Leptin and neuropeptide Y levels in newborns.

AIM: Several studies have investigated leptin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels in children, but the information for newborns in the literature is limited. The purpose of this study was to determine leptin and NPY levels in 14- to 28-day-old newborns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was performed in Atatürk University Medical Faculty Research Hospital Neonatal Clinic, Erzurum, Turkey between July and December, 2014. Sixty-two 14- to 28-day-old neonates, 26 female and 36 male, were included. Age, height, and body weight of the patients were recorded. Feeding status was also recorded. The newborns were divided into two groups--those receiving breastfeeding only and those receiving breastfeeding and formula. Plasma leptin levels were measured using enzyme amplified sensitivity immunoassay (EASIA). RESULTS: The mean leptin level in 14- to 28-day-old female neonates was 4.25 ± 3.08 ng/mL, and the mean NPY level was 24.79 ± 9.87 ng/mL. The mean leptin level in 14- to 28-day male neonates was 3.49 ± 2.52 ng/mL, and the mean NPY level was 25.80 ± 9.58 ng/mL. No significant difference was determined between leptin (p=0.228) or NPY (p=0.144) in terms of feeding status. No significant difference was also observed between the sex in terms of leptin or NPY levels (leptin p=0.775 and NPY p=0.687). CONCLUSION: There were no differences in terms of feeding status and sex in leptin and NPY levels in the neonatal period.

The effect of inflammatory cytokines and the level of vitamin D on prognosis in Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease. Its pathogenesis basically involves endothelial damage. The aim of this study was to determine serum IL2, IL6, IL 10 and 25 OH Vitamin D levels in patients with CCHF and also to reveal their role in the clinical course and prognosis of the disease. Diagnosis of CCHF was confirmed using the positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and/or positive IgM antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum IL-2, IL-6, IL-10 and total 25 OH Vitamin D levels were also measured using ELISA. Eighty CCHF patients and 110 healthy controls were enrolled. IL2, IL6 and IL10 levels were significantly higher in the patient group. IL 6 and IL 10 levels were significantly higher in the fatal group. There was a positive correlation between Vitamin D and AST (r=0.402; P<0.001), and another positive correlation between IL-6 and CK (r=0.714; P<0.001). High IL6 and L10 levels are a significant indicator of fatality. Cytokines are only one of the factors responsible for mortality. We conclude that the pathogenesis of the disease can be better understood by elucidating the complicated cytokine network.

Female attempted suicide patients with low HDL levels are at higher risk of suicide re-attempt within the subsequent year: a clinical cohort study.

Our aims were, to clarify the blood lipid differences [Total serum cholesterol (TC), High-density lipoprotein (HDL), Low density lipoprotein (LDL), Triglyceride (TG)] between female patients who had attempted suicide and controls and to determine whether we could use the patients׳ initial lipid profiles to predict suicide re-attempt within the subsequent year. A total of 284 participants (110 cases and 174 controls) were recruited, with no differences in body mass index, age, blood sampling time and gender. Blood samples were collected from all participants for serum lipid profiles and assayed in an auto-analyzer. We divided the suicide re-attempter group into suicide attempters in the subsequent year (SSY) and suicide attempters after the subsequent year (SASY). The TC, LDL, and TG levels were significantly lower in the suicidal group than in the control group. HDL was significantly higher in the suicidal group than in the control group. Low TG (<70mg/dL) (OR (odds ratio)=12.8; 95% CI (confidence interval)=5.4-30.5; p<0.0001)and low LDL/HDL (<1.8) (OR=4.1; 95% CI=1.8-9.3; p=0.001) were significantly associated with a current suicide attempt. HDL levels in the SSY (41.5±4.5mg/dL) were lower than in the non-suicide attempters group (NSA) (50.9±10.3mg/dL) and SASY (58.7±12.8mg/dL)(d.f.=2, F=5.2, p=0.007). Serum HDL level may be a potential candidate predictor for the future risk of suicidality.

Serum vanin-1 levels in renal transplant patients.

OBJECTIVES: Vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 is a plasma membrane enzyme, also known as pantetheinase. It has been shown that vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 urinary and serum concentrations of vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 increase in nephrotoxicant-induced renal injury before classic markers. Tacrolimus and cyclosporine used as immunosuppressive agents are nephrotoxic drugs. This study sought to investigate alterations of vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 levels after a kidney transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 28 renal allograft recipients without acute rejection. Before transplant, and the first and sixth months after the transplant, vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 and creatinine levels were measured in renal transplant recipients using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and spectrophotometric methods. RESULTS: During the first month after transplant, we observed a significant increase in vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 levels compared with previous levels (P < .0001). Also, during the sixth month, vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 levels were higher than values previously taken (P < .01), although they were lower compared with the first month values (P = .004). No correlation was found between vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 and creatinine before transplant or during the first and sixth months after transplant. When the patients were divided into subgroups according to the immunosuppressive drugs used, in tacrolimus-treated patients, serum vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 levels were no different from the cyclosporine-administered levels measured at 3 different times. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that serum vascular noninflammatory molecule 1 levels may be low in the end-stage renal failure and transiently increase after transplant owing to transient renal function deterioration, which does not lead to elevation of serum creatinine levels in renal transplant patients.

Association between Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) Gene Polymorphisms and Serum HGF Levels in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by proliferation and insufficient apoptosis of synovial cell, inflammatory cell infiltration, angiogenesis, and destruction of joints. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has many functions, such as regulation of inflammation, angiogenesis, and inhibition of apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between intron 13 C/A and intron 14 T/C HGF gene polymorphisms and serum HGF levels in patients with RA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 100 patients with RA and 123 healthy controls were included in this study. Serum HGF concentrations were measured using ELISA kit. Gene polymorphisms were determined by allelic discrimination analysis using the real-time PCR method. RESULTS: HGF levels, frequency of AA genotype and A allele for intron 13 C/A polymorphism and frequency of CC genotype and C allele for intron 14 T/C polymorphism were increased in patients with RA compared to healthy controls. There was no overall associations between genotypes and serum HGF concentrations in both patient and control groups. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that HGF protein and gene may play an important role in the etiopathogenesis of RA. However, further studies are required for a better understanding of mechanisms related to the disease process.