The evaluation of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is considered a cause of conditions such as depression and eating disorders, and hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was conducted as a prospective study at Ankara Ataturk Training and Research Hospital in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The study included 73 pregnant women with singleton pregnancies (32 pregnant women with HG and 41 pregnant women without hyperemesis). Serum BDNF levels were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the study group was 27.3 ± 3.5 years and the body mass index (BMI) was 22.4 ± 2.7 kg/m². There is no statistically significant difference between the study group and the control group in terms of demographic data (p > 0.05). The pregnant women with HG were found to have significantly higher serum BDNF levels compared to the control group (349.1 ± 94.6 pg/mL vs 292. 3± 86.01, p = 0.009) CONCLUSIONS: Serum BDNF levels that are low in psychiatric disorders such as depression or anxiety were found as high in pregnant women with HG.

Biochemical and histopathologic assessment of effects of acitretin on epiphyseal growth plate in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Acitretin is a commonly used retinoid in dermatology. Although there are generally known side effects, the effects on the epiphyseal plaque and bone metabolism are not clear in the literature. AIM: To histopathologically investigate the effects on the epiphyseal plate and assess variations in bone metabolism caused by acitretin. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three groups were formed with 10 rats in each group. The 1st group (n = 10, 5 male, 5 female) were administered 10 mg/kg/day oral acitretin solution and the 2nd group (n = 10, 5 male, 5 female) were administered 3 mg/kg/day oral acitretin solution. The control group were given normal standard feed and water. Rats were sacrificed at the end of 4 weeks. The proximal tibias were excised and histopathologically and immunohistochemically assessed. Biochemical assessment was also carried out. RESULTS: Staining with haematoxylin-eosin found reductions in the epiphyseal plate in the 1st and 2nd group compared to the control group, though this situation was not statistically significant. Immunohistochemical studies did not encounter Type II collagen in the epiphyseal bone, proliferative zone and hypertrophic zone in the control group, low dose acitretin solution group and high dose acitretin solution group. Type II collagen was not observed in osteoids and osteoblasts. Type I collagen was not observed in the hypertrophic zone and proliferative zone of any group. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that though acitretin caused degeneration of the epiphyseal plate, it did not cause clear thinning and we identified no significant variations in bone metabolism markers.

Serum asymmetric dimethylarginine and nitric oxide levels in Turkish patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is present in the brain and cerebral arteries and it enables the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which plays a critical role in brain perfusion. Asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous NOS inhibitor. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum ADMA levels, which are an indicator of endothelial dysfunction of the renal functions in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and to determine whether there is a possible correlation between ADMA and NO levels and the l-arginine-to-ADMA ratio. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-two patients (22 male and 30 female; mean age: 75.2 ±10.1 years) with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke in the first 24 h post-stroke and 48 healthy individuals (controls; 13 male and 35 female; mean age: 60.1 ±7.92 years) were included in this study. The risk factors recorded and evaluated were age and gender of the patients, serum lipid levels, serum ADMA levels, nitrate-to-nitrite ratios, l-arginine, l-arginine-to-ADMA ratios, sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), urea and creatinine levels, and glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR). RESULTS: The mean serum ADMA level was 0.48 ±0.23 µM for the patients and 0.36 ±0.18 µM for the controls. The mean NO level was 2.78 ±0.59 µM for the patient group and 4.49 ±2.84 µM for the controls. The ADMA levels for the patient group were significantly higher than for the control group (p = 0.011); the NO levels for the patients were significantly lower than for the controls (p < 0.001). The logistic regression method demonstrated that ADMA and NO levels may be independent risk factors for the patient group, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that both of these variables were discriminative risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: An increased serum level of the NOS inhibitor ADMA was found to be a possible independent risk factor for ischemic stroke.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is increased in serum levels of patients with symptomatic dermographism.

INTRODUCTION: Symptomatic dermographism (SD) is the most common form of physical urticaria. However, the role of neuroimmune mechanisms in SD is unclear. AIM: To investigate circulating levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in symptomatic dermographism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients suffering from SD and 33 healthy subjects were included in the study. Serum BDNF levels were determined by a human enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit. The serum C-reactive protein concentration and eosinophil counts in peripheral blood were evaluated. RESULTS: The BDNF serum levels were detectable in both SD patients and healthy controls. The BDNF serum levels were significantly higher in patients with SD compared with healthy controls (p = 0.004). There was a positive but weak correlation between serum BDNF and CRP levels; it was not statistically significant (r = 0.211, p = 0.255). There was also a positive but weak correlation between serum BDNF and eosinophil counts; it was not statistically significant (r = 0.271, p = 0.141). CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that BDNF is increased in the serum levels of patients with SD, suggesting a role for BDNF in the pathophysiology of this disorder.

Investigation of the Levels of Serum Amyloid A, YKL-40, and Pentraxin-3 in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever.

BACKGROUND: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive form of recurrent episodes of fever and an autoinflammatory disease characterized by inflammation of the serous membranes. The clinical diagnosis is supported by the laboratory findings. This study investigated the relationship of Serum Amyloid A (SAA), YKL-40, and Pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) with the FMF disease. METHODS: About 50 patients with FMF were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into three groups according to disease severity score (mild, moderate, and severe). Thirty-seven healthy individuals were included as the control group. Serum SAA, YKL-40, and PTX-3 concentrations were measured using an ELISA kit. RESULTS: Serum SAA and YKL-40 levels of FMF patients were significantly higher than in the control (P < 0.001). PTX-3 levels were found to be higher in patients even though there was no significant difference (P = 0.113). Whereas the positive predictive value was 71.9% for cut-off point of SAA, the positive predictive value was 83.3% for cut-off point of YKL-40. Whereas a significant correlation was detected in SAA and PTX-3 with YKL-40 (respectively; P = 0.036, P < 0.001), there was no correlation between the PTX-3 with SAA (P = 0.219). CONCLUSIONS: YKL-40 can be used together with SAA to support the diagnosis of FMF and to monitor the severity of the disease. In this study, YKL-40 levels were examined for the first time in FMF patients and further studies are necessary using larger patient samples.

Are progranulin levels associated with polycystic ovary syndrome and its possible metabolic effects in adolescents and young women?

PURPOSE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an important disease that may alter metabolic balances of the whole body. Progranulin is a growth factor which is related to epithelial, neuronal growth and oogenesis. Here, we aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of the levels of Progranulin in the clinical setting of PCOS, and its metabolic effects. METHODS: Forty-one adolescents and young women with PCOS and 39 age and body mass index matched adolescents and young women as a control group who attended to the youth center of a tertiary referral center were included in this cross-sectional case-control study. Progranulin levels, indices of insulin sensitivity, lipidemic markers, metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Progranulin levels in patients with PCOS (7.48 ± 1.93 ng/mL) were significantly higher than in the control group (6.25 ± 1.98 ng/mL) (p = 0.006). Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, LH/Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratios, free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in patients with PCOS were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05, for all). The MetS was present in 8 (19.5 %) of the patients in the study group and in 1 (2.3 %) of the patients in the control group (p = 0.029). There was significant inverse correlation between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and progranulin levels of patients diagnosed with PCOS (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Progranulin may be a novel biomarker for cardiovascular risk in patients with PCOS, thus these cases should be directed to close follow-up for possible cardiovascular diseases. Future larger studies should focus on this entity.

Serum Ischemia-Modified Albumin in Preterm Babies with Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) may suffer from severe hypoxia, asphyxia. In this study, we aimed to evaluate serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level as a diagnostic marker for hypoxia in preterm infants with RDS. Thirty-seven premature newborns with RDS were allocated as the study group and 42 healthy preterm neonates were selected as the control group. IMA was measured as absorbance unit (ABSU) in human serum with colorimetric assay method which is based on reduction in albumin cobalt binding. IMA levels were significantly higher in neonates with RDS as compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Cut-off value of IMA (ABSU) was 0.72, the sensitivity level was 91.9 %, the specificity was 78.6 %, positive predictive value was 79.1 % and negative predictive value was 91.7 % at RDS. Area under curve values was 0.93 (P < 0.001; 95 % CI, 0.88-0.98) in the receiver operating characteristic curve. We concluded that elevated blood IMA levels might be accepted as a useful marker for hypoxia in newborn with RDS.

Mercury concentration in maternal serum, cord blood, and placenta in patients with amalgam dental fillings: effects on fetal biometric measurements.

AIM: We aimed to determine the extent to which mercury is transmitted from the mother to fetus via the umbilical cord in patients with amalgam dental fillings, and its effect on fetal biometric measurements. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients as the study group with amalgam fillings, and 32 of them as the control group were included in this prospective case-control study. The mercury levels were measured in the maternal and cord venous sera, and the placental samples. Two groups were compared in terms of these and the fetal/neonatal biometric measurements. RESULTS: In the study group, the maternal and umbilical cord mercury levels were found to be significantly higher than those from the control group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.010, respectively). These high levels did not affect the fetal biometric measurements. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of high serum mercury levels in pregnant women with amalgam fillings is important, and warrants further long-term studies in order to investigate the fetal neurological effects as well.

Ameliorative effect of selenium in cisplatin-induced testicular damage in rats.

In this study, we investigated the protective effect of selenium (Se) on cisplatin (Cis) induced testicular damage using histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches. Twenty-one male Wistar rats were equally divided into three groups of seven rats each: control (C), Cis, and Cis+Se. Cis and Cis+Se group rats received Cis at a dose of 12mg/kg b.w./day, intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days. Cis+Se group rats received selenium via oral gavage 3mg/kg/day (twice-a day as 1.5mg/kg) until 11th consecutive days starting at 5 days before cisplatin injection. C group received only 0.9% NaCl intraperitoneally and orally at same time and at equal volume. After the treatment, the histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical examinations were performed. In seminiferous tubules of Cis treated rats were observed the most consistent findings characterized with vacuolization, desquamation, disorganization, and also was a considerable reduction in elongated spermatids, however the Cis+Se group exhibited improved histopathologic changes. In the immunohistochemical examinations, caspase-3 immunopositive cells displayed higher in the Cis group according to C and Cis+Se groups. Bcl-2 and NF-κB staining revealed a moderate number in the C group and significantly fewer in the Cis group compared to the Cis+Se groups. Additionally, MDA levels were also significantly increased in the Cis group in comparison to Control group, but pretreatment with selenium prevented elevation of MDA levels significantly in Cis+Se group rats. This study indicates that Cis-treatment induced testicular apoptosis and lipid peroxidation, and combined treatment with selenium prevented severity of the toxicity in rats.

Increased levels of serum granzyme-B is associated with insulin resistance and increased cardiovascular risk in adolescent polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to determine serum perforin and granzyme-B levels in adolescent PCOS patients, and to investigate whether they are associated with some of the insulin sensitivity, obesity and cardiovascular (CV) risk markers and metabolic syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study was carried out including a total of 172 adolescents (83 PCOS patients and 89 age-matched healthy controls). Participants were recruited consecutively. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), lipid parameters, and anthropometric measurements were determined. Serum perforin and granzyme B levels were measured by commercially available ELISA kits. HOMA-IR>3.16 was considered to indicate the presence of insulin resistance. Logistic regression analysis was applied for the predictive value of granzyme-B for increased CV risk in PCOS patients. RESULTS: As body mass index (BMI) of the PCOS patients was significantly higher than the controls (median 24.6kg/m(2) and 21.4kg/m(2), respectively, p<0.001) all parameters were evaluated after adjustment for BMI. Adolescents with PCOS had significantly higher levels of fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR and granzyme-B when compared with controls. According to the results of logistic regression analysis, granzyme-B levels were found to be significantly associated with increased HOMA-IR (OR=6.120, 95% CI: 2.352-15.926, p<0.001) in adolescent PCOS patients. Additionally, elevated levels of serum granzyme-B were predictive for increased CV risk in PCOS patients (OR=0.237, 95% CI: 0.091-0.616, p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Increased levels of serum granzyme-B are independently associated with insulin resistance and also with increased CV risk in adolescent polycystic ovary syndrome patients.

Sleep deprivation in the last trimester of pregnancy and inadequate vitamin D: Is there a relationship?

BACKGROUND: Disturbed sleep is a significant health issue for pregnant women. Inadequate vitamin D intake is common among pregnant women and can affect many bodily systems. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to test the hypothesis that serum vitamin D levels are low in pregnant women who have poor sleep quality in their last trimester. METHODS: We enrolled 92 pregnant women who were admitted to the Maternity Clinic of Turgut Ozal University (Ankara, Turkey) in their last trimester. Venous blood sampling was performed to determine serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Sleep quality was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire. The Student t test and Chi-square test were used to evaluate the relationships between variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of the vitamin D level. RESULTS: The median score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire was 6.2 ± 3.3 (range, 1-17). We determined that 43.5% (40) of participants had poor sleep quality. The mean number of sleep hours at night was 8.6 ± 1 hours (range, 6.30-11 hours), and the mean sleep latency was 20.3 ± 12.7 minutes (range, 5-60 minutes). Vitamin D levels were measured for 87 participants; the median serum level of 25 (OH) vitamin D was 22.9 ± 16.2 ng/mL (range, 4.9-99 ng/mL). Among all patients, we did not determine any significance between the vitamin D-deficient group and the non-vitamin D-deficient group with regard to the Pittsburgh Sleep Questionnaire Inventory (PSQI) total score and subcomponents scores of the questionnaire (p > 0.05). Among 37 patients with poor sleep quality and for whom the vitamin D level was measured, 56.8% (21) women had vitamin D deficiency, and 81% (30) women had vitamin D insufficiency. However, we did not find any significance between participants with poor sleep and participants with good sleep quality with regard to age, occupational status, relationship with her partner, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), weight gain during pregnancy, being primiparus, length of labor, and mode of delivery. Our findings further showed that being in a low income family was associated with poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION: Inadequate vitamin D and poor sleep quality are prevalent in pregnant women, but low levels of vitamin D are not associated with poor sleep quality. Further studies with larger sample sizes and studies that include preterm deliveries and special sleep disorders should be performed to understand this issue better.

What is the most reliable marker in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and community-acquired pneumonia?

Because of similar clinical manifestations and laboratory findings, differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is generally difficult. Therefore, this study was conducted to find good markers for the easy, cheap, and fast differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and CAP. Thirty-four patients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism and 38 patients with CAP who were admitted to either emergency department or chest diseases outpatient clinic were included in this study. On admission and third day, complete blood count, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate, procalcitonin (PCT), and D-dimer levels of each patient were measured. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was calculated using the formula NLR = neutrophil count/lymphocyte count. NLR/D-dimer and PCT/D-dimer ratios were also calculated. First day neutrophil count (P = 0.005), NLR (P = 0.002), CRP (P < 0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P < 0.001), PCT (P < 0.001), NLR/D-dimer (P < 0.001), and PCT/D-dimer (P < 0.001) levels were higher in patients with CAP compared with patients with pulmonary embolism. In stepwise logistic regression analysis done with all the parameters used for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and CAP, CRP, PCT/D-dimer, and NLR/D-dimer were found to be independent predictive factors for the presence of CAP. Among these factors, NLR/D-dimer ratio was found to be the most sensitive (97.4%) to have the highest negative predictive value 96.7% and to be the most accurate (area under curve = 0.921) (91.7%) parameter for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and CAP. In this study, NLR/D-dimer ratio was found to be more sensitive and more selective with negative predictive value and area under curve for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and CAP compared with other laboratory tests.

Serum levels of endocan correlate with the presence and severity of pre-eclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Endocan, a cysteine-rich dermatan sulfate proteoglycan expressed by endothelial cells, is seemed to be a new biomarker for endothelial dysfunction. Pre-eclampsia (PE) is characterized by the new onset of hypertension, proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation, placental vascular remodeling, systemic vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of PE and its severity with serum endocan levels. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. Serum was collected from women with PE and normotensive controls. Serum endocan and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) concentrations were measured by a specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Patients with PE had significantly higher median (interquartile range) endocan and mean TNF-α concentrations than controls [20.04 (12.26) ng/mL vs 15.55 (6.19) ng/mL, p < 0.001 for endocan; 26.49 ± 12.14 pg/mL vs 14.62 ± 5.61 pg/mL, p < 0.001 for TNF-α; respectively]. Serum endocan concentrations were positively correlated with systolic blood pressure (r = 0.618, p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.608, p < 0.001), the amount of 24-h proteinuria (r = 0.786, p < 0.001) and TNF-α (r = 0.474, p < 0.001) in women with PE. In subgroup analysis, patients with severe PE had significantly higher endocan concentrations than those with mild PE. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of endocan was used to identify the patients with PE and also discriminating between mild and severe PE. CONCLUSION: Serum endocan concentrations were significantly elevated in women with PE versus normotensive controls, and concentrations seem to be associated with the severity of the disease.

Can Serum ST2 Levels Be Used as a Marker of Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B Infection?

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) is a cytokine belonging to the IL-1 superfamily. Soluble ST2 (sST2) binds to IL-33 and by functioning as trap receptor inhibits signal sending to Th2 via transmembrane ST2. Because Th2-type cytokines play an important role in fibrosis, the aim of this study is to determine whether sST2 can be used as a marker of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients or not.The study included 19 healthy controls, 54 patients with CHB, and 14 patients with cirrhosis because of CHB. The aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and fibrosis index based on the 4 factors (FIB-4) scores also calculated, and correlations between liver biopsies, sST2 levels, and these scores were analyzed in CHB and cirrhosis patients.The sST2 levels in patients with CHB were significantly higher than those in the control group subjects (median: 1133 pg/mL vs 762.5 pg/mL, respectively [P = 0.035]). In CHB patients, the METAVIR fibrosis score (stages from 0 to 4) showed a moderate correlation with serum sST2 level (r = 0.396, P = 0.004) and a weak correlation with FIB-4 score (r = 0.359, P = 0.008), but no correlation with APRI score (r = 0.253, P = 0.06). The under the curve value of serum sST2 was 0.68, and its prediction of significant fibrosis (METAVIR score ≥2) in values >674 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 91.7% and specificity of 40% (P = 0.009). According to multiple logistic regression analysis, only METAVIR fibrosis stage was found to be an independent predictor of serum sST2 elevation in CHB patients (P = 0.04).The sST2 level can be used for differentiating significant fibrosis from mild fibrosis in CHB patients. However, the efficacy of this marker should be verified by larger studies in the future.

Is Kidney Injury Molecule 1 a Valuable Tool for the Early Diagnosis of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy?

AIM/SCOPE: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common complication of diagnostic/therapeutic procedures. Serum creatinine levels are sensitive but often lead to diagnostic delays in acute kidney injury and potential misclassification of actual injury status. Kidney injury molecule (KIM-1) is a novel early marker of acute kidney injury. The aim of our study was to evaluate the KIM-1 levels in patients with CIN. We performed a single-center, nested case-control study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three thousand two hundred patients who had undergone coronary angiography were included in the study. Thirty-two patients were diagnosed with CIN. Twenty patients who had undergone coronary angiography but did not have CIN were evaluated as a control group (n = 20). The diagnosis of CIN was performed according to the KDIGO 2012 Acute Kidney Injury Guideline criteria. Urinary KIM-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before as well as on the 6th and 48th hours of contrast exposure. Serum creatinine levels were measured before as well as on the 24th and 48th hours after angiographic procedure. RESULTS: We demonstrated that KIM-1 levels increased in the patients with CIN significantly on the sixth hour when compared with the baseline (P < 0.01; median levels, 0.27 and 0.70 mg/dL) but not in the controls (P = 0.107). The precontrast and 48th-hour KIM-1 levels were median ones and were also significantly different (P = 0.001, the median levels were 0.27 and 0.60 mg/dL, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Because creatinine is a sensitive but a late marker of CIN, KIM-1 may be used for early diagnosis and early initiation of treatment and may reduce risk for morbidity.

Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) Could Be Better Predictor than C-reactive Protein (CRP) for Liver Fibrosis in Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis(NASH).

BACKGROUND-AIM: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The aims of this study were to assess Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP), and their association with liver histology in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), chronic hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV). MATERIAL-METHODS: We studied 38 consecutive patients with biopsy-proven NASH, 19 patients with HCV, 45 patients with HBV, and 35 healthy controls who were similar for age and gender. The stage of fibrosis was measured using a 6-point scale. RESULTS: NLR was significantly higher in NASH patients compared to controls, HBV, and HCV patients (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). NLR was positively associated with NAFLD activity scores (r=0.861, p<0.001). NLR was associated with hepatocyte ballooning degeneration (r=0.426, p=0.024), lobular inflammation(r=0.694, p<0.001), steatosis(r=0.498, p=0.007), and fibrosis stage(r=0.892, p<0.001) in NASH patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that NLR was significantly associated with liver fibrosis and NAS (ß=0.631, p<0.001 for liver fibrosis; ß=0.753, p<0.001 for NAS in the multivariate model); however, CRP had no association with liver fibrosis and NAS CONCLUSION: NLR is a promising and inexpensive inflammation marker that correlates with histological grade and fibrosis stage in NASH patients.

Assessment of serum angiotensin-converting enzyme in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Clinicopathologic and molecular studies have provided new insights and understanding on the pathological events during ovarian carcinogenesis. Moreover, angiotensin II-enhanced tumor cell invasion via type 1 angiotensin II receptor in ovarian cancer cell lines was recently demonstrated. It has been suggested that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activity increases in diseases involving the female reproductive system. In the present study, we aimed to analyze the possible relationship between the levels of circulating angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), an important molecule of RAS, and ovarian cancer (OC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in 41 epithelial OC patients (mean age 56.1 ± 10.2 years) and 19 healthy controls (mean age 53.4 ± 13.1 years). Clinical and laboratory features are summarized. Serum ACE and Ca-125 levels were measured using commercially available laboratory kits. RESULTS: Serum ACE levels of epithelial OC patients and controls were 30.58 ± 13.37 and 14.15 ± 3.67, respectively. Serum ACE levels were significantly elevated in epithelial OC patients in comparison to healthy controls. Ca-125 levels of epithelial OC patients were also significantly elevated in epithelial OC patients. No correlation was observed between ACE levels and Ca-125 levels. In epithelial OC patients, serum ACE levels did not differ according to stages and pathologic subtypes of the patients. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that serum ACE levels were increased in OC patients. Being an important component of RAS, circulating ACE might be associated with ongoing pathobiologic events in ovarian carcinogenesis. Therefore, targeting the RAS pathway could provide a future treatment strategy for this cancer type.

The Effects of Valsartan and Amlodipine on the Levels of Irisin, Adropin, and Perilipin.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension and obesity are two major threats for public health. Up to the present, antihypertensive medications have been used to lower blood pressure, which seem to provide a better life with lower morbidity and mortality rates. Their effect on etiopathogenesis of hypertension is now an area of developing research. The association between hypertension and obesity also suggests the link between antihypertensive agents and energy hemostasis. We aimed to investigate the effects of antihypertensive treatment on the irisin, adropin, and perilipin levels in patients with essential hypertension and to compare them with healthy volunteers in terms of their effect on energy hemostasis. METHODS: In total, 85 newly diagnosed patients with untreated essential hypertension were admitted to the outpatient clinic. Patients were randomized to one of the following treatment protocols: amlodipine or valsartan for a 12 week period. 42 patients were randomized into the valsartan group and 43 patients into the amlodipine group. Serum perilipin, irisin, and adropin levels were measured before and after drug treatment by ELISA kits. RESULTS: We discovered that the hypertensive patients have lower levels of perilipin and higher levels of adropin compared with the control group. Both amlodipine and valsartan increased the levels of perilipin, irisin, and adropin after 12 weeks of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, in regulating energy balance, perilipin, irisin, and adropin, could be of pathogenic importance in obesity-induced hypertension. Hence, ongoing trials need to elucidate this mechanism.

Relationship of late arteriovenous fistula stenosis with soluble E-selectin and soluble EPCR in chronic hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistula.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Vascular access dysfunction caused by stenosis is a major complication for hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, physiopathology of late arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis is still under investigation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between plasma soluble EPCR (sEPCR) with serum soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) concentration and late AVF stenosis in HD patients. METHODS: Plasma sEPCR and serum sE-selectin concentrations were measured in 94 HD patients. Using these data, we studied the association of sEPCR and sE-selectin with the presence and degree of AVF stenosis using ultrasonography and fistulogram. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients have AVF stenosis, and the others (n = 43) have patent AVF. The degree of AVF stenosis was correlated with serum sE-selectin levels (r = 0.351, p = 0.01), but not sEPCR (r = 0.075, p = 0.702). The median level of sE-selectin was statistically higher in the group of AVF stenosis than in the group of patent AVF [463.2 pg/ml (275.4-671.4) vs. 162.5 pg/ml (96.7-285.3), p = 0.001]. Increased sE-selectin levels [OR (OR) = 6.356, p = 0.015] and high levels of LDL (OR = 4.321, p = 0.044) were independent predictors of late AVF stenosis in the multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS: sE-selectin and the LDL were the most important predictors of late AVF stenosis. In addition, sE-selectin correlated with the degree of AVF stenosis. We suggested that atherosclerosis might be contributing factor for development of late AVF stenosis.