Inflammatory biomarkers derived from whole blood cell count in atrial fibrillation patients.

Aim    This study aimed to evaluate the potential relationships between atrial fibrillation (AF) and hematological indices, such as neutrophil / lymphocyte ratio (NLR), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet / lymphocyte ratio (PLR), mean platelet volume / platelet (MPV / PLT), neutrophil / monocyte ratio (NMR), lymphocyte / monocyte ratio (LMR), systemic immune inflammation index (SII, platelet x neutrophil / lymphocytes), and monocyte / high-density lipoprotein ratio (MHR), that can be obtained from the complete blood count (CBC test).Material and method    This retrospective study included 150 patients aged 40-80 yrs who were diagnosed with AF, and 91 age- and gender-matched controls. Hematological indices and inflammation markers were evaluated.Results    In the AF group, NLR, PLR, SII, MHR, and MPV / PLT were elevated, and LMR was low. Multivariate regression analysis showed that hematological indices NLR, SII, and MHR were significant, independent, predictive factors for AF. ROC curves revealed the following significant sensitivity and specificity values: NLR 75 %, 52.3 %; LMR 61.3 %, 67.3 %; SII 67.4 %, 64.6 %; MHR 100 %, 56 %.Conclusion    NLR, PLR, LMR, SII, MPV / PLT, and MHR may be useful in the early prediction of AF development. It is strongly emphasized that among these variables, MHR, may be the best independent variable that can be used to predict AF.

The protective effect of apelin-13 on cardiorenal toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide.

Cyclophosphamide is a chemotherapeutic drug that is widely used in the clinic and can cause multi-organ toxicity. Apelin-13 is an endogenous adipocytokine with antioxidant properties. Therefore, this study investigated the possibility of apelin-13 being a potential therapeutic agent on cardiac toxicity and nephrotoxicity caused by cyclophosphamide. In this study, a total of four groups were formed with eight rats in each group. Group I: the control group was administered only saline (i.p.). Group II: cyclophosphamide, a single dose of 200 mg/kg (i.p.) on day 7. Group III: apelin-13 (15 µg/kg), for 7 days (i.p.). Group IV: administered apelin-13 (15 µg/kg) (i.p.) for 7 days and a single dose of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) (i.p.) on day 7, the rats were sacrificed on day 8. Lactate dehydrogenase, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were found to be high in the cyclophosphamide group; however, these values were reduced with apelin-13 administration. Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and reduced glutathione (GSH) decreased in the cyclophosphamide group, and apelin-13 increased these enzyme activities. In addition, histopathological examinations also supported the results obtained. The findings of this study showed that apelin-13 has a protective effect against cardiorenal toxicity caused by cyclophosphamide.