Özcan Ascioglu

The evaluation of lipid peroxidation and adenosine deaminase activity in patients with Behçet's disease.

OBJECTIVE Despite unknown etiology, immunologic alterations and neutrophil hyperfunctions may be involved in the etiopathogenesis of Behçets Disease (BD). The purpose of the study was to investigate whether adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity, accepted as a nonspecific marker of T lymphocyte activation, may have a potential role in BD, and also may be related to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by neutrophils. DESIGN AND METHODS ADA activities and malondialdehyde (MDA; endproduct of lipid peroxidation induced by ROS) levels in both plasma and erythrocytes were spectrophotometrically measured in 25 patients with BD and also in 25 healthy controls. RESULTS ADA activity was found to be higher in plasma, but lower in erythrocytes; plasma and erythrocyte MDA levels were higher in BD patients than those of controls. In addition, plasma ADA activity was positively related to MDA levels in both plasma (p < 0.05) and erythrocytes (p < 0.01). There was also positive correlation between MDA levels (p < 0.05), but negative correlations between ADA activities (p < 0.01) and also between ADA and MDA values in erythrocytes (p < 0.01) of BD patients. CONCLUSION These findings may provide some evidence for a potential role of T lymphocyte activation in BD as reflected by increased plasma ADA activity, and for the presence of possible interrelationship between activated T cells and neutrophil hyperfunctions, such as ROS generation, as reflected by increased MDA levels.

The prevalence of Behçet's disease in a city in Central Anatolia in Turkey

The prevalence of Behçets disease (BD) is much higher in countries along the ancient Silk Route, extending from Japan to Mediterranean countries including Turkey, than in northern Europe and the USA.

Androgenetic alopecia as an indicator of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk

Abstract Numerous studies have investigated a probable association between androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) by researching limited and dispersed parameters. We aimed to evaluate both traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors in male patients with early-onset AGA. This case–control study included 68 participants: 51 male patients with early-onset AGA and 17 healthy male controls. Patients with AGA were classified into three groups according to the Hamilton–Norwood scale and the presence of vertex hair loss. Traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors were examined in all study subjects. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 25 patients with AGA and in two control subjects (p < 0.05). The carotid intima–media thickness values were found to be significantly higher in patients with vertex pattern AGA than in patients without vertex baldness and controls (p < 0.05). The pulse-wave velocity values were also found to be significantly higher in patients (p < 0.001). A limitation of this study was the small study population. In conclusion, vertex pattern AGA appears to be a marker for early atherosclerosis. This finding supports the hypothesis that early-onset AGA alone could be an independent risk factor for CVD and metabolic syndrome.

Micronucleus frequency in the oral mucosa and lymphocytes of patients with Behçet's disease: reply from authors

The effective functioning of a stomal appliance is very much dependent upon its adhesion to peristomal skin. Some patients experience problems with this adhesion or pain on removal of the appliance as a result of peristomal hair. Many patients with stomas therefore choose to remove this hair, and most elect to shave. Frequent shaving may in turn be complicated by bacterial folliculitis, which is usually, although not exclusively, seen in men with hairy abdomens. It is therefore recommended that such patients shave their skin no more than once weekly. A number of alternative physical methods of hair removal are available, including the use of lasers. We report the case of a 28-year-old Asian man with an ileostomy, who has responded very well to peristomal laser hair removal. Our patient had undergone a colectomy for Crohn’s disease with a resulting ileostomy, and was experiencing problems with pouch adhesion despite regular shaving, because of his very hairy abdomen. After an initial consultation, he has completed a course of peristomal laser hair removal with the long-pulse Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, Lyra; Laserscope. San Jose, CA, U.S.A) resulting in effective epilation (Fig. 1) allowing functional and comfortable stoma appliance usage. It can be appreciated that it was not necessary to treat the skin immediately adjacent to the stoma, as the appliance does not adhere to this area; this also served to prevent contact between the laser device and the stomal spout, thus preventing any risk of trauma or infection. He received a total of 11 treatments at initially monthly then two-monthly intervals. No side-effects were reported. The laser used a cooling device. A fixed spot size of 10 mm was used and fluences varied throughout his course of treatment (26–40 J ⁄ 50–60 ms) based on test patches and clinical response. This case demonstrates the successful application of laser hair removal to peristomal skin. Laser hair removal is neither completely effective nor permanent, and it is anticipated that further treatments at spaced intervals will be indicated in the future. Shaving remains the first-choice method of hair removal at this site, as it is both practical and economical. However, the use of lasers can be considered when there is unwanted peristomal hair that cannot be effectively removed by this means.