Oxidative stress values of tumor core, edge, and healthy thyroid tissue in thyroid masses.

PURPOSE: Reactive oxygen radicals play an important role in tumor formation, progression, and invasion. In this study, the aim was to investigate the relationship between the oxidative stress values of tumor core, edge, and healthy thyroid tissue in thyroid tumors. METHODS: A total of 51 patients with thyroid tumor, 24-malignant, and 27-benign, were included in this study. Samples, measuring 5 × 5 × 5 mm, were taken from the tumor core, edge, and healthy thyroid tissue of the participants. Total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) values were examined. The oxidative stress values of core, edge, and healthy thyroid tissue of all tumors (n = 51) were compared according to the localization. The participants were divided into two groups as malignant (Group 1: Differentiated thyroid cancers) and benign (Group 2: Multinodular goiter). The groups were compared according to tissue localizations. RESULTS: The TOS value of tumor edge was significantly higher than the values of tumor core and healthy thyroid tissue. The OSI value of tumor edge was significantly higher than the values of tumor core and healthy thyroid tissue. There was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 in terms of TAS, TOS, and OSI values of tumor core. The OSI values in tumor edge and healthy thyroid tissue were significantly higher in Group 1 than in Group 2. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of TAS and TOS values of tumor edge and healthy thyroid tissue. CONCLUSION: The oxidative stress values of tumor edge were significantly higher than the tumor core and healthy thyroid tissue values. The oxidative stress values of tumor edge and healthy thyroid tissue were significantly higher in malignant thyroid tumors compared to benign thyroid tumors.

Effects of fasting during the month of Ramadan on renal function in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease
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BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to examine the impact of fasting during the month of Ramadan on autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (-ADPKD) patients with normal to near-normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of patients with ADPKD, the majority of whom had normal or near-normal GFR. Patients were divided into two groups: the fasting group (FG) and the nonfasting group (NFG). Assessments in the NFG were performed 1 week before and 1 month after Ramadan, while FG patients were assessed on the last day of fasting in addition to the abovementioned visits. The following parameters were checked at each visit: blood pressure (BP), weight, sodium, potassium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, glucose, lipid profile, bicarbonate, urine density, 24-hour urine volume, 24-hour urine protein, GFR, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1). Kidney function tests were carried out on the 7th day of fasting in the FG for the identification of early kidney damage. RESULTS: Of the overall group of 54 patients, 23 were in FG (19 female) and 31 were in NFG (18 female). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, gender, ADPKD duration, and presence of hypertension. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values of FG and NFG were 86.4 ± 18.5 and 66.1 ± 36.5 mL/min/1.73m2, respectively. During the follow-up period, no significant changes occurred in BP, weight, creatinine, 24-hour urine volume, NGAL, KIM-1, or GFR in either group (p > 0.05), while 24-hour urinary protein was significantly decreased in FG (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A fasting duration of ~ 17 hours a day did not affect renal function negatively in patients with early-stage chronic kidney disease due to ADPKD. Also, no significant changes occurred in acute renal failure markers.
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Protective effect of dexpanthenol against nephrotoxic effect of amikacin: An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Amikacin has the largest spectrum among aminoglycosides, its nephrotoxic effect limits its utilization. Our purpose in this study is to review the protective effect of dexpanthenol against the nephrotoxic effect of amikacin, accompanied with histopathological and biochemical parameters. METHODS: 32 rats were randomly separated into four groups with eight in each (amikacin (1.2mg/kg/day), amikacin (1.2mg/kg/day)+dexpanthenol (500mg/kg/day), dexpanthenol (500mg/kg/day) and control). In order to assess the oxidative balance and renal damage between groups, biochemical parameters (total antioxidant capacity (TAS), total oxidant stress (TOS), catalase (CAT), paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase (ARES), urea, and creatinin) were studied from the blood samples. At the end of the 14th day, renal tissues were reviewed blindly by a pathologist. RESULTS: TOS and oxidative stress index (OSI) values were significantly lower in the group which was administered with dexpanthenol+amikacin compared to the group which only received amikacin (respectively, p=0.001, p=0.002). Antioxidant biochemical parameters (TAS, CAT, PON, and ARES) were significantly higher in the group which was administered with dexpanthenol+amikacin compared to the group administered only with amikacin (respectively, p=0.007, p=0.001, p=0.003, p=0.003). Urea and creatitin values were found to be significantly lower in the group which was administered with dexpanthenol+amikacin compared to the group administered only with amikacin (respectively, p=0.002, p=0.001). Histopathologic changes such as glomerular and tubular epithelium changes and interstitial edema were clearly observed in the group administered only with amikacin, such findings were insignificant in the group administered with dexpanthenol+amikacin. CONCLUSION: It was revealed with biochemical and histopathologic data that nephrotoxic effects created by amikacin administration can be limited with dexpanthenol by using them together, and further advanced clinical studies are required.

CD40 ligand and P-selectin in heterozygous Beta-thalassemia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate platelet functions and measure soluble CD40 ligand, soluble P-selectin, beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels in the blood of heterozygous beta thalassemia patients. METHODS: The cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey, between September 2013 and April 2014, and comprised heterozygous beta thalassemia patients who were compared with 41 gender-, age- and body mass index-matched controls for platelet function markers. The two groups were also compared for co-morbidities, smoking, and regular medications. RESULTS: Of the 78(78.78) subjects, 50(64%) were women and 28(36%) men with an overall mean age of 39.4±12.7 years (range: 18-79 years). The mean body mass index was 26.3±4.2. The heterozygous beta thalassemia group included 37(47%) subjects [24(65%) females; 13(35%) males] while the control group had 41(53%) [26(63%) females; 15(37%) males]. Soluble CD40 ligand and soluble P-selectin were lower in the heterozygous beta thalassemia group (p=0.009; p=0.010). Beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 levels were comparable between the groups (p=0.497; p=0.507.). CONCLUSIONS: Some platelet functions may be reduced in heterozygous beta thalassemia patients, which may be related to their lower incidence of cerebral and cardiac ischaemic events.

Patients treated with therapeutic plasma exchange: a single center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) is a therapeutic procedure that is used to remove high molecular weight substances from plasma. We analyzed data of patients who received TPE during the last 7 years, and focused on the efficiency of TPE in various disease groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 110 patients treated with TPE by membrane plasma separation technique from 2007 to 2013. We examined the demographic data, underlying disease, biochemical parameters, volume and type of replacement fluid, complications, concomitant treatment, the need for hemodialysis and number of TPE sessions. RESULTS: One hundred ten patients, 58 male, 52 female were included. The mean age was 47.3 ± 17.6 years. A total of 734 TPE sessions were performed and the mean number of TPE sessions per patient was 6.6 ± 4.3. The underlying disease was renal transplantation in 26 patients, ANCA-associated vasculitis in 18, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis in 17, hemolytic uremic syndrome in 11, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in 9, autoimmunic hemolytic anemia in 6, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 6 and other diseases. Partial and complete remission was obtained in 65 (59.1%) and 24 patients (21.8%) respectively, while 14 (12.7%) patients had no response and 7 (6.4%) patients died. Complications were muscle cramps (6.4%), allergic reactions (4.5%), severe hypotension (3.6%), fever (1.8%), unconsciousness (0.9%), leukopenia (0.9%) and catheter related hematoma (0.9%). CONCLUSION: According to our 7 years of experience in TPE, we can say that therapeutic plasma exchange by membrane separation technique is a useful, easy, available and effective life-saving therapeutic treatment.