The efficacy of alpha-lipoic acid and/or gabapentin on the oxidant-antioxidant system in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy

Background: Diabetic peripheral sensorimotor polyneuropathy is the most common complication seen in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Oxidant system plays a crucial role in its physiopathology. We investigated the changes in the serum levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and oxidative stress index (OSI) to evaluate the antioxidant efficacy of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and/or gabapentin in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN).Methods: Sixty-three type 2 DM patients with diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) were enrolled in the study. Patients with DPN were divided into four groups in terms of their treatment: Group 1 consisted of treatment-naive patients; patients treated with ALA, gabapentin or combination of ALA and gabapentin comprised groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The patients received the medications for at least six weeks.  Serum levels of TAS, TOS, PON1 and OSI were analyzed.Results: No significant difference was observed between the groups according to the oxidative stress parameters studied.Conclusions: The use of ALA and/or gabapentin in patients with DPN did not significantly affect the oxidative stress parameters, including TAS, TOS, PON1, and OSI

The response of total testing process in clinical laboratory medicine to COVID-19 pandemic

Following a pandemic, laboratory medicine is vulnerable to laboratory errors due to the stressful and high workloads. We aimed to examine how laboratory errors may arise from factors, e.g., flexible working order, staff displacement, changes in the number of tests, and samples will reflect on the total test process (TTP) during the pandemic period. In 12 months, 6 months before and during the pandemic, laboratory errors were assessed via quality indicators (QIs) related to TTP phases. QIs were grouped as pre-, intra- and postanalytical. The results of QIs were expressed in defect percentages and sigma, evaluated with 3 levels of performance quality: 25th, 50th and 75th percentile values. When the pre- and during pandemic periods were compared, the sigma value of the samples not received was significantly lower in pre-pandemic group than during pandemic group (4.7σ vs. 5.4σ, P = 0.003). The sigma values of samples transported inappropriately and haemolysed samples were significantly higher in pre-pandemic period than during pandemic (5.0σ vs. 4.9σ, 4.3σ vs. 4.1σ; P = 0.046 and P = 0.044, respectively). Sigma value of tests with inappropriate IQC performances was lower during pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period (3.3σ vs. 3.2σ, P = 0.081). Sigma value of the reports delivered outside the specified time was higher during pandemic than pre-pandemic period (3.0σ vs. 3.1σ, P = 0.030). In all TTP phases, some quality indicators improved while others regressed during the pandemic period. It was observed that preanalytical phase was affected more by the pandemic

The Role of the Lipid Profile and Oxidative Stress in Fatigue, Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of the lipid profile, dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein, ischaemia-modified albumin and thiol–disulfide homeostasis with cognitive impairment, fatigue and sleep disorders in patients with multiple sclerosis. The cognitive functions of patients were evaluated with the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis battery. Fatigue was evaluated with the Fatigue Severity Scale and the Fatigue Impact Scale. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to assess patients’ sleep disturbance. Peripheral blood samples were collected, and lipid levels and myeloperoxidase and paraoxonase activity were measured. The myeloperoxidase/paraoxonase ratio, which indicates dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein, was calculated. Thiol–disulfide homeostasis and ischaemia-modified albumin were measured. We did not identify any relationship between dysfunctional high-density lipoprotein and the physical disability, cognitive decline, fatigue and sleep problems of multiple sclerosis. Thiol–disulfide homeostasis was associated with cognitive scores. The shift of the balance towards disulfide was accompanied by a decrease in cognitive scores. On the other hand, we did not detect any relationship between fatigue and sleep disorders and thiol–disulfide homeostasis. Our findings revealed a possible correlation between cognitive dysfunction and thiol–disulfide homeostasis in multiple sclerosis patients

Oxidative stress markers in severe preeclampsia and preeclampsia-related perinatal morbidity — preliminary report

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine maternal serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase levels in severe preeclamptic pregnants and also to investigate whether these parameters are implicated in the occurence of perinatal morbidity or not. Material and methods: A case-control study was carried out including 60 pregnant women (30 with severe preeclampsia and 30 healthy controls). The optimal cut off points of oxidative stress markers for the diagnosis of severe preeclampsia and for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Multi­variate logistic regression analysis was used to determine if a relationship between adverse perinatal outcomes and serum oxidative stress markers was present or not. Results: TAS (OR = 37.486, 95% CI 3.535–397.519, p = 0.003), TOS (OR = 15.588, 95% CI 2.135–113.818, p = 0.007) and ary­lesterase (OR = 31.356, 95% CI 2.284–430.548, p = 0.01) were found to be diagnostic for preeclampsia. Statistically significant positive correlation of adverse perinatal outcomes with serum TAS, PON and arylesterase levels were determined. Besides, a significant negative correlation was found between serum TAS levels and gestational week (r = –0.342, p = 0.007) and also between serum PON levels and birthweight (r = –0.262, p = 0.043). Conclusions: Increased maternal serum TAS, TOS and arylesterase levels are significantly associated with the presence of severe preeclampsia. Furthermore, elevated maternal serum TAS, PON and arylesterase levels are significantly and positively correlated with adverse perinatal outcomes. We suggest that in preeclampsia increased oxidative status may cause adverse perinatal outcomes and antioxidants may be increased in order to protect the fetus against oxidative damage

Assessment of Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Our aim was to explore the thiol/disulphide homeostasis and the link with functional status in patients who have knee OA. Sixty knee OA patients and 50 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. We measured serum levels of native thiol, total thiol and disulphide. In order to measure the alterations in functional status such tests as the Western Ontario, MacMaster steoarthitis index (WOMAC), walking test and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were utilized. The total thiol levels were higher in the control group than the knee OA patients (P< 0.05). Disulphide and disulphide/total thiol levels were significantly lower when control group were compared to knee OA patients (P< 0.05).Activity pain was negatively associated with native thiol levels (P< 0.05), walking test scores were negatively correlated with the native thiol levels (P< 0.05) and positively correlated with disulphide levels (P< 0.05) in knee OA patients. In knee OA patients, no correlation was observed between thiol/disulphide parameters and WOMAC scores. Conclusion, thiol/disulphide homeostasis is impaired in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Disulphide level increased and thiol level decreased due to oxidative stress. Thiol/ disulphide homeostasis had not noticeable impact on the on functional status. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis may help to explain the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis

Assessment of Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

21-26Our aim was to explore the thiol/disulphide homeostasis and the link with functional status in patients who have knee OA. Sixty knee OA patients and 50 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. We measured serum levels of native thiol, total thiol and disulphide. In order to measure the alterations in functional status such tests as the Western Ontario, MacMaster Osteoarthitis index (WOMAC), walking test and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were utilized. The total thiol levels were higher in the control group than the knee OA patients (P0.05). Disulphide and disulphide/total thiol levels were significantly lower when control group were compared to knee OA patients (P0.05).Activity pain was negatively associated with native thiol levels (P0.05), walking test scores were negatively correlated with the native thiol levels (P0.05) and positively correlated with disulphide levels (P0.05) in knee OA patients. In knee OA patients, no correlation was observed between thiol/disulphide parameters and WOMAC scores. Conclusion, thiol/disulphide homeostasis is impaired in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Disulphide level increased and thiol level decreased due to oxidative stress. Thiol/ disulphide homeostasis had not noticeable impact on the on functional status. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis may help to explain the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis

Effect of Environmental Tobacco Smoke on Plasma Iron, Zinc and Copper Concentrations in Infants

The deleterious effects of cigarette smoking on trace elements concentrations are well known. Recent studies show that exposure of nonsmokers to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) results in many biochemical processes and diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and cooper (Cu) in 29 infants (14 boys and 15 girls, age range: 2-6 months, mean age: 3.6 months) who had been exposed to ETS (range 8-30 cigarettes/day mean 12.4 ± 4.7) for at least two months at home, while the control group included 30 infants (13 male, 17 female, age range: 2-6 months, mean age: 3.3 months) who had never been exposed to ETS. All infants had been breast fed. The plasma iron concentrations were determined by commercial kit, cotinine levels were determined by luminometric method. Cu and Zn concentrations were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry. The plasma Fe and Zn concentrations in the study group were significantly lower than in the controls (P < 0.05). However, plasma Cu levels were not different between the two groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the plasma Fe and Zn concentration decline in the ETS exposed infants

Relationship between maternal blood ceruloplasmin level, catalase and myeloperoxidase activity and neural tube defects

Objectives: The exact pathogenesis of neural tube defects (NTDs) is poorly understood. We aimed at evaluating maternal anti-oxidant capacity (ceruloplasmin level, myeloperoxidase and catalase activity) in pregnancies complicated by NTDs. Material and methods: Fifty-four mothers with NTD-affected pregnancies and 61 healthy mothers, matched for gestational age, were recruited. Maternal venous blood samples were obtained after detailed fetal ultrasound examination to measure myeloperoxidase, catalase activity and ceruloplasmin levels. The clinical characteristics of all participants were collected. Results: Maternal blood catalase activity was significantly lower in the study group (117.1 ± 64.8 kU/L) as compared to controls (152.2 ± 110.6 kU/L) (p = 0.044). Maternal blood ceruloplasmin levels were also significantly lower in the study group (180.5 ± 37.7 U/L) as compared to controls (197.9 ± 35.9 U/L) (p = 0.012). Myeloperoxidase activity was similar in both groups (112.6 ± 22.2 U/L vs. 113.6 ± 38.1 U/L) (p = 0.869). Conclusions: In the present study, maternal blood ceruloplasmin level and catalase activity were found to be lower in NTD-affected pregnancies as compared to healthy controls. Thus, it seems safe to conclude that impaired antioxidant capacity may play a role in the development of NTDs during pregnancy, in addition to the genetic, environmental and metabolic factors

dynamic thiol disulphide homeostasis before and after radical prostatectomy in patients with prostate cancer

AbstractThiol groups are important anti-oxidants and essential molecules protecting organism against the harmful effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of our study is to evaluate thiol–disulphide homeostasis with a novel recent automated method in patients with localized prostate cancer (PC) before and six months after radical prostatectomy (RP). 18 patients with PC and 17 healthy control subjects were enrolled into the study. Blood samples were collected from the controls subjects and patients before and six months after RP. Thiol–disulphide homeostasis was determined using a recently developed novel method. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), albumin, total protein, total thiol, native thiol, disulphide and total antioxidant status (TAS) were measured and compared between the groups. Native thiol, total thiol and TAS levels were significantly higher in the control group than the patients before RP (p < .001). There was a non-significant increase in the native thiol, total thiol and TAS levels i..