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Background and Objectives: Migraine is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with complex pathophysiological mechanisms involving oxidative and nitrosative stress. Recent research suggests that Indole-3-Propionic Acid (IPA) may have a neuroprotective role in reducing nitrosative stress. This study aims to elucidate the roles of IPA and nitrosative stress biomarkers in migraine patients, focusing on their potential as therapeutic targets. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional, case-control study included 57 migraine patients and 30 healthy controls. Patients were categorized into episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM) groups. Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics were documented through structured interviews. Validated scales such as the Visual Analog Score (VAS), Headache Impact Test 6 (HIT-6), Migraine Disability Assessment Test (MIDAS), Migraine 24 h Quality of Life Scale (24 h QoL), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Migraine Attacks–Subjective Cognitive Impairments Scale (Mig-SCog) were administered. Venous blood samples were collected, and serum levels of IPA, Nitric Oxide (NO), Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS), and Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) were measured using ELISA and spectrophotometric methods. Results: Significant differences in serum IPA and NO levels were observed between migraine patients and controls. Specifically, higher serum IPA levels were found in the EM group, while higher serum NO levels were observed in the CM group. Elevated NO levels correlated with increased migraine attack frequency. Conversely, serum IPA levels showed a negative correlation with attack frequency, suggesting a protective role. Specifically, NO levels were positively correlated with the number of painful days, NSAID usage, VAS scores, HIT-6 scores, and MIDAS scores, while negatively correlated with 24 h QoL scores. Conclusions: The study highlights the significant involvement of IPA and nitrosative stress in migraine pathophysiology. Elevated IPA levels, particularly in EM patients, suggest its potential neuroprotective role. These findings underscore the importance of targeting oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways in developing effective migraine therapies.

Background Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) represent a diverse group of structural malformations that can lead to renal fibrosis and chronic kidney disease in children. Although hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) have been suspected of fibrotic processes in kidney diseases, their roles in CAKUT-related renal fibrosis remain unclear. In this context, this study was carried out to investigate the relationships between serum levels of HIF-1α and NRF2 and renal elastography findings, i.e., shear wave velocity (SWV) in children with CAKUT-related renal scarring compared to healthy control children. Methods The population of this cross-sectional study consisted of all consecutive children aged between one month and 18 years who were diagnosed with CAKUT at a tertiary referral center in Sanliurfa, Turkey, between January 2023 and April 2024. The patient group consisted of 44 children in whom dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan revealed CAKUT-related renal scarring, and the control group consisted of 44 healthy children matched with the patient group in terms of age and gender. Results Children with CAKUT had significantly higher serum HIF-1α ( p  < 0.001) and NRF2 levels ( p  < 0.001) compared to controls. SWV values were also markedly elevated in the CAKUT group ( p  < 0.001), reflecting increased renal stiffness. A weak but significant positive correlation was found between HIF-1α levels and SWV values in the CAKUT group ( r  = 0.314, p  = 0.038). However, this correlation was not observed when children with unilateral kidney agenesis were excluded ( p  = 0.075). Conclusions Elevated HIF-1α and NRF2 levels were found to be associated with renal scarring in children with CAKUT, highlighting their potential roles as biomarkers for renal fibrosis. The correlation between HIF-1α levels and SWV values suggests that HIF-1α may serve as a predictor of renal fibrosis.

Although genetic factors occupy an important place in the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), oxidative stress and exposure to environmental toxicants have also been linked to the condition. The aim of this study was to examine dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in children diagnosed with ASD. Forty-eight children aged 3–12 years diagnosed with ASD and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy children were included in the study. A sociodemographic data form was completed for all the cases, and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was applied to the patients. Thiol/disulfide parameters in serum were measured in all cases and compared between the two groups. Mean native thiol, total thiol concentrations (μmol/L), and median reduced thiol ratios were significantly lower in the ASD group than in the control group (p = 0.001 for all). Median disulfide concentrations (μmol/L), redox potential, and median oxidized thiol ratios were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). ROC analysis revealed that area under the curve (AUC) values with “excellent discriminatory potential,” for native thiol, total thiol, the reduced thiol ration, the oxidized thiol ratio, and redox potential and with “acceptable discriminatory potential” for disulfide were significantly capable of differentiating individuals with ASD from healthy individuals. No correlation was determined between the severity of autism and laboratory parameters. Impaired dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis was observed in children with ASD, suggesting that dynamic thiol/disulfide homeostasis in serum may be of diagnostic value in autism.

Previous in vitro studies have shown that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) plays a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) protects both low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and high-density lipoprotein (HDLs) against oxidative damage from circulating cells. In addition, PON1 is inactivated by ox-LDL and preserved by antioxidants. However, the relationship between serum ox-LDL, oxidative stress, and PON1 in knee OA remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated ox-LDL association with oxidative stress and PON1 in knee OA, and evaluated their relationships using radiological and clinical parameters. This study included 203 patients and 194 controls. The severity of OA was classified based on the Kellgren–Lawrence scoring system. In addition, each patient was clinically evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score. Plasma concentrations of ox-LDL, oxidative stress markers, and PON1 were measured. Serum ox-LDL and oxidant parameters were significantly higher in patients compared to controls ( p  < 0.001 for all), whereas PON1 was significantly lower ( p  < 0.001). ox-LDL was inversely correlated with PON1, whereas it was positively correlated with radiographic severity, WOMAC score, and oxidant parameters. We found an association between the levels of various serum markers of oxidative injury, especially ox-LDL, and increasing severity of knee OA, as well as indirect evidence for their regulation by PON1. oxLDL seems to play a critical role in OA, both in the beginning, and during progression of, the disease. Therefore, serum oxLDL levels may be a helpful biomarker to evaluate the severity of knee OA.

Background and Objectives: Atherosclerosis, driven by dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress, is a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study evaluates the effects of vigorous-intensity bodybuilding exercise (VIBBE) on atherosclerosis biomarkers—including paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) activities—and lipid profiles in male bodybuilders who do not use anabolic-androgenic steroids. Comparisons were made with individuals engaged in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (MIAE), as well as overweight/obese sedentary (OOS) and normal-weight sedentary (NWS) individuals. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 122 healthy male participants aged 18–45 years, divided into four groups: VIBBE (n = 31), OOS (n = 30), MIAE (n = 32), and NWS (n = 29). Anthropometric assessments were performed, and fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses, including lipid profiles and PON1 and ARE activities. Statistical analyses compared the groups and evaluated correlations between adiposity measures and atherosclerosis biomarkers. Results: The VIBBE group exhibited significantly lower levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and logarithm of the TG to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio [log(TG/HDL-C)] compared to the OOS group (p < 0.05 for all), indicating improved lipid profiles. However, these improvements were not significant when compared to the NWS group (p > 0.05), suggesting that VIBBE may not provide additional lipid profile benefits beyond those associated with normal weight status. PON1 and ARE activities were significantly lower in the VIBBE group compared to the MIAE group (p < 0.05 for both), suggesting that VIBBE may not effectively enhance antioxidant defences. Correlation analyses revealed significant inverse relationships between PON1 and ARE activities and adiposity measures, including body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body fat percentage (BFP), fat mass index (FMI), and obesity degree (OD) (p < 0.05 for all). Positive correlations were observed between oxLDL and log(TG/HDL-C) and adiposity measures (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Vigorous-intensity bodybuilding exercise improves certain lipid parameters compared to sedentary obese individuals but does not significantly enhance antioxidant enzyme activities or further improve lipid profiles beyond those observed in normal-weight sedentary men. Conversely, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise significantly enhances PON1 and ARE activities and improves lipid profiles, offering superior cardiovascular benefits. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating moderate-intensity aerobic exercise into physical activity guidelines to optimize cardiovascular health by balancing improvements in lipid metabolism with enhanced antioxidant defences.

Objective(s): Dietary supplementation combined with exercise may potentiate the beneficial effects of exercise by reducing exercise-induced oxidative stress and improving mitochondrial quality and capacity. In this study, the effects of creatine monohydrate (CrM) supplementation with low and high-intensity exercise on mitochondrial biogenesis regulators, Nrf2 anti-oxidant signaling pathway and muscle damage levels were investigated. Materials and Methods: Balb/c male mice were divided into six experimental groups: control, control+CrM, high-intensity exercise, high-intensity exercise+CrM, low-intensity exercise, and low-intensity exercise+CrM. Mice were given CrM supplementation and at the same time, low and high-intensity exercise was applied to the groups on the treadmill at 30min/5day/8week. Then, mitochondrial biogenesis marker (PGC-1α, NRF-1, TFAM), Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expressions, total oxidant-anti-oxidant status level, and histopathological changes were investigated in serum and muscle tissue. Results: Exercise intensity and CrM supplementation were found to be effective factors in mitochondrial biogenesis induction via the PGC-1α signaling pathway. Nrf2 and HO-1 protein levels increased with exercise intensity, and this result was directly related to serum oxidative stress markers. In addition, CrM supplementation was effective in reducing exercise-induced muscle damage. Conclusion: This combination induced skeletal muscle adaptations, including mitochondrial biogenesis and enhanced anti-oxidant reserves. This synergistic effect of dietary supplementation with low-intensity exercise may be valuable as a complement to treatment, especially in diseases caused by mitochondrial dysfunction.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis. We also investigate the relation between bone mineral density and oxidative/antioxidative parameters. Thirty-nine patients with osteoporosis and 26 healthy controls were included in the study. Plasma TAS, TOS levels were determined by using a novel automated methods. Plasma TOS and OSI value were significantly higher, and plasma TAS level was lower in patients than in healthy controls ( P  < 0.001 for all). There was a significant negative correlation between OSI and BMD in lumbar and femoral neck region (r  = −0.63, P  < 0.001; r  = 0.40, P  = 0.018). The results of this study indicated that increased osteoclastic activity and decreased osteoblastic activity may be associated with an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant status in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Therefore, supplementation of antioxidant-enriched diet to the therapy might shed light on the development of novel therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis.

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmentation disorder with melanocyte destruction. To examine the thiol/disulphide balance in vitiligo patients and to compare the results with a healthy control group. Thirty-two patients with vitiligo and 35 healthy individuals were included in the study. Native thiol, disulfide and total thiol levels in plasma were evaluated using a new and automated spectrophotometric method. Disulphide/total thiol, disulphide/native thiol and native thiol/total thiol levels were measured. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups when the patient and control groups were compared in terms of thiol/disulphide balance ( > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in native thiol, disulphide and total thiol levels for vitiligo when compared with the control group ( > 0.005). In recent years, there have been numerous studies on the role of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo. In this study, we investigated in vitiligo patients whether thiol/disulphide balance is a new oxidative stress marker. The results were compared with a healthy control group. We measured the thiol/disulphide balance by a new method developed by Erel and Neselioglu. The serum thiol/disulphide levels were similar in the vitiligo patients and the control subjects, which indicated that the thiol/disulphide balance was not affected by vitiligo. We are of the opinion that new investigations to determine serum levels of thiol/disulphide may shed light on the possible roles of these molecules in vitiligo.

Background and Objectives: Oxygen is essential for all living organisms and plays a critical role in anesthesia and intensive care practices. However, the notion that unlimited oxygen therapy is harmless is a misconception. Our study investigates the acute effects of different preoxygenation methods on hemodynamic parameters and neurodegenerative biomarkers in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery. Materials and Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled study included 52 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I received standard preoxygenation (100% FiO2 for 3 min), while Group II underwent rapid preoxygenation (eight deep breaths over 30 s to 1 min). Hemodynamic parameters (SAP, DAP, MAP, and SpO2) and neurodegenerative biomarkers (pTau, S100B, NSE, NfL, GFAP) were measured after preoxygenation, after intubation, and at the end of surgery. Results: Group I exhibited a significant increase in levels of pTau, S100B, NSE, and GFAP, indicating higher neuronal and glial cell stress compared to Group II (p < 0.001). No significant increase in NfL levels was observed in either group. Hemodynamic parameters (HR, SAP, DAP, MAP) were significantly higher during and after preoxygenation in Group I, suggesting an increased stress response. Group II showed lower levels of acute neurotoxicity and oxidative stress. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that preoxygenation with 100% FiO2 induces stress in neuronal cells, axons, and glial cells, leading to an increase in neurodegenerative biomarkers. Optimizing preoxygenation strategies is crucial to reduce oxidative stress and improve neurological outcomes for surgical patients.

Recent studies have suggested that nuts have favorable effects beyond lipid lowering. We aimed to investigate effect of the Antep pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) on blood glucose, lipid parameters, endothelial function, inflammation, and oxidation in healthy young men living in a controlled environment. A Mediterranean diet was administered to normolipidemic 32 healthy young men (mean age 22 y, range 21–24) for 4 wk. After 4 wk, participants continued to receive the Mediterranean diet but pistachio was added for 4 wk by replacing the monounsaturated fat content constituting ≈20% of daily caloric intake. Fasting blood samples and brachial endothelial function measurements were performed at baseline and after each diet. Compared with the Mediterranean diet, the pistachio diet decreased glucose (P<0.001, −8.8±8.5%), low-density lipoprotein (P<0.001, −23.2±11.9%), total cholesterol (P<0.001, −21.2±9.9%), and triacylglycerol (P=0.008, −13.8±33.8%) significantly and high-density lipoprotein (P=0.069, −3.1±11.7%) non-significantly. Total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein ratios decreased significantly (P<0.001 for both). The pistachio diet significantly improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation (P=0.002, 30% relative increase), decreased serum interleukin-6, total oxidant status, lipid hydroperoxide, and malondialdehyde and increased superoxide dismutase (P<0.001 for all), whereas there was no significant change in C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α levels. In this trial, we demonstrated that a pistachio diet improved blood glucose level, endothelial function, and some indices of inflammation and oxidative status in healthy young men. These findings are in accordance with the idea that nuts, in particular pistachio nuts, have favorable effects beyond lipid lowering that deserve to be evaluated with prospective follow-up studies.