Mechanism of Smilax glabra in treatment of gout based on network pharmacology / 中草药

Objective: To predict the targets and pathways for the main active components of Smilax glabra in the treatment of gout based on network pharmacology. Methods The active components and targets of the S. glabra were obtained by TCMSP database and Drugbank database. Furthemore, the interaction network among the targets was established by Cytoscape software. Meanwhile, crosslink analysis was performed to screen out the active components and potential targets. Finally, the information was obtained from the MAS 3.0 biomolecular function system, and then the target pathway network model was established. Results In this study, a total of 11 effective components and 39 effective targets were predicted, which related to adipocytokine signaling pathway, ERbB signaling pathway, and Toll like receptor signaling pathway. Among these pathways, MAPK1, RELA, PTGS2 genes may play a crucial role. Conclusion This study investigated the characteristics on multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway of S. glabra, which provided a new idea and method for further study on anti-gout mechanism of S. glabra.

Expression of adipocytokine resistin and inflammatory cytokines, and their associations with the clinicopathological features of pancreatic carcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of resistin and inflammatory cytokines in pancreatic cancer and explore the association with clinicopathological features.Methods The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to examine the serum resistin level in 38 patients with pancreatic cancer and 32 healthy controls.The real-time PCR technique was used to detect the mRNA expression level of resistin and inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-2 and IL-8 in surgically resected specimens of pancreatic cancer patients.Results The serum resistin level in patients with pancreatic cancer was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (P ＜ 0.05).The serum resistin level was positively associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis,respectively (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant correlation between serum resistin level and age,gender,BMI,preoperative blood glucose levels,tumor location,tumor size,nerve invasion and differentiation grade (P ＞ 0.05).The expression level of resistin mRNA in pancreatic cancer tissues was 3.8 times more than that in normal pancreatic tissues (P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA expressiou level of proinflammatory cytokines as TNF-α and IL-8 in pancreatic cancer tissues were 2.1 and 1.9 times higher than those in normal pancreatic tissues (P ＜ 0.05).The mRNA expression level of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-2 accounted for 20％ of that in normal pancreatic tissues (P ＜ 0.05).Conlusions The serum resistin level in patients with pancreatic cancer was significantly higher than that of healthy controls,and positively associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis.The expression level of resistin and proinflammatory cytokines IL-8 and TNF-α of pancreatic cancer tissues were significantly higher than those of normal pancreatic tissues.The expression level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-2 was less than that in normal pancreatic tissues.It's suggested that resistin may take part in the development and progression of pancreatic cancer by mediating inflammatory reaction.

Serum visfatin levels in non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and matched controls

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to compare the circulating levels of visfatin between women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and those without PCOS and to assess the correlations between visfatin levels and various parameters. METHODS: This case-control study recruited 74 PCOS patients and 74 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls. Serum visfatin levels were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Women with PCOS were divided into 2 subgroups based on the presence of clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism. The possible differences in serum visfatin levels between the hyperandrogenic and non-hyperandrogenic groups were also assessed. RESULTS: Visfatin levels in PCOS patients were similar to those in the controls. However, hyperandrogenic patients had significantly higher mean serum visfatin levels than those in non-hyperandrogenic patients (3.87 ng/mL; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 3.09–4.85 in hyperandrogenic group vs. 2.69 ng/mL; 95% CIs, 2.06–3.52 in non-hyperandrogenic group; P=0.038). In women with PCOS, visfatin levels positively correlated with BMI (r=0.23; P=0.047) and the log free androgen index (FAI) (r=0.27; P=0.021) and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (r=−0.37; P=0.025). Except for HDL cholesterol levels, these correlations were also observed in controls. CONCLUSION: Visfatin levels in PCOS patients were similar to those in the controls. However, hyperandrogenic patients showed significantly higher serum visfatin levels than those of non-hyperandrogenic patients, and visfatin had a positive linear correlation with FAI in both PCOS patients and controls.

Pathology Of Obesity

Prevalence of obesity worldwide is on an increase at an alarming rate with USA alone showing a 37.5% increase in obese individuals. Obesity is defined by the basal metabolic rate of the individual however off-late waist is to hip ratio has gained precedence over simple BMI in diagnosing Obesity. Post mortem in obese is challenging not only due to the logistics involved but also due to the various co- morbid conditions that an obese individual will have. Adipose tissue is now being looked upon as an entire organ in itself rather than a simple inert tissue and this organ is capable of releasing chemicals which control some of the major metabolic functions of the body. Various diseases occurring with obesity as a cause under study are OSA,OSH, Cancer etc. which we will discuss in this article.

Leptin, the Mediator of Energy Reserve has Role in Fertility: A Review

Leptin, an adipocytokine was discovered in 1994 as putative hormone involved in appetite control acting at hypothalamic level. Since its discovery lot of work has been done over this novel molecule and in variety of physiological domains. Previously it was speculated that fertility, which is the basis of species progression has link with total body mass and energy. Leptin which is involved both in appetite regulation and reproductive process is thought to be have role in fertility regulation. Leptin is secreted from adipose tissue, which is marker of energy reserve of the body. In this review the role of leptin in regulation of fertility has been discussed.

Research progress of mechanism of vitamin D in regulating obesity and insulin resistance on children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Vitamin D has a wide range of biochemical effects. Insufficiency/ deficiency of vitamin D increases the risk of insulin resistance by ways of inflammation,adipocytokines,oxidative stress and mitochondria function,it could lead to metabolic disorder of glucose and lipid,which closely relates to the incidence and development of obesity and metabolic syndrome on children. This paper presents the relationship between vitamin D with obesity and metabolic syndrome on children,states the possible mechanisms of regulation of glucose/ lipid metabolism and insulin resistance by vitamin D.

Serum adipocytokines in pregnant women with different glucose metabolism status / 中华临床营养杂志

Objective To evaluate clinical features,insulin sensitivity,and serum adipocytokines levels in pregnant women with different glucose tolerance status and to investigate the possible serum predictive biomarkers of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods We included 74 pregnant women with positive results of 50 g glucose challenge test (GCT),who received regular obstetrical follow-up in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2009 to June 2012.A further 100 g oral glucose tolerance test was performed in 24-28 gestational weeks,based on which the 74 pregnant women were divided into GDM group (n =25),impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) group (n =25) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group (n =24).The clinical data were recorded in detail.Serum fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-19,FGF-21,visceral adiposespecific serine protease inhibitor (vaspin),leptin,insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1),and adiponectin levels of the 3 groups were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared.The associations of these adipocytokines with the patients' baseline data and metabolic indexes were analyzed.Results The blood glucose after GCT and glycosylated hemoglobin A1c in the GDM group were significantly higher than those in the NGT group [(9.21 ±0.75) mmol/L vs.(8.52 ±0.50) mmol/L,P ＜0.05;(5.39 ± 0.34) ％ vs.(5.18 ± 0.20) ％,P ＜ 0.05],but not significantly different from those in the IGT group [(9.14 ± 0.64) mmol/L,P ＞ 0.05;(5.28 ± 0.28) ％,P ＞ 0.05].Age,systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in the first trimester,pre-gestational body mass index (BMI),increment of BMI during pregnancy,serum total cholesterol,triglyceride,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and C-reactive protein levels in the three groups showed no significant differences (all P ＞0.05).From the NGT group to the IGT group to the GDM group,the area under curve of blood glucose (AUCBG) [(19.84±1.95),(23.20±1.51),(26.58±2.02) mmol/(L · h)] and AUC of insulin (AUCINS) [(1.84± 0.91) ×103,(1.85 ±1.15) ×103,(2.49 ±1.36) ×103 pmol/(L · h)] both gradually increased.Compared with the NGT group,the GDM group had significantly higher HOMA-IR [3.0 (1.5,5.2) vs.2.5 (1.5,3.4),P ＜0.05] significantly lower HOMA-β [230.5 (144.6,311.6) vs.235.6 (168.1,350.0),P ＜ 0.05].Among the GDM,the IGT,and the NGT groups,there were no significant differences in serum FGF-19 [(284.42±78.16),(268.17 ±72.97),(283.86 ±79.74) ng/L],FGF-21 [(798.16±273.57),(882.43 ±322.17),(842.75 ±343.01) ng/L],vaspin [(22.36 ±7.27),(23.53 ±7.90),(22.63±9.11) μag/L],leptin [(5.51 ± 1.44),(5.58 ± 1.58),(5.48 ± 1.47) μg/L],adiponectin [(798.85 ± 255.14),(863.44 ± 252.18),(828.36 ± 249.32) μg/L] and IGFBP-1 [(40.44 ± 16.41),(49.57±12.60),(43.80±16.58) μg/L] levels (all P＞0.05).Conclusions There are no significant differences of a variety of adipocytokines in pregnant women with different glucose tolerance status,and no effective serum predictors of GDM are found.The effect of adipocytokines in the pathogenesis of GDM remains to be further investigated.

Effects of (6)-gingerol, ginger component on adipocyte development and differentiation in 3T3-L1 / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of (6)-gingerol, ginger components proliferation and adipocyte differentiation from early to lately steps. METHODS: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured. Differentiation of confluent cells was induced with dexamethasone, isobutylxanthin and insulin for 2 day and cells were cultured by medium with insulin in presence of various concentrations 0, 25, 50, 100 (micromol/L) of (6)-gingerol for 4 day. Cell viability was measured using the EZ Cytox assay kit. In addition, we examined the expression of mRNA levels associated with each adipocyte differentiation step by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: (6)-Gingerol inhibited adipocyte proliferation in a dose and time dependent manner. Expression of C/EBPbeta, associated with early differentiation step remained unchaged. However, intermmediate, late differentiation step and adipocytokines were effectively changed in dose-dependently manner in cell groups treated with (6)-gingerol. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that treatment with (6)-gingerol inhibited adipocyte proliferation as well as each adipocyte differentiation step. In particular, the (6)-gingerol more effectively inhibited adipocyte differentiation from intermmediate differentiation step.

Comparison of Serum Adipocytokine Levels according to Metabolic Health and Obesity Status

BACKGROUND: Metabolic health is an emerging concept that is highly correlated with various metabolic complications, and adipocytokines have been causally linked to a wide range of metabolic diseases. Thus, this study compared serum adipocytokine levels according to metabolic health and obesity status. METHODS: Four hundred and fifty-six nondiabetic subjects (mean age, 40.5 years) were categorized into four groups according to metabolic health and obesity status: metabolically healthy nonobese (MHNO), metabolically healthy obese (MHO), metabolically unhealthy nonobese (MUHNO), and metabolically unhealthy obese (MUHO). Being metabolically healthy was defined as the presence of fewer than two of the following five metabolic abnormalities: high blood pressure, high fasting blood glucose, high triglyceride, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and being in the highest decile of the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index. Obesity status was assessed using body mass index (BMI), with obesity defined as a BMI higher than 25 kg/m2. Levels of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 456 subjects, 247 (54.2%) were in the MHNO group, 66 (14.5%) were in the MHO group, 66 (14.5%) were in the MUHNO group, and 77 (16.9%) were in the MUHO group. There were no significant differences in IL-6 or MCP-1 levels among the groups, but levels of TNF-alpha and A-FABP were significantly higher in the MUHNO group compared to the MHNO group. CONCLUSION: High TNF-alpha and A-FABP levels are significantly associated with metabolically unhealthiness in nonobese Korean individuals.

Impact of metformin treatment and swimming exercise on visfatin levels in high-fat-induced obesity rats / Impacto do tratamento com metformina e da natação nos níveis de visfatina em ratos com obesidade induzida por dieta com alto teor de gordura

Objective : Visfatin is a recently discovered adipocytokine that contributes to glucose and obesity-related conditions. Until now, its responses to the insulin-sensitizing agent metformin and to exercise are largely unknown. We aim to investigate the impact of metformin treatment and/or swimming exercise on serum visfatin and visfatin levels in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), peri-renal adipose tissue (PAT) and skeletal muscle (SM) of high-fat-induced obesity rats. Materials and methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a normal diet or a high-fat diet for 16 weeks to develop obesity model. The high-fat-induced obesity model rats were then randomized to metformin (MET), swimming exercise (SWI), or adjunctive therapy of metformin and swimming exercise (MAS), besides high-fat obesity control group and a normal control group, all with 10 rats per group. Zoometric and glycemic parameters, lipid profile, and serum visfatin levels were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of therapy. Visfatin levels in SAT, PAT and SM were determined by Western Blot. Results : Metformin and swimming exercise improved lipid profile, and increased insulin sensitivity and body weight reduction were observed. Both metformin and swimming exercise down-regulated visfatin levels in SAT and PAT, while the adjunctive therapy conferred greater benefits, but no changes of visfatin levels were observed in SM. Conclusion : Our results indicate that visfatin down-regulation in SAT and PAT may be one of the mechanisms by which metformin and swimming exercise inhibit obesity. .

Objetivo : A visfatina é uma adipocina recentemente descoberta que contribui com as condições relacionadas à glicose e à obesidade. Até hoje, pouco se sabe da sua resposta à metformina, um agente sensibilizador de insulina, e ao exercício. Nosso objetivo foi investigar o impacto do tratamento com metformina e/ou da natação sobre a visfatina no soro e no tecido adiposo subcutâneo (TAS), tecido adiposo perirrenal (TAP) e músculo esquelético (ME) em ratos com obesidade induzida por dieta com alto teor de gordura. Materiais e métodos : Ratos Sprague-Dawley foram alimentados com uma dieta normal ou com alto teor de gordura por 16 semanas para o desenvolvimento de um modelo de obesidade. Os ratos do modelo de obesidade foram, então, randomizados para a metformina, natação ou terapia de combinação com metformina e natação, além do grupo controle de obesidade induzida por alto teor de gordura e do grupo controle normal. Cada grupo apresentava 10 ratos. Parâmetros zoométricos e glicêmicos, perfil lipídico e níveis de visfatina sérica foram avaliados no momento inicial e após seis semanas de tratamento. Os níveis de visfatina em TAS, TAP e ME foram determinados por Western Blot. Resultados : A metformina e a natação melhoraram o perfil lipídico e aumentaram a sensibilidade à insulina, com redução do peso corporal. Tanto a metformina quanto a natação levaram à regulação para baixo dos níveis de visfatina no TAS e TAP, enquanto a terapia de combinação apresentou os maiores benefícios, mas não foram observadas alterações nos níveis de visfatina no ME. Conclusão : Nossos resultados indicam que a regulação para baixo da visfatina no TAS e TAP pode ser um dos mecanismos pelos quais a metformina ...

Anti-arteriosclerosis Effects of Spa Treatment in Diabetes Patients / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  We examined the anti-arteriosclerosis effects of spa treatment in diabetes. We also conducted a comparative study which included non-diabetes patients and diabetes patients who did not receive spa treatment. Methods: Subjects were 104 spa-treated diabetes inpatients at this hospital (Group 1), 60 spa-treated non-diabetes inpatients at this hospital (Group 2), and 28 diabetes patients at other facilities who did not receive spa treatment (Group 3). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) tests were conducted upon admittance and discharge. Results: ABI for diabetes patients (Group 1) showed significant improvement from 1.10±0.01 to 1.12±0.01 on the right side (p<0.01). The left side also showed significant improvement from 1.06±0.02 to 1.09±0.01 (p<0.01). However, non-diabetes patients (Group 2) showed no change on the right side (1.09±0.01 to 1.07±0.02) or left side (1.08±0.01 to 1.06±0.02). Diabetes patients who did not receive spa treatment (Group 3) also showed no change on the right side (1.07±0.03 to 1.05±0.03) or the left side (1.05±0.03 to 1.06±0.03). Discussion: We measured the patients in Group 1, before and after spa treatment, for arteriosclerosis markers Total PAI-1 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein, oxidative stress marker TNF-α, and good adipocytokine adiponectin. Total PAI-1 showed a decrease, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein and TNF-α showed a significant decrease, while adiponectin showed a significant increase. Spa treatment was shown to effectively fight arteriosclerosis and inflammation, and to improve endothelial functions. Conclusion: The changes shown in this study were not seen in non-diabetes patients and diabetes patients who did not receive spa treatment. Therefore, we believe that spa treatment is beneficial for pathological changes caused by diabetes that are particularly skewed towards arteriosclerosis.

Establishment of adipocytokine CTRP4 transgenic mouse / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To establish the CTRP4 transgenic mouse model and investigate the function of the novel adipocytokine CTRP4.Methods CTRP4 overexpressing vector in pCAGGS was firstly constructed and then microinjected into zygote to establish the founder transgenic mice .F1 heterozygotes were generated by founder mice mating with wildtype mice, and the CTRP4 transgenic homozygotes were generated by F 1 littermates.The genotype was confirmed by PCR and test cross method .The expression level of CTRP 4 in transgenic mice was detected by western blot .Result The human CTRP4 transgenic homozygote mice line was established , and the expression level of CTRP 4 was confirmed raletively high in detected tissues including heart , liver, brain and kidney . Conclusion The human CTRP4 transgenic mice was successfully established .

Anti-arteriosclerosis Effects of Spa Treatment in Diabetes Patients / 日本温泉気候物理医学会雑誌

  We examined the anti-arteriosclerosis effects of spa treatment in diabetes. We also conducted a comparative study which included non-diabetes patients and diabetes patients who did not receive spa treatment.<BR><b>Methods:</b> Subjects were 104 spa-treated diabetes inpatients at this hospital (Group 1), 60 spa-treated non-diabetes inpatients at this hospital (Group 2), and 28 diabetes patients at other facilities who did not receive spa treatment (Group 3). Ankle-brachial index (ABI) tests were conducted upon admittance and discharge.<BR><b>Results:</b> ABI for diabetes patients (Group 1) showed significant improvement from 1.10±0.01 to 1.12±0.01 on the right side (p<0.01). The left side also showed significant improvement from 1.06±0.02 to 1.09±0.01 (p<0.01). However, non-diabetes patients (Group 2) showed no change on the right side (1.09±0.01 to 1.07±0.02) or left side (1.08±0.01 to 1.06±0.02). Diabetes patients who did not receive spa treatment (Group 3) also showed no change on the right side (1.07±0.03 to 1.05±0.03) or the left side (1.05±0.03 to 1.06±0.03). <BR><b>Discussion:</b> We measured the patients in Group 1, before and after spa treatment, for arteriosclerosis markers Total PAI-1 and high sensitivity C-reactive protein, oxidative stress marker TNF-α, and good adipocytokine adiponectin. Total PAI-1 showed a decrease, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein and TNF-α showed a significant decrease, while adiponectin showed a significant increase. Spa treatment was shown to effectively fight arteriosclerosis and inflammation, and to improve endothelial functions.<BR><b>Conclusion:</b> The changes shown in this study were not seen in non-diabetes patients and diabetes patients who did not receive spa treatment. Therefore, we believe that spa treatment is beneficial for pathological changes caused by diabetes that are particularly skewed towards arteriosclerosis.

Vaspin in newly and previously diagnosed Chinese type 2 diabetic females: a case-control study.

Background: Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is a novel adipocytokine. Several studies have indicated that vaspin may exert an important role in the development of metabolic disorders. Objective: Evaluate serum vaspin and its relation to clinical parameters in newly and previously diagnosed Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) females as a case-control study. Materials and methods: One hundred twenty female participants (newly and previously diagnosed T2DM patients) were recruited from an affiliated hospital of Harbin Medical University. Sixty healthy female volunteers from various communities were included as controls. Anthropometric parameters, serum fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, lipid profile, HbA1c, and vaspin were measured in each participant. Results: Serum vaspin levels were significantly lower in previously diagnosed T2DM patients (0.51±0.29 ng/mL) than in newly diagnosed T2DM patients (0.62±0.28 ng/mL) and healthy controls (0.69±0.31 ng/mL). However, there was no difference in serum vaspin between newly diagnosed T2DM patients and healthy controls. In multiple linear regression analysis, serum vaspin was significantly and positively associated with HbA1c in both newly and previously diagnosed T2DM patients, negatively associated with homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in previously diagnosed patients, and positively correlated with age and body mass index in healthy controls. Conclusion: Serum vaspin was significantly lower in previously diagnosed T2DM patients than in newly diagnosed T2DM patients and healthy controls. Serum vaspin might be a predictor of poor glucose control and insulin resistance in T2DM.

Markers of endothelial injury and plasma adipocytokine in antiretroviral-naive HIV patients / 中华内科杂志

Objectives To investigate the markers of endothelial injury, adipocytokine and thrombotic activity and explore whether there are cardiovascular disease risk factors in antiretroviral-naive HIV patients. Methods Clinical data and venous blood samples were collected from 43 anti-retroviral naive HIV-infected patients during February -October 2009 in our center, and compared with 17 healthy subjects.Plasma leptin, adiponectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 ( sICAM-1 ), D-dimer were measured by ELISA. Four markers and cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose were compared between the two groups. The CD4+ T cells and percentages of CD38, HLA-DR on CD8+ T were determined by flow cytometry and plasma HIV copies were detected with bDNA analyzer among HIV-infected participants.Spearman correlations between the significant markers and CD4+ T cells, CD8+ CD38+/CD8+, CD8+ HLA-DR +/CD8+, HIV viral load were examined among HIV-infected participants. Analyses were conducted by using Stata version 7. Results Thirty-eight of the 43 patients were sexually infected by HIV and the median absolute CD4+ T cell count was ( 133 ± 82 ) cells/μl, HIV RNA was (4. 42 ± 0. 66 ) lg copies/ml. HIV-infected patients, compared with healthy subjects, had lower leptin [11.41 (7.91,14. 53 )μg/L vs 55.31( 16. 49,229.65 ) μg/L, P= 0. 0005], adiponectin [1.79 ( 1.40,4. 00 ) mg/L vs 3.36 ( 2. 92,4. 18 ) mg/L,P =0. 003] and higher sICAM-1 [1.71 (1.11,2.40) mg/L vs 0. 69 ( 0. 57, 0. 80 ) mg/L, P = 0. 0000].No significant differences exist in cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose. For HIV-infected participants, sICAM-1 tended to correlate with CD8+ CD38+/CD8+ and HIV viral load ( r= 0.3378, P= 0.0267;r = 0.3904,P = 0.0096). Conclusion Patients with untreated HIV infection have lower leptin, adiponectin and higher sICAM-1 levels and the relationship of these markers to HIV-mediated atherosclerotic risk requires further study.

Leptin:Adiponectin Ratio and Metabolic Syndrome in the General Japanese Population / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Circulating leptin:adiponectin ratio (L:A) is a potential surrogate marker for cardiometabolic diseases; however, the relationship of the L:A with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not yet been fully explored in the general Japanese population. METHODS: We enrolled 678 Japanese subjects (208 men and 470 women, mean age: 58.8+/-14.4 [SD] yr; mean body mass index: 23.6+/-3.3 kg/m2) in this study, and determined their MetS status by using the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP) recommendations with minor modifications for the Japanese population. Biochemical markers such as leptin and adiponectin present in blood were measured. The statistical analyses performed were gender-based. RESULTS: A in subjects with MetS was significantly higher than that in subjects without MetS, regardless of gender. The L:A also showed a significant and gradual increase corresponding to the increase in the number of components of MetS present in both the genders (trend P<0.01). The cut-off level of the L:A to detect MetS was 0.59 (sensitivity: 0.72, specificity: 0.70) in men and 1.04 (sensitivity: 0.72, specificity: 0.69) in women. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the L:A can serve as a clinically useful marker for detecting MetS characteristics in the general Japanese population. The clinical application of this laboratory index for detecting MetS should be assessed in future studies.

Leptin:Adiponectin Ratio and Metabolic Syndrome in the General Japanese Population / 대한진단검사의학회지

BACKGROUND: Circulating leptin:adiponectin ratio (L:A) is a potential surrogate marker for cardiometabolic diseases; however, the relationship of the L:A with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has not yet been fully explored in the general Japanese population. METHODS: We enrolled 678 Japanese subjects (208 men and 470 women, mean age: 58.8+/-14.4 [SD] yr; mean body mass index: 23.6+/-3.3 kg/m2) in this study, and determined their MetS status by using the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP-ATP) recommendations with minor modifications for the Japanese population. Biochemical markers such as leptin and adiponectin present in blood were measured. The statistical analyses performed were gender-based. RESULTS: A in subjects with MetS was significantly higher than that in subjects without MetS, regardless of gender. The L:A also showed a significant and gradual increase corresponding to the increase in the number of components of MetS present in both the genders (trend P<0.01). The cut-off level of the L:A to detect MetS was 0.59 (sensitivity: 0.72, specificity: 0.70) in men and 1.04 (sensitivity: 0.72, specificity: 0.69) in women. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the L:A can serve as a clinically useful marker for detecting MetS characteristics in the general Japanese population. The clinical application of this laboratory index for detecting MetS should be assessed in future studies.

Expression of Leptin, Leptin Receptor, Adiponectin, and Adiponectin Receptor in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ and Invasive Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Adipocytokines, such as leptin, resistin, and adiponectin, are associated with obesity and breast cancer. Several studies have indicated that adipocytokines may influence tumor growth or differentiation. The aims of this study were to determine the expression of leptin, leptin receptor (ObR), adiponectin and adiponectin receptor (AdipoR) in human breast cancer, to evaluate their prognostic significance in the breast cancer. METHODS: Specimens from 198 patients with primary breast cancer were enrolled, and representative paraffin tumor blocks were selected for constructing tissue microarrarys (TMA). Immunohistochemical staining for leptin, ObR, adiponectin, and AdipoR was performed using TMA, and the clinicopathologic characteristics were evaluated from the patient's medical records. RESULTS: Stage 0 breast cancer accounted for 41 cases, and 157 cases were invasive cancer. Positive rates of leptin and ObR expression in the ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) group were significantly higher than those of the invasive cancer group (97.4% vs. 34.0%, p<0.001; 74.4% vs. 29.8%, p<0.001). However, positive rates of adiponectin and AdipoR expression in the invasive cancer group were significantly higher than those in the DCIS group (53.7% vs. 33.3%, p=0.024; 59.9% vs. 26.3%, p<0.001). High leptin expression was significantly associated with high Ki-67 expression (p=0.016). High adiponectin expression was significantly correlated with smaller tumor size (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: We suggest that losses of leptin and ObR expression could be associated with invasive cancer, whereas high adiponectin and AdipoR expression may be associated with breast cancer invasiveness.

Recent advances in the study of lipocalin-2 / 复旦学报（医学版）

Lipocalin-2 is an adipocytokine secreted mainly by adipose tissue. Increasing lines of evidence suggest that lipocalin-2 is an inflammatory factor associated with insulin resistence, obesity and its complications. The precise mechanism of the development of obesity-related disorders induced by lipocalin-2 is not very clear, however, it may be a useful target in drug therapy for obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

The study of mechanism for exendin-4(exenatide)improving insulin resistance / 中国糖尿病杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of exendin-4 (exenatide) on insulin sensitivity and adipocytokine in high-fat-fed rats. Methods Rats were divided randomly into normal-chow group (NC), high-fat group (HF) and high-fat+exendin treated group (HE). HE rats were given exenatide (2 μg/kg) twice daily for 6 wk. The insulin sensitivity was evaluated by intravenous insulin tolerance test (IVITT). Insulin-stimulated changes in insulin signal transduction, visfatin and adiponectin mRNA expressions as well as their plasma levels were also observed in these rats. Results Plasma free fatty acids (FFA), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly reduced after exenatide treatment (in HE rats all P<0.01). And IVITT parameters were also improved in these rats. Insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation was slightly increased in exenatide-treated rats as compared with HF rats (P<0.05). In addition,plasma visfatin level was significantly reduced in HF and HE groups as compared with controls (P<0.05 and P<0.01). The adiponectin mRNA expression in adipose tissues and circulating adiponectin level were significantly elevated in exenatide-treated rats as compared with untreated rats and controls (P<0.01). Conclusions Chronic exenatide treatment improves insulin resistance in high-fat-fed rats, and the changes of IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation and adiponectin may be related to the role of exenatide in elevating insulin sensitivity