Monoclonal anti-TNF antibodies can elevate hemoglobin level in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Anemia is one of the extra-articular findings of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and anti-TNF therapy has been shown benefit in patients with anemia associated AS. In this study, we aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of biological and non-biological agents on hemoglobin levels in AS patients. One hundred consecutive patients who fulfilled ASAS criteria for AS were included in the study. Fifty-four of the patients treated with anti-TNF agents (20 patients treated with infliximab, 20 patients with adalimumab, and 14 patients with etanercept), and 46 patients treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or other disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. The C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT) counts, and BASDAI scores were compared before starting therapy and at 52 weeks. There was no statistically significant difference between patients about demographical data (age, sex) and disease age (p > 0.05 for all). Significant difference was determined between HGB, HCT, CRP, ESR, and BASDAI values before and after therapy (for infliximab p: 0.001; 0.000; 0.000; 0.000; 0.000, respectively, and for adalimumab p: 0.017; 0.03; 0.001; 0.002; 0.000, respectively). In etanercept group, there was no significant difference in HGB values, when compared with before starting therapy and at 52 weeks (p > 0.05). In the group of treated with non-biological agents, ESR values and BASDA? scores showed distinctive improvement after 52 weeks of therapy, but was not a significant difference in hemoglobin and hematocrit values. Conclusion: Anti-TNF-alpha therapy with monoclonal antibodies (adalimumab and infliximab) did not only suppress disease activity but also provided a significant improvement in HGB levels. In the groups of treated with a TNF-alpha receptor antagonist (ETA) and non-biological agents, disease activity was suppressed, but there was not founded significant improvement in HGB levels after 52 weeks. Different outcomes of anti-TNF agents may be associated with their different effect mechanisms.     

Effects of melatonin on Wi-Fi-induced oxidative stress in lens of rats

Introduction:

Melatonin has been considered a potent antioxidant that detoxifies a variety of reactive oxygen species in many pathophysiological states of eye. The present study was designed to determine the effects of Wi-Fi exposure on the lens oxidant, antioxidant redox systems, as well as the possible protective effects of melatonin on the lens injury induced by electromagnetic radiation (EMR).

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-two rats were used in the current study and they were randomly divided into four equal groups as follows: First and second groups were cage-control and sham-control rats. Rats in third group were exposed to Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz) for duration of 60 min/day for 30 days. As in the third group, the fourth group was treated with melatonin. The one-hour exposure to irradiation in second, third and fourth took place at noon each day.

Results:

Lipid peroxidation levels in the lens were slightly higher in third (Wi-Fi) group than in cage and sham control groups although their concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by melatonin supplementation. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in Wi-Fi group than in cage and sham control groups although GSH-Px (P < 0.01) and reduced glutathione (P < 0.05) values were significantly higher in Wi-Fi + melatonin group than in Wi-Fi group.

Conclusions:

There are poor oxidative toxic effects of one hour of Wi-Fi exposure on the lens in the animals. However, melatonin supplementation in the lens seems to have protective effects on the oxidant system by modulation of GSH-Px activity.     

Diurnal variation in lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2))

ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to determine the diurnal variation of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A₂ (Lp-PLA₂), an arterial-specific inflammatory enzyme implicated in the formation of vulnerable, rupture-prone plaque that can identify individuals at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Presently, the diurnal variation of Lp-PLA₂ is not known.Design and MethodsTen men and 8 women (age range: 22–76 years) had a blood sample taken every 4 h over a 24-hour time period. Samples were analyzed for both Lp-PLA₂ mass and activity.ResultsThe mean coefficient of variation (CV) for Lp-PLA₂ mass was 5.9% (ranges from 2.5 to 9.4%) for the 18 subjects. Similarly, the mean CV for Lp-PLA₂ activity was 3.7% (ranges from 1.2 to 6.8%). There were no significant correlations between CV and any of the subject characteristics.ConclusionsThe diurnal variation of Lp-PLA₂ mass and activity is similar to that of well accepted lipoprotein risk factors. With the relatively low diurnal variability, there does not appear to be a need to make sure serial measurements of Lp-PLA₂ mass and activity are taken at the same time of the day.     

Nadroparin Sodium Activates Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway in Acetic Acid-Induced Colitis in Rats

Effects of nadroparin sodium, a low molecular weight heparin, in colitis was investigated by analyzing proteins implicated in nuclear factor E2-related factor-2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathways. Twenty-eight rats were used. Colitis was induced by acetic acid (AA). Nadroparin sodium was given to prevention and treatment groups in addition to AA. Colitis was assessed histologically and levels of proteins were analyzed with Western blot. Nadroparin not only prevented and ameliorated the AA-induced colitis histopathologically but also decreased expression of colon NF-κB, activator protein-1, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and IL-6, which were significantly increased in group AA compared to control. The accumulation of Nrf2 in nuclear fraction and HO-1 found low in group AA was increased with nadroparin (p < 0.05). The mean malondialdehyde level increased with AA and was decreased significantly with nadroparin prevention and treatment (p < 0.001). Nadroparin sodium has both protective and therapeutic effects against colonic inflammation via exerting anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects by modulating Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB pathways.     

The relationship of oxidative metabolism to treatment response in major depression: A biological basis for treatment duration

BackgroundWe aimed to determine the relationship between antidepressant treatment and oxidative metabolism in patients with major depression.Materials and methodsTwo groups, the patients diagnosed with depression (N = 21), and healthy controls (N = 40), were enrolled in the study. The patients received naturalistic antidepressant treatment. Serum samples were collected prior to treatment and at the end of the 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment. Those participants in the control group were sampled only once. The total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured and oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Severity of depression in patients was also measured both prior to and after 8 weeks of antidepressant treatment.ResultsIn terms of TAS, TOS, and OSI there were significant differences between the groups both at the baseline. Baseline and final HAM-D scores of the patient group differed significantly. The baseline TAS, TOS, and OSI levels of patients did not change significantly after antidepressant treatment. The duration of illness was not correlated with baseline serum levels of TAS, TOS, and OSI. Patients who were deemed to be unresponsive to the antidepressant treatment differed significantly from the controls both at the baseline and at the final visit for TAS, TOS, and OSI. Additionally, treatment responsive patients did not show any similar difference in terms of TOS and OSI levels.DiscussionChronic increase in anti-oxidant and oxidant levels in patients with major depression may be related to the elevation of anti-oxidant defenses that were developed in response to increased oxidative metabolism.     

Use of canonical variate analysis biplot in examination of choline content data of some foods

Adequate intake (AI) of choline as part of the daily diet can help prevent major diseases. Low choline intake is a major risk factor for liver and several neurological disorders. Extreme choline consumption may cause diseases such as hypotension, sweating, diarrhea, and fishy body odor. The AI of choline is 425 mg/day for adult women; higher for pregnant and lactating women. The AI for adult men is 550 mg/day. The total choline content of foods is calculated as the sum of free choline, glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin. These are called the choline variables. Observed values of choline variables may be different in amounts of nutrients. So different food groups in terms of choline variables are useful to compare. The present paper shows the advantages of using canonical variate analysis biplot to optimally separate groups and explore the differentiality of choline variables amounts in foods.     

Preservative-free versus preserved brimonidine %0.15 preparations in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension: short term evaluation of efficacy,safety, and potential advantages

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the efficacy, safety, and potential advantages of the preservative-free versus preserved brimonidine %0.15 preparations in patients with primer open-angle glaucoma (POAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT).

Methods: Forty-two eyes of the 21 treatment-naive patients with POAG or OHT were enrolled in this study. Eyes were randomly assigned to receive brimonidine-purite 0.15% or preservative-free brimonidine 0.15% two times daily. Efficacy of the two eye drops was assessed by measuring the intraocular pressure (IOP) at 9–10 am at baseline and week 4. Safety and potential advantages of the drops were evaluated at weeks 4 in terms of ocular symptoms and tear parameters. Ocular symptom values of the patients were evaluated with a scale of 0–4 (0?=?no discomfort and 4?=?severe discomfort).

Results: Both of the brimonidine tartrate formulations resulted in statistically similar IOP reduction (preserved formulation; ?5.2?mmHg [22.9% reduction] preservative-free formulation; ?5.7?mmHg [24.1% reduction], p?=?0.37). It was found that brimonidine tartrate formulations with and without topical preservatives did not produce a statistically significant difference in pain, stinging, and blurred vision at the upon instillation (p?>?0.05). However, the burning sensation was significantly higher in the preservative-free formulation at the first instillation compared to the preserved formulation (p?=?0.01). Also, there was no statistically significant difference between the two formulations in terms of symptoms (itching, burning, tearing, stinging, and photophobia) and tear parameters during the day (p?>?0.05).

Conclusions: Although topical preservative-free brimonidine tartrate treated eyes had a more burning sensation at the first drop, the two formulations were similar in terms of ocular tolerability in the short term period. Also, both formulations were found to reduce IOP at a similar rate.