Halil Ozkol

Oxidative stress in patients with primary insomnia

OBJECTIVE Many physiological and pathological processes, such as infections, environmental toxins, and ionizing radiation increase bodily concentrations of oxidizing substances, known as free radicals, which lead to neurodegenerative disorders. Sleep is one of the most important factors contributing to health; however, insomnia is among the most prevalent health complaints. METHODS In this study, for the first time in the literature, we investigated the effects of primary insomnia on certain oxidative stress biomarkers. For this purpose, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in 30 patients with primary insomnia and 30 healthy volunteers RESULTS Our results show that the patients with primary insomnia had significantly lower GSH-Px activity and higher MDA levels compared with the controls. CONCLUSION These results may indicate the important role of sleep in attenuating oxidative stress.

Oxidative status and its relation with insulin resistance in young non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin resistance (IR) also can be found in young non-obese women with PCOS. Hyperglycemia may increase reactive oxygen species production and decrease antioxidant levels. Aim: To investigate oxidative status and its relation with IR in young non-obese patients with PCOS. Material/subjects and methods: Thirty-one patients with hyperinsulinemic (no.=13) and normoinsulinemic (no.=18) PCOS and 29 healthy controls were included in this study. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, gonadotropins, total testosterone, DHEAS, SHBG, 2-h plasma glucose on oral glucose tolerance test, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), reduced glutathione (GSH), β carotene, vitamin A, C, E and the enzyme activities of catalase and glutathione S-transferase (GST), IR [by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR], and β cell function [by HOMA-B] were assessed. Results: Serum glucose, insulin, total testosterone, DHEAS, HOMA-IR levels, and LH/FSH ratios were higher in young non-obese women with PCOS. Serum MDA and PC levels were also higher but GSH, vitamin C and E levels, and GST enzyme activity were lower in these women than in healthy controls, independently of the status of IR (p<0.05). Conclusions: Oxidative stress characterized by increased oxidants and decreased antioxidant levels which are independent of IR may be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS in young non-obese women.

Gastroprotective effect of small centaury (Centaurium erythraea L) on aspirin-induced gastric damage in rats

The aim of this study was to determine the antiulcer and antioxidant activities of Centaurium erythraea L (small centaury) in aspirin (ASA) induced acute gastric ulcer model. The gastroprotective effect of the 50% aqueous-ethanolic small centaury (SC) extract was investigated in rats at a dose of ASA 200 mg/kg body weight. Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups of seven rats each as follows: (1) control group; (2) acute ASA-treated group and (3) ASA plus SC group. At the end of the 4-h drug administration, ulcer index, oxidant and antioxidant levels were measured and compared between the groups. The percentage of lesion area to total gastric surface area (ulcer index) was significantly reduced (77%) in ASA plus SC group as compared with acute ASA-treated group. The oral administration of ASA decreased catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and increased lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels. Although myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was increased by ASA, it was found to be lower in the ASA plus SC group. GSH and Vitamin A levels were determined higher in the ASA plus SC group compared with ASA group. These results suggest that SC extract protects against ASA-induced damage due to its antioxidizing activity.

Ameliorative influence of Urtica dioica L against cisplatin-induced toxicity in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

Cisplatin (CP) is a widely used cytotoxic agent against cancer, and high doses of CP have been known to cause nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Some reports claim that antioxidants can reduce CP-induced toxicity. This study investigated the hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and antioxidant activity of Urtica dioica L methanolic extract (UDME) against CP toxicity in Erhlich ascites tumor (EAT)-bearing mice. Levels of serum hepatic enzymes, renal function markers, and oxidant/antioxidant parameters of liver tissue were measured. Mice were inoculated with EAT on day 0 and treated with nothing else for 24 hours. After a single dose of CP administration on day 1, the extract was given at the doses of 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight daily during 6 days. Almost all doses of UDME performed a significant (P < 0.05) preventive role against CP toxicity by decreasing aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation levels, and myeloperoxidase activity, as well as increasing reduced glutathione content, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase activities. This suggests that UDME has a protective capacity and antioxidant activity against CP toxicity in EAT-bearing mice, probably by promoting antioxidative defense systems.

Subacute effect of cigarette smoke exposure in rats Protection by pot marigold (Calendula officinalis L.) extract

This study was carried out to determine the preventive effect of Calendula officinalis L. (pot marigold) on rats exposed to cigarette smoke (CS). Rats were divided into three groups as control, CS and CS + pot marigold (PM). The rats in the CS and CS + PM groups were subjected to CS for 1 h twice a day for 23 days. PM (100 mg/kg body weight) was given to rats in the CS + PM group by gavage, 1 h before each administration period. While malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl contents and reduced glutathione level of the CS group increased, their levels diminished by PM administration. In addition, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase activities and β-carotene, vitamins A and C levels decreased in the CS group compared to control, however activities of these enzymes and concentration of vitamins were elevated by PM supplementation. This investigation showed that administration of PM supplied relative protection against subacute CS-induced cell injury.

Photoprotective effect of flax seed oil (Linum usitatissimum L.) against ultraviolet C-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in rats

The aim of this study is to determine antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of flax seed oil (FSO) on rats exposed to ultraviolet C (UVC). Malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured in lens, skin and serum. In addition, β-carotene, vitamin A, C and E contents were measured in serum, while apoptosis was determined in retina. Rats were divided into three groups as control, UVC and UVC + FSO. UVC and UVC + FSO groups were exposed to UVC light for 1 h twice a day for 4 weeks. FSO (4 ml/kg bw) was given by gavage before each irradiation period to the UV + FSO group. While MDA and PC levels of the UVC group increased compared to the control group, their levels decreased in the UVC + FSO group compared with the UVC group in skin, lens and serum. Skin GSH level decreased significantly in the UVC and UVC + FSO groups. As GPx and SOD activities of the UVC group were lower, their activities were higher in the UVC + FSO group in skin, lens and serum. There was only marked elevation of vitamin A level in the UVC group compared to the control group. Apoptosis increased in the UVC group and the UVC + FSO groups in retina. However, retinal apoptosis were lower in the UVC + FSO group compared with the UVC group. This investigation demonstrated that UVC exposure led to oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats as reflected by increased MDA, PC contents and decreased enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant levels, FSO may be useful for preventing photoreactive damage.

Assessment of the serum paraoxonase activity and oxidant/ antioxidant status in patients with recurrent aphthous stomatitis

Several studies have indicated that recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is associated with oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase (PON) activity and oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with RAS.

Roles of the Oxidative Stress and ADMA in the Development of Deep Venous Thrombosis

Venous thromboembolism has multifactorial origin and occurs in the context of complex interactions between environmental and genetic predisposing factors. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the physiopathology of venous thrombosis. Current study examined the role of oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine in the development of DVT with the parameters such as serum malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase, ADMA, homocysteine, folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 levels. Serum MDA levels were found significantly (P < 0.005) high in patients with DVT compared with control group. Additionally, serum B6 levels were found significantly (P < 0.009) low in patients with DVT compared with healthy volunteers. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the other parameters (P > 0.05). This study showed that patients with DVT have increased oxidative stress compared with the healthy volunteers whereas there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of serum ADMA levels. Thus serum ADMA levels seemed to be not related with development of DVT.

Comparison of Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase and Adenosine Deaminase Activities between Respiratory and Nocturnal Subtypes of Patients with Panic Disorder

Objective: There is mounting evidence indicating that oxidative and inflammatory processes may have an important role in the pathogenesis of panic disorder (PD). PD is a heterogeneous disease, and panic attacks are divided according to the different symptom clusters as respiratory, nocturnal, non-fearful, cognitive, or vestibular subtypes. The aim of this study was to compare whole-blood and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase and adenosine deaminase activities in PD patients with/without nocturnal, respiratory subtypes and healthy subjects. Methods: The study was conducted including 60 patients with PD and 30 healthy control subjects. The Panic Attack Symptom Checklist, Panic and Agoraphobia Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale were administered to the patients. Biochemical analyses were performed after all the blood samples were collected. Results: We found that whole-blood SOD and glutathione peroxidase activities of patients were significantly lower and adenosine deaminase activities of patients were higher than those of healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences between respiratory and nocturnal subtypes. In addition, there were no marked relationships between the duration of illness and panic-agoraphobia scores of patients with nocturnal subtypes. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores of patients with the nocturnal subtype were markedly higher than those of patients without the nocturnal subtype. Conclusion: The results suggest that oxidative and inflammatory processes may play a role in the pathophysiology of PD. These findings may support the idea that both nocturnal and respiratory subtypes of PD have different symptom clusters of the same disease.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Adenosine Deaminase, Myeloperoxidase, Cholinesterase, Preeclampsia Severity, and Neonatal Outcomes

We aimed to evaluate whole blood adenosine deaminase (ADA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities and to investigate whether there was a correlation between these enzymes and severity of preeclampsia and neonatal outcomes. Sixty-one pregnant women with mild (n = 31) or severe (n = 30) preeclampsia and 50 healthy controls were included in this study. Whole blood adenosine deaminase, myeloperoxidase, butyrylcholinesterase, and acetylcholinesterase activities were measured. Adenosine deaminase and myeloperoxidase activities were significantly higher in both mild and severe preeclamptic women than they were in the controls. There was also a significant difference between the severe and the mild preeclamptic groups with respect to these enzyme activities. Although BChE activity was lower in the severe preeclamptic women than it was in the healthy controls (P < .05), AChE activity was similar in all groups (P > .05). We noted an inverse correlation between ADA activity and birth weight (r = −0.337) (P < .05) and between MPO activity and Apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes (r = −0.438 and r = −0.475, respectively, P < .01). We concluded that elevated ADA and MPO but not AChE activities may correlate with disease severity and neonatal outcomes in preeclamptic women. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact roles of ADA and MPO in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.