Radioprotective Effect of Nigella Sativa Oil on Heart Tissues of Rats Exposed to Irradition

Abstract Background Various studies are ongoing related to the radioprotective agents. Herbal preparations are currently becoming popular because of their beneficial effects with fewer side effects compared to the synthetic/semi-synthetic medicines, and Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is only one of them. Objective To investigate NSO for its antioxidant effects on the heart tissue of rats exposed to ionizing radiation (IR). Methods Thirty six male albino Wistar rats, divided into four groups, were designated to group I (IR plus NSO group) that received both 5 Gray of gamma IR to total cranium and NSO; group II (IR alone group) that received IR plus saline, group III (control group of NSO) that received saline and did not receive NSO or IR; group IV (control group) that received only sham IR. Alterations in Total antioxidant status (TAS) and Total oxidant status (TOS), Oxidative stres index (OSI), Sulhydryl group (SH), Lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), Paraoxonase (PON) levels, Arylesterase (ARE) and Ceruloplasmin (CER) activities in homogenized heart tissue of rats were measured by biochemical methods. Results In heart tissue of the rats in the IR alone group (group II) LOOH, TOS and OSI levels were found to be higher, ARE activity and TAS level were found to be lower than all of the other groups (p < 0.01). These results also support that IR increases oxidative stress and NSO's protective effect. Conclusion NSO would reduce the oxidative damage in the irradiated heart tissue in the experimental rat model.

Geriatric nutritional risk index is a predictor of recurrent percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction.

Aim To investigate the relationship between malnutrition and follow-up cardiovascular (CV) events in non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).Material and methods A retrospective study was performed on 298 patients with NSTEMI. The baseline geriatric nutritionalrisk index (GNRI) was calculated at the first visit. The patients were divided into three groups accordingto the GNRI: >98, no-risk; 92 to ≤98, low risk; 82 to <92, moderate to high (MTH) risk. The studyendpoint was a composite of follow-up CV events, including all-cause mortality, non-valvular atrialfibrillation (NVAF), hospitalizations, and need for repeat percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Results Follow-up data showed that MTH risk group had significantly higher incidence of repeat PCI and all-cause mortality compared to other groups (p<0.001). However, follow-up hospitalizations and NVAFwere similar between groups (p>0.05). The mean GNRI was 84.6 in patients needing repeat PCI and99.8 in patients who did not require repeat PCI (p<0.001). Kaplan Meier survival analysis showed thatpatients with MTH risk had significantly poorer survival (p<0.001). According to multivariate Coxregression analysis, theMTH risk group (hazard ratio=5.372) was associated with increased mortality.Conclusion GNRI value may have a potential role for the prediction of repeat PCI in patients with NSTEMI.

Effects of testosterone on intraocular pressure, thicknesses of retinal nerve fiber layer, ganglion cell complex, macula and on ocular blood flow in female-to-male transgender persons.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of testosterone on intraocular pressure (IOP), thicknesses of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), macula and on ocular blood flow between female-to-male transgender (FMT) persons who use testosterone and healthy women and healthy men. METHOD: The study included 39 eyes of 20 FMT(Group 1), 40 eyes of 20 healthy women (Group 2), and 42 eyes of 21 healthy men (Group 3). In all subjects, RNFL, GCC and, macular thicknesses (MT) were measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Ocular blood flow was measured by Color Doppler Ultrasonography in all subjects. RESULTS: IOP levels in FMT were significantly higher than men (p = 0.025). Superior (Sup), inferior (Inf) thicknesses of parafovea, and nasal thickness of perifovea in FMT were significantly higher than the Group 2 (p = 0.024, p = 0.037, p = 0.018). Sup thickness of perifovea in FMT was significantly higher than Group 3 (p = 0.011). Inf thickness of perifovea in FMT was significantly higher than Group 2 and 3 (p = 0.038, p = 0.002). Mean thickness of RNFL Inf in FMT was significantly higher than the Group 2 and 3 (p = 0.039, p = 0.032). Avg and Inf thicknesses of GCC in FMT were significantly higher than group 2 (p = 0.02, p = 0.005). In correlation test, systole/diastole ratio(S/D) in ophthalmic artery (OA) (r = 0.504, p = 0.028) and Inf thickness of perifovea (r = 0.485, p = 0.035) were positively correlated with the serum levels of testosterone in FMT. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the use of supraphysiologic testosterone dose increased IOP and the thicknesses of macula, RNFL, and GCC in FMT. Serum testosterone level was positively correlated with S/D ratio in the OA.

Slow Flow Phenomenon Impairs the Prognosis of Coronary Artery Ectasia as Well as Coronary Atherosclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is one of the uncommon cardiovascular disorders and its prognosis is still debated. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to review long-term follow-up data in patients with CAE and to evaluate the prognosis of CAE patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP). METHODS: This study had a prospective design and 143 patients with CAE were included. The angiographic and demographic characteristics were reviewed in detail. The patients were categorized, based on concomitant coronary artery stenosis detected by angiography, as CCAE group (n=87, ≥30% luminal stenosis) and ICAE group (n=56, <30% luminal stenosis) and also categorized by the coronary flow as CSFP group (n=51) and normal flow coronary ectasia - NCEA group (n=92). All patients were re-evaluated at 6-month intervals. Followup data, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, hospitalization and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were collected. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: Patients were followed up for an average of 56.9±7.4 months. During the follow-up, statistically significant differences were found in hospitalization, CV mortality and MACE between the CCAE and ICAE groups (P=0.038, P=0.003, P=0.001, respectively). The CSFP and NCEA groups were also compared. There was a statistical difference with respect to hospitalization between the CFSP and NCEA groups (P=0.001), but no difference was observed in terms of MACE and CV mortality (P=0.793 and P=0.279). CONCLUSION: CSFP accompanying CAE may be a predictor of hospitalization. Significant atherosclerotic plaques coexisting with CAE may be predictive for MACE.

Slow Flow Phenomenon Impairs the Prognosis of Coronary Artery Ectasia as Well as Coronary Atherosclerosis

Abstract Introduction: Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is one of the uncommon cardiovascular disorders and its prognosis is still debated. Objective: We aimed to review long-term follow-up data in patients with CAE and to evaluate the prognosis of CAE patients with coronary slow flow phenomenon (CSFP). Methods: This study had a prospective design and 143 patients with CAE were included. The angiographic and demographic characteristics were reviewed in detail. The patients were categorized, based on concomitant coronary artery stenosis detected by angiography, as CCAE group (n=87, ≥30% luminal stenosis) and ICAE group (n=56, <30% luminal stenosis) and also categorized by the coronary flow as CSFP group (n=51) and normal flow coronary ectasia - NCEA group (n=92). All patients were re-evaluated at 6-month intervals. Follow-up data, cardiovascular (CV) mortality, hospitalization and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were collected. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%. Results: Patients were followed up for an average of 56.9±7.4 months. During the follow-up, statistically significant differences were found in hospitalization, CV mortality and MACE between the CCAE and ICAE groups (P=0.038, P=0.003, P=0.001, respectively). The CSFP and NCEA groups were also compared. There was a statistical difference with respect to hospitalization between the CFSP and NCEA groups (P=0.001), but no difference was observed in terms of MACE and CV mortality (P=0.793 and P=0.279). Conclusion: CSFP accompanying CAE may be a predictor of hospitalization. Significant atherosclerotic plaques coexisting with CAE may be predictive for MACE.

Elabela as a novel marker: Well-correlated with WIfI amputation risk score in lower extremity arterial disease patients.

OBJECTIVE: Worldwide, over 200 million people are diagnosed with lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). LEAD significantly increases the risk of death and amputation of the lower limb. A new classification system (WIfI) has been proposed to initially assess all patients with ischemic rest pain or wounds and also predicts 1-year amputation risk. Elabela is a bioactive peptide and a part of the apelinergic system, which has beneficial effects on body fluid homeostasis and cardiovascular health. We aimed to investigate serum Elabela levels in LEAD. METHODS: A total of 119 subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, 60 of whom were in the LEAD group and 59 in the control group. All participants underwent physical examination and routine biochemical tests, including serum Elabela levels. Additionally, the LEAD group was divided into subgroups according to the Rutherford classification, ankle-brachial index (ABI) values, and WIfI risk scores. RESULTS: Serum low-density lipoprotein, Elabela, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) levels were statistically higher in the LEAD group (p=0.002, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). In the Rutherford classification, as the stage increased, Elabela and Hs-CRP levels increased similarly (p<0.001). Elabela levels were statistically found to be positively correlated with Hs-CRP and WIfI amputation score but negatively correlated with ABI (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Serum Elabela level, which is known to be increased in inflammatory processes, has the potential in predicting low extremity arterial obstruction and WIfI amputation risk in LEAD patients.

Intraocular pressure predicts premature coronary atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between intraocular pressure (IOP) and premature atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (PACAD) by comparing central corneal thicknesses (CCTs) measurements. METHODS: One hundred-eighty-six subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, 100 in the PACAD group and 86 in the control group. All participants underwent a physical examination and routine biochemical tests. Ophthalmological examinations, including IOP and CCTs measurements, were performed for each subject. Additionally, pulse wave velocity measurements were obtained and recorded. RESULTS: Participants with PACAD showed significantly higher IOP values than those without atherosclerosis (p = 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of CCT (p = 0.343). Also, pulse wave velocity (PWV) values were statistically significantly higher in the PACAD group (p = 0.001). High IOP was not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome parameters (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A relationship was found between PACAD and IOP, but CCTs were not associated with PACAD. The IOP measurement is affected by CCT; therefore, CCT is used to correct IOP values. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a positive relationship between PACAD and IOP based on CCTs measurements.

Intraocular pressure predicts premature coronary atherosclerosis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between intraocular pressure (IOP) and premature atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (PACAD) by comparing central corneal thicknesses (CCTs) measurements. METHODS: One hundred-eighty-six subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, 100 in the PACAD group and 86 in the control group. All participants underwent a physical examination and routine biochemical tests. Ophthalmological examinations, including IOP and CCTs measurements, were performed for each subject. Additionally, pulse wave velocity measurements were obtained and recorded. RESULTS: Participants with PACAD showed significantly higher IOP values than those without atherosclerosis (p = 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of CCT (p = 0.343). Also, pulse wave velocity (PWV) values were statistically significantly higher in the PACAD group (p = 0.001). High IOP was not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome parameters (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A relationship was found between PACAD and IOP, but CCTs were not associated with PACAD. The IOP measurement is affected by CCT; therefore, CCT is used to correct IOP values. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report a positive relationship between PACAD and IOP based on CCTs measurements.

RESUMO OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é investigar a associação entre a pressão intra-ocular (PIO) e a doença aterosclerótica arterial coronariana prematura (DAACP) compar ando as medidas das espessuras corneanas centrais (ECCs). MÉTODOS: Cento e oitenta e seis indivíduos foram incluídos no presente estudo transversal, 100 no grupo DAACP e 86 no grupo de controle. Todos os participantes foram submetidos a um exame físico e exames bioquímicos de rotina. Exames oftalmológicos, incluindo PIO e medições das ECCs, foram realizados em cada participante. Além disso, medições de velocidade da onda de pulso foram obtidas e registradas. RESULTADOS: Os participantes com DAACP apresentaram valores de PIO significativamente maiores do que os daqueles sem aterosclerose (p = 0,001) e não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os grupos em relação ECC (p = 0,343). Além disso, os valores das velocidades da onda de pulso (VOP) foram estatisticamente significativamente maiores no grupo DAACP (p = 0,001). Um valor elevado de PIO não estava significativamente associado com os parâmetros de síndrome metabólica (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Encontramos uma relação entre DAACP e PIO, mas as ECCs não estavam associadas com DAACP. A medição da PIO é afetada pela ECC; portanto, a ECC é utilizada para corrigir os valores da PIO. Até onde sabemos, este é o primeiro estudo a relatar uma relação positiva entre DAACP e a PIO com base em medições da ECC.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine contributes to airway nitric oxide deficiency in patients with COPD.

INTRODUCTION: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and nitric oxide (NO) show their mechanism of action reciprocally, the balance between these molecules contributes to the tight regulation of airways tone and function. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study to determine the serum levels of ADMA and NO in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and establish whether their level vary in relation to forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1 ), to assess their role in pathophysiology of COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of 58 patients with COPD and 30 healthy subjects. Serum ADMA and NO levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the colorimetric method, respectively. RESULTS: Serum ADMA levels were significantly higher, however, NO levels were lower in patients with COPD compared with controls. ADMA levels were inversely correlated with NO levels. Serum ADMA and NO were significantly correlated with FEV1 . Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that serum ADMA and NO were independently and significantly associated with the presence of COPD. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that COPD was positively associated with ADMA, additionally COPD and ADMA were independently and inversely associated with NO. NO levels were decreased, ADMA levels were increased compliant with progression of COPD stages. CONCLUSION: While circulating ADMA is higher, NO is lower in COPD and both show a strong correlation to the degree of airflow limitation. ADMA seems to be a possible new marker of prognosis of COPD and can be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of COPD.

Growth Differentiation Factor-15 Is a Novel Biomarker Predicting Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) reduce quality of life and are associated with a more rapid deterioration of the disease. Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a novel candidate exacerbation biomarker. In this study, we aimed to assess GDF-15 as a biomarker of acute exacerbation of COPD (AE-COPD). Lung function parameters, arterial blood gas analysis, and circulating levels of GDF-15, C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen were assessed in 29 patients on admission to the hospital for AE-COPD, in 29 age-, gender-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched patients with stable COPD, and 29 matched controls with normal lung function. Patients with AE-COPD had higher circulating concentrations of GDF-15 (p < 0.001), CRP (p < 0.001), and fibrinogen (p < 0.002) compared with patients with stable COPD and healthy controls. GDF-15 levels correlated with systemic inflammatory marker CRP in patients with AE-COPD (r = 0.677, p < 0.001) and with stable COPD (r = 0.417, p = 0.024). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed GDF-15 (odds ratio 18.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.51-134.32; p = 0.005) as an independent predictor of AE-COPD. In receiver operating characteristic analysis, GDF-15 achieved an area under the curve of 0.78 for the identification of AE-COPD. In conclusion, GDF-15 is a novel blood biomarker of AE-COPD that is more sensitive than that of CRP. GDF-15 may offer new insights into the pathogenesis of AE-COPD.