Bekir Sami Uyanik

Serum lipids and apolipoproteins in patients with psoriasis.

Abstract Psoriasis is characterized by defects in the normal cycle of epidermal development that lead to epidermal hyperproliferation, altered maturation of skin cells, vascular changes and inflammation. Also, psoriasis has been associated with an abnormal plasma lipid metabolism. Changes in plasma lipid and lipoprotein composition in patients with psoriasis may be the reason for the increased risk of atherosclerosis in these patients. We determined serum concentrations of lipids, lipoproteins and apolipoprotein A1 and B (apo A1 and apo B) in 72 patients with psoriasis and 30 agematched controls. Serum lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), apo A1 and apo B were measured by immunoprecipitation assays, and the lipids and other biochemical parameters by enzymatic methods. Serum Lp(a) and triglyceride (TG) were significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy control subjects (p<0.01 for both). Apo B was also found to be higher in the patient group, but the difference was not significant. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apo A1 did not differ significantly from those of the controls. These observations imply that serum Lp(a) and TG concentrations may play a role as risk factors for atherosclerotic disease in patients with psoriasis.

SERUM TESTOSTERONE, GROWTH HORMONE, AND INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-1 LEVELS, MENTAL REACTION TIME, AND MAXIMAL AEROBIC EXERCISE IN SEDENTARY AND LONG-TERM PHYSICALLY TRAINED ELDERLY MALES

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of regular exercise on maximum oxygen uptake capacity (VO2max), reaction time (RT), testosterone (T), growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in athletes compared to sedentary controls. VO2max, RT, T, GH, and IGF-I levels were 31.2 ± 6.2 ml/min/kg, 106.7 ± 23.2 s, 8.3 ± 1.3 ng/mL, 1.6 ± 0.7 ng/mL, 106.5 ± 27.0 ng/mL in master athlete group and 18.8 ± 5.1 ml/min/kg, 148.3 ± 39.3 s, 5.4 ± 1.7 ng/mL, 0.8 ± 0.3 ng/mL, 90.2 ± 23.8 ng/mL in sedentary control group, respectively. The differ-ences between regularly exercising males and the control group of sedentary males were found to be statistically significant. The results showed that long-term exercise decreased RT and increased VO2max, T, and GH in elderly males; elevated serum T and GH levels may be advantageous for brain functions

Increased serum leptin concentrations in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris and ST-elevated myocardial infarction.

Leptin is an adipocytokine that is produced mainly by adipose tissue; it is also identified in atherosclerotic lesions in human coronary atherosclerosis. However, the relation of serum leptin concentrations to ischemic heart disease (IHD) is still obscure. The aims of the present study were to investigate serum leptin concentrations in patients with ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and with chronic stable angina pectoris (CSAP) and to evaluate the possible correlations of leptin to other atherosclerotic risk factors; including serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), serum homocysteine, and fibrinogen concentrations. For this purpose, 35 patients with CSAP, 40 with acute STEMI, and 30 control subjects with normal findings from coronary angiography were taken into the study prospectively. Serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher in patients with CSAP and STEMI compared to the control group (7.74 ±1.34 vs 6.37 ±1.85 ng/mL, p=0.021 and 8.22 ±3.13 vs 6.37 ±1.85 ng/mL, p=0.023, respectively). In addition, serum homocysteine concentrations were significantly increased in patients with CSAP (15.23 ±5.96 vs 11.40 ±2.11 μmol/L, p=0.025) and patients with STEMI (15.90 ±5.02 vs 11.40 ±2.11 μmol/L, p=0.012) compared to the control group. Serum fibrinogen concentrations were significantly increased only in the CSAP group as compared to controls (4.15 ±1.39 vs 3.45 ±1.19 g/L, p=0.025). No significant correlation was found between leptin levels and selected risk factors. In conclusion, serum leptin concentrations were significantly higher in both the CSAP and STEMI groups. However, owing to the lack of correlation between the leptin levels and selected classical coronary risk factors, it may be considered that leptin can be evaluated as one of the independent risk factors for IHD. Further randomized and controlled studies will be required to determine the pathophysiological meaning of the increased leptin levels and the central role between adipocyte function and atherosclerosis.

Interleukin-6 levels in hyperemesis gravidarum.

Introduction.Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is associated with higher levels of serum β-hCG levels and hyperthyroidism. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is reported to enhance secretion of β-hCG from trophoblastic cell line.Methods.We measured serum levels of IL-6, thyroid hormones and β-hCG of hyperemetic patients and gestational age-matched controls to search for a difference between the two groups.Results.There was a significant difference in β-hCG (p=0.028), though IL-6 levels were higher in the hyperemetic group, it did not reach a significant level. Interleukin-6 positively correlated with β-hCG (r=0.38 and p=0.13).

Effect of long-term alcohol abuse on male sexual function and serum gonadal hormone levels

PurposeThe relationship between chronic alcohol abuse and male sexual dysfunction and pituitary gonadal function abnormalities remains uncertain. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of chronic alcoholism on sexual functions and serum hormone levels.Materials and methodsForty-five chronically alcoholic men and a control group of thirty healthy non-alcoholic, volunteers were enrolled in the study. Each of the men in the study and control group were interviewed according to a sexual dysfunction questionnaire by an urologist. Blood samples were collected for evaluation of hormone levels. Sera were stored at-70°C for analysis.ResultsThe sexual desire and erection scores of alcoholic men were not statistically different from those of the control group. Fourteen out of the 45 alcoholic men complained of loss of erection during sexual activity. No significant difference in hormone levels between groups was found except for FSH.ConclusionIn the absence of hepatic and gonadal failure in chronically alcoholic men, there is no significant difference in serum hormonal levels, sexual dysfunction form, and sexual functions between alcoholics and normal healthy nonalcoholic men.

Testosterone and Nonverbal Intelligence in Right-Handed Men With Successful and Unsuccessful Educational Levels

The relationship between serum total testosterone (T) concentration and fluid intelligence (nonverbal, spatial) was studied in consistently right-handed men with successful (S) or unsuccessful educational levels (NS). Hand preference was assessed by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Nonverbal intelligence was measured by Cartells Culture Fair Intelligence Test. Serum T level was determined using chemiluminescence en-zvme-immunoassav on hormone autoanalyzer. There was no significant difference between the mean T levels of the S subjects and NS subjects, although S-men tended to have higher T levels than NS-men. The mean IQ was found to be significantly higher in S-men than NS-men. In the total sample (S + NS men), the correlation between T to IQ was best described by a polynomial regression (3rd order), exhibiting an inverse U-shaped regression. In S-men, the relationship between T and IQ was best described by a polynomial regression equation of the 3rd order: however, the relationship was not U-shaped, but rather a positive correlation (low T: low IQ and high T high IQ). In NS-men. there was an inverse U-shaped correlation between T and IQ (low and very high T: low IQ and moderate T: high IQ). The present data suggest that (i) very low and very high serum T concentrations may be disadvantageous, (ii) moderate T levels may be advantageous for general fluid intelligence, and (iii) a prewired cerebral organization may be essential for the T effects on cognitive abilities.

Immunolocalization of transforming growth factor-β3 in pregnant human myometrium: Possible associations with labor

Background. Transforming growth factor‐β3 is a cytokine which is involved in cell growth regulation and differentiation, stimulation of extracellular matrix and modulation of immune responses. The goal of this study was to detect the presence of this cytokine in the myometrium of preterm and term, nonlaboring and laboring patients, and to measure serum levels of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6 and IL‐8 before cesarean section.

Serum lipid fractions, nitric oxide and plasma endothelin‐1 levels in actinic keratosis

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