Evaluation of Event-Related Potentials in Somatic Diseases - Systematic Review.

Many somatic illnesses (e.g. hypertension, diabetes, pulmonary and cardiac diseases, hepatitis C, kidney and heart failure, HIV infection, Sjogren's disease) may impact central nervous system functions resulting in emotional, sensory, cognitive or even personality impairments. Event-related potential (ERP) methodology allows for monitoring neurocognitive processes and thus can provide a valuable window into these cognitive processes that are influenced, or brought about, by somatic disorders. The current review aims to present published studies on the relationships between somatic illness and brain function as assessed with ERP methodology, with the goal to discuss where this field of study is right now and suggest future directions.

Prognostic value of plasma secretoneurin concentration in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in one-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: This is the first study to examine the clinical utility of measuring plasma secretoneurin (SN) levels in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), as a predictor of unplanned hospitalization, and all-cause mortality independently, and as a composite endpoint at one-year follow-up. METHODS: The study group includes 124 caucasian patients in New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes II to IV. Plasma SN concentrations were statistically analyzed in relation to sex, age, BMI, etiology of HFrEF, pharmacotherapy, clinical, laboratory and echocardiographic parameters. Samples were collected within 24 h of admission to the hospital. KEY RESULTS: In the 12-month follow-up, high SN levels were noted for all three endpoints. CONCLUSIONS: SN positively correlates with HF severity measured by NYHA classes and proves to be a useful prognostic parameter in predicting unplanned hospitalizations and all-cause mortality among patients with HFrEF. Patients with high SN levels may benefit from systematic follow-up and may be candidates for more aggressive treatment.

Prognostic Value of Plasma Catestatin Concentration in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction in Two-Year Follow-Up.

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the prognostic value of measuring plasma catestatin (CST) concentration in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) as a predictor of unplanned hospitalization and all-cause death independently and as a composite endpoint at 2-year follow-up. The study group includes 122 hospitalized Caucasian patients in NYHA classes II to IV. Patients who died during the 24-month follow-up period (n = 44; 36%) were significantly older on the day of enrollment, were more likely to be in a higher NYHA class, had lower TAPSE, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and platelet count, higher concentrations of CST, NT-proBNP, troponin T, creatinine, and glucose, and higher red cell distribution width value and leukocyte and neutrocyte count than patients who survived the follow-up period. Plasma catestatin concentration increased with NYHA class (R = 0.58; p <0.001) and correlated significantly with blood NT-proBNP concentration (R = 0.44; p <0.001). We showed that higher plasma catestatin concentration increased the risk of all-cause death by more than five times. Plasma CST concentration is a valuable prognostic parameter in predicting death from all causes and unplanned hospitalization in patients with HFrEF.

Quality of Life of Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Prostatectomy and Affective Temperament.

Purpose: Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignancies in men. The population of PC survivors is growing, and understanding the roles of different factors that affect quality of life (QoL) is important. We investigated the effects of affective temperament on the QoL of PC patients. Patients and Methods: All subjects (n=100) underwent medical evaluation [including demographic data, medical history, physical examination, biochemical tests, and assessment of urinary incontinence (ICIQ-UI SF scale) and erectile dysfunction (ED) (IIEF-5 and subjective ED scale)] and psychological evaluation [including assessment of affective temperament using the TEMPS-A scale, depression and anxiety (using HADS), and QoL (EORTC-QLQ-C30 and EORTC-PR25)]. The relationships between individual variables were examined. Results: Erection quality after treatment was associated with better QoL in most parameters. Similar strong relationships were observed between the urinary incontinence scale and QoL. Depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious temperaments were associated with decreased QoL. On the EORTC-PR25 scale, associations were observed between a depressive temperament and worse sexual function and urinary symptoms, between a cyclothymic temperament and worse urinary symptoms, and between an irritable temperament and worse sexual functioning. Multivariate analysis identified the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms measured by HADS as the most important psychological factors affecting QoL. Conclusion: QoL in PC survivors depends on many factors, including age, interval since diagnosis, tumor stage, treatment, complications, and affective temperament profile. Depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious temperaments were associated with poorer QoL in selected domains, which was not observed for a hyperthymic temperament. The temperament profile of patients was associated with mood and anxiety level, which were important determinants of a poorer QoL.

Consequences of diabetes and pre-diabetes and the role of biochemical parameters of carbohydrate metabolism for the functioning of the prefrontal cortex in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: The role of executive functions (EF) is to maintain particular behaviours in order to achieve intended goals. EF are crucial in management of pre-diabetes, diabetes and obesity which are grievous diseases and can lead to severe complications. The aims of our study were to: assess EF in group of obese subject with carbohydrate disorders, evaluate whether biochemical factors and comorbidities related to metabolic disorders have adverse effect on EF in this group of patients. METHODS: The study included 185 obese patients (146 women; 39 men) who were divided on three groups: pre-diabetic, diabetic and control subgroup. Patient underwent Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) to evaluate EF. Assessed biochemical factors included C-peptide, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). RESULTS: Diabetic patients showed the worst WCST scores among the rest of groups. Pre-diabetic individuals did not differ in EF performance from control subgroup. We observed significant correlations between FPG and HbA1c and worse WCST scores in pre-diabetic subgroup. In diabetic patients C-peptide correlated with poorer EF. Depressive symptoms and hypertension significantly correlated with non-perseverative errors in WCST. CONCLUSIONS: The subgroup of diabetic patients were the most obese and had the worst glycemia parameters. They also showed the worst EF in WCST. According to obtained results, hyperglycemia positively correlated with poor EF in pre-diabetes. However, in diabetic subjects cognitive deterioration may results from insulin resistance rather than hyperglycemia. In obese individuals with carbohydrate disorders both hypertension and depressive symptoms significantly contributed to EF dysfunction.

Prostate-Specific Antigen and Testosterone Levels as Biochemical Indicators of Cognitive Function in Prostate Cancer Survivors and the Role of Diabetes.

Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignancies in men. The increase in the number of PC survivors is associated with many problems including cognitive impairment. Early detection of such problems facilitates timely protective intervention. This study examined the association between prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or testosterone (T) levels and cognitive function in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy. Such a correlation could help identify patient groups at risk of cognitive impairment. Participants underwent clinical (demographic data, medical history, physical examination, and blood analyses) and neuropsychological assessment (cognitive test battery). Preoperative PSA or T levels were not associated with cognitive function. However, long-term follow-up after prostatectomy showed a strong correlation between PSA levels and the results of verbal memory and executive function tests. A trend toward significance was also observed for visuospatial memory. The levels of free T and total T were not correlated with cognitive function. Only the levels of free T after hormonal treatment were significantly correlated with executive functions. Comorbid diabetes affected these correlations. In conclusion, PSA levels at a distant postoperative time and free T level after hormonal treatment may be biomarkers of cognitive function.

Affective Temperament and Glycemic Control - The Psychological Aspect of Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus.

PURPOSE: Affective temperament shows innate predisposition to affective disorders and has been studied in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Studies describing connections between depressive disorders, obesity and T2DM, show a bidirectional way in which these disorders affect each other. Given that obesity, depression, and T2DM are still growing health problems of our times, the improvement of therapeutic strategies is required. The aim of our study was to evaluate affective temperament in obese individuals with T2DM and pre-diabetes and to investigate the correlations between affective temperaments and glycemic control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 185 obese individuals (146 females; 39 males) who were diagnosed with pre-diabetes, diabetes or without any carbohydrate disorder. For affective temperament evaluation, Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) was utilized; for glycemic control, the assessment of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was performed. RESULTS: We did not observe any significant differences of affective temperament between studied groups. In the group of patients with diabetes, depressive, cyclothymic and anxious temperaments positively correlated with HbA1c values indicating worse glycemic control. Inversly, hyperthymic dimension showed negative correlation with HbA1c values. CONCLUSION: Affective temperaments may affect glycemic control in obese individuals with carbohydrate disorders. Individuals with stronger expression of cyclothymic, depressive and anxious temperaments may need more medical aid for better self-management. Hence, TEMPS-A is an easy and useful tool which may significantly improve the compliance in obese patients with carbohydrate disorders.

Neurochemical Changes in the Brain and Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Clinically Isolated Syndrome.

To assess cognitive impairment and affective symptoms and their association with damage to normal-appearing white matter (NAWM) in patients with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), we compared neuropsychological test scores between patients with CIS and healthy controls and examined correlations between these and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) outcomes in patients with CIS. Forty patients with CIS and 40 healthy participants were tested with a set of neuropsychological tests, which included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Single-voxel 1H-MRS was performed on frontal and parietal NAWM of patients with CIS to assess ratios of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) to creatine (Cr), myo-inositol (mI), and choline (Cho), as well as mI/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios. Patients with CIS had lower cognitive performance and higher scores for the BDI and anxiety subscale of HADS than healthy controls. There were significant correlations between the following neuropsychological tests and metabolic ratios in the frontal NAWM: Stroop Color-Word Test and Cho/Cr, Symbol Digit Modalities Test and mI/Cr, as well as NAA/mI, Go/no-go reaction time, and NAA/Cho, as well as NAA/mI, Californian Verbal Learning Test, and NAA/Cr. BDI scores were related to frontal NAA/mI and parietal NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios, whereas HADS-depression scores were associated with frontal NAA/Cr and NAA/mI and parietal NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios. HADS-anxiety correlated with parietal NAA/Cr ratio. This study suggests that neurochemical changes in the NAWM assessed with single-voxel 1H-MRS are associated with cognitive performance and affective symptoms in patients with CIS.

Biochemical Parameters in Cognitive Functions.

Cognitive impairment is a common disease. Many studies attempt to explain the mechanisms of these dysfunctions formation, including correlations between cognitive functions and biochemical parameters. Scientists search for substances that would be indicators of cognitive functions and which could be determined in the cerebrospinal fluid or blood of the subjects. To date, they have isolated a few of such substances; however, research on their specificity, validity and the possibility of their use in diagnostics and prognostic assessment is still ongoing. However, there have been only few reports in the literature systematizing the existing knowledge on this subject, and they are mostly related to Alzheimer's disease, not cognition in general, or referring only to a specific group of substances. This article discusses the most important biochemical exponents of cognitive functions.

Affective Temperament is Associated with Stress Coping Strategies and Work Stress Perception Among Polish Bank Employees.

BACKGROUND: Stress in the banking workplace is associated with psychological and health problems. Intensity of work-related stress experiences is associated with specificity of job stress factors personal features such as affective temperament. The aim of the study was to evaluate associations between affective temperament, coping stress strategies, and perceived job stress in bank employees. METHODS: Subjects were 209 bank workers aged 22-55 years (n = 101 managers and 108 non-managers). Affective temperament and stress coping strategies were evaluated using the Temperament Evaluation of Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS), respectively. Both questionnaires, TEMPS-A and CISS, show good internal consistency and are proper research methods in the bank employee group. Perceived job-related stress was rated for different sources of job stress common among bank workers. RESULTS: Depressive temperament was negatively associated with coping style focused on avoidance, and with job stress regarding "responsibility for decisions regarding other people" and "frequent trips." Irritable temperament was positively correlated with coping style focused on task and job stress regarding "frequent trips." Cyclothymic temperament was positively correlated with job stress regarding "direct work with money" and "organizational conditions of work." Multidimensional linear regression showed that irritable and anxious temperaments were associated with coping style focused on task; depressive temperament was associated with coping style focused on avoidance; and cyclothymic temperament was associated with intensity of job stress. The results obtained indicate different levels of job-related stress associated with different sources in bank employees, working with managers and non-managers positions. Affective temperament was associated with stress coping strategies and intensity of perceived job stress. On the basis of affective temperament dimensions it is possible to predict stress coping styles and work-related stress perception in bank employees. CONCLUSION: Affective temperament traits measured by TEMPS-A were associated with stress coping strategies and intensity of work stress perception in Polish bank employees.

Cognitive function, depression, and anxiety in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with and without adjuvant treatment.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in developed countries. Both PC and treatment for PC have an adverse impact on physical and mental well-being, and are associated with decreased quality of life. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between neuropsychological symptoms and clinical course in PC patients undergoing radical prostatectomy with or without adjunct therapy. METHODS: The cohort comprised 100 patients aged 50-77 years who underwent radical, laparoscopic prostatectomy for PC. Twenty-three patients with a more advanced clinical stage also received adjuvant therapy (radiotherapy and hormonotherapy). Clinical evaluation included self-report assessment, physical examination, and biochemical tests (testosterone and prostate-specific antigen). In addition, the presence and intensity of sexual dysfunction, urinary dysfunction, anxiety-depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction were assessed. RESULTS: The group of patients undergoing complex therapy was characterized by a significantly worse result of deferred memory (p=0.04). A significant correlation was found between post-surgery erectile function and scores for the visual working memory test (correct answers; VWMT-C; p=0.006) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale depression (p=0.045) and anxiety scores (p=0.02). A trend toward significance was also observed for simple reaction time (correct answers; p=0.09). A significant correlation was found between results for the delayed verbal memory test and all physical symptoms (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-total, p=0.02; International Index of Erectile Function-5, p=0.006). Similarly, a significant correlation was found between the VWMT-C and score for sexual dysfunction (p=0.003). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing both surgical and adjunct therapy for PC are at risk for psychological burden and cognitive disorders. In the present cohort, physical complications of therapy were associated with depression, anxiety, and delayed memory dysfunction. Furthermore, this study has proven that fewer complications after surgery are associated with better psychological and cognitive functioning. Appropriate neuropsychological and psychiatric care can improve compliance and quality of life among patients after prostatectomy.

The Association Between Affective Temperament Traits and Dopamine Genes in Obese Population.

Studies indicate the heritable nature of affective temperament, which shows personality traits predisposing to the development of mental disorders. Dopaminergic gene polymorphisms such as DRD4, COMTVal158Met, and DAT1 have been linked to affective disorders in obesity. Due to possible correlation between the aforementioned polymorphisms and the affective temperament, the aim of our research was to investigate this connection in an obese population. The study enrolled 245 obese patients (178 females; 67 males). The affective temperament was assessed using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). Genetic polymorphisms of DAT1, COMTVal158Met and DRD4 were collected from peripheral blood sample and determined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Only in COMT polymorphisms, the cyclothymic and irritable dimensions were significantly associated with Met/Val carriers (p = 0.04; p = 0.01). Another interesting finding was the correlation between the affective temperament and age in men and women. We assume that dopamine transmission in heterozygotes of COMT may determine the role of the affective temperament in obese persons. Dopaminergic transmission modulated by COMT may be responsible for a greater temperament expression in obese individuals. To our knowledge, this is the first study describing the role of affective temperament in the obese population, but more research is needed in this regard.

Dopaminergic Genes Polymorphisms and Prefrontal Cortex Efficiency Among Obese People - Whether Gender is a Differentiating Factor?

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic condition associated with poorer cognitive functioning. Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) is a useful tool for evaluating executive functions. In this study, we assessed the association between dopaminergic gene polymorphisms: DAT1 (SLC6A3), COMTVal158Met, DRD4 (48-bp variable number of tandem repeats - VNTR) and WCST parameters to investigate the functions of the frontal lobes in obese individuals. OBJECTIVE: To find the significant correlations between polymorphisms of DAT1, COMTVal158Met, DRD4 and executive functions in obese subjects. METHODS: The analysis of the frequency of individual alleles was performed in 248 obese patients (179 women, 69 men). Evaluation of the prefrontal cortex function (operating memory and executive functions) was measured with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Separate analyzes were performed in age subgroups to determine different activities and regulation of genes in younger and older participants. RESULTS: Scores of WCST parameters were different in the subgroups of women and men and in the age subgroups. Regarding the COMT gene, patients with A/A and G/A polymorphisms showed significantly better WCST results in WCST_P, WCST_CC and WCST_1st. Regarding DAT1 men with L/L and L/S made less non-perseverative errors, which was statistically significant. In DRD4, significantly better WCST_1st results were found only in older women with S allele. CONCLUSION: Obtained results indicate the involvement of dopaminergic transmission in the regulation of prefrontal cortex function. Data analysis indicates that prefrontal cortex function may ensue, from different elements such as genetic factors, metabolic aspects of obesity, and hormonal activity (estrogen).

Affective temperament in inflammatory bowel diseases: Another brick in the wall of differentiation.

Psychiatric disorders are significantly common complications among patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Affective temperament is a concept of core personality traits, which can decribe the vulnerability to mood disorders, therefore its evaluation might convey useful information about patients' mental status in autoimmune disorders. The aim of the study was to evaluate the affective temperament in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) as characteristic features of these diseases, but also in the clinical course and the severity of anxiety and depression.Due to our knowledge this is the first study of this kind. The study enrolled 130 patients with IBD, including 68 with CD and 62 with UC. We used TEMPS-A to evaluate affective temperament and HADS scales to assess the intensity of depressive and anxiety symptoms. Harvey Bradshaw scale, Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Mayo Score were used to evaluate clinical severity of the diseases. We observed significantly higher prevalence of depressive, cyclothymic and anxiety temperaments in CD patients compared to the control group. Harvey Bradshaw scale, CDAI and Mayo Self Report showed statistically significant outcomes, including significant positive correlations with depressive, cyclothymic and anxiety subscales of TEMPS-A, and negative correlation with the hyperthymic temperament in CD subjects. Our findings indicate significant differences between CD and UC due to temperament traits, and suggest distinct pathogenesis of mood disorders in IBD.

Association between COMT Val158Met and DAT1 polymorphisms and depressive symptoms in the obese population.

OBJECTIVES: Depressive symptoms are common among patients with obesity. Abnormalities in dopamine signaling involved in the reward circuit may ensue excessive consumption of food, resulting in obesity and leading to neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. This study sought to investigate the association of polymorphisms in the genes encoding DAT1/SLC6A3 and COMT with the intensity of depressive symptoms in obese subjects. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms were assessed in a group of 364 obese patients using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Genetic polymorphisms in DAT1 and COMT were evaluated in peripheral blood samples. RESULTS: The results indicated an association between DAT1 alleles and depressive symptoms, as well as severity of obesity. Subjects homozygous for the nine-repeat allele scored higher in BDI (P=0.022) and HDRS (P=0.00001), suggesting higher intensity of depression in both sexes. This allele was also associated with the highest body mass index (BMI; P=0.001). Carriers of the Val158Met allele of COMT scored higher on both depression scales (BDI, P=0.0005; HRDS, P=0.002) and had the highest BMI values. CONCLUSION: Polymorphisms in the DAT1 and COMT genes are associated with a greater intensity of depressive symptoms in the obese population.

Links between parameters of long-term latent memory and progression from paroxysmal to permanent atrial fibrillation during a five-year observation period. A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: As cognitive function is the most vulnerable human feature, its impairment may precede the occurrence of symptoms of cardiovascular system disorders, e.g. atrial fibrillation (AF). In this way, cognitive impairment may not only be a complication of AF, but also a marker of its progression. This study aims to test this hypothesis. METHODS: Of 35 patients with AF, 23 (66%) had paroxysmal and 12 (34%) had permanent arrhythmia at the start of the study. At both the start of the study and after 5.86 ± 3.7-7.05 years of follow-up, the following neuropsychological tests were performed using the Beck Depression Inventory, Parts A and B of the Trail Making Test, eight trials from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), and the Stroop test. RESULTS: Patients who maintained paroxysmal AF for the whole study observation period (n = 10) had a significantly greater score in the sixth (A6) and seventh (A7) RAVLT trials (pertaining to parameters of long-term latent memory) at the start of the study. An association between lower RAVLT A6 and A7 trial scores and the risk of paroxysmal arrhythmia progression to permanent AF was confirmed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A better long-term latent memory RAVLT score was associated with a favourable prognosis of sinus rhythm maintenance. Cognitive impairment should be investigated in patients with AF for the purpose of evaluating the patient's prognosis, subclinical injury to the cardiovascular system, and the ability to comply with treatment.

Neuroimaging and genetic correlates of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.

Cognitive impairment occurs in 40-70% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is observed even at the early stage of disease, including clinically isolated syndrome (CIS). Cognitive dysfunction develops irrespectively of the physical disability. Affected domains include: information processing speed, visuospatial abilities, attention, verbal memory and executive functions. Cognitive deficits have relevant implication because of their impact on daily living, quality of life and increased risk of conversion from CIS to MS. In the recent years the issue of cognitive impairment in MS became an important research problem. The fundamental aim is to understand the neurobiological substrates of these mental symptoms. As we know neurodegenerative process associated with the disease, pathology of cerebral cortex and damage to the normal appearing brain tissue are potentially involved in the development of cognitive symptoms. Better assessment of these cerebral changes is possible through the improvement of magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Influence of genetic profile on the course of MS, including cognitive dysfunction, is still under evaluation. Despite using the new neuroimaging methods, the substrate of cognitive impairment in MS has not been clearly defined so far. Understanding the mechanisms underlying cognitive symptoms may extend our knowledge of the pathophysiology of the disease and also contribute to the development of new strategies and objectives for treatment. This paper provides a summary of the results obtained from the application of conventional and modern magnetic resonance imaging techniques to assess structural pathologies occurring in MS as well as genetic factors and their association with cognitive dysfunction.

Visfatin concentrations in obese patients in relation to the presence of newly diagnosed glucose metabolism disorders.

INTRODUCTION: Visfatin, protein secreted by visceral adipose tissue, exerts insulin-mimetic actions. Visfatin concentration increases in patients with longer-standing diabetes type 2 with progressive b-cell dysfunction. Data about the role of visfatin in newly diagnosed glucose metabolism abnormalities are limited. Evaluation of visfatin concentration in patients with obesity, in relation to the presence of newly diagnosed glucose metabolism disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 68 subjects with obesity, without a previous diagnosis of abnormal glucose metabolism. In all subjects we performed an oral glucose tolerance test, and according to the results the group was divided into the subgroups: A (n = 31), with glucose metabolism disorders (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes); and B (n = 37), without abnormalities. In all subjects serum lipids, uric acid, C-peptide, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), creatinine, and serum visfatin concentrations were measured. The control group comprised 30 lean, healthy individuals with normal glucose tolerance. RESULTS: We found elevated visfatin levels in obese individuals versus the control group (50.0 ± 48 vs. 26.7 ± 22.1 ng/mL; p = 0.01). Visfatin concentrations in both subgroups, A and B, did not differ (40.86 ± 27.84 vs. 57.7 ± 59.79 ng/mL; p = 0.19). In subgroup A visfatin concentration correlated significantly with triglycerides (r = 0.37, p = 0.038), HbA1c (r = -0.43, p = 0.02), C-peptide (r = -0.38,p = 0.048), and waist-hip ratio (r = -0.41, p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of newly diagnosed glucose metabolism abnormalities in obese subjects had no influence on the visfatin level, probably due to preserved endogenous insulin secretion and relatively short exposure to hyperglycaemia in patients with prediabetes or at early stage of type 2 diabetes.

The polymorphisms in serotonin-related genes (5-HT2A and SERT) and the prevalence of depressive symptoms in obese patients.

As overweight and obesity are a growing problem in industrialized societies, they become a main focus of many studies. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between the occurrence of polymorphisms in serotonin-related genes and the prevalence of depressive symptoms in obese patients. Two polymorphisms were tested: a 44-bp insertion/deletion in the serotonin transporter (SERT) gene and a single-nucleotide variation (1438G/A) in the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A) gene. The study involved 180 patients (41 men; 139 women) previously diagnosed as obese. All patients were subjected to clinical, biochemical, and neuropsychological evaluation and genotyping. Amplification of the gene fragments was obtained by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Products of the genotyping were separated via electrophoresis. The intensity of depressive symptoms was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D). Clinically relevant depressive symptoms were diagnosed in 39% of subjects. The lowest intensities of depressive symptoms were ascertained in the group with the least advanced obesity, but this trend was statistically insignificant. Small differences were observed in obesity indicators among three groups of patients with various genotypes of the SERT gene, but these differences were also statistically insignificant. Furthermore, in the context of the intensity of depressive symptoms, no significant associations were observed in these two groups. Furthermore, no statistically significant differences were observed among specific obesity parameters and intensity of depressive symptoms as a function of the 5-HT2A gene polymorphism. To conclude, depressive symptoms were prevalent in obese participants: 39% of subjects experienced symptoms of clinical relevance. However, no significant associations were observed between 5-HT2A and SERT gene polymorphisms and depressive symptoms in this study group.