Hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles trigger oxidative stress by modulating thiol/disulfide homeostasis

BACKGROUND

Hexagonal boron nitride nanoparticles (hBN NPs) are encouraging nanomaterials with unique chemical properties in medicine and biomedical fields. Until now, the optimal hBN NP's dosage and biochemical mechanism that can be used for in vivo systems has not been fully revealed. The main aim of this article is to reveal characteristics, serum and tissue interactions and any acute cytotoxic effect of different dose of hBN NPs for the first time.

METHODS

hBN NPs at concentrations varying between 50-3200 µg/kg was administered by intravenous injection to Wistar albino rats (n = 80) divided into seven dosage and control groups. Blood and tissue samples were taken after 24 hours.

RESULTS

Our findings suggested that higher doses hBN NPs caused oxidative stress on the serum of rats dose-dependently. However, hBN NPs did not affect thiol/disulfide homeostasis on kidney, liver, spleen, pancreas and heart tissue of rats. Furthermore, hBN NPs increased serum disulfide formation by disrupting the thiol/disulfide balance in rats. Also, LOOH and MPO levels increased at high doses, while CAT levels decreased statistically.

CONCLUSION

The results revealed that hBN NPs induce oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner by modulating thiol/disulfide homeostasis in rats at higher concentrations.

A sensitive indicator for the severity of COVID-19: thiol

Background/aim

Thiol status is a good reflector of the cellular redox and have vital roles in various cellular signaling pathways. The purpose of the study was to investigate thiol status in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Materials and methods

A total of 587 subjects (517 patients/70 healthy controls) were enrolled in the study.The patients were categorized into the groups regarding to the severity of disease (mild, moderate, severe, and critical).Thiol status of all groups were compared.

Results

The patients had significantly diminished thiol levels compared to controls. Thiol levels were gradually decreased as the severity of the disease increased. Logistic regression analyses identified that thiol concentrations were an independent risk factor for the disease severity in each phase (mild group OR 0.975, 95%CI 0.965-0.986; moderate group, OR 0.964, 95%CI 0.953-0.976; severe group OR 0.953, 95%CI 0.941-0.965; critical group OR 0.947, 95%CI 0.935-0.960).Thiol test exhibited the largest area under the curve at 0.949, with the highest sensitivity (98.6%) and specificity (80.4%).

Conclusions

Depleted thiol status was observed in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Decline of the thiol levels by degrees while the severity of infection increased was closely related to the progression of the disease. This outcome highlights that thiols could be an impressible biomarker for predicting of the severity of COVID-19.

The relationship between serum thiol levels and thiol/disulfide homeostasis in women with tubal ectopic pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the thiol/disulfide homeostasis in tubal ectopic pregnancies in terms of early diagnosis of the disease.

DESIGN

A prospective case-control study was carried out between June 2017-February 2018 in the Gynaecology Department of Umraniye Medical and Research Hospital.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 42 women with ectopic pregnancy were compared with 44 healthy women who have intrauterine first trimester pregnancies. The thiol/disulfide homeostasis is evaluated with the spectrophotometric measurement method that was recently developed by Erel&Neselioglu.

RESULTS

Disulfide/native thiol and disulfide/total thiol ratios were increased (p = 0.018 and p = 0.023 respectively), while native thiol/total thiol ratios and native thiol levels were decreased in tubal ectopic pregnancy group according to control group (p = 0.023). Between control and tubal ectopic pregnancy groups no differences were measured in disulfide levels (p = 0.350). The area under curve for native thiol and total thiol were 0.937 and 0.927, respectively. The optimum cut off value for native thiol was 379.95 μmol/l with a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 81%. The optimum cut off value for total thiol was 432.5 μmol/l had 92% sensitivity and 79% specificity.

LIMITATIONS

In the study, whether intrauterine pregnancies resulted in miscarriage or delivery can be examined.

CONCLUSION

Increased disulfide/native thiol levels, disulfide/total-thiol ratio and decreased native/total thiol ratio were found to be significantly associated with the presence of tubal ectopic pregnancy which can be useful for the early diagnosis of the disease.

Thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin as a marker of oxidative stress in patients with sarcopenia

AIM

Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Chronic inflammatory conditions and increased oxidative stress are in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between sarcopenia and thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin levels as an oxidative stress marker.

METHODS

Patients aged ≥65 years were recruited in this study. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People criterion. Total thiol, native thiol, disulfide and ischemia-modified albumin levels were measures according to clinical and laboratory features. Patients were divided into two groups according to their sarcopenia presence; thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin levels were evaluated between these groups.

RESULTS

Overall, 94 patients were analyzed. The mean age was 75.0 ± 6.71 years. A total of 39% of the patients were diagnosed as probable sarcopenia, 3.2% had sarcopenia, 6.4% had severe sarcopenia and 51.1% were diagnosed as normal. The levels of native thiol, total thiol, disulfide level and disulfide-native thiol, native thiol-total thiol and disulfide-total thiol ratios were similar in patients with sarcopenia when compared with the control group. In addition, there were no differences between albumin and ischemia-modified albumin levels. In univariate regression analysis, handgrip strength was found to be an independent predictor of native thiol and total thiol, and disulfide levels.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study in the literature that evaluates the thiol-disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin levels in sarcopenic older patients. Long-term studies are warranted to confirm the relationship between oxidative stress markers and sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 584-589.

The role of oxidative stress in onychomycosis: Thiol/disulphide homeostasis

OBJECTIVES

Onychomycosis is the general term to define fungal nail infections that arise from dermatophytes, non-dermatophytic moulds and yeasts. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis is a new indicator of oxidative stress. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of thiol/disulphide balance in the pathogenesis of onychomycosis.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included adult patients with onychomycosis who were admitted to the dermatology department and healthy adult volunteers without any dermatologic or systemic condition. The patients and controls were evaluated in terms of native thiol, total thiol, and disulphide levels, and disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol and native thiol/total thiol ratios. The possible association between these parameters and clinical subtypes of onychomycosis and demographic characteristics was also investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients with onychomycosis and 50 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. The patient group showed lower levels of total thiol, native thiol and native thiol/total thiol ratio, and higher ratios of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol. No statistically significant relationship was found between the parameters, clinical subtypes of onychomycosis and demographic characteristics (p > .05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with onychomycosis showed a shifted thiol/disulphide homeostasis towards oxidative stress with a reduction in thiols and an increase in disulphide/native thiol, and disulphide/total thiol ratios. These findings may indicate the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of onychomycosis.

Evaluation of Thiol-disulfide Homeostasis in Active Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The etiopathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), which is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory, systemic disease, has not been fully elucidated yet. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis, a component of antioxidant defense, is thought to play a role in the etiology of inflammatory diseases. We aimed to evaluate the existence of oxidative stress in active AS patients with thiol-disulfide homeostasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who were found to have high (n: 27) and very-high (n: 18) activity levels with ASDAS-ESR and 40 healthy controls participated in the study. Serum native-thiol (NT), total-thiol (TT), and disulfide levels were analyzed by an automated colorimetric method.

RESULTS

While TT and NT levels were significantly decreased in patients compared to the control group, the disulfide levels were increased. There was a significant negative correlation between ESR, and NT, TT in both groups and also between hsCRP and NT, TT in very-high active AS patients.TT and NT levels were significantly higher in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) users compared to those using biological agents.

CONCLUSIONS

The deterioration of thiol-disulfide homeostasis in favor of disulfide; correlations between ESR, CRP, and NT, TT support the use of thiol-disulfide variables in determining the disease activity level.

Effects of empagliflozin against indomethacin induced gastric mucosa

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (SGLT2i) are considered a new class antidiabetic agent, As well as lowering blood sugar, it has many positive effects. This study aims to investigate the effects of SLGT2i on the gastric mucosa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated the effects of empagliflozin on indomethacin-induced gastritis using 48 male Wistar Albino rats. We performed histopathological evaluations of gastric mucosa tissue. And, we studied the levels of serum disulfide, native thiol, total thiol, and ischemia modified albumin (IMA), disulfide/native thiol ratio (SSSH), native thiol/total thiol percent ratio (SH total SH), and disulfide/total thiol percent ratio (SS total SH).

RESULTS

We found that empagliflozin increased mucin production in rat gastric mucosa. Besides, we observed milder inflammation findings and lower gastritis scores in the empagliflozin receiving groups than the placebo groups. Native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide levels were lower in the indomethacin-induced gastritis groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first study to investigate the effect of empagliflozin on the gastrointestinal tract in a rat model. We concluded that empagliflozin increased mucin production and revealed positive effects in an indomethacin-induced gastritis model.

Dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis as oxidative stress marker in diabetic ketoacidosis

Background/aim

The aim of present study was to investigate the dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis as oxidative stress marker in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Materials and methods

A total of 77 participants consisting of 32 patients with DKA and 45 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH) [total thiol-native thiol/disulfide changes] were measured in both groups (patient group and control group) using a brand new method developed by Erel and Neselioglu. Half of the difference between total thiol and native thiol concentrations gives the amount of disulfide bond. 


Results

Total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide levels in blood were found to be low. The levels of total thiol (P < 0.001) and native thiol (P < 0.001 ) were significantly lower in patients with DKA than in the control group. At the same time, the level of disulfide was nonsignificantly lower in the patient group than the control group (P = 0.388). The level of IMA was higher in the patient group than in the control group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The total thiol, native thiol, and disulfide levels in DKA decrease in favor of oxidative stress.

Determination of thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a new indicator of oxidative stress in dairy cows with subclinical endometritis

The objective of this study was to determine thiol/disulphide homeostasis (TDH) in infertile cows with subclinical endometritis (SCE). Endometrial cytological samples were collected using a cytobrush to diagnose SCE in 36 infertile cows. According to the results of the cytology examination, those with acute endometritis were classified as Group I (n = 20) and those with chronic endometritis were classified as Group II (n = 16). A control group was formed of heifers as Group III (n = 20). Blood samples were taken from each group on the day of diagnosis (day 0) to analyse TDH. In the cytology examination, both the Giemsa method and immunocytochemical staining were applied to determine chronic inflammation and activity status. In 55.55% (20/36) of the infertile cows with cytological endometritis, the inflammation was determined to be active, and in 44.44% (16/36) it had become chronic. The native thiol and total thiol levels were found to be statistically significantly lower in the acute (206.54 ± 8.30 μmol/L; 227.11 ± 9.30 μmol/L) and chronic SCE cases (225.15 ± 11.89 μmol/L; 247.96 ± 10.80 μmol/L) compared to the heathy control group (308.47 ± 13.59 μmol/L; 336.83 ± 15.5 μmol/L respectively) (P<0.001). Disulphide levels, disulphide/total thiol, native thiol/total thiol and disulphide/native thiol ratios were similar in all the groups (P>0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of native thiol, which can be used in the diagnosis of SCE, was 92.8%, that of total thiol was 89.3% and that of disulphide was 64.3% according to the ROC curve analysis. These results demonstrate that TDH is a reliable and sensitive indicator of oxidative stress in cow SCE, and that abnormal TDH might play a role in SCE pathogenic mechanisms. This is the first study to evaluate thiol/disulphide homeostasis in dairy cows with SCE as a new indicator of oxidative stress.

Dynamic Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis as Oxidative Stress Marker in Ankylosing Spondylitis and Undifferentiated Spondyloarthropathy

AIM

Seronegative spondyloarthropathies (SpA) are a group of chronic diseases, characterized by axial inflammation, oligoarthritis, and enthesitis. Oxidative stress may contribute to a wide range of diseases such as rheumatologic diseases including SpA. This prospective case-control study was designed to compare the thiol-disulfide levels as a marker of oxidative stress in SpA patients with healthy controls.

METHODS

A total of 144 patients who were diagnosed as undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy (UspA, n=97), ankylosing spondylitis (AS, n=47), and 80 healthy controls were included. Serum native thiol (NT), total thiol (TT), disulfide (D) levels were measured with the fully automated Erel?s method. NT/TT, D/TT, and D/NT ratios were calculated. Thiol-disulfide levels were compared between SpA groups and healthy controls.

RESULTS

NT and NT/TT ratios were found to be significantly lower in the SpA group. (p<0.001). Disulfide, D/NT, and D/TT ratios were found to be significantly higher in the SpA group (p <0.001 for each comparison). In pairwise comparisons between SpA subgroups, NT and TT levels were lower in USpA group compared to AS group (P=0.021). Serum disulfide levels were higher in USpA group compared to AS group (P=0,004). Anti-tumor necrosis factor (Anti-TNF) group had lower TT measurements compared to the classical disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARD) group in patients with SpA (P=0.039).

CONCLUSION

Thiol-disulfide balance is disturbed in favor of disulfide in SpAs patients compared to healthy volunteers. Native and total thiol measurements correlate with acute phase reactants and might be used to monitor disease activity. Anti-TNF therapy might control the oxidative degenerative process better than the classical DMARD in SpA patients.

The efficacy of adenotonsillectomy on oxidative stress evaluated by thiol / disulfide balance

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. Upper airway obstruction has been identified as a risk factor for increased oxidative stress-related disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. The effect of adenotonsillar hypertrophy, which may result in a narrowing of the upper airways, on oxidative stress can be a valuable subject of research. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of adenotonsillectomy on oxidative stress evaluated using the thiol / disulfide balance.

METHODS

Thirty children who underwent adenotonsillectomy and 30 healthy controls, all aged from 3 to 18 years, were included in the study. Blood samples were taken preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively in the study group; in the control group, baseline blood samples were taken and samples were again taken 3 months later. Thiol / disulfide homeostasis items were analyzed. Antioxidant markers were native thiol, total thiol, and native / total thiol. Oxidative stress markers were disulfide, disulfide / native thiol, and disulfide / total thiol.

RESULTS

At the preoperative period, oxidative stress parameters of thiol / disulfide homeostasis were higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05) and antioxidant activity parameters were lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). Three months postoperatively, oxidative stress parameters were lower than in the control group (P < 0.05), and antioxidant parameters were no different from those in the control group (P > 0.05). In the adenotonsillectomy group considered separately, oxidative stress markers of disulfide and disulfide / native thiol decreased (P < 0.05) and antioxidant markers of native thiol and total thiol increased in the postoperative measurements (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Oxidative stress related to adenotonsillar hypertrophy decreased after adenotonsillectomy. The antioxidant parameters of the thiol homeostasis increased after adenotonsillectomy. We concluded that adenotonsillectomy operations should be planned and applied timeously to prevent the adverse effects of adenotonsillar hypertrophies on thiol homeostasis.

Impaired thiol/disulphide homoeostasis in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Abnormal thiol/disulphide homoeostasis (TDH) is responsible for the pathogenesis of various diseases. We aimed to examine the TDH in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (SSNS).

METHODS

A total of 131 children, 60 with SSNS and 71 healthy controls, participated in the study. Plasma total thiol (TT), native thiol (SH) and disulphide (SS) levels in the SSNS during remission and control groups were estimated using a new method developed by Erel and Neselioglu.

RESULTS

Albumin, TT, SH levels and SH/TT ratio were decreased, whereas SS/SH and SS/TT ratios were elevated in SSNS group compared with control group. However, there was no significant difference in SS levels between the two groups. Albumin level was positively correlated with TT, SH and SS levels in the SSNS group.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that TDH shifts in favour of oxidants in children with SSNS in remission. This shift indicates that SSNS patients are exposed to augmented oxidative stress.

Altered thiol/disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin levels in children with irritable bowel syndrome

BACKGROUND

In this study, we assessed thiol/disulfide homeostasis (TDH) parameters and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) compared with healthy children.

METHODS

Fifty-six children with IBS and 53 healthy children were included in the study after assessment of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Plasma thiol/disulfide and IMA levels were compared between children with and without IBS.

RESULTS

The mean values of native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide were 343.779 ± 138.654 μmol/L, 365.398 ± 140.148 μmol/L, and 23.190 ± 4.978 μmol/L, respectively, in the IBS group and 409.908 ± 69.288 μmol/L, 433.481 ± 76.891 μmol/L, and 20.090 ± 4.252 μmol/L, respectively, in the control group. Native thiol and total thiol values were significantly reduced in the IBS group compared with the control group. The mean IMA values were 0.835 ± 0.083 (g/L) and 0.778 ± 0.072 in the IBS and control groups, respectively. The IMA value was significantly increased in the IBS group.

CONCLUSION

Impaired thiol/disulfide homeostasis and increased IMA levels can be considered etiological factors in children with IBS.

Efficacy of Thiol Disulfide Homeostasis and Ischemia Modified Albumin Values in Estimating the Degree of Difficulty for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Aim:

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of thiol disulfide homeostasis and Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA) values in predicting the technical difficulties that might be encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Materials and Methods:

The study included 65 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to cholelithiasis at the General Surgery Clinic of Ankara Numune Training and Research Hospital. All patients’ demographic data, previous history of cholecystitis, a history of chronic illness, preoperative white blood count (WBC), liver function tests (AST, ALT), amylase and lipase levels, intra-operative adhesion score, the ultrasonographic appearance of gall bladder, duration of hospital stay, duration of operation, thiol disulfide and IMA values were evaluated.

Results:

Native thiol and total thiol averages were higher in patients without a history of cholecystitis, and on the other hand, disulfide, disulfide/native thiol rate, disulfide/total thiol rate, native thiol/total thiol rate and IMA averages were higher in patients with a history of cholecystitis. While there was a statistically significant negative correlation between native and total thiol values and age, duration of surgery and duration of hospital stay; IMA, disulfide, disulfide/Total thiol, Native/Total thiol and disulfide/Native thiol rates were higher in older patients with a longer duration of surgery and hospital stay. In addition, preoperative IMA, disulfide, disulfide/Total thiol, Native/Total thiol and disulfide/Native thiol were observed to increase as the degree of intraoperative pericholecystic adhesion increased.

Conclusion:

We believe that the evaluation of thiol disulfide homeostasis and IMA parameters prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be used as an effective method for predicting intraoperative difficulties.

Thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a potential link between disease activity and preclinical atherosclerosis

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES

Thiols are crucial anti-oxidant agents that contain a sulfhydryl group; they play an important role in defence against reactive oxygen species. We aimed to determine the thiol/disulphide homeostasis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in conjunction with its association with disease activity, preclinical atherosclerosis, and other disease-related indices.

METHODS

We enrolled 64 RA patients without known cardiovascular (CV) disease or risk factors and 46 healthy controls. Disease activity was evaluated using the Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was evaluated using a novel automated method, and serum native thiol (NT), total thiol (TT), and disulphide(SS) levels were recorded. The carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) was measured using carotid ultrasound to evaluate preclinical atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

The NT and TT levels were significantly lower in RA patients than in controls (231.7 ± 52.3 vs. 293.6 ± 74.8 µmol/L, p < 0.001; 271.6 ± 52.1 vs. 331.3 ± 68.2 µmol/L, p < 0.001, respectively). There was no difference in SS levels between both groups. The CIMT was significantly higher in RA patients than in controls (0.80 vs. 0.56 mm, p ˂ 0.001). NT levels showed a significant negative correlation withCIMT in patients with RA (r = - 0.253, p = 0.040). In RA patients, NT and TT levels were significantly correlated with ESR (r = - 0.394, r = -0.399), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (r = -0.413, r = - 0.342), DAS28-ESR (r = - 0.279, r = - 0.312), fibrinogen level (r = - 0.302, r = - 0.346), and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide titres (r = - 0.305, r = 0.322) (, respectively). The association of thiol levels with CIMT did not arrive at a statistically significant level in multivariable linear regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

RA patients without known CV disease or risk factors exhibited increased CIMT values and decreased thiol levels; moreover, thiol levels were found to be correlated with disease activity. Further studies are needed to detect the value of thiol/disulphide homeostasis for CV risk stratification and risk prediction in RA patients.

Alteration of thiol disulfide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin levels as indicators of oxidative status in patients with silicosis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative status in patients with silicosis by detecting dynamic thiol disulfide homeostasis (TDH), ischemia-modified albumin level (IMA) catalase (CAT) activity, and the correlation of these markers with pulmonary function tests. Male ceramic workers with silicosis (n = 91) and healthy individuals (n = 47) were recruited for the study. Radiographic abnormalities of pneumoconiosis were classified into three profusion categories (categories 1, 2, and 3), and patients with silicosis, those with category 1, were defined as group 1 and those with category 2 or 3 were defined as group 2. Plasma levels of native thiol (NT), total thiol (TT), disulfide (Ds), IMA, and CAT activities were determined. Pulmonary function tests of groups were compared. NT, TT, and NT/TT ratios were significantly lower in groups 1 and 2 than the control group (p < 0.05). These did not differ between patients with silicosis (groups 1 and 2) and control group (p = 0.421). Ds/NT and Ds/TT ratios were significantly higher in group 2 than the control group (p < 0.05). NT, TT, and Ds did not differ significantly between groups 1 and 2. The oxidant biomarker IMA was higher (p < 0.001), and the antioxidant parameters albumin and CAT were lower in groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.001) compared with the control group. The mean FEV_1act, FVC_act, forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (%), and value of 25-75 percent maximum expiratory flow were significantly lower in groups 1 and 2 than control group. We have used a novel colorimetric method to assess TDH in patients with silicosis. Alteration of plasma thiol/disulfide homeostasis and IMA levels might be novel indicators of oxidative stress in silicosis.

Effects of Oxidant-Antioxidant and Vitamin D Levels on Clinical and Laboratory Data in Children With Fatty Liver Disease

Background and Aims

Fatty liver increases oxidative stress and may trigger antioxidant mechanisms. We aimed to compare the levels of vitamin D, which has antioxidant properties, as well as total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and catalase between patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and the control group.

Methods

We compared vitamin D, TOS, TAS, catalase levels, and other biochemical parameters between pediatric patients with ultrasonographically detected NAFL and an age-matched healthy control group.

Results

NAFL patients had a significantly lower vitamin D level (p < 0.001). The patient group also had significantly greater height, weight, body mass index (BMI) Z score, parathyroid hormone, triglyceride, glucose, antioxidant (TAS and catalase), and TOS levels compared to the controls (p ≥ 0.001). There was no significant difference between the obese and non-obese NAFL patients with respect to TAS, TOS, catalase levels, and other biochemical parameters (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between height, weight, BMI Z score, and hepatosteatosis grade, and TAS, TOS, and catalase levels, and a negative correlation with vitamin D level. We also found a negative correlation between vitamin D level and TOS and catalase level.

Conclusions

Our study revealed lower levels of vitamin D and higher levels of oxidant-antioxidants including TOS, TAS, and catalase in patients with NAFL.

Does plasma thiol and disulphide be a new marker for prostate cancer in prostate-specific antigen level between 10 and 20 ng/ml?

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to evaluate plasma thiol and disulphide levels as an additional marker to prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS

Between March 2017 and January 2018 prospective study was conducted among patients with PSA levels of 2.5-20 ng/mL without suspicion of malignancy in rectal examination and who underwent prostate needle biopsy. Patients were divided into two groups according to PSA level as 2.5-10 ng/mL (Group 1) and 10.01-20 ng/mL (Group 2). Diagnostic efficacy of thiol, disulphide and PSA levels were measured by ROC analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 76 patients were included in the study. There were 49 patients in group 1 and 27 patients in group 2. There was no significant difference between two groups in terms of PSA density and prostate size. In Group 1, area under curve (AUC) was higher in PSA than other parameters with statistically significant difference (p<.05). In group 2, AUC of native and total thiol was higher than PSA but there was no statistically significant difference for AUC in parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

We think that plasma thiol test may be used in diagnosis of prostate cancer while PSA levels between 10 to 20 ng/mL. However, further studies are required.

Thiol-disulfide homeostasis: an integrated approach with biochemical and clinical aspects

Dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis (TDH) is a new area has begun to attract more scrutiny. Dynamic TDH is reversal of thiol oxidation in proteins and represents the status of thiols (-SH) and disulfides (-S-S-). Organic compounds containing the sulfhydryl group is called thiol, composed of sulfur and hydrogen atoms. Disulfides are the most important class of dynamic, redox responsive covalent bonds build in between two thiol groups. For many years, thiol levels were analyzed by several methods. During last years, measurements of disulfide levels have been analyzed by a novel automated method, developed by Erel and Neselioglu. In this method, addition to thiol (termed as native thiol) levels, disulfide levels were also measured and sum of native thiol and disulfide levels were termed as total thiol. Therefore, TDH was begun to be understood in organism. In healthy humans, TDH is maintained within a certain range. Dysregulated dynamic TDH has been implicated several disorders with unknown etiology. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated that the thiol-disulfide homeostasis is involved in variety diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nonsmall cell lung cancer, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), inflammatory bowel diseases, occupational diseases, gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia. These results may elucidate some pathogenic mechanism or may be a predictor indicating diagnostic clue, prognostic marker or therapeutic sign. In conclusion, protection of the thiol-disulfide homeostasis is of great importance for the human being. Evidence achieved so far has proposed that thiol-disulfide homeostasis is an important issue needs to elucidate wholly.

The impact of oxytocin on thiol/disulphide and malonyldialdehyde/glutathione homeostasis in stressed rats

We aimed to investigate the impact of oxytocin on serum thiol/disulphide and malonylyldialdehyde (MDA)/glutathione balance under acute stress (AS) and chronic stress (CS) exposure in rats. Animals were allocated into control (C), AS and CS groups, then the groups subdivided as intranasal oxytocin or saline applied groups, randomly. Animals in the AS or CS groups were exposed to combined cold-immobilisation stress. Salivary corticosterone levels and elevated plus maze (EPM) scores were used to assess stress response. MDA, glutathione, thiol-disulphide levels were measured in the serum samples. Oxytocin treatment attenuated stress response regardless of the stress duration verified by lower corticosterone level and favorable profile in EPM parameters measured. Furthermore, oxytocin modulated oxidant profile suggesting lowered oxidant stress with decreased serum MDA/glutathione and disulfide/native thiol ratios. Oxytocin improves the response of organism to stress via both its anxiolytic and antioxidant effects. That's why it can be considered as a protective measure to employ methods to increase endogenous oxytocin and/or to apply exogenous oxytocin to prevent stress-induced increase in oxidant stress, which plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various stress-related diseases.

Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels and Thiol-Disulphide Homeostasis in Diabetic Macular Edema in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

PURPOSE

It was aimed to assess the role of thiol-disulphide homeostasis and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level in the development of diabetic macular edema (DME) in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-six study patients were divided into two groups. Group I included 43 patients with T2DM and DME, and Group 2 included 23 patients with T2DM without eye involvement. A novel colorimetric method was used to assess thiol-disulphide homeostasis. Between the two groups IMA, total anti-oxidant, and total oxidant levels were measured and compared.

RESULTS

In Group 1, total and native thiol levels and disulphide levels were lower compared to Group 2 (p = .025, p < .001 and p = .013, respectively). Disulphide/native thiol, disulphide/total thiol ratios and native thiol/total thiol were similar between the groups. Total anti-oxidant level (TAL) reduced whereas total oxidant level (TOL) increased in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p = .001, p = .002, respectively). Albumin level decreased, whereas IMA level increased in Group 1 compared to Group 2 (p < .001 for both).

CONCLUSIONS

The disruption in thiol/disulphide homeostasis, increased IMA and oxidative stress have an impact on the development of diabetic macular edema.

Thiol-disulfide status of patients with cervical cancer

AIM

The evaluation of dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis among patients with the cancer of the uterine cervix.

METHODS

The study was conducted in 62 cervical cancer patients and 61 healthy women who had been followed up in an obstetrics and gynecology clinic between September 2018 and April 2020. Serum disulfide, native thiol, total thiol, ischemia modified-albumin, total antioxidant and oxidant capacities, and oxidative stress index values were measured in all participants.

RESULTS

The mean plasma disulfide levels of the cervical cancer group was statistically significantly higher than that of the control group (25.79 ± 6.90 μmol/L, 22.31 ± 6.11 μmol/L, respectively) (P = 0.004). Plasma native thiol and total thiol levels were lower in cervical cancer patients (299.27 ± 99.05 μmol/L and 350.86 ± 102.72 μmol/L, respectively) compared to controls, but no statistically significant difference was observed (318.00 ± 93.75 μmol/L and 376.44 ± 98.51 μmol/L, respectively) (P = 0.284, P = 0.161). With respect to the ischemia modified-albumin level, no statistically significant difference was observed between two groups. There were statistically significant positive association between disulfide level and both the stage of cervical cancer (r = 0.278, P = 0.029) and total oxidant capacity level (r = 0.256, P = 0.046).

CONCLUSION

Dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis may participate in the pathophysiological mechanisms of cervical cancer and may be a potential biomarker for early identification of cervical cancer in future.