Comment: Association Between Topiramate Use and Serum Bicarbonate Levels in a Veteran Population

cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; Cure, Medine Cumhur/0000-0001-9253-6459WOS: 000374114700012PubMed: 26847861[No abstract available

Topiramate Reduces Aortic Cross-Clamping-Induced Lung Injury in Male Rats

Background: Topiramate (TPM) decreases cytokine release and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cytokine and endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion and ROS formation play an important role in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. We aimed to evaluate whether TPM prevents damage occurring in lung tissue during I/R. Materials and Methods: A total of 27 Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups of nine. To the I/R group, two hours of ischemia via infrarenal abdominal aorta cross-ligation and then two hours of reperfusion process were applied. TPM (100 mg/kg/day) orally for seven days was administered in the TPM treatment group. After the last dose of TPM treatment, respectively, two hours of ischemia and two hours of reperfusion were applied in this group. Results: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (p < 0.05), malondialdehyde (MDA) (p < 0.05), myeloperoxidase (MPO) (p < 0.05) and ET-1 (p < 0.05) levels of TPM treatment group’s lung tissue were significantly lower than for the I/R group. Caspase-3 and histopathological damage were rather lower than that of the I/R group. Conclusions: During I/R, lung damage occurs due to excessive TNF-α and ET-1 release and ROS generation. TPM could well reduce development of lung damage by decreasing cytokine and ET-1 release and levels of ROS produced

Evaluation of the relationship between c-Kit expression and mean platelet volume in classic Kaposi's sarcoma

Abstract: Background: c-Kit is a proto-oncogene that encodes tyrosine kinase receptor (CD117). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a useful marker, providing information on platelet function and diameter. Objective: To investigate c-Kit expression and intensity in patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and to investigate the relation between Ki-67 proliferation and MPV. Methods: A total of 32 patients, diagnosed with classic cutaneous KS, were included in this study. We reevaluated the histopathological reports with the preparations, confirmed the diagnosis and then determined the patients' histopathological stages. c-Kit expression and Ki-67 proliferation were investigated immunohistochemically in KS cases, while MPV in all cases was checked. Results: Although c-Kit expression was detected in 22 cases (68.8%), it was not expressed in 10 cases (31.2%). We detected 8 cases with + (25%), 6 with ++ (18.8%) and 8 with +++ (25%). Ki-67 expression was 5.0% (min-max 1.0-20.0). Relapse was observed in 5 cases (15.6%) out of 32. There was positive correlation between c-Kit expression and MPV (rs=0.598, p<0.001), and between c-Kit intensity and MPV (rs=0.588, p<0.001). Conclusion: c-Kit is highly positive in KS. c-Kit positivity indicates a high risk of tumor growth, invasion and relapse. Furthermore, c-Kit expression stimulates megakaryocytes to release young and large thrombocytes into the periphery. Thus, high MPV, c-Kit expression and immunostaining intensity indicate high invasion and relapse in KS subjects

Clinical Significance of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), which is an important prognostic marker for sepsis and inflammatory diseases, is mostly released from neutrophils. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) patients are generally neutropenic. We aimed to investigate whether there is a change in serum NGAL level and to investigate its effect on the recovery time (RT) during the course of CCHF. A total of 40 CCHF patients (19 females and 21 males) and 34 healthy controls (17 females and 17 males) were included in the study. The serum NGAL level and biochemical and hematological parameters were checked. The NGAL level of CCHF patients was significantly higher than that of the healthy controls (P<0.001). A multivariate analysis showed that the independent prognostic factor for the prediction of the RT is the NGAL level (odds ratio [OR] 0.3, 95% confidence interval [Cl] 0.1–0.4, P<0.001). An elevated NGAL level was found to be associated with an increased RT in CCHF patients. The NGAL levels of CHHF patients might be elevated due to increased cytokine release, the presence of a tissue injury, and the release of immature neutrophils from the bone marrow into the peripheral stream. This may be a good prognostic factor in CHHF patients

Clinical potential of resistin as a novel prognostic biomarker for cellulitis

Cure, Medine Cumhur/0000-0001-9253-6459; cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; ERTURK, AYSE/0000-0001-6413-9165WOS: 000353849700051PubMed: 26136908Cellulitis is an acute, subacute or chronic inflammation of the dermis and subdermal tissues, which is typically caused by bacteria, although other causes are possible. the present study aimed to evaluate the association between resistin levels and the recovery time of patients with cellulitis. in addition, the effect of resistin and insulin resistance on the prognosis of cellulitis was investigated. in total, 52 patients with cellulitis (male, 21; female, 31) and an age-matched group of 42 healthy individuals (male, 18; female, 24) were included in the study. the levels of serum resistin, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and other biochemical parameters were compared between the groups. the mean resistin levels in the cellulitis and control groups were 9.4 +/- 5.3 and 5.8 +/- 3.1 ng/ml, respectively. the levels of resistin, FPG, HOMA-IR and CRP were significantly higher in the cellulitis group compared with the control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the mean recovery time of the patients with cellulitis was 21.2 +/- 5.6 days. Thus, increased levels of resistin (P=0.002) and HOMA-IR (P=0.005) could be used as predictive factors for the recovery time. the enhanced levels of resistin and HOMA-IR were shown to correlate with the high CRP levels in the cellulitis group. Therefore, the results indicated that increased levels of resistin may function as a prognostic marker for cellulitis

The Relationship Between Atherogenic Index and Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in Familial Mediterranean Fever: A Pilot Study

Cure, Medine Cumhur/0000-0001-9253-6459; cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; Aydogan Baykara, Rabia/0000-0003-0542-266XWOS: 000397580300005PubMed: 27436495Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a disease characterized by chronic inflammation. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is a logarithmic value of the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and it is a good marker for atherosclerotic heart disease and cardiac risk. in this study, we investigated subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiac risks in patients with FMF. Patients with FMF (78 men and 84 women) and healthy controls (74 men and 82 women) were included in this study. the AIP values of the patients were calculated and carotid intima-media thicknesses (cIMTs) were measured. the cIMT (P < .001) and AIP (P < .001) values of patients with FMF were higher than the values of the control group. There was a positive correlation between cIMT and AIP values (r = .304, P < .001). in regression analysis, we detected an independent relationship between cIMT and AIP ( = .248, P = .001). Atherogenic index of plasma may be highly correlated with the subclinical atherosclerosis. Particularly, male patients with FMF may have a high cardiac risk

Protective Effects of Infliximab on Lung Injury Induced by Methotrexate

cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; Cure, Medine Cumhur/0000-0001-9253-6459WOS: 000363915700005PubMed: 26071367Introduction: Methotrexate (MTX) is used to treat cancers, several forms of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, although MIX may cause pulmonary toxicity related to the production of free oxygen radicals, various cytokines. Infliximab (IB) with its potent effect on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibition also inhibits the release of endothelin-1 (ET-1). We aimed to investigate whether IB reduces pulmonary damage induced by an overdose of MIX. Method: the rats were divided into 3 groups of 8 animals. the control group was given only saline. One dose of 20 mg/kg MIX intraperitoneal was administered in the MIX group. IB 7 mg/Kg was given to the MTX+ IB (MI) group. Three days after IB was administered, 20 mg/kg MIX was given. Five days after MTX was administered, all rats were sacrificed. Results: the TNF-alpha, ET-1, malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and caspase-3 levels in MTX group were significantly higher than in control groups of TNF-alpha (P=.001), ET-1 (P=.001), MDA (P=.001), MPO (P=.001) and caspase-3 levels (P=.001) and MI groups of TNF-alpha (P =.009), ET-1 (P=.001), MDA (P=.047), MPO (P=.007) and caspase-3 levels (P=.003). the MI group had less histopathological damage in lung tissue than the MTX group. Conclusion: Overdose of MTX leads to cytokine release and the formation of reactive oxygen species in addition to increased ET-1 secretion release that causes lung damage. IB, as a potent proinflammatory agent, TNF-alpha blocker, can decrease ET-1 release and oxidative stress, it may show significant protective effects in lung tissue against damage caused by MTX overdose. (C) 2014 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved

Effect of Infliximab on Renal Injury Due to Methotrexate in Rat

cure, erkan/0000-0001-7807-135X; Cure, Medine Cumhur/0000-0001-9253-6459WOS: 000355275200009PubMed: 25957427Introduction. Methotrexate, an antagonist of folic acid used in the treatment of many cancers and inflammatory diseases, is associated with side effects that limit its usage. Infliximab has been reported to have a protective effect against nephrotoxicity induced by some drugs and ischemic reperfusion. We aimed to investigate whether infliximab has a protective effect against methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity. Materials and Methods. We administered methotrexate at a dose of 20 mg/kg as a single intraperitoneal injection in 10 rats (methotrexate group). Another group of 10 rats received a single dose of infliximab, 7 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (infliximab group). the methotrexate and infliximab group received a similar single injection of infliximab 72 hours prior to methotrexate injection. After 72 hours a single dose of methotrexate, 20 mg/kg, was administered intraperitoneally. Five days after methotrexate injection, blood samples were collected and the kidney tissues were removed for biochemical and histological examination. Results. the methotrexate group had significantly higher tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (P =.008), interleukin-1 beta (P = .036), nitric oxide (P < .001), and adenosine deaminase (P < .001) than the methotrexate and infliximab group after the 5-day study. the methotrexate group also had significantly higher total histological scores (P < .001) and carbonic anhydrase-II activity (P < .001) when compared to the methotrexate and infliximab group. Conclusions. Infliximab has a strong protective effect against methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity by suppressing cytokines release. It may decrease methotrexate-induced nephrotoxicity by regulating carbonic anhydrase-II enzyme activities and slowing down purine metabolism.RTEU Bilimsel Arastirmalar Proje birimiRecep Tayyip Erdogan University [2012.106.01.6]This project was supported by the RTEU Bilimsel Arastirmalar Proje birimi (Project No, 2012.106.01.6)