Mehmet Bilgehan Yuksel

Levels of serum trace elements in renal cell carcinoma cases.

Trace elements which are essential components of biological structures may also be toxic when present at levels above the amounts required for biological function. In our study, trace element levels were measured with furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 33 newly diagnosed renal cell carcinoma cases (preoperative) and 32 healthy controls. When compared with the control group, it was found that the levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) were higher and the levels of zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were lower in the patient group. These changes may be important in the formation of renal cell carcinoma, a question which should be explored with postoperative comparative studies.

Serum adenosine deaminase, catalase and carbonic anhydrase activities in patients with bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between adenosine deaminase and various cancers has been investigated in several studies. However, serum adenosine deaminase activity and carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities in patients with bladder cancer have not previously been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure serum adenosine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities in patients with bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with bladder cancer and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Serum adenosine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Serum adenosine deaminase, carbonic anhydrase and catalase activities were significantly higher in patients with bladder cancer than controls (all significant, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These markers might be a potentially important finding as an additional diagnostic biochemical tool for bladder cancer.

Serum prolidase activity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Objectives: Prolidase is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family. It plays a vital role in collagen turnover, matrix remodeling, and cell growth. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancers. Oxidative stress can cause tumor angiogenesis and may be carcinogenic. However, the relationship between antioxidant capacity and various cancers has been researched in several clinical trials. In our study, we aimed to identify serum prolidase activity, oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme levels in patients with renal tumors and to evaluate their relationships with each other. Materials and Methods: A total of 37 male patients with renal cell cancer and with a mean age of 56.28 ± 3.1 were included in the study. The control group comprising 36 male patients (mean age 56.31 ± 2.9) was randomly selected among the volunteers. Serum samples for measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and prolidase levels were kept at −20°C until they were used. Results: Serum prolidase activity and MDA levels were significantly higher in renal cancer patients than in controls (all, p < 0.05), while SOD, GSHPx, and GST levels were significantly lower (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that increased prolidase seems to be related to increased oxidative stress along with decreased antioxidant levels in renal cancer.

Effect of short-term treatment with levosimendan on oxidative stress in renal tissues of rats

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influences of short-term treatment with levosimendan (chemical formula: C14H12N6O) on oxidative stress and some trace element levels in renal tissues of healthy rats. A total of 20 male Wistar-albino rats were randomly divided into two groups, each consisting of 10 rats. Animals in the first group were not treated with levosimendan and served as control. Animals in the second group were injected intraperitoneally with 12 µg/kg levosimendan and served as levosimendan group. Animals in both the groups were killed 3 days after the treatment, and their kidneys were harvested for the determination of tissue oxidant/antioxidant statues and trace element levels in renal tissues. The tissue malondialdehyde level was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in levosimendan group than in controls. The protective enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase and antioxidant glutathione level were significantly (p < 0.001) higher in levosimendan group than in controls. It was concluded that levosimendan reduced oxidative stress by avoiding lipid peroxidation and production of reactive oxygen species, and overactivating and/or increasing the protective antioxidant enzyme levels in renal tissues of rats. It is supposed that this experimental study provides beneficial data for clinicians in the management of renal tissue damage related to obstruction and/or ischemia.

Serum Levels of Trace Elements in Patients with Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND Trace elements are major components of biological structures; however, excessive levels of these elements can be toxic. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present study, serum levels of trace elements were measured in 30 patients with newly diagnosed as prostate cancer and 32 healthy volunteer by using furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RESULTS It was found that there was an increase in serum levels of Co, Cu, Mg and Pb (p<0.05), whereas a decrease in serum levels of Fe, Mn, and Zn levels in patients with prostate cancer (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS These changes may be important in the pathogenesis of prostate cancers; however, further prospective studies are needed to identify relationships between prostate cancer and trace elements.

Haptoglobin Levels in Turkish Patients with Bladder Cancer and its Association with Clinicopathological Features

Although alteration in the haptoglobin phenotype has been reported in patients with bladder cancer, serum haptoglobin levels have not been evaluated. We hypothesized that serum haptoglobin can be used as a biomarker. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of haptoglobin in bladder cancer and to determine the relationship with clinicopathological features. A total of 68 serum specimens obtained before surgery were used to investigate haptoglobin expression using the sandwich ELISA technique. Serum haptoglobin levels were higher in the patients with bladder cancer compared to healthy controls (p<0.0001). Additionally, the levels of haptoglobin protein increased with increasing tumor grades (p<0.001) and were significantly higher in patients with metastatic disease and the presence of lymphovascular involvement, lymph node metastases and increasing tumor burden (p<0.0001). This study suggests that elevated haptoglobin levels are associated with a higher stage, grade, and extent of distant metastasis and larger tumor size. Haptoglobin may therefore provide a useful diagnostic and treatment biomarker for patients with bladder cancer.

Short-term levosimendan treatment protects rat testes against oxidative stress

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term levosimendan exposure on oxidant/antioxidant status and trace element levels in the testes of rats under physiological conditions. Twenty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two groups of 10 animals each. Group 1 was not exposed to levosimendan and served as control. Levosimendan (12 µg/kg) diluted in 10 mL 0.9% NaCl was administered intraperitoneally to group 2. Animals of both groups were sacrificed after 3 days and their testes were harvested for the determination of changes in tissue oxidant/antioxidant status and trace element levels. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly lower in the levosimendan group (P < 0.001) than in the untreated control group and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were significantly higher in the levosimendan group (P < 0.001). Carbonic anhydrase, catalase and GSH levels were not significantly different from controls. Mg and Zn levels of testes were significantly higher (P < 0.001) and Co, Pb, Cd, Mn, and Cu were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in group 2 compared to group 1. Fe levels were similar for the two groups (P = 0.94). These results suggest that 3-day exposure to levosimendan induced a significant decrease in tissue MDA level, which is a lipid peroxidation product and an indicator of oxidative stress, and a significant increase in the activity of an important number of the enzymes that protect against oxidative stress in rat testes.

Epididymoorchitis as the First Finding in Patients with Brucellosis

Purpose. Acute scrotal pain as the first symptom of brucellosis is rarely observed. We aimed to evaluate the data of male patients with brucellosis and epididymoorchitis as the initial diagnosis. Material and Methods. The data of seven patients presented with testicular pain, hyperemia, swelling, and increased fever were reviewed. Concomitant focal diseases as well as clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings were retrospectively evaluated. Results. The mean age of the patients was 22.28 ± 7.78 (16–35) years. All patients presented with scrotal pain, swelling, and increased sweating. Additional findings included fever, asthenia, arthralgia, dysuria, shiver and rash, weight loss, and vomiting in 6, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2, and 1 patient, respectively. In all of 7 patients, the agglutination tests of Rose-Bengal and Wright were positive. Coombs test was positive only in 3 patients. The patients underwent antibiotic and conservative treatment. No relapse was observed following the treatment. Conclusion. In endemic regions, epididymoorchitis caused by brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients presenting with acute scrotal pain. Clinical and serological findings are sufficient for the diagnosis. Conservative management combined with antibiotic therapy is adequate for managing brucellar epididymoorchitis.

Preoperative levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7 and -9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 relation to pathologic parameters in bladder carcinoma patients.

Our aim was to test the hypothesis that preoperative serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and -9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP-1) levels correlate with pathological features. Serum levels of MMP-7, and MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were determined in 90 bladder cancer patients and 40 healthy controls using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Preoperative serum MMP-7 and MMP-9 levels were significantly higher in cancer patients than control groups (p<0.001). In contast, serum TIMP-1 levels were lower (p<0.001). Alteration in MMP-7, and MMP-9, and TIMP-1 production may contribute to tumor angiogenesis and be associated with clinic-pathological features.

An Extremely Rare Complication of Double-J Stenting: Renal Parenchymal Perforation with no Hematoma

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