Browsing by Author "Kemik, Ahu"

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Matrix Metalloproteinases in Pathogenesis of Hemorrhoidal Disease
(Southeastern Surgical Congress, 2013) Kisli, Erol; Kemik, Ahu; Sumer, Aziz; Kemik, Ozgur
The aim of this study is to investigate the accuracy of serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels in an effort to find a reliable factor that may play an important role in pathogenesis of hemorrhoidal disease. Twenty control subjects and 21 Grade I, 19 Grade II, 20 Grade III, and 21 Grade IV patients with internal hemorrhoid were included in this prospective study. The mean ages of control subjects were 47.65 +/- 6.71 standard deviation (SD) years (range, 37 to 60 years). The mean age of internal Grade I, Grade II, Grade III, and Grade IV patients with internal hemorrhoid were 48.85 +/- 6.44, 47.20 +/- 6.75, 44.90 +/- 6.13, and 42.95 +/- 3.49 SD years (ranges, 38 to 58, 38 to 60, 34 to 55, and 38 to 50 years), respectively. Ten milliliters of blood was taken from all subjects. Enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for MMP-1, -2, -7, and -9 levels were performed using an ELISA kit (R&D Systems) following the manufacturer's instructions. There was an important difference between Grade I and Grade II groups in the serum levels of MMP-9 (P <0.01). Patients with Grade III hemorrhoidal disease had significantly higher serum levels of all MMP than patients with Grade I and Grade II hemorrhoidal disease (P < 0.001). Also, patients with Grade 4 hemorrhoidal disease had higher serum levels of MMP-7 and -9 according to Grade I, II, and III groups (P < 0.01, 0.001). High serum levels of MMP are present in patients with hemorrhoids, suggesting the possible mechanism in the pathogenesis of hemorrhoids.
Preoperative Serum Levels of Mesothelin in Patients With Colon Cancer
(Hindawi Ltd, 2014) Bostanci, Ozgur; Kemik, Ozgur; Kemik, Ahu; Battal, Muharrem; Demir, Uygar; Purisa, Sevim; Mihmanli, Mehmet
Background. Screening for biochemical markers is important for diagnosing colon cancer. In this study, the reliability of serum mesothelin levels as a potential diagnostic and screening instrument was evaluated concerning colon cancer. Methods. Ninety-five patients who had undergone colonoscopic examination and who were diagnosed with colon cancer were included in the study. The serum mesothelin levels were measured with the ELISA kits and were evaluated in terms of significant difference when compared between colon cancer and control group. Results. Patients with colon cancer had significantly higher mesothelin serum levels (p<0.001) than the control groups. We found significant associations between serum levels and tumor grade, perineural invasion, and vascular invasion (resp., p<0.001). Conclusion. Evaluating the serum levels of mesothelin has a potential to detect and screen the colon cancer in affected patients. Our data suggest that mesothelin exhibits effects towards colon cancer and serves as a biomarker for this deadly disease.
Serum Leptin Levels in Gastric Cancer Patients and the Relationship With Insulin Resistance
(Termedia Publishing House Ltd, 2015) Begenik, Huseyin; Aslan, Mehmet; Dulger, Ahmet Cumhur; Emre, Habib; Kemik, Ahu; Kemik, Ozgur; Esen, Ramazan
Introduction: Serum leptin levels have been examined in various cancers, with conflicting results. However, there is limited information regarding serum leptin levels and insulin resistance in gastric cancer patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate serum leptin levels, performance status, insulin levels and insulin resistance in patients with gastric cancer. In addition, we examined the relationship between these measurements and leptin levels. Material and methods: Thirty-nine patients with gastric cancer and 30 control subjects were enrolled in the study. Serum leptin, total protein, albumin, growth hormone, insulin and glucose levels were measured. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to assess insulin resistance. Results: Serum levels of insulin, glucose and growth hormone and insulin resistance were significantly lower in gastric cancer patients than controls (p < 0.05 for all). In the Pearson correlation analysis, insulin resistance was found to be significantly correlated with serum leptin levels in gastric cancer patients (r = 0.320, p = 0.047). We observed a significant negative correlation between performance status and insulin resistance in patients with cachexia (r = -0.512, p = 0.030), while no association was found in non-cachectic patients. Conclusions: We concluded that serum leptin levels are significantly lower in gastric cancer patients. In addition, gastric cancer patients have decreases in insulin levels, insulin resistance and growth hormone levels. This study found a positive association between serum leptin levels and insulin resistance. Moreover, there is a negative association between serum leptin levels and growth hormone levels. Thus, low insulin and growth hormone levels may suppress the production of leptin in gastric cancer patients.
Serum Ykl-40 Levels in Patients With Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
(Libertas Acad, 2011) Yilmaz, Ozkan; Kemik, Ozgur; Kemik, Ahu; Sumer, Aziz; Dulger, A. Cumhur; Asirci, Ismail; Kotan, Cetin
Aims and background: YKL-40 is a glycoprotein secreted by macrophages, neutrophils and malignant tumor cells. YKL-40 is expressed and secreted by several types of tumors. The aim of this study examined the clinical usefulness of YKL-40 for detection in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods: Using ELISA kits, we measured the concentration of YKL-40 in serum from 100 patients with ESCC and compared this concentration with healthy population. Results: We found significantly higher serum levels of YKL-40 in patients with ESCC compared to the healthy population (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: These results suggested that regarding serum YKL-40 as a tumor marker could be benefical in the early clinical diagnosis.