The level of ADAMTS5 in maternal serum of patients with GDM were significantly lower than the controls (p = .017); whereas TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher (p = .003 and p = .008). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed ADAMTS5 and TOS levels were independently associated with adverse perinatal outcomes (p = .004 and p = .018). We found that serum ADAMTS5 levels decreased and TOS level increased in GDM pregnant at 24-28th gestational weeks. In addition, we found that increased levels of serum ADAMTS5 and decreased TOS levels at 24-28th weeks were associated with adverse perinatal outcomes independent of the mode of treatment in GDM.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common medical complications of pregnancy. The insulin resistance, which starts at the 24-28th gestational weeks, increases during gestation. GDM increases maternal complications like preeclampsia, cesarean rate, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes after pregnancy; and neonatal complications like macrosomia, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, delivery trauma, shoulder dystocia, and adult-onset obesity, and diabetes.What the results of this study add? A significant relationship between ADAMTS5, TOS levels and adverse perinatal outcome. insulin resistance and was observed.What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Based on this finding, we concluded that increased levels of oxidative stress and decreased ADAMTS5 levels are associated with GDM and predictive for adverse perinatal outcomes. The results of the present study were consistent with the previous reports and indicated that increased oxidative stress in GDM patients are related to adverse perinatal outcomes.

Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Predicting Adverse Neonatal Outcomes in Fetal Growth Restriction.

Aim: The main aim of this study was to investigate thiol/disulfide homeostasis associated with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and to evaluate whether alterations are predictive for adverse neonatal outcomes. Methods: 273 pregnant women (77 with FGR and 196 with normal fetal growth) were enrolled in this prospective case-control study. Results: Native thiol and total thiol were decreased in FGR compared to the control group (p < .001; p < .001). Decreased levels of maternal serum native and total thiol were significantly associated with adverse neonatal outcomes in FGR (OR: 0.983, 95% CI 0.976-0.991, p < .001; OR: 0.983, 95% CI 0.976-0.991, p < .001). Decreased maternal serum total thiol levels were the only significantly associated risk factor with adverse neonatal outcomes in FGR (OR: 0.981, 95% CI 0.963-1.000, p = .046). Conclusion: The decrease in the antioxidants of thiol/disulfide mechanism may be related to the development of both FGR and adverse neonatal outcome in FGR.

The Variation of Disulfides in the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to examine thiol-disulfide balance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: This study included 32 subjects with known type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications, 30 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with complications, 28 newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 45 healthy individuals. Thiol-disulfide profile tests were quantified in all groups. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, patients in each of the diabetic groups had significantly lower native and total thiol levels, higher disulfide levels, and higher disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios (p<0.05 for all). Disulfide levels were significantly lower in the newly diagnosed group than in other diabetic groups (p<0.05). There were significant associations between glycemic parameters and thiol-disulfide tests (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A disequilibrium between thiol-disulfide pairs occurs in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and a gradual increase to disulfide levels may contribute to the disease's severity. Deteriorated thiol-disulfide homeostasis may be relevant to the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Comparison of the Effects of Sevoflurane and Desflurane on Thiol-Disulfide Homeostasis in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the effects of different inhalation anesthetics on oxidative status by measuring thiol-disulfide homeostasis in laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgeries. The effect of inhaler agents on thiol-disulfide homeostasis that shows the oxidative status in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 71 patients planned to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia were included. They were divided into two groups: desflurane (group D, n: 35) and sevoflurane (group S, n: 36). Blood samples were taken before induction (T1), at 30th minute of insufflation (T2) (30th min of ischemia), and at 30th min postdeflation (T3) (30th min of reperfusion). The native thiols (-SH) and total thiols (-SH+ -SS) were determined. The amounts of disulfide (-SS), disulfide/native thiol percent ratios (-SS/-SH), disulfide/total thiol percent ratios (-SS/-SH+-SS), and native thiol/total thiol percent ratios (-SH/-SH+ -SS) were calculated. RESULTS: In the sevoflurane group, preoperative values and intraoperative 30th-minute SS-SH ratio were significantly reduced (p=0.017). In the desflurane group, intraoperative native thiol values and postdeflation levels significantly decreased compared to those in the preoperative values (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: We think that the usage of sevoflurane was more protective in terms of the oxidative damage occurring during laparoscopic surgery.

How does thiol/disulfide homeostasis change in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus?

AIMS: An increase in reactive oxygen species leads to formation of covalent bonds between sulfur atoms, thus thiol/disulfide homeostasis shifts towards the disulfide direction and oxidative damage occurs. We aimed to determine thiol/disulfide homeostasis in children with T1DM. METHODS: Thiol/disulfide homeostasis was evaluated in 30 patients with T1DM and 30 age, gender matched healthy controls. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters were measured using a novel automated measurement method and correlation between demographic data and parameters was measured. RESULTS: There weren't any significant differences in age or gender between the T1DM and control groups. T1DM group, findings were as follows: native thiol: 388.3 ±â€¯76.7 µmol/L, total thiol: 426.2 ±â€¯87 µmol/L, disulfide: 18.9 ±â€¯7 µmol/L, control group findings were as follows: native thiol: 423.1 ±â€¯45.2 µmol/L, total thiol: 455.7 ±â€¯49.9 µmol/L, disulfide: 16.2 ±â€¯5.6 µmol/L. The disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios were significantly higher in the T1DM group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.004, respectively), whereas the native thiol level and the native thiol/total thiol ratio were significantly lower in the T1DM group than in the control group (p = 0.036 and p = 0.015, respectively). There wasn't significant correlation between demographic data and thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters. DISCUSSION: This study shows that dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in children with T1DM shifts towards the disulfide direction. We think that this shift is caused by oxidative damage in ß-cells. Additional research on thiol/disulfide homeostasis in children with T1DM might provide techniques for early detection of oxidative damage in ß-cells.

Comparison of Serum A Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs-19 Levels in Different Fertility Situations: Could It Be a Serum Marker of Ovarian Function and Oocyte Pool?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) enzymes take part in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling which has been shown to contribute to the ovulation and follicular functions. We aimed to compare serum levels of ADAMTS-19 in patients with different fertility situations. METHODS: A total of 86 women were enrolled to this cross sectional and case-control study. Four groups were constituted with respect to women's clinical and hormonal status: group 1, women with premature ovarian failure (POF; n = 21); group 2, women with natural menopause (n = 21); group 3, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS; n = 22); and group 4, healthy fertile controls. Serum ADAMTS-19 levels and individual characteristics were compared among groups. RESULTS: -ADAMTS-19 levels were found as 36.7 ± 10.2, 40.1 ± 12.6, 46.7 ± 16.1, and 51.0 ± 18.8 ng/mL in POF, fertile, natural menopause, and PCOS groups, respectively (p = 0.012). Especially, ADAMTS-19 levels in the PCOS group were significantly higher than the POF group, as found in dual comparisons (p = 0.010). CONCLUSIONS: ADAMTS-19 was found to be higher in PCOS patients than in POF patients. This work provides a novel vantage point for function of ECM within the ovary. ADAMTS-19 may have a potential for being an important marker of ovarian function and oocyte pool.

The effect of tinea versicolor on thiol/disulphide homeostasis.

INTRODUCTION: Tinea versicolor is a superficial fungal infection caused by Malassezia spp. Malassezia spp. is a member of the normal human skin flora. It becomes a pathogen by transforming from the yeast form to the mycelium form. The oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis may be responsible for this. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis is a new marker indicating oxidative stress. This homeostasis is affected in many illnesses. AIM: To investigate the thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with tinea versicolor. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with tinea versicolor (median age: 36 years, min.-max.: 19-58) and 36 healthy controls (median age: 32 years, min.-max.: 18-60) were included in the trial. The levels of native thiol, disulphide, and total thiol were measured by an automated method in the patient and control groups. Disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol and native thiol/total thiol rates were calculated as percentage. RESULTS: For the patient group and the control group, the native thiol levels were found to be 464.32 ±51.48 mmol/l and 465.18 ±51.32 mmol/l, disulphide levels - 19.80 ±7.08 mmol/l and 21.27 ±8.90 mmol/l, total thiol levels - 503.92 ±53.65 mmol/l and 508.07 ±56.59 mmol/l, respectively. No statistical difference was detected between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was not affected in tinea versicolor. According to our findings, oxidative stress seems to have no role in the pathogenesis of tinea versicolor.

The Role of Follicular Fluid Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress has been proposed as a potential trigger in the etiopathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome-related infertility. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis, a recently identified oxidative stress marker, is one of the antioxidant mechanism in humans with critical roles in folliculogenesis and ovulation. AIMS: To investigate follicular fluid thiol/disulphide homeostasis in the etiopathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome and to determine its association with in vitro fertilization outcome. The study procedures were approved by the local ethics committee. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Follicular fluid from 22 women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 20 ovulatory controls undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment was sampled. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was analyzed via a novel spectrophotometric method. Results: Follicular native thiol levels, as well as the native thiol/total thiol ratio, were lower in the polycystic ovary syndrome group than in the non-polycystic ovary syndrome group (p=0.041 and p<0.0001, respectively). Disulphide levels, disulphide/native thiol, and disulphide/total thiol ratios were increased in the polycystic ovary syndrome group (p<0.0001). A positive correlation between the fertilization rate and native thiol (p=0.01, r=0.53) and total thiol (p=0.01, r=0.052) among polycystic ovary syndrome patients was found. A positive predictive effect of native thiol level on the fertilization rate in the polycystic ovary syndrome group was also found (p=0.03, ß=0.45, 95% CI= 0.031-0.643). Conclusion: Deterioration of thiol/disulphide homeostasis, especially elevated disulphide levels, could be one of the etiopathogenetic mechanisms in polycystic ovary syndrome. Increased native thiol levels are related to the fertilization rate among polycystic ovary syndrome patients and are positive predictors of the fertilization rate among polycystic ovary syndrome patients. Improvement of thiol/disulphide homeostasis could be important in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome to increase in vitro fertilization success.

A New Kinetic, Automated Assay to Determine the Ferroxidase Activity of Ceruloplasmin.

A new kinetic and automated assay was developed to determine ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity. Ferrous ions are turned into ferric ions via catalytic activity of the ferroxidase enzyme. Acetohydroxamic acid, a chromogen, forms a colored complex with ferric ions. This reaction was measured kinetically. Significant and strong correlations were obtained between the new acetohydroxamic method and the p-phenylenediamine oxidase (r = 0.988, p <0.001), o-dianisidine oxidase (r = 0.981, p <0.001), norfloxacine oxidase (r = 0.989, p <0.001) and nephelometric methods (r = 0.861, p <0.001). This reliable, applicable, user-friendly, and low-priced method can be performed fully automatically or with manual spectrophotometry, and can be used to measure the ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin.

Deteriorations of pulmonary function, elevated carbon monoxide levels and increased oxidative stress amongst water-pipe smokers.

OBJECTIVES: A water pipe (hookah) is a tobacco smoking tool which is thought to be more harmless than a cigarette, and there are no adequate studies about its hazards to health. Water-pipe smoking is threatening health of the youth in the world today. The objective of this study has been to investigate the carbon monoxide (CO) levels in breath, examine the changes in pulmonary function tests (PFT) and to assess the change of the oxidative stress parameters in blood after smoking a water pipe. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional analytical study that has included 50 volunteers who smoke a water pipe and the control group of 50 volunteers who smoke neither a cigarette nor a water pipe. Carbon monoxide levels were measured in the breath and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed before and after smoking a water pipe. Blood samples were taken from either the volunteer control group or water-pipe smokers group after smoking a water pipe for the purpose of evaluation of the parameters of oxidative stress. RESULTS: Carbon monoxide values were measured to be 8.08±7.4 ppm and 28.08±16.5 ppm before and after smoking a water pipe, respectively. This increment was found statistically significant. There were also significant reductions in PFTs after smoking a water pipe. Total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were found prominently higher after smoking a water pipe for the group of water-pipe smokers than for the control group. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that water-pipe smoking leads to deterioration in pulmonary function and increases oxidative stress. To the best of our knowledge this study is the only one that has shown the effect of water-pipe smoking on oxidative stress. More studies must be planned to show the side effects of water-pipe habit and protective policies should be planned especially for young people in Europe. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):731-742.

Decreased oxidative stress may contribute to the disease process in placenta accreta

Background/aim: The main aim of this study was to investigate serum total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and arylesterase levels in pregnant women with placenta accreta and to compare those with age-matched healthy pregnant women. Materials and methods: A total of 27 pregnant women who had clinically and pathologically proven placenta accreta and 30 age- and BMI- matched healthy pregnant women were enrolled in this case control study. Maternal serum TOS, TAS, OSI, and arylesterase levels were evaluated using logistic regression analysis to determine if there was an association with abnormal placental invasion or not. Results: Decreased OSI (OR= 0.999, 95%CI: 0.998-1.000, P = 0.035) and increased arylesterase levels (OR= 0.981, 95%CI: 0.970-0.993, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with the presence of placenta accreta. Maternal serum TOS, TAS, OSI, and arylesterase levels were not predictive for adverse perinatal outcomes (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Decreased OSI and increased arylesterase levels are significantly associated with placenta accreta and may contribute to the abnormal invasion process.

Dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

PURPOSE:: We evaluated dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and catalase (CAT) activity in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). All analyzes were conducted on plasma samples. METHODS:: Thirty-two patients with AMD and 38 age-matched healthy controls were included. Native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels and TDH status were determined using a novel, automated assay. MDA levels and CAT activity were determined. Percentages were compared using the chi-squared test. The Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare quantitative variables. RESULTS:: Native thiol levels were significantly lower (p=0.004) in patients with AMD (272.02 ± 52.41 µmol/l) than in healthy individuals (307.82 ± 47.18 µmol/l), whereas disulfide levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with AMD than in controls (21.64 ± 5.59 vs. 14.48 ± 5.37 µmol/L). Dynamic TDH was also significantly lower (p<0.001) in patients with AMD than in controls (13.41 ± 4.3 vs. 25.41 ± 14.52 µmol/l). No significant differences were evident in total thiol or MDA levels. Mean CAT activity was significantly higher (p=0.043) in patients with AMD compared with controls (0.035 vs. 0.018 k/ml). CONCLUSIONS:: The antioxidant/oxidant balance demonstrated by dynamic TDH is shifted to the oxidative side in patients with AMD.

Dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with age-related macular degeneration / Homeostase dinâmica de tiol/dissulfureto em pacientes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade

ABSTRACT Purpose: We evaluated dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and catalase (CAT) activity in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). All analyzes were conducted on plasma samples. Methods: Thirty-two patients with AMD and 38 age-matched healthy controls were included. Native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels and TDH status were determined using a novel, automated assay. MDA levels and CAT activity were determined. Percentages were compared using the chi-squared test. The Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare quantitative variables. Results: Native thiol levels were significantly lower (p=0.004) in patients with AMD (272.02 ± 52.41 µmol/l) than in healthy individuals (307.82 ± 47.18 µmol/l), whereas disulfide levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients with AMD than in controls (21.64 ± 5.59 vs. 14.48 ± 5.37 µmol/L). Dynamic TDH was also significantly lower (p<0.001) in patients with AMD than in controls (13.41 ± 4.3 vs. 25.41 ± 14.52 µmol/l). No significant differences were evident in total thiol or MDA levels. Mean CAT activity was significantly higher (p=0.043) in patients with AMD compared with controls (0.035 vs. 0.018 k/ml). Conclusions: The antioxidant/oxidant balance demonstrated by dynamic TDH is shifted to the oxidative side in patients with AMD.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a homeostase dinâmica de tiol/dissulfureto e os níveis de malon dialdeído (MDA) e catalase (CAT) em pacientes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade (DMRI). Todas as análises foram realizadas em amostras de plasma. Métodos: Foram incluídos 32 pacientes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade e 38 controles saudáveis de idade similar. Os níveis de tiol, tiol total, dissulfureto e estado de homeostase de tiol/dissulfureto foram determinados utilizando um novo ensaio automatizado. Os níveis de atividade de MDA e CAT foram também determinados. As porcentagens foram comparadas pelo teste do qui-quadrado. O teste t de Student e o teste U de Mann Whitney foram utilizados para comparar variáveis quantitativas. Resultados: Os níveis de tiol nativo foram significativamente menores (p=0,004) nos pacientes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade (272,02 ± 52,41 µmol/l) do que nos indivíduos saudáveis (307,82 ± 47,18 µmol/l), enquan to os dissulfetos foram significativamente maiores em pacientes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade (21,64 ± 5,59 µmol/l versus 14,48 ± 5,37 µmol/l, respectivamente, p<0,001). A homeostase dinâmica de tiol/dissulfureto também foi significativamente menor nos pacientes com degeneração macular re la cionada à idade (13,41 ± 4,3 µmol/l) versus os controles (versus 25,41 ± 14,52 µmol/l, p<0,001). Não foram observadas diferenças significativas nos níveis de tiol total ou MDA. A atividade média de CAT foi significativamente mais elevada (p=0,043) em doentes com degeneração macular relacionada à idade (0,035 k/ml vs. 0,018 k/ml). Conclusões: O equilíbrio antioxidante/oxidante demonstrado pela homeostase dinâmica de tiol/dissulfeto é deslocado para o lado oxidativo em pacientes com de generação macular relacionada à idade.

Serum and Aqueous Humor Levels of Fetuin-A in Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate serum and aqueous humor levels of fetuin-A in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEXS) in comparison with those of age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 25 patients with PEXS and 25 control subjects who were undergoing cataract surgery without any systemic or ocular disease. Aqueous humor and serum fetuin-A levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: The mean age of the PEXS group (14 males, 11 females, n = 25) was 57.7 ± 6.9 years, and the control group (13 males, 12 females, n = 25) was 58.1 ± 5.7 years. There was no difference between the groups in terms of age (p = 0.77) and sex (p = 0.83). The mean serum fetuin-A level of the PEXS group did not differ from that of the control group (p = 0.53). The mean aqueous humor level of the PEXS group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p = 0.032). There were no significant correlations between aqueous humor and serum fetuin-A levels among patients with PEXS and control group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of fetuin-A in aqueous humor of patients with PEXS may show the local effect of fetuin-A on the anterior segment. With considering the wide range of possible biological functions of fetuin-A in the pathogenesis of PEXS, further studies are needed to clarify the clinical relevance of these findings.

The effects of transport by car on coagulation tests.

BACKGROUND: This research investigated the effects of the transport of blood samples between centers/laboratories by car on coagulation tests. METHODS: Five tubes of blood samples were taken from 20 healthy volunteers. The samples consisted of a baseline (control) group, centrifuged and noncentrifuged transported samples; centrifuged and noncentrifuged untransported samples. The groups of centrifuged and noncentrifuged samples were transported by car for 2 h. The centrifuged and noncentrifuged untransported samples were incubated in the laboratory until the transported samples arrived. Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) tests were conducted for all samples. RESULTS: Significant differences between the baseline group and the centrifuged and noncentrifuged transported samples and the noncentrifuged untransported samples were found for APTT levels (p<0.05, for all). In addition, significant mean percentage differences in PT values were found between the baseline group and the noncentrifuged transported samples (p<0.001) and the noncentrifuged untransported samples (p=0.005). The mean level of PT in the noncentrifuged transported samples was outside the upper limit of the clinical decision level. CONCLUSIONS: Noncentrifuged transported samples showed clinically significant differences in PT test results that may have stemmed from mechanical agitation during transportation. Therefore, we recommend not transporting noncentrifuged specimens for PT testing by car.

Follicular ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan levels in polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of ovulatory dysfunction and female infertility. The etiopathogenetic mechanisms of PCOS have been studied for many years, although exact causes remain unclear. It has been demonstrated that proteoglycan degradation by a disintegrin-like metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type motifs-1 (ADAMTS-1) is essential for ovulation and fertilization. The objective of our study is to analyze the levels of ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan in the follicular fluid (FF) of PCOS patients compared with normal ovulatory women and to determine whether these markers could be a predictor of in vitro fertilization (IVF) success in PCOS patients. METHODS: Women with PCOS (n = 21) and normal ovulatory controls (n = 22) undergoing IVF treatment were recruited. ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan levels were analyzed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared between PCOS and normal ovulatory controls. The predictor effect of ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan on fertilization rate and implantation was evaluated. RESULTS: FF ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan levels increased in women with PCOS compared to controls. Elevated ADAMTS-1 levels but not aggrecan were related to increased implantation in PCOS. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that altered levels of ADAMTS-1 and aggrecan may have a partial role in the etiopathogenesis of PCOS, and ADAMTS-1 could be a predictive marker for implantation success in PCOS patients.

Investigation of thiol-disulphide balance in patients with acute urticaria and chronic spontaneous urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Thiol-disulphide balance plays a major role in health and diseases. This balance may be disrupted by various diseases. We aimed to determine status of the effect of thiol-disulphide balance in urticaria. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the thiol-disulphide balance in patients with acute urticaria (AUP) and chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). METHODS: Study included 53 AUP and 47 healthy controls plus 57 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSUP) and 57 healthy controls. Levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols were evaluated in plasma using a new and automated spectrophotometric method. Ratios of disulphides/total thiols, disulphides/native thiols and native thiols/total thiols were calculated. RESULTS: For AU, there was no statistical difference compared to control group in levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols. For CSU, however, there was an increase in levels of native thiols, disulphides and total thiols and the ratio of thiol/disulphide in favour of disulphide. CONCLUSION: Thiol-disulphide balance was not affected by AU but shifted towards to disulphide in CSU indicating the presence of oxidative stress (OS).

Role of Versican and ADAMTS-1 in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: ADAMTS-1 is a matrix metalloproteinase which cleaves versican in the cumulus oocyte complex under the effect of luteinizing hormone surge in the periovulatory period. Altered levels may have a role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We aimed to determine the serum versican and ADAMTS-1 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motif-1) levels in PCOS patients and compare the results with healthy controls. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with PCOS and forty healthy controls aged between 15 and 22 years were included in the study. They were sampled according to their basal hormone, serum versican, and ADAMTS-1 levels. Serum versican and ADAMTS-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the independent risk factors of PCOS. RESULTS: Serum versican levels were significantly decreased in the PCOS group when compared with the controls. The best versican cut-off value for PCOS was calculated to be 33.65 with 76.74% sensitivity and 52.94% specificity. Serum versican levels, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index, a Ferriman-Gallwey score higher than 8, and oligomenorrhea were the strongest predictors of PCOS. Serum versican levels were significantly decreased in PCOS patients. Besides, serum ADAMTS-1 and versican levels were significantly and positively correlated with each other. CONCLUSION: Serum versican levels were significantly decreased in patients with PCOS. This suggests a possible role of versican in ovulatory dysfunction and in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Impact of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Maternal Obesity on Cord Blood Dynamic Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis.

AIM: Our aim in this study was to investigate the effect of maternal obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on cord blood dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis. METHODS: A prospective case-control study was carried out in 125 pregnant women (27 GDM, 30 obese, 68 controls). Cord blood samples were collected from all participants and native thiol-disulfide exchanges were examined with automated method enabling the measurement of both sides of thiol-disulfide balance. RESULTS: Disulfide amounts, disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios were increased (p < 0.001), while native thiol/total thiol was decreased in the cord blood of babies born to an obese or diabetic mother (p < 0.001). Moreover, increased disulfide amounts, disulfide/native thiol, disulfide/totalthiol ratios and decreased native/total thiol were found to be significantly associated with adverse outcomes in GDM. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that the offsprings born to obese or diabetic mothers are exposed to increased oxidative stress.