RSSRegulation of Growth Hormone Secretion in Nursing Ewes: An Involvement of μ-Receptor Subtype.
Source
Department of Endocrinology, The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition Polish Academy of Sciences, Jablonna n/Warsaw, Poland Department of Swine and Small Ruminant Breeding, Agricultural University in Cracow, Cracow, Poland.
Abstract
Suckling by newborns induces a surge of lactogenic hormones, that is prolactin and growth hormone (GH), in mother's body, with endogenous opioid peptide (EOP) participating in generation of this surge. The aim of the current study was to investigate which types of opioid receptors are involved in generation of the GH surge in ewes during suckling. A series of intracerebroventricular infusions of opioid receptors antagonists: naloxone (for all types of receptors), naloxonazine (specific for μ receptor) and 5'-guanidinonaltrindole (GNTI - specific for κ receptor) and the vehicle (control) were performed in nursing sheep during the fifth week of lactation. All infusions were carried out in a serial manner: five 30-min infusions (60 μg/60 μl) from 10:00 to 15:00, at 30-min intervals. The period of the experiment consisted of the non-suckling (10:00-12:30) and suckling (12:30-15:00) periods. Simultaneously, blood samples were collected at 10-min intervals to determine plasma GH concentration by radioimmunoassay. Suckling evoked a rapid increase in GH concentration in control ewes. Naloxone and naloxonazine significantly decreased both the basal GH release in the non-suckling period and the suckling-induced GH surge. Specifically, the suppressive effect concerned either the duration or the amplitude of the GH surge. In contrast, GNTI did not significantly affect the GH release. In conclusion, the EOPs may affect the regulatory process of GH secretion in lactating sheep, especially through μ opioid receptor.
© 2011 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Brain levels of arginine-vasotocin and isotocin in dominant and subordinate males of a cichlid fish.
Source
Unidade de Investigação em Eco-Etologia, ISPA-Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do Tabaco, 34, 1149-041 Lisboa, Portugal.
Abstract
The nonapeptides arginine-vasotocin (AVT) and isotocin (IT), which are the teleost homologues of arginine-vasopressin and oxytocin in mammals, have well established peripheral effects on osmoregulation and stress response, and central effects on social behavior. However, all studies that have looked so far into the relationship between these nonapeptides and social behavior have used indirect measures of AVT/IT activity (i.e. immunohistochemistry of AVT/IT immunoreactive neurons, or AVT/IT or their receptors mRNA expression with in situ hybridization or qPCR) and therefore direct measures of peptide levels in relation to social behavior are still lacking. Here we use a recently developed high-performance liquid chromatography analysis with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FL) method to quantify the levels of both AVT and IT in macro-dissected brain areas [i.e. olfactory bulbs, telencephalon, diencephalon, optic tectum, cerebellum, and hindbrain (= rhombencephalon minus cerebellum)] and pituitary of dominant and subordinate male cichlid fish (Oreochromis mossambicus). The pituitary shows higher levels of both peptides than any of the brain macroareas, and the olfactory bulbs have the highest AVT among all brain areas. Except for IT in the telencephalon there is a lack of correlations between central levels and pituitary peptide levels, suggesting an independent control of hypophysial and CNS nonapeptide secretion. There were also no correlations between AVT and IT levels either for each brain region or for the pituitary gland, suggesting a decoupled activity of the AVT and IT systems at the CNS level. Subordinate AVT pituitary levels are significantly higher than those of dominants, and dominant hindbrain IT levels are significantly higher than those of subordinates, suggesting a potential involvement of AVT in social stress in subordinate fish and of IT in the regulation of dominant behavior at the level of the hindbrain. Since in this species dominant males use urine to communicate social status and since AVT is known to have an antidiuretic effect, we have also investigated the effect of social status on urine storage. As predicted, dominant males stored significantly more urine than subordinates. Given these results we suggest that AVT/IT play a key role in orchestrating social phenotypes, acting both as central neuromodulators that promote behavioral plasticity and as peripheral hormones that promote integrated physiological changes.
Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Multiplex Immunoassays of Peptide Hormones Extracted from Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue Accurately Subclassify Pituitary Adenomas.
Source
Department of Laboratory Medicine and.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The current gold standard for diagnostic classification of many solid-tissue neoplasms is immunohistochemistry (IHC) performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. Although IHC is commonly used, there remain important issues related to preanalytic variability, nonstandard methods, and operator bias that may contribute to clinically significant error. To increase the quantitative accuracy and reliability of FFPE tissue-based diagnosis, we sought to develop a clinical proteomic method to characterize protein expression in pathologic tissue samples rapidly and quantitatively.
METHODS:
We subclassified FFPE tissue from 136 clinical pituitary adenoma samples according to hormone translation with IHC and then extracted tissue proteins and quantified pituitary hormones with multiplex bead-based immunoassays. Hormone concentrations were normalized and compared across diagnostic groups. We developed a quantitative classification scheme for pituitary adenomas on archived samples and validated it on prospectively collected clinical samples.
RESULTS:
The most abundant relative hormone concentrations differentiated sensitively and specifically between IHC-classified hormone-expressing adenoma types, correctly predicting IHC-positive diagnoses in 85% of cases overall, with discrepancies found only in cases of clinically nonfunctioning adenomas. Several adenomas with clinically relevant hormone-expressing phenotypes were identified with this assay yet called "null" by IHC, suggesting that multiplex immunoassays may be more sensitive than IHC for detecting clinically meaningful protein expression.
CONCLUSIONS:
Multiplex immunoassays performed on FFPE tissue extracts can provide diagnostically relevant information and may exceed the performance of IHC in classifying some pituitary neoplasms. This technique is simple, largely amenable to automation, and likely applicable to other diagnostic problems in molecular pathology.
Case records of the Massachusetts General Hospital. Case 40-2011. A 52-year-old man with weakness, infections, and enlarged adrenal glands.
Source
Neuroendocrine Unit, the Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
Processing-independent analysis of peptide hormones and prohormones in plasma.
Source
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
Peptide hormones are post-translationally matured before they reach a structure in which they can fulfill their biological functions. The prohormone processing may encompass a variety of endoproteolytic cleavages, N- and C-terminal trimmings, and amino acid derivatizations. The same prohormone can be variably processed in different cell types and, in addition, diseased cells often change the processing of a given precursor. The translational process is often either increased or decreased in diseased cells, which renders the ensuing modifications of the prohormone incomplete. Consequently, a variable mixture of precursors and processing-intermediates accumulates in plasma. In order to exploit disturbed posttranslational processing for diagnostic use and at the same time provide an accurate measure of the translational product, a simple analytical principle named "processing-independent analysis" (PIA) was designed. PIA-methods quantitate the total mRNA product irrespective of the degree of processing. PIA-methods have now been developed for a number of prohormones and proteins, and their diagnostic potential appears promising in diagnosis of cardiovascular disease and in several malignancies.
- PMID:
- 22201837
- [PubMed - in process]
Choriocarcinoma following ovarian hydatidiform mole: a case report.
Source
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet/Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Ovarian ectopic pregnancies are uncommon, and a hydatidiform mole in this location is extremely rare but may later develop into a choriocarcinoma.
CASE:
A 49-year-old woman with a history of an ectopic pregnancy, lost to follow-up in spite of rising human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels, presented three years later at the emergency ward with hemoptysis, vaginal bleeding and elevated serum hCG. Pulmonary and vaginal metastasis was found, and the diagnosis of a choriocarcinoma was confirmed. She received chemotherapy during a 6-month period and recovered successfully. Seven years later she is free of disease. Reevaluation of the histological specimen from the previous ectopic pregnancy confirmed an ovarian hydatidiform mole and the later development of choriocarcinoma which probably originated from this mole.
CONCLUSION:
The diagnosis of hydatidiform mole can be difficult, however, it may be crucial to the patient. Whenever a histopathologic examination of products of conception is performed, it is important that a hydatidiform mole can be ruled out, and that may require additional analysis such as immunohistochemistry and DNA ploidy. In cases in which a gestational trophoblastic disease is suspected, it is necessary to monitor serum hCG until values are negative.
- PMID:
- 22195336
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Short-Chain Fatty Acids Stimulate Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Secretion via the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor FFAR2.
Source
Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Wellcome Trust/Medical Research Council Building, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, U.K.
Abstract
Interest in how the gut microbiome can influence the metabolic state of the host has recently heightened. One postulated link is bacterial fermentation of "indigestible" prebiotics to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which in turn modulate the release of gut hormones controlling insulin release and appetite. We show here that SCFAs trigger secretion of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 from mixed colonic cultures in vitro. Quantitative PCR revealed enriched expression of the SCFA receptors ffar2 (grp43) and ffar3 (gpr41) in GLP-1-secreting L cells, and consistent with the reported coupling of GPR43 to Gq signaling pathways, SCFAs raised cytosolic Ca(2+) in L cells in primary culture. Mice lacking ffar2 or ffar3 exhibited reduced SCFA-triggered GLP-1 secretion in vitro and in vivo and a parallel impairment of glucose tolerance. These results highlight SCFAs and their receptors as potential targets for the treatment of diabetes.
Glycosides of Hydroxyproline: Some Recent, Unusual Discoveries.
Source
Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA.
Abstract
Glycosides of hydroxyproline (Hyp) in the plant cell wall matrix were discovered by Lamport and co-workers in the 1960s. Since then, much has been learned about these hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs). The intent of this review is to compare and contrast some less common structural motifs, in non-traditional roles, to uncover themes. Arabinosylation of short peptide plant hormones is essential for growth, cell differentiation and defense. In a very recent development, prolyl hydroxylase and arabinosyltransferase activity has been shown to have a direct impact on the growth of root hairs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Pollen allergens of mugwort and ragweed contain proline-rich domains that are hydroxylated and glycosylated and play a structural role. In the case of mugwort, this domain also presents a significant immunogenic epitope. Major crops, including tobacco and maize, have been used to express and produce recombinant proteins of mammalian origin. The risks of plant-imposed glycosylation are discussed. In unicellular eukaryotes, Skp1 (a subunit of the E3(SCF) ubiquitin ligase complex) harbors a key Hyp residue that is modified by a linear pentasaccharide. These modifications may be involved in sensing oxygen levels. A few studies have probed the impact of glycosylation on the structure of hydroxyproline-containing peptides. These have necessarily looked at small, synthetic molecules, since natural peptides and proteins are often isolable in only minuscule amounts, and/or are heterogeneous in nature. The characterization of native structural motifs, together with the determination of glycopeptide conformation and properties, holds the key to rationalizing nature's architectural design.
A Novel GH1 Mutation in a Family with Isolated Growth Hormone Deficiency Type II.
Source
Medical Faculty Skopje, Skopje, Macedonia.
Abstract
Background: Four distinct familial types of isolated GH deficiency (IGHD) have been described so far. Objective: We report a novel nonsense GH1 mutation in a father and a son. Patients: Father's height was 137.3 cm (-6.79 SDS); mother's height was 157.3 cm (-1.86 SDS). By the age of 8.25 years, his height was 104.3 cm (-4.82 SDS) and his weight was 18.3 kg (-3.35 SDS). GH stimulation tests had low peak GH value of 6.5 ng/ml (proband) and 6.3 ng/ml (father). Other pituitary hormones and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pituitary region was normal in both patients. The proband received recombinant human GH (rhGH) treatment (30 μg/kg/day) and he grew 15.4 cm in 15 months. Results: Sequencing of the GH1 gene revealed a novel heterozygous nonsense mutation in both the father and the son (c.199A>T), which introduces a stop codon in exon 3. Conclusion: We present a family with IGHD II, with severe short stature, no phenotypic characteristics of GHD and a novel nonsense mutation in exon 3 of the GH1 gene. As fibroblasts were unavailable, we used computer analysis and we propose a unique mechanism that combines aberrant splicing and derogated GH release from the pituitary with residual secretion of a bioinactive truncated GH peptide.
Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.
The effect of active immunization against vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and inhibin on reproductive performance of aging White Leghorn roosters.
Source
Department of Animal Sciences, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
Abstract
Decreasing fertility in aging domestic roosters is a well-known phenomenon. Aging is manifested by a decrease in plasma testosterone level, testis function, and spermatogenesis, resulting in a low level of fertility. The roles of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and testicular inhibin in this aging process are not clear. The effects of active immunization against VIP, inhibin, or the combination of both hormones on the reproduction of aging White Leghorn (WL) roosters were assayed. In experiment 1a, 60 White Leghorn roosters (67 wk of age) were divided into 4 groups (n = 15/group). The first group was actively immunized against VIP, the second against inhibin, the third against VIP and inhibin, and the fourth served as a control. Active immunization against VIP decreased semen quality parameters, plasma steroid levels, and gene expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), LH receptor, VIP, and prolactin (Prl). Immunization against inhibin increased some of the semen quality parameters and FSH mRNA gene expression but decreased inhibin gene expression. In experiment 1b, at 94 wk of age, we took the actively immunized against VIP group and the control group and divided them into 2 subgroups (n = 7 or 8): the first group was injected with 1 mg of ovine Prl (oPrl) daily for 7 d, and the second group served as a control. Administration of oPrl to previously VIP-immunized birds significantly elevated semen quality parameters. We suggest that VIP, Prl, and inhibin have an important effect on the reproductive axis in aging roosters. Active immunization against VIP-depressed reproductive activity and Prl administration restored their reproduction, indicating that both VIP and Prl are essential for reproduction in aging roosters. Immunization against inhibin improved FSH mRNA gene expression, suggesting a negative role of inhibin on FSH secretion in aging roosters. Not all semen quality parameters increased significantly after immunization against inhibin, even though FSH mRNA gene expression increased, suggesting interference in testicular function in aging roosters.
Nutrient detection by incretin hormone secreting cells.
Abstract
The hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulintropic polypeptide (GIP) are secreted after a meal. Like other enteroendocrine hormones they help to orchestrate the bodies' response to the availability of newly absorbable nutrients and are noteworthy as they stimulate postprandial insulin secretion, underlying what is known as the incretin effect. GLP-1-mimetics are now widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and advantages over older insulinotropic therapies include weight loss. An alternative treatment regime might be the recruitment of endogenous GLP-1, however, very little is known about the physiological control of enteroendocrine responses. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms to detect nutrient arrival in the gut that have been implicated within the incretin secreting cells.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Dietary Fiber, Gut Peptides, and Adipocytokines.
Source
1 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University , Madrid, Spain .
Abstract
Abstract The consumption of dietary fiber (DF) has increased since it was related to the prevention of a range of illnesses and pathological conditions. DF can modify some gut hormones that regulate satiety and energy intake, thus also affecting lipid metabolism and energy expenditure. Among these gut hormones are ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1,peptide YY, and cholecystokinin. Adipose tissue is known to express and secrete a variety of products known as "adipocytokines," which are also affected by DF. Some of the most relevant adipocytokines include adiponectin, leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6. The release of adipocytokines, by either adipocytes or macrophage-infiltrated adipose tissue, leads to a chronic subinflammatory state that could play a central role in the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, therefore increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease associated with obesity. DF modulation of these molecules could also have positive effects on obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. This review is focused on the effects of DF on the above-mentioned gut peptides and adipocytokines.
Influence of bariatric surgery on remission of type 2 diabetes.
Source
Zakład Regulacji Metabolizmu, Instytut Biochemii, Wydział Biologii, Uniwersytet Warszawski.
Abstract
The plague of obesity afflicts an increasing group of people. Moreover type 2 diabetes, which is the most serious illness accompanying excessive weight, is becoming more and more common. Traditional methods of obesity treatment, such as diet and physical exercise, fail. This applies especially to people with class III obesity. The only successful way of treating obesity in their case is bariatric surgery. There are three types of bariatric surgery: restrictive procedures (reducing stomach volume), malabsorptive procedures, and mixed procedures, which combine both methods. In spite of the risk connected with the surgery and complications after it, bariatric procedures are advised to patients with class III obesity and class II with an accompanying illness which increases the probability of death. It has been proved that bariatric surgery not only eliminates obesity but also very frequently (in 90% of cases) leads to the remission of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, the remission occurs very fast - it takes place a long time before the patients reduce their weight, even within a few days after surgery. Detailed studies have shown that the remission of diabetes is caused mostly by the change of the gastro-intestinal hormones' profile, resulting from the surgery. These hormones include GLP-1, GIP,peptide YY, ghrelin and oxyntomodulin. Additionally, the change of the amount of adipose tissue after the surgery influences the level of adipokines, i.e. the hormones of the adipose tissue, among which the most important are leptin, adiponectin and resistin. Thus, bariatric surgery not only changes the shape of the gastrointestinal tract but it also modulates the hormonal activity. Bariatric surgery is considered as therapy not only for the obese but also for diabetic patients.
[C-kit is a marker of human pancreatic endocrinocyte stem cells].
Abstract
The aim of our study was to analyze the expression of one of the markers of progenitor cell of different cell types - CD 117 (C-kit) - in human pancreas during prenatal development. The pancreas of human embryos and fetuses at 4-28 weeks of gestation as well as of infants aged up to 2nd postnatal month, was studied. In histological sections, the immunocytochemical reactions were performed with the antibodies against C-kit, insulin and glucagon. In situ hybridization was used for detection of proinsulin mRNA. First cells expressing C-kit were found in human pancreas at 8.5 weeks of gestation among ductal epithelial cells. At 11.5 weeks of gestation these cells were found to segregate from the ductal epithelium and start to form islets. From 8.5 weeks of gestation C-kit positive cells started to express glucagon and proinsulin mRNA, and after 11.5 weeks they also expressed insulin. Islet C-kit positive cells coexpressing both glucagon and insulin, were also found after the birth. It may be concluded that C-kit positive endocrinocyte progenitor cells are common for pancreatic islet A- and B-cells and they are preserved in he islets after the birth.
- PMID:
- 22171430
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Frequency of lipodystrophy induced by recombinant human insulin.
Source
Department of Dermatolog, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUD AND OBJECTIVE: Lipodystrophy is a potential clinical complication induced by insulin therapy, and it is believed that its frequency has been reduced by using recombinant human insulin. Aim of this study was to determine the frequency of recombinant human insulin induced lipodystrophy in diabetic patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This cross sectional study was done on 220 diabetics referring to Imam Educational Hospital of Sari Township in 2007-2008 who had been under treatment with recombinant human insulin at least three months before. First, the anthropologic and clinical features of the patients were recorded in questionnaire, then all of the patients were examined clinically for lipodystrophy. In all patients, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) was measured for control of the blood glucose. The obtained data were analyzed by the descriptive statistical methods, t-test and 2 test.
RESULTS:
From the total 220 diabetics under study, 35 (15.9%) had insulin induced lipodystrophy, of them 32 (14.5%) had lipohypertrophy and 3 (1.4%) with lipoatrophy. Factors such as age, sex, level of education, body mass index (BMI), type of diabetes, period of using insulin and injection site had significant influence in development of insulin induced lipodystrophy (p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS:
Findings of this study revealed that despite using a recombinant human insulin, the frequency of the lipodystrophy particularly of lipohypertrophy still remained high level. Therefore, a regular examination of the diabetic patients for this complication is necessary, specially in the individuals who have a defective control on their blood glucose level.
- PMID:
- 22165682
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Topiramate induces weight loss and improves insulin sensitivity in dietary obese rats: comparison to sibutramine.
Source
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Topiramate is newly approved as anticonvulsant that seems to promote body weight loss in humans. The present study was designed to evaluate the weight-controlling properties of topiramate in dietary obese female rats in comparison with sibutramine.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Fifty rats were assigned as normal, high fat diet (HFD), HFD + sibutramine (7.5 mg/kg, p.o.), HFD + topiramate (25 mg/kg, p.o.) and HFD + topiramate (50 mg/kg, p.o.). Body weight was registered, anxiety was tested in Vogel's test and blood pressure (BP) was measured. In addition, liver index, adipose tissue index, fasting blood glucose and serum lipid profile were measured in all groups. Further, serum insulin, leptin and adiponectin were determined.
RESULTS:
Feeding with HFD induced a significant increase in body weight of rats as well as insulin resistance and serum lipids as compared to normal group (p<0.05). These measurements were suppressed by sibutramine treatment. However, a significant elevation in BP and anxiety behavior were detected as compared with HFD group (p<0.05). Topiramate (50 mg/kg, p.o.) group showed weight loss, improved insulin resistance, lessened anxiety behavior without influence on BP.
DISCUSSION:
Our data ensures the findings that topiramate has a weight controlling properties with no anxiogenic or hypertensive effects. Further investigations are needed to determine the utility of topiramate in the clinical management of obesity.
- PMID:
- 22165681
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Sex hormone alterations and systemic inflammation in a group of male COPD smokers and their correlation with the +138 insA/delA endothelin-1 gene polymorphism. A case-control study.
Source
Division of Pneumology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Rio Patras, Greece. pneumonas@hotmail.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by the presence of a low-grade systemic inflammation that is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous extrapulmonary manifestations, such as hypogonadism. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a molecule that demonstrates pro-inflammatory properties and can augment the airway and systemic inflammation. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the ET-1 gene that increase ET-1 serum levels are an important area of investigation. We examined the alterations in inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)] and in the levels of testosterone, free testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in a group of male COPD smokers when compared to their age-matched controls and how these alterations relate to the presence of a functional ET-1 SNP, the adenine insertion SNP +138 insA/delA.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
In this case control study, 80 male control smokers and 82 male COPD smokers were recruited for comparison. Among the male COPD smokers, 37 were carriers of the +138 insA/delA SNP. Two COPD subgroups according to genotype were formed: (1) A group of 45 males homozygous for the wild type allele (3A/3A) and (2) a group of 37 males heterozygous for the mutant allele (3A/4A).
RESULTS:
Levels of testosterone and free testosterone were lower in the COPD group and even lower in the 3A/4A COPD group. CRP and ESR levels were higher in both COPD groups, but their elevation was statistically significant only for the 3A/4A COPD group. Testosterone and free testosterone levels correlated positively with PaO2 for both COPD groups. An inverse correlation between testosterone and CRP was demonstrated for the 3A/4A COPD subgroup.
CONCLUSIONS:
Levels of testosterone correlated to FEV1, hypoxemia and weakly to CRP. The synchronous presence of the +138 insA/delA SNP resulted in even greater sex hormone level decline probably due to the presence of a more intense systemic inflammation.
- PMID:
- 22165675
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Serum cytokine and pro-brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in patients with migraine.
Source
Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey. ertuzar@yahoo.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Although migraine has been related with an increased risk for ischemic stroke and cardiovascular events, there is insufficient data for role of pro-brain natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) in migraine. In present case-control study, serum levels of pro-inflammatory (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, and IL-10) of migraine patients were investigated to determine the role of cytokines and pro-BNP in migraine.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Sixty-four consecutive newly diagnosed migraine patients and 34 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and pro-BNP levels were measured by using a chemiluminescence assay.
RESULTS:
Migraine patients had significantly higher concentrations of IL-1beta and IL-6 compared with the healthy controls (for IL-1beta; 5.73 +/- 1.44 vs. 4.90 +/- 1.40 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.006; for IL-6; 3.1 +/- 1.44 vs. 2.40 +/- 0.22 pg/mL, respectively, p = 0.007). The mean IL-10 levels were found to be significantly lower in migraine patients (3.38 +/- 2.93 pg/mL) than controls (6.76 +/- 1.48 pg/mL) (p = 0.007). There were no differences in TNF-alpha (27.2 +/- 48.1 vs. 15.4 +/- 0.7) and IL-2 (1017 +/- 661 vs. 1153 +/- 228) levels between patients with migraine and healthy controls. Migraine patients had higher concentrations of pro-BNP compared with healthy controls (27.0 +/- 28.0 versus 13.2 +/- 8.6, p = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS:
Migraine patients have higher serum IL-1beta and IL-6 levels, and lower IL-10 levels than healthy subjects. These findings support that cytokines may be related to neurogenic inflammation in the pathogenesis of migraine. Also, increased pro-BNP may indicate to preclinical cardiac involvement in patients with migraine.
- PMID:
- 22165670
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
[The influence of acupuncture on the quality of life and the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in patients presenting with subclinical hypothyroidism].
Abstract
This study included 27 female patients who applied for medical treatment of arthralgias and myalgias. They were found to have elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone in conjunction with the normal concentrations of thyroid hormones. The therapeutic procedures included corporal and auricular acupuncture, introduction of needles into the reflexogenic scalp and wrist zones (depending on clinical symptoms) and into the thyroid gland projection zones on the skin, massage of paravertebral regions of the cervical and thoracic spine using a bone scraper (the Gua Sha healing technique). Twenty of the 27 patients completed two therapeutic courses with a 3-4 month interval between them. The treatment resulted in a significant decrease of the number and severity of the initial clinical symptoms; the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone fell down to the physiological values, characteristics of the quality of life became comparable with those of healthy subjects. It is concluded that acupuncture may be regarded as an alternative to substitution therapy of subclinical hypothyroidism.
- PMID:
- 22165143
- [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Normalizing Eating Behavior Reduces Body Weight and Improves Gastrointestinal Hormonal Secretion in Obese Adolescents.
Source
Departments of Paediatric Endocrinology (J.G.) and Medical Statistics (L.P.H.), and Diabetes and Metabolic Endocrinology (J.P.H.S.), School of Clinical Sciences, Department of Medicine (S.L.L.), Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrative Neuroscience and Endocrinology, University of Bristol, Bristol BS2 8AE, United Kingdom; Department of Paediatric Endocrinology (M.A.S.), Murdoch Children's Research Institute at the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne 3052, Australia; Mandometer Clinic (C.B.), S-141 04 Huddinge, Sweden; and Department of Behavioural Neuroendocrinology (P.S.), Section of Applied Neuroendocrinology, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, S-141 57, Huddinge, Sweden.
Abstract
Hypothesis:Retraining obese adolescents to eat more slowly will lead to beneficial changes in circulating concentrations of gastrointestinal satiety hormones.Methods:Ghrelin and peptide tyrosine-tyrosine were measured during an oral glucose tolerance test, at baseline and at 12 months during a randomized trial assessing the clinical effectiveness of a device (Mandometer) designed to retrain eating behavior. This computerized scale provided real-time feedback during meals in the intervention arm (n = 14) to slow down the speed of eating. The control group (n = 13) received only standard care aimed at improving lifestyle behavior. The Mandometer elicited greater improvements in weight loss than standard care.Results:Compared with baseline, only those using the Mandometer exhibited lower mean levels of fasting ghrelin (48.14 ± 18.47 vs. 68.45 ± 17.78 pg/ml; P = 0.002) and mean ghrelin area under the curve (72.08 ± 24.11 vs. 125.50 ± 29.72 pg/ml × min; P < 0.001) at 12 months. Absolute mean suppression in ghrelin at 60 min was enhanced (-40.50 ± 21.06 vs. -12.14 ± 19.74 pg/ml × min; P = 0.001). Peptide tyrosine-tyrosine response at 90 min remained unaltered in the standard care arm, whereas those in the Mandometer arm increased (P < 0.001): the mean 90-min response increased by 72 pg/ml [95% confidence interval (CI) 52-92 pg/ml] between baseline and 12 months. In a partial correlation analysis adjusting for change (Δ) in body mass index sd scores, Δ meal duration correlated negatively with Δ absolute suppression in ghrelin at 60 min (r = -0.58; P = 0.037; 95% CI -0.79 to -0.27) and Δ ghrelin area under the curve (r = -0.62; P = 0.025; 95% CI -0.81 to -0.31).Conclusions:Retraining obese adolescents to eat more slowly has a significant impact on the gastrointestinal hormone response to a carbohydrate load, suggesting that externally modifiable eating behaviors actually regulate the hormonal response to food.
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