Araştırmacılar(5)

• Cosgun, Cansu
• Dal, Cagatay Nusret
• Ekinci, Bilge
• Karaca, A.
• Yilmaz, Ozden Sibel Odabasi

• ArticleAçık Erişim2026/r/ebyu/18240
  Effects of early shoulder exercise on functional recovery after cardiac implantable electronic device implantation: A 3-year randomized cohort follow-up

  Cosgun, Muharrem Said; Cosgun, Cansu

  Background. Shoulder dysfunction after cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation may impair upper-extremity function and quality of life (QoL). Although a prior randomized trial demonstrated short-term benefits of early postoperative exercises, long-term outcomes remain unclear. Aim. To evaluate the 3-year efficacy and safety of an early postoperative shoulder exercise protocol after CIED implantation. Methods. Of 92 patients randomized in the original trial, 82 completed the 3-year follow-up. Participants had completed a 6-week intervention consisting of pendulum exercises (PE), stretching & strengthening exercises (SSE) or standard care, without further structured exercise. Outcomes included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, grip strength, shoulder flexion and abduction range of motion (ROM), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH), and the Physical and Mental Component Summary scores (PCS and MCS) of the 36-Item Short-Form Survey (SF-36). Lead-related complications were also assessed. Results. VAS and SF-36 MCS scores were comparable across groups. However, compared with standard care, both exercise groups maintained superior outcomes at 3 years for grip strength (PE: +9.0 kgf; SSE: +9.0 kgf), shoulder flexion ROM (PE: +10.0 degrees; SSE: +11.0 degrees), shoulder abduction ROM (PE: +7.0 degrees; SSE: +7.0 degrees), QuickDASH (PE: -5.0 points; SSE: -6.0 points), and SF-36 PCS (PE: +9.0 points; SSE: +10.0 points) (all P < 0.05). No lead-related complications occurred during follow-up. Conclusion. Early postoperative shoulder exercise after CIED implantation provides sustained improvements in shoulder function and physical QoL without compromising lead safety.

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• ArticleYayıncıda açık erişim2025/r/ebyu/11830
  Neuropathic Pain, Polyneuropathy, and Quality of Life in Patients Receiving Dialysis

  Ergül, Emine Esra; Ayçiçek, Hilal Büşra; Hayme, Serhat; Ergül, Çetin; Özdemir, Elif Can; Kara, Ali Veysel

  Background: Meuropathic pain and polyneuropathy can affect the quality of life in patients receiving dialysis. The aim of this study was to assess quality of life and to compare electromyography (EMG) findings between patients screened positive and negative for neuropathic pain. Material/Methods: This study was designed as an observational cross-sectional study in which 74 patients receiving hemodialysis were admitted. The Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index-Dialysis III Version, Neuropathic Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), and Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form were completed by all patients. Additionally, EMG was performed on all patients regardless of the presence of neuropathic symptoms. Results: According to the NPQ screening results, 51.4% of patients were identified as likely having neuropathic pain, whereas EMG findings revealed polyneuropathy in 89.2% (66 patients). Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index total and subgroup scores were compared between the NPQ-positive and NPQ-negative groups based on the screening results. Quality of life was found to be statistically significantly lower in the NPQ-positive group across all subgroups (P<0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between NPQ-positive and NPQ-negative groups regarding any of the polyneuropathy types identified via EMG (P>0.05). Conclusions: This study explores the association between screening-positive neuropathic pain and quality of life. Given the high prevalence of polyneuropathy on EMG even among patients without symptoms suggestive of neuropathic pain, it can be valuable to assess dialysis patients during the asymptomatic period as well.

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• ArticleAçık Erişim2025/r/ebyu/11461
  The relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and epicardial fat thickness, and serum levels of chemerin, adropin, and betatrophin

  Ekinci, Bilge; Mertoglu, Cuma; Coskun, Resit; Arslan, Yusuf Kemal; Coban, Taha Abdulkadir; Ozcicek, Fatih

  Background. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are highly prevalent among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Epicardial adipose tissue, serum betatrophin, chemerin, and adropin levels are factors associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular involvement. Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between RA and epicardial fat thickness (EFT), as well as serum betatrophin, chemerin and adropin levels. Materials and methods. This cross-sectional study included 80 patients (62 women and 18 men) diagnosed with RA according to the American College of Rheumatology/The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (ACR/EULAR) 2010 RA classification criteria and 80 healthy controls (64 women and 16 men). Exclusion criteria comprised other autoimmune diseases, CVDs, diabetes mellitus, other endocrine disorders, acute or chronic pancreatic disorders, malignancy, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or antihyperlipidemic drug usage. Serum betatrophin, chemerin and adropin concentrations were measured. Epicardial fat thickness was evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography. Results. Adropin levels were significantly lower in the RA group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Chemerin levels and EFT were significantly higher in the RA group than in the control group (p = 0.016, p < 0.001, respectively). When assessing the relationship between biomarkers and EFT in RA patients, a strong positive correlation was observed between chemerin and EFT (r = 0.73, p = 0.046) in patients with high disease activity. Conclusions. Epicardial fat thickness, as an indicator of cardiovascular involvement, is higher in patients with RA. Moreover, high chemerin levels and low adropin levels in these patients may be indicative of cardiovascular involvement. Copyright by Author(s)

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• ArticleYayıncıda açık erişim2025/r/ebyu/11042
  Comparative Investigation of the Effects of Adenosine Triphosphate, Melatonin, and Thiamine Pyrophosphate on Amiodarone-Induced Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain in Male Rats

  Kahramanlar, Agah Abdullah; Ozgodek, Habip Burak; Ince, Ramazan; Yavuzer, Bulent; Admis, Ozlem; Mendil, Ali Sefa; Ekinci, Bilge; Suleyman, Halis

  Background: Amiodarone is a widely used class III antiarrhythmic agent, but its use can lead to peripheral neuropathy mediated by mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammatory injury, while effective preventive options remain limited. Agents that support mitochondrial energy metabolism, sustain redox balance, and modulate inflammation, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP), melatonin, and thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP), may counteract these mechanisms; however, their relative neuroprotective potential in amiodarone-induced neuropathy remains unclear. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the effects of ATP, melatonin, and TPP on amiodarone-induced peripheral neuropathy and neuropathic pain in rats. Methods: Thirty male albino Wistar rats were assigned to five groups: healthy; amiodarone (50 mg/kg/orally); amiodarone + ATP (5 mg/kg/intraperitoneally); amiodarone + melatonin (10 mg/kg/orally); or amiodarone + TPP (20 mg/kg/intraperitoneally). Treatments were given once daily for 14 days. Oxidative stress indices (malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (tGSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)) and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 Beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6)) were quantified in sciatic nerve by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Paw withdrawal thresholds were measured with the Randall-Selitto test before and after treatment. Histopathology was performed using Hematoxylin-eosin staining. Results: Amiodarone exposure resulted in pronounced elevations in MDA and proinflammatory cytokine levels, accompanied by significant reductions in tGSH, SOD, CAT activities, and paw withdrawal thresholds. ATP, melatonin and TPP ameliorated these alterations to varying degrees. Among them, TPP provided the most robust antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, followed by ATP and melatonin. Histopathological examination confirmed most severe axonal degeneration, interstitial edema and Schwann cell proliferation in the amiodarone group, with substantial amelioration in the TPP-treated rats. Conclusions: Amiodarone induces neuropathic pain through oxidative and inflammatory injury to peripheral nerves. TPP exhibited superior neuroprotective efficacy compared with ATP and melatonin, highlighting its potential as a candidate therapeutic agent for amiodarone-related neuropathy. Further clinical research is warranted to support translational application of these findings.

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• ArticleYayıncıda açık erişim2023/r/ebyu/20241
  Fibromyalgia Syndrome Following Coronavirus Disease 2019

  Ekinci, Bilge; Hayme, Serhat; Ergül, Emine Esra; Aktaş, Nurdagül; Subaşı, Pınar Kaya

  Objective: Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic rheumatic disease, the primary symptom of which is widespread body pain, accompanied by other symptoms, and infections play a role in its etiopathogenesis. Our study aims to investigate the symptoms between the patient group diagnosed with fibromyalgia syndrome after being infected with coronavirus disease 2019 and the fibromyalgia syndrome group without infection. Methods: In this study, 35 patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia after having coronavirus disease 2019 and 35 patients diagnosed with non-coronavirus disease 2019 fibromyalgia according to the 2016 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria, a total of 70 patients, were evaluated. Widespread Pain Index, Symptom Severity Scale, Fibromyalgia Symptom Scale, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Jenkins Sleep Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale were used. Results: In the study, sociodemographic findings such as age, weight, height, body mass index, marital status, education, Widespread Pain Index, Symptom Severity Scale, Fibromyalgia Symptom Scale, and fibromyalgia syndrome diagnostic crite- ria were high and similar in both groups. Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Jenkins Sleep Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Visual Analogue Scale-pain scores, which were increased in both groups, were statistically higher and more significant in the post-coronavirus disease 2019 fibromyalgia syndrome group than in the fibromyalgia syndrome group (P < .001). The scores of fibromyalgia effect, anxiety and sleep disorders, fatigue, and pain severity were higher in fibro- myalgia patients after coronavirus disease 2019. Conclusions: In this study, we revealed that fibromyalgia symptoms might develop after coronavirus disease 2019 and, unlike idiopathic fibromyalgia, symptoms of anxiety and sleep disturbance, fatigue, and pain may be more severe. Thus, we showed that coronavirus disease 2019 could negatively affect general health more than idiopathic fibromyalgia syndrome.

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• ArticleYalnız künye2023/r/ebyu/12986
  Relationship between CIED extent of displacement toward the shoulder while in the supine position and shoulder impairment

  Cosgun, Muharrem Said; Cosgun, Cansu

  Background: Device-related shoulder impairment is a common complication in cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) recipients. This study examined the relationship between the extent of device displacement toward the shoulder while in the supine position and ipsilateral shoulder impairment. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 142 consecutive patients with CIEDs. The effects of the extent of device displacement on functional limitations, muscle strength, pain–disability, and quality of life were evaluated. Range of motion (ROM), grip strength (GS), the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and the 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey were used. Results: The mean device displacement was greater in patients with than without device-related shoulder impairment (51 ± 19 vs. 38 ± 15 mm; p <.001). Female gender (p =.046), high body mass index (p =.008), and defibrillator implantation (p =.004) were significantly more frequent in patients with than without impairment. Patients with excessive device displacement had significantly higher ROM limitation rates (p =.003) and SPADI scores (p =.02) and significantly lower GS (p =.04) and SF-36 scores (p =.032). Defibrillator implantation (OR: 2.569, 95% CI: 1.216–4.681; p =.03) and the extent of device displacement (OR: 1.502, 95% CI: 1.186–1.852; p =.01) were independent predictors of shoulder impairment. Conclusions: Excessive displacement of the device toward the shoulder while in the supine position causes shoulder impairment by contacting more muscle fibers. Obese female patients with defibrillators have the highest risk.

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• ArticleYalnız künye2022/r/ebyu/18564
  Effect of Thymoquinone on Diclofenac-Induced Liver Injury

  Ekinci, Bilge; Altuner, Durdu; Suleyman, Bahadir; Mammadov, Renad; Bulut, Seval; Suleyman, Zeynep; Gul, Mehmet A.; Ergul, Cetin; Suleyman, Halis

  Background and Objective: Thymoquinone (TQ) is an active phenolic compound obtained from Nigella sativa L. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity by inhibiting the overproduction of certain inflammatory molecules and lipid peroxidation. TQ also has a hepatoprotective effect. This study, it was aimed to biochemically investigate the effect of TQ on diclofenac (DC)-induced liver damage in rats. Materials and Methods: The animals were divided into healthy control (HG), only diclofenac (DG), only thymoquinone (TQG) and diclofenac+thymoquinone (DTQG) groups. The DC was injected intraperitoneally at a dose of 25 mg kg(-1). The TQ was administered orally to the stomach at a dose of 20 mg kg(-1). This procedure was repeated once a day for 7 days. Results: Biochemical test results showed that TQ significantly prevented the increase in oxidant parameters and the decrease in antioxidants in liver tissue, which is formed by DC. Also, DC and TQ inhibited the increase of proinflammatory cytokines in liver tissue. The TQ also prevented the decrease of COX-1 activity by DC and increased the inhibition of COX-2. The TQ also significantly suppressed the elevation of liver function markers such as Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) with DC. Conclusion: These findings indicated that the hepatotoxic effect of DC was due to oxidative stress and inhibition of cytoprotective structural COX-1 enzyme. It suggested that TQ may be useful in the treatment of DC-related liver injury.

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• ArticleYalnız künye2022/r/ebyu/13911
  The Effect of Thiamine Pyrophosphate and Tocilizumab Alone and in Combination upon Ethanol-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Neuropathic Pain in Rats

  Ekinci, Bilge; Suleyman, Bahadir; Mammadov, Renad; Cankaya, Murat; Yazici, Gulce Naz; Suleyman, Zeynep; Dal, Cagatay Nusret; Ergul, Emine Esra; Onk, Didem; Suleyman, Halis

  The aim of the study to determine the effects of thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) and tocilizumab (TCZ) either alone or in combination on ethanol-induced neuropathic pain and peripheral neuropathy in rat nerve tissues, biochemically and histopathologically. Albino Wistar male rats were divided into five groups as the healthy (HG), ethanol alone (EtOH), TPP + ethanol (TPE), TCZ + ethanol (TCE), and TPP + TCZ + ethanol (TPTE) groups. TPE (n = 6), TCE (n = 6) and TPTE (n = 6) groups were injected with 20 mg/kg TPP, 8 mg/kg TCZ, and 20 mg/kg TPP+8 mg/kg TCZ intraperitoneally (respectively). Distilled water were given the HG (n = 6) and EtOH (n = 6) groups. One hour after the drugs and distilled water were administered, 35% ethanol was administered orally by lavage at a 5 g/kg dose to the TPE, TCE, TPTE, and EtOH groups. Paw pain thresholds of animals were measured using Basile Algesimeter. TPTE, which suppressed the decrease of the pain threshold with ethanol more significantly than TPP and TCZ. The best inhibitor of MDA increase and inhibit the reduction of tGSH by etanol was listed as TPTE > TPE > TCZ. The potency of suppressing the increase in cytokine production with ethanol was listed as TPTE > TCE > TPE. In conclusion, the results indicate that TPP+TCZ may be more beneficial than TPP and TCZ alone in treating ethanol-related neuro-pathic pain.

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• ArticleYayıncıda açık erişim2022/r/ebyu/13867
  Beneficial interaction of pycnogenol with indomethacin in rats

  Ekinci, Bilge; Suleyman, Bahadir; Mammadov, Renad; Bulut, Seval; Ozcicek, Adalet; Ergul, Cetin; Gulaboglu, Mine; Hayme, Serhat; Suleyman, Halis

  Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) is responsible for the therapeutic effects of indomethacin, while inhibition of the COX-1 enzyme and oxidative stress are responsible for its gastro-toxic effects. It has been reported that pycnogenol increases the expression of COX-1, suppresses the expression rate of COX-2 and oxidative stress. Our aim in this study is to investigate the antiinflammatory activities of indomethacin, pycnogenol, and their combination (PI) in rats and to examine their effects on stomach tissue. In the study, anti-inflammatory activity was investigated in carrageenan-induced inflammatory paw edema in albino Wistar male rats. Effects on stomach tissue were performed by applying the previous method. PI, indomethacin and pycnogenol were the best suppressors of carrageenan inflammation and oxidative stress in paw tissue, respectively. While the groups with the lowest COX-1 activity in paw tissue were IC, PIC and PC, respectively, PIC, IC and PC were the ones that best inhibited the increase in COX-2 activity. Pycnogenol inhibited the increase of malondialdehyde, the decrease of total glutathione and COX-1 in the stomach, and significantly suppressed the formation of indomethacin ulcers. Our experimental results showed that pycnogenol reduced the toxic effect of indomethacin on the stomach and increased anti-inflammatory activity. This beneficial interaction of pycnogenol and indomethacin suggests that PI will provide superior success in the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

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• ArticleAçık Erişim2022/r/ebyu/13709
  THE EFFECT OF CARVACROL UPON EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED DIABETIC NEUROPATHY AND NEUROPATHIC PAIN IN RATS

  Ekinci, Bilge; Suleyman, Bahadir; Mammadov, Renad; Gezer, Arzu; Mendil, Ali Sefa; Akbas, Nergis; Bulut, Seval; Dal, Cagatay Nusret; Suleyman, Halis

  Diabetic neuropathies are the most frequent complication of diabetes. While numerous metabolic pathways are disrupted in diabetic neuropathy, oxidative stress has been indicated as a significant reason for this condition. In this study, the effect of carvacrol, which has antioxidant effects, on experimental diabetic neuropathy and neuropathic pain was investigated. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes in the experiment. Diabetes was created by administering 120 mg/kg of alloxan intraperitoneally (i.p) once a day for 3 days. Rats with a blood glucose concentration above 250 mg/kg in the blood taken from the tail veins at the end of three days were considered diabetic. Rats were categorized under healthy control (HG), alloxan-induced hyperglycemia (AG), and alloxan-induced hyperglycemia + carvacrol-treated (ACG) groups. Carvacrol was i.p injected at 50 mg/kg dose to the ACG (n = 6) group of rats with hyperglycemia. The same volume of distilled water as the solvent was applied in the same way to AG (n = 6) and HG (n = 6) rat groups. This procedure was repeated once a day for three months. Carvacrol showed an anti-hyperglycemic effect in diabetic rats, a protective effect against lowering pain threshold, and analgesic activity in rat paws. Carvacrol prevented the oxidant/antioxidant balance from changing in favor of oxidants. The results supported that carvacrol is an agent against alloxan-induced peripheral diabetic neuropathic pain.

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