The Use of Probiotics Combined with Exercise Affects Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis, an Oxidative Stress Parameter.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal microbiota play a role in the health and performance of athletes, and can be influenced by probiotics. Thus, in this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of the use of probiotics combined with chronic exercise on the thiol/disulfide homeostasis, a novel marker of oxidative stress. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (Cn), exercise (Ex), probiotics (P), and probiotics + exercise (PEx). A capsule containing 6 × 108 CFU of L. rhamnosus, L. paracasei, L. acidophilus, and B. lactis was given daily for eight weeks to all the experimental animals. The total thiol (TT, µmol/L) and native thiol (NT, µmol/L) concentrations were measured to determine the oxidative stress parameters. The dynamic disulfide (DD, %), reduced thiol (RT, %), oxidized thiol (OT, %), and thiol oxidation reduction (TOR, %) ratios were analyzed. RESULTS: The TT level was found to be significantly higher in the Ex group (p = 0.047, η2 = 0.259). The DD level, a marker of oxidation, was significantly lower in the PEx group (p = 0.042, η2 = 0.266); the highest value of this parameter was found in the Ex group. The use of probiotics alone had no effect on thiol/disulfide homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS: We showed, for the first time, that probiotics administered "with exercise" decreased dynamic disulfide and significantly reduced oxidative damage. Therefore, we speculate that the use of probiotics in sports involving intense exercise might be beneficial to reduce oxidative stress.

Silibinin Effect on Methotrexate-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatotoxicity is one of the major side effects of methotrexate and limits its use. In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effect of silibinin and the role of oxidative stress markers and cytokines on high-dose methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=7). Methotrexate (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was administered on the first day in all groups except control. Silibinin was injected for 5 days to methotrexate-silibinin25, methotrexate-silibinin50, and methotrexate-silibinin100 groups at a dose of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively. On the sixth day, blood and liver samples were obtained and rats were sacrificed. Serum total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, total thiol, native thiol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, bilirubin, albumin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-10 levels were measured. In addition, a histopathological evaluation of liver tissues was performed. RESULTS: Methotrexate reduced total antioxidant capacity and increased disulfide/total thiol ratio. Histopathologic examination revealed that methotrexate increased hepatic damage and 50 mg/kg/dose of silibinin prevented inflammatory cell infiltration in particular. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that silibinin (50 mg/kg/day) may reduce the hepatic damage in methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity in rats by increasing antioxidant capacity.

De Ritis ratio and biochemical parameters in COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to examine some biochemical test parameters and De Ritis ratio in COVID-19 patients, considering age and gender. METHOD: The study was performed on patients with real-time polymerase chain reaction and computed tomography lung diagnosis. The relationship between lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and De Ritis ratio were analysed in the first blood samples of the patients. The difference between gender was also compared with the independent sample t-test. Alpha value was accepted <0.05. RESULTS: The De Ritis was significantly higher in females (p = .040). The De Ritis ratio was associated with CK in both gender. There was no significant difference in the biochemical parameters according to gender. CONCLUSION: The De Ritis ratio appears to be a parameter that can be used in COVID-19 patients. However, more detailed and comprehensive studies including the symptoms of patients are needed.

The Role of De Ritis Ratio as a Clinical Prognostic Parameter in COVID 19 Patients.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to investigate whether the De Ritis ratio can also be used in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 as a follow-up parameter, such as NLR, which is used in the follow-up and treatment of many diseases. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients admitted to our hospital with suspected COVID-19 were included in the study. Demographic data of the patients, their history characteristics, presenting symptoms, filiation status, duration of clinical stay, and length of stay in intensive care unit, intubation, dialysis, and plasmapheresis needs were examined. The patients were divided into two groups: PCR positive and PCR negative. The presenting, 5th day, and the clinical discharge values of AST, ALT, LDH, urea, creatine, eGFR, De Ritis ratio, procalcitonin, CRP, WBC, NLR, ferritin, lymphocyte, and D-dimer levels of the patients in both groups were studied. RESULTS: The DM and CAD presence in the histories of PCR-positive patients was found to be statistically signifi-cantly higher (p = 0.05, p = 0.03, respectively). Presenting symptoms of headache, fatigue, gastrointestinal symptoms, and taste loss were significantly higher in the PCR-positive patients (p = 0.04, p = 0.02, p = 0.03, p = 0.02, respectively). In the PCR-positive patients, a statistically significant correlation was found between the presenting De Ritis ratios and the presenting NLR, 5th day NLR, and NLR at discharge (p = 0.007, p = 0.02, p = 0.015, respectively). In the PCR-positive group, the 1st and 5th day De Ritis ratios of females were statistically significantly higher than males (p = 0.000, p = 0.006, respectively). Albumin, procalcitonin, length of stay in intensive care unit were significantly higher in the PCR-positive patients, while the presenting D-dimer, presenting WBC, and presenting and 5th day lymphocyte values were significantly higher in the PCR-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that the De Ritis ratios can be used in PCR-positive patients as a parameter, such as NLR, to follow-up and determine the prognosis of many diseases.

Evaluation of cardiac parameters between survivors and nonsurvivors of COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The present study compares the cardiac parameters of the survivor and nonsurvivor patients with COVID-19 infection. METHODS: This study was conducted in 379 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 disease. Information of 21 nonsurvivor and 358 survivor patients with COVID-19 was obtained from the hospital information management system and analyzed retrospectively. Relationship between cardiac parameters in patients categorized into the mortal and immortal groups was investigated. RESULTS: Of the total 379 patients involved in this study, 155 (40.9%) were females and 224 (59.1%) were males. No statistically significant difference in mortality was found between females and males (p=0.249). The total median age was 70, the median age in the nonsurvivor group was 74 (35-89), and it was 69.5 (18-96) in the survivor group (p=0.249). The median values of high-sensitivity troponin (hs-Tn), creatine kinase MB form, and especially myoglobin in the survivor and nonsurvivor groups were 25/64.9 (p=0.028), 18/23 (p=0.02), and 105.5/322.4 (p<0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Comparing mortality, while there was 1 (0.7%) nonsurvivor out of 134 patients in the service unit, there were 20 (8.2%) nonsurvivors out of 245 patients in the intensive care unit. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). The cutoff value of myoglobin, which may pose a risk of mortality, was found to be 191.4 µg/L, while it was 45.7 ng/l for hs-Tn and 60.1 U/L for creatine kinase MB. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age and increased levels of high-sensitivity troponin, creatine kinase MB, and myoglobin were found to be associated with mortality.

Alteration of serum biomarkers in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with and without atrial fibrillation.

Aim: We sought to determine the relationship between presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) and serum biomarkers, including native thiol (antioxidant), disulphide/native thiol ratio, Hs-CRP and high-sensitivity Troponin-I (Hs-TnI) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Materials & methods: We enrolled consecutive 121 HCM outpatients without AF and 40 HCM outpatients with AF. A 12-lead electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography and 24/48-h ambulatory rhythm monitoring were performed for all patients. Fasting venous blood samples were taken from all study patients to measure serum thiol-disulphide homeostasis, Hs-CRP and Hs-TnI. Results: Serum-native thiol was lower and disulphide/native thiol ratio was more oxidized in HCM patients with AF (p < 0.001). Also, HCM patients with AF had higher Hs-TnI and Hs-CRP than no-AF HCM patients. Disulphide/native thiol ratio, serum-native thiol, age, NYHA functional class≥III, and advanced diastolic dysfunction were independently associated with the presence of AF in HCM. Conclusion: In addition to clinical and echocardiographic findings, oxidative stress is also associated with AF in HCM patients.

The effects of amantadine on lung tissue in lower limb ischemia/reperfusion injury model in rats.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the effect of amantadine on lung tissue of after lower limb ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. METHODS: A total of 24 Wistar rats were divided into four equal groups including six rats in each: sham group (Group S), amantadine group (Group A), ischemia/reperfusion group (Group I/R), and ischemia/reperfusion + amantadine group (Group I/R-A). All groups underwent a midline abdominal incision. In Groups I/R and I/R-A, the infrarenal abdominal aorta was clamped for 120 min and, then, reperfused for 120 min after removal of the clamp. Amantadine hydrochloride 45 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally to the rats of Groups A and Group I/R-A 15 min before surgery. At the end of reperfusion period (240 min), all rats were sacrificed, and their lung tissues were obtained. Lung tissue catalase and superoxide dismutase activities and glutathione S-transferase and malondialdehyde levels were analyzed. Lung tissues were examined histopathologically. RESULTS: Catalase activity was lower in Groups A, I/R, and I/R-A compared to Group S. Superoxide dismutase activity was higher in Group I/R than Group S. Superoxide dismutase activity in Groups I/R-A and A decreased, compared to Groups S and I/R. Glutathione S-transferase levels decreased in Groups I/R and A, compared to Group S. Glutathione S-transferase levels in Group I/R-A were higher than Groups I/R and A. The highest level of malondialdehyde was found in Group I/R and the lowest level was found in Group I/R-A. According to histopathological examination, infiltration scores were significantly lower in Group S than Groups I/R and I/R-A (p=0.009 and p=0.011, respectively). The alveolar wall thickening scores in Group I/R were also significantly higher than Groups S and Group A (p=0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Lung tissue can be affected histopathologically by ischemia/ reperfusion injury and this injury can be reversed by amantadine administration.

Oxidative stress response to different exercise intensity with an automated assay: thiol/disulphide homeostasis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different intensity treadmill exercises on the thiol disulphide homeostasis which is a new marker of oxidative stress in rats. Male albino Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control (CNT), low (LEx), moderate (MEx) and high-intensity exercise (HEx) group. Exercise was performed for 4 weeks. Following completion of the experimental protocol, serum total thiol, native thiol and disulphide concentrations were determined using a novel automated measurement method. Additionally, dynamic disulphide status, reduced thiol, oxidised thiol and thiol oxidation reduction percentage ratios were compared among the groups. Disulphide levels were significantly lower in MEx group and highest in CNT group (p = .047). The lowest oxidised thiol and the highest reduced thiol were determined in CNT group (p = .086; p = .083). These findings indicate that moderate-intensity exercise is more effective in reducing oxidative stress than low and high-intensity exercise.

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: In addition to the genetic complexity of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), there must be other disease-modifying factors that contribute to its highly variable clinical and phenotypic expression. The authors aimed to investigate serum thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a proxy for oxidative stress using a novel automated assay in patients with HCM. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 119 patients with HCM and 52 without HCM. The methods used to measure dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis as calorimetric and duplex quantities were developed in 2014. RESULTS: Median serum native thiol levels were significantly lower in patients with HCM than in those without (312.5 µmol/L [285-370 µmol/L] vs 421 µmol/L [349-469.5 µmol/L]; p < 0.001). Serum total thiol levels and disulphide levels were considerably lower than those in the control group ([844.68 ± 195.99 µmol/L vs 1158.92 ± 243.97 µmol/L; p < 0.001], [259.13 ± 65.66 µmol/L vs 375.02 ± 79.99 µmol/L; p < 0.001], respectively). Serum disulphide/native thiol ratios and disulphide/total thiol ratios were significantly lower in HCM patients than in controls (0.80 ± 0.09 vs 0.92 ± 0.05; p < 0.001 and 0.31 [0.30-0.32] vs 0.32 [0.32-0.33]; p < 0.001). Finally, reduced thiol ratios were higher and oxidized thiol ratios were significantly lower in patients with HCM than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the fact that antioxidant capacity was impaired, the extracellular environment remained in a reducing state by keeping serum disulphide/native thiol ratios low. Therefore, the authors speculate that HCM may behave similarly to tumours with respect to serum thiol-disulphide levels.

Evaluation of cardiac parameters between survivors and nonsurvivors of COVID-19 patients

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The present study compares the cardiac parameters of the survivor and nonsurvivor patients with COVID-19 infection. METHODS: This study was conducted in 379 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 disease. Information of 21 nonsurvivor and 358 survivor patients with COVID-19 was obtained from the hospital information management system and analyzed retrospectively. Relationship between cardiac parameters in patients categorized into the mortal and immortal groups was investigated. RESULTS: Of the total 379 patients involved in this study, 155 (40.9%) were females and 224 (59.1%) were males. No statistically significant difference in mortality was found between females and males (p=0.249). The total median age was 70, the median age in the nonsurvivor group was 74 (35-89), and it was 69.5 (18-96) in the survivor group (p=0.249). The median values of high-sensitivity troponin (hs-Tn), creatine kinase MB form, and especially myoglobin in the survivor and nonsurvivor groups were 25/64.9 (p=0.028), 18/23 (p=0.02), and 105.5/322.4 (p<0.001), and the difference was statistically significant. Comparing mortality, while there was 1 (0.7%) nonsurvivor out of 134 patients in the service unit, there were 20 (8.2%) nonsurvivors out of 245 patients in the intensive care unit. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.003). The cutoff value of myoglobin, which may pose a risk of mortality, was found to be 191.4 µg/L, while it was 45.7 ng/l for hs-Tn and 60.1 U/L for creatine kinase MB. CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age and increased levels of high-sensitivity troponin, creatine kinase MB, and myoglobin were found to be associated with mortality.

New Oxidative Stress Markers Useful in the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis in Children: Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis and the Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Level.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate 2 new oxidative stress markers, thiol/disulfide homeostasis status and the asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) level, in children with acute appendicitis (AA) and to evaluate their diagnostic utility. METHODS: This case-control study included 45 patients with AA and 35 healthy children. Age, sex, white blood cell count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, ultrasonographic findings, thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters (native and total thiol levels, native thiol/total thiol ratios [antioxidant parameters], and disulfide, disulfide/native thiol, and disulfide/total thiol ratios [oxidant parameters]), and the ADMA level were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The native and total thiol levels, and the native thiol/total thiol ratio, were significantly lower, and the disulfide level and disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios significantly higher, in the AA compared with the control group (all P < 0.001). The ADMA level was significantly higher in a perforated versus nonperforated subgroup of AA patients, but the thiol/disulfide homeostasis parameters did not differ significantly between the two subgroups. In addition, the hs-CRP level and appendiceal wall thickness were higher in the perforated subgroup. The thiol/disulfide antioxidant parameters and ADMA level correlated negatively with the white blood cell count, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and the hs-CRP level, in the AA group, but correlated positively with oxidant parameters. The sensitivity and specificity of the disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios were high when used to diagnose AA, whereas the sensitivity of the ADMA level was high when used to diagnose perforated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS: Thiol/disulfide homeostasis and the ADMA level, together with certain other parameters, may be useful biomarkers of AA in children.

A new oxidative stress indicator: Effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan on thiol-disulfide homeostasis in exercise.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between exercise and both 5-hydroxytryptophan and oxidative stress using thiol-disulfide homeostasis via what is likely a novel biomarker. METHODS: Male albino Wistar rats (n = 32) were randomly divided into four groups as follows: control, exercise group, 5-hydroxytryptophan group (5H), and 5-HTP + exercise group (5Hex). Exercise and 5-HTP administration (25mg/kg per d) were performed 5d/wk for 10 wk. After completion of the experimental protocol, to determine oxidative stress parameters, serum total thiol and native thiol concentrations were measured. Dynamic disulfide status, reduced thiol, oxidized thiol (OT), and thiol oxidation reduction percentage ratios were compared between the groups. The methods used in the present study to measure dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis as calorimetric and duplex quantities were developed in 2014. These new methods are simple, reliable, and sensitive, with both high linearity and repeatability. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, serum dynamic disulfide levels were significantly lower in the 5H group and highest in the control group. The lowest OT and the highest reduced thiol rates were determined to be in the 5H group. The highest OT value was found in the 5Hex group. Thiol oxidation reduction values were found to be highest in the 5H group and lowest in the 5Hex group. CONCLUSIONS: Both 5-HTP and moderate exercise seem to be significantly effective in inhibiting oxidative damage. In addition, the new oxidative stress measurement method used in this study is a promising practical and useful method to evaluate and improve the performance of athletes.

Effect of Centrifuge Temperature on Routine Coagulation Tests.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of cooled and standard centrifuges on the results of coagulation tests to examine the effects of centrifugation temperature. METHODS: Equal-volume blood samples from each patient were collected at the same time intervals and subjected to standard (25°C) and cooled centrifugation (2-4°C). Subsequently, the prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen, and D-dimer values were determined in runs with the same lot numbers in the same coagulation device using the Dia-PT R (PT and INR), Dia-PTT-liquid (aPTT), Dia-FIB (fibrinogen), and Dia-D-dimer kits, respectively. RESULTS: The study enrolled 771 participants. The PT was significantly (p < 0.018) higher in participants on anticoagulant therapy. The respective median values of the test parameters determined using the standard and cooled centrifuges were as follows: PT 10.30 versus 10.50 s; PT (INR) 1.04 versus 1.09 s; APTT 28.90 versus 29.40 s; fibrinogen 321.5 versus 322.1 mg/dL; and D-dimer 179.5 versus 168.7 µg FEU/mL. There were significant differences (p < 0.001) in the parameters between the values obtained with the standard and cooled centrifuges. CONCLUSIONS: Centrifuge temperature can have a significant effect on the results of coagulation tests. However, broad and specific disease-based studies are needed.

A novel biomarker explaining the role of oxidative stress in exercise and l-tyrosine supplementation: thiol/disulphide homeostasis.

The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between exercise and both l-tyrosine and oxidative stress using thiol/disulphide homeostasis via a novel biomarker in rats. Following the completion of the exercise and l-tyrosine protocol, serum total thiol, native thiol, and disulphide concentrations were determined using a novel automated measurement method. Compared with the control group, serum dynamic disulphide levels were significantly lower in the E group (116.75 ± 10.49; p < .05) and the highest in the LT group (151.0 ± 5.84). The lowest oxidised thiol (49.75 ± 6.18; p = .087) and the highest reduced thiol (75.38 ± 3.16; p = .079) rates were determined to be in the E group. The highest oxidised thiol value was observed in the LT group. Exercise positively affects thiol/disulphide homeostasis, which is a novel indicator of oxidant-antioxidant parameters. Additionally, l-tyrosine appears to be more convenient combined with exercise. The new method used in our study proposes a promising, practical, and useful method for assessing the oxidative stress parameters.

Effect of the Oxidant-Antioxidant System in Seminal Plasma on Varicocele and Idiopathic Infertility in Male Humans.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate seminal oxidant-antioxidant activity in idiopathic and varicocele infertility in men. METHODS: Total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), paraoxonase (PON1), aryl esterase (ARE), and total thiol levels (TTL) were measured in seminal plasma with an autoanalyzer. The TOS/TAC ratio was determined as the oxidative stress index (OSI). A histopathological evaluation of the sperm was performed in the andrology laboratory of the hospital. Number, motility, morphology, volume, pH, and leukocytes were evaluated in all samples according to World Health Organization criteria. The three study groups were as follows: G1, males with idiopathic infertility; G2, males with varicocele infertility; and G3, normal healthy males (had fathered a child in the last 2 years). Each group was composed of 36 men (age, 25 - 40 years). The Rel Assay Diagnostics kit was used to determine the levels of the parameters. The study was conducted according to the principles of the declaration of Helsinki and was approved by Sakarya University Medicine Faculty Ethic Committee (e.n: 16214662/050.01.04/07). Statistical significance was assumed if p < 0.05. All statistical evaluations were performed using SPSS (version 20.0 for Windows; SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: No differences were detected between the mean values of antioxidant parameters among the three groups (Kruskal-Wallis test). The p-values of the test parameters (TAC, TOS, PON1, ARE, TTL, OSI) are respectively: 0.494, 0.548, 0.068, 0.151, 0.202, 0.873. The antioxidant parameters of all subjects were compared using the MannWhitney U-test in both groups as fertile (G3) and infertile (G1 + G2). The PON1 levels in infertile subjects were significantly higher than those in fertile subjects. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.042). The other antioxidant parameters had no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The ARE was not performed in group 3 (control) due to a methodological problem. CONCLUSIONS: PON1 levels in infertile subjects were significantly higher than those of fertile subjects.

The effects of povidone iodine (pH 4.2) on patients with adenoviral conjunctivitis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of classical treatment and povidone-iodine treatment for adenoviral conjunctivitis. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Centre of Marmara Eye Health, Sakarya, Turkey, between January 2011 and February 2014, and comprised adult patients suffering from adenoviral conjunctivitis. The participants were randomly divided into two groups. Group I was given povidone-iodine solution while Group II was given the classical treatment and was taken as control. Povidone-iodine treatment was administered as three drops three times per day. The classical treatment comprised three drops of trifluorothymidine three times per day. Treatment were continued for two weeks. The patients who had not recovered in this time frame were defined as 'late recovering' patients. SPSS 23 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 112 participants, there were 56(50%) in each group. In Group I, 54(96.4%) patients recovered in two weeks, while 2(3.6%) took more time. In Group II, 33(58.9%) patients recovered in two weeks while 23(41.1%) took more time (p<0.001). Overall, 92(82.1%) patients had familial transmission-contamination. CONCLUSIONS: A new treatment protocol of povidone-iodine was used safely in patients with adenoviral conjunctivitis. Familial transmission was found very important to adenoviral conjunctivitis infection.

Effect of high-dose fluoride on antioxidant enzyme activities of amniotic Fluid in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of high-dose fluoride on antioxidant enzyme activities of amniotic fluid and fluoride of serum in rats. METHODS: The experimental study was conducted from January 8, 2008, to December 14, 2010, at the Suleyman Demirel University Experimental Animals Laboratory and the Medical Biochemistry Department Research Laboratory, Isparta, Turkey. Impregnated Wistar albino rats were divided into two equal groups. Group I had controls, while Group II rats were exposed to high-dose fluoride. Group I was given drinking water mixed with 0.1 mg/kg/b.w./day of natrium fluoride, while group II was given drinking water mixed with 10 mg/kg/b.w./day of natrium fluoride for 18 days. At the end of 18 days, amniotic fluid and blood samples were collected from control and experimental groups of pregnancy. Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances as antioxidant enzymes in amniotic fluid and levels of fluoride in serum samples were investigated. RESULTS: There were 14 rats, with 7(50%) in each group. Foetal weight in group II significantly decreased compared to the control group (p< 0.05). Antioxidant enzyme activities in amniotic fluid were significantly higher in group II than group I (p< 0.05) although thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in amniotic fluid and serum fluoride levels were significantly lower in group II than group I (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Fluoride that created oxidative stress inhibited lipid peroxidation and apparently increased the antioxidant defence system.

A New Method for the Prevention of Pre-Analytical Errors due to Hemolysis: Intensive Training.

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to compare the routine training (RT) method with the intensive training (IT) method, described for the first time by our group, for preventing pre-analytical errors in induced hemolysis. METHODS: At two months, either RT or IT methods were introduced, and data collected in the second two months were compared with the initial two months to assess changes in the number of samples rejected. Working groups were formed according to the methods of training, clinics, and services. Group I contained only the emergency clinic and services. Group II included other polyclinics and services. In this study, Group I followed the IT method and Group II followed the RT method. Training and supervision were conducted during regular office hours every weekday. In this study, the percentage of errors in the different groups of the pre-analytical samples that underwent hemolysis was evaluated using the error correction ratio. The effectiveness of training in the groups was compared. RESULTS: The incidence of hemolysis in the samples showed a significant decline when the IT method was followed. The hemolysis frequency using the RT method had decreased compared to previous training. Both results were statistically significant. A further result of the study was a reduction in the incidence of the hemolysis ratio when comparing Groups I and II; the IT method was more effective than the RT method. CONCLUSIONS: The IT method is effective in preventing hemolysis-induced pre-analytical errors.