Evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase, myeloperoxidase, and oxidative damage in mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the alterations of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), acute inflammation, and oxidative damage in the circulatory system and the intestine in response to mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). METHODS: Twenty-one rats were divided randomly into the following three groups (n = 7 in each group): a sham group (CG), an ischemic group (IG), and an I/R group (I/RG). MMP-9, TIMP-1, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, and lipid peroxidation (quantified as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content), ischemia-modified albumin, the prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were measured spectrophotometrically. The degree of intestinal injury was evaluated according to the Chiu scoring system. RESULTS: A significant difference between the mean serum TIMP-1 and MMP-9 levels and the alanine transaminase activity was found among the groups. Compared with the I/RG group a significant difference in the mean tissue MMP-9, MPO, and TBARS levels in addition to the PAB and FRAP was found between the CG and IG groups. The level of MMP-9 also demonstrated a strong, positive, and valid correlation with the TBA-RS levels. A significant morphological change was observed in both the IG and the I/RG groups. The degree of intestinal injury was more severe in the I/R group and was characterized by either villous denudation or villous loss. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MMP-9, TIMP-1, MPO, and oxidative stress may be important in the intestinal injury development that is induced by acute mesenteric I/R in a rat model. MMP-9 overexpression may increase the extent of intestinal villous loss, particularly when MMP-9 is upregulated by the TBARS present in the intestinal injury.

Decreased preoperative serum fibulin-3 levels in colon cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Fibulin-3 is known to play a role in tumor cell malignancy, invasion and metastasis, as well as in the clinical progression of tumors. This study aimed to assess serum fibulin-3 levels in patients with colon cancer compared with healthy controls and its relationship to demographics and tumor pathology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 80 patients (mean age, 58.99 years; 42% males) with colon cancer and 50 controls (mean age, 57.75; 55% males) were included. Serum levels of fibulin-3 were determined using a commercially available sandwich ELISA (Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay). RESULTS: Preoperative serum fibulin-3 levels were significantly lower in the group of patients with colon cancer (mean, 35.91 ng/mL; range, 10-73 ng/mL) compared with the control group (mean, 96.68 ng/mL; range, 57-168 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that fibulin-3 is expressed at a lower level in colon cancer, and it can serve as a marker for advanced colon cancer.

Plasma ghrelin, leptin, and orexin-A levels and insulin resistance after laparoscopic gastric band applications in morbidly obese patients.

AIM: The main cause of obesity is a change in the energy balance in favor of intake. Communication between the hypothalamus and other organs occurs through special peptides, such as ghrelin, leptin, and orexin-A, to provide energy balance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a laparoscopic gastric band application on insulin resistance and the peptides involved in appetite in morbidly obese patients. METHODS: The study group consisted of 20 patients who were operated on for morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI], 48.3±6.7 kg/m2) and the control group contained 20 healthy, normal-weight subjects (BMI, 22.6±2 kg/m2). We obtained blood samples from the study subjects before surgery and one month after surgery, and once from the control group. We measured plasma levels of ghrelin, leptin, orexin-A, and plasma glucose. RESULTS: Significant weight loss was achieved after surgery (P<0.05). Plasma ghrelin levels were lower in morbidly obese patients (P=0.033), but increased postoperatively (P=0.014), compared with those in the control subjects. Leptin levels were higher in the morbidly obese group (P=0.000), but decreased after the operation (P=0.01). Orexin-A levels were higher in the morbidly obese group (P=0.000), but decreased after the operation (P=0.000). Insulin resistance values also decreased in a manner similar to leptin and orexin-A levels (P=0.000 and P=0.008, respectively). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic gastric band application results in significant weight loss in morbidly obesity patients, even after one month. We found a decrease in patient BMI, increased ghrelin levels, and decreased leptin and orexin-A levels and insulin resistance.