DNA Damage in AML-12 Hepatocytes and 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Treated with Clopidogrel.

BACKGROUND: Clopidogrel has been commonly prescribed as a selective P2Y12 receptor antagonist to reduce heart attack and stroke risk. Nearly 10% of absorbed clopidogrel is metabolized to active forms by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the liver and 90% to inactive clopidogrel carboxylate by esterases. OBJECTIVE: Since different forms of clopidogrel have cytotoxic potential, our aim was to determine the effect of 7.5, 40, and 75µM clopidogrel over DNA damage in adipocytes and hepatocytes. METHODS: In the present study, DNA damage was investigated by Comet analysis using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and Alpha Mouse 12 (AML-12) hepatocytes. RESULTS: DNA fragmentation was found to be increased as a response to 7.5 µM, 40 µM, and 75 µM clopidogrel treatment compared to non-treated control groups in AML-12 hepatocytes (p<0.01, p<0.001, p<0.01 respectively) and 3T3-L1 adipocytes (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.001respectively). DNA damage levels as a response to clopidogrel treatment were found to be higher in 3T3-L1 adipocytes than AML-12 hepatocytes. Also, DNA damage levels in adipocytes and hepatocytes were found to increase dose-dependently for 7.5 and 40 µM clopidogrel, whereas decreased as a response to 75 µM. CONCLUSION: According to our results, clopidogrel results in more DNA damage in adipocytes than in hepatocytes. The molecular mechanism of clopidogrel genotoxicity needs to be further investigated especially in adipose tissue.

The awareness of childhood autism among residents of neuropsychiatric and other disciplines of a research and training hospital in Istanbul, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of childhood autism among physicians undergoing residency training in various disciplines. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a research and training hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, in February 2013 and comprised physicians undergoing residency training in various disciplines. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Questions about "awareness on autism" were prepared in the light of "Knowledge about Childhood Autism among Health Workers questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 128 physicians, 122(95.3%) were aware that the most known characteristic of childhood autism was "failure to build-up friendship". All of the 29(22.66%) physicians at the neuropsychiatric disciplines were aware that "autism can be a genetic disorder", whereas, in other disciplines 69(69.7) physicians had that awareness. Besides, 15(51.7%) of the residents of the neuropsychiatric disciplines thought that "autism can be associated with childhood epilepsy", while 32(32.3%) physicians of other disciplines gave a similar answer (p=0.057). CONCLUSIONS: The awareness on childhood autism of residents belonging to the non- neuropsychiatric disciplines was moderate.

A predictive score for retinopathy of prematurity by using clinical risk factors and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 levels.

AIM: To detect the impact of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and other risk factors for the early prediction of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to establish a scoring system for ROP prediction by using clinical criteria and serum IGF-1 levels. METHODS: The study was conducted with 127 preterm infants. IGF-1 levels in the 1st day of life, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th week of life was analyzed. The score was established after logistic regression analysis, considering the impact of each variable on the occurrences of any stage ROP. A validation cohort containing 107 preterm infants was included in the study and the predictive ability of ROP score was calculated. RESULTS: Birth weights (BW), gestational weeks (GW) and the prevalence of breast milk consumption were lower, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were more frequent, the duration of mechanical ventilation and oxygen supplementation was longer in patients with ROP (P<0.05). Initial serum IGF-1 levels tended to be lower in newborns who developed ROP. Logistic regression analysis revealed that low BW (<1250 g), presence of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and formula feeding increased the risk of ROP. Afterwards, the scoring system was validated on 107 infants. The negative predictive values of a score less than 4 were 84.3%, 74.7% and 79.8% while positive predictive values were 76.3%, 65.5% and 71.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: In addition to BW <1250 g and IVH, formula consumption was detected as a risk factor for the development of ROP. Breastfeeding is important for prevention of ROP in preterm infants.