Canan Demir

Vitamin D levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and naturally immunized individuals

Abstract Vitamin D deficiency is associated with several adverse health outcomes, and vitamin D appears to have systemic antimicrobial effects that may be crucial in a variety of both acute and chronic illnesses. In the present study,

The relationship between serum bilirubin concentration and coronary slow flow.

Background: The pathophysiology of coronary slow flow (CSF) has not been clearly identified, although multiple abnormalities including arteritis, endothelial dysfunction, and atherothrombosis have been reported. Several studies have demonstrated that higher serum bilirubin inhibits the inflammation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells; in addition, there is a relationship between serum bilirubin and cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between bilirubin and CSF is still unknown. In our study, we compared serum bilirubin concentrations between CSF patients and controls. Methods: The study included 50 CSF patients (19 male, mean age 65.6 ± 13.7 years) and 30 controls (10 male, mean age 57.86 ± 11.6 years). Concurrent routine biochemical tests and leukocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count on whole blood count were performed in patients that underwent a coronary angiogram. These parameters were compared between groups. Results: No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of basic characteristics. Total, direct, and indirect serum bilirubin levels were significantly lower among CSF patients than controls (14.0 ± 12.0 versus 6.15 ± 6.8, 5.6 ± 3.4 versus 2.6 ± 1.7, and 8.4 ± 8.5 versus 3.6 ± 3.4 µmol/l; all p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: The study revealed a relationship between serum bilirubin and CSF.

The relationship between vitamin D deficiency and coronary artery ectasia

Introduction The pathophysiology of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) has not been clearly identified although multiple abnormalities including arteritis, endothelial dysfunction, and atherothrombosis have been reported. The role of vitamin D deficiency suggests cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and hypertension. Vitamin D deficiency activates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which affects the cardiovascular system. For this reason, it could be suggested that there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and CAE. Aim We aimed to compare the 25-OH vitamin D levels of CAE patients with those of controls. Material and methods This study included 50 CAE patients (20 male, mean age: 60.26 ±10.6 years) and 30 controls (10 males, mean age: 57.86 ±11.6 years). Along with routine tests, 25 OH vitamin D and parathormone (PTH) levels were analysed. Twenty-five OH vitamin D and PTH levels were compared. Results No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of basic characteristics. The average PTH level of the group of patients with CAE was higher than the average PTH level of the controls (97.8 ±46.3 pg/ml vs. 59.1 ±23.7 pg/ml; p < 0.001). The average 25 OH vitamin D level of the group of the patients with CAE was lower than the average 25 OH vitamin D level of the control group (18.9 ±8.5 ng/ml vs. 31.3 ±11.2 ng/ml; p < 0.001). Conclusions An association between CAE and vitamin D deficiency was found in our study.

The relationship between serum bilirubin concentration and coronary artery ectasia.

Introduction The pathophysiology of coronary artery ectasia (CAE) has not been clearly identified, although multiple abnormalities including arteritis, endothelial dysfunction, and atherothrombosis have been reported. Several studies have demonstrated that higher serum bilirubin inhibits the inflammation and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells; also there is a relationship between serum bilirubin and cardiovascular disease. However, the relationship between bilirubin and CAE is still unknown. Aim We compared serum bilirubin concentration between CAE patients and controls. Material and methods This study included 50 CAE patients (20 male, mean age: 60.26 ±10.6 years) and 30 control persons (10 male, mean age: 57.86 ±11.6 years). These participants underwent concurrent routine biochemical tests and leukocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count in whole blood. These parameters were compared between groups. Results No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of basic characteristics. Total, direct and indirect serum bilirubin levels were significantly lower among persons with CAE patients than controls (0.37 ±0.4 vs. 0.71 ±0.6 and 0.13 ±0.1 vs. 0.27 ±0.2 and 0.24 ±0.2 vs. 0.43 ±0.4 mg/dl; all p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions Our study revealed a relationship between serum bilirubin and CAE.

Serum Trace Elements and Heavy Metal Levels in Patients Diagnosed with Chronic Otitis Media and Their Association with Surgical Treatment Outcomes

OBJECTIVE To determine the serum iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), cobalt (Co), and lead (Pb) levels in patients with chronic otitis media (COM) and to evaluate the association of the serum levels of these elements with treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-one healthy volunteers and 31 patients with COM were prospectively included in this study. Serum levels of Fe, Zn, Mn, Mg, Cu, Co, and Pb were determined by an atomic absorption UNICAM-929 spectrophotometer. RESULTS Serum Co, Pb, and Fe levels were significantly increased (p<0.001) and serum Cu, Zn, Mg, and Mn levels were significantly reduced in patients with COM compared with controls (p<0.001). Serum Co and Mn levels were significantly decreased (p<0.001 and p<0.005, respectively) and serum Cu levels were significantly increased after surgery (p<0.005). The other evaluated blood chemicals and heavy metals did not exhibit significant differences (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Significant alterations in the serum chemical composition of patients with COM were observed. Moreover, with surgical treatment, serum levels of some of these chemicals were significantly altered. Further prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the exact association of these alterations in the etiopathogenesis of COM.

The relationship between serum paraoxonase levels and carotid atherosclerotic plaque formation in Alzheimer's patients.

Low paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and carotid atherosclerosis have been suggested to be important risk factors for dementia. However, the studies to date could not fully clarify the relationship between PON1, carotid atherosclerosis and dementia. The present study aimed to measure carotid atherosclerosis and PON1 activity in Alzheimers Disease and to evaluate the relationship between them. The study included 25 Alzheimers patients and 25 control subjects, for a total of 50 individuals. The study measured the serum PON1 activity and other biochemical parameters and carotid atherosclerotic plaque values of the participants. The mean paraoxonase activity (31.06±2.31U/L) was significantly lower in the Alzheimers group compared to the control group (59.05±7.05U/L) (P<0.001). Nonetheless, the carotid plaque values were significantly higher in the patient group (3.02±0.52mm) compared to the control group (1.84±0.45mm) (P<0.001). Furthermore, there was a negative correlation (81.0%) between PON1 activity and carotid plaque in the overall study group (P<0.05). Also serum homocystein level was higher in the patient group (22.15±7.05) compared to the control group (13.30±3.32). In conclusion, our findings show inverse association between PON1 activity and carotid atherosclerosis in Alzheimer patients: the lower the PON1 activity the more progressed the atherosclerotic process in AD.

Determination of oxidative stress levels and some antioxidant enzyme activities in prostate cancer

Abstract In this study, the antioxidant enzyme activities such as (SOD, GSH, and CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level which is the end product of lipid peroxidation, were determined from the serum samples taken from patients diagnosed with prostate cancer Van Yuzuncu Yıl University Medical Faculty of Educational Research and Training Hospital and İstanbul Bagcilar Education Research Hospital. The SOD, GSH, and CAT activity of patient groups was found significantly lower than the healthy control group in patients with prostate cancer (p < .05). Serum MDA level is found significantly high when compared to control groups. MDA levels increased in patients that suffer prostate cancer disorder. Whereas, firstly antioxidant enzymes activity of SOD, GSH and CAT have been decreased in control groups. Thus, we concluded that the cause of development of prostate cancer may be the result of an imbalance between the antioxidants and oxidative stress. As a result, SOD, CAT, GSH, and MDA may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of prostate cancer.

Assessment of heavy metal and trace element levels in patients with telogen effluvium

Background: Despite a multitude of studies, etiology of primary chronic telogen effluvium (TE) remains incompletely understood. Essential heavy metals are associated with beneficial effects in humans as well as in other living organisms. However, they may lead to toxic effects when the exposure exceeds the higher tolerable limits. We wanted to assess the heavy metal and trace element levels in patients with chronic TE. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 subjects with chronic TE were included in the study, and 30 healthy women served as control. General and dermatological examinations were taken up in all individuals. Those patients with positive hair pull test were evaluated with the help of a trichogram. The presence of >20% telogen hair as documented by trichogram was a requirement for the study inclusion. UNICAM-929 spectrophotometry device was used for determining serum trace element and heavy metal concentrations. Results: In spite of an absence of significant differences in terms of average Zn concentration, weight, or height between patients and controls, significant differences were noted for Cd, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb, Co, and Cu (P<0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that heavy metals may play a causative role in the development of chronic TE. However, contrary to previous reports, zinc did not appear to play an important etiological role, while these patients had elevated serum iron levels.

Statistical Modeling of Cobalt Adsorption on Van Pumice

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to statistical modeling of cobalt adsorption on Van Pumice. Van Pumice was used for determination of cobalt adsorption level. Modeling, depending on time, was performed to determine for cobalt adsorption level at fixed pH 5 for various concentration and temperatures in Van pumice. All adsorption measurements were performed with the Thermo Scientific brand ICE spectrometer model 300 Series. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison to various temperature and concentration levels. Tukey’s multiple comparison test was also performed to determine different groups. Logarithmic, quadratic, Qubic and logistic models as well as linear were used to determine adsorbed cobalt amount at different temperature levels and heavy metal concentration. Differences between various time and temperatures levels were found statistically significant, however, there were no significant differences between time level. R2 values of the models ranged from 70% to 99%. In addition, cubic model had higher R2 values for each concentration and temperature levels. Cobalt concentration and amount of ions have been increased in the solution. The performance of all models to determine the amount of adsorption of cobalt has been significantly found. However, model the best performance has been shown with the cubic.

Mean platelet volume is increased in patients with chronic hepatitis B

Background. Hepatitis secondary to infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common causes of viral hepatitis worldwide. Multiple extrahepatic manifestations of HBV infection have been recognized. However, the effect of HBV infection on the mean platelet volume (MPV) is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the MPV, an indicator of platelet activation, in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods. The study group consisted of 50 patients with chronic hepatitis B. An age, gender, and body mass index-matched control group consisted of 50 healthy volunteers. All patients and control participants underwent echocardiographic examination. We measured the serum MPV values in patients and control participants. Results. Mean platelet volume was significantly higher among patients with HBV when compared with the control group (9.2±2.2 vs 7.1±1.6 fl, respectively; p <0.001). Conclusion. We have shown that MPV was significantly elevated in patients with chronic hepatitis B compared to control participants. According to our knowledge, there has been no previous study of MPV in chronic HBV patients. Therefore, we have investigated the possible association between HBV infection and MPV.