Can Adipokine FAM19A5 Be a Biomarker of Metabolic Disorders?

Aim: One of the most critical functions of adipose tissue is the production of adipokines, ie, numerous active substances that regulate metabolism. One is the newly discovered FAM19A5, whose older name is TAFA-5. Purpose: The study aimed to review the literature on the FAM19A5 protein. Methods: The review was conducted in December 2023 using the PubMed (Medline) search engine. Sixty-four papers were included in the review. Results: This protein exhibits the characteristics of an adipokine with positive features for maintaining homeostasis. The results showed that FAM19A5 was highly expressed in adipose tissue, with mild to moderate expression in the brain and ovary. FAM19A5 may also inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration through the perivascular adipose tissue paracrine pathway. Serum levels of FAM19A5 were decreased in obese children compared with healthy controls. There are negative correlations between FAM19A5, body mass index, and fasting insulin. Serum FAM19A5 level is correlated with type 2 diabetes, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, glutamic pyruvic transferase, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and mean shoulder pulse wave velocity. FAM19A5 expression was reduced in mice with obesity. However, the data available needs to be clarified or contradictory. Conclusion: Considering today's knowledge about FAM19A5, we cannot consider this protein as a biomarker of the metabolic syndrome. According to current knowledge, FAM19A5 cannot be considered a marker of metabolic disorders because the results of studies conducted in this area are unclear.

MALDI-TOF MS Characterisation of the Serum Proteomic Profile in Insulin-Resistant Normal-Weight Individuals.

Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the most common metabolic disorders worldwide and is involved in the development of diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, affecting civilisations. The possibility of understanding the molecular mechanism and searching for new biomarkers useful in assessing IR can be achieved through modern research techniques such as proteomics. This study assessed the protein-peptide profile among normal-weight patients with IR to understand the mechanisms and to define new risk biomarkers. The research involved 21 IR and 43 healthy, normal-weight individuals, aged 19-65. Serum proteomic patterns were obtained using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The proposed methodology identified six proteins differentiating normal weight IR and insulin sensitive individuals. They were fibrinogen alpha chain, serum albumin, kininogen-1, complement C3, serotransferrin, and Ig gamma-1 chain, which could potentially be related to inflammation. However, further investigation is required to confirm their correlation with IR.

Does metabolically healthy obesity exist? A 32-year-old man with BMI 78 kg/m2 - to treat or not to treat?

Not required for Clinical Vignette.

The first detection of Neospora caninum DNA in the colostrum of infected cows.

Limited data is available on the vertical transmission of Neospora caninum via the colostrum. The results of our previous research revealed the presence of N. caninum DNA in the milk of seropositive cows. The aim of the present work is to demonstrate parasite DNA in colostrum samples. A polymerase chain reaction using Np21 and Np6 primers was applied to DNA isolated from the colostrum sediment in order to amplify the corresponding genomic Nc-5 region. The expected 328-bp product was obtained in colostrum samples collected both on the calving day and the day after. This is the first detection of N. caninum DNA in the colostrum of seropositive cows, and these findings implicate the possibility of N. caninum transmission through the colostrum.

[Methods and tools for parasite differentiation within the genus Trichinella]. / Metody róznicowania gatunków nicieni z rodzaju Trichinella.

This review summarizes the major biological, biochemical and molecular methods which have been developed during last 20 years to distinguish parasites of the genus Trichinella. From the time of the discovery of Trichinella in 1835 until the 1970, it was assumed that trichinellosis was caused by a single species of parasite, Trichinella spiralis. Many biological parameters have been compared to differentiate the parasite, such as host specificity, geographical distribution, reproductive abilities, nurse cell development and resistance to freezing. Now, investigators realize that the genus Trichinella is a much more complex group of parasites and simple biological methods are non sufficient. In order to identify and better characterize the species and genotypes of Trichinella it was necessary to develop more sensitive techniques. First, for detecting Trichinella infection immunological methods have been used, such as detection of antibodies in host blood and antigens of parasites using monoclonal antibodies against immunodominant proteins. Later, biochemical techniques have been used such as isoenzyme analysis. The main goal of these methods is to provide a simple, rapid and reproducible techniques to differentiate Trichinella parasites. For this purpose DNA-based methods appeared the best ones. Beginning with the use restriction enzymes, repetitive DNA probes for detection of parasite DNA, and later techniques based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), give results at the high level of sensitivity. All of this information has been used to construct a new taxonomy of the genus Thrichinella. To date, 11 taxa have been recognized in the genus: 8 species (Trichinella spiralis T1, Trichinella nativa T2, Trichinella britovi T3, Trichinella pseudospiralis T4, Trichinella murrelli T5, Trichinella nelsoni T7, Trichinella papuae T10, Trichinella zimbabwensis T 11) and additionally three genotypes whose taxonomic status is yet uncertain (T6, T8, T9). Based upon morphology, epidemiology of trichinellosis, geographical distribution and host range of the parasite, two main groups are recognized in the genus Trichinella. The first group comprises species that encapsulate in host muscle tissue, while the species of the second group do not encapsulate. The species and genotypes of the first group infect only mammals (T. spiralis, T. nativa, T. britovi, T. murrelli, T. nelsoni, T6, T8 and T9), whereas of the three species from the second group, one parasitizes mammals and birds (T. pseudospiralis) and the other two infect mammals and reptiles (T. papuae and T. zimbabwensis). Due to the big genetic differences between Trichinella isolates, investigators predict that the number of species and genotypes found within Trichinella will be increased.