Serum and urine boron and selenium levels in children with resistant epilepsy

To determine the role of serum and urine selenium, and boron levels in children with resistant epilepsy. Serum and urine boron and selenium levels were studied in 53 cases [32 boys and 21 girls] diagnosed with resistant epilepsy between April 2006 and February 2007 at the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey. Differences between groups were assessed using Student's t-test. Countable data were defined as percentage. Inter-group difference was assessed by Chi-square test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. When serum and urine boron and selenium levels were evaluated and compare with controls, a statistically significant difference was found in serum selenium, urine selenium, and urine boron levels [p<0.05]. No significant difference was found in serum boron levels [p>0.05]. It was observed that there is a need for selenium supplementation in treatment of patients with resistant epilepsy, while no etiologic role is observed for boron

association of plasma homocysteine levels with serum leptin and apolipoprotein B levels in childhood obesity

An elevated plasma total homocysteine [tHcy] level has recently been established as an independent risk factor for thrombosis and vascular disease. However, the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and cardiovascular disease and obesity remains controversial. The aim of the study was to investigate a possible relationship between plasma tHcy levels and measures of childhood obesity. Forty children and adolescents with exogenous obesity and 20 non-obese subjects in an age-and sex-matched control group were investigated. Fasting samples were collected for plasma tHcy, serum insulin, leptin, vitamin B12, folate, creatinine and lipid parameters. Anthropometric characteristics and body compositions were assessed in both groups. The obese patients had significantly higher tHcy levels than the non-obese controls [14.3 +/- 11.8 micro mol/L vs 8.7 +/- 5.9 micro mol/L; P=0.017]. In both groups, plasma tHcy was positively related to serum leptin, but serum apolipoprotein B [apo B] levels were positively related to plasma tHcy levels only in obese patients. Our study demonstrates for the first time that leptin and apo B are main correlates of tHcy in obese children and adolescents and suggests that hyperleptinemia and increased apo B may contribute to impairment of tHcy metabolism in childhood obesity