Monocyte/HDL ratio predicts hypertensive complications.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate whether a simple and easily calculated parameter such as monocyte/ HDL ratio (MHR) may be used in predicting non-dipper (NDHT)-dipper HT (DHT) end organ damage. METHODS: 70 NDHT and 73 DHT patient groups were included in the study according to ambulatory blood pressure screening results. Basic laboratory parameters and spot urine samples were evaluated. Transthoracic echocardiography and ophthalmological examination were performed for end-organ damages. RESULTS: The MHR among the groups was higher in the NDHT group; which was statistically significant (p≤0.001). In the NDHT group, albumin, creatinine, protein values, protein/creatinine ratio in the spot urine were significantly higher than in the DHT group (p≤0.05). Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and retinopathy were also more frequently observed in the NDHT group (p≤0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). MHR in patients with LVH and retinopathy was significantly higher than in those without these complications (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Easy to use, non-invasive and simple calculation, MHR can be used to predict end organ damage in hypertensive cases, and can be also used to distinguish between DHT/NDHT groups. This data supports the role of inflammation (Tab. 7, Ref. 14).

Endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism may not lead to bone loss in premenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is defined as the decrease in bone mineral density. It is a serious health problem showing the predisposed person with increased bone fracture risk. Hyperthyroidism is one of the major causes of secondary osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to assess bone mineral density in premenopausal women with endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism. METHODS: A total of 168 subjects were included in this case-control study, of whom 86 and 82 participants were premenopausal women with subclinical hyperthyroidism and healthy premenopausal subjects, respectively. The patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism who were not receiving L-thyroxine treatment were included. The women in postmenopausal state or having chronic disease were excluded. The bone mineral densities of all subjects with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry were examined. RESULTS: The Z scores (femur and L1-4) of the study group were -0.15 ± 1.15 and -0.23 ± 1.03, respectively. The Z scores of the control group were -0.39 ± 1.08 and -0.55 ± 0.98, respectively. The differences between the groups were not statistically significant (p=0.14, 0.34, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that contrary to exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism, endogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism may not decrease bone mineral density in premenopausal women and it may not a risk factor for osteopenia or osteoporosis. Hippokratia 2014; 18 (3): 240-244.

The effects of polyphenol-containing antioxidants on oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in Type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications.

BACKGROUND: The hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus (DM) is the major factor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications. The phenolic compounds are potent antioxidants that can reverse the factors leading to cardiovascular complications in DM. The aim of this study was to determine the antagonizing effects of a polyphenol-rich antioxidant supplement containing pomegranate extract, green tea extract, and ascorbic acid, on oxidative stress in Type 2 diabetic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 114 male and female non-smokers (56 study, 58 placebo) with Type 2 DM and without any complications were recruited. The blood levels of fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (GSH), hydrogen peroxide, and antioxidant capacity (AOC) were determined at the beginning and at the end of the 3-month trial. The differences of the data changes between the groups were statistically analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The study group showed a decrease in LDL and an increase in HDL and the comparison with the difference in placebo group was statistically significant (p<0.001 for LDL and p<0.001 for HDL). Accordingly, as a by-product of lipid peroxidation, plasma MDA was decreased in the study group compared to the placebo group (p<0.001). As an indicator of increased antioxidant defense, total plasma GSH and AOC increased more in the study group compared to control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These observations indicated that the polyphenol-rich antioxidant supplement containing pomegranate extract, green tea extract, and ascorbic acid has important antagonizing effects on oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in patients with Type 2 DM and might be beneficial in preventing cardiovascular complications.