The Relationships of Leptin, Adiponectin Levels and Paraoxonase Activity with Metabolic and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Females Treated with Psychiatric Drugs

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate serum leptin, adiponectin and paraoxonase1 levels in adult females receiving pharmacotherapy for various psychiatric disorders. METHODS: The study group consisted of 32 obese females (mean age 40.53 ± 11.00 years, mean body mass index 35.44 ± 5.33 kg/m²) who were receiving treatment for psychiatric disorders, and the control group included 22 obese females (mean age 35.95 ± 9.16 years, mean body mass index 30.78 ± 3.33 kg/m²) who were free of psychiatric disorders. Analyses were performed using a bioelectrical impedance device. Fasting blood samples were obtained for complete blood count and various biochemical tests, including determination of leptin, adiponectin and paraoxonase1 activity. RESULTS: Body mass index, waist and hip circumference, body fat percentage, fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, homeostasis model assesment of insulin resistance, alanine transaminase, aspartate tarnsaminase, and leptin levels were significantly higher in the study group than in controls. Although body weight was positively correlated with leptin levels in both groups, body weight was negatively correlated with adiponectin levels in the control group and positively correlated with adiponectin levels in the study group. In the study group, body mass index and hip circumference correlated positively with leptin levels, hip circumference correlated positively with adiponectin levels, and waist to hip ratio correlated positively with paraoxonase levels. In the control group, body mass index as well as waist and hip circumferences were positively correlated with leptin levels. Weight, body mass index, and hip circumference were also negatively correlated with the adiponectin/leptin ratio in the control group. CONCLUSION: This study indicates a higher risk for obesity-related disorders, particularly metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, in patients treated with psychiatric drugs

PROCALCITONIN AND MALONDIALDEHYDE AS MARKERS OF INFLAMMATION IN HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS

Aim: Procalcitonin (PCT) is known as an infection marker. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is considered as a marker of oxidative stress. Both have been found to be elevated in peritoneal dialysis patients. In this study, we measured procalcitonin, malondialdehyde, and traditional inflammation markers, including albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fibrinogen, lymphocyte counts, and white blood cell counts (WBC) in hemodialysis (HD) patients, patients with moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD), and healthy subjects. Material and Method: We measured PCT, MDA, albumin, CRP, ESR, fibrinogen, lymphocyte counts, and WBC in 35 maintenance HD patients, 30 patients with moderate chronic kidney disease and a control group with normal kidney functions. The correlation of PCT and MDA with traditional inflammation markers (albumin, CRP, ESR, fibrinogen, lymphocyte counts, and WBC) was also evaluated. Results: PCT levels were significantly higher and were correlated with CRP levels in the HD group (r=0.89). MDA was significantly higher in HD patients and non-dialysis CKD patients as compared to healthy controls. Discussion: Higher PCT levels in HD patients might be caused by minimal endotoxin contamination. Elevated CRP levels, known as a marker of inflammation, were correlated with elevated PCT levels. PCT may also be a marker of inflammation

Semen Characteristics and Cardiac Enzymes in Healthy Male Cats Fed with Commercial Cat Food Containing Yucca schidigera

This study has been designed to examine the effect on cardiovascular enzymes, testosterone and semen characteristics of the Yucca schidigera extract (YSE), used as a feed additive in commercial cat food for the purpose of decreasing faecal odour in male cats. In eighteen healthy male cats, while the biomarker cardiac troponin I (cTnI), known as the "gold standard" for cardiovascular assessment in cats was used, creatin kinase-MB (CK-MB), total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were also investigated as aiding parameters. The level of cTnI was 0.16 +/- 0.03 ng/ml before feeding without YSE. It was found 0.20 +/- 0.04 ng/ml after feeding with YSE. Similarly, results of the study demonstrated that there was no difference statistically in cardiovascular or lipidic parameters after feeding on this type of cat food for 12 weeks. The level of testosterone was 0.29 +/- 0.01 ng/ml before feeding without YSE. It was found 0.21 +/- 0.02 ng/ml after feeding with YSE. (P>0.05). Therefore, semen analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in sperm motility alongside a significant decrease in sperm abnormalities. The mean volume, concentration, motility and total sperm defect rates were 118.61 +/- 8.55 mu l, 197.78 +/- 12.83x10(6)/ml, 83.33 +/- 1.06% and 27.22 +/- 1.33% before feeding without YSE, respectively. These values were 213.06 +/- 21.29 mu L, 300.56 +/- 16.59x10(6)/ml, 90.00 +/- 1.07% and 18.67 +/- 0.59% after feeding with YSE, respectively. The differences between these values were statistically significant (P<0.001). It was concluded at the end of the study that the commercial cat food containing Yucca schidigera extract could be beneficial effects of the sperm volume, concentration, motility and total morphological defect rates in healthy male cats

Nutritional Approach to Metabolic Changes Arising Out of Schizophrenia Therapy: Case Report

The case of a 35-year-old female patient who was diagnosed as schizophrenia treated with psychotrophic drugs nearly for 15 years is presented here. After the disease was diagnosed, the patient quit her university education and began to live inactively far from her social environment, usually spending lazy time at home. During this period, due to either the effects of drugs which have to be used on hormones affecting appetite and body weight or her decreased physical activity, her body weight increased by nearly 30 kg. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters and food diaries were evaluated at the beginning of the nutritional counseling and then repeated periodically. Upon obtaining biochemical findings, collaboration with other units started. The patient was educated on nourishing healthy and controlling body weight, also to bring about lasting behavioral changes. At the beginning of the therapy, among the biochemical measurements, insulin resistance was defined and metformin treatment was begun. Metformin therapy contributed to the patient's adaptation to the diet and improved glucose tolerance. In this way, it was possible to cope with the insulin resistance caused by anti-psychotic pharmacotherapy (clozapine) and the obesity which had developed as a result of clozapine. During the 18-month therapy the patient lost 27 kg, her body fat was reduced by 10% (18 kg) and BMI returned to normal levels. It is known that, many medications used in psychiatric disorders affect appetite and body weight. As seen in our patient metformin therapy causes weight loss and decreases insulin resistance. Both the illness and the medications used for treatment could affect the hormones which play a part in controlling body weight and the cytokines, as a result could change food preference and eating behavior which ultimately pave the way to obesity

The effect of a fiber rich dietary product used for the dietary treatment of adult obese women on some biochemical parameters and anthropometric measurements

This study was performed to search the effect of a fiber rich dietary product on anthropometric measurements and some biochemical parameters of obese adult women. A total of 25 adult women (12 were in study and 13 were in control group, all randomly selected) volunteered in this study. At the beginning of the study, height, weight, waist and hip circumferences of all women were measured, and blood samples were collected for fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, triglycerides (TG),total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C levels. Patients having endocrine and metabolic disturbances and who need to use anti-obesity medications were not enrolled. A low calorie weight losing diet consisting of 50-55% carbohydrate, 15-20% protein and <30% fat was given to all cases, but women in the study group were given a specific dietary product rich in apple and wheat fiber as an exchange of one slice of bread every day. Patients were checked monthly with respect to their weight loss and diet adhesion during the three months of treatment period. Although biochemical parameters did not show any significant differences between the two groups at the beginning of the study, FBG and insulin levels were significantly lower in the study group than in the control group at the end of the treatment period. There were also significant decreases in insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol and VLDL-C levels in the study group after 3 months of treatment, but not in the control group. Women in both groups lost weight, and their waist and hip circumferences decreased significantly. This concludes that the fiber rich, fat, sugar and salt free dietary product could be a useful dietary treatment not only in obesity, but also in dislipidemia and insulin resistant states