Fatma İnanç

Relationship between Oxidative Stress in Cord Blood and Route of Delivery

Objective: To investigate the effect of route of delivery on the antioxidant system of newborns. Methods: We used the cord blood taken during labor of 56 vaginal deliveries and 50 elective cesarean sections. The specimens were analyzed for the plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity and leukocyte count. Results: SOD and CAT activities were significantly higher in the elective cesarean group than the vaginal delivery group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.005, respectively), but G6PD activity was similar between the groups. Plasma MDA level was lower in the cesarean group compared to the vaginal delivery group (p < 0.001). Leukocyte count was higher in the vaginal delivery group (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the route of delivery has an effect on oxidative stress in newborns exposed to oxidative stress during delivery. It can be suggested that the antioxidant system works more efficiently to overcome oxidative stress in newborns delivered via cesarean section.

Plasma homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) levels in Turkish patients with metabolic syndrome

High serum total homocysteine (tHcy) and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] levels are independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined the relationship of tHcy and Lp(a) levels with the components of metabolic syndrome. Fifty-one patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (median age: 38 [range 25–48] years) and 50 healthy subjects (median age: 35 [26–48] years) were included in the study. We used the National Cholesterol Education Program criteria to define metabolic syndrome. Total tHcy concentrations were measured by using an IMX (Abbott Diagnostics, Abbott Park, IL, USA). Lipoprotein (a) was measured by immunonephelometry using Behring nephrometer method (Behring BN 100, Behring, Germany). Total homocysteine and Lp(a) levels were found to be higher in the metabolic syndrome group than in the control group (tHcy: 24.2 vs 13.4 µmol/l, P < 0.01 and Lp(a): 34.9 vs 15.8 mg/dl, P < 0.01). Vitamin B12 levels were lower in the metabolic syndrome group than in the control group (214 pg/ml vs 247 pg/ml, P < 0.01). In partial correlation, tHcy and Lp(a) concentrations were unrelated to metabolic syndrome or to the components of metabolic syndrome, including fasting serum triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, fasting glucose, blood pressure, or body mass index. tHcy levels were strongly related only to the vitamin B12 concentration. The risk of cardiovascular disease is higher in patients with metabolic syndrome compared with the normal population. High tHcy and Lp(a) levels should be evaluated in this group of patients in addition to the evaluation of the parameters of metabolic syndrome.

Malondialdehyde Level and Adenosine Deaminase Activity in Nasal Polyps

OBJECTIVES: Although there are many reports on adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities in different tissues, no information is available about the enzyme activity in nasal mucosa and polyp tissues. Whereas ADA is related to the production of free radicals by neutrophils, malondialdehyde (MDA) is an indicator of lipid peroxidation that is a general mechanism of tissue damage by free radicals. This study is aimed at determining and comparing the ADA activity and MDA level in nasal polyps and normal mucosa. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Twenty-three patients with nasal polyps and a control group consisting of 14 patients with septal deviation and lower turbinate hypertrophy were included in the study. Tissue MDA level was measured by the method of Okawa with modification and tissue ADA activity by the method of Giusti. RESULTS: In patients with nasal polyp, mean tissue MDA level and ADA activity were 2.43 ± 0.38 nmol/mg protein (Pr) and 0.235 ± 0.055 U/mg Pr, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of control nasal mucosa (1.03 ± 0.41 nmol/mg protein and 0.056 ± 0.011 U/mg Pr, respectively) (P < 0.05). In addition, tissue MDA level was positively correlated to ADA activity in nasal polyps (r = 0.701, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed the presence of detectable ADA activity in nasal mucosa, and also significant increases in both tissue MDA level and ADA activity in NP tissue when compared to normal turbinate tissue. EBM rating: B-2b

Investigation of nitric oxide in pterygium

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of nitric oxide in pterygium. METHODS Twenty nasal pterygium tissue samples were collected from 20 surgery patients in Kahramanmaras Sutcuimam University hospital. For control purposes, nasal conjunctivas from 10 patients undergoing limbal extracapsular cataract extraction were also collected. All specimens were preserved at -70 degrees C until analysis. The specimens were tested for the presence of nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase with the Griess and Fridovich methods, respectively. RESULTS The mean age of the patients in the control group was 45.6 (+/- 13.2) years, and 53.7 (+/- 15.8) years in the pterygium group. We found that nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase levels were significantly higher in the control group (p < 0.05). The level of superoxide dismutase was 747.8 +/- 524.4 units/mg of protein in the normal conjunctiva and 184.2 +/- 163.9 units/mg of protein in the pterygium group. The nitric oxide level was 1.5 +/- 0.9 micromol/mg of protein in the normal conjunctiva and 0.4 +/- 0.4 micromol/mg of protein in pterygium. INTERPRETATION The low level of nitric oxide may have some role on pterygium development.

Protective Effect of Platelet Rich Plasma on Experimental Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rat Ovary.

Background/Aims: Ovarian torsion is a common cause of local ischemic damage, reduced follicular activity and infertility. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains growth factors with demonstrated cytoprotective properties; so we evaluated PRP efficacy in a rat ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) model. Methods: Sixty adult female Sprague-Dawley albino rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups of 8 animals each: Sham, Ischemia, I/R, Sham + PRP, I + PRP and I/R + PRP; and the remaining 12 used to prepare PRP. Ischemia groups were subjected to bilateral adnexal torsion for 3 h, while I/R and I/R + PRP groups received subsequent detorsion for 3 h. Intraperitoneal PRP was administered 30 min prior to ischemia (Ischemia + PRP) or reperfusion (I/R + PRP). Results: Total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) and total ovarian histopathological scores were higher in Ischemia and I/R groups than in the Sham group (p < 0.05). PRP decreased mean TOS, OSI and histopathological scores in I + PRP and I/R + PRP groups compared to the corresponding Ischemia and I/R groups (p < 0.001). There was a strong correlation between total histopathological score and OSI (r = 0.877, p < 0.001). Peritoneal vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly higher in PRP-treated groups than corresponding untreated groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: PRP is effective for the prevention of ischemia and reperfusion damage in rat ovary.

The effects of thalidomide in a rat model of surgically-induced endometriosis

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the anti-angiogenic role of thalidomide and to assess whether thalidomide had any influence on a rat model of surgically-induced endometriosis. Materials and Methods: Endometriosis was induced through surgical induction and homologous transplantation in 16 rats. The rats were randomly separated into two groups as thalidomide (n=8) and control (n=8) groups. Using oral gavage, 100 mg/kg thalidomide 0.5 ml was administered to the first group and saline 0.5 ml to the control group. Histopathologic findings and volume analysis of implants were evaluated after 4 weeks. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) and oxidative markers were run from the fluid through peritoneal lavage. Results: The average implant volume decreased significantly in the thalidomide administrated group after treatment (53.3 and 22.9 mm3 respectively, p=0.012). Significant differences observed in the histopathologic scores of the thalidomide group (3 and 1 respectively, p=0.012) were not observed in the control group. Significant decreases were observed in the levels of VEGF-A and myeloperoxidase (MPO) from oxidative markers (p=0.004, p=0.037, respectively). Conclusion: Thalidomide provides volumetric and histopathologic recovery in implants particularly because the VEGF inhibition and anti-angiogenic effect, which suggests that it could be effective in the treatment of endometriosis.