Investigation of factors affecting physical activity level in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine physical activity levels and understand the factors influencing an active lifestyle among patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). METHODS: Ninety-seven patients participated in this multicentric study. Physical activity levels were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The Inflammatory Arthritis Facilitators and Barriers (IFAB) questionnaire was used to evaluate perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity. RESULTS: Forty-six patients were physically inactive and the rest of them were moderately active. Commonly identified barriers included a lack of motivation, fatigue, and pain. Conversely, knowledge of the health and mood benefits for physical activity emerged as a key motivator. Patients with better scores on facilitators and lower scores on barriers exhibited higher physical activity levels (p < 0.05). Notably, a high level of perceived facilitators of physical activity (odds ratio [OR]: 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00 ­ 1.05) and reduced pain (OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.69 ­ 0.95) were linked to an active lifestyle. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the role of motivation and awareness of the benefits of physical activity for health and mood in driving physical activity for patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome. Tailored physical activity programs that address psychological aspects and disease-related pain, and fatigue should be designed to counter sedentary lifestyles in pSS patients.

Neural activity related to productive vocabulary knowledge effects during second language comprehension.

Second language learners and educators often believe that improving one's listening ability hinges on acquiring an extensive vocabulary and engaging in thorough listening practice. Our previous study suggested that listening comprehension is also impacted by the ability to produce vocabulary. Nevertheless, it remained uncertain whether quick comprehension could be attributed to a simple acceleration of processing or to changes in neural activity. To identify neural activity changes during sentence listening comprehension according to different levels of lexical knowledge (productive, only comprehensive, uncomprehensive), we measured participants' electrical activity in the brain via electroencephalography (EEG) and conducted a time-frequency-based EEG power analysis. Additionally, we employed a decoding model to verify the predictability of vocabulary knowledge levels based on neural activity. The decoding results showed that EEG activity could discriminate between listening to sentences containing phrases that include productive knowledge and ones without. The positive impact of productive vocabulary knowledge on sentence comprehension, driven by distinctive neural processing during sentence comprehension, was unequivocally evident. Our study emphasizes the importance of productive vocabulary knowledge acquisition to enhance the process of second language listening comprehension.

Performance of myotonometer in the assessment of skin involvement in systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: A clinically practical tool to assess skin biomechanical properties rapidly and accurately is still lacking. Our aim was to examine the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of a myotonometer for objective skin property assessment in systemic sclerosis (SSc), comparing it with the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), and distinguishing patients from healthy controls. METHOD: Thirty-four patients (21 limited and 13 diffuse SSc), and 31 age and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Skin tone and stiffness were measured at four different anatomical sites (the forearm, hand, leg, and foot) using a myotonometer. The correlation between the mRSS and skin properties was assessed. Also, hand functionality was evaluated for possible correlations between the variables. The differences in skin properties between dcSSc and lcSSc patients, and healthy controls were assessed using variance analysis. RESULTS: Intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility were excellent (ICC = 0.70 to 0.98) for tone and stiffness except for non-dominant hand tone, which showed good reliability (ICC = 0.64 to 0.74). Stiffness and tone values of the hands, forearms, and feet significantly correlated with mRSS total score (r = 0.40 to 0.71, p < 0.05). Additionally, tone and stiffness of the hands and forearms moderately correlated with hand function (p < 0.05). Tone and stiffness values increased in patients with dcSSc compared to healthy controls, or patients with lcSSc, at the hands, forearms, and legs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings emphasize the potential utility of the myotonometer for assessing skin properties and differentiating SSc patients from controls, demonstrating its promise as a valuable clinical evaluation tool in this context. Key Points •The myotonometer displayed excellent intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility for assessing skin properties. •Skin tone and stiffness parameters well correlated with the mRSS scores. •The myotonometer can distinguish patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc from healthy controls.

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-related anti-inflammatory effects of 3-aminobenzamide and infliximab in experimental colitis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the presence of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase and bacterial translocation after the administration of 3-aminobenzamide and infliximab in the TNBS model of rat colitis. METHODS: The study group was divided into five categories as follows: group 1: (control), group 2: colitis+saline, group 3: colitis+3-aminobenzamide, group 4: colitis+infliximab, and group 5: colitis+3-aminobenzamide+infliximab. Intestinal mesenteric cultures were incubated on specific agar media plates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, bacterial translocation was evaluated and assessed as colony-forming units per gram of tissue. Colonic tissue samples were evaluated by Western blotting method to detect the presence of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase. RESULTS: The results obtained were as follows: group 1: normal gut flora; group 2: eight of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which six of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase protein; group 3: five of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which seven of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase; group 4: three of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which seven of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase; and group 5: only one sample had exact indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase protein. CONCLUSION: Altered expression of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase results in a lower bacterial translocation via infliximab compared with 3-aminobenzamide treatment. Combined treatments emphasized different approaches for the new molecules related to indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase.

Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-related anti-inflammatory effects of 3-aminobenzamide and infliximab in experimental colitis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the presence of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase and bacterial translocation after the administration of 3-aminobenzamide and infliximab in the TNBS model of rat colitis. METHODS: The study group was divided into five categories as follows: group 1: (control), group 2: colitis+saline, group 3: colitis+3-aminobenzamide, group 4: colitis+infliximab, and group 5: colitis+3-aminobenzamide+infliximab. Intestinal mesenteric cultures were incubated on specific agar media plates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, bacterial translocation was evaluated and assessed as colony-forming units per gram of tissue. Colonic tissue samples were evaluated by Western blotting method to detect the presence of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase. RESULTS: The results obtained were as follows: group 1: normal gut flora; group 2: eight of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which six of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase protein; group 3: five of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which seven of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase; group 4: three of nine samples had bacterial translocation, of which seven of them had positive indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase; and group 5: only one sample had exact indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase protein. CONCLUSION: Altered expression of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase results in a lower bacterial translocation via infliximab compared with 3-aminobenzamide treatment. Combined treatments emphasized different approaches for the new molecules related to indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase.

The effect of the ischaemic compression technique on pain and functionality in temporomandibular disorders: A randomised clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Interventions addressing pain and impaired functionality in individuals with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are needed. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of 4 weeks of exercise combined with ischaemic compression and exercise alone in patients with TMDs. METHODS: Fifty patients who were diagnosed with TMDs were randomised into Group 1 (exercise combined with ischaemic compression technique) (n = 25) or Group 2 (exercise alone) (n = 25). Both groups performed 4 weeks of Rocabado's exercise and 3 weeks of postural exercise, while Group 1 received ischaemic compression to the masseter muscle for a total of 3 sessions in addition to exercise. A ruler was used to assess range of motion (ROM) (painless mouth opening (PMO), maximum mouth opening, maximum assisted mouth opening (MAMO), left lateral movement and right lateral movement), the visual analogue scale and graded chronic pain scale were used to assess pain, an algometer was used to determine the pain pressure threshold (PPT), and the 8-item jaw functional limitation scale was used to assess, functionality. The assessments were performed at baseline, at week 1 and at week 4. RESULTS: The participants in Group 1 exhibited larger PMO (F = 5.26, P = .02) and MAMO values (F = 6.71, P = .01) than did the patients in Group 2 at week 1. The effect size was small for MAMO (ES = 0.27) and moderate for PMO (ES = 0.51). However, there were no significant differences in any other outcomes between groups at week 1 or 4. CONCLUSION: In summary, this randomised controlled trial indicates that exercise combined with ICT and exercise alone have similar effects on ROM, pain, the PPT and functionality in patients with TMDs.

Does preemptive gabapentin modulate cytokine response in total knee arthroplasty? A placebo controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentin, as a structural analogue of γ-aminobutyric acid, has been investigated to provide pain relief in the early postoperative period following various surgical interventions. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate whether preemptive oral administration of gabapentin 800 mg can reduce postoperative pain and modulate the inflammatory cytokine response in comparison to placebo in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty under general anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients were randomly divided into 2 groups before surgery, either to receive peroral gabapentin 800 mg or placebo drug, 1 h before surgery. All patients had general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, in a standardized fashion, by the same anesthetist. Thirty min before completion of surgery, intramuscular diclofenac sodium 75 mg was administered. Following extubation, visual analogue pain scale (VAS) scores and additional analgesic requirements were recorded at 15 min at post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and at 4th and 24th h postoperatively. Plasma levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor R (TNF-R) were measured at predetermined time points (T0 1 h before administration of gabapentin, T1 at postoperative the 4th h mark, and T2 at postoperative at the 24th h mark). RESULTS: The VAS scores at postoperative 4th h were significantly higher in placebo and gabapentin groups compared with VAS scores at PACU and at 24th h. The groups did not differ in terms of additional analgesic requirements. In gabapentin group, IL-6 levels at T1 and T2 were significantly lower in comparison to values measured in placebo group at the same time points. This difference was not significant in TNF-R levels between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Though preemptive oral gabapentin administration did not reduce postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in total knee arthroplasty surgery, it attenuated IL-6 production on the first postoperative day.

The sublethal effects of (2,4-Dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid (2,4-D) on narrow-clawed crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823).

2,4-D is a widely used phenoxy herbicide, potentially toxic to humans and biota. The objective of the present study was to reveal short term sublethal effects of 2,4-D on narrow-clawed freshwater crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823), based on histology, total haemocyte counts, selected haemolymph parameters, and oxidative stress parameters. In the laboratory conditions crayfish specimens were exposed to 9 mg L-1 of 2,4-D for one week. Experiments were conducted under semi-static conditions in 20 L-capacity aquaria where 10 freshwater crayfish were stocked per aquarium. Exposure (experimental) and control groups were used and the experiments were repeated two times. No mortality and behavioural changes were recorded during the experiments. Total haemocyte counts decreased significantly, while haemolymph glucose levels increased (P<0.05), when compared to the control group. Haemolymph levels of calcium, chloride, sodium, potassium, magnesium, total protein, and lactate did not change. Exposure resulted with increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) only in hepatopancreas. However, results of gill FOX assay showed a significant decrease in oxidative stress parameters (P<0.05). MDA levels of gill and abdominal muscle tissues and FOX levels of hepatopancreas and abdominal muscle tissues did not change when compared to the control group. Significant histopathological alterations were observed both in hepatopancreas (multifocal deformations in tubule lumen) and gill tissue (melanisation of gill lamella). Exposure of crayfish even to a sublethal concentration of 2,4-D alters histopathology and lipid peroxidation due to stress. Biomarkers studied here seem to be useful for the assessment of adverse/toxic effects of pesticides on non-target, indicator aquatic organisms.

The 2100MHz radiofrequency radiation of a 3G-mobile phone and the DNA oxidative damage in brain.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of 2100MHz radiofrequency radiation emitted by a generator, simulating a 3G-mobile phone on the brain of rats during 10 and 40 days of exposure. The female rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I; exposed to 3G modulated 2100MHz RFR signal for 6h/day, 5 consecutive days/wk for 2 weeks, group II; control 10 days, were kept in an inactive exposure set-up for 6h/day, 5 consecutive days/wk for 2 weeks, group III; exposed to 3G modulated 2100MHz RFR signal for 6h/day, 5 consecutive days/wk for 8 weeks and group IV; control 40 days, were kept in an inactive exposure set-up for 6h/day, 5 consecutive days/wk for 8 weeks. After the genomic DNA content of brain was extracted, oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2'deoxyguanosine, pg/mL) and malondialdehyde (MDA, nmoL/g tissue) levels were determined. Our main finding was the increased oxidative DNA damage to brain after 10 days of exposure with the decreased oxidative DNA damage following 40 days of exposure compared to their control groups. Besides decreased lipid peroxidation end product, MDA, was observed after 40 days of exposure. The measured decreased quantities of damage during the 40 days of exposure could be the means of adapted and increased DNA repair mechanisms.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine and epigallocatechin-3-gallate on liver tissue protein oxidation and antioxidant enzyme levels after the exposure to radiofrequency radiation.

PURPOSE: The widespread and sustained use of mobile and cordless phones causes unprecedented increase of radiofrequency radiation (RFR). The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of 900 MHz Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)-modulated RFR (average whole body Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 0.4 W/kg, 10 or 20 min daily for consecutive 7 days) to the liver tissue of guinea pigs and the protective effects of antioxidant treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male guinea pigs were randomly divided into nine groups as: Group I (sham/saline), Group II (sham/EGCG), Group III (sham/NAC), Group IV (10-min RF-exposure/saline), Group V (20-min RF-exposure/saline), Group VI (10-min RF-exposure/EGCG), Group VII (20-min RF-exposure/EGCG), Group VIII (10-min RF-exposure/NAC), and Group IX (20-min RF-exposure/NAC). Protein oxidation (PCO), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were evaluated after the exposure and the treatments with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Significant decreases in the activities of SOD were observed in the liver of guinea pigs after RFR exposure. Protein damage did not change due to RFR exposure. On the other hand, only NAC treatment induced increased PCO levels, whereas EGCG treatment alone elevated the level of AOPP. Due to antioxidants having pro-oxidant behavior, the well decided doses and treatment timetables of NAC and ECGC are needed.

Markers of early atherosclerosis, oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with acromegaly.

PURPOSE: Data regarding atherosclerosis in acromegaly is controversial in literature. We aimed to investigate the markers of early atherosclerosis, oxidative stress, inflammation and their relationships with each other in acromegaly. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with acromegaly and 40 control subjects were enrolled. Patients were classified into two groups; active acromegaly (AA) and controlled acromegaly (CA). Controls were matched by age, gender, body mass index and presence of cardiovascular risk factors. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT), epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EAT) were measured and serum levels of oxidative stress parameters, high mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) and high sensitive CRP (hs CRP) were evaluated. RESULTS: Significantly decreased FMD, increased CIMT and EAT were found in patients with acromegaly compared to controls (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). EAT correlated negatively with FMD (r = -0.24, p = 0.038) and positively with CIMT (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Presence of acromegaly, hypertension and age were found to be the predictors of early atherosclerosis (p < 0.05). Hs CRP was decreased in AA compared to controls (p = 0.01). There were no significant differences for HMGB1 and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) cholesterol levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) between AA, CA and controls (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early atherosclerosis measured with FMD, CIMT and EAT may exist in acromegaly. However, decreased hs CRP and unchanged HMGB1, ox-LDL and TAC levels suggest that inflammation and oxidative stress do not seem to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis in these patients.

The Effects of Different Anaesthetic Techniques on Surgical Stress Response During Inguinal Hernia Operations.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of 3 different kinds of anaesthesia on stress response induced by surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients aged between 25-70 American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II group to undergo inguinal herniography were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups of 20. Group 1 received general anaesthesia with sevoflurane/air/remifentanil, patients in Group 2 received total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol/air/remifentanil and Group 3 received spinal anaesthesia induced by hyperbaric bupivacaine, adjoined by remifentanil sedation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate and SpO2 values were recorded preoperatively, intraoperatively and postoperatively at certain periods. Cortisol, leptin and glucose levels were preoperatively detected. Intervals were as; 15 minutes prior to the induction of anaesthesia, at intraoperative first hour and at the postoperative third and twenty-forth hours. RESULTS: MAP and heart rate values were similar in the inhalational anaesthesia and TIVA groups but relatively higher in the spinal anaesthesia group. Blood glucose levels were elevated, insulin levels were decreased in all groups, at the intraoperative first hour. Biphasic variation in blood leptin levels was observed in all groups, as the levels were lower than the preoperative control values at the intraoperative first and postoperative third hours and significantly higher at the postoperative twenty-forth hour. There was a significant decrease in cortisol level percentage change in the TIVA group at the intraoperative 1st hour, increasing in the other groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that TIVA supresses the stress response induced by surgery better by lowering cortisol levels, leading to a lower increase in blood glucose levels and a lower decrease in blood insulin levels when compared to others. Furthermore, leptin levels were increased at the postoperative twenty-forth hour. The lower increase at the postoperative twenty-forth hour in the TIVA group can be correlated with the anaesthetic agent.

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OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to reveal the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on random-skin flaps in rats. INTRODUCTION: N-acetylcysteine is an agent among free radical scavengers which is used primarily as a mucolitic agent. Experimental studies have demonstrated protective effects of NAC on hepatic, renal, lung, and intestinal injuries. METHODS: Wistar female rats were divided into 2 groups (control and NAC group), and the NAC group received intramuscular injections for 7 days. Flaps were raised on day 2 and rats were sacrified on day 7. Skin samples from the second cm and fifth cm of the skin flap were collected for biochemical and histopathological examinations. RESULTS: The mean necrotic area ratios in the control and NAC group were 38% and 12%, respectively (P <0.001). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly lower in skin samples collected from the control group as compared to samples obtained from the NAC group (P = 0.002). Superoxide dismustase (SOD) activity was significantly higher in the NAC group (P < 0.0001). Histopathologically, a significant increase in macrophage and fibroblast activity was observed in the NAC group. Mononuclear cell infiltration and fibroblast activity had increased, especially in samples from the fifth cm of the skin flap in the NAC group. The histopathological evaluation in the NAC group revealed protective effects of NAC. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of rats with NAC significantly reduced flap necrosis and MDA levels while increasing SOD levels. These data suggest that NAC has a protective role in flap survival and demonstrates preventive effects against flap necrosis. .

The effect of radiofrequency radiation on DNA and lipid damage in female and male infant rabbits.

PURPOSE: We aimed to design a prolonged radiofrequency (RF) radiation exposure and investigate in an animal model, possible bio-effects of RF radiation on the ongoing developmental stages of children from conception to childhood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 New Zealand female and male white rabbits aged one month were used. Females were exposed to RF radiation for 15 min/day during 7 days, whereas males were exposed to the same level of radiation for 15 min/day during 14 days. Thirty-six female and 36 male infant rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: Group I [Intrauterine (IU) exposure (-); Extrauterine (EU) exposure (-)]: Sham exposure which means rabbits were exposed to 1800 MHz Global System for Mobile Telecommunication (GSM)-like RF signals neither in the IU nor in the EU periods. Group II [IU exposure (-); EU exposure (+)]: Infant rabbits were exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals when they reached one month of age. Group III [IU exposure (+); EU exposure (-)]: Infant rabbits were exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals in the IU period (between 15th and 22nd days of the gestational period). Group IV [IU exposure (+); EU exposure (+)]: Infant rabbits were exposed to 1800 MHz GSM-like RF signals both in the IU period (between 15th and 22nd days of the gestational period) and in the EU period when they reached one month of age. Biochemical analysis for lipid peroxidation and DNA damage were carried out in the livers of all rabbits. RESULTS: Lipid peroxidation levels in the liver tissues of female and male infant rabbits increased under RF radiation exposure. Liver 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels of female rabbits exposed to RF radiation were also found to increase when compared with the levels of non-exposed infants. However, there were no changes in liver 8-OHdG levels of male rabbits under RF exposure. CONCLUSION: Consequently, it can be concluded that GSM-like RF radiation may induce biochemical changes by increasing free radical attacks to structural biomolecules in the rabbit as an experimental animal model.

Genotoxicity assessment of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings by tissue DNA damage and micronucleus test, after environmental exposure to fenitrothion.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adverse effects of sublethal doses of fenitrothion, an organophosphothionate insecticide on brain, gill, liver, and muscle tissues as a ratio of 8-OHdG to dG to indicate the DNA damage and erythrocyte micronucleus frequency for genotoxicity of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings. In our study, the mean weights and lengths of the fish (n = 4-12) were 31.13 ± 14.24 g and 12.53 ± 1.41, respectively. Before the experiment, fish were maintained in aerated dechlorinated tap water at 21.8 ± 1 °C and fed daily with commercial feed at a rate of 2% of their body weights. Experiments were conducted under static conditions in the aquaria. Technical grade (95%) fenitrothion was diluted in acetone to give a dosing solution of 10 mg/L. The increased lesions/106 DNA bases (p < 0.05) of liver tissue of exposure group (0.49 ± 0.18) was observed when compared to control group (0.28 ± 0.30). There was not any significant differences between brain tissues, no damage were detectable in gill and muscle tissues of control groups, and in exposure groups altered levels of damage were detected for gill (0.06 ± 0.05) and muscle (0.16 ± 0.21) tissues. The increased micronucleus frequencies (%) in erythrocytes of carp following the exposure to 48 h fenitrothion (6.43 ± 3.89; p<0.05) was observed when compared to control group (1.29 ± 1.03). The available data indicate that there is still lack of well-established dose-response relationships between occupational or environmental exposures and the induction of 8-OHdG. Such biomarkers may be used in assessing adverse/toxic effects of pesticides as environmental stressors.

Oxidative DNA damage: the thyroid hormone-mediated effects of insulin on liver tissue.

Thyroid hormone affects glucose homeostasis with its actions between the skeletal muscle and liver and the altered oxidative and non-oxidative glucose metabolism. In our study three chemicals are considered biomarkers associated with oxidative stress for protein modifications were measured; 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyyguanosine (8-OHdG), a major lesion that can be generated by reactive oxygen species for DNA damage, protein carbonyl content (PCO), products of protein oxidation and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) a dithyrosine containing cross-linked protein products. The purpose of the recent study was to determine the effects of insulin and T4 or their combination in diabetic, thyroidectomized, or diabetic-thyroidectomized rats and possible relations with oxidative DNA and protein damages. For this purpose, rats were assigned to eight groups: Group 1; control, Group 2; diabetes, Group 3; diabetes+insulin, Group 4; surgically thyroidectomized control, Group 5; thyroidectomized+diabetes, Group 6; thyroidectomized+diabetes+insulin, Group 7; thyroidectomized+diabetes+insulin+thyroid hormone, levothyroxin sodium, 2.5 µg/kg and Group 8; thyroidectomized+diabetes+insulin+thyroid hormone, levothyroxin sodium, 5.0 µg/kg for 5 weeks. After the genomic DNA of liver tissues was extracted, the ratio of 8-OHdG to deoxyguanosine and liver tissue protein oxidation markers was determined. The main findings of our recent study were the increased 8-OHdG levels during the diabetes, hypothyroidism, and hypothyroidism with diabetes, which can be regulated in different percentages with the treatment of 2.5 and 5.0 µg/kg doses of thyroid hormone and the altered protein carbonyl and AOPP levels of liver tissue. Consequently, it was observed that the DNA and protein damage induced by oxidative stress in diabetes could be regulated by dose-dependent thyroid hormone-mediated effects to insulin treatment.

A quantitative evaluation of total antioxidant status and oxidative stress markers in preeclampsia and gestational diabetic patients in 24-36 weeks of gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the plasma and serum maternal total antioxidant status, circulating levels of lipid peroxidation breakdown products (MDA), protein oxidation markers (AOPPs), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lipid hydroperoxide (LHP) in preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients and compare them with noncomplicated normal pregnancies between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation. STUDY DESIGN: 27 GDM, 27 preeclampsia and 29 noncomplicated singleton pregnancies were included. The blood samples were taken at the diagnosis of disease. RESULTS: TAS was decreased in GDM and preeclampsia when compared to normal pregnancies. MDA levels were higher only in GDM group than normal pregnancies. AOPP levels were increased but MPO and LHP levels were not changed both in GDM and preeclampsia when compared to normal pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that increased oxidative stress and reduction in antioxidant defense mechanisms may contribute to disease processes both in GDM and preeclampsia.

Glucan improves impaired wound healing in diabetic rats .

UNLABELLED:  Purpose. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a contributing factor to impaired wound healing in humans. A large body of evidence indicates that the diabetic state is associated with delayed or reduced wound repair capacity. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of glucan on improving abdominal wall wound healing in rats with DM. METHODS: Ninety-six female, Sprague-Dawley rats that weighed between 250 g and 300 g were used. A laparotomy was performed on all of the rats on the 14th day. Twenty-four healthy rats (group 1) served as the control. Streptozotocin was used to induce DM in groups 2 and 3 (n = 48). Rats in group 3 received glucan (n = 24). Rats in group 4 were not rendered with DM but received glucan (n = 24). The sutures were removed and abdominal bursting pressure was measured and recorded on the seventh postoperative day for all of the groups. Tissue samples were taken from the incision line for histopathological evaluation and hydroxyproline measurement. RESULTS: In group 2, the bursting pressure was significantly lower than in groups 1, 3, and 4; the hydroxyproline content and histopathological evaluations also supported these findings. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that glucan improves impaired wound healing in rats with DM. .

Sublethal cyfluthrin toxicity to carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings: biochemical, hematological, histopathological alterations.

This study measures a whole series of biological endpoints, and histopathological and behavioral changes of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings in order to investigate the adverse effects of a sublethal concentration of 10 microg/L cyfluthrin for 48h and one week using the semi-static test system. The most significantly altered findings of this study was that total antioxidant status levels decreased in 48h, chloride levels decreased in one week, and sodium and phosphorous levels increased in the 48h-exposed group. Plasma cortisol increased in both the 48h-exposed and the one-week-exposed groups. The unique tissue was the brain that had an increased level of malondialdehyde after one week of exposure. Such biomarkers may be used in assessing adverse/toxic effects of pesticides as environmental stressors. Potential oxidative-stress-inducing effect of synthetic pyrethroid cyfluthrin, as lipid peroxidation, in addition to its sodium channel blocking, is reported for the first time as an additional mechanism of action.

How Sublethal Fenitrothion is Toxic in Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Fingerlings.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of fenitrothion, an organophosphothionate insecticide, on selected serum hematological and biochemical parameters of carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) fingerlings and investigate histopathological changes after acute dose of exposure. Among those, cortisol and glucose are evaluated as responses of early life stages of carp to acute stress and hematological blood parameters are evaluated to investigate the mechanism of toxicity via histopathological changes to the standard test organism. No significant histological findings were observed in carp tissues (gills, liver, kidneys, spleen, gonads, brain, muscle, and skin) exposed to a sublethal concentration of 10 mg/L fenitrothion and controls. Hematocrit and erythrocyte counts were decreased significantly by exposure to fenitrothion when compared to the control group (25.26% +/- 0.82%, 1455 +/- 90.3 [10(3)/muL] vs. 28.83% +/- 1.60%, 1865 +/- 74.5 [10(3)/muL], P < 0.05), respectively. Leucocyte and thrombocyte counts did not change. Increases in plasma cortisol levels were found in the experimental group compared to controls (34.2 +/- 1.9 vs. 18.0 +/- 2.2, P < 0.05) respectively, while glucose, chloride, sodium, potassium, phosphorous, and brain MDA and FOX levels did not show significant differences from those of control (P > 0.05). As a result, we can conclude that early life stages of fish are very susceptible to the adverse effects of toxicants.