Cemal Akay

Oxidative stress in obese children and its relation with insulin resistance.

Abstract Background: In obese populations, oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of serious diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, and atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the status of oxidative stress in obese children as to nitrite/nitrate and glutathione peroxidase levels, and their relation with insulin resistance (IR). Methods: A total of 63 obese children were enrolled in the study. Each was relegated to one of three groups: 20 obese children without IR (11 adolescents, 9 prepubertal; mean age 10.27±2.36 years; 10 males, 10 females), 22 obese children with IR (13 adolescents, 9 prepubertal; mean age 11.26±2.52 years; 10 males, 12 females), and a control group of 21 children (14 adolescents, 7 prepubertal; mean age 11.41±2.00 years; 10 males, 11 females). Results: Glutathione peroxidase levels were lower in the obese group with IR than in either the control group or the obese group without IR (0.032±0.01 vs. 0.048±0.01 and 0.042±0.01, respectively). Nitrite/nitrate levels were higher in the obese group with IR than in the control group or the obese group without IR (89.83±25.00 vs. 66.00±21.75, and 68.65±28.98, respectively) and compared by pubertal status, adolescents’ results were similar. However, in prepubertal children, nitrite/nitrate and glutathione peroxidase levels were not significantly different between groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that nitrite/nitrate levels were positively correlated with the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) independent of body mass index, age, gender, serum lipids, and pubertal stages, and that glutathione peroxidase levels were negatively correlated with body mass index and HOMA-IR independent of age, gender, pubertal status, and serum lipids. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that oxidative stress exists even in populations of obese children, and that oxidative stress markers have a relation with the HOMA-IR, which was used as a surrogate marker of IR.

Cytogenetic analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes of hospital staff occupationally exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation

Ionizing radiation is known to induce mutations and cell transformations, predominantly by causing single-strand and double-strand DNA breakage, thereby leading to chromosome instability and carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate genotoxic effects in hospital staff exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation in comparison with a selected control group, by using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) tests in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The study included 40 exposed radiology staff and 30 control subjects. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) was significantly increased in radiation-exposed groups compared with control persons (p < 0.05). The frequency of SCE did not show any significant difference in the exposed individuals in comparison to the controls. Our results showed that low-level chronic occupational exposure to ionizing radiation causes an increase of MN frequency in chromosomes, even though the absorbed doses were below the permissible limits. Our studies indicate that the CBMN assay is considered to be sensitive test in contrast to SCE analysis to evaluate chromosomal damage induced by ionizing radiation.

Serum Aluminium Levels in Glue-Sniffer Adolescent and in Glue Containers

Glue sniffing is a serious medical problem among teenagers. Various chemical substances such as toluene and benzene containing glues have been reported to be toxic. It has been demonstrated that some toxic metals such as lead are elevated in the blood of solvent-addicted patients. Whereas aluminium is an element that has toxic effects on neurological, hematopoetic system and bone metabolism. We want to determine the serum levels of aluminium in glue-sniffer adolescents in comparison with healthy subjects. In addition, we compared aluminium levels of different commercial glue preparations (i.e. metal and plastic containers), to determine which type of container is better for less aluminium toxicity. We measured serum levels of aluminium in 37 glue-sniffer and 37 healthy subjects using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The average duration of glue-sniffer was 3.8 +/- 0.8 years. We also measured aluminium levels of 10 commercial glue preparations that seven of them with metal and three with plastic containers. We found that serum levels of aluminium were 63.29 +/- 13.20 ng/ml and 36.7 +/- 8.60 ng/ml in glue-sniffer and in control subjects, respectively (P < 0.001). The average aluminium level in the glues was 8.6 +/- 3.24 ng/g in the preparations with metal containers, whereas 3.03 +/- 0.76 ng/g with plastic containers (P < 0.001). Therefore, to decrease the incidence of aluminium toxicity in glue-sniffers, it may be a good step to market of glue preparations in plastic instead of metal containers.

Investigating the in vitro effect of taurine on the infant lymphocytes by sister chromatid exchange.

Background: Taurine (2‐aminoethane sulphonic acid) is normally present in most mammalian tissues and the most abundant free amino acid in lymphocytes. It participates in various important physiological activities including modulation of the functioning of the central nervous system, cell proliferation, viability and prevention of oxidant‐induced injury in many tissues. Its levels in human milk are very high which may be the most important difference from cow’s milk. In contrast, an inverse association between breast‐feeding and carcinogenesis in childhood or later in life has been suggested by several studies.

Paleodietary Analysis of Human Remains from a Hellenistic-Roman Cemetery at Camihöyük, Turkey

The presence of copper, zinc, magnesium, iron, lead, molybdenum, manganese and nickel was discovered on 22 human ribs in a Hellenistic-Roman cemetery located in the ancient city of Camihoyuk, Turkey. The levels of each element found in the males were higher than those in females, except iron. Copper, magnesium, iron, molybdenum, and nickel levels were measured to be higher in the soil than in the skeletons, whereas the other elements were higher in the human skeletons. Lead was not traced in the soil, but on the skeletons. These individuals had probably been exposed to this element during their lives due to higher consumption of vegetables than meat.

Antioxidant Capacity and Metal Content of Physalis Peruviana L. Fruit Sold in Markets

1 Ayşe Eken1, Burcu Ünlü-Endirlik1, Ayşe Baldemir2, Selen İlgün2, Buğra Soykut3, Onur Erdem3, Cemal Akay3 1Erciyes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Kayseri, 2Erciyes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botanic, Kayseri, 3Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Ankara, Turkey Antioksidan Aktivite ve Metal İçerik / Antioxidant Activity and Metal Content Antioxidant Capacity and Metal Content of Physalis peruviana L. Fruit Sold in Markets