Endotrophin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels in bicuspid aortic valve and hypertension associated aortopathy and their relationship with strain parameters of the ascending aorta.

OBJECTIVE: Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect. Ascending aorta dilatation is related to BAV- and hypertension (HTN)-associated aortopathy. The aim of this study was to investigate aortic elasticity, as well as aortic deformation of the ascending aorta, using strain imaging, and to evaluate the possible relationship of biomarkers, such as endotrophin and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), with ascending aorta dilatation in patients with BAV- or HTN-associated aortopathy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included patients with ascending aorta dilatation with BAV (n = 33), or normal tricuspid aortic valve with HTN (n = 33), and 20 control subjects. The mean age of the total patients was 42.76 ± 10.4 years (67% male, 33% female). We calculated aortic elasticity parameters using the relevant formula by M-mode echocardiography and determined layer-specific longitudinal and transverse strains of the proximal aorta by speckle-tracking echocardiography. Blood samples of the participants were drawn for the analysis of endotrophin and MMP-2. RESULTS: Aortic strain and aortic distensibility were significantly decreased, whereas the aortic stiffness index was significantly increased in patient groups with BAV or HTN compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Moreover, longitudinal strain of both the anterior and posterior aortic walls of the proximal aorta were significantly impaired in BAV and HTN patients (p < 0.001). Serum endotrophin levels were significantly reduced in the patient cohort compared to the controls (p = 0.001). Endotrophin was noted to be significantly positively correlated with aortic strain and aortic distensibility (r = 0.37, p = 0.001; r = 0.45, p < 0.001, respectively), whereas inversely associated with aortic stiffness index (r = -0.402, p < 0.001). Furthermore, endotrophin was the single independent predictor of ascending aorta dilatation (OR = 0.986, p < 0.001). A cut-off value of endotrophin ≤ 82.38 ng/mL predicted ascending aorta dilatation with a sensitivity of 80.3% and specificity of 78.5% (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that aortic deformation parameters and elasticity are impaired in BAV and HTN patients, and strain imaging allows for a good analysis of ascending aorta deformation. Endotrophin could be a predictive biomarker of ascending aorta dilatation in BAV and HTN aortopathy.

Low levels of circulating platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4) in subclinically hypothyroid autoimmune thyroiditis.

PURPOSE: Chemokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid diseases. Platelet factor 4 (PF4, CXCL4) released from activated platelets is a chemokine. However, its clinical importance in autoimmune thyroiditis remains unknown. This study is intended to determine circulating levels of PF4 levels in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT). METHODS: Circulating levels of PF4 were measured in 34 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed AIT and 18 euthyroid controls. Among AIT group, 16 patients were euthyroid and 18 had subclinic hypothyroidism. Controls and individuals with AIT were similar in terms of age. RESULTS: Serum levels of PF4 were comparable in patients with AIT and in controls. Among patients with AIT, PF4 was significantly lower in those with subclinical hypothyroidism than in euthyroid individuals (p = 0.001). In correlation analysis, PF4 was negatively correlated with TSH (r = -0.663, p = 0.000) and positively correlated with free T4 (r = 0.428, p = 0.012). There was not any significant correlation between PF4 and AbTPO, AbTg. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated for the first time that circulating PF4 levels are decreased in subclinically hypothyroid AIT. This result draws attention to the circulating PF4 levels in subclinically hypothyroid AIT and may shed light on further researches at this topic.

Evaluation of blood neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet to lymphocyte ratios according to plasma glucose status and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in patients with acromegaly.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular, respiratory, and cerebrovascular diseases and malignancies are responsible for morbidity and mortality in acromegaly. Also these diseases are associated with chronic inflammation. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are currently gaining interest as new markers of inflammation. Moreover, increased morbidity and mortality are positively correlated with the presence of diabetes and levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in acromegaly. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between these markers and acromegaly according to plasma glucose status and serum IGF-1 levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 61 acromegaly patients who were in a newly diagnosed period (35 male, 26 female; mean age 38.13 ± 13.98). Patients with normal plasma glucose (n = 27), impaired fasting glucose (n = 18), and diabetes mellitus (n = 16) were categorized into three different groups. NLR and PLR were compared between the study groups and were evaluated according to IGF-1 levels. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in NLR and PLR measurements among the study groups (p > 0.05). However, there were significant positive correlations between NLR and IGF-1 levels and between PLR and IGF-1 levels when all patients were evaluated (r = 0.334, p = 0.011 and r = 0.277, p = 0.035, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report studying the relationship of NLR and PLR with glucose status and IGF-1 levels in acromegaly patients. Our study results suggest that subclinical inflammation may play a role in increased incidence of mortality and morbidity, which depends on uncontrolled IGF-1 levels in patients with acromegaly.

Low "quotient" Lp(a) concentration mediates autoimmune activation and independently predicts cardiometabolic risk.

OBJECTIVE: We determined whether U-shaped relationships exist between serum lipoprotein[Lp](a) and cardiometabolic risk. METHODS: In population-based nondiabetic and diabetic middle-aged adults (n=1 428 and 241, respectively) who had been genotyped for the LPA rs10455872 A>G polymorphism, we adjusted the Lp(a) concentration for the effects of genotype and other covariates. Via sex-specific equations we estimated expected Lp(a) concentration in each participant, and the quotient between observed to expected Lp(a) values was determined. Lp(a) and Lp(a) quotient tertiles served to identify non-linear associations with outcomes. RESULTS: Incident 81 cases of diabetes and 128 of coronary heart disease (CHD) developed at 5.1 years' follow-up. Lp(a) concentration was linearly associated with the LPA genotype, gender, total cholesterol, (inversely) fasting insulin, which together with age formed the variables to derive the equations. In logistic regression for incident diabetes, the low Lp(a) quotient tertile was a predictor (RR 1.95 [95%CI 1.10; 3.47]) alike the low Lp(a) tertile, additively to major confounders. Cox regression models comprising sex, age, LPA genotype, smoking status, systolic pressure and serum HDL-cholesterol disclosed that, compared with the mid-tertile, both low (HR 1.77) and high Lp(a) quotient tertiles significantly predicted incident CHD, especially in women. CONCLUSION: Elevated cardiometabolic risk is conferred by apparently reduced circulating Lp(a) assays supporting the notion that "low" serum Lp(a), mediating autoimmune activation, is a major determinant of cardiometabolic risk.

Higher levels of circulating chemerin in both lean and obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: The aim of this paper was to compare serum chemerin levels in nonobese and overweight/obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with lean controls. METHODS: Seventy women with newly diagnosed or untreated PCOS and 38 age-matched nonobese healthy controls were enrolled in the present study. Participants with PCOS were categorized as nonobese (Body Mass Index [BMI] <25 kg/m², N.=36) or overweight/obese (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m² and ≥30 kg/m², respectively, N.=34). Anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal patterns, and serum chemerin were measured. RESULTS: Serum chemerin tended to be higher in obese PCOS group than in nonobese PCOS women but did not reach statistical significance. Nonobese healthy controls had significantly lower chemerin levels than two PCOS groups (P<0.001). Fasting insulin (P<0.05) and homeostasis model assessment index (P<0.05) were significantly higher in obese women with PCOS than in other two groups. Also, these two parameters were higher in lean patients with PCOS than in healthy controls (P<0.05). In multiple linear regression analyses, chemerin was significantly associated with BMI (ß-coefficient =0.336, P<0.01), and triglyceride (ß-coefficient =0.298, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Chemerin levels were significantly increased not only in obese PCOS women but also in nonobese PCOS women. The physiological significance of elevated serum chemerin in PCOS remains unclear.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus in a patient with malignant insulinoma manifesting following surgery.

BACKGROUND: Insulinomas, although they are rare, are the most common of pancreatic islet cell tumours. The incidence is estimated at only four per million person-years and only 5-12% of reported cases are malignant. Distinction between malignant and benign tumours can only be made by the presence of metastasis, as there are no specific morphologic, biochemical or genetic features distinguishing them. Most patients with malignant insulinoma have lymph node or liver metastases and, rarely, bone involvement. The coincidence of insulinoma and diabetes mellitus is an extremely rare condition and reported only in a few cases. CASE REPORT: We report a 45-year-old woman who was diagnosed with insulinoma on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings and endoscopic examination. Histopathological diagnosis revealed well-differentiated endocrine carcinoma of the pancreas with lymph node metastases. The case was accepted as malignant insulinoma and the patient underwent surgery. Interestingly, hyperglycaemia occurred after the removal of the insulinoma, with the requirement for insulin in the post-operative 3 weeks, which was changed to oral anti-diabetic agents as a permanent treatment. The patient is still being treated with oral anti-diabetic agents. We think that the patient might have had diabetes mellitus, because of insulin resistance that developed with a high-caloric intake stimulated by hypoglycaemia, and which had been masked for many years, but manifested overtly after removal of the tumour. CONCLUSIONS: Although this is a rare condition, clinicians should bear in mind that insulinomas may exist together with diabetes mellitus, and it is important to have this suspicion when considering the perioperative approach and for the prevention of morbidities.

Do vitamin E and selenium have beneficial effects on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced experimental colitis.

The balance between oxidant and antioxidant systems may be important in the pathogenesis and/or maintenance of tissue injury in ulcerative colitis. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of vitamin E and selenium supplementations on tissue injury and oxidative stress in trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid administration severely changed the normal architecture of the colon and significantly increased the levels of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and xantine oxidase (P < 0.001) in the colon homogenates of these rats. Supplementation of selenium to the trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-treated rats neither improved the histopathological findings nor decreased the levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl. Vitamin E supplementation reduced the levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl but did not improve the colonic lesions. Supplementation of vitamin E + selenium significantly reduced both the severity of colonic lesions and the levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl. In conclusion, we suggest that antioxidants and specific micronutrients may have beneficial effects in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Oxidant and antioxidant systems in niddm patients: influence of vitamin E supplementation.

Free radical-mediated oxidative stress has been implicated in adverse tissue changes in a number of diseases. In view of the role of oxidative processes in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), in this study, we investigated the oxidant and antioxidant status of plasma in patients with NIDDM and the effect of vitamin E (800 lU/day) supplementation on oxidative stress, antioxidant defense system, fructosamine levels and insulin action. Thirty controls and 40 NIDDM patients were studied. In controls and patients, plasma lipids, vitamin E, lipid peroxide, total thiols (t-SH), superoxide peroxidase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured in the basal state and after vitamin E (800 IU/d) supplementation for a month. All lipids and lipid fractions in plasma were significantly decreased, whereas the HDL-C level was changed in diabetic patients supplemented with vitamin E when compared with baseline values. Vitamin E administration also significantly reduced fasting glucose and fructosamine levels, whereas increased significantly reduced fasting glucose and fructosamine levels, whereas increased significantly plasma C-peptide and insulin levels (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively). Following vitamin E supplementation, TBARs levels were found to be significantly lower (p < 0.001) than the baseline value NIDDM patients are. On the other hand, activities of GPx and SOD were significantly higher (p < 0.001) than baseline values. A similar trend was observed for total thiols contents, but in this case, the increase was not significant. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that vitamin E improved beta-cell function and increased plasma insulin and C-peptide levels, possibly by inducing the antioxidant capacity of the organism and/or reducing the peripheral resistance in NIDDM. Long-term studies are needed to demonstrate the beneficial effects of vitamin E on treatment/prevention of NIDDM.

Protective effects of vitamins A and E pretreatment in venous ischemia/reperfusion injury.

It has been suggested that venous ischemia is more injurious to tissue viability than is arterial ischemia of equivalent duration. The precise mechanism of tissue damage due to venous ischemia is still not well-determined. Current research has shown that it is multifactorial, and that lipid peroxides, prostanoid metabolism, and a free radical mechanism are the major contributors. Vitamins A and E are lipid-soluble vitamins that have been suggested to be successful in the treatment of arterial ischemia/reperfusion injury due to their antioxidant properties. In the present study, the authors examined the protective effects of vitamins A and E pretreatment on reperfusion injury induced by venous occlusion of rat epigastric island flaps based on an epigastric artery and vein pedicle. In the first part of the study, to determine critical ischemia time, epigastric island skin flaps (3 x 6 cm) were elevated on their vascular pedicles in 40 male Sprague Dawley rats. Total venous occlusion of the skin flap was produced by ligating all draining veins and clamping the epigastric vein. Arterial inflow was left intact. Rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=8) for 2, 5, 7, 9, and 10 hr of venous ischemia. Despite the occurrence of widespread reperfusion injury, reflow was established (p<0.005) at 9 hr. In the second part of the study, 20 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=5). The effects of vitamins A and E following 9 hr ischemia/reperfusion injury were examined. Rats were pretreated with vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamins A+E for 5 days. At the end of the fifth day, each rat had undergone an epigastric island skin flap and venous occlusion, as described above. Mean surviving flap area (percent) and plasma lipid peroxides (TBARs), total thiol content (t-SH), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined for each rat. Results suggest that, in the prevention of venous ischemia/reperfusion injury, vitamin A and vitamin E are not effective when used as single agents; however, when used in combination, they significantly increase surviving flap area by a synergistic effect.

Oxidant-antioxidant profiles of platelet rich plasma in smokers.

Cigarette smoke is a major risk factor for both coronary heart disease and peripheral vascular disease and has been reported to contain many oxidizing agents that lead to generation of free radicals. In this study, we investigated the levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) and antioxidant vitamins (C and E), total thiol content (t-SH), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and plasma of 50 smokers and 30 non-smokers. Total cholesterol (TC), low density-cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG) and phospholipid (PL) levels of the plasma were significantly higher (p < 0.001) and high density-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower in smokers (p < 0.001) when compared with non-smokers. In plasma and PRP, LPO levels, GST and SOD activities were found to be increased (p < 0.001) in smokers, whereas GPx activity, vitamin C levels and t-SH content were found to be decreased. On the other hand, the levels of vitamin E was unchanged in plasma and PRP. The relationships between plasma levels of lipids, LPO and antioxidant systems were also investigated in both groups. A strong positive correlation was found between TC and Vit E (r = 0.5575; p < 0.001), LPO and PL (r = 0.4270; p < 0.01), LPO and GST (r = 0.3770; p < 0.01) and t-SH and GPx (r = 0.3781; p < 0.01) in smokers. These findings reveal a disturbance of oxidant-antioxidant balance by free radicals present in cigarette smoke, which may cause reduction in platelet hyperreactivity and endothelial dysfunction in smokers.

Plasma antioxidants and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Reports indicate that some complications of diabetes mellitus are associated with increased activity of free radicals and accumulation of lipid peroxidation products. The organism's susceptibility to free radical stress and peroxidative damage is related to the balance between the free radical load and the adequacy of antioxidant defenses. In the present study, the relationship between plasma oxidants and antioxidants in diabetes mellitus was investigated. Thirty patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus were examined as well as twenty healthy controls (matched for age and sex against the diabetic patients). The plasma insulin and C-peptide levels in the diabetic group were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than that of the control group. The mean plasma fructosamine, lipid peroxide, lipids and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly high (p < 0.001) in the diabetic group compared to the control group. There were not any significant differences in the plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels between the patients and the control group (p < 0.001). The type-2 diabetes mellitus patients exhibited higher activities of plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) than control values, whereas plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly lower. Our results suggest that there seems to be an imbalance between plasma oxidant and antioxidant systems in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus. The estimation of plasma antioxidant levels and their replenishment by exogenous agents when necessary may be useful in the prevention of the diabetic complications.

Vitamin E and ATPases: protection of ATPase activities by vitamin E supplementation in various tissues of hypercholesterolemic rats.

It has been shown that the lipid composition of plasma membrane can be modified in vivo by dietary fat. It has also been observed that an increase in the cholesterol content of plasma membranes results in decreased activities of ATPases. In the present study, we evaluated the changes in the activities of ATPases from erythrocytes, hepatocytes, and kidney cortex caused by cholesterol-rich diet in rats and subsequently examined the role of vitamin E administration on the cholesterol-induced effects in these tissues. Administration of hypercholesterolemic diet to the rats for 4.5 months, significantly decreased membrane Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca+2-ATPase activities in comparison to the controls in all tissues studied. Vitamin E supplementation to the hypercholesterolemic rats led to a recovery in membrane ATPase activities. In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation to the rats provided protection against hypercholesterolemic diet-induced impairment of membrane-bound ATPases.

Plasma nitric oxide metabolites and lipid peroxide levels in preeclamptic pregnant women before and after delivery.

It has been suggested that oxidative stress may cause endothelial dysfunction and that endothelial dysfunction may lead to hypertension by reduced release of vasodilating agents such as nitric oxide (NO). In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum NO and lipid peroxides in preeclamptic and normal pregnant women before and after delivery. Plasma from women with preeclampsia had significantly lower nitrate/nitrite concentrations and significantly higher lipid peroxide levels than normal pregnant women before the delivery. Lipid peroxide levels were significantly elevated in preeclamptic placenta. After delivery in the preeclamptic group the plasma concentration of nitrate/nitrite was increased and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels decreased, while these parameters remained unchanged in the normal pregnants women. These results indicate that high levels of lipid peroxides in the circulation may be the cause of lowered NO synthesis and hypertension observed in preeclamptic women.

Nitric oxide and radiation enteritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in intestinal nitric oxide (NO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) concentrations, the rate of endotoxaemia, and intestinal mucosal structure in rats after irradiation of the abdomen and to find out the effect of Nomega-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) inhibition NO synthesis. SETTING: Medical school, Turkey. DESIGN: Experimental study. MATERIAL: 46 Wistar-albino rats. INTERVENTIONS: In Group I (n = 12), rats underwent abdominal irradiation alone. In Group II (n = 12), they underwent abdominal irradiation and were given L-NAME orally for 3 days before and 3 days after irradiation. In Group III (n = 12), rats had abdominal irradiation and were given L-NAME orally for 3 days after irradiation. Group IV (n = 10) were controls and were untreated. The irradiation procedure consisted of a single shot of 1000 cGy to the abdomen and L-NAME was given 30 mg/kg/day orally in the drinking water. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intestinal mucosal MPO and nitrite, and plasma endotoxin concentrations. Changes in villous height and number were recorded. RESULTS: In groups II and III, MPO and NO2- concentrations decreased significantly compared with group I. Mucosal integrity was protected in both groups treated with L-NAME (groups II and III) in contrast to the group given irradiation without treatment (group I). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the NO pathway contributes to the inflammatory response of radiation enteritis. Inhibition of NO synthesis may have a beneficial effect in the treatment of inflammation caused by irradiation.

Thymosin alpha-1: evidence for an antiatherogenic effect.

In the present study, the effects of thymosin alpha1 on lipid peroxidation were studied in an in vivo model of experimental hypercholesterolemia. In groups II-IV, rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol diet 2% (w/w) for 10 weeks. Thereafter, rabbits in group III were fed a normal diet for another 14 days and those in group IV were given a normal diet plus 25 microg/kg thymosin alpha1 intraperitoneally every other day for the same period. At the end of this period, plasma and erythrocyte lipid levels and susceptibility of erythrocytes to lipid peroxidation were determined in all groups. Hypercholesterolemic rabbits had high plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide (TBARS) levels compared to control animals fed a normal diet. Plasma and erythrocyte TBARS levels significantly decreased in the thymosin-alpha1-injected rabbits. In thymosin-alpha1-treated animals (group IV), most of the lipid plaques were replaced by fibrous tissue. These findings suggest that thymosin alpha1 may have some beneficial effects on the treatment of atherosclerosis by normalizing blood lipid levels and by substantially protecting endothelial cells against free radical injury.

Imbalance between lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in preeclampsia.

Lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant system were investigated in the plasma and placenta of normal and preeclamptic pregnant women. A significant increase in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), significant decreases in total thiol (t-SH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and unchanged vitamin C levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were observed in the plasma of preeclamptic women compared to women with normal pregnancies. In placentas from preeclamptic women TBARS levels were significantly elevated, while glutathione and vitamin C levels and GPx, glutathione S-transferase and SOD activities were decreased. After delivery, the elevated TBARS values decreased significantly and the reduced SOD activity and t-SH contents increased significantly. We concluded that preeclampsia is associated with an imbalance between lipid peroxides and the antioxidant system.

The effect of methimazole on the oxidant and antioxidant system in patients with hyperthyroidism.

The present study was designed to evaluate the changes in the plasma lipid peroxidation and antioxidant system in 15 adult volunteer patients in hyperthyroid and euthyroid states. In these patients, plasma concentrations of lipid peroxides were decreased and, ascorbic acid and vitamin E levels were significantly increased in euthyroid status in comparison to hyperthyroid status. A significant increase in the plasma GPx activity (P < 0.01) and a decrease in GST (P < 0.001) was observed after euthyroidism was sustained with methimazole therapy. In conclusion, hyperthyroidism tends to enhance lipid peroxide content and an increase in GST and decreases in GPx, vitamin E and ascorbic acid levels accompany to this change in the plasma. The achievement of euthyroidism led an improvement in these parameters.

The effects of interferon-alpha on serum lipid peroxidation and total thiol content in patients with chronic active hepatitis-C.

Chronic hepatitis develops in at least half of the patients with acute hepatitis C. Although there is currently no effective therapy for chronic hepatitis C (CHC), it is reported that Interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) has some beneficial effects. It has been suggested that changes in the oxidant-antioxidant balance may take decisive role in the progression of liver damage in viral hepatitis and IFN alpha might be effective in the treatment of liver damage by improving the antioxidant system. In the present study, when the patients with chronic active hepatitis-C (CAH-C) were compared to controls, serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity as well as transaminase activities were increased, but total sulfhydryl (t-SH) contents were decreased Following IFN alpha treatment three times a week for a period of 6 months, it has been observed that elevated TBARS levels and GPx activity were decreased and reduced t-SH contents were increased significantly in patients with chronic active hepatitis-C (CAH-C). According to our results, these findings suggests that oxidative stress may play an important role in HCV induced liver injury and IFN alpha may be useful in treatment by reducing the oxidative stress.

Effects of thymosin alpha-1 on erythrocyte lipid levels and erythrocyte membrane (Na(+)-K+)-ATPase activity in experimental hypercholesterolemia.

Thymosin alpha-1 is an active polypeptide isolated from thymus. This polypeptide is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases, especially immune diseases. In this present study, we examined the effects of thymosin alpha-1 on plasma and erythrocyte lipid levels and the changes in erythrocyte membrane (Na+, K+)ATPase activity in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The erythrocyte lipid levels decreased, whereas the erythrocyte membrane (Na+, K+)ATPase activity increased significantly in these rabbits after thymosin alpha-1 injection. These findings suggest that thymosin alpha-1 is effective on both the lipid level and erythrocyte membrane (Na+, K+)ATPase activity.