The Worth of Total Calcium Levels Adjusted By Various Formulae in the Di-agnosis of Hypocalcemia

Purpose: The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the corrected total calcium (cCa) calculated with different formulas in the diagnosis of hypocalcemia. Materials and Methods: Whole blood free calcium and serum total calcium levels of a total of 410 individuals were evaluated.cCa levels were calculated using the Modified Orrell, Orrell, Payne, Berry, and James methods. In each of the hypoalbuminemia and normoalbuminemia groups, the diagnostic performance parameters of measured total calcium and cCa in the diagnosis of hypocalcemia were calculated. Hypocalcemia was diagnosed by measuring free calcium levels. The difference between the groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney.U test.A Spearman correlation analysis was performed to determine the correlation between free calcium and total Ca levels. Results: In the diagnosis of hypocalcemia, the test with the highest sensitivity in the hypoalbuminemia group was the total calcium test, measured at a rate of 80.3%. The sensitivity was <60% in all cCa levels calculated with the five different formulas. Sensitivity rates were <40% for measured and all cCa concentrations in the normoalbuminemia group.In the hypoalbuminemia group, a low level of correlation was observed between free calcium and each calcium level calculated by the Modified Orrell, Payne, Orrell, Berry, and James method (p<0.001,r=0.240;0.258;0.230;0.247;0.193). Conclusion: The formulas used to calculate the cCa concentration need improvement. cCa did not replace free calcium,and cCa did not outperform the total calcium level in the diagnosis of hypocalcemia.We are of the opinion that it is not reliable to comment on the free calcium levels by cCa concentration

Do Avanafil and Zaprinast Change Some Selected Cytokine Levels In Ovariectomized Rat’s Liver?

Studies reported that phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5Is) positively contributed to bone-mineral-density and thickness in rats with ovariectomy, which have the same condition with postmenapozal period. To explain the positive contribution mechanism on bone mineral density of PDE-5Is, we investigated the effect of zaprinast and avanafil on levels of some pro -or anti-resorptive cytokines in ovariectomized-rats. Albino female rats (8 months and 250-350 g) were used and four groups of equal-number were randomly assigned (n=6). Groups; was the sahm operated, positive control (OVX), Zaprinast and OVX, Avanafil and OVX groups, respectively. The levels of Estrogen, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α were measured by ELISA kits, in liver of rats. IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels were high in groups with OVX compared to sham group, while IL-10 levels were low. Also, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels were low in zaprinast and especially avanafil-treated groups with OVX and were similar to the sahm group values (p=0.001 for IL-1β, p=0.045 for IL-6, p=0.008 for IL-8, p=0.006 for IL-10, p=0.026 for TNF-α). Zaprinast and especially avanafil inhibited IL-1β, 8 and TNF-α and increased the IL-10 levels compared to the OVX group. This may support opinion that PDE-5Is enhance bone mineralization by inhibiting proresorptive cytokines

The Effects of Some Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors on Oxidative Stress, VEGF, BMP 2 and 9 in the Liver Tissue of Ovariectomized Rats

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is an important health problem and there is no effective treatment yet. phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors are promising agents for the treatment of osteoporosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (vardenafil, tadalafil, and udenafil) on bone morphogenic protein-2 and 9 (BMP-2 and 9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and CoQ10) in liver tissue of rats with ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. METHODS: 50 Albino wistar female rats were randomly divided into 5 groups of 10 rats per group. Groups were the sham-operated, ovariectomise (OVEX), OVEX + Tadalafil, OVEX + udenafil and OVEX + vardenafil, respectively. VEGF, BMP-2 and 9 levels were measured by ELISA kits. To detect levels of MDA and CoQ10, we used high pressure liquid chromatography method. RESULTS: The levels of VEGF, BMP-2 and 9 levels in the groups that applied PDE-5 inhibitors were significantly higher than in the sham and OVEX groups. There was no significant difference between the OVEX+vardenafil and OVEX+udenafil groups in terms of VEGF, BMP-2 and 9 levels. The levels of MDA and CoQ10 were significantly lower in the groups that applied PDE5 inhibitors than in the OVEX group. When the histological and immunohistochemical results were examined, it was seen that angiogenesis was significantly higher in PDE-5 inhibitor groups. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we can say that these inhibitors may have positi ve effects on bone mineralization and remodelling by inducing the expression of VEGF, BMP-2 and 9 in liver tissue

The Status of Antioxidants and Oxidative Damage in Patients with COVID-19

Purpose: COVID-19 is a viral disease that has recently caused a pandemic and significantly affects human health. In this study, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione, total thiol, natural thiol, disulfide, oxidative DNA damage and malondialdehyde levels in COVID-19 were investigated. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients and 35 healthy volunteers were included in this study. The diagnosis of COVID-19 was made by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Serum glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, natural thiol, total thiol and disulphide levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine/10⁶ deoxyguanosine levels by high-pressure liquid chromatography measured. Results: While serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine/10⁶ deoxyguanosine, disulfide levels were higher in the COVID-19 patient group than in the healthy control group, glutathione, total thiol, natural thiol levels were lower. In addition, there was a negative correlation between 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine/10⁶ deoxyguanosine and glutathione, natural thiol and total thiol, and a positive correlation with disulfide. Conclusion: This study revealed that serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine/10⁶ deoxyguanosine, and disulfide levels increased and glutathione, thiol and natural thiol levels decreased in COVID-19 patients. These results revealed that there was a decrease in antioxidant marker levels and an increase in oxidative stress markers in COVID-19 patients

Determination of serum differential carnitine ester levels in hiv(+)patients: a cross-sectional study

Objective It has been reported that carnitine deficiency is observed in various viral infections and in the follow-up of the prognosis of some diseases. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to determine how carnitine ester derivatives change in HIV-positive patients. Materials and Methods In this study, 25 HIV-infected patients who applied to Harran University Faculty of Medicine Education Research and Practice Hospital Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Outpatient Clinic and who did not receive any antiretroviral treatment, as well as 25 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Carnitine ester levels in serum samples were measured by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method (Shimadzu North America, Columbia, MD, USA). Results While suberoylcarnitine (C8DC), myristoleylcarnitine (C14:1), tetradecadienoylcarnitine (C14:2), palmitoleylcarnitine (C16:1), and linoleylcarnitine (C18:2) levels in HIV(+) patients were quite low compared to the control group, tiglylcarnitine (C5:1) levels were high (p <= 0.05). In addition, C5:1 and C14:2 index parameters according to VIP score, and C5:1 and C14:1/C16 index parameters according to ROC analysis were determined as markers with high potential to distinguish HIV(+) patients from healthy volunteers. Conclusion This study showed that levels of acylcarnitine derivatives might be altered in HIV(+) patients, and the results obtained may contribute to a better understanding of carnitine metabolism

Myrtle improves renovascular hypertension-induced oxidative damage in heart, kidney, and aortic tissue

Renovascular hypertension is defined as the reduction in renal perfusion resulting in sustained hypertension. This study aims to investigate the possible effects of myrtle leaf extract (Myrtus communis L.) on, heart, kidney and aorta tissues in the experimental renovascular hypertension (RVH). 32 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups as control, hypertension, hypertension+ramipril, and hypertension+myrtle leaf extract treatment groups. RVH model was induced by Goldblatt's 2-kidney 1-clip method. 12 weeks later than the treatment blood pressures were recorded and oxidant and antioxidant parameters, tissue factor activity, and histological analysis were determined in the kidney, heart, and aortic tissues. The blood pressure levels of the hypertension group significantly increased compared to the control group. Administration of myrtle leaf extract and ramipril significantly decreased the increased blood pressure. In the hypertension group, oxidative damage increased in the kidney, heart, and aorta tissues. In the histological evaluation of tissues in RVH, heart muscle fibres degenerated. Bowman capsule and glomeruli dilated and tubules damaged in the kidney. Myrtle leaf extract administration regenerated the damages and degenerations. The administration of myrtle leaf extract restored the impaired oxidant-antioxidant balance in the heart, kidney and aorta tissues of hypertensive rats. Myrtle leaf extract can be considered as an alternative antihypertensive treatment target in the prevention of oxidative stress-induced damage in renovascular hypertension

Impact of Obesity on the Metabolic Control of Type 2 Diabetes: Results of the Turkish Nationwide Survey of Glycemic and Other Metabolic Parameters of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus (TEMD Obesity Study)

Background: Obesity is the main obstacle for metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Turkey has the highest prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes in Europe. The effect of obesity on the metabolic control, and the macro-and microvascular complications of patients are not apparent. Objectives: This nationwide survey aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity among patients with type 2 diabetes and to search for the impact of obesity on the metabolic control of these patients. We also investigated the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients who were under follow-up for at least 1 year in 69 tertiary healthcare units in 37 cities. The demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data including medications were recorded. Patients were excluded if they were pregnant, younger than 18 years, had decompensated liver disease, psychiatric disorders interfering with cognition or compliance, had bariatric surgery, or were undergoing renal replacement therapy. Results: Only 10% of patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 4,648) had normal body mass indexes (BMI), while the others were affected by overweight (31%) or obesity (59%). Women had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity (53.4 vs. 40%) and severe obesity (16.6 vs. 3.3%). Significant associations were present between high BMI levels and lower education levels, intake of insulin, antihypertensives and statins, poor metabolic control, or the presence of microvascular complications. Age, gender, level of education, smoking, and physical inactivity were the independent associates of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: The TEMD Obesity Study shows that obesity is a major determinant of the poor metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. These results underline the importance of prevention and management of obesity to improve health care in patients with type 2 diabetes. Also, the results point out the independent sociodemographic and clinical associates of obesity, which should be the prior targets to overcome, in the national fight with obesity. (c) 2019 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Base

Turkish nationwide survEy of glycemic and other Metabolic parameters of patients with Diabetes mellitus (TEMD study)

Aims: Turkey has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Europe. It is therefore essential to know the overall cardiovascular risk and reveal the predictors of metabolic control in Turkish adults with diabetes mellitus