Effects of a cyclic NSAID regimen on levels of gingival crevicular fluid prostaglandin E2and Interleukin-1ß: A 6-month randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for inflammation control and pain relief. However, while the adjunct use of NSAIDs is avoided for periodontal therapy because of related side effects, cyclic administration of NSAIDs may reduce or eliminate these effects. We evaluated the effect of a cyclic diclofenac potassium (DP) regimen on clinical parameters and levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of individuals with periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee (2000/071). Forty-one individuals with chronic periodontitis (33 men, 8 women) were divided into two groups (test and control) after initial periodontal therapy. During this 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, test (n = 28) and control (n = 13) groups were administered a cyclic regimen of DP (50 mg, twice daily) or placebo. Clinical measurements and GCF sample collections were made at baseline, 2, 4, and 6 months. GCF levels of PGE2and IL-1ß were determined using enzyme immunoassay and enzyme-linked immunoassay kits, respectively. RESULTS: At baseline, no significant differences existed between groups for plaque indices, gingival indices, bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD), or attachment levels (P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, cyclic regimen in the test group suppressed increased levels of PGE2found in GCF at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Significant differences for PD and relative attachment gain were also noted in favor of the test group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a cyclic regimen of DP may be efficacious in the management of chronic periodontitis in adults.

Mean platelet volume in patients with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome characterised by chronic widespread pain at multiple tender points, as well as joint stiffness and systemic symptoms. The aetiology and pathogenesis of fibromyalgia still remain unclear, although many contributory factors have been suggested. The presence of some common features between fibromyalgia and cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. depression and sleep disturbance) led to question of whether there is there a relationship between fibromyalgia and cardiovascular disease and/or atherosclerosis. Mean platelet volume, which is a determinant of platelet activation, is a newly emerging independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.The present study was designed to evaluate levels of mean platelet volume in patients with fibromyalgia; the study population consisted of 283 individuals with this syndrome, who were compared with 72 healthy controls. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, white blood cell count, platelet count and mean platelet volume levels were retrospectively recorded via the computerised patient database. The levels of mean platelet volume were significantly higher in the fibromyalgia group than in the control group (8.09 ± 0.84 fl and 7.73 ± 0.65 fl, respectively, p < 0.001). There were no statistical differences between groups with regard to platelet count and other parameters. These results suggest that an early atherosclerosis marker, mean platelet volume, is elevated in patients with fibromyalgia. This indicates increased platelet activation and therefore a higher risk of future cardiovascular disease.

The relationship among vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin A, progesterone and oestradiol 17-beta concentrations in plasma and cyst fluid of Holstein cows with ovarian cyst.

The aims of this study were to determine the concentrations of the progesterone, oestradiol-17-beta, vitamin A, C and beta-carotene in plasma and cyst fluid and to relate these values with cystic diameter and membrane thickness of Holstein cattle with ovarian luteal cyst. 1650 Holstein cows were examined for the presence of the ovarian cyst and luteal and follicular cystic ovaries were obtained following slaughtering in personal slaughterhouse in Konya-Turkey. 15 Luteal and 15 follicular cystic ovaries were distinguished by rectal palpation and by post mortem ultrasonographic examination. Plasma and cyst fluid, hormone and vitamin analyses were carried out by EIA method and spectrophotometric measurement respectively. Although there was no relationship between beta-carotene and vitamin A in plasma and cyst fluid of both cyst type and hormone concentrations, the vitamin C concentration of cyst fluid was found significantly higher in luteal cyst than in follicular cyst. Moreover, there is a positive correlation among values of the vitamin C concentrations of cyst fluid and cystic membrane thickness, plasma and the cyst fluid progesterone concentrations, but there is a negative correlation among the vitamin C concentrations of cystic fluid and oestradiol 17beta levels of plasma and cyst fluid. In conclusion, vitamin C concentration of cyst fluid supported ultrasonographic and endocrinologic findings. Also, it can be postulated that vitamin C is probably effective on progesterone synthesis in the luteal tissue of cyst.

Feeding diets supplemented with zinc and vitamin A in laying hens: effects on histopathological findings and tissue mineral contents.

The effects of different dietary levels of zinc and vitamin A on tissue mineral accumulation and histopathological alterations were examined in laying hens. For this purpose, 130 Hisex brown laying hens aged 56 weeks were divided into two main groups. Each group of hens were fed on diets supplemented with two different levels of vitamin A (0-10,000 IU kg(-1)). Then, laying hens in both of the main groups were subdivided into five treatment groups given different levels of zinc (0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg kg(-1)) for 12 weeks. Dietary additions of zinc and/or vitamin A did not significantly affect the zinc concentrations of the pancreas, liver, gizzard, thyroid, and copper concentrations of the pancreas, gizzard, and thyroid. The group fed the highest zinc (200 mg kg(-1)) in the diet had twofold iron concentration in their thyroid tissue compared to the concentration of the control group receiving no extra zinc. Histopathologically, there was slight oedema, degranulation, and vacuolation in exocrine cells and some fibrotic areas in the pancreas and reduced follicular size. Follicular cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia occurred in the thyroids, and gizzard erosions were seen in some cases.

Vitamin A and beta-carotene levels in plasma, corpus luteum and follicular fluid of cyclic and pregnant cattle.

This study was carried out to examine the relationship between the corpus luteum (CL) weight, CL and follicle diameters and progesterone, beta-carotene and vitamin A levels in reproductive organs of cattle obtained from the slaughterhouse. The beta-carotene and vitamin A levels were determined in plasma, CL and follicular fluid (FF) using a spectrophotometric method at different stages of the oestrous cycle (n=40) and at 3-6 months of pregnancy (n=10). The diameters of the CL and follicle were measured using ultrasonography. Plasma progesterone concentrations were determined by an enzyme immunoassay method. The vitamin A levels of the plasma, CL and FF were not related to each other. The highest plasma vitamin A levels were observed in the proestrus and oestrus, at which periods follicular activity dominates. The vitamin A levels in the CL and FF were negatively related to the weight and diameter of the CL and the diameter of follicle, respectively. In contrast to vitamin A, beta-carotene concentrations of plasma, CL and FF were significantly correlated with each other. The highest beta-carotene levels in the plasma, CL and FF were found during pregnancy when there is maximal luteal function, and the beta-carotene level of the CL was significantly correlated with the weight and diameter of CL. Furthermore, the intrafollicular beta-carotene level was negatively correlated with the follicle diameter. There was a positive correlation between plasma progesterone level and the weight and diameter of the CL, but a negative correlation between plasma progesterone level and follicle diameter. Moreover, plasma, FF and CL beta-carotene levels were positively correlated with plasma progesterone levels. This study revealed that beta-carotene levels in the plasma, CL and FF were influenced by the stage of the oestrous cycle or the pregnancy and were related to bovine luteal function without depending on vitamin A.

Interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels in periapical exudates.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels in periapical exudates and to evaluate their relationship with clinical and radiological findings. METHODOLOGY: Periapical exudates were collected from root canals of 35 single-rooted teeth using absorbent paper points. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The samples were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of clinical signs including swelling and/or fistula, pain on palpation and/or percussion, and pus discharge from canals. Periapical exudate samples were divided into two groups according to size of periapical radiolucent area. RESULTS: The mean concentration of IL-1beta (72.79 ng mL-1) in periapical exudates was approximately 12-fold higher than TNF-alpha(6.17 ng mL-1). There was no significant correlation between these cytokines (P > 0.05). IL-1beta levels in canals with larger radiolucent areas (long axis > or =1 cm) were significantly higher than those with small areas (P < 0.05). There was a tendency toward higher levels of IL-1beta in groups with clinical signs, but the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Periapical exudate levels of both cytokines failed to reflect periapical disease state.

Effects of zinc and vitamin A supplements on plasma levels of thyroid hormones, cholesterol, glucose and egg yolk cholesterol of laying hens.

The effects of zinc and vitamin A supplementation to the diet on some blood metabolites were evaluated in Hisex brown laying hens from 56 weeks to 68 weeks of age. A total of 130 birds were divided into two main groups according to vitamin A treatment (0 and 3.44 mg retinyl acetate kg(-1) feed, respectively), each consisting of 65 hens. Hens in both of the main groups were then divided into five zinc treatment groups (0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg zinc kg diet(-1) respectively) of 13 hens each. It was observed that plasma T4, T3 and total cholesterol levels were affected by only zinc supplementation. While 100 and 200 mg Zn kg(-1) decreased plasma T4 level compared to control value, plasma T3 level was reduced by 100 mg Zn kg(-1) compared to groups fed less Zn. Adding 50 and 200 mg Zn kg(-1) to the diet increased plasma total cholesterol level in the birds compared to other groups. Vitamin A, zinc, and their interaction did not influence the concentration of plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, glucose and egg yolk cholesterol in laying hens.