A psoriatic arthritis patient who developed hypertriglyceridemia while receiving adalimumab treatment

Anti-TNF agents have prominent effect on inflammatory diseases and they probably have various effects on lipid metabolism. Adalimumab (ADA) is the first fully human TNF-alfa antagonist. Our study presents a male patient who developed evident hypertriglyceridemia while receiving ADA treatment. We retrospectively collected data of one psoriatic arthritis patient treated with adalimumab at the University Hospital of Recep Tayyip Erdogan (November 2016). Adalimumab treatment significantly increased triglyceride from 278mg/dl to 4046mg/dl. The influence of adalimumab treatment on lipid profile seems to be proatherogenic, but further investigation is needed to confirm this hypothesis

Differential antibody response to COVID-19 disease and COVID-19 vaccines

Background: In our study, antibody positivity was evaluated by two methods in vaccinated and unvaccinated people according to their demographic characteristics and history of COVID-19. Methods: In this study, venous blood samples were taken from patients who were requested to have COVID-19 antibodies from our hospital's outpatient clinics between February 2022 and March 2022. Results: There was no statistically significant difference when IgG antibody positivity was compared according to the age ranges in chemiluminescence and immunochromatographic methods. When patients were evaluated according to antibody titers, it was found that 81% of the seronegative patients were unvaccinated and had not had Covid-19, and it was found that this group was statistically significant compared to other groups. Conclusions: It has been concluded that it will be of great importance for every country, even every region, to have a test and vaccine policy for diagnosis and follow-up in the fight against COVID-19

Relationship between overnight dexamethasone suppression test and aging

Background This study aims to investigate the relationship between suppressed cortisol levels measured after the 1-mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) and age based on the hypothesis that aging can alter the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.Methodology Data obtained by the retrospective evaluation of suppressed 1-mg overnight DST results of adults aged >= 18 years with adrenal incidentaloma or suspected endogenous hypercortisolemia between December 2021 and March 2023 were subjected to age-dependent correlation analysis. Individuals aged between 18 and 90 years (n = 1111) were classified into the following four groups: 70 years. DST results were compared according to age groups.Results Median post-DST cortisol was 18.49 nmol/L, with a level of 17.9 nmol/L in females and 20.7 nmol/L in males. The overall rate of DST suppression was 62.7%, with a rate of 63.8% in females and 59.7% in males. On pairwise comparisons of all age groups, there was a difference in post-DST cortisol levels (p = 0.000). Our statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between age and cortisol levels after DST.Conclusions The negative feedback mechanism for cortisol may be altered in older patients. Therefore, the 1-mg DST may yield a higher rate of false positives in the elderly

The investigation of relationship between serum endocan levels and the other predictors of endothelial dysfunction in obese women

Obez bireylerde aterosklerozdaki en önemli erken değişiklik endotel disfonksiyonudur. Sistemik inflamatuvar belirteçlerin yükselmiş serum seviyeleri endotel disfonksiyonu ile ilişkili bulunmuştur. Endocan (Endotel hücre spesifik molekülü-1, ESM-1)'ın inflamatuar bir belirteç olduğu ve endotel disfonksiyonu patofizyolojisinde rol oynadığı bildirilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, serum endocan düzeylerinin obez bireylerdeki endotel disfonksiyonunun varlığı ve şiddeti ile ilişkisinin olup olmadığını ve sICAM-1, adiponektin, inflamasyon markerı olan hsCRP (yüksek duyarlıklı c-reaktif protein) düzeyleri ve karotis intima media kalınlığı (CIMT) ile olan ilişkisini araştırmayı amaçladık. Vücut Kitle Endeksi (VKİ) ?30kg/m² olan 76 obez kadınla, VKİ?25kg / m² olan 53 kontrol grubu kadında, serum endocan, sICAM-1, adiponektin, hsCRP düzeyleri ve CIMT'ı değerlendirdik. Obez kadınlarda kontrol grubuna göre sICAM-1 (p=0,01), hsCRP (p?0,001), CIMT (p?0,001) düzeyleri anlamlı olarak daha yüksek bulunurken, adiponektin (p=0,006) düzeyleri kontrol grubuna göre obez kadınlarda anlamlı olarak daha düşüktü. Serum endocan düzeyleri obez (470.5± 171.3 pg/ml) ve kontrol (471.9± 146.3 pg/ml) gruplarında benzer saptandı (p=0,732). Serum endocan düzeyleri ile endotel disfonksiyon belirteçlerinden olan hsCRP (r=-0,021), ICAM-1 (r=-0,054), adiponektin (r=0,113) ve CIMT (r=-0,060) arasında korelasyon saptanmadı. Sonuç olarak bu çalışmada, endocanın obezite ile ilişkili endotel disfonksiyonu için iyi bir belirteç olmadığı bulunmuştur. Obezitedeki inflamatuar süreçlerin düzenlenmesinde endocanın rolünü araştıran başka çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır. Endothelial dysfunction is one of the most important early change of atherosclerosis in obese individuals. High levels of systemic inflammatory markers are associated with endothelial dysfunction. Endocan (Endothelial cell spesific molecule-1, ESM-1), is a potential inflamatuary marker and has been reported to play a role in the pathophysiology of endotelial dysfunction. We aimed to assess whether serum endocan levels are correlated with the presence and severity of endothelial dysfunction and relationships with sICAM-1, adiponectin, marker of inflamation: high sensitivity c-reaktif protein (hsCRP) levels and CIMT in obese subjects. We evaluated serum endocan, sICAM-1, adiponektin, hsCRP levels and CIMT in 76 obese women (BMI?30kg/m²) and 53 controls (BMI?25kg/m²). sICAM-1 (p=0,01), hsCRP (p?0,001), CIMT (p?0,001) were significantly higher and adiponectin (p=0,006) was significanly lower in obese women than in controls. Serum endocan levels were similarly in obese (470.5± 171.3 pg/ml) and control (471.9± 146.3 pg/ml) groups (p=0,732). Serum endocan levels were not correlated with markers of endothelial dysfunction hsCRP (r=-0,021), ICAM-1 (r=-0,054), adiponectin (r=0,113) and CIMT (r=-0,060) in obesity. In conclusia we found that endocan is not a good marker of endothelial dysfunction related with obesity. Other studies are necessary in order to evaluate the role of endocan in the regulation of inflammatory processess in obesity

Effects of Infliximab against Methotrexate Toxicity in Splenic Tissue via the Regulation of CD3, CD68, and C200R in Rats

Mercantepe, Tolga/0000-0002-8506-1755WOS: 000484667700003PubMed: 31284287Methotrexate (MTX), which has been used in clinical practice for approximately 70 years, is still widely employed in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, and cancer. Although MTX toxicity causes nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, bone marrow suppression, pulmonary fibrosis, and gastrointestinal damage, previous studies have not addressed splenic toxicity. This is the first study to examine the effectiveness of infliximab (INF) against MTX-induced toxicity in splenic tissues via the regulation of CD3, CD68, and C200R. We investigated the effects of MTX on macrophages and T lymphocytes in the spleen at the molecular level and examined the protective potential of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antagonist INF against MTX toxicity. Three groups of rats were set up. Group 1 received saline solution only, group 2 a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg), and group 3 INF (7 mg/kg) before administration of a single dose of MTX (20 mg/kg). All injections were given intraperitoneally. Spleen tissues were removed 5 days after MTX administration and evaluated for CD3, CD68, and CD200R using immunohistochemical staining. Finally, the mean numerical density of CD3+, CD68+, and CD200R+ cells was estimated by a histopathologist using StereoInvestigator 8. MTX increased the numerical densities of CD3+, CD68+, and CD200R+ cells (p < 0.05). We also observed that INF reduced the numerical densities of these cells following MTX administration (p < 0.05). INF may, therefore, be a promising candidate for the prevention of the deleterious effects on spleen tissue of MTX, used in the treatment of RA and cancer

Protective effects of amifostine, curcumin and melatonin against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (vol 391, pg 915, 2018)

Mercantepe, Tolga/0000-0002-8506-1755; yilmaz, adnan/0000-0003-4842-1173WOS: 000461201900012PubMed: 30824949[No abstract available

Histopathological evaluation of the effects of dexmedetomidine against pituitary damage ınduced by X-ray irradiation

Background: The present study, aimed to investigate the potential negative effects of x-ray radiation and the effects of the α2-adrenergic receptor agonist dexmedetomidine on the pituitary gland. Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: Rats in Group 1 (control group). Group 2 (X-ray irradiation) and group 3 (X-ray irradiation + Dexmedetomidine) were given a total of 10 Gy external beam total body irradiation. Group 3 was given a single intraperitoneal dose of 200 µg/kg dexmedetomidine 30 minutes before RT. Results: In sections obtained from the x-ray irradiation group, we observed many necrotic in adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis. In addition, there were extensive oedematous areas and vascular congestions due to the necrotic cells in both the adenohypophysis and neurohypophysis. In contrast, we observed a reduction in necrotic chromophobic and chromophilic cells in adenohypophyseal tissue and a reduction in necrotic pituicytes in neurohypophyseal tissue in the dexmedetomidine treatment group. In addition, we determined lower caspase-3 and TUNEL expression in the dexmedetomidine treatment group compared with the x-ray irradiation group. Dexmedetomidine reduced x-ray radiation-induced pituitary damage by preventing apoptosis. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the use of dexmedetomidine in situations related to radiation toxicity and offers the potential for a comprehensive study

Protective effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors on methotrexate-induced pancreatic toxicity

Mercantepe, Tolga/0000-0002-8506-1755WOS: 000436494700001PubMed: 29808967Background. Methotrexate (MTX), a folate antagonist, is commonly used in the treatment of many different types of cancer and inflammatory diseases, including pancreatic cancer, although its side effects on the pancreas have not yet been researched. the mechanism of MTX-induced toxicity is not well known, and it has been reported in high-dose toxicity studies that the pancreas is sensitive to toxic effects. Objectives. the aim of our study was to determine whether adalimumab (ADA) has a preventive effect on MTX-induced pancreas toxicity in rats. Material and methods. the rats were equally and randomly divided into 3 groups (Group 1 comprised the healthy controls, Group 2 was the MTX group, and Group 3 was the MTX +ADA group). the rats in Groups 2 and 3 received an intraperitoneal (ip.) single-dose injection of MTX (20 mg/kg). A single dose of 5 mg/kg ADA (REMICADE (R)) was administered ip. to Group 3. All the rats were sacrificed under anesthesia 5 days after receiving the MTX injection. Results. Significantly higher mean edema, necrotic cell, and inflammatory scores were recorded in Groups 2 and 3 compared to those recorded in Group 1. Significantly decreased edema, number of necrotic cells, and inflammatory scores were noted in Group 3 than in Group 2. A decrease in islets of Langerhans cell insulin and somatostatin-positive interneurons was demonstrated after the administration of MTX. An increase in insulin and somatostatin-positive cells in islets of Langerhans, as well as a remodeling of the structure of the pancreas, was shown following treatment with ADA. Conclusions. Adalimumab was demonstrated to have a protective effect against MTX-induced pancreatic injury in this study.Scientific Research Department of Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Turkey [BAP: 2015.53001.106.01.03]This study was supported by the Scientific Research Department of Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Turkey (Project No BAP: 2015.53001.106.01.03)

Protective effects of amifostine, curcumin, and melatonin against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury

Mercantepe, Tolga/0000-0002-8506-1755; yilmaz, adnan/0000-0003-4842-1173WOS: 000441107600003PubMed: 29860655Despite the enormous advances made in the field of oncology, no solution to the side effect of nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin used as an antineoplastic agent for approximately 40 years has yet been discovered. This study investigated the effects of cisplatin on the kidney, the damage mechanism involved, and the potential capacity of agents such as amifostine, curcumin, and melatonin to elicit a future therapeutic protocol in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity at the ultrastructural and molecular levels. Our study consisted of five groups: control (saline solution only; group 1), cisplatin (cisplatin only; group 2), cisplatin + amifostine (group 3), cisplatin + curcumin (group 4), and cisplatin + melatonin (group 5). Rats in all groups except the control group were administered a single intraperitoneal dose of 7.5 mg/kg cisplatin. All animals were sacrificed under anesthesia on the sixth day after cisplatin administration. Cisplatin increased serum urea and serum creatinine levels and caused an increase in tubular necrosis scores (TNS), HPS, NF-kappa B/p65, 8-OHdG, and caspase-3 expressions (p < 0.05). Additionally, we observed basal membrane thickening in glomerules, intense electron deposition in the subendothelial region, and atypical folds in podocyte pedicels. Amifostine, curcumin, and melatonin reduced the increases in serum urea and serum creatinine levels following cisplatin administration and reduced the levels of TNS, HPS, NF-kappa B/p65, 8-OHdG, and caspase-3 expressions (p < 0.05). ROS-scavenging antioxidants may be a promising means of preventing acute kidney disease in patients using cisplatin in the treatment of malignant tumors.Recep Tayyip Erdogan Universitesi [TSA-2016-652, 2016] Funding Source: Medlin

An investigation of the effects of N-acetylcysteine on radiotherapy-induced testicular injury in rats

Mercantepe, Tolga/0000-0002-8506-1755; Rakici, Sema Yilmaz/0000-0002-5543-9761WOS: 000457408700003PubMed: 30426142According to data issued by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2012, the estimated number of new cases of all types of cancer worldwide was estimated to exceed 10 million, and 6 million of whom receive radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is the treatment of cancer using ionizing radiation. Our study investigated the effects of x-radiation resulting from radiotherapy (RT) on the testis at the molecular level, and prospectively considered the potential protective characteristics of antioxidants against testicular damage resulting from x-radiation. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into five groups, control (group 1), abdominopelvic region 2-Gy-ionizing radiation (group 2), whole-body 6-Gy irradiation (group 3), 2Gy abdominopelvic region irradiation and 300mg/kg NAC treatment (group 4), and 6-Gy whole-body irradiation and 300mg/kg NAC treatment (group 5). Disorganization and vacuolization were observed in the epithelial layer in atrophic seminiferous tubules in the only ionizing radiation (IR) groups. in addition, Johnsen's score decreased in the only IR groups, while testis tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) tissue levels increased. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment groups Johnsen's score and tissue GSH levels increased than only IR groups. on the other hand, tissue MDA levels decreased in the NAC treatment groups. the findings showed that ionizing radiation caused apoptosis in germinal epithelial cells led to the oxidative stress-mediated testicular injury. on the other hand, NAC may be useful in the prevention of testicular injury-suppressed ROS production