Inflammatory markers, the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, and vitamin B status after bariatric surgery.

Objective: Obesity is associated with increased inflammation and insulin resistance. In conditions with chronic immune activation, low plasma vitamin B6-levels are described, as well as an increased kynurenine:tryptophan-ratio (KTR). We investigated circulating tryptophan, kynurenine and its metabolites, neopterin, B-vitamins, CRP, and HbA1c in individuals with obesity before and after bariatric surgery.

The kynurenine:tryptophan ratio as a predictor of incident type 2 diabetes mellitus in individuals with coronary artery disease.

Aims/hypothesis: The tryptophan metabolite kynurenine has potent immune modulatory and vasoactive properties. Experimental data implicate kynurenine in obesity-related morbidities. Epidemiological studies are, however, sparse.

Consistent ethnic specific differences in diabetes risk and vitamin D status in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

Previous findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a representative sample of the US population carried out in 1988-1994, showed an inverse association between diabetes risk and serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in non-Hispanic whites and Mexican-Americans but not in non-Hispanic blacks. The study aim was to determine if this same pattern in ethnic variation occurred in more recent NHANES surveys. Cross-sectional data came from the NHANES carried out from 1988 to 1994 (NHANES III) and from 2001 to 2006 (NHANES 01-06).

Estradiol determines the effects of PTH on ERα-dependent transcription in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Bone remodeling is a continuous process regulated by several hormones such as estrogens and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Here we investigated the influence of PTH on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-dependent transcriptional activity in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Cells that were transfected with an ER-responsive reporter plasmid and treated with PTH showed increased luciferase activity.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and the vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism Apa1 influence bone mineral density in primary hyperparathyroidism.

Objective: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and vitamin D are the most important hormones regulating calcium metabolism. In primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) excessive amounts of PTH are produced. Bone turnover is enhanced, leading to reduced bone mineral density and elevated levels of serum calcium.

Physiological effects of combined thermal and electrical muscle stimulation (cTEMS) in healthy individuals: a pilot study.

Objective: Adding superficial heat to electrical muscle stimulation may provide added effects. In this pilot study we investigated the effects on oxygen consumption of combined thermal and electrical muscle stimulation at different levels of heat and modes of electrical stimulation.

Design: An observational clinical pilot study.

Serum level of under-carboxylated osteocalcin and bone mineral density in early menopausal Norwegian women.

Purpose: Serum level of under-carboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) is considered a sensitive measure of vitamin K status, and ucOC levels are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk in elderly persons. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between ucOC and BMD in early menopausal women.

Methods: The data reported here come from the enrollment in a double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial comprising 334 healthy Norwegian women between 50 and 60 years, 1-5 years after menopause, not using warfarin or medication known to affect bone metabolism.

Primary hyperparathyroidism influences the expression of inflammatory and metabolic genes in adipose tissue.

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is characterised by increased production of parathyroid hormone (PTH) resulting in elevated serum calcium levels. The influence on bone metabolism with altered bone resorption is the most studied clinical condition in PHPT. In addition to this, patients with PHPT are at increased risk of non-skeletal diseases, such as impaired insulin sensitivity, arterial hypertension and increased risk of death by cardiovascular diseases (CVD), possibly mediated by a chronic low-grade inflammation.

Seasonal and age-related differences in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone in patients from Western Norway.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal and age-related variation of vitamin D and PTH serum concentrations in a large general patient population in Western Norway.

Design: A retrospective study was conducted at the Hormone laboratory, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway. All analyses of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (n = 8325), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) (n = 4509) and PTH (n = 4203) requested from private practitioners from 2005 to 2008 were included.

Glucocorticoid replacement therapy and pharmacogenetics in Addison's disease: effects on bone.

Unlabelled: Context Patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease) receive more glucococorticoids than the normal endogenous production, raising concern about adverse effects on bone.

Objective: To determine i) the effects of glucocorticoid replacement therapy on bone, and ii) the impact of glucocorticoid pharmacogenetics.

Design, Setting And Participants: A cross-sectional study of two large Addison's cohorts from Norway (n=187) and from UK and New Zealand (n=105).

Effect of exercise training on chromogranin A and relationship to N-ANP and inflammatory cytokines in patients with chronic heart failure.

Exercise training improves functional parameters in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The aim of this study was to establish whether exercise training influence the elevated CgA levels in CHF patients. Plasma CgA was determined at baseline and at peak exercise before and after 12 weeks of training in 25 men (mean age 67+/-8 years) with CHF (NYHA functional class II and III).