Sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) serum levels and insulin resistance in men on chronic hemodialysis.

Background: In males with end stage renal disease biochemical hypogonadism is a frequent finding. Testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) have been associated with insulin resistance, a well-known condition in uremia. The aim of the present study was to investigate in males on chronic hemodialysis the relationship of testosterone and SHBG serum levels with insulin resistance.

Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone modulate the redox homeostasis of endothelium.

The predominance of cardiovascular diseases among men compared to premenopausal women has been attributed to testosterone, which is implicated in vascular remodeling. Molecular mechanisms underlying its role have not been clarified but oxidative stress-induced inflammation may be important. We therefore investigated in vitro the effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, (a nonaromatized androgen), on redox homeostasis in absence (basal conditions) and after corticotropin-releasing hormone-induced pro-oxidant action in macroendothelial cells.

Isotopic Traceability (C and O) of Greek Olive Oil.

In recent years, isotopic analysis has been proven a valuable tool for the determination of the origin of various materials. In this article, we studied the O and C isotopic values of 210 olive oil samples that were originated from different regions in Greece in order to verify how these values are affected by the climate regime. We observed that the δO isotopic values range from 19.

17-β estradiol attenuates the pro-oxidant activity of corticotropin-releasing hormone in macroendothelial cells.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone, which is the predominant regulator of neuroendocrine responses to stress, attenuates inflammation through stimulation of glucocorticoid release. Enhanced corticotropin-releasing hormone expression has been detected in inflammatory cells of the vascular endothelium, where it acts as a local regulator of endothelial redox homeostasis. Estrogens have beneficial effects on endothelial integrity and function, though the mechanism underlying their antioxidative effect remains as yet largely unknown.

Normal menstrual cycle steroid hormones variation does not affect the blood levels of total adiponectin and its multimer forms.

Objective: Plasma total adiponectin reveals a sexual dimorphism indicating that gonadal steroids may be involved in its secretion and/or metabolism. However, results from previous reports are conflicting and data regarding the influence of ovarian steroids on adiponectin's multimer forms are scarce. The objective of the study was to assess if total adiponectin and its isoforms are affected by the changes of estradiol and progesterone during the normal menstrual cycle and the association of total adiponectin and its isoforms with the gonadal steroid levels.

Secondhand smoke exposure induces acutely airway acidification and oxidative stress.

Previous studies have shown that secondhand smoke induces lung function impairment and increases proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of secondhand smoke on airway acidification and airway oxidative stress in never-smokers. In a randomized controlled cross-over trial, 18 young healthy never-smokers were assessed at baseline and 0, 30, 60, 120, 180 and 240 min after one-hour secondhand smoke exposure at bar/restaurant levels.

Effect of CRH on NO bioavailability, ROS production and antioxidant defense systems in endothelial EAhy926 cells.

Local or 'Immune' Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone (CRH) is secreted in peripheral tissues and plays a direct immunomodulatory role as an endocrine or paracrine mediator of inflammation. The present study was undertaken to determine whether CRH affects the endothelial redox state. Accordingly, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and peroxynitrite levels, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and nitric oxide (NO) levels as well as catalase activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured in the presence or absence of selective CRH receptor-1 and CRH receptor-2 inhibitors in endothelial EAhy926 cells exposed in vitro in 10(-7) M CRH for 2 h.

Serum nitrite and nitrate levels in children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing.

Background: Diminished nitric oxide (NO) levels have been reported in adults with obstructive sleep apnea but no data are available for children with obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

Objectives: To assess levels of serum NO metabolites in children with SDB and to explore the effects of NO metabolites, SDB and their interaction on blood pressure.

Methods: Morning nitrite, the sum of nitrite and nitrate (NO(x)), and the average of evening and morning blood pressure were assessed in children with SDB referred for polysomnography and in controls without SDB.

Increased oxidative stress indices in the blood of child swimmers.

The blood redox status of child athletes is compared with that of age-matched untrained individuals. In the present study, 17 swimmers (10.1 +/- 1.