Evaluation of autonomic nervous system function in children with overactive bladder syndrome.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the autonomic nervous system activity in children with overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome. METHODS: Included in the study were 40 children with overactive bladder and 28 healthy controls. Autonomic tests were performed on all participants, including heart rate interval variation (RRIV), heart rate response to valsalva maneuver, and sympathetic skin response (SSR). RESULTS: Mean valsalva rates in the overactive bladder and control groups were 1.53 ± 0.29 and 1.30 ± 0.18, respectively, a statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Also significantly different were deep breathing RRIV values of the study and control groups: 56.65 ± 14.66 and 47.92 ± 10.15, respectively (P = 0.008). No statistical differences were found in SSR when OAB patients were compared with controls (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated a parasympathetic hyperactivity in children with OAB, results suggesting a dysfunction in their autonomic nervous systems. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:673-676, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Plasma total thiol pool in children with asthma: Modulation during montelukast monotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation, which is a hallmark of asthma, is one of the main sources of oxidative stress in the human body. Thiols are powerful antioxidants that protect cells against the consequences of oxidative stress. We aimed to investigate whether asthma and montelukast monotherapy affect the total plasma thiol pool in children. METHODS: A total of 60 children with asthma and 35 healthy controls participated in the study. Group I consisted of newly diagnosed asthmatics who did not have regular anti-asthmatic therapy previously. Group II consisted of patients who had been undertaking montelukast monotherapy regularly for at least 4 months. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) and plasma total thiol (PTT) were measured using spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: Bronchial asthma patients in both groups I and II had decreased median TAS levels compared with the control group (1.59 [interquartile range, 1.04-1.70] and 1.67 [1.50-1.75] vs. 2.98 [2.76-3.16] Trolox equiv./L, respectively; P<0.001). Group I had decreased PTT concentrations compared with the control group (0.18 [0.16-0.20] vs. 0.21 [0.19-0.22] mmol/L; P<0.001), and group II had similar PTT levels to the control group (0.20 [0.17-0.22] mmol/L; P>0.05). In addition, the median TAS and PTT levels for groups I and II were not statistically different (P>0.05). There was a positive correlation between TAS and PTT levels (rho=0.38, P<0.05) in group I. CONCLUSION: In order to balance the oxidative stress, both TAS and PTT which are markers of the antioxidant system are reduced in children with asthma. Montelukast monotherapy can limit oxidative stress and thus restore PTT levels but not TAS levels in asthmatic children.

SIRT1 gene variants are related to risk of childhood obesity.

UNLABELLED: Obesity is a multifactorial disorder resulting from the interaction between genetic, psychological, physical, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. SIRT1 gene has important effects on the regulation of adiponectin, caloric restriction, insulin sensitivity, coronary atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between childhood obesity and SIRT1 gene polymorphisms regarding rs7895833 A > G in the promoter region, rs7069102 C > G in intron 4, and rs2273773 C > T in exon 5 using PCR-CTPP method in 120 obese and 120 normal weight children. In this study, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, and insulin levels were significantly higher and HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly lower in obese children compared to normal weight children. For rs7895833 A > G, the rate of having AG genotype and G allele was significantly higher in obese children compared to non-obese group (p < 0.001). The risk for obesity was increased by 1.9 times in G allele carriers; therefore, A allele may be protective against obesity. Both study groups had CT heterozygote genotype for rs2273773 C > T. There was no significant difference for rs7069102 C > G gene polymorphism between groups. CONCLUSION: This is the first study reporting an association between SIRT1 gene polymorphisms and obesity in children.

A remarkable age-related increase in SIRT1 protein expression against oxidative stress in elderly: SIRT1 gene variants and longevity in human.

Aging is defined as the accumulation of progressive organ dysfunction. Controlling the rate of aging by clarifying the complex pathways has a significant clinical importance. Nowadays, sirtuins have become famous molecules for slowing aging and decreasing age-related disorders. In the present study, we analyzed the SIRT1 gene polymorphisms (rs7895833 A>G, rs7069102 C>G and rs2273773 C>T) and its relation with levels of SIRT1, eNOS, PON-1, cholesterol, TAS, TOS, and OSI to demonstrate the association between genetic variation in SIRT1 and phenotype at different ages in humans. We observed a significant increase in the SIRT1 level in older people and found a significant positive correlation between SIRT1 level and age in the overall studied population. The oldest people carrying AG genotypes for rs7895833 have the highest SIRT1 level suggesting an association between rs7895833 SNP and lifespan longevity. Older people have lower PON-1 levels than those of adults and children which may explain the high levels of SIRT1 protein as a compensatory mechanism for oxidative stress in the elderly. The eNOS protein level was significantly decreased in older people as compared to adults. There was no significant difference in the eNOS level between older people and children. The current study is the first to demonstrate age-related changes in SIRT1 levels in humans and it is important for a much better molecular understanding of the role of the longevity gene SIRT1 and its protein product in aging. It is also the first study presenting the association between SIRT1 expression in older people and rs7895833 in SIRT1 gene.