Serum nesfatin-1 levels are decreased in pregnant women newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate serum nesfatin-1 levels at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy in women newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes and determine the association of nesfatin-1 with several metabolic parameters. Subjects and methods Forty women newly diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy and 30 healthy pregnant women matched in age and gestational week were included in this cross-sectional study. Serum nesfatin-1 levels were analyzed using ELISA, and the relationship between nesfatin-1 and several metabolic parameters were assessed. Results Serum nesfatin-1 levels were found to be lower in women with gestational diabetes compared to the pregnant women in the control sample (p = 0.020). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that nesfatin-1 was lower in participants with gestational diabetes independently from gestational age, BMI, HOMA-IR, fasting plasma glucose, and age. In correlation analysis, the only variable that was found to have a statistically significant correlation with nesfatin-1 was gestational age (p = 0.015, r = 0.30). Conclusion Lower nesfatin-1 levels in women with gestational diabetes compared to the control group at 24-28 weeks of gestation draws attention to nesfatin-1 levels in gestational diabetes and motivates further research in this area.

Are progranulin levels associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and its possible metabolic effects in adolescents and young women?

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an important disease that may alter metabolic balances of the whole body. Progranulin is a growth factor which is related to epithelial, neuronal growth and oogenesis. Here, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the levels of Progranulin in the clinical setting of PCOS, and its metabolic effects. METHODS: Forty-one adolescents and young women with PCOS and 39 age and body mass index matched adolescents and young women as a control group who attended to the youth center of a tertiary referral center were included in this cross-sectional case-control study. Progranulin levels, indices of insulin sensitivity, lipidemic markers, metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Progranulin levels in patients with PCOS (7.48 ± 1.93 ng/mL) were significantly higher than in the control group (6.25 ± 1.98 ng/mL) (p = 0.006). Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, LH/Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratios, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with PCOS were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05, for all). The MetS was present in 8 (19.5 %) of the patients in the study group and in 1 (2.3 %) of the patients in the control group (p = 0.029). There was significant inverse correlation between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and progranulin levels of patients diagnosed with PCOS (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Progranulin may be a novel biomarker for cardiovascular risk in patients with PCOS, thus these cases should be directed to close follow-up for possible cardiovascular diseases. Future larger studies should focus on this entity.

The effect of positive end-expiratory pressure on inflammatory cytokines during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate effects of the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) application of 10 cm H2O on the plasma levels of cytokines during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 40 patients who presented to the Department of General Surgery, Medical Faculty, Turgut Özal University, Ankara, Turkey scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy operation during a 10 month period from September 2012 to June 2013. Forty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy operation were randomly divided into 2 groups; ventilation through zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) (0 cm H2O PEEP) (n=20), and PEEP (10 cm H2O PEEP) (n=20). All patients were ventilated with 8 ml/kg TV. Levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL 10, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 were measured in the pre- and post-operatively collected samples. RESULTS: Blood samples of 30 patients' were analyzed for plasma cytokine levels, and 10 were excluded from the study due to hemolysis. Post-operative plasma IL-6 levels were observed to be significantly higher than the pre-operative patients (p=0.035). Post-operative plasma TGF-ß1 levels in the PEEP group was found significantly higher compared with the pre-operative group levels (p=0.033). However, there were no significant differences in the pre- and post-operative plasma cytokine levels between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: The application of PEEP of 10 cm H2O, which has known beneficial effect on respiratory mechanics, does not have any effect on systemic inflammatory response undergoing pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery.

The Effects of Valsartan and Amlodipine on the Levels of Irisin, Adropin, and Perilipin.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and obesity are two major threats for public health. Up to the present, antihypertensive medications have been used to lower blood pressure, which seem to provide a better life with lower morbidity and mortality rates. Their effect on etiopathogenesis of hypertension is now an area of developing research. The association between hypertension and obesity also suggests the link between antihypertensive agents and energy hemostasis. We aimed to investigate the effects of antihypertensive treatment on the irisin, adropin, and perilipin levels in patients with essential hypertension and to compare them with healthy volunteers in terms of their effect on energy hemostasis. METHODS: In total, 85 newly diagnosed patients with untreated essential hypertension were admitted to the outpatient clinic. Patients were randomized to one of the following treatment protocols: amlodipine or valsartan for a 12 week period. 42 patients were randomized into the valsartan group and 43 patients into the amlodipine group. Serum perilipin, irisin, and adropin levels were measured before and after drug treatment by ELISA kits. RESULTS: We discovered that the hypertensive patients have lower levels of perilipin and higher levels of adropin compared with the control group. Both amlodipine and valsartan increased the levels of perilipin, irisin, and adropin after 12 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, in regulating energy balance, perilipin, irisin, and adropin, could be of pathogenic importance in obesity-induced hypertension. Hence, ongoing trials need to elucidate this mechanism.

Cilostazol attenuates spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pretreatment effect of cilostazol on spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury. DESIGN: Prospective, interventional study. SETTING: Research laboratory, single institution. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits. INTERVENTIONS: Twenty-four rabbits were divided into 3 equal groups: group I (sham), group II (ischemia-reperfusion, control group), and group III (cilostazol, administered orally 30 mg/kg/day for 3 days before the surgery). Spinal cord ischemia was induced by clamping the aorta both below the left renal artery and above the iliac bifurcation for 30 minutes. Seventy-two hours postoperatively, the motor function of the lower limbs was evaluated in each animal according to the modified Tarlov score. Spinal cord and blood samples were taken for histopathologic and biochemical analyses at the 72nd hour of reperfusion. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: All rabbits in the ischemia-reperfusion group (group II) showed severe neurologic deficits. The median (IQR) Tarlov scores postoperatively at 72 hours in groups I, II, and III were 5.0(-), 2.0(1.0), and 4.5(1.0), respectively. Administration of cilostazol resulted in a significant reduction in motor dysfunction when compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group (p<0.001). In the ischemia-reperfusion group, serum and tissue glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly less compared with the sham group (group I) (p<0.05). Serum and tissue glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels in the cilostazol-treated group (group III) were higher compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group (p<0.05). In the cilostazol-treated group, serum and tissue malondialdehyde levels were lower compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group (p<0.05). Histopathologic analysis found decreased neuronal injury in the cilostazol group when compared with the ischemia-reperfusion group (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that pretreatment with cilostazol significantly ameliorated neurologic functional outcome and attenuated neuronal histopathologic injury after transient aortic occlusion in rabbits.

Effects of the aged garlic extract on spinal cord injury model in rat.

BACKGROUND: Aged garlic extract (AGE) is a potent antioxidant agent with an established neuroprotective effect in cerebral ischemia. However, the potential protective effect of AGE in spinal cord injury (SCI) is still unknown. METHODS: Spinal cord trauma was applied to 19 adult male Wistar rats using the clip compression method. Animals were divided into three groups. Animals in the AGE group were administered 250 mg/kg per day of AGE diluted in tap water orally by gavage for 15 days prior to trauma. After spinal cord trauma, malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels of the AGE group were compared with the animals in the control and SCI groups. The animals were examined by inclined plane 24 hours (h) after the trauma. At the end of the experiment, spinal cord tissue samples were harvested for pathological evaluation. RESULTS: Regarding tissue MDA and SOD levels after trauma, animals in the AGE group demonstrated decreased MDA levels and increased SOD levels when compared with the SCI group. However, these results were no better than in the control group. The AGE group demonstrated better pathological findings than the SCI group. The result regarding the functional finding was similar. CONCLUSION: AGE demonstrated neuroprotective effects in SCI. Further studies with different experimental settings are required to achieve conclusive results.

Can bile acids be an etiological factor for laryngeal carcinoma?

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to show the accumulation of bile acids in laryngeal tissues of laryngeal carcinoma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study compared the total bile acid level in the hypopharyngeal tissue, tumor tissue, and blood of 21 primary laryngeal carcinoma patients (study group) to that in the hypopharyngeal tissue and blood of 15 patients with benign laryngeal lesions (control group). RESULTS: The total bile acid level was significantly higher in the tumor and hypopharyngeal tissues of the study group than in the hypopharyngeal tissues of the control group; however, the difference in the blood total bile acid level between the 2 groups was not significant. CONCLUSION: Bile acids in reflux material accumulate in the laryngeal tissue in laryngeal carcinoma patients; therefore, bile acids should be considered a carcinogenic factor in the etiology of laryngeal carcinoma because of their mutagenicity due to DNA breaking, as they cause chronic inflammation due to intracellular accumulation.

Increased lipid peroxidation and impaired enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanism in thyroid tissue with multinodular goiter and papillary carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant status of thyroid tissue in patients with multinodular goiter, papillary carcinoma and to compare with their nonpathologic tissues. METHODS: We studied 41 patients with multinodular goiter who underwent surgical treatment. The patients were divided into three groups according to clinical diagnosis. Malondialdehyde, selenium, total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase of thyroid tissue samples were determined in 14 toxic multinodular goiters, 18 non-toxic multinodular goiters, and 9 papillary carcinomas. RESULT: Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and selenium were found lower but malondialdehyde was higher in both nodule and cancerous tissues compared with those of control ones. The level of malondialdehyde in non-toxic multinodular goiters group was higher than toxic multinodular goiters group in nodule tissues. CONCLUSIONS: It can be stated that the lipid peroxidation is increased and enzymatic free radical defense system was significantly impaired in patients with both multinodular goiters and papillary carcinomas.

Effects of hyperbaric oxygen on energy production and xanthine oxidase levels in striated muscle tissue of healthy rats.

We investigated the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment on striated muscle tissue in healthy rats. The treatment group of rats (n=16) was given HBO daily on weekdays for 2 h over a 4-week period while a control group (n=8) was not treated. Tissue samples were taken from the left and right vastus lateralis before and after the HBO treatment period, respectively, for all rats in both groups. Levels of adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine diphosphate, andenosine triphosphate (ATP) and xanthine oxidase in the muscle tissue were determined. HBO treatment caused a statistically significant increase in ATP (p=0.001) and decrease in AMP (p=0.02) in the HBO-treated group, while there were no significant differences in metabolites in the control group. These results suggest that HBO treatment induces an increase in the ATP levels of muscle tissue with normal mitochondria. Thus, HBO might have some beneficial effects in the treatment of heteroplasmic mitochondrial disease, where normal and defective mitochondria coexist.

Biochemical and hormonal composition, cytological examination of thyroid cyst fluid, and comparison according to gender and color of cyst fluid.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the biochemical composition and cytological examination of 25 thyroid cyst fluid specimens that were obtained by fine needle aspiration, and to compare results according to gender and color of cyst fluid. We anticipated that measuring biochemical routine parameters in cyst fluid would contribute to the pathophysiology of thyroid nodule formation leading to better clinical outcomes when compared to therapies based only on cytological examination. METHODS: We analyzed 23 parameters in serum and cyst fluid samples taken from 25 euthyroid patients. In addition, cytological examination of cyst fluids was performed. RESULTS: We revealed that mean levels of glucose, phosphorus, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, antibodies to thyroglobulin, and activities of alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were lower, and mean levels of uric acid, free triiodothyronine, free thyroxine, and thyroglobulin and activity of lactate dehydrogenase in the cyst fluid of thyroid nodules were higher when compared to their own serum sample levels. Also, there were significant differences according to gender and color of cyst fluid. CONCLUSIONS: Biochemical examination of thyroid cyst fluid may be of value for the clinician to evaluate the nature of thyroid nodules. The potential benefits of thyroid cyst fluid examination warrant further investigation in patients with thyroid nodules.

The effect of vitamin A pretreatment on radiation induced alteration in neutrophil functions.

The aim of this investigation was to determine whether pre-administration of vitamin A will be effective in preventing the radiation-induced decline in MPO-H2O2 system and the end product of reactive nitrogen species (NOx) in guinea pig. Animals were subjected to 612 cG of radiation and polimorfonuclear leukocytes were isolated and then NOx and myeloperoxidase activity were measured. In irradiated animals, a marked decrease in NOx level and myeloperoxidase activity have been found compared to control (p = 0.001 and p < 0.000 respectively). The application of vitamin A significantly improved the radiation-induced decrease (for both p < 0.00). In conclusion pre-treatment of vitamin A is efficient to protect against radiation induced alteration in polimorfonuclear leukocyte.