Interdependencies among Selected Pro-Inflammatory Markers of Endothelial Dysfunction, C-Peptide, Anti-Inflammatory Interleukin-10 and Glucose Metabolism Disturbance in Obese Women.

Background: Currently increasing importance is attributed to the inflammatory process as a crucial factor responsible for the progressive damage to vascular walls and progression of atherosclerosis in obese people. We have studied the relationship between clinical and biochemical parameters and C-peptide and anti-inflammatory IL-10, as well as selected markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction such as: CCL2, CRP, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and E-selectin in obese women with various degree of glucose metabolism disturbance.

Material And Methods: The studied group consisted of 61 obese women, and 20 normal weight, healthy volunteers.

Joint scientific statement of the European Association for the Study of Obesity and the European Society of Hypertension: Obesity and early vascular ageing.

Current cardiovascular risk scores do not include obesity or fat distribution as independent factors, and may underestimate risk in obese individuals. Assessment of early vascular ageing (EVA) biomarkers including arterial stiffness, central blood pressure, carotid intima-media thickness and flow-mediated vasodilation may help to refine risk assessment in obese individuals in whom traditional cardiovascular risk scores and factors suggest no need for specific medical attention. A number of issues need to be addressed before this approach is ready for translation into routine clinical practice.

Changes of systemic microinflammation after weight loss and regain - a five-year follow up study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of body mass changes on plasma concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines in obese women after the initially obtained weight reduction in a five-year follow-up period.

Material And Methods: Thirty out of 42 women with simple obesity (age 41.8 ± 11.

The influence of oral water load on energy expenditure and sympatho-vagal balance in obese and normal weight women.

Introduction: Oral water load may increase the energy expenditure (EE) by stimulation of sympathetic dependent thermogenesis. Thus, drinking of water may be helpful in weight reduction. The aim of the study is to assess the influence of water load on energy expenditure and sympathetic activity in obese and normal weight women.

Circulating visfatin level and visfatin/insulin ratio in obese women with metabolic syndrome.

Introduction: Visfatin is an adipokine secreted by visceral adipose tissue with insulin-mimetic properties. Higher circulating visfatin levels were reported in type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to analyse circulating visfatin and insulin levels and the visfatin/insulin ratio in obese women with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Joint statement of the European Association for the Study of Obesity and the European Society of Hypertension: obesity and difficult to treat arterial hypertension.

Obese patients are prone to arterial hypertension, require more antihypertensive medications, and have an increased risk of treatment-resistant arterial hypertension. Obesity-induced neurohumoral activation appears to be involved. The association between obesity and hypertension shows large inter-individual variability, likely through genetic mechanisms.

Changes of bone mineral density in obese perimenopausal women during 5-year follow-up.

Introduction: The beneficial effect of obesity on bone mineral density (BMD) has not been definitely established.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in BMD in obese perimenopausal women during a 5-year follow-up.

Patients And Methods: The study involved 54 obese women.

N-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acid therapy improves endothelial function and affects adiponectin and resistin balance in the first month after myocardial infarction.

Introduction: N-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) exert clinical beneficial effects in patients after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, their exact mechanisms of action are not well recognized yet. Our aim was to evaluate effects of early introduced n-3 PUFA supplementation on endothelial function and serum adipokine concentrations in patients with AMI.

Impact of excess body weight on walking at the preferred speed.

The implications of a long-lasting mechanical load on the locomotor activity are poorly understood. The objective of the present studies was to determine an impact of excess body weight on basic spatiotemporal gait measures and to test the hypothesis that leg swing phase may account for a load-related adaptation of the stride characteristics. To this end the basic spatial and temporal stride measures were assessed in 100 obese and 36 lean women (age range between 18 and 67 years) walking with their self-selected pace on a 10-meter long and 1 meter wide instrumented pathway.

Criteria for EASO-collaborating centres for obesity management.

Obesity is recognised as a global epidemic and the most prevalent metabolic disease world-wide. Specialised obesity services, however, are not widely available in Europe, and obesity care can vary enormously across European regions. The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO, www.

Plasma visfatin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in metabolic syndrome.

Background: Experimental studies have shown that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) downregulate visfatin gene expression in adipocytes. On the other hand, the induction of cytokine production by visfatin in leucocytes and monocytes has also been described.

Aim: To assess the possible interrelation between plasma concentrations of visfatin and TNF-α and TNF soluble receptor in obese women fulfilling, or not, the criteria of metabolic syndrome (MS).

N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids early supplementation improves ultrasound indices of endothelial function, but not through NO inhibitors in patients with acute myocardial infarction: N-3 PUFA supplementation in acute myocardial infarction.

Background & Aims: Our aim was to evaluate early initiated one month n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation effects on ultrasound indices of endothelial function and serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: Forty patients with AMI and successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were recruited into the study and randomized to the study group (group P; n = 20; standard therapy + n-3 PUFA 1 g daily) or the control group (group C; n = 20; standard therapy). Ultrasound indices of endothelial function: flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), nitroglycerin-mediated dilatation (NMD) and serum ADMA concentrations (ELISA) were obtained before and after one month (30 ± 1 days) therapy (presented as means ± standard deviations).

Changes in bone mineral density and bone turnover markers in obese women after short-term weight loss therapy during a 5-year follow-up.

Introduction: The protective effect of adipocity on bone metabolism has not been confirmed during long-term follow-up. It is not known whether the rate of bone turnover and changes in mineral metabolism in obese people result from endocrine properties of the adipose tissue or merely the mechanical load.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate bone and calcium-phosphorus metabolism in obese women during a 5-year follow-up.

Proangiogenic cytokines vascular-endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblst growth factor in childhood lymphadenopathy.

Increased angiogenesis is observed both in the inflammatory and in the neoplasmatic tissue. The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic significance of serum concentration of vascular-endothelial growth factor (sVEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (sbFGF) in the various forms of lymphadenopathy in children. Ninety-four children with lymphadenopathy were studied: group A, 52 patients with lymphadenitis; group B, 42 patients with lymphomas.

Body fat changes and activity of tumor necrosis factor α system--a 5-year follow-up study.

Obesity is associated with subclinical, chronic, and systemic immune activation characterized by increased serum concentration of proinflammatory cytokines released by adipose tissue. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between stage of development of obesity and changes in activity of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) system during 5-year follow-up observation. One hundred fifty-four women--102 obese, 24 overweight, and 28 lean--without concomitant diseases were examined for the first time from 2000 to 2001.

Are plasma ghrelin and PYY concentrations associated with obesity-related depression?

Introduction: Recent experimental studies have revealed that increased ghrelin levels protect against depressive symptoms of chronic stress in rats. Moreover it was shown that neuropeptide Y (NPY) has an anxiolytic-like effect mediated through both Y1 and Y5 receptors. On the other hand, peptide YY inhibits, while ghrelin stimulates, the release of NPY.

The image of one's own body and the effectiveness of weight loss therapy.

Introduction: Aim of this study was to check the relation between body image and the effectiveness of weight loss therapy.

Material And Methods: Four body image aspects were separated: a declarative, a sensory, an imaginable and a perceived one. Five research methods were used: an objective body weight measurement, the silhouette test, the body mass assessment scale, the body satisfaction scale and a questionnaire.

The influence of weight loss on anaerobic threshold in obese women.

Unlabelled: Obesity is associated with decreased physical activity. The aim of the study was to assess the anaerobic threshold in obese and normal weight women and to analyse the effect of weight-reduction therapy on the determined thresholds.

Patients And Methods: 42 obese women without concomitant disease (age 30.

Serum ADMA concentration-- an independent factor determining FMD impairment in cardiac syndrome X.

Unlabelled: Mechanisms of decreased endogenous vascular reactivity in individuals with cardiac syndrome X (CSX) are not fully understood.

Aim: To evaluate the following serum markers: total nitric oxide (NO), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and to establish their relation to ultrasound indexes of endothelial function and structural remodeling in CSX patients.

Method: The study group consisted of 43 CSX patients (mean age: 56.

The role of glucagon-like peptide 1 in glucose homeostasis and in other aspects of human physiology.

This paper reviews the structure, function, and pathophysiology of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). It describes the physiology and pathophysiology of the incretin axis, of which GLP-1 is a component, as well as the biosynthesis, secretion, activity, and degradation of this intestinal hormone. Effects of GLP-1 on the endocrine function of the pancreas, cardiovascular system, central nervous system, and on water-electrolyte balance have been also presented.

[Hormonal regulation of feeding].

Obesity is an important healthcare problem. Steady increase in its prevalence is observed worldwide. The underlying cause of obesity is mainly increased calories intake.

Prognostic value of proangiogenic cytokines in children with lymphomas.

Background: Angiogenesis and proangiogenic cytokines are involved in neoplastic development. The role of these processes in lymphoma formation has not been established. The aim of the study was to assess angiogenesis on the basis of serum levels of vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in childhood lymphomas.

Effects of excessive body weight on postural control.

Research that evaluated both static and dynamic stability was performed, to clarify the impact of excessive body weight on postural control. The spontaneous center of foot pressure (CP) motion during quiet stance and a range of forward voluntary CP displacements were studied in 100 obese, and 33 lean women. Characteristics of postural sway were acquired while the subjects were standing quiet on a force plate with eyes open (EO) and with eyes closed (EC).