Effects of thymoquinone in the lungs of rats against radiation-induced oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE: Radiotherapy is an important treatment for a wide variety of malignancies, although many cancer patients who receive radiotherapy suffer from serious side effects during and after their treatment. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main active ingredient of Nigella sativa, has been reported to have various pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective, anticarcinogenic in many pharmacological and toxicological studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there is a radioprotective effect of TQ on the lung tissue of rats exposed to ionizing radiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed as a prospective, placebo-controlled study. A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups to test the radiation-protective effectiveness of TQ administered by intraperitoneal injection. Biochemical parameters were studied to assess the radiation-protective effects of TQ. RESULTS: Oxidative stress parameters, such as oxidative stress index (OSI), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and total oxidant status (TOS), in lung tissue of the rats treated with TQ, were found to be lower than in received irradiation alone. Anti-oxidative parameters, such as total antioxidant status (TAS) level and paraoxonase (PON) activity, were statistically higher in the TR (IR plus TQ group) group compared with other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Findings show that TQ clearly protects lung tissue from radiation-induced oxidative stress and can be used as a radioprotective agent.

Association between Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 and GRACE risk score in non-ST elevation myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we measured the levels of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), which has the potential antioxidant capacity, among non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) patients compared with healthy controls. We also investigated the possible association between KEAP1 levels and the GRACE score, which is a universal risk score commonly used for patients with acute myocardial infarction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: As the patient group, 78 patients admitted to our center with a diagnosis of NSTEMI were included in the study. As the control group, 77 individuals found to have normal coronary arteries after coronary arteriography were included (155 patients in total). GRACE risk scores and left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEFs) were calculated, KEAP1 levels were measured, and the usual blood tests were performed. RESULTS: KEAP1 levels were significantly higher among the NSTEMI patients compared to the healthy control group (671.1 ± 120.7 vs. 262.7 ± 105.7, p < 0.001). We also found a moderate positive correlation between KEAP1 levels and GRACE risk scores among patients with NSTEMI (r = +0.521, p < 0.001). Additionally, a negative correlation between KEAP1 levels and LVEFs was detected (r = -0.264, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated KEAP1 levels have the potential to be used as a risk factor for NSTEMI in terms of clinical adverse events and poor prognosis at admission.

THE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS AND OBESITY ON TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT/OXIDANT STATUS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS INDEX.

Objective: Both obesity and periodontal diseases are significant diseases that affect the quality of life. Recent studies have focused on the relationship between obesity and periodontal disease. The aim of this study is to determine the pathophysiological relationship between obesity and periodontal disease by evaluating the clinical periodontal parameters and oxidative status. Subjects and Methods: The study included 80 individuals divided into four groups including 20 individuals in each group as following; periodontally healthy patients with normal weight, (NH), patients with chronic periodontitis and normal weight (NCP), periodontally healthy patients with obesity (OH) and patients with chronic periodontitis and obesity (OCP). Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded, and serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were obtained. Local and systemic levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) were assessed biochemically. Results: No statistically significant difference was found among the groups regarding TAS, TOS and OSI values in serum and saliva samples (p>0.05). GCF-TAS values in NH group were statistically significantly higher compared with other groups (p<0,05) . GCF TOS values increased in obese groups (OH, OCP) compared with non-obese groups (NH, NCP) (p<0.05). Our results suggest that obesity and chronic periodontitis do not effect oxidant/antioxidant levels in serum and saliva. Conclusions: Many factors such as daily living conditions of the individual, stress and nutritional habits TAS and TOS levels of the individual may affect oxidative stress parameters. However, these factors could not be standardized in the study.

Effect of different bleaching techniques on DNA damage biomarkers in serum, saliva, and GCF.

Bleaching agents containing a high concentration of H2O2 in the dental market lead to formation of reactive oxygen species, which have genotoxic effects. However, ozone bleaching, one of the most effective oxidants known, stimulates blood circulation and immune response and thus it has strong antimicrobial activity against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. For these reasons, one of our hypothesis was ozone bleaching would reduce local and systemic DNA damage in the body. Hence, we aimed to determine the oxidative DNA damage biomarker levels in serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) by measuring 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) after different bleaching methods.Forty-eight volunteers who requested dental bleaching were divided into three treatment groups (n = 16). Group 1: ozone bleaching with the ozone-releasing machine; Group 2: chemical bleaching with 40% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) gel; Group 3: 40% H2O2 gel activated with the diode laser. Initial and post-operative (immediately after bleaching and two weeks later) color measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer. The color changes were calculated with the CIEDE2000 (ΔE 00) formula. 8-OHdG levels in serum, saliva, and GCF samples were determined with ELISA. All three treatments resulted in efficient and statistically similar bleaching. The 8-OHdG levels in the serum and saliva were not affected by all bleaching methods (p > 0.05), but a temporary increase was observed in the GCF for chemical and laser-assisted groups except the ozone group (p > 0.05). According to the findings, chemical and laser-assisted bleaching can affect DNA damage locally but not systemically. Bleaching with ozone may eliminate this local DNA damage.

Propolis and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Attenuates Nitrosative Stress in Lens Tissue in Radiation-induced Cataracts in Rats

ABSTRACT Objective: Eye morbidity is widely observed in patients receiving total body irradiation prior to bone marrow transplantation or radiotherapy for ocular or head and neck cancers. Cataract blindness is the major cause of preventable blindness worldwide, especially in the developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate whether propolis and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) prevent radiation-induced cataractogenesis. Methods: Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 (irradiation (IR) + propolis) received total cranium irradiation and propolis was given orally through an orogastric tube daily. Group 2 (IR+CAPE) received total cranium irradiation plus CAPE intraperitoneally every day. Group 3 (IR) received 5 Gy of gamma irradiation as a single dose to total cranium plus 1 ml saline daily. Group 4 received daily plain saline. Group 5 received daily plain dimethyl sulfoxide. Group 6 (normal control group) did not receive anything. Results: At the end of the 10-day time period, cataracts developed in 80% of the rats in group 3 (IR group). After irradiation, cataract rate drop to 30% and 40% in groups treated with propolis and CAPE, respectively. Nitric oxide synthase activity, nitric oxide (NO•) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) levels were significantly higher in group 3 compared to all other groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that propolis and CAPE have free radical scavenging activities in the irradiation-induced cataractogenesis, and reduced nitrosative stress markers. Prop-olis was found to be more effective in anticataractogenic effect than CAPE.

THE EFFECT OF ANTITHYROID DRUGS ON OSTEOPONTIN AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN GRAVES' DISEASE.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of methimazole (MTZ) and propylthiouracil (PTU) treatments on osteopontin (OPN) and oxidative stress in Graves' disease (GD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 60 cases with GD in hyperthyroid state and taking no antithyroid treatment, and 30 healthy volunteers. GD patients were randomly separated into two groups; 30 of them took PTU, and the other 30 took MTZ treatments. Blood samples were taken from the patients with GD before the treatment, and three months after the treatment was begun, when they were in the euthyroid state; blood samples of the healthy control subjects were also taken at these times. RESULTS: TAS and OSI levels before treatment were significantly higher in the GD group, when compared to the control group (p<0.001, for each). GD subjects taking PTU treatment had significantly higher TAS levels (p=0.001), and significantly lower TOS and OSI levels (p=0.008 and p=0.001, respectively). TAS levels significantly decreased in the patients taking MTZ treatment (p=0.029), but TOS and OSI levels did not change significantly (p>0.05). Pretreatment OPN levels were significantly higher in GD patients, when compared to the control group (p=0.014). OPN level significantly decreased in the GD group taking PTU treatment; however OPN levels in the group taking MTZ treatment did not change significantly when compared to the pretreatment value. CONCLUSION: PTU treatment is more effective in decreasing OPN and oxidative stress in GD patients, when compared to the MTZ treatment.

Assessment of ß-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels in patients with preeclampsia: a prospective study.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To determine the levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in preeclampsia (PE) using (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two pregnant women with severe PE, 18 pregnant women with mild PE, and 40 healthy pregnant women, all between 25 and 41 weeks of gestation, were enrolled in this prospective controlled study. 8-OHdG levels in maternal serum were measured using ELISA method. RESULTS: The authors observed no statistically significant difference in 8-OHdG levels between the mild-severe PE and control groups (p = 0.208). CONCLUSION: The present results do not support the concept that 8-OHdG has a role in the etiopathogenesis of PE.

The Radioprotective Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester and Thymoquinone on Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress in Liver Tissue of Rats Exposed to Total Head Irradiation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of addition of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and thymoquinone (TQ) on oxidative and nitrosative stress in the liver tissue of irradiated rats. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups to test the radioprotective effectiveness of TQ and CAPE administered by intraperitoneal injection. Appropriate control groups were also studied. RESULTS: Liver antioxidant capacity, as measured by levels of total superoxide scavenger activity (TSSA), non-enzymatic superoxide scavenger activity (NSSA) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity except superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, were statistically lower in the irradiation (IR) group compared to all other groups. Total superoxide scavenger activity and NSSA were statistically higher in the IR plus TQ and IR plus CAPE groups compared to all other groups. In contrast, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly found to increase in the IR plus CAPE group compared to control groups. The xanthine oxidase (XO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities, nitric oxide (NO●) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the IR group were statistically higher than in the other groups. Moreover, XO activity in the IR plus TQ group was statistically lower than all other groups including the IR plus CAPE group. In addition, NO● level was found to increase in all groups when compared to the normal control group. CONCLUSIONS: Thymoquinone and CAPE decrease oxidative and nitrosative stress markers and have antioxidant effects, which also increase antioxidant capacity in the liver tissue of irradiated rats.

Plasma homocysteine and liver tissue S-adenosylmethionine, S-adenosylhomocysteine status in vitamin B6-deficient rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma homocysteine (Hcy), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities and liver tissue S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) levels in control and vitamin B6-deficient rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male rats with a weight of 65-75 g were used for the experiment. The rats were divided into control (n=16) and vitamin B6-deficient groups. At the end of the experiment, the animals were anesthetized with ketamine-HCl (Ketalar, 20 mg/kg, i.p.), and the blood was collected by cardiac puncture after thoracotomy. Plasma Hcy, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP), liver SAM, SAH levels measured by an isocratic system with high performance liquid chromatography. Plasma GSH-Px, GSH activities and GSH, MDA levels were carried out using a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: Plasma Hcy, MDA, liver tissue SAH levels were significantly increased, whereas plasma GSH, PLP, liver tissue SAM levels, plasma GST, GSH-Px activities and SAM/SAH ratio were decreased compared to those of control group. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin B6 deficiency causes an increase in plasma homocysteine levels. Thus, we think that vitamin B6 supplementation could be used for therapeutic purposes in hyperhomocysteinemia condition.

Radio-protective effects of Nigella sativa oil on oxidative stress in tongue tissue of rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa (N.S.) oil against radiation-induced oxidative stress in the rat tongue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group 1 [control group(C)] did not receive N.S. oil or irradiation. Group 2 [sham control group(CN)] did not receive N.S. oil or irradiation but received 1-ml saline orally, plus sham irradiation. Group 3 [irradiation group(R)] received irradiation, plus 1-ml saline orally. Group 4 [irradiation plus N.S. oil group(RN)] received irradiation plus 1 g kg(-1) per day of N.S. oil orally for 10 days. The animals were euthanized on day 10, and tongue tissues were collected for evaluating biochemical oxidative parameters. RESULTS: The oxidative stress index, total oxidant status and lipid hydroperoxides levels in the R group were statistically higher than those in the C, CN and RN groups. The paraoxonase levels in the R group were statistically lower than those in the C, CN and RN groups. No statistically significant differences were detected between any of the groups, in terms of total antioxidant status and the arylesterase, ceruloplasmin and total sulfhydryl group levels. CONCLUSION: Nigella sativa (N.S.) oil may be a beneficial agent in protecting against ionizing radiation-related tissue injury.

Serum paraoxonase, arylesterase activity and oxidative status in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase activities, lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), sulfhydryl (-SH), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to determine whether these oxidant and antioxidant levels can be used as OSAS markers. The results were compared with measurements from healthy control subjects. METHODS AND METHODS: This study was a prospective, controlled trial including 26 OSAS patients and 35 healthy controls (61 subjects total). Peripheral venous blood samples were taken from the OSAS patients and from the healthy volunteers. The serum PON, arylesterase activities LOOH, -SH, Cp, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were measured. RESULTS: LOOH and Cp levels were higher in the OSAS group than in the control group (p < 0.01). The -SH levels were lower in the OSAS group than in the control group (p < 0.01). The PON and arylesterase enzyme activity levels were lower in the OSAS group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in the OSAS group (p < 0.01), while their TAS levels were significantly lower (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with OSAS have increased systemic oxidative stress and reduced levels of circulating antioxidant enzymes. Oxidative stress appears to be an underlying condition associated with OSAS.

Endurance training attenuates the oxidative stress due to acute exhaustive exercise in rat liver.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether an 8-week treadmill training attenuates exercise-induced oxidative stress in rat liver. Male rats were divided into untrained and trained groups. Endurance training consisted of treadmill running at a speed of 2.1 km/h, 1.5 h/day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. To see the effects of endurance training on acute exhaustive exercise induced oxidative stress, untrained and trained rats were further devided into two groups: animals killed at rest and those killed after acute exhaustive exercise, in which the rats run at 2.1 km/h (10% uphill) until exhaustion. Acute exhaustive exercise increased malondialdehyde level in untrained but not in trained rats. It decreased the activity of glutathione peroxidase and total (enzymatic plus non-enzymatic) superoxide scavenger activity in untrained rats and catalase activity in trained rats. However, it did not affect glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and non-enzymatic superoxide radical scavenger activities in both trained and untrained rats. On the other hand, endurance training decreased glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase activities. The results suggested that endurance training attenuated exercise-induced oxidative stress in liver, probably by preventing the decreases in glutathione peroxidase and total superoxide scavenger activities during exercise.

Effect of dantrolene on lipid peroxidation, lutathione and glutathione-dependent enzyme activities in experimental otitis media with effusion in guinea pigs.

The aims of our study were to assess whether the increased oxidative stress in experimental otitis media with effusion (OME) induced by histamine was reflected erythrocytes and middle ear effusion fluid by lipid peroxidation; to survey the alterations in antioxidant enzyme activities in experimental OME; and to determine the effect of dantrolene on this oxidative stress. Erythrocyte and middle ear effusion malondialdehyde (MDA) level, erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GRD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were measured in three groups of seven guinea pigs, 3 hours after injection of 0.1 mL of histamine (or saline) into the middle ear in guinea pigs with OME (experimental group), in a dantrolene sodium group and in a control group. Erythrocyte and effusion MDA levels in the dantrolene group were significantly lower than those of the experimental group. Erythrocyte GSH-Px, GST, GRD activities, and GSH levels were significantly higher in the dantrolene group than in the experimental group. Dantrolene sodium decreased the erythrocyte and effusion MDA levels, on the other hand, it increased the GSH and GSH-dependent enzymes. These findings suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in histamine-induced OME. Pre-treatment with dantrolene sodium increases antioxidant enzymes activities and decreases formation of MDA, the indicator of lipid peroxidation, in histamine-induced OME.

Dehydroepiandrosterone prevents oxidative injury in obstructive jaundice in rats.

We investigated the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on oxidative injury in obstructive jaundice using three groups of rats: sham-operated group; common bile duct (CBD) group--the CBD was ligated; and DHEA group--DHEA administration followed CBD ligation. Liver function tests were performed using blood samples, and malondialdehyde concentration (MDA), superoxide dismutase activities (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and total glutathione (tGSH) concentrations were measured in liver tissue. Serum alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and alanine aminotransferase activity were significantly elevated in the CBD group compared with the other groups. Serum aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin were highest in the CBD group; the MDA concentration was higher in the CBD group than the sham group. There were no significant differences in GPx activity among the groups. SOD activity and tGSH concentration were significantly lower in the CBD group than the other groups. DHEA may protect hepatic tissue against oxidative injury in obstructive jaundice by decreasing MDA concentration and increasing SOD activity and tGSH concentration.

The effects of oral zinc sulphate during radiotherapy on anti-oxidant enzyme activities in patients with head and neck cancer: a prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled study.

The purpose was to determine the effects of oral zinc sulphate along with radiotherapy on anti-oxidant enzyme activities in patients with head and neck cancer. Thirty patients with head and neck cancer were randomly assigned to receive either zinc sulphate capsules (including 50 mg zinc) (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15) three times a day, starting on the day of the first radiotherapy fraction and continuing throughout the scheduled radiotherapy course including weekends and 6 weeks after radiotherapy. The patients were treated with telecobalt radiation at conventional fractionation of 2 Gy/fraction and five fractions/ week in 20-35 fractions for a period of 4-7 weeks. Blood samples for biochemical parameters were collected after an overnight fast (12 h) before radiotherapy, the first day and 6 weeks after radiotherapy. In the placebo group, three patients were excluded. No difference was detected in any final measurement activities of erythrocyte anti-oxidant enzyme such as copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the direct comparison between the zinc sulphate and the placebo group, except erythrocyte SOD activities measured the first day after radiotherapy (p < 0.03). In the respective measurement analysis of the groups in themselves, in the zinc sulphate group, while the statistical analysis for the activities of erythrocyte CAT and GSH-Px were significantly different (chi2 = 12.4, p < 0.05; chi2 = 8.9, p < 0.05, respectively) before radiotherapy, the first day and 6 weeks after radiotherapy, the activities of SOD did not differ (chi2 = 4.2, p > 0.05). In these three measurements, there was no statistical significance in the activities of enzymes in erythrocyte Cu-Zn SOD, CAT and GSH-Px in the placebo group. Before radiotherapy, plasma zinc levels were normal in 16 patients (59.2%) and were lower in 11 patients (40.8%) compared with laboratory levels. It would be worthwhile studying the effect of oral zinc sulphate supplements to improve the anti-oxidant enzyme activity in radiation-treated cancer patients, in the hope of reducing radiation-induced toxicity.

Protective role of intramuscularly administered vitamin E on the levels of lipid peroxidation and the activitiesof antioxidant enzymes in the lens of rats made cataractous with gamma-irradiation.

PURPOSE: To determine the antioxidant role of vitamin E (VE) (10 mg/kg/day) against radiation-induced cataract in lens after total-cranium irradiation of rats with a single dose of 5 Gy. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 did not receive VE or irradiation but received both 0.1 ml physiologic saline intraperitoneally and sham irradiation (control group). Group 2 received to total cranium 5 Gy of gamma irradiation as a single dose (RT group) plus 0.1 ml physiologic saline intraperitoneally. Group 3 received irradiation to total cranium plus 10 mg/kg/day VE (RT+VE group). The rats were irradiated using a cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. Chylacks cataract classification (1) was used in this study. At the end of 10 days, the rats were killed and their eyes were enucleated to measure the antioxidant enzymes (the activity of superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px]) and lipid peroxidation level (malondialdehyde [MDA]). RESULTS: While grade 1 cataract development was detectable in seven rats in the RT group, it was detectable only in two rats in the RT+VE group, whereas none of the rats in the control group exhibited any biomicroscopic change in their lenses. MDA level and GSH-Px activity in the rat lens in the RT group was significantly higher than in the control group. SOD activity in the RT group was lower than in the control group. The activity of SOD and GSH-Px enzymes was higher in the RT+VE group, but MDA level was lower in the RT+VE group when compared with the RT group. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E has a protective effect on radiation-induced cataract by decreasing oxidative stress. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2004; 14: 478-85).

Protective role of intramuscularly administered vitamin E on the levels of lipid peroxidation and the activities of antioxidant enzymes in the lens of rats made cataractous with gamma-irradiation.

PURPOSE: To determine the antioxidant role of vitamin E (VE) (10 mg/kg/day) against radiation-induced cataract in lens after total-cranium irradiation of rats with a single dose of 5 Gy. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Group 1 did not receive VE or irradiation but received both 0.1 ml physiologic saline intraperitoneally and sham irradiation (control group). Group 2 received to total cranium 5 Gy of gamma irradiation as a single dose (RT group) plus 0.1 ml physiologic saline intraperitoneally. Group 3 received irradiation to total cranium plus 10 mg/kg/day VE (RT+VE group). The rats were irradiated using a cobalt-60 teletherapy unit. Chylack's cataract classification (1) was used in this study. At the end of 10 days, the rats were killed and their eyes were enucleated to measure the antioxidant enzymes (the activity of superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px]) and lipid peroxidation level (malondialdehyde [MDA]). RESULTS: While grade 1 cataract development was detectable in seven rats in the RT group, it was detectable only in two rats in the RT+VE group, whereas none of the rats in the control group exhibited any biomicroscopic change in their lenses. MDA level and GSH-Px activity in the rat lens in the RT group was significantly higher than in the control group. SOD activity in the RT group was lower than in the control group. The activity of SOD and GSH-Px enzymes was higher in the RT+VE group, but MDA level was lower in the RT+VE group when compared with the RT group. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E has a protective effect on radiation-induced cataract by decreasing oxidative stress.

Correlation of serum levels of adenosine deaminase activity and its isoenzymes with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is involved in purine metabolism and plays a significant role in the mechanisms of the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the activity of total ADA (tADA) and isoenzymes ADA1 and ADA2 and clinical activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The study comprised 37 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 30 healthy controls. Total serum ADA activity was measured spectrophotometrically. The isoenzyme pattern of ADA was analyzed using erytro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine (EHNA). Disease activity was assessed using DAS criterion. RESULTS: The means of tADA, ADA1 and ADA2 levels were found to be 22.7 +/- 5.9, 3.9 +/- 2.0 and 18.8 +/- 4.9 IU/L in patients with RA, and 15.1 +/- 4.4, 4.1 +/- 1.2 and 11.0 +/- 3.7 IU/L in healthy control subjects. When compared to the healthy controls, serum tADA and ADA2 levels were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with RA, but the decrease of ADA1 level was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). There was a strong correlation (r = 0.527, p < 0.001) between serum tADA level and disease activity by DAS (Pearson's rank correlation), and no correlation between tADA and CRP or ESR in the patient groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum tADA and ADA2 activity is closely associated with RA and these non-invasive investigations can be used as biochemical markers for inflammation. These may provide additional information regarding disease activity along with the traditional indices such as ESR and CRP.

Serum lipoprotein(a) level and its clinical significance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a classic autoimmune disease characterised by the production of autoreactive T cells and autoantibodies that may affect every organ system. It has long been established that there is a close association between cholesterol- rich lipoproteins (such as low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) and cardiovascular disease in patients with SLE. In this study, we evaluated total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLD-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B, and cholesterol-rich serum lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], which is accepted to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and for atherosclerosis, in 24 patients (mean age +/- SD 31.4 +/- 9.7 years, range 16-47, 22 F) with active SLE. Twenty-six healthy age- and sex-matched (mean age +/- SD 29.7 +/- 11.3 years, range 18-49 years, 22 F) subjects were included as a control group. In patients with SLE Lp(a) levels, total cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol were found to be higher and HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-1 to be lower than those of controls. In conclusion, because serum Lp(a) levels are significantly higher (P<0.01) in patients with SLE, these patients have a risk of developing cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. Patients with SLE should be followed up with this in mind.

Lipid peroxidation, some extracellular antioxidants, and antioxidant enzymes in serum of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The aims of our study were to assess whether the increased oxidative stress in inflamed joints is reflected by serum lipid peroxidation and also to check alterations in the levels of extracellular antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Serum malondialdehyde and ceruloplasmin levels and the activity of CuZn superoxide dismutase were higher, while transferrin levels and the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were lower in patients (n = 37) than in healthy controls (n = 30). Disease activity score correlated positively with serum malondialdehyde level and CuZn superoxide dismutase activity. Probably, superoxide radicals in serum could be dismutated to produce hydrogen peroxide by increased CuZn superoxide dismutase activity, but hydrogen peroxide could not have been detoxified due to decreased activities of serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Hydrogen peroxide possibly converted to hydroxyl radical by iron due to lower transferrin level might have led to increased serum lipid peroxidation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.