High-density lipoprotein functionality in patients with hyperbaric oxygen therapy

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels are associated with decreased risk of atherosclerotic disease, but also not all HDL are  functionally equivalent. The functional status of HDL is closely linked to its primary protein component, apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA-I) levels and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) enzyme. Functional changes of HDL may arise from hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) induced posttranslational modification of ApoA-1 and PON1 levels. A total of 41 patients who met the research criteria were included in the study. On average, 30 sessions of HBO therapy were performed (range: 20-39). Laboratory measurements were performed at the beginning and at the end of HBO treatment in two groups of the same patients. We measured serum levels of Apo A-1, PON1, oxidized LDL (OxLDL) and routine lipid laboratory parameters to determine possible changes in HDL function with HBO therapy. As unexpected, long term HBO treatment have no effect on OxLDL and also on PON1 enzyme. However, the mean ApoA-1 values in the second group were statistically significantly increased than their pre-treatment values (P < 0.003). This preliminary study showed that HBO therapy increased the amount of serum ApoA-1. Actually, it can be assumed that the treatment of HBO does not have a negative effect on HDL functionality. The increase in ApoA-1 with HBO therapy is probably aimed at protecting against oxidative stress in patients. As a result, there is a need for larger clinical trials to determine the possible effects of HBO therapy on HDL functionality

Lack of Association of Childhood Partial Epilepsy with Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Gene

Brain-derived factor (BDNF) is a member of neurotrophin family and is localized and upregulated in areas implicated in epileptogenesis. Several lines of evidence make the BDNF gene a plausible candidate gene for predisposition to epilepsy. In this study, we tested that BDNF might be involved in the etiology of childhood PE. To assess whether BDNF gene C270T polimorphism could be implicated in vulnerability to PE, we conducted a case-control association analysis (112 partial epileptic and 100 controls) in Turkish children. Epileptic children were divided into two groups: 1—idiopathic (n=85) and 2—symptomathic epilepsy (n=27). There was no significant difference in genotypic distribution and allelic frequencies of the BDNF gene C270T polimorphism between the PE and control groups. However, the BDNF gene TT genotype was more frequently seen in the epileptic children (15 versus 11 patients, resp.). Interestingly, in the epilepsy group, both two children with TT genotype have posttraumatic epilepsy. The data indicate a possible association with the 270T genotype of the BDNF gene with a posttraumatic epilepsy. To draw any conclusion, further studies using larger sample sizes should be carried out in various ethnic populations in childhood epilepsies

Higher serum lipids and oxidative stress in patients with normal tension glaucoma, but not pseudoexfoliative glaucoma

This study entailed a cross-examination of oxidant/antioxidant balance, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-linked paraoxonase 1 (PON1) phenotypes, and levels of serum routine lipids among patients with normal tension glaucoma (NTG) or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) compared with healthy control groups. We aimed to investigate the links between oxidative stress (OS), HDL-related antioxidant enzyme activities and dyslipidemia in distinct subtypes of glaucoma. The study included 32 patients with NTG, 31 patients with PEXG, and 40 control subjects. Levels of PON1 and arylesterase enzymatic activity, total oxidant status (TOS), and total antioxidant status were measured by spectrophotometry and OS indexes (OSI) were calculated. The phenotype distribution of PON1 was determined using the dual substrate method. Blood serum levels of HDL, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) were measured. The TOS and OSI values in the NTG group were significantly higher compared with the other groups (both p < 0.01). The phenotype distribution found in the glaucoma and control groups were NTG: QQ, 59.4%; QR, 37.5%; RR, 3.1%; PEXG: QQ, 45.1%; QR, 48.4%; RR, 6.5%; and in the control group: QQ, 42.5%; QR, 50.0%; RR, 7.5%. Serum TC levels were significantly higher than the control in both NTG and PEXG groups, whereas TG was significantly higher in NTG only (p < 0.01 and p < 0.02, respectively). Hyperlipidemia, OS and variations in phenotype distribution of PON1 may play a role in the pathogenesis of different types of glaucoma

Multivariate Analysis of Countries according to Subdimensions of Human Development and Gender Inequality Indices

Human Development Index (HDI) is an index aiming to measure human development by taking into account a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living. The 2013 Human Development Report presents HDI values and ranks, the Inequality-adjusted HDI the Gender Inequality Index (GII) and the Multidimensional Poverty Index. The aim of this study is to evaluate countries according to their similarities and differences using the indicators contained in the 2013 human development report. A figure created in two dimensional space was used by evaluation. Locations of Turkey, OECD and Eurasian countries are analyzed and interpreted elaborately. Multidimensional scaling is a statistical technique provides visual representation of the objects using proximity patterns. The most recent data of countries were analyzed by Multidimensional Scaling analysis (MDS). Stress value obtained from metric multidimensional scaling application was found in desired range. Also it was determined that we can trust the interpretations made of the map. To begin with, comparison by country groups was made, then remarkable points were interpreted on the basis of country. As examination of the map obtained from MDS application with HDI and GII indexes, it was remarked that OECD countries were grouped on the left hand side and Eurasian countries were grouped on the right hand side. Turkey, a member of OECD, located far away from other OECD countries and located closer to Eurasian countries. According to HDI and GII indexes Mexico is closest country to Turkey. Also Mexico is the country, which is perceived similar to Turkey

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment is Associated with Lipid Inflammatory Response Assessed Uding Serum Platelet Activating Factor

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment is generally a relatively safe therapy for various conditions. However, there are some adverse side effects. For example HBO tratment has been reported to increase the production of free oxygen radicals(FRs). Furthermore, to our knowledge, no previous clinical research has been carried out to study the involvement of platelet-activating factor(PAF)as the lipid oxidative stressor in patients undergoing HBO treatment. A total of 45 patients included in this study were first given clinical assessment and laboratory measurements before starting HBO treatment and were named group baseline. After the HBO treatment, the same clinical and laboratory measurements from the same patients were repeated and this was named group sesion >20.As expected, long-term HBO treatment had no effect on oxLDL (oxidized low-density lipoprotein), a lipid oxidative stress(OS) marker. However, the mean PAF values in the second group showed a statistically significant increase compared to their pretreatment values, (P <0. 002).As this is a preliminary study, there is a need for more detailed investigations that demonstrate the association of HBO treatment with the lipid inflammatory response. Therefore, there is need for further clinical study for OS markers such as oxLDL in HBO treatment. Clinical prospective studies are required to confirm our laboratory findings

Compensatory paraoxonase and arylesterase levels in hyperbaric oxygen treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss

Objective: Paraoxonase1 (PON1) and Arylesterase (ARE) levels are associated with reduced risk of atherosclerosis. The functional status of high density lipoprotein (HDL) is closely related to the PON1/ARE enzyme activity. Functional changes in treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) may be achieved by post-translational modification of lipid metabolism induced by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Methods: Men patients with SSNHL who met the research criteria were included in the study. HBOT was performed on average 30 sessions. Laboratory measurements were made at the beginning and end of HBOT for the same patients. Serum levels of PON1/ARE and routine lipid laboratory parameters were measured to determine possible changes in SSNHL after HBOT. Results: In this study, a reducing effect on PON1 enzyme amount of long-term HBOT was detected. The serum PON1 amount of patients with SSNHL was 19.7 ± 2.7 ng / mL (mean ±} SD) before HBOT, and the serum PON1 decreased to 17.0 ± 2.1 ng / mL (mean ±} SD) after 30 sessions of HBOT. This decrease in PON1 levels was statistically significant (p =0.035). There was also a statistically significant decrease in the enzyme activity of ARE in the SSNHL patients (p=0.024). Conclusion: This preliminary study showed a significant decrease in serum PON1/ARE enzyme content in SSNLH patients with HBOT. In fact, it can be assumed that HBOT has no adverse effect on HDL functionality. However, the decrease in PON1 level by HBOT with 30 or more sessions may be important for the antioxidant function of HDL.It may possibly cause post-translational changes in antioxidant defense mechanisms due to increased oxidative stress with HBOT. In conclusion, larger clinical studies are needed to determine the possible effects of HBOT on HDL-related PON1/ARE functionality in SSNHL

Watershed Cerebral Infarction in a Patient with Acute Renal Failure

Acute renal failure can cause neurologic manifestations such as mood swings, impaired concentration, tremor, stupor, coma, asterixis, dysarthria. Those findings can also be a sign of cerebral infarct. Here, we report a case of watershed cerebral infarction in a 70-year-old female patient with acute renal failure secondary to contrast administration and use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. Patient was evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging because of dysarthria. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed milimmetric acute ischemic lesion in the frontal and parietal deep white matter region of both cerebral hemisphere which clearly demonstrated watershed cerebral infarction affecting internal border zone. Her renal function returned to normal levels on fifth day of admission (BUN 32 mg/dl, creatinine 1.36 mg/dl) and she was discharged. Dysarthria continued for 20 days

Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment is Associated with Lipid Inflammatory Response Assessed Uding Serum Platelet Activating Factor

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment is generally a relatively safe therapy for various conditions. However, there are some adverse side effects. For example HBO tratment has been reported to increase the production of free oxygen radicals(FRs). Furthermore, to our knowledge, no previous clinical research has been carried out to study the involvement of platelet-activating factor(PAF)as the lipid oxidative stressor in patients undergoing HBO treatment. A total of 45 patients included in this study were first given clinical assessment and laboratory measurements before starting HBO treatment and were named group baseline. After the HBO treatment, the same clinical and laboratory measurements from the same patients were repeated and this was named group sesion >20.As expected, long-term HBO treatment had no effect on oxLDL (oxidized low-density lipoprotein), a lipid oxidative stress(OS) marker. However, the mean PAF values in the second group showed a statistically significant increase compared to their pretreatment values, (P 20. Zgodnie z oczekiwaniami, długotrwałe leczenie HBO nie miało wpływu na marker oxLDL (utlenione lipoproteiny o małej gęstości), czy marker lipidowego stresu oksydacyjnego (OS). Jednakże, średnie wartości PAF w drugiej grupie wykazały statystycznie istotny wzrost w porównaniu z ich wartościami w leczeniu wstępnym (P <0,002). Istnieje zatem potrzeba dalszych badań klinicznych nad markerami OS, takimi jak oxLDL, w leczeniu HBO. Kliniczne badania prospektywne są konieczne w celu potwierdzenia wyników badań laboratoryjnych

Compensatory Paraoxonase and Arylesterase Levels in Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Objective: Paraoxonase1 (PON1) and Arylesterase (ARE) levels are associated with reduced risk of atherosclerosis. The functional status of high density lipoprotein (HDL) is closely related to the PON1/ARE enzyme activity. Functional changes in treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) may be achieved by post-translational modification of lipid metabolism induced by hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Methods: Men patients with SSNHL who met the research criteria were included in the study. HBOT was performed on average 30 sessions. Laboratory measurements were made at the beginning and end of HBOT for the same patients. Serum levels of PON1/ARE and routine lipid laboratory parameters were measured to determine possible changes in SSNHL after HBOT. Results: In this study, a reducing effect on PON1 enzyme amount of long-term HBOT was detected. The serum PON1 amount of patients with SSNHL was 19.7 ± 2.7 ng / mL (mean ±} SD) before HBOT, and the serum PON1 decreased to 17.0 ± 2.1 ng / mL (mean ±} SD) after 30 sessions of HBOT. This decrease in PON1 levels was statistically significant (p =0.035). There was also a statistically significant decrease in the enzyme activity of ARE in the SSNHL patients (p=0.024). Conclusion: This preliminary study showed a significant decrease in serum PON1/ARE enzyme content in SSNLH patients with HBOT. In fact, it can be assumed that HBOT has no adverse effect on HDL functionality. However, the decrease in PON1 level by HBOT with 30 or more sessions may be important for the antioxidant function of HDL.It may possibly cause post-translational changes in antioxidant defense mechanisms due to increased oxidative stress with HBOT. In conclusion, larger clinical studies are needed to determine the possible effects of HBOT on HDL-related PON1/ARE functionality in SSNHL