Increased hip circumference in individuals with metabolic syndrome affects serum nesfatin-1 levels

Background

This case–control study was conducted to investigate the relationship between serum nesfatin-1 levels and nutritional status and blood parameters in patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.

Methods

Thirty patients (case) diagnosed with metabolic syndrome according to National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria were included. Thirty healthy subjects (control) matched with patients with metabolic syndrome in terms of age, gender and body mass index were included. Three-day food consumption records were obtained. Anthropometric indices were measured and body composition was determined by bioelectrical impedance method. Biochemical parameters and serum nesfatin-1 levels were measured after 8 hours of fasting.

Results

Serum nesfatin-1 levels were 0.245±0.272 ng/mL in the case group and 0.528±0.987 ng/mL in the control group (p>0.05). There was a positive significant correlation between serum nesfatin-1 levels and body weight, waist and hip circumferences in the case group (p<0.05). Each unit increase in hip circumference measurement affects the levels of nesfatin by 0.014 times. In the control group, there was a positive significant correlation between body weight and serum nesfatin-1 levels (p<0.05). A significant correlation was detected between HbA1c and serum nesfatin-1 levels in the case group (p<0.05). A significant relationship was detected between dietary fibre intake and the serum nesfatin-1 levels in the case group (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Anthropometric indices and blood parameters were correlated with serum nesfatin-1 levels in patients with metabolic syndrome. More clinical trials may be performed to establish the relationship between serum nesfatin-1 levels and nutritional status.

Obestatin Reduces Intestinal Damage in Experimental Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Newborn Rats

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of pretreatment with obestatin (OB), an endogenous hormone also found in mother's milk, in experimental necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

STUDY DESIGN

Pups were randomized into four groups: control, OB-control, NEC, and OB-NEC. NEC was induced by asphyxia and hypothermia in the NEC and OB-NEC groups. OB was administered to the OB-control and OB-NEC groups. Macroscopic scoring of the intestinal tract was evaluated and tissue samples were obtained for histopathological and biochemical examination on the fourth day.

RESULTS

OB improved the macroscopic appearance of the gut and the clinical score during the experiment (p  <  0.05). The rate of occurrence of NEC in the OB-NEC group was lower than the NEC group (p  =  0.001). OB prevented necrosis and reduced the number of apoptotic cells in the OB-NEC group compared with the NEC group (p  =  0.006). Furthermore, interleukin-6 and malondialdehyde levels in the OB-NEC group were lower than the NEC group (p  <  0.05).

CONCLUSION

OB reduced intestinal damage and prevented necrosis through anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects in experimental NEC. This effect of OB should be confirmed in clinical studies. Furthermore, future research should investigate whether OB plays a role in NEC pathogenesis or NEC is associated with OB levels in the serum and in breast milk.

Clinical significance of progastrin-releasing peptide, neuron-specific enolase, chromogranin a, and squamous cell cancer antigen in pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors

Background/aim

It is not always easy to diagnose pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs). The aim of the present study is to make a differential diagnosis by studying the same markers in patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), patients with benign lung disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pneumonia), and healthy volunteers to determine the roles of these markers in pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor diagnosis and to identify their power.

Materials and methods

A total of 100 participants including 23 PNET patients and 28 NSCLC patients who were pathologically diagnosed but not yet treated, 25 participants with benign disease, and 24 healthy volunteers were included in this cross-sectional study.

Results

No significant difference was found between the chromogranin A (CgA) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 (SCCA1) values among the groups (PNET, NSCLC, benign, healthy volunteers), but the difference in progesterone-releasing peptide (ProGRP), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and adjusted NSE was statistically significant (P values were respectively ProGRP, P = 0.006; NSE, P = 0.015; NSE adjusted, P = 0.09). In a comparison of the PNET and NSCLC groups, having a ProGRP value higher than 84.6 pg/mL revealed PNET with 60.9% sensitivity and 89.3% specificity (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The ProGRP value is the only indicator that distinguishes the PNET group from the other 3 groups.

Proteomic Analysis of Liver Preservation Solutions Prior to Liver Transplantation

Material/Methods:

Samples were collected from the pre-transplant preservation mediums of 23 liver donors. For all donors, the cases involved Donation after Brain Death (DBD). 2D-PAGE and LCMSMS methodologies were used to detect the proteins and peptides from the preservation mediums.

Results:

A total of 198 proteins originating from the liver were detected.

Conclusion:

The data provide valuable insights into biomarkers that may be used to evaluate organ injury, functional status, and suitability for transplantation. Additionally, the findings could be valuable for the development of new strategies for effective preservation of solid organs prior to transplantation.

Protective effect of N-acetylcysteine against cisplatin ototoxicity in rats: a study with hearing tests and scanning electron microscopy

INTRODUCTION

Ototoxicity is a health problem appearing after powerful treatments in serious health conditions. It is sometimes inevitable when treatment of the serious disease is required. Cisplatin is an antineoplastic agent which was investigated previously to reveal increased nitrogen and reactive oxygen radicals that damages hair cells, resulting in ototoxicity. N-acetylcysteine, previously shown to decrease ototoxicity caused by different agents, is known to be a powerful in vitro antioxidant. Probably N-acetylcysteine, in addition to its antioxidant effect, blocks a cascade where reactive oxygen species result in apoptosis in the cochlea.

OBJECTIVES

The possible preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine in cisplatin ototoxicity was studied with auditory brain stem responses, otoacoustic emissions, and histopathological investigation of the cochlea in a scanning electron microscopy.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 21 Wistar Albino rats in four groups. 1mL/kg/day three times in total intraperitoneal (i.p.) Saline (n=5), 500mg/kg/day i.p. three times in total N-acetylcysteine (n=5), i.p. 15mg/kg cisplatin alone (single dose) (n=5) and i.p. 15mg/kg cisplatin plus 500mg/kg/day N-acetylcysteine (n=6) were administered. The rats were anesthetized to study the hearing tests before and after the experiment. The rats were sacrificed to investigate the cochleas by scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Auditory brain stem responses and otoacoustic emissions values were attenuated in the cisplatin group. The group that received N-acetylcysteine in addition to cisplatin had better auditory brain stem responses thresholds and otoacoustic emissions. The samples obtained from the cisplatin group showed surface irregularities, degeneration areas, and total or partial severe stereocilia losses. The changes were milder in the cisplatin+N-acetylcysteine group.

CONCLUSION

Cisplatin ototoxicity can be detected by auditory brain stem responses and otoacoustic emissions testing in rats. N-acetylcysteine may protect the cochlear cells from histopathological changes. We concluded that N-acetylcysteine given 4h after cisplatin injection has a potential otoprotective effect against cisplatin ototoxicity. which suggests it could be used in clinical trials.

Proteomic Analysis of Kidney Preservation Solutions Prior to Renal Transplantation

One of the main issues in kidney transplantation is the optimal functional preservation of the organ until its transplantation into the appropriate recipient. Despite intensive efforts, the functional preservation period remains limited to hours. During this time, as a result of cellular injury, various proteins, peptides, and other molecules are released by the organ into the preservation medium. In this study, we used proteomic techniques to analyze the protein profiles of preservation solutions in which organs had been preserved prior to their transplantation. Samples were obtained from the preservation solutions of 25 deceased donor kidneys scheduled for transplantation. The protein profiles of the solutions were analyzed using 2D gel electrophoresis/MALDI-TOF and LC-MS/MS. We identified and quantified 206 proteins and peptides belonging to 139 different groups. Of these, 111 proteins groups were belonging to kidney tissues. This study used proteomic techniques to analyze the protein profiles of organ preservation solutions. These findings will contribute to the development of improved preservation solutions to effectively protect organs for transplantation.

Zinc supplementation prolongs the latency of hyperthermia-induced febrile seizures in rats

Some studies have shown a relationship between febrile seizures and zinc levels. The lowest dose zinc supplementation in pentylenetetrazole seizure model has a protective effect. But, zinc pretreatment has no effect in maximal electroshock model. However, it is unclear how zinc supplementation affects hyperthermia-induced febrile seizures. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of zinc supplementation on febrile seizures in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were randomly assigned to four groups. Zinc supplementation was commenced 5 days prior to febrile seizure induction by placing the animals in a water bath at 45°C. We measured the rectal temperature and determined the febrile seizure latency, duration, and stage. In the zinc-supplemented group, both the seizure latency and the rectal temperature triggering seizure initiation were significantly higher than in the other groups. We suggest that zinc supplementation can positively modulate febrile seizure pathogenesis in rats.

Value of the serum I-FABP level for diagnosing acute mesenteric ischemia

PURPOSE

This study examined the feasibility of using the serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) level for the early diagnosis of acute mesenteric ischemia, and investigated whether it contributes to the clinical decision-making process.

METHOD

Thirty patients diagnosed with acute mesenteric ischemia, 27 patients with other types of acute abdomen who presented with acute abdomen symptoms but were not diagnosed with acute mesenteric ischemia, and 20 healthy people were included in the study. Mesenteric ischemia was confirmed by a pathological evaluation in patients who underwent intestinal resection due to detection of mesenteric ischemia during surgery.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the leukocyte counts and D-dimer levels between subjects with mesenteric ischemia and acute abdomen due to other causes (p > 0.05). There was a significant difference in the serum I-FABP level between these groups (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The I-FABP level is a more reliable parameter for diagnosing acute mesenteric ischemia compared to leukocytosis and D-dimer elevation.