α2-Heremans-schmid glycoprotein (fetuin A) downregulation and its utility in inflammatory bowel disease.

Aim: To investigate the impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on α2-Heremans-Schmid Glycoprotein (AHSG/fetuin A) and potential associations with disease and patient characteristics.

Methods: AHSG serum levels were determined in treatment-naïve newly-diagnosed patients, 96 with ulcerative colitis (UC), 84 with Crohn's disease (CD), 62 with diarrhea-predominant or mixed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS, D- and M- types) and 180 healthy controls (HC), by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All patients were followed for a minimum period of 3 years at the Gastroenterology Department of the University Hospital of Larissa, Greece.

Retinol Binding Protein-4 and Adiponectin Levels in Thyroid Overt and Subclinical Dysfunction.

Thyroid dysfunction is accompanied by numerous changes in intermediary metabolism. Retinol binding protein-4 (RBP-4) and adiponectin are 2 adipocytokines that have multiple metabolic functions. The aim of our study was to examine serum RBP4 and adiponectin levels in clinical (before and after therapy) and subclinical hyperthyroid and hypothyroid subjects as compared to controls.

Readressing the role of Toll-like receptor-4 alleles in inflammatory bowel disease: colitis, smoking, and seroreactivity.

Background: Toll-like receptor (TLR) polymorphisms, and especially TLR-4 Asp299Gly and TLR-4 Thr399Ile, have been linked with Crohn's disease (CD) and to a lesser extent with ulcerative colitis (UC), CD behavior, and compromised seroreactivity to microbial antigens. Available data, however, are conflicting.

Aims: To address these issues, the distribution of TLR-4 polymorphic alleles was assessed in patients with UC, CD, and healthy controls (HC), considering patient and disease characteristics as well as related serological markers.

Epidermal growth factor in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: an update.

Management of diabetic foot ulcers remains a rather challenging task. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays a central role in wound healing. It acts on epithelial cells and fibroblasts promoting restoration of damaged epithelium.

Increased cardiovascular and renal disease but not reduced life expectancy among diabetic participants in the general Northern Greek population.

We compared life expectancy and causes of death based on death certificates of 269 diabetic participants (group A) and 5659 nondiabetic participants (group B) who died from January 1, 1991 to December 31, 2010, in 3 small towns of Northern Greece. Age at death was significantly (P = .011) higher in group A (77.

The role of hyperbaric oxygen in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers are still extremely difficult to heal. Therefore, therapeutic options to improve healing rates are continuously being explored. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) has been used in addition to standard treatment of the diabetic foot for more than 20 years.

TLR4 gene polymorphisms: evidence for protection against type 2 diabetes but not for diabetes-associated ischaemic heart disease.

Objective: Several factors either predisposing or protecting from the onset of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) have been proposed. Two specific polymorphisms of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4; Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile) have recently been identified either as candidate protector genes against DM2 and associated neuropathy or risk alleles for the manifestation of diabetic retinopathy. The impact of these alleles on the risk for ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is controversial while their role in diabetes-associated IHD has never been studied.

The implication of adiponectin and resistin in gastrointestinal diseases.

Adiponectin and resistin, members of the adipokine family, are multi-task hormones involved in several disorders, including those of the alimentary tract. In the present review, eligible studies focusing on the role of adiponectin and resistin in gastrointestinal diseases are manifested together and classified according to anatomic criteria. In addition, similarities and common patterns have been recognized, ultimately revealing an inverse association: the down-regulation of adiponectin and up-regulation of resistin - both in vitro and in vivo - in gastrointestinal disorders, irrespective of their diverse nature - inflammatory, autoimmune or malignant - or anatomic position - esophageal, gastric, of the small intestine, colonic.

Calprotectin, calgranulin C, and other members of the s100 protein family in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Since their discovery, S100 proteins have been associated with diverse diseases of inflammatory, degenerative, or malignant nature. Due to their participation in inflammation, they have also been studied with regard to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Method: To provide a review of available literature, a PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase-based literature search was performed, using all available nomenclature for each member of the S100 protein family, along with the terms inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or indeterminate colitis.

Unraveling the link between leptin, ghrelin and different types of colitis.

Leptin and ghrelin are hormones with a tight inverse functional connection. Their inverse association is observed not only in the modulation of metabolism but also in the interaction with the immune system. A large number of studies have been launched regarding their association with various disorders, including different types of colitis.

The role of nerve growth factor in the prophylaxis and treatment of diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers are still particularly difficult to heal. Therefore, preventing and therapeutic adjuncts are increasingly being explored. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a promising agent exhibiting beneficial actions on both diabetic peripheral neuropathy, one of the main causes of foot ulcers, and on ulcer healing.

Cytogenetic damage after ischemia and reperfusion.

Tourniquets are often used to provide a bloodless operating field. However, they carry the risk of adverse effects caused by DNA damage from the free radicals generated during postischemic reperfusion of the blood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytogenetic damage caused by postischemic reperfusion on peripheral lymphocytes of five women and six men undergoing total knee arthroplasty "bloodless" operation using samples received before, during, immediately, and 1 h after the operations.

Angiogenin, angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, and endostatin serum levels in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Angiogenesis is a complex process, involving a great number of mediators. It is implicated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, holding a critical role in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The objective of this study was to assess serum levels of angiogenin, angiopoietin-1, angiopoietin-2, and endostatin in IBD patients.