Plasma renin, aldosterone, and urinary prostaglandin E levels in children with hypocalcemia due to vitamin D deficiency rickets.

We investigated the effect of hypocalcemia on plasma renin, aldosterone, and urine PGE levels in children with vitamin D deficiency rickets (VDDR). In the study group, 25 patients with VDDR-induced hypocalcemia were treated with a single dose of 150,000-300,000 IU cholecalciferol and 50 mg/kg/day elemental Ca for 10 days. On any day between 21th and 30th days after the treatment, the patients' clinical, biochemical and radiologic findings were re-evaluated.

The effect of the zinc concentration in breast milk on neonatal weight gain.

The change in breast milk zinc (Zn) concentration in a feeding period during lactation may affect neonatal weight gain. The aim of this study was to determine how to change the Zn concentrations in breast milk during a feeding period in early and late lactation periods and identify the relationship between the differences in the Zn levels in breast milk during lactation and neonatal weight gain. Breast milk was collected in the early and late lactation periods with samples being obtained before (foremilk) and after (hindmilk) a feeding period.

Patients with dental calculus have increased saliva and gingival crevicular fluid fetuin-A levels but no association with fetuin-A polymorphisms.

Fetuin-A is a potent inhibitor of calcium-phosphate precipitation and of the calcification process, therefore it can also be related with dental calculus. Thus, we aimed to investigate a possible relationship between fetuin-A gene polymorphism and the presence of dental calculus. A possible relationship between serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of fetuin-A was also investigated.

Matrix-Gla Protein rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism and serum and GCF levels of MGP in patients with subgingival dental calculus.

Aim: Matrix-Gla Protein (MGP) is one of the major Gla-containing protein associated with calcification process. It also has a high affinity for Ca and hydroxyapatite. In this study we aimed to evaluate the MGP rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism in association with subgingival dental calculus.

Serum apelin and ADMA levels in type 2 diabetics with and without vascular complications.

Aims: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic and chronic disease which is characterized by hyperglycemia, and that is the major causes of various micro and macrovascular complications. Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), formed by the hydrolysis of proteins containing methylated arginine residues, is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which oxidize l-arginine to citruline and nitric oxide (NO), related to hyperinsulinaemia and hyperlipidaemia. Apelin is a recently discovered peptide, present in a number of tissues and play role in insulin sensitivity improvement.

The low levels of circulating hepatocyte growth factor in nephrolithiasis cases: independent from gene polymorphism.

Environmental and genetic factors are important in development of nephrolithiasis. In a recent study, it has been demonstrated that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has an anti-apoptotic effect and thus can reduce the adhesion of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals to renal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HGF serum levels and its two gene polymorphisms and possible association of the two in patients with nephrolithiasis.

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor differences between the luteal and follicular phases in premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

Objective: We hypothesized that comparison of the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels between women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and women without PMDD in the luteal and follicular phases of their menstrual cycles would reflect the altered neuromodulator responses that compensate the underlying pathogenesis in PMDD.

Method: Twenty-nine participants without PMDD and 20 with PMDD were enrolled in the study. The serum BDNF, estrogen and progesterone levels were assessed at the follicular and luteal phases in their two consecutive menstrual cycles.

Association between Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) Gene Polymorphisms and Serum HGF Levels in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by proliferation and insufficient apoptosis of synovial cell, inflammatory cell infiltration, angiogenesis, and destruction of joints. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has many functions, such as regulation of inflammation, angiogenesis, and inhibition of apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between intron 13 C/A and intron 14 T/C HGF gene polymorphisms and serum HGF levels in patients with RA.

The effect of lifestyle change and metformin therapy on serum arylesterase and paraoxonase activity in obese children.

Aim: Obesity is known to be associated with many diseases in the long and short terms. Elevated oxidative stress contributes to the development of such obesity-related diseases as dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Levels of the endogenous antioxidants paraoxonase and arylesterase have been shown to decrease in such diseases.

Fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin values in preterm babies and their mothers: relationships among their levels, fetal growth, and neonatal anthropometry.

Objective: To investigate relationship between anthropometric values of premature babies with their's glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin at birth and on day 15.

Methods: We analyzed fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels at birth and on day 15 in babies born prematurely between 24 and 37 weeks, and who did not have serious problems aside from prematurity at birth.

Results: Fasting glucose, insulin, leptin and ghrelin values of babies at birth and on day 15 were significantly lower than postprandial values (all p values p < 0.

Antioxidant status in blood of obese children: the relation between trace elements, paraoxonase, and arylesterase values.

Obesity is known to lead to complications involving several systems. The basic mechanism in obesity-related complications is chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress. Trace element levels in obese children may vary due to poor nutritional habits.

Thyroid functions and trace elements in pediatric patients with exogenous obesity.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease developing following impairment of the energy balance. The endocrine system is known to be affected by the condition. Serum thyroid hormones and trace element levels have been shown to be affected in obese children.

Acute cerebral ischaemia: relationship between serum and cerebrospinal fluid orexin-A concentration and infarct volume.

Objective: Orexins are hypothalamic neuropeptides that are involved in feeding, neuroendocrine regulation, sleep-wakefulness and sleep disorders (such as narcolepsy). This study investigated the relationship between serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) orexin-A concentrations and infarct volume, in patients with ischaemic stroke.

Methods: Serum and CSF concentrations of orexin-A were determined 48-72 h after the onset of ischaemic stroke in patients, then compared with those of healthy control subjects of comparable age.

Dose-dependent protective effect of L-carnitine on oxidative stress in the livers of hyperthyroid rats.

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the dose-dependent protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) on thyroid hormone-induced oxidative stress in rat liver tissue.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroidism plus L-carnitine 100, and hyperthyroidism plus L-carnitine 500. Hyperthyroidism was induced in rats by injecting 250 μg of L-thyroxine/kg body weight/day for twenty consecutive days.

Relationship of serum paraoxonase enzyme activity and thermal burn injury.

Objective: This study investigated changes in serum oxidative stress parameters in burn cases compared to healthy controls.

Materials And Methods: This study was performed in 41 burn patients with mild to severe thermal burn injuries and 38 healthy volunteers. The burn cases were selected from patients who were hospitalized in the burn unit for the treatment of second- and third-degree burns.

Relationship between serum interleukin-1beta levels and acute phase response proteins in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) has any possible correlation on inflammatory parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and fibrinogen concentration in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients during attack-free period.

Materials And Methods: The serum levels of IL-1beta, as an indicator of cytokines status, and the acute phase response proteins, CRP, ESR and fibrinogen levels were evaluated in 35 attack-free patients with FMF and 25 healthy volunteers.

Results: Serum IL-1beta levels were significantly higher in patients with FMF than control subjects (P = 0.

Paraoxonase 1 gene polymorphisms, paraoxonase/arylesterase activities and oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with migraine.

The vascular endothelial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) may impair endothelial function. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) prevents oxidative modification of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C).

Effects of valproate, carbamazepine, and levetiracetam on the antioxidant and oxidant systems in epileptic patients and their clinical importance.

Purpose: This study was carried out to determine the effects of valproate (VPA), carbamazepine, and levetiracetam (LEV) on antioxidant and oxidant enzyme activities and the clinical importance of these effects.

Methods: We enrolled 32 patients receiving VPA, 17 receiving carbamazepine, 8 receiving LEV, 11 on multidrug therapy, and 30 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. We measured the serum activities of paraoxonase and arylesterase and the levels of 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in all the subjects.

Influence of smoking on human milk tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels at postpartum seventh day.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on human milk interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 levels at the postpartum seventh day.

Methods: Forty-four mothers (age range: 21-34 years) were enrolled in the study. Mothers were interviewed and classified according to their smoking status into one of two groups: the smoking mothers (n= 21) and the nonsmoking mothers (n= 23).

Increased levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde and its relationship with antioxidant enzymes in saliva of periodontitis patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in whole saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis. Moreover, the relationship among the oxidative damage biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes activities and clinical periodontal status were investigated.

Methods: Whole saliva samples were collected from 30 patients with chronic periodontitis and 30 periodontally healthy control.

Serum adiponectin levels in patients with esophageal cancer.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate a possible relationship between serum levels of adiponectin and clinicopathological characteristics in esophageal cancer. This is the first report evaluating serum adiponectin levels in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods: Sixty-two patients with esophageal cancer and thirty healthy subjects were included in the study.

Protective effects of N-acetylcysteine and Ginkgo biloba extract on ischaemia-reperfusion-induced hepatic DNA damage in rats.

Hepatic ischaemia-reperfusion injury is a serious problem that occurs during various surgical operations such as liver transplantation, surgical revascularization, and partial organ resection. Different pharmacological agents have been used for the protection of organ function and for extending the tolerable ischaemic interval after the ischaemic insult. We aimed to determine the presence of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the DNA from liver undergoing ischaemia-reperfusion, and also to evaluate the protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and EGb761 (Ginkgo biloba extract) against hepatic oxidative DNA damage.

Spirulina platensis protects against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of Spirulina platensis (SP) on gentamicin sulphate (GS)-induced changes in the levels of lipid peroxidation and endogenous antioxidants in the kidney of rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated in separate groups as follows for 7 consecutive days: control (C), gentamicin sulphate (100 mg/kg i.p.

Total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes in serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid of preeclamptic women with and without periodontal disease.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities, and malondialdehyde levels in serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women with and without periodontal disease.

Methods: Forty pregnant women, consisting of 10 preeclamptic subjects with periodontal disease, 10 preeclamptic periodontally healthy subjects, 10 normotensive subjects with periodontal disease, and 10 normotensive periodontally healthy subjects, were included in this study. After clinical measurement and samplings, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities, and malondialdehyde levels in serum, saliva, and GCF of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women were determined, and the data were tested by non-parametric tests.