Analysis of Serum VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α Levels in ADHD

OBJECTIVE

In recent years, it has been emphasized that various growth factors that affect neurogenesis may lead to ADHD. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α growth factors in the etiopathogenesis of ADHD.

METHOD

Levels of VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α were compared between 40 ADHD children and 40 healthy children, aged 7 to 13 years.

RESULT

VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α levels did not significantly differ between the groups. There was a negative correlation between serum VEGF levels and the parent-rated T-DSM-IV-S (AD) subscale. There was a positive correlation between serum IGF-1 levels and the parent-rated T-DSM-IV-S (AD) subscale, and SDQ (ES) subscale.

CONCLUSION

Given our limitations and the fact that some of our findings differ from those of other studies, it is evident that this area requires additional research with larger samples.

Could SCUBE-1 be a marker for subclinical atherosclerosis other than carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with psoriasis?

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with many inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, among others. SCUBE-1 is a protein that plays a role in angiogenesis.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to investigate whether SCUBE-1 could indicate subclinical atherosclerosis in psoriatic patients, and to compare SCUBE-1 levels, measurement of carotid artery ıntima-media thickness (CIMT), and metabolic parameters in psoriasis patients and healthy controls.

METHODS

Forty-six patients with psoriasis and 43 healthy controls were included. The severity of the disease was assessed with Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) in the patient group. Levels of SCUBE-1, CRP, lipids, and fasting glucose were measured with the enzyme-linked ımmunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and CIMT measurements were performed by the same cardiologist.

RESULTS

SCUBE-1 levels and CIMT values were significantly higher in the patient group (for both p < 0.05). Moreover, systolic blood pressure, CRP levels, and waist circumference were higher in the patient group even though both groups had similar BMIs (for all p < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between SCUBE-1 and CIMT values among patients, and multiple regression analyses revealed that SCUBE-1 and CIMT are significantly associated with psoriasis as well.

STUDY LIMITATIONS

A low number of participants and not including any other inflammatory marker related to angiogenesis or atherosclerosis such as VEGF, adiponectin are the main limitations of the present study.

CONCLUSION

Despite the severity of the disease, even in psoriasis patients with mild disease the SCUBE-1 level may be an indicator of subclinical atherosclerosis and indicate the risk of cardiovascular disease in the future.

Does MicroRNA Profile Differ in Early Onset Coronary Artery Disease?

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs have been explored as potential biomarkers for many pathological processes including coronary artery disease. In this study, we aimed to compare the circulating levels of selected atherosclerosis-associated miRNAs in patients with a history of early-onset coronary artery disease with that of age- and sex-matched healthy controls and older patients with late-onset coronary artery disease.

METHODS

Study population consisted of 30 patients with early onset coronary artery disease, 31 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, and 30 patients with late-onset coronary artery disease. Plasma levels of 13 microRNAs (endothelial cell-related miR-126, -92a/b; vascular smooth muscle cell-related miR-145; inflammation-related miR-16, -21, -125b, -146a/b, -147b, -150, -155; lipometabolism-related miR-27b, -122, -370) were evaluated by using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

In patients with early onset coronary artery disease, plasma expressions of the lipometabolism-related miR-27b, miR-122; inflammation-related miR-125b, miR-146a/b, miR-147b, miR-150, miR-155; and VSMC-related miR-145 were significantly downregulated and endothelial cell-related miR-126 was significantly upregulated compared to age- and sexmatched healthy controls. Circulating microRNA profile of patients with early onset coronary artery disease was also different from that of older patients with late-onset coronary artery disease. Plasma levels of miR-21, miR-27b, miR-122, miR-125b, miR-146b, miR-147b, and miR-155 were lower and plasma levels of miR-16 and miR-92a were higher in patients with early onset coronary artery disease compared to older patients with late-onset coronary artery disease.

CONCLUSION

MicroRNAs are promising biomarkers for early onset coronary artery disease.

The role of raftlin in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of raftlin (RFTN) in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). There is no study in the literature investigating the role of RFTN in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.

METHODS

The present study was designed as a case-control study and conducted between 25.09.2020 and 01.01.2022. CRSwNP and control groups were formed in the study. Serum and tissue samples were taken from each patient in the study and their RFTN levels were measured. While nasal polyps were used for tissue samples in the CRSwNP group, middle meatus mucosa obtained during concha bullosa surgery was used in the control group.

RESULTS

The control group included 31 patients (8 female, 23 male) and the CRSwNP group included 49 patients (14 female, 35 male). The mean age of the control group was 40.42 ± 9.99 years, while the mean age of the CRSwNP group was 43.47 ± 10.19 years. When the groups are compared in terms of gender and age, there were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.78, p = 0.19, respectively). The serum RFTN levels in the control and CRSwNP groups were 7.85 ± 10.87 ng/ml, and 7.02 ± 8.59 ng/ml, respectively (p = 0.45). The tissue RFTN levels in the control group and CRSwNP group were 87.15 ± 69.91 ng/ml, and 66.50 ± 17.10 ng/ml, respectively (p = 0.04, statistically significant).

CONCLUSION

RFTN deficiency in nasal polyp tissue may be one of the reasons for the development of CRSwNP. Further studies are needed to elucidate the role of RFTN in CRSwNP.

Comparison of Serum VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α Levels in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Healthy Controls

The aim of this study was to determine whether serum VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α levels differed between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patients and healthy controls. A total of 40 children with ASD and 40 healthy controls aged 4-12 years were included. Serum levels of VEGF, IGF-1, and HIF-1α were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Serum IGF-1 levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. Serum HIF-1α levels were borderline significantly lower in the ASD group. There was no statistically significant difference in serum VEGF levels between the two groups. IGF-1 and HIF-1α may play a potential role in the etiopathogenesis of ASD.

Coenzyme Q10, Zinc and MDA levels in verruca vulgaris

Background/aim

Verruca vulgaris is a benign disease characterized with papillomas on the skin and mucosa. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of coenzyme Q10, MDA, and zinc as well as the lipid profile of verruca vulgaris patients and examine the relationship between these parameters and clinical manifestations of the disease.

Materials and methods

The study included 49 verruca vulgaris patients (mean age: 32.01 ± 14.20 years; 22 males, 27 females) and 40 healthy volunteers (mean age: 31.63 ± 8.98 years; 21 males and 19 females). Coenzyme Q10 levels were assessed by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum MDA levels were measured spectrophotometrically. Zinc levels were measured using a Perkin Elmer AAnalyst 800 atomic absorption spectrometer with a deuterium background correction and additional standard techniques.

Results

The coenzyme Q10 levels were found to be higher in the verruca vulgaris group compared to the healthy volunteers. However, this increase was not statistically significant (P = 0.195). Zinc levels were significantly lower in the verruca vulgaris group compared to the healthy volunteers (P = 0.002). In the patient group, MDA levels and HDL levels were significantly higher compared to the healthy volunteers (P = 0.023 and P = 0.004, respectively). Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the CoQ10/Total cholesterol ratio (P = 0.433).

Conclusion

Reduced serum zinc levels and increase of oxidative stress in verruca vulgaris may be a factor responsible for development of verruca vulgaris.

Evaluation of interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) gene polymorphisms and serum IL-23 levels in patients with psoriasis

Background/aim

IL-23R gene polymorphisms and the association of these polymorphisms with serum IL-23 levels were investigated in patients with psoriasis in the current study.

Materials and methods

Sixty-seven patients with psoriasis who were admitted to our dermatology outpatient clinic and 67 healthy controls were included in the study. Polymorphisms of the IL-23R gene were determined by KASP-PCR method, and serum IL-23 levels were determined by ELISA method.

Results

The distribution of IL-23R gene polymorphisms rs2201841, rs11209026, rs7530511, rs1343152, and rs11465804 was not significantly different in the patient and control groups. The AA genotype of the rs2201841 locus in males and the GA genotype in females, as well as the AA genotype of the rs1343152 locus in males and the CA genotype in females, were statistically significant in patients with psoriasis. The mean serum IL-23 level was significantly lower in the patient group (42.62 ± 5.96) compared to the control groups (75.76 ± 13.24).

Conclusion

IL-23R gene polymorphisms including rs2201841, rs11209026, rs7530511, rs11465804, and rs1343152 were not found to be significantly related to psoriasis. Different genetic polymorphisms may play a role in the development of psoriasis in female and male populations. Ethnic differences between different populations may have led to differences in the distribution of polymorphisms in the current study with compared to other published studies. Additionally, many different genes, polymorphisms, and environmental factors that have an effect on the development of psoriasis may affect the disease process.

Effects of curcumin and melatonin on bone formation in orthopedically expanded suture in rats: A biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical study

OBJECTS

To investigate the effects of curcumin (CUR) and melatonin (MEL) on new bone formation following rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in rats.

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

For this study, 24 12-week-old adult male Wistar albino rats from the Animal Laboratory at Adnan Menderes University, Faculty of Medicine, were used.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The rats were randomly divided into the following 3 groups (n = 8 each): only expansion (OE), expansion plus MEL (MEL) and expansion plus CUR (CUR). CUR and MEL were given to the rats during the study period. After the sacrifice of the animals, biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed.

RESULTS

Serum bone alkaline phosphatase levels in the MEL group were statistically (P = .007) higher than in the OE group. Serum glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in the CUR and MEL groups were significantly higher than in the OE group (P = .007 and P = .021, respectively). Inflammatory cell infiltration, new bone formation and capillary intensity parameters did not demonstrate statistically significant differences between the groups (P = .865, P = .067 and P = .055, respectively). The immunohistochemical findings revealed that IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α H scores showed considerable differences between the groups (all P < .001). The highest IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α H scores were found in the OE groups rather than in the other groups (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

CUR and MEL treatments may be effective in accelerating new bone formation and beneficial in preventing relapse following the RME procedures.