Adipose Gene Expression Profiles Related to Metabolic Syndrome Using Microarray Analyses in Two Different Models

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) agonist has a wide-ranging influence on multiple components of metabolic syndrome. The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat is a useful animal model of metabolic syndrome. To determine genes related to metabolic syndrome, we examined overlapping genes that are simultaneously decreased by PPAR-gamma agonists and increased in OLETF rats using microarrays in two different models. METHODS: In the first microarray analysis, PPAR-gamma agonist-treated db/db mice were compared to standard diet-fed db/db mice. In the second microarray analysis, OLETF rats were compared to Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats (control of OLETF rats). RESULTS: Among the overlapping genes, in the present study, we validated that lipocalin-2 expression was significantly decreased in the visceral adipose tissue of PPAR-gamma agonist-treated db/db mice compared to standard diet-fed db/db mice and increased in OLETF rats compared to LETO rats using real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, we showed for the first time that lipocalin-2 expression was significantly increased in the visceral adipose tissues of obese humans compared with nonobese humans. In addition, the expression level of lipocalin-2 in human visceral adipose tissue had a significant positive correlation with body mass index, serum interleukin-6, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein levels, and white blood cell count. CONCLUSION: Lipocalin-2 was confirmed to be a significant adipokine affected by PPAR-gamma agonist and obesity in the present study. Also, for the first time in human visceral adipose tissue, it was determined that the expression of lipocalin-2 from obese humans was significantly increased and correlated with circulating inflammatory markers.

Changes in the clinical manifestations of primary aldosteronism

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is now widely recognized to have a higher prevalence than was once thought. In view of its increasing prevalence, we compared chronological changes in clinical manifestations of PA according to different times of diagnosis. METHODS: In total, 85 patients diagnosed with PA from January 1986 through March 2012 were reviewed retrospectively, based on their medical records. During two periods-1986 to 2005 and 2006 to 2012-41 and 44 patients, respectively, were diagnosed with PA. We compared the clinical and biological characteristics of PA between these periods. RESULTS: The results demonstrate an increasing trend in the prevalence of idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA; p = 0.19). In the 2006 to 2012 period, patients with PA presented with higher serum potassium levels at the time of diagnosis than in the 1986 to 2005 period (p < 0.0002). Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) was performed mostly in the latter period (82.3%) and the diagnostic accuracy of adrenal computed tomography, compared with AVS, was only 56.2%. About 78.0% versus 86.3% of patients had at least one target organ damage (TOD) in the 1986 to 2005 and 2006 to 2012 periods, respectively (p = 0.39). However, patients with TOD were older and had longer durations of hypertension than patients without, in both periods. CONCLUSIONS: PA is becoming more prevalent. There was an increasing tendency for IHA, and more PA patients presented with normokalemia than in the earlier period. Early and accurate diagnosis of PA with AVS and proper treatment should have substantial prognostic value.

Increased Selenoprotein P Levels in Subjects with Visceral Obesity and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND: Selenoprotein P (SeP) has recently been reported as a novel hepatokine that regulates insulin resistance and systemic energy metabolism in rodents and humans. We explored the associations among SeP, visceral obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: We examined serum SeP concentrations in subjects with increased visceral fat area (VFA) or liver fat accumulation measured with computed tomography. Our study subjects included 120 nondiabetic individuals selected from participants of the Korean Sarcopenic Obesity Study. In addition, we evaluated the relationship between SeP and cardiometabolic risk factors, including homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), adiponectin values, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). RESULTS: Subjects with NAFLD showed increased levels of HOMA-IR, hsCRP, VFA, and several components of metabolic syndrome and decreased levels of adiponectin and high density lipoprotein cholesterol than those of controls. Serum SeP levels were positively correlated with VFA, hsCRP, and baPWV and negatively correlated with the liver attenuation index. Not only subjects with visceral obesity but also those with NAFLD exhibited significantly increased SeP levels (P<0.001). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the subjects in the highest SeP tertile showed a higher risk for NAFLD than those in the lowest SeP tertile, even after adjusting for potential confounding factors (odds ratio, 7.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.72 to 32.60; P=0.007). CONCLUSION: Circulating SeP levels were increased in subjects with NAFLD as well as in those with visceral obesity and may be a novel biomarker for NAFLD.

Effect of Eplerenone, a Selective Aldosterone Blocker, on the Development of Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Rats

BACKGROUND: Aldosterone antagonists are reported to have beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy by effective blocking of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. We investigated the renoprotective effect of the selective aldosterone receptor blocker eplerenone, the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril, and combined eplerenone and lisinopril treatment in type 2 diabetic rats. METHODS: Animals were divided into six groups as follows: Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat control, OLETF rats treated with a low dose of eplerenone (50 mg/kg/day), OLETF rats treated with a high dose of eplerenone (200 mg/kg/day), OLETF rats treated with lisinopril (10 mg/kg/day), OLETF rats treated with a combination of both drugs (eplerenone 200 mg/kg/day and lisinopril 10 mg/kg/day), and obese non-diabetic Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats for 26 weeks. RESULTS: Urinary albumin excretion was significantly lower in the lisinopril group, but not in the eplerenone group. Urinary albumin excretion was decreased in the combination group than in the lisinopril group. Glomerulosclerosis and renal expression of type I and type IV collagen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, transforming growth factor-beta1, connective tissue growth factor, and fibronectin mRNA were markedly decreased in the lisinopril, eplerenone, and combination groups. CONCLUSION: Eplerenone and lisinopril combination showed additional benefits on type 2 diabetic nephropathy compared to monotherapy of each drug.

A Case of Multiple Osteoporotic Compression Fractures in Young Man with Budd-Chiari Syndrome

Osteoporosis in young men is extremely rare. In this report, we demonstrate a rare case of multiple vertebral fractures discovered in a young man with Budd-Chiari syndrome without prior history of trauma. A 29-year-old man was diagnosed as Budd-Chiari syndrome 12 years ago and underwent a mesocaval shunt to relieve the hepatic vein obstruction and was on warfarin therapy. He suffered from low back pain and it was not relieved by analgesics. A T-L spine X-ray revealed multiple compression fractures and the z-score at lumbar spine was -3.7 which is below the expected range for that age. The patient was treated with calcium, vitamin D and bisphosphonate, and showed clinical improvement. This case highlights the importance of the investigation for secondary osteoporosis in young adults with an underlying disease that alters bone metabolism.

Hyperprolactinemia-Associated Breast Uptake of Radioiodine Following 131I Postablation Scan in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Scanning with whole-body 131I scintigraphy after surgery has been a valuable diagnostic modality in the surveillance of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Radioiodine uptake is rarely observed in non-lactating breast tissue, which mimics thyroid cancer metastasis. We now report a case of a 45-year-old female thyroid cancer patient who underwent radioiodine therapy, and in whom breast uptake of radioiodine was observed on a post-therapy whole body scan. Her serum prolactin level was elevated to 328 ng/mL at the time of the radioiodine uptake, and the hyperprolactinemia was induced by her antipsychotic medications. Six months after she discontinued that medication, her serum prolactin level was normalized to 12.6 ng/mL and breast uptake of iodine was no longer present in a follow-up whole body scan.

A Case of Pa-tient with Wegener's Granulomatosis Showing Glomerular Immune Deposition in Kidney Biopsy / 대한신장학회지

Rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) in Wegener's granulomatosis patients typically has been characterized by pauci-immune glomerulonephritis (PIGN). In some patients, however, significant amount of glomerular immune deposits was detected and reported that they may have poor prognosis. A 30 year-old-female visited due to the skin rash of both lower extremities, arthralgia and nasal stiffness. She had sinusitis, lung opacity, and proteinuria. Serologic PR-3 ANCA was positive and histologic findings of nasal cavity and lung also showed necrotizing vasculitis and granuloma. Thus we could diagnose Wegener's granulomatosis. However, gross hematuria developed and renal function worsened in spite of treatment with high dose prednisolone and oral cyclophosphamide. Therefore we performed a kidney biopsy. The kidney biopsy showed crescentic glomerulonephritis with Ig A deposition in the mesangium. We experienced a case of Wegener's granulomatosis patient with significant IgA deposition in glomeruli. We report this case with brief review of the literature.

A Case of Aortic Aneurysm Rupture Infected by Clostridium septicum in a Patient with Colon Cancer / 감염과화학요법

Infected aortic aneurysm a life-threatening disease entity. Clostridium septicum is a very rare pathogen of infected aneurysms that carries a high mortality rate and demonstrates a strong association with an derlying colonic or hematologic neoplasm. Herein, we report a case of ruptured aortic aneurysm infected by C. septicum in a patient with colon cancer. This is the first reported case of infected aneurysm caused by C. septicum in Korea. Early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and prompt surgical interventions are required considering the rapid downhill progression of C. septicum-induced infected aneurysm.

A Case of Aortic Aneurysm Rupture Infected by Clostridium septicum in a Patient with Colon Cancer / 감염과화학요법

Infected aortic aneurysm a life-threatening disease entity. Clostridium septicum is a very rare pathogen of infected aneurysms that carries a high mortality rate and demonstrates a strong association with an derlying colonic or hematologic neoplasm. Herein, we report a case of ruptured aortic aneurysm infected by C. septicum in a patient with colon cancer. This is the first reported case of infected aneurysm caused by C. septicum in Korea. Early diagnosis, appropriate antibiotic therapy, and prompt surgical interventions are required considering the rapid downhill progression of C. septicum-induced infected aneurysm.