High serum neurotensin level in obese adolescents is not associated with metabolic parameters, hyperphagia or food preference.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity is often the result of a high-calorie and unbalanced diet for a long time and can sometimes be associated with hyperphagia and eating disorders. Neurotensin (NT) is an anorexigenic peptide, which is secreted from the central nervous system and intestines, and increases intestinal fat absorption. In the literature, conflicting results regarding serum NT level in obesity and the relation of NT with metabolic parameters were reported. Besides, there is no data regarding the relation of NT with eating disorders or food preference in obese individuals. We aimed to evaluate the relation of serum NT level with metabolic parameters, hyperphagia, binge eating disorder (BED) and food preference in obese adolescents. METHODS: The study included 65 obese adolescents and 65 healthy controls. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical analyzes and body fat analyzes were performed in all cases. Hyperphagia score, presence of BED and three-day food intake records were also evaluated. RESULTS: NT level was significantly higher in obese adolescents than in controls and it was not associated with metabolic parameters, hyperphagia or food preference. In the obese group, NT level was not significantly different according to the presence of BED. CONCLUSIONS: Serum NT level is high in obese adolescents; however, it is not associated with metabolic parameters, hyperphagia, BED or food preference.

Evaluation of COVID-19 antibody response with using three different tests.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, the performance of three different commercial antibody assays for COVID-19 was examined and parameters affecting the antibody response were investigated. The correlation of patients' chest CT results, procalcitonin, CRP, and D-dimer levels with the antibody response were retrospectively evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: COVID-19 antibodies were detected by three commercially available assays in each patient. Two of the assays were rapid immunochromatographic tests and - one was an ELISA-based IgG assay. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was tested by "COVID-19 RT-qPCR Detection Kit" using nasopharyngeal swab samples. The results of antibody tests were compared with each other, RT-qPCR, Biochemical parameters and chest CT findings. RESULTS: RT-qPCR was positive in 46.6% (41/88) of the evaluated patients among which 77.3% (68/88) were healthcare workers. Seventeen (41.4%) of viral RNA positive patients had a positive antibody result with at least two assays. Both of the rapid immunochromatographic tests had identical sensitivity of 36.6% and specificity of 100%, compared to RT-qPCR assay; while the sensitivity of the ELISA based Euroimmune test was 43.9%, and the specificity was 95.7%. The sensitivity and specificity of the immunochromatographic tests were 75% and 100% respectively, compared to ELISA test result. There was a correlation between antibody positivity and old age and male gender. The presence of typical chest CT findings increased the antibody positivity 13.62 times. Antibody positivity was also increased with the decrease in Ct value of the PCR assay. There was no significant relationship between the biochemical parameters (CRP, D-dimer and procalcitonin values) and the antibody or RT-qPCR results. CONCLUSION: There was a correlation between antibody response and male gender, older age, presence of symptoms, typical chest CT findings and low PCR-Ct value.