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Biomedical subjects

Fatma Ferda Verit

Publications and source records attributed to Fatma Ferda Verit.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Paraoxonase-1 activity as a marker of atherosclerosis is not associated with low bone mineral density in healthy postmenopausal women.

The aging process is associated with an increasing prevalence of osteoporosis and atherosclerosis, but it is uncertain if these two conditions are interrelated. Serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) associated enzyme that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our aims of the study were to investigate (1) serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and, lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels in healthy postmenopausal women and (2) whether there were any associations between these enzyme activities and bone mineral density (BMD). A total of 97 generally healthy postmenopausal women were enrolled in the study. BMD was measured at lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. LOOH levels were measured by iodometric assay. In this population, 50 (51%) women had BMD T scores < -2.5 at the LS and/or FN defined as osteoporosis and 47 (49%) of them had normal BMDs. Serum paraoxonase, arylesterase, and LOOH activities were not significantly different between osteoporotic and nonosteoporotic postmenopausal women. There were also no correlations between paraoxonase, arylesterase, LOOH activities, and LS BMD and FN BMD. We conclude that there may be not good evidence to support a direct relationship between osteoporosis and atherosclerosis in these subjects. However, prospective studies with larger groups are needed to investigate this issue further.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2006

Long-term effects of tibolone on ocular functions in postmenopausal women.

Hormone replacement therapy has been widely used for the prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis and treatment of climacteric symptoms for many years, but its effect on ocular functions remains unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term effects of tibolone on ocular functions in postmenopausal women. A total of 77 healthy women with at least 1 year of spontaneous menopause were enrolled in the study. Forty women were treated with tibolone for 6 months and 37 women were left untreated. All these patients underwent ophthalmic examination including visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), tear functions, blue-on-yellow and white-on-white Humphrey visual field (HVF), visual evoked potentials (VEP) and electroretinography (ERG). There were significant differences in mean deviation of blue-on-yellow HVF, and oscillatory potentials (O1, O2, and O4) in the ERGs of the chronic tibolone users and the control (P < 0.0001, P = 0.001, P < 0.0001 and 0.05, respectively). However, no significant differences were observed in visual acuity, IOP, tear functions, white-on-white HVF and VEP. We concluded that, although tibolone had no effects on visual acuity, IOP, tear functions and VEP, it might cause some early adverse effects on the electrophysiologic and structural characteristics of the retina, which are detected by these sensitive assays. Randomized placebo-controlled studies with larger groups are needed in future research.

Electroretinography↗
PubMed2006

No increase in sperm DNA damage and seminal oxidative stress in patients with idiopathic infertility.

The most common cause of male infertility is idiopathic. Standard investigations reveal no abnormality in such cases. The aim of the study was to investigate the levels of sperm DNA damage and seminal oxidative stress and their relationships with idiopathic infertility. The study included 30 normozoospermic infertile men seeking infertility treatment and 20 fertile donors. Semen analysis was performed according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Sperm DNA damage was assessed by alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) after preparation with two-step discontinuous Percoll gradient. Seminal oxidative stress was measured by a novel automated method. DNA damage score, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were not different in idiopathic infertile men compared with controls. No correlations were also found between DNA damage score and TAS, TOS levels and OSI in idiopathic infertile group. We did not find any relationship between sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress in normozoospermic infertile men. We think that the pathophysiology of idiopathic infertility cannot be explained by sperm DNA damage or seminal oxidative stress.

Comet Assay↗
PubMed2006

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction and associated risk factors in women with chronic pelvic pain: a cross-sectional study.

The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction, its subtypes and associated risk factors in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) as compared to a general female population. We evaluated 112 women (mean age 34.73 +/- 8.07; age range 18-50) complaining of CPP with a comprehensive history including female sexual function index (FSFI) and several general assessment questions (GAQs), a complete physical examination and routine laboratory tests. A group of 108 healthy women (mean age 33.28 +/- 7.95; age range 19-52) without CPP were enrolled as cross-sectional controls. According to the general population, the incidence of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) was 67.8% in women with CPP and 32.2% in women without CPP (P < 0.0001). Among 112 CPP patients, 78 (69.6%) of them had FSD and 34 (30.4%) patients did not have FSD in the study (P < 0.0001). In that 78 patients, 42 patients (53.8%) had hypoactive sexual desire disorder, 26 patients (33.3%) had sexual arousal disorder, 17 patients (21.7%) had orgasmic disorder and finally 58 patients (74.3%) had sexual pain disorder. The FSFI scores in both groups were as follows: (patients vs. controls; median value; P value, respectively): desire: 3.31 versus 3.98 (P < 0.0001); arousal: 3.58 versus 4.35 (P < 0.0001); lubrication: 4.20 versus 4.88 (P < 0.0001); orgasm: 3.70 versus 4.48 (P < 0.0001); sexual satisfaction: 3.80 versus 4.64 (P < 0.0001); sexual pain: 2.75 versus 4.98 (P < 0.0001) and total FSFI score: 21.35 versus 27.29 (P < 0.0001). The prevalence of FSD was higher in women with CPP than in a general healthy population not complaining of CPP. Investigation of female sexuality was essential for these patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Correlations of serum prolidase activity between bone turnover markers and mineral density in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Prolidase is a specific imidodipeptidase involved in collagen degradation. The increase in the enzyme activity is believed to be correlated with the increased intensity of collagen degradation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum prolidase activity and its relationship between bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal osteoporosis. The study included 45 postmenopausal osteoporotic, 55 postmenopausal nonosteoporotic and 38 premenopausal healthy women. BMD was measured at the femoral neck and lumbar spine with DEXA. T score was more than 2.5 SD below the normal at the lumbar spine or femoral neck in postmenopausal osteoporotic patients. Serum levels of prolidase, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (C-telopeptide), total alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), urinary deoxypyridinoline (Dpd) and urinary creatinine were also assayed. C-telopeptide, total ALP, OC, urinary Dpd levels were significantly higher in postmenopausal osteoporotic group compared with premenopausal women. However, there was no statistical difference in serum prolidase activity between the three groups. There were also no significant correlations between serum prolidase and any biomarkers of bone turnover as well as BMD. To conclude, in postmenopausal osteoporotic women with increased bone turnover, serum prolidase concentration was not correlated with the biomarkers of bone formation or bone resorption and with BMD.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed2006

Progress in female sexual dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a significant age-related, progressive and highly prevalent problem that affects a substantial number of women that causes personal distress and has negative effects on quality of life and interpersonal relationships. DEFINITIONS: The female sexual response cycle consists of three phases: desire, arousal, and orgasm, and is initiated by non-adrenergic/non-cholinergic, e.g. vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and nitric oxide, neurotransmitters that maintain vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle relaxation resulting in increased pelvic blood flow, vaginal lubrication, and clitoral and labial engorgement. Furthermore, hormonal status may influence female sexual function. For the diagnosis of FSD, a detailed history should be taken initially, followed by a physical examination and laboratory studies. CONCLUSION: Due to the fact that there has been little research and attention on FSD, our knowledge in this field is quite limited and there is still no approved therapy. Future advances in evaluation and treatment of female sexual problems are forthcoming.

Female↗