The effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy on oxidant/antioxidant metabolism are controversial and its effects on hepatic regeneration are not known. In this study, we investigated a possible beneficial effect of HBO therapy on oxidant and antioxidants levels during liver regeneration. To conduct this study, seventy percent hepatectomy was performed on forty-eight SpraggueDawley rats and the rats were divided into two equal groups: HBO-treated group and untreated group (non-HBO group). We determined the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), an oxidative stress marker, and the levels of antioxidant enzymes/reagents, including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activitiy, copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in the remnant liver samples. We also measured mitotic index (MI) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) levels to assess the degree of liver regeneration. HBO treatment significantly decreased MDA levels, whereas it increased SOD activity, GSH and Zn levels. In contrast, Cu levels were lower in the HBO-treated livers than the levels in the untreated remnant livers. The effect of HBO treatment may be mediated by the suppression of certain enzymes that are responsible for lipid peroxidation. In addition, HBO treatment may induce the production of antioxidant enzymes/reagents by remnant liver tissues. The HBO-treated rats maintained their body weights but the untreated rats lost body weights. HBO treatment also increased MI and PCNA levels, indicating HBO treatment enhances liver regeneration. These

BackgroundWe aimed to show the relationship between recurrence of wheezing and serum levels of vitamin D, zinc, and copper in wheezy children compared with a healthy group.MethodsIn this cross sectional study, seventy-three children with wheezing and seventy-five controls were included without a follow-up period. The clinical characteristics of the children were assessed, the asthma predictive index and temporal pattern of wheeze were determined. The serum levels of vitamin D, zinc, and copper were measured. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between homogeneously distributed variables.ResultsThirty-two of the seventy-three children (43.8%) had more than three wheezing attacks (recurrent wheezing). The Asthma Predictive Index index was positive in 26 patients (35.6%). When classified to temporal pattern of wheeze, fifty-three of the study group (72.6%) had episodic wheezing and the remainder (27.4%) was classified as multiple-trigger wheezing. We found no overall significant difference between the study and control group in terms of vitamin D and trace elements . The vitamin D and zinc levels were significantly lower and serum copper and copper/zinc ratio was significantly higher in patients with recurrent wheezing (p =0.03, p <0.01, p =0.013, p <0.01, respectively) positive Asthma Predictive Index and multiple-trigger temporal pattern of wheeze compared with patients with non- recurrent wheezing, negative Asthma Predictive Index and episodic temporal pattern of wheeze.ConclusionIt may be postulated that for the determination of asthma risk in patients with recurrent wheezing, the serum level of vitamin D, copper and zinc can be used as a routine biomarker alongside the Asthma Predictive Index and temporal pattern of wheeze.

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BackgroundEssential micronutrients are important for maintenance of life. Deficiency of micronutrients is more likely to be encountered in children, and women studies are required to investigate the status of micronutrients in children and women. This study aimed to longitudinally evaluate changes in zinc, copper, and iron levels in breastfed infants and their mothers during the first year of life.MethodsSerum and hair samples were obtained from 35 healthy breastfed infants (51 % males, 49 % females) and their mothers 2, 6, and 12 months after delivery. All of the samples were assessed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum iron levels were determined by a Roche/Hitachi/Modular analyzer. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS-PC (Version 21.00) software.ResultsHair zinc (p < 0.05) and serum iron (p < 0.001) levels of infants were significantly decreased towards the end of the first year. Infants’ serum copper levels were increased towards the end of the first year. Maternal serum and hair copper levels and serum iron levels were significantly decreased towards the end of the first year. There were no significant correlations between dietary zinc, copper, iron intake, and trace element levels of infants and their mothers.ConclusionsInfants’ hair zinc levels, maternal and infants’ hair copper levels, and infants’ and maternal serum iron levels declined towards the end of the first year. Infants need more zinc after 6 months of age. Infants’ and mothers’ daily iron intake was less than the recommended intake.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hypo− and euthyroid status on serum cystatin C (CysC) levels in children and to explore whether CysC can be used as a marker of the thyroid status.Methods: Twenty five patients with hypothyroidism (10M, 15F; mean age:8.7±4.9 years) and 21 healhty age−matched controls (9M, 12F; mean age: 9.7±5.0 years) were included in this study. Serum thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), serum CysC and creatinine levels were studied in patients with hypothyroidism twice, i.e. in the euthyroid (on L−T4) and hypothyroid state, and in controls.Results: No significant differences in creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and CysC levels were observed between the study group in the euthyroid status and the control group. CysC (mg/dL) level was found to be lower in the hypothyroid status(0.6±0.1) than in the euthyroid status (0.66±0.1) (p=0.01). In hypothyroid status, CysC levels showed a positive correlation with GFR (r=0.463, p=0.02) and GFR had positivecorrelation with fT4 (r=0.563, p=0.012).Conclusions: We demonstrated a significant effect of thyroid dysfunction on CysC levels, but the changes in serum CysC levels in hypo− and euthyroid status did not exceed the reference interval. It may be concluded that serum CysC levels have limited use in evaluating the peripheral effects of thyroid hormones.Conflict of interest:None declared.