Evaluation of the Potential Clinical Utility of Maternal Serum Biomarkers for Risk Assessment in Gestational Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The exact relationships of circulating fibronectin, SHBG, and ILGF-1 with T2DM and GDM remain inconsistent. Therefore, in this study we evaluate their associations in T2DM and GDM. Additionally, we evaluate their correlations with different biochemical parameters. METHODS: A total of 505 pregnant women (180 with T2DM, 160 GDM patients, and 165 controls) were enrolled in the current study. SHBG, ILGF-1, and fibronectin were estimated by using the ELISA technique. RESULTS: The GDM and T2DM groups had higher ILGF-1 and fibronectin levels than the control group, while having a lower SHGB level. The correlations of clinical characteristics with ILGF-1, SHBG, and fibronectin showed that ILGF-1 in GDM patients was positively associated with HbA1c% and insulin. T2DM was positively related to insulin and insulin resistance, as well. There was a positive association between SHBG and insulin among the T2DM groups. Furthermore, in T2DM individuals, fibronectin was positively related with HbA1c% and glucose. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that the circulating levels of fibronectin, SHBG, and ILGF-1 are linked to GDM and T2DM risk. Hence, the circulating concentrations of these biomarkers are potentially useful for predicting the risk of GDM as well as developing T2DM.

Significant role of some miRNAs as biomarkers for the degree of obesity.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is one of the most serious problems over the world. MicroRNAs have developed as main mediators of metabolic processes, playing significant roles in physiological processes. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the expressions of (miR-15a, miR-Let7, miR-344, and miR-365) and its relationship with the different classes in obese patients. METHODS: A total of 125 individuals were enrolled in the study and classified into four groups: healthy non-obese controls (n = 50), obese class I (n = 24), obese class II (n = 17), and obese class III (n = 34) concerning body mass index (BMI < 30 kg/m2, BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2, BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2 and BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2, respectively). BMI and the biochemical measurements (fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL, urea, creatinine, AST, and ALT) were determined. The expressions of (miR-15a, miR-Let7, miR-344, and miR-365) were detected through quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: There was a significant difference between different obese classes and controls (P < 0.05) concerning (BMI, TC, TG, HDL, and LDL). In contrast, fasting glucose, kidney, and liver functions had no significant difference. Our data revealed that the expression of miR-15a and miR-365 were significantly associated with different obese classes. But the circulating miR-Let7 and miR-344 were not significantly related to obesity in different classes. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that miR-15a and miR-365 might consider as biomarkers for the obesity development into different obese classes. Thus, the relationship between regulatory microRNAs and disease has been the object of intense investigation.

Assessment of Serum Vitamin D and Irisin Levels in Obese Patients.

Background: 25-hydroxyvitamin D and irisin have been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity. The aim of the study is to assess the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and irisin in obese patients and to determine the association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and irisin levels with anthropometric parameters. Methods: The study was carried out on 300 obese patients in addition to 156 healthy age and gender matched subjects as a control group. Demographic data were collected from the studied cases. Body mass index, serum levels of insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and irisin were measured. Results: 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly associated with obesity, the incidence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (< 12 ng/mL) was 49.3% in obese patients, especially in females. A positive correlation was noted between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and age TC:HDL ratio. It was negatively correlated with BMI. Serum irisin levels were higher, but not significantly, in obese patients compared to controls. Irisin was positively associated with insulin levels and negatively correlated with total cholesterol. Conclusions: Obesity is associated with 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and high serum levels of irisin. Body mass index and gender are predictors of 25-hydroxyvitamin D status. The positive correlation between serum irisin and insulin indicates that compensatory enhancement of irisin excretion can occur due to insulin resistance.