Biomedical subjects

M Bekaroğlu

Publications and source records attributed to M Bekaroğlu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Antioxidative enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation in major depression: alterations by antidepressant treatments.

BACKGROUND: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a role in some neuropsychiatric disorders. There is some evidence that the activation of immune-inflammatory process, increase of monoamines catabolism, and abnormalities in lipid compounds may cause overproduction of ROS and, in turn, antioxidative enzyme activities (AEAs) and lipid peroxidation (LP), and that these phenomena may be related to pathophysiology of major depression. METHODS: The aims of this study were (i) to examine the AEAs and LP levels of the major depressed (MD) patients, and to compare these with healthy controls; and (ii) to investigate the effect of subchronic treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on AEAs and LP levels in MD subjects. Thirty MD patients, and 32 healthy controls (HC) participated in this study. AEAs and LP levels were determined by measuring several antioxidative enzymes and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma and/or in red blood cells. RESULTS: Major depressed patients, especially melancholic patients, had higher AEA and LP levels than those of healthy controls. After treatment for 3 months with SSRIs, AEA and LP levels of the patients were significantly decreased to normal levels. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that (i) major depression, especially with melancholia, is associated with elevated AEAs and LP, and that (ii) subchronic treatment with SSRIs may have a suppressive effect on AEA and LP. CLINICAL IMPLICATION AND LIMITATION: AEAs might be used for monitoring SSRIs effects.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Effects of antidepressant treatments on polymorphonuclear elastase levels in patients with depression.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that severe depression is associated with immunological and inflammatory alterations and these alterations may be showed easily by polymorphonuclear elastase (PMNE) measurements. The purpose of the present study is to show how PMN elastase levels change before and after antidepressant treatment. METHODS: Fifty-five patients with depression (40 with major depression [MD], 15 with dysthymic disorder [DD]) were included in the study. Blood samples were drawn prior to drug treatment, and 3 months after the treatment. Severity of depression was measured by 24-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HDRS). RESULTS: There was a positive correlation between Delta PMNE levels and Delta HDRS in patients with MD, but not in patients with DD. Twenty-eight patients were given moclobemide, and 27 patients were given imipramine. It was seen that PMN elastase levels were significantly reduced after 3-month antidepressant treatment period only in patients with MD. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that PMNE activity is a state dependent parameter and improvement of depressive symptoms due to antidepressant treatment may lead to decrement of PMNE levels. CLINICAL IMPLICATION AND LIMITATIONS: PMN elastase measurements may be used as a sensitive biological marker to follow the time-course of the disease activity in patients with major depression.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase levels in depressive disorders.

The present study was carried out to determine polymorphonuclear (PMN) elastase levels and to explain whether or not altered levels may be a factor in depression. The patient group included a total of 68 patients with depression (32 with major depression, 36 with dysthymia). The control group included 40 volunteer, healthy subjects. WBC, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), immunogloblins (Ig A, IG G, IgM), and complements (C3 and C4) levels of the patient and control groups were determined. The mean PMN elastase levels, determined by immunoactivation method, in patients with major depression without and with melancholia, dysthymia and healthy subjects were found to be 99.5 (10.8) microgram(s)/L [arithmetic mean (SEM)], 289.0 (71.3) microgram(s)/L, 55.7(5.5) microgram(s)/L, and (47.3(2.6) microgram(s)/L, respectively. The mean PMN elastase level was found to be statistically higher in patients with depression, especially in patients with major depression, than that of healthy subjects. It was concluded that severe depression is associated with immunological and inflammatory alterations may be showed easily by PMN elastase measurements.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Relationships between serum free fatty acids and zinc, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a research note.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationships between serum free fatty acids (FFA) and zinc, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Forty eight children with ADHD (33 boys, 15 girls) were included in the patient group and 45 healthy volunteer children (30 boys, 15 girls) constituted the control group. The mean serum FFA level in the patient group was 0.176 +/- 0.102 mEq/L and in control group, 0.562 +/- 0.225 mEq/L (p < .001). The mean serum zinc level of patient group was 60.6 +/- 9.9 micrograms/dl and that of the control group, 105.8 +/- 13.2 micrograms/dl (p < .001). A statistically significant correlation was found between zinc and FFA levels in the ADHD group. These findings indicate that zinc deficiency may play a role in aetiopathogenesis of ADHD. Although we observed decreased FFA levels in ADHD cases, it is necessary to determine whether this condition is a principal cause of ADHD or is secondary to zinc deficiency.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗

PubMed1991

Depression in an elderly population in Turkey.

The prevalence of depression was investigated in 2 groups of elderly people in Turkey living in a public old people's home and in their own home. Depression was assessed according to the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, not clinical diagnosis. The prevalence of depression was 35% (33% for men, 37% for women) for the total population, 41% (40% for men, 42% for women) for those living in an institution and 29% (24% for men, 33% for women) for those living at home. Not being able to work actively, poor religious interest, widowhood, alcohol consumption, older age and physical disability were significantly correlated with the prevalence of depression. Institutional care was also associated with depression. The prevalence of depression was not related to sex, education, occupation or economic status.

Aged↗