Determinants of plasma homocysteine in coal miners

Several studies suggest that coal miners are under risk of severe health problems such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, renal, hematological and musculoskeletal disorders. However, there are limited data on biochemical changes in underground workers. In our study we aimed to evaluate the association between serum homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12, cystatin C and folate levels in the blood of underground coal miners. Eighty one coal miners who work as underground or surface workers were recruited into our study. The study population was divided into two groups: the surface worker group (control group, n=33) and the underground worker group (n=48). The folate, vitamin B12, Hcy, cystatin C levels and body mass indexes (BMI) of both groups were measured and compared. Serum folate, Hcy and vitamin B12 levels were measured with a competitive chemiluminescence immunassay. Serum levels of cystatin C were determined by the latex particle-enhanced turbidimetric method using a cystatin C kit. Urea values were measured with a kinetic method on an automated analyzer. There were no statistically significant differences between the underground workers and surface workers in the urea, cystatin C and vitamin B12 levels. High serum Hcy levels and low folate levels were found in underground workers compared with those in surface workers. The correlation between Hcy and folate levels was also statistically significant. Similarly, there was also a significant correlation between Hcy and vitamin B12, and between Hcy and cystatin C levels. Elevated Hcy levels may be associated with underground working but further research is necessary to understand the relation between elevated Hcy and increased prevalence of health problems in coal miners.

Determinants of plasma homocysteine in coal miners

AIM

Several studies suggest that coal miners are under risk of severe health problems such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, renal, hematological and musculoskeletal disorders. However, there are limited data on biochemical changes in underground workers. In our study we aimed to evaluate the association between serum homocysteine (Hcy), vitamin B12, cystatin C and folate levels in the blood of underground coal miners.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty one coal miners who work as underground or surface workers were recruited into our study. The study population was divided into two groups: the surface worker group (control group, n=33) and the underground worker group (n=48). The folate, vitamin B12, Hcy, cystatin C levels and body mass indexes (BMI) of both groups were measured and compared. Serum folate, Hcy and vitamin B12 levels were measured with a competitive chemiluminescence immunassay. Serum levels of cystatin C were determined by the latex particle-enhanced turbidimetric method using a cystatin C kit. Urea values were measured with a kinetic method on an automated analyzer.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the underground workers and surface workers in the urea, cystatin C and vitamin B12 levels. High serum Hcy levels and low folate levels were found in underground workers compared with those in surface workers. The correlation between Hcy and folate levels was also statistically significant. Similarly, there was also a significant correlation between Hcy and vitamin B12, and between Hcy and cystatin C levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated Hcy levels may be associated with underground working but further research is necessary to understand the relation between elevated Hcy and increased prevalence of health problems in coal miners.

Effect of varicocelectomy on sperm creatine kinase, HspA2 chaperone protein (creatine kinase-M type), LDH, LDH-X, and lipid peroxidation product levels in infertile men with varicocele

OBJECTIVES

To determine the total sperm creatine kinase, HspA2 chaperone protein (creatine kinase-M isoform), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), LDH-X activities, and lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde [MDA]) levels in infertile men with varicocele and to examine the possible effect of varicocelectomy on these parameters.

METHODS

Eighty-one men were enrolled in this study. The study population consisted of a control group (n = 25) and a varicocele group (n = 56). Of the 56 patients with varicocele, 26 underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy at our institution between July 2002 and July 2003. The standard semen parameters (sperm concentration and motility and Kruger morphology) and total sperm creatine kinase, HspA2, LDH, and LDH-X activities, and MDA levels were assessed in the control and varicocele groups. The differences were compared between the two groups. The same parameters were repeated at 6 months postoperatively in the varicocelectomy group and the preoperative and postoperative results were compared.

RESULTS

The sperm concentration was significantly lower in the varicocele group than in the control group (P = 0.01). The mean sperm HspA2 activities were significantly lower and the LDH activities and MDA levels were significantly greater in the varicocele group than in the control group (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found in the semen parameters in the varicocelectomy group preoperatively and postoperatively. Sperm HspA2 activities increased significantly after varicocelectomy compared with preoperatively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that sperm HspA2 activities are lower and LDH activities and MDA levels are greater in infertile men with varicocele. These data also suggest that varicocelectomy increases HspA2 activities in these patients.

[Determination of malondialdehyde level in peritoneal fluid in patients with acute abdomen]

BACKGROUND

Our aim is to determine the relationship between free oxygen radicals and tissue destruction in Acute abdomen patients.

METHODS

In this study, direct determination of free oxygen radicals is succeeded by measuring the Malondialdehyde level (MDA), which is the last product of lipid peroxidation in the peritoneal fluid of acute abdomen patients. Forty patients are included in the study of whom thirty patients were the study group and ten were taken as the control group. MDA levels of both groups and the differences between daily MDA levels of each group are compared statistically by using one way ANOVA, student t test and student Newman Keuls test respectively.

RESULTS

There was statistical significant difference between study and control group (p < 0.05). Also there was significant difference between MDA levels of infected, non-infected and control groups (p < 0.01). It was understood that high MDA levels in the study group source from infected group and there was no significant difference between non-infected and control group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study we proved the high MDA levels in the peritoneal fluid of Infected Acute Abdomen patients. This result is meaningful for the diagnose and following of these patients.

The effect of topical CCNU(1-(2-chloroethyl)-3 cyclohexyl 1 nitrosurea) treatment on lipid peroxidation of glial tumours transplanted on rat brain

1. The effect of topical CCNU treatment on lipid peroxidation of glial tumors transplanted on rat brain has been investigated in 22 rats. 2. Four groups have been selected as normal brain tissue, normal brain tissue+CCNU, tumour tissue, tumour tissue+CCNU. In these groups malondialdehyde (MDA) levels have been measured as a marker of lipid peroxidation. 3. Lipid peroxidation was high in tumour tissue in respect to controls (P < 0.05). In normal tissues topical CCNU treatment caused increase in lipid peroxidation (P < 0.05). In tumor tissues, topical CCNU decreased lipid peroxidation (P < 0.05). It is concluded that further studies have to be performed in order to determine whether increases in lipid peroxidation on CCNU treated normal brain tissues is a result of the inhibitory effect on cellular defence systems or promotion of free radical production.