Nitric oxide is synthesized from L-arginine by endothelial nitric oxide synthase encoded by eNOS gene. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between the serum nitric oxide level and eNOS gene polymorphism in the Turkish population with angiographically diagnosed coronary artery disease (63.47 +/- 9.10 years old, n=250) and control subjects without any history and/or risk factors of coronary artery disease (60.71 +/- 9.14 years old, n=150). Griess assay and PCR-RFLP analysis were used to measure the serum nitric oxide metabolites and genotypes, respectively. It was found that Glu/Glu, Glu/Asp and Asp/Asp genotype frequencies of the eNOS were 49.3%, 41.3% and 9.3% respectively in the control group, and 45.6%, 41.2% and 13.2% in the patient group. Serum nitric oxide levels were (32.56 +/- 17.26) microM in controls and (29.84 +/- 11.88) microM in patients. Neither the frequencies of the Glu298Asp genotypes nor the serum nitricoxide levels showed a significant difference between the groups. There was also no correlation between serum nitric oxide levels and the frequencies of the eNOS genotypes. Result showed that the coronary artery disease of the Turkish population seemed to develop without any alterations in eNOS Glu298Asp genotype frequency and the serum nitric oxide level.
Selenium, aluminum, cadmium, and magnesium concentrations and glutathione-peroxidase activities in sera of 35 healthy individuals, 30 renal transplants, and 30 hemodialysis patients were measured. Serum selenium, aluminum, and cadmium concentrations in both groups of patients were higher than the controls (p less than 0.001), whereas the serum glutathione-peroxidase levels were lower (p less than 0.001). According to our results, it can be concluded that the patients receiving hemodialysis are subjected to more toxic elements than the transplantation patients. These findings imply that dietary selenium supplement may be suggested in renal failure for the detoxification of elements, such as cadmium and mercury. The essential trace element selenium takes part not only in the direct protection of endothelial cells against the accumulation of aggressive oxygen species, but also in the prevention of the toxic effects of cadmium or in the modulation of the active calcium transport.
Melatonin (MEL) is synthesized mainly in the pineal gland and derived from 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP). Zinc (Zn) is one of the most important trace elements in the body. Zn and MEL levels are changed with aging. The aim of this study was to investigate the age-related changes of tissue and plasma Zn levels and effect of MEL administration on these parameters. Male wistar rats received for 3 weeks subcutaneous injection of MEL (10 mg/kg). Kidney and pancreas Zn levels in old rats were significantly lower than middle-aged group. Spleen, small intestine, and plasma Zn levels were not different in middle-aged and old rats. On the other hand, MEL treatment increased Zn levels of small intestine and plasma in middle-aged rats. However, kidney, spleen, and pancreas Zn levels were unaffected by MEL treatment.
Melatonin (MEL) is the main neurohormone of the pineal gland. Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element that is required as a catalytic component for more than 200 enzymes. Both MEL and Zn are considered beneficial for anti-immunosenescence. Recent findings have shown that MEL can modulate Zn turnover. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MEL treatment on the tissue Zn levels in young (4 months) and middle-aged (14 months) rats. Male wistar rats received during 3 weeks subcutaneous injection of MEL (10 mg/kg). After 3 weeks, rats were decapitated and tissue samples were collected. Zn levels were measured by spectrophotometric assay. In conclusion, MEL decreased liver Zn levels both in young and middle-aged rats. In addition, Zn levels in young control group were significantly higher than middle-aged control group. However, MEL treatment increased thymus Zn levels in middle-aged group compared with the control. These findings indicate that tissue Zn levels are significantly affected by MEL treatment.
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