Serum zonulin levels in type 2 diabetes patients with diabetic kidney disease

Introduction: Recent data have shown that diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is associated with abnormal gut microbiota composition. Zonulin is a physiological tight junction modulator and an intestinal permeability marker. In this study we aimed to investigate serum levels of zonulin and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and different levels of albuminuria. Material and methods: Ninety patients with T2DM and 30 healthy controls (HC) aged between 18 and 65 years were enrolled in the study. T2DM patients were divided into three groups as patients with normoalbuminuria (n = 30), microalbuminuria (n = 30), and macroalbuminuria (n = 30). Serum zonulin and IL-6 levels were measured by ELISA method. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of age, gender, serum ALT, LDL-C, HDL-C, and zonulin levels (p > 0.05). Significant differences between groups were present for the duration of diabetes (p < 0.001), body mass index (p < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (p < 0.001), creatinine (p < 0.001), uric acid (p = 0.037), triglyceride (p = 0.003), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), glycated haemoglobin (p < 0.001), and IL-6 (p < 0.001) levels. IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria groups compared to the HC group, but no significant difference was determined between the HC and normoalbuminuria group. In patients with diabetic kidney disease, a significant positive correlation was found between zonulin with IL-6 and proteinuria (rho = 0.296, p = 0.008; rho = 0.190, p < 0.047, respectively). The serum IL-6 level was positively correlated with microalbuminuria and proteinuria (rho = 0.451, p < 0.001; rho = 0.425, p < 0.001, respectively).  Conclusions: We suggest that the serum zonulin level is not a promising biomarker to assess the severity of DKD in patients with long-standing T2DM

Ghrelin levels in chronic periodontitis patients

Ghrelin is a peptide hormone that has modulatory effects on the immune system. This study was designed to evaluate plasma ghrelin levels in patients with chronic periodontitis and to investigate if a relationship exists between ghrelin and periodontal parameters, serum cytokines, and bone turnover markers. Thirty-five chronic periodontitis patients (CP) and periodontal healthy individuals (C) were included in this study. Periodontal parameters were recorded. Blood samples were obtained to determine the levels of total and acylated ghrelin, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), the soluble receptor activator nuclear factor kappaB ligand (sRANKL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin (OSC). Plasma levels of total and acylated ghrelin were significantly elevated in the CP group compared with the C group (p < 0.05). The difference was significant only between males in the two groups (groups were compared with respect to gender) (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups regarding the levels of serum sRANKL, TNF-alpha, and ALP. A relative increase in the serum levels of IL-1 beta and a decrease in the serum levels of OSC of the CP group were observed (p < 0.05). In addition, positive correlations between total ghrelin/ALP and total ghrelin/acylated ghrelin were discovered. We found no direct correlation between ghrelin levels and periodontal parameters. Our results indicate an increase of total and acylated ghrelin levels in patients with chronic periodontitis. Further, studies in larger populations (which could include ghrelin levels in gingival tissue, gingival crevicular fluid, and saliva) are needed in order to confirm the role of ghrelin in periodontal disease

Dexpanthenol ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced cardiovascular toxicity by regulating the IL-6/HIF1α/VEGF pathway

Introduction: Lipopolysaccharide (Lps) is an essential component responsible for the virulence of gram-negative bacteria. Lps can cause damage to many organs, including the heart, kidneys, and lungs. Dexpanthenol (Dex) is an agent that exhibits anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and stimulates epithelialization. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Dex on Lps-induced cardiovascular toxicity. Methods: Rats were divided into four groups: control, Lps (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), Dex (500 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and Lps + Dex. The control group received saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) once daily for three days. The Lps group received saline i.p. once daily for three days and a single dose of Lps i.p. was administered on the third day. The Dex group received Dex i.p. once daily for three days and saline on the third day. The Lps + Dex group received Dex i.p. once daily for three days and a single dose of Lps i.p. on the third day. Heart and aortic tissues were taken for biochemical, histopathological, immunohistochemical, and genetic analysis. Results: Lps injection caused histopathological changes in both heart and aortic tissues and significantly increased total oxidant status and oxidative stress index levels. Interleukin-6, and Tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA expressions were significantly altered in heart and aorta, likely do to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of Dex. Furthermore, Dex affected Caspase-3 and Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α staining patterns. Conclusions: Our results show that Dex treatment has a protective effect on Lps-induced cardiac and endothelial damage in rats by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis

Plasma 8-Isopgf2 Alpha and Serum Melatonin Levels in Patients with Minimal Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer Disease

Background/aim: F2 alpha-isoprostane is accepted as an oxidative stress indicator and melatonin shows neuroprotective effects by antioxidative and antiamyloidogenic influences. By measuring these in patients diagnosed with minimal cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer-type dementia, we intended to demonstrate whether the measurement of these markers contributes to early diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) in the MCI stage or not. Materials and methods: Three groups (n = 63) were created: the AD group, MCI group, and control group. Serum melatonin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay method, and plasma total 8-isoPGF2 alpha levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay method. Results: Significant differences were observed in the melatonin levels between the MCI group and AD group (P = 0.009), and in 8-isoPGF2 alpha levels between the AD group and control group (P = 0.022). A negative correlation between mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores and 8-isoPGF2 alpha levels (r = -0.459, P < 0.001) and positive correlation between MMSE scores and melatonin levels (r = 0.317, P = 0.011) were found. Conclusion: Although the plasma 8-isoPGF2 alpha and serum melatonin levels in MCI were not found to be good early diagnostic markers to indicate risk of AD, results were found to support the role of oxidative stress in AD.WoSScopu

Is Fibromyalgia Syndrome Common in the Patients with Primary Dysmenorrhea?

Objective: To determine the association between fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS] and primary dysmenorrhea [PD]. Methods: Patients with PD formed the PD group and age-matched healthy normal controls were included in the HNC group. The new American College of Rheumatology FMS criteria were used in all patients and depression was assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]. Results: There were 45 patients in the PD group and 45 patients in the HNC group. We found FMS in 15.6% of the PD patients and 0.0% of the HNCs. The mean sum of the somatic symptoms was higher in the PD patients with FMS than without FMS. The mean sore of BDI was higher in the PD group than the HNC group, but the mean depression score of the PD patients with FMS was not significantly higher than PD patients without FMS. Conclusions: The frequency of FMS was increased in PD patients, especially in the PD patients who exhibited many somatic symptoms