Variations in protein levels of the apelinergic system in adipose tissue of hypertensive individuals with class 3 obesity.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of apelin (APLN) and its receptor (APLNR) in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and its effect on the downstream expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in individuals with class 3 obesity, with or without hypertension. Seventy-five unrelated individuals presenting obesity class 3 with or without hypertension were included. Gene expression of APLN, and APLNR were analyzed in VAT, by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The APLN, APLNR and eNOS (total and phosphorylated) levels in VAT were evaluated by Western blot. Analysis of differences between groups of APLN, APLNR and eNOS were performed by a logistic regression adjusting by confounding factors. Forty-five individuals with hypertension formed the case group, and 30 individuals constituted the control group. The APLN mRNA and protein levels were higher in the group of individuals with hypertension versus individuals without hypertension (p = 0.027 and p = 0.036, respectively). Meanwhile, APLNR mRNA and protein levels in subjects with hypertension were lower versus the group of subjects without hypertension (p = 0.001 and p = 0.008, respectively). Further, the group with hypertension presented a lower level of phosphorylation of eNOS Ser1177, compared to the control group (p = 0.002). In conclusion, individuals with class 3 obesity and hypertension present a modified APLN/APLNR expression in visceral adipose tissue, which could be secondary to reduced eNOS phosphorylation.

Expression of adipokines and their receptors in adipose tissue of women with class 3 obesity with or without hypertension.

Obesity increases the risk of developing hypertension. Since both pathological entities constitute public health problems, the aim of this study was to investigate RNA expression of adiponectin, leptin and their receptors in adipose tissue in women with class 3 obesity, with or without hypertension. Serum concentrations of these adipokines were also quantitated. Women with obesity and hypertension (n = 22) and with obesity without hypertension (n = 37) were included. All patients presented class 3 obesity, without diabetes mellitus. The expression of mRNA in: adiponectin, ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2 was analyzed in visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue; leptin and its receptor were only analyzed in SAT, by reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Measurements of adiponectin and leptin concentrations were performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Analysis of mRNA expressions in VAT and SAT are presented as median and quartiles. Analysis of serum concentrations of adipokines are presented as median and percentiles 25th-75th. Women presenting a higher mean arterial pressure, had significantly higher levels of mRNA expression of adiponectin in SAT. Besides, we found several significant positive correlations of these adipokines and their receptors. In conclusion, we found that those women with a higher mean arterial pressure and receiving antihypertensive treatment, presented higher levels of mRNA expression of adiponectin in SAT.

Serum concentrations of apelin-17 isoform vary in accordance to blood pressure categories in individuals with obesity class 3.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate if serum concentrations of apelin-36, apelin-17, apelin-13 or apelin-12 were different in obesity class 3 individuals with hypertension, when compared to those without hypertension (normal or high-normal).Subjects and Methods: Twenty six individuals with obesity class 3-related hypertension and thirty three individuals without hypertension, who were divided in individuals with normal (n = 23) or with high-normal (n = 10) blood pressure (BP) were analyzed. All individuals presented obesity class 3, without diabetes mellitus. Measurements of all apelin isoforms were performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Analysis of differences between groups of Apelin isoform concentrations was performed by a One-way ANOVA, with a Tukey test post hoc.Results: The individuals of the hypertensive group presented a slightly lower serum concentration of all apelin isoforms, but these differences were not statistically significant. These results were more evident when the group of patients without hypertension were divided based in normal and high-normal BP, observing that apelin-17 isoform were higher in individuals with high-normal BP in comparison to subjects with normal BP (P = 0.018); concentrations were also higher when compared to subjects with hypertension (P = 0.004).Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study regarding the differences of apelin-17 isoform concentrations in individuals pertaining to different categories of BP, who presented obesity class 3. The group of patients that presented hypertension showed a lower concentration of all isoforms. This observation could be due to the fact that these patients were taking antihypertensive medication.

[Case report of mucormycosis in a patient with secondary methimazole-induced agranulocytosis]. / Mucormicosis en un paciente con agranulocitosis secundaria a metimazol. Informe de un caso.

Agranulocytosis is a rare side effect of antithyroid drugs, it occurs in less than 0.5% of patients, usually during the first few months of treatment. It is considered to be the most serious adverse effect of these medications since it may be complicated by serious, life-threatening infections. Mucormycosis is a severe mycotic infection that usually develops in immunocompromised hosts, such aspatients with diabetes mellitus, hematologic malignancies or immunosuppressive therapy. The association of mucormycosis with methimazole-induced agranulocytosis has not been previously described. The objective of this case presentation is to analyze the case ofa woman with diffuse toxic goiter and methimazole-induced agranulocytosis who developed rhino-palatal mucormycosis.

Mucormicosis en un paciente con agranulocitosis secundaria a metimazol: informe de un caso / Case report of mucormycosis in a patient with secondary methimazole-induced agranulocytosis

La agranulocitosis es una complicación poco frecuente de los medicamentos antitiroideos, se presenta en menos de 0.5% de los pacientes en los primeros meses de tratamiento. Se considera el efecto adverso más grave de estos medicamentos, ya que se puede complicar con infecciones severas con una tasa alta de mortalidad. La mucormicosis es una infección micótica severa observada en huéspedes inmunocomprometidos como pacientes con diabetes, neoplasias hematológicas o con tratamiento inmunosupresor; sin embargo, la asociación de mucormicosis con agranulocitosis por metimazol no se ha reseñado previamente. El objetivo de este informe es analizar el caso de una mujer con bocio tóxico difuso y agranulocitosis asociada a metimazol, quien desarrolló mucormicosis rinopalatina.

Agranulocytosis is a rare side effect of antithyroid drugs, it occurs in less than 0.5% of patients, usually during the first few months of treatment. It is considered to be the most serious adverse effect of these medications since it may be complicated by serious, life-threatening infections. Mucormycosis is a severe mycotic infection that usually develops in immunocompromised hosts, such aspatients with diabetes mellitus, hematologic malignancies or immunosuppressive therapy. The association of mucormycosis with methimazole-induced agranulocytosis has not been previously described. The objective of this case presentation is to analyze the case ofa woman with diffuse toxic goiter and methimazole-induced agranulocytosis who developed rhino-palatal mucormycosis.