Placental and Umbilical Cord Blood Oxidative Stress Level and Telomere Homeostasis in Early Onset Severe Preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: Although the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) is unknown, evidence suggests that it may be associated with increased oxidative stress. Studies have shown that oxidative stress can affect DNA fragments called telomeres. However, the interactions of PE, oxidative stress, and telomere length are not clearly known. This study aims to evaluate the oxidative/anti-oxidative stress balance in the placenta and umbilical cord and examine the effect of oxidative stress on telomeres. MATERIALS-METHOD: Cord blood and placental samples were collected from 27 pregnant women with severe PE (280/7-336/7 gestational weeks) and 53 healthy pregnant women. Telomere length (TL) was measured by real-time PCR in the cord blood and placenta tissue. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were measured in the cord blood and placenta tissue using a colorimetric method. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups regarding age, BMI, gravida, parity, and newborn gender (p>0.05). Cord blood and placental TL of PE patients were significantly shorter than the control group, while cord blood and placental TAS and TOS levels were higher (p<0.05). The results of a multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the level of placental TOS in PE patients (OR=1.212, 95% CI=1.068-1.375) was an independent risk factor affecting PE. CONCLUSION: This study found that oxidative stress is an independent risk factor in the development of PE and shortens TL in both placental and umbilical cord blood. Future research on telomere homeostasis may offer a new perspective for the treatment of PE.

Can Annual Daylight Cycles and Seasons Have an Effect on Male Sexual Functions?

Introduction Mammals' sexual functions exhibit seasonal variations that have been attributed to changes in the daylight. In this study, taking into consideration endocrine and psychogenic status, we aimed to investigate whether human males experience changes in erectile functions and sexual desire depending on daylight periods and seasons, and whether periodicity exists in human sexual behavior. Materials and methods International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and psychiatric scale scores of 221 male patients were evaluated. In addition, hormonal parameters of the patients were examined. These data were first evaluated in two groups (summer and winter) according to local daylight amounts the participants received. Then IIEF scores were also analyzed according to four conventional seasons (winter, spring, summer, and autumn). Results There was no significant difference in laboratory data, psychiatric scale scores and IIEF evaluations between summer and winter groups. Moreover, no significant difference was found in terms of sexual desire and erectile functions in terms of four seasons (p > 0.05). Conclusion According to the results of this study, there is no periodicity in human sexual functions both in relation to daylight and four seasons.

Maternal Serum Delta-Like 1 and Nesfatin-1 Levels in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Prospective Case-Control Study.

Objective Delta-like 1 (DLK1) and nesfatin-1 are adipokines that have been shown to affect glucose metabolism. We aimed to search serum DLK1 and nesfatin-1 concentrations at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy in women newly defined with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and investigate the relationship of these adipokines with various metabolic parameters. Methods Serum levels of DLK1 and nesfatin-1 were evaluated in 44 women with GDM, and in 40 healthy pregnant women by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. While performing oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for GDM diagnosis at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profiles, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were also measured. Results Maternal serum DLK1 and nesfatin-1 concentrations were found lower in pregnant women with GDM compared with healthy pregnant women (418.4±282.6 vs. 586.7±303 ng/L, p=0.002; 12.2±7.6 vs. 26.7±16.4 ng/ml, p<0.001, respectively). Maternal serum DLK1 levels correlated positively with HOMA-IR and fasting insulin (r=0.395, p=0.008; r=0.374, p=0.012, respectively). Conclusion We determined that DLK1 and nesfatin-1 levels were lower in GDM. Based on this study, it may be considered that DLK1 could be culpable for metabolic disorders in GDM.

DLK1 and Nesfatin-1 levels and the relationship with metabolic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: Prospective, controlled study

Objective: Delta-like 1 (DLK1) is known to inhibit adipocyte differentiation and nesfatin-1 is a neuropeptide that plays a role in the regulation of nutrition and metabolism. We aimed to assess both the levels of DLK1 and nesfatin-1 in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and determine the association of DLK1 and nesfatin-1 with metabolic parameters. Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients with PCOS and 40 healthy women as the control group were included in this study. Venous blood samples of the participants were collected, and hormonal, metabolic parameters, DLK1 and nesfatin-1 blood levels were determined. Anthropometric parameters were also determined. For a double comparison, the Mann-Whitney U test was used for non-parametric numerical data, and Student's t-test was used for parametric numerical data. Bivariate correlations were investigated using Spearman's correlation analysis. The diagnostic performance of the parameters was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: The findings showed that DLK1 and nesfatin-1 levels were lower among the PCOS group, and the differences in these values were found to be statistically significant. A significant negative correlation was found between DLK1 levels and body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, visceral adiposity index (VAI), fasting serum insulin (FSI), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and triglyceride levels. A significant negative correlation was found between nesfatin-1 levels and BMI, VAI, FSI, HOMA-IR and triglyceride. Conclusion: The findings showed that DLK1 and nesfatin-1 levels were lower in PCOS. Based on this study, DLK1 may be culpable for metabolic disorders in PCOS and can be a novel marker for PCOS in the future.

Are There Any Relationships Between Abnormal Seminal Parameters and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, Platelet-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Red Blood Cell Distribution-Platelet Ratio?

Objective The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW)/platelet ratio (RPR) values, which are pro-inflammatory markers, with abnormal sperm parameters, and to evaluate their availability as predictive markers. Materials and methods A total of 160 patients, 80 of whom were the control group, formed with match-pair analysis (Group 1), and 80 patients with abnormal sperm analysis, who met the study criteria (Group 2), were included in the study. Complete blood count results were recorded. NLR, PLR, and RPR values were calculated using hematological parameters, and a comparison was made between the two groups. Results The mean age was 31.23 ± 5.1 years in Group 1 and 31.33 ± 6.4 years in Group 2. NLR values were 1.84 ± 0.57-1.87 ± 0.65 (P =0.77), PLR values were 105.42 ± 23.89-111.42 ± 34.54 (P = 0.62) and RPR values were 0.05 ± 0.009-0.05 ± 0.01 (P =0.45), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusions We investigated whether NLR, PLR, and RPR results can be used as a predictive marker on abnormal sperm parameters. We do not recommend the use of these parameters as a predictive marker.

Paraoxonase is reduced in patients with growth hormone deficiency: A novel risk factor for atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality. Increased oxidative stress has been associated with development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate oxidant and antioxidant status in patients with GHD by analyzing serum paraoxonase1 (PON1) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiol levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a case-control study. Thirty patients with GHD were included in the study and compared with 20 healthy controls. Serum PON1 activity, and MDA and thiol levels were measured according to an enzymatic spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Serum MDA levels (2.8 ± 1.3 nmol/mL) were higher in GHD group than the controls (1.7 ± 0.5 nmol/mL) (P = 0.001). PON1 activity (149.9 ± 77.9 U/L) was lower in GHD group than the controls (286.3 ± 126.7 U/L) (P = 0.001). Thiol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) levels were lower in GHD group (218.6 ± 103.9 µmol/L and 32.6 ± 13.4 mg/dL, respectively) than the controls (289.6 ± 101.1 µmol/L and 54.3 ± 14.9 mg/dL, respectively) (P = 0.021 and P = 0.001, respectively). In GHD patients, serum MDA level was negatively correlated with serum HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.499, P = 0.001), and serum PON1 activity was positively correlated with serum thiol and HDL-cholesterol levels (r = 0.306, P = 0.032 and r = 0.303, P = 0.033, respectively). CONCLUSION: These data support that GHD is characterized by an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant factors. This abnormality may contribute to the increased atherogenic risk in patients with GHD.

Assessment of nitric oxide, advanced oxidation protein products, malondialdehyde, and thiol levels in patients with restless legs syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the importance of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of restless legs syndrome (RLS) by quantification of advanced oxidation protein products and total thiol levels (as markers of oxidative protein damage), nitric oxide levels (as an antioxidant and endothelial function), and malondialdehyde levels (as a marker of lipid peroxidation) in patients with RLS. DESIGN AND METHODS: A total of 22 patients with primary RLS were enrolled in the study and 20 age-and-gender-matched healthy subjects were enrolled as a control group. Serum nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, thiol levels, and plasma advanced oxidation protein products levels were determined by spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: Serum nitric oxide and thiol levels were lower in the patient group than in controls (p = 0.007 and p = 0.017, respectively). Plasma advanced oxidation protein products levels and serum malondialdehyde levels were found to be higher in patients with RLS than in controls (p = 0.017 and p = 0.008, respectively). Serum malondialdehyde level was found to be positively correlated with plasma advanced oxidation protein products levels (p = 0.039). Serum thiol level was found to be negatively correlated with plasma advanced oxidation protein products levels (p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Increased advanced oxidation protein products, malondialdehyde levels, and decreased thiol and nitric oxide levels, may suggest that patients with RLS are under oxidative stress. Although both lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation may have a role in atherosclerosis in RLS, those factors may be related to the pathogenesis of RLS.

Assessment of paraoxonase 1, xanthine oxidase and glutathione peroxidase activities, nitric oxide and thiol levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is any relation between oxidative stress and the antioxidant system in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by measuring serum nitric oxide (NO) levels and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity (a generator of reactive oxygen species) and antioxidant status by measuring serum thiol levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activities. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. SETTING: University hospital in Turkey. SAMPLE: Thirty women with polycystic ovary syndrome and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were included. METHODS: Serum XO, PON1 and GSHPx activity and NO and thiol levels were determined by spectrophotometric methods. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Activity of serum XO, PON1 and GSH, as well as NO and thiol levels. RESULTS: Serum XO activities were higher in women with PCOS than in the control women (p<0.001). The PON1 activity was lower in women with PCOS than in the control women (p<0.001). No significant difference was found between NO and thiol levels and GSHPx activities of women with PCOS and the control women (p>0.05). Serum PON1 activities were negatively correlated with serum XO activities and NO levels. CONCLUSION: Increased oxidant XO activity and decreased lipid antioxidant PON1 activity, along with the observed negative correlation between these parameters, suggests that women with PCOS are under oxidative stress and that there is XO-mediated lipid peroxidation, which may be related to increased atherosclerosis seen in later life in such women.