Oxytocin and Vasopressin Blood Levels in People with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Background: The neuroendocrine system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are among the possible neurobiological factors that may be involved in the emergence and persistence of post-traumatic stress disorder. Here, we determined the levels of vasopressin and oxytocin in the peripheral blood of people with post-traumatic stress disorder, investigating their correlation with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Methods: The study included patients with post-traumatic stress disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Version 4 and healthy controls. People who accepted to participate in the study, who did not have any additional diseases, who had the ability to understand the questionnaires, and who did not use medications during the 3 months preceding the study onset were enrolled. The levels of vasopressin and oxytocin were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Twenty-eight subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder and 19 healthy controls were included. The 2 groups were not significantly different in terms of oxytocin blood levels (P = .481). However, subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder had a significantly lower vasopressin level than controls (P < .001). We found no significant correlations of trauma duration and scale scores with oxytocin or vasopressin levels. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that blood vasopressin may play a role in post-traumatic stress disorder. Prospective studies based on a larger number of participants are warranted to clarify how neuromodulators may affect the pathogenesis of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Evaluation of Serum Thiamine and Pyridoxine Levels in Patients Undergoing Liver Transplant: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study aimed to compare changes in serum thiamine and pyridoxine levels of patients who underwent liver transplant or living donor hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2013 and November 2013, 35 patients with chronic liver disease who underwent liver transplant (the recipient group) and 30 healthy individuals who underwent living donor hepatectomy (the control group) during the same period were prospectively compared in terms of both preoperative and postoperative serum thiamine and pyridoxine levels. The groups were also subjected to intragroup analysis of preoperative and postoperative changes in serum vitamin levels to determine how a major surgical procedure affected serum vitamin levels. Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for intergroup comparisons and intragroup repeated measurements, respectively. RESULTS: The intergroup comparisons revealed significant differences in favor of the control group with respect to preoperative thiamine (P < .026) and postoperative thiamine (P < .017) levels, whereas there were statistically significant differences in favor of the recipient group with respect to the preoperative pyridoxine (P < .006) and postoperative pyridoxine (P < .001) levels. The intragroup comparisons showed significant increases in serum thiamine (P < .001) and pyridoxine (P < .031) levels compared with the preoperative serum levels of both vitamins at postoperative day 5 in the recipient group. In the control group, serum thiamine level (P < .001) at postoperative day 5 was significantly different from the preoperative level. On the other hand, a drop in serum pyridoxine level was detected at postoperative day 5, although this was not statistically significant (P < .21). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a lower serum thiamine level but a higher serum pyridoxine level in patients with chronic liver disease versus healthy controls. This difference persisted into the early postoperative period. This study also showed significant increases in thiamine and pyridoxine levels after transplant surgery.

Diagnosis of Trichomoniasis in Male Patients on Performing Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction.

OBJECTIVE: Trichomoniasis is a parasitic infection that occurs with the settlement of Trichomonas vaginalis in female and male urinary and reproductive tracts. This infection is generally asymptomatic in males, and males are thought to be a carrier for the transmission of infection. In this study, our aim was to detect trichomoniasis using nested polymerase chain reaction among males who were referred to a hospital with suspected urinary tract infection. METHODS: Urine samples were collected from 138 male patients between 18 and 50 years of age who were referred with suspected urinary system infection to the Urology Outpatient Clinic at Malatya University Medical Center Malatya between December 2013 and May 2014. Direct microscopy, two different culture methods, and nested Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed for the investigation of T. vaginalis in urine samples. RESULTS: Urinary tract infection was diagnosed in 47 of the 138 patients according to white and red blood cell counts in the urine samples. T. vaginalis infection was detected in 6.5% (9/138) of the suspected patients by nested PCR, while none of the samples tested positive by direct microscopy and culture examinations. Statistical significance was found between infection of the urinary tract and nested PCR positivity for T. vaginalis. CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, nested PCR is the most sensitive method for the detection of trichomoniasis in male patients. We strongly recommend using nested PCR for the differential diagnosis of urinary infections in males.

IL-4, TGF-, NF-B and MPO levels in Patients with Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia. / Tedaviye Dirençli Sizofreni Hastalarinda IL-4, TGF-ß, NF-κB ve MPO Düzeyleri.

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder in which genetics and environmental factors such as infection and the corresponding immune response play a role in the etiopathogenesis. The aim of this study was to compare some immune factors such as nuclear factor-B (NF-B) activation, myeloperoxidase (MPO), the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4), and regulatory cytokine transforming growth factor- (TGF-) in schizophrenia patients and an age- and gender-matched control group. METHOD: Plasma levels of IL-4, TGF-, MPO, and NF-B activation in 20 subjects with treatment-resistant schizophrenia and 20 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were analyzed. Disease severity was evaluated using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS). RESULTS: Plasma TGF- levels were found to be significantly lower and NF-B to be significantly higher in antipsychotic treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients than in controls in this study. No significant differences were found between the patient and control groups for serum IL-4 and MPO levels. CONCLUSION: The low TGF- level in treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients in the symptom exacerbation period indicates that there is inadequate Th1/Th2 balance. Large-scale studies are required to investigate whether this is responsible for resistance in schizophrenia. The fact that the increase in NF-B that we found in treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients in this study has also been reported in the first attack in untreated schizophrenia patients in previous studies indicates that NF-B plays a role in the disorder's physiopathology from the beginning.

Beneficial effects of aminoguanidine on skin flap survival in diabetic rats.

Random flaps in DM patients have poor reliability for wound coverage, and flap loss remains a complex challenge. The protective effects of aminoguanidine (AG) administration on the survival of dorsal random flaps and oxidative stress were studied in diabetic rats. Two months after the onset of DM, dorsal McFarlane flaps were raised. Forty rats were divided into four groups: (1) control, (2) AG, (3) DM, and (4) DM + AG groups. Flap viability, determined with the planimetric method, and free-radical measurements were investigated. In addition, HbA1c and blood glucose levels, body weight measurements, and histopathological examinations were evaluated. The mean flap necrotic areas (%) in Groups I to IV were 50.9 ± 13.0, 32.9 ± 12.5, 65.2 ± 11.5, and 43.5 ± 14.7, respectively. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were higher in the DM group than in the nondiabetic group, while the reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were reduced as a result of flap injury. In the diabetic and nondiabetic groups, AG administration significantly reduced the MDA and NO levels and significantly increased GSH content and SOD enzyme activity. We concluded that AG plays an important role in preventing random pattern flap necrosis.

The effect of melatonin against FK506-induced renal oxidative stress in rats.

BACKGROUND: Nephrotoxicity is an important side effect of FK506 and oxidative stress has been considered as one of the possible mechanisms. The present investigation examines the ability of melatonin to protect against FK506-induced renal oxidative stress. METHODS: Thirty rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 10 each group). Group A was the sham group. Group B received 14 days FK506 (5 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneally [i.p.]) and group C received FK506 (5 mg/kg/d, i.p.) together with melatonin (4 mg/kg, i.p.) for 14 days. Kidney tissues were harvested to determine the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total nitrite and nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). RESULTS: In group C, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and NO were lower than in the group B (P < .01, P < .03, and P < .04, respectively) and although MDA levels were lower than in group B, the differences were not statistically significant (P > .05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that melatonin has protective effect against FK506-induced renal oxidative stress.

[Malondialdehyde, glutathione and nitric oxide levels in patients with Enterobius vermicularis infection]. / Enterobius vermicularis ile enfekte hastalarda malondialdehid, glutatyon ve nitrik oksit düzeyleri.

The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) which are indicators of oxidative stress and also the level of glutathione (GSH) which is an antioxidant molecule, in patients with Enterobius vermicularis infection. A total of 41 patients (mean age: 36.4 years; 31 were male) and 40 healthy controls (mean age: 40.2 years; 28 were male) were included to the study. None of the patients and controls have had history of hormone/steroid drug use, smoking and alcoholism. The mean level of GSH in patient and control groups were found 1.17 +/- 0.02 micromol/l and 2.49 +/- 0.10 micromol/l; MDA 26.97 +/- 2.06 micromol/l and 19.47 +/- 2.25 micromol/l; NO 20.74 +/- 0.60 micromol/dl and 17.83 +/- 0.50 micromol/dl, respectively. The mean GSH level in patient group was statistically significantly lower (p < 0.05) than controls, while the mean MDA and NO levels were statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05). These results indicated that the consumption of GSH was increased due to the severity of oxidative stress in patients infected with E. vermicularis. Detailed experimental and clinical studies are required to enlighten the relation of GSH in the pathogenesis of E. vermicularis infection. Since oxidative stress is increased during enterobiosis, the use of antioxidant agents (e.g. vitamins C and E) for the supportive treatment deserves evaluation.

Melatonin protects myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury in hypertensive rats: role of myeloperoxidase activity.

Increased levels of reactive oxygen species, alterations in nitric oxide synthesis, and increased migration of neutrophils to the ischemic tissue play an important role in the pathophysiology of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. In this study, we have evaluated the effects of melatonin on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, tissue glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation levels, and blood pressure in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats with or without IR. NOS inhibitor L-NAME was administrated before inducing cardiac ischemia for 15 days intraperitoneally. For the cardiac ischemia, the left coronary artery was ligated for 30 min, and reperfusion was performed for 120 min after the ischemia. L-NAME treatment in non-ischemic animals increased blood pressure and lipid peroxidation, and decreased glutathione level in myocardial tissue significantly as compared with non-L-NAME-treated animals. Melatonin reversed L-NAME-induced blood pressure elevation and oxidative changes. Cardiac IR increased MDA levels and MPO activity and decreased GSH levels as compared with non-ischemic animals. L-NAME treatment did not change in IR-induced MDA and GSH levels as compared with ischemic control animals. However, MPO activity was significantly higher than control ischemic animals. MDA levels and MPO activity resulting from ischemic injury in melatonin-treated animals were significantly less than L-NAME-treated animals. Taken together-the ischemic and non-ischemic control and melatonin-treated animals-this study shows that neutrophil migration plays an important role on the development of ischemic injury in hypertensive rats.

Beneficial effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rat skin flaps.

BACKGROUND: Reperfusion injury is a phenomenon that occurs when tissues are subjected to ischaemia for a variable period of time, after which they are reperfused. Many factors have been implicated in the cause of reperfusion injury including free radicals and neutrophils. Caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active component of propolis from honeybee; it has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, and protective effects against ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. We investigated the effects of CAPE on the survival of skin flaps in the rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen Wistar rats were used, and randomly divided into three groups (n=6 rats each group): the control group (Group 1), ethanol group (Group 2), and CAPE group (Group 3). A caudally based rectangular flap, 3x10 cm in size, was elevated on the back of the rat, according to the method described by Khouri and colleagues. The flap was sutured back into its original place. In the control group, saline 0.2 ml/day was given intraperitoneally (i.p.). Five percent ethanol 0.2 ml/day was administered i.p. in the ethanol group, and CAPE 50 micromol/kg/day i.p. in the CAPE group. To observe the effects of CAPE, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured from extracted skin tissue. Flap viability was evaluated seven days after the initial operation, measuring necrotic areas of flaps and total flap areas. RESULTS: MDA and NO levels were significantly decreased in CAPE group; and however, GSH, GSH-Px, and SOD enzyme activities were significantly increased in CAPE group. We believed that the CAPE had beneficial effects to improve the survival of skin flaps since it has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, and protective effects against I/R injury.

The role of oxidative stress in postoperative delirium.

AIM: This study aimed to determine a marker that predicts delirium using preoperative oxidative processes in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. METHOD: Twelve of the 50 patients included in the study showed signs of delirium during postoperative follow-up. The Delirium Rating Scale was used in patients with delirium according to DSM-IV-TR in the postoperative period. Venous blood samples were obtained from the patients the day before and the day after the surgery to determine plasma antioxidant enzyme levels. RESULTS: While there were no differences in preoperative superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in both groups, catalase (CAT) levels were significantly lower in the delirium group. Postoperative SOD and MDA levels were also higher in the delirium group, while the GSH-Px levels were found to be lower when compared with those during the preoperative period. In the nondelirium group, the postoperative MDA and GSH-Px levels were found to be lower than preoperative levels, and postoperative SOD levels were found to be higher than preoperative levels. CAT levels were lower in the delirium group when the pre- and postoperative levels were compared in both groups. The postoperative levels of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT in the nondelirium group and MDA in the delirium group were significantly higher than preoperative levels. CONCLUSION: Patients with low preoperative CAT levels appeared to be more susceptible to delirium than patients with higher CAT levels.

The protective effect of melatonin on ischemia-reperfusion injury in the groin (inferior epigastric) flap model in rats.

Inadequate blood perfusion and ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in the surgical skin flap are believed to be the major factors that cause harmful changes within the tissue and vasculature, resulting in flap necrosis. Reactive oxygen radical species (ROS), in part, are believed to play an important role in this injury. Melatonin, in many physiological conditions, has been shown to have direct and indirect antioxidative effects and free-radical-scavenging properties. Therefore, it may have a beneficial effect on I/R-induced flap injury. In this study, the possible protective effects of melatonin were investigated in I/R injury of rat epigastric (axial pattern) flaps. Ischemia was achieved for 12 h by occlusion of inferior epigastric artery. Melatonin or vehicle was administered 1 h before flap elevation and was continued for 6 days after ischemia. I/R injury elevated malondialdehyde (MDA), an end product of lipid peroxidation, and nitric oxide (NO) levels while the glutathione (GSH) content was reduced. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, which is known to be related to tissue neutrophil accumulation, was found to be statistically higher in the I/R group when compared with the sham group. Administration of melatonin significantly decreased MDA, NO and MPO levels and elevated the GSH content. Moreover, melatonin reduced the flap necrosis area, which was determined using a planimetric method. In conclusion, melatonin, a potent scavenger of free radicals, plays a major role in preventing the inferior epigastric arterial I/R-induced flap necrosis, based on planimetric flap survival and biochemical results. The beneficial effects of melatonin in I/R injury implies the involvement of free radicals in flap damage.

Protective effect of melatonin on random pattern skin flap necrosis in pinealectomized rat.

Random pattern skin flaps are still widely used in plastic surgery. However, necrosis in the distal portion resulting from ischemia is a serious problem, increasing the cost of treatment and hospitalization. Free oxygen radicals and increased neutrophil accumulation play an important role in tissue injury and may lead to partial or complete flap necrosis. To enhance skin flap viability, a variety of pharmacological agents have been intensively investigated. The aim of this study is to test the effects of melatonin, the chief secretory product of the pineal gland and a highly effective antioxidant, on random pattern skin flap survival in rats. Herein, to investigate the physiological and pharmacological role of melatonin on dorsal skin flap survival. Pharmacological (0.4, 4 and 40 mg/kg) levels of melatonin were given intraperitoneally (i.p.). For this, pinealectomized (Px) and sham operated (non-Px) rats were used. The effects of melatonin on levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH) and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in the skin flap. The ratio of skin flap necrosis was compared among the experimental groups by using planimetry. MDA and NO levels were found to be higher in Px than non-Px rats; while GSH levels and GSH-Px, and SOD activities were reduced. Melatonin administration to Px rats reduced MDA and NO levels and increased GSH, GSH-Px, SOD levels. Melatonin also reduced the ratio of flap necrosis determined by using planimetry and supported through the photography. In conclusion, these results show that both physiological and pharmacological concentrations of melatonin improve skin flap viability.