Blood and Stool Arsenic Levels Are Decisive for Diagnosing Children's Functional Gastrointestinal Disease (FGD).

Pediatric gastroenteritis is a potentially fatal disease that accounts for 10% of childhood deaths. The main risk is environmental factors and nutrition. Arsenic (As) is commonly found in the earth's crust. As is an essential element that can form many organic compounds. In children, it causes diarrhea, gums, tongue lesions, diabetes, conjunctivitis, ocular opacity, and impaired immune response. It also causes low growth, mental retardation, and neurological problems. It is also known as the cause of many cancers that originate at an early age. Regionally, there is an iron and steel industry for almost a century. According to the Rome IV criteria, the blood and stools of 50 children aged 6-18 years, male and female, living in our province with functional gastrointestinal disease (FGD), were screened for As, and compared with the Healthy group (control) of 30 children. The results were evaluated with the Mann-Whitney Rank Sum Test. When blood and stool As values in males were compared with control samples, a high level of significance (p = 0.001) was found between both blood and stool As values in sick males and the control group (p < 0.005). In females, blood and stool As median values were also highly significant when compared with the control group (p = 0.001). According to these data, when the sick children (children with male and female gender) are compared with the healthy ones, the difference is highly significant (p < 0.005). High blood As levels in children indicate environmental pollution. It can be said that blood As levels are high as a result of food, water, and inhaler exposure. The presence of a high level of significant difference in stool means that the amount of As is high in the foods consumed daily. High levels of As are in blood and stools; It was evaluated that FGD could be the cause of nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and colic. The increase in blood and stool As values due to environmental pollution is an important reason for FGD. For diseases of uncertain cause (such as FGD) resulting from chronic As exposure, blood and especially stool As values are more significant than urinary As levels. In conclusion, As a diagnostic criterion, it was concluded that blood and stool As values are an important marker in children with functional abdominal pain with other metals.

Neudesin: a neuropeptide hormone decreased in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Neudesin is a neuropeptide hormone involves in female reproduction system via promoting effects of progesterone. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and reproductive disorder associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis abnormalities and impaired negative feedback mechanism of progesterone upon gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion. Our aims were to discover whether neudesin levels were altered in PCOS women comparing to controls and to determine the link of neudesin with hormonal-metabolic parameters in PCOS women. The current research was designed as a case-control study. Sixty-eight subjects with PCOS and 67 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects as controls were enrolled into the study. Circulating neudesin levels were measured by ELISA. Neudesin levels were significantly lower in PCOS subjects compared to controls (4.07 ± 1.22 vs. 6.02 ± 2.07 ng/ml, p < .001). Neudesin exhibited an inversely independent link with luteinizing hormone, free-androgen index, and BMI whereas it showed a positively independent link with progesterone in women with PCOS. Logistic regression analysis revealed that decreased neudesin levels were parallel with increased risk of having PCOS. Decreased neudesin levels were associated with hormonal disturbances in PCOS women, suggesting that neudesin may play a role in pathophysiology of PCOS.

Relation of Decreased Circulating Sortilin Levels With Unfavorable Metabolic Profiles in Subjects With Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Sortilin, a pluripotent peptide hormone, plays a role in glucose and lipid metabolism. A link between sortilin and insulin sensitivity has been implicated. However, the clinical implications of this link remain elusive. Our aims were to investigate whether sortilin levels were altered in subjects with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (nT2DM) compared with subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and to determine whether a link exist between sortilin levels and metabolic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 150 subjects including 75 nT2DM patients and 75 subjects with NGT who were matched in age, body mass index, and sex were enrolled into this case-control study. The circulating levels of sortilin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A 2-hour 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was used for diagnosis of T2DM. Metabolic parameters of enrolled subjects were also determined. RESULTS: The circulating levels of sortilin were found to be significantly lower in subjects with nT2DM than in controls (138.44 ± 38.39 vs. 184.93 ± 49.67 pg/mL, P < 0.001). Sortilin levels showed a negative correlation with insulin resistance and unfavorable lipid profiles, while they were positively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in subjects with nT2DM. Linear regression analysis showed an independent and inverse link between sortilin and insulin resistance and unfavorable lipid profiles. Moreover, logistic regression analysis revealed that the subjects with the lowest sortilin levels had an increased risk of nT2DM compared with those subjects with the highest sortilin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased circulating levels of sortilin were associated with unfavorable metabolic profiles in subjects with nT2DM.

Increased urocortin 3 levels are associated with the risk of having type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Urocortin 3 (UCN3) is a peptide hormone playing a pivotal role in glucose and lipid metabolisms. However, its clinical implications remain unclear. Our aims were to investigate the altered levels of UCN3 in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (nT2DM) patients in comparison to subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and to determine the presence of any possible link between UCN3 levels and metabolic parameters. METHODS: Eighty nT2DM and 80 age-, body mass index (BMI)-, and gender-matched NGT subjects were enrolled into this case-control study. The circulating UCN3 levels were measured using the enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Metabolic parameters of enrolled subjects were also determined. A standard 75-g 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test was used for diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). RESULTS: UCN3 levels were higher in subjects with nT2DM than in controls (115.64 ± 39.26 vs 86.16 ± 22.81 pg/mL, P < .001). UCN3 levels were increased in subjects with metabolic syndrome compared to subjects without metabolic syndrome in both nT2DM and NGT groups. UCN3 levels showed a positive correlation with BMI in both groups. Moreover, UCN3 levels were positively and independently associated with insulin, fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, 2-hour plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and triglycerides, whereas UCN3 levels were negatively and independently associated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. According to logistic regression analysis, increased risk of T2DM and metabolic syndrome were parallel with the highest elevated levels of UCN3. CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of UCN3 are associated with unfavorable metabolic profiles in T2DM, indicating a potential role of UCN3 in glucose and lipid metabolisms in T2DM.

Decreased levels of liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide-2 and ghrelin are related to insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP-2) is a newly identified peptide hormone involved in glucose metabolism. It acts as a noncompetitive antagonist of ghrelin hormone's receptor. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common metabolic and reproductive disease associated with insulin resistance. We aimed to compare circulating LEAP-2 levels in subjects with PCOS and controls. We also focused to determine whether there was a relationship between LEAP-2 and metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. We enrolled 64 subjects with PCOS and 64 age and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls into the current cross-sectional study. Circulating LEAP-2 and ghrelin levels were measured via ELISA method. Metabolic and hormonal parameters of the involved subjects were analyzed. We found that circulating LEAP-2 and ghrelin levels were decreased in women with PCOS as compared with controls. LEAP-2 showed a positively independent association with ghrelin while LEAP-2 exhibited an inverse association with insulin resistance, BMI, and free-androgen index (FAI). Additionally, subjects having the lowest tertile of LEAP-2 were in positive link of developing PCOS risk with respect to those subjects having the highest tertile of LEAP-2 levels. Decreased LEAP-2 levels were associated with a high possibility of having PCOS risk associated with insulin resistance.

Fractalkine: an inflammatory chemokine elevated in subjects with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: Fractalkine (FKN) is an inflammatory chemokine related to reproductive system and glucose metabolism. There is a link between FKN and steroidogenesis as FKN induces progesterone synthesis. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive and metabolic disorder associated with low progesterone production and insulin resistance. We aimed to explore whether women with PCOS have any difference in FKN levels compared to women without PCOS. We also focused on determination of any association between FKN levels and hormonal-metabolic parameters in women with PCOS. METHODS: The current research was designed as a case-control study. Eighty subjects with PCOS and 80 age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched subjects with normal menstrual cycle were taken into the study. We measured circulating FKN levels via ELISA methods. RESULTS: Circulating FKN levels were higher in women with PCOS than controls (1.93 ± 0.61 vs. 1.22 ± 0.33 ng/ml, P< 0.001). FKN levels showed a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance, inflammatory marker hs-CRP, total testosterone, and free-androgen index (FAI), whereas it showed a negative correlation with sex hormone-binding protein in women with PCOS. Linear regression analyses revealed that the link of FKN with BMI, insulin resistance, hs-CRP, and FAI was independent. Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of having PCOS was associated with high levels of FKN. CONCLUSIONS: Increased FKN levels related to insulin resistance, inflammation and androgens in women with PCOS. FKN may have an inter-related role in different pathophysiologic pathways of PCOS.

Association of decreased C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-5 levels with metabolic and hormonal disturbance in polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-5 (CTRP5) is a novel peptide hormone involved in the metabolism of energy regulation. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is a reproductive and metabolic disorder, is associated with insulin resistance. The aim of the current study was to compare circulating levels of CTRP5 in women with and without PCOS and to investigate possible associations between CTRP5 and metabolic-hormonal parameters. Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional study contained 80 women with PCOS and 80 age and body mass index-matched women without PCOS. Circulating levels of CTRP5 were calculated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also measured hormonal and metabolic parameters. Results: Patients with PCOS had lower levels of circulating CTRP5 compared with women without PCOS (6.90±2.64 vs 11.73±3.66 ng/mL, p<0.001). CTRP5 was negatively correlated with insulin resistance, free-androgen index, and body mass index in both the PCOS and control groups. Moreover, patients with PCOS who had insulin resistance showed lower circulating CTRP5 levels compared with those without insulin resistance. In both the control and PCOS groups, overweight subjects had lower circulating levels of CTRP5 compared with participants of normal weight. Logistic regression analyses indicated that subjects in the lowest tertile for CTRP5 level had higher risk for PCOS compared with those in the highest tertile of CTRP5. Conclusion: Decreased circulating levels of CTRP5 were associated with higher risk of PCOS, as well as having metabolic disturbance among women with PCOS.

Asprosin: a novel peptide hormone related to insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Asprosin associated with insulin resistance is a newly discovered peptide hormone. The peptide promotes hepatic glucose production. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic disorder. Insulin resistance plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of this study was to discover the association between insulin resistance and asprosin in women with PCOS. We recruited 78 subjects with PCOS and 78 age-matched and body mass index (BMI)-matched controls into this cross-sectional study. Circulating asprosin levels were validated using ELISA method. We also determined metabolic and hormonal parameters of the involved subjects. We found that circulating asprosin levels were elevated in women with PCOS with respect to controls. Asprosin levels showed a positive correlation with insulin resistance, BMI, and free androgen index (FAI). Moreover, subjects with the highest tertile of asprosin levels represented increased odds of having PCOS as compared to those subjects with the lowest tertile asprosin levels. Increased asprosin levels resulted to high possibility of having PCOS risk associated with insulin resistance.

Relationship Between Serum Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Level and Insulin Resistance, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Visceral Fat Mass in Prediabetes.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggest that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) plays a vital role in glucose metabolism. We aimed to ascertain whether MIF levels are altered in subjects with prediabetes and also to determine the relationship between MIF and metabolic parameters as well as visceral fat mass. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 40 subjects with prediabetes and 40 age-, body mass index (BMI)- and sex-matched subjects with normal glucose tolerance. Circulating MIF levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Metabolic parameters of recruited subjects were evaluated. Visceral fat mass was measured using bioelectrical impedance method. RESULTS: Circulating MIF levels were found to be elevated in subjects with prediabetes compared to controls (26.46 ± 16.98 versus 17.44 ± 11.80 ng/mL, P = 0.007). MIF positively correlated with BMI, visceral fat mass and indirect indices of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. In linear regression model, an independent association was found between MIF levels and metabolic parameters, including BMI, visceral fat mass and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that the odds ratio for prediabetes was higher in subjects in the highest quartile of MIF compared to those in the lowest quartile, after adjusting for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Increased MIF levels are associated with the elevation of prediabetic risk.

Secondary metabolites from Astragalus karjaginii BORISS and the evaluation of their effects on cytokine release and hemolysis.

A new cycloartane sapogenol and a new cycloartane xyloside were isolated from Astragalus karjaginii BORISS along with thirteen known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were established as 3-oxo-6α,16ß,24(S),25-tetrahydroxycycloartane (1) and 6-O-ß-d-xylopyranosyl-3ß,6α,16ß,24(S),25-pentahydroxycycloartane (2) by 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments as well as ESIMS and HRMS analyses. The presence of the keto function at position 3 was reported for the first time for cyclocanthogenol sapogenin of Astragalus genus. In vitro immunomodulatory effects of the new compounds (1 and 2) along with the n-BuOH and MeOH extracts of A. karjaginii at two different doses (3 and 6µg) were tested on human whole blood for in vitro cytokine release (IL-2, IL-17A and IFN-γ) and hemolytic activities. The results confirmed that compound 2, a monodesmosidic saponin, had the strongest effect on the induction of both IL-2 (6µg, 6345.41±0.12pg/mL (×5), P<0.001) and a slight effect upon IL-17A (3µg, 5217.85±0.72pg/mL, P<0.05) cytokines compared to the other test compounds and positive controls (AST VII: Astragaloside VII; and QS-21: Quillaja saponin 21). All tested extracts and molecules also induced release of IFN-γ remarkably ranging between 5031.95±0.05pg/mL, P<0.001 for MeOH extract (6µg) and 5877.08±0.06pg/mL, P<0.001 for compound 1 (6µg) compared to QS-21 (6µg, 5924.87±0.1pg/mL, P<0.001). Administration of AST VII and other test compounds did not cause any hemolytic activity, whereas QS-21 resulted a noteworthy hemolysis.