Altered circulating adipokines and heart rate variability: A biomarker for autonomic imbalance in obese individuals

Background: Evidences indicate altered circulating adipokine levels in obesity could increase the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hence, it is crucial to determine cardiovascular health by assessing heart rate variability (HRV) and its association with circulating adipokines. Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the adipokines level and its association with HRV in obese population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on 45 obese (body mass index [BMI] > 25–29.9 kg/m2) and 45 non-obese (BMI: 18.5–22.9 kg/m2) age-gender-matched participants. Lead-II electrocardiogram was recorded and HRV parameters were obtained. Biochemical parameters, that is, fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, leptin, and adiponectin levels were estimated. Group comparisons were done by independent student’s t-test, whereas the association between the parameters was done by Pearson’s correlation using SPSS 20v. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was a significant increase in low frequency: high frequency (LF: HF) ratio (<0.001), fasting insulin (<0.001), HOMA-IR (<0.001), leptin (<0.001), Leptin-Adiponectin ratio (L/A ratio) (<0.001), total cholesterol (<0.001), triglycerides (<0.001), and low-density lipoproteins (<0.001), whereas significant decrease in total power (TP) of HRV (TP) (<0.001), adiponectin (<0.001), and high-density lipoproteins. A significant positive correlation between leptin, L/A ratio with LF: HF ratio (r = 0.793, P < 0.001) and a negative correlation with TP (–0.463, P < 0.001) was observed. Conclusion: Altered adipokines and its association with HRV in obese individuals could be an indicator of CVD. Hence, the current study suggests that the L/A ratio might be considered as a biomarker for cardiovascular health in obese individuals.

Increased glycated hemoglobin level in non-diabetic nephrotic children is associated with oxidative stress.

Glycation and lipid peroxidation are spontaneous reactions believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome. Possible interrelations of glycated hemoglobin with reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde were evaluated in nephrotic syndrome patients. Eighteen nephrotic syndrome patients and 15 healthy controls were enrolled for this study. Glycated hemoglobin, reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde and fasting glucose were analyzed for their correlation in both the groups. In nephrotic syndrome patients, while glycated hemoglobin and malondialdehyde levels were found to be significantly increased, glutathione levels decreased significantly when compared with controls. Glycated hemoglobin was found to have a significant positive correlation with malondialdehyde and a negative correlation with glutathione. Erythrocytes depleted of glutathione, by pre-treatment with 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenezene, were found to have higher glycated hemoglobin levels when compared with erythrocytes incubated with glucose alone. These data suggest that glycated hemoglobin levels are closely associated with malondialdehyde and glutathione in nephrotic syndrome patients.