Thyroid Hormone Levels in Preterm Neonates with Birth Weight Less than 2500 g, Treated with Phenobarbital

ObjectivesIndicatively, phenobarbital can impair thyroid function in adults and children. The present research aims to evaluate the thyroid hormone levels in preterm neonates who had received phenobarbital treatment.Materials & MethodsThis study was conducted on preterm neonates who weighed less or equal to 2500 g when phenobarbital was prescribed for treatment in the first 15 days of life. TSH and total T4 measurements were performed before and three months after initiation of phenobarbital.ResultsIn this study, the sum of preterm neonates stood at 94, of which 53 were girls, with a mean birth weight of 2004.41 ± 315.41g. Weight of 8.5% were under 1500 g. The mean gestational agewas estimated at 33.64 ± 2.01 weeks. Mean T4 levels were 12.24 ± 1.96 and 12.07 ± 1.95 (p=0.334), and mean TSH levels were 5.34 ± 2.14 and5.15 ± 2.15 (p=0.376) before and after prescribingphenobarbital, respectively. The same results were compared based on sex, gestational age, birth weight, and height for T4 and TSH and T4 based on head circumference. The only significant difference was TSH in preterm infants with head circumference <32 cm before and after prescribing phenobarbital (p=0.030). ConclusionIn preterm newborns that had less than 2500 g birth weight, phenobarbital did not significantly alter the serum thyroid hormone level

Physical Activity and Exercise Promote Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Expression in Adipose Tissues of Obese Adults

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) has recently been studied for its potential influence on the functional response of the human body to exercise. We aimed to investigate the association of habitual physical activity (PA) with PPARγ mRNA level in the visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues (VAT and SAT) in non-obese and obese non-diabetic adults. Methods: VAT and SAT were obtained from 95 individuals, including 40 non-obese (BMI<30kg/m2) and 55 obese (BMI≥30kg/m2) who underwent elective abdominal surgery (Tehran, Iran, 2012-2015). The assessment of habitual PA was performed by a valid and reliable International PA Questionnaire-long form, and the metabolic equivalent of task (MET) was evaluated. Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR evaluated the PPARγ expression in VAT and SAT. Results: PPARγ expression in both VAT (1.18 vs. 0.37 fold change, P<0.001) and SAT (2.07 vs. 0.29 fold change, P=0.004) among obese subjects was higher than the non-obese group. After controlling for age, sex, and total energy intake, a positive association was found between total METs and PPARγ expression in both VAT and SAT among obese participants (β=0.22, P=0.007 and β=0.12, P<0.001, respectively). Among obese participants, there was a direct association between leisure time-related METs with VAT PPARγ expression (β=0.05, P=0.026). Moreover, in this group, an association was observed between occupation-related METs with PPARγ in both fat tissues (β=0.11, P=0.002 and β=0.17, P=0.013, respectively), and household work-related METs with SAT PPARγ (β=0.21, P=0.011). Conclusion: High PA as an indispensable part of a healthy lifestyle may exert its beneficial effect by regulating PPARγ expression.

Relationship between polymorphism of insulin receptor gene, and adiponectin gene with PCOS

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disease having both genetic and environmental components and candidate genes on obesity and insulin metabolism have been hypothesized to be involved in its etiology. Objective: We examined the possible association of adiponectin and insulin receptor gene polymorphisms with PCOS. Materials and Methods: A total of 186 women with PCOS using NIH criteria and 156 healthy women were recruited. Their samples were genotyped for the polymorphism in exon 17 and 8 of the insulin receptor gene or exon and intron 2 of the adiponectin gene. Results: The distributions of genotypes and alleles of both polymorphisms were not different in women with PCOS and controls. There was no significant differences on the anthropometric and hormonal profiles of various adiponectin and insulin receptor genes polymorphisms among both groups. Conclusion: Adiponectin and insulin receptor gene polymorphisms are not associated with PCOS in a sample of Iranian populatio

The association between inflammatory markers and obesity-related factors in Tehranian adults: Tehran lipid and glucose study

Objective(s):Obesity considered being a low-grade inflammatory disease. The objective of this study was to examine the association between inflammatory markers (IM) including C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and homocystein (Hcy) and obesity[F1] -related factors (e.g. BMI, waist, hip) in adult participants of Tehran lipid and glucose study (TLGS). Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 352 individuals (132 men and 220 women), age ≥19 years, were randomly recruited from participants of TLGS population[F2] . The serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, Hcy were determined using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method[F3] . Variables were compared by sample t-test. Bivariate linear correlation was estimated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Linear regression analysis was applied to investigate the association between IMs and anthropometric and biochemical variables. Results: The mean age of participants was 46.1±16.1 years. abdominal obesity was present in 199(56.5%) individuals. levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 increased in the abdominally obese group (1507±3.3 vs. 577.8±4.3 ng/ml

Correlation of Serum Resistin Level with Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Prediabetes

Background &Objective: Resistin an adipocytokines secreted by adipocytes, is associated with insulin resistance and increases in obesity, cardiovascular disease and other inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between resistin levels, metabolic variables, and insulin resistance in patients with prediabetes / diabetes in an Iranian population. Material& Methods: This study was conducted on 75 patients with fasting plasma glucose (FPG)≥ 100 mg/dl in prediabet­ic/ diabetic group and 75 participants with FPG less than 100 mg/dl as control group. Plasma levels of resistin and insulin were measured by ELISA kit and other variables were determined by standard methods. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 19. Results: Resistin levels, body mass index, triglyceride, cholesterol, FPG and insulin resistance were significantly higher in patients with pre-diabetes / diabetes compared with controls (P-value <0.05). Serum resistin level was positively correlated with body mass index, FPG and insulin resistance (P-value <0.05). Reverse correlations were found between resistin and HDL (P-value <0.05). Conclusion: Higher levels of resistin in patients with type 2 diabetes / pre-diabetes in our study and significant association of resistin with glucose, insulin resistance, and BMI, indicate the pathophysiological role of this adipokin in the development of type 2 diabetes

The Effect of Root, Shoot and Seed Extracts of The Iranian Thymus L. (Family: Lamiaceae) Species on HIV-1 Replication and CD4 Expression

Objective The genus Thymus L. is a cushion plant that was previously used for the treatment of bronchitis and rheumatism. The present investigation was carried out to study the effects of root, shoot, leaf and seed extracts of five Thymus species and subspecies on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) toxicity and HIV-1 replication. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, the activity of the Thymus extracts on HIV-1 replication and lymphocytes population were examined respectively using HIV-1 p24 Antigen kit and flow-cytometer. The Thymus species effect was investigated, including Thymus kotschyanus, Thymus vulgaris, Thymus carmanicus, Thymus daenensis subspecies lancifolius and Thymus daenensis subspecies daenensis. Results The effect of root methanol extracts of all species on PBMCs proliferation was significantly higher than the other extracts. The intensity of CD4, CD3 and CD45 were decreased in the presence of all root extracts. Although the average median fluorescence intensity (MFI) values of CD19 were increased in the cells treated with these extracts. All methanol extracts showed anti-HIV-1 activity at high concentrations (200 and 500 µg/ml). Anti-HIV-1 activity of Thymus daenensis subspecies daenensis was significantly more than the other species. Conclusion These results demonstrated that root extracts of Thymus species might be a good candidate to investigate anti-HIV infection in vivo

Incidence of Hyperbilirubinemia and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in Asymptomatic Term Neonates Under Two Weeks of Age

Background: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common cause of referral to neonatal care units. According to several studies, jaundice is among the primary symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI) in neonates. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of UTI in asymptomatic term neonates diagnosed with indirect hyperbilirubinemia within the first two weeks of birth. Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 314 term neonates under 14 days of age, presented with unexplained indirect hyperbilirubinemia for UTI (total bilirubin level: 15 mg/dl). Subjects were referred to 17-Shahrivar Children’s Hospital in Rasht during 16 months, and neonates diagnosed with UTI were further investigated. Results: Out of 314 neonates, 12 patients (3.8%) were diagnosed with UTI, and E. coli was the most prevalent pathogen in these patients. No significant differences were observed between neonates with and without UTI in terms of gender, birth weight, age, bilirubin level on admission and mode of delivery (P>0.05). Additionally, pyuria and bacteriuria were significantly more prevalent among UTI patients compared to other neonates (

Fish oil and olive oil can modify insulin resistance and plasma desacyl-ghrelin in rats

Background: Evidence exists for reciprocal effects of insulin and desacyl-ghrelin (DAG) concentration, but the association between different fatty acid saturation in high fat diet (HFD) and these hormones remain to be established. To evaluate the impact of different sources of dietary fat and the level of fatty acid saturation on plasma insulin and DAG levels and also the association of DAG with insulin action this study was carried out. Methods: Male weaning Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of HFDs, high fat butter (HF-B), high fat soy (HF-S), high fat olive (HF-O), high fat fish (HF-F), and a group of standard diet (SD). Blood samples were collected after 8 weeks and after they were fasted for 24 h. Body weight, food intake, plasma glucose, insulin, DAG and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured. Results: Plasma insulin levels at fed and fasted status, were significantly higher in rats on HF-B compared to those on SD, HF-F and HF-O diets (P<0.05). Insulin concentration in rats on HF-S was also higher than those on SD, HF-F and HF-O diets (P<0.05), in the feeding status. Insulin resistance was significantly higher in rats on HF-B, compared to those on SD, HF-F and HF-O (P<0.05). Rats that were fed with HF-B diet had lower fasting plasma DAG levels than the SD, HF-F and HF-O groups (P<0.05); furthermore, the HF-F group had significantly higher DAG level than the HF-S groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: Fish and olive oils may hence contribute to lower insulin level and HOMA-IR by increasing DAG concentration and may have more health benefits than other fat sources in diets

RET/PTC rearrangement in papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in malignant struma ovarii with abdominal wall metastasis and cervical thyroid gland: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract Background Struma ovarii refers to rare mature cystic teratomas containing at least 50% of thyroid tissue, and malignant transformation is known to be even rarer. The synchronous development of malignant struma ovarii and cervical thyroid carcinoma are also scarce and poorly understood due to limited data about molecular features. Here, we present the first report of RET/PTC 1 rearrangement in synchronous metastatic malignant struma ovarii to the abdominal wall and cervical thyroid cancer. Case presentation We described a 47-year-old multigravida woman with bilateral adnexal and lower abdominal wall masses detected during the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding. The patient underwent a hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and surgical removal of abdominal wall mass. Then, the pathological evaluation revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) within struma ovarii and metastatic PTC in the abdominal wall fibro adipose tissue. Further, cervical thyroid gland physical examination and ultrasound illustrated a nodule within the left lobe. Subsequently, a total thyroidectomy was performed, and a histological examination revealed PTC. Furthermore, all affected tissue, i.e., struma ovarii, abdominal wall metastasis, and cervical thyroid gland tested for BRAF and RAS mutations and RET/PTC 1 rearrangement. RET/PTC 1 rearrangement was identified among all three different sites. Finally, after six years of follow-up, the patient had no evidence of recurrence or distant metastasis. Conclusions In light of these findings, malignant struma ovarii might yield a clue to cervical thyroid carcinoma, and the molecular analysis could provide valuable information for understanding the underlying mechanism, tumor clinicopathological behaviors, and prognosis