Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a strong stimulant of nutrition, and zinc, which has an important effect on nutrition regulation, have attracted the attention of many researchers. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma NPY and zinc levels in elite weightlifters. Thirty healthy subjects between the ages of 18-27 participated in the study voluntarily. The subjects were composed of two equal groups: the control group who did not exercise regularly and the elite weightlifters who did regular training. Plasma NPY (ELISA) and zinc levels (Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer) were determined in blood samples collected from subjects. When serum NPY and zinc values were compared between the groups, it was found that NPY levels of elite weightlifters were higher than controls (p lt;0.01) and zinc levels were lower (p lt;0.01). The findings of the study show that physical activity leads to changes in NPY and zinc release. As a result, there may be a critical relationship between these changes and physical performance.

Amaç: Gebeler için bir diyabet tarama yöntemi olan OGTT, GDM tanısı koymada ve erken teşhiste anne ve bebek için çok önemlidir. Bu çalışmada da GDM’ li bireylerde “Visfatin ve Obestatin” parametreleri insülin direnci ile ilgili parametrelerle karşılaştırılarak aralarındaki ilişkinin araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmamıza 41 sağlıklı (kontrol) ve 34 GDM tanısı alan bireyler dahil edilmiştir. Gönüllü katılım belgesi dolduran gebelerden rutin tahlilleri sırasında bir defaya mahsus aprotinin içeren tüplere kan örnekleri alınarak gerekli parametreler çalışılmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmaya dahil ettiğimiz gruplar arasında yaş dağılımı anlamlı bulunmuştur. GDM ve kontrol grupları serum lipit düzeyleri açısından karşılaştırıldığında trigliserid değeri gruplar arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmuştur (p < 0.05). İnsülin direnci gelişen ve insülin direnci gelişmemiş olan GDM’li gebelerde obestatin düzeyleri arasında anlamlı bir fark varken (p<0.05), visfatin düzeyleri arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmamıştır (p>0.05). Sonuç: Çalışmamızda, visfatin ve obestatin arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmamıştır (p>0.05). İnsülin direnci gelişen ve insülin direnci gelişmeyen GDM’li grupta obestatin arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmasına (p<0.05) rağmen visfatin ile anlamlı fark bulunmamıştır (p>0.05).

In this work, it is aimed to research the applicability of Leptin and Preptin tests who are known to have an effect on insulin and glucose metabolism on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) diagnosed pregnant patients, the insulin resistance, the parameters related to it and their correlation. Our work consists of volunteers who have filled out the application form. Among those who have volunteered by filling the participation form and became our test subjects, 41 of them form the healthy pregnant control group while 38 of them forms the GDM diagnosed group. From the blood samples taken while the test subject has an empty stomach for routine pregnancy tests, 4mL of the samples has been taken into test tubes with aprotinin and their preptin and leptin parameters have been studied. In our work, for the GDM and control groups, age, BMI and the family’s diabetical history factors have been found to be significant according to the p 0.05. Leptin parameter has been found to be significant in GDM diagnosed pregnant patients according to the p<0.05 significance level while preptin parameters has been found to be in significant. Keywords : Gestasyonel Diabetes Mellitus, Preptin, Leptin.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.,) is a medicinal herb commonly used by humans. The role of reactive oxygen metabolites on cancer etiology is known. There are some studies about the antioxidant effects of Urtica Dioica (UD) on therapy of some cancer types. This study aimed to investigate the effects of UD on antioxidant enzyme activities and mammary gland cancer induced by in rats-N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) carcinogenesis. Rats were divided into four groups: a untreated group (Group 1), a NMU group (Group 2) given 50 mg/kg NMU by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection, a NMU group (Group 3) treated with UD, a control group (Group 4) fed with 50g/kg UD. After 5.5 months, rats were decapitated, and mammary tissue and blood samples were obtained. There was a significant (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively) increase in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of group 2 compared with group 1 and 4. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the erythrocytes was decreased in group 3 than the other groups (p<0.0001). The erythrocyte catalase (CAT) activity was significantly increased in group 4 compared with group 2 and 3 (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The number of animals with palpable tumors was 6 (46.15%) in group 2, and 2 (13.3%) in group 3 at the end of the 22nd week. Although group 3 had lower palpable tumor number than group 2, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.096). The results showed that UD constituents may have effects on lipid peroxidation and some antioxidant enzyme activities, and may slow the formation of mammary tumor.

In this study, the changes in levels of fatty acids betweennewly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients and the control group were evealuated.In this study, 16:0, 16:1, 18:0 and 22:6 fatty acids levels of Type 2 diabetic group were found not to be statistically significant.The 18:2 fatty acid levels of Type 2 diabetic patients were lower than the control group and it was not found to be statistically significant.The 18:1 and 18:3 fatty acid levels of Type 2 diabetic patients were found to be statistically significantly lower (p<0.05)compared to the control group, the 20:3 and 20:4 fatty acid levels were found to be statistically significantly higher (p<0.001)compared to the control group.

BACKGROUND:Selenium, which is critical for human health, is necessary for various metabolic processes, including thyroid hormone metabolism, protection against oxidative stress, and immune function.OBJECTIVE:The present study aims to examine how selenium administration affects lipid peroxidation in liver and lung tissues of rats subjected to acute swimming exercise.METHODS:The study included 32 Spraque-Dawley adult male rats divided into Group 1 (general control), Group 2 (selenium-administered), Group 3 (swimming), and Group 4 (selenium-administered swimming). MDA and GSH levels were determined in liver and lung tissues.RESULTS:The highest MDA values in the liver and lung tissues were found in group 3 in the study. MDA value in group 4 was higher than those in groups 1 and 2. Group 4 had the highest liver and lung GSH levels. GSH levels in Group 3 were higher than those in groups 1 and 2.CONCLUSION:Results of the study indicate that acute swimming exercise causes lipid peroxidation in liver and lung tissues, while selenium administration prevents free radical formation by increasing antioxidant activity (Tab. 2, Ref. 26).

BACKGROUND This study aims to examine how boron supplementation affects distribution of elements in the plasma of rats whose ovaries were removed and who were subjected to swimming exercise. METHODS The study included 80 Sprague-Dawley type female rats, which were equally allocated to 8 groups. Group 1: General control, Group 2: Exercise control; Group 3: Ovariectomized control, Group 4: Ovariectomized exercise, Group 5: IP (intraperitoneal) boron-supplemented control, Group 6: IP boron-supplemented exercise, Group 7: Ovariectomized, IP boron-supplemented exercise, group 8: Ovariectomized, IP boron-supplemented. Following the exercise, blood samples were collected from all animals by decapitation, and analyzed in terms of plasma copper, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and zinc using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS Groups 1 and 5 had the lowest copper (p < 0.01) and the highest zinc and calcium (p < 0.01) levels, in comparison to other groups. Phosphorus levels in groups 3, 5 and 8 were significantly lower than those in other groups (p < 0.01). Magnesium levels in groups 3, 5 and 8 were higher, relative to the levels in other groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Results of the study indicate that acute swimming exercise in ovariectomized rats supplemented with boron leads to significant modifications in the distribution of some trace elements in the plasma. It can be emphasized as a separate result of this study that changes in copper, zinc and calcium levels were independent of boron supplementation (Tab. 2, Ref. 14).

The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of exercise and zinc deficiency on some elements in rats. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley species male rats were allocated to four groups as follows: Group 1: control, Group 2: zinc-deficient, Group 3: exercise in which exercise group fed with a normal diet, Group 4: zinc-deficient exercise, exercise group fed by a zinc-deficient diet for 15 days. After the procedure ended, rats in groups 3 and 4 were exercised on the treadmill for 60 min at a speed of 6 m/min until the exhaustion. The rats were decapitated 48 h after exercise together with their controls, and blood samples were collected to determine copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) levels. The highest Cu and Fe values in the serum were obtained in group 2 (p < 0.01). The levels of these elements in group 4 were lower than those in group 2 and higher than the levels in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.01). Serum Mg levels did not differ significantly between groups. Group 4 had the lowest serum Ca and P levels (p < 0.01). These same parameters in Group 2 were higher than those in group 4 but significantly lower than those in groups 1 and 3 (p < 0.01). There was no significant difference between Ca and P levels of groups 1 and 3. The results of the study indicate that zinc deficiency adversely affects copper, iron, calcium, and phosphorus mechanisms and that these adverse effects much more marked after an effort exercise.

Preeclampsia, a common complication of pregnancy, is associated with alteration in the concentration of leptin in maternal blood. The action of leptin is antagonistic to that of ghrelin. Here, we compared the levels of leptin and ghrelin in maternal serum and in arterial and venous cord blood between healthy pregnant women and those suffering from mild and severe preeclampsia. The levels of leptin in maternal and newborn's blood were elevated in both mild and severe preeclamptic patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, serum ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with blood pressure and leptin/ghrelin ratio was decreased in preeclampsia (p < 0.05). We concluded that increased production of ghrelin may represent a compensatory hypotensive mechanism in preeclamptic women.

Lead, widely used in industry, is a great environmental health problem. Many studies have examined its effects on the health of both humans and animals. Experimental studies have shown that sulphur-containing antioxidants have beneficial effects against the detrimental properties of lead. The present study was designed to investigate markers of oxidative stress (hemoglobin (Hb) in whole blood, malondialdehyde (MDA) in sera; superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidise (GSH-Px) in erythrocyte hemolysate and vitamins A and E in plasma) in rats given lead (2000ppm) with or without sulphur-containing antioxidants (l-methionine (Met) (100mg/kg/day), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (800mg/kg/day), l-homocysteine (Hcy) (25mg/kg/day), lipoic acid (LA) (50mg/kg/day)) in their water for 5 weeks. In the lead group, Hb and plasma vitamin E levels were significantly lower whereas MDA levels were significantly higher compared to controls (p<0.05). Hb levels in lead-methionine and lead-LA groups were significantly higher than the lead group (p<0.01). MDA levels were reduced in all groups compared to the lead group (p<0.01). There was a decrease below control values in erythrocyte SOD (p<0.01) and GSH-Px (p<0.05) levels in the lead-LA group. Plasma vitamin A levels were significantly high in lead-methionine group compared to lead group (p<0.01). In conclusion, the data suggests that oxidative stress induced by lead is reduced by sulphur-containing compounds.

OBJECTIVE:We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low dose N-acetylcysteine (NAC) against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion damage in coronary artery bypass surgery accompanied by cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).METHODS:Thirty patients operated due to triple coronary artery disease were enrolled into this prospective randomized study (control group -n=15 and NAC group - n=15). N-acetylcysteine was added to induction cardioplegia solution in dose of 4 mmol/l and in dose of 2 mmol/l to maintenance cardioplegia solution in the NAC group. Hemodynamic measurements were performed before and after anesthesia with different intervals. Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) levels were analyzed during 24 hours postoperatively. Blood samples were obtained from coronary sinus before CPB (T1), just before the cross-clamp removed (T2) and 30 minutes later (T3). Malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), nitric oxide (NO) levels and neutrophil percentage were determined. Statistical analysis was performed using student's t test, Chi-square and two-way ANOVA tests.RESULTS:There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to the hemodynamic parameters, and CK-MB levels. The MDA levels were significantly lower in NAC group than in control group during reperfusion period (0.75 nmol/l vs 0.88 nmol/l, p<0.05). Neutrophil percentage in coronary sinus blood was significantly lower in NAC group than in control group during the reperfusion period (77.6% vs 82.7%, p<0.05). The GSH-Px and NO levels were also not statistically different between groups.CONCLUSION:Low dose NAC as an adjunct to cardioplegic solutions effectively reduces myocardial oxidative stress in coronary bypass surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, but may not restore the myocardial injury.

In consideration of leptin effects such as reducing food intake and increasing energy consumption, many researchers have sought to examine the relation between leptin and exercise. The presence of reports arguing that zinc, can be a mediator in leptin production indicates a possible relation between zinc and leptin. The present study aims to determine plasma leptin levels in elite weightlifters and examine their relation with zinc. The study enrolled 30 healthy volunteers in the 18-27 age range. The subjects were allocated to groups in equal numbers: Group 1, Control Group: the group included subjects who did not exercise regularly. Group 2, Elite Weightlifter Group: the group included elite weight lifters who were selected to the national team in their weight classes, who exercised regularly and whose values were measured during rest in the training period. Levels of plasma leptin and zinc were determined in the blood samples collected front the subjects included in the study. Comparison of serum leptin and zinc values between groups showed that leptin and zinc levels in the control group were significantly higher than those in the weightlifters; and that leptin levels decreased significantly in parallel with the low zinc levels. It can be concluded that physical activity brings about changes in leptin secretion, which in turn, can be significantly related with zinc (p < 0.01). Copyright (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Objective: Lead is a non-essential toxic heavy metal widely present in the environment and chronic exposure to has been a matter of public health concern in many countries. Considering the sulfur-containing compounds with antioxidant activity to prevent or treat experimental lead toxicity in animals, this study was carried out to investigate the antioxidative effects of some sulfur-containing compounds in rats where oxidative stress was induced by lead acetate.Material and Methods: Wistar albino rats were exposed to 2000 ppm of lead, as lead acetate, alone or with daily to sulfur-containing compounds [L-methionine, lipoic acid (LA), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), L-homocysteine (Hcy)] for five weeks. The parameters of oxidative stress, and the levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined [malondialdehyde (MDA) in sera by Satoh-Yagi's method; TAC in liver, kidney and brain by ABTS* method] in rats following the experiment (Analysis of the data was performed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and subsequent analysis was performed using the Tukey test. In lead group MDA levels in sera were determined to be significantly high compared to controls (p< 0.01)].Results: In lead group MDA levels in sera were determined to be significantly high compared to controls (p< 0.01). MDA levels in sera were reduced in all groups compared to lead group (p< 0.01). In all lead-antioxidants groups liver TAC levels were determined to be slightly lower compared to lead group while brain's levels were higher. Kidney TAC levels in lead-methionine, and lead-LA groups were significantly high (p< 0.01).Conclusion: These results suggested the oxidative stress induced by lead was reduced, and the antioxidant capacities in lead-exposed rats were altered by sulfur-containing compounds.

Turkiye Klinikleri J Med Sci 2007, 27 1 urşun endüstride yaygın olarak kullanılmakta; insan ve hayvanlarda fizyolojik, biyokimyasal ve davranışsal bozukluklara neden olmaktadır. Kurşun zehirlenmesinin mekanizması prooksidan/antioksidan dengesinin bozulmasından kaynaklanmakta ve bu durumu kurşun dokularda lipidler, proteinler ve DNA gibi kritik moleküller ile etkileşerek oksidatif hasar sonucunda meydana çıkarmaktadır. Daha önceki çalışmalarda oksidatif hasarın, kurşunun dokularda indirekt olarak reaktif oksijen türlerinin artışına neden olması sonucu hücre membranları ile etkileşime girerek lipid peroksidasyonunu başlatması ve hücrelerdeki sülfidrilli antioksidan savunma sisK ORİJİNAL ARAŞTIRMA / ORIGINAL RESEARCH.

Objective: Lead causes a great environmental problem because it is widely used in the industry. Several studies focusing on its effects on human and animals were carried out. Sulphur containing antioxidants were observed to have beneficial effects against lead's detrimental properties in experimental studies. The aim of our study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of some sulphur-containing compounds in rats where oxidative stress was induced by lead acetate. Material and Methods: Oxidative stress parameters were determined (Hb in whole blood, MDA and CAT in liver, kidney and brain) in rats following the administration of lead and sulphur containing antioxidants [L-methionine, lipoic acid (LA), N-acetylcysteine (NAC), L-homocysteine (L-Hcy)]. Results: In the lead group Hb levels were determined to be significantly low (p < 0.01) whereas MDA levels were higher compared to controls. Hb levels in lead-methionine and lead-LA groups were significantly lower compared to lead group (p < 0.05). MDA levels of lead-NAC group were reduced in all tissues compared to lead group whereas there was an increase over control values in liver CAT activities (p < 0.05) in lead-LA group. Kidney CAT activities were significantly low in lead-NAC (p < 0.05), and lead-Hcy (p < 0.01) groups compared to lead group. Conclusion: It is believed that oxidative stress induced by lead is reduced by sulphur-containing compounds.

These findings suggest that hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis is partially suppressed in Behçet's disease.

Introduction Behcet's disease is a rare, chronic disorder. The cause of Behcet's disease is unknown. It is believed to be caused by an autoimmune reaction. As in other chronic autoimmune diseases, Behcet's disease may show a subclinical adrenal failure and some changes in cortisol levels. We aimed to evaluate adrenal gland function in Behcet's disease patients.Material and method This study included 18 Behcet's disease patients and 15 healthy controls. Patient and control groups were administered i.v. 1 mu g low dose test (LDT) and 250 mu g standard dose test (SDT) adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test after 12 h of night fasting with an interval of 3-days and cortisol responses in the 0th, 30th and 60th minutes were evaluated.Results There was no statistically significant difference between basal cortisol values of Behcet's disease and control groups. Cortisol values in the 60th minute in LDT were significantly lower in Behcet's disease group than in the control group. In the peak cortisol responses to LDT, a significant decrease was found in Behcet's disease group.Conclusion These findings suggest that hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis is partially suppressed in Behcet's disease.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants. This study compared effects of two PCB mixtures, Aroclors 1221 (A1221) and 1254 (A1254) on serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, creatinine and uric acid in female rats. Histopathological changes in the liver and kidney were also examined. A group of adult Wistar rats served as controls. Groups II and III were subcutaneously injected with A 1221 and A 1254 at 10 mg/kg every other day for 6 weeks. At the end of this period, all animals were decapitated and blood samples were collected. Serum urea, creatinine, uric acid, ALT, AST and ALP levels were determined. Liver and kidney were collected for histopathological examination. They were fixed in formaldehyde and processed for light microscopy. Both A 1221 and 1254 significantly elevated serum ALT (p > 0.05) and AST (p < 0.01) levels compared to the control group. Serum ALP values were significantly increased by A1221 (p < 0.05), but they were unaffected in the A1254 group. Treatment with both A1221 and A 1254 significantly increased serum levels of urea (p < 0.05), creatinine (P < 0.01) and uric acid (except in the A 1221 group; p < 0.005). Distinct histopathological changes including renal corpuscular atrophy, peritubular vascular congestion and dilated cortical tubules, sinusoidal dilatation, congestion and mononuclear cell infiltration were observed. These findings suggest that PCBs may cause nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in female rats. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Kan glukoz duzeyinin yuksek seyretmesine bagli olarak diabetik vaskular komplikasyonlar ve lipid peroksidasyonunun meydana geldigi cok sayida calismada rapor edilmektedir. Bu calismanin amaci; tip 2 diabetiklerde (DM) tedavi oncesi ve tedavi sonrasi oksidatif durumu gozlemektir. 30 tip 2 diabetik hastadan (19 erkek ve 11 kadin) saglanan orneklerde serum aclik kan glukoz, malondialdehit (MDA), likopen, antioksidan vitaminler (A, E ve C), trigliserit, total kolesterol, HDL-kolesterol, LDL-kolesterol duzeyleri, eritrositte HbA1C ile superoksit dismutaz (SOD), katalaz (CAT) ve glutatyon peroksidaz (GSH-Px) enzim aktiviteleri tespit edildi. Tedavi sonrasi donemde kan glukoz duzeyindeki dususune parelel olarak HbA1C, MDA ve trigliserit duzeylerinde anlamli bir azalma gozlenirken; CAT, SOD, vitamin A ve vitamin E duzeylerinde anlamli bir artis goruldu. GSH-Px, vitamin C, likopen , total kolesterol, LDL-kolesterol ve HDL-kolesterol duzeylerinde onemli bir degisiklik saptanmadi. Bu sonuclar gostermektedir ki tip 2 diabetik kisilerde, hiperglisemiye bagli olarak gelisen oksidatif durum, diyabetin tedavi edilmesi ile normale donebilmektedir. Hastaliklari konusunda ilgili hekimler tarafindan egitilmis diabetiklerin tedavileri daha kolay olacak, bu durumun da diabetiklerin yasam kaliteleri olumlu etkileyerek hem kisiye hem de ulkeye getirecegi mali kulfeti azaltacaktir. ©2005, Firat Universitesi, Tip Fakultesi

It has been well documented that human milk contains several immunomodulator components which are important during infant period when the newborn's immune system is still under development. In this study, we aim at examining levels of cytokines, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in milk from mothers of premature and mature infants, and comparing changes during lactation periods consequently. Milk was collected from total of 40 mothers (group M: mothers of mature infants, n = 20; group PM: mothers of premature infants, n = 20) from four lactation stages: colostrum (0-7 days), transitional (7-14 days), mature milk (21 days), and mature milk (2nd month). Levels of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-lbeta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha]) were determined by chemiluminesence method, whereas atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for the determination of Zn and Cu levels. Cytokine levels were determined to be high in colostrum and transient milk from mothers of full-term infants, whereas their levels were reduced drastically in the 21st day and the 2nd month milk (P < .01, P < .001). Similar trends were observed in milk from mothers of premature infants, but cytokine levels were significantly lower in colostrum compared to colostrum from mothers of mature infants (P < .01). The differences in cytokine levels were continuous in transient milk (P < .05) and mature milk (21 days) (P < .05), whereas there was no statistically significant differences between milk from both groups of mothers in the 2nd month (P > .05). Zn levels in milk from mothers of premature infants were significantly lower compared to the ones from mothers of mature infants (P < .01) and these differences continued through the 2nd month. Although Cu levels were lower in milk from mothers of premature infants, there was no statistically significant difference except colostrum (P > .05). Our results clearly demonstrate that the level of immunomodulating agents such as cytokines and trace elements in milk from mothers of premature infants is less than the level of the same agents in milk from mothers of full-term infants. Although there are commercially available products for infant feeding, human milk is still the best natural nutrient for newborns. Therefore, when premature infants are breastfed, necessary precautions such as supplemantary diets must be considered for possible infections and risks related with immune system deficiency.