A. Ata Alturfan

Investigation of Inflammatory and Hemostatic Parameters in Female Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty Surgery

Tendency to hypercoagulation is a common phenomenon in primary osteoarthritis patients (POA) undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery, but the clinical implications of this condition are not clear. Therefore we aimed to evaluate the inflammatory and coagulation parameters in the patient group and find a possible explanation for the tendency to hypercoagulation occurring in plasma and synovia of inflamed joints. Of the evaluated factors involved in inflammation and coagulation, galectin-3, C reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen, FVIIa:C, FXII:C, and platelet count increased, whereas tissue factor (TF) activity in synovia, PT, APTT and FVII:C in plasma and synovia were decreased. In conclusion, activation of inflammation and tendency to hypercoagulation is observed in preoperative plasma and synovia of patients undergoing TKA surgery.

Effect of sample storage on stability of salivary glutathione, lipid peroxidation levels, and tissue factor activity.

Saliva samples are often required to be stored for longer periods of time either because of the project protocol or because of lack of funding for analysis. The effects of 6 months storage (fresh, 30, 60, 90 120, 150, and 180 d) on the stability of salivary reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and 90 days of storage (fresh, 15, 30, 60, and 90 d) on the stability of salivary tissue factor (TF) activity and the stability of saliva imprint samples at −20°C were evaluated in this study. Salivary GSH, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels as an index of LPO, and TF activities were determined using the methods of Beutler, Yagi, and Quick, respectively. Saliva imprint samples were stained with Giemsa and microscopically examined. Salivary GSH levels and TF activities decreased, whereas MDA levels increased significantly after 6 months of storage at −20°C. Leucocyte, epithelium and bacterium cell counts did not significantly change at the end of 90 d of storage. Saliva samples may be stored up to 1 month at −20°C for LPO assay. For cytological examinations, saliva samples may be stored for 90 d at −20°C. Further studies are needed to determine the stability of salivary GSH, and salivary TF activity stored less than 30 days at −20°C. On the other hand, if saliva samples are required to be stored, to avoid the changes because of different storage periods, we recommend that they must be stored under the same circumstances and in the same time period. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 23:93–98, 2009.

The Relation between Plasma Tissue Factor and Oxidized LDL Levels in Acute Coronary Syndromes

Aim: Tissue factor (TF) is a low-molecular-weight glycoprotein responsible for the initiation of the coagulation cascade. The relation between oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), that has been shown to be involved in atherogenesis, and TF has not been evaluated before in circulating plasma. The aim of this study was to determine plasma levels of TF and Ox-LDL in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and stable coronary artery disease (SCAD). Methods: The study group consisted of 41 patients with ACS and 26 patients with SCAD. Among the ACS patients, 12 were diagnosed with unstable angina pectoris (UAP) and 29 were diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers. TF and Ox-LDL levels were evaluated by ELISA kits. Results: Ox-LDL levels were significantly higher in UAP and AMI patients compared with the control (p < 0.001) and SCAD (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) groups. TF levels were significantly higher in the UAP, AMI and SCAD groups compared with the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). In the AMI group a significant increase was observed in TF levels when compared with the SCAD group (p < 0.01). Plasma Ox-LDL levels were significantly and positively correlated with TF levels in the UAP and AMI groups (p < 0.05, r = 702, and p < 0.0001, r = 0.679, respectively). Conclusion: Thepotential link between Ox-LDL and TF in circulating blood in ACS may strengthen the evidence supporting a relationship between oxidant stress, lipids and thrombosis and consequently may contribute to understanding the mechanism through which Ox-LDL and TF may mediate the pathogenesis of CAD.

Galectin-3 and Plasma Cytokines in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

OBJECTIVE To investigate the concentrations of plasma cytokines and Galectin-3 (Gal-3) as inflammatory markers in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS The study population consisted of 29 patients with AMI and 29 healthy control subjects. We measured Gal-3, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). We measured levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) via the nephelometric method. RESULTS Patients with AMI showed significantly higher plasma Gal-3, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels compared with controls. Gal-3 levels were positively and significantly correlated with plasma IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP levels in the control and patient groups. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that Gal-3 can be a new circulating biomarker of inflammation associated with AMI.

Bisphenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate exert divergent effects on apoptosis and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in zebrafish embryos: A possible mechanism of endocrine disrupting chemical action

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polycarbonate (PC) are the most commonly used plastics in water bottles. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is used as a plasticizer in PET plastics, and bisphenol A (BPA) is used to produce PC. Both DEHP and BPA are known for their potential endocrine disrupting effects. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has important roles in cell proliferation, cell specification and cell fate determination during embryonic development. Recent reports suggest a link between the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and apoptosis in the case of BPA and DEHP exposure in zebrafish embryos. Accordingly, in vivo cell death was assessed using acridine orange staining, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the expressions of wnt3a, gsk3β and ccnd1. Proliferative cell nuclear antigen, β-catenin and Wnt3a expressions were determined immunohistochemically. Vitellogenin levels were determined using Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). Increased vitellogenin levels, apoptosis, and wnt3a and gsk3β expressions were observed in BPA-exposed zebrafish embryos. Increased apoptosis in the BPA-exposed embryos may be due to the pro-apoptotic changes induced by Wnt3a, whereas DEHP might be suggested to have a minor effect as Wnt3a expression; vitellogenin levels and apoptosis did not increase significantly following exposure to DEHP.