Relationship among placental cadmium, lead, zinc, and copper levels in smoking pregnant women.

Previous studies on Cd-exposed pregnant animals have reported a Cd-Zn interaction that result in increased placental Cd levels and decreased placental Zn transport. In this study, placental Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn status in pregnant women exposed to Cd and Pb through cigarette smoke was investigated. Placental tissues obtained from 30 nonsmokers (controls), 70 passive smokers, and 90 smokers were analyzed for Cu and Zn levels using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and for Pb and Cd levels using an EG&G PARC Model 303A hanging mercury drop electrode. The result showed that whereas the placental Cd and Pb levels in smokers were higher that those of nonsmokers, Cu and zinc levels were lower in nonsmokers. These results imply that smoking during pregnancy could be harmful for both the mother and the fetus.

Maternal and fetal plasma adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase and malondialdehyde levels in pre-eclampsia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal-fetal plasma adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase (ADA, XO) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the relationship between them in pre-eclampsia. Maternal and umbilical cord whole blood samples were taken from 29 pre-eclamptic and 33 normal pregnants. The plasma ADA, XO activities as well as MDA levels were assayed by spectrophotometric methods. MDA levels and ADA, XO activities were found to be higher in maternal and fetal plasma in pre-eclamptics than in normal pregnancy. The differences were statistically significant between groups (p < 0.05). Increased maternal-fetal plasma XO and ADA activities, as a marker of immunological disorder, may be related to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. In addition, increased MDA levels may be a reflection of increased oxidative stress in pre-eclamptics and their fetuses.

Plasma D-lactic acid level: a useful marker to distinguish perforated from acute simple appendicitis.

Early diagnosis of perforated appendicitis is important for reducing morbidity rates. The aim of this study was to determine the value and utility of plasma D-lactic acid levels in identifying the type of appendicitis. In this clinical study, plasma D-lactic acid levels were assessed in 44 consecutive paediatric patients (23 with acute appendicitis, 21 with perforated appendicitis) before laparotomy. D-lactic acid levels were determined by an enzymatic spectrophotometric technique using a D-lactic acid dehydrogenase kit. Patients with perforated appendicitis had higher D-lactic acid levels (3.970 +/- 0.687 mg/dL) than patients in the control group (0.478 +/- 0.149 mg/dL) and patients with acute appendicitis (1.409 +/- 0.324 mg/dL; p < 0.05). For a plasma D-lactic acid level greater than 2.5 mg/dL, the sensitivity and specificity of the D-lactic acid assay were 96% and 87%, respectively. The positive predictive value was 87%, the negative predictive value was 96%, and the diagnostic value was 91%. These results suggest that the measurement of plasma D-lactic acid levels may be a useful adjunct to clinical and radiological findings in distinguishing perforated from acute non-perforated appendicitis in children.

[Comparison of the antioxidant enzyme levels with the degree of dysfunction in patients with myocardial dysfunction]. / Miyokard Disfonksiyonu Olan Hastalarda Disfonksiyonun Derecesi ile Antioksidan Enzim Düzeylerinin Karsilastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial dysfunction in patients with cardiomyopathy is proposed to occur due to membrane changes caused by oxidative stress. In our study we evaluate whether there is any relation between the degree of myocardial dysfunction and antioxidant enzymes. METHODS: We studied superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities from blood samples of 60 patients (30 patients had ejection fraction (EF) < %35 and 30 patients had EF= %35-50) who have myocardial dysfunction according to clinical findings and two-dimensional echocardiography, and 20 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: We found erythrocyte SOD enzyme activities of patients with EF < %35 (group 3) were significantly lower than in control subjects (group 1) (p=0.01). However in group 2 patients (EF= %35-50), erythrocyte SOD activities were found to be lower than in control subjects but this difference was not significant. Erythrocyte CAT and GSHPx enzyme activities of group 3 were also significantly lower than in control group (p=0.04 and p=0.02 respectively). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, reactive oxygen species play a significant role in the initiation and the progression of congestive heart failure. Increased free radicals levels may cause myocardial muscle dysfunction.