Thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

The thiol/disulfide balance is shifted towards oxidation in psoriatic arthritis compared to controls and is associated with higher disease activity

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to compare thiol/disulfide and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and healthy controls and evaluate the correlation between these molecules and the disease activity scores used in PsA.

METHODS

A total of 63 PsA patients and 49 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), modified disease activity score 28 (DAS28), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) scores were used as disease activity indices for PsA patients. Calculations of native thiol (-SH), disulfide (-SS), and total thiol (-SH+-SS) molecules were made by the automatic spectrophotometric method, and the albumin cobalt binding test was used to measure IMA levels.

RESULTS

In the PsA group, -SS/-SH and -SS/(-SH+-SS) levels were higher and -SH/(-SH+-SS) levels were lower than in controls. In the linear regression analysis, a significant correlation relationship was detected between DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and -SS/(-SH+-SS) (β = 0.795, CI 95%, 0.196-1.395; P = .010), -SH/(-SH+-SS) (β = -0.475, CI 95%, 0.114-0.836; P = .010) and IMA (β = 3.932, CI 95%, 0.859-7.005; P = .013). Additionally, a significant correlation was detected between IMA and BASDAI and BASFI.

CONCLUSION

In PsA, thiol/disulfide homeostasis has shifted in favor of disulfide as an oxidative indicator. Serum thiol/disulfide levels are correlated with PsA disease activity indices.

Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis: A New Oxidative Marker in Heart Failure Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction

BACKGROUND

It is suggested that myocardial dysfunction in heart failure patients may result from increased oxidative stress-related membrane changes. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis is a new oxidative stress indicator. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum thiol levels and thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

METHODS

Eighty-four overweight patients who applied to our clinic between November 2016 and February 2018 and diagnosed with hypertension and left ventricule concentric hypertrophy with normal systolic function are included in the study. Forty-two patients who were asymptomatic and had normal N terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels (≤125) were in the control group. Forty-two patients who have cardiac failure symptoms and have high NT-roBNP levels (>125) were in the patient group.

RESULTS

Native thiol, total thiol, and disulfide values of the patient group are found to be significantly lower than the control group (P =.001; P <.001; P =.041 respectively). There is a statictically significant negative correlation between native thiol, total thiol values, and NT-proBNP. There is a statictically significant negative correlation between native thiol, total thiol values, and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA-125) values.

CONCLUSION

As far as we know from literature, this is the first study on HFpEF and thiol/disulfide homeostasis. It is found that native, total thiol, and disulfide values are low in HFpEF patients and that there is a negative correlation between native, total thiol values and NT-proBNP, CA-125 values. It can be said that oxidant/antioxidant balance is impaired in patients with HFpEF and that larger, randomized studies are needed in order to use oxidant/antioxidant balance in diagnosis and treatment of HFpEF.

Evaluation of Thiol Disulfide Homeostasis and Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels as an Indicator of Oxidative Stress in Acne Vulgaris

INTRODUCTION

Acne vulgaris (AV) is the most common skin disease. AV is a skin disease often associated with oxidative stress. Thiols and ischemia modified albumin (IMA) analysis are used as oxidative stress markers.

OBJECTIVES

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the blood levels of thiols and IMA, which are accepted as oxidative stress markers, and to determine the severity of the disease in AV patients whose severity is determined by the global acne score rate (GAS).

METHODS

Thiol parameters and IMA values were measured spectrophotometrically in blood samples taken from patients and controls. Determine GAS values in AV patients. The thiol and IMA values obtained were compared between the patient and control groups and their correlation with the patient's GAS values was evaluated.

RESULTS

In our study, in acne patients, native thiol (NT), total thiol (TT) and index 3 (I3=NT/TT*100) were significantly lower than the control group, disulfide (SS), index 1 (I1=SS/NT*100), index 2 (I2=SS/TT*100) and IMA values were found to be significantly higher. GAS values, which are accepted as an indicator of the degree and severity of acne disease, and SS, I1 and I2 showed a positive correlation, while I3 showed a negative correlation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that oxidative stress associated with AV disease pathogenesis may occur through mechanisms dependent on thiol and IMA levels. Therefore, in AV, oral supplementation or topical application of antioxidants may be a good way to increase drug efficacy or prevent potential harm.

New Insights into the Regulatory Role of Ferroptosis in Ankylosing Spondylitis via Consensus Clustering of Ferroptosis-Related Genes and Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis

Background: The pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) remains undetermined. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered form of regulated cell death involved in multiple autoimmune diseases. Currently, there are no reports on the connection between ferroptosis and AS. Methods: AS samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus were divided into two subgroups using consensus clustering of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of the intergroup differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis of the key module were used to screen out hub genes. A multifactor regulatory network was then constructed based on hub genes. Results: The 52 AS patients in dataset GSE73754 were divided into cluster 1 (n = 24) and cluster 2 (n = 28). DEGs were mainly enriched in pathways related to mitochondria, ubiquitin, and neurodegeneration. Candidate hub genes, screened by PPI and WGCNA, were intersected. Subsequently, 12 overlapping genes were identified as definitive hub genes. A multifactor interaction network with 45 nodes and 150 edges was generated, comprising the 12 hub genes and 32 non-coding RNAs. Conclusions: AS can be divided into two subtypes according to FRG expression. Ferroptosis might play a regulatory role in AS. Tailoring treatment according to the ferroptosis status of AS patients can be a promising direction.

Evaluation of thiol/disulfide hemostasis and serum Ischemia modified albumin as oxidative stress biomarkers in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Relationship with major organ involvement and disease activity

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to compare thiol/disulfide hemostasis and serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels, which are indicators of oxidative stress (OS), in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), with the healthy control (HC) group and to evaluate the relationship of these parameters with disease activity and major organ involvement.

MATERIAL-METHODS

Eighty-four SLE patients and 96 HCs were included in this study. The disease activity of SLE patients was calculated using The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K). Patients with SLEDAI-2K ≤ 5 were classified as low disease activity (LDA) and those with SLEDAI-2K > 6 as high disease activity (HDA). Thiol/disulfide hemostasis was evaluated using a new automated method and natural thiol (NT), total thiol (TT), disulfide (SS) levels, SS/NT, SS/TT, NT/TT ratios, and serum IMA levels were recorded.

RESULTS

NT and TT levels were significantly lower (490.11 ± 123.61 vs 536.96 ± 86.05, p = 0.003) (532.56 ± 125.80 vs 565.72 ± 89.82, p = 0.046), SS level (21.22 ± 11.75 vs 13.37 ± 9.31, p < 0.001) was higher, and SS/TT (4.64 ± 2.93 vs 2.52 ± 1.82, p < 0.001) and SS/NT (4.12 ± 2.33 vs 2.35 ± 1.59, p < 0.001) ratios were significantly higher in SLE patients compared to HCs. IMA values were not different between the two groups (p = 0.920). NT (449.84 ± 136.98 vs 520.32 ± 104.11, p = 0.012) and TT levels (492.01 ± 138.45±562.97 ± 107.09, p = 0.013) were significantly lower and serum IMA levels (0.802 ± 0.089 vs 0.764 ± 0.040, p = 0.023) were significantly higher in SLE patients with HDA than in LDA patients. There was a weak negative correlation between NT (r = -0.284, p=0.009) (r = -0.291, p = 0.007) and TT levels (r = -0.281, p = 0.010) (r = -0.289, p = 0.008) and a weak positive correlation between IMA levels (r = 0.279, p = 0.011) (r = 0.263, p = 0.016) and SLEDAI-2K, and major organ involvement.

CONCLUSION

It is thought that thiol/disulfide hemostasis and IMA levels may be used as ideal biomarkers of OS in SLE patients and may reflect the disease activity and major organ involvement.

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.

Is there a relationship between dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis and osteoarthritis progression?

We aim to determine serum dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis with novel methods in early-stage osteoarthritis and late-stage osteoarthritis patients and investigated whether it was associated with the progression of osteoarthritis risk or not. One hundred eighteen patients were included in this prospective study. Osteoarthritis patients were divided into five stages, according to the Kellgren-Lawrence scale. Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis was determined with a novel spectrophotometric method. Late-stage osteoarthritis patients had significantly lower levels of native and total thiol than the patients of early-stage osteoarthritis. Disulphide, index-1, index-2 levels, and WOMAC score of late-stage osteoarthritis patients were significantly higher than the ones belonging to patients of early-stage osteoarthritis. Decreased native thiol and total thiol levels and increased WOMAC score and disulphide levels were independently associated with increased risk of late-stage osteoarthritis. We suggest that both WOMAC score and dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis may be implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of osteoarthritis. We also recommend that dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis may have clinical utility as possible markers of differential diagnosis of early-stage and late-stage osteoarthritis.

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.

Dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis as an oxidative stress marker in ankylosing spondylitis and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy

Background/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 rheumatologic diseases, including SpA. This prospective case-control study was designed to compare thiol-disulfide levels as a marker of oxidative stress between SpA patients and healthy controls.

Materials and methods

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

Results

The NT and NT/TT ratios were found to be significantly lower in the SpA group (p < 0.001). The disulfide, D/NT, and D/TT ratios were found to be significantly higher in the SpA group (p < 0.001). In pairwise comparisons between the SpA subgroups, the NT and TT levels were lower in the USpA group than in the AS group (p = 0.021), but serum disulfide levels were higher in the USpA group than in the AS group (p = 0.004). Among the patients with SpA, the group taking antitumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) had lower TT measurements compared to the group taking conventional disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) (p = 0.039).

Conclusion

The thiol-disulfide balance is disturbed in favor of disulfide in SpA 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 conventional DMARD in SpA patients.

Modulation of Paraoxonase-1 and Apoptotic Gene Expression Involves in the Cardioprotective Role of Flaxseed Following Gestational Exposure to Diesel Exhaust Particles and/or Fenitrothion Insecticide

The developmental exposure to a single chemical may elicit apoptosis in the different fetal organs, while the combined effects are restricted. We have examined the protective role of flaxseed (FS) against diesel exhaust particles (DEPs)- and/or fenitrothion (FNT)-induced fetal cardiac oxidative stress and apoptosis. A total of 48 timed pregnant rats were divided into eight groups (n = 6). The first group was saved as the control and the second fed on 20% FS diet. Animals in the third, fourth, and fifth groups were administered with DEPs (2.0 mg/kg), FNT (3.76 mg/kg), and their combination, respectively, while the sixth, seventh, and eighth groups were supplemented with 20% FS through intoxication with DEPs, FNT, and their combination, respectively. Our results revealed that DEPs and/or FNT significantly elevated the level of protein carbonyl and superoxide dismutase activity in the fetal cardiac tissues. However, the catalase activity and total thiol level were decreased; besides the histopathological alterations were remarked. Moreover, DEPs and/or FNT exhibited significant down-regulation in the anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2) and paraoxonase-1 gene expression, and up-regulation in the apoptotic (Bax and caspase-3) gene expression along with DNA fragmentation. Remarkably, FS supplementation significantly ameliorated the fetal cardiac oxidative injury, down-regulated the expression of the apoptotic genes, up-regulated the anti-apoptotic and paraoxonase-1 gene expression, reduced DNA fragmentation, and alleviated the myocardial cell architectures. These findings revealed that FS attenuates DEPs- and/or FNT-induced apoptotic cell death by repairing the disturbance in the anti-apoptotic/pro-apoptotic gene balance toward cell survival in the fetal myocardial cells.

The prognostic and predictive significance of serum thiols and disulfide levels in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Serum Total Thiol (TT), Native Thiol (NT), and Disulfide (SS) levels were found significantly lower in benign proliferative pathologies and cancer disease compared to healthy subjects. We conducted this prospective study to investigate the possible predictive and prognostic significance of these markers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which is one of the most associated cancers with oxidative stress. This was a non-randomized, prospective, and case-control study of 120 subjects, including 60 patients with metastatic or inoperable NSCLC at the time of diagnosis and 60 demographically-matched controls. Morning fasting venous blood serum samples from both NSCLC and control group were stored at -80 °C for equal periods and then TT, NT, and SS levels were measured spectrophotometrically. Serum TT, NT, and SS levels were compared between groups and their relationships with demographic features and survival of NSCLC patients were analyzed. In results, Serum TT, NT, and SS levels were significantly lower in NSCLC patients than those in control group, with a low SS level being an independent indicator of poor survival.

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.

Oxidative and Antioxidative Stress Linked Biomarkers in Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the axial skeleton, leading to joint disability. Our study aims at investigating the change of oxidative and antioxidative stress linked biomarkers in AS. Methods. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases till May 2020 were searched. Only articles published in English were included. Two reviewers screened relevant studies, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale independently. Either random or fixed effect model was adopted base on the heterogeneity testing by $I^2$ statistic. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of oxidative and antioxidative markers were calculated. $p$ value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. A total of 22 studies including 931 AS patients and 917 healthy controls met the selection criteria. Significantly increased levels of all oxidative stress markers except myeloperoxidase, and significantly decreased levels of total antioxidant status ( $\text{SMD}=-1.19$ , 95% CI -2.35 to -0.03, $p=0.044$ ) and paraoxonase 1( $\text{SMD}=-1.01$ , 95% CI -1.78 to -0.24, $p=0.010$ ) in serum were observed in AS patients when compared with healthy controls. However, there were no significant differences of all oxidative and anti-oxidative stress biomarkers in erythrocytes. Additionally, the levels of malondialdehyde ( $\text{SMD}=0.51$ , 95% CI 0.21 to 0.81, $p=0.001$ ) and advanced oxidation protein products ( $\text{SMD}=0.95$ , 95% CI 0.58 to 1.31, $p<0.001$ ) in serum were significantly higher in active patients when compared with inactive AS patients. Conclusion. This meta-analysis demonstrated an overall increase of oxidative markers and decrease of antioxidative markers in AS, suggesting that oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of AS.

Evaluation of the effect of chiropractic manipulative treatment on oxidative stress in sacroiliac joint dysfunction

Objectives

This study aims to investigate the effect of chiropractic manipulative treatment on sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) and its relationship to oxidative stress (OXS) parameters.

Patients and methods

Thirty-three patients diagnosed with SIJD (20 males, 13 females; mean age 36.3±9.7 years; range, 18 to 60 years) and 30 healthy volunteers (20 males, 10 females; mean age 36.4±12.2 years; range, 20 to 57 years) were included in this cross-sectional, case-control study conducted between February 2017 and September 2017. Manipulation was applied to the patients once a week for a duration of four weeks. The patients were evaluated at pre-treatment and one month after treatment with visual analog scale, SIJD test, and total thiol, native thiol, disulphide, and ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) as OXS indicators.

Results

Prior to treatment, we demonstrated that serum native thiol (μmol/L) and total thiol (μmol/L) levels in the patient group were lower compared to control subjects (p=0.03 and p=0.02, respectively). Serum IMA levels were higher in the patient group (p=0.01). There was no change in OXS parameters after manipulative treatment in the patient group.

Conclusion

Manipulation is useful in SIJD. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis and serum IMA levels may be used to measure the OXS in patients with SIJD.

Thiol/disulfide homeostasis and ischemia modified albumin levels in autoimmune gastritis and their relations with gastric emptying

Background/aim

Autoimmune gastritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disorder. The aim of this study is to examine dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis and ischemia modified albumin levels, and to analyze the association between thiol/disulfide homeostasis and gastric emptying time in autoimmune gastritis.

Materials and methods

Thiol/disulfide homeostasis tests and ischemia modified albumin levels were determined in 50 autoimmune gastritis patients and 53 healthy subjects. Patients with delayed and normal gastric emptying were compared by thiol/disulfide homeostasis tests.

Results

The results showed that native thiol (μmol/L), total thiol (μmol/L), and native thiol/total thiol ratio (%) of the patients with autoimmune gastritis decreased compared to the control group (177.7 ± 34.18 vs. 245.25 ± 33.83, P = 0.001, 227.25 ± 36.78 vs. 284.20 ± 27.19, P = 0.03, and 8.84 ± 1.1 vs. 7.74% ± 1.3%, P = 0.001). In addition, native thiol (μmol/L), total thiol (μmol/L), and native thiol/ total thiol ratio (%) were found to be lower in patients with delayed gastric emptying (198.65 ± 24.27 vs. 167.12 ± 20.51, 241.81 ± 27.14 vs. 213.92 ± 26.35, 8.34 ± 1.29 vs. 7.20 ± 1.83, P = 0.001). Disulfide level, disulfide/native thiol, disulfide/total thiol (P = 0.001) ratios, and ischemia modified albumin levels (ABSU, 0.71 ± 0.08 vs. 0.83 ± 0.07) were found to be higher in autoimmune gastritis patients with delayed gastric emptying (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The results showed that thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with autoimmune gastritis caused an increase in ischemia modified albumin and disulfide whereas a decrease in thiols. An altered thiol/disulfide balance was also observed in patients with delayed gastric emptying. These results suggest that the oxidative process is involved in patients with autoimmune gastritis.

Dynamic thiol and disulphide homoeostasis in fibromyalgia

INTRODUCTION

Thiol and disulphide levels are biomarkers that provide useful information about oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity, showing a different homoeostasis in inflammatory and proliferative diseases. We aimed to clarify the possible aetiology of this disease by using thiol and disulphide levels in patients with fibromyalgia, the basis of which has not yet been clearly elucidated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 156 individuals: 86 patients with fibromyalgia and 70 age-matched controls were included in this prospective non-randomised case-control study. Demographic characteristics including smoking status, body mass index (BMI), the duration of complaints, and pain levels were carefully recorded. Dynamic thiol-disulphide homoeostasis in blood samples was determined by an automatic-spectrophotometric method. The Mann-Whitney U and Student's t-test were used to determine the differences between the groups.

RESULTS

Sex, BMI, and smoking status were similar between the groups (p = 0.62, p = 0.09, and p = 0.64, respectively). While native thiol levels were found to be high in patients with fibromyalgia (p = 0.018), disulphide levels and the rates of disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol were significantly low (p = 0.049, p = 0.007, and p = 0.007, respectively). Correlation analysis showed no significant relationship between thiol-disulphide levels and duration of complaints or pain level.

CONCLUSIONS

Thiol-disulphide balance in fibromyalgia was found to be similar to benign proliferative diseases, suggesting that the underlying mechanism is more likely to be of proliferative pattern rather than inflammatory. Additionally, fibromyalgia is not directly associated with increase in oxidative stress. The molecular mechanisms need to be elucidated.

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis and pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease

BACKGROUND

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute, self-limited, systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. In the present study, we investigated whether there is a relationship between KD and dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis.

METHODS

This case-control study involved KD patients and healthy controls. Plasma total, native and disulphide thiol and the disulphide/native, disulphide/total and native thiol/total thiol ratios of all patients and the control group were analyzed simultaneously.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients with KD (male/female, 12/8) and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (male/female, 12/13) were evaluated. Native, total thiol and native thiol/total thiol ratio were significantly lower in KD patients than in the control group (P < 0.001). In contrast, disulphide thiol, disulphide/native thiol and disulphide/total thiol ratios were significantly higher in KD patients than control subjects (P < 0.001). In KD patients with coronary artery lesion (CAL), the native thiol and total thiol were significantly lower than in KD patients without CAL. In KD patients with CAL, the ratios of disulphide/total thiol and disulphide/native thiol were significantly higher than in those without CAL (P = 0.02 and P = 0.02, respectively), whereas the ratio of native/total thiol was significantly lower (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

The KD patients had lower plasma thiol (native and total) and higher disulphide thiol than controls, indicating that dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis might be an important indicator of inflammation in KD. Alteration and shifting of thiol/disulphide homeostasis to the oxidized side are correlated with the pathogenesis of KD and CAL.

Altered superoxide dismutase-1 activity and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Inflammation and oxidative stress are linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this work, we analyzed patients' blood markers of antioxidant capacity, oxidative stress and inflammation in individuals with T2DM, in pre-diabetes state (pre-DM) and controls without diabetes. Patients were divided into three groups, according to glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): <7%, 7-9%, and >9%. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, total thiols, nitric oxide (•NO), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) levels of the individuals were measured. Plasma SOD activity was higher in T2DM subjects compared to the controls. While total thiols levels were lower in T2DM groups when compared to pre-DM, the values remained unchanged when compared to controls. ICAM-1 levels of T2DM groups were lower than in controls, while GPx activity, •NO, and TNF-α levels were similar among all groups. A positive correlation was found between SOD and HbA1c levels. Concluding, individuals with T2DM present altered SOD activity, total thiols, and ICAM-1 levels, which might contribute to further complications. There is a positive correlation between SOD activity and HbA1c levels. No apparent correlation exists between total thiols and ICAM-1 levels and with any other of the parameters evaluated in this study.

Thiol/Disulphide Homeostasis, Ischemia Modified Albumin, and Ferroxidase as Oxidative Stress Markers in Women with Obesity with Insulin Resistance

Background

The purpose of the study was to determine oxidative stress-related plasma thiol/disulphide, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels and ferroxidase activity among women with obesity in insulin-resistant and non-insulin-resistant groups in comparison with an overweight group.

Methods

We compared plasma thiol/disulphide, IMA levels, and ferroxidase activity between the study groups. We analyzed plasma thiol/disulphide homeostasis with a newly developed automated measurement method; IMA with Albumin Cobalt Binding Test and ferroxidase (ceruloplasmin) levels with an automated, colourimetric method.

Results

There were no significant differences between insulin-resistant and non-insulin-resistant women with obesity in terms of plasma native thiol, total thiol, disulphide, disulphide/native thiol ratio, disulphide/total thiol or native thiol/total thiol values. Ferroxidase activity was higher in insulin-resistant than in non-insulin-resistant women with obesity and higher in the total women with obesity group than in the overweight subjects (p<0.001, and p=0.014, respectively). IMA was lower in the insulin-resistant group than in the non-insulin-resistant group and overweight groups (p=0.011, and p=0.042, respectively).

Conclusions

The significantly greater increase in ferroxidase activity in insulin-resistant subjects with obesity may reflect its role as a positive acute phase protein. These findings may be related to the pathogenesis of the disease. Changes in oxidative status occur in women with obesity, and partially in overweight subjects. The ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin plays a crucial role in iron homeostasis and lowers oxidative stress by reducing the detrimental effects of iron.

Does inflammatory joint diseases affect the accuracy of infection biomarkers in patients with periprosthetic joint infections? A prospective comparative reliability study

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) in patients with inflammatory joint diseases (IJD) could be challenging. Several tests used for diagnosing PJI may be inaccurate due to baseline inflammatory characteristics of such diseases. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of several infection biomarkers, in a specific subgroup of patients with PJI and IJD.

METHODS

From January 2014 to August 2017, patients with resisting pain at the relevant site, following total knee arthroplasty were evaluated prospectively. A total of 38 patients were undergone revision arthroplasty. Patients were categorized in terms of MSIS criteria: Patients with PJI (Group 1, n = 17) and patients without PJI (Group 2, n = 21). Serum ESR, CRP, Procalcitonin, synovial cell count, percentage of neutrophils in synovial fluid, synovial CRP, Lactoferrin, ELA-2, Thiol - Disulphide levels, BPI and the Alpha defensin test results were obtained. The results of two groups were compared and the diagnostic accuracy of each variable was evaluated.

RESULTS

There were 22 women, 16 men with a mean age of 67.8 ± 6.9 years. The differences were significant in all evaluated biomarkers in terms of PJI (p values of all biomarker were <0.001). Alpha defensin, Lactoferrin, ELA-2, BPI, Procalcitonin and synovial CRP were the most accurate tests with area under curve >0.90.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrated that IJD may not affect the accuracy of infection biomarkers in patients with PJI. Alpha defensin test, Lactoferrin, ELA-2, BPI, Procalcitonin and synovial CRP can be used in the diagnosis of PJI in patients with IJD.

Evaluation of serum thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis by a novel method

OBJECTIVE

Increased reactive oxygen species may play an important role in Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) etiopathogenesis. The thiol group is a very potent antioxidant. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of oxidative stress in patients with AS by evaluating thiol/disulfide homeostasis.

METHODS

In this study, a total of 66 AS patients (27 male, 39 female) and 66 healthy controls (21 male, 45 female) were enrolled. Recently, a novel method for the thiol measurement was found. Thiol and disulfide values were measured by the novel methods.

RESULTS

Native thiol (NT) (p<0.001) and native thiol/total thiol (NTT) (p<0.001) levels of AS patients were significantly lower compared to the values of the healthy group. However, disulfide (p<0.001), disulfide/native thiol (DNT) (p<0.001) and disulfide/total thiol (DTT) levels of AS patients were a strongly higher control group. A negative correlation was found between BASFI and NTT. Also, a negative correlation was found between BASDAI and NT, NTT levels. A positive correlation was found between BASFI and disulfide, DNT and DTT levels. A positive correlation was found between BASDAI and disulfide, DNT and DTT levels.

CONCLUSION

The findings revealed that thiol-disulfide homeostasis deteriorated in patients with AS in favor of disulfide amounts. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis can play roles in the etiology and severity of AS.

Evaluation of serum thiol/disulfide homeostasis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis by a novel method

OBJECTIVE

Increased reactive oxygen species may play an important role in Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) etiopathogenesis. The thiol group is a very potent antioxidant. In this study, we aimed to investigate the presence of oxidative stress in patients with AS by evaluating thiol/disulfide homeostasis.

METHODS

In this study, a total of 66 AS patients (27 male, 39 female) and 66 healthy controls (21 male, 45 female) were enrolled. Recently, a novel method for the thiol measurement was found. Thiol and disulfide values were measured by the novel methods.

RESULTS

Native thiol (NT) (p<0.001) and native thiol/total thiol (NTT) (p<0.001) levels of AS patients were significantly lower compared to the values of the healthy group. However, disulfide (p<0.001), disulfide/native thiol (DNT) (p<0.001) and disulfide/total thiol (DTT) levels of AS patients were a strongly higher control group. A negative correlation was found between BASFI and NTT. Also, a negative correlation was found between BASDAI and NT, NTT levels. A positive correlation was found between BASFI and disulfide, DNT and DTT levels. A positive correlation was found between BASDAI and disulfide, DNT and DTT levels.

CONCLUSION

The findings revealed that thiol-disulfide homeostasis deteriorated in patients with AS in favor of disulfide amounts. Thiol-disulfide homeostasis can play roles in the etiology and severity of AS.

The effect of tinea versicolor on thiol/disulphide homeostasis

Introduction

Tinea versicolor is a superficial fungal infection caused by Malassezia spp. Malassezia spp. is a member of the normal human skin flora. It becomes a pathogen by transforming from the yeast form to the mycelium form. The oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis may be responsible for this. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis is a new marker indicating oxidative stress. This homeostasis is affected in many illnesses.

Aim

To investigate the thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with tinea versicolor.

Material and methods

Forty-two patients with tinea versicolor (median age: 36 years, min.–max.: 19–58) and 36 healthy controls (median age: 32 years, min.–max.: 18–60) were included in the trial. The levels of native thiol, disulphide, and total thiol were measured by an automated method in the patient and control groups. Disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol and native thiol/total thiol rates were calculated as percentage.

Results

For the patient group and the control group, the native thiol levels were found to be 464.32 ±51.48 mmol/l and 465.18 ±51.32 mmol/l, disulphide levels – 19.80 ±7.08 mmol/l and 21.27 ±8.90 mmol/l, total thiol levels – 503.92 ±53.65 mmol/l and 508.07 ±56.59 mmol/l, respectively. No statistical difference was detected between the two groups.

Conclusions

Thiol/disulphide homeostasis was not affected in tinea versicolor. According to our findings, oxidative stress seems to have no role in the pathogenesis of tinea versicolor.

Changes in thiol/disulfide homeostasis in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) remains unknown, but imbalance between the oxidant and antioxidant defense systems may play a role. Measuring thiols in plasma provides an indirect indication of antioxidative defense. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between JIA and dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostatic status.

METHODS

This case-control study involved 34 JIA patients and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The patients were divided into subgroups according to Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) score: active, SDAI > 3.3; remission, SDAI ≤ 3.3.

RESULTS

Native thiol and total thiol were significantly lower in the JIA group than in the control group (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the disulfide/native thiol, disulfide/total thiol, and native thiol/total thiol ratios between the JIA and control groups (P > 0.05). Based on SDAI score, 22 JIA patients were in the remission subgroup, and 12 JIA patients were in the active subgroup. Native thiol and total thiol were significantly lower in the active JIA subgroup than in the remission subgroup (P = 0.001), but there were no significant differences in the other parameters. There was no significant difference in thiol and disulfide levels between systemic-onset JIA and other JIA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma thiol is lower in JIA patients, especially during periods of active disease, than in healthy controls, indicating that low thiol might be an important factor in the etiology of JIA and that antioxidant systems are negatively affected by inflammatory diseases, especially during periods of active disease.

Dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis in patients with basal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to measure and compare the dynamic thiol/disulphide homeostasis of patients with basal cell carcinoma and healthy subjects with a newly developed and original method.

OBJECTIVE

Thirty four patients attending our outpatient clinic and clinically and histopathologically diagnosed as nodular basal cell carcinoma, and age and gender matched 30 healthy individuals have been involved in the study. Thiol/disulphide homeostasis tests have been measured with a novel automatic spectrophotometric method developed and the results have been compared statistically.

RESULTS

Serum native thiol and disulphide levels in the patient and control group show a considerable variance statistically (p = 0.028, 0.039, respectively). Total thiol levels do not reveal a considerable variation (p = 0.094). Disulphide/native thiol ratios and native thiol/total thiol ratios also show a considerable variance statistically (p = 0.012, 0.013, 0.010, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Thiol disulphide homeostasis in patients with basal cell carcinoma alters in the way that disulphide gets lower and thiols get higher. Thiol/disulphide level is likely to have a role in basal cell carcinoma pathogenesis.