Plasma renin, aldosterone, and urinary prostaglandin E2 levels in children with hypocalcemia due to vitamin D deficiency rickets.

We investigated the effect of hypocalcemia on plasma renin, aldosterone, and urine PGE2 levels in children with vitamin D deficiency rickets (VDDR). In the study group, 25 patients with VDDR-induced hypocalcemia were treated with a single dose of 150,000-300,000 IU cholecalciferol and 50 mg/kg/day elemental Ca for 10 days. On any day between 21th and 30th days after the treatment, the patients' clinical, biochemical and radiologic findings were re-evaluated. The healthy children with the same sex and similar age as the study group comprised the control group. Plasma sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25- hydroxy vitamin D (25OHD), renin, aldosterone; and urinary Ca, creatinine (Cr) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels were measured in both the study (pre-treatment and post-treatment) and the control group. Plasma Ca, P, 25OHD and renin levels and urinary PGE2/Cr ratio in the post-treatment group were significantly higher than those in the pre-treatment group while K, ALP, and PTH concentrations were significantly lower. Plasma ALP and PTH levels in pre-treatment group were significantly higher than in the control group while Ca, P, 25OHD, aldosterone and renin concentrations and urinary PGE2/Cr ratio were significantly lower. Post-treatment plasma Ca level was significantly decreased in normal limits compared to the control group while other biochemical parameters were not different from the control group. Plasma Ca concentration was positively correlated with renin level and urinary PGE2/Cr ratio. The findings suggest that hypocalcemia may inhibit the production of renin, aldosterone and PGE2 and a blunt aldosterone secretion may develop even after recovery from hypocalcemia.

The effect of the zinc concentration in breast milk on neonatal weight gain.

The change in breast milk zinc (Zn) concentration in a feeding period during lactation may affect neonatal weight gain. The aim of this study was to determine how to change the Zn concentrations in breast milk during a feeding period in early and late lactation periods and identify the relationship between the differences in the Zn levels in breast milk during lactation and neonatal weight gain. Breast milk was collected in the early and late lactation periods with samples being obtained before (foremilk) and after (hindmilk) a feeding period. Then, we determined the Zn concentrations in the breast milk and measured the weight of the infants before and after the same feeding period. The study was composed of 37 newborns and their mothers. During the feeding period, the Zn concentrations in both the transitional and mature milk decreased significantly. During the lactation period, the Zn levels were markedly lower in only the hindmilk. The body weights of the infants both before and after feeding in the early lactation period were negatively correlated with the delta Zn concentration in the same period, but the delta body weights in the early lactation period were positively correlated with the Zn levels in the hindmilk in the same period. In addition, body weights before feeding in the late lactation period were also positively correlated with Zn levels in hindmilk in the early lactation period. This study suggests that the Zn concentrations in both the transitional and mature milk decreased, which suggests that changes in the Zn content of breast milk during lactation might play a role in the weight gain of healthy neonates.

Patients with dental calculus have increased saliva and gingival crevicular fluid fetuin-A levels but no association with fetuin-A polymorphisms.

Fetuin-A is a potent inhibitor of calcium-phosphate precipitation and of the calcification process, therefore it can also be related with dental calculus. Thus, we aimed to investigate a possible relationship between fetuin-A gene polymorphism and the presence of dental calculus. A possible relationship between serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of fetuin-A was also investigated. Fetuin-A c.742C > T and c.766C > G polymorphisms were investigated in 103 patients with or without dental calculus. Additionally, serum, saliva and GCF fetuin-A levels of patients were compared according to dental calculus presence. A significant difference was not observed in the distribution of the fetuin-A c.742C > T and c.766C > G polymorphisms between patients with or without dental calculus. Saliva and GCF fetuin-A concentrations of patients with dental calculus were statistically higher than those without dental calculus (P=0.001, P=0.036 respectively). According to our results, fetuin-A c.742C > T and c.766C > G polymorphisms were not associated with presence of dental calculus. However, higher GCF and saliva fetuin-A levels were detected in patients with dental calculus than in patients without dental calculus, which may result from an adaptive mechanism to inhibit mineral precipitation and eventually calculus formation.

Matrix-Gla Protein rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism and serum and GCF levels of MGP in patients with subgingival dental calculus.

AIM: Matrix-Gla Protein (MGP) is one of the major Gla-containing protein associated with calcification process. It also has a high affinity for Ca2+ and hydroxyapatite. In this study we aimed to evaluate the MGP rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism in association with subgingival dental calculus. Also a possible relationship between MGP gene polymorphism and serum and GCF levels of MGP were examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS: MGP rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism was investigated in 110 patients with or without subgingival dental calculus, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques. Additionally, serum and GCF levels of MGP of the patients were compared according to subgingival dental calculus. RESULTS: Comparison of patients with and without subgingival dental calculus showed no statistically significant difference in MGP rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism (p=0.368). MGP concentrations in GCF of patients with subgingival dental calculus were statistically higher than those without subgingival dental calculus (p=0.032). However, a significant association was not observed between the genotypes of AA, AG and GG of the MGP rs4236 gene and the serum and GCF concentrations of MGP in subjects. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was found that MGP rs4236 [A/G] gene polymorphism was not to be associated with subgingival dental calculus. Also, that GCF MGP levels were detected higher in patients with subgingival dental calculus than those without subgingival dental calculus independently of polymorphism, may be the effect of adaptive mechanism to inhibit calculus formation.

Serum apelin and ADMA levels in type 2 diabetics with and without vascular complications.

AIMS: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic and chronic disease which is characterized by hyperglycemia, and that is the major causes of various micro and macrovascular complications. Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), formed by the hydrolysis of proteins containing methylated arginine residues, is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which oxidize l-arginine to citruline and nitric oxide (NO), related to hyperinsulinaemia and hyperlipidaemia. Apelin is a recently discovered peptide, present in a number of tissues and play role in insulin sensitivity improvement. In this study, our aim was to determine the levels of apelin and ADMA with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in type 2 diabetic patients with or without vascular complications. METHODS: This study included (a total of) 59 diabetic patients. Of the patients, 30 were diabetic with complications, and 29 without complications. In serum samples obtained from the patients, serum ADMA and apelin levels were measured with Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: Our study totally enrolled 59 patients in two groups. No significant differences were found in sex, age, HbA1c and glucose levels among groups. Apelin and ADMA levels of group with complications were lower than those of group without complications, but no statistically significant difference of apelin and ADMA levels (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study have been showed no statistically significant relationship present between ADMA-apelin levels and complications of T2DM. Further studies involving larger patients populations and healthy controls should be done to clarify the pathogenetic significance of apelin and ADMA in diabetic vascular complications.

Patients with dental calculus have increased saliva and gingival crevicular fluid fetuin-A levels but no association with fetuin-A polymorphisms

ABSTRACT: Fetuin-A is a potent inhibitor of calcium-phosphate precipitation and of the calcification process, therefore it can also be related with dental calculus. Thus, we aimed to investigate a possible relationship between fetuin-A gene polymorphism and the presence of dental calculus. A possible relationship between serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of fetuin-A was also investigated. Fetuin-A c.742C > T and c.766C > G polymorphisms were investigated in 103 patients with or without dental calculus. Additionally, serum, saliva and GCF fetuin-A levels of patients were compared according to dental calculus presence. A significant difference was not observed in the distribution of the fetuin-A c.742C > T and c.766C > G polymorphisms between patients with or without dental calculus. Saliva and GCF fetuin-A concentrations of patients with dental calculus were statistically higher than those without dental calculus (P=0.001, P=0.036 respectively). According to our results, fetuin-A c.742C > T and c.766C > G polymorphisms were not associated with presence of dental calculus. However, higher GCF and saliva fetuin-A levels were detected in patients with dental calculus than in patients without dental calculus, which may result from an adaptive mechanism to inhibit mineral precipitation and eventually calculus formation.

The low levels of circulating hepatocyte growth factor in nephrolithiasis cases: independent from gene polymorphism.

Environmental and genetic factors are important in development of nephrolithiasis. In a recent study, it has been demonstrated that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has an anti-apoptotic effect and thus can reduce the adhesion of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals to renal epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HGF serum levels and its two gene polymorphisms and possible association of the two in patients with nephrolithiasis. One hundred and five patients with nephrolithiasis and 70 healthy volunteers with similar demographic features were included in this study. Serum HGF levels were measured, and HGF intron 13 C>A (in 102 stone patients and 68 healthy subjects) and intron 14 T>C (in 99 stone patients and 56 healthy subjects) polymorphisms were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction with TaqMan allelic discrimination method. There were no statistically significant differences in HGF intron 13 C>A and intron 14 T>C polymorphisms between the control and patient groups (X (2) = 1.72 df = 2; p = 0.42, and X (2) = 0.68 df = 2; p = 0.71, respectively). Mean serum HGF concentration was significantly lower in the stone disease patients than in the control subjects (1.05 ± 0.63 pg/mL and 1.35 ± 0.58 ng/mL respectively, p = 0.0001). When allele distribution frequency between stone patients and healthy subjects was compared, there were no significant differences in intron 13 and intron 14 allele distributions between two groups (p = 0.43 and p = 0.44, respectively). It may be concluded from the findings that decrease in HGF levels may play a role in renal stone formation, independent from gene polymorphisms.

Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor differences between the luteal and follicular phases in premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that comparison of the serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels between women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and women without PMDD in the luteal and follicular phases of their menstrual cycles would reflect the altered neuromodulator responses that compensate the underlying pathogenesis in PMDD. METHOD: Twenty-nine participants without PMDD and 20 with PMDD were enrolled in the study. The serum BDNF, estrogen and progesterone levels were assessed at the follicular and luteal phases in their two consecutive menstrual cycles. RESULTS: Participants with PMDD had significantly higher luteal serum BDNF levels than the control subjects. The serum BDNF levels were significantly higher in the luteal phase than in the follicular phase in women with PMDD. The difference in the serum BDNF levels between the luteal and follicular phases were significantly higher in the PMDD patients than in the control. CONCLUSIONS: The higher serum BDNF levels in the luteal phase in the PMDD patients may reflect compensatory process that results in subsequent improvement of the PMDD-associated depressive symptoms in the follicular phase. The higher difference in the serum BDNF levels between the phases in PMDD patients may reflect an altered neuromodulator response.

The effect of lifestyle change and metformin therapy on serum arylesterase and paraoxonase activity in obese children.

AIM: Obesity is known to be associated with many diseases in the long and short terms. Elevated oxidative stress contributes to the development of such obesity-related diseases as dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Levels of the endogenous antioxidants paraoxonase and arylesterase have been shown to decrease in such diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether or not changes in lifestyle and metformin therapy would affect serum paraoxonase and arylesterase levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed with 25 overweight, 26 obese and 25 morbidly obese patients aged 6-15 years as well as 27 healthy children. Serum paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) activity levels and total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density protein, high-density protein, very low-density protein, glucose, aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase levels were measured. Enrolled patients were assessed at initial presentation and again at 6 months. No procedure was performed in the control group, while the overweight, obese and morbidly obese groups were recommended diet and exercise and given metformin therapy (insulin-resistant subjects only). RESULTS: Serum PON1 activity levels in patients with metabolic syndrome were significantly lower than those in individuals without metabolic syndrome (p<0.05), while lipid concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.05). Metabolic syndrome patients had higher serum glucose, total cholesterol, low-density protein, very low-density protein and triglyceride values compared to those of the control group but significantly lower high-density protein values (p<0.05). No difference was determined between the groups in terms of PON1 and ARE levels following diet and exercise and metformin therapy. CONCLUSION: Measurement of PON1 and ARE enzyme levels may be useful in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment aimed at reducing oxidative stress in obese children.

Fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin values in preterm babies and their mothers: relationships among their levels, fetal growth, and neonatal anthropometry.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate relationship between anthropometric values of premature babies with their's glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin at birth and on day 15. METHODS: We analyzed fasting and postprandial glucose, insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels at birth and on day 15 in babies born prematurely between 24 and 37 weeks, and who did not have serious problems aside from prematurity at birth. RESULTS: Fasting glucose, insulin, leptin and ghrelin values of babies at birth and on day 15 were significantly lower than postprandial values (all p values p < 0.001). There were positive correlations between the mean insulin, leptin, and ghrelin levels with the gestational age, birth weight, body mass index, head circumference of babies at birth, and anthropometric values on day 15 (all r values > 0.400, all p values < 0.05). Fasting glucose, leptin, and ghrelin values of mothers birth were significantly lower than post-prandial values (all p values p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The positive correlations between the insulin, leptin, and ghrelin values of babies at birth with gestational age and anthropometric values suggest that both hormones play important roles in fetal and neonatal growth and development.

Antioxidant status in blood of obese children: the relation between trace elements, paraoxonase, and arylesterase values.

Obesity is known to lead to complications involving several systems. The basic mechanism in obesity-related complications is chronic inflammation and increased oxidative stress. Trace element levels in obese children may vary due to poor nutritional habits. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between serum paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) levels, markers of the oxidant-antioxidant balance in the body, and serum zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se) concentrations in obese children. Fifty-seven overweight patients aged 6-17 and 48 age- and sex-matched healthy children were included in the study. Serum PON1 and ARE activity levels were measured, together with Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein, glucose, aspartate amino transferase, and alanine amino transferase levels. PON1 and ARE activity levels were significantly lower in obese patients compared to those in healthy individuals (P < 0.05). Various changes were determined in Cu, Zn, Mn, and Se levels between the study and control groups (P < 0.05). In terms of the relation between trace elements and PON1 and ARE levels, a significant positive correlation was determined between serum Se and PON1 levels in the study group (P < 0.05, r = 0.31). No significant correlation was determined between other trace element levels and PON1 and ARE levels (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the detection in our study of a positive correlation between Se and PON1 levels in obese children may be significant in terms of showing a relation between Se and antioxidant systems in obese children.

Thyroid functions and trace elements in pediatric patients with exogenous obesity.

Obesity is a multifactorial disease developing following impairment of the energy balance. The endocrine system is known to be affected by the condition. Serum thyroid hormones and trace element levels have been shown to be affected in obese children. Changes in serum thyroid hormones may result from alterations occurring in serum trace element levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not changes in serum thyroid hormone levels in children with exogenous obesity are associated with changes in trace element levels. Eighty-five children diagnosed with exogenous obesity constituted the study group, and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy children made up the control group. Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroglobulin (TG), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and manganese (Mn) levels in the study group were measured before and at the third and sixth months of treatment, and once only in the control group. Pretreatment fT4 levels in the study group rose significantly by the sixth month (p = 0.006). Zn levels in the patient group were significantly low compared to the control group (p = 0.009). Mn and Se levels in the obese children before and at the third and sixth months of treatment were significantly higher than those of the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.001). In conclusion, fT4, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Se levels are significantly affected in children diagnosed with exogenous obesity. The change in serum fT4 levels is not associated with changes in trace element concentrations.

Association between Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) Gene Polymorphisms and Serum HGF Levels in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by proliferation and insufficient apoptosis of synovial cell, inflammatory cell infiltration, angiogenesis, and destruction of joints. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has many functions, such as regulation of inflammation, angiogenesis, and inhibition of apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between intron 13 C/A and intron 14 T/C HGF gene polymorphisms and serum HGF levels in patients with RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 patients with RA and 123 healthy controls were included in this study. Serum HGF concentrations were measured using ELISA kit. Gene polymorphisms were determined by allelic discrimination analysis using the real-time PCR method. RESULTS: HGF levels, frequency of AA genotype and A allele for intron 13 C/A polymorphism and frequency of CC genotype and C allele for intron 14 T/C polymorphism were increased in patients with RA compared to healthy controls. There was no overall associations between genotypes and serum HGF concentrations in both patient and control groups. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HGF protein and gene may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of RA. However, further studies are required for a better understanding of mechanisms related to the disease process.

Acute cerebral ischaemia: relationship between serum and cerebrospinal fluid orexin-A concentration and infarct volume.

OBJECTIVE: Orexins are hypothalamic neuropeptides that are involved in feeding, neuroendocrine regulation, sleep-wakefulness and sleep disorders (such as narcolepsy). This study investigated the relationship between serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) orexin-A concentrations and infarct volume, in patients with ischaemic stroke. METHODS: Serum and CSF concentrations of orexin-A were determined 48-72 h after the onset of ischaemic stroke in patients, then compared with those of healthy control subjects of comparable age. Infarct volumes were measured using computerized tomography, 48-72 h after hospitalization. RESULTS: Mean serum and CSF orexin-A concentrations were significantly lower among ischaemic stroke patients (n = 29) compared with control subjects (n = 13). There was a significant inverse correlation between infarct volumes and CSF orexin-A concentrations in patients with ischaemic stroke. CONCLUSION: These data show that serum and CSF orexin-A concentrations decrease after cerebral ischaemia and may play a role in the development of brain injury. The orexin-A concentration in the CSF might be a useful biomarker for the assessment of progression of brain tissue damage during the early stages of ischaemic stroke.

Dose-dependent protective effect of L-carnitine on oxidative stress in the livers of hyperthyroid rats.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was designed to investigate the dose-dependent protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) on thyroid hormone-induced oxidative stress in rat liver tissue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: control, hyperthyroidism, hyperthyroidism plus L-carnitine 100, and hyperthyroidism plus L-carnitine 500. Hyperthyroidism was induced in rats by injecting 250 µg of L-thyroxine/kg body weight/day for twenty consecutive days. The activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in liver homogenates. RESULTS: The liver CAT, GPX and MPO activities were significantly lower in the hyperthyroid rats than in the control group. Treating hyperthyroid rats with both low-dose (100 mg/kg) and high-dose (500 mg/kg) L-carnitine for 10 days resulted in a marked increase in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes in the liver tissue. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that the low-dose L-carnitine application was sufficient to prevent L-thyroxine-induced oxidative stress in rat livers.

Relationship between serum interleukin-1beta levels and acute phase response proteins in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) has any possible correlation on inflammatory parameters such as C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and fibrinogen concentration in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients during attack-free period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The serum levels of IL-1beta, as an indicator of cytokines status, and the acute phase response proteins, CRP, ESR and fibrinogen levels were evaluated in 35 attack-free patients with FMF and 25 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Serum IL-1beta levels were significantly higher in patients with FMF than control subjects (P = 0.018). There was no statistically significant difference in the serum levels of ESR, CRP and fibrinogen between two groups (P = 0.181, P = 0.816, P = 0.686, respectively). There was a significant correlation between IL-1beta and CRP (r = 0.513, P = 0.002) values of FMF group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results confirm the presence of increased IL-1beta levels in FMF patients during attack-free period. Serum IL-1beta values seems to correlate with CRP levels. The elevation of IL-1beta levels may be important in monitoring subclinical inflammation of attack free period in FMF patients.

Relationship of serum paraoxonase enzyme activity and thermal burn injury.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated changes in serum oxidative stress parameters in burn cases compared to healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed in 41 burn patients with mild to severe thermal burn injuries and 38 healthy volunteers. The burn cases were selected from patients who were hospitalized in the burn unit for the treatment of second- and third-degree burns. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and PON-1 paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured in patient serum samples. RESULTS: PON-1 paraoxonase activity and MDA levels in patients with major thermal burn injury were significantly higher than healthy controls, but PON-1 arylesterase activities were lower. A significant negative correlation was observed between the burn percentage of the total body surface area and the PON-1 arylesterase activities in patients. CONCLUSION: Human thermal burn injury was associated with an increase in MDA production and a decrease in PON-1 arylesterase activity, which was proportional to the percentage of total burned surface area.

Paraoxonase 1 gene polymorphisms, paraoxonase/arylesterase activities and oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with migraine.

The vascular endothelial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) may impair endothelial function. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) prevents oxidative modification of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). So we investigated serum PON-1 and arylesterase (ARE) activities, PON-1 55 L/M and 192Q/R polymorphisms and the serum lipid profile in patients with migraine. Biochemical parameters and PON-1 polymorphism analyses were assessed in 104 patients with migraine and 86 healthy subjects. Ox-LDL was detected by ELISA, and polymorphisms were determined using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Patients with migraine had lower PON-1 and ARE activities (p < 0·001, for both) and higher ox-LDL and LDL-C levels (p < 0·001, for both) and ox-LDL: LDL-C ratio (p < 0·005) than the controls. The genotype distribution and the allele frequencies for PON-1 55 L/M and 192Q/R polymorphisms were not different among the study populations. The results of our current study indicate that migrainous patients have decreased serum PON-1 and ARE activities and increased serum ox-LDL levels, which may have a clinical importance in the treatment of migraine.

Effects of valproate, carbamazepine, and levetiracetam on the antioxidant and oxidant systems in epileptic patients and their clinical importance.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to determine the effects of valproate (VPA), carbamazepine, and levetiracetam (LEV) on antioxidant and oxidant enzyme activities and the clinical importance of these effects. METHODS: We enrolled 32 patients receiving VPA, 17 receiving carbamazepine, 8 receiving LEV, 11 on multidrug therapy, and 30 sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers. We measured the serum activities of paraoxonase and arylesterase and the levels of 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein in all the subjects. We also determined the clinical features of the patients. RESULTS: The serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly lower (P = 0.003 and P = 0.0001, respectively), and the oxidized low-density lipoprotein and 8-OHG levels were higher (P = 0.029 and P = 0.0001, respectively) in the patients than in the controls. The serum antioxidant activity was low, and the oxidant activity was high in the monotherapy patients (P < 0.05). Comparing the monotherapy with the polytherapy, only the combination of VPA-LEV was associated with a high 8-OHG level (P = 0.04). The serum 8-OHG level was higher in the patients taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for the first 2 months than in the controls (P = 0.0001) and positively correlated with the duration of epilepsy (r = 0.387, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress is seen in each of the AEDs after the first 2 months. There was no dominance of the monotherapy over the polytherapy, except for the VPA-LEV combination. None of the patients' characteristic features were related to oxidative damage, except for the duration of the epilepsy and the AED therapy.

Increased levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and malondialdehyde and its relationship with antioxidant enzymes in saliva of periodontitis patients.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in whole saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis. Moreover, the relationship among the oxidative damage biomarkers, antioxidant enzymes activities and clinical periodontal status were investigated. METHODS: Whole saliva samples were collected from 30 patients with chronic periodontitis and 30 periodontally healthy control. To determine the clinical condition of each subject, the plaque index, gingival index, clinical attachment level, and probing depth were measured. The salivary 8-OHdG level was measured using the ELISA method. SOD and GPx activities and MDA levels were determined spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Higher salivary 8-OHdG and MDA levels (P<.001), and lower salivary SOD and GPx activities (P<.05) were detected in periodontitis patients compared to the healthy controls. Additionally, there were significant negative correlations between salivary levels of 8-OHdG and both salivary SOD and GPx activities as well as between salivary levels of MDA and both salivary SOD and GPx activities (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher salivary 8-OHdG and MDA levels and lower salivary antioxidant activities seem to reflect increased oxygen radical activity during periodontal inflammation.