Objectives: This study aims to compare the serum calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and CGRP receptor protein levels between patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) and healthy control subjects. Patients and methods: The study included 88 patients (7 males, 81 females; mean age 44.5±9.1 years; range, 20 to 72 years) newly-diagnosed with FM according to the 2010 American College of Rheumatology criteria and 88 healthy volunteers (6 males, 82 females; mean age 43.0±6.1 years; range, 20 to 57 years). Venous blood samples were collected from both groups for the measurement of the levels of serum CGRP and CGRP receptor proteins (receptor component protein [RCP], receptor activity modifying protein 1 [RAMP 1] and calcitonin receptor-like receptor [CLR]). Results: A comparison of the serum CGRP, CLR and RCP levels of the FM and control groups revealed a statistically significant difference (p=0.001, p=0.005, p=0.001, respectively). The difference between the groups in respect of the serum RAMP 1 levels was not statistically significant (p=0.107). Conclusion: The serum CGRP, CLR and RCP levels were found to be higher in the FM patients, but no difference was determined between the FM patients and the healthy control group in respect of the RAMP 1 level. These results can be of guidance for further clinical studies of the etiopathogenesis and treatment of FM.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate BAP1 , OGT and YY1 genes and protein levels in 12 samples (8 males, 4 females) of eyelid tumor tissue with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 12 normal control subjects (8 males, 4 females). Methods: The expression levels of these genes were determined with RT-PCR and the protein levels and expression using ELISA and IHC methods, respectively. Results: In RT-PCR analysis, statistically significant upregulated expression was determined of 1.84-fold of BAP1 , 2.85-fold of OGT and 3.06-fold of YY1 genes (p < 0.05). In the patient group, compared to the control group, there was a similar statistically significant strong correlation between the proteins (BAP1 and YY1; r = 0.850, BAP1 and OGT; r = 0.811, OGT and YY1; r = 0.755) (p < 0.05). In the ELISA and IHC analysis methods, a significant increase in BAP1 and YY1 protein expression levels was observed compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The study results demonstrated that BAP1 and YY1 genes and protein levels were upregulated in eyelid tumor tissue with BCC.

Objectives: To control mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathways involved in the onset and progression of cancer, dual specificity phosphatases ( DUSPs /MKP) are essential. This study seeks to detect the correlation between eyelid tumors and the genes DUSPs , known for their influence on MAPK signaling pathways. Additionally, we aim to juxtapose our findings with analyses from various bioinformatics databases. Methods: Expression levels of relevant genes in cDNA samples were determined by quantitative PCR method. Open-access databases were used for mutation analysis of relevant genes, mRNA expression changes, and survival analyses, and the STRING database was used for protein-protein interactions. Results: It was found that the expression of DUSP1 and DUSP2 showed a significant decrease in the tumor tissue, while a significant increase was detected in the DUSP4 and DUSP6 genes. Additionally, when we compared the study genes with the Cancer Genome Atlas program cancer cohorts, it was found that the DUSP1 and DUSP10 gene expression profiles were downregulated in uveal melanoma compared to other cancer cohorts. Conclusions: Significant and obvious changes were observed in the DUSP genes we studied in eyelid tumors. However, the relationship between these genes and cancer must be studied more. Considering that these enzymes are effective in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, it would be appropriate to plan comprehensive studies on their interactions with other proteins they interact with in the MAPK pathway.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of lipid raft function loss due to depletion of cholesterol in the lipid raft structure of cell membrane by crocetin and Methyl β cyclodextrin (MβCD) on cell viability and lipid raft-associated gene and apoptotic gene expressions of breast cancer cell (MCF-7). For this purpose, MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of MβCD and crocetin. Cell viability was evaluated by WST-1 at 24 and 48 hours. The mRNA expressions of caveolin 1, LRP 6, survivin, Bcl2, Bax, and Caspase3 were assessed in the MβCD-treated group; crocetin-treated group; mixed-treated group MβCD+ crocetin MCF-7 cells by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction at 24 h exposure. Cell viability indicated that all concentrations of MβCD decreased the viability of MCF-7 cells compared with control; reduction in cell viability was greatest with 1 mM. Additionally, exposure to all crocetin concentrations significantly reduced the cell viability of MCF-7 in a time-dependent manner. There was statistically significant down-regulation of caveolin 1, LRP-6, survivin, Bcl2 in response to MβCD, and crocetin at 24 h but Bax ve caspase 3 expressions were increased compared to control at 24h. These results indicated that crocetin application to MCF-7 in addition to MβCD regulated mRNA expression of lipid raft-associated genes and apoptotic genes. These findings suggest that crocetin affects MCF-7 function via cholesterol depletion-related deterioration in the lipid raft structure, which is critical for the induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.

Background: Cholelithiasis is the most prevalent inflammatory condition of the gallbladder. The regulation of biological processes, including energy homeostasis, and control of body weight are key mechanisms that the leptin and melanocortin pathways play a role in Cholelithiasis is the most prevalent inflammatory condition of the gallbladder. There are various risk factors for the development of gallstone disease, especially weight gain, and obesity is just one of them. This risk factor can be minimized by maintaining appetite and energy balance. Here, leptin and melanocortin pathways are the key mechanisms in maintaining appetite and energy homeostasis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the levels of LEP, LEPR, TrkB, BDNF, POMC, and MC4R proteins in patients with Cholelithiasis. This study aims to determine the relationship between LEP, LEPR, TrkB, BDNF, POMC, and MC4R protein levels, which play a role in maintaining appetite and energy homeostasis, and cholelithiasis. Methods: This study examined 44 patients diagnosed with Cholelithiasis and 44 healthy control subjects who had not previously been diagnosed with any form of Cholelithiasis. The levels of leptin (LEP), Leptin Binds To Leptin Receptors (LEPR), Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase B (TrkB), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Pro-OpioMelanoCortin (POMC), and Melanocortin- 4 Receptors (MC4R) molecules were analyzed using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) method. The results were analyzed using the SPSS Software (Version 22.0) program and GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 software. Results: The study found a statistically significant decrease (p < 0.05) in MC4R, TrkB, BDNF, and POMC protein levels in Cholelithiasis patients compared to the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in LEP and LEPR concentration values between the two groups (p = 0.247, p = 0.674). Conclusion: The proteins MC4R, TrkB, BDNF, and POMC, which are involved in the leptin and melanocortin pathways may play a significant role in Cholelithiasis disease. However, more detailed research on the relevant proteins is needed. Nevertheless, this research will guide new studies.