SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Reactive oxygen species and oxygen free radicals cause oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and cell DNA in the cell membrane. Although many DNA products are produced during oxidative DNA damage, 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is the most common one, since it can be produced in in vivo environment. In recent years, diving has been done quite frequently for business and sports purposes all over the world. Increased environmental pressure in diving leads to hyperoxia and causes oxidative stress. METHODS: The acute effects of diving on DNA damage were evaluated by comparing 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine values of 15 professional diver groups before and after diving. In addition to the demographic characteristics, the serum 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels of these 15 divers were compared with the control group consisting of nondiving medical students to examine the chronic effect of diving on DNA damage. RESULTS: After deep dive, the amount of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine increased significantly in the diver group and acute DNA damage was observed (T1: 38.86±4.7; T2: 51.77±4.53; p<0.05). In the control group, the amount of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine was insignificant (C1: 47.48±3.73; T1: 38.86±4.7; p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was found that air dives caused an increase in serum 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine levels, leading to acute oxidative stress and aging. However, there is no chronic side effect, according to the study of samples taken from the control group. This was thought to be due to the relative sedentary life of the control group. The duration of the effect or the ability to return to normal values should be investigated with further studies planned with large populations.

Abstract Purpose: To investigate thymoquinone, curcumin and a combination of these two drugs were effective or not at the growth of liver. Methods: Forty female Wistar-Albino rats distributed into five groups of eight rats each, control, thymoquinone, curcumin, and thymoquinone/curcumin groups. Pathological specimens were studied using the Ki-67 Proliferation Index(PI); and arginase(Arg), tissue plasminogen activator(tPA), ceruloplasmin(Cer) and nitric oxide(NO) were studied in biochemical analysis. Results: Our results showed that Ki-67 proliferation index was low in Groups 1. The proliferation coefficient was significantly higher in the Group 2 and Group 4 than in the Group 1 and Group 3.(P < 0.001 between Groups 1 and 2, 1 and 4, and 3 and 4). There was no difference between Groups 2 and 4 (P = 1). The results of the biochemical Arg, tPA and Cer test showed statistically between the Group 1 and Group 2. NO showed significant differences Group 1 and 3. Conclusions: Thymoquinone and curcumin both have known positive effects on the organism. Histological and biochemical tests showed that thymoquinone is more effective than curcumin.