Is Vitamin D a Crucial Molecule for Musculoskeletal and Cardiovascular Systems in Postmenopausal Women?

Vitamin D, a steroid hormone, acts via the vitamin D receptor expressed in various tissues, including bones, muscles, and the cardiovascular system and is associated with well-being of individuals and vitamin D deficiency is considered as a prevalent public health problem. Menopause is an important cornerstone for women, where the hormonal changes may lead to adverse health effects. Vitamin D deficiency during menopausal transition or in postmenopausal period may aggravate the health risks such as osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and cardiovascular diseases associated with menopause.

Body weight modulates the impact of oxytocin on chronic cold-immobilization stress response.

By activating the stress system, stress modulates various physiological parameters including food intake, energy consumption, and, consequently, body weight. The role of oxytocin in the regulation of stress and obesity cannot be disregarded. Based on these findings, we aimed to investigate the effect of intranasal oxytocin on stress response in high-fat-diet (HFD)--fed and control-diet-fed rats exposed to chronic stress.

The role of salivary galectin-3 and galectin-9 levels in plaque-induced gingivitis and periodontitis.

Background: This study aimed to compare the salivary galectin-3 and galectin-9 levels in periodontitis, gingivitis, and periodontally healthy patients.

Methods: This study included 75 non-smokers who were systemically healthy. The clinical periodontal parameters of each participant were recorded.

Comparison of plasma oxytocin level in women with natural and surgical menopause.

Objective: We aimed to investigate plasma oxytocin level in women with natural and surgical menopause and its relation with other metabolic parameters.

Methods: This study included 89 postmenopausal women admitted to menopausal outpatient clinics and gave written consent to participate. Participants were allocated into natural (Group 1; n = 61) and surgical (Group 2; n = 28) menopause groups based on causative process for the onset of menopause.

Interleukin-38: A crucial player in periodontitis.

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the levels of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), salivary, and serum matrix metalloproteinase-9, interleukin (IL)-17, IL-36γ, and IL-38 in individuals with healthy periodontium, gingivitis, and periodontitis and to evaluate their correlations with clinical periodontal parameters.

Materials And Methods: Ninety systemically healthy and nonsmoking volunteers divided into a healthy (H) group (n = 30), a gingivitis (G) group (n = 30), and a periodontitis (P) group (n = 30) were included in this study. Clinical periodontal parameters of volunteers were recorded, and GCF, unstimulated saliva, and serum samples were collected.

Evaluation of the relationship between plasma viscosity and selected menopausal symptoms using the Menopause Rating Scale.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether whole blood viscosity and plasma viscosity are associated with the severity of postmenopausal symptoms using the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS).

Methods: This study included 108 postmenopausal women admitted to menopause clinics. Participants were divided into two groups according to their MRS scores.

How do thiol disulfide balance and copper-ceruloplasmin levels change in women using copper intrauterine devices?

We aimed to examine the change in plasma copper (Cu) level and copper transport proteins level before inserting Cu-IUD and after one menstrual cycle and to show the effect of this change on the thiol disulfide balance in women using copper-containing intrauterine device (Cu-IUD).Thirty-three reproductive women who admitted to the gynecology clinic and inserted Cu-IUD were examined in this study. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis, plasma Cu and ceruloplasmin levels and ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity were measured using the blood samples collected just before inserting Cu-IUD and after one menstrual cycle.

The Relationship between Vitamin D and Vasomotor Symptoms During the Postmenopausal Period.

Background: During the postmenopausal period, hot flashes are frequent symptoms and might impact quality of life. Vitamin D deficiency is commonly seen in this period. This study aims to assess the association between vitamin D deficiency and hot flashes.

The impact of oxytocin on thiol/disulphide and malonyldialdehyde/glutathione homeostasis in stressed rats.

We aimed to investigate the impact of oxytocin on serum thiol/disulphide and malonylyldialdehyde (MDA)/glutathione balance under acute stress (AS) and chronic stress (CS) exposure in rats. Animals were allocated into control (C), AS and CS groups, then the groups subdivided as intranasal oxytocin or saline applied groups, randomly. Animals in the AS or CS groups were exposed to combined cold-immobilisation stress.

Impairment of thiol-disulfide homeostasis in preeclampsia.

Aim: To investigate the effects of severity of preeclampsia on thiol-disulfide homeostasis (TDH).

Material And Methods: A total of 108 participants were divided into three groups: Group 1 was composed of pregnant women with no obstetric complications, Group 2 included pregnant women with mild preeclampsia, and Group 3 consisted of pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. TDH parameters were determined, and comparisons of clinical and routine laboratory test findings were made in all groups.