Impact of systemic inflammatory markers in patients with ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer treated with crizotinib

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prognostic utility of inflammation-based prognostic scores in patients with ALK-positive metastatic or non-resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with crizotinib.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 82 patients with ALK-positive metastatic or non-resectable NSCLC who received ALK TKI crizotinib were included. Pre-treatment modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS), prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) were calculated. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the impact of pretreatment mGPS, PNI, and SII on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR).

RESULTS

The ORR was 77.2%, while 1-year OS and PFS rates were 95.0% and 93.5%, respectively. The univariate analysis revealed significantly higher 1-year PFS (89.4 vs. 64.4%, p=0.043) and OS (92.0 vs. 83.3%, p=0.01) rates in patients with low (<934.7) vs. high (≥934.7) SII scores. Multivariate analysis revealed that PNI ≥0.09 was a significant determinant of poorer 1-year OS rates (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88-4.85, p=0.035). No significant difference was observed in survival rates according to gender, age, smoking status, prior lines of therapy, or mGPS scores, while higher mGPS scores (odds ratio [OR]: 0.1, 95%CI 0.16-1.04; p=0.009) and higher PNI scores (OR: 0.16, 95% CI 0.02-0.55; p=0.035) were associated with poorer ORR.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate the prognostic significance of PNI and SII in terms of survival outcome and the impact of mGPS and PNI on treatment response in patients with ALK-positive NSCLC treated with crizotinib.

The effects of subtoxic dose of acetaminophen combined with exercise on the liver of rats

Regular physical exercise is beneficial to the body. Acute exercise causes oxidant stress in many tissues including the liver by creating an unbalanced status between oxidant and antioxidant levels. Analgesic drugs are commonly consumed to reduce the pain after exercise. Acetaminophen (APAP), commonly used as an over-the-counter analgesic, can cause hepatotoxicity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of APAP at subtoxic dose, which is given after the acute and exhaustive exercise on the rat livers. Male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were divided into 6 groups each consisting of 7 rats/group; Control, APAP (250 mg/kg, ip), Acute Exercise (AEx), Acute Exhaustive Exercise (AEEx), Acute Exercise and APAP (AEx+APAP) and Acute Exhaustive Exercise and APAP (AEEx+APAP) groups. Rats were exercised at moderate intensity or exhaustive on the treadmill and then received APAP. Tissue MDA levels were significantly increased in AEEx, AEx+APAP and AEEx+APAP groups compared with the control. There was no significant difference in GSH levels between groups. Tissue Sirtuin1 (Sirt1) levels of APAP, AEx and AEEx groups were significantly less than control. There was no significant difference between groups in VEGF levels. Liver damage score was significantly higher in all groups compared with control group. As a result, this study shows that subtoxic dose of APAP treatment alone or in combination with acute or exhaustive treadmill exercise can cause oxidative liver damage by affecting Sirt1 levels and without affecting VEGF levels.

The effects of bee venom on liver and skeletal muscle in exhaustive swimming rats

Oxidative damage and proinflammatory cytokines are involved in exhaustive exercise-induced fatigue. This study aimed to investigate the effects of bee venom, a natural toxin, on fatigue and tissue damage in rats that underwent forced swimming exercise. Rats were divided into four groups: control, swimming exercise (SE), bee venom (BV) and swimming exercise + bee venom (SE + BV). SE and SE + BV groups were subjected to forced swimming (load of 7% body weight) for 5 days. BV and SE + BV groups were injected with 1 mg/kg BV subcutaneously. Swimming time, blood lactate and TNF-α levels, MDA and GSH levels in liver and gastrocnemius muscle were evaluated. Swimming time was shorter in SE + BV group than SE group. There was no difference in lactate levels between SE and SE + BV groups. MDA and GSH levels were increased in SE, BV and SE + BV groups. TNF-α levels were increased in BV group compared to control and SE groups. Our study demonstrated that BV administration before exhaustive exercise in rats did not provide anti-fatigue effect. Additionally, BV did not show anti-inflammatory activity and had different effects on antioxidant capacity at tissue level. Further research might explore the effects of different doses and durations of BV on exhaustive exercise.

The effect of internet addiction and smartphone addiction on sleep quality among Turkish adolescents

Background: Sleep quality plays a principal role in the protection of health. There is an increasing number of studies in the literature demonstrating that internet addiction and smartphone addiction impair sleep quality. However, the number of studies on Turkish adolescents is very limited. Therefore, this study examined the effects of internet addiction and smartphone addiction on sleep quality among Turkish adolescents. Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional study were 910 adolescents aged 13-18 years. Data were collected with the Short Internet Addiction Test, Smartphone Addiction Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. In addition, a questionnaire was used to gather information about the demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related characteristics. Pearson's Chi-square test, Chi-square test for trend, Mann-Whitney U test, logistic regression analysis, and Spearman's correlation analysis were used in the analysis. Results: The sleep quality of 58.7% of the adolescents was poor. Additionally, girls and adolescents ≥16 years old had poor sleep quality. Sleep quality deteriorated as perceived health status and perceived economic status of family deteriorated. Compared to participants with normal internet addiction scores, poor sleep quality was 1.83 (95% CI [1.22-2.74]) times higher in those with problematic internet addiction and 1.99 (95% CI [1.23-3.87]) times higher in those with pathological internet addiction. One point increase in Smartphone Addiction Scale total score increased poor sleep quality 1.01 (95% CI [1.00-1.02]) times. Sleep quality scale were positively correlated with the smartphone addiction and internet addiction. However, there was no positive correlation between habitual sleep efficiency subcomponent of sleep quality and smartphone addiction and internet addiction. Conclusions: Internet addiction and smartphone addiction were associated with poor sleep quality in adolescents. Older adolescents (≥16 years), gender (female), poor health perception, and perception of moderate economic status of the family were other factors associated with poor sleep quality.

Preliminary investigation of sensitive biomarkers of trace metal pollution in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Izmir Bay (Turkey)

The aim of this study was to identify possible relationships between biochemical- superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and chemical (Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe) contaminants from relatively clean area (Middle Bay) and heavily polluted area (Inner Bay) of the Izmir Bay. Sampling of mussels was performed in the beginning of May 2004. Mussel digestive glands have been used for biochemical assays. Trace metal content was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer using standard procedures. Metal contents in mussels collected at polluted site increased compared to the middle part of the bay. While there was a positive correlation between metals and SOD enzyme activity, there was a negative correlation between metals and GPx enzyme activity. An increase was observed in SOD enzyme activity and a decrease of GPx enzyme activity at the inner part of the bay.

The effect of melatonin on endotoxemia-induced intestinal apoptosis and oxidative stress in infant rats

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of melatonin on the intestinal apoptosis along with oxidative damage in endotoxemic infant rats.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospective animal study in a university-based experimental research laboratory.

SUBJECTS AND INTERVENTIONS

Wistar albino 7-day-old rat pups (n=21). The animals were randomized into three experimental groups: (1) controls; (2) endotoxemia; (3) endotoxemia treated with melatonin (10mg/kg). Endotoxemia was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (Escherichia coli serotype 0111:B4; 3 mg/kg).

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Four hours after LPS injection, the antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were determined. Intestinal apoptosis was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated fluorescein-dUTP nick end labeling. The administration of melatonin into endotoxemic rats prevented the increase in the TBARS levels, and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes and attenuated apoptotic cell death in both intestinal epithelium and lamina propria.

CONCLUSIONS

Melatonin diminished the intestinal oxidative stress and apoptotic damage induced by endotoxemia in infant rats.

Acute exhaustive exercise does not alter lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme activities in rat hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and striatum

Although regular physical exercise is beneficial to the body, it is well known that exhaustive exercise causes oxidative stress in muscle. Recent studies suggest that regular moderate physical exercise has the beneficial effects on brain. However, there is little information regarding whether or not exhaustive exercise could generate oxidative stress in brain and the findings are conflicting. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exhaustive exercise on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, as an indicator of lipid peroxidation, in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and striatum. Additionally we examined antioxidant enzymes activities, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, to assess the effects of reactive oxygen species. Exhaustive exercise did not change superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzyme activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels neither immediately (0 min) nor at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after the cessation of exercise in the brain. These results indicate that acute exhaustive exercise may not cause significant lipid peroxidation in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and striatum during the post-exercise period.

Protective effect of melatonin against head trauma-induced hippocampal damage and spatial memory deficits in immature rats

It is well known that head trauma induces the cognitive dysfunction resulted from hippocampal damage. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the effect of melatonin on hippocampal damage and spatial memory deficits in 7-day-old rat pups subjected to contusion injury. Melatonin was injected intraperitoneally at the doses of 5 or 20 mg/kg of body weight immediately after induction of traumatic injury. Hippocampal damage was examined by cresyl violet staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Spatial memory performance was assessed in the Morris water maze. Melatonin significantly attenuated trauma-induced neuronal death in hippocampal CA1, CA3 regions and dentate gyrus, and improved spatial memory deficits, which was equally effective at doses of 5-20 mg/kg. The present results suggest that melatonin is a highly promising agent for preventing the unfavorable outcomes of traumatic brain injury in young children.

Age-dependent effects of maternal deprivation on oxidative stress in infant rat brain

Developing brain is much more sensitive to all kind of stressors than the developed brain. Early maternal deprivation causes some behavioural and physiological effects on rats. After the birth, there is no endocrinological response to stressors between post-natal 4 and 14th days, which is called stress-hyporesponsive period (SHRP) in rats. This hypo-responsiveness is time- and stressor-specific, as some more severe stressors have been shown to induce a stress response. The present study examined the effects of maternal deprivation on oxidative stress in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum regions of the brain both during and after SHRP of the infant rats. The results showed that maternal deprivation in SHRP increased antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced lipid peroxidation in infant rat brain. However, by the termination of SHRP, maternal deprivation reduced enzyme activities and increased lipid peroxidation. The results indicated that infant brain might be protected in SHRP from maternal deprivation-induced oxidative stress.

The effects of regular aerobic exercise in adolescent period on hippocampal neuron density, apoptosis and spatial memory

It is known that positive effects of regular aerobic exercise on cognitive functions in humans and also animals; but how to the effects of aerobic exercise in adolescent period is unknown. The present study examined the effects of regular aerobic exercise on spatial memory using the Morris water maze, cell density and apoptosis of hippocampus in adolescent rats. Twenty-two days of age male rats were run on a treadmill for 30 min/session at a speed of 8m/min and 0 degrees slope, five times a week for 8 weeks. The present study showed that exercise induced significant cognitive improvement throughout brain maturation in rats. The number of hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurons, and gyrus dentatus neurons were significantly increased in the exercised rats. There was no significant difference of CA2 neuron density between exercise and control groups. There was no significantly differences in any groups according to the results of apoptosis that account of TUNEL positive cells. The present results suggest that regular moderate aerobic treadmill exercise benefit in cognitive functions. This result may derive from treadmill exercise-induced increase cell density without altering of apoptosis in the hippocampus and dentate gyrus of adolescent rats.

Effect of L-carnitine on diabetogenic action of streptozotocin in rats

OBJECTIVES

L-carnitine is a naturally compound widely distributed in the body. It has an antiradical effect and decreases lipid peroxidation. In acute or chronic streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, the pancreatic content of carnitine was found to be significantly lower than nondiabetic group. We investigated the effects of L-carnitine on the development of STZ-induced diabetes in rats, to determine if L-carnitine can prevent the onset of diabetes or reduce the severity of hyperglycemia and this prevention/reduction is associated with the reduction in oxidative stress.

SETTING AND DESIGN

The rats were divided into 3 groups: Control, STZ-treated (65 mg/kg intraperitoneally) and L-carnitine (500 mg/kg) and STZ-treated.

METHODS

Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring pancreatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation levels using the method of Rehncrona et al, pancreatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities using a Randox test combination (RANSOD and RANDOX).

RESULTS

L-carnitine did not prevent the onset of diabetes at this dose. Development of diabetes was associated with an increase in pancreatic TBARS (0.028 +/- 0.008 and 0.046 +/- 0.017 nmol/mg Protein, respectively), and GPx activity (0.067 +/- 0.011 and 0.098 +/- 0.016 U/mg Protein, respectively).

MAIN FINDINGS

L-carnitine prevented this increase induced by diabetes; TBARS (0.039 +/- 0.006 nmol/mg Protein) and GPx activity (0.053 +/- 0.011 U/mg Protein).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that L-carnitine exerts anti-oxidative effect in experimental diabetes.

Effect of melatonin on brain oxidative damage induced by traumatic brain injury in immature rats

Progressive compromise of antioxidant defenses and free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation, which is one of the major mechanisms of secondary traumatic brain injury (TBI), has also been reported in pediatric head trauma. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the effect of melatonin, which is a potent free radical scavenger, on brain oxidative damage in 7-day-old rat pups subjected to contusion injury. Whereas TBI significantly increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, there was no compensatory increase in the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 24 hours after TBI in 7-day-old rats. Melatonin administered as a single dose of 5 mg/kg prevented the increase in TBARS levels in both non-traumatized and traumatized brain hemispheres. In conclusion, melatonin protects against oxidative damage induced by TBI in the immature brain.

Effects of acute footshock stress on antioxidant enzyme activities in the adolescent rat brain

In a previous study we demonstrated that acute footshock stress increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the prefrontal cortex and striatum of adult male rats. Adolescents may respond differently to stress as life stressors may be greater than at other ages. The present study examined the effects of the acute footshock stress on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in adolescent male and female rat brains. We demonstrated that acute footshock stress increased SOD activity in the prefrontal cortex, and increased GPx activity in the hippocampus in female rats. In males, acute footshock stress increased GPx activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Footshock stress did not change TBARS levels. These results indicate a strong role of gender in the response of adolescent subjects to various aspects of stress.

Effect of melatonin on brain oxidative damage induced by traumatic brain injury in immature rats

Progressive compromise of antioxidant defenses and free radical-mediated lipid peroxidation, which is one of the major mechanisms of secondary traumatic brain injury (TBI), has also been reported in pediatric head trauma. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the effect of melatonin, which is a potent free radical scavenger, on brain oxidative damage in 7-day-old rat pups subjected to contusion injury. Whereas TBI significantly increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, there was no compensatory increase in the antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) 24 hours after TBI in 7-day-old rats. Melatonin administered as a single dose of 5 mg/kg prevented the increase in TBARS levels in both non-traumatized and traumatized brain hemispheres. In conclusion, melatonin protects against oxidative damage induced by TBI in the immature brain.

Effects of acute footshock stress on antioxidant enzyme activities in the adolescent rat brain

In a previous study we demonstrated that acute footshock stress increased glutathione peroxidase activity in the prefrontal cortex and striatum of adult male rats. Adolescents may respond differently to stress as life stressors may be greater than at other ages. The present study examined the effects of the acute footshock stress on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in adolescent male and female rat brains. We demonstrated that acute footshock stress increased SOD activity in the prefrontal cortex, and increased GPx activity in the hippocampus in female rats. In males, acute footshock stress increased GPx activity in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Footshock stress did not change TBARS levels. These results indicate a strong role of gender in the response of adolescent subjects to various aspects of stress.

Erythropoietin increases glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and decreases lipid peroxidation levels in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats

BACKGROUND

We have previously shown that erythropoietin (Epo) exerts neuroprotective effects in the Rice-Vannucci model of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. However, the mechanisms of Epo protection in this model are still unclear.

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, we studied the effects of systemically administered Epo on lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) activities following hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats.

METHODS

Seven-day-old Wistar rat pups were subjected to left carotid artery occlusion followed by 2.5 h of hypoxic exposure. Brain lipid peroxidation levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in the injured hemispheres 24 h after the hypoxic-ischemic insult.

RESULTS

Hypoxic-ischemic injury significantly increased the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels in the injured hemispheres as compared to the control group. In addition, glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly elevated in Epo-treated animals compared to saline-treated animals and the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that Epo exerts neuroprotective effects against hypoxic-ischemic brain injury at least partially via the modulation of antioxidant enzyme activity.

The effect of moderate swimming exercise on antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation levels in children

Strenuous exercise is characterized by increased oxygen consumption and the disturbance between intracellular pro-oxidant and antioxidant homeostasis. Although there are several studies related to an increase in antioxidant enzyme activity in adults doing exercise, the effect of regular exercise on antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation levels has not been examined in children. In our study, the effects of a four week regular swimming exercise on antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) activities in erythrocytes and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, were investigated in previously untrained healthy children. We found that superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was increased significantly following a four week swimming course (from 581.1 +/- 146.2 to 791.1 +/- 221.9 U/gHb, P < 0.01). Conversly, plasma TBARS levels were decreased from 1.1 +/- 0.4 to 0.9 +/- 0.3 nmol/ml (P < 0.05). Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity appeared to increase following swimming course, albeit not statistically significant (from 45.5 +/- 16.5 to 50.3 +/- 14.8 U/gHb). According to these findings, regular swimming exercise has beneficial effects on antioxidant defence in healthy children.