Galectin-1 as a potential diagnostic biomarker in polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at comparing the routine laboratory parameters and Galectin-1 levels of control and polycystic ovarian syndrome patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 88 patients diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome and 88 healthy controls were considered for the study. Age groups of the patients ranged from 18 to 40. Serum TSH, Beta HCG, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, Hb1A1c, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL FSH, LH, E2, prolactin, testosterone, SHBG, DHESO4, HDL, Gal-1 levels were analyzed for each subject. RESULTS: FSH, LH, LH/FSH, E2, prolactin, testosterone, SHBG, DHESO4, HDL and Gal-1 values of the subjects included in the study were statistically significantly different between the groups (p<0.05). Gal-1 and DHESO4 showed a strong positive connection (p=0.05). The sensitivity of Gal-1 level in PCOS patients was calculated as 0.997 and specificity as 0.716. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of Gal-1 in PCOS patients suggest that it increases due to overexpression in response to inflammation.

Microbial chondroitin sulfate in experimental knee osteoarthritis model investigation of chondroprotective effect.

OBJECTIVE: Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a glycosaminoglycan with proven anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant properties. CS increases type II collagen and proteoglycan synthesis in human joint chondrocytes. CS can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and proteases to improve the anabolic/catabolic balance of the extracellular cartilage matrix (ECM). Due to these characteristics, it is a natural compound that is considered to be Symptomatic Slow-Acting Drugs for Osteoarthritis (SYSADOA). Microbial chondroitin sulfate (MCS) was produced from two different bacterial sources using biotechnological methods by our team. In this study, we aimed to apply microbially produced CS and bovine-derived commercial CS forms to rabbit knees with osteoarthritis experimentally and to evaluate the results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, a cruciate ligament cutting model was applied to 40 New Zealand rabbits to induce experimental osteoarthritis. Four weeks after the surgical procedure, rabbits were divided into 4 groups as control, animal-derived MCS, E coli-derived MCS and PaJC-derived MCS group. The standard rabbit diet was fed to the control group, and the other groups were additionally fed 17 mg/kg/day CS/MCS for 12 weeks. The rabbits were sacrificed at the 12th week after surgery and the preparations obtained were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: As a result, it was observed that regeneration tissue was statistically significant in histopathological cartilage tissue compared to the control group of CS developed from different sources given to rabbits with osteoarthritis. It was determined that among the CS groups produced from different sources, the group with the highest chondroprotective effect was MCS originating from E.coli. CONCLUSIONS: This vegan product (MCS), which we obtained as a result of our study, was produced by our team from a microbial source. According to our analysis, it has the potential to be an effective alternative therapy agent in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Oxidant and antioxidant activity in rabbit livers treated with zoledronic acid.

Zoledronic acid (ZA), a nitrogen-bearing bisphosphonate, is used to treat the hypercalcemia associated with cancer. In addition to its antiumor effects, it acts as an osteoclast inhibitor. To investigate the effects of ZA on oxidative stress and antioxidants, we studied reduced glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant gamma glutamate cysteine, including nitrite and nitrate, which are endproducts of nitric oxide (NO) as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) in rabbit liver tissue. In the study ZA (100 µg/kg) was administered to 7 rabbits that were fed ad libitum for comparison with untreated controls. MDA was studied using Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance reduction, NO using cadmium reduction, GSH using an enzymatic method yielding dithinitrobenzene yellow substance. We observed significantly higher MDA and NO levels in the ZA group (P < .0001), whereas GSH levels were significantly lower (P < .0001). Tissues were examined histopathologically. According to our results we find ZA induced rabbit liver oxidative stress and decreases with antioxidant levels in liver tissue. Further studies are needed to explore the safe use of this agent.

Melatonin ameliorates tacrolimus (FK-506)'s induced immunosupressive effect in rat liver.

Tacrolimus (FK-506) is a powerful immunosuppressive agent that modulates neutrophil infiltration during inflammation. In this study, we sought to investigate the effects of melatonin on malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to oppose the negative effects of the immunosupressant FK-506. Group A was sham; group B, tacrolimus (1 mg/kg/d subcutaneously); and Group C received tacrolimus (1 mg/kg/d plus melatonin). All tissues underwent histopathologic examination. The MDA level in group B increased 53% compared with the sham group (P < .001); in group C, the MDA level decreased 16% compared with group B (P > .05). While TNF-alpha in group B increased 68.8% compared with the sham group (P < .001) and in group C it decreased 63.5% compared with the sham group. The IL-6 level in group B increased 81%; in group C, it decreased 13% compared with group B. NO levels in group B increased 48% compared with the sham group and increased by 15% in group B compared with group C. Thus melatonin may serve as a protective agent against the side effects of tacrolimus.

Effects of melatonin and acetylsalicylic acid against hepatic oxidative stress after bile duct ligation in rat.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of melatonin and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on hepatic damage induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to either sham operation or common BDL before treatment with ASA, melatonin or vehicle. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme activities and reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were evaluated. RESULTS: Our results have indicated that BDL caused a significant increase in lipid peroxidation whereas a statistically insignificant decrease in GSH level and some of the antioxidant enzyme activities. Both MEL and ASA administrations, either separately or together, decreased MDA whereas co-administration of MEL with ASA increased GSH levels in BDL rats. CONCLUSIONS: CAT activity and MEL level decreased in the liver tissues of rats with BDL after administration of either melatonin alone or with ASA. However, melatonin and ASA administration increases liver tissue GSH levels in BDL ligated rats

A nomogram for predicting the degree of breast augmentation according to implant size.

Choosing the right implant size for a specific patient is a challenging aspect of breast augmentation. Bust circumference is obtained by measuring the chest circumference at the level of the nipple-areola complex. Pre- and postoperative bust circumference measurements obtained from 147 patients who underwent primary bilateral breast augmentation using round, textured, gel-filled implants were evaluated, and a practical reference list for future operations was developed. According to the results, each additional 100 ml in implant size yielded an approximate 2-cm increase in bust circumference. The authors believe these results gathered from systematic measurements may serve as a useful guide for choosing the right size implant for a satisfactory augmentation procedure.

Changing of antioxidant enzyme activity on the biliary obstructed rats treated with resveratrol.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of antioxidant enzyme activity and nitric oxide levels induced by 28 day biliary obstruction in the rat. A total of 21 young Swiss albino rats were divided in to 3 groups. Bile duct ligations, bile duct ligations plus resveratrol, sham operated. Bile duct ligations plus resveratrol group received 10 mg/kg dose of resveratrol intraperitonealy once daily throughout for 28 days. Liver damage and cholestasis were determined by biochemical examination. SOD, CAT and GSH-PX activity decreased in BDL group compared with shame opareted groups (p < 0.001). NO levels increased in BDL groups compared with shame opareted groups (p < 0.001). SOD, CAT and GSH-PX activity was found higher in BDL+resveratrol treated groups than BDL groups (p < 0.001). In addition this NO levels decreased in BDL+resveratrol treated groups than BDL groups (p < 0.001). In conclusion, it is thought that resveratrol may be used as a protective agent in biliary obstructions; however, further clinical and experimental studies are needed to verify its antioxidative and hepatoprotective effects.

Clinical correlation between adenosine deaminase activity and pre-eclampsia severity.

This study evaluated the relationship between the activity of the inflammatory indicator adenosine deaminase (ADA) in placental tissue and maternal and fetal (umbilical cord) plasma and the severity of pre-eclampsia. Maternal and umbilical vein whole blood and placental tissue samples were collected from women with normal pregnancies (n = 33) and patients with mild (n = 12) or severe (n = 17) preeclampsia. ADA activity was measured spectrophotometrically. Significantly increased ADA activity was detected in maternal and fetal plasma, and placental tissue in patients with mild and severe pre-eclampsia compared with normal pregnancies; there were no significant differences between the mild and severe cases. The presence of increased ADA activity in pre-eclampsia is consistent with activation of the inflammatory system in this condition. The increased ADA activity was related to the presence of the disease but not the severity of clinical symptoms. Neonatal outcome did not significantly correlate with observed ADA activity.

Protective effects of resveratrol on spleen and ileum in rats subjected to ischemia-reperfusion.

Resveratrol is as an antioxidant with free radical-scavenging activity and finds its clinical application in the prevention of postischemic tissue injury following solid organ transplantation. This study investigates the effect of Resveratrol on spleen and ileum tissues subjected to hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Twenty-four rats were recruited in the study as follows: group A: I/R (n = 8), group B: I/R + Resveratrol (n = 8), and group C: sham operation (n = 8). After intraperitonealy pretreatment of eight rats with resveratrol (15 mg/kg/d) for 5 days, 16 rats were subjected to 45 minutes of hepatic ischemia followed by 30 minutes reperfusion period. Resveratrol was given 15 minutes prior to ischemia and just before the reperfusion in rats. After reperfusion period all rats were sacrificed. Spleen and ileum tissues were examined spectrophotometrically to measure malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and total nitrite, nitrate as an end product of nitric oxide (NO) levels. Concerning the spleen, statistically significant decrease of GSH and increase of MDA and NO levels were found group A when compared to groups B and C (P = .040, P = .004, and P = .001 group A vs group B; P = .05, P = .003, and P = .001 group A vs group C, respectively). Parallel results were obtained in ileum. A statistically significant decrease in GSH and an increase in MDA and NO levels in group A in respect to group B and group C was obtained (P = .048, P = .034, and P = .001 group A vs group B; P = .004, P = .001, and P = .003 group A vs group C, respectively). The result of this study shows that resveratrol has a protective effect on spleen and ileal mitochondrial oxidative stress in rats subjected to I/R.

Forehead lift: a combined approach using subperiosteal and subgaleal dissection planes.

The eyelid-eyebrow region is the center for facial expression. Youth and beauty are associated with smooth, wrinkle-free skin and proportional facial features. The position of the eyebrows conveys emotion, and consequently, even a minor change in brow position can alter the expression of an individual's face. Repositioning the eyebrows and reducing the prominence of the glabellar frown lines can change the expression from one of anger and hostility to one that is more pleasant and natural. Various methods have been used for rejuvenation of the upper face. The height or length of the forehead is a useful guide for choosing the appropriate technique. We performed the coronal browlift using the subgaleal dissection plane, with subperiosteal dissection of 2.5 cm of the periosteal band over the supraorbital rim. We believe that this technique provided us with the benefits of the two dissection planes, with a more permanent result.

Breast reconstruction with the internal mammary artery pedicled fasciocutaneous island flap: description of a new flap.

Postburn skin contracture of the inframammary sulcus is a commonly encountered problem, especially in pubescent girls. Release of these contractures is commonly performed by split-thickness skin grafts, which necessitate further operations as the child grows. If the contracture of the inframammary sulcus is only one-sided, then the inframammary tissues of the contralateral breast can be used for reconstruction with the fasciocutaneous island flap. The donor site can be closed primarily without disrupting the appearance of the healthy breast, and the skin incision is hidden in the inframammary sulcus. The flap described here is a fasciocutaneous island flap based on the internal mammary artery and the perforating branches to the skin and subcutaneous tissues that the artery gives off as it leaves the thoracic cavity through the seventh intercostal space. After being supported by fresh cadaver and angiographic studies, the flap was applied to seven female patients (four of whom were pubescent) with burn contracture of the breast; satisfactory results were obtained. In defects of the mammary region that required volume or for which repair by skin grafting was planned, in sternal defects, or in young patients, this flap seems to be the best choice.