Relationship between MPV and paraoxonase-1 activity, brachial artery diameter and IMT in patients with diabetes mellitus

Aims: Higher mean platelet volume (MPV) in diabetic patients has been considered as an emerging risk factor for diabetes related micro- and macrovascular complications. Human paraoxonase 1/arylesterase (PON1), which has antioxidant and antiatherogenic properties, is documented in high oxidative stress conditions like uncontrolled diabetes. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mean platelet volume (MPV) and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity, brachial artery diameter (BAd) and intima media thickness (BA-IMT), in diabetic patients with regard to obesity and diabetic complications.Methods: Two-hundred and one diabetic patients (mean age: 52.4 ± 13.4 years, 73.6% females) were grouped according to obesity and diabetic complications (microvascular and macrovascular). Data on demographics, anthropometrics, diabetic complications, MPV levels, BAd and BA-IMT, and serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were recorded. The correlation of MPV values to paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, BAd and BA-IMT was evaluated.Results: Paraoxonase and arylesterase values were 119.8 ± 37.5 U/L and 149.0 ± 39.9 U/L, respectively, with no significant difference in respect of obesity and macrovascular complications. Significantly lower values for paraoxonase (107.5 ± 30.7 vs. 123.9 ± 38.8 U/L, p = 0.007) and arylesterase (132.1 ± 30.2 vs. 154.7 ± 41.2, U/L, p = 0.001) were noted in patients with microvascular complications. MPV values were 9.10 ± 0.87 fL, with no significant difference across the groups and no significant correlation with other parameters.Conclusion: In conclusion, PON-1 activity is more significantly decreased in diabetic patients with microvascular than macrovascular complications with no effects on MPV values. On the other hand, no relationship was found between thrombogenic activity and PON-1 activity, BAd and BA-IMT regardless of obesity and diabetic complications.Keywords: cardiovascular, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, vasculatur

Evaluation of pulmonary side effects in prolactinoma patients treated with cabergoline

Introduction: Cabergoline (CAB) is the most used dopamine agonist in the treatment of prolactinomas. Studies related to the treatment of Parkinson’s disease have shown that dopamine agonists can lead to fibrotic syndromes affecting the heart and the lung. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible pulmonary side effects of CAB in prolactinoma patients. Material and methods: Chest X-ray imaging and pulmonary function parameters like forced vital capacity (FVC), total lung capacity (TLC), and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) were evaluated in 73 prolactinoma patients. The cumulative dose of CAB and the total duration of CAB use were also calculated, and all data were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The median cumulative CAB dose was 192 mg, and the median duration of CAB use was 64 months. Only 13 patients (17%) among this cohort had abnormal DLCO results that could be an indirect sign of pulmonary fibrosis. These abnormal DLCO results were found not to be associated with cumulative CAB dose in these 13 patients. Conclusions: CAB appears to be safe in terms of pulmonary functions with a median cumulative dose of 192 mg in prolactinoma patients