RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that the peptides such as orexins, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and leptin may play an important role in the regulation of appetite and energy metabolism. The interaction between leptin, orexins and NPY, as well as between peptides and insulin and cortisol in the different nutritional states have been investigated in animals. However, at present this relationship is poorly understood in humans. RESEARCH METHODS: Material consisted of 36 obese women and 16 lean women. Plasma orexin A, orexin B, neuropeptide Y (NPY), leptin, insulin concentrations were measured with RIA methods. RESULTS: Plasma orexin A concentrations were significantly lower in obese women as compared with control group. Plasma orexin A was significantly lower in severe obesity (BMI > 40 kg/m2) than that in moderate obesity (BMI < 40 kg/m2). Plasma orexin B concentrations did not change. However, plasma NPY, leptin and insulin levels were markedly higher in obese women, especially in severe obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed the thesis that orexin A, NPY, leptin play an important role in the regulation of energy metabolism in humans. In obesity the activity of these peptides is disturbed.
Assuntos
Insulina/sangue , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular/sangue , Leptina/sangue , Neuropeptídeo Y/sangue , Neuropeptídeos/sangue , Obesidade/sangue , Adulto , Metabolismo Energético/fisiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Orexinas , RadioimunoensaioRESUMO
By use of quantitative thin-layer chromatography, urinary porphyrins were examined in 40 healthy volunteers, 38 patients with prophyria cutanea tarda (PCT), and 139 patients with various liver diseases. Significant elevations not only of coproporphyrin but also of some other porphyrins were found in many patients with liver disease. However, there was no evident relationship between porphyrin disturbances and functional or clinical findings, and all of these non-PCT patients who initially demonstrated intense uroporphyrinuria, when re-studied apparently had more normal porphyrin excretion. It seems, therefore, that whereas porphyrin estimations are useful in porphyrias, no clinically important conclusions can be drawn from urinary findings in patients with liver disease. The origin of defective haem biosynthesis in liver disease remains obscure. It can only be speculated that transient and reversible urocoproporphyrinuria may occur in patients with defective hepatic uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase activity who clinically and biochemically are not porphyric.