Serum concentrations and tissue expression of a novel endocrine regulator fibroblast growth factor-21 in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Objective: Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) is a novel endocrine and paracrine regulator of metabolic homeostasis. The aim of our study was to measure its serum concentrations in patients with obesity, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and healthy subjects (C), and to assess the changes of its circulating levels and mRNA expression after dietary and pharmacological interventions.

Design: We measured biochemical parameters, serum FGF21, adiponectin, leptin and insulin levels by commercial ELISA and RIA kits, and mRNA expression in the liver, subcutaneous and visceral fat by RT PCR in 26 obese patients, 11 T2DM patients and 32 control subjects.

Macrophage-inhibitory cytokine-1 (mic-1) in differential diagnosis of dyspnea--a pilot study.

Background: Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1) has recently been associated with markers of heart function.

Aim: This study sought to verify the relationship between markers of heart function (New York Heart Association classification (NYHA)): left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF), N terminal prohormone of natriuretic peptide B type (NT-proBNP) and MIC-1. Furthermore, the assessment of the usefulness of these markers for differential diagnosis of the myocardial form of dyspnea was explored.

Angiopoietin-like protein 4: development, analytical characterization, and clinical testing of a new ELISA.

The aim of our work was to develop an assay for the determination of angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angplt4) in human blood, and to investigate its levels in healthy volunteers and donors suffer from metabolic syndrome. We developed and evaluated the sandwich ELISA method for the quantitative determination of human Angplt4 in serum samples. We conducted also the pilot study on individuals with metabolic syndrome or familiar hypercholesterolemia and healthy probands and measured blood pressure, waist circumference, Angplt4 serum levels, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, insulin, glucose, A-FABP and calculate BMI and QUICKI insulin sensitivity index.

Lipocalin-2: development, analytical characterization, and clinical testing of a new ELISA.

Lipocalin-2 (also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL]) has been described as a promising marker of metabolic syndrome associated with inflammation. The aim of our work was to develop an assay for the determination of lipocalin-2 in human serum and to investigate its levels in healthy volunteers and donors suffering from metabolic syndrome. We also conducted a pilot study on individuals with metabolic syndrome and on healthy probands and measured lipocalin-2 in these individuals.

Urinary clusterin concentrations--a possible marker of nephropathy? Pilot study.

Background: Clusterin is a glycoprotein which participates in a number of pathophysiological processes in the organism. Information about clusterin use in the diagnosis of nephropathy and the differential diagnosis of proteinuria has been published recently.

Aim: Search for correlations between urinary clusterin concentration and other renal function markers.

Angiopoietin-like protein 3: development, analytical characterization, and clinical testing of a new ELISA.

The aim of our work was to develop an assay for the determination of angiopoietin-like protein 3 (Angptl3) in human blood, and investigate its levels in healthy volunteers and donors suffer from metabolic syndrome and familiar hypercholesterolemia. We developed and evaluated the sandwich ELISA method for the quantitative determination of human Angptl3 in serum samples. We conducted also the pilot study on individuals with metabolic syndrome or familiar hypercholesterolemia and healthy probands.

Proguanylin: development, analytical characterization, and clinical testing of a new ELISA.

The aim of our work was to develop an assay for the determination of proguanylin in human blood, and investigate its levels in healthy volunteers and donors suffer from hypertension often accompanied by body sodium accumulation and plasma volume expansion. We developed and evaluated the sandwich ELISA method for the quantitative determination of human proguanylin in serum samples. We conducted also the pilot study on individuals with hypertension and oh healthy probands and measured proguanylin serum levels, serum and urine sodium and creatinine levels.

Evaluation of urine N1,N12-Diacetylspermine as potential tumor marker for urinary bladder cancer.

Background: N1,N12-diacetylspermine, a diacetylpolyamine which was recently identified in urine, appeared to be a useful tumor marker for a number of cancers. No valid data on urine diacetylspermine concentration in patients with urinary bladder cancer exist.

Aim: Evaluation of urine N1,N12-diacetylspermine concentrations in individuals with urinary bladder cancer.