RESUMEN
The current guidelines suggest routine screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hepatokines seem to be promising surrogate endpoints for the diagnosis and severity of NAFLD. PCOS has its onset in adolescence and its metabolic sequalae begin during the same period. There are scarce data on the hepatokine profile of adolescent PCOS patients. This case-control study examined the serum profile of the hepatokines sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), selenoprotein P, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), and fetuin A in a sample of adolescent PCOS patients, and their association to metabolic and hormonal parameters. The selenoprotein P and SHBG serum concentrations were significantly decreased in PCOS patients vs. the controls (median (IQR), 2.47 (0.40) vs. 2.66 (0.36) µg/mL, p = 0.025; mean ± SD, 41.71 ± 19.41 vs. 54.94 ± 22.12 nmol/L, p = 0.011, respectively), whereas selenoprotein P was significantly and positively associated with testosterone (r = 0.325, p = 0.007) and the free androgen index (r = 0.361, p = 0.002). The SHBG demonstrated multiple significant negative correlations with adverse metabolic parameters. Among the PCOS patients, the FGF21 concentrations were significantly higher in those with NAFLD, whereas a 1 pg/mL increase in the FGF21 concentration increased the odds of NAFLD diagnosis by liver ultrasound by 1%, suggesting FGF21 as a potential biomarker for hepatic disease in females with PCOS in adolescence. Fetuin A was the least differentiated hepatokine between the PCOS patients and controls with the least associations with metabolic and hormonal parameters.
RESUMEN
A variety of supplement-drug interactions has been identified, and therefore health scientists should be aware of the proper usage of nutritional supplements. The main aim of this study was to assess beliefs and knowledge related to nutritional supplements among pharmacy students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to assess beliefs and knowledge related to nutritional supplements among pharmacy students. A literature review on nutritional supplements was conducted in order to develop a 24-item questionnaire, and expert indications established its face and content validity. Τhe sample was comprised of 142 pharmacy students in Cyprus, whose results are presented. The majority of the participants was receiving nutritional supplements (66.9%) and believed that nutritional supplements may interact and may have toxic effects. Those in the higher years of study scored higher in knowledge than those in the lower ones. The mean scores (mean ± SD) on the knowledge about nutritional supplements by the years of study were 9.14 ± 2.67, 8.71 ± 2.92, 9.91 ± 2.08, 11.16 ± 3.00, and 15.76 ± 2.67 and compared using one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni correction. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The study showed that pharmacy students are adequately informed about nutritional supplements and that this subject is essential for the curriculum of pharmaceutical studies.
