Galectin-3: A biochemical marker to detect paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?

Purpose: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of arrhythmia. AF leads to electrical remodelling and fibrosis of the atria; however, the mechanism(s) remain poorly understood. Galectin-3 is a potential mediator of cardiac fibrosis. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between serum galectin-3 levels and paroxysmal AF. Methods: Forty-six patients with paroxysmal AF and preserved left ventricular systolic function, and 38 age- and gender-matched control subjects, were involved in the study. Serum galectin-3 levels were analyzed with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Serum galectin-3 levels (median 1.38 ng/mL; 1.21 ng/mL-1.87 ng/mL; p< 0.001) were significantly elevated in patients with paroxysmal AF compared with the control. Left atrial diameter was significantly higher in patients with paroxysmal AF (41.2±3.0 mm vs. 39.6±3.3 mm). Left atrial diameter was found to be significantly correlated with serum galectin-3 levels in patients with paroxysmal AF (r= 0.378, p= 0.001). Conclusion: Serum galectin-3 levels are significantly elevated and significantly correlated with left atrial diameter in patients with paroxysmal AF

Prophylactic Ozone Administration Reduces Intestinal Mucosa Injury Induced by Intestinal Ischemia-Reperfusion in the Rat

Objectives. Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury is associated with mucosal damage and has a high rate of mortality. Various beneficial effects of ozone have been shown. The aim of the present study was to show the effects of ozone in ischemia reperfusion model in intestine. Material and Method. Twenty eight Wistar rats were randomized into four groups with seven rats in each group. Control group was administered serum physiologic (SF) intraperitoneally (ip) for five days. Ozone group was administered 1 mg/kg ozone ip for five days. Ischemia Reperfusion (IR) group underwent superior mesenteric artery occlusion for one hour and then reperfusion for two hours. Ozone + IR group was administered 1 mg/kg ozone ip for five days and at sixth day IR model was applied. Rats were anesthetized with ketamine∖xyzlazine and their intracardiac blood was drawn completely and they were sacrificed. Intestinal tissue samples were examined under light microscope. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathioneperoxidase (GSH-Px), malondyaldehide (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PCO) were analyzed in tissue samples. Total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were analyzed in blood samples. Data were evaluated statistically by Kruskal Wallis test. Results. In the ozone administered group, degree of intestinal injury was not different from the control group. IR caused an increase in intestinal injury score. The intestinal epithelium maintained its integrity and decrease in intestinal injury score was detected in Ozone + IR group. SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT values were high in ozone group and low in IR. TOS parameter was highest in the IR group and the TAC parameter was highest in the ozone group and lowest in the IR group. Conclusion. In the present study, IR model caused an increase in intestinal injury.In the present study, ozone administration had an effect improving IR associated tissue injury. In the present study, ozone therapy prevented intestine from ischemia reperfusion injury. It is thought that the therapeutic effect of ozone is associated with increase in antioxidant enzymes and protection of cells from oxidation and inflammation.PubMedWoSScopu

Urine iodine excretion in patients with papillary thyroid cancer evaluation of the relationship with the presence of BRAF mutation

Iodine is an essential element for the production of thyroid hormones. In recent years, it has been suggested that excessive consumption of iodine may play a role in the pathogenesis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). In addition, studies have suggested that high iodine consumption is an important risk factor for the formation of a BRAF mutation in the thyroid gland. A prospectively designed study included 132 cases scheduled for thyroidectomy for various reasons. Urine iodine levels of all patients were examined before the operation. The iodine excretion levels of the patients were grouped according to the median urinary iodine concentration determined in community screenings (those with <100 µg L-1 low iodine excretion, those with 100-199 µg L-1 normal iodine excretion, those with 200-299 µg L-1 high iodine excretion). Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the post-operative pathology results. As a result of thyroid histopathology, benign (n: 44), PTC (n: 88) (BRAF (+): 44 and BRAF (-): 44) cases were included in the study. BRAF mutations in patients diagnosed with PTC were evaluated using the “Real Time PCR Melting Curve Analyzer” method. The relationship between urinary iodine excretion levels and clinical, histopathological and BRAF positivity was examined. In our study, no difference was found in urinary iodine excretion between patients with and without PTC. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was observed more frequently in patients with PTC (p=0.023). In addition, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was statistically more frequently detected in the BRAF (-) group compared to the BRAF (+) and control group (p=0.034). Despite studies suggesting that high iodine consumption is important in PTC pathogenesis, we did not find a relationship between the mutation and iodine consumption, which plays an important role in the development of PTC