Esra Laloglu

Antioxidant Status in Blood of Obese Children: The Relation between Trace Elements, Paraoxonase, and Arylesterase Values

Obesity is known to lead to complications involving several systems. The basic mechanism in obesity-related complications is chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress. Trace element levels in obese children may vary due to poor nutritional habits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between serum paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) levels, markers of the oxidant–antioxidant balance in the body, and serum zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) concentrations in obese children. Fifty-seven overweight patients aged 6–17 and 48 age- and sex-matched healthy children were included in the study. Serum PON1 and ARE activity levels were measured, together with Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, glucose, aspartate amino transferase, and alanine amino transferase levels. PON1 and ARE activity levels were significantly lower in obese patients compared to those in healthy individuals (P < 0.05). Various changes were determined in Cu, Zn, Mn, and Se levels between the study and control groups (P < 0.05). In terms of the relation between trace elements and PON1 and ARE levels, a significant positive correlation was determined between serum Se and PON1 levels in the study group (P < 0.05, r = 0.31). No significant correlation was determined between other trace element levels and PON1 and ARE levels (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the detection in our study of a positive correlation between Se and PON1 levels in obese children may be significant in terms of showing a relation between Se and antioxidant systems in obese children.

Acupuncture decreases matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in patients with migraine.

Objective To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on the serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) level and activity in patients with migraine. Methods After baseline testing, eligible patients with migraine according to the criteria of the International Headache Society who volunteered to join the study were included (n=27). The patients received 10 sessions of acupuncture treatment. The points selected were bilateral ST8, ST44, LI4, LI11, LIV3, SP6, GB1, GB14, GB20, GV14, GV20, Yintang, Taiyang and ear Shenmen. Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Short form-36 (SF-36) was used to determine their quality of life. Blood samples were taken before treatment and after the first and last sessions of acupuncture for measurement of MMP-2 concentration and activity. Results The mean VAS was 85.5±16.6 before acupuncture and was significantly decreased to 39.8±20.6 after 10 sessions of acupuncture (p<0.0001). There was a significant increase in all SF-36 scores after acupuncture compared with values before treatment (p<0.0001). No significant differences were found in MMP-2 concentrations before treatment and after the first and last sessions (p>0.05). However, there were significant changes in MMP-2 activity (p<0.0001). Conclusions The results of this study showed a clinically relevant decrease in MMP-2 activity in patients with migraine treated with acupuncture. The mechanism underlying the effect of acupuncture in alleviating pain may be associated with a decrease in MMP-2 activity.

Is Urinary Kidney Injury Molecule-1 a Noninvasive Marker for Renal Scarring in Children With Vesicoureteral Reflux?

OBJECTIVE To examine whether (1) levels of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), a transmembrane protein and biomarker for renal tubular damage, increase in children with of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and (2) if KIM-1 predicts the grade of renal scarring in children with VUR. METHODS The study included 59 VUR patients with renal scarring, 5 VUR patients without renal scarring and 25 healthy controls aged 1 to 17 years. Dimercaptosuccinic acid scans were performed for determination of scarring and graded by 3 independent, blinded pediatric urologists for renal scarring according to the Randomized Intervention for Children with VUR study criteria. Spot urine samples were obtained. Urinary KIM-1 and creatinine levels were measured and the KIM-1/creatinine ratio was calculated. RESULTS Urine geometric mean KIM-1 levels (ng/mg creatinine) were significantly higher in VUR patients than in healthy controls (P=.018). Although the correlation between VUR grade and geometric mean KIM-1 levels was not significant, a positive correlation was found for scarring grade and geometric mean KIM-1 levels (r=.30, P=.02). When the patients were divided by subgroups according to scarring grade (group I, grade 1; group II, grades 2 and 3; group III, grade 4), the log KIM-1 in group III was significantly higher than in group I (P=.004). CONCLUSION Urinary KIM-1 levels might be used as a noninvasive marker, particularly in showing severe scarring in children with VUR.

Fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin values in preterm babies and their mothers: relationships among their levels, fetal growth, and neonatal anthropometry

Abstract Objective: To investigate relationship between anthropometric values of premature babies with their’s glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin at birth and on day 15. Methods: We analyzed fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels at birth and on day 15 in babies born prematurely between 24 and 37 weeks, and who did not have serious problems aside from prematurity at birth. Results: Fasting glucose, insulin, leptin and ghrelin values of babies at birth and on day 15 were significantly lower than postprandial values (all p values p < 0.001). There were positive correlations between the mean insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels with the gestational age, birth weight, body mass index, head circumference of babies at birth, and anthropometric values on day 15 (all r values > 0.400, all p values < 0.05). Fasting glucose, leptin, and ghrelin values of mothers birth were significantly lower than post-prandial values (all p values p < 0.05). Conclusions: The positive correlations between the insulin, leptin, and ghrelin values of babies at birth with gestational age and anthropometric values suggest that both hormones play important roles in fetal and neonatal growth and development.

The determination of serum and urinary endocan concentrations in patients with bladder cancer

Background Endocan (endothelial cell-specific molecule-1) is a proteoglycan and plays an important role in angiogenesis and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate of serum and urinary concentrations of endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 in bladder cancer. Methods The study included 50 bladder cancer patients, 50 with urinary tract infection and 51 healthy volunteers. Serum and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations were measured with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Results In bladder cancer group, serum and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations were significantly higher than in the healthy subjects (P = 0.003 and P < 0.0001). Urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations in cases with urinary tract infection were higher than in healthy volunteers (P = 0.002). There were no significant differences between bladder cancer and urinary tract infection groups in terms of serum and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations. Urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations were higher than those of corresponding serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations (P < 0.0001 for bladder cancer and urinary tract infection groups, P = 0.002 for healthy subjects). In bladder cancer group, there was a positive correlation between serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations (r = 0.32, P = 0.002). For serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, sensitivity and specificity were 50%, and 77%, and for urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1, 62%, and 71%, respectively. Conclusion Serum and urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 concentrations increase in bladder cancer. This parameter also increases in serum and urine of cases with urinary tract infection. That urinary endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 values were higher than serum endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 values in all groups may be attributed to direct exfoliation of epithelial cells in bladder to urine.

Clinical and biochemical comparison of guided tissue regeneration versus guided tissue regeneration plus low-level laser therapy in the treatment of class II furcation defects: A clinical study

Objective: The present study was aimed to compare the clinical and biochemical effectiveness of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) alone and combined with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) application in the treatment of furcation II periodontal defects, over a period of 6 months. Material and methods: Thirty-three furcation defects were included in the study. Seventeen of these defects were treated with GTR plus LLLT, and sixteen of them were treated with GTR alone. Probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), horizontal probing depth (HPD), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) levels in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were recorded at baseline and at postoperative 3rd and 6th months. Results: Healing was uneventful in all cases. At the 3rd and 6th months, both treatment modalities—GTR and GTR plus LLLT—showed improved PPD, CAL, and HPD values compared to their baseline values. ALP and OC levels in GCF increased after the treatment in both groups (p < 0.05). When compared the two groups, at the 6th month, PPD, CAL, HPD, and ALP values showed significantly more improvement in laser group than non-laser group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that both treatments led to significantly favorable clinical improvements in furcation periodontal defects. LLLT plus GTR may be a more effective treatment modality compared to GTR alone.

Serum heme oxygenase-1 levels in patients with primary dysmenorrhea

PurposePrimary dysmenorrhea effects the life-quality of women negatively. The aim of this study was to evaluate heme oxygenase-1 (HO1) activity together with malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with primary dysmenorrhea.MethodsA total of 28 nulliparous women with the diagnosis of primary dysmenorrhea and 26 healthy controls were included in this study. On the first day of menstruation, all patients underwent ultrasound examination to exclude pelvic pathology and the visual analogue scale was applied to patients. Patient’s visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, age, body mass index (BMI), menstrual cycle length (day), length of bleeding (day) were recorded. In the same day, fasting blood samples were taken from each patient for biochemical analysis.ResultsSerum MDA, NO and HO1 levels were found to be higher in women with primary dysmenorrhea compared to healthy controls (p = 0.012, p = 0.009, p < 0.001, respectively). There were no correlation among serum levels of HO1, NO and MDA, age, BMI, cycle length, pain score and menses duration in both groups. In Pearson’s correlation analysis, positive correlation was found between HO1 levels with the NO levels (r = 0.316, p < 0.05) and VAS scores (r = 0.520, p < 0.01). Also, positive correlation was found between MDA levels and VAS scores (r = 0.327, p < 0.05).ConclusionsSerum HO1, NO and MDA levels increase in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Antioxidant support might be helpful to reduce pain severity in primary dysmenorrhea.

Matrix-Gla Protein rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism and serum and GCF levels of MGP in patients with subgingival dental calculus

AIM Matrix-Gla Protein (MGP) is one of the major Gla-containing protein associated with calcification process. It also has a high affinity for Ca2+ and hydroxyapatite. In this study we aimed to evaluate the MGP rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism in association with subgingival dental calculus. Also a possible relationship between MGP gene polymorphism and serum and GCF levels of MGP were examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS MGP rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism was investigated in 110 patients with or without subgingival dental calculus, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques. Additionally, serum and GCF levels of MGP of the patients were compared according to subgingival dental calculus. RESULTS Comparison of patients with and without subgingival dental calculus showed no statistically significant difference in MGP rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism (p=0.368). MGP concentrations in GCF of patients with subgingival dental calculus were statistically higher than those without subgingival dental calculus (p=0.032). However, a significant association was not observed between the genotypes of AA, AG and GG of the MGP rs4236 gene and the serum and GCF concentrations of MGP in subjects. CONCLUSION In this study, it was found that MGP rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism was not to be associated with subgingival dental calculus. Also, that GCF MGP levels were detected higher in patients with subgingival dental calculus than those without subgingival dental calculus independently of polymorphism, may be the effect of adaptive mechanism to inhibit calculus formation.

Effect of VKORC1-1639 G>A polymorphism on warfarin response in east of Turkey / Türkiye’nin doğusunda warfarin yanıtı üzerine VKORC1-1639 G>A polimorfizminin etkisi

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the VKORC1 -1639 G>A polymorphisms could determine differences in the warfarin dose required to maintain a therapeutic INR in patients living in east of Turkish. Methods: A total of 80 patients (45 female and 35 male) aged between 17 and 85 years (mean age 58.96±16.59 years) using warfarin for at least one month and presenting at Atatürk University Medical Faculty Outpatient Clinic between May 2009 and May 2010 were included in the study. Patients underwent genotype investigations and carrier forms of VKORC1 -1639 variants; homozygous (AA), heterozygous (GA) and wild types (GG) were determined. Results: In AA and GA groups, daily warfarin maintenance doses were statistically significant lower than in GG (p=0.010 and p=0.016, respectively). There was no significant difference between AA and GA groups regarding to warfarin dose (p>0.05). INR values were higher in GA and AA groups than in GG group and differences were statistically significant (p=0.014 and p=0.016, respectively). Also there was no difference between GA and AA gropus in terms of INR. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study verified the interindividual variability in warfarin maintenance dose due to VKORC1-1639 G>A polymorphism in patients living in east of Turkish. In order to avoid serious bleeding events in warfarin therapy, prescription of warfarin should be done on an individual basis with consideration for the patient’s genetic background. Özet Amaç: Çalışmanın amacı Türkiye’nin doğusunda yaşayan hastalarda, tedavi edici INR seviyesine ulaşmak için gerekli warfarin dozunun VKORC1 -1639 G>A polimorfizmine göre değişiklik gösterip göstermediğini tespit etmekti. Metod: Çalışma kapsamına Atatürk Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi İç Hastalıkları Polikliniği’ne Mayıs 2009 ve Mayıs 2010 yılları arasında yaşları 17-85 arasında olan (ortalama yaş 58.96±16.59 yıl) ve en az bir ay süre ile warfarin kullanan, 45’i kadın ve 35’i erkek, toplam 80 hasta alındı. VKORC1 -1639 G>A polimorfizmi için genetik araştırma yapıldı ve bu genin varyantları; homozigot (AA), heterozigot (GA) ve wild tip (GG) olması açısından değerlendirildi. Bulgular: Günlük warfarin idame dozu, AA ve GA grubunda GG grubundan istatistiksel olarak anlamlı düşüktü (sırasıyla p=0.004 ve p=0.017). AA ve GA grubu arasında warfarin dozu açısından anlamlı farklılık yoktu (p>0.05). GA ve AA gruplarında, INR değerleri GG grubuna göre daha yüksekti ve farklılıklar istatistiki olarak anlamlı idi (sırası ile p=0.014 ve p=0.016). Ayrıca INR değeri açısından GA ve AA grupları arasında farklılık yoktu. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak çalışmamız; Türkiye’nin doğusunda yaşayan hastalarda, VKORC1-1639 G>A polimorfizmi nedeni ile warfarin idame dozları arasında bireysel farklılık olduğunu doğruladı. Warfarin tedavisine bağlı oluşan şiddetli kanamaları önlemek için tedaviye başlamadan önce hastanın genetik yapısına göre kişiye özel warfarin dozunu belirlemek gerekir.

Relationship of serum paraoxonase enzyme activity and thermal burn injury.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated changes in serum oxidative stress parameters in burn cases compared to healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was performed in 41 burn patients with mild to severe thermal burn injuries and 38 healthy volunteers. The burn cases were selected from patients who were hospitalized in the burn unit for the treatment of second- and third-degree burns. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and PON-1 paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured in patient serum samples. RESULTS PON-1 paraoxonase activity and MDA levels in patients with major thermal burn injury were significantly higher than healthy controls, but PON-1 arylesterase activities were lower. A significant negative correlation was observed between the burn percentage of the total body surface area and the PON-1 arylesterase activities in patients. CONCLUSION Human thermal burn injury was associated with an increase in MDA production and a decrease in PON-1 arylesterase activity, which was proportional to the percentage of total burned surface area.