Berna Demircan

Maternal Serum Interleukin-10, Interleukin-2 and Interleukin-6 in Pre-Eclampsia and Eclampsia

The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐6, and IL‐10 in serum of women with mild pre‐eclampsia, severe pre‐eclampsia, eclampsia, and normotensive pregnancy.

Oxidant/antioxidant status in men with Behçet’s disease

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic, progressive disorder that affects many systems of the body including the eye. The aim of this study was to assess whether the increase in oxidative stress in the affected tissues is reflected by lipid peroxidation and to check for alterations in antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with BD. Erythrocyte antioxidant potential (AOP), glutathione (GSH) and GSH-dependent enzymes (glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GRD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu–Zn SOD) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) and some trace elements (zinc, Zn; copper, Cu; manganese, Mn) levels in men with BD. Erythrocyte CAT, GSH-Px activities, MDA, GSH, AOP and serum Zn values were significantly lower in patients with BD than in the control group. However, erythrocyte Cu–Zn SOD, GRD activities, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and Cu values were significantly higher in patients with BD than in the control group, but GST activity and serum Mn values were unchanged. In conclusion, our results confirm the presence of oxidative stress in patients with BD and suggest that the severity of BD may arise from impaired antioxidant mechanisms. Therapy with antioxidants may lead to the increase in the antioxidant defense system and thus improvement in clinical symptoms.

Oxidative stress in infants born to preeclamptic mothers

Abstract Background : Oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. An increase in lipid peroxidation products and a decrease in antioxidant activity in preeclamptic women have been reported in many papers. The objective of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress in infants born to preeclamptic mothers.

Plasma values of oxidants and antioxidants in acute brain hemorrhage : Role of free radicals in the development of brain injury

The levels of oxidants xanthine oxidase (XO), nitric oxide (NO), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione reductase (GRD) were determined in plasma within 24 h after onset of hemorrhagic stroke in 17 patients (9 men and 8 women, aged 60.7±11.5 yr) and in 20 healthy controls (12 men and 8 women, aged 62.5±8.3 yr). Compared to controls, the plasma SOD and total superoxide scavenger activi ties (TSSA) were significantly lower and the NO levels were significantly higher among the stroke patients. XO showed a slight, nonsignificant increase in the patients, but the levels of MDA, NSSA, GRD, and GSH-Px did not show any significant differences between the two groups. The hemorrhage volume was negatively, correlated with the initial score of the Glasgow Coma Scale and a positive correlation with lethal outcome, but it did not correlate significantly with any of the measured parameters. The results suggest that free radicals might play a role in the development of brain injury following brain hemorrhage.

Effects of indomethacin, celecoxib and meloxicam on glutathione, malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase in rat gastric tissue

Abstract In the present study, we examined the effects of indomethacin, celecoxib and meloxicam on the stomach and on levels of glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in gastric tissues of rats. The ulcer area was 31.1 ± 10.7 mm2 in indomethacin-treated rats (20 mg kg−1) and 17.3 ± 38 mm2 in meloxicam-treated rats (7.5 mg kg−1). Celecoxib, at a dose of 100 mg kg−1, did not cause any damage in the rat gastric tissue. GSH levels were 1.6 ± 0.3, 6 ± 0.7 and 3.3 ± 0.4 nmol/g protein in the indomethacin-, celecoxib- and meloxicam-treated groups, respectively. MPO activities were 27.6 ± 2.4, 12.3 ± 1.5 and 14.9 ± 0.7 U/g protein in the indomethacin-, celecoxib- and meloxicam-treated rats, respectively. MDA levels were 184.8 ± 40.9, 81.47 ± 15.4, 113 ± 18.1 μmol/g protein, respectively. In the control group, GSH, MDA levels and activity of MPO were 6.5 ± 1 nmol/g protein, 62.1 ± 11.1 μmol/g protein, 11.2 ± 1.5 U/g protein, respectively.Taking these data into consideration,...

Antioxidative status and lipid peroxidation in kidney tissue of rats fed with vitamin B(6)-deficient diet.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate lipid peroxidation (LP) and free radical scavenging enzyme activities in kidney tissue of vitamin B6-deficient rats. Material and Methods: The rats were divided into control and vitamin B6-deficient groups. After 4 weeks of feeding, animals in all groups were anesthetized by thiopental sodium (50 mg/kg). Thoraces were opened, 2 mL blood samples were taken from aortas, then the rats were killed by cervical dislocation, and kidney tissues were removed. Biochemical measurements in kidney tissue were carried out using a spectrophotometer. Results: Total superoxide scavenger activity (TSSA), nonenzymatic superoxide scavenger activity (NSSA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and antioxidant potential (AOP) values in the vitamin B6-deficient group were significantly lower than those of the control group, whereas glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GRD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Discussion: The results show that vitamin B6 deficiency causes an attenuation in antioxidant defense system and an increase in oxidative stress in kidney tissue of rats.

Hippophae rhamnoides attenuates nicotine-induced oxidative stress in rat liver.

The effects of vitamin E and Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Elaeagnaceae) extract (HRe-1) on nicotine-induced oxidative stress in rat liver were investigated. Four groups, eight rats each, were used in this study, and the supplementation period was 3 weeks. The groups were: nicotine (0.5 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal (i.p.)); nicotine plus vitamin E (75 mg/kg/day, intragastric (i.g.)); nicotine plus HRe-1 (250 mg/kg/day, i.g.); and the control group. The malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and total and non-enzymatic superoxide scavenger activities were measured spectrophotometrically in supernatants of the tissue homogenates. Nicotine increased the malondialdehyde level in liver tissue compared with control. This nicotine-induced increase in lipid peroxidation was prevented by both vitamin E and HRe-1. Superoxide dismutase activity was higher in the nicotine plus vitamin E-supplemented group compared with nicotine and control groups. Glutathione reductase activity was higher in the nicotine group compared with the control group. However, glutathione peroxidase activity in the control group was higher than the levels in the nicotine, and the nicotine plus HRe-1 supplemented groups. The nitric oxide level was higher in the nicotine group compared with all other groups. Total and non-enzymatic superoxide scavenger activities and glutathione S-transferase activity were not affected by any of the treatments. Our results suggest that Hippophae rhamnoides extract as well as vitamin E can protect the liver against nicotine-induced oxidative stress.

Nitric Oxide Levels in Serum of Patients with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis

Nitric oxide (NO) affects both pain and inflammation in human tissues. Pharmacotherapy that decreases NO concentrations may have utility in treating inflammatory painful conditions. To determine the types of disorders in which such an approach should be studied, changes in NO serum levels before and after the painful inflammatory condition resolves would be helpful. This study compared the pre-treatment and post-treatment serum nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in irreversible pulpitis (inflammatory toothache). Thirty-two patients (16 males, 16 females) with irreversible pulpitis were included in this study. Before treatment, patients had severe symptoms of inflammation, but at the end of treatment no symptoms of inflammation were observed. NO concentrations were measured in serum of patients with irreversible pulpitis, before and after treatment. Differences in serum NO concentrations were not statistically significantly different before and after treatment.

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in serum of patients with painful acute periradicular abscess

Abstract Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the pre-treatment and post-treatment serum antioxidants levels in acute periradicular abscess (APA), with pain. Method: Thirty-two patients (18 males, 14 females) with acute and painful endodontic abscesses were included in this study. Before treatment, patients had severe symptoms of inflammation, but at the end of treatment no symptoms of inflammation were observed. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, were measured in serum of patients with APA, before and after treatment. Results: There was no statistically significant effect on levels of SOD activity and MDA concentrations. The levels of GSH-Px activity increased significantly (p < 0.05) after endodontic treatment.