The association of circulating levels of complement-C1q TNF-related protein 5 (CTRP5) with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes: A case-control study

Background: It is well-established that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Complement-C1q TNF-related protein 5 (CTRP5) is a novel adipokine involved in the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism. We aimed to assess plasma levels of CTRP5 in patients with NAFLD (n = 22), T2DM (n = 22) and NAFLD with T2DM (NAFLD + T2DM) (n = 22) in comparison with healthy subjects (n = 21) and also to study the association between CTRP5 levels and NAFLD and diabetes-related parameters. Methods: All subjects underwent anthropometric assessment, biochemical evaluation and liver stiffness (LS) measurement. Insulin resistance (IR) was determined by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). Plasma CTRP5 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: We found significantly lower plasma levels of CTRP5 in patients with NAFLD + T2DM, NAFLD and T2DM (122.52 ± 1.92, 124.7 ± 1.82 and 118.31 ± 1.99 ng/ml, respectively) in comparison with controls (164.96 ± 2.95 ng/ml). In the whole study population, there was a significant negative correlations between CTRP5 and body mass index (r = -0.337; p = 0.002), fasting blood glucose (FBG) (r = -0.488; p < 0.001), triglyceride (TG) (r = -0.245; p = 0.031), HOMA-IR (r = -0.492; p < 0.001), insulin(r = -0.338; p = 0.002), LS (r = -0.544; p < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r = -0.251; p = 0.027), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) (r = -0.352; p = 0.002) and waist circumference (WC) (r = -0.357; p = 0.001). After adjustment for BMI, decrease in circulating levels of CTRP5 remained as a significant risk factor for NAFLD, T2DM and NAFLD + T2DM. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of circulating CTRP5 in predicting NAFLD and T2DM demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.763 in T2DM, and 0.659 in NAFLD + T2DM. Conclusions: It appears that the decreased levels of CTRP5 contribute to the increased risk of T2DM and NAFLD. © 2015 Emamgholipour et al

Least Squares Techniques for GPS Receivers Positioning Filter using Pseudo-range and Carrier Phase Measurements

In present study, using Least Squares (LS) method, we determine the position smoothing in GPS single-frequency receiver by means of pseudo-range and carrier phase measurements. The application of pseudo-range or carrier phase measurements in GPS receiver positioning separately can lead to defects. By means of pseudo-range data, we have position with less precision and more distortion. By use of carrier phase data, we do not have absolute position and just dislocation is available, but the accuracy is high. In present research, we have combined pseudo-range and carrier phase data using LS method in order to determine GPS receiver's position smoothing. The results of comparison by LS method show less RMS error, less calculation volume and more smoother in using carrier phase-pseudo-range data together relative to pseudo-range data in isolation

Comparison of Facial Soft Tissue Thickness in Males and Females and Class I Skeletal Pattern

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Proportional relationship between different facial structures, including soft tissue thickness and dental and skeletal components, is the key to beauty. Today facial soft tissue harmony is the primary goal of orthodontic treatment, unlike the past which focused only on hard tissue and dental occlusion. The aim of this study was to measure facial soft tissue thickness in the northern population of Iran with class I skeletal pattern in lateral cephalometry and compare these values between males and females to use the results in orthodontic treatment and craniofacial reconstructions. METHODS: In this cross-sectional research, 180 lateral cephalometry of 77 male and 103 female, aged between 18-24 years who had referred to private orthodontic offices, were traced on acetate paper. Then, 10 anatomical variables were measured in Glabella, Nasion, Rhinion, Subnasal, Upper lip, Stomion, Lower lip, Labiomental region, Pogonion and Menton parallel to the Frankfurt plan. FINDINGS: Facial soft tissue thickness in males was significantly higher than females in Nasion (male=5.65±1.55, female=4.38±1.47), Rhinion (male=3.07±0.64, female=2.5±0.57), Subnasal (male=16.39±2.55, female=14.05±1.44), Upper lip (male=15.51±2.29, female=13.57±1.64), Lower lip (male=16.48±1.85, female=14.64±1.39), Labiomental (male=11.02±1.46, female=10.49±1.67) and Pogonion (male=11.4±1.64, female=10.32±1.77) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, there was a significant difference in facial soft tissue thickness between the two genders in the north Iranian population so that males had more facial soft tissue thickness than females in most of the areas

Combination of metformin and chlorogenic acid attenuates hepatic steatosis and inflammation in high-fat diet fed mice

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become an important health problem in the world. Natural products, with anti-inflammatory properties, are potential candidates for alleviating NAFLD. Metformin (MET) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) have been reported to be effective in the improvement of NAFLD. Here, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of MET and CGA combination in ameliorating NAFLD in high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice. Fifty C57BL/6 male mice were divided into two groups, one fed a standard chow diet (n = 10) and the other was fed an HFD (n = 40) for 10 weeks. Animals in the HFD group were then randomly divided into a four groups (HFD, HFD + MET (0.25), HFD + CGA (0.02) and HFD + MET + CGA (0.25 + 0.02). MET and CGA combination decreases fasting blood glucose and improves glucose intolerance. Decreased hepatic triglyceride level was associated with lower expression levels of fatty acid synthase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c in MET+CGA treated mice. MET and CGA combination treatment resulted in the polarization of macrophages to the M2 phenotype, reduction of the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6), and decreasing protein level of NF-kB p65. It was found that the lowering effect of combined MET and CGA on the expression of gluconeogenic genes was accompanied by increasing phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β. Treatment of HFD mice with the combination of MET and CGA was found to be more effective at alleviating inflammation and lipid accumulation by increasing phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the MET + CGA combination might exert therapeutic effects against NAFLD. © 2020 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biolog

The mRNA Expression and Circulating Levels of Visfatin and Their Correlation with Coronary Artery Disease Severity and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D

It is evident that coronary artery disease (CAD) is closely associated with abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism. Notably, dysregulation of inflammatory pathways and immune system also contribute to CAD development. Recently, it has been suggested that visfatin, a proinflammatory adipocytokine, may be involved in several inflammatory and metabolic diseases. In this study, we evaluated the serum visfatin levels and its mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from CAD patients compared with control subjects. We also studied the correlation between visfatin gene expression and serum levels with clinical and metabolic parameters. This study was conducted on 56 male patients with CAD confirmed by angiography and 30 healthy men as controls. CAD severity was determined based on the number of vessels. Study of gene expression in PBMCs was performed using real time-PCR, and serum levels of visfatin and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured by ELISA. We found that serum visfatin levels and its gene expression in PBMCs were increased in patients with CAD compared with the control group (p=0.027 and p=0.016, respectively). Also, visfatin gene expression was positively correlated with visfatin levels and both these variables had a strong positive correlation with the severity of CAD. It appears that elevated mRNA expression and circulating level of visfatin might be of relevance to the pathogenesis and severity of CAD. However, further studies are necessary to better clarify the associations between visfatin and CAD. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Reduced gene expression of sirtuins and active AMPK levels in children and adolescents with obesity and insulin resistance

Background: Sirtuins, including SIRT1 and SIRT2, are longevity-associated deacetylase enzymes that modulate metabolic homeostasis in response to the cellular energy state. Adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) and SIRT1 are interrelated and share several common target pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the SIRT1 and SIRT2 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as well as plasma levels of AMPK, in obese children and adolescents. Materials and methods: Participants included 60 children and adolescents (30 obese and 30 age- and gender-matched control subjects). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to assess the SIRT1 and SIRT2 gene expression in PBMCs. Serum phospho-AMPK and insulin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and insulin resistance (IR) was calculated by the Homeostasis Model of Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Glucose and lipid profile were also measured. Results: SIRT1 gene expression and phospho-AMPK plasma levels were significantly diminished in obese subjects compared to the control group, and both SIRT1 and SIRT2 were significantly lower in obese children with IR compared to those without IR. SIRT1 expression revealed significant negative correlations with body mass index and waist circumference as well as insulin and HOMA-IR and a positive correlation with AMPK. SIRT2 negatively correlated with SIRT1 and positively correlated with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Conclusion: SIRT1 and SIRT2 expression and AMPK levels decrease in children with obesity and IR. Targeting SIRT1 can be valuable in preventing obesity-associated IR in childhood and adolescence. © 2017 Asia Oceania Association for the Study of Obesit

Oligopin® Supplementation Mitigates Oxidative Stress in Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background: Evidence indicates a close association between oxidative stress and the etiopathogenesis of osteopenia. In vitro and animal studies report that Oligopin®, an extract of French maritime pine bark extract, has beneficial effects on oxidative stress. Purpose: Here, we aimed to determine whether supplementation with Oligopin® affects bone turnover markers, antioxidant enzymes, and oxidative stress markers in these patients. Methods: Forty-three postmenopausal women with osteopenia were randomized in a placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial to receive either 150 mg/day Oligopin® (n = 22) or placebo (n = 21) for 12 weeks. Plasma levels of bone turnover markers; osteocalcin (OC), type I collagen cross-linked C-telopeptide (CTX-1), OC/CTX1 ratio along with total antioxidant capacity(TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, protein carbonyl, and total thiol contents in plasma, activities of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma as well as mRNA expression of MnSOD, catalase, and Nrf2 in PBMCs were measured at the baseline and the end of the intervention. Results: Oligopin® supplementation significantly increased OC levels and the ratio of OC to CTX1 in women with osteopenia compared to placebo intervention after 12 weeks. Oligopin® significantly decreased plasma protein carbonyl content in postmenopausal women compared with the after placebo treatment. Moreover, Oligopin® intervention significantly increased plasma total thiol content, TAC, plasma activity of both MnSOD and catalase, and the transcript level of Nrf2, MnSOD, and catalase in comparison with the placebo group. Conclusion: Supplementation with 150 mg/day Oligopin® for 12 weeks exerts beneficial effects in postmenopausal osteopenia through improving the antioxidant defense system in the plasma and PBMCs that was accompanied by an increase in indicators of bone turnover. © 202

Reduced gene expression of sirtuins and active AMPK levels in children and adolescents with obesity and insulin resistance

Background: Sirtuins, including SIRT1 and SIRT2, are longevity-associated deacetylase enzymes that modulate metabolic homeostasis in response to the cellular energy state. Adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) and SIRT1 are interrelated and share several common target pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the SIRT1 and SIRT2 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as well as plasma levels of AMPK, in obese children and adolescents. Materials and methods: Participants included 60 children and adolescents (30 obese and 30 age- and gender-matched control subjects). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to assess the SIRT1 and SIRT2 gene expression in PBMCs. Serum phospho-AMPK and insulin were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and insulin resistance (IR) was calculated by the Homeostasis Model of Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Glucose and lipid profile were also measured. Results: SIRT1 gene expression and phospho-AMPK plasma levels were significantly diminished in obese subjects compared to the control group, and both SIRT1 and SIRT2 were significantly lower in obese children with IR compared to those without IR. SIRT1 expression revealed significant negative correlations with body mass index and waist circumference as well as insulin and HOMA-IR and a positive correlation with AMPK. SIRT2 negatively correlated with SIRT1 and positively correlated with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). Conclusion: SIRT1 and SIRT2 expression and AMPK levels decrease in children with obesity and IR. Targeting SIRT1 can be valuable in preventing obesity-associated IR in childhood and adolescence. © 2017 Asia Oceania Association for the Study of Obesit