Analysis of methanol and its derivatives in illegally produced alcoholic beverages

PubMedID: 26048498Introduction: Illegal alcohol production remains as a common issue worldwide. Methanol poisoning mostly occurs because of the methanol used in production of counterfeit alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol due to its low price or by drinking the liquids containing methyl alcohol. Pectolytic enzymes results in an increase of methanol levels in many fermentation products such as ciders or wines. Methanol poisonings are infrequently encountered in forensic medicine practice. However, sporadic cases due to methanol intoxication as well as epidemic cases have been reported. In this study, we aimed to identify existence of methanol and its metabolites in illegally produced alcoholic beverages used in Antakya region. Material and methods: Twelve legally produced alcohol samples and Fifty-six different illegally produced alcohol samples were collected from the markets and local producers. Existence of methanol, formic acid, methyl amine, methyl formate and trioxan were determined using GC-MS method in these samples. Results Fifty-six different illegal alcohol samples were analyzed in this study and methanol was detected in 39 (75%) of samples. Formic acid was detected in 3, formamide in 1, methyl amine in 6, methyl formate in 10 and trioxan in 2 samples. Conclusion: Overwhelming majority of illegal alcoholic beverages was detected to contain methanol. Interestingly this study also revealed the presence of trioxane, which has not previously reported among toxic agents in illegal alcohol samples. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine. All rights reserved

Elevated nucleosome level and oxidative stress in schizophrenia patients

SAHIN, KAZIM/0000-0002-6459-1853; Dokuyucu, Recep/0000-0001-7881-8871WOS: 000364353400003PubMed: 26531868AIM: the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress on nucleosome levels and its relation with the clinical features in schizophrenia patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty schizophrenia patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). the control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects matched to the patients with regard to age and gender and who had no history of any psychiatric disorder. the severity of schizophrenia symptoms in the patients was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impression Severity Scale (CGI-S). Physical and neurological examinations were performed in each of the patients and controls. RESULTS: Nucleosome, total oxidant levels and OSI values were higher in schizophrenia patients than in controls (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the total antioxidant levels. There was a positive correlation between the nucleosome level and PANSS positive subscale (p = 0.028, r = 0.402). There was a positive correlation between TAS and age (p = 0.025, r = 0.289), PANSS total (p < 0.001, r = 0.604). There was a negative correlation between OSI and PANSS total (p = 0.019, r = 0.427), PANSS positive subscale (p = 0.043, r = 0.372). There was a negative correlation between TOS and PANS total (p = 0.028, r = 0.402). CONCLUSION: in this study we found a correlation between nucleosome level and PANSS positive subscale. To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates oxidative stress and nucleosomes released from apoptotic cells together (Tab. 2, Ref. 50)

Protective effects of minocycline on experimental spinal cord injury in rats

PubMed ID: 26052053Background The effects of minocycline on neuronal injury after spinal cord injury (SCI) are limited and controversial. Therefore we aimed to investigate the protective effects of minocycline on tissue and on serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, tissue total antioxidant and oxidant status (TAS and TOS, respectively), and AST and LDH levels in rats with SCI. Methods This study was performed on 7-8 weeks 38 male Wistar albino rats. The animals were randomly divided into five groups: group 1, Sham (n = 8); group 2, SCI (spinal cord injury)/control (n = 8); group 3, SCI + minocycline3 (n = 7); group 4, SCI + minocycline30 (n = 8) and group 5 SCI + minocycline90 (n = 7). Blood and tissue samples were analysed for MDA, SOD, GSH-Px, TAS, TOS, AST and LDH levels. Results The MDA levels were significantly higher in SCI group compared to sham group (p &lt; 0.001), and MDA levels were also significantly higher in SCI group compared to SCI + M3, SCI + M30, SCI + M90 (p &lt; 0.05). SOD levels were significantly higher in SCI + M30 when compared to SCI and SCI + M3 groups (p &lt; 0.05). GSH-Px levels decreased significantly in SCI and SCI + M3 groups compared to sham (p &lt; 0.05). SCI + M3 group showed significantly decreased levels of TAS and TOS compared to SCI group (p &lt; 0.05). TAS and TOS levels significantly increased in SCI + M90 group compared to SCI + M3 and SCI + M30 groups (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions The present study demonstrates the dose-dependent antioxidant activity of minocycline against spinal cord injury in rats. Minocycline administration increased antioxidant enzyme levels and improved total antioxidant status. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved