Celik, Fatih; Coteli, Ebru; Gul, Fatih Cem; Ozsoy, Ercan; Kobat, Sabiha Gungor; Karagoz, Zuhal Karaca; Aydin, Suna; Ugur, Kader; Yardim, Meltem; Sahin, İbrahim

Purpose: The molecules human interleukin (IL-18), the soluble cluster of differentiation (sCD40), platelet factor 4 variant 1 (PF4V1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) are all markers of inflammation in biological systems and are linked to prognosis in several inflammatory diseases as well. Since there is no study in which the above-mentioned molecules are studied together in ocular Behçet's disease (OBD), the aim of this study is to reveal whether these molecules are activity markers in active (OABD) and inactive (OIBD) disease. Methods: 30 OABD and 30 OIBD and 30 healthy individuals were included in the study. IL-18, sCD40, PF4V1, and NGAL molecules were studied in blood samples by the ELISA method. Results: When OABD and OIBD were compared to healthy individuals, the levels of IL-18, sCD40, PF4V1, and NGAL molecules were found to be statistically significant. These values were even more significantly higher in patients with OABD. Conclusion: When ROC values of IL-18, sCD40, PF4V1, and NGAL are evaluated, it is clear that these four molecules can be used as biomarkers to aid activity and diagnosis in OBD.

Icel, Erel; Ucak, Turgay

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to determine the alterations in the retina and peripapillary vascular density in patients with vitamin B12 deficiency. Material and method: The patients were divided into two groups regarding their vitamin B12 levels as the low vitamin B12 group (< 200 pg/ml) and the normal vitamin B12 group (≥ 200 pg/ml). The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) and the central macular thickness (CMT) were measured through an SD-OCT analysis. The foveal avascular zone (FAZ), vessel density (VD) of the superficial capillary plexus (SCP), and deep capillary plexus (DCP) of the macula, and the VD of the radial peripapillary capillary plexus (RPCP) for the optic disk were determined by OCT-A. Results: Thirty-three patients were in the low vitamin B12 group and 54 were in the normal group. The mean RNFLT measurements were significantly lower in the low vitamin B12 group (p = 0.001). The RPCP values in all quadrants were significantly lower in the patients with vitamin B12 deficiency (p = 0.001); moreover, there was a significant increase in the FAZ value with a decrease in both superficial (p = 0.001) and deep (p = 0.001) VDs. There was a significant positive correlation between the serum vitamin B12 levels and the RPCP values and superficial and deep VDs, while the FAZ value was negatively correlated with the vitamin B12 levels. Conclusion: Vitamin B12 deficiency has diverse effects on ocular structures and retinal vasculature. Decreased VDs and increased FAZ may be associated with severe ocular alterations in the long term, which should be further investigated.

Icel, Erel; Icel, Aykut; Mertoglu, Cuma; Tasli, Nurdan Gamze; Karakurt, Yucel; Ucak, Turgay; Gunay, Murat

Purpose: Signal peptide-CUB-Epidermal growth factor-like domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE-1) is a protein expressed on the cell surface of endothelial cells and platelets. We aimed to determine the alterations in SCUBE-1 levels in patients at different stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Materials and methods: Participants were grouped into 4 regarding the presence and stage of diabetic retinopathy as follows: control group (n 32), patients without DR (n 39), patients with background DR (n 42) and patients with proliferative DR (n 55). Age, gender, duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose levels, serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), SCUBE-1 and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of the patients were recorded. Central macular thickness and central macular volume were recorded and compared between groups. Results: Totally 136 patients with diabetes mellitus and 32 control cases were included in the study. There is a significant increase in SCUBE-1 and MDA levels with an advance in DR. In correlation analysis, there was only a significant correlation present between serum SCUBE-1 and MDA levels (p 0.001) but not with other parameters. Conclusion: For the first time in literature, we determined a significant increase in SCUBE-1 levels in patients with DR. Moreover, with an advance in DR, SCUBE-1 levels were also increasing.