Estimation of salivary neopterin in chronic periodontitis.

Background: Periodontal diseases are the most common bacterial infection predominantly associated with Gram-negative microorganisms that exist in the subgingival biofilm. Analysis of saliva provides a noninvasive means of evaluating the role of the host response in periodontal disease. Though salivary enzymes can be used as the biomarkers, neopterin has been recently used as one of the important diagnostic tools in the field of periodontics.

Effect of curcumin against oxidation of biomolecules by hydroxyl radicals.

Background: Among various reactive oxygen species, hydroxyl radicals have the strongest chemical activity, which can damage a wide range of essential biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of curcumin on prevention of oxidative damage of biomolecules by hydroxyl radicals generated in in vitro by a Fenton like reaction.

Materials And Methods: We have incubated the serum, plasma and whole blood with H2O2/Cu2+/ Ascorbic acid system for 4 hours at 37 0C and observed the oxidation of biomolecules like albumin, lipids, proteins and DNA.

Estimation of Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA) Levels in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Myocardial ischemia produces free radicals that catalyze a series of oxidative reactions that damage healthy tissues. The N-terminal sequence of albumin is one of the proteins modified by these highly reactive oxygen species and forms the ischemia modified albumin (IMA). This study involves investigations undertaken in different study groups to assess the levels of IMA.

Estimation of serum neopterin in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Background: The aim of our study was to determine neopterin levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome, in which the release of various cytokines activates the cellular immune system. There is an increase in the number and activity of T-cells in unstable atherosclerotic plaques, and of type 1 helper T-cells that produce interferon γ, which in turn produces neopterin, a byproduct of the guanosine triphosphate-biopterin pathway and a marker for activated macrophages.

Methods: We studied 600 subjects consisting of healthy volunteers and patients with noncardiac chest pain, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, or unstable angina.