Does Prolidase Indicate Worsening of Hepatitis B Infection?

WOS: 000324400000011PubMed: 24038226Background Hepatitis B infection is a health problem that affects more than 400 million people all over the world. We aimed to evaluate the usability of prolidase enzyme that plays an important role in collagen synthesis. Prolidase levels increase in hepatic damage, which can be used as diagnostic parameters in the progressions to chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection by evaluating it in different clinical forms of hepatitis B infection. Methods A total of 69 patients who presented to our clinic with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection, 72 patients with inactive hepatitis B infection (IHB), and 45 healthy volunteers were included into this study. Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and prolidase levels of patients were measured. Hepatic biopsy was performed in patients with CHB infection. Prolidase levels were evaluated in three different groups, and its correlations with fibrosis were investigated. Results Prolidase was different between all groups (P < 0.001). Prolidase level was found to be higher in CHB and IHB compared to the control group. There was no correlation between this enzyme, fibrosis, and histological activity index. Conclusion in this present study, it is shown that prolidase levels increase in hepatitis B infection. It may be used as a biochemical marker in the chronic hepatitis B

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester As A Remedial Agent For Reproductive Functions And Oxidative Stress-Based Pathologies Of Gonads

In recent years, the studies on the roles of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in several disease models and cell cultures are tremendously growing. It is such a great molecule that was used by ancient times to ameliorate some diseases and nowadays, it is used by modern medicine to test the effectiveness. In this mini-review article, the protection capability of CAPE, as a liposoluble antioxidant and a potent nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor, on oxidative and non-oxidative ovary, and testis damages has been summarized. In view of our laboratory findings/experience and those reported in the hitherto literature, we suggest that CAPE possesses protective effects for pathologies of the reproductive organs induced by untoward effects of harmful molecules such as free oxygen radicals, pesticides, methotrexate, and MK-801 (dizocilpine).PubMe

Preliminary study showing the relationship between platelet fibronectin, sialic acid, and ADP-induced aggregation levels in coronary heart disease

Several studies indicate that thrombosis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease (CHD). Fibronectin is a multifunctional protein in plasma, other body fluids, and cell surface and plays an important role in platelet functions, including mediation of cell-cell and cell-surface interactions. Sialic acid is a regular constituent of glycoproteins and gangliozides in the outer cell membrane of mammalian cells. Therefore, the sialic acid content of platelets, which are characterized by their ability to aggregate with each other, can be important in leading to thrombus formation. In this study, platelet fibronectin, sialic acid-, and adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-induced platelet aggregation levels were determined in patients with CHD. Platelet sialic acid concentrations were determined by Warren's method. Platelet aggregation tests with ADP in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were analyzed by use of an aggregometer. Platelet homogenate fibronectin levels were determined by ELISA. Total protein levels were determined by Lowry method. Our results indicate that, in patients with no vessel disease (patients with no obstructed vessel but suffering from chest pain, like angina pectoris) platelet fibronectin levels were significantly lower than the total of the other patients (patients with 1, 2, or 3 obstructed coronary vessels) (p < 0.05). Sialic acid levels in patients with no vessel disease were significantly lower than the total of the patient group (p < 0.05). There was significant (+) correlation between platelet aggregation, platelet fibronectin, platelet sialic acid, and severity of disease (p < 0.05). Our preliminary findings suggest that, especially platelet fibronectin levels potentially represent a pathogenic factor for CHD

Nontraditional Risk Factors in Carotid Artery Disease

Carotid atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the main risk factors for ischemic stroke. Our aim is to evaluate the nontraditional biochemical markers in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients with carotid artery plaque. This study was conducted on 55 patients: 43 with symptomatic and 12 with asymptomatic carotid artery disease. Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), homocysteine, adiponectin, nitric oxide (NO), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels were measured in the plasma. The mean of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and homocysteine levels was significantly elevated in the symptomatic group as compared with the asymptomatic group (P = .03). In the asymptomatic group, adiponectin and NO levels showed elevations as compared with the symptomatic group but this increase was not significant (P > .05). Lipoprotein (a) and TNF-alpha levels acted inversely with adiponectin and NO. There was an insignificant decline in Lp(a) and TNF-alpha levels in the asymptomatic group as compared with the symptomatic group (P > .05)

Prevalence of insulin resistance and identifying HOMA1-IR and HOMA2-IR indexes in the Middle Black Sea region of Turkey

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the most important etiological risk factors in the development of diabetes. However, there is no clear data regarding the prevalence of IR in the country

Effects of carvedilol on an ischemia/reperfusion model: Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation

AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of carvedilol (CVD) on experimentally induced ovarian ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats