Effects of lactational cyclosporine A use on rat pups.

We aimed to evaluate the structural and functional changes in the thymus and kidneys of rat pups whose mothers were given cyclosporine A (CsA) during lactational period. Six adult nursing Wistar rats and their 30 pups were studied. Rat pups were divided into four groups as follows: 21-day treated group and 21-day placebo group, each including 10 breastfeeding pups sacrificed on the 21st day, whose mothers were given CsA or placebo, respectively (infancy groups) and, 60-day treated group and 60-day placebo group, each including five breastfeeding pups sacrificed on the 60th day, whose mothers were given CsA or placebo, respectively (puberty groups).

The effect of interferon alpha administration on acute attacks of familial Mediterranean fever: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: About a quarter of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients are partially or totally resistant to colchicine. A previous observation reported that acute attacks may be shortened by administration of interferon alpha (IFN).

Objective: We designed a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test our initial observations of a beneficial response with IFN in FMF attacks.

Levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R) in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients and their first degree relatives.

Objective: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a hereditary disease characterized by recurrent inflammatory attacks. A subclinical inflammation may persist in periods between the attacks and heterozygotes may have higher than normal levels of acute phase proteins. We investigated the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and its soluble receptor (sIL-6R) in FMF patients and their obligatory carrier relatives.

In vitro effects of high glucose concentrations on membrane protein oxidation, G-actin and deformability of human erythrocytes.

The object of this study was to examine the effect of elevated in vitro glucose concentrations on protein modification and functional changes in human erythrocytes. Groups were exposed to 5-45 mM glucose concentrations. The time effect of any changes was also evaluated.

Investigation of relationship between idiopathic hypercalciuria and urinary enzyme activities.

In patients with uncomplicated idiopathic hypercalciuria renal function is normal except for increased renal calcium excretion. In this study, the level of fractional urinary enzyme excretion was assessed in relation to calciuria. Fourteen patients with a mean age of 5.