Significance of appetite hormone ghrelin and obestatin levels in the assessment of the severity of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Due to risk of morbidity and mortality, various tests and scoring systems used in the assessment of the diagnosis and severity of acute pancreatitis disease are gaining more importance every day. Most of the current scoring systems, validated by various parameters, have a sophisticated and complex structure. Research is ongoing to establish a method to diagnose the disease and determine the severity by using different and simple parameters. In this trial, we aimed to investigate the role of the orexigenic "ghrelin" and anorexigenic "obestatin" hormones, if any, on the diagnosis and assessment of the severity of acute pancreatitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 30 patients hospitalized between September 2009 and September 2010 with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) and 25 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the trial with a prospective and randomized design. The patients were classified in two groups, mild (Ranson ≤3 and / or Apache II ≤8) and severe (Ranson >3 and/or Apache II >8) cases, as per the Ranson and Apache-II criteria; the ghrelin and obestatin levels in blood samples obtained from the patients were measured using the ELISA method.

RESULTS

Twenty-two of the 30 patients (73%) were regarded as mild pancreatitis cases, while 8 cases (27%) were diagnosed as severe pancreatitis. Comparison of the mild and severe pancreatitis groups did not reveal a statistical difference between the two groups in terms of acylated and de-acylated ghrelin values on presentation and following the initiation of oral feeding. Similarly, no significant difference was found in the comparison of the patient and the control groups in terms of acylated and de-acylated ghrelin values on presentation (p=0.863). On the other hand, acylated and de-acylated ghrelin values after initiation of oral feeding were observed to be higher in the patient group (p=0.001, p=0.000). Comparison of these two groups revealed a significant difference in obestatin values, both on presentation and after initiation of oral feeding (p=0.002 and p=0.000).

CONCLUSION

Consistently high serum ghrelin values during pancreatic inflammation suggest that ghrelin may be used as an adjunctive parameter in the monitoring of the course of the disease. On the other hand, high obestatin values in patients on presentation indicate that this hormone is a more significant parameter in terms of diagnosis. However, no correlation was established between these two peptide hormones and the severity of AP.

Comparison of irisin hormone expression between thyroid cancer tissues and oncocytic variant cells

Objective: The incidence of thyroid cancer has been continuously increasing. The main objective of this study was to investigate irisin expression in various thyroid pathologies and to compare these expression patterns with irisin expression in healthy thyroid tissues. Methods: The study groups consisted of 20 cases each of control thyroid tissue, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid papillary carcinoma, oncocytic papillary carcinoma, follicular thyroid carcinoma, oncocytic follicular thyroid carcinoma, medullary thyroid carcinoma, anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Irisin expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Irisin levels in thyroid tissue supernatants were measured using ELISA. Results: Patients with HT showed increased irisin expression compared with controls (p<0.05). In addition, mild immunoreactivity was observed in the thyroid tissues of patients with papillary carcinoma while significantly increased irisin immunoreactivity was observed tissues of patients with oncocytic papillary carcinoma (p<0.05). There was no difference in irisin immunoreactivity in thyroid tissues between patients with follicular carcinoma and controls. However, irisin immunoreactivity was higher in tissues of patients with oncocytic follicular carcinoma than in tissues of patients with follicular carcinoma (p<0.05). No irisin immunoreactivity was observed in tissues of patients with medullary carcinoma, a malignant tumor the thyroid; however, irisin expression was significantly increased in tissues of patients with anaplastic carcinoma compared with that in tissues of controls (p<0.05). Furthermore, in all thyroid tissues with irisin expression, irisin immunoreactivity was observed in follicular cells, indicating that irisin is produced by these cells. Conclusion: Irisin is a novel potential immunohistochemical marker for differentiating oncocytic variants of papillary and FTCs from papillary and follicular thyroid cancers.

Comparison of the therapeutic effects of sildenafil citrate, heparin and neuropeptides in a rat model of acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer

AIMS

The purpose of our investigative work has been to determine whether there can be therapeutic roles in the administration of sildenafil citrate, heparin and several neuropeptides on an animal model where gastric ulcers were induced with acetic acid, and to compare their efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The animals were divided into 13 groups, with 4 animals in each. Gastric ulcers was induced in the animals of 12 groups with one untreated group being left as the control (Group I - control; given normal saline (NS)). The other groups were: Group II (ulcer+NS); Group III (5mg/kg sildenafil citrate, low dose); Group IV (10mg/kg sildenafil citrate, high dose); Group V (0.6mg/kg heparin, low dose); Group VI (6mg/kg heparin, high dose); Group VII (20nmol/kg des-acyl ghrelin); Group VIII (40nmol/kg des-acyl ghrelin); Group IX (4nmol/kg acyl ghrelin); Group X (8nmol/kg acly ghrelin); Group XI (20pmol/kg Nesfatin-1); Group XII (15nmol/kg Obestatin) and Group XIII (5nmol/kg Neuropeptide Y). Gastric neuropeptide expression was measured using an immunohistochemical method, and the amount in circulation was detected using ELISA. To compare with no treatment, the controls and other treatment groups, we recorded loss of the surface epithelium of the stomach, erosion, bleeding and inflammatory cell infiltration in the upper halves of the gastric glands.

KEY FINDINGS

The muscularis and the layers beneath it were, however, apparently normal. The gastric mucosa healed with little or no inflammation when sildenafil citrate, low dose heparin, ghrelin, NUCB2/Nesfatin-1, obestatin, Neuropeptide Y were administered.

SIGNIFICANCE

Overall the data indicate that low dose heparin, and especially sildenafil citrate and neuropeptides, can be used clinically as an alternative approach in the treatment of the gastric ulcer.

Serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels in patients with Behcet's disease

BACKGROUND

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic, relapsing, systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology. There is an increased predisposition to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in BD patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels in BD patients and healthy controls and to investigate their association with MetS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-five BD patients and 25 healthy controls were included in the study. Salusin-α and salusin-β levels were measured in blood samples using ELISA. In addition, BD patients and healthy controls were evaluated in terms of MetS.

RESULTS

The mean serum salusin-α level in BD patients was significantly lower compared to healthy controls (p = 0.03), whereas the mean serum salusin-β level in BD patients was significantly higher compared to healthy controls (p = 0.03). The mean serum salusin-α level was significantly lower in BD patients with MetS compared to BD patients without MetS (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum salusin-α level (an anti-atherogenic molecule) was lower, while serum salusin-β level (a pro-atherogenic molecule) was higher in BD patients. We consider that the decrease in salusin-α and the increase in salusin-β levels contribute to the development of MetS.

Brain, liver, and serum salusin-alpha and -beta alterations in Sprague-Dawley rats with or without metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND

This metabolic syndrome (MetS) study was designed to investigate changes in expression of the neuropeptides salusin-α (Sal-α) and salusin-β (Sal-β) in brain and liver tissue in response to obesity and related changes induced by high-fructose diet and explored how these changes were reflected in the circulating levels of Sal-α and Sal-b, as well as revealing how the lipid profile and concentrations of glucose and uric acid were altered.

MATERIAL/METHODS

The study included 14 Sprague-Dawley rats. The control group was fed ad libitum on standard rat pellets, while the intervention group was given water with 10% fructose in addition to the standard rat pellet for 3 months. Sal-α and Sal-β concentrations in the serum and tissue supernatants were measured by ELISA, and immunohistochemical staining was used to demonstrate expression of the hormones in brain and liver.

RESULTS

Sal-α and Sal-β levels in both the serum and the brain and liver tissue supernatants were lower in the MetS group than the control group. Sal-α and Sal-β were shown by immunohistochemistry to be produced in the brain epithelium, the supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, and the liver hepatocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

The decrease in Sal-α and Sal-β might be involved in the etiopathology of the metabolic syndrome induced by fructose.

Simultaneous quantification of acylated and desacylated ghrelin in biological fluids

This study reports simultaneous quantification of both acylated and desacylated forms of ghrelin in biological samples, utilizing a reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system. The HPLC assay was also compared with RIA assays in use. Biological samples (serum, saliva, urine, milk) known for the presence of ghrelin were collected from a total of eight post-partum women and eight male volunteers. Analysis of ghrelin with HPLC was also validated for linearity, precision, detection limit and accuracy. An elution time of 6 min was observed for pure (commercial) desacylated human ghrelin and for the same form of the hormone from all body fluids studied. The elution time for acylated pure human ghrelin and that in body fluids, however, was around 16 min. The mean recovery rate was over 90% for both forms with no significant interference. The lowest detectable levels for acylated and desacylated ghrelin with the method used here were 11 (+/-2) and 14 (+/-3) pg mL(-1), respectively. Given its simplicity, accuracy, time and cost-effectiveness, the HPLC method described here for determination of two forms of ghrelin (active and inactive) might prove useful for certain diagnostic purposes.

A Novel Biomarker Renalase and Its Relationship with its Substrates in Schizophrenia

Background

Schizophrenia, particularly the form related to excessive dopamine (DA), is a chronic psychotic disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. Renalase metabolizes its catecholamine (CA) substrates, including DA, suggesting that there might be an association between renalase levels and schizophrenia occurrence. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the renalase and CA levels in the serum of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

The study was conducted with thirty-three schizophrenia patients and an age- and gender-matched group of thirty-one controls. Renalase and CA levels were measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

Renalase levels were significantly lower in the schizophrenia patients than in the control group (p<0.05), whereas DA levels were significantly higher (p<0.05). The epinephrine (Epi) levels of both groups were similar (p=0.186), while the norepinephrine levels in patients with schizophrenia were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.05). The areas under the curves for the renalase-dopamine, renalase-norepinephrine and renalase-epinephrine ratios were 0.805, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.699–0.912 (p<0.001); 0.726, 95% CI: 0.594–0.859 (p=0.032); and 0.656, 95% CI: 0.520–0.791 (p=0.02).

Conclusions

The high DA levels in patients with schizophrenia might be due to low renalase levels. Renalase enzyme levels may play a substantial role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Thus, this enzyme might be a new future target for the treatment and diagnosis of schizophrenia after intrabrain renalase and DA dynamics have been further evaluated.

Ghrelin, Nitrite and Paraoxonase/Arylesterase Concentrations in Cement Plant Workers

Occupational cement dust exposure has been associated with an increased risk of liver abnormalities, pulmonary disorders, and carcinogenesis. Decreased antioxidant capacity and increased plasma lipid peroxidation have been posed as possible causal mechanisms of disease. Accordingly, this study examined the serum paraoxonase (PON1) arylesterase (AE), ghrelin, HDL-C, LDL-C and serum nitrite (NOx) levels in cement dust exposed workers. Twenty-eight volunteer male cement plant workers and 30 volunteer control male workers, aged 29-54 years, participated. The concentrations of serum PON1, AE, NOx, ghrelin, and HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were measured in both groups. PON-1, AE, ghrelin and HDL-cholesterol were lower in the cement plant workers than in controls. Serum nitrite (NOx), and LDL-C levels in cement plant workers were higher (p<0.05) than in the control group workers. No correlation was observed between the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and PON1 and between HDL-cholesterol and ghrelin. A weak negative correlation was detected between the serum ghrelin and NOx. The study results strongly suggest that HDL-paraoxonase, AE, ghrelin, HDL-C, and high NOx, and LDL-C levels may have a role in disease involving oxidative damage. However, some studies are necessary to address the association between occupational dust exposure and respiratory symptoms.

The cardiovascular system and the biochemistry of grafts used in heart surgery

Blood is pumped into the cardiac muscle through arteries called the coronary arteries. Over time, the accumulation of cholesterol, coagulation factors, and cells on the walls of these arteries causes the walls to thicken and lose their elasticity, resulting in the development of atherosclerosis. When the blood supply of the heart is diminished by atherosclerosis, it can be restored by bypass surgery, in which atherosclerosis-free vein and/or artery grafts taken from another area of the body are used to replace the atherosclerotic vessels. These biological grafts used in surgery differ in biochemical composition and long-term patency. Although the great saphenous vein (GSV) has been the most popular graft material in revascularization for years, it has recently been superseded by the internal mammarian artery (IMA), which has a lower incidence of recurrence of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present review is briefly to address the structure of the cardiovascular system and blood vessels, and then, in the light recent data, to present the biochemical compositions and individual advantages of the graft materials used to restore an impaired blood supply to the heart.

Effect of orlistat on the total ghrelin and leptin levels in obese patients

Obesity, characterized by hyperleptinemia and hypoghrelinemia, has become a major health problem all over the world and is associated with an increased risk of complications including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis. The use of the pancreatic lipase inhibitor Orlistat can help seriously overweight people to achieve and maintain weight loss. The aim of our study was to compare the serum leptin and ghrelin levels in obese subjects who take orlistat with those receiving only dietary treatment. Twenty-one obese patients and 10 control subjects participated. The obese patients were divided into two groups; one group (n=11) took orlistat (120 mg, 3 times daily) and received dietary treatment and the other (n=10) only received the dietary treatment. The study lasted twelve weeks. The concentrations of serum ghrelin, leptin, insulin and C-peptide, and routine biochemical parameters, were measured in both groups. The serum ghrelin level was higher in control (183+/-62 fmol/ml) than obese (59+/-30 fmol/ml) subjects while the plasma leptin level was lower in control (8.7+/-12 microg/L) than obese (36.7+/-19 microg/L) subjects (all p<0.001). BMI and the total blood cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels fell significantly after both orlistat and dietary treatment in the obese subjects (all p<0.01), and the plasma ghrelin level rose (p<0.01). The leptin level demonstrated the opposite trend in both groups but only the patients taking orlistat showed a significant change (p<0.05).Taken together, these results show that orlistat has no effect on body weight in obese subjects additional to that conferred by a non-pharmacological life-style intervention. We therefore conclude that weight lost rather than type of treatment might be more valuable in obesity.

ENHO gene expression and serum adropin level in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Adropin, a secreted protein, is encoded by the energy homeostasis-associated gene (ENHO). It is expressed by a variety of tissues and cells. It has been implicated in several physiological and pathological processes, such as angiogenesis and apoptosis.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to investigate the ENHO gene expression and serum adropin levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 36 patients with RA, 22 patients with SLE and 20 healthy controls (HC). Patients with a disease activity score-28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) >2.6 in the RA group and an SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) >6 in the SLE group were accepted as active. Serum adropin levels were analyzed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The ENHO gene and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

The ENHO gene mRNA expression was significantly higher in the RA group than in the HC group (p = 0.024), although it was similar between the SLE and HC groups (p = 0.920). On the other hand, there were no significant differences among the study groups in terms of serum adropin levels (p > 0.05 for all). Moreover, there was no significant difference in terms of the ENHO expression and serum adropin levels between active and inactive RA and SLE patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the ENHO gene expression is increased, serum adropin level is not altered in RA. Similarly, adropin seems not to be associated with SLE. However, the potential link between adropin and inflammatory diseases need to be tested by further studies.

Serum concentration and kidney expression of salusin-α and salusin-β in rats with metabolic syndrome induced by fructose

Salusins expressed in a variety of tissues exert a hypotensive effect owing to their vasodilator action. They are found in serum and tissues in two different forms: salusin-α and salusin-β. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is an important public health problem characterized by diabetes, obesity, abnormal blood lipid levels and high blood pressure. We investigated how salusins in the circulation and in kidney tissues change in relation to MetS. Experiments were conducted on 5-week-old Sprague-Dawley male 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% fructose solution added to their drinking water for three months. After three months, all animals were sacrificed after a one night fast. Blood and tissues were collected and stored appropriately. Biochemical parameters were analyzed using the Konelab 60 auto-analyzer. Salusin-α and salusin-β levels in the blood and kidneys were studied using the ELISA method. The salusin expression in the renal tissue was shown by immunohistochemical staining. Compared to the control group, the MetS group showed elevated uric acid and other lipid parameters for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Serum salusin-α and salusin-β levels were decreased; however, salusin levels/mg kidney tissue were elevated. Immunohistochemical analysis of salusins in kidney tissue revealed their presence in the epithelium cells of the glomeruli, and proximal and distal tubule cells. The expression of both peptides in renal tissues was greater in the MetS group than in the control group. We believe that salusins are critical mediators in the etiopathology of MetS. Altered salusin levels are thought to regulate hypertension, which is a component of MetS.

Changes in appetite hormone (ghrelin) levels of saliva and serum in acute appendicitis cases before and after operation

This study was designed to measure the levels of serum and saliva ghrelin concentrations before and after surgery in an attempt to clarify whether this hormone plays any significant roles in acute appendicitis and cholelithiasis patients when compared with healthy controls. Samples were obtained from 20 patients with appendicitis, 10 patients with cholelithiasis before and after operation, and 16 healthy controls. The levels of ghrelin (acylated) were measured by means of a RIA assay. The results revealed that preoperative levels of ghrelin in saliva and serum were significantly decreased with respect to post-op in patients undergoing appendectomy, and control levels. This was also the case when the preoperative ghrelin concentrations in patients with appendicitis were compared with those having choelithiasis. Taken together, decreased ghrelin concentration in preoperative appendicitis might be a causative factor for the "loss of appetite" observed in an acute inflammatory condition such as acute appendicitis. However, further studies are necessary to reveal the exact mechanisms behind this observation.

Adropin as a potential marker of enzyme-positive acute coronary syndrome

Aim

Enzyme-positive acute coronary syndrome (EPACS) can cause injury to or death of the heart muscle owing to prolonged ischaemia. Recent research has indicated that in addition to liver and brain cells, cardiomyocytes also produce adropin. We hypothesised that adropin is released into the bloodstream during myocardial injury caused by acute coronary syndrome (ACS), so serum and saliva levels rise as the myocytes die. Therefore, it could be useful to investigate how ACS affects the timing and significance of adropin release in human subjects

Methods

Samples were taken over three days after admission, from 22 EPACS patients and 24 age- and gendermatched controls. The three major salivary glands (submandibular, sublingual and parotid) were immunohistochemically screened for adropin production, and serum and saliva adropin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Salivary gland cells produce and secrete adropin locally.

Results

Serum adropin, troponin I, CK and CK-MB concentrations in the EPACS group became gradually higher than those in the control group up to six hours (p < 0.05), and troponin I continued to rise up to 12 hours after EPACS. The same relative increase in adropin level was observed in the saliva. Troponin I, CK and CK-MB levels started to decrease after 12 hours, while saliva and serum adropin levels started to decrease at six hours after EPACS. In samples taken four hours after EPACS, when the serum adropin value averaged 4.43 ng/ml, the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the serum adropin concentration indicated EPACS with 91.7% sensitivity and 50% specificity, while when the cut-off adropin value in saliva was 4.12 ng/ml, the saliva adropin concentration indicated EPACS with 91.7% sensitivity and 57% specificity.

Conclusion

In addition to cardiac troponin and CK-MB assays, measurement of adropin level in saliva and serum samples is a potential marker for diagnosing EPACS.

Serum adropin level and ENHO gene expression in systemic sclerosis

Adropin, a secreted protein, is encoded by the energy homeostasis associated (ENHO) gene. It has been implicated in the several physiological and pathological processes such as angiogenesis and apoptosis. Therefore, the aim of present study was to investigate serum adropin levels and ENHO gene expressions in systemic sclerosis (SSc) characterized by vasculopathy, inflammation, and progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. The study includes 27 patients with SSc, 39 patients with Behçet's disease (BD), and 20 healthy controls (HC). Serum adropin levels and ENHO gene expressions by peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by ELISA method and by real-time PCR, respectively. The serum adropin levels were higher in the SSc and BD groups than in the HC group (p = 0.023 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, there were no significant differences among the groups in terms of ENHO gene expressions (p ANOVA = 0.149). There was no significant difference between the limited and diffuse cutaneous subtypes of SSc in terms of serum adropin level and ENHO gene expression. Moreover, serum adropin level and ENHO gene expression were not associated with the disease activity and severity indexes. ENHO gene expression was correlated with the triglyceride levels in the BD group (r = -0.426, p = 0.027). The augmented serum adropin levels may be expected in the chronic inflammatory disease and seem not to be characteristic of only SSc. However, further studies are needed to explain the precise role of adropin in SSc.

Chemerin and Dermcidin in Human Milk and Their Alteration in Gestational Diabetes

BACKGROUND

Chemerin and dermcidin, which have antimicrobial properties, are molecules that are also related to insulin resistance and inflammation.

RESEARCH AIMS

The aims were to determine the amounts of chemerin and dermcidin in the milk and blood of mothers with gestational diabetes, and to compare the amounts of chemerin and dermcidin in the milk and blood of mothers with and without diabetes.

METHODS

This was a two-group nonrandomized longitudinal study with a convenience sampling of mothers without gestational diabetes (n = 27) and mothers with gestational diabetes (n = 26). Human milk and blood samples were obtained from these mothers during colostrum, transitional, and mature milk periods. The amount of chemerin and dermcidin in these samples was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The presence of chemerin and dermcidin was first detected in human milk. The amounts of chemerin and dermcidin in the blood of all the mothers were greater in the colostrum period and lowest in the mature period. The amount of chemerin and dermcidin in the milk of all the mothers was greater than that in the blood. The amounts of chemerin and dermcidin were significantly increased in both blood and human milk within the gestational age samples.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemerin and dermcidin may contribute to the protection of infants from infections during infancy. Increased amounts of these molecules found within the gestational diabetes group may also prevent adverse maternal and fetal outcomes.

The effect of iloprost and sildenafil, alone and in combination, on myocardial ischaemia and nitric oxide and irisin levels

Aim

Insufficient oxygen supply to organs and tissues due to reduced arterial or venous blood flow results in ischaemia, during which, although ATP production stops, AMP and adenosine continue to be produced from ATP. The fate of irisin, which causes the production of heat instead of ATP during ischaemia, is unknown. Iloprost and sildenafil are two pharmaceutical agents that mediate the resumption of reperfusion (blood supply) via vasodilatation during ischaemic conditions. Our study aimed to explore the effects of iloprost and sildenafil on irisin levels in the heart, liver and kidney tissues and whether these pharmaceutical agents had any impact on serum irisin and nitric oxide levels in rats with induced experimental myocardial ischaemia.

Methods

The study included adult male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 10 months and weighing between 250 and 280 g. The animals were randomly allocated to eight groups, with five rats in each group. The groups were: sham (control), iloprost (ILO), sildenafil (SIL), ILO + SIL, myocardial ischaemia (MI), MI + ILO, MI + SIL and MI + ILO + SIL. The treatment protocols were implemented before inducing ischaemia, which was done by occluding the left coronary artery with a plastic ligature for 30 minutes. Following the reperfusion procedure, all rats were sacrificed after 24 hours, and their heart, liver and kidney tissues and blood samples were collected for analyses. An immunohistochemical method was used to measure the change in irisin levels, the ELISA method to quantify blood irisin levels, and Griess’ assay to determine nitric oxide (NO) levels in the serum and tissue. Myocardial ischaemia was confirmed based on the results of Masson’s trichrome staining, as well as levels of troponin and creatine kinase MB.

Results

Irisin levels in biological tissue and serum dropped statistically significantly in the ischaemic group (MI), but were restored with ILO and SIL administration. Individual SIL administration was more potently restorative than individual ILO administration or the combined administration of the two agents. NO level, on the other hand, showed the opposite tendency, reaching the highest level in the MI group, and falling with the use of pharmaceutical agents.

Conclusions

Individual or combined administration of ILO and SIL reduced myocardial ischaemia and NO levels, and increased irisin levels. Elevated levels of irisin obtained by drug administration could possibly contribute to accelerated wound recovery by local heat production. Sildenafil was more effective than iloprost in eliminating ischaemia and may be the first choice in offsetting the effects of ischaemia in the future.

Plasma trace elements, vitamin B12, folate, and homocysteine levels in cirrhotic patients compared to healthy controls

Increased serum homocysteine (Hcy) can induce liver diseases and can play a remarkable role in hepatic disorders. The purpose of the present study therefore was to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin B(12), folate, zinc and copper, cysteine, and Hcy level differences between cirrhotic patients and healthy subjects. We studied 32 cirrhotic patients (12 females and 20 males) aged 45 +/- 11 years and 32 control subjects (12 females and 20 males) aged 39 +/- 9 years. There was an inverse correlation between Hcy and vitamin B(12) in controls (r = -0.442, p < 0.011) but not in cirrhotic patients (r = -0.147, not significant). Also, mean plasma folate was decreased in cirrhotic patients compared to controls (p < 0.001). Copper increased whereas zinc decreased significantly in cirrhotic patients. A positive correlation was seen between the Cu/Zn ratio and Cu in controls (r = 0.690, p < 0.01), but the correlation between the Cu/Zn ratio and Cu was not significant in the cirrhotic group. Negative correlations were seen between plasma concentration of zinc and the Cu/Zn ratio in controls and cirrhotic patients (r = -0.618, p < 0.01 and r = -0.670, p < 0.01, respectively). Cirrhotic patients displayed multiple abnormalities, including changes in cysteine metabolism and in zinc and copper levels. Although hyperhomocysteinemia is known as an atherogenic and thrombogenic risk factor for cardiovascular disease, it might also be a risk factor for cirrhotic patients. Plasma Hcy, vitamin B(12), and folic acid measurement may be useful in the evaluation of cirrhotic patients.

Ghrelin in plants: what is the function of an appetite hormone in plants?

In the present work, we provide compelling evidence for the expression of a ghrelin-like peptide hormone that has only been associated with animals, in various plant tissues. Ghrelin, the appetite stimulating hormone, has been identified from a number of different species including humans, rat, pig, mouse, gerbil, eel, goldfish, bullfrog and chicken. The study here was conducted using an immunohistochemistry assay to screen whether plants have any ghrelin immunoreactivity. In this respect, Prunus x domestica L. and Marus alba were examined. Immunohistochemistry results showed that there is a strong human ghrelin immunoreactivity substance in the parenchyma cells of these plants. This was entirely unexpected since this hormone was considered to be present solely in animals. Thus, this study is the first to report the presence of a peptide with ghrelin-like activity in plants, a finding that has only been observed in the animal kingdom. RIA analysis confirmed that these plants contain significant amounts of this substance. Furthermore, reverse-phase HPLC analyses of plant extracts showed an elution characteristic of the peptide identical to that of human ghrelin. In general, fruit from both plants had higher levels of the peptide than the vegetative parts.

Ghrelin action on GnRH neurons and pituitary gonadotropes might be mediated by GnIH-GPR147 system

Acylated ghrelin (AG) effect on GnRH secretion is mediated, at least in part, by GH secreta-gogue receptor (GHS-R) which is present in the GnRH neurons. As the acylation is mandatory for binding to GHS-R, unacylated isoform of ghrelin (UAG) action on gonadotropin secretion is likely to be mediated by other receptors or mediators that have not been identified yet. UAG, therefore, may act partially via a GHS-R-independent mechanism and inhibitory impact of UAG on GnRH neurons may be executed via modulation of other neuronal networks. Ghrelin and gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH), two agonistic peptides, have been known as important regulators of reproductive events. Potential impact of ghrelin on the activity of GnIH neurons is not exactly known. Both GnIH and ghrelin are potent stimulators of food intake and inhibitors of gonadotropin release. By binding G-protein coupled GnIH receptor (GnIH-R), GPR147, which is located in the human gonadotropes and GnRh neurons, GnIH exerts an inhibitory effect on both GnRH neurons and the gonadotropes. The GnIH-GPR147 system receives information regarding the status of energy reservoir of body from circulating peptides and then transfers them to the kisspeptin-GnIH-GnRH network. Due to wide distribution of this network in brain GnIH neurons may project on ghrelin neurons in the arcuate nucleus and contribute to the regulation of UAG's central effects or vice versa. Together, the unidentified ghrelin receptor in the hypothalamus and hypophysis may be GnIH-R. Therefore, it is reasonable that ghrelin may act on both hypothalamus and hypophysis via GnIH-GPR147 system to block gonadotropin synthesis and secretion.

Immunostaining characteristics of irisin in benign and malignant renal cancers

We investigated the expression of irisin in renal cancers using immunocytochemistry. Irisin has been reported to exhibit anticancer properties. The study groups consisted of 22 cases each of control renal tissue, oncocytoma, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (RCC), clear cell RCC (Fuhrman nuclear grades 1, 2, 3 and 4) and papillary RCC. We evaluated 10 slides for each of 176 cases. Slides were immunostained for irisin and histoscores were calculated for the prevalence and strength of immunostaining. Fuhrman nuclear grade 1, 2, 3 clear cell RCC and papillary RCC exhibited no irisin immunoreactivity. Irisin immunoreactivity was observed in some Fuhrman nuclear grade 4 RCCs. We found a significant decrease in irisin staining in chromophobe RCC compared to the control. Immunoreactivity in the oncocytoma tissue was comparable to the control group. Irisin immunoreactivity in chromophobe RCC decreased and no immunoreactivity was observed in Fuhrman nuclear grade 1, 2, 3 clear cell RCC and papillary RCC. Immunistochemical screening of irisin in renal oncocytomas and renal cancers may be useful for differential diagnosis.