Serum Neudesin Levels in Obese Adolescents

Objective: Advances in knowledge of neurotrophic factors are now revealing the complex control of energy homeostasis and appetite, as well as the crucial role these factors play in nervous system function. The aim of this study was to assess serum levels of neudesin in adolescents with obesity and to examine the relationship between these levels and metabolic outcomes. Methods: Adolescents, aged 10-17 years were enrolled. Subjects were divided into normal weight, obese and morbidly obese subgroups. Serum neudesin concentrations were compared between the groups. Results: In total, 88 adolescents were recruited, of whom 30 (34.1%) were normal weight, 15 (17.0%) were obese and 43 (48.9%) were morbidly obese. Neudesin levels were significantly lower in obese adolescents than in the control group (p=0.013). A correlation analysis applied to the whole study group revealed a negative correlation between serum neudesin concentration and body mass index (BMI) z scores (r=-0.40, p<0.001). Serum neudesin levels tended to increase in adolescents with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, and hypertension but the differences were not significant (p=0.259, p=0.246, p=0.259, and p=0.523, respectively). Conclusion: Serum neudesin levels were significantly correlated with BMI z score in obese adolescents. Generally, serum neudesin levels were low in obese and morbidly obese adolescents and tended to increase with the appearance of metabolic disorders. Both obesity and associated metabolic disorders have multifactorial causes. Therefore, we suggest that the role of the neudesin molecule in the regulatory mechanisms of obesity and metabolic disorders should be further investigated with well-designed studies enrolling larger groups.

Novel imaging modalities in detection of cardiovascular involvement in ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES: The diagnosis of cardiovascular involvement in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is usually delayed since conventional echocardiography relies mainly on the morphological alterations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of echocardiographic methods such as tissue Doppler and strain imaging of left ventricle (LV) and proximal aorta; and concentrations of biomarkers of cardiac fibrosis such as galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble suppression-of-tumorogenicity-2 (sST2) in determining early cardiovascular impairment in AS. DESIGN: In this prospective study of 75 AS and 30 healthy subjects (mean age 41.7 ±10.1 years; 37.3% female), we determined layer-specific strain and strain rates in longitudinal, circumferential and radial axes for LV as well as transverse and longitudinal strains of proximal aorta; central pulse wave velocity(cPWV); plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hsCRP), Gal-3 and sST2 levels. RESULTS: Patients with AS had increased levels of hsCRP and sST2 when compared to healthy controls. cPWV, E and e' velocities; longitudinal strain and strain rates at all myocardial layers; and transverse strains of both anterior and posterior aortic walls were reduced in AS patients. Gal-3 levels with strain and strain rates at circumferential and radial axes were similar between the groups. Among all echocardiographic and clinical parameters, AS was independently associated with LV dysfunction (expressed by longitudinal strain of LV) and aortic impairment (expressed by transverse strain of anterior wall). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that functional impairment in AS occurs early in the disease course and strain imaging is an effective tool in discriminating involvement. sST2 may represent the link between inflammation and fibrosis in AS.