The effect of isotretinoin on retinol-binding protein 4, leptin, adiponectin and insulin resistance in acne vulgaris patients.

BACKGROUND: The effect of isotretinoin (ISO) on adipokines and insulin resistance has been investigated in a few studies, and the results are conflicting. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ISO treatment on insulin resistance and adipokines. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with acne vulgaris and a control group of 30 healthy volunteers were included in our study. Screening for the biochemical parameters was performed just before the initiation and after 3 months of ISO treatment. RESULTS: In the acne group, basal leptin levels were significantly lower (p = 0.003) and basal adiponectin levels significantly higher (p = 0.008) compared with the control group. After ISO treatment, leptin levels (p = 0.0005) decreased and adiponectin levels (p = 0.003) increased significantly. However, measurements of fasting blood glucose, insulin, C peptide, retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance and BMI did not differ after ISO treatment. CONCLUSION: ISO may affect leptin and adiponectin levels. It does not, however, affect insulin resistance and RBP4 levels.

Diurnal rhythm of urinary calcium excretion in adults.

Twenty-four-hour urinary calcium excretion is normally the equivalent of daily calcium intake, and varies between 200-300 mg/dL with a calcium/creatinine ratio of 0.07-0.15. In this study, we aimed to investigate the diurnal rhythm of calcium excretion in healthy individual. Forty subjects (30 male, 10 female) were involved into the study. The spot urine samples were taken at 08:00, 14:00, and 22:00 together with a 24-hour collection. Mean spot urinary calcium levels at 08:00, 14:00, and 22:00 were 12.39 +/- 8.19, 12.97 +/- 8.37, and 16.95 +/- 10.39 mg/dL, with calcium/creatinine ratios of 0.104 +/- 5.261, 0.119 +/- 7.85, and 0.133 +/- 8.17, respectively. Twenty-four-hour urinary calcium excretion was 12.74 +/- 7.31 mg/dL with a calcium/creatinine ratio of 0.111 +/- 5.41. The values at 08:00, 14:00, and of 24-hour collection were statistically similar (p > 0.05), but the nighttime values were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). In conclusion, calcium excretion is increased at night, and urinary calcium measurements should be interpreted accordingly.

Serum lipid levels in patients with dissociative disorder.

OBJECTIVE: There may be an association between a low serum cholesterol level and dissociative disorders. METHOD: The subjects of the study were 16 patients with dissociative disorder and 16 normal comparison subjects (two men and 14 women in each group). Total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein levels were compared. RESULTS: Patients with dissociative disorders had lower serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein levels than normal comparison subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Low serum lipid concentrations may be related to a high incidence of self-injurious behaviors and borderline features in patients with dissociative disorders.

The effect of colchicine on the peritoneal membrane.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a treatment modality for patients with renal failure. Peritoneal fibrosis is one of the most serious complications after long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Histological studies in both humans and animals show that chronic peritoneal dialysis results in fibrosis of the peritoneal membrane. In our study, we investigated the effect of colchicine on peritoneal alterations induced by hypertonic PD solution in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats intraperitoneally received saline (control group) once daily, for 28 days, or 3.86% glucose (PDF group), or 3.86% glucose plus colchicine (colchicine group). Animals from each group were sacrificed after 28 days with anesthetized ketamine (60 mg/kg BW). For the PD fluid assessment, 1 h before the sacrifice of animals, 10 mL PD fluid of 2.27% glucose was given, and this fluid was obtained after the sacrifice. The levels of transforming endothelial growth factor beta (TGF-beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and albumin were investigated both in the peritoneal dialysate and blood, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated only in peritoneal dialysate. The peritoneal membrane was evaluated histologically by light microscopy. When groups were compared in terms of body weight change, the colchicine group significantly lost weight compared to controls and PDF group (-4.7% + 4.5, 3.5% +/- 7.2, 3.0% +/- 1.3, respectively, p = 0.018). Also, the blood albumin level was significantly lower for these in the colchicine group compared to those in the PDF group (2.7 +/- 0.35 versus 3.2 +/- 0.3 g/dL, respectively, p = 0.048). The blood TGF-beta level was significantly lower in the control group, and no difference was observed between the PDF and colchicine groups (294.4 +/- 67.5 versus 787.4 +/- 237.4 versus 615.3 +/- 235.1 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.004). The mesothelial thickness found in groups was as follows: control group 102 +/- 18.9 microm, PDF group 128.33 +/- 33.1 microm, colchicine group 117 +/- 35.6 microm (p = 0.34). In conclusion, a rat model for peritoneal dialysis associated peritoneal derangement without fibrosis could be induced. Colchicine could not prevent peritoneal derangement in this model.

Nightmares and serum cholesterol level: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether there is a relation between nightmares and serum lipid levels. METHODS: Fifteen subjects who met DSM-IV criteria for the diagnosis of nightmare disorder and 15 healthy control subjects participated in the study. We used an enzymatic colorimetric method for cholesterol and triglyceride determination. We measured high-density lipoprotien (HDL) cholesterol using the direct HDL-cholesterol method. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was calculated according to the Friedewald formula. RESULTS: Patients with nightmare disorder had lower serum triglyceride, lower total cholesterol, and lower LDL levels than healthy control subjects. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that nightmares are associated with low serum lipid levels.