Yasemin Delen Akçay

Protection capacity against low-density lipoprotein oxidation and antioxidant potential of some organic and non-organic wines

Current research suggests that phenolics from wine may play a positive role against oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is a key step in the development of atherosclerosis. Considering the effects of different wine-making techniques on phenols and the wine consumption preference influencing the benefical effects of the product, organically and non-organically produced wines were obtained from the grapes of Vitis vinifera origin var: Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Columbard and Semillon. Levels of total phenols [mg/l gallic acid equivalents (GAE)], antioxidant activity (%) and inhibition of LDL oxidation [%, inhibition of diene and malondialdehyde (MDA) formation] were determined. Some phenolic acids (gallic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid and vanillic acid) were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with an electrochemical detection carried at +0.65 V (versus Ag/AgCl, 0.5 μA full scale). The highest concentrations of gallic, syringic and ferulic acids were found in organic Cabernet Sauvignon; 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid in organic Carignan and p-coumaric and vanillic acids in non-organic Merlot wine. High levels of antioxidant activity (AOA), inhibition of LDL oxidation and total phenol levels were found in non-organic Merlot (101.950% AOA; 88.570% LDL-diene; 41.000% LDL-MDA; 4700.000 mg/l GAE total phenol) and non-organic Cabernet Sauvignon (92.420% AOA; 91.430% LDL-diene; 67.000% LDL-MDA; 3500.000 mg/l GAE total phenol) grape varieties. Concentrations of some individual phenolic constituents (ferulic, p-coumaric, vanillic) are correlated with high antioxidant activity and inhibition of LDL oxidation.The best r value for all examined characteristics was determined for gallic acid, followed by 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic, syringic, ferulic and p-coumaric acids. Negative correlation of vanillic with MDA and p-hydroxybenzoic acid with LDL were confirmed by principal component analysis (PCA) analyses. Red wines display a higher antioxidant activity (81.110% AOA) than white ones (19.512% AOA). The avarage level of LDL inhibition capacity in red wine was determined as 87.072% and for the white as 54.867%.

Chitotriosidase as a possible marker of clinically evidenced atherosclerosis in dyslipidemic children.

Abstract A correlation has been clearly shown between inflammation markers and subclinical atherosclerosis markers in the early stages of atherogenesis in subjects with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The aim of this study was to investigate potential inflammation markers in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis in children with FH. A total of 48 dyslipidemic children and 24 healthy age-matched control subjects were taken into study. Inflammation and macrophage activation markers (hsCRP, myeloperoxidase, chitotriosidase, YKL-40, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-18, MMP-1 and MMP-9) and lipid parameters of all patients were measured. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) levels were determined. Our data suggested that clinically evidenced (by cIMT and FMD levels) atherosclerosis starts in the early ages in hypercholesterolemic children. Higher cholesterol levels strongly correlated with macrophage activation markers (ChT, YKL-40 and myeloperoxidase). ChT and YKL-40 seem to be the more predictable markers of atherosclerosis even in early ages (<6 years old) than other classical inflammation markers such as hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α.

Contradictory effects of chlorpromazine on endothelial cells in a rat model of endotoxic shock in association with its actions on serum TNF-α levels and antioxidant enzyme activities

We examined the effects of the phenothiazine derivative, chlorpromazine on thoracic aortic endothelial cell histology (14 h after LPS challenge) in a model of endotoxic shock in rats. Since excessive formation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and oxygen-derived free radicals contribute to endothelial injury in endotoxemia, we also evaluated the effect of the drug on the activities of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in liver tissue in this model and tried to find out whether this possible effect was associated with a change in serum TNF-alpha levels (measured 90 min after chlorpromazine administration). Endotoxemia was induced by a single i.p. injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (5 mg kg(-1) in 1.5 ml of saline; LPS from Escherichia coli serotype 055:B5, L-2880, Sigma Chemical Company). Electron microscopic evaluation of the aortas revealed that chlorpromazine (administered 30 min prior to LPS challenge), in smaller doses (3 mg kg(-1)) ameliorated the endothelial cell injury caused by LPS, whereas it caused deterioration of endothelial cell morphology in higher doses (10 and 25 mg kg(-1)). Chlorpromazine administration caused a significant reduction in serum TNF-alpha levels, which was correlated well with an increase in SOD activity in all drug doses (3, 10 and 25 mg kg(-1)). Catalase activity was increased only in the 25 mg kg(-1) chlorpromazine group.

Effects of iron(II) salts and iron(III) complexes on trace element status in children with iron-deficiency anemia

Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common nutritional deficiency in childhood throughout the world. Although it has been shown that IRA is associated with elevated plasma copper and depleted zinc levels in children, there are conflicting results on the effect of iron supplementation on the absorption of these elements. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ferrous and ferric iron supplementation on the trace element status in children (n=25, aged 8–168 mo) with IDA. Fourteen of them were treated with ferric hydroxide-polymaltose complex (Ferrum, Vifor, Switzerland) (6 mg/d in the first 3 mo for initial therapy and 3 mg/kg for 3 mo as maintenance); the others were treated with a ferrous sulfate complex (FerroSanol, Schwarz, Germany) (6 mg/d in the first 3 mo for initial therapy and 3 mg/kg for 3 mo as maintenance). Plasma copper, zinc, and ceruloplasmin levels as well as hematological parameters were determined at baseline and the first, third, and sixth month of the treatment period. The hemoglobin and iron levels of patients in both groups were higher in the first and sixth months compared to baseline. Although the ceruloplasmin levels were depleted (48.9 mg/dL vs 41.4 mg/dL, p=0.035) during ferrous iron treatment, the copper and zinc levels remained unchanged. On the other hand, ferric iron supplementation led to an increase in zinc levels in the sixth month of treatment (0.77 mg/L vs 1.0 mg/L, p=0.021). The plasma copper levels were lower in the ferrous iron-treated group at the end of the first month of treatment than in the ferric irontreated group (1.06 mg/L vs 1.29 mg/L, p=0.008). In conclusion, our data showed that copper and ceruloplasmin metabolisms were affected by ferrous iron supplementation, whereas ferric iron kept them to normal levels of zinc, possibly by affecting their absorption. We conclude that the copper and zinc status of patients with IDA should be taken into consideration before and after iron therapy.

A panel of oxidative stress assays does not provide supplementary diagnostic information in Behcet's disease patients

BackgroundRecent findings suggest a role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of Behcets disease (BD), but the utility of oxidative stress-associated assays in offering diagnostic information or in the monitoring of disease activity is largely unassessed.Objective and methodsWe aimed to measure oxidative and inflammatory markers, along with the markers of reactive nitrogen species, S-nitrosothiols and 3-nitrotyrosine, in BD patients (n = 100) and healthy volunteers (n = 50). These markers were evaluated in regard to their role in the pathogenesis of BD as well as their relation to clinical presentation, disease activity and duration.ResultsMedian values for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein, leukocyte count, and IL-18 levels, as well as myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, were statistically higher in the patient group compared to controls. Some inflammation markers (ESR, neutrophil and leukocyte counts) were statistically higher (p < 0.05) in the active period. In contrast, oxidative stress-associated measures (erythrocyte lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and measures of serum antioxidant capacity), revealed no statistically significant differences between the median values in BD patients versus healthy control subjects (p > 0.05 in all statistical comparisons), nor was there any difference in median levels of these oxidative stress markers in active disease versus disease remission. S-nitrosothiols and 3-nitrotyrosine were undetectable in BD plasma.ConclusionsThe application of oxidative stress-associated measures to BD blood samples offered no supplemental diagnostic or disease activity information to that provided by standard laboratory measures of inflammation. S-nitrosothiols and 3-nitrotyrosine appeared not to be markers for active BD; thus the search for biochemical markers that will indicate the active period should be continued with larger studies.

Serum Amyloid A and Lipoprotein Associated Phospholipase A2 Levels in Patients with Malign Melanoma: Correlations with Clinical Assessment and Stage

Amaç: Malign melanomlu (MM) hastaların erken tanı ve takibinde kullanılabilecek onaylanmış, sensitif ve spesifik biyobelirteçlerin eksikliği günümüzde önemli sorun teşkil etmektedir. Bu çalışmada yangı ilişkili iki biyobelirteç olan serum amiloid A (SAA) ve lipoprotein ilişkili fosfolipaz A2’nin (Lp-PLA2) melanomun klinik izlemi ve evrelemesindeki korelasyonunu araştırmayı amaçladık. Yöntemler: Histolojik ve klinik olarak doğrulanan MM hastaları (n=131) ve sağlıklı gönüllülerden (n=27) alınan kan örneklerinde laktat dehidrogenaz (LDH) ve C-reaktif protein (CRP) (Routine), SAA ve S100B (ELISA), Lp-PLA2 aktivite düzeyleri (PLAC® Test) çalışılmıştır. Bulgular: MM hastalarında kontrol grubuna kıyasla sedimantasyon düzeyi, LDH, CRP, S100B, SAA ve Lp-PLA2 aktivitesi düzeyleri anlamlı olarak daha yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0,05). Hastalık evresiyle en güçlü korelasyon gösteren belirteç SAA olarak saptanmıştır (Spearman’s korelasyon analizinde rho katsayısı 0,622, p=0,000). İşlem karakteristik değerlendirmelerine göre en geniş eğri altında kalan alanı gösteren=0,984, p=0,000, en yüksek sensitivite (%95) ve spesifite (%93) SAA’da saptanmıştır. Pearson testi sonuçlarına göre SAA düzeyleriyle Lp-PLA2 aktivitesi arasında zayıf güçte pozitif korelasyon saptanmıştır (r=0,311, p=0,000). Objective: The lack of validated, sensitive, and specific biomarkers for early diagnosis and follow-up of patients with malign melanoma (MM) is a major problem today. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlations of two inflammatory biomarkers-serum amyloid A (SAA) and lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2)-in clinical follow-up and staging of MM. Methods: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and C-reactive protein (CRP) (Routine), SAA and S100B (ELISA), and Lp-PLA2 (PLAC® Test) activity levels were examined in histologically and clinically confirmed MM patients (n=131) and in healthy controls (n=27). Results: Sedimentation rate and LDH, CRP, S100B, SAA, Lp-PLA2 activities were found to be significantly higher in MM patients compared to control group (p<0.05). SAA showed the strongest correlation with disease stage (Spearman’s correlation coefficient=0.622, p=0.000). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that SAA exhibited the largest area under the curve=0.984, p=0.000, highest sensitivity (95%) and specificity (93%). Pearson’s test indicated a weak positive correlation between SAA levels and LpPLA2 activity (r=0.311, p=0.000). Conclusion: This is the first study to evaluate the activity of inflammatory biomarker Lp-PLA2 in melanoma patients. Both SAA and Lp-PLA2 were in highest levels in stage 4 patients, and they are thought to be candidate biomarkers to be used in detecting tumor progression. According to our results, SAA is the biomarker which correlates best with disease stage in MM.

Antioxidant activity in melasma

©Copyright 2018 by Turkish Society of Dermatology and Venereology Turkderm-Turkish Archives of Dermatology and Venereology published by Galenos Yayınevi. Turkderm-Turk Arch Dermatol Venereology 2018;52:33-6 Öz Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, İzmir, Turkey *Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, İzmir, Turkey İlgen Ertam, Tuğçe Özkapu, Yasemin Akçay*, Eser Yıldırım Sözmen*, İdil Ünal Melazmada antioksidan aktivite Antioxidant activity in melasma DOI: 10.4274/turkderm.19052 Address for Correspondence/Yazışma Adresi: İlgen Ertam MD, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, İzmir, Turkey Phone: +90 532 715 45 04 E-mail: ilgenertam@gmail.com Received/Geliş Tarihi: 17.01.2017 Accepted/Kabul Tarihi: 09.10.2017 ORCID ID: orcid.org/0000-0003-2341-3935 Background and Design: Melasma is a common, symmetric hypermelanosis characterized by irregular brown to gray-brown macules on the face. It is frequently associated with pregnancy and oral contraceptive consumption. Sunlight and genetic factors play major roles in the pathogenesis of melasma. Human skin exposed to ultraviolet light or environmental oxidizing pollutants become a preferred target of oxidative stress. Topical and oral antioxidants are used to treat melasma. To investigate serum antioxidant capacity in patients with melasma and relationship between antioxidant levels and melasma severity. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine cases of melasma and 35 controls were included in the study. Each patient’s skin pigmentation was assessed using the Melasma Area Severity Index (MASI) and mexameter reading. Serum trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), total antioxidant activity (TAOA), and ferric reducing power (FRAP) were evaluated in patients and controls by spectrophotometric method. Results: TEAC levels were higher in patients than in controls (p<0.00). However, there was no statistically significant relationship of MASI with TEAC, TAOA and, FRAP. Conclusion: According to our results, there is not a strong relationship between serum antioxidants and melasma severity. Therefore, we propose that antioxidant therapy may not be necessary in patients with melasma.

Evaluation of endothelial function and platelet activation in dyslipidemic children.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the parameters of endothelial function and platelet activation in children with familial hypercholesterolemia by measuring plasma homocysteine, asymmetrical dimethyl arginine (ADMA), nitrotyrosine and P-selectin levels. Methods: Thirty-five heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemic patients on statin therapy, 10 homozygous familial hypercholesterolemic patients treated by LDL apheresis and lipid-lowering drugs, and 25 healthy children, all aged between 2 to 16 years were enrolled in this study. Echocardiography was performed and intima-media thickness (IMT), and endotheliumdependent vasodilation parameters were evaluated. LDL apheresis was performed by adsorption method using double-membrane filtration technique. Plasma nitrotyrosine, homocysteine, P-selectin and ADMA levels were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a commercial kit. Results: Plasma homocysteine (p=0.000), ADMA (p=0.005), nitrotyrosine (p=0.808), p-selectin (p=0.466) levels were lowest in the LDL apheresis group. A positive correlation was detected between homocysteine and intima/media thickness (r=0.334, p=0.043). Showed that LDL apheresis therapy might decrease plasma levels of homocysteine, ADMA, and nitrotyrosine, and might eventually play an important role in the improvement of endothelial dysfunction and pla-

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1, RANTES and macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels in gingival crevicular fluid of metabolic syndrome patients with gingivitis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted protein (RANTES) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in metabolic syndrome patients with gingivitis. DESIGN Twenty metabolic syndrome patients with gingivitis (MSG), 20 MetS patients with clinically healthy periodontium (MSH), 20 systemically healthy subjects with gingivitis and 20 subjects who were both systemically and periodontally healthy were included. Periodontal and systemical parameters were recorded. GCF MCP-1, RANTES and MIF levels were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS MSG and MSH groups had elevated blood pressure, triglyceride, waist circumference and fasting glucose values in comparison to gingivitis and healthy groups (P<0.0001). Clinical periodontal parameters were higher in MSG and gingivitis groups when compared to those of the MSH and healthy groups (P<0.0001). MCP-1 and RANTES levels (ng/mg total protein) of MSG group were higher than those of the MSH groups (P=0.005, P=0.0001, respectively). Also gingivitis group had higher MCP-1, RANTES and MIF levels compared to the healthy group (P=0.011, P=0.0001, P=0.011 respectively). The RANTES level of MSG group was significantly higher than those of the gingivitis group (P=0.01), but MCP-1 and MIF levels were similar in the MSG and gingivitis groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Elevated levels of GCF RANTES in MetS patients with gingivitis might associate with the presence of increased gingival inflammation by MetS. Low-grade systemic inflammation associated with MetS and adipose tissue-derived RANTES might lead to altered GCF RANTES levels in the presence of gingival inflammation.