Can low brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels be a marker of the presence of depression in obese women?

Objective: Depression is a common condition in obese women that can result in severe impairment of their physical and social functioning. A deficiency of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in the mechanism of depression. The aim of this study is to investigate whether BDNF levels differ between obese female patients and healthy controls and whether BDNF levels alter with affective states in depressive obese women. Methods: The study group included 40 obese, 40 preobese, and 40 normal weight women. BDNF levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patient and control groups. For identifying the depression and anxiety status, Beck Depression/Anxiety Inventories were used; and for the evaluation of cognitive functions, the mini-mental state examination was used. Results: BDNF levels were significantly lower in obese patients compared to the control group (P. 0.01). BDNF levels were significantly lower in obese patients with depression compared to the obese patients without depression (P<0.05). The Beck Depression Inventory showed a negative correlation with BDNF (r=-0.044; P<0.01) and a positive correlation with the Beck Anxiety Inventory (r= 0.643; P<0.001), vitamin B12 levels (r= 0.023; P<0.001), and insulin levels (r= 0.257; P<0.05) in obese patients. When receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to analyze the suitability of BDNF to identify depression in obese women, the area under the curve for BDNF, 0.756, was found to be significant (P=0.025). BDNF levels lower than 70.2 pg/mL were associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the decrease in BDNF levels can be used as a marker for depression diagnosis in obese patients

Relationship between plasma chemerin levels and disease severity in COPD patients

Background and AimsChronic inflammation of the lung is a characteristic finding in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The protein chemerin has been identified in inflammatory fluid and in inflamed tissues. This study aimed to determine the association between serum chemerin levels and the severity of COPD. MethodsForty-three COPD patients and 38 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Fasting plasma samples were obtained from the patient and the control group. Serum chemerin levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C-reactive protein levels, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and fibrinogen analysis were used to assess the inflammation status of the patients. Spirometric measurements with reversibility testing were performed in all the subjects. ResultsSerum chemerin levels were significantly elevated in the COPD patients (6.440.52 vs 5.22 +/- 0.59; P0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that serum chemerin levels were positively correlated only with total cholesterol (T. cholesterol) (P<0.05, r=0.382). In the linear regression analysis, chemerin levels were associated with age (=0.321), triglycerides (=0.299) and T. cholesterol (=0.555). ConclusionOur study points to a relation between plasma chemerin levels and COPD. Larger patient groups are needed to verify the role of chemerin in the severity of COPD

The relationship between fibroblast growth factor 23 and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

Aim. A lack of estrogen in postmenopausal women is an important factor causing the development of osteoporosis. Our purpose is to investigate the effects of Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF-23) on bone mineral metabolism and bone turnover. Methods. Twenty-eight patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO), 32 patients with postmenopausal osteopenia and 30 healthy control subjects (postmenopausal non-osteoporosis) were included in this study. In order to assess the bone mineral metabolism; FGF 23, parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, calcium, phosphate, osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase and hydroxyproline levels were measured. Results. FGF 23 levels were found significantly higher in PMO group compared with postmenopausal osteopenia and control groups (P10 and to the group of menopausal age 5-10 years (P<0.05, P<0.05). Conclusion. We think our findings indicate that serum FGF 23 level is a significant determinant of increased bone turnover at early periods in PMO patients.Namik Kemal UniversityNamik Kemal UniversityThis study was supported by Namik Kemal University Scientific Research Funding

Midkine Levels and its Relationship with Atherosclerotic Risk Factors in Essential Hypertensive Patients

Background and Objectives: Hypertension (HT) is one of the risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. Midkine (MK) plays a role as a growth factor in various biologic and pathologic events. In some reports, MK expression has been shown to be linked with vascular smooth muscle proliferation and neo-angiogenesis in atherosclerotic vessels. The aim was to research relationship of MK serum levels with some atherosclerotic risk factors in hypertensive patients. Methodology: This study examined 60 patients with essential HT and 30 healthy controls. Serum biochemistry, including lipid profile, MK, Vitamin B 12, C-reactive protein, zinc and copper levels were obtained. Results: MK levels of the HT patients were significantly higher than the control group (24.8 +/- 6.8 ng/mL vs. 18.39 +/- 5.6 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.01). Lipid profile parameters such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were also significantly higher in HT patients (P < 0.021, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively). Zinc levels were 179.13 +/- 34.06 mu g/dL and 172.55 +/- 45.47 mu g/dL in the HT and control group, respectively. Serum MK levels were positively correlated with diastolic (r = 0.288, P < 0.05) and systolic blood pressures (r = 0.390, P < 0.002), and also with serum total cholesterol (r = 0.406, P < 0.002) and LDL cholesterol (r = 0.318, P < 0.015) levels. Furthermore MK was also negatively correlated with zinc and Vitamin B 12 levels (r = -0.298, P < 0.023, r = -0.334, P < 0.027, respectively). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an important association between increased serum MK levels and risk factors of atherosclerosis such as HT, increased total and LDL cholesterol

Evaluation of Cognitive Functions in Hypertensive Patients and Its Relationship with Serum Midkine Levels

Amaç: Hipertansiyon (HT) demans ile ilişkili risk faktörlerinden biridir. Çalışmanın amacı, HT'lu hastalarda kognitif fonksiyonlar ve serum midkine düzeyleri ile ilişkisini araştırmaktır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmada, 60 yaşın üstünde, en az beş yıllık eğitim alan ve HT tanısı almış 45 hasta ve 30 sağlıklı kontrol incelendi. Hastalara Mini Mental Durum Değerlendirme (MMDD) testi uygulanmıştır. MMDD skoru 24 ve daha düşük olanlar kognitif bozukluk olarak tanımlandı. Bu gruplarda serum midkine seviyeleri değerlendirildi. Bulgular:HT'lu hastalarının MMDD skorları kontrol grubuyla karşılaştırıldı ve anlamlı olarak düşük bulundu (p <0.01). HT'lu hastalarda midkine düzeyleri (25.10 ± 8.16 ng/mL) kontrol grubuyla (19.59 ± 7.53 ng/mL) kıyaslandığında belirgin olarak yüksekti (p <0.01). HT hasta grubunda kognitif bozukluğu olanlar ve olmayanlar arasında Midkine düzeyleri karşılaştıldı. Kognitif bozukluğu olan HT hastalarında Midkine belirgin olarak daha yüksekti (p <0.05). Ayrıca Midkine düzeyleri ile MMDD skorları arasında anlamlı bir negatif korelasyon gözlendi (r = 0.558, p <0.01). Sonuç:Bu çalışma, HT'lu hastalarda artan serum midkine düzeyleri ile kognitif fonksiyon azalması arasında önemli bir ilişki olduğunu göstermiştir.Objective: Hypertension (HT) is one of the risk factors associated with dementia. Our aim was to research cognitive functions in patients with HT and its relationship to midkine levels in serum. Material and Methods: This study examined 45 patients who were over 60 years of age, had at least five years of education, and had an essential HT diagnosis. We also had 30 healthy control subjects. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was applied to the patients. Scores of 24 and lower from the MMSE indicated a cognitive disorder. In relation serum levels of midkine were also evaluated. Results: The MMSE scores of the HT patients were compared to the control group and were significantly lower (p&lt;0.01). Midkine levels in the HT patients (25.10 &plusmn;8.16 ng/mL) compared to the control group (19.59&plusmn;7.53 ng/mL) and were significantly higher (p&lt; 0.01). Midkine levels were also higher in HT patients with cognitive impairment compared to HT patients without any cognitive impairment (p&lt;0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between midkine levels and MMSE scores, (r = 0.558, p&lt;0.01). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an important relationship between increased serum midkine levels and cognitive decline in HT patients

Indices Used in Differentiation of Thalassemia Trait from Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pediatric Population: Are They Reliable?

Background: Iron deficiency (IDA) and beta thalassemia trait (TT) are the most common causes of hypochromia and microcytosis. Many indices have been defined to quickly discriminate these similar entities via parameters obtained from automated blood cell analyzers. However, studies in the pediatric age group are scarce and their results are controversial. Methods: We calculated eight discrimination indices [Mentzer Index (MI), England and Fraser Index (E&F), Srivastava Index (S), Green and King Index (G&K), Shine and Lal Index (S&L), red blood cell (RBC) count, RBC distribution width, and red blood cell distribution width Index (RDWI)] in 100 patients. We calculated sensitivity (SENS), specificity (SPEC), positive and negative predictive value (PPV and NPV), and Youden's Index (YI) of each discrimination index. Results: None of the discrimination indices showed a SENS and SPEC of 100%. The highest SENS was obtained with S&L (87.1%), while the highest SPEC was obtained with E&F formula (100%). The highest YI value was obtained with E&F formula (58.1%). Conclusion: In our study, none of the formulas appears reliable in discriminating between TT and IDA patients. The evaluation of iron status and measurement of hemoglobin A(2) (HbA(2)) remain the most reliable investigations to differentiate between TT and IDA patients

Elevated circulating levels of YKL-40 are a marker of abnormal glucose tolerance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective This study investigates human cartilage glycoprotein-39 (YKL-40) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls, and tests their relationship with metabolic and hormonal parameters. Design Clinical study carried out in a university hospital in Tekirdag, Turkey. Patients Eighty-five women with PCOS and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and twenty-five women with PCOS and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT), diagnosed according to Rotterdam criteria, and fifty-nine healthy women. Measurements YKL-40 levels, fasting hormone levels and metabolic parameters were investigated in all subjects. Results We showed increased YKL-40 levels in women with PCOS compared to controls. (152.57 +/- 3.96 mu g/l vs 98.16 +/- 1.6 mu g/l, P < 0.000). YKL significantly correlated with BMI (r = 0.344; P < 0.000), 2-h glucose (r = 0.193; P = 0.012), HOMA-IR (r = 0.268; P < 0.000) and fasting insulin (r = 0.310; P < 0.000), but not with waist/hip ratio (r = 0.016; P = 0.832) and fasting glucose (r = 0.108; P = 0.832). When ROC curve analysis was used to analyse the suitability of YKL-40 to identify glucose intolerance in women with PCOS, area under curve for YKL-40 was found to be significant (AGT-PCOS: AUC 0.632, P = 0.046). Conclusion Plasma YKL-40 levels increased in patients with PCOS compared to healthy subjects. Moreover, there was a significant difference in YKL-40 levels between AGT-PCOS and NGT-PCOS subjects. Subsequently, we also found that YKL-40 levels above the cut-off point may help the clinician to predict abnormal glucose tolerance in patients with PCOS

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin d levels and risk of incident heart failure in patients with newly diagnosed hypertension

Backround and aims: Both vitamin D deficiency and hypertension widely effects general population. The studies about the interaction between these two condition is intriguing. This study aims to determine the association between levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) in the sera of newly diagnosed hypertension patients and risk of incident heart failure. Methods: We recruited 50 newly diagnosed hypertension patients and 20 healthy controls and assessed them for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction by echocardiography. Patient blood was tested for 25(OH)D concentrations. Patient group is divided into two subgroups: Group 1 subjects = 20 ng/ml 25(OH). Results: We found that serum 25(OH)D (ng/ml) levels of patient group were significantly lower than the control group (15.63 +/- 5.71; p<0.004). E/A, and diastolic diameter were significantly different (p<0.05) between the Group 1 and Group 2. EF, diastolic diameter, systolic diameter, systolic arterial pressure, and gender had significant effects on the multivariate model (p<0.05). Conclusion: Study results support the theory that vitamin D deficiency plays a role in the development of heart failure. Our study found a relationship between 25(OH)D vitamin levels and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in newly diagnosed hypertension patients