The prevalence of sensitization to food allergens in children with atopic dermatitis

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) has a complex pathophysiology. The course of the disease is affected by both environmental factors and allergen hypersensitivities. Food and aeroallergens have a significant role in the pathogenesis and disease control. Objective: In this study, it was aimed to determine the prevalence of food and aeroallergen sensitivity of children with AD. Methods: Children under 18 years with AD who applied to pediatric allergy and immunology outpatient clinics were evaluated. All patients had a skin prick test (SPT) within most common food and aeroallergens. Results: One hundred seventy three patients were studied. Most of the moderate and severe AD patients were boys (boys 64% vs. girls 47%). Symptoms started earlier and positive results in SPTs with food allergens were more common in patients with SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) >25 (p < 0.0001). Egg white (39%), egg yolk (31%), cow’s milk (13%) and wheat flour (5%), were the most common allergens, respectively. The SCORAD scores were higher in multiple food sensitized patients’ groups (p < 0.001). Although, food sensitizations were prevalent in patients who had higher SCORAD scores (p = 0.001), there was no significant difference in sensitization with aeroallergens. (p = 0.392). Conclusion: Sensitizations to both food and aeroallergens are common in patients with AD. In addition, sensitization to these allergens and SCORAD severity in patients with AD have positive correlation (AU)

Assessment of dimensions of pneumatisation of the anterior clinoid process in middle Anatolian population by computed tomography.

BACKGROUND: The anterior clinoid process (ACP) is usually removed during surgical procedures of the cellar region. The ACP may be different length and width in people; it may be also pneumatic. Therefore, we aimed to determine dimensions and rates of pneumatisation of the ACP in the large study group with clinically importance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One thousand and thirty-one (592 female, 439 male) cranial computed tomography (CT) of the middle Anatolian population was used in this study. The length and basal width of the ACP were measured on the cranial CT. Also; incidence and degree of ACP pneumatisation were identified. RESULTS: The width of the right and left ACPs in females were 10.80 ± 2.27 mm and 10.53 ± 2.07 mm, respectively. The width of the right and left ACPs in males were 11.08 ± 2.39 mm and 10.98 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The length of the right and left ACPs in females were 8.32 ± 2.40 mm and 8.34 ± 2.35 mm, respectively. The length of the right and left ACPs in males were 8.87 ± 2.62 mm and 8.93 ± 2.64 mm, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between males and females in ACP dimensions, except for the width of the right ACP. Pneumatisation of the ACP was observed on the right side in 46 (9.3%) cases, on the left side in 53 (10.6%) cases, and bilaterally in 32 (6.5%) cases. Incidence of pneumatisation of the ACP was decreased in the age group of 1 month to 20 years. While the incidence of bilateral pneumatisation of the ACP was higher in individuals aged 21-40. CONCLUSIONS: Radiologically recognising pneumatisation and anatomical variations of the ACP may be helpful in decreasing the incidence of surgical complications during anterior clinoidectomy.

Central region morphometry in a child brain; age and gender differences.

BACKGROUND: Data on central region morphometry of a child brain is important not only in terms of providing us with information about central region anatomy of the brain but also in terms of the help of this information for the plans to be applied in neurosurgery. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, central region morphometry of a child brain in mid-sagittal MR images was analyzed in age and gender groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different points determined previously, commissura posterior0 (PC) and the distances between cerebral cortex point (VCS) vertical to commissura anterior- commissura posterior line, sulcus centralis (CS), sulcus marginalis (MS), and the angle (α) between CS-PC-MS were determined and measured together with difference of gender in three different age groups (aged 6-9, 10-13, and 14-17). RESULTS: Central region measures of the brains of boys aged 6-17 are higher than girls except for MS-PC distance. While VCS-PC, CS-PC, and MS-PC measures display a significant difference in the girls aged 14-17 when compared to the other age groups of 6-9 and 10-13 (P < 0.05), angle α is not significantly different in age and gender groups (P > 0.05). However, while VCS-PC, CS-PC and MS-PC distances show a significant increase in girls beginning from the age of 14, this increase is limited in boys. CONCLUSION: Morphometric differences observed in different age groups in boys and girls shall contribute our evaluation of the alterations in brain development in both of genders and shall be useful in preparation of surgical operation plans to be applied to the central region.

Fenestration of the vertebral artery: case presentation.

Fenestrations of vertebral arteries are considered to be rare abnormalities observed in angiographic and autopsy studies. They result from vascular abnormalities that occur during the embryological development of vertebral artery. Fenestrations of the vertebral artery are vascular structures having 2 different lumens and endothelium layers, sharing either the same or separate adventitia layers. As a result of the carotid Doppler ultrasonography performed on a 65-year-old woman applying to the Neurology Clinic of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine, Research and Practice Hospital with the complaints of vertigo and numbness in the head, a plaque leading to 60% stenosis in the right internal carotid artery, close to the place of initiation was seen. The patient, whose vertebral artery lumen structures and calibrations have found to be normal in the Doppler ultrasonography of vertebral artery, was scheduled for double-sided selective carotid and vertebral artery angiography. With the performed digital subtraction angiography imaging method, an atheroma plaque, extending to internal carotid artery proximal starting from sinus caroticus through the right internal carotid artery and leading to 50% stenosis, having the appearance of an ulcer, was observed. In the vertebral artery angiography of the case, while the right vertebral artery was found to be normal, fenestration in the upper cervical segment was observed in the left vertebral artery. This situation has been presented in this paper with radiological and embryological evaluation.

Determination of cerebellar volume in children and adolescents with magnetic resonance images.

Recent studies show that the cerebellum contributes to higher cognitive functions as well as its role on motor system. It is thought that higher cognitive functions continue to develop during childhood and adolescence; therefore, cerebellum develops significantly during these periods. For that reason, this study was carried out in order to determine cerebellar volumes of 90 healthy individuals (40 males, 50 females) aged between 6 and 17 years according to their gender. The individuals were divided into three age groups of 6-9, 10- -13, and 14-17 years, and their cerebellar volumes were found by means of stereological methods using their magnetic resonance images. The cerebellar volumes found were compared among the groups without discriminating genders, among groups according to gender, and again according to gender within each age group. The general average cerebellar volume of the age group 10-13 years was significantly higher than the other two age groups(p 〈 0.05). When the groups were compared according to gender, there was no important difference between the groups in women (p 〉 0.05); as for men, cerebellar volume only in the age group 10-13 years was significantly higher than that in age group 6-9 (p 〈 0.05). When cerebellar volume for ages 6-17 years was compared according to gender (without dividing into age group) there was no significant difference between men and women (p 〉 0.05). It was seen that the cerebellum develops from childhood to adolescence, and reaches peak levels between the ages 10-13 years for both genders.

Absence of the arteria profunda femoris / Ausencia de la arteria femoral profunda

At arteria femoralis, arteria profunda femoris is the main branch feeding the thigh. After iliofemoral embryological evolution many variations can be seen in this vessel. The absence of a. profunda femoris is one of the rare seen variation among these variations. Knowing the anatomy and variations of a. profunda femoris well, is important in low extremity ischemia, vessel surgery and angiography applications. In this study, 1036 films belonging to low extremity found in the Radiology department of School of Medicine of Cumhuriyet University were examined as retrospective. Among these films at four of them of male cases, absence of a. profunda femoris was detected. In cases at ages of 32, 37, 47 and 53 respectively, in the first and second case at the right low extremity there was no a. profunda femoris and at the left low extremity it was seen that a. circumflexus femoris medialis and a. circumflexus femoris lateralis emerged from a. profunda femoris. In the third case it was detected that at left low extremity a. profunda femoris did not exist, and at right low extremity a. circumflexus femoris lateralis emerged from a. profunda femoris, and a. circumflexus femoris medialis emerged from a. femoralis. In the fourth case at left low extremity there was no a. profunda femoris and at right low extremity it was seen that at a. profunda femoris and a. femoralis were in unsteady course. The absence of a. profunda femoris had 0,4 percent. The results were discussed by comparing with literature data.

La arteria femoral profunda, se origina de la arteria femoral, siendo la rama principal que alimenta al muslo. Después de la evolución embriológica de las aa. iliofemorales, muchas variaciones pueden verse en este vaso. La ausencia de una a. femoral profunda es una rara variación observada dentro de estas variaciones. Conocer la anatomía y las variaciones de la a. femoral profunda, es importante para la isquemia de los miembros inferiores, cirugía vascular y aplicaciones en angiografía. En este estudio, fueron examinadas retrospectivamente 1036 placas imagenológicas del miembro inferior, pertenecientes al departamento de Radiología de la Facultad de Medicina de la Cumhuriyet University. Entre estas placas, en cuatro casos pertenecientes a hombres, se detectó la ausencia de la a. femoral profunda. Los casos comprendieron a individuos cuyas edades eran 32, 37, 47 y 53 años, respectivamente. En el primer y segundo caso en el miembro inferior derecho no había una a. femoral profunda y en el miembro inferior izquierdo, se vio que la aa. circunflejas femorales medial y lateral se originaban de la a. femoral profunda. En el tercer caso se observó ausencia de la a. femoral profunda en el miembro inferior izquierdo, y en el miembro inferior derecho, la a. circunfleja femorale lateral se originaba desde la a. femoral profunda, y la a. circunfleja femoral medial se originaba desde la a. femoral. En el cuarto caso en el miembro inferior izquierdo, no existía la a. femoral profunda y en el miembro inferior derecho se observó que tanto la a. femoral como la a. femoral profunda tenían un curso variable. La ausencia de la a. femoral profunda fue del 0,4 por ciento. Los resultados fueron analizados y comparados con la literatura.

Evaluation of the length and angulation of the styloid process in the patient with pre-diagnosis of Eagle syndrome.

Clinical symptoms caused by the elongated styloid process (SP) or calcified stylohyoid ligament were first described by W. Eagle and they are now known as Eagle syndrome (ES). Normal length of SP was stated by Eagle as 2.5 cm. The objective of this study was to determine and discuss the length of SP and medial angulation degree with computed tomography (CT), which is an affective modality in the identification of ES, and a comparison with related studies. Three-dimensional (3D) images obtained from the axial CT scans of 22 cases (11 males and 11 females) aged between 24 and 80 years, who referred to Cumhuriyet University Hospital, Department of Radiology for multi slice CT with the pre-diagnosis of ES, were used. Lengths of the SP and medial angulations were measured on the obtained images. Inter- and intra-group comparisons were carried out using Wilcoxan and Mann-Whitney U tests. The mean length of the SP was found as 4.1 ± 1.1 cm. When inter- and intra-group lengths of the right and left SP were compared, the difference was not significant (p 〉 0.05). The mean medial angulation of the SP was found as 67.5 ± 5.1°. There was a significant difference found between the right side medial angulation and left side medial angulation in all persons (p 〈 0.05). Lengths of the right and left SP of the patients with pre-diagnosis of ES were close to each other. However, the right-side angulation was observed to be smaller than the left medial angulation in all the patients. Similarly, right side medial angulation of the females was smaller than the left side medial angulation, but this difference was absent in the males. Eagle syndrome should be kept in mind in patients with a sore throat radiating to the ears with swallowing and an observed non-compliance between the complaints such as feeling a foreign body in the throat and facial pain, and physical examination of those who do not have a response to long-term medical therapy should be performed.

Assessing a group of physicians' ethical sensitivity in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to measure the sensitivity of a group of physicians regarding the ethics-related situations, which they faced during patient care and treatment. METHODS: All of 306 physicians who joined the Turkish Army for compulsory military service in December 2008 were included in the study. A "Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire", formed by Kim Lutzen, was applied to all of them. RESULTS: From total, 95% of physicians performed their job willingly, 88% of physicians attended ethic lessons (n=265), 72.4% (n=218) followed ethic publications, 67.4% (n=203) stated that there was an ethic committee at their institutions, and 5% worked as a member of the ethic committee. There were statistically significant differences between autonomy, benevolence meaning, conflict, and total scores according to workplace of physicians, employment period, and being specialists. Points of autonomy were found lower in physicians working at private hospital and health center than those at public hospital. CONCLUSION: Ethical sensitivity of physicians changed due to work place. We conclude that organizational arrangements are of beneficial effects to increase ethical sensitivity.

Arginase, NOS activities, and clinical features in fibromyalgia patients.

OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a form of nonarticular rheumatism characterized by chronic widespread musculoskeletal aching and tender points. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of arginase and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme activities in FM with respect to their importance in pathogenesis, and the relationship with FM-related clinical parameters. METHODS: After obtaining informed consent, 25 female FM patients were compared with 23 healthy female controls. NOS and arginase enzyme activities were measured spectrophometrically in sera. Tender points were examined using the protocol described by Wolfe et al. The health status of patients was assessed by Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Musculoskeletal pain was scored according to visual analog scale. Health Assessment Questionnaire, Beck depression and Beck anxiety scales, and dyspnea scores were administered to analyze functional, psychiatric, and respiratory status of the patients. RESULTS: We found that NOS activity was significantly higher whereas arginase activity was lower in patients with FM. In the correlation analysis, NOS levels showed statistically significant positive correlation with chest pain and dyspnea parameters. NOS enzyme activities were higher in subjects with positive history of migraine, pain, and morning stiffness. On the other hand, arginase levels were lower in subjects with positive history of irritable bowel syndrome and morning stiffness. CONCLUSION: Animal experiments have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) is an important transmitter in pain pathways. It can also stimulate cyclooxygenase activity. We observed increased NOS activity and reduced arginase activity in FM patients, which may be due to increased cyclooxygenase enzyme activity and oxidant/antioxidant imbalance. In conclusion, we think that future studies concerning clinical control of pain with selective NOS inhibitors are needed in order to determine new therapeutic approaches and the exact pathophysiologic mechanisms in FM patients.

CD4+CD25+ Treg cells in patients with toenail onychomycosis.

The essential role played by CD25+CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in the control of immunity against some pathogens such as Helicobacter pylori is now well established. But their role in cutaneous fungal infections is still unknown. Onychomycosis is the chronic fungal infection of the nails, which is very common. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible relationship of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells and onychomycosis. Peripheral blood samples were investigated for CD4+CD25+ Treg cells using flow cytometry analysis in 43 toenail onychomycosis patients and in 30 healthy controls. We have found that onychomycosis patients had a higher expression of CD25+CD4+ Treg cells than controls, with values of 8.45 +/- 4.47% versus 4.64 +/- 1.59%, respectively (P = 0.001). The results of this study suggests that increased numbers of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells may play a role in failure of clearance of dermatophytes from skin by preventing the protective inflammation which is leading to development of onychomycosis. Accordingly, we address the possibility that CD4+CD25+ Treg cells may play a role in immune pathogenesis of other superficial fungal infections.

Free radical metabolism in human erythrocytes.

As the red cell emerges from the bone marrow, it loses its nucleus, ribosomes, and mitochondria and therefore all capacity for protein synthesis. However, because of the high O(2) tension in arterial blood and heme Fe content, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are continuously produced within red cells. Erythrocytes transport large amount of oxygen over their lifespan resulting in oxidative stress. Various factors can lead to the generation of oxidizing radicals such as O(2)(-), H(2)O(2), HO in erythrocytes. Evidence indicates that many physiological and pathological conditions such as aging, inflammation, eryptosis develop through ROS action. As such, red cells have potent antioxidant protection consisting of enzymatic and nonenzymatic pathways that modify highly ROS into substantially less reactive intermediates. The object of this review is to shed light on the role of ROS both at physiological and pathological levels and the structural requirements of antioxidants for appreciable radical-scavenging activity. Obviously, much is still to be discovered before we clearly understand mechanisms of free radical systems in erythrocytes. Ongoing trends in the field are recognition of undetermined oxidant/antioxidant interactions and elucidation of important signaling networks in radical metabolism.

The potential inflammatory role of arginase and iNOS in children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide (NO) induced tissue damage has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases. Although recurrent/chronic tonsillitis and hypertrophy are still the most frequent surgical procedures carried out on children in order to cure these pathologies, etiopathogenetic mechanisms underlying these entities are still unknown. We aimed to investigate the potential inflammatory role of NO regulatory enzymes, arginase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 22 children with chronic adenotonsillar hypertrophy and 30 control subjects with similar age and sex. All the patients and/or their parents had complaints of snoring, mouth breathing and pausing of breathe during sleep at least 6 months. All patients underwent an adenotonsillectomy operation under general anesthesia with curettage and cold dissection methods. Venous blood samples were taken pre-operatively and 4 weeks post-operatively. iNOS activity was based on the diazotization of sulfanilic acid by nitric oxide at acid pH and subsequent coupling to N-(1-naphthtyl)-ethylenediamine. Arginase activity was measured by the spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: The mean pre-operative and post-operative arginase activities in patient group were 4283.7 +/- 1823.7 and 2754.5 +/- 889.3 IU/L, respectively. In the control group, mean arginase activity was 2254.7 +/- 903 IU/L. When pre-, post-operative and control arginase values were compared with each other, the mean activity in pre-operative activity was significantly different from the post-operative and control values (p < 0.001). In the patient group, the mean levels of pre- and post-operative iNOS were 2.84 +/- 1.16 and 1.99 +/- 0.78 IU/ml, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.007). Similarly, post-operative and control values were not significantly different (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study supports that L-arginine:NO pathway may be key the participant in the pathogenesis of chronic adenotonsillar disease; arginase and iNOS activities are altered in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy and this alteration improves after tonsillectomy.

Short term effects of L-carnitine on serum lipids in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine supplementation on serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into diabetic and diabetic-L-carnitine-supplemented groups. Diabetes was induced by injection of a single dose of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) in citrate buffer. L-Carnitine was supplemented by IM injection of 100 mg/kg per day for 10 days. Serum glucose, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were determined at days 0, 5 and 10. Rats receiving L-carnitine had lower triglyceride levels at both days 5 and 10 (P < 0.05). Total cholesterol levels in the carnitine-supplemented group were lower, but statistical significance was achieved only at day 10 (P < 0.05). These results suggest that L-carnitine exhibits hypotriglyceridemic and hypocholesterolemic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Clinical trials of L-carnitine supplementation on patients with diabetes induced hyperlipidemia must be further evaluated.

Malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzymes in children with obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVE: Free radical induced tissue damage has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases. We aimed to investigate the role of free radicals and scavenging enzymes in children with obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 29 children with obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy and 51 control subjects with similar age and sex. All the patients and/or their parents had complaints of snoring, mouth breathing, and pausing of breath during sleep for at least 6 months. All patients underwent an adenotonsillectomy operation under general anesthesia with curettage and cold dissection methods. Venous blood was taken preoperatively and 4 weeks postoperatively. After collection of blood samples into citrate (3.5 mg/ml blood) containing glass tubes, erythrocyte sediments were prepared for the analyses. Then malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured. RESULTS: The levels of MDA and activities of SOD and GSHPx were significantly higher in the pre-tonsillectomy period than in the post-tonsillectomy period. However, CAT activity was not different in pre- and postoperative period. CONCLUSION: Our study supports the notion that oxidant and antioxidant defense mechanisms are altered in children with obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy, and this alteration improves after tonsillectomy.

Plasma reactive oxygen species activity and antioxidant potential levels in rosacea patients: correlation with seropositivity to Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that there might be an etiologic role for Helicobacter pylori (HP) in rosacea. HP is a Gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the gastric mucosa, increases the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreases plasma antioxidants such as ascorbic acid. AIM: To investigate plasma ROS activities and antioxidant status, and their relationship with HP infection, in rosacea patients. METHODS: Twenty-nine rosacea patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were examined for specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM against HP, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant potential (AOP) levels. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the seropositivity of HP for IgM was significantly higher (P = 0.03) and the seropositivity of HP for IgG was significantly lower (P = 0.0001) in patients with rosacea. Plasma MDA levels were higher (P = 0.0001) and AOP levels were lower (P = 0.019) in patients than in controls, regardless of the severity of the disease. Plasma MDA and AOP levels were not affected by the seropositivity of HP for IgM and/or IgG in either group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that rosacea is an oxidative stress condition, as reflected by the increased ROS activity and decreased AOP, regardless of HP infection.

The effect of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid on calcific degeneration in bovine pericardium.

Calcification is the most frequent cause of the clinical failure of bovine pericardium bioprosthetic valves, preventing their widespread application for surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to minimize calcific degeneration in bovine pericardium by using a chelating agent, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Freshly excised bovine pericardium was dissected free from adhering fat tissue and cut into 1-cm(2) pieces that were rinsed in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) and transferred into 4 degrees C PBS containing 1% glutaraldehyde (GA) for initial fixation, then allocated into two groups. Group I received the same treatment in a fresh solution for 5 more days. Group II underwent an additional fixation step in PBS solution (pH 7.4, 37 degrees C) containing 11% EDTA for a period of 48 h (30 ml/g tissue) and was then transferred into freshly prepared PBS + 1% GA solution at 37 degrees C for another 3 days. To investigate the calcification rate, pericardial patches were inserted into the dorsal pouches of 25 male Wistar rats for 21 days. Calcium levels were measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and examined histo-pathologically. The calcium content of EDTA-treated pericardium (Group II), 21 +/- 3.8 microg/mg, was significantly lower than that of Group I, 43.3 +/- 9.2 microg/mg. Assessment of the degree of calcification in the histological sections generally agreed well with the results of the chemical analyses. Calcium deposition in Group I samples were found to be solid mineral depositions, whereas in the Group II pericardial samples, only smaller traces of calcium were found. Calcific degeneration in bovine pericardium can be reduced by using chelates such as EDTA.

Oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is recognized as one of the most common oral mucosal diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the oxidant/antioxidant status in erythrocyte and plasma samples from patients with RAS in comparison with healthy controls. Twenty-two patients with RAS and 23 healthy controls were recruited. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant potential (AOP) levels were measured in plasma and erythrocytes from patient with RAS and controls. We found decreased CAT and GSHPx activities and AOP levels in the erythrocytes, and decreased AOP and increased MDA plasma levels in patients with RAS in comparison with control subjects. In summary, this study demonstrated that enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defence systems are impaired in patients with RAS.

The protective effects of acetylsalicylic acid on free radical production in cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity: an experimental rat model.

Cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity is closely associated with an increase in lipid peroxidation. In several previous reports it was claimed that acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) shows its therapeutic potential as a free radical scavenger. The aim of the study was to investigate effects of ASA on cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity in an experimental rat model. Control animals (n:7) were administered 1 mL saline solution intraperitoneal (i.p.). Cisplatin group (n:7) was treated with a single dose of cisplatin i.p. (6 mg/kg), ASA group (n:7) was treated with i.p. (2.5 mg/kg) per day during the study, cisplatin plus ASA group (n:7) was administered single dose cisplatin i.p. (6 mg/kg) plus ASA (2.5 mg/kg) during 5 days. At the end of the study, Catalase (CAT), Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) enzymes activities and Malondialdehyde (MDA), Antioxidant Potential (AOP) levels were measured in both erythrocytes and renal tissues. Urea and creatinine levels and renal tissue necrosis in cisplatin plus ASA group were significantly lower than cisplatin group (p = 0.000, p = 0.014, p = 0.015). SODr activities and MDAr levels of cisplatin plus ASA group were also significantly lower than cisplatin group (p = 0.000, p = 0.029). These results show that cisplatin and ASA combination decreases the levels of urea and creatinine, reduces necrosis and improves antioxidant enzyme activities, MDA and AOP in rat kidney.

In vivo effects of meloxicam, celecoxib, and ibuprofen on free radical metabolism in human erythrocytes.

One of the major groups of chemical mediators involved in the inflammatory response is the prostaglandins, which are synthesized from arachidonic acid by the enzyme cyclooxygenase. The aim of this study is to compare the in vivo effects of celecoxib, meloxicam, and ibuprofen on the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant potential levels (AOP) in human erythrocytes. Patients diagnosed as osteoarthritis were included in the study. Patients were treated with Celecoxib (200 mg/d) (n = 12), Meloxicam (15 mg/d) (n = 12), and Ibuprufen (1200 mg/d) (n = 9) for 21 days. SOD, CAT, GSHPx activities, MDA, and AOP levels were investigated in human erythrocyte haemolysates. SOD activity and AOP levels were significantly decreased in all NSAID groups when we compared the values before and after 21 days of celecoxib, meloxicam, ibuprofen treatment. There were no significant difference in CAT, GSHPx activities, and MDA levels before and after treatment in each group. Decreased SOD activities are thought to be related with the increased superoxide anion. Decreased AOP levels may indicate impairment in the total antioxidant defence system. These NSAIDs have similar effects on free radical metabolism on human erythrocytes; despite some difference in action mechanisms.