Serum vaspin levels in women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus during pregnancy and postpartum.

Although vaspin is regarded an insulin-sensitizing adipokine, its role in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is currently unknown. We aimed to evaluate serum vaspin levels and their correlation with insulin resistance in women with and without GDM. Forty-four women with GDM [GDM Group - 20 managed with diet only (GDM-diet) and 24 with diet plus insulin (GDM-insulin)] and 44 age-matched pregnant women with normal glucose tolerance (Control Group) were studied. Serum glucose, lipids, uric acid, insulin and vaspin were measured at the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy and postpartum. The quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were calculated. Circulating vaspin levels decreased significantly postpartum in all groups (p<0.001), but did not differ between GDM or GDM Subgroups and Control Group in any time point. At the 3rd trimester of pregnancy vaspin was positively correlated to insulin (p=0.022), HOMA-IR (p=0.016) and triglycerides (p=0.033) and negatively correlated to QUICKI (p=0.016) in the GDM women, but not in the Controls. These correlations were not observed at the 2nd trimester or postpartum. Vaspin, in contrast to HOMA-IR, could not independently predict GDM in binary logistic regression. In patients with GDM, insulin treatment did not affect vaspin levels. In conclusion, our data suggest that vaspin levels gradually decrease from the 2nd trimester to postpartum; however, decreases are similar between women with or without GDM. Serum vaspin cannot independently predict GDM and it is not affected by the degree of glucose metabolism deregulation or the exogenous administration of insulin.

Total Antioxidant Capacity, Haematological and Coagulation Parameters after Orthodox Christian Fast.

BACKGROUND: Orthodox Christian believers fast abstaining from meat, eggs, dairy products or even fish and oil in certain days of the fasting period, three times a year. AIM: The present study aimed to investigate the impact of a 48-day fast before Easter in blood count parameters, coagulation and antioxidant status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 35 healthy volunteers, 19-66 years old, were included in the study. White blood cells (WBC), lymphocytes (Lymph), granulocytes (Gran), haemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht), red blood cells (RBC), mean erythrocyte volume (MCV), platelets (Plt), were measured. Blood coagulation parameters, such as PT, aPTT, fibrinogen concentration, factor VII activity were also determined, and INR (PTsample/PTcontrol) and aPTT ratio (aPTTsample/aPTTcontrol) were calculated. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was assayed. RESULTS: Levels of all parameters remained within normal. By the end of the fasting period, lymphocytes and TAC levels were significantly increased (p = 0.011), whereas all the other parameters, except fibrinogen, were significantly decreased. CONCLUSION: Orthodox Christian fast impairs all haematological and coagulation parameters and seems to be beneficial in the body antioxidant protection.

Association between plasma homocysteine levels and coronary artery disease: a population-based study in northern Greece.

OBJECTIVE: Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) levels constitute a risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). We prospectively examined the association of fasting tHcy levels in patients in Northern Greece who had established CAD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Plasma fasting tHcy levels were measured in 42 patients with angiographically documented CAD and compared to 42 age-, sex-, BMI- and smoking habit-matched control subjects. We also determined the plasma vitamin B(12), folic acid and lipoprotein levels in all patients and controls. Conventional risk factors for CAD were also estimated. RESULTS: In a univariate analysis, tHcy (micromol/l) levels were higher in patients compared to controls almost reaching statistical significance (13 (7-41) vs 11.3 (4-39); p= 0.07). Multivariate analysis of conventional risk factors showed that tHcy levels were not an independent risk factor for CAD. However, tHcy levels were significantly higher in patients with a previous history of myocardial infarction compared to patients without such a history and to controls (15 (8.8-29) vs 11.7 (7-41); p = 0.007 and 15 (8.8-29) vs 11.3 (4-39); p = 0.002, respectively). Hyperhomocysteinaemia (> 15 micromol/l) was detected in 35.7% of patients and 11.9% of controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In Northern Greece, plasma tHcy levels may not be an independent risk factor for CAD in patients with angiographically documented CAD. However, patients with CAD have a trend towards higher tHcy levels. Additionally, plasma tHcy levels may be associated with the development of myocardial infarction.

Serum vaspin levels in normal pregnancy in comparison with non-pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy represents a state of insulin resistance (IR). Vaspin (SERPINA12) is a novel insulin-sensitizing adipokine that might be implicated in endogenous glucose regulation. However, its role in pregnancy and its circulating levels have not been adequately studied. We aimed to evaluate serum vaspin levels in pregnancy and their correlation with known markers of IR. DESIGN: A group of 106 women (age 27.9±0.4 years) at the 24-30th week of gestation (pregnancy group) and another 106 age-matched healthy non-pregnant controls (control group) were included in the study. METHODS: Serum glucose, insulin, vaspin, adiponectin, and lipid parameters were measured. The quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was used as an insulin sensitivity index. RESULTS: Pregnant women had significantly higher body mass index (BMI), lipids, and serum insulin and lower serum glucose and vaspin levels than controls. Vaspin was positively correlated to adiponectin in both groups (P<0.001 and P<0.004 respectively) but was not correlated to BMI, serum insulin levels, or the QUICKI index in either group. Furthermore, vaspin was negatively correlated to lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins) in the pregnant but not in the non-pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Vaspin cannot serve as a marker of IR in either pregnant or non-pregnant women, although it is significantly correlated with adiponectin. On the other hand, vaspin might be useful as a surrogate marker of lipid metabolism in pregnancy if confirmed by subsequent studies.

Lipid profile, low-density lipoprotein oxidation and ceruloplasmin in the progeny of families with a positive history of cardiovascular diseases and/or hyperlipidemia.

Fifty-eight healthy progeny (mean age +/- SD 13.9 +/- 7.9 years) of 39 families with a positive history for cardiovascular diseases ([CVD] n = 44) or hyperlipidemia (n = 14) were included in the study and were compared with 30 age-matched control participants, with a negative family history, to evaluate lipid profile, ceruloplasmin (Cp), and lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde [MDA]) levels, as well as in vitro copper-induced Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidizability. Mean serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B-100, and MDA of the participants were significantly higher than those of the controls. Lag time, an LDL resistance oxidation marker, was lower in the study group and negatively correlated with LDL-C (r = -.437, P < .05) and Cp (r = -.272, P < .05) serum levels. In conclusion, progeny with a positive family history for CVD or hyperlipidemia have an atherogenic lipid profile and increased LDL susceptibility to oxidation. High Cp levels seem to be related to lower resistance of LDL to oxidation.