Evaluation of The Effects of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Fruits on the Puberty of Rats

Objective: This study was planned to determine the effects of carob use on puberty because of the observation of early puberty or pubertal variants due to the long-term use of carob in our clinic. Methods: Forty-eight Wistar albino rats, on postnatal day 21, were assigned into two groups female (n=24) and male (n=24). Groups were divided into four groups Control, and Carob-150, Carob-300, and Carob-600. Ceratonia siliqua L. extract was given to rats in a 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solution. CMC (0.5%) was given to the control, Ceratonia siliqua L. extract was given 150 mg/kg/day to the Carob-150, 300 mg/kg/day to the Carob-300, 600 mg/kg/day to the Carob-600 by oral gavage. The treatments were performed once daily until the first sign of puberty. Serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, total testosterone, leptin, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde were measured by commercial rat-specific ELISA kits. Testis, uterus and ovarian tissue were examined histologically. Results: The median time of preputial separation in male rats was 38th, 31st, 31st, and 31st days in the Control, Carob-150, Carob-300, and Carob-600 groups, respectively (p=0.004). The median day of vaginal opening day was the 39th, 31st, 34th, and 31st days in the Control, Carob-150, Carob-300, and Carob-600 groups, respectively (p=0.059). FSH, LH, testosterone (male), estradiol (female) and leptin levels of the groups were similar. However, GPx levels were higher in male and female animals given C. siliqua extract compared to the Control (male p=0.001 and female p=0.008). Testicular and ovarian tissues were concordant with the pubertal period in all groups. As the dose of Ceratonia siliqua extract increased, it induced spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, causing abnormal changes, such as ondulation in the basement membrane, capillary dilatation, and increased congestion in males. In females, edema in the medulla gradually increased with increased dosage, and granulosa cell connections were separated in Carob-300 and Carob-600 groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that C. siliqua caused early puberty and increased spermiogenesis and folliculogenesis. Antioxidant mechanisms were impaired with increasing dose, possibly leading to tissue damage at high doses.

Growth patterns of large, small, and appropriate for gestational age infants: impacts of long-term breastfeeding: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In several studies, since high and low birth weights are demonstrated as associated with obesity in childhood, these values should be followed up and documented carefully. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective cohort study is to demonstrate the variation on body mass index outcomes of large (LGA), small (SGA), appropriate (AGA) for gestational age infants from birth to the end of fourth year of age and the effects of breastfeeding duration on these outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four hundred and seven infants were recruited in the study (304AGA, 85 LGA, 18 SGA infants). LGA was frequent in boys and SGA in girls (p = 0.001). The mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus did have LGA infants (10.0% vs. 3.3%) (p = 0.022). The SGA infants performed rapid catch-up growth in the second month while the LGA infants performed catch-down growth in the ninth month. After the first 4 months, there was no difference on the values of BMI depending on breastfeeding time, less or more than 4 months, on the basis of the AGA and LGA infants. However, the body mass index (BMI) of LGA infants breastfed more than 12 months were not different from the AGA; unless the breastfeeding ceased earlier, the means of BMI remained significantly higher until 3 years. CONCLUSION: Consequently, long duration of breastfeeding might protect LGA infants from childhood obesity risk.

Factors affecting the timing of teething in healthy Turkish infants: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Teething is a developmental process and occurs over a broad chronological age range. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feeding pattern and growth parameters on teething time of healthy infants. METHODS: A total of 1200 term newborn infants followed up in Gazi University well-child clinic infants were evaluated, and their growth parameters, feeding patterns, and timing of the eruption of the first tooth were noted. The routine visit times of the clinic were chosen as the cut-off values for teeth eruption for logistic regression analysis for investigating factors that determine the timing of teeth eruption. RESULTS: Timing of the eruption of the first tooth ranged from 4 to 13 months. On the sixth month visit, 24.3%, and on the ninth month visit 84.5% of all infants had at least one tooth. Height-adjusted weight and height percentiles being less than 50, being fed by cow's milk or by formula in the first year, were independent factors negatively influencing teeth eruption by the sixth month, while all but height-adjusted weight percentiles being less than 50 had negative impact on tooth eruption by the ninth month. CONCLUSION: Growth parameters and feeding pattern may be determinants of the timing of teeth eruption in healthy infants.

Role of hemoglobin A(1c), duration and puberty on bone mineral density in diabetic children.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present was to determine bone mineral density (BMD) in type 1 diabetic children and the roles of hemoglobin A(1c), disease duration and pubertal stage on BMD changes. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were investigated: 16 had been newly diagnosed (Diabetes(New)) and 42 were already on follow up (Diabetes(Follow up)). BMD of the lumbar vertebrae, HbA1c(HbA1c(last)), Ca, P, Mg were measured. Mean HbA1c of the previous year (HbA1c(1year)), the whole duration of diabetes (HbA1c(whole)), and diabetic impact index (HbA1c(whole) x diabetes duration) were calculated in the Diabetes(Follow up) group. RESULTS: Mean BMD-Z score (-0.61 +/- 0.99 g/cm(2)) of the whole group was significantly lower than zero. Osteopenia was present in 14 (24.1%), and osteoporosis in three (5.2%). HbA1c(whole) was the most important determinant effecting BMD-Z (r = -0.35, P < 0.05) with the cut-off for osteopenia and osteoporosis being 9.8% and 12.1%, respectively. The cut-off of diabetes duration for osteopenia was 3.6 years and it was more predictive for osteopenia compared to HbA1c(whole). In the Diabetes(New) group, the BMD-Z score of the early pubertal group was significantly lower than those in other pubertal groups. CONCLUSION: BMD is affected in diabetic children, and HbA1c(whole) and diabetes duration are the most important determinants. Pubertal stage is another determinant of BMD, especially in newly diagnosed patients.

Serum leptin, oxidized low density lipoprotein and plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine levels and their relationship with dyslipidaemia in adolescent girls with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate serum leptin, oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels and their interaction with dyslipidaemia in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PATIENTS AND DESIGN: The study group consisted of 23 obese (obPCOS) and 21 nonobese girls with PCOS (nPCOS), and 31 lean healthy controls. PCOS was defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria as the presence of chronic oligoanovulation and hyperandrogenism. Fasting leptin, ox-LDL, ADMA and detailed lipid-lipoprotein profile were determined. Atherogenic index (AI) was calculated as [Total cholesterol - HDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol]. Logarithmic transformations were made for ox-LDL. RESULTS: Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein A levels and AI were higher and apolipoprotein AI was lower in obPCOS compared to those in controls (P < 0.05). LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein A levels were higher in nPCOS compared to controls (P < 0.05). ADMA and ox-LDL levels did not differ in the three groups. Leptin was significantly higher in obPCOS compared with that in the other two groups (P < 0.001) and it was correlated with triglycerides (r = 0.62), VLDL cholesterol (r = 0.45), lipoprotein A (r = 0.38) and AI (r = 0.43) in the PCOS group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that ADMA and ox-LDL levels in adolescent PCOS subjects were not different than those in controls. Abnormal lipid profile was shown in obese and nonobese girls with PCOS and leptin was related with these lipid abnormalities in the PCOS subjects.

Serum ghrelin, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in children with normal variant short stature.

This study is planned to investigate the role of ghrelin in normal variant short stature. Serum ghrelin, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were measured in 17 children with constitutional delay of growth, 19 children with familial short stature and 11 age matched healthy children. Mean bone age of the constitutional delay of growth group was lower compared to other groups. Constitutional delay of growth group had lower mean weight compared to the controls. Serum IGF-I values were lower in the constitutional delay of growth group compared to the familial short stature and control groups. IGFBP-3 levels of the groups were similar. Ghrelin levels were higher in the short stature groups compared to the controls. In the multiple regression analyses, weight (beta = -.54, p < 0.0001) and height SDS (beta = -.33, p = 0.01) were the independent determinants of ghrelin. The results of this study, the first one in which ghrelin levels are investigated in normal variant short stature, suggest that ghrelin does not play a role as a cause, but as a consequence in these patients because it is negatively correlated with weight and height standard deviation score. These negative correlations can be attributed to the compensatory response of ghrelin, which deserves further attention in future studies.

Serum zinc, insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Growth is impaired during the course of diabetes mellitus (DM). Derangement of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, insulinopenia and zinc deficiency are the possible causative factors of this impairment. Zn supplementation is proven to attenuate hyperglycemia in mice but its use to ameliorate impaired height is still a matter of discussion. OBJECTIVE: To investigate serum Zn, IGF-I and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels and to emphasize the potential beneficial effects of Zn supplementation for the prevention of growth failure in children with type 1 DM (DM1). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with DM1 and 15 control children were included in the study. Zn levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry; IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were measured by immunoradiometric assay. RESULTS: Mean serum Zn levels were significantly lower in diabetic children taken as a whole and as their pubertal subgroup compared to the controls. Mean serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower in both prepubertal and pubertal diabetic groups compared to those of control groups. CONCLUSION: From the results of our study, it can be hypothesized that serum Zn levels should be closely monitored during the course of DM1 and supplementation may be given to patients, especially at the time of puberty. This hypothesis needs to be confirmed by further studies.

Leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels in obese children in fasting and satiety states.

AIM: To investigate the role of soluble leptin receptors in leptin resistance in obese children. METHODS: Thirty-one obese children (16 boys and 15 girls) with a median age of 12.1 years and 15 age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Leptin and soluble leptin receptor levels were measured in fasting and satiety states. RESULTS: Serum leptin levels were significantly higher and soluble leptin receptor levels were significantly lower in obese children compared to controls in fasting and satiety states. In obese children, there was a high and inverse correlation between leptin levels and soluble leptin receptor levels after fasting. Prepubertal obese children had lower leptin and higher soluble leptin, receptor levels compared to pubertal children in both states. CONCLUSION: In this study, being the first to consider both fasting and satiety states, obese children were found to have higher leptin, but lower soluble leptin receptor levels, compared to controls. With these findings, it can be postulated that leptin resistance in obese children originates from a defect of soluble leptin receptor production.

Ghrelin, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

There is a strong relationship between ghrelin, insulin, glucose and IGF-I/IGFBP-3 metabolism. This aim of this study was to investigate ghrelin level, and its relationship with IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1). Twenty-seven children with DM1 and 25 healthy controls were investigated. Ghrelin levels were similar, and IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were lower, in prepubertal and pubertal patients compared to controls. In the patient group, ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with chronological age, height, weight, pubertal status and IGF-I, but had no correlation with fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin dose, duration of insulin therapy, and IGFBP-3 levels. Similar ghrelin levels in patients compared to controls may suggest that ghrelin levels remain unchanged in children with DM1, or that altered ghrelin levels at diagnosis recover as a consequence of insulin therapy. The lack of correlation of serum ghrelin levels with fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and insulin dose suggests that ghrelin level is not affected by these parameters. Decreased IGF-I level and its negative correlation with ghrelin are compatible with previous findings.

Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia presenting with a rare complication: West syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy (PHHI) is characterized by disproportional secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta-cells. Although one of the manifestations of hypoglycemia is West syndrome, it is rarely reported in PHHI. PATIENT REPORT: A 6 month-old girl who was followed up with the diagnosis of PHHI was admitted to hospital with the complaint of jerky movements at her extremities. EEG revealed the typical pattern of hypsarrhythmia leading to the diagnosis of West syndrome. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, there is only one report in the literature of West syndrome as a manifestation of PHHI, and that was the hyperammoniemic form of the disease. The present report is the first of normoammoniemic PHHI leading to West syndrome. We wish to highlight the potential risks of PHHI, especially in inadequately treated patients, and to emphasize that close neurological follow-up is very important in children who suffer from PHHI.

Plasma leptin levels in infants of diabetic mothers in fasting and satiety states.

Infants born to diabetic mothers have elevated cord blood leptin levels. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the situation persists at the 2nd postnatal day, taking the fasting and satiety states into account and the influence of fetal exposure to hyperinsulinemia, which are proven important contributing factors to plasma leptin levels. Twenty infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes (Group I) and 20 controls (Group II) were included in the study. Groups were similar for sex and anthropometric measurements. Group I had higher leptin concentrations compared to Group II in fasting and satiety states (p < 0.01). Fasting state leptin levels were significantly lower than seen in satiety in both groups (p < 0.01). There was a positive and significant correlation between leptin concentrations and body mass index of infants. Leptin concentrations were positively correlated with plasma insulin levels in Group I. These findings suggest that plasma leptin levels are high in both fasting and satiety states on the 2nd postnatal day in infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes. The possible mechanism underlying this condition is fetal exposure to hyperinsulinemia due to hyperglycemia. The uniqueness of this report are that fasting and satiety states were taken into account and that the data was collected from the samples taken on the 2nd postnatal day, thus reflecting the exact milieu of the infant excluding the effects of the mother and the placenta.