Estimation of ethanol and methanol exposure through jarred fruit purees.

INTRODUCTION: Chemicals in foods enter the human body from early life likely posing chronic toxic health risks in the future. This study aimed to estimate the exposure to ethanol and methanol in children consuming an acceptable daily amount of fruit purees. METHODS: Different fruit purees were purchased and measured for methanol and ethanol by using HS-GC. The exposure dose of these alcohols was calculated based on a consumption of 125-250 g of fruit purees in children weighing 7, 12 and 16 kg. RESULTS: The highest methanol was found in carrot-apple puree (29.07 mg/dL) and ethanol in peach-banana puree (42.07 mg/dL). Daily methanol exposure was estimated between 4.54 and 6.06, and ethanol between 6.57 and 8.76 mg/kg bw. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show higher exposure doses of methanol and ethanol than allowable ones (methanol 2 and ethanol 6 mg/kg/day) in children consuming fruit purees. This should be handled as a public health risk and further comprehensive studies should be enrolled on the chronic toxic effects of food-derived alcohols. Besides, food-derived exposure to toxic chemicals from early life should be more questioned by physicians (in assessing chronic diseases), and related authorities should establish a sustainable, safe, and healthy food production policy.

Segmental hair metabolomics analysis in pregnant women with pregnancy complications.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy complications, as preeclampsia (PE) and HELLP syndrome, occurring with similar pathophysiological mechanisms, have adverse effects on the health of both mother and fetus during pregnancy and thereafter, they are leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. The hair metabolome has been recognized as a valuable source of information in pregnancy research, as it provides stable metabolite information to be able to assist with studying biomarkers or metabolic mechanisms of pregnancy and its complications. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the hair metabolome profile of pregnant women with PE, HELLP syndrome and healthy women. METHOD: Hair samples of new-borns' mothers (patients and controls) were investigated segmentally relevant to each trimester using a proper sample preparation and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify robust biomarkers that can be useful for screening, early detection, follow-up and treatment of PE and HELLP syndrome, the etiology of which are still unknown. RESULTS: The results showed a significant change in the metabolome profiles of the patient and control groups regarding the trimesters. A striking decrease was observed in all 100 metabolites investigated in the patient group (p < 0.000). The metabolic pathways associated with significant metabolites have also been investigated, and the most affected pathways were observed to be the urea cycle, glycine, serine, aspartate, methionine and purine metabolism, ammonia cycle, and phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: The found metabolites provide us with extensive data on the ability to establish biomarkers for predicting, early detection and monitoring of PE.

Protective effect of dexpanthenol against methotrexate-induced liver oxidative toxicity in rats.

Methotrexate is a familiar chemotherapeutic preferred in a wide range of clinical fields such as leukemia, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, neoplastic and autoimmune disorders. However, methotrexate therapy has limitations as it causes severe side effects from which liver damage is the most important one. Several antioxidant compounds have been studied against methotrexate related liver toxicity, but dexpanthenol has not been experienced. Vitamin B5-derived dexpanthenol is a usual therapeutic having a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the ameliorating effect of dexpanthenol against methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity. We performed our experiments on Wistar albino rats divided randomly into four groups involving control, dexphantenol, dexpanthenol + methotrexate and methotrexate applied animals. After this experimental work on rats, for the first time, we showed dexpanthenol improvement effect on ROS-caused hepatotoxicity initiated by methotrexate administration in terms of liver tissue antioxidant/oxidant enzymes, liver function tests, and histological changes. We suggest that dexpanthenol might be applied during methotrexate treatment in order to reduce the liver toxicity. However, further studies are needed to find out the optimal dose regimen and to understand the mechanism of action.

Estimates of Non-Alcoholic Food-Derived Ethanol and Methanol Exposure in Human.

Food-derived alcohol is almost not in question due to its low concentration. Nevertheless, could it pose a problem for some risk groups and forensic cases? To answer this, we aimed to simultaneously evaluate ethanol and methanol ingredients of a variety of non-alcoholic foods in two different countries and estimate their possible health and forensic consequences. Alcohols in foods were analysed by headspace gas chromatography (HS-GC). Human average acute daily food consumptions and food-derived blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) were determined by using the data of the EFSA Nutrition Survey. Methanol and ethanol ingredients of similar foods varied between the two cities. Most foods produce higher methanol concentrations than the Maximum Allowable Dose Level (23 mg). Especially fruit juices lead to the critical level of ethanol for children (6.0 mg/kg bw). Based on the results, adult daily intake of selected food groups does not bear ethanol that exceeds the legal limit of BAC or the limit not allowed by the religious and does not lead to acute alcohol toxicity. But these low levels of ethanol and methanol consumed via non-alcoholic foods for life can raise the vulnerability to chronic health problems (cancer, liver cirrhosis, Alzheimer's disease, autism, ocular toxicity, alterations in fetal development), and may lead to positive ethanol metabolite results (e. g. Ethyl glucuronide) when a low cut-off level is used. Therefore, studies on the alcohol contents of various natural and processed non-alcoholic foods along with their effects on humans, and new regulations on labeling the food products and conscious food consumption are in particular importance. It would also be important to consider unintentional alcohol consumption via non-alcoholic foods in the evaluation of clinical and forensic cases.

Assessment of the results of a three-year program for National Standardization and Quality Improvement of Medical Laboratories on Drug of Abuse Testing by the Ministry of Health in Turkey.

The aim of this study is to assess the results of inspections in the last three years of drug abuse testing in medical laboratories according to the latest regulations in Turkey. The on-site inspections of medical laboratories for drugs abuse testing performed in Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Centers during 2014-2016 are described, and laboratory processes and performance evaluated. The performance of 35 laboratories in 2014, 62 laboratories in 2015, and 94 laboratories in 2016 were scored as the sum of the scores for all answers on the inspection form. An inspected laboratory was considered to have an unconformity if the total score was less than 2/3 of maximum score. The total scores of inspections and the number of laboratories with between years were compared using one-way analysis of variance and slope Chi-square for trend test, respectively. Total scores increased statistically significantly from 35.9 ± 16.2 in 2014, to 43.5 ± 16.3 in 2015 and 49.1 ± 1.3 in 2016 (p < 0.001). The laboratories with unconformities decreased statistically significantly from 57% in 2014 to 37% in 2015 and 22% in 2016 (p < 0.001). The published legislation and the inspections contributed to national standardization and improved quality of service in medical laboratories for drug abuse testing.

A comparison of hair and serum trace elements in patients with Alzheimer disease and healthy participants.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine whether there was a difference between serum and hair trace elements' concentrations in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and healthy participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hair and serum copper, selenium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and iron levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in patients with AD and healthy participants, and the obtained results were statistically compared. RESULTS: The mean hair selenium and zinc levels of patients with AD were significantly lower than the levels found for control participants (P < 0.05). Patients with AD had significantly higher mean hair copper and manganese levels than the controls. There were no significant differences between AD patients and controls with respect to the hair iron and magnesium levels (P > 0.05). Hair and serum trace element (copper, selenium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and iron) levels in patients with AD showed no significant difference according to mini mental test scores or sex (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Some trace element levels may change in patients with AD. Due to the more permanent status, the analysis of these element levels in hair might be superior to blood analysis.

The fatal poisoning pattern of Ankara (Turkey) and nearby cities from 2007 to June 2011: a retrospective study in forensic autopsies.

We aimed to obtain an outline of the nature and number of fatal poisonings which still appear to affect widely the population in Turkey. A total of 5921 forensic autopsies were performed between 2007 and 2011 in Ankara and nearby cities and 366 of them were fatal poisonings (219 male, 147 female). Most of the cases were between 41 and 60 years old (n = 84). Most of the fatalities were reported during winter months (48.1%). Carbon monoxide exposure was the most common reason (66.7%) within all the causes followed by medicine and narcotics (13.9%). Postmortem blood alcohol concentrations in ethyl and methyl alcohol poisonings were 385.1 ± 61.9 and 206.8 ± 138.9 mg/dL, respectively. The most common location of deaths was home (71.3%). Fatal poisonings have been a growing global problem because of some shortcomings about the socioeconomic conditions and increasing illicit drug abuse. The level of education, socioeconomic conditions, and legal approaches are very important for the prevention fatal poisonings.

Estimation of biological variation and reference change value of glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) when two analytical methods are used.

OBJECTIVES: Available data on biological variation of HbA1c revealed marked heterogeneity. We therefore investigated and estimated the components of biological variation for HbA1c in a group of healthy individuals by applying a recommended and strictly designed study protocol using two different assay methods. DESIGN AND METHODS: Each month, samples were derived on the same day, for three months. Four EDTA whole blood samples were collected from each individual (20 women, 9 men; 20-45 years of age) and stored at -80°C until analysis. HbA1c values were measured by both high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Shimadzu, Prominence, Japan) and boronate affinity chromatography methods (Trinity Biotech, Premier Hb9210, Ireland). All samples were assayed in duplicate in a single batch for each assay method. Estimations were calculated according to the formulas described by Fraser and Harris. RESULTS: The within subject (CV(I))-between subject (CV(G)) biological variations were 1.17% and 5.58%, respectively for HPLC. The calculated CV(I) and CV(G) were 2.15% and 4.03%, respectively for boronate affinity chromatography. Reference change value (RCV) for HPLC and boronate affinity chromatography was 5.4% and 10.4% respectively and individuality index of HbA(1c) was 0.35 and 0.93 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study for the first time described the components of biological variation for HbA1c in healthy individuals by two different assay methods. Obtained findings showed that the difference between CV(A) values of the methods might considerably affect RCV. These data regarding biological variation of HbA(1c) could be useful for a better evaluation of HbA(1c) test results in clinical interpretation.

Pesticide poisoning cases in Ankara and nearby cities in Turkey: an 11-year retrospective analysis.

Since they are available in open markets and pharmacies, pesticides have been widely used all over the country. (Un)intentional poisoning with these compounds is one of the most common causes of chemical poisoning, especially in rural agricultural areas. Pesticide poisonings reported by various countries showed that it is a worldwide health problem with 250,000-370,000 associated deaths each year. In this study, medico-legal deaths between the years 2001 and 2011 in Ankara and nearby cities in Turkey were investigated retrospectively. The autopsies were partly carried out by Ankara Branch of Council of Forensic Medicine. Data were collected from reports of the Morgue Department whose toxicological analyses were performed in the Chemistry Department. The data revealed that 70 cases out of 10,720 autopsied ones had been attributed to fatal pesticide poisoning. The age range was 1-80 years (mean ± SD, 41.33 ± 17.42 years). Most of the cases (60%) were reported from Ankara. Insecticides were the most common (94%) cause of fatal pesticide poisonings, most of them (63%) being organophosphate insecticides. The percentages of pesticide-induced deaths are quite high in our society and should therefore not be underestimated. Accordingly, intensive efforts to reduce occupational and intentional pesticide poisonings are urgently needed in Ankara and nearby cities.

Fatal ethyl and methyl alcohol-related poisoning in Ankara: A retrospective analysis of 10,720 cases between 2001 and 2011.

Methyl and ethyl alcohol poisoning are still responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine ethyl and methyl alcohol poisoning related deaths in Ankara and surrounding cities between 2001 and 2011 and compare them with previous studied conducted in Turkey and other countries. For this purpose, 10,720 medico-legal autopsy cases performed in Ankara Branch of the Council of Forensic Medicine were reviewed in terms of alcohol poisonings. The deaths due to methanol and ethanol poisoning were 74 (0.69% of all medico-legal autopsies performed) and the distribution among them was 35 (47.3%) for methanol poisoning and 39 (52.7%) for ethanol poisoning. Overwhelming majority of the cases were male (n = 67, 90.5%). The mean age of the victims was 44.9 ± 10.9 years and ranging from 21 to 92 years. The age group of 35-49 years was the mostly affected. Most of the cases were seen in 2004 (n = 12, 16.2%). The levels of postmortem blood alcohol levels were available for all cases and the mean alcohol levels were 322.8 ± 155.5 mg/dL ranging from 74 to 602 mg/dL for methanol and 396.8 ± 87.1 mg/dL and ranging from 136 to 608 mg/dL for ethanol. Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment in methanol and ethanol poisoning. Besides increased awareness, more sensitive/specific diagnostic tools, and the prompt approach to the poisoned individual should be implemented in the hospitals.