Serum betatrophin levels are reduced in patients with full-blown polycystic ovary syndrome.

Betatrophin is defined as a new marker in glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. We aimed to investigate the role of serum betatrophin in full-blown polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and 47-aged healthy women, 51 full-blown PCOS patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Betatrophin concentrations were significantly lower in PCOS group and displayed a positive correlation only with serum tryglyceride in control group (p < .05). A cutoff level (464.5 ng/L) was determined for betatrophin according to Receiver Operating Characteristic curve. Using this value, 64.7% of PCOS patients were classified as below the cutoff and in this group betatrophin was found to correlate negatively with fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (p = .038, p = .020, and p = .014, respectively), and positively with total testosterone (p = .041). In the rest of PCOS cases (35.3%) who had betatrophin higher than cutoff, positive correlation was found with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p = .009). In conclusion, betatrophin levels are reduced in full-blown PCOS patients who had worse metabolic phenotype.

Lycopene prevents development of steatohepatitis in experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model induced by high-fat diet.

We investigated the preventive effect of lycopene on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-induced by high-fat diet in rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups. They were fed standard diet, high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet plus lycopene at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight and the high-fat diet lycopene at a dose of 4 mg/kg BW for a period of 6 weeks. Inflammation, steatosis, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1) expression increased significantly in the rats fed HFD and decreased in the rats administered by lycopene. Significantly elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor (TNF α), and serum and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed in rats fed the high-fat diet as compared to the control rats (P < .01). Supplementation with lycopene lowered serum MDA and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) levels and elevated liver GSH level (P < .001). Insulin resistance was higher in the rats fed HFD than in rats supplemented with lycopene. The data indicate that supplementation with lycopene can reduce high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress to the cells.

A preliminary study of human paraoxonase and PON 1 L/M55-PON 1 Q/R 192 polymorphisms in Turkish patients with coronary artery disease.

Paraoxonase 1 (PON 1) is a high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-associated enzyme with antioxidant function protecting low-density lipoprotein (LDL) from oxidation. PON 1 has two amino acid polymorphisms in coding region; L/M 55 and Q/R 192. These polymorphisms modulate paraoxonase activity of the enzyme. PON 1 activity decreases in coronary artery disease (CAD). In the present study, distribution of PON 1 L/M 55 and Q/R 192 polymorphisms and the effect of these polymorphisms on the activities of PON 1, and on the severity of CAD in 277 CAD (+) patient and 92 CAD (-) subjects were examined. PON 1 L/M 55 and Q/R 192 genotypes were determined by PCR, RFLP and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques. Genotype distributions and allele frequencies for PON 1 Q/R 192 polymorphism were not significantly different between controls and CAD (+) patient group (p > 0.05), but in genotype and allele distribution of PON 1 L/M55 polymorphism, there was significantly difference among groups (p < 0.05). Genotype distributions for both polymorphisms were not significantly different between subgroups of single-vessel disease (SVD), double-vessel disease (DVD) and triple-vessel disease (TVD). Serum PON 1 activity was lower in CAD (+) group than in controls and this was also statistically significant (p < 0.001). In both groups, the highest PON activities were detected in LL and RR genotypes. In summary, our results suggest that there is an association between the PON 1 L/M 55 polymorphism of paraoxonase and CAD in Turkish patients but not with PON 1 Q/R 192 polymorphism. However, it is hard to correlate these polymorphisms and severity of CAD.

Low plasma adiponectin levels in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

This study was designed to examine plasma adiponectin levels in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The plasma adiponectin and glucose concentrations were determined in 23 patients (13 females, 10 males) and age and sex-matched 23 healthy controls (14 females and 9 males). In measuring adiponectin levels, ELISA method was used. The mean adiponectin levels were 11.1+/-2.2 ng/ml for the patient group and 17.6+/-2.9 ng/ml for control group (P=0.00078). By using ANCOVA, significant difference in the mean adiponectin values continued after controlling for BMI or sex (F=6.04, P<0.013 adjusted for BMI; F=5.67, P<0.021 adjusted for sex). Despite some limitations, the present study suggests that there may be an interaction between OCD and plasma adiponectin. In this interaction, one should keep into mind both pathophysiologic dimension and cardiovascular vulnerability. But it is clear that although the present findings are of considerable significance they should be supported by the studies with larger sample.

Effect of unfiltered coffee on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats.

To assess the role of unfiltered coffee upon carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced hepatotoxicity in rats. All rats were randomly divided into control group, CCl(4)-treated, unfiltered coffee-treated and CCl(4)/unfiltered coffee-treated. Hepatic damage was induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of CCl(4) every other day. Unfiltered coffee was given as drinking fluid for 8 days starting the day before CCl(4) administration. Liver enzymes, plasma and liver tissue malondialdehyde were analyzed. Histopathological evaluation of liver sections was performed. Serum aminotransferase level significantly increased in CCl(4)/unfiltered coffee-treated group compared to CCl(4)-treated group, as well as, lipid peroxidation products in the plasma and liver tissue. In addition, histopathological findings including inflammation and necrosis were significantly confirmed these findings. Unfiltered coffee potentiates acute liver injury in rats with CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity.

Plasma and vitreous homocysteine concentrations in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: An increase in plasma concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) has been described. The aim of this study was to investigate vitreous Hcy levels in patients with PDR. METHODS: Plasma and vitreous samples were obtained simultaneously at the time of vitreoretinal surgery from 20 patients with PDR and 12 nondiabetic patients with nonproliferative ocular diseases. Hcy levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The mean vitreous and plasma Hcy concentrations for the diabetic group were 3.64 +/- 0.65 micromol/L and 16.04 +/- 2.75 micromol/L, respectively. The mean intravitreal and plasma Hcy concentrations for the control group were 1.08 +/- 0.45 micromol/L and 9.18 +/- 3.91 micromol/L, respectively. Both plasma and vitreous Hcy concentrations for the diabetic group were significantly higher than those for the control group (P < 0.001). A statistically significant correlation between vitreous and plasma Hcy concentrations was present only for the diabetic group (r = 0.525; P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Vitreous Hcy concentrations were elevated in patients with PDR probably due to breakdown of the blood-retina barrier.

Serum pro-hepcidin levels in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Hepcidin is a principal iron regulatory hormone and its expression is stimulated by cytokines. The aim of this study was to determine serum levels of the prohormone form of hepcidin, pro-hepcidin, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The study included 72 RA and 28 SLE patients and 33 healthy controls (HC). Serum iron status, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-6 and pro-hepcidin levels were determined. Pro-hepcidin levels in the RA group was higher than SLE and HC groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.001, respectively). Pro-hepcidin levels did not correlate with disease activity scores, cytokine levels and serum iron status in the RA and SLE groups, while it correlated with TNF-alpha, IL-6 and ferritin levels in the HC group (r = 0.459, p < 0.01, r = 0.374, p < 0.05, r = -0.603, p < 0.01, respectively). Pro-hepcidin levels show extremely wide variations within the groups as do iron status and cytokines. Despite these wide variations correlation analysis do not reveal anything.

Protective role of genistein in acute liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride.

AIM: In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of genistein in experimental acute liver damage induced by CCl4. METHOD: Forty rats were equally allocated to 5 groups. The first group was designated as the control group (group 1). The second group was injected with intraperitoneal CCl4 for 3 days (group 2). The third group was injected with subcutaneous 1 mg/kg genistein for 4 days starting one day before CCl4 injection. The fourth group was injected with intraperitoneal CCl4 for 7 days. The fifth group was injected with subcutaneous 1 mg/kg genistein for 8 days starting one day before CCl4 injection. Plasma and liver tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and liver glutathione levels, as well as AST and ALT levels were studied. A histopathological examination was conducted. RESULTS: Liver tissue MDA levels were found significantly lower in group 3, in comparison to group 2 (P < .05). Liver tissue MDA level in group 5 was significantly lower than that in group 4 (P < .001). Liver tissue glutathione levels were higher in group 5 and 3, relative to groups 4 and 2, respectively (P > .05 for each). Inflammation and focal necrosis decreased in group 3, in comparison to group 2 (P < .001 for each). Inflammation and focal necrosis in group 5 was lower than that in group 4 (P < .001). Actin expression decreased significantly in group 5, relative to group 4 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Genistein has anti-inflammatory and antinecrotic effects on experimental liver damage caused by CCl4. Genistein reduces liver damage by preventing lipid peroxidation and strengthening antioxidant systems.

Total antioxidant response in patients with schizophrenia.

There is a large amount of convincing data demonstrating that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in initiation and development of many different forms of neuropsychiatric disorders. The levels of oxidants and antioxidants in schizophrenia have been evaluated. However, measurements of total antioxidant response (TAR) were not evaluated up to now. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to investigate plasma TAR levels in schizophrenia subtypes. A total of 76 patients with schizophrenia and 25 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (SANS and SAPS, respectively) were applied to patients. TAR values were determined in the plasma of normal healthy controls and patients with schizophrenia. Plasma TAR levels of each schizophrenia subtype were significantly lower than healthy controls (P < 0.01 for disorganized, residual and undifferentiated subtypes and P < 0.01 for paranoid subtype). When intragroup comparisons were performed, paranoid subtype had higher plasma TAR levels compared to other subtypes (P < 0.01). Accordingly, as a whole group, patients with schizophrenia had lower plasma TAR levels compared to controls. Plasma TAR levels were significantly and negatively correlated with SANS scores, and duration of illness was evaluated but not related to other parameters. Consequently, the present study further emphasizes the growing consideration that free radical damage may have an important etiopathogenetic role on the development of schizophrenia and suggests that decreased plasma total antioxidant levels may be related to the progression of illness.