Antioxidant effects of piperine on steroid-induced hepatotoxicity.

OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroids that play an essential role in physiological processes and are valuable therapeutic agents against various diseases. The aim of our study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of piperine (PIP) on steroid-induced oxidative stress in liver tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used 36 fertilized specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chicken eggs that were divided into the following 6 groups: group 1 (n=6), phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (pH 7.4 saline solution [0.9%] isotonic); group 2 (n=6), 0.50 µmol hydrocortisone succinate sodium (HC); group 3 (n=6), 0.50 µmol HC and 100 mg/kg piperine (PIP); group 4 (n=6), 0.50 µmol HC and 50 mg/kg PIP; group 5 (n=6), 0.50 µmol HC and 25 mg/kg PIP; and group 6 (n=6), 0.50 µmol HC and 10 mg/kg PIP. Chick embryos were removed from the eggs and the livers dissected from the embryos. The total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde [MDA]) levels were measured. RESULTS: The highest levels of GSH and TAS in the liver tissues were observed in group 3, with a significant difference from those in group 2 (p <0.001 and p =0.006, respectively). The lowest levels of MDA and TOS in the liver tissues were observed in group 3, with a significant difference from those in group 2 (p <0.001 and p =0.021, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties of PIP were observed only at high doses.

The protective role of curcumin against toxic effect of nonylphenol on bone development.

INTRODUCTION: In the study, it was aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of curcumin, a potent antioxidant, against the toxic effect of nonylphenol on bone development. METHODS: Thirty pregnant female Wistar albino rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into the following five groups; the control group, corn oil group (150 µl/kg/day), nonylphenol group (50 µl/kg/day), curcumin group (100 mg/kg/day) and curcumin + nonylphenol group (100 mg/kg/day + 50 µl/kg/day). The doses were given by gavage from the 5th day to the 20th day of gestation. The fetuses were removed out on the 20th day of pregnancy by cesarean at the end of the study. After the sacrifice of the animals, double skeletal staining in front extremity (clavicula, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna) and hind extremity (femur, tibia, fibula), additionally histological and immunohistochemical examinations in femur bone were performed. RESULTS: The nonylphenol group offspring have the lowest weights of fetuses and placenta, head-to-hip lengths, biparietal and occipitofrontal length, and also, bone length percentage and percentage of the ossification area in all measurements of the front extremity and hind extremity Interestingly, the groups treated with curcumin showed close to the control group in terms of double skeletal staining, histological, and immunohistochemical examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated an association between bone development and exposure to nonylphenol. The findings suggest that curcumin treatments may be effective in accelerating bone formation.

Effects of vitamin E in a glucocorticoid induced cataract model in chicken embryos.

We investigated the antioxidant effects of vitamin E on a glucocorticoid (GC) induced model of cataracts in chick embryos. We used 70 fertilized eggs divided into seven groups as follows: phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) group, olive oil treatment (OO) group, hydrocortisone treatment (HC) group, olive oil and hydrocortisone treatment (OO + HC) group, 50 mg/kg vitamin E and hydrocortisone treatment (HC + VE (50)) group, 25 mg/kg vitamin E and hydrocortisone treatment (HC + VE (25)) group and 15 mg/kg vitamin E and hydrocortisone treatment (HC + VE (15)) group. On day 17, chick embryos were removed from the eggs and lens and liver tissues were excised. Cataract formation was evaluated and total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured in lens and liver tissues; MDA was measured only in liver. The lenses in the HC + VE (50) group exhibited significantly higher levels of GPx and TAS, and lower levels of TOS than for HC and OO + HC groups. The livers of the HC + VE (50) group exhibited significantly higher levels of GPx and lower levels of MDA than for the HC and OO + HC groups. The HC + VE (50) group lenses were evaluated as grade 1, because the nuclei were completely free of cataracts, likely due to the antioxidative effect of high dose VE. VE is an effective antioxidant agent that exhibits a dose-response effect, for ameliorating the negative effects of GCs.

Role of Gal-3 and H-FABP in the early diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the plasma levels of biomarkers such as: serum Gal-3, H-FABP, cTnI, and CK-MB in patients, who were admitted to the emergency room with chest pain, and to determine whether these biomarkers have early diagnostic value of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: The study was performed in 60 patients aged ≥ 18 years, who were admitted to emergency room. These patients were divided into 3 groups: patients with STEMI (group I, n = 20), patients with NSTEMI (group II, n = 20), and patients with USAP (group III, n = 20). Serum Gal-3, H-FABP, cTnI, and CK-MB levels were measured at admission, and at the 2nd and 4th hours. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of Gal-3 levels at admission, and the 2nd and 4th hours (p = 0.007, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of H-FABP levels at admission, and the 2nd and 4th hours (p = 0.001, p = 0.003, and p = 0.003, respectively).There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of cTnI levels at admission, and the 2nd and 4th hours (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the study, cTnI, H-FABP, and Gal-3 are useful parameters that can be used in the early diagnosis of ACS (Tab. 4, Ref. 36).

Effect of BCG vaccine on tuberculin skin tests in 7-11-year-old children.

AIM: To determine the effect of Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination on tuberculin skin test responses in 7-11-year-old children, and also to clarify whether the number of vaccinations and the time interval between vaccination and tuberculin skin test have an effect on the test responses. METHOD: 1200 primary school children were evaluated for the presence and number of BCG scars. They were then given 5 TU PPD-S intra-dermally. Seventy-two hours after the application of tests, PPD indurations were measured. RESULTS: Mean indurations were 3.7 +/- 3.9, 6.5 +/- 5.4 and 9.2 +/- 7.1 mm in children with no scar, one scar and two scars, respectively. No statistical difference was found between mean induration of children with one scar and those with two scars. CONCLUSION: The effect of the number of BCG vaccinations and the time interval between vaccination and tuberculin skin test application on tuberculin skin test responses was statistically insignificant.

Effect of BCG vaccine on tuberculin skin tests in 1-6-year-old children.

UNLABELLED: Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination used in the prevention of tuberculosis may cause problems in interpreting the tuberculin skin test (TST), which is commonly used in the diagnosis of infection. A limited number of studies have been undertaken to investigate how length of time after BCG vaccination affects TST results. TST induration values of unvaccinated children were compared with those of children vaccinated once in order to determine the changes in TST responses after BCG vaccination. Mantoux TSTs were administered to 1145 children aged 1-6 y and induration was measured at 72 h. BCG scar status and average TST induration diameters were identified for each age group. CONCLUSION: Average TST induration in vaccinated children is significantly higher than that in unvaccinated children, and in the vaccinated group there is no statistically significant difference between induration values in the different age groups. BCG vaccination at the age of 0-2 mo affects TST for a long period and this condition does not change until 6 y of age.

Acute infantile haemorrhagic oedema associated with hepatitis A.

Acute infantile haemorrhagic oedema (AIHO) is characterised by purpura, ecchymosis and inflammatory oedema of the face and extremities. It is seen in children aged 4-24 months. The atiology is not known. We report a case of AIHO diagnosed by skin biopsy demonstrating leukocyte-elastic vasculitis. Laboratory studies showed positive hepatitis A IgM and IgG antibodies. The liver function tests were normal, indicating subclinical hepatitis. Cryoglobulinaemia was detected, suggesting that the disease was related to hepatitis A.

Postpartum maternal levels of hemoglobin A1c and cord C-peptide in macrosomic infants of non-diabetic mothers.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that macrosomia in infants born to non-diabetic mothers is associated with an increased incidence of hyperinsulinemia and normal maternal glucose regulation in late pregnancy. METHODS: Twenty mothers and their macrosomic infants were chosen as the study group, and 20 mothers with their appropriate-for-gestational-age infants were chosen as the control group. RESULTS: No difference in postpartum mean hemoglobin A1c levels was observed between the mothers of macrosomic infants and those of control infants. Cord plasma C-peptide levels were significantly higher in macrosomic than in control infants. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that macrosomic infants of non-diabetic mothers were significantly more likely to have hyperinsulinemia than were normal-sized infants, and this hyperinsulinemia was not caused by dysregulation in glucose metabolism.

Investigation of the relationship between low Apgar scores and early neonatal thyroid function.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of low Apgar scores on perinatal thyroid function. METHODS: Forty full-term infants delivered by the normal spontaneous vaginal route were enrolled into the study. All babies had 1 and 5 min Apgar scores below 4. The control group consisted of 26 full-term healthy neonates. Cord blood and serum tri-iodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), reverse tri-iodothyronine (rT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) determinations were performed by an enzyme immunoassay method. RESULTS: The mean values of FT4 and T4 observed in the cord blood of the study group were significantly lower compared with matched controls, whereas the mean TSH values were significantly higher. There were no differences in concentrations of T3, rT3 and TBG between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the existence of transient hypothyroidism at birth in babies with Apgar scores below 4 delivered by the spontaneous vaginal route.