Ionizing radiation is known to induce mutations and cell transformations, predominantly by causing single-strand and double-strand DNA breakage, thereby leading to chromosome instability and carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate genotoxic effects in hospital staff exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation in comparison with a selected control group, by using the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) and sister chromatid exchange (SCE) tests in peripheral blood lymphocytes. The study included 40 exposed radiology staff and 30 control subjects. The frequency of micronuclei (MN) was significantly increased in radiation-exposed groups compared with control persons (p < 0.05). The frequency of SCE did not show any significant difference in the exposed individuals in comparison to the controls. Our results showed that low-level chronic occupational exposure to ionizing radiation causes an increase of MN frequency in chromosomes, even though the absorbed doses were below the permissible limits. Our studies indicate that the CBMN assay is considered to be sensitive test in contrast to SCE analysis to evaluate chromosomal damage induced by ionizing radiation.

Heroin is among the most widely used and dangerous addictive opiate. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that more than 15 million people are under the influence of opiate addiction. The aim of this study was to investigate copper zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT) and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (Se-GPx) antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the frequency of micronuclei (MN) in addicts using heroin, the most commonly abused opiate in Turkey. Addicts were defined as individuals diagnosed according to "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV)" criteria by the "Alcohol and Substance Abuse Treatment and Education Centre-Ankara (AMATEM)". The control group had no addiction. In comparisons between the groups, a significant decrease in Cu,Zn-SOD activity and increases in MDA levels and MN frequency were observed in addicts. It can be concluded that opiates may cause oxidative stress and that antioxidant supplementation, in addition to pharmacological and psychiatric approaches, can reduce the toxicological effects of these opiates.

Patients with hypogonadism are at increased risk of cardiac and metabolic diseases. However, the pathogenesis of increased cardiometabolic risk in patients with hypogonadism is not clear. Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases. This study aimed to investigate possible differences in oxidative stress conditions between patients with hypogonadism and healthy controls. In this study, 38 male patients with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH) (mean age: 21.7 ± 1.6 years) and 44 healthy male controls (mean age: 22.3 ± 1.4 years) with almost equal body mass index were enrolled. The demographic parameters, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), total and free testosterone, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and oxidative stress parameters, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA), were compared between both groups. Compared to the healthy controls, triglycerides (p = .02), insulin levels, HOMA-IR values, CAT activities and MDA levels (p < .001 for all) were significantly higher and HDL cholesterol (p = .04), total and free testosterone, FSH, LH levels and GPx activity were significantly lower (p < .001 for all) in patients with CHH. There were significant correlations between total testosterone levels and CAT activity (r = -.33 p = .01), GPx activity (r = .36 p = .007) and MDA (r = -.47 p < .001) levels. The results of this study showed that young and treatment-naïve patients with congenital hypogonadism had an increased status of oxidative stress.

The purpose of this study is the evaluation of possible toxicological effects on dental personnel, who are exposed to the production materials of prostheses during their entire working life. In this study, the level of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in ambient air was measured as an indicator of external exposure on the personnel. In order to evaluate the possible toxic effects of oxidative stress, which is thought to play an important role in the formation process of many diseases such as cancer, blood samples of volunteers were examined via the ultraviolet-spectroscopic determination of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase antioxidant enzyme activities, comparing occupationally MMA-exposed ( n = 69) and control ( n = 67) groups. In these groups, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione levels were also determined by the same method. The results showed that SOD activity and MDA and glutathione levels were significantly higher in the exposed group when compared with the control group ( p < 0.001). A significant decrease was determined in the glutathione peroxidase activities of the exposed group ( p < 0.05). No significant difference in CAT activities between the groups has been found. When the results obtained in the study are considered, it is suggested that an adaptive response might be developed by dental technicians against low-level MMA exposure.

ÖzetAmaç: Antioksidan aktivite gösteren ve eser elementlerin gerekli miktarları-nı içeren tıbbi gıdaların diyetle alınması, iyi bir sağlıklı yaşam sürdürmek için önemlidir. Çalışmamızda, Kayseri'de marketlerde satılan Altınçilek (Physalis peruviana L.) meyvesinin antioksidan kapasitesinin ve metal içeriğinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: P. peruviana meyvesinin antioksidan kapasitesi, 2,2-difenil-1-pikrilhidrazil (DPPH) serbest radikal süpürme testi ile belirlenmiştir. Meyvenin metanol (MeOH) ekstresinin DPPH serbest radikalini temizleme kapasitesi, referans olarak askorbik asit, gallik asit ve bütillen-dirilmiş hidroksitoluen (BHT) gibi bilinen antioksidanlarla karşılaştırılmıştır. P. peruviana meyvesinin metal içeriği atomik absorpsiyon spektrometresi (AAS) kullanılarak ölçülmüştür. Bulgular: P. peruviana meyve ekstresinin DPPH serbest radikal temizleme aktivitesinin olduğu, fakat antioksidan kapasitesinin standart maddelerden daha düşük olduğu tespit edilmiştir. P. peruviana, askorbik asit, gallik asit ve BHT'nin % 50 inhibitör konsantrasyon (IC 50 ) değer-leri sırası ile 32 mg/ml, 3.8 mg/ml, 3.51 mg/ml ve 1.21 mg/ml olarak belirlenmiştir. AAS ile yapılan analizler sonucu, meyvenin eser element yönünden zengin içeriğe sahip iken ağır metal içeriğinin az miktarda veya hiç olmadı-ğı gözlenmiştir. Tartışma: Bu sonuçlar, P. peruviana meyvesinin doğal kaynaklı potansiyel bir antioksidan ve eser element kaynağı olduğunu göstermektedir. Anahtar Kelimeler Eser Elementler; Physalis; Antioksidan EtkiAbstract Aim: The dietary intake of medicinal food with antioxidant activity and required amounts of trace elements is important to pursue good healthy life. In our study, we aimed to determine the antioxidant capacity and metal content of goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruit sold in markets in Kayseri. Material and Method: The antioxidant capacity of P. peruviana fruit was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. The DPPH radical scavenger capacity of the methanol extract of fruit was compared with known antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, gallic acid, and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as references. The metal content of P. peruviana fruit was measured by using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Results: The fruit of P. peruviana was found to possess DPPH free radical scavenging activity but the antioxidant capacity was lower than the standard substances. Inhibitory concentration 50% (IC 50 ) values of P. peruviana, ascorbic acid, gallic acid, and BHT were determined as 32 mg/ml, 3.8 mg/ml, 3.51 mg/ ml, and 1.21 mg/ml, respectively. As a result of the analysis by AAS, it was observed that P. peruviana fruit contented plentiful trace elements and the content of heavy metal was small amount or not detected. Discussion: These observations suggest that the fruit of P. peruviana has a potential source of antioxidant and trace elements of natural origin.