Serum myeloperoxidase levels in predicting the severity of stroke and mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) measured before specific treatment in patients presenting to the Emergency Department with acute ischemic stroke and its correlation to mortality and the severity of the stroke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 55 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of ischemic stroke, and on 44 healthy control group. Before specific intervention, serum samples were taken to measure levels of MPO. The medical records, demographic, clinical, laboratory and neuro-imaging data were noted.  The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale was used to determine the severity of the stroke. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients, of whom 32 (58.2%) were male, who had presented within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms of acute ischemic stroke were included in the study. Fifteen of these patients (27.2%), of whom five were women, died. There was a statistically significant difference in the serum MPO levels of patients who survived and those who died. When the patients were grouped as high or normal in terms of plasma MPO levels, a significant correlation was found between MPO level, cortical + subcortical stroke location and strokes with a lesion diameter of more than 4 cm. In the high MPO group, Troponin T and CRP levels were significantly higher than those of the normal MPO group. CONCLUSIONS: The level of myeloperoxidase in the serum of acute ischemic stroke patients rises and there is a correlation between myeloperoxidase level and prognosis.

Total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index in the men exposed to 1.5 T static magnetic field.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a high-strength magnetic field produced by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus on oxidative stress. The effects of a 1.5 T static magnetic field on the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in male subjects were investigated. In this study, 33 male volunteers were exposed to a 1.5 T static magnetic field for a short time and the TAC, TOS and OSI of each subject were determined. Magnetic field exposure was provided using a magnetic resonance apparatus; radiofrequency was not applied. Blood samples were taken from subjects and TAC, TOS and OSI values were measured using the methods of Erel. TAC showed a significant increase in post-exposures compared to pre-exposures to the magnetic field (p < 0.05). OSI and TOS showed a significant decrease in post-exposures compared to pre-exposures to a 1.5 T magnetic field (for each of two, p < 0.01). The 1.5 T static magnetic field used in the MRI apparatus did not yield a negative effect; on the contrary, it produced the positive effect of decreasing oxidative stress in men following short-term exposure.

Effects of seasonal and physiological variations on the serum chemistry, vitamins and thyroid hormone concentrations in sheep.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of the reproductive status and seasonal variations on the serum chemistry and vitamin status and their relationships with the thyroid hormones in Sakiz-Awassi crossbreed sheep. The sheep (n = 34) were divided into two groups. The first group (n = 22) was mated; the second group (n = 12) was not mated. Their serum samples were collected four times a year at the each season and under reproductive status. The periods are 1, early pregnancy (October); 2, late pregnancy (January); 3, lactation (April); and 4, dry season (July). The results of this study indicated that (1) total protein (TP), globulin, cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid and T4/T3 vary with reproductive status but not seasonal variations; (2) alanine aminotransferase, T4, fT4 concentrations in serum vary only with reproductive status; (3) the urea, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, amylase, albumin, triglyceride, VLDL, Vit A-E, T3 and fT3 concentration could vary with both reproductive status and seasonal variations; (4) the glucose, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, folate concentrations were altered neither season of the year nor the reproductive status; (5) a single reference interval for folate, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), glucose, TP, globulin, cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid and T4/T3 can be used for both mated and non-mated sheep because of no differences were found due to the reproductive status. Taking the results together suggests that reproductive status and seasonal variations have to be taken into consideration for a correct interpretation of the serum chemistry values of sheep. Nutritional supplements are required for sheep during certain periods to avoid a decline of their performance, which would then represent consequent economic, loses.

Significance of changes in lipid peroxides and antioxidant enzyme activities in pregnant women with preeclampsia and eclampsia.

This review addresses the general hypothesis that the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and eclampsia are related to an imbalance of increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation coupled with a deficiency of antioxidant protection. Accordingly, this study was initiated to assess total antioxidant status and free-radical activity in preeclampsia and eclampsia. The patients studied were 44 healthy pregnant women and 45 women with hypertension classified as having preeclampsia (n=27), and eclampsia (n=18). The serum levels of lipid peroxide were significantly increased (p<0.0001) and antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels) in erythrocytes were significantly decreased (p<0.0001) in women with preeclampsia and eclampsia compared with the controls. The groups of preeclampsia and eclampsia had similar values of catalase activities as the controls (p>0.05). There were no correlations between serum levels of lipid peroxide and antioxidant enzyme activities or systolic-diastolic blood pressure of pregnant women with preeclampsia and eclampsia. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, the serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels of preeclamptic and eclamptic women were high, whereas haemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit (Htc) and platelet levels were lower than those of the control subjects (p<0.0001). There were no differences in mean gestational week, whereas the mean age of eclamptic women was lower than that of the other two groups (p<0.001). The serum levels of Alanine-transaminase (ALT) and urea in eclamptic women were significantly higher compared with the other two groups (p<0.0001), whereas creatinine levels were lower than those of the other two groups (p<0.05). Our findings give support to those few studies considering lipid peroxidation as an important factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Further studies are needed to clarify the relations between lipid peroxidation and antioxidative function and their pathophysiological significance in preeclampsia and eclampsia.