Lack of Association between Serum Serotonin, Eating Patterns, and Depression in Obese Women

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the association between circulating serotonin concentrations, depressive symptoms, and dietary patterns in obese women. Methods: We studied 47 patients using the Beck Depression Scale, the 24-hour food registry, biochemical tests, and serum serotonin levels by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The mean age of patients was 41.0 ± 10.0 years and their body mass index (BMI) was 36.9 ± 6.2 kg/m2. Depression was present in 34.0% of patients. There were no significant differences in serum serotonin concentrations between patients with or without depression (156.4 ± 63.5 vs. 147.7 ± 71.2 ng/mL; p = 0.357). The percentage of patients with abnormal serum serotonin concentrations and the presence of depression according to the degree of obesity were as follows: Class I 56.5% and 30.4%, Class II 54.5% and 36.5%, Class III 38.5% and 38.5%; p = .5 and p = .9, respectively). There were no significant correlations between serum serotonin concentrations and eating patterns related to calorie intake (r = 0.09, p = 0.5), carbohydrate intake (r = 0.03, p = 0.8), fat intake (r = 0.1, p = 0.2), or protein intake (r = 0.24, p = 0.09). Conclusion: We found that in adult women with obesity, there were no relationships between serum serotonin and nutrient intake, the presence of depression, or obesity severity

Acute Effects Of Oral Calcium Carbonate With And Without The Addition Of Omeprazole And Fiber Enriched Milk On Serum Calcium Concentrations In Postmenopausal Women

Introduction: In recent years, some studies have shown an increase in cardiovascular risk due to the use of calcium supplements in excess of the recommended doses. One hypothesis is that some calcium supplements lead to a more pronounced elevation of serum calcium concentrations. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum calcium responses after ingestion of calcium carbonate, with and without the prior use of omeprazole, and after ingestion of soluble fiber enriched milk (SFM). Method: Five postmenopausal women were evaluated in three phases. For each phase, the serum calcium responses were determined at 0h (baseline), 1h, 2h, 3h and 4h. After ingestion of 1200mg of calcium, both for the patients who received the calcium carbonate and for those who received SFM. The rise in serum calcium observed after ingestion of calcium carbonate with a calcium peak of 0.56 mg/dl (p=0.032), and it was higher when compared to SFM 0.26 mg/dl (p=0.284). There was no significant elevation of serum calcium after ingestion of SFM. Results: The calcium responses were negative after the administration of omeprazole in comparison with the use of calcium carbonate and SFM, reaching 7.06mg/dl vs 9.04mg/dl vs 9.12mg/dl at 0h, 5.30mg/dl vs 9. 32mg/dl vs 9.00mg/dl at 1hr, 5.52mg/dl vs 9.48mg/dl vs 9.32mg/dl at 2hr, 5.18mg/dl vs 9.48mg/dl vs 9.34mg/dl at, respectively. In conclusion, our data show that the same amount of SFM induced a lower serum calcium response when compared to calcium carbonate. Conclusion: The use of omeprazole significantly reduced the intestinal absorption of calcium carbonate

Correlação entre os níveis de proteína C reativa ultra-sensível e as características clínicas e laboratoriais em mulheres com síndrome do ovário policístico Correlation of high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels and clinical and laboratory parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome patients

OBJETIVO: avaliar a concentração plasmática da proteína C reativa ultra-sensível (PCRus) e a sua correlação com variáveis clínicas, hormonais e metabólicas em pacientes portadoras da síndrome do ovário policístico (SOP). Métodos: estudo transversal, que incluiu 46 pacientes portadoras de síndrome do ovário policístico, diagnosticadas segundo os critérios de Rotterdam (2003), e 44 pacientes controle, que foram submetidas a dosagem da PCRus. O índice de massa corporal (IMC), a idade, a circunferência abdominal e os níveis de insulina de jejum, de testosterona, do HOMA-IR (homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance) e do colesterol total, além de frações foram correlacionados aos níveis de PCR, utilizando-se análise de regressão multivariada. RESULTADOS: as portadoras da SOP apresentavam idade, IMC, circunferência abdominal, insulina de jejum, HOMA-IR, colesterol total e lipoproteína de baixa densidade (LDL) em concentrações plasmáticas superiores às do controle. Houve diferença significante nos níveis da PCRus entre o grupo da SOP (2,7±2,17 mg/dL) e o controle (1,6±1,49 mg/dL), p<0,05. Quando os níveis da PCRus foram categorizados em baixo (<1,0 mg/L), médio (1-3,0 mg/L) e elevado (3,0 mg/L) risco cardiovascular, 28,3% das portadoras da SOP apresentaram níveis da PCRus para baixo risco, 34,8% para médio e 37% para elevado risco cardiovascular. A prevalência da síndrome metabólica foi mais elevada entre as portadoras da SOP (30,4%), quando comparadas ao grupo controle (6,8%). Após o ajuste das variáveis de confusão, por um modelo de regressão linear multivariada stepwise, a presença da SOP mostrou efeito independente das outras variáveis sobre os níveis da PCRus. CONCLUSÕES: os níveis da PCRus foram mais elevados nas mulheres portadoras da SOP. A SOP tem efeito independente na determinação dos níveis plasmáticos da PCR.<br>PURPOSE: to evaluate the ultra-sensitive C-Reactive Protein level (us-CRP) in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and the correlation of clinical and laboratory parameters with the us-CRP level. Methods: in this cross-sectional study, 46 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, according to the Rotterdam criteria, and 44 control women have been included. Serum was analyzed for C reactive protein (CRP) levels. Body mass index (BMI), age, circumference waist, HOMA-IR, total, low and high density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, testosterone and insulin levels were correlated to CRP level through a linear regression model. RESULTS: PCOS patients not only were older and had higher BMI, but their waist circumference, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, total and LDL cholesterol were also higher, as compared to the women from the control group. A significant difference was observed in the us-CRP level between the PCOS (2.7 mg/dL±2.17) the control (1.6 mg/dL±1.49) groups. When us-CRP levels were categorized as of low (<1.0 mg/L), moderate (1-3.0 mg/L) and high (3.0 mg/L) risk for cardiovascular episodes, only 28.3% women with PCOS had us-CRP levels defined as low, 34.8% as moderate and 37% as high risk. The prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome was higher in the women with PCOS (30.4%) than in the women from the control group (6.8%). Through a stepwise linear regression model, only waist circumference, presence of metabolic syndrome and age had a confounding effect in the relation between us-CRP and PCOS. After adjustment for confounding factors, PCOS showed an independent effect on us-CRP level. CONCLUSIONS: the us-CRP levels were higher in the PCOS women than in the healthy controls. By a regression model, PCOS showed an independent effect on us-CRP level

The relationship between the level of vitamin D and ruptured intracranial aneurysms among patients with high sun exposure

Abstract Non-traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) accounts for 3–5% of acute strokes. Intracranial aneurysm is the most common cause of non-traumatic SAH. Vitamin D influences the cardiovascular system, including the formation and rupture of cerebral aneurysms. To evaluate the serum vitamin D level in patients living in the tropical zone who suffered aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and its correlation with demographic and neurological characteristics. This is an analytical cross-sectional study to assess the serum level of vitamin D in a study population of 99 patients treated and diagnosed with aSAH in a public hospital in Recife-PE over a period of 12 months. In the study sample, composed of individuals with high sun exposure due to the lifestyle they lead in a tropical region, we observed hypovitaminosis D (85.9%), with a median of 19.9 ng/ml, although the majority of individuals are skin with high concentration of melanin (Fitzpatrick skin type IV and V). In addition, rates of sun exposure are high to all patients (Solar Index 9.03 P50). Most individuals were female (79.8%); there was no statistical difference in solar exposure/solar index between genders. As for the neurological repercussions, there was no statistical relevance in the clinical prognostic scales evaluated. As the sample was composed mainly of individuals whose economic activity is agriculture, the values of solar index found are vastly higher than those of other studies conducted in high latitude regions. In line with the literature review, some aspects were raised with the objective of justifying such findings that go from the base of the poor diet of these individuals, the increase of melanin in the skin and genetic alterations that directs us to possible mechanisms of natural photoprotection to high sun exposure. Thus, we had a vast majority (85%) of hypovitaminosis D, which in fact makes us wonder if there is any influence of calcitriol on vitamin D receptors in vascular walls and in the cardiovascular system as a whole, which influence bleeding events of this nature. As for the neurological repercussions, measured using assessment scales (Glasgow coma scale, WFNS scale, Hunt–Hess and Fisher's tomographic scale) there was no significant difference in the results. As it is only a descriptive study, the causal relationship of the facts cannot be established. However, in a population exposed to high sun exposure and affected by aneurysmal SAH, there is a significant rate of hypovitaminosis D, which supports the hypothesis that vitamin D plays a role in vascular pathologies, such as cerebral aneurysms and SAH