Effects of curcumin administration on Nesfatin-1 levels in blood, brain and fat tissues of diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the efficacy of curcumin administration on blood glucose levels and its relationship with nesfatin-1 levels in blood brain and adipose tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 male rats were divided into four groups: control group, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) group, control plus curcumin group and type 2DM plus curcumin group. After fifteen days, blood samples were collected from sacrificed rats. Nesftain-1 levels were analysed from blood, brain, and fat tissues of rats in all groups. RESULTS: Nesfatin-1 level was found to be significantly lower in blood, brain and fat tissues of type 2 DM rats compared to the control group. A significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels was observed in the curcumin administration group compared to type 2 DM group. Improvement of fasting blood glucose level was accompanied by improvement of nesfatin-1 levels in blood, brain, and fat tissues. CONCLUSIONS: As expected, curcumin administration caused significant improvement in fasting blood glucose levels. However, for the first time, we found marked improvements in nesfatin-1 levels in blood, brain, and fat tissues of type 2 DM rats. Thus, considering the crucial role of nesfatin-1 in regulation of glucose metabolism, it is logical to expect an interactive relationship between curcumin and nesfatin-1.

Nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) in colon cancer patients: a potential biomarker with diagnostic and prognostic utility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) in colon cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 95 patients with colon cancer [mean (SD) age: 61.0 (1.7) years, 58.9% were males] and 50 healthy individuals [mean (SD) age: 61.0 (2.3) years, 52.0% were males] were included in this prospective multicenter study. Data on patient demographics (age, gender) and serum NAP1L1 levels were recorded in both control and colon cancer groups. In colon cancer patients, serum NAP1L1 levels were further analyzed with respect to TNM stages and tumor size. RESULTS: Serum NAP1L1 levels were significantly higher in colon cancer patients as compared with control subjects [median (min-max) 14(12-16) vs. 2(1-2) ng/mL, p<0.001]. In colon cancer patients, serum NAP1L1 levels were significantly higher for tumor size of >4 cm vs. <4 cm [15(12-16) vs. 12(12-14) ng/mL), p<0.001] and for M1 vs. M0 stage [15(12-16) vs. 12(12-14) ng/mL), p<0.001]. Serum NAP1L1 levels were significantly higher in T4 stage tumors vs. T1, T2 and T3 stage tumors (p<0.001 for each), in T3 stage tumors vs. T1 and T2 stage tumors (p<0.001 for each) and in N2 stage tumors vs. N0 and N1 stage tumors (p<0.001 for each). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed for the first time the substantial rise in serum NAP1L1 levels among colon cancer patients as compared to controls and as correlated with the disease progression. Accordingly, NAP1L1 seems to be a potential biomarker for colon cancer, offering clinically important information on early diagnosis and risk stratification.

Investigation of the irisin, preptin and adropin levels in the blood serum of Alburnus tarichi.

Irisin, preptin and adropin are three newly discovered peptides that play critical roles in regulating energy homeostasis in various vertebrates.The purposes of this study were to measure the serum concentrations of preptin, adropin and irisin in the Alburnus tarichi and to investigate the relationship of these peptides to the weight, gender and length of this the fish, which will provide useful information for future biotechnology purposes aimed at improvements in aquaculture production. This study used 12 adult A. tarichi (6 female and 6 male) obtained from Van Lake (Van, Turkey). The serum irisin, preptin and adropin levels were measured using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit to determine correlations between the levels of these three hormones and fish body weight and length.  No statistically significant correlations were detected between the serum irisin, adropin and preptin levels and A. tarichi body weight (p = 0.921, r = -0.031; p = 0.08, r = 0.519; p = 0.461, r = -0.235, respectively) or length (p = 0.901, r = -0.040; p = 0.105, r = 0.490; p = 0.236, r = -0.369, respectively).Thus, serum levels of these hormones are independent of fish gender, body weight and length.

Comparative determination of ventilatory efficiency from constant load and incremental exercise testing.

The analysis of the relationships between minute ventilation (VE) to CO2 output (VCO2), referred to as ventilatory efficiency, in response to incremental exercise testing, is considered a useful index for assessing the presence and severity of cardiopulmonary and metabolic diseases. The effects of constant load exercise testing performed at work intensity associated with anaerobic threshold (AT) and respiratory compensation points (RCP), on the accurate measurements of ventilatory efficiency are not well known. The aim of this present study was to investigate the reliability of the VE/VCO2 ratio obtained from constant load exercise tests performed with two important metabolic rates (at the AT and RCP) and compare it to that of those of incremental exercise tests. A total of 20 young male (20.8±0.4 yr) subjects initially performed an incremental exercise test and then two constant load exercise tests, on different days. Respiratory and pulmonary gas exchange variables were used to estimate AT and RCP. A paired t-test was used to analyse data. AT and RCP (average) occurred the at 60% and at 71% of peak O2 uptake, respectively. The lowest VE/VCO2 ratio recorded within the first 2 minutes of constant load exercise tests with a work load of AT (26.4±0.3) and RCP (26.7±0.5) was not statistically different from the lowest ratio obtained from the incremental exercise tests (26.0±0.7). In the constant load exercise test, despite the different metabolic rates, the increase in ventilation corresponded closely with the increase in CO2 production, reflecting an optimal ventilation and perfusion ratio. Clinicians should consider the constant load exercise test work load associated with AT and RCP as it provides a meaningful lowest value for ventilatory efficiency.

Evaluation of relationship between aerobic fitness level and range of isocapnic buffering periods during incremental exercise test.

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the amount of O2 uptake (VO2) in the range of isocapnic buffering (ICB) periods and aerobic fitness levels of subjects with different exercise tolerance levels. A total of 50 young male subjects (20.8±0.4 years) performed an incremental exercise test using a cycle ergometer to determinetheir anaerobic threshold (AT), respiratory compensation point (RCP) and maximal exercise capacity (Wmax). The ICB period is defined as the region between AT and RCP. Pulmonary gas exchange parameters were measured breath-by-breath using a respiratory gas analyser. The subjects' fitness levels, as indicated by peak O2 uptake to body weight ratios (VO2peak/BW), ranged from 28 ml/min/kg to 58 ml/min/kg, and Wmax capacity to body weight ratio (Wmax/BW) ranged from 1.94 W/min/kg to 3.96 W/min/kg. The VO2 in the range of ICB periodsranged from 101 ml to 793 ml (with an average of 295±157 ml). There was a positive linear correlation between VO2peak/BW, Wmax/BW and range of ICB: R=0.76542 (p<0.0001), and R=0.92135 (p<0.0001), respectively. The results of this study suggest that the range of ICB periods may be related to aerobic fitness. Importantly, aerobic fitness levels should be evaluated and considered important data, in addition toAT, VO2peak/BW and Wmax/BW.

Nitric oxide levels in response to the patients with different stage of diabetes.

The association between hyperglycaemia and serum nitric oxide (NO) levels has not yet been fully clarified. Thus, it was aimed to evaluate the concentration of NO metabolites (nitrate, nitrite) in diabetic patients and to find the relationship between hyperglycaemia and serum NO levels in diabetic and prediabetic patients, and control groups. In this study, 100 subjects were divided into 3 groups: healthy control (n=20), prediabetic (n=40) and diabetic (n=40). Glycemic control was assessed using glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Nitrate and nitrite levels were measured using the Griess reagent. NO was obtained from the sum of nitrates and nitrites. The serum NO level was higher in diabetic (53.4±2.0 µM) and prediabetic patients (51.6±1.6 µM) as compared to that in the control (45.6±1.2 µM), (p<0.05). The NO level was not significantly different in diabetic and prediabetic patients. Higher levels of serum glucose, insulin and HOMA-IR may be responsible for the activation of endothelial cells to increase NO levels. This study supports the role of insulin resistance in increased NO levels in both diabetic and prediabetic patients.

Serum nesfatin-1 levels in patients with different glucose tolerance levels.

The aim of this study was to compare the levels of nesfatin-1 in healthy subjects with those in prediabetic and diabetic patients who have different glucose tolerance levels. Overall, 100 subjects were divided into 5 groups healthy control (C), impaired fasting glycemia (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus, (Type 2 DM). Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) assessed the glycemic control. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined using computer analyses. Nesfatin-1 levels were measured using ELISA method. IFG and IGT (prediabetic groups) from MS and Type 2 DM (diabetic groups) differed significantly in HOMA-IR. The nesfatin-1 levels were lower, although not statistically significant, in IFG (0.937+/-0.03 ng/ml, p=0.07) and IGT (1.039+/-0.06 ng/ml, p=0.5) groups compared to healthy subjects (1.094+/-0.07 ng/ml). However, the nesfatin-1 levels were lower in patients with Type 2 DM (0.867+/-0.02 ng/ml, p=0.007) and MS (0.885+/-0.01 ng/ml, p=0.01) compared to healthy subjects. Nesfatin-1 levels were significantly lower in diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects. This study supports the role of insulin resistance in decreased nesfatin-1 levels in patients with Type 2 DM and MS.

Investigation of the leptin levels in the blood serum of Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) and Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843).

Leptin is a peptide hormone secreted by adipose tissues in the various teleost fish and vertebrates. Leptin has been suggested to have an important role in a range physiological function, including regulation of food intake, reproduction, immune function, energy expenditure, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. In this study, leptin levels in the blood serum of Cyprinus carpio and Capoeta trutta were determined. Then the results were compared between two species and between sexes of each species. In addition, leptin levels were also compared with the body weight and length of both C. carpio and C. trutta. Leptin level was analysed using available enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit (Rat leptin ELISA kit, catalog no: SK00050-08). Leptin levels showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) that in relation to between two species and between sexes of each species. It has been shown that not significantly correlated when examined correlations between the leptin level in blood serum and body weight (r = 0.192, p = 0.380) or length (r = 0.102, p = 0.644) of C. carpio. Similarly, the correlations between leptin level in blood serum and body weight (r = 0.021, p = 0.959) or length (r = 0.123, p = 0.595) of C. trutta were also not significant.

Comparatively examining of the apelin-13 levels in the Capoeta trutta (Heckel, 1843) and Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758).

Apelin is a recently discovered peptide produced by several tissues in the various vertebrates and fish. Apelin has been suggested to have role in regulation of many diverse physiological functions including food intake, energy homoeostasis, immunity, osmoregulation and reproduction. In this study, apelin-13 levels in the blood serum of Cyprinus carpio and Capoetta trutta were determined. Then the results were compared between two species and sexes of each species. Apelin-13 level was analysed using the enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit (Rat apelin-13 ELISA kit, catalog no: CSB-E14367r). Apelin-13 level in the blood serum of C. trutta was significantly higher than those of the C. carpio (p < 0.05). However, its levels were observed to be no significant difference (p > 0.05) that compared to between sexes of each species. There was a significant negative correlation (r = -0.829, p = 0.0001) between the apelin-13 level and body weight of C. carpio. However, no significant correlation (r = -0.022, p = 0.924) between the apelin-13 level and weight of C. trutta observed.