Investigation of oxidative stress in patients with alopecia areata and its relationship with disease severity, duration, recurrence and pattern.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes hair loss on the scalp or trunk without scarring. Although the precise aetiopathogenesis of alopecia areata remains unknown, oxidative stress is thought to play a role. AIM: To investigate the relationship between severity and the role of oxidative stress in AA, by measuring plasma oxidant levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in erythrocytes. METHODS: In total, 62 patients with AA (24 males and 38 females), and 62 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in the study. We investigated the levels of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of erythrocyte catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). The relationship between oxidative stress and AA was also investigated with regard to disease pattern, severity, duration and recurrence. RESULTS: The mean erythrocyte GSH-Px and SOD activities were significantly reduced (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001 respectively) compared with the control group. Plasma MDA levels were increased but statistically insignificant (P = 0.08) in patients with AA compared with controls. No significant difference between erythrocyte CAT activities was observed between patients and controls (P = 0.2). In addition, we observed no statistically significant difference in patient plasma MDA levels or erythrocyte CAT, GSH-Px or SOD activities with regard to AA severity, duration, recurrence or pattern (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with AA displayed reduced erythrocyte SOD and GSH-Px activities and enhanced plasma MDA levels. These findings support the possible role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of AA.

Electron microscopic examination of effects of bogma raki and walnut on cochlea: an experimental study.

Illegal alcohol beverages known as bogma raki in our country are consumed widely in our region. The studies investigating the relationship between alcohol consumption and hearing ability report different results. In this study, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of bogma raki that contains neurotoxic substances on cochlea by electron microscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first in the literature. A total of 48 Wistar male albino rats (aged 12-16 weeks and weighing 200-240 g) were used in the study. The rats were divided into 4 groups with 12 animals in each group. The groups include control, bogma raki, walnut, and walnut + bogma raki groups. Bogma raki (30% v/v, 9.2 ml kg(-1) day(-1)) is added to drinking water of rats in bogma raki group (n = 12) for 4 weeks. Walnut group rats (n = 12) are fed with standard rat food and walnut without limitation (10 g kg(-1) day(-1)). Bogma raki + walnut group rats (n = 12) are fed with standard rat food and walnut and bogma raki is added to drinking water. The cochleas were dissected and removed en bloc and examined by electron microscopy. Perineuronal oedema around neurons of spiral ganglion and hairy cells of organ of Corti were present in the bogma raki group, walnut group and bogma raki + walnut group under electron microscopic examination. Comparing these three groups, there were no differences in the ultrastructural pathological changes. In the ultrastructural examination of the myelinated axons forming cochlear nerve, no ultrastructural pathology was detected in all the groups.

Patients with psoriasis have an increased amount of epicardial fat tissue.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is associated with coronary artery disease, and ischemic heart disease is associated with increased amounts of epicardial fat tissue (EFT). There has as yet been no study published on the accumulation of EFT in patients with psoriasis. AIM: To compare epicardial fat accumulation and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) in patients with psoriasis and controls. METHODS: We enrolled 38 patients with psoriasis and 38 controls matched for age and gender. Epicardial fat area (EFA) and CACS were evaluated by multidetector computed tomography. RESULTS: Mean EFA in patients with psoriasis was significantly higher than in controls (13.8 ± 8.4 vs. 9.7 ± 6.4 cm(2) , respectively, P = 0.02), but mean CACS did not differ significantly between the two groups (55.2 ± 65.4 vs. 27.8 ± 29.3; P > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that EFA was significantly associated with waist circumference and presence of coronary artery calcification in both patients and controls, whereas EFA was significantly associated waist circumference and age in patients only (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with psoriasis had a higher level of EFA compared with controls, and EFA was independently associated with the presence of CAC in all study subjects.

Ala-9Val polymorphism of Mn-SOD gene in sickle cell anemia.

Oxidative stress may be contributory to the pathophysiology of the abnormalities that underlie the clinical course of sickle cell anemia. We looked for a possible genetic association between the functional polymorphism Ala-9Val in the human Mn-SOD gene and sickle cell anemia. One hundred and twenty-seven patients with sickle cell anemia and 127 healthy controls were recruited into the study. Alanine versus valine polymorphism in the signal peptide of the Mn-SOD gene was evaluated using a primer pair to amplify a 107-bp fragment followed by digestion with the restriction enzyme NgoMIV. In the sickle cell anemia patients, the frequency of Val/Val genotype was approximately 1.4-fold lower and that of Ala/Val was 1.3-fold higher compared to the controls. No significant difference in genotype frequencies was found between patients and controls (χ(2) = 4.561, d.f. = 2, P = 0.101). The Val-9 was the most common allele in patient and healthy subjects. No significant difference in allele frequencies was found between patients and controls (χ(2) = 1.496, d.f. = 1, P = 0.221). We conclude that the Mn-SOD gene polymorphism is not associated with sickle cell anemia.

Direct and indirect effects of kisspeptin on liver oxidant and antioxidant systems in young male rats.

Kisspeptin is a recently discovered hypothalamic peptide which plays an important role in the central control of reproductive functions. We have investigated direct and indirect effects of kisspeptin on the liver oxidative stress in young male rats. Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups (n = 6/group). First group served as control and received saline. Kisspeptin-10 was administered to the animals in the second group (20 nmol/rat/day), for a period of 7 days. Rats were given only one dose gosereline (0.9 mg/rat), a GnRH agonist in the third group. The last group received kisspeptin-10 with gosereline. The activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), xanthine oxidase (XO), adenosine deaminase (AD) and level of malondialdehyde were studied in liver tissue. Serum samples were separated for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), colesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride. Kisspeptin increased the activities of SOD and catalase (p < 0.05). When compared to the control group, the levels of malondialdehyde, TOS and AST were lower, but levels of BUN, cholesterole, HDL and AD were higher in the other three groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest that kisspeptin may have antioxidant and thus protective effects on the liver tissue.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor in patients with vitiligo and relationship between duration and clinical type of disease.

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a disorder of pigmentation characterized by the presence of depigmented skin macules. Cellular immunity is known to have a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a potent activator of macrophages and is considered to play an important role in cell-mediated immunity. AIMS: To determine serum level of MIF in patients with vitiligo and compare with healthy controls. We also aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between MIF levels and the disease duration, clinical vitiligo and involved body surface area (BSA) in patients with vitiligo. METHODS: The study group comprised 30 patients with vitiligo (14 men, 16 women) and 30 healthy controls, matched for age and gender. Blood samples were taken for MIF analysis. RESULTS: The mean serum level of MIF in patients with vitiligo (40.83 +/- 31.66 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that of the control group (21.00 +/- 6.48 pg/mL) (P = 0.002). There was a positive correlation between disease duration and MIF levels (r = 0.601, P < 0.001). Mean MIF level of patients with acral and acrofacial vitiligo (n = 6) was 48.25 +/- 32.02 pg/mL, and of patients generalized vitiligo (n = 18) was 44.46 +/- 35.25 pg/mL. There was no significant difference between these two groups (P > 0.05). However there was a significant difference in MIF levels between patients with localized (20.41 +/- 5.23, n = 5) and acral-acrofacial (P = 0.02) vitiligo and those with generalized (P = 0.006) vitiligo. There was no relationship between BSA and MIF levels. CONCLUSIONS: Mean serum MIF level of patients with vitiligo was higher than that of controls, indicating that MIF has a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on iron-induced liver damage in rats

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Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural product with potent anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant activities, and attenuates inflammation and lipid peroxidation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAPE on iron-induced liver damage. Rats were divided into four groups and treated for 7 days with saline (control group), 10 µmol kg CAPE/day s.c. (CAPE group), 50 mg iron-dextran/kg i.p. (IRON group) and CAPE and iron at the same time (IRON+CAPE group). Seven days later, rats were killed and the livers were excised for biochemical analysis. The administration of IRON alone resulted in higher myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and lipid peroxidation than in the control and CAPE treatment prevented the increase in MPO activity and malondialdeyde (MDA) level. No differences were observed in all four groups with regards to superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities. Our results collectively suggest that CAPE may be an available agent to protect the liver from injury via inhibition of MPO activity (AU)

Effects of letrozole on bone biomarkers and femur fracture in female rats

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We aimed to investigate the effects of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole on femur fracture and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium and phosphate in female rats. Intact 32 Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into four groups (n=8): control, letrozole 0.2 , letrozole 1 (treatment of 0.2 and 1 mg/kg for six weeks) and recovery (letrozole-treated 1 mg/kg for six weeks then allowed to recover for two weeks). Besides, 24 ovariectomized rats were divided into three groups (n=8): ovariectomized+control, ovariectomized+letrozole and ovariectomized+letrozole+ estradiol (10 ìg/rat). After experimental period, rats’ femur bones were removed for biomechanical studies following decapitation. Serum ALP, calcium and phosphate were measured. Biomechanical values, ALP and phosphate significantly increased by letrozole in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05) while calcium levels and net bone area decreased (p<0.05). Ultimate strength was positively correlated with ALP and phosphate and negatively correlated with calcium. The results indicate that letrozole may increase risk of bone fracture and affect bone biomarkers such as ALP, calcium and phosphate in both intact and ovariectomized rats (AU)

Protective effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on iron-induced liver damage in rats.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural product with potent anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant activities, and attenuates inflammation and lipid peroxidation. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAPE on iron-induced liver damage. Rats were divided into four groups and treated for 7 days with saline (control group), 10 micromol kg CAPE/day s.c. (CAPE group), 50 mg iron-dextran/kg i.p. (IRON group) and CAPE and iron at the same time (IRON+CAPE group). Seven days later, rats were killed and the livers were excised for biochemical analysis. The administration of IRON alone resulted in higher myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and lipid peroxidation than in the control and CAPE treatment prevented the increase in MPO activity and malondialdeyde (MDA) level. No differences were observed in all four groups with regards to superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) activities. Our results collectively suggest that CAPE may be an available agent to protect the liver from injury via inhibition of MPO activity.

Effects of letrozole on bone biomarkers and femur fracture in female rats.

We aimed to investigate the effects of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole on femur fracture and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium and phosphate in female rats. Intact 32 Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into four groups (n=8): control, letrozole 0.2 , letrozole 1 (treatment of 0.2 and 1 mg/kg for six weeks) and recovery (letrozole-treated 1 mg/kg for six weeks then allowed to recover for two weeks). Besides, 24 ovariectomized rats were divided into three groups (n=8): ovariectomized+control, ovariectomized+letrozole and ovariectomized+letrozole+ estradiol (10 microg/rat). After experimental period, rats' femur bones were removed for biomechanical studies following decapitation. Serum ALP, calcium and phosphate were measured. Biomechanical values, ALP and phosphate significantly increased by letrozole in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05) while calcium levels and net bone area decreased (p<0.05). Ultimate strength was positively correlated with ALP and phosphate and negatively correlated with calcium. The results indicate that letrozole may increase risk of bone fracture and affect bone biomarkers such as ALP, calcium and phosphate in both intact and ovariectomized rats.

Performance and ileal histomorphology of rats treated with humic acid preparations.

As humic acid (HA) substances have antiphlogistic, adsorptive, antitoxic and antimicrobial properties, we studied the possible effects of Farmagülatör, an organic HA preparation, on the rat performance, nutrient retention, ileal histomorphology and hydroxyproline (HP) content of the ileum in two experiments. In experiment 1, 48 male Wistar albino rats were allotted to three dietary treatments. Each was randomly assigned to four cages, each with four rats. The treatments consisted of a control diet (C) with no addition of Farmagülator Dry or Liquid, a treatment with addition of 2.5 g/kg Farmagülator Dry (FDry) and a control diet containing no FDry, but the rats had 3.5 ml/l Farmagülator Liquid in drinking water (FLiquid). The experiment lasted for 20 days. Changes in live weight were recorded at days 10 and 20 of the experiment. At the end of 20 days, all rats were killed to collect samples of intestinal tissues for the measurements of histological parameters. In experiment 2, 30 rats weaned at 21 days of age were divided into three groups, each with 10 rats, and individually caged in metabolism cages for 10 days. The above three treatments were randomly assigned to rats for 10 days to record body weight and feed intake. During the last 5 days, faecal outputs were collected to determine the dry matter and nitrogen retention. In experiment 1, FDry and FLiquid rats significantly (p<0.05) gained more live weight than the control rats. Improved weight gain with HA preparations was found to be highly associated with a high epithelial surface area as there were significantly (p<0.05) longer villi heights and crypt depths and increased HP contents of ileum in the HA treated rats compared with the control rats. Although the increased weight gain in FLiquid rats did not significantly (p>0.05) differ from the control rats in experiment 2 in contrast to the result in experiment 1, the FDry rats significantly (p < 0.05) gained more weight than the control rats. This was primarily found to be associated with significantly (p<0.05) increased feed intake and nitrogen retention in FDry rats compared with the control rats. It can be concluded that HA preparations, especially FDry, caused increased weight gain in rats as overall of two experiments. The improved weight gain only by FDry preparation was associated with increased ileal epithelial mass, increased feed intake, improved feed : gain ratio and increased nitrogen retention in rats.