Increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue in the frontal scalp may be associated with androgenetic alopecia and metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have suggested that androgenetic alopecia (AGA) may be associated with other disorders, especially metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to determine whether a connection exists between MetS and AGA based on the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue in the scalp. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 34 participants with AGA who had MetS and 33 participants with AGA who did not have MetS. The Hamilton-Norwood scale was employed for classifying AGA and MetS was identified using the US National Cholesterol Education Programme Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III criteria). The body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and lipid profiles of the participants were assessed. Hepatosteatosis and the thickness of the subcutaneous adipose tissue in the scalp were examined using ultrasonography. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the MetS+AGA group had higher BMI (p = 0.011), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and waist circumference (p = 0.003). Furthermore, the MetS+AGA group had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia, hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) and higher rates of grade 6 alopecia than the control group (p = 0.019). Compared with the control group, those with MetS had thicker subcutaneous adipose tissue in the frontal scalp (p = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: The subcutaneous adipose tissue in the frontal scalp was thicker in individuals with AGA who had high Hamilton scores. The concomitance of AGA and MetS may be associated with a high increase in subcutaneous adipose tissue and less favorable metabolic parameters.

The effects of dexmedetomidine on early acute kidney injury in severely burned rats.

OBJECTIVE: Burns are a global medical and economic problem. In addition to high costs, the lengthy therapeutic process and the emotional trauma experienced by patients and their families indirectly worsen the socioeconomic damage caused. Kidney failure observed after burns is highly correlated with mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats (age four months, weight 250-350 g) were included in the study. They were randomly assigned into four groups consisting of seven rats each with similar mean weights. Group 1 (n=7) represented the healthy control group (C), Group 2 (n=7) the Sham+dexmedetomidine (DEX) 100 mcg/kg (three doses) (S+DEX100) group, Group 3 (n=7) the 30% Burn (B), and Group 4 (n=7) the 30% Burn+DEX 100 mcg/kg/day group (B+DEX100) (three doses). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total thiol (TT), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) values in kidney tissues were investigated biochemically, and histopathological analyses were also performed. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)/p65 was measured using immunohistochemistry, and the TUNEL assay was applied to indicate apoptotic tubular epithelial cells. RESULTS: TBARS, IL-1, and TNF-α in kidney tissues decreased in the B+DEX100 group compared to the 30% burn group, while total thiol values increased. Histopathologically, atypical glomeruli, particularly necrotic tubules, and inflammation in peritubular areas decreased in the B+DEX100 group compared to the 30% burn group. In addition, apoptotic tubular epithelial cells exhibiting TUNEL positivity and tubular epithelial cells exhibiting NF-кß/p65 positivity also decreased in the B+DEX100 group compared to the 30% burn group. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine reduced apoptotic activity in rats and exhibited anti-inflammatory antioxidant effects in the burn model in this study.

Vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D, iron, ferritin, magnesium, and HbA1c levels in patients with diabetes mellitus and dental prosthesis.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic patients may have vitamin deficiencies, which are important in the follow-up and complications of diabetes for various reasons. It may be beneficial to include the use of dental prosthesis among the parameters that should be investigated as a cause of vitamin deficiency during the management and follow-up of diabetes mellitus. We aimed to investigate the association between serum vitamin B12, folic acid, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, ferritin, iron, magnesium, and HbA1c levels in diabetic patients with and without removable dental prosthesis and in non-diabetic patients with prosthesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a single-center case-control study. Participants were classified into the following groups: 1) Diabetic patients (n = 528) with prosthesis, 2) non-diabetic patients with prosthesis (n = 121) and 3) diabetic patients without prosthesis (n = 100). Vitamin B12, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, folic acid, ferritin, iron, magnesium, and HbA1c levels were measured and compared across the groups. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between the groups with respect to the above parameters. Vitamin B12 levels were determined to be higher in the diabetic group without prosthesis. 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were found to be significantly higher in the non-diabetic group with a prosthesis than in the other two groups. There was no statistical difference in the iron levels between the groups. Ferritin levels were observed to be significantly higher in the diabetic group with prosthesis compared to the other two groups. Magnesium levels were significantly different between all the three groups. The highest magnesium levels were found in the non-diabetic group with prosthesis. HbA1c levels were found to be higher in the diabetic group with prosthesis. Magnesium levels were correlated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, but a negative correlation was observed between these and HbA1c. CONCLUSIONS: Serum vitamin B12 levels were lower in the diabetic and non-diabetic groups with prosthesis compared to the diabetic group without prosthesis. 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were lower and ferritin was higher in the diabetic groups with and without prosthesis. Magnesium levels were significantly lower in the diabetic group with a prosthesis than in the other two groups. The mean HbA1c level was higher in the diabetic group with prosthesis. The comparison of diabetic patients receiving metformin revealed a higher pronounced vitamin B12 deficiency in the diabetic group with prosthesis. These findings show that those diabetic patients with prosthesis should be evaluated for vitamin B12, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and magnesium deficiency.

Investigation on the prevalence of thyroid cancer in Graves' patients in northeastern part of Turkey: is surgery a better option for patients with Graves' disease who develop antithyroid drug-related major adverse events?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of thyroid cancer in Graves' patients who underwent surgical intervention with and without a history of anti-thyroid drug related major adverse events. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 530 patients with Graves' disease between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative ultrasonography reports and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody values and postoperative histopathological findings were available for 94 patients that had undergone total thyroidectomy procedure. We compared the prevalence of thyroid cancer between patients with and without a history of anti-thyroid drug related major adverse events. RESULTS: Thyroid cancer was detected in 31 of 94 patients that had undergone total thyroidectomy. Of these patients, 18 had at least one nodule; however, thyroid cancer was incidentally detected in 13 patients without nodule. The 31 patients had the following cancer subtypes: 22 had papillary microcarcinoma, 8 papillary carcinoma and 1 noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features. While thyroid cancer was present in half of the patients operated owing to anti-thyroid drug-related major adverse event, it was detected in 30% of the patients operated due to other reasons. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the prevalence of thyroid cancer among patients with Graves' disease was found to be much higher than those of other studies in the literature, suggesting that surgery can be considered primarily for the treatment of Graves' disease. Considering the surgical option in the first plan instead of radioactive iodine therapy appears to be reasonable in patients who develop anti-thyroid drug-related major adverse events.

The nephroprotective effect of amifostine in a cecal ligation-induced sepsis model in terms of oxidative stress and inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: Sepsis is responsible for more than 5 million deaths worldwide every year. The purpose of this study was to use amifostine to reduce acute kidney injury developing as a result of sepsis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three equal groups - a healthy control group (Group 1), cecal ligation and puncture group (CLP, Group 2), and a CLP + amifostine (AMF) group receiving a total of 200 mg/kg AMF intraperitoneally (i.p.) 15 min before sepsis induction (Group 3). RESULTS: Total thiol levels decreased while malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB/p65), and interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 levels increased in the CLP group. We also observed degeneration in renal corpuscles, necrotic tubules, polymorphonuclear leukocyte inflammation, and vascular congestion. In the amifostine group, total thiol levels in tissue increased, while MDA, TNF-α, NF-кB/p65, IL-1ß, and IL-6 levels, necrotic renal tubules, and inflammation decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Amifostine prevented sepsis-related acute kidney injury by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.