Murat Aydin

Effect of CPAP on New Endothelial Dysfunction Marker, Endocan, in People With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Endocan is a surrogate endothelial dysfunction marker that may be associated with CV risk factors. In this study, we tested whether serum endocan is a biomarker for OSA. Serum endocan levels were measured at baseline in 40 patients with OSA and 40 healthy controls and after 3 months of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment in the patients with OSA. All participants were evaluated by full polysomnography. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) were measured in all participants. Endocan levels were significantly higher in patients with OSA than in healthy controls. After adjusting confounders, endocan was a good predictor of OSA. Endocan levels correlated with OSA severity (measured by the apnea–hypopnea index [AHI]). After 3 months of CPAP treatment, endocan levels significantly decreased. Endocan levels were significantly and independently correlated with cIMT and FMD after multiple adjustments. The cIMT and FMD also had significant and independent correlation with AHI. Endocan might be a useful marker for the predisposition of patients with OSA to premature vascular disease.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine contributes to airway nitric oxide deficiency in patients with COPD.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and nitric oxide (NO) show their mechanism of action reciprocally, the balance between these molecules contributes to the tight regulation of airways tone and function.

Interaction of Metabolic Syndrome with Asthma in Postmenopausal Women: Role of Adipokines

The increasing prevalence of both asthma and obesity are major health problems. Recent studies established a possible link between obesity and asthma; however, the underlying mechanism is not clear. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal subjects with asthma and search the interactions between adipokines, metabolic syndrome, and asthma. A total of 45 female patients (57.5u2009±u200913.9xa0years) with asthma and 30 healthy subjects (59.6u2009±u200912.8xa0years) in postmenopausal status were enrolled in this study. For the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, modified World Health Organization diagnostic criteria were used. Blood levels of glucose, lipid profile, HbA1c, insulin, CRP, leptin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were measured. The mean body mass index was 29.6u2009±u20095.4 for asthma patients and 28.2u2009±u20095.3 for the control group. The incidence of metabolic syndrome was found as 26xa0% for both groups. Insulin resistance as calculated by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and fasting insulin levels were significantly higher in asthma patients (pu2009<u20090.001 for both parameters). Leptin levels were significantly higher (pu2009=u20090.001) and adiponectin levels were lower (pu2009=u20090.029) in asthma patients compared to controls. We concluded that although incidence of obesity and metabolic syndrome was not higher in postmenopausal asthma patients than controls, there was an impairment of glucose metabolism and altered adipokine levels in asthma patients.

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Is a Novel Biomarker Predicting Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reduce quality of life and are associated with a more rapid deterioration of the disease. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a novel candidate exacerbation biomarker. In this study, we aimed to assess GDF-15 as a biomarker of acute exacerbation of COPD (AE-COPD). Lung function parameters, arterial blood gas analysis, and circulating levels of GDF-15, C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen were assessed in 29 patients on admission to the hospital for AE-COPD, in 29 age-, gender-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched patients with stable COPD, and 29 matched controls with normal lung function. Patients with AE-COPD had higher circulating concentrations of GDF-15 (pu2009<u20090.001), CRP (pu2009<u20090.001), and fibrinogen (pu2009<u20090.002) compared with patients with stable COPD and healthy controls. GDF-15 levels correlated with systemic inflammatory marker CRP in patients with AE-COPD (ru2009=u20090.677, pu2009<u20090.001) and with stable COPD (ru2009=u20090.417, pu2009=u20090.024). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed GDF-15 (odds ratio 18.16, 95xa0% confidence interval (CI) 2.51–134.32; pu2009=u20090.005) as an independent predictor of AE-COPD. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, GDF-15 achieved an area under the curve of 0.78 for the identification of AE-COPD. In conclusion, GDF-15 is a novel blood biomarker of AE-COPD that is more sensitive than that of CRP. GDF-15 may offer new insights into the pathogenesis of AE-COPD.

The association of vitamin D with inflammatory cytokines in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

[Purpose] The effects of vitamin D on the circulating levels of IL-17 and IL-13 were investigated in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 without neuropathy, and healthy controls. [Subjects and Methods] A single-blind controlled clinical study was performed, including70 type 2 diabetic patients with or without diabetic peripheral neuropathy and 33 healthy volunteer controls. The 25(OH)D levels were evaluated using ultra-performance liquid chromatography, and IL-17 and IL-13 levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. [Results] The 25(OH) vitamin D concentration was lower in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients than in diabetes mellitus patients without neuropathy and healthy controls. Similarly, 25(OH)D levels were lower in diabetes mellitus patients than healthy controls. IL-17 and IL-13 levels were higher in diabetes mellitus patients than in controls. Additionally, IL-13 levels were higher in diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients than in diabetes mellitus patients without neuropathy. These differences were statistically significant. There was a significant positive correlation between 25(OH)D and IL-13,and a negative correlation between 25(OH)D andIL-17 in the diabetic and diabetic neuropathy groups. [Conclusion] Vitamin D is a potential modifiable risk factor for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and may regulate inflammatory mediators, e.g., IL-17 and IL-13.

Mannitol has a protective effect on testicular torsion: An experimental rat model

OBJECTIVEnTesticular torsion is an emergency condition that causes testicular injury. Any treatment opportunity reducing the destructive effect of testicular torsion is important for the future life of patients. In this experimental study we investigated the protective effect of mannitol on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in a rat testes torsion model.nnnMETHODnIn total, 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were included. Four experimental groups included eight rats each. Group A was a sham group in which the right testis was brought out through a scrotal incision and then replaced in the scrotum without torsion. In Group B, the right testis was torsioned, by rotating 720° clockwise and fixed to the scrotum with no treatment. In Group C, the same testicular torsion process was performed with saline infusion just after testicular torsion. In group D, mannitol infusion was used just after testicular torsion. Testicles were detorsioned after 3xa0h and left inside for more than 2xa0h before orchiectomy. Histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses were performed.nnnRESULTSnTesticular architecture was disturbed significantly in the torsion groups without mannitol infusion. However, testicular tissue structure was significantly better in the mannitol-treated group, demonstrating a protective effect. Similar findings were also shown for the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) index and antioxidant activity; both were higher in the mannitol group than in the no-treatment and saline groups (pxa0<xa00.01). The apoptotic index was also significantly lower in the mannitol-treated group compared with the no treatment and saline groups (pxa0<xa00.01).nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe seminiferous tubule structure in testicular torsion without mannitol treatment was significantly disturbed, whereas the structural disruption was considerably less in the mannitol group. Mannitol treatment also decreased reactive oxygen radical levels significantly and was able to decrease apoptosis. These results were consistent with other organ model studies that evaluated the protective effects of mannitol treatment in I/R injury. Mannitol infusion had a protective effect against I/R injury in testicular torsion in rats. This experimental study may guide clinicians to evaluate the effectiveness of mannitol in human testicular torsion.

The effects of melatonin on liver functions in arsenic-induced liver damage

OBJECTIVEnArsenic exposure is increasing in communities due to environmental pollution and industrial development. Arsenic is toxic to organ systems because it causes oxidative stress, enzymatic inhibition, and damage to protein structures. The liver, for example, is an organ that may be damaged by arsenic, and this damage may cause various clinical conditions like hepatic failure or cancer. Melatonin is a hormone that acts like an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory agent, and a cytoprotective agent. In this study, we aimed to evaluate melatonins protective effects on livers damaged by arsenic toxicity.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnTwenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats were classified into three groups: a control group, an arsenic applied group, and an arsenic plus 10 mg/kg melatonin applied group. At the end of the fifteen-day experiment, the rats were sacrificed. Albumin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), total protein, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 measurements were obtained.nnnRESULTSnIn rats with liver damage due to arsenic exposure, melatonin administration significantly decreased the levels of IL-6, macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (p<0.001, p=0.02 and p=0.04, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONnAfter evaluating liver enzymes and inflammatory markers, this study determined that melatonin exposure improves liver tissue damage caused by arsenic exposure, with the degree of improvement varying based on the levels of arsenic exposure.

The effect of obesity and dietary habits on mean platelet volume and other platelet indices

In this study, the mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW) parameters in obese children and the control group were compared with the amount of fast food consumed in the diet to determine whether there is a correlation. After the patients medical records were examined, parameters such as height, body weight, waist circumference, and hip circumference measurements were recorded. Among the study patients, those whose complete blood counts were tested due to medical requirements or routine check-ups were included, and the patients MPV and PDW were evaluated. The MPV and PDW concentrations of obese children were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. There was a positive correlation between fast food consumption, and MPV and PDW. In the presence of obesity and excessive consumption of fast food, increased MPV concentrations might trigger the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis starting from childhood years onward. Therefore, in this age group obesity should be controlled with diet and other treatment methods to prevent the mortality and morbidity that might ensue in adult years.

Effects of Erdosteine in Experimental Sepsis Model in Rats

Objective Erdosteine is a mucolytic agent that is known to possess antioxidant effects. This study investigated the effects of erdosteine on endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels and oxidative stress parameters superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in a rat sepsis model. Methods Four groups of Wistar albino rats (n=8 per group) were randomly allocated to the following groups: sham (group 1), sepsis (group 2), erdosteine control (group 3) and a sepsis group pretreated with erdosteine (group 4). Sepsis was induced using E. Coli ATCC 25922 inoculation. Serum ET-1, liver tissue SOD and MDA levels were determined in all groups. Results ET-1 levels were significantly higher in group 2 compared to groups 1, 3 and 4 (p<0.001, p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). Similarly, MDA levels in groups 1, 3 and 4 were significantly lower relative to group 2 (p<0.001, p=0.022 and p=0.010, respectively). Additionally, SOD activities in these same three groups were found to be significantly higher than those in group 2 (p<0.001, p=0.004 and p=0.028, respectively). Conclusion In conclusion, erdosteine decreases ET-1 levels and ameliorates oxidative stress parameters induced by sepsis in an experimental rat model of sepsis.