The Impact of Propylthiouracil Therapy on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Status Parameters in Hyperthyroid Patients

This study was performed on 17 hyperthyroid patients and 15 healthy controls. The patients were under propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy at a dosage of 3 x 100 mg/day for one month. Blood samples, taken at the beginning and on the 30th day of therapy, were analyzed for hormonal parameters (T3, T4, TSH), lipid peroxidation endproduct [thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)] and antioxidant status parameters: glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD). Hyperthyroid patients were observed to have significantly higher TBARS, GSH and CuZn SOD levels than controls (P &#60; 0.05, P &#60; 0.001, P &#60; 0.001, respectively). PTU therapy caused a relief in oxidative stress as reflected by significantly decreased TBARS levels (P &#60; 0.001) and a selective modification in the antioxidant status parameters: significant decreases in GSH and CuZn SOD levels (P &#60; 0.001) and a significant increase in GSH Px (P &#60; 0.01) activity. Our findings suggest a selective modification of the antioxidative profile in hyperthyroidism. PTU should also be considered as an in vivo antioxidant, in addition to its antithyroid action.</p

The effect of iron supplementation on GSH levels, GSH-Px, and SOD activities of erythrocytes in L-thyroxine administration

Our aim was to study the effect of iron supplementation on the following aspects of erythrocyte metabolism in experimental hyperthyroidism: glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. Hyperthyroidism induced by L-thyroxine administrations significantly raised erythrocyte GSH, GSH-Px and SOD levels of the rats (P &#60; 0.001). Likewise, we observed that iron supplementation induced significant rises in erythrocyte GSH, GSH-Px and SOD levels (P &#60; 0.001) as compared with the control group. The erythrocyte GSH, GSH-Px and SOD levels of hyperthyroidism-induced iron-supplemented animals were significantly higher when compared with either the iron-supplemented group (P &#60; 0.001) or the only L-thyroxine-administered hyperthyroid group (P &#60; 0.001, P &#60; 0.05, P &#60; 0.01, respectively). The results of this study show that L-thyroxine administration and/or iron supplementation increases GSH, GSH-Px and SOD levels of erythrocytes.</p

THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK ON THE MENTAL STATUS OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may affect the mental status of health care professionals. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the mental health effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on health care professionals in the pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Subjects and methods: Our study was conducted prospectively between 01.04.20 and 10.04.20. The created questionnaire was applied to health care professionals through online platforms. Thus it was involved in 5 different institutions that participated from different regions of Turkey. With the questionnaire, we applied; the participants\u27 age, gender, the general status of contamination and the level of COVID-19 knowledge were questioned. Besides; Beck Anxiety Scale, Acute Stress Scale (PCL-5), STAI-1 and STAI-2 (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory 1-2) scales were used to determine the anxiety levels. Results: A survey of 210 participants, 86 (41%) doctors, 124 (59%) nurses, were included in our study. When we evaluate the Beck anxiety levels, the majority of the participants (44%) were normal, while about one third had mild anxiety. When we evaluated the acute stress scale, all participants had a certain amount of stress levels. The majority (80 people each (38%)) experienced mild and moderate acute stress. Being female and having chronic disease poses a high risk for anxiety (OR, 0.330; 95% CI, 0.087-1.250, p <0.05 and OR, 0.246; 95% CI, 0.068-1.116, p<0.05), preoccupation (OR, 0.603; 95% CI 0.261-1.395, p<0.05 and OR, 0.433; 95% CI, 0.122-1.538, p<0.05) and acute stress (OR, 0.294; 95% CI, 0.033-2.649, p<0.05 and OR, 0.317; 95 % CI 0.060-1.679, p<0.05). Professional definition, marital status and having a child do not pose any risk factors. Conclusion: Our study has shown that the COVID-19 outbreak affects the mental status of health care professionals working at PICU at various levels

THE EFFECT OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK ON THE MENTAL STATUS OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may affect the mental status of health care professionals. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the mental health effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on health care professionals in the pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Subjects and methods: Our study was conducted prospectively between 01.04.20 and 10.04.20. The created questionnaire was applied to health care professionals through online platforms. Thus it was involved in 5 different institutions that participated from different regions of Turkey. With the questionnaire, we applied; the participants\u27 age, gender, the general status of contamination and the level of COVID-19 knowledge were questioned. Besides; Beck Anxiety Scale, Acute Stress Scale (PCL-5), STAI-1 and STAI-2 (State and Trait Anxiety Inventory 1-2) scales were used to determine the anxiety levels. Results: A survey of 210 participants, 86 (41%) doctors, 124 (59%) nurses, were included in our study. When we evaluate the Beck anxiety levels, the majority of the participants (44%) were normal, while about one third had mild anxiety. When we evaluated the acute stress scale, all participants had a certain amount of stress levels. The majority (80 people each (38%)) experienced mild and moderate acute stress. Being female and having chronic disease poses a high risk for anxiety (OR, 0.330; 95% CI, 0.087-1.250, p <0.05 and OR, 0.246; 95% CI, 0.068-1.116, p<0.05), preoccupation (OR, 0.603; 95% CI 0.261-1.395, p<0.05 and OR, 0.433; 95% CI, 0.122-1.538, p<0.05) and acute stress (OR, 0.294; 95% CI, 0.033-2.649, p<0.05 and OR, 0.317; 95 % CI 0.060-1.679, p<0.05). Professional definition, marital status and having a child do not pose any risk factors. Conclusion: Our study has shown that the COVID-19 outbreak affects the mental status of health care professionals working at PICU at various levels

Biochemical and immunological markers of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease in young adults characterized by recurrent relapses and/ or progression within the central nervous system. It is a complex disease in which several pathophysiological mechanisms such as axonal/ neuronal damage, demyelination, inflammation, gliosis, remyelination and repair, oxidative stres and excitotoxicity, alteration of the immune system and disruption of blood- brain barrier are involved. Biological markers; reflecting the immunopathological process, indicating responses to therapeutic interventions and optimizing therapy; are needed for the development of process- specific therapies and the prevention of disability

Influence of propylthiouracil treatment on oxidative stress and nitric oxide in Basedow disease patients

Oxidative stress parameters and nitric oxide (NO) values were determined in 27 newly diagnosed Basedow patients before and afer 1 mo of propylthiouracil (PTU) therapy and in 15 healthy controls. Basedow patients exhibited increased triiodothyronine (T-3) and thyroxine (T-4) and decreased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) values compared to controls. Significantly higher thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), NO and glutathione (GSH) levels, and CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD) activity were found in Basedow patients in comparison to controls, regardless of sex. Treatment with PTU (3 x 100 mg/d for 30 d) was effective in decreasing T-3 and T-4 and increasing TSH levels. Significantly decreased NO and TBARS and increased GSH and CuZn SOD levels were observed in PTU-treated Basedow patients compared to pre-PTU administration. PTU-treated patients compared to controls still exhibited significantly higher T-3 and lower TSH values and higher NO, TBARS, GSH, and CuZn SOD levels. The induced antioxidant defense and decrease in NO values in response to PTU therapy emphasizes the role of PTU as an antithyroid drug, where the ability to diminish hyperthyroidism results in decreased catabolism and lower oxidant generation

Serum and synovial fluid leptin levels and markers of inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis

This study was designed to investigate the serum and synovial fluid leptin levels, and inflammatory markers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Serum and synovial fluid leptin levels were significantly higher (P > 0.05) in RA patients than control group; RA patients with moderate disease activity (DAS 0.05) than those with low disease activity (DAS 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). Serum leptin level is found to be independent of age and inflammatory markers. ESR is positively correlated with DAS activity and CRP values. Our finding of no correlation between leptin and BMI shows that regulation of leptinemia is complex, and leptin levels cannot be used to assess RA activity

Evaluation of oxidative and nitrosative stress in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: effect of corticosteroid therapy

This study is designed to evaluate the roles of oxidative and nitrosative stress in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Oxidative stress markers thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), 8-epi-PGF2 alpha, conjugated diene and nitrosative stress markers nitrotyrosine, nitrit-nitrate were analysed in serum and CSF of 20 newly diagnosed RRMS patients before and after methyl prednysolone (MP) therapy (1000 mg/day i.v., for 5 days) and in healthy control group. TBARS and conjugated diene were analysed spectrophotometrically, nitrite-nitrate fluorometrically, 8-epi-PGF2 alpha and nitrotyrosine were measured by ELISA

Lipid, protein, DNA oxidation and antioxidant status in rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: To investigate lipid, protein, DNA oxidation and antioxidant status in blood and synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to determine the importance of oxidative stress parameters in reflecting disease activity