The investigation of the antitumoral effect of Cornus mas L in mice with ehrlich solid tumor.

AIM: Cornus mas L is commonly used due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and anti-oxidant properties. In the study, the effects of C. mas L extract on a solid tumor were examined in the Ehrlich solid tumor model developed in Balb/C type mice. METHODS: Ehrlich acid tumor (EAT) cells (1x106 EAT cell) from the stock animal were injected subcutaneously (s.c.) through the nape of the mice. Treatment groups of solid tumor-induced animals received 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of C. mas L extract intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 14 days. RESULTS: Tumor volumes and animal weights were found to be statistically significant compared to the control group (p < 0.05). AgNOR staining was performed in tumor tissues. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of TAA/NA ratio (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical and biochemical parameters were also evaluated. An estimation of tumor proliferation of the lung, liver, brain, kidney, testis and tumor antioxidant parameters viz. lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) was made. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that the anti-tumor effect of C. mas L in assisted tumor development with EAT cells, was mediated by the enhancement of oxidative stress with multiple mechanisms (Tab. 6, Fig. 12, Ref. 38).

Serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein and vitamin D receptor in migraine patients from central Anatolia region.

OBJECTIVES: Inflammation is proposed to be involved in the pathogenesis of both vitamin D deficiency and migraine. However, the data examining the relation of vitamin D with migraine are limited. We aimed to investigate the serum levels of vitamin D, vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in combination, in migraine patients from central Anatolia region. METHODS: Fifty-two newly diagnosed migraine patients and age- and sex-matched 49 control subjects were enrolled in this cross-sectional prospective study. Migraine diagnosis was settled according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II diagnostic criteria. Serum samples were analysed for the measurement of vitamin D, VDBP and VDR levels by using commercial enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay kits. RESULTS: Serum vitamin D and VDR levels were found to be significantly lower in migraine patients than in controls (p = 0.012 and p = 0.038, respectively); whereas serum VDBP levels were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). There was no correlation between serum vitamin D, VDBP and VDR levels and headache characteristics including aura, attack severity, frequency and duration, and disease duration (p > 0.05). In terms of headache characteristics, no significant difference between migraineurs with vitamin D values < 25 and ≥ 25 ng/ml was observed (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings may suggest that decreased serum vitamin D levels were associated with migraine.

Effects of long-term fasting on female hormone levels: Ramadan model.

BACKGROUND: Ramadan fasting is a special model of hunger and particularly affects metabolic processes, including carbohydrate and lipid levels. Endocrine changes induced by Ramadan fasting are not well known. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article was to evaluate the changes in hormone levels in women before and after the special Muslim fasting period of Ramadan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed in 30 healthy women in Obstetrics and Gynecology department during the Ramadan month of2011. Patients during and after the first menstrual period had menstrual cycles fasting blood samples taken on the same days. Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone, and prolactin (PRL) levels were determined. RESULTS: Before and during fasting LH, FSH, E2, testosterone and PRL levels were not statistically different. CONCLUSION: Despite the limited available studies on these subjects in women, effect of Ramadan fasting on hormone levels were found to be within the normal limits.

Relationship between carotid artery intima-media thickness and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation percentage (FMD%) are two commonly used parameters for detecting subclinical atherosclerosis. However, studies investigating the relationship between CIMT and brachial artery FMD% in different populations have produced conflicting results. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between CIMT and brachial artery FMD% in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) METHODS: Fifty-two PD patients without known cardiovascular disease and 30 age-gender matched controls were included in the study. Endothelial function was determined using ultrasonography (US) to measure the FMD of the brachial artery, and this parameter was expressed as the percentage change from the baseline diameter of the brachial artery (FMD%). We also measured CIMT by US and analysed the relationship between CIMT and brachial FMD%. RESULTS: The CIMT was significantly higher in patients than in the control group (0.84 +/- 0.08 vs. 0.75 +/- 0.06 mm, P < 0.01), whereas brachial artery FMD% was lower in patients than in the controls (8.2 +/- 5.0 vs. 11.7 +/- 5.5%, P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between CIMT and FMD% (r = -0.004, P = 0.94). CONCLUSION: Although PD patients are known to be characterized by an impaired flow-mediated vasodilatation of brachial artery and increased in CIMT, we did not find a significant correlation between FMD% and CIMT in our PD patient cohort. One possible explanation for our results is that each method measures a different aspect and stage of atherosclerosis.

Oxidative stress and asymmetric dimethylarginine is independently associated with carotid intima media thickness in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress (OS) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are accepted as nonclassical cardiovascular risk factors in end-stage renal disease patients. To clarify the role of these factors in the atherosclerotic process, we investigated if OS and ADMA are associated with common carotid artery intima media thickness (CIMT) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: Thirty PD patients without known atherosclerotic disease and classical cardiovascular risk factors as well as age- and gender-matched 30 healthy individuals were included. We measured serum thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced glycation end product (AGE), pentosidine, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), ADMA and CIMT in each subjects. RESULTS: TBARS, MDA, AOPP, AGE, pentosidine and ADMA levels were significantly higher in PD patients than in controls (p < 0.001). CIMT in patients was higher than in the control group (0.83 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.77 +/- 0.06 mm; p < 0.01). CIMT was independently correlated with TBARS (beta = 0.33, p < 0.01), MDA (beta = 0.27, p < 0.01), AOPP (beta = 0.22, p < 0.02), AGE (beta = 0.45, p < 0.01), pentosidine (beta = 0.56, p < 0.01) and ADMA (beta = 0.54, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: OS markers and serum ADMA levels independently predict the CIMT level in PD patients.