Browsing by Author "Saygin, M."

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The Impact of High Fructose on Cardiovascular System: Role of Α-Lipoic Acid
(Sage Publications Ltd, 2016) Saygin, M.; Asci, H.; Cankara, F. N.; Bayram, D.; Yesilot, S.; Candan, I. A.; Alp, H. H.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) on oxidative damage and inflammation that occur in endothelium of aorta and heart while constant consumption of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The rats were randomly divided into three groups with each group containing eight rats. The groups include HFCS, HFCS + alpha-LA treatment, and control. HFCS was given to the rats at a ratio of 30% of F30 corn syrup in drinking water for I 0 weeks. alpha-LA treatment was given to the rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day orally for the last 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were killed by cervical dislocation. The blood samples were collected for biochemical studies, and the aortic and cardiac tissues were collected for evaluation of oxidant-antioxidant system, tissue bath, and pathological examination. HFCS had increased the levels of malondialdehyde, creatine kinase MB, lactate dehydrogenase, and uric acid and showed significant structural changes in the heart of the rats by histopathology. Those changes were improved by alpha-LA treatment as it was found in this treatment group. Immunohistochemical expressions of tumor necrosis factor cc and inducible nitric oxide synthase were increased in HFCS group, and these receptor levels were decreased by alpha-LA treatment. All the tissue bath studies supported these findings. Chronic consumption of HFCS caused several problems like cardiac and endothelial injury of aorta by hyperuricemia and induced oxidative stress and inflammation. alpha-LA treatment reduced uric acid levels, oxidative stress, and corrected vascular responses. alpha-LA can be added to cardiac drugs due to its cardiovascular protective effects against the cardiovascular diseases.
Role of Chronic Toxoplasmosis in Substance Abuse in Humans and Its Effect on Dopamine Levels
(Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications, 2025) Gurbuz, E.; Kara, A.; Yurekturk, S.; Saygin, M.; Aydemir, S.; Ekici, A.
Background:Toxoplasma gondii is a common parasitic infection agent that, in its chronic phase, forms persistent tissue cysts in neuronal cells, potentially leading to neurological and behavioral alterations.Aim:To investigate the role of chronic toxoplasmosis in human substance abuse and investigate its effect on dopamine levels, which is associated with substance abuse.Materials and Methods:The study was designed with a substance abuse group comprising 90 patients with substance addiction and a control group consisting of 75 individuals without substance addiction. The substance abuse group consisted of patients who were addicted to alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, heroin, or amphetamines. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and dopamine levels in the blood sera and anti-T. gondii immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels in the blood samples taken from the participants were analyzed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:T. gondii IgG was detected in 52 (57.8%) of 90 patients in the substance abuse group and 22 (29.3%) of 75 patients in the control group. There was a statistically significant relationship between T. gondii positivity and substance addiction (P = 0.001). However, no correlation was found between T. gondii positivity and the subgroups for the addiction type, criminal offense, imprisonment, or suicide attempt. Dopamine levels were statistically different between the groups. In the pairwise comparison of the groups, the dopamine levels in the T. gondii-positive substance abuse group were lower than in the other three groups, and this was statistically significant.Conclusion:In conclusion, the prevalence of T. gondii was higher in those with substance addiction than in those without. The fact that T. gondii alters dopamine levels was among the results. Since T. gondii can affect some behaviors of the host through changes in neurotransmitter levels, it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between T. gondii infection and substance abuse.