Curcumin and propolis, 2 traditional drugs, had a positive effect on nerve crush injuries. We are convinced that they can be used to support routine treatment in such nerve injuries.

Background/aim: To determine whether there was a difference between serum and hair trace elements' concentrations in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and healthy participants. Materials and methods:Hair and serum copper, selenium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and iron levels were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in patients with AD and healthy participants, and the obtained results were statistically compared. Results:The mean hair selenium and zinc levels of patients with AD were significantly lower than the levels found for control participants (P < 0.05). Patients with AD had significantly higher mean hair copper and manganese levels than the controls. There were no significant differences between AD patients and controls with respect to the hair iron and magnesium levels (P > 0.05). Hair and serum trace element (copper, selenium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, and iron) levels in patients with AD showed no significant difference according to mini mental test scores or sex (P > 0.05). Conclusion:Some trace element levels may change in patients with AD. Due to the more permanent status, the analysis of these element levels in hair might be superior to blood analysis.

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Noise, one of the main components of modern society, has become an important environmental problem. Noise is not only an irritating sound, but also a stress factor leading to serious health problems. In this study, we have investigated possible effects of rosuvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, thought to have an antioxidant effect, on noise-induced oxidative stress in the serum of rat models. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were used. In order to ease their adaptation, 2 weeks before the experiment, the rats were divided into four groups (with eight rats per each group): Noise exposure plus rosuvastatin usage, only noise exposure, only rosuvastatin usage and control. After the data had been collected, oxidant (Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide [NO], protein carbonyl [PC]) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSH-PX], catalase [CAT]) parameters were analyzed in the serum. Results indicated that SOD values were found to be significantly lower, while PC values in serum were remarkably higher in the group that was exposed to only noise. GSH-Px values in serum dramatically increased in the group on which only rosuvastatin was used. During noise exposure, the use of rosuvastatin caused significantly increased CAT values, whereas it resulted in reduced PC and NO values in serum. In conclusion, our data show that noise exposure leads to oxidative stress in rat serum; however, rosuvastatin therapy decreases the oxidative stress caused by noise exposure.

Background/aim: Vascular risk factors play an important role in the progression of Alzheimer disease (AD). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a determinant of platelet functionality and increased MPV is associated with an increased risk of vascular inflammation. Here we aimed to examine whether MPV could be used as a marker of vascular damage in AD and to discuss the relation between MPV and other vascular risk factors. Materials and methods:A total of 109 outpatients with AD and 81 healthy controls were included in this study. Diagnosis of AD was made according to defined criteria. The Turkish version of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used for cognitive assessment. According to the test results, patients were divided into 2 subgroups, mild (MMSE ≥ 18) and moderate (MMSE < 18), and their MPV levels were compared.Results: MPV levels were higher in the AD group. There was no statistically significant difference between the moderate group and the mild group according to MPV values. Conclusion:Increased MPV in patients with AD may point to platelet dysfunction. MPV is an indicator of increased in vivo platelet activation. Hence, platelets could be the link between vascular risk factors and AD. The assessment of MPV in patients with AD may help identify the patients that could benefit from additional antiplatelet therapy.