Evaluating interleukin-16 expression in patients with grade-3 and grade-4 glial cell tumors and healthy individuals.

Background: This study evaluated the change in IL-16 levels in patients with high-grade glial tumors undergoing radiotherapy (RT) and healthy individuals (control group). Materials and Methods: Serum IL-16 levels of 35 high-grade glioma patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) and 30 healthy individuals were compared. We compared the IL-16 levels before (RT0) and after the (RT1) and IL-16 levels were measured and the relationship of this change with other characteristics such as age, gender, weight, height, and blood test results. Results: The RT0-IL-16 level was approximately 15 pg/ml higher than the RT1 measurement in the patient group. The mean RT0-IL-16 levels in the patient group were approximately 10 pg/ml higher than the mean IL-16 levels in the control group. Likewise, at the RT1 time-point, the mean IL-16 levels for the patient group were approximately 5 pg/ml lower than the mean IL-16 for the control group. The mean RT0-RT1-IL-16 value tended to be higher in female patients than in male patients. Conclusion: The application of RT reduces the overall IL-16 levels, suggesting the efficacy of RT, as well as the role of IL-16 in tumorigenesis.

Evaluation of IL-17A expressions in high-grade glial tumors receiving radiotherapy.

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the interleukin-17A (IL-17A) levels in patients with high-grade glial tumors before receiving radiotherapy, immediately after radiotherapy, and 3 months after radiotherapy. Patients and Methods: A total of 33 patients who applied to Adana City Training and Research Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology between December 2016 and May 2018 was included in this study. A total of three blood samples was taken from each patient to assess IL-17A levels before and after radiotherapy and 3 months after the completion of radiotherapy. Results: The differences in IL-17A levels between genders were not statistically significant. IL-17A levels progressively decreased after the radiotherapy and 3 months after the radiotherapy as compared to the levels before radiotherapy. However, this was not statistically significant. IL-17A levels in the non-surviving patients were high before and after radiotherapy as compared to the surviving ones, but this was also not statistically significant. Conclusion: As compared to the period before radiotherapy, IL-17A levels tend to decrease in the period of acute and chronic phases of radiotherapy in all patient groups.

Clinical comparison of patients with angiography: Negative perimesencephalic and nonperimesencephalic subarachnoid hemorrhages.

AIMS: This study aimed to compare the clinical courses, complications, and clinical outcome scores of patients with perimesencephalic (PM) and nonperimesencephalic (n-PM) subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with no vascular pathology observed on cerebral angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 52 of 310 patients who underwent cerebral digital subtraction angiography for SAH between October 2016 and April 2018. The patients were categorized into PM and n-PM groups based on the type of hemorrhage observed on brain CT. The patients Fischer's grades, Glasgow Coma Scale scores, and World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies SAH grades were recorded. Hydrocephalus, vasospasm findings in both groups, and modified Rankin scale (mRS) scores were assessed, and vascular pathology factors (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and smoking) were compared between the patient groups. RESULTS: The PM group included 30 patients, the n-PM group 22 patients. Minimal hydrocephalus was observed in two patients in the PM group and six patients developed apparent hydrocephalus in the n-PM group. Angiographic vasospasm was observed in four patients in the n-PM group but none of the patients in the PM group. On discharge, all patients in the PM group had mRS scores of 0. One patient in the n-PM group become exitus and 18 patients were discharged mRS 0, 2 for two patients, and 3 for one patient. CONCLUSION: The patients with PM SAH experienced a benign course, whereas those with n-PM SAH showed a higher risk of vasospasm and hydrocephalus as well as worse exit scores.

Effects of montelukast and methylprednisolone on experimental spinal cord injury in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The development of secondary brain injury after trauma is known to involve in many cellular mediators. The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the effects of the use of both methylprednisolone and montelukast on serum and tissue concentrations of NO, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and tissue glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: SCI was induced in Wistar albino rats by dropping a 10 g rod from a 5.0 cm height at T9-10. The 28 rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: montelukast, methylprednisolone, non-treatment and sham groups. Rats were neurologically tested at 24 hours after trauma and spinal cord tissue levels of MDA, SOD, GSH-PX, CAT levels and blood CK, CK-BB, LDH levels were measured. In addition, histopathological changes were also examined. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in Tarlov scores in methylprednisolone and montelukast administered group compared to the trauma group (p = 0.001). When compared to trauma group, methylprednisolone and montelukast groups had significant differences in MDA (p < 0.05), SOD (p < 0.001), CK-BB (p < 0.001) and LDH (p < 0.05) levels. Histopathologically, no significant changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows effects of montelukast with biochemical and histopathological parameters and compares its effects with those of methylprednisolone for the first time. Our research has shown that montelukast and methylprednisolone have a neuroprotective effect on spinal cord injury.