Serum prolidase activity and oxidative status in patients with bronchial asthma.

Asthma is a disease where there is an accumulation of collagen in the reticular basal membrane of the airway leading to chronic inflammation. The enzyme prolidase plays an important role in the breakdown of collagen and the breakdown of intracellular protein especially in the final stage when peptides and dipeptides contain a high level of proline. To evaluate the relationship between prolidase activity and oxidative status in asthma patients.

Assessment of serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in early pregnancy failure.

Questions Under Study: Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is an HDL-bound enzyme system which plays a key role in the protection of LDL and HDL from oxidation by hydrolysing activated phospholipids and lipid peroxide products. Oxidative stress has been involved in the pathogenesis of many complications of human pregnancy, including early pregnancy failure (EPF), preeclampsia and preterm labour. The purpose of this study was to determine serum paraoxonase/arylesterase activities and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels as an oxidative stress indicator in women with EPF.

Groundwater contamination mechanism in a geothermal field: a case study of Balcova, Turkey.

The Balcova Geothermal Field (BGF) located in Izmir, Turkey is situated on an east-west directed graben plain within which the hot waters surface from a fault zone that cuts the Mesozoic aged Bornova Flysch. Due to the low permeability and porosity of the Bornova Flysch, the geothermal water cycles along the immediate vicinity of the Agamemnon fault and mixes with cold waters at different depths of this fractured zone. Within the scope of this study, the mixing patterns and the groundwater contamination mechanisms are analyzed by, hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical methods.

Assessment of paraoxonase activities in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

The objective of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and total thiol (total free sulfhydryl groups, -SH) levels along with lipid parameters in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Thirty-six patients with knee osteoarthritis and 30 healthy individuals were enrolled in the study. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically.

Nigella sativa relieves the deleterious effects of ischemia reperfusion injury on liver.

Aim: To determine whether Nigella sativa prevents hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury to the liver.

Methods: Thirty rats were divided into three groups as sham (Group 1), control (Group 2), and Nigella sativa (NS) treatment group (Group 3). All rats underwent hepatic ischemia for 45 min followed by 60 min period of reperfusion.

The association of serum prolidase activity with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.

Objectives: Prolidase is a cytosolic exopeptidase that cleaves iminodipeptides with carboxy-terminal proline or hydroxyproline and plays major role in collagen turnover. Collagen is the essential content in atherosclerotic plaque playing a key role in the stability/instability of and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). Consequently, in this study we sought to determine serum prolidase activity and markers of oxidative stress such as lipid hydroperoxide and total free sulfhydryl in CAD.

Protective effects of melatonin on oxidative-antioxidative balance and cataract formation in rats.

We investigated the effects of melatonin on cataract formation in rats exposed to selenite. We concluded that the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants plays an important role in cataract formation and melatonin decreases cataract incidence in rats by increasing antioxidant activity.

Association of prolidase activity, oxidative parameters, and presence of atrial fibrillation in patients with mitral stenosis.

Background: Mitral stenosis (MS) is a common cause of atrial fibrillation (AF). Oxidative stress and inflammation factors were shown to be involved in atrial remodeling. The study aim was to compare the oxidative parameters and prolidase activity in severe MS patients with and without AF.

Relation of serum uric acid levels with the presence and severity of angiographic coronary artery disease.

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between uric acid level and severity of coronary artery disease. Consecutive 495 patients with coronary artery disease and 356 individuals with normal coronary angiograms were included in the study. Severity of coronary artery disease was evaluated using the Gensini score index.

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase as a potential target for the treatment of acute renal injury caused by lipopolysaccharide.

Recent studies have clearly reported that there is a relationship between endotoxemia and acute renal injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with the new potent PARP inhibitor PJ34 could prevent the acute renal injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Endotoxemia was induced by LPS injection (10 mg/kg, i.

PON1 activity and total oxidant status in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to the investigate effect of tuberculosis infection on paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity and oxidative status in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB).

Design And Methods: Twenty-five active PTB subjects and 33 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum PON1 activity, total oxidant status (TOS), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) and total free sulfydryl (-SH) groups were determined.

Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities for the evaluation of patients with chronic hepatitis.

The sensitivity of standard biochemical tests for liver function is low and insufficient for a reliable determination of the presence or absence of liver disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels, and to find out that whether the measurement of serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities would be useful as an index of liver function status in chronic hepatitis (CH). Fourty-four patients with CH (24 CHB and 20 CHC) and 38 controls were enrolled.

Effect of melatonin on testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats: is this effect related to the proinflammatory cytokines?

Objective: To determine whether the protective effect of melatonin in testicular ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury is mediated by the proinflammatory molecules.

Design: Experimental study.

Setting: University pharmacology laboratory.

Melatonin protects from ischemia/reperfusion-induced renal injury in rats: this effect is not mediated by proinflammatory cytokines.

The pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to acute ischemic renal failure are not completely understood. Melatonin, a compound with well-known antioxidant properties, reduces IR-induced renal injury. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-beta, and IL-6 in postischemic reperfused renal tissue, and to determine whether the protective effect of melatonin is related the modulation of the production of these inflammatory molecules.

Lamivudine monotherapy and lamivudine plus interferon alpha combination therapy in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B not responding to previous interferon alpha monotherapy.

Background And Study Aims: To investigate the efficacy of the combined therapy of lamivudine (LAM) plus alpha interferon (IFN) and LAM monotherapy in HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients who were unresponsive to previous IFN monotherapy, and the incidence of YMDD mutations.

Patients-methods: Forty-five HBeAg negative patients were enrolled in this study. 24 of these were treated with LAM (100 mg/day, PO, for 24 months) alone (group 1) and 21 with combined therapy (IFN-alpha-2b, 10 MU, tiw, SC, for 6 months plus LAM 100 mg/day, PO, for 24 months) (group 2).

Serum prolidase activity in patients with hypertension and its relation with left ventricular hypertrophy.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine serum prolidase activity in patients with hypertension and its relation with left ventricular hypertrophy.

Design And Methods: Serum prolidase activity was measured spectrophotometrically in hypertensive patients with (Group II, n=30) and without left ventricular hypertrophy (Group III, n=30) and in control group (Group I, n=30).

Results: Prolidase activity was significantly lower in Group I than in Groups II and III (44.

The role of thrombopoietin and spleen volume in thrombocytopenia of patients with noncirrhotic and cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Background/aims: To determine the role of thrombopoietin and spleen volume in thrombocytopenia diagnosed in cirrhotic and noncirrhotic portal hypertensive patients.

Methods: Seventy- four portal hypertensive patients (group 1: 28 noncirrhotic; group 2: 46 cirrhotic) were enrolled into this study. Spleen volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging.

What is the reason of elevated alanine aminotransferase level in HBeAg negative patients with low viremia: NAFLD or chronic hepatitis?

Background And Study Aims: Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels with negative hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA by hybridization is a common problem in Turkey where is a mild endemic region. We aimed to evaluate the causes of elevated ALT levels in patients who are negative for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV DNA (by hybridization) for at least 6 months.

Patients-methods: Forty-nine patients were enrolled in this study.

Pistachio intake increases high density lipoprotein levels and inhibits low-density lipoprotein oxidation in rats.

There is increasing evidence that nuts have protective effects against coronary artery disease by improving lipid profile and inhibiting lipid oxidation. However, data about pistachio nuts are limited, and to our knowledge, there is no study investigating the effects of pistachio intake on lipid oxidation and serum antioxidant levels. This study, therefore, sought to determine the effects of pistachio intake on serum lipids and determine whether consumption of pistachio would alter serum antioxidant levels.

The effects of rosiglitazone, metformin, and diet with exercise in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Our aim was to evaluate effects of metformin, rosiglitazone, and diet with exercise in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Forty-seven patients (mean age, 44+/-10 years; 17 female) whose ALT levels had been high for at least 6 months and with hepatosteatosis detected by liver biopsy and/or USG were enrolled in this study. Of these, 12 were treated with 850 mg/day metformin (group 1), 11 with 4 mg/day rosiglitazone (group 2), and 24 with diet and exercise (group 3) for 1 year.

Relationship between left ventricle geometric patterns and lymphocyte DNA damage in patients with untreated essential hypertension.

Objective: To investigate the association between different the left ventricle (LV) geometric patterns and lymphocyte DNA damage in patients with hypertension (HT).

Methods: We studied 84 patients (50.0+/-6.

Increased lymphocyte deoxyribonucleic acid damage in patients with cardiac syndrome X.

Objectives: To investigate whether there is lymphocyte deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in patients with cardiac syndrome X (CSX), and its relation with total antioxidant status (TAS), inflammation and ischemia.

Methods: Twenty-three patients with CSX, 21 patients with non-CSX (NCSX) and 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Lymphocyte DNA damage (Arbitrary Unit) was assessed by alkaline single cell electrophoresis (comet) assay in peripheral lymphocyte, and plasma levels of TAS (mmol Trolox equiv.

Increased oxidative stress and its relation with collagen metabolism in knee osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this study was to determine serum oxidative/antioxidative status in patients with knee osteoarthritis and its relation with prolidase activity, which plays an important role in collagen metabolism. Serum antioxidative status was evaluated by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC), thiol level and catalase enzyme activity in patients with osteoarthritis and in healthy controls. Serum oxidative status was evaluated by measuring total peroxide (TP) and lipid hydroperoxide.

Increased homocysteine in heart failure: a result of renal impairment?

Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia may constitute a risk factor for patients with severe heart failure. This study examines the relationship between plasma homocysteine concentration and left ventricular ejection fraction with renal function in heart failure patients free of coronary artery disease.

Methods: Left ventricular ejection fraction was documented in 62 patients with advanced heart failure who had no proven significant coronary artery stenosis.