Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Nitric Oxide Levels in Obese Postmenopausal Women

WOS: 000291110400005PubMed ID: 21567464Background: It has been reported that estrogen deficiency after menopause might cause a decrement in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability by increasing the level of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), a major endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, thus leading to abnormalities in endothelial function. Because NO plays an important role on feeding behavior, ADMA may be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity, too. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the relations of ADMA and NO with the obesity-linked peptides, such as ghrelin, leptin, and adiponectin in postmenopausal women free of hormone replacement therapy. Methods: Adiponectin, ghrelin, leptin, ADMA, and NO(x) (total nitrite/nitrate) were measured in 22 obese (BMI: 30-47 kg/m(2)) and 19 normal weight (BMI: 21.5-26 kg/m(2)) postmenopausal women. Anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI, waist, and hip circumferences) were recorded. Statistics were made by the Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: Ghrelin and adiponectin levels were significantly lower (P<0.001), whereas ADMA and leptin levels were higher in obese women than in normal weight controls (P<0.01 and 0.001, respectively). BMI was correlated negatively with adiponectin and ghrelin and positively with ADMA and leptin levels. No correlation existed between ADMA and NO. Conclusion: Estrogen deficiency alone may not cause an increase in ADMA levels unless the women are prone to disturbances in energy homeostasis. In spite of the high ADMA levels, the unaltered NO levels in plasma may be owing to ongoing inflammatory conditions. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 25:174-178, 2011. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Istanbul University [UDP-1771/23112007, BYP-881/06012006]Grant sponsor: Istanbul University; Grant numbers: UDP-1771/23112007; BYP-881/06012006

Serum chymase levels in obese individuals: the relationship with inflammation and hypertension

WOS: 000582566800010Background: Inflammation related hypertension is reported in obesity due to synthesis of angiotensinII (Ang-II) and proinflammatory compounds in obese adipose tissue. Mast cell chymase (MC) also stimulate Ang-II synthesis, and activate transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta 1) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). the aim of our study is to evaluate the relation of serum chymase levels, a serine protease enzyme secreted from mast cells, in obese patients with hypertension and cytokines that lead to cell damage. Materials and methods: Three study groups are composed of individuals aged between 19 and 63 with following characteristics; (1) control (n=30): healthy subjects with body mass index (BMI) 30; (3) obese+ HT (n=20): patients BMI >30 and hypertension. Serum Ang-II, MC, TGF-beta 1 and MMP-9 are determined by commercial ELISA. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity is determined with enzymatic colorimetric assay. Results: Serum chymase levels did not vary between groups. Chymase levels showed significant negative correlation with ACE activity (r = -0.278, p= 0.013) and positive correlation with Ang-II levels (r=0.251, p=0.024). No correlation was evident between chymase levels and hsCRP, TGF-beta 1 and MMP-9. Conclusion: Serum chymase, Ang-II, TGF-beta 1 and MMP-9 levels did not change in obese and hypertensive-obese patients despite evident hyperinsulinemia, increased insulin resistance and elevated hsCRP levels.Research Fund of Istanbul UniversityIstanbul University [21867]This work was supported by the Research Fund of Istanbul University; Project Number: 21867. This study originates of master of science thesis of the corresponding author, Erdal Topparmak. Patients are recruited and ELISA tests are run by Kocak, TanrikuluKucuk and Topparmak while other tests are run in Istanbul University by Oner-Iyidogan and Topparmak. the address of the corresponding author has changed since the conduction of the study, and the current address is Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University, Avcilar, Istanbul

Appetite-regulating Hormones in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

WOS: 000291719600007PubMed ID: 21193324Objective: Inflammation and loss of appetite is the most common problem in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This comparative cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the changes in circulating levels of ghrelin, obestatin, leptin, all of which have an effect on food intake, and proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with CKD who were undergoing different treatments. Design and Setting: Study participants included 36 patients who had undergone hemodialysis (body mass index [BMI]: 22.3 +/- 4.17 kg/m(2)); 41 who had undergone peritoneal dialysis (BMI: 23.5 +/- 3.10 kg/m(2)), 30 with early stage CKD (BMI: 24.4 +/- 3.32 kg/m(2)), and 31 healthy subjects (24.3 +/- 2.14 kg/m(2)). The patients with CKD were kept under a standard diet with restricted salt, potassium, and protein intake. Intervention: Levels of leptin, acylated ghrelin, obestatin, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 were measured by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Total nitrite/nitrate was analyzed using colorimetric assay kit. Results: Significantly high leptin levels, accompanied by low acylated ghrelin levels, were observed in patients with CKD. Maintenance dialysis did not affect these levels. TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels were significantly higher in CKD patients than in healthy subjects, the highest being in dialysis patients. Obestatin levels were relatively low in patients who had undergone hemodialysis. Conclusion: Low acyl-ghrelin levels, accompanied with high levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 may be involved in the loss of appetite and poor nutritional status in CKD patients. (C) 2011 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. All rights reserved.Istanbul University [508/05052006, BYP-1789]This work was supported by the Research Fund of Istanbul University; project numbers 508/05052006 and BYP-1789

Ligand binding and activation of the CGRP receptor

İstanbul Bilim Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi.Objective: Malnutrition and loss of appetite remain a frequent problem in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). These patients have inflammation accompanied by high levels of plasma leptin, an appetite-modulating hormone. A newly described hormone ghrelin is also involved in regulation food intake and energy balance. In patients with end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis, high plasma ghrelin concentration has been reported, but the metabolic impact of ghrelin in CKD is unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the changes in circulating levels of ghrelin, obestatin, leptin, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) at different stages of CKD

Serum fetuin-A and arginase-1 in human obesity model: Is there any interaction between inflammatory status and arginine metabolism?

WOS: 000353654200004PubMed ID: 25723054Obesity is a major risk factor for many chronic metabolic diseases such as inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) and fatty liver injury. It was reported that obesity causes some variations on the serum levels of fetuin-A and is associated with arginine metabolism, especially arginase-1 levels. The aim of our study was to evaluate, the interaction and possible changes of these liver over produced proteins, fetuin-A and arginase-1 levels in obesity-related inflammatory status. Study groups were composed of individuals aged between 19 and 63 (n = 62). The control group included healthy subjects with BMI 30 and with no other chronic disease. Biochemical markers were determined by an auto-analyzer. Adiponectin, fetuin-A, arginase-1, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), arginine, Hexanoyllysine (HEL) and leptin levels were measured with commercial ELISA immunoassay kits. Nitrite and nitrate were determined with colorimetric assay kit in serum samples. High sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels and liver function enzymes activities were higher in the obese group in respect to the control group. Serum fetuin-A, arginase-1 and leptin levels were increased but adiponectin levels were decreased in obese subjects. Fetuin-A levels showed significant correlations with arginase-1 and HOMA-IR. Consequently, we carried out an investigation about higher serum fetuin-A and arginase-1 levels may have an important role in obesity and obesity-related liver damage.Research Funds of Istanbul Bilim University [201301-11]This study was supported by the Research Funds of Istanbul Bilim University (201301-11). The authors thank Omer Uysal, PhD, Department of Public Health, for his contribution to the statistical analyses

Urinary nerve growth factor in children with overactive bladder: A promising, noninvasive and objective biomarker

WOS: 000324027200016PubMed ID: 22789557Objective: This prospective study was designed to determine urinary nerve growth factor (NGF) levels in children with overactive bladder (OAB), and to evaluate whether this factor can be used as a biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring treatment outcome. Patients and methods: Urinary NGF levels were determined in 40 children with OAB and in a control group of 20 children with no urinary symptoms. Urine samples were collected from the patients prior to and at 3 and 6 months after the beginning of treatment. The total NGF levels (pg/mL) were further normalized to the concentration of urinary creatinine (NGF/Cr level). Results: Overall, both NGF and NGF/Cr levels were significantly higher at the beginning of the study. Mean NGF levels were 30.75 +/- 8.35 and 9.75 +/- 2.11 pg/ml (p=0.023) and mean NGF/Cr levels were 0.53 +/- 0.14 and 0.16 +/- 0.04 (p = 0.022) in patients and controls, respectively. After 6 months of therapy, the NGF/Cr level was significantly reduced to almost control levels (0.16 +/- 0.02, p = 0.047). Conclusion: NGF and NGF/Cr levels were significantly higher in children with OAB than controls at initial evaluation. Furthermore, the NGF/Cr level was significantly reduced following 6 months of therapy. NGF and NGF/Cr levels show promise as reliable biomarkers for OAB diagnosis and to monitor therapy in the pediatric age group. (C) 2012 Journal of Pediatric Urology Company. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

The effect of dietary curcumin on hepatic chymase activity and serum fetuin-A levels in rats fed on a high-fat diet

WOS: 000403269800007The effects of curcumin on mast cell chymase activity in fatty liver and serum fetuin-A levels in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received HFD (60% of total calories from fat) and 1 g curcumin/kg HFD for 16 weeks. Hepatic chymase activity was determined using spectrophotometric analysis while liver lipid levels were measured using colorimetric methods and serum fetuin-A, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels were detected using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Hepatic fat accumulation and fibrotic changes were ameliorated with curcumin treatment. Curcumin significantly reduced hepatic lipids, chymase activity, and serum fetuin-A levels. Decreased serum leptin and augmented adiponectin levels were also observed. These findings suggest that curcumin attenuated hepatic fat accumulation and regulated adipokine levels. The reduction of liver chymase activity and serum fetuin-A levels may also contribute to the beneficial effects of curcumin in fatty liver disease induced inflammatory status. Practical applicationsCurcumin (diferuloylmethane), which is extracted from the dried root of the rhizome Curcuma longa, is a popular dietary spice (turmeric) in Asia and used in curry. Turmeric is widely used as food component, flavoring agent, and colorant. This research revealed that dietary curcumin treatment reduces hepatic fat accumulation, ameliorates liver damage, and inflammation related to fat storage. Therefore, curcumin may be a potential protective agent in the prevention of fatty liver disease and the anti-inflammatory capacity of curcumin may reveal a beneficial application in medicine and also food technology.Istanbul University [33981]Istanbul University, Grant/Award/Project Number: 3398

Effect of dietary curcumin and capsaicin on testicular and hepatic oxidant-antioxidant status in rats fed a high-fat diet

WOS: 000472862000012PubMed ID: 30605349This study investigated the effects of curcumin and capsaicin on testicular and hepatic oxidant-antioxidant status in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups (8 rats per group). The control group was fed a normal control diet (standard laboratory chow), the HFD group was fed HFD (60% of total calories from fat), the HFD+CUR group received HFD supplemented with curcumin (1.5 g curcumin/kg HFD), the HFD+CAP group was given HFD supplemented with capsaicin (0.15 g capsaicin/kg HFD), and the HFD+CUR+CAP group received HFD supplemented with curcumin and capsaicin for 16 weeks. Hepatic and testicular thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH) levels, glutathione transferase activity, and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase protein expression and enzyme activities were measured. Protein expression was determined by Western blotting. GSH levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured with colorimetric methods. HFD slightly increased hepatic and testicular oxidative stress parameters. GSH levels did not change between groups. TBARS and ROS levels were significantly reduced in the HFD+CUR+CAP group compared with the HFD group. Liver and testis antioxidant enzyme activities and expression increased significantly with combined capsaicin and curcumin treatment. Curcumin and capsaicin treatment attenuated testicular and hepatic oxidative stress and enhanced the antioxidant defense system. The combination of capsaicin and curcumin with HFD seems to have some remarkable and beneficial effects on testicular oxidative damage in the fatty liver rat model