Macrophage Infiltration into Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue is Associated with Local Levels of 11BHSD1

The present study aimed to evaluate the infiltration of macrophages in form of crown-line structures (CLS) in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of obese individuals, and to investigate the effect of these on both metabolic parameters and adipose tissue 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11BHSD1) enzyme levels. A total of 53 obese (10 men, 43 woman) enrolled in the study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumfrence, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) of all subjects were recorded. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). The concentration of SAT, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, 11BHSD1 were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The infiltration of macrophages in form of CLS in adipose tissue were determined using cell-specific stains against CD68. There was no significant difference between the CLS⁺group and the CLS^- group in terms of age, gender, BMI, WC, waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), SBP and DBP levels. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HOMA-IR, insulin and SAT TNF-α levels were higher in the CLS⁺group compared to the CLS^- group. FPG and SAT TNF-α levels were significantly higher in participants with high CLS density compared to participants with low density CLS. SAT 11BHSD1 levels was significant higher in the CLS⁺group compare to the CLS^- group and in the high CLS density group compared to the low density group. In conclusion, the infiltration of macrophages in the form of CLS in SAT is associated with increased 11BHSD1 levels. It may be an important mechanism in the development of metabolic disorders.

Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Type II Deiodinase Gene Expression Reduced in Obese Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome

The present study aimed to evaluate the role of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) type II deiodinase enzyme gene (DIO2) expression in developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 51 obese patients with MetS and without MetS and 13 healthy subjects enrolled in the study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), hip circumference, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) of all subjects were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin, high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) of all subjects were analyzed. Expression of the DIO2 gene in adipose tissue was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). BMI, WC and WHR were not significantly difference between obese with and without MetS. SBP, DBP, FPG and TG were significantly higher in obese with MetS group than obese without MetS group. While the free triiodothyronine (T3) level was in the normal range in all group, it was significantly lower in the obese with MetS than both obese without MetS and control group. DIO2 expression was significantly lower in the obese with MetS group compared to the control. In correlation analysis, DIO2 expression was negatively correlated with DBP, TG and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels and positively correlated with free T3. In conclusion, the reduction of SAT DIO2 expression is negatively correlated with DBP and TG levels that are associated with the MetS. This might have an effect on developing MetS. We believe that DIO2 gene may be an important molecular target for future studies in developing targeted treatment options for obese people with MetS.

Relationship between coronary in-stent restenosis and plasma urotensin II level

AIM

In-stent restonosis is an important limitation for coronary stenting. The cause of in-stent restenosis is neointimal hyperplasia developed from smooth muscle and matrix. We aimed to investigate the association between urotensin II (U-II) and in-stent restenosis after coronary stenting, which causes endothelial and muscle proliferation and accumulation of collagen.

METHODS

Total 153 patient was enrolled to the study who meet criteria for angiographic indication underwent coronary artery angiography. All patients have history undergone for coronary stent implantation 3 to 9 months ago. In-stent restenosis is identified as ≥50% narrowing inside the stent. In-stent restenosis was observed in 73 and remaining of 80 patients revealed no critical lesion in stent on angiographic evaluation. Plasma level measurement of U-II was performed in all subjects.

RESULTS

Urotensin II levels were found to be significantly higher in Group I compared to Group II (1.44±0.74 ng/mL and 1.21±0.59 ng/mL, respectively, P=0.03). In a subgroup analysis, U-II levels were significantly higher in group I than group II in patients treated with bare metal stent (BMS) (1.50±0.76 ng/mL and 1.18±0.56 ng/mL, P=0.016); however, there was not significant change in patients treated with drug-eluted stent (1.26±0.64 ng/mL and 1.27±0.63 ng/mL, P=0.9). Multivariate statistical significance: negative correlation was found between in-stent restenosis and renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) blocker usage (P=0.040) and right coronary artery (RCA) lesion interventions (P=0.018).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed high plasma U-II level might be accepted as a risk factors for in-stent restenosis with BMS. In-stent restenosis is less developed after RCA interventions and taking drug of RAS blockages. Our study findings need to be confirmed in further studies.

Serum paraoxonase, arylesterase activity and oxidative status in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS)

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase activities, lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), sulfhydryl (-SH), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to determine whether these oxidant and antioxidant levels can be used as OSAS markers. The results were compared with measurements from healthy control subjects.

METHODS AND METHODS

This study was a prospective, controlled trial including 26 OSAS patients and 35 healthy controls (61 subjects total). Peripheral venous blood samples were taken from the OSAS patients and from the healthy volunteers. The serum PON, arylesterase activities LOOH, -SH, Cp, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were measured.

RESULTS

LOOH and Cp levels were higher in the OSAS group than in the control group (p < 0.01). The -SH levels were lower in the OSAS group than in the control group (p < 0.01). The PON and arylesterase enzyme activity levels were lower in the OSAS group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in the OSAS group (p < 0.01), while their TAS levels were significantly lower (p < 0.01) compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with OSAS have increased systemic oxidative stress and reduced levels of circulating antioxidant enzymes. Oxidative stress appears to be an underlying condition associated with OSAS.

Evaluation of oxidative and nitrosative stress in hemodialysis patients

AIM

Oxidative/nitrosative stress has long been demonstrated in hemodialysis patients. It is associated with numerous complications such as atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular disturbances. However, the factors influencing oxidative/nitrosative status have not been characterized extensively in these patients. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the alteration of oxidative/nitrosative stress parameters and total antioxidant status.

METHODS

Forty-one hemodialysis patients and 41 healthy subjects were enrolled in the present study. Serum myeloperoxidase, nitrotyrosine and total antioxidant capacity were determined.

RESULTS

Serum myeloperoxidase and nitrotyrosine were significantly higher in the haemodialysis patients compared to the healthy subjects (P<0.05) while total antioxidant capacity was lower (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

According to the results of this study, oxidative and nitrosative stress is increased in haemodialysis patients, therefore these alterations should be considered in the treatment of these patients.

Serum leptin level in acute myeloid leukemia patients

Leptin is a regulator of fat metabolism that is synthesized in adipocytes and released into circulation. The serum levels of leptin are, therefore, correlated with body fat mass and show a wide variation in healthy individuals. Leptin may have an additional indirect effect on leukemic hematopoesis. We investigated serum leptin levels with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 14 acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) patients before and after chemotherapy and compared the results with that of the levels determined 14 healthy controls. We found no significant difference between leptin levels before and after chemotherapy and control group. Therefore, serum leptin level should not be used as a diagnostic marker in acute leukemia patients. However, the possibility of regional leptin production by leukemia blasts in bone marrow stroma creates a high local concentration of leptin within bone marrow microenvironment and systemic leptin level in combination with local leptin production may affect leukemic hematopoesis.

Serum zinc and copper levels in southeastern Turkish children with giardiasis or amebiasis

Alterations of serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) concentrations are commonly found in patients suffering from gastrointestinal infections and with hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, and malignant diseases. In this study, the serum Zn and Cu levels in 20 children with giardiasis and in 40 children with amebiasis were evaluated. The serum Zn levels showed a significant decrease when compared to controls (p<0.001). After metronidazole therapy, a significant increase in Zn levels was observed (p<0.001). There was no significant difference in serum Cu levels between patients and controls before therapy. Before therapy, the serum Cu/Zn ratio in children with either giardiasis or amebiasis was significantly higher than that of the control group. After therapy, the Cu/Zn ratio was found to be back to normal. There were no significant differences in serum Zn levels and Cu/Zn ratios between children with and without diarrhea and there was no significant difference in children with or without failure to thrive. We concluded that Zn deficiency and elevated Cu/Zn ratio could be acute-phase responses to parasitic infections in children with giardiasis or amebiasis and that a successful treatment of the primary disorder will lead to complete recovery. Further studies are in progress to confirm the benefit of Zn supplementation during the acute phase of the disease, particularly in zinc-deficient regions of the world, such as in the case of Turkey.