Serum Endothelin-1 Level Can Reflect the Degree of Lumbar Degeneration: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an agent closely associated with inflammation and has recently been recognized as a significant factor in degenerative processes. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum ET-1 level and radiological and clinical manifestations of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) pathologies. Methodology The study was conducted with 50 healthy controls and 50 LDH patients.

Serum netrin-1 and netrin receptor levels in fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

Objectives: This study aims to define serum levels of netrin-1 and netrin receptors in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and osteoarthritis (OA).

Patients And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 150 female participants (mean age: 47.2±16.

The combined effect of pomegranate extract and tangeretin on the DMBA-induced breast cancer model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of pomegranate extract and tangeretin alone or in combination in DMBA-induced rat breast cancer model. A total of 68 female rats were randomly divided into 8 groups. The first 4 groups were designed as controls for cancer and treatment groups, and the control groups were composed of only control (C), Pomegranate (P), Tangeretin (T), and Pomegranate+Tangeretin (P+T) groups.

The effects of melatonin against atherosclerosis-induced endothelial dysfunction and inflammation in hypercholesterolemic rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of melatonin on the serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and the expressions of vaspin, visfatin, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH), and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) for evaluation of endothelial function and inflammation in the hypercholesterolemic rats. Rats were divided into 5 groups: (1) control, (2) hypercholesterolaemia, (3) melatonin administrated concurrently with cholesterol diet, (4) melatonin administrated only last 2 weeks and fed with cholesterol diet, (5) atorvastatin administered only last 2 weeks fed with cholesterol diet. Although an increase was observed in the expressions of visfatin and STAT-3 and the serum ADMA levels, the vaspin and DDAH protein expressions were found to decrease with hypercholesterolemic diets.

Is there any potential anticancer effect of raloxifene and fluoxetine on DMBA-induced rat breast cancer?

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world and the incidence is increasing alarmingly. It was aimed to determine the effect of raloxifene (RAL) and fluoxetine (FLX) on selected parameters in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary carcinoma. Thirty-two female Wistar albino rats were assorted into four groups: DMBA (group I), DMBA+RAL (group II), DMBA+FLX (group III), and DMBA+RAL+FLX (group IV).

The therapeutic effects of thalidomide and etanercept on septic rats exposed to lipopolysaccharide.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of thalidomide and etanercept on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis in a rat model.

Methods: Thirty male Wistar Albino rats were divided into 5 groups: Control, LPS, LPS+Thalidomide, LPS+Etanercept, and LPS+Thalidomide+Etanercept. The control group was given a 1 mL intraperitoneal (i.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin reflects the severity of anemia without iron deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients.

Objective: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and anemia are the primary and most common complications in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD). Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a new marker to assess iron deficiency and manage iron therapy for HD patients. The aim of this study was to determine any association between serum NGAL level and anemia without iron deficiency in patients with SHPT on chronic HD.

eNOS Glu298Asp Polymorphism and Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients with and without End-stage Renal Disease.

Background: Chronic kidney diseases are known to influence nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), though the exact mechanism is still poorly understood.

Aims: The purpose of the present study was to examine eNOS Glu298Asp gene polymorphism, plasma NOx and ADMA concentration in subjects with and without End-stage Renal Disease.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Role of Renin-Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Level and ACE Gene Polymorphism in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the histological and clinical effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and ACE gene polymorphism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and their roles in the progression of the disease.

Materials And Methods: Liver function tests, body mass index, waist circumference, lipid parameters, fasting blood glucose (FBG), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR), ACE, and ACE gene polymorphism were evaluated in the NAFLD group and control group. The study group was evaluated by dividing the group into four subgroups by ACE gene polymorphism (D/D homozygous, I/I homozygous, D/I heterozygous, I/D heterozygous).

Effects of platelet rich plasma on fascial healing in rats with fecal peritonitis.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of platelet rich plasma (PRP) on the healing of fascia wherein peritonitis has been created.

Methods: Twenty eight Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups. Only a primary fascial repair following laparotomy was performed on Group 1, a primary fascial repair performed and PRP treatment applied following laparotomy on Group 2, and a fecal peritonitis created following laparotomy and a primary fascial repair carried out on Group 3.

The Diagnostic Role of Adiponectin in Pulmonary Embolism.

Background And Aims: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a frequent disease with difficult diagnosis and high mortality. Misdiagnosis occurs in 2/3 patients and mortality rates reach up to 30%. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of adiponectin used in emergency service in diagnosis of PTE.

Effects of Copper, Zinc, and Vitamin Complex (Cernevit®) on Hepatic Healing in Rats Experimentally Subjected to Blunt Hepatic Trauma.

Solid organ injuries following blunt trauma are frequently encountered. The use of non-operative approach is gradually increasing. Thus, research on the methods that could enhance healing in solid organ injuries is in progress.

Pistacia Terebinthus Coffee Protects against Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Injury in Rats.

Aim/background: Pistacia terebinthus is used as a coffee substitute in the East and Southern Anatolia regions of Turkey. It contains unsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, polyphenols and carotenoids. P.

Investigation of the maternal and cord plasma levels of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and VEGF in early membrane rupture.

Objective: Recent studies indicate a relationship between early membrane rupture (EMR) and proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL) and angiogenic factors like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between EMR and maternal and cord blood plasma levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and VEGF.

Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted with 85 pregnant women.

Relationships between plasma pentraxin 3 levels and inflammation markers patients with tunneled permanent catheter in hemodialysis.

Purpose: Vascular access (VA) devices may contribute to chronic inflammation in hemodialysis (HD). Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is a recently discovered acute phase protein that responds more rapidly than other inflammatory markers. This study compared PTX3 and other markers between HD patients and healthy controls.

TaqIB and severity of coronary artery disease in the Turkish population: a pilot study.

The cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) plays a crucial role in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) metabolism. Genetic variants that alter CETP concentration may cause significant alterations in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration. In this case-control study, we analyzed the genotype frequencies of CETP Taq1B polymorphisms in coronary artery disease patients (CAD; n=210) and controls (n=100).

Effects of rosuvastatin on ADMA, rhokinase, NADPH oxidase, caveolin-1, hsp 90 and NFkB levels in a rat model of myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion.

Aim: Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and inflammation are among the most important mechanisms of ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Besides their cholesterol-lowering effects, statins are known to provide protection against myocardial dysfunction and vascular endothelial injury via nitric oxide-dependent mechanisms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rosuvastatin on certain intermediates involved in the generation of nitric oxide (asymmetrical dimethyl arginin, ADMA, caveolin-1 and hsp 90), oxidative stress (rhokinase, NADPH oxidase) and inflammation (NFkB), using an in vivo model of myocardial infarction in the rat.

The renoprotective effect of curcumin in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

The polyphenol curcumin has several pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer features. In this study, we evaluated the effects of curcumin in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) control; (2) cisplatin (7 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal as a single dose); (3) curcumin (100 mg/kg via gavage, for 10 days); and (4) cisplatin and curcumin.

Can serum NGAL levels be used as an inflammation marker on hemodialysis patients with permanent catheter?

Background: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a member of lipocalin family and released from many tissues and cells. We aimed to investigate the relationship among serum NGAL levels, the inflammation markers (IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-α) and different vascular access types used in dialysis patients.

Methods: The study population included 90 patients and 30 healthy age-matched controls.

Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein levels in patients with coronary artery disease and its relationship to alternative biomarkers.

Background And Aim: An association between circulating adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) levels and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been reported. In this case-control study, we investigated the relationship between plasma levels of A-FABP and the severity of CAD in Turkish subjects. We also assessed its relationship to alternative biomarkers.

A multicenter nationwide reference intervals study for common biochemical analytes in Turkey using Abbott analyzers.

Background: A nationwide multicenter study was organized to establish reference intervals (RIs) in the Turkish population for 25 commonly tested biochemical analytes and to explore sources of variation in reference values, including regionality.

Methods: Blood samples were collected nationwide in 28 laboratories from the seven regions (≥400 samples/region, 3066 in all). The sera were collectively analyzed in Uludag University in Bursa using Abbott reagents and analyzer.

Orally administered lycopene attenuates diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocarcinogenesis in rats by modulating Nrf-2/HO-1 and Akt/mTOR pathways.

Hepatocarcinogenesis is one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers. We studied the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis by lycopene in rats. Hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of DEN followed by promotion with phenobarbital for 24 successive wk.

Investigation of apelin expression in endometriosis.

Background: Apelin is a mitogenic peptide; it has functions in vessel formation and cell proliferation. In this study we aimed to evaluate the serum and tissue levels and local expression pattern of apelin in eutopic and ectopic endometrium from patients with and without endometriosis and to compare the proliferative and secretory phase differences.

Methods: Thirty women with endometriosis and 15 women without endometriosis undergoing surgery for benign indications as control group were included in the study.

Plasma melatonin and urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the second most frequent cause of death in the world, after AIDS. Delay in diagnosing TB is an important worldwide problem. It seriously threatens public health.

Regulation of renal organic anion and cation transporters by thymoquinone in cisplatin induced kidney injury.

In previous studies, we have demonstrated the biological activity of thymoquinone (TQ), an active compound extracted from the Nigella sativa plant, against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity. Recenty, it was observed that there is an inherent lack in regulation of renal organic anion and cation transporters in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Here, we report, for the first time, the effect of TQ on alterations in the renal expression of organic anion transporters (OATs) and organic cation transporters (OCTs), as well as multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) in rats treated with cisplatin.