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.

How much apoptosis does carbon monoxide poisoning cause? Primary clinical soluble TWEAK protein level study.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an important cause of deaths via poisoning. CO poisoning causes inhibition of O2 transport and development of tissue hypoxia, which then causes cell apoptosis. A significant indicator of cell apoptosis, soluble tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) protein, is important for the stimulation of apoptosis. The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether apoptosis occurs during acute CO poisoning and to show that sTWEAK protein is an indicator of apoptosis that can be analyzed as a marker in the peripheral blood sample. The secondary aim is to determine the diagnostic and prognostic values of sTWEAK protein. The study was performed prospectively on 43 patients with CO poisoning and 30 healthy volunteer control individuals. The anamneses were taken from all patients, who also underwent physical examination. Complete blood count, biochemical markers, cardiac enzymes, and arterial blood gas measurements were analyzed. All the patients' sTWEAK protein levels were also analyzed. The sTWEAK protein level of patients with CO poisoning was 2278 pg/mL (1197-7234), while the level of the control group was 1609 pg/mL (310-3721). The patients' sTWEAK levels were significantly higher than the controls (area under the curve: 0.77 (0.66-0.89); p < 0.001), and the cutoff value was determined as 1895.50 pg/mL. The cutoff level had a sensitivity of 74.4%, a specificity of 76.7%, a positive predictive value of 82.0%, and a negative predictive value of 67.6%. sTWEAK is a significant indicator of apoptosis in CO poisoning that can be analyzed in the peripheral blood. However, further clinical trials are needed in terms of prognostic criteria.