Eser Kilic

Magnesium, Zinc and Copper Status in Osteoporotic, Osteopenic and Normal Post-menopausal Women

Serum concentrations of magnesium, zinc and copper were measured in post-menopausal women with osteoporosis (n = 40), osteopenia (n = 40) or normal bone mineral density (n = 40) as classified on the basis of the T-score of the femur neck and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry results. Mean concentrations of magnesium and zinc were significantly lower in osteoporotic women than in both osteopenic women and normal women. In addition, magnesium and zinc concentrations in osteopenic women were significantly lower than in normal women. There were no statistically significant differences observed between the osteopenic, osteoporotic and control groups with respect to copper levels. The clinical significance of these changes needs further elucidation, but trace element supplementation, especially with magnesium and zinc and perhaps copper, may have beneficial effects on bone density.

Chromium and manganese levels in the scalp hair of normals and patients with breast cancer

The adverse health effects linked with chromium and manganese and the diverse cellular and molecular effects of chromium and manganese make the study of chromium and manganese carcinogenesis and toxicology very interesting and complex. Quantitative elemental analysis of scalp hair of breast cancer patients (stage III) (n=26) and controls (n=27) were used to study to find correlation and possible changes between breast cancer and healthy controls. The graphite furnace atomic absorption analysis of quantitative method was used for the determination of chromium and manganese element levels. Comparison of mean elemental contents of the breast cancer patients with controls shows a significant enhancement of chromium (p<0.05) but declining trends for manganase (p<0.05) in breast cancer patients. Changes in element content in hair can serve as a guide to opening up new vistas in the treatment of breast cancer on the basis of an overall analysis of symptoms and signs.

May oxytocin be a trait marker for bipolar disorder

There is evidence to suggest that oxytocin is effective in stabilizing mood in humans. Lower plasma oxytocin levels have been reported in patients with major depression. The objective of this study was to investigate serum oxytocin levels during manic and depressive episodes and in the remission period in patients with bipolar disorder. Twenty-two patients in manic episode, 21 in depressive episode, and 24 in remission at the initial phase, ranging from 18 to 65 years of age, who were diagnosed with BD Type I and 24 healthy individuals were included in this study. Blood samples were collected from subjects in the morning at the beginning of the study. A second blood sampling was obtained from manic and depressive patients after response to treatment. MANCOVA was performed to compare the oxytocin values of the groups. The serum oxytocin levels of patients in manic episode were statistically significantly higher than those of the depressive episode and remission groups and of the healthy subjects. The serum oxytocin levels of patients in the depressive episode group and in the remission group were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group. The serum oxytocin levels of the manic episode and depressive episode patients after response to treatment were statistically significantly higher than those of the control group, and there was no statistically significant difference between the patient groups in serum oxytocin levels. The higher oxytocin levels observed in patient groups, compared to the controls, before and after response to treatment suggest that oxytocin may be a trait marker in BD.

The Impact of Lidocaine on Flap Survival Following Reperfusion Injury

BACKGROUND Inflammatory events triggered by the mediators released from free oxygen radicals and infiltrated leukocytes play a direct role in formation of the ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of lidocaine on IR injury due to its anti-inflammatory properties. MATERIALS AND METHODS Following delivery of lidocaine to the ischemic flaps in two different doses prior to the reperfusion, flap survival, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, myeloperoxidase (MPO) level, neutrophil count, and measurement of vascular diameters were studied. Twelve hours after reperfusion, tissue specimens were collected for measurement of MDA level, MPO level, neutrophil count, and vascular diameters. Flap survival was evaluated on the fifth day. RESULTS Flap survival rate was 15.54% ± 8.23% in the control group, whereas the groups treated wtih lidocaine showed remarkable elevations in survival rates as follows: 70.83% ± 33.53% and 67.42% ± 30.81%, respectively. MDA levels in sham and lidocaine treatment groups were significantly lower than those observed in control group. CONCLUSION Lidocaine inhibited the increase in MDA level associated with IR injury while showing no influence over increases in number of neutrophils and tissue MPO level, and it elevated the flap survival rate.

Effects of DMSO on platelet functions and P-Selectin expression during storage

Recent studies suggested that the expression of P-Selectin on stored platelets is related to in vitro activation and loss of viability. We examined the effects of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on in vitro function and P-Selectin expression of platelet concentrates. Fresh random-donor platelet units (n = 60) were divided into four equal groups. A DMSO-free group was chosen as a control. DMSO (0.5%, 1.0%, and 3.0%) was added to the other three groups. The samples were stored on a horizontal shaker at room temperature. Biochemical, morphological and platelet function tests and P-Selectin expression were monitored during storage. In all groups, P-Selectin expression, lactate and LDH levels, mean platelet volumes and PO2 increased but the aggregation response to agonist, the recovery response to hypotonic shock, platelet count, glucose level, pCO2, and HCO3 decreased during storage. In DMSO-containing groups, the P-Selectin expression which is a predictor of in vitro activation, was found significantly less often than in the DMSO-free group.

Evaluation of oxidative stress in cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Oxidative stress occurs when there is excessive free‐radical production or a low antioxidant level. The role of free radicals in the pathogenesis and in the progression of many diseases has often been discussed, but it has not been widely investigated in leishmaniasis. However, measurement of oxidants and antioxidants in the serum seems to be of great value. In this study, we aimed to determine lipid peroxidation levels as markers of oxidative stress in the serum of patients suffering from cutaneous leishmaniasis, which is a common health problem in our region of Southern Anatolia, Turkey. Forty patients aged between 5–50 years and forty controls aged between 5–50 years were included in the study. The LPO levels of the patients with active cutaneous leishmaniasis were significantly higher (p<0.001) than those of healthy controls. As a result, it is possible to conclude that patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis are affected by oxidative stress, which may contribute to the progression of the disease.

Responsivenes of total content changes of magnesium and zinc status in patients infected with Giardia intestinalis

The aim of the study was to investigate the changes of total content of the essential elements of zinc and magnesium levels in patients infected with Giardia intestinalis. Zinc and magnesium concentrations were measured in 64 patients who were positive for the intestinal parasite G. intestinalis. Scores were obtained for the positives and their 60 age- and sex-matched G. intestinalis-negative healthy controls. The mean concentration of magnesium in blood was significantly lower in G. intestinalis-positive patients than in their controls both in females (p<0.05) and males (p<0.05). The average zinc concentration in G. intestinalis-positive female patients was 0.76±0.3 mg/L and it was 0.60±0.2 mg/L in controls (p>0.05). The mean values of the zinc in blood were 0.73±0.2 mg/L in G. intestinalis-positive male patients and 0.82±0.1 mg/L in controls (p>0.05). No correlation could be demonstrated between age and mean values of zinc and magnesium in both G. intestinalis-positive females/males and controls (p>0.05). No significant correlation could be found between blood zinc and magnesium levels in G. intestinalis-positive female/male patients and controls (p>0.05). Magnesium levels were found to be clearly decreased, whereas no change was observed in zinc level in the patients infected with G. intestinalis compared to controls.

Serum malondialdehyde levels in toxoplasma seropositive patients.

used as an indicator of oxidative stress in cells and tissues. Lipid peroxides, derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids, are unstable and decompose to form a complex series of compounds. These include reactive carbonyl compounds, of which malondialdehyde (MDA) is the most abundant. Therefore, measurement of malondialdehyde is widely used as an indicator of lipid peroxidation. Increased levels of lipid peroxidation products have been associated with a variety of chronic diseases in both humans and model systems. 8-10 For example, HIV infection is associated with oxidative stress, as has been demonstrated in adult, seropositive individuals. One study showed that serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in HIVinfected children was significantly higher than in control children. 6,7 The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in the serum malondialdehyde levels (an end-product of lipid peroxidation) between normal and T. gondii-infected individuals (IgG seropositive but no symptoms).

The effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes on ghrelin expression in rat testis: biochemical and immunohistochemical study

INTRODUCTION Ghrelin is a hormone which has effects on the secretion of growth hormone, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, cell proliferation and reproductive system. The present study we focused on the relation between ghrelin and GHS-R1a gene expression and the regulation of their expression in the testes of diabetic rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS 40 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: control, and sampled 4, 8 and 12 weeks after induction of diabetes by streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal injection (40 mg/kg). The rats were decapitated under ketamine anesthesia and their testes were removed. Blood was obtained from heart and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone levels were measured by ELISA. Tissue ghrelin and GHS-R mRNA levels were determined by qRT-PCR, while ghrelin protein expression was studied by immunohistochemistry. Histopathological damage scores were also assessed. RESULTS Eight weeks after diabetes induction serum FSH level was increased, whereas LH and testosterone concentrations decreased. The ghrelin and GHS-R1a gene expression and ghrelin immunohistochemistry score first tended to increase after first four weeks of diabetes, and then tended to decrease. Ghrelin-immunopositive cells were detected in Leydig cells in all groups of rats, however, not in the germinal epithelium. Congestion of vessels and hemorrhage, formation of the vacuoles in spermatogonia and spermatocytes, desquamation of spermatids in the lumen and disorganization of seminiferous tubule germinal epithelium were observed in testis of all the diabetic rats. In addition, mean testicular biopsy score and mean seminiferous tubule diameter were getting lower in diabetic animals. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that diabetes affects ghrelin expression in rat testis.

Nitric oxide synthase in diabetic rat testicular tissue and the effects of pentoxifylline therapy.

Abstract Diabetes is known to be associated with erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation, level of testicular hormone, and a decrease in semen quality, respectively. In this project, we aimed to investigate at the molecular level, the effects of NOS on testes pathology in diabetes and examine the effects of pentoxifylline on healing. A total of 50 Wistar albino male rats were divided into five groups: Group I control; Group II only diabetes; Group III and IV diabetes + pentoxifylline; Group V only pentoxifylline. Group III rats received 50 mg/kg/day pentoxifylline during two months. In comparison, Group IV rats received saline in the first month followed by 50 mg/kg/day of pentoxifylline for the following month. NOS expression in testicular tissue was assessed using qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The mean seminiferous tubule diameter, Johnsens testicular biopsy score, and serum testosterone levels decreased compared to controls. In contrast, the number of apoptotic cells, the levels of nNOS, iNOS and eNOS mRNA, and protein increased when compared to the control. Upon pentoxifylline therapy NOS decreased suggesting that it contributes to this damage and treatment with pentoxifylline may be effective in reversing this damage.