Mustafa Metin Donma

Promising link between selenium and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma in the treatment protocols of obesity as well as depression

Considerable interest has been given to the significance of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) in macronutrient metabolism, however, there is not sufficient data concerning the interactions between PPARs and micronutrients. Investigations performed on PPARγ and one of the essential micronutrients selenium (Se) have shown that both parameters may lead to alterations in obesity-related or mood disorders. Therefore, it is plausible to consider PPARγ and Se together as a powerful combination during the treatment of two associated diseases; obesity and depression. PPARγ has been shown to be involved in the antidepressant-like activity. It is also an important parameter to be considered in obesity as the master regulator of adipogenesis. The mechanism of action of PPARγ is initiated by ligand binding which induces a conformational change in the receptor. Se is capable of alleviating inflammatory signaling pathways. Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation. Depression is also defined as an inflammatory disorder. Inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) participate in the progression of depression. They are also obesity-associated parameters. Due to TNFα induced depressive-like behaviors and the positive association between this proinflammatory cytokine and obesity, TNFα-activated signaling pathways and those inhibiting them have recently gained importance as potential targets and therapeutic tools, respectively. More studies are necessary to develop compounds with therapeutic nature against depressive disorders and obesity. PPARγ is an important signaling pathway that occurs at the crossroads of depression and obesity. Se, aside from its anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and antioxidative nature, affects also the way of PPARγ action. Se supplementation or fortification as well as the development of the partial agonists of PPARγ in which lipophilic Se compounds are used as ligand followed by experimental trials and human studies using the newly developed compounds will be promising approaches for future hope during the treatment of these diseases.

Evaluation of various aspects of paediatric malignancies in Turkey and Turkey's status in health statistics

Geographic differences in childhood cancer occurrence have been of great interest and have contributed to the current notion that most cancer cases are caused by environmental and cultural factors. The toxins, some of which are encountered by the general population, such as commonly used drugs, household products, solvents, pesticides, and insecticides, have been implicated as carcinogens and are factors that may add to the childhood cancer incidence in Turkey. Lack of information relevant to the disease, low family income, low educational status of parents, cessation of therapy, uncertainty about the childs future, fear for the childs survival, anxiety over the treatment and its effect as well as some cultural and traditional factors, are the basic individual characteristics of the population that interfere with the successful treatment of children with cancer in Turkey. Because the child with cancer is under enormous physical and emotional stress, appropriate psychosocial resources for the patient and family are important for optimal therapy. Community resources, healthcare services, income maintenance, medical insurance, financial assistance for treatment expenditures for the families who have children with cancer are extremely limited. These parameters are the unanswered needs which cancer patients and families face in our society. Despite impressive improvements, major problems remain to be solved.

Does low birth weight affect P-wave and QT dispersion in childhood?

The aim of our study is to investigate the effects of low birth weight (LBW) on atrial conduction and ventricular repolarization in children by using P‐wave dispersion (Pw‐d) and QT dispersion (QT‐d) analyses. These effects have not yet been studied in detail in LBW children.

Asprosin: Possible target in connection with ghrelin and cytokine network expression in the post-burn treatment

Burn injury is a severe form of trauma associated with pain, metabolic abnormalities, susceptibility to infections, muscle loss, mental and emotional distress. Conventional therapies as well as some recent approaches for the treatment of burned patients are currently in use. Nutritional therapy is also suggested as a supplementary option in major burns. Within this context, hormones involved in the regulation of appetite will have a paramount importance. The aim is to evaluate the interactions among ghrelin, some inflammatory parameters and the burn injury. Asprosin is also involved into this discussion due to its ghrelin-like actions. Aside from the consideration of insulin as well as stress hormones (cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine), an orexigenic, anti-inflammatory hormone, ghrelin affecting both metabolic and inflammatory systems is also involved in the protocols designed for burn treatment. Ghrelins actions exerted by way of growth-hormone secretagogue receptor, neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein, proopiomelanocortin and gamma amino butyric acid are being investigated. Asprosin, one of the remarkably few hormones identified as appetite stimulator, acts as another orexigenic hormone by using almost the same signalling pathways as those of ghrelin. Interleukin-6 should also be evaluated both as a reliable biomarker of inflammation and also with its inhibitory effects on TNF-α within the scope of burn injury. In conclusion, treatment protocols during burn injury may be designed to raise decreased concentrations of ghrelin and to repress increased levels of inflammatory agents such as TNF-α. IL-6 may be evaluated from an entirely different aspect. The potential therapeutic use of asprosin may be considered within an integrative approach with a focus on cachexia-anorexia developed in severe burn trauma.

PROGRANULIN: IS IT A NEW ADIPOCYTOKINE AT THE CROSSROADS OF OBESITY, METABOLIC SYNDROME AND CANCER?

Progranulin (PGRN) stimulates the proliferation and survival of several cancer cell types. Obesity increases the risk for metabolic as well as cardiovascular diseases, and is linked to an increased incidence and aggressiveness of various cancers. Prepubertal morbid obese (MO) children and those with metabolic syndrome (MetS) (MO+MetS) were included in our studies. World Health Organization ageand sex-dependent body mass index percentile tables were used for the classification of obesity. MetS criteria were defined. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure values, lipid and glucose metabolism–related parameters, obesity-related adipocytokines were determined. Statistical evaluations were performed. Our studies have pointed out an increasing trend going from MO towards MO+MetS group in terms of PGRN. Elevated PGRN can contribute to tumour microenvironment; stimulate growth, invasion and LIFE: International Journal of Health and Life-Sciences ISSN 2454-5872 Available Online at: http://grdspublishing.org/ 30 metastasis of cancer cells. Children with MetS have the tendency of developing chronic diseases such as cancer in their future lives. Obesity, a major public health problem, increases the risks for many severe chronic diseases. Elevated PGRN levels may promote tumor growth, serve as a potential clinical biomarker in cancer and be associated with the increased cancer risk in children with MetS. As a new molecule, PGRN may provide a new intervention target for molecular treatment options.