Does sphingosine-1-phosphate have a protective effect on cyclophosphamide- and irradiation-induced ovarian damage in the rat model?

The aim of this study was to assess the possible protective effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a polar sphingoid metabolite that seemingly promotes cell survival, on cytotoxin- and irradiation-induced ovarian injury in the rat model. Administration of S1P into ovarian bursa before whole-body irradiation led to decreased percentage of apoptotic cells, mostly in primordial follicles; however, S1P was not effective against apoptosis in rats that were given intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide.

Soluble forms of extracellular cytokeratin 18 may differentiate simple steatosis from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Aim: To investigate whether serum levels of two soluble forms of extracellular cytokeratin 18 (M30-antigen and M65-antigen) may differentiate nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from simple steatosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: A total of 83 patients with suspected NAFLD and 49 healthy volunteers were investigated. Patients with suspected NAFLD were classified according to their liver histology into four groups: definitive NASH (n=45), borderline NASH (n=24), simple fatty liver (n=9), and normal tissue (n=5).

The levels of caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 are elevated in serum from patients with lung cancer and helpful to predict the survival.

Caspase-cleaved cytokeratin 18 fragments (M30 antigen) can be detected in the circulation of patients with carcinoma and are believed to reflect cell death of tumors of epithelial origin. M30 antigens cleaved at Asp396 are detected using an epitope-specific antibody (M30 antibody). We here measured the levels of such fragments in patients with lung cancer (n=60), patients with benign lung disease (n=22) and healthy control subjects (n=32).

Circulating ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)-induced hypoxic stress modulates circulating inflammatory mediators causing accelerated atherogenesis.

Objectives: We hypothesized that OSAS-induced hypoxia might result in cardiovascular disease due to increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on the endothelial surface.

Methods: Thirty-nine subjects with moderate-to-severe OSAS and 34 non-apneic controls matched for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking history, and cardiovascular disease were included in this prospective study.

Higher serum nitrate levels are associated with poor survival in lung cancer patients.

Objectives: Angiogenic factors induce tumour growth and angiogenesis which leads to tumour metastasis and a poor survival rate. This study aimed to assess the possible roles of nitric oxide (NO) and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in the overall survival of patients with late stage lung cancer.

Design And Methods: The study was carried out with primary lung carcinoma patients (n=31) and healthy controls (n=15).

Investigation of fecal pancreatic elastase-1 levels in type 2 diabetic patients.

Background/aims: Due to the close anatomical position between the endocrine system cells and the exocrine system cells in the pancreas, some interactions could be expected in these two different types of cells. This possible exocrine dysfunction may cause difficulties in the management of blood glucose level because of secondary malabsorption which may have resulted from the exocrine dysfunction. Taking this possibility into account, we aimed to investigate the exocrine function of the pancreas in 32 diabetic patients and in 12 healthy control subjects in this study.

Effects of raloxifene on serum malondialdehyde, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase levels in healthy postmenopausal women.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between raloxifene administration and serum malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in healthy postmenopausal women.

Methods: In a randomized and placebo-controlled design, 80 women received either 60 mg/day raloxifene or placebo for 24 weeks. MDA, SOD, and GPx levels were assessed at 0,4,12, and 24 weeks.