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Öğe The activities of purine catabolizing enzymes in plasma and bronchial washing fluid in patients with lung cancer and pneumonia(Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd, 2001) Akyol, O; Gökbulut, I; Köksal, N; Akin, H; Özyurt, H; Yildirim, Z[Abstract Not Available]Öğe Allergic granulomatosis and angiitis in the absence of asthma and blood eosinophilia: a rare presentation of limited Churg-Strauss syndrome(Springer Heidelberg, 2004) Sevinc, A; Hasanoglu, HC; Gokirmak, M; Yildirim, Z; Baysal, T; Mizrak, BAllergic granulomatosis and angiitis, also known as Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), is an uncommon vasculitis of unknown etiology. We report a 21-year-old male patient with fatigue, dry cough, and progressive dyspnea. He had no history of asthma or eosinophilia. Thorax computed tomography showed bullous/cystic areas with thin walls in varying sizes (5-15 mm). Histopathological examination of the open lung biopsy revealed granulomatous infiltration with histiocytes and eosinophilic leukocytes. This extremely rare variant of CSS is discussed.Öğe Apricot sulfurization: An occupation that induces an asthma-like syndrome in agricultural environments(Wiley, 2003) Koksal, N; Hasanoglu, HC; Gokirmak, M; Yildirim, Z; Gultek, ABackground Several cases of bronchial asthma have been presenting with acute attacks during the seasons of apricot sulfurization. The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of sulfur dioxide (SO2) exposure on the airways of the workers involved in this process. Methods SO2 levels in air were measured on 15 apricot farms, while the symptom scores of 69 workers were recorded before, during, and after SO2 exposure. Physical examination and pulmonary function tests (PFT) of the workers were also done prior to and after exposure periods. Results The measured SO2 concentrations ranged between 106.6 and 721.0 ppm. Dyspnea (80%), cough (78%), and eye and nose irritation (83-70%) were the most commonly observed symptoms. The workers had significant decreases in pulmonary functions after SO2 exposure. Decrements in FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, and FEF25-75% showed that the acute effect of SO2 on pulmonary functions of the workers was mostly of obstructive pattern. Conclusions Acute exposure to SO2 induces asthma-like syndrome (ALS) in apricot sulfurization workers. SO2 which has not been previously reported in agricultural environments as a cause of ALS may be considered as a new agent. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.(dagger).Öğe Cisplatin-induced acute renal failure is ameliorated by erdosteine in a dose-dependent manner(Wiley, 2004) Özyurt, H; Yildirim, Z; Kotuk, M; Yilmaz, HR; Yagmurca, M; Iraz, M; Sögüt, SThe aim of this study was to investigate the optimum dosage of erdosteine to ameliorate cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Three different doses of erdosteine at 25, 50 and 75 mg kg(-1) were studied in rats. Intraperitoneal administration of 7 mg kg(-1) cisplatin led to acute renal failure, as indicated by kidney histology and increases in plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. At 5 days after cisplatin injection the BUN level was increased significantly from 15.1 +/- 4.3 to 126.7 +/- 152.6 mg dl(-1) and plasma creatinine levels increased from 0.37 +/- 0.005 to 1.68 +/- 1.9 mg dl(-1). When the rats were administered 50 and 75 mg kg(-1) erdosteine 24 h before cisplatin injection that was continued until sacrifice (total of 6 days), the BUN and creatinine levels remained similar to control levels and the grade of histology was similar. Erdosteine at doses of 50 and 75 mg kg(-1) ameliorates cisplatin-induced renal failure. The optimum dose of erdosteine may be 50 mg kg(-1) in this study. Copyright 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.Öğe Effect of water extract of Turkish propolis on tuberculosis infection in guinea-pigs(Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd, 2004) Yildirim, Z; Hacievliyagil, S; Kutlu, NO; Aydin, NE; Kurkcuoglu, M; Iraz, M; Durmaz, RMycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv)-infected guinea-pig model was used to investigate the effect of water extract of propolis (WEP). After subcutaneous inoculation of tubercle bacilli, each animal received oral WEP (n = 9), isoniazid (n = 5) or saline (n = 6) as placebo and were sacrificed 30 days later. Formation of necrosis was less prominent in the group treated with WEP, but was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The granuloma formation in the same group was more prominent than the placebo and isoniazid groups; however, this finding failed to reach statistical significance by the Kruskal-Wallis test (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that Turkish WEP may have a limited effect on the development of tuberculosis infection in this guinea-pig model. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Öğe Effects of aminoguanidine and antioxidant erdosteine on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rats(Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science, 2004) Yildirim, Z; Turkoz, Y; Kotuk, M; Armutcu, F; Gurel, A; Iraz, M; Ozen, SReactive oxygen and nitrogen species have been implicated in the pathogenesis of bleomycin -induced lung fibrosis. The effects of aminoguanidine and erdosteine on the bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis were evaluated in rats. The animals were placed into five groups: Vehicle + vehicle, vehicle + bleomycin (2.5U/kg), bleomycin + aminoguanidine (200mg/kg), bleomycin + erdosteine (10mg/kg), and bleomycin + erdosteine + aminoguanidine. Bleomycin administration resulted in prominent lung fibrosis as measured by lung hydroxyproline content and lung histology, which is completely prevented by erdosteine and aminoguanidine. A strong staining for nitro tyrosine antibody in lung tissue and increased levels of lung NO were found in bleomycin group, that were significantly reduced by aminoguanidine and erdosteine. Aminoguanidine and erdosteine significantly prevented depletion of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and elevated myeloperoxidase activities, malondialdehyde level in lung tissue produced by bleomycin. Data presented here indicate that aminoguanidine and erdosteine prevented bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and that nitric oxide mediated tyrosine nitration of proteins plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Also our data suggest that antifibrotic affect of antioxidants may be due to their inhibitory effect on nitric oxide generation in this model. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Öğe The effects of erdosteine on the activities of some metabolic enzymes during cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats(Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd, 2004) Yilmaz, HR; Iraz, M; Sogut, S; Ozyurt, H; Yildirim, Z; Akyol, O; Gergerlioglu, SCisplatin is one of the widely used chemothrapeutic agents. One of the major side effects of the drug is renal toxicity. The aims of the presented study was (1) to investigate the effect of cisplatin on some renal metabolic enzyme activities such as hexokinase (HK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malate dehydrogenase (MDH) in an experimental model of acute renal failure and (2) to examine the protective role of erdosteine, an expectorant agent which has also antioxidant properties on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and the enzyme activities mentioned above. Female Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: sham operation group (n = 6). cisplatin group (n = 9), erdostein + cisplatin group (n = 8). All the chemicals used were applied intraperitoneally. Hexokinase, G6PD, LDH, and MDH activities were determined in the kidney supernatant at the end of the surgical procedures. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the activities of above-mentioned enzymes in the kidney tissue. Hexokinase and G6PD activities were found to be increased in cisplatin group compared to control group. G6PD activities were found to be decreased in erdosteine + cisplatin group compared to cisplatin group. There were minimal changes in LDH and MDH activities of the two study groups compared with the control group. The results obtained suggested that the glucose metabolizing metabolic pathways of renal tissue were partially affected from cisplatin toxicity and erdosteine have some protective effects on these enzyme activities. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Öğe Effects of Ginkgo biloba on plasma oxidant injury induced by bleomycin in rats(Sage Publications Inc, 2006) Erdogan, H; Fadillioglu, E; Kotuk, M; Iraz, M; Tasdemir, S; Oztas, Y; Yildirim, ZBleomycin is an anti-neoplastic agent and its clinical usage is limited by its toxicity, which is mostly induced by oxygen radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Ginkgo biloba on plasma indices of oxidants induced by bleomycin in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: none medicated or 0.9% NaCl injected or only Ginkgo biloba (orally, 100 mg/kg per day for 14 days) or only a single dose of bleomycin (intratracheal, 2.5 U/kg) or Gingko biloba and bleomycin-treated groups. After 14 days, blood was taken before the rats were sacrificed. The plasma was removed and stored at -85 degrees C until the study day. Plasma superoxide dismutase ( SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and xanthine oxidase (XO) enzyme activities with malondialdehyde and nitric oxide ( NO) levels were studied. The levels of malondialdehyde and NO with activity of XO were higher in plasma of bleomycin group than the other groups (P < 0.05). The activities of SOD and GSH-Px were increased in the bleomycin plus Gingko biloba group in comparison with the bleomycin group (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between malondialdehyde and NO levels in the bleomycin group (r = 0.859, P < 0.05). There were positive correlations between SOD and GSH-Px activities (r < 0.760, P < 0.05) and between XO activity and malondialdehyde level (r < 0.822, P < 0.05) in the bleomycin plus Gingko biloba group. In conclusion, it was thought that bleomycin induced oxidative stress can be prevented by Gingko biloba treatment via high anti-oxidant enzyme activity together with decreased radical production from XO.Öğe Environmental exposure to asbestos in eastern Turkey(Heldref Publications, 2003) Hasanoglu, HC; Gokirmak, M; Baysal, T; Yildirim, Z; Koksal, N; Onal, YIn this study, the authors investigated the prevalence of asbestos-related disorders among the inhabitants of Guzelyurt, a town in Malatya, located in eastern Turkey. The authors examined river bed, white soil, and stucco samples taken from various locales in Guzelyurt, and they confirmed the presence of tremolite and chrysotile asbestos fibers. Subjects (N = 920; 449 males and 471 females) were examined by photofluoroscopy. Eighty-five patients (9.2%) had asbestos-related radiological findings; risk increased with age. Calcified pleural plaques were seen more frequently in individuals greater than or equal to 50 yr of age, compared with younger subjects (p < 0.01). Asbestos-related disorders were prevalent in the inhabitants of Guzelyurt, the population of which is exposed environmentally to asbestos-primarily the result of the stuccoing and whitewashing of houses with soil that contains asbestos.Öğe Impaired cardiac autonomic functions in patients with environmental asbestos exposure: A study of time domain heart rate variability(Churchill Livingstone Inc Medical Publishers, 2003) Pekdemir, H; Camsari, A; Akkus, MN; Cicek, D; Tuncer, C; Yildirim, ZEnvironmental asbestos exposure is related to diffuse pleural disease (thickening and calcification) and restrictive pulmonary disease. To assess cardiac autonomic system, we investigated the time domain heart rate variability (HRV) by Holter monitoring and their correlation with pulmonary function tests in patients with pleural disease caused by environmental asbestos exposure. We studied 45 patients (26 men, 19 women, aged 62.67 +/- 10.1 years) and 35 healthy patients who had similar sex and age profile to the patients (24 men, 11 women, aged 59.31 +/- 8.4 years). The asbestosis group was divided into 3 subgroups according to the severity of forced vital capacity (FVC) severe (group 1) (n = 12): FVC less than 50% of expected, moderate (group 2) (n = 16): FVC 64%-51% of expected and mild (group 3) (n = 17): FVC 65%-80% of expected. HRV parameters were significantly different among all groups (P < .0001). Comparing the 4 groups (subgroups and control group), group 1 had the lowest mean HRV values and controls had the highest mean HRV values (P < .0001). Severity of autonomic dysfunction was correlated with the severity of FVC and arterial oxygen pressure. Right ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter (RVEDID) and right ventricular end-systolic internal diameter (RVESID) values were significantly increased in patients ( P < .0001, P < 0.0001, respectively). Pulmonary acceleration time (AcT) values were shorter in all patient groups than control group (P < .0001). It was shortest in group 1. Group 2 and 3 had shorter AcT values than control group. HRV parameters were correlated positively with AcT values and negatively with RVEDID and RVESID values. In conclusion, patients with restrictive pulmonary disease due to environmental asbestos exposure had autonomic dysfunction, which was correlated with the severity of restriction. This was thought to be the result of chronic hypoxia, pulmonary hypertension, and right ventricular enlargement.Öğe In vivo evidence suggesting a role for purine-catabolizing enzymes in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats and effect of erdosteine against this toxicity(Wiley, 2004) Sögüt, S; Kotuk, M; Yilmaz, HR; Ulu, R; Özyurt, H; Yildirim, ZThe aim of this experimental study was to investigate the possible role of adenosine deaminase (AD) and xanthine oxidase (XO) in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and the effect of erdosteine in decreasing the toxicity. The intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (7m kg(-1) body weight) induced a significant increase in plasma creatinine level and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and plasma and damaged renal tissue activities of AD and XO in rats. Co-treatment with erdosteine (10 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) attenuated the increase in the plasma creatinine and BUN levels, and significantly prevented the increase in tissue and plasma AD and XO activities (P < 0.05). The results of this study revealed that XO and AD may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The potent free radical scavenger erdosteine may have protective potential in this process and it will become a promising drug in the prevention of this undesired side-effect of cisplatin. but further studies are needed to illuminate the exact protection mechanism of erdosteine against cisptatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.Öğe Inhibitory effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on bleomycine-induced lung fibrosis in rats(Elsevier, 2004) Özyurt, H; Sögüt, S; Yildirim, Z; Kart, L; Iraz, M; Armutçu, F; Temel, IBackground: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) induced by anticancerogenic bleomycin (BLM) is one of the more common side effects encountered during cancer treatment. It has been suggested in the last decades that the main responsible agent in PF is reactive oxygen species which were generated also in normal physiological conditions in the human body. In this experimental study, we investigated the preventive or attenuating effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) that has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, cytocytatic, anti cancerogenic, antiprolipherative and antioxidant effects on BLM-induced PF. Methods: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into four groups as sham operation, BLM, BLM + vitamin E (vit E), and BLM + CAPE groups. BLM (7.5 mg/kg, single dose) was applied intratracheally, and CAPE and vit E intraperitoneally in the appropriate groups. At the end of the fibrosis processes, lung tissues were removed and the levels of tissues hydroxyproline (OH-proline), malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined. Also, the weights of the rats were recorded at 7th and 14th days of the experiments. Results: BLM application to the rats resulted in a significant increase in the OH-proline level as compared to the controls. Administration of CAPE and vit E led to the remarkable reduction of total lung OH-proline levels compared to the rats treated with BLM alone (p < 0.0001). There were a decreases in antioxidant enzyme (SOD and CAT) activities while an increase in MPO activity in BLM group was found vs. the control group (p < 0.0001). CAPE had a regulator effect on these parameters: the increase in CAT and SOD activities and the decrease in MPO activity were seen after CAPE application. NO, MDA and OH-proline levels were increased in BLM group vs. the control group. CAPE was more effective in decreasing the tissue levels of NO, MDA and OH-proline than vit E. MPO activity, as a good marker of neutrophil sequestration to the tissues, in the BLM group was decreased by CAPE approximately to the control group. Conclusion: We suggest that CAPE is more effective on the prevention of BLM-induced fibrosis via antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties than vit E at the doses used in the present study. CAPE has some attenuating effects on BLM-induced PF affecting both oxidant and antioxidant systems as well as neutrophils sequestration. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Öğe Legionnaire's disease: a nosocomial outbreak in Turkey(W B Saunders Co Ltd, 2006) Ozerol, IH; Bayraktar, M; Cizmeci, Z; Durmaz, R; Akbas, E; Yildirim, Z; Yologlu, SSix nosocomial. cases of Legionella pneumophila occurred over a two-week period, with one further case being diagnosed retrospectively after 30 days. Strains isolated from the hospital water system were clonally related to a single sputum isolate. A sero-epidemio logical investigation into legionella exposure amongst staff and inpatients was undertaken at the eight-year-old Inonu University Medical Centre in Turkey, which has 600 beds and central air conditioning. There is no disinfection programme for the hospital water system. A total of 500 serum samples (400 hospital staff and 100 inpatients) were screened for antibody to L. pneumophila by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Seroreactive cases were confirmed by a four-fold antibody rise in ELISA, a high indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA) antibody titre or a positive urinary antigen test. ELISA showed that 24 (6%) of the 400 hospital staff and seven (7%) of the 100 inpatients had antibody titres higher than the cut-off value. ELISA-seroreactive cases were followed for two to four weeks. Of these subjects, seven (three patients and four staff) showed a four-fold rise in antibody titre by ELISA, six (three patients and three staff) had a high IFA titre, three patients with pneumonia had a positive urinary antigen test, and one of these patients also had a positive sputum culture. In addition, 22 water distribution systems were screened for the presence of L. pneumophila by culture. L. pneumophila was isolated from 15 sites. Pulsed-field get electrophoresis typing indicated that all strains isolated from water systems were identical and clonally related to the strain isolated from sputum. Superheating and flushing of water systems were undertaken with Legionella being re-isolated from four sites. Repeated superheating and flushing eliminated legionella completely. This study demonstrated that rapid detection of L. pneumophila and adequate superheating and flushing of water systems are effective for elimination and reduction of spread of this organism. (c) 2005 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Öğe Lung cancer and mesothelioma in towns with environmental exposure to asbestos in Eastern Anatolia(Springer, 2006) Hasanoglu, HC; Yildirim, Z; Ermis, H; Kilic, T; Koksal, NObjective: Our previous study demonstrated the presence of environmental tremolite and chrysotile asbestos fiber exposure in Hekimhan town in Malatya located in eastern Turkey. The aim of this study was to investigate whether environmental asbestos exposure increases the incidence of lung cancer and mesothelioma. Method: One hundred and forty-nine patients with mesothelioma and lung cancer living in the center or in the towns of Malatya were retrospectively analyzed. The Incidences of lung cancer and mesothelioma were calculated. Results: The incidences of lung cancer and mesothelioma were 3.39/100,000 and 0.21/100,000, respectively, for the whole population of Malatya; while they were 8.23/100,000 and 1.45/100,000 in Hekimhan. The incidences were strikingly high (22.39/100,000 for lung cancer and 7.46/100,000 for mesothelioma) in Arguvan, another town in Malatya where an analysis for asbestos could not be performed. The overall incidence in Turkey was reported as 5.9/100,000 by the Health Ministry in 1994. The incidences of lung cancer were nearly 1.3-fold higher in Hekimhan and fourfold higher in Arguvan then in the general population of Turkey. Conclusion: The incidences of mesothelioma and lung carcinoma in Hekimhan were higher than those of the general population in Turkey, suggesting a role of environmental asbestos exposure in lung cancer and mesothelioma.Öğe Oral erdosteine administration attenuates cisplatin-induced renal tubular damage in rats(Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd, 2003) Yildirim, Z; Sogut, S; Odaci, E; Iraz, M; Ozyurt, H; Kotuk, M; Akyol, OThe effect of oral erdosteine on tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels, and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities are investigated in the cisplatin model of acute renal failure in rats. A single dose of cisplatin caused kidney damage manifested by kidney histology as well as increases in plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Treatment with free radical scavenger erdosteine attenuated increases in plasma creatinine and BUN, and tissue MDA and NO levels, and provided a histologically-proven protection against cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. Erdosteine also reduced depletion in the tissue CAT, GSH-Px, and SOD activities. These results show that erdosteine may be a promising drug for protection against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. However, further studies with different doses of erdosteine are warranted for clarifying the issue. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.Öğe Preventive effect of lacrimal occlusion on topical timolol-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatics(Wiley, 2004) Hepsen, IF; Yildirim, Z; Yilmaz, H; Kotuk, MAim: To evaluate the potential preventive role of lacrimal occlusion on the topical timolol-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatics. Methods: This was a prospective and single-masked study. Fourteen volunteer subjects with asthma were included. Collagen plugs were inserted into both canaliculi on one side to inhibit lacrimal drainage. The effect of lacrimal occlusion on lung function tests was measured before and 60 min after the instillation of a timolol drop in unplugged and plugged eyes. The spirometric measurements include forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, and mid expiratory flow-rate (FEF25-75). Results: The timolol (0.5%) drop administration into the eye caused a significant decrease in pulmonary functions in patients with asthma in whom the lacrimal punctae had not been occluded by collagen plug. P values were 0.008 for FVC and 0.001 for FEV1 and FEF25-75. The occlusion of the lacrimal duct by intracanalicular plugs significantly reduced this decrease in pulmonary function. P values were 0.6 for FVC, 0.8 for FEV1, and 0.5 for FEF25-75. The lacrimal occlusion did not affect heart rate and blood pressures. Three subjects complained of epiphora. Conclusions: Lacrimal occlusion with intracanalicular collagen plugs may almost completely prevent the bronchoconstriction caused by topical timolol in asthmatics by inhibiting or decreasing systemic absorption of the medication.Öğe Preventive effect of melatonin on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rats(Wiley, 2006) Yildirim, Z; Kotuk, M; Erdogan, H; Iraz, M; Yagmurca, M; Kuku, I; Fadillioglu, EOxidative stress has an important role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Melatonin has direct and indirect free radical-detoxifying activity. The present study investigated whether melatonin treatment attenuates bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in rats. A group of rats was given one dose of bleomycin while the control animals were given saline. The first dose of melatonin (4 mg/kg/day) was given 2 days before the bleomycin injection. At day 14, fibrotic changes were evaluated using Aschoft's criteria and lung hydroxyproline content. Bleomycin produced a 2.7-fold rise in the fibrosis score that was decreased 65% by melatonin (P < 0.05) and a 1.4-fold increase in hydroxyproline content which was completely prevented by melatonin. Protein carbonyl and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels, which were significantly elevated in the bleomycin treated rats, were significantly attenuated by melatonin. Bleomycin administration significantly reduced the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in lung tissue. The reduction in CAT activity was prevented by melatonin but SOD and GSH-Px were not influenced. These results revealed that melatonin may prevent the development of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis via the repression of protein and lipid peroxidation.Öğe Protective effect of ipratropium bromide on bronchoconstriction induced by sulfur dioxide exposure during apricot sufurization processes that causes asthma-like syndrome in agricultural environment(Academic Press Ltd- Elsevier Science Ltd, 2005) Yildirim, Z; Kilic, T; Koksal, N; Kotuk, MWe previously showed that apricot sulfurization workers are exposed to high concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2) resulting in an asthmalike syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pre-treatment of ipratropium bromide protects bronchoconstriction induced by SO2 exposure during apricot sulfurization processes that causes asthma-like syndrome. Firstly, pulmonary function tests were measured before and immediately after SO2 exposure due to processes of apricot sulfurization in 21 healthy volunteer apricot sulfurization workers who did not use any medication in apricot farms. One week later, same measurements were repeated in the same workers when they were working in same farm but they were administered two puffs of ipratropium bromide (20 mu g per dose) before 30 min second SO2 exposure for protection Of SO2-induced bronchoconstriction. Occupational SO2 exposure caused significant decrement in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEVI) and forced mid-expiratory flow rate (FEF25-75%) in the worker and these decrements were prevented by ipratropium bromide given 30 min before SO2 exposure. This result suggests that pre-treatment of ipratropium bromide protects SO2-induced bronchoconstriction in healthy worker during apricot sulfurization processes that causes asthma-like syndrome in agricultural environment. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Öğe The role of nitric oxide and cytokines in asthma-like syndrome induced by sulfur dioxide exposure in agricultural environment(Elsevier, 2003) Koksal, N; Yildirim, Z; Gokirmak, M; Hasanoglu, HC; Mehmet, N; Avci, HBackground: We previously demonstrated that apricot sulfurization workers are exposed to high concentrations of SO2, subsequently causing asthma-like syndrome. This study investigated the effects of SO, exposure on serum TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, nitrite and nitrate levels to understand the mechanism of SO-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma-like syndrome. Methods: We measured the serum levels of the cytokines, direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate obtained from 40 volunteer workers after an hour of exposure to SO2 and 23 healthy controls. Results: The concentrations of the cytokines, direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate were significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the workers than in the controls. The mean serum concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, direct nitrite, total nitrite and nitrate were 430.60 +/- 397.03 pg/ml, 436.67 +/- 316.31 pg/ml, 752.11 +/- 394,95 pg/ml, 262.12 +/- 287.99 pg/ml, 7.75 +/- 3.34 mumol/l, 115.72 +/- 48.78 mumol/l and 107.97 +/- 46.19 mumol/l in the workers, while they were 9.83 +/- 3.12 pg/ml, < 5 pg/ml, 7.49 +/- 1.27 pg/ml, 9.38 +/- 1.99 pg/ml, 2.17 +/- 0.77 mumol/l, 59.91 +/- 7.56 mumol/l and 57.74 +/- 7.20 mumol/l in the controls, respectively. Conclusion: These results show that TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and nitric oxide may play a role in the pathogenesis of bronchoconstriction in asthma-like syndrome due to the SO2 exposure. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Öğe The role of oxidative stress in bronchoconstriction due to occupational sulfur dioxide exposure(Elsevier, 2003) Gokirmak, M; Yildirim, Z; Hasanoglu, HC; Koksal, N; Mehmet, NBackground: We previously showed that apricot sulfurization workers (ASW) are exposed to high concentrations of SO2, resulting in an asthma-like syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma-like syndrome due to the high concentrations of SO2 exposure in agricultural environment. Methods: Serum antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, which are markers of lipid peroxidation, and pulmonary function tests (PFT) were measured in 40 volunteer ASW and compared to 20 healthy control subjects. Results: The superoxide dismutase (SOD, 2.2 +/- 0.6 vs. 3.2 +/- 0.7 U/m), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px, 0.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.3 U/m) and catalase (107.6 +/- 27.4 vs. 152.6 +/- 14.3 k/l) activities in ASW were significantly (p < 0.0001) lower than controls, whereas the malondialdehyde concentration (4.1 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.9 +/- 5.3 nmol/l) was higher in ASW (p < 0.0001). ASW had significant decreases in pulmonary function parameters after exposure. Conclusion: These results show that occupational exposure to high concentrations of SO2 enhances oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation may be considered as a new mechanism of SO2-induced bronchoconstriction. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.