Association of Leptin with Glucose Intolerance and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnant Women: Prospective Analytical Case-Control Study.

This study aimed to investigate the use of leptin as a marker for gestational diabetes by analyzing any correlation between serum leptin levels versus oral glucose tolerance tests (at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy) and increased body weight (during pregnancy). A total of 110 female cases (81 pregnant and 29 non-pregnant) were included in the study. The 81 pregnant cases were divided into 3 groups according to their oral glucose tolerance test results. A chi-square test was used for categorical variables. The distribution of numerical variables was tested with the Shapiro-Wilk test. ANOVA and a post-hoc Bonferroni test was used for parametric data. Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis was used for non-parametric data. The Mann-Whitney U-test was used for pairwise comparisons. Spearman correlation analysis and multivariate regression analysis were performed for the evaluation of the correlation analysis between the parameters. Oral glucose tolerance test results were compared with leptin levels with a cut-off value of 11.43 for leptin. The ROC curve demonstrated an 83.3% sensitivity and 72.1% specificity for leptin. Leptin may play a role in the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus. However, the relationship between leptin levels and maternal weight gain during pregnancy is still unknown.

Serum Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Acute Anterior Uveitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with acute anterior uveitis (AAU). METHODS: This observational case-control study involved 20 patients with AAU, and 20 consecutive, age and sex-matched healthy subjects without any ocular or systemic diseases. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was quantified with electrochemiluminescence technique. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to age (p = 0.185) and sex (p = 0.465). Serum vitamin D levels of the subjects with AAU (mean 5.75 ± 4.50 ng/mL, median 4.00 ng/mL, range: 3.00-19.00 ng/mL) were significantly lower than the control group (mean 12.96 ± 5.89 ng/mL, median 11.00 ng/mL, range: 5.20-25.92 ng/mL) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We found significantly low serum levels of vitamin D in patients with AAU, which suggest that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of anterior uveitis. Further studies are necessary to demonstrate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in the management of patients with anterior uveitis.

Cytokines, adipocytokines and inflammatory markers in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Cytokines are essential mediators of immune response. Chronic renal failure patients suffer from chronic inflammation that results from factors such as impaired renal function, accumulation of uremic toxins and bio incompatibility of dialyzer membranes. These patients are also at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. We have evaluated cytokines, adipocytokines and inflammatory markers in patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have determined serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), leptin and ghrelin levels of chronic renal failure patients treated with either HD (n = 20) or CAPD (n = 20). TNF-α, IL-6, ghrelin and leptin measurements were performed by commercially available kits based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. hsCRP levels were determined by turbidimetric methods. RESULTS: Serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels of patients on HD were significantly higher than those of the ones on CAPD (p < 0.05). Ghrelin, leptin and hsCRP concentrations were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that cytokine production is more obvious in HD process.

8-Isoprostane and Coenzyme Q10 Levels in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome has become an important health problem, which involves obesity, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure values. The components of metabolic syndrome are all suggested as independent cardiovascular disease risk factors along with high mortality and morbidity rates accompanied by many organ and system complications. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine 8-isoprostane (8-IsoP) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels in patients with metabolic syndrome and healthy individuals and demonstrate whether there was any relation between these parameters and metabolic syndrome criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients (10 male, 20 female) with metabolic syndrome and 20 age-matched healthy individuals (9 male, 11 female) were involved in the study. Body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, systolic and diastolic blood pressures and serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, HbA1c, 8-IsoP and CoQ10 levels, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance indexes of all participants were determined. RESULTS: 8-IsoP levels were significantly increased in metabolic syndrome compared to healthy individuals (P = 0.003), however, there was no significant difference between groups for CoQ10 levels. 8-IsoP levels were positively correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.303, P = 0.032), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.337, P = 0.017), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.329, P = 0.020) values and total cholesterol levels (r = 0.354, P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: We can suggest that the levels of 8-IsoP, which is an indicator of the oxidative stress, increase in metabolic syndrome and this can be associated with high blood pressure and visceral adiposity, which are the components of metabolic syndrome.

Increased ischemia-modified albumin and malondialdehyde levels in videothoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Videothoracoscopic surgery leads to general organ hypoperfusion by reducing mean arterial pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and end-diastolic volume index. Oxidative stress occurs as a result of hypoperfusion. Evaluation of the short-term effects of videothoracoscopic sympathectomy on serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels in patients with primary hyperhidrosis was aimed. METHODS: Twenty-six patients who underwent videothoracoscopic surgery were contributed in this study. Venous blood samples were obtained from these patients 1 h before and after the surgery. IMA, MDA, and NO levels were measured in serum samples by colorimetric methods. Albumin concentrations were also measured for each sample, and albumin-adjusted IMA levels were calculated. RESULTS: Postoperative IMA, albumin-adjusted IMA, and MDA values were significantly higher compared to the preoperative values (P = 0.003, 0.027, 0.018, respectively). However, postoperative NO levels were lower than the preoperative values (P = 0.002). There was no significant difference between pre- and postoperative albumin concentrations, and there was no significant correlation between the parameters tested. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that elevation in MDA and IMA levels after videothoracoscopic surgery was caused by increased oxidative stress due to minimal ischemia-reperfusion injury after the infusion of CO2 during the surgical process. Videothoracoscopic sympathectomy operation causes a decrease in NO production, and this should be taken in consideration when evaluating nitrosative stress in videothoracoscopic surgery.

Oxidative stress parameters and serum magnesium levels in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate oxidative stress parameters and serum magnesium (Mg) levels in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC) during the pollen season. METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study involved 35 patients with SAC without any other ocular and systemic diseases, and 38 consecutive, age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), adjusted ischemia modified albumin (IMA), and Mg levels were quantified, and the results were compared between the groups. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to age (p = 0.416) and sex (p = 0.362). Serum MDA and adjusted IMA levels of the subjects with SAC (69.54 ± 7.71 µM and 0.74 ± 0.39 ABSU) were significantly higher than the control group (64.61 ± 5.89 µM and 0.57 ± 0.19 ABSU) (p = 0.002 and p = 0.025, respectively). There was no significant difference for serum Mg levels between the groups (p = 0.177). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated higher levels of oxidative stress parameters in patients with SAC compared to the control group, which imply a possible role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of SAC.

Evaluation of Platelet Indices in Lung Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to determine platelet indices such as platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), Plateletcrit (PCT) platelet count (PLT) in lung cancer cases, and evaluate any relationships between these parameters and stage or histologic types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study covered 44 lung cancer patients and 47 healthy subjects. Platelet indices including PLT, PCT, MPV, PDW were estimated and compared with normal subjects. The results were evaluated statistically. RESULTS: The PDW value was significantly higher in the cancer group compared to the control group; however, the values for PCT and MPV were lower. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest potential use of platelet indices in diagnosis of lung cancer.

Plasma vitamin D levels of patients with allergic rhino-conjunctivitis with positive skin prick test.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (ARC) and allergic rhinitis are inflammatory diseases that develop through immunoglobulin E in the rhino-ocular mucosa due to allergy. The main symptoms are runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchy nose, and conjunctivitis. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with ARC. STUDY DESIGN: This study was planned as a prospective and cross sectional study. This study was performed in a tertiary referral center. METHODS: This observational study involved 42 patients with ARC and 35 consecutive, age- and sex-matched healthy subjects. Patients in both groups underwent skin-prick test. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of all subjects were quantified with electrochemiluminescence technique. Results were compared between the groups and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Group one included 42 ARC patients (15 male, 27 female, ages between 12 and 43, average age 25.7 ± 8.6); group two included 35 healthy people (15 male, 20 female, ages between 12 and 44, average age 26.9 ± 9.1). Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of the subjects with ARC group (7.33 ± 3.61 ng/mL, standard error mean: 0.55, range 3.17-13.68 ng/mL) were significantly lower than the control group (13.37 ± 5.42 ng/mL, standard error mean: 0.91, range 6.84-25.92 ng/mL) (p = 0.010, Independent-Samples test). CONCLUSIONS: We found lower plasma vitamin D levels in patients with ARC when compared with the control group.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Ischemia-Modified Albumin Levels and Thyroid Hormone Levels.

BACKGROUND: A novel ischemia marker named ischemia modified albumin was previously considered as an early marker of myocardial ischemia, however due to recent reports, its contribution was demonstrated in different pathologies such as oxidative stress, diabetes, stroke and cancer. We aimed to investigate the relation between oxidative stress and thyroid dysfunctions determining IMA levels since IMA is closely related with increased oxidative stress. METHODS: A total of 88 individuals were participated in this study: 34 cases in hypothyroid, 27 cases in hyperthyroid and 27 cases in euthyroid group. Ischemia-modified albumin levels were measured by albumin cobalt binding test and thyroid hormone levels were determined with electrochemiluminescent method. RESULTS: Ischemia modified albumin levels were significantly decreased in hypothyroid group compared to hyperthyroid and euthyroid groups (p < 0.001). In hyperthyroid individuals ischemia modified albumin levels were higher compared to euthyroid ones (p < 0.001). Ischemia modified albumin was negatively correlated with TSH levels (r = -0.473, p < 0.001), and positively correlated with FT4 and FT3 levels (r = 0.496, p < 0.001 and r = 0.275, p = 0.010, respectively). CONCLUSION: We suggest that albumin adjusted IMA levels are significantly lower in hypothyroid group than hyperthyroid and euthyroid groups.