Levels of soluble CD40 ligand and P-Selectin in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to research whether the levels of soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), markers of endothelial function, are altered in subjects with NAFLD having no confounding factors for atherosclerosis. sCD40L, sP-selectin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) indexes were measured in 50 NAFLD subjects and 30 healthy controls.

The effect of iNOS inhibitors and hyperbaric oxygen treatment in a rat model of experimental colitis.

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of aminoguanidine (AMG), an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment in an experimental colitis model.

Methods: We induced colitis in rats. In the control group, we applied 2 ml serum physiologic intraperitoneally for 7 days.

Do the changes in the serum levels of IL-2, IL-4, TNFalpha, and IL-6 reflect the inflammatory activity in the patients with post-ERCP pancreatitis?

Background: Acute pancreatitis is the major complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure and there are some reports showing cytokine changes in ERCP-induced pancreatits.

Goals: To investigate the association between early changes (within 24 hours) in the serum interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)alpha, and IL-6 levels and the development of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Study: Forty five consecutive patients who underwent therapeutic ERCP and 10 patients with acute pancreatitis without ERCP were enrolled to the study.

Decreased oxidation susceptibility of plasma low density lipoproteins in patients with Gilbert's syndrome.

Background And Aim: The association of hyperbilirubinemia in Gilbert's syndrome (GS) with a decrease in prevalence of coronary artery disease is a well-known phenomenon. In this study, the state of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation which has been postulated to be a significant determinant at the etiopathogenesis of atherosclerotic disorders was investigated among individuals with GS.

Methods: For this purpose, serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, apolipoprotein A and B, bilirubins, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, and the sensitivity of LDL oxidation levels, as well as serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotranserfase, gamma glutamyl transferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, were determined in 17 patients with Gilbert's syndrome and 15 healthy adults.

Comparison of sequential and standard triple-drug regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication: a 14-day, open-label, randomized, prospective, parallel-arm study in adult patients with nonulcer dyspepsia.

Background: The eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori with standard treatments are decreasing worldwide.

Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to compare the eradication success of a 14-day sequential regimen with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple treatment. The secondary objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of gastritis score and smoking on eradication rates as well as evaluation of compliance and tolerability of both regimens.

Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine balance in major depression: effect of sertraline therapy.

The specific associations between antidepressant treatment and alterations in the levels of cytokines remain to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of IL-2, IL-4, IL-12, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1, and MCP-1 in major depression and to investigate the effects of sertraline therapy. Cytokine and chemokine levels were measured at the time of admission and 8 weeks after sertraline treatment.

Metformin and oral contraceptive treatments reduced circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

There is a little information in literature about circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) concentrations in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and the results reported are discrepant. In this study, therefore, we aimed (1) to determine the circulating ADMA concentrations in 44 women with PCOS and 22 age- and BMI-matched healthy controls, (2) to evaluate its correlations with insulin resistance, gonadotrophins, and androgen secretion, and (3) to compare effects of metformin and ethinyl estradiol-cyproterone acetate (EE/CPA) treatments on circulating ADMA concentrations. In conclusion, our data indicate that circulating ADMA concentrations in non-obese, non-hypertensive and young women with PCOS are significantly higher than healthy controls and they improved by a 3-month course of metformin and oral contraceptive treatments.

Metformin decreases circulating acylation-stimulating protein levels in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Aim: There are no studies that examine the circulating acylation-stimulating protein (ASP) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The present study was designed to determine the ASP levels in PCOS and to evaluate the effect of metformin on plasma fasting ASP concentrations.

Methods: Twenty women with PCOS and 20 healthy controls matched for age and body mass index (BMI) were included in the study.

Poor efficacy of ranitidine bismuth citrate-based triple therapies for Helicobacter pylori eradication.

Background: Helicobacter pylori eradication rates have tended to decrease recently possibly related with increasing antibiotic resistance. The present study investigated the efficacy of three different ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) based triple regimens in a population with high prevalence of H. pylori.

Comparison of three different second-line quadruple therapies including bismuth subcitrate in Turkish patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia who failed to eradicate Helicobacter pylori with a 14-day standard first-line therapy.

Background And Aim: Many studies have reported poor results with standard first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori. Second-line regimens that may overcome bacterial resistance can minimize side-effects and optimize compliance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and bismuth subcitrate-based quadruple therapy, after failure of a PPI plus clarithromycin and amoxicillin as first-line therapy.

Levels of serologic markers of celiac disease in patients with reflux esophagitis.

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of celiac disease serologic markers (antigliadin IgA, IgG, and anti-endomysial IgA) in patients with reflux esophagitis and to detect the relationship between reflux esophagitis and celiac disease (CD).

Methods: This study was performed prospectively between January 2003 and January 2004. Sixty-eight adult reflux esophagitis patients and 40 people as control group for symptoms related with gastrointestinal system were enrolled in this study.

Motor axonal polyneuropathy in the course of ulcerative colitis: a case report.

We describe an axonal motor polyneuropathy in a patient with ulcerative colitis. Symptoms of neuropathy occurred during active colitis. Electrophysiological study showed motor axonal degeneration.

Tissue levels of adiponectin, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein in human coronary atherosclerotic plaques.

Background: There is little information available about any link between the levels of adiponectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) in coronary atherosclerotic plaque specimens.

Aim: To analyse tissue levels of adiponectin, ICAM-1, TNF-alpha and H-FABP in the plaques obtained from coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and to evaluate whether there is any relationship between these variables and other characteristics.

Patients And Methods: Coronary artery specimens from 37 consecutive patients (28 men and nine women) at time of CABG procedure and preprocedural blood samples were obtained.

McArdle's disease: case report and review of the literature.

McArdle's disease, or myophosphorylase deficiency, is one of the most common muscle glycogenoses and typically presents in childhood or adolescence with exercise intolerance, myalgia, myoglobinuria, and cramps in the exercising muscle. We report the case of a 21-year-old male patient with liver enzyme elevation who had a history of weakness, exercise intolerance, and muscle cramps since childhood. His sister (a three-year- old) suffered from similar symptoms.

Recent success of pantoprazole -or lansoprazole- based clarithromycin plus amoxicillin treatment in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Background/aims: There are some reports showing that resistance of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) to clarithromycin has increased in recent years. We aimed to investigate the current success of a most popular first-line eradication regimen by using two different proton pump inhibitors: lansoprazole and pantoprazole.

Elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations as a predictor of steatohepatitis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Although steatosis is common in patients with severe hyperhomocysteinemia due to deficiency of cystathionine beta-synthase, there are no satisfactory data on homocysteine concentrations in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the clinical significance of plasma homocysteine concentrations in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Methods: Seventy-one non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients, 36 patients with chronic viral hepatitis and 30 healthy persons were enrolled in the study.

Evaluation of insulin sensitivity in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome: a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp study.

Patients with Klinefelter's syndrome have a higher incidence of diabetes mellitus and the percentage of insulin resistance was reported to be high in these patients. However, little is known about the insulin sensitivity assessed by the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp in these patients. In the present study, subjects included 13 newly diagnosed patients with Klinefelter's syndrome, and 9 age- and body mass index-matched healthy males.

Enteral nutrition via percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and nutritional status of patients: five-year prospective study.

Background: Since it was described in 1980, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) has been a widely used method for insertion of a gastrostomy tube in patients who are unable to swallow or maintain adequate nutrition. The aim of the present paper was to determine the complications of PEG insertion and to study pre- and post-procedural nutritional status.

Methods: During the period of March 1999-September 2004, placement of PEG tube was performed in 85 patients (22 women and 63 men).

Lipid profile and anticardiolipin antibodies in Behcet's disease.

Background: Behcet's disease (BD) is a multisystem disorder characterized by a relapsing inflammatory process of unknown etiology. It is well known that atherothrombosis in systemic inflammatory disorders is closely related to coagulation and lipid metabolism abnormalities. The purpose of this study was to investigate some parameters of lipid metabolism, lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] and anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) levels and the relationship of these parameters with the clinical activity of BD.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with Billroth II anastomosis.

Background/aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure is quite difficult to perform in patients with Billroth II anastomosis because of anatomical alterations. The aim of this study is to evaluate retrospectively the results of ERCP applications done in patients with Billroth II operation.

Methodology: Out of the 1632 patients who underwent ERCP between 1992 and 2002, 27 (1.

Systemic markers of lipid peroxidation and antioxidants in patients with nonalcoholic Fatty liver disease.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to examine the systemic parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidants in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and investigate the relationship between these parameters and clinical and biochemical outcomes.

Methods: Fifty-one male patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (group I), 30 age-matched and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy male subjects, and 30 age-matched male patients with chronic viral hepatitis (group II) were enrolled in the study.

Results: Increased systemic levels of malondialdehyde and depletion of antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, CuZn-superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity were observed in group I.

Increased acylation stimulating protein concentrations in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are associated with insulin resistance.

Objectives: As acylation stimulating protein (ASP) acts on adipocytes mainly as a paracrine factor to increase triglyceride synthesis and storage; hypothetically, it may play a similar role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: Forty-six male patients with NAFLD (group A), age-matched 30 male patients with chronic viral hepatitis (group B) and 30 age-matched and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy male subjects were enrolled in the study.

Results: Among the NAFLD patients, 10 patients (24.