Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 and apelin in fibromyalgia syndrome.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential roles of proprotein convertase subtilisin/ kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and apelin in the etiology of fibromyalgia syndrome (FS).

Patients And Methods: The retrospective study was conducted between May 2022 and February 2023. Fifty-eight female FS patients (mean age: 45.

Calcium Hydroxyapatite as a Co-adjuvant Treatment Option in a Patient With Morphea: A Report of a Case With a One-Year Follow-Up.

Morphea, or localized scleroderma, is a chronic inflammatory condition that unequivocally affects the dermis and subcutaneous connective tissue. It undeniably causes significant disfigurement in approximately half of patients, profoundly impacting their self-esteem. The available treatment options include corticosteroids (taken orally or administered subcutaneously), phototherapy, CO fractional laser treatment, and biologically mediated medications.

Why have SGLT2 Inhibitors Failed to Achieve the Desired Success in COVID-19?

The SARS-CoV-2 virus emerged towards the end of 2019 and caused a major worldwide pandemic lasting at least 2 years, causing a disease called COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 caused a severe infection with direct cellular toxicity, stimulation of cytokine release, increased oxidative stress, disruption of endothelial structure, and thromboinflammation, as well as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) down-regulation-mediated renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation. In addition to glucosuria and natriuresis, sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (SGLT2i) cause weight loss, a decrease in glucose levels with an insulin-independent mechanism, an increase in erythropoietin levels and erythropoiesis, an increase in autophagy and lysosomal degradation, Na/H-changer inhibition, prevention of ischemia/reperfusion injury, oxidative stress and they have many positive effects such as reducing inflammation and improving vascular function.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may cause liver injury Na/H exchanger.

The liver has many significant functions, such as detoxification, the urea cycle, gluconeogenesis, and protein synthesis. Systemic diseases, hypoxia, infections, drugs, and toxins can easily affect the liver, which is extremely sensitive to injury. Systemic infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 can cause liver damage.

Prolonged NHE Activation may be both Cause and Outcome of Cytokine Release Syndrome in COVID-19.

The release of cytokines and chemokines such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ, CCL2, CCL3, and CXCL10 is increased in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Excessive cytokine release during COVID-19 is related to increased morbidity and mortality. Several mechanisms are put forward for cytokine release syndrome during COVID-19.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 is associated with atherosclerosis in patients with Behcet's disease.

Objectives: The incidence of cardiovascular disease is increased in patients with Behcet's disease (BD). Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) causes the acceleration of atherosclerosis. We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between PCSK9 with carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT), a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, and BD disease activity.

The effects of TNF-α inhibitors on carbon tetrachloride-induced nephrotoxicity.

Objectives: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl), employed in various industrial fields, can cause acute damage in renal tissues. This study investigated the therapeutic effect of the TNF-alpha inhibitor Infliximab on TGF-ß and apoptosis caused by acute kidney image induced by CCl.

Methods: Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into control, CCl, and CCl+ Infliximab groups.

Strong relationship between cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein receptor, Na/H exchanger, and SARS-COV-2: this association may be the cause of death in the patient with COVID-19.

Lipids have a wide variety and vital functions. Lipids play roles in energy metabolism, intracellular and extracellular signal traffic, and transport of fat-soluble vitamins. Also, they form the structure of the cell membrane.

Restless Leg Syndrome and Sleep Disorders in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Its Relation with Anemia Parameters.

Objectives: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and sleep disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the association of iron deficiency with them.

Materials And Methods: The study included 72 patients with RA (59 females, 13 males), and 50 healthy control subjects (57 females, 15 males). Assessments were made using the International RLS Rating Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck anxiety and depression index and the SF-36 quality of life scores.

Effects of the Na/H Ion Exchanger on Susceptibility to COVID-19 and the Course of the Disease.

The Na/H ion exchanger (NHE) pumps Na inward the cell and H ion outside the cell. NHE activity increases in response to a decrease in intracellular pH, and it maintains intracellular pH in a narrow range. Patients with obesity, diabetes, and hypertension and the elderly are prone to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Can emapalumab be life saving for refractory, recurrent, and progressive cytokine storm caused by COVID-19, which is resistant to anakinra, tocilizumab, and Janus kinase inhibitors.

Although many potent drugs have been used for cytokine storm, mortality is high for patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), which is followed up in the intensive care unit. Interferons (IFNs) are the major cytokines of the antiviral defense system released from many cell types. However, IFN-γ plays a key role in both primary and secondary cytokine storms.

Could ferritin, vitamin B, and vitamin D play a role in the etiopathogenesis of fibromyalgia syndrome?

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FS) comprises general body pain, sleep disturbances, and fatigue. Vitamin B (VB), vitamin D (VD), and iron deficiencies lead to similar complaints. First, this study aimed to evaluate the VB, VD, and ferritin levels of patients with FS.

High dose zoledronic acid increases ischemia-reperfusion damage of the liver.

Objective: Zoledronic acid (ZA), a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, has been reported to exhibit a protective effect against cancers and prevent bone fractures. It also induces apoptosis by increasing proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress increases significantly during ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychology and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Background/aim: The COVID-19 outbreak is known to increase stress levels of most patients with chronic diseases. Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are highly susceptible to environmental stress. In the current study, we aimed to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic psychologically affected patients with chronic progressive diseases such as AS and RA and the effects of these psychological factors on disease activity.

The relationship of serum visfatin levels with clinical parameters, flow-mediated dilation, and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Background/aim: Atherosclerotic heart diseases can occur at an early age in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) values are reliable markers for early detection of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with AS. We aimed to investigate the relationship between visfatin levels and indirect markers of subclinical atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction in patients with AS.

Alpha-lipoic acid may protect patients with diabetes against COVID-19 infection.

COVID-19 pandemic is spreading rapidly worldwide, and drug selection can affect the morbidity and mortality of the disease positively or negatively. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a potent antioxidant and reduces oxidative stress and inhibits activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB). ALA reduces ADAM17 activity and ACE2 upregulation.

COVID-19 infection can cause chemotherapy resistance development in patients with breast cancer and tamoxifen may cause susceptibility to COVID-19 infection.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and is the second most common cause of death in women. Estrogen plays an important role in breast tumor etiopathogenesis. Tamoxifen and other anti-estrogen drugs are used in breast cancer patients who have a positive estrogen receptor (ER).