Esma Sürmen-Gür

Our aim was to investigate parameters of iron and copper status and oxidative stress and antioxidant function in women with healthy pregnancy, mild and severe preeclampsia with a view to exploring the possible contribution of these parameters to the aetiology. Thirty healthy, 30 mild preeclamptic and 30 severe preeclamptic pregnant women were included. Serum and placental lipid peroxides, and serum vitamin E and total carotene levels were measured by colorimetric assay. Cholesterol, copper, iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), ceruloplasmin and transferrin concentrations were measured by commercially available procedures. Data were analysed statistically using one-way analysis of variance and Pearson correlation test. Logistic regression procedures were used to calculate odds ratios. Lipid peroxides in serum and placental tissue, and iron, copper and ceruloplasmin levels in serum were significantly increased, and transferrin, TIBC, vitamin E/total cholesterol and total carotene/total cholesterol ratios in serum were significantly decreased especially in women with severe preeclampsia. Significant correlations were detected between serum iron and lipid peroxides in serum and placental tissue and between serum iron and vitamin E/total cholesterol in severe preeclamptic pregnancy. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between serum malondialdehyde and ceruloplasmin and vitamin E/total cholesterol in women with severe preeclampsia, and changes in serum and placental lipid peroxides and serum iron concentrations were significantly associated with preeclampsia. In conclusion, ischaemic placental tissue may be a primary source of potentially toxic iron in preeclampsia and the released iron species may contribute to the aetiology and would exacerbate lipid peroxidation and endothelial cell injury, which may be abated by antioxidant supplementation.

To investigate the effects of age on the reciprocal peak torque ratios during knee muscle contractions, 25 elite male soccer players, aged 22.3 +/- 3.8 yr (18-28), volunteered for the present study. The players were grouped as adult (> 21 years, n = 13) and young players (< or = 21 years, n = 12). Maximal concentric (CON) and eccentric (ECC) isokinetic thigh muscle strength was measured at angular velocities of 30 degrees, 180 degrees, 240 degrees and 300 degrees/s. ECC and CON peak torques of knee flexors (hamstring, HAM) and CON peak torques of knee extensors (quadriceps, QUA) in the dominant knee were greater (P < 0.05) in adult players than in young players at 180, 240 and 300 degrees/s. ECC HAM/CON QUA peak torque ratio at 300 degrees/s was greater (P < 0.05) for adult players compared to young players in the dominant knee but not in the nondominant knee. Furthermore, conventional HAM/QUA peak torque ratios of the dominant knee at all angular velocities for ECC contraction were higher (P < 0.05) in adult players than in young players. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicate that the reciprocal torque ratio is influenced by age in the dominant knee of elite soccer players. Because there was no effect of age for the nondominant leg, the findings of the present study are more likely to be the result of the training background of the players than their age.

Autoxidation of globin chains and iron overload are the suggested mechanisms for the increased oxidative stress in beta-thalassemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the extend of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status of patients with beta-thalassemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and compare the results with healthy subjects. Oxidant and antioxidant status of the children with beta-thalassemia major (n = 22) and iron deficiency anemia (n = 19) were studied. Healthy controls (n = 14) were age and sex matched. Fresh anticoagulated venous blood samples were obtained from all children. Conjugated diene (CD) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive (TBARS) substances were analyzed to indicate the oxidative parameters, whereas the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured to show the antioxidant status of the children. Plasma TBARS and CD concentrations were elevated in beta-thalassemia compared to IDA. When compared to the controls, elevation in TBARS was significant. In the iron-deficiency group both TBARS and CD levels were decreased compared to the controls. SOD and GPx activities were increased in the beta-thalassemia group. SOD in beta-thalassemia was higher than both IDA and the controls and GPx activity was higher than the IDA group. In vivo lipid peroxidation was increased in children with beta-thalassemia major. This leads to a compensatory increase in antioxidant enzymes, whereas IDA does not lead to lipid peroxidation with a normal antioxidant enzyme activity.