Serum omentin levels predicts mesenteric ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is an intestinal vascular disease with high mortality. Clinical diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia is difficult. Adipose tissue is an important mediator of metabolism and inflammation.Omentin is produced by visceral adipose tissue and decreased serum levels of omentin are associated with poor metabolic outcomes. We aimed to investigate whether serum omentin level predicts early diagnosis of AMI before development of transmural ischemia. METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats weighted about 200-250 gr grouped in 3 experimental groups as sham, transient ischemia and permanent ischemia. Each group consisted of 8 rats. Blood samples were evaluated to determine serum urea, creatinine, omentin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. A blinded histological examination performed with the same histologist for hemotoxileneosine painted ileal tissue samples. RESULTS: Mean serum omentin level in sham group (27.5±4.67) was significantly elevated compared to rats in Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) group (10.9±9.01).The difference reached the statistical significance (p=0.004). Serum omentin levels were not correlated to urea, creatinine or CRPlevels. CONCLUSION: Omentin levels may be a biochemical indicator to detect AMI. However, further human studies are needed (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 34).

Could red cell distribution width be a marker in Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

AIMS: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) is the most common autoimmune thyroiditis worldwide and characterized with lymphomonocytic inflammation of the thyroid gland. Red cell distribution width (RDW) reflects erythrocyte anisocytosis and besides it increases in iron deficiency anemia, recent studies reported that RDW was also associated with conditions characterized with overt or subclinical inflammation. We aimed to answer whether RDW increased in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. METHODS: Patients with HT admitted to outpatient clinic of our hospital were included to the study. Patients with anemia (especially iron deficiency), diabetes mellitus, chronic inflammatory disease and on medication that may affect hemogram results (e. g., aspirin) excluded from the study. Patient characteristics, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Free T3 (FT3), Free T4 (FT4), Anti-thyroid peroxidase (Anti-TPO), Anti-Thyroglobulin (Anti-TG), leukocyte count (WBC), Hemoglobin (Hb), Hematocrit (Htc), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), RDW and platelet count (PLT) values of the study cohort were obtained from computerized database of our institution. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between study and control groups in terms of WBC, Hb, Htc, MCV, PLT, PDW and FT3 levels. However, FT4 level was significantly lower and TSH was significantly higher in study group compared to controls. RDW was significantly increased in study group compared to control group. CONCLUSION: We suggest that elevated RDW values in patients without iron deficiency anemia may require further evaluation for HT, especially in female population.

Serum omentin-1 levels in diabetic and nondiabetic patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Omentin-1, a novel adipokine identified in visceral adipose tissue, is negatively correlated with different conditions such as diabetes, obesity and inflammation. However, changes in serum Omentin levels associated with the degree of the renal dysfunction and metabolic risk factors in CKD patients has not yet been revealed. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the level of Omentin-1 and related para-meters in diabetic and non-diabetic CKD patients. METHODS: 64 (30 diabetic, 34 non-diabetic) CKD patients and 27 healthy control subjects enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric and laboratory assessment performed and malnutrition and inflammation components evaluated. Serum concentrations of Omentin-1 and insulin were measured by using ELISA. RESULTS: Serum Omentin-1 levels in CKD patients were significantly lower compared to the healthy controls. Further analyze revealed that decreased omentin in CKD patients was due to the reduced omentin levels in the diabetic subgroup. An increase in inflammation and malnutrition components was correlated with a decrease in the serum level of Omentin. Omentin levels were lower in stage 2 and 3 CKD but not stage 4 CKD patients compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that diabetes mellitus and inflammation should be associated with lower omentin levels in CKD population; however, this reduction resolves due to the failure of degradation and excretion of omentin when creatinine clearance falls below 30 ml/min (stage 4 CKD).

Effects of the inflammatory response on serum omentin levels in early acute and chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Acute pancreatitis is an acute inflammation of the parenchyma of the pancreas. Several adipokines have been investigated in acute pancreatitis, and these cytokines contribute to inflammation in acute pancreatitis. However, not enough data exist regarding omentin in injuries of the pancreas. Because of a possible common pathogenesis, we aimed to study the association between pancreatic damage and serum omentin levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague Dowley rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly placed into three groups: a sham group (n=8), an acute pancreatitis group (n=8), and a chronic pancreatitis group (n=8). Both rats in the sham group underwent laparotomy, and 0.1 cc of saline solution was injected through the pancreatic canal. On the seventh day, a blood sample was obtained by abdominal aorta puncture, and the pancreas was resected for histological examination. In the acute and chronic pancreatitis groups, 0.1 cc of 4.5% Sodium Taurocholote was injected through the pancreatic canal. Blood samples were obtained and pancreatic resection was performed after 24 hours for the acute pancreatitis group and after 7 days for the chronic pancreatitis group. RESULTS: Serum omentin levels of rats with chronic pancreatitis (49.37±2.82 ng/ml) were increased compared to both acute pancreatitis (37.79±1.24 ng/ml) (p<0.01) and sham rats (22.49±1.4 ng/ml) (p<0.01). In addition, the omentin level of rats with acute pancreatitis was significantly increased compared to the sham group (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The elevation in omentin levels in rats in the early stage of pancreatitis was due to the anti-inflammatory effects of omentin; hence, elevated omentin levels improved insulin resistance and caused a significant reduction in glucose levels.

Treatment of iron deficiency anemia induces weight loss and improves metabolic parameters.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of iron deficiency anemia is oral iron replacement which has side effects mostly related with gastrointestinal system. A significant rate of the patients that discontinuing the treatment complained of weight gain during treatment in our clinical practise, despite, oral iron preparations are not known to have such a side effect in adults. Therefore, we planned to investigate this myth whether iron preparations cause an increase in weight, waist circumference, body mass index and laboratory metabolic parameters that may accompany to weight gain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one women admitted to our out-patient clinics with iron deficiency anemia were enrolled to the study. Waist circumference, body weight, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, hemogram and other laboratory parameters assessed and recorded at the first visit and repeated 4 to 6 moths after initiation of treatment. RESULTS: Waist circumference, body weight and BMI significantly reduced in patients after treatment compared to pre-treatment period. Moreover, HDL was increased and triglyceride was decreased significantly in after treatment compared to pre-treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that treatment of iron deficiency may improve not only haematological but also metabolic and anthropometric parameters. Due to the small study population of our cohort, larger prospective studies are needed to confirm our results.

Association between omentin levels and insulin resistance in pregnancy.

AIMS: Omentin is a new adipokine secreted mainly from visceral adipose tissue. Serum omentin is found to be reduced in patients with impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity and insulin resistant states. Despite the fact that pregnancy is also characterized with hyperinsulinemia, literature is lacking about data of omentin levels and its association with insulin resistance in pregnant women. We aimed to evaluate the association of omentin levels and insulin resistance in pregnant women and to compare these levels with those of non-pregnant, non-diabetic women. METHODS: Uncomplicated pregnant women who admit to our outpatient clinics for routine follow-up were included in the study group. Non-pregnant women without diabetes mellitus were served as control group. Fasting glucose, insulin, omentin levels and HOMA IR were recorded. SPSS 15.0 for Windows was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 36 pregnant women in the study group and 37 healthy, non-pregnant women in the control group. Serum omentin and fasting glucose levels were significantly decreased and fasting insulin was significantly increased in the study group compared to control group. CONCLUSION: Omentin might be an indicator of insulin resistance in pregnant women. Larger prospective studies are needed to claim whether omentin can have a clinical use for diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Platelet function in euthyroid patients undergoing thyroidectomy in women.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have reported several platelet abnormalities in patients with sub-clinical or overt thyroid dysfunctions. The primary mechanism that affects the hemostatic balance is excess or deficiency of thyroid hormones. The different ways of thyroid gland to the platelet function are not yet clearly understood. The relationship between in the thyroid gland and platelet activation without thyroid hormones has not been studied yet. AIM: The aim of our study is to determine the platelet function in euthyroid patients undergoing thyroidectomy in females. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study group includes 52 female euthyroid patients undergoing thyroidectomy. The control group consisted with 21 healthy euthyroid female. Platelet count (PC), platelet mass (PM), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) were measured. PM was calculated by multiplying MPV and PLT. RESULTS: MPV (8.4 ± 1.3 versus 7.9 ± 0.8) and PDW (17.8 ± 1 versus 17.6 ± 0.8) values were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid gland does not directly affect platelet activation. Accordingly, platelet abnormalities of thyroid disease can be considered to be independent of the underlying thyroid tissue. This finding suggests that association between thyroid diseases and platelet function is dependent on the status of thyroid hormones.

Mean platelet volume in nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: Many studies in literature point out that inflammation related to nasal polyp is mostly dependent on eosinophils and their inflammatory products. Beside eosinophils, platelets may have a role in nasal polyp development. Platelets are involved in haemostasis, tissue repairing and inflammation. However, to our knowledge, there are no reports in the literature that study the association between platelet parameters and nasal polyps. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with nasal polyps and forty-nine healthy controls were enrolled in the study, retrospectively. Laboratory data of patients with nasal polyp were obtained at the time of diagnosis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of white blood count, haemoglobin, haematocrit and platelet count. The mean platelet volume (MPV) value of the nasal polyp group was significantly lower than the control group (p = 0.025). Mean eosinophil count was significantly elevated in the nasal polyp group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction in MPV may be an indicator for nasal polyp formation. Further studies with a larger study population are needed to detect the possible correlation between eosinophil count and MPV values in patients with nasal polyps.

Co-existence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with familial Mediterranean fever: is there a pathophysiological association between the two diseases?

Familial Mediterranean fever is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by periodic attacks of fever and polyserositis, while Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. We suggest that common autoimmune mechanisms may underlie both disorders, describe their clinical co-existence in a patient, and discuss a possible causal link between them.