The effects of thiamine and thiamine pyrophosphate on alcohol-induced hepatic damage biomarkers in rats

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the effects of thiamine and thiamine pyrophosphate on oxidative damage developing in association with hepatic injury caused by alcohol toxicity in rats and on hepatic injury markers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Four groups of rats were used; control, a group receiving thiamine+ethanol, a group receiving thiamine pyrophosphate+ethanol and a healthy group. The experimental protocol was repeated over 30 days. Malondialdehyde, glutathione and DNA damage product levels in liver tissue were measured at the end of the study. Alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase, markers of liver damage, levels were determined. The results were then compared among the groups.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference between antioxidant markers and markers of liver damage was determined between the group given thiamine pyrophosphate ethanol and the group given ethanol alone (p < 0.01) No statistically significant difference was observed between the group given thiamine and ethanol and the group given ethanol alone (p > 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that thiamine pyrophosphate may have a protective effect against liver damage caused by alcohol toxicity.

Effect of vitamin D therapy in addition to amitriptyline on migraine attacks in pediatric patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementary vitamin D therapy in addition to amitriptyline on the frequency of migraine attacks in pediatric migraine patients. Fifty-three children 8-16 years of age and diagnosed with migraine following the International Headache Society 2005 definition, which includes childhood criteria, were enrolled. Patients were classified into four groups on the basis of their 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels. Group 1 had normal 25(OH)D levels and received amitriptyline therapy alone; group 2 had normal 25(OH)D levels and received vitamin D supplementation (400 IU/day) plus amitriptyline; group 3 had mildly deficient 25(OH)D levels and received amitriptyline plus vitamin D (800 IU/day); and group 4 had severely deficient 25(OH)D levels and was given amitriptyline plus vitamin D (5000 IU/day). All groups were monitored for 6 months, and the number of migraine attacks before and during treatment was determined. Calcium, phosphorus alkaline phosphatase, parathormone, and 25(OH)D levels were also determined before and during treatment. Results were compared between the groups. Data obtained from the groups were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. The number of pretreatment attacks in groups 1 to 4 was 7±0.12, 6.8±0.2, 7.3±0.4, and 7.2±0.3 for 6 months, respectively (all P>0.05). The number of attacks during treatment was 3±0.25, 1.76±0.37 (P<0.05), 2.14±0.29 (P<0.05), and 1.15±0.15 (P<0.05), respectively. No statistically significant differences in calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, or parathormone levels were observed (P>0.05). Vitamin D given in addition to anti-migraine treatment reduced the number of migraine attacks.

Relationship between genetic mutation variations and acute-phase reactants in the attack-free period of children diagnosed with familial Mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a periodic autoinflammatory disease characterized by chronic inflammation. This study investigated the relationship between acute-phase reactants and gene mutations in attack-free periods of childhood FMF. Patients diagnosed with FMF were divided into four groups based on genetic features: no mutation, homozygous, heterozygous, and compound heterozygous. These groups were monitored for 2 years, and blood samples were collected every 6 months during attack-free periods. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and white blood cell count were measured. A disease severity score was determined for each patient. Mean values for erythrocyte sedimentation rate and fibrinogen were significantly different in the homozygous group. White blood cell count and C-reactive protein were similar between the groups. Disease severity score was higher in patients with the M694V mutation than in individuals without the mutation, as well as in those with other mutation groups. Periodic follow-up of patients with FMF MEFV mutations in subjects with acute-phase reactants may be useful in the prevention of morbidity.

An investigation of the effect of thiamine pyrophosphate on cisplatin-induced oxidative stress and DNA damage in rat brain tissue compared with thiamine

This study investigated the effects of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) at dosages of 10 and 20 mg/kg on oxidative stress induced in rat brain tissue with cisplatin and compared this with thiamine. Cisplatin neurotoxicity represents one of the main restrictions on the drug being given in effective doses. Oxidative stress is considered responsible for cisplatin toxicity. Our results showed that cisplatin increased the levels of oxidant parameters such as lipid peroxidation (thio barbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS)) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in brain tissue and suppressed the effects of antioxidants such as total glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). TPP, especially at a dosage of 20 mg/kg, significantly reduced TBARS and MPO levels that increase with cisplatin administration compared with the thiamine group, while TPP significantly increases GSH and SOD levels. In addition, the level of 8-Gua (guanine), a product of DNA damage, was 1.7 ± 0.12 8-hydroxyl guanine (8-OH Gua)/105 Gua in brain tissue in the control group receiving cisplatin, compared with 0.97 ± 0.03 8-OH Gua/105 Gua in the thiamine pyrophosphate (20 mg/kg) group and 1.55 ± 0.11 8-OH Gua/105 Gua in the thiamine (20 mg/kg) group. These results show that thiamine pyrophosphate significantly prevents oxidative damage induced by cisplatin in brain tissue, while the protective effect of thiamine is insignificant.

Paraoxonase 1 and arylesterase levels in children with familial Mediterranean fever

BACKGROUND

The pathogenesis of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is not clearly elucidated. It emerges as a result of triggering of the several environmental factors at the people who are genetically vulnerable.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the anti-oxidant enzymes at the remission period of familial mediterranean fever (FMF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study group is consisted of 80 patients between the age of 2 and 16 years old who are routinely followed up. The control group is consisted of 80 healthy children whose physical examination is normal, and whose demographic findings are similar to the study group. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) levels are measured at both study and control group.

RESULTS

The difference between the levels of ARE and PON1 are statistically significant between the FMF and control group (p = 0.007, p = 0.001). According to the weight scoring, ARE and PON1 levels of light cases are higher versus the levels of moderate cases (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Endogenous anti-oxidants Paraoxonase 1 and arylesterase levels are important in evaluating the inflammation at the remission period of FMF.