Browsing by Author "Ölmez, E"

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    A Study on the Anticarcinogenic Effects of Calcium Fructoborate
    Tepedelen, BE; Korkmaz, M; Tatlisumak, E; Uluer, ET; Ölmez, E; Degerli, I; Soya, E; Inan, S
    Evidences about the preventive and therapeutic effects of boron compounds on cancer have been increasing in the last years. Although calcium fructoborate (CaFB) is used as a nutritional supplement, data about its preventive and therapeutic effects on neoplastic transformations are limited. In the present study, the various concentrations of CaFB were applied to the MDA-MB-231 metastatic breast cancer cell line. First, we examined the cytotoxic effect and IC50 value of CaFB by MTT assay. For the evaluation of the DNA damage, apoptosis and metastatic potential, expression levels of ATM, pATM, PARP, p53, p-p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and VEGF were investigated by using immunoblotting and immunohistochemical methods. Cell viability was significantly reduced at 50 mu M CaFB treatment. pATM, p-p53, and caspase-9 levels increased significantly in all groups; furthermore, there was approximately 12.5-, 2.4-, and 10.7-fold increase, respectively, for 100 mu M CaFB treatment. ATM and p53 levels did not change with CaFB treatment, but PARP levels significantly 2.5-fold decreased. While VEGF immunoreactivity decreased in all groups, significant increase in caspase-3 immunoreactivity was observed only in the group treated with 50 mu M CaFB ( p < 0,001). Our results imply that CaFB may have therapeutic potential as well as preventive benefits in cancer.
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    Birth outcomes after inadvertent use of category X drugs contraindicated in pregnancy: Where is the real risk?
    Öztürk, Z; Ölmez, E; Gürpinar, T; Vural, K
    Drugs contraindicated in pregnancy are medicines that should be avoided by pregnant women, since they carry a concern for teratogenicity or there is no indication for their use during pregnancy. It does not mean that exposures to these drugs always cause harm. The aim of the present study was to investigate the risk of adverse outcomes following maternal exposure to the drugs contraindicated in pregnancy. We retrospectively analyzed prenatal drug exposure records of the pregnant patients referred to the clinical pharmacology consultation service in a tertiary-level university hospital from January 2007 until December 2012. Exposures to category X drugs (CXD) contraindicated in pregnancy were evaluated. After the expected date of delivery, we collected data about pregnancy complications and the outcomes. For comparison the women in the exposed group (N=52) were matched with a control group (N=162) of pregnant women without teratogenic exposure. We observed only one baby born with a birth defect (congenital cryptorchidism) in CXD group (2.6%) and four in control group (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.10-7.94). The rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes including miscarriage, preterm birth and congenital abnormality were not significantly different from controls. However, the rate of elective termination of pregnancy was higher in women exposed to CXD while pregnant (RR 2.54; 95% CI 1.11-5.80, p = 0.027). Contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy are the reasons for inadvertent drug exposure and choosing abortion. The high perception of teratogenic risk among pregnant women may cause terminations of pregnancies. Individual risk assessment and avoiding the phrase 'CXD' or 'contraindicated in pregnancy' in counseling may help to reduce maternal concerns about medication use in pregnancy.
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    Morphological Changes and Vascular Reactivity of Rat Thoracic Aorta Twelve Months After Pinealectomy
    Kurçer, Z; Öztürk, F; Sahna, E; Kurus, M; Ölmez, E
    Objective: Melatonin, a hormone produced by the pineal gland, has been suggested to protect against development of hypertension and atherosclerosis. In this study, the effects of long-term melatonin deficiency for twelve months after pinealectomy on the alpha-adrenergic-contractions induced by phenylephrine, endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine and the morphological changes in the rat thoracic aorta were studied. Material and Metods: Rats were pinealectomized twelve months before the beginning of the vasomotor studies. Rings of arteries were mounted in isolated tissue baths for the measurements of isometric contractile force. The contractile responses to phenylephrine and endothelium-dependent relaxation responses to acetylcholine in the vessels were evaluated. Endothelial function was evaluated by vascular relaxation to acetylcholine. Histological examinations demonstrated the alterations of tunica media in the vessels of pinealectomized rats. Results: Thick and thin areas were observed in the transverse sections of vessels and the ratio of the widest media thickness to the narrowest was found significantly increased in pinealectomized group (2.85 +/- 056) when compared to the control group (1.65 +/- 0.10). In addition, alpha-smooth muscle actin and elastic lamellae staining of the media were attenuated in pinealectomized rats. Although contractile responses of vessels to phenylephrine in pinealectomized rats were lower than control group, significant difference was found for only one concentration (3x 10-8 mol l-1) of phenylephrine. There was no difference between the relaxation responses to acetylcholine in pinealectomized and control groups. Conclusion: These results show that long-term melatonin deficiency may cause some morphological changes in the tunics media of vessels. However, the function of endothelium and vascular responsiveness to proportional to-adrenergic stimulus seem to be mostly protected.
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    Mesenchymal Stem Cells: a Potential Treatment Approach for Refractory Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
    Özdemir, RBÖ; Özdemir, AT; Kirmaz, C; Ovali, E; Ölmez, E; Kerem, H; Evrenos, MK; Deniz, G
    The etiopathogenesis of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is not fully elucidated, and almost 30-40% of patients are resistant to treatments; therefore, there is still a need for the development of new and effective treatments. This study aimed to develop experimental cellular therapy for CSU patients resistant to current treatment options. Autologous adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were administered to 10 refractory CSU patients who were then followed up for six months. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated according to the weekly urticaria activity scores (UAS7) and drug use scores (DUS7). To observe the effect of treatment on immune cells, CD4(+) T cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry, and the serum IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17a, IL-21, IL-22, TGF-beta 1, PGE2, IDO and anti-Fc epsilon RI levels were measured using the Luminex and ELISA methods. The values obtained were compared with 10 control refractory CSU patients and five healthy controls. We found that the T cell subsets and inflammatory molecules were not affected by MSC treatment during the follow-up period. In control patients, a significant decrease was detected only at the Th2 subset, TGF-beta 1, PGE2, IDO and anti-Fc epsilon RI levels on the 14th day of treatment. The UAS7 and DUS7 values of the MSC-treated patients significantly decreased during the follow-up period, but in control patients, a significant but temporary decrease was seen. According to our findings, unlike conventional treatment, MSC therapy resulted in longer and more effective recovery. Our data indicate that MSCs may be an alternative and effective approach for treatment-resistant CSU patients.
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    An anxiolytic drug buspirone ameliorates hyperglycemia and endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic rat model
    Cavusoglu, TG; Dariverenli, E; Vural, K; Ekerbicer, N; Ulman, C; Ölmez, E; Uysal, N
    Objectives: Type 2 diabetes is a common metabolic disease and anxiety disorders are very common among diabetics. Buspirone is used in the treatment of anxiety, also having blood glucose-lowering effects. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of buspirone on the glucose and lipid metabolism as well as vascular function in type 2 diabetic rats. Methods: A type 2-diabetic model was induced through a high-fat diet for eight weeks followed by the administration of low-dose streptozotocin (35 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) in rats. Buspirone was given at two different doses (1.5 mg/kg/d and 5 mg/kg/d) and combined with metformin (300 mg/kg/d). The fasting glucose and insulin levels, lipid profile were analyzed, and vascular response measured from the thoracic aorta was also evaluated. Results: Both doses of buspirone caused a significant improvement in fasting blood glucose levels. In particular, the buspirone treatment, combined with metformin, improved endothelial dysfunction and was found to be correlated with decreased nitrate/nitrite levels. Conclusions: Buspirone may be effective in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, either alone or in combination with other treatments, particularly in terms of endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and impaired blood glucose, and insulin levels.