Abdullah Sivrikaya

Effects of zinc deficiency and supplementation on malondialdehyde and glutathione levels in blood and tissues of rats performing swimming exercise

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of zinc deficiency and supplementation on lipid peroxidation and glutathione levels in blood and in some tissues of rats performing swimming exercise. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: group 1, zinc-deficient consisted of swimming rats; group 2 consisted of zinc-supplemented swimming rats; groups 3 and 4 were the swimming and nonswimming controls, respectively. The levels of malondialdehyde and glutathione were measured after 4 wk of zinc-deficient or zinc-supplemented diet and 30 min of swimming exercise daily.The erythrocyte glutathione levels of groups 2 and 4 were significantly higher than those of groups 1 and 3 (p<0.01). The plasma malondialdehyde level of group 1 was significantly higher than all other groups. The glutathione levels in liver, kidney, striated muscle, and testes of group 2 were higher than in the other groups (p<0.01) and higher in kidney and striated muscle of group 3 than in groups 1 and 4 (p<0.01). The tissue malondialdehyde levels of striated muscle, liver, kidney, and testes of group 1 were significantly higher than for all other groups (p<0.01). Our findings suggest that both swimming exercise and zinc deficiency result in an increase of lipid peroxidation in tissues and that zinc supplementation prevents these alterations by the activation of the antioxidant system.

Serum levels of TWEAK in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases. However, studies conducted on the relationship of TWEAK and psoriasis patients are limited. In this study, we aimed to explore the serum levels of TWEAK and investigated whether TWEAK levels are associated with clinical variables and expression of other well-known psoriasis-related cytokines including IL-6, IL-23 and TNF-α. Forty-five patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and 43 controls were enrolled in this study. The severity of psoriasis was assessed by the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Serum levels of cytokines were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The mean TWEAK, IL-6, IL-23, and TN-α levels were significantly higher in psoriasis patients than in control subjects. However, there were no significant correlations between the psoriasis severity, the illness duration and serum cytokine levels. This study shows that TWEAK may be associated with the pathogenesis of psoriasis, like TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23.

Serum cytokine and chemokine profiles in patients with alopecia areata.

Abstract Background: Most evidence supports the role of altered T cell-mediated immunity in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA). Tough cytokines and chemokines play an important role in the immune process of AA, their expressions have been examined in limited studies. Objective: To determine serum cytokine levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-23, and some of the Th1-(CXCL9), Th2-(CCL17), and Th17-associated (CCL20 and CCL27) chemokines in patients with AA. Methods: Forty patients with AA and 40 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum concentrations of cytokines and chemokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunoassay techniques. Results: The mean serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-23, CXCL9, CCL17, CCL20, and CCL27 in AA patients were significantly higher than in the controls. However, with logistic regression analyses, only CCL17 and CCL27 levels showed a positive relationship, and IL-23 levels showed a negative relationship, with the presence of AA. Furthermore, serum CCL27 levels were positively correlated with AA severity. Conclusion: This study suggests that CCL17 and CCL27 may have an aggravating effect, whereas IL-23 may have a protective effect for the development of AA. Additionally, serum CCL27 levels may be useful as marker of disease severity.

Elevated Urinary Methylmalonic Acid/creatinine ratio and Serum Sterol levels in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke

Abstract Introduction: Sitosterolemia, defined as phytosterolemia, is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by elevated blood sterol levels. Our aim was to investigate serum plant sterols, methylmalonic acid, vitamin B12, oxidized-LDL and homocysteine levels in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients and healthy subjects. Material and Methods: 50 healthy subjects (without a family history of coronary artery disease) and 89 patients hospitalized in the Selcuk University neurology clinic or intensive care unit with a diagnosis of stroke were included in this study. Serum plant sterols, homocysteine and methylmalonic acid, oxidized-LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-Cholesterol and vitamin B12 levels were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, commercially available ELISA kit, spectrophotometry and chemiluminescence methods, respectively. Results: Urinary methylmalonic acid/creatinine ratio (p< 0.05), serum β-sitosterol levels and β-sitosterol/ cholesterol ratio were significantly higher (p <0.01) in patients compared to the control group. There was a significant positive correlation between the serum OxLDL- methylmalonic acid, serum homocysteine- urinary methylmalonic acid /creatinine ratio, serum methylmalonic acid - Urinary methylmalonic acid (p<0.05), serum homocysteine- urinary methylmalonic acid, urinary methylmalonic acid-methylmalonic acid/creatinine ratio, serum methylmalonic acid- methylmalonic acid/creatinine ratio, serum beta-sitosterol- beta-sitosterol /cholesterol, total cholesterol-HDL, total cholesterol-LDL (p <0.01) levels and negative correlation between vitamin B12- serum methylmalonic acid (p<0.05), cholesterol-stigmasterol/cholesterol, LDL- stigmasterol/cholesterol (p <0.01) levels in the patient group. Conclusion: Our findings presented that the serum sitosterol levels were significantly higher in stroke patients compared to controls.

Serum Prohepcidin And Hepcidin Levels in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Prospective Study

Background: Anemia is a common complication in patients with inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis. Recent data suggest that hepcidin is a major mediator of anemia with a central role in iron homeostasis and metabolism. Objective; The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of hepcidin and its prohormone, prohepcidin, in patients with ankylosing spondylitis in comparison with healthy controls. Methods: Forty patients with ankylosing spondylitis (13 with anemia and 27 without anemia), 20 healthy adults (HA) were prospectively enrolled. Complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate serum hepcidin, prohepcidin, iron, total iron binding capacity, ferritin, transferring and C-reactive protein levels were measured. Results: Serum prohepcidin and hepcidin levels were significantly higher in patients with ankylosing spondylitis compared with both healthy controls. (p<0.005). In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, positive correlation was determined between the serum hepcidin and prohepcidin levels (respectively;185±44, 73±7, p<0.05). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of serum prohepcidin and hepcidin levels in the patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Serum prohepcidin and hepcidin levels are closely associated with disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and might play a role in the pathogenesis of anemia of chronic disease associated with ankylosing spondylitis.

The relationship between erythrocyte zinc levels and isotretinoin use in acne vulgaris patients

Abstract Background: Prior studies have demonstrated lower serum zinc levels in acne vulgaris (AV) patients compared with controls. However, no study has investigated the relationship between AV and erythrocyte zinc levels, which is a superior indicator of body zinc levels. Additionally, the potential influence of isotretinoin use on body zinc status remains to be evaluated. In this study, we aimed to determine erythrocyte zinc levels and their relationship with isotretinoin use in AV patients. Methods: The enrolled study participants included 106 (68% female) isotretinoin-treated AV patients, 89 (65% female) untreated AV patients and 100 (59% female) healthy volunteers between 18 and 30 years of age. The acne severity of the AV patients who did not receive treatment was assessed using the classification system of the International Consensus Conference on Acne. Erythrocyte zinc levels were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Results: No significant differences were observed among the three groups with respect to erythrocyte zinc levels. In addition, erythrocyte zinc levels did not vary according to the severity of AV, nor according to the duration of isotretinoin use. Conclusion: This study suggests that no relationships exist among zinc status, AV and isotretinoin use. However, given the relationship between vitamin A and zinc, and the fact that previous studies have indicated low serum zinc levels in AV patients, prospective studies are required to corroborate our data.

Primary Neuroendocrine Tumor of the Prostate with Bone Metastasis

DOI: 10.4328/JCAM.768 Received: 03.08.2011 Accepted: 11.08.2011 Printed: 01.01.2014 J Clin Anal Med 2014;5(1): 67-8 Corresponding Author: Ersagun Karagüzel, Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Üroloji AD. Trabzon, Türkiye. T.: +90 4623775908 GSM: +905325029672 F.: +90 4623250518 E-Mail: ersagunkaraguzel@gmail.com Özet Prostatın primer nöroendokrin tümörleri çok nadir ve biyolojik davranışları henüz çok iyi açıklanamamış tümörlerdir. Bu makalede primer prostat nöroendokrin tümörü ve kemik metastazı olan bir olgu sunulmaktadır. Altı aydır sık idrara çıkma, işemede zorluk ve mesanesini tam boşaltamama şikayetleri mevcut olan 50 yaşında erkek hastaya, transüretral prostat rezeksiyonu yapıldı. Patoloji sonucu az diferansiye nöroendokrin karsinom olarak rapor edildi. Hastanın boyun ağrısı nedeniyle yapılan servikal manyetik rezonans tetkikinde sağ paravertebral yumuşak dokuda bir kitle ve C6 vertebrada patolojik kompresyon kırığı tespit edildi. Hastaya kitlenin eksizyonunu takiben, C6 korpektomi ve homojen kemik grefti konulması operasyonu yapıldı. Paravertebral kitlenin patolojik incelenmesi sonucu az diferansiye nöroendokrin tümor metastazı olduğu tespit edildi. Lezyonun prostatın primer nöroendokrin tümörünün kemik metastazı olduğu konfirme edilmiş oldu.