Maternal and fetal adropin levels in gestational diabetes mellitus

AIM

To evaluate maternal and cord blood serum adropin concentrations in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

STUDY DESIGN

Twenty pregnant women with GDM and 20 gestational age-matched healthy pregnant women participated in the study. Maternal serum and cord blood adropin levels were assessed using an enzyme immunosorbent assay, at the time of birth. The relation of maternal serum and cord blood adropin levels with metabolic parameters were also assessed.

RESULTS

The mean maternal and cord serum adropin in the GDM group were significantly lower than those of the control women (P=0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). Maternal serum adropin levels did not correlate with either fetal serum adropin levels or maternal metabolic values.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that low adropin levels may contribute to the underlying pathogenesis of GDM.

Presence of obestatin in breast milk: relationship among obestatin, ghrelin, and leptin in lactating women

OBJECTIVE

The peptide hormones ghrelin and leptin have been found in blood and breast milk. This study was undertaken to investigate whether breast milk also contains obestatin, which is derived from the same gene as ghrelin but has opposite actions, and to characterize the relations among serum and milk ghrelin, obestatin, and leptin levels in lactating mothers.

METHODS

Venous blood, colostrum, and mature milk were obtained from healthy lactating women (n = 31) just before suckling. The ghrelin and obestatin concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. Leptin levels were measured by enzyme-amplified sensitivity immunoassay.

RESULTS

Obestatin levels in colostrum (538.9 pg/mL) and mature milk (528.5 pg/mL) were more than twice the corresponding blood levels (270.3 and 289.4 pg/mL, respectively). In contrast, leptin levels in colostrum (2.01 ng/mL) and mature milk (2.04 ng/mL) were more than five-fold lower than the corresponding blood levels (11.54 ng/mL). There was no correlation between breast milk ghrelin levels and leptin (r = -0.18, P > 0.05). However, there was a positive correlation between leptin levels in breast milk and blood (r = 0.369, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The origin of milk obestatin is not currently known, but it comes from the blood or breast and may drain through the mammary glands into the milk. Ghrelin, obestatin, and leptin in the milk may directly affect appetite and their levels may be related to the regulation of energy balance and the pathogenesis of obesity.

Peptides: Basic determinants of reproductive functions

Mammalian reproduction is a costly process in terms of energy consumption. The critical information regarding metabolic status is signaled to the hypothalamus mainly through peripheral peptides from the adipose tissue and gastrointestinal tract. Changes in energy stores produce fluctuations in leptin, insulin, ghrelin and glucose signals that feedback mainly to the hypothalamus to regulate metabolism and fertility. In near future, possible effects of the nutritional status on GnRH regulation can be evaluated by measuring serum or tissue levels of leptin and ghrelin in patiens suffering from infertility. The fact that leptin and ghrelin are antagonistic in their effects on GnRH neurons, their respective agonistic and antagonistic roles make them ideal candidates to use instead of GnRH agonist and antagonist. Similarly, kisspeptin expressing neurons are likely to mediate the well-established link between energy balance and reproductive functions. Exogenous kisspeptin can be used for physiological ovarian hyperstimulation for in-vitro fertilization. Moreover, kisspeptin antagonist therapy can be used for the treatment of postmenapousal women, precocious puberty, PCOS, endometriosis and uterine fibroids. In this review, we will analyze the central mechanisms involved in the integration of metabolic information and their contribution to the control of the reproductive function. Particular attention will be paid to summarize the participation of leptin, kisspeptin, ghrelin, NPY, orexin, urocortin, VIP, insulin, galanin, galanin like peptide, oxytocin, agouti gene-related peptide, and POMC neurons in this process and their possible interactions to contribute to the metabolic control of reproduction.

Time-dependent changes in the serum levels of prolactin, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin as a marker of epileptic attacks young male patients

A relationship between hormones and seizures has been reported in animals and humans. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the association between serum levels of prolactin, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin measured different times after a seizure or non-epileptic event and compared with controls. The study included a total of 70 subjects, and of whom 18 patients had secondary generalized epilepsy (SGE), 16 patients had primary generalized epilepsy (PGE), 16 patients exhibited paroxysmal event (psychogenic) and 20 healthy males were control subjects. The first sample was taken within 5min of a seizure, with further samples taken after 1, 24, and 48h so long as the patient did not exhibit further clinically observable seizures; blood samples were taken once from control subjects. Prolactin was measured immediately using TOSOH Bioscience hormone assays. Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin peptides were measured using a commercial immunoassay kit. Patients suffering from focal epilepsy with secondary generalization and primary generalized epilepsy presented with significantly higher levels of serum prolactin and nesfatin-1 and lower ghrelin levels 5min, 1 and 24h after a seizure than patients presenting with paroxysmal events (psychogenic) and control subjects; the data were similar but not statistically significant after 48h. The present study suggests that increased serum prolactin and nesfatin-1 concentrations, decreased ghrelin concentrations could be used as markers to identify patients that have suffered a recent epileptic seizure or other paroxysmal event (psychogenic).

Obestatin is present in saliva: alterations in obestatin and ghrelin levels of saliva and serum in ischemic heart disease

Ghrelin and obestatin are a single gene products and are a multiple functional peptides that regulates energy homeostasis, and food intake. In the present work, we studied the secretion of ghrelin and its co-secreted peptide obestatin in 44 patients with ischemic heart disease with that of 27 healthy matched controls. Here we first conducted using an immunohistochemistry assay to screen whether human salivary glands have any obestatin immunoreactivity. Then, serum and saliva obestatin and acylated ghrelin levels were determined by using Radioimmunoassay. Our immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that obestatin was localized in the striated and excretory duct of human salivary gland. We also report for the first time that obestatin, like ghrelin, is present in human salivary gland and saliva. No evidence of the role of obestatin or ghrelin saliva levels in the context of ischemic heart disease was found. Salivary ghrelin and obestatin levels are correlated in controls with the blood levels. Determination of salivary values could represent a non-invasive alternative to serum ones that can be useful in clinical practice.

The level of antioxidant enzymes, plasma vitamins C and E in cement plant workers

BACKGROUND

Chronic exposure to cement dust has been reported to lead to several health problems. This study was designed to investigate the plasma oxidant and antioxidant status in cement plant workers and control subjects.

METHODS

Twenty-eight volunteer male cement plant workers and 30 volunteer office male workers (control) aged 29-54 years participated. The concentration of plasma vitamin C (P-VC), plasma vitamin E (P-VE), plasma malondialdehyde (P-MDA), and the activity of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (E-SOD), plasma glutathione peroxidase (P-GSH-Px), and some serum biochemical parameters were measured in both groups.

RESULTS

The levels of MDA (175%), ALT (61%), and AST (39%) were significantly increased, while total RBC count (12%), Hb (11%) vitamin E (51%), C (35%), SOD (44%), and GSH-Px (51%) activities were markedly decreased, and the levels of urea, protein, and albumin triglyceride and cholesterol were almost the same in cement plant workers versus the control subjects.

CONCLUSION

Cement workers are exposed to more oxidative stress compared to control subjects. To overcome these oxidative stresses, supplementation of antioxidant vitamins, such as alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid, may be beneficial. In addition, proper precaution to protect workers could prevent serious health problems.

Decreased plasma nesfatin-1 levels in patients with generalized anxiety disorder

Nesfatin-1, a recently discovered satiety molecule, is localized in neurons of the hypothalamus and brain stem and colocalized with stress-related substances. However, the relation between nesfatin-1 and stressor related behaviors like anxiety and/or fear has not yet been investigated in human subjects. In the present study, our aim was to investigate whether there was a relationship between plasma nesfatin-1 levels and generalized anxiety disorder. The study group consisted of 40 patients (BMI, 22.98 ± 0.56) with generalized anxiety disorder and 34 age-matched healthy male control subjects (23.05 ± 0.4). Patients fully met the fourth Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, text revision. Blood samples for nesfatin-1 were drawn at the end of an overnight fasting period at least 10h. Plasma nesfatin-1 levels were measured and found significantly lower in anxiety disorder group than in control group (0.35 ± 0.037 ng/ml vs. 0.63 ± 0.080 ng/ml, respectively, p<0.05). Low nesfatin-1 levels may be related with generalized anxiety disorder.

Nesfatin-1 and other hormone alterations in polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly characterised by obesity, insulin resistance (IR), hyperandrogenemia and hirsutism. Nesfatin-1 a recently discovered hormone, acts upon energy balance, glucose metabolism, obesity and probably gonadal functions. This study was to evaluate the circulating levels of nesfatin-1 in patients with PCOS (n = 30) and in age and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls (n = 30). PCOS patients had significantly lower levels of nesfatin-1 (0.88 ± 0.36 ng/mL) than healthy controls (2.22 ± 1.14 ng/mL). PCOS patients also had higher gonadotropin and androgen plasma concentrations, Ferriman-Gallwey scores, blood glucose levels and a homeostasis model of assessment-IR index (HOMA-IR) index than in healthy women. Correlation tests in PCOS subjects detected a negative correlation between nesfatin-1 levels and BMI, fasting blood glucose, insulin levels and a HOMA-IR index. Lower nesfatin-1 concentration may plays a very important role in the development of PCOS.

Multi-functional peptide hormone NUCB2/nesfatin-1

The recently discovered nesfatin-1 is regulated by hunger and satiety. The precursor protein NUCB2 is proteolytically cleaved into three resulting fragments: nesfatin-1, nesfatin-2, and nesfatin-3. The middle segment of nesfatin-1 (M30) is responsible for limiting food intake, while the exact physiological role of nesfatin-2 and nesfatin-3 are not currently known yet. This hormone plays role/roles on diabetic hyperphagia, epilepsy, mood, stress, sleeping, anxiety, hyperpolarization, depolarization, and reproductive functions. This review will address nesfatin, focusing on its discovery and designation, biochemical structure, scientific evidence of its anorexigenic character, the results of the human and animal studies until the present day, its main biochemical and physiological effects, and its possible clinical applications.

Ghrelin immunohistochemistry of gastric adenocarcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma of salivary gland

Ghrelin (G-HH) synthesized in several tissues including salivary and stomach glands stimulates appetite in humans by modulating neuropeptide Y neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. Loss of appetite is one of the most important symptoms of stomach cancer. We conducted a study using immunohistochemistry to determine whether salivary glands and stomach cancer tissues produce ghrelin. We determined that negative ghrelin immunohistochemistry discriminates tumors from normal tissues and may therefore further our understanding of the clinically important problem of reduced food intake and anorexia in cancer patients. Radioimmunoassay analyses confirmed that cancer cells do not produce a G-HH peptide, whereas normal cells yield this peptide.

Alteration in chromogranin A, obestatin and total ghrelin levels of saliva and serum in epilepsy cases

This study was designed to measure the levels of chromogranin A (CgA), ghrelin and obestatin in serum and saliva (including CgA expression in healthy tissue) in epileptic patients to determine any significant differences between these patients and healthy controls. Samples were obtained from a total of 91 subjects: 10 newly-diagnosed primary generalized epilepsy (PGE) patients who had started treatment with valproic acid and phenytoin for seizure control; 18 PGE patients who were previously and currently receiving treatment with valproic acid and phenytoin for seizure control; 37 patients with partial epilepsy (PE) (simple, n=17 or complex, n=20) who had been and were still being treated with carbazebime for seizures; and 26 healthy controls. CgA immunoreactivity in healthy salivary gland was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. The levels of CgA, total ghrelin and obestatin in serum and saliva were measured by ELISA. The results revealed that normal salivary gland produces its own CgA. Before treatment, CgA levels in saliva and serum were significantly greater in patients newly-diagnosed with PGE than controls. Ghrelin and CgA concentrations were also greater in PGE patients previously or currently treated with drugs, and in patients with simple or complex partial epilepsy (PE) previously or currently treated with drugs, than in healthy normal controls. In conclusion, salivary concentrations of CgA, ghrelin and obestatin were similar to their serum levels, so saliva might be a desirable alternative to serum for measuring these hormones because it is easy and painless to collect.

Milk and blood ghrelin level in diabetics

OBJECTIVE

Besides its presence in various tissues, ghrelin has recently been shown to be present in blood and breast milk. No previous studies, however, have evaluated the level of this hormone under the condition of pregestational and gestational diabetes mellitus (P-GDM and GDM, respectively). This study was undertaken to show whether a relation exists between serum and milk ghrelin levels in lactating mothers with and without diabetes.

METHODS

Venous blood was obtained from four groups of women (age range 22-37 y): GDM lactating (n = 12), P-GM lactating (n = 3), healthy non-diabetic lactating (n = 14), and healthy non-lactating (n = 14). Colostrum and mature milk samples were collected just before suckling. The ghrelin level was determined by radioimmunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

Radioimmunoassay results showed that women with GDM and P-GDM had greater than two-fold lower colostrum and serum levels of ghrelin than did lactating women with no GDM at 2 d after parturition. The GDM and non-diabetic groups at 15 d after delivery, however, showed similar levels of ghrelin in mature milk and serum. High-performance liquid chromatographic results indicated that in serum the deacylated form of ghrelin was 18-fold higher than the acylated form. Furthermore, in milk the acylated form of ghrelin was 24-fold that of the active form.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that mothers with GDM have a substantial (greater than two-fold) decrease in their serum and colostral ghrelin levels. This is, however, a temporary effect lasting only up to early postparturition (2 d after delivery). This peptide hormone restores to completely normal levels at day 15 of parturition, but not P-GDM. The significance of these results in terms of the health of the mother and her newborn, however, has yet to be determined.

Regulatory neuropeptides (ghrelin, obestatin and nesfatin-1) levels in serum and reproductive tissues of female and male rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

Although, the exact mechanisms underlying the development of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are not still completely understood, obesity, circulated peptide hormone levels and their interaction with genetic factors are considered largely responsible. The purpose of this study is to explore how the levels of ghrelin, obestatin (OBS) and NUCB2/nesfatin-1 (NES)/NUCB2 change in serum and the reproductive tissues of female and male rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome, and whether the levels of each hormone is correlated with the hormones involved with fertility. Experiments were conducted on 5-week-old Sprague-Dawley male and female rats assigned to either a control group or a MetS group. Controls were fed standard rat food and water ad libitum, while the MetS group was fed standard food with 10% (v/v) fructose solution added to their drinking water for 12 weeks with a 12/12h photoperiod circle. Then, all animals were sacrificed after a one night fast. Peptides levels in the serum and reproductive tissues of rats were studied using the ELISA method while the immunoreactivity of reproductive system peptide hormones were shown by immunohistochemical staining method. Furthermore, the other biochemical parameters were measured using Konelab-60 equipment and infertility hormones were measured with Immulite2000. Fasting serum insulin, glucose, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC) levels were statistically significantly higher, and the amount of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly lower, in the MetS groups. Serum and tissue supernatant NES levels were significantly higher in the rats with MetS than the control group. Ghrelin, OBS and NES were expressed in the cytoplasm, concentrated around the apical parts of the epithelial cells in the reproductive tissues of the rats. The amounts of ghrelin were lower in the reproductive tissues of the animals with MetS, while NES levels in the same tissues increased. Obestatin also decreased, though not in the seminal glands.

Zinc supplementation induces apoptosis and enhances antitumor efficacy of docetaxel in non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Exposure to exogenous zinc results in increased apoptosis, growth inhibition, and altered oxidative stress in cancer cells. Previous studies also suggested that zinc sensitizes some cancer cells to cytotoxic agents depending on the p53 status. Therefore, zinc supplementation may show anticancer efficacy solely and may increase docetaxel-induced cytotoxicity in non-small-cell lung cancer cells.

METHODS

Here, we report the effects of several concentrations of zinc combined with docetaxel on p53-wild-type (A549) and p53-null (H1299) cells. We evaluated cellular viability, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression as well as oxidative stress parameters, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde levels.

RESULTS

Zinc reduced the viability of A549 cells and increased the apoptotic response in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Zinc also amplified the docetaxel effects and reduced its inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) values. The superoxide dismutase levels increased in all treatment groups; however, glutathione peroxidase was slightly increased in the combination treatments. Zinc also caused malondialdehyde elevations at 50 μM and 100 μM.

CONCLUSION

Zinc has anticancer efficacy against non-small-cell lung cancer cells in the presence of functionally active p53 and enhances docetaxel efficacy in both p53-wild-type and p53-deficient cancer cells.

Effect of carnosine, methylprednisolone and their combined application on irisin levels in the plasma and brain of rats with acute spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) might occur to anybody at any time and any age. In its treatment, methylprednisolone (MP) is a first choice worldwide, but there is still no significant breakthrough in truly beneficial treatment due to SCI's complex pathophysiology. We investigated the effect of carnosine, methylprednisolone (MP) and its combination on irisin levels in the plasma, brain and medulla spinalis tissues in SCI using a rat model. The rats were divided into 6 groups: I (Control, saline); II (sham animals with laminectomy without cross-clamping); III (SCI); IV (SCI treated with 150mg/kg carnosine); V (SCI treated with 30mg/kg methylprednisolone); and VI (SCI treated with a combination of carnosine and MP). The animals were given traumatic SCI after laminectomy, using 70-g closing force aneurysm clips (Yasargil FE 721). Irisin concentration was measured by ELISA. The distribution of irisin in brain and spinal cord tissues was examined by immunochemistry. Irisin was mainly expressed in the astrocytes and microglia of brain tissues, and multipolar neurones of the anterior horn of spinal cord tissue in rats of all groups, indicating that irisin is physiologically indispensable. MP and carnosine and the combination of the two, significantly increased irisin in plasma and were accompanied by a significant rise in irisin immunoreactivity of brain and spinal cord tissues of the injured rats compared with control and sham. This finding raises the possibility that methylprednisolone and carnosine regulate the brain and spinal cord tissues in SCI by inducing irisin expression, and may therefore offer a better neurological prognosis.

Elevated adropin: a candidate diagnostic marker for myocardial infarction in conjunction with troponin-I

Myocardial infarction (MI; "heart attack") can cause injury to or death of heart muscle tissue (myocardium) owing to prolonged ischemia and hypoxia. Troponins and CK-MB are released from heart muscle cells during MI. It has been demonstrated that energy expenditure is regulated by adropin expressed in the endocardium, myocardium, and epicardium. We hypothesized that adropin is released into the bloodstream during myocardial muscle injury caused by MI, so the serum level rises as myocytes die. Therefore, we examined the association between adropin expression and myocardial infarction in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction. Rats were randomly allocated to six groups. After treatment they were decapitated and their blood and tissues were collected for adropin measurement. Changes in adropin synthesis in rat heart, kidney and liver tissues in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced MI were demonstrated immunohistochemically. Serum adropin concentrations were measured by ELISA, and troponin-I, CK and CK-MB concentrations by autoanalysis. The results demonstrated that cardiac muscle cells, glomerular, peritubular and renal cortical interstitial cells, hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal cells all synthesize adropin, and synthesis increased 1-24 h after MI except in the liver cells. The findings elucidate the pathogenesis of MI, and the gradual increase in serum adropin could be a novel diagnostic marker and serve as an alternative to troponin-I measurement for diagnosing MI.

Effects of Surgical Menopause and Estrogen Replacement Therapy on Serum Paraoxonase Activity and Plasma Malondialdehyde Concentration

BACKGROUND

We have investigated the effects of surgical menopause and estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) on serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in surgically postmenopausal women.

METHODS

Thirty-six healthy perimenopausal women who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy for uterine myoma were enrolled in this study. Blood samples were taken from the subjects 1 day before surgery, 1 day before starting ERT (30 days after the operation) and on the 30th day after the start of therapy.

RESULTS

After surgical menopause, there were significant increases in plasma MDA levels (p < 0.05) and a decrease in serum PON1 activity (p < 0.05). ERT significantly increased the PON1 activity (p < 0.05) and reduced MDA levels (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and PON1 activity (r = 0.7, p < 0.001, n = 36) and a negative correlation between serum PON1 activity and plasma MDA levels (r = -0.63, p < 0.006, n = 36).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that postmenopausal women tend to have high levels of plasma MDA and reduced PON1 activity, and ERT reverses these effects. The effect of ERT on lipid peroxidation seems to be associated with serum PON1 activity.

Effect of carnosine supplementation on apoptosis and irisin, total oxidant and antioxidants levels in the serum, liver and lung tissues in rats exposed to formaldehyde inhalation

The main objective of the study has been to show whether carnosine has positive effects on liver and lung tissues of rats exposed to a range of formaldehyde concentrations, and to explore how irisin expression and antioxidant capacity are altered in these tissues by carnosine supplementation. Sprague-Dawley type male rats were divided into 8 groups with 6 animals in each: (I) Control; no chemical supplementation); (II) sham (100mg/kg/day carnosine); (III) low dose formaldehyde (LDFA) for 5 days/week; (IV) LDFA for 5 days/week and carnosine); (V) moderate dose formaldehyde (MDFA) for 5 days/week); (VI) MDFA for 5 days/week and carnosine; (VII) high dose formaldehyde (HDFA) for 5 days/week; (VIII) and HDFA for 5 days/week and carnosine. Sham and control groups were exposed to normal air. Irisin levels of the serum, liver and lung tissue supernatants were analyzed by ELISA, while the REL method was used to determine total oxidant/antioxidant capacity. Irisin production by the tissues was detected immunohistochemically. Increasing doses of FA decreased serum/tissue irisin and total antioxidant levels relative to the controls, as also to increases in TUNEL expressions, total oxidant level, oxidant and apoptosis index. Irisin expression was detected in hepatocyte and sinusoidal cells of the liver and parenchymal cells of the lung. In conclusion, while FA exposure reduces irisin and total oxidant in the serum, liver and lung tissues in a dose-dependent manner and increases the total antioxidant capacity, carnosine supplementation reduces the oxidative stress and restores the histopathological and biochemical signs.

Comparison of LabUMat-with-UriSed and iQ200 fully automatic urine sediment analysers with manual urine analysis

Urine analysis is one of the most common tests for assessing urinary-tract and kidney diseases. In recent years there have been new developments in the automation of this test. The objective of the present study was to compare the performances of two urine sediment analysers, namely LabUMat with UriSed (77 Elektronika Kft, Budapest, Hungary) and iQ200 (Iris Diagnostics, Chatsworth, CA, U.S.A.), with the KOVA method for manual urine measurement by evaluating the results in terms of similar parameters (cells or particles per lower-power field or high-power field). The results obtained using the UriSed and iQ200 analysers were more reproducible (7.1-30.2 and 14.9-35.4% respectively) than those obtained using the manual technique (17.9-44.4%). Significant correlations were established among the three techniques in the evaluation of leucocytes, erythrocytes and epithelial cells. Although the UriSed, iQ200 and visual-microscopic measurements were in agreement, confirmation of the results from automated methods by manual urine analyses is significantly useful, especially for pathological cases that were close to the limits of the techniques.

Acylated and desacylated ghrelin, preptin, leptin, and nesfatin-1 Peptide changes related to the body mass index

This study examines the levels of acylated and desacylated ghrelin, preptin, leptin, and nesfatin-1 peptide changes related to the body mass index (BMI). The subjects were allocated to 5 groups depending on their BMIs as follows: Group I (BMI <18.5 kg/m(2)); Group II (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m(2)); Group III (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2)); Group IV (BMI 30-39.9 kg/m(2)); Group V (BMI >40 kg/m(2)). Serum acylated and desacylated ghrelin, preptin, and leptin levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and nesfatin-1 was measured by the enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Desacylated ghrelin levels showed a gradual and statistically significant drop from Group I to Group V, while preptin and leptin levels exhibited a gradual and significant increase from Group I to Group IV. Serum nesfatin-1 levels gradually, but not significantly, increased from Group I to Group III and showed a significant decrease in Groups IV and V. In conclusion, leptin, preptin, and acylated ghrelin (AG) levels increased with higher BMI, whereas desacylated ghrelin (DAG) decreased and nesfatin-1 showed no clear relationship to BMI.

Evaluation of elabela, apelin and nitric oxide findings in maternal blood of normal pregnant women, pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, severe pre-eclampsia and umbilical arteries and venules of newborns

Pre-eclampsia is multisystem metabolic diseases, commonly accompanied by hypertension and proteinuria, which are among the important causes of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. In a pre-eclampsia animal model study in the last year, Elabela (ELA) infusion was reported to correct hypertension and proteinuria and to normalise the birth weights of the offspring. Therefore, our main goal in this human study is to compare ELA, apelin (APLN) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the maternal blood of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia and in their newborns' venous-arterial cord blood with maternal blood of healthy pregnant women and their newborns' venous-arterial cord blood. Thirty controls, 28 pre-eclampsia and 24 severe pre-eclampsia cases and their newborns participated in this study. Maternal blood and newborn venous-arterial cord blood samples were collected from these patients. ELA, APLN and NO levels in these samples were measured by ELISA method. When the maternal blood ELA, APLN and NO amounts were compared with control groups, there was a significant decrease in both pre-eclamptic and severe pre-eclamptic women and this was more prominent in the women with severe pre-eclampsia. When ELA, APLN and NO levels in the newborn venous-arterial cord blood of control group was compared with that of severe pre-eclamptic and pre-eclamptic women; it was parallel with maternal findings. ELA, APLN and NO levels appear to play a role in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. It is predicted that if these molecules, which are reduced due to pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia, are brought to physiological limits in the future; pre-eclampsia related maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity can be reduced. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? There are two studies (one human and one animal) in the literature evaluating only maternal elabela (ELA) levels in pre-eclamptic pregnancies. The animal study demonstrated decreased blood ELA levels in pre-eclamptic animals and the human study found increased blood ELA levels in pre-eclamptic patients. There are no studies evaluating maternal ELA levels in severe pre-eclampsia patients and also there are no studies evaluating maternal ELA levels in pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia patients. There are no studies evaluating newborns' venous-arterial blood APLN and NO levels. Apelin (APLN) and nitric oxide (NO) results were controversial in pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia patients. What the results of this study add? The present study, for the first time, demonstrates that decreased blood ELA, APLN and NO levels in maternal blood of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia and in their newborns' venous-arterial blood. Furthermore, we have also demonstrated for the first time that decreased ELA, APLN and NO are also related with low birth weights. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The low levels of ELA, APLN and NO in maternal blood and newborns' venous-arterial blood may be the result or the cause of pathologic changes in pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia. Also, ELA, APLN and NO may be new indicator parameters of systemic endothelial dysfunction together. More studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between of ELA, APLN and NO and pre-eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia and in newborns' venous-arterial blood.

Ghrelin and obestatin levels in end-stage renal disease

Malnutrition is fairly common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, persistent lack of appetite being a major symptom. Ghrelin and obestatin are two hormones that are involved in appetite and energy homeostasis. The present study examined ghrelin and obestatin levels in 24 ESRD patients undergoing haemodialysis and 24 age-matched healthy controls. Serum and saliva ghrelin and obestatin levels in the ESRD patients were significantly higher compared with controls, while saliva ghrelin and obestatin levels in all study participants were significantly higher than serum levels. Saliva ghrelin correlated with serum ghrelin and saliva obestatin correlated with serum obestatin in all study participants, although there was no correlation between ghrelin and obestatin levels. In conclusion, the results suggest that the kidneys may have a role in the metabolism and/or clearance of obestatin, as they do for ghrelin. Further studies are needed to determine if elevated levels of these hormones in ESRD patients contribute to the malnutrition that is common in these patients.

Changes of serum paraoxonase (an HDL-cholesterol-associated lipophilic antioxidant) and arylesterase activities in severe preeclamptic women

OBJECTIVE

To determine the serum lipid profile, the activity of paraoxonase (PON, the lipophilic antioxidant component of HDL-cholesterol), and alterations of the arylesterase activity in preeclamptic women.

STUDY DESIGN

This cross-sectional study included 28 severe preeclamptic, and 24 healthy pregnant women. Fasting venous blood samples were collected during the antepartum period for spectrophotometric determination of the PON and arylesterase activities.

RESULTS

In the severe preeclamptic group, the mean levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol were 4, 5 and 9.8% higher, respectively, and HDL-cholesterol 9% lower than in the healthy controls. The PON and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in the severe preeclamptic women than in the controls, P<0.001 and P=0.000, respectively. A moderately positive correlation was detected between the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and PON (r=0.49, P<0.02, n=52) and between HDL-cholesterol and arylesterase (r=0.42, P<0.05, n=52).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that an abnormal lipid profile and decreased PON and arylesterase activities may have a role in pathogenesis of preeclampsia.