Plasma GDF-15 levels and their association with hormonal and metabolic status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome aged 25-35.

AIM: We aimed to determine plasma levels of growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 and their possible association with hormonal and metabolic status as well as echocardiographic profiles and carotid artery intima-media thickness (CAIMT) measurements in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Forty-two obese PCOS women aged 25-35 years, 23 women with idiopathic hirsutism and 20 healthy controls matched for age and body mass index were enrolled. Anthropometric, metabolic and hormonal patterns, plasma GDF-15 concentrations, CAIMT, and conventional echocardiographic parameters were measured. RESULTS: Metabolic/lipid profiles as well as GDF-15 levels were similar across the three groups. CAIMT tended to be higher in PCOS group but did not reach statistical significance. No between-group differences were found in the conventional echocardiographic parameters. Analysis of PCOS patients showed a significant correlation of GDF-15 concentrations with age and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index (r=0.319, P<0.05, and r=0.312, P<0.05, respectively). In multiple linear regression analyses, GDF-15 was significantly associated with age (r2=0.102, P<0.05), and HOMA index (r2=0.10, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Plasma GDF-15 levels, CAIMT and conventional echocardiographic parameters in obese subjects with PCOS (25-35 yrs old) were comparable to those in either subjects with idiopathic hirsutism or healthy controls with similar anthropometric and metabolic profiles, suggesting that PCOS alone could not impart an early and higher risk independent of associated risk factors. GDF-15 might provide a link between future diabetes and cardiovascular risk in PCOS women.

The comparison of pleural fluid TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels with ADA in tuberculous pleural effusion.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic value of pleural fluid TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels in tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and compare with that of ADA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 70 patients were enrolled in the study. Fourteen patients had TPE, 19 patients malignant pleural effusion (MPE), 18 patients complicated parapneumonic effusion (PPE) and 19 patients had transudative pleural effusion. RESULTS: The pleural fluid TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in TPE than MPE and transudates. There was no significant difference in pleural fluid IL-10 levels between groups. Among exudative effusions, TNF-alpha was significantly higher in tuberculous group, while there was no difference in IL-10 levels between tuberculous and nontuberculous group. The pleural fluid ADA levels were significantly higher in TPE than other groups. ROC analysis was performed and the optimal cut-off points of TNF-alpha and ADA were 13.3 pg/mL and 41.5 U/L, respectively. The sensitivity of TNF-alpha was 71% and specificity was 66% in the diagnosis of TPE. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of ADA was 78% and 86% respectively. CONCLUSION: TNF- alpha is a useful marker in the diagnosis of TPE and IL-10 has no diagnostic value. However, the sensitivity and specificity of TNF-alpha is lower than that of ADA.