Diversity of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in Southern Turkey.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) are a family of inhibitory and activating receptors expressed by natural killer (NK) cells and regulate NK cells' activity. KIR genes are highly polymorphic markers, characterized by a wide diversity, and can therefore be considered as good population genetic markers. The aim of this study was to determine KIR gene frequencies, ratios of haplotypes and genotypes in Southern Turkey and also to compare the data with other worldwide populations studied previously. The study group consisted of 200 non-related individuals from Southern Turkey. The percentage of each KIR gene in the population group was determined by direct counting. Differences between populations in the distribution of each KIR gene and genotype profile were estimated by two-tailed Fisher Exact test. The most frequent non-framework KIR genes detected in Southern Turkey population were: KIR 2DL1 (97%), KIR 3DL1 (91%), KIR 2DS4 (92%) and the pseudogene 2DP1 (96%). Fourty different genotypes were found in 200 subjects and AA1 genotype was the most frequent (27%). Among 40 different genotypes, ten of these were described for the first time in this study and were added to the database ( http://www.allelefrequencies.net ) numerized as genotype ID from 400 to 409. Gene frequencies and found genotypes demonstrated similarity of Southern Turkey's KIR repertoire with the KIR repertoires of Middle East and European population. High variability seen in KIR genome in this region is thought to be formed as a result of migration and settlement of different civilizations in this region and heterogenity formed in time.

Role of neopterin, C-reactive protein and myeloperoxidase in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of neopterin (NP), C-reactive protein (CRP) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with or without cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients submitted for elective coronary artery bypass grafting were included in this prospective study. Patients were divided into two groups of 20 individuals, those who did not undergo CPB (group 1), aged 54.1 ± 13.5 years, and those who did (group 2), aged 60.2 ± 11.7 years. In group 1, there were 17 males and 3 females, while in group 2, there were 16 males and 4 females. Serum CRP, serum and urine NP and leukocyte MPO activity were measured preoperatively, at the end of surgery, and 4, 24 and 72 h after surgery using high-performance liquid chromatography, immunoturbidimetry and the reduction in o-dianizidine, respectively. RESULTS: The level of serum NP was higher preoperatively and at the end of surgery (0 h), 4, 24, and 72 h after the operation in those who underwent CPB compared to those who did not. However, there was no significant difference in NP concentrations between the two groups at any time except 24 h after surgery (p = 0.002). Urine NP concentrations showed similar values preoperatively but increased postoperatively in both groups of patients. The only significant difference in urine NP concentration between the two groups occurred at 0 and 24 h after surgery (p = 0.001, p = 0.000). Serum CRP concentrations showed similar values preoperatively, at the end of surgery and 72 h after the operation and increased at 4 and 24 h postoperatively in both groups. The only significant difference in CRP concentration between the two groups occurred 4 and 24 h after surgery (p = 0.024 and p = 0.000, respectively). MPO levels were found to be increased in the CPB patients when compared to those patients who did not undergo CPB. However, the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our data show that CPB induced a rise in NP and CRP levels.

Genetic polymorphism of VEGF-1154 (A/G) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis has been shown to be increased in various human tumors including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is thought to be one of the most important angiogenic factors in tumorigenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether polymorphism of VEGF-1154 (A/G) genotypes are associated with the risk of laryngeal SCC. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, case-control study in a tertiary university hospital was done. The study group consisted of 57 Caucasian patients with laryngeal SCC and 89 control subjects. Blood samples were obtained before surgery or from the patients under follow-up to 5 years after surgery. VEGF-1154 (A/G) genotypes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction with thermal cycler system. RESULTS: According to the high-risk (GG) genotype, the difference between the patient and control groups was statistically significant (OR 0.43, 95% CI=0.19-0.95, p=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: GG genotype of the VEGF gene may increase the risk of laryngeal SCC in this population. VEGF gene polymorphism may be an important potential genetic and therapeutic marker of laryngeal SCC.

Are glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphisms linked to neonatal jaundice?

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are a major group of phase II detoxification enzymes involved in the metabolism of both endogenous and xenobiotic compounds. In addition to their catalytic function in detoxification, GSTs participate in binding to nonsubstrate ligands such as bilirubin. Ligandin, which is one of the principal hepatic-binding proteins, is also a member of the GST family. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible relationship between neonatal jaundice and the GST gene polymorphisms. The study cohort consisted of a patient group of 116 newborns (plasma bilirubin levels > or = 15 mg/dl) and a control group of 54 newborns (plasma bilirubin levels <13 mg/dl). In the patient group, the null genotype frequencies in GSTM1 and GSTT1 were 52.6 and 19%, respectively; in the control group, these were 63 and 27.8%, respectively. The frequencies of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were similar in the patient and control groups (p > 0.05). Total bilirubin levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with the GSTM1 null genotype than in patients with the GSTM1 wild genotype (p = 0.042). There was no statistically significant difference in total bilirubin levels between patients with the null GSTT1 genotype and those with the wild GSTT1 genotype. It is conceivable that there is a relation between GSTM1 gene polymorphism and total bilirubin levels in neonatal jaundice. We suggest that GSTM1 gene polymorphisms may affect ligandin functions in hepatocytes, which are important in bilirubin transportation. Consequently, patients with the GSTM1 null genotype may have higher total levels of bilirubin.

The association between N-acetyltransferase 2 gene polymorphisms and pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer has been linked with exposure to environmental chemicals, which generally require metabolic activation to highly reactive toxic or carcinogenic intermediates. N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) are expressed primarily in extrahepatic and hepatic tissues, respectively. Both enzymes catalyze N- and O-acetylation of aromatic and heterocyclic amines. It is believed that these compounds are activated via O-acetylation and detoxified by N-acetylation. Several polymorphisms of these two genes have been associated with an increased risk of cancer. Twenty-seven cases of pancreatic cancer and 104 controls were included in this study. Blood was collected in EDTA-containing tubes, and genomic DNA was extracted from the white blood cells by using a high pure PCR template preparation kit. Genotyping of NAT2 polymorphisms was detected by a real time PCR instrument. There was a significant difference in the distribution of the NAT2*6A acetylators phenotype between cases and the controls. The odds ratio of pancreatic cancer for the NAT2*6A slow phenotype was 5.7 (95% CI = 1.27-25.55; p = 0.023) compared with the fast type. Our results suggest that slow acetylators have higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer than fast acetylators. NAT2 gene polymorphisms may be associated with genetic susceptibility to pancreatic cancer.

Factor VLeiden and prothrombin G20210A gene polymorphisms in patients with coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE: The precise molecular mechanisms culminating in coronary artery disease (CAD) are not well understood, despite a wealth of knowledge on predisposing risk factors and pathomechanisms. CAD and myocardial infarction (MI) are complex genetic diseases; neither the environment alone, nor a single gene, cause disease, rather, a mix of environmental and genetic factors lead to atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, our aim was to investigate the roles of prothrombin G20210A mutation and Factor VLeiden mutation in atherosclerotic coronary artery disease. 287 subjects (106 control subjects, who were angiographically normal, and 181 angiographically documented coronary atherosclerotic patients who exhibited coronary artery narrowing to a degree of >or=50%) were included in this study. The mutations were assessed with LightCycler Real-Time PCR mutation detection kits (Roche Diagnostics, GmbH, Germany). RESULTS: 6.6% of control subjects, and 6.1% of patients with (50% coronary artery narrowing were determined to have the Factor VLeiden heterozygote mutation. 6.6% of control subjects had the Prothrombin G20210A heterozygote mutation, while 7.7% of patients with (50% coronary artery narrowing had this mutation. The OR for Factor VLeiden was 1.52 (CI: 0.240-9.602) and for Prothrombin G20210A mutation, the OR was 1.415 (CI: 0.287-6.962). CONCLUSION: Although both the heterozygote Factor VLeiden and Prothrombin gene mutations were more frequent in patients with CAD than in control subjects, there was no statistical relationship found to exist between coronary artery disease and the Factor VLeiden and Prothrombin G20210A mutations.

The role of CYP2C9 gene polymorphisms on anticoagulant therapy after heart valve replacement.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of CYP2C9 gene polymorphisms after heart valve replacement in a group of patients on warfarin therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 74 patients with heart valve replacement. Peripheral blood was collected into evacuated tubes containing EDTA, and DNA was extracted from circulating leukocytes by using a high pure PCR template preparation kit. CYP2C9*2, CYP2C9*3 alleles were detected by using real-time PCR. RESULTS: The patients with CYP2C9*1/*3 and CYP2C9*2/*3 genotypes were taking 28.21 and 24.47 mg, respectively, as mean weekly warfarin dose, whereas patients with CYP2C9*1/*1 genotype were taking 33.90 mg. CONCLUSION: The data show that patients with CYP2C9*1/*3 and CYP2C9*2/*3 genotypes needed a lower maintenance dose of warfarin than patients with CYP2C9*1/*1 wild-type genotype.

Effects of peripheral nerve ischemia-reperfusion model on serum cytokine levels.

AIM: Although the neuropathology of ischemic nerve fiber degeneration is relatively well known, its pathogenesis is poorly understood. Local cytokines, which have neuroprotective effects on inflammation and repair, participate in the process by undefined mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the sciatic nerve of the rat and investigated the probable effects of cytokines on this period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the current study, ischemia and reperfusion injury of sciatic nerve was rendered by clamping the femoral artery and vein of the rat for three hours and was followed by varying durations of reperfusion. Activin A, TGF Beta1 and TGF, Beta2 levels were measured in serum samples. RESULTS: TGF Beta1 and Activin A were found to be increased in the ischemic groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). A significant difference was found between the experimental groups after reperfusion (p < 0.05). There was no statistical significance for TGF Beta2 levels between the study groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ischemia causes some important changes in biochemical parameters, and nerve injury continues for a while according to the reperfusion time. Ischemia-reperfusion injury of peripheral nerves caused by various reasons therefore affects the levels of cytokines.

Substance Abuse Profiles of Patients Admitted to the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Research, Treatment, and Education Center in Turkey.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the substance abuse profiles of patients treated a Drug Addiction Research, Treatment, and Education Center (AMATEM) in association with the percentage of substance use distribution and multiple substance use in their urine samples. For this, we retrospectively evaluated the urine sample analysis reports of 600 male and female patients aged 13 to 65 years who were treated at the AMATEM unit of Istanbul Neuropsychiatry Hospital between January 1st, 2015, and December 12th, 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The urine samples were sent to Üsküdar University Advanced Toxicology Analysis Laboratory and were analyzed using a UPLC tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS). To determine the substance use profiles of the patients applying to AMATEM, statistical assessment was performed on the analysis reports of the patients. RESULTS: When the analysis reports of the 600 urine samples were examined, 293 patients were identified to have used addictive substances. The substances most frequently detected in the urine samples were respectively: cannabis, alcohol, morphine, cocaine, synthetic cannabinoids, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and amphetamine. CONCLUSION: The findings in our study resemble the rates of cannabis use by the young population throughout the world. Our results show differences to the literature regarding the consumption of synthetic cannabinoids because the variety of synthetic cannabinoids change rapidly around the world each year.

Relationship between N-acetyl transferase-2 gene polymorphism and risk of bronchial asthma.

There are still uncertainties as to the mechanism of many pathological conditions, among them allergic diseases. It has been suggest that acetylation rate may be a factor that influences the development of allergic diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate further whether the genetic polymorphism of the NAT2 plays a role in susceptibility to bronchial asthma disease. Ninety-seven patients with bronchial asthma (atopic n= 62; non-atopic n= 35) and 104 healthy individuals were participated in this study. DNA was extracted from the leucocyte by high pure template preparation kit. NAT2*5A, NAT2*6A, NAT2*7A/B and NAT2*14A polymorphisms of NAT2 were detected by using LightCycler-NAT2 mutation detection kit by real time PCR with LightCycler instrument. We found that mutant NAT2*5A (OR= 3.84, 95% CI= 1.08-13.6) and NAT2*6A (OR= 5.27, 95% CI= 1.06-26.05) genotype could be associated with a high risk for the development of bronchial asthma according to the genotype. After grouping phenotype, the risk for bronchial asthma was more than two times higher (OR= 2.7, 95% CI= 1.07-6.97) in individuals with the slow NAT2*5A acetylator phenotype compared to the fast phenotype. Our study suggests that the NAT2 slow acetylators may be a determinant in susceptibility to asthma disease. This finding may have implications for the theories for the pathogenesis of the disease as well as for therapeutic aspects.

Is GST gene polymorphism a risk factor in developing exfoliation syndrome?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the distribution of GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms in exfoliation syndrome (XFS) and the possible associations between the presence of exfoliation syndrome and glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene polymorphisms. METHODS: Using a real-time polymerase chain reaction, GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms were detected in 60 patients with exfoliation syndrome, among which 71.7% had exfoliative glaucoma (43 patients), 16.7% had XFS with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) (10 patients), and 11.7% had XFS only (7 cases), and in 65 otherwise healthy control group of similar age. RESULTS: Although the exfoliation syndrome group presented a higher prevalence of the GSTM1 null and GSTP1 Ile/Val genotypes than the control group, this increase was not statistically significant. GSTT1 null and GSTP1 Val/Val polymorphisms were also not different among groups. The risk of exfoliation syndrome was not increased as the number of putative high-risk genotypes increase (p = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS: GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms were not different among exfoliation syndrome patients, with or without glaucoma, and the controls therefore GSTM1, GSTP1, and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms did not seem to be associated with the risk of development of exfoliation syndrome.

Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on endotoxin-induced uveitis in rats.

PURPOSE: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and carcinostatic properties. In this study, the efficacy of CAPE in endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) in rats is investigated. METHODS: EIU was induced by a footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the treatment group, 10 micromol/kg CAPE was injected intraperitoneally immediately after LPS injection. At 24 hr after LPS injection, the number of infiltrating cells, protein concentration, and levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in aqueous humor; malondialdehyde (MDA), MPO, and total antioxidant levels in serum were determined. Eyes were enucleated for histopathologic evaluation, and, counting inflammatory cells in iris-ciliary body (ICB), the efficacy of treatment was determined. RESULTS: CAPE significantly suppressed LPS-induced increase in the number of inflammatory cells (p = 0.0001), protein concentration (p = 0.0001), and MPO levels (p = 0.0001) in aqueous humor as well as MDA (p = 0.001) and MPO (p = 0.0001) levels in serum. Histopathologic evaluation of ICB showed significant reduction in the inflammatory cell counts in the treatment group (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: CAPE was found efficient in suppressing inflammation and ocular tissue damage induced by LPS in rats.

N-acetyltransferase 2 phenotype may be associated with susceptibility to age-related cataract.

Free radicals and oxidative damage play roles in aging and age-related ocular diseases such as cataracts, so defensive mechanisms become important factors for protection. Because N-acetylation is involved in a wide variety of detoxification processes, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between the acetylator phenotypes and genotypes in a group of patients with age-related cataract. Sixty-one cases of age-related cataract and 104 controls were included in this study. Blood was collected in EDTA-containing tubes, and genomic DNA was extracted from the white blood cells by high pure PCR template preparation kit. Genotyping of NAT2 polymorphisms were detected by using a LightCycler-NAT2 mutation detection kit in real-time PCR. There was a significant difference in the distribution of the NAT2*6A acetylator phenotype between cases and the controls. The odds ratio of cataract for the NAT2*6A slow phenotype was 3.8 (95% CI = 1.08 to 13.11, p = 0.032) compared with the fast type. Our results suggest that slow acetylators are at higher risk of developing age-related cataracts than fast acetylators. As NAT2 is an important xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme and theoretically xenobiotics such as ultraviolet B radiation, smoking, and alcohol use may induce cataract formation, NAT2 gene polymorphisms may be associated with genetic susceptibility of cataract.

Effects of Nigella unguicularis fixed oil on blood biochemistry and oxidant/antioxidant balance in rats.

In the present study, Nigella unguicularis (Lam.) Spenner (Ranunculaceae) (Nu) fixed oil was administered orally to Wistar Kyoto rats for 4 weeks. The effects of the oil on serum lipid profile, haematological parameters and oxidant/antioxidant balance were investigated. The study showed that daily administration of the oil (1 ml/kg orally for 4 weeks) caused a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose levels and a significant elevation of serum high-density lipoprotein level. The serum transaminases ( aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT)), alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, urea, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration decreased significantly while albumin, mean corpuscular volume and fibrinogen levels increased significantly compared to control values. The administration of the oil (1 ml/kg orally for 4 weeks) caused a significant increase total antioxidant status in rats. Treatment with Nigella unguicularis oil did not effect malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations. It is concluded that Nigella unguicularis oil possesses favourable metabolic effects on blood biochemistry and oxidant/antioxidant balance in rats.

Apolipoprotein E polymorphism in diabetic and non-diabetic patients: does it really contribute to atherosclerosis?

OBJECTIVE: The exact mechanism of the increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in type-2 diabetes is still undefined. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of apolipoprotein E (apo E) polymorphism and other factors on atherosclerotic vascular disease in type-2 diabetic patients. We also examined the association between apo E polymorphism and lipid profile in diabetic patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed the apo E polymorphism in 295 atherosclerotic patients (124 of them had diabetes (according to WHO criteria) and 171 of them had coronary artery narrowing > 50). The detection of apo E polymorphism was made by Real-Time PCR using a Light-Cycler (Roche diagnostics, GmbH, Mannheim, Germany). Serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], apolipoprotein A (Apo A) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) levels were determined by biochemical analyser. Genotypic distribution of apo E polymorphism did not differ between diabetic and non-diabetic atherosclerotic patients. The distributions of apo E2/2, E2/3, E2/4, E3/3, E3/4 and E4/4 genotypes in diabetic and non-diabetic atherosclerotic patients were 7.3%: 8.2%, 15.3%: 15.8%, 4.0%: 5.3%, 50.8%: 56.7%, 16.9%: 11.1% and 5.6%: 2.9%, respectively. Participants were grouped as apo E2 (E2/2 or E2/3), apo E3 (E3/3), or apo E4 (E4/4 or E4/3). The distributions of apo E2, E3 and E4 alleles were 23.5%, 52.9%, 23.5%, for diabetic patients, and 25.3%, 59.9%, 14.8% for non-diabetic patients, respectively. The apolipoprotein E genotype was not associated with the lipid levels in diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings imply that apo E polymorphism is not related to the development of atherosclerosis in patients with type-2 diabetes.

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.

Decreased serum total antioxidant status and erythrocyte-reduced glutathione levels are associated with increased serum malondialdehyde in atherosclerotic patients.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is the significant cause of morbidity and mortality today. The treatment of coronary artery disease is improving, but its prevalence is increasing. Both primary and secondary prevention measures are of vital importance. METHODS: In this study, vitamin C, total antioxidant status, malondialdehyde in serum and erythrocyte-reduced glutathione levels were investigated in patients with atherosclerosis and compared with those of controls. Levels of serum MDA, vitamin C, total antioxidant status, and erythrocyte-reduced glutathione were determined according to the methods of Yagi, Bauer et al., Miller et al., and Beutler, respectively. RESULTS: Erythrocyte-reduced glutathione, serum vitamin C, total antioxidant status, and malondialdehyde values of both patients with atherosclerosis and controls were as follows: 2.80 +/- 0.76, 5.82 +/- 0.67 micromol GSH/g Hb; 1.00 +/- 0.19, 1.62 +/- 0.30 mg/dL; 0.86 +/- 0.14, 1.43 +/- 0.16 mmol/L, and 4.26 +/- 0.9, 1.02 +/- 0.80 nmol/mL, respectively. There was a decrease in the levels of serum vitamin C, erythrocyte-reduced glutathione, and total antioxidant status (p <0.001), and increase in the levels of serum malondialdehyde (p <0.001) in patients with atherosclerosis when compared with those of controls. CONCLUSIONS: Because treatment of atherosclerosis is improving, our results suggest that antioxidant agents may have preventive roles in the formation of atherosclerosis.

Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms in patients with drug eruption.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) enzymes play an important role in drug metabolism. GST is a multigene family of enzymes involved in the detoxification and in a few instances activation of a wide variety of chemicals. Detoxification features make it plausible to search for GST polymorphism in patients with drug eruption. The GSTM (mu), GSTT (theta) and GSTP (pi) have been shown to be polymorphically distributed. The GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1 gene polymorphism were detected using real-time PCR. GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes were found to be associated with an increased risk of drug eruption (OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.20-5.21; OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.12-6.39, respectively). No relationship was observed between the null combination of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotype polymorphisms and drug eruption risk (OR 2.65, 95% CI 0.62-11.25). Our results show that GSTP1 polymorphism is not a significant contributor to drug eruption risk. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene polymorphisms seem to be associated with the development of drug eruption. Further studies may shed additional light on the role of GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 in drug eruption.

Inhibition of calcification with citric acid in pericardial bioprosthetic heart valve material: a preliminary report.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Although current bioprosthetic heart valves have low thrombogenicity and favorable hemodynamic properties, their durability remains unsatisfactory. Valve failure usually occurs from calcific degeneration. The study aim was to investigate the effect of a chelating agent, citric acid (CA), on calcification in bovine pericardium. METHODS: Freshly excised bovine pericardium was dissected free from adhering fat tissue and cut into 1- cm2 pieces; these were rinsed in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS), transferred into +4 degrees C PBS containing 0.625% glutaraldehyde (GA) for initial fixation, and then allocated to two groups. Control samples received the same treatment in a fresh solution for 5 days. The other samples underwent an additional fixation step in PBS (pH = 7.4, 37 degrees C) containing 3.8% CA for a period of 48 h (30 ml/g tissue) and were then transferred into freshly prepared PBS + 0.625% GA solution at 37 degrees C for a further 3 days. To investigate calcification rate, pericardial patches were inserted into the dorsal pouches of 15 juvenile male Wistar rats for 42 days. Tissue calcium levels were measured with atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and also assessed histopathologically. RESULTS: The calcium content of CA-treated pericardium was significantly lower than that of controls (66.4 +/- 33.5 and 111.4 +/- 27.2 mg/g, respectively; p = 0.000). In general, the degree of calcification in histological sections agreed well with results of the chemical analyses. Control pericardial tissues showed moderate to severe solid mineral depositions, predominantly parallel to the implant surface, whereas only minor traces of calcium were found in CA-treated tissues. CONCLUSION: These preliminary data suggest that calcific degeneration in bovine pericardium may be reduced by using CA as a chelating agent.

Serum levels of antioxidant vitamins, copper, zinc and magnesium in children with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Reactive oxygen species including hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide which are produced by activated granulocytes play an essential role in many biochemical processes and diseases. Oxidant-mediated tissue damage may be important in the development of chronic sinusitis. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of antioxidant vitamins and elements in 24 children (14 boys and 10 girls, age range: 7-12 years, mean age: 9.2 years) with chronic rhinosinusitis, compared to 20 age and sex matched healthy children. Blood samples were collected in the morning before breakfast and prior to any medication. Vitamin A, E and C levels were determined using reagent kits for high performance liquid chromatography. Cu, Zn and Mg levels were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. Vitamin E, vitamin C, Cu and Zn levels were significantly lower in the patients group than in the control group. However, vitamin A and Mg levels did not differ. In conclusion, serum levels of antioxidant vitamins and elements may be important in the pathogenesis and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis in children.