A new inflammatory marker in overweight patients: triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1.

BACKGROUND: Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) is secreted by phagocytes in adipose tissue and it also upregulates the expression of genes involved in the inflammatory response and atherosclerotic conditions. This study was aimed to investigate the serum TREM-1 levels in overweight patients. METHODS: Twenty-eight subjects in the overweight group (OG) and 20 age-matched healthy subjects in the control group (CG) (BMI 27.6±1.2 vs 23.1±2.17 kg/m2, respectively, p<0.001) were included in the study. The serum sTREM-1 level was measured by ELISA. The homeostasis model assessment score (HOMA-IR) was also calculated. RESULTS: The mean TREM-1 levels were significantly higher in OG than in CG (407.3±323.7 vs 150.3±152.7 pg/mL, respectively, p<0.001). The HOMA-IR score was also significantly higher in OG than in CG (3.42±3.63 vs 2.77±1.61, respectively). A positive correlation was detected between TREM-1 and BMI (r=0.318, p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: This study mainly demonstrated that a high serum TREM-1 level might be an early inflammatory marker in overweight patients. We found that TREM-1 might be associated with BMI in overweight patients regardless of insulin resistance (Tab. 1, Ref. 21). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Serum nesfatin-1 levels in overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism.

AIM: Nesfatin-1 was recently discovered anorexigenic peptide in the brain which is derived from nucleobindin-2. Central and peripheral administration of nesfatin-1, inhibits food intake, dose-dependently. Hyperthyroid patients have increased appetite and food intake with a craving for carbohydrate-rich food, at the beginning of disease, but the physiological mechanisms underlying this behavior is not known exactly. In this study, we investigated whether nesfatin-1 is involved in the regulation of appetite and body weight in hyperthyroidism, or not. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with subclinical (35) and overt hyperthyroidism (35) compared with 35 control patients. Serum nesfatin-1 level was measured from all samples by commercial ELISA kit. RESULTS: Serum nesfatin-1 levels were similar between three groups (P=0.293). After adjusting for age and body mass index, nesfatin-1 levels in control group was not different from subclinical and overt hyperthyroid group, respectively (P=0.567 and P=0.519). CONCLUSION: These data showed that serum nesfatin-1 levels do not significant change in overt and subclinical hyperthyroidism.

Relationship of vaspin and apelin levels with insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in metabolic syndrome.

AIMS: We aimed to investigate, circulating vaspin, apelin-12 and apelin-36 levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and also to search for the association of vaspin and apelin levels with insulin resistance (IR), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (HsCRP), Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) and cardiovascular risk factors. METHODS: In this observational case-control study, a total of forty one patients with MetS (30 women and 11 men mean age, 41.3±9.4 years) and thirty nine healthy comparison subjects (27 women and 12 men; mean age, 38.4±6.1 years) were enrolled. Serum HsCRP, lipid profile, insulin levels and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were evaluated. Apelin-12, apelin-36 and vaspin serum levels were measured via ELISA. High-resolution B-mode ultrasonography was performed. RESULTS: The two study groups did not differ as to age, sex, blood pressure, smoking history. Vaspin, apelin-12 and apelin-36 levels were significantly elevated in patients with MetS when compared with that of control subjects (P<0.001). Serum vaspin levels showed a statistically significant association with CIMT (r=0.365, P<0.001) and HsCRP (r=0.316, P<0.01) levels, whereas both serum apelin-12 and 36 levels were positively correlated with HOMA-IR (r=0.344/0.462 P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of this study, Serum vaspin and apelin levels were found significantly higher in patients with MetS than age-matched control subjects and significantly associated with coronary atherosclerosis. These adipocytokines might play a part in the pathogenesis of MetS. Also serum Apelin levels can be used as specific markers for insulin sensitivity in patients with MetS.

Oxidative stress markers are not valuable markers in lean and early age of polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

BACKGROUND: Early atherosclerosis and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been reported in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Oxidative stress is an accepted risk factor for the development of CVD. AIM: To evaluate the association between oxidative stress markers [ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS) levels], carotid intima- media thickness (CIMT), endocrine and metabolic parameters in patients with PCOS. MATERIALS, SUBJECTS, AND METHODS: We studied 52 patients with PCOS and 36 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. The diagnosis of PCOS was made according to the Rotterdam criteria. Metabolic, hormonal parameter and IMA, TAS, TOS levels were measured. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was determined in relation to age, BMI and waist-hip ratio, IMA, TAS, and TOS levels between groups. Mean IMA level was higher in PCOS patients, however, statistical significant difference was not observed. Mean CIMT and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance levels were significantly higher in patients with PCOS than in control subjects. CONCLUSION: Our study has shown that although CIMT levels, showing CVD risk, were higher in PCOS patients, TAS and TOS oxidative stress markers were found to be similar between groups, IMA was higher in PCOS patients however the difference was not reach statistical significant. The present results suggest that CIMT increases before the state of ischemia and shows preischemic state of vasculature, while oxidative stress markers are considered to be indicators of ischemia and reperfusion injury in progressive vascular disease. Further studies are needed to show the association between oxidative stress markers, CVD and PCOS.