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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Objectives: This in vitro study aimed to examine the protective roles of Hypericum perforatum Linn (HPL) extract on cell viability, DNA damage, apoptosis and a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS) proteins in chondrocytes induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as a model of chondrocytes subjected to reactive oxygen species (ROS) attack in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Materials and methods: Human chondrosarcoma cell line (OUMS-27) was used. Cells were incubated with different concentrations of methanolic extract (100, 400, and 750 μg/ml) of HPL for 36 hours, and then treated with 0.7 mM H2O2 for two hours. Trypan blue was used for evaluation of cell viability, while DNA damage was evaluated by alkaline Comet assay. Caspase-1, ADAMTS5, ADAMTS9, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) proteins were analyzed by Western blot. Results: In vitro H2O2 treatment decreased OUMS-27 cell viability. Cells pretreated with HPL at concentration of 400 μg/mL were best protected from H2O2 toxicity. Compared to 100 μg/ml concentration, pretreatment of cells with 750 or 400 μg/ml of HPL generated more protection against H2O2-induced DNA damage. Hydrogen peroxide application to the cells led to a slight increase in Caspase-1 expression, which shows no apoptosis. The most prominent increase in Caspase-1 level was shown in cells treated with 400 μg/ml of HPL extract. There was an increase in ADAMTS9 and a decrease in ADAMTS5 levels upon H2O2 administration. Pretreatment with HPL led to more decrease in ADAMTS5 level, indicating the protection of extracellular matrix attacked by these proteinases in cartilage tissue. Conclusion: It can be concluded that HPL has a potential to reverse the negative effects and processes induced by H2O2 in OUMS-27 cells and it can protect the surrounding cartilage area of chondrocytes from oxidative damage, which is suggested to be one of the main molecular factors accused for progression of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

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