Plasma Cytokeratin-18 Fragment Level Reflects the Metabolic Phenotype in Obesity.

There is growing interest in the non-invasive identification and monitoring of the outcome of liver damage in obese patients. Plasma cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) fragment levels correlate with the magnitude of hepatocyte apoptosis and have recently been proposed to independently predict the presence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of the study was to analyze the associations of CK-18 with obesity and related complications: insulin resistance, impaired lipid metabolism and the secretion of hepatokines, adipokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Enhanced GIP Secretion in Obesity Is Associated with Biochemical Alteration and miRNA Contribution to the Development of Liver Steatosis.

Nutrient excess enhances glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) secretion, which may in turn contribute to the development of liver steatosis. We hypothesized that elevated GIP levels in obesity may affect markers of liver injury through microRNAs. The study involved 128 subjects (body mass index (BMI) 25-40).

Effect of insulin resistance on whole blood mRNA and microRNA expression affecting bone turnover.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of insulin resistance in obesity on the expression in whole blood of mRNA and miRNA affecting bone homeostasis as well as to estimate the influence of oral glucose load (OGTT) on serum osteocalcin concentration in obese individuals with and without insulin resistance.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Methods: Carboxylated (cOC), undercarboxylated (ucOC) and total osteocalcin were measured by ELISA in the serum of obese subjects with insulin resistance (n = 41) and obese subjects without insulin resistance (n = 41) (control group) during OGTT.

High Fat Mixed Meal Tolerance Test Leads to Suppression of Osteocalcin Decrease in Obese Insulin Resistant Subjects Compared to Healthy Adults.

Nutrients influence bone turnover. Carboxylated osteocalcin (Gla-OC) participates in bone formation whereas its undercarboxylated form (Glu-OC) acts as a hormone in glucose metabolism. The aim of the study was to determine the responses of Gla-OC, Glu-OC, and total-OC (calculated as the sum of Gla-OC and Glu-OC) to a high fat mixed meal tolerance test (HFMTT) in non-obese (body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m², = 24) and obese subjects (30 < BMI < 40 kg/m², = 70) (both sexes, aged 25⁻65 years).

Pro-inflammatory gene expression profile in obese adults with high plasma GIP levels.

Background: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) provides a novel link between the immune system and the gut, although results from different experimental and observational studies are contradictory, ranging from anti-inflammatory, through neutral to pro-inflammatory action of GIP. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze inflammatory pathways on the level of gene expression and circulating inflammatory markers in relation to plasma GIP level.

Subjects/methods: The study included 128 obese adults.

Relation of the protein glycation, oxidation and nitration to the osteocalcin level in obese subjects.

Carboxylated osteocalcin (Gla-OC) contributes to the bone formation, whereas its undercarboxylated form (Glu-OC) takes part in the energy metabolism. In vitro studies had shown that treatment of osteoblast-like cells with advanced glycation end product-modified bovine serum resulted in reduced synthesis of collagen 1 and osteocalcin. The aim of this study was to find association between Gla-OC and markers of protein glycation, oxidation and nitration, as well as pro-inflammatory and antioxidant defense markers in obese subjects.

Carboxylated and undercarboxylated osteocalcin in metabolic complications of human obesity and prediabetes.

Background: Carboxylated osteocalcin (Gla-OC) participates in bone remodeling, whereas the undercarboxylated form (Glu-OC) takes part in energy metabolism. This study was undertaken to compare the blood levels of Glu-OC and Gla-OC in nonobese, healthy obese, and prediabetic volunteers and correlate it with the metabolic markers of insulin resistance and early markers of inflammation.

Methods: Nonobese (body mass index [BMI] <30 kg/m ; n = 34) and obese subjects (30 View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Dicarbonyl stress in clinical obesity.

The glyoxalase system in the cytoplasm of cells provides the primary defence against glycation by methylglyoxal catalysing its metabolism to D-lactate. Methylglyoxal is the precursor of the major quantitative advanced glycation endproducts in physiological systems - arginine-derived hydroimidazolones and deoxyguanosine-derived imidazopurinones. Glyoxalase 1 of the glyoxalase system was linked to anthropometric measurements of obesity in human subjects and to body weight in strains of mice.

Assessment of incretins in oral glucose and lipid tolerance tests may be indicative in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome aggravation.

Incretins stimulated by oral meals are claimed to be protective for the pancreatic beta cells, to increase insulin secretion, to inhibit glucagon release, slow gastric emptying (glucagon-like peptide-1) and suppress appetite. Recently it has however been suggested that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is putative early biomarker of metabolic consequences of the obesity associated proinflammatory state. The study was aimed to compare the release of incretins and some of early markers of inflammation at the fasting and postprandial period induced by functional oral glucose as well as lipid load in healthy controls and patients with metabolic syndrome (MS) to see if functional tests may be helpful in searching for the inflammatory status of patients.

Effect of caloric restriction with or without n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on insulin sensitivity in obese subjects: A randomized placebo controlled trial.

Background: Caloric restriction and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) supplementation protect from some of the metabolic complications. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of a low calorie diet with or without n-3 PUFA supplementation on glucose dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) output and insulin sensitivity markers in obese subjects.

Methods: Obese, non-diabetic subjects (BMI 30-40 kg/m(2)) and aged 25-65 yr.

The diurnal profile of melatonin during delirium in elderly patients--preliminary results.

Delirium is an acute-onset syndrome that exacerbates patients' condition and significantly increases consequential morbidity and mortality. There is no comprehensive, cellular and tissue-level, pathophysiological theory. The melatonin hormone imbalance has been shown to be linked to circadian rhythms, sleep-wake cycle disturbances, and delirium incidence.

Metabolic complications and selected cytokines in HIV-infected individuals.

Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are at a higher risk of developing metabolic disturbances. The pathogenesis of these complications is complex and not fully explored.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of HIV infection and antiretroviral (ARV) therapy on the development of metabolic changes and adipocytokine concentrations.

Mitochondrial function and apoptosis of peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the HIV infected patients.

HIV infection results in the development of immunodeficiency mainly due to the apoptosis of infected and by stander CD4 cells. The aim of the study was to follow the mitochondrial dependent pathway of apoptosis, one of the suggested mechanisms of above process. The inner mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), Adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP) generation, apoptosis and necrosis markers of peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were compared in HIV infected patients and HIV negative control group.

Peripheral blood concentrations of TGFβ1, IGF-1 and bFGF and remodelling of the left ventricle and blood vessels in hypertensive patients.

Background: Remodelling process is associated with activity of such substances as transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF, FGF2), or insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). In the course of hypertension the remodelling of blood vessels and heart muscle takes place. Studies performed on animal models as well as clinical trials on aetiology of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), documented elevated level of both mRNA and proteins of TGFβ1 and IGF-1.

The relationships between activation of non-specific inflammatory process and malnutrition in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Malnutrition is a frequent complication among patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis and early recognition of malnutrition can be a key factor in successful treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional status of patients on peritoneal dialysis and to search for the relationships between activation of non-specific inflammatory process and progression of malnutrition. The study group included 60 patients (age 50.

Evaluation of genetic predisposition to insulin resistance by nutrient-induced insulin output ratio (NIOR).

Background: New tools to identify genotype-phenotype interactions need to be described and implemented. The aim of this study was to identify correlation between the risk originating from gene variation and diet-dependent development of insulin resistance.

Methods: Insulin output in terms of area under the curve after an oral glucose tolerance test (AUC Ins OGTT) and lipid tolerance tests (AUC Ins OLTT) were measured in 167 overweight/obese patients.

[Markers of inflammation and large artery compliance in patients with chronic renal failure].

Unlabelled: Chronic inflammation is a widely accepted pathophysiologic factor of development and progression of atherosclerosis. One of the most important consequences of atherosclerosis is accelerated arterial stiffness. The impact of chronic inflammation on arterial stiffness was not analyzed up to now in patients with end-stage renal disease treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Changes in common carotid artery intima-media thickness over 1 year in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Accelerated atherosclerosis and vascular calcifications increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients on dialysis. Common carotid artery (CCA) intima-media thickness (IMT) is considered useful for imaging atherosclerosis non-invasively. Since chronic inflammation may accelerate atherosclerosis in end-stage renal disease patients, the aim of this 1 year study was to assess changes in CCA-IMT in stable peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, and to search for possible associations between these changes and selected cytokines, acute phase proteins and other risk factors of atherosclerosis.

Trends and dynamics of changes in calcification score over the 1-year observation period in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Background: Accelerated vascular calcification is an important cause of excess mortality in patients on dialysis therapy. The aim of the study was to evaluate the trends in coronary artery calcification (CAC) score (CaSc) during a 1-year period in a group of stable peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and identify factors that may be associated with CaSc changes.

Methods: Sixty-one stable patients (28 women, 33 men) on PD therapy with a mean age of 50.

The effect of hormone replacement therapy on endothelial function in postmenopausal women with hypertension.

Background: Endothelial dysfunction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, including arterial hypertension. The present study was undertaken to assess endothelial function in postmenopausal women with arterial hypertension receiving hormone replacement therapy and antihypertensive treatment.

Material/methods: A group of 76 women with natural menopause and essential mild to moderate arterial hypertension entered the study.

Dexamethasone inhibits TNF-alpha synthesis more effectively in Alzheimer's disease patients than in healthy individuals.

Inflammatory mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is postulated that cytokine synthesis is altered in AD patients compared with nondemented subjects. Glucocorticoids play an important role in cytokine synthesis.

An association between aortic pulse wave velocity, blood pressure and chronic inflammation in ESRD patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Increased aortic pulse wave velocity (AoPWV) has been identified as a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity in the general population and in patients on dialysis. Most of the studies in ESRD patients refer to subjects on hemodialysis. Influence of the inflammatory process on aortic stiffening remains largely unknown.