Vitamin D Insufficiency in Children with Chronic Neurological Diseases: Frequency and Causative Factors

  Objective Vitamin D insufficiency/rickets is a metabolic bone disease that leads to insufficient mineralization of bone. Chronic neurological diseases, including cerebral palsy (CP), convulsive disorders, neural tube defects, myopathy, immobility, lack of sun exposure, inadequate nutrition, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can cause vitamin D insufficiency and osteopenia in children. Materials & Methods In this study, the authors searched the frequency and causative factors of vitamin D insufficiency in children with chronic neurological diseases such as CP, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, mental motor retardation, epilepsy, neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases, meningitis-encephalitis sequelae, neural tube defects, paralysis, and paresis. This cross-sectional study included 108 children (forty-five [41.6%] females; sixty-three [58.4%] males), aged between one and 18 years with chronic neurological diseases, and a control group of thirty age-matched healthy children (16 [53.3%] females; 14 [46.7%] males. Results Vitamin D levels were significantly lower, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p<0.05). The patient group was divided into four subgroups: (i) Epilepsy (n=41; 38%), (ii) Neural tubedefects (n=14; 13%), (iii) CP (n=21; 19%), and (iv) other diseases (neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases, meningitis sequelae, intracranial hemorrhage, psychomotor retardation, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy) (n=32; 30%) to identify any differences in the measured levels. In the patient group, eighty-three (76.9%) had vitamin D deficiency, and 17 (15.7%) had vitamin D insufficiency, while in the control group, twenty-one (70%) had vitamin D insufficiency. The use of AEDs had no significant effect on serum Ca, P, ALP, PTH, orvitamin D levels (p>0.05), and serum Ca levels were significantly higher in ambulant patients than in non-ambulant patients (p<0.05). Vitamin D levels were significantly higher in the non-ambulant than in the ambulant patients (p<0.05). No rickets was determined in the control group, while in the patient group, nine (8.3%) had level-1 rickets, six (5.6%) had level-2 rickets, and two (1.9%) had level-3rickets. Conclusion Children with chronic neurological diseases have low serum vitamin D levels, and vitamin D prophylaxis is essential in this grou

Serum IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-6 in Insulin-Dependent Diabetic Children

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a chronic disease characterized by T-cell-dependent autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing β cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, resulting in an absolute lack of insulin. T cells are activated in response to islet-dominant autoantigens, the result being the development of IDDM. Insulin is one of the islet autoantigens responsible for the activation of T-lymphocyte functions, inflammatory cytokine production, and development of IDDM. The aim of this study was to investigate serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in children IDDM. The study population consisted of 27 children with IDDM and 25 healthy controls. Children with IDDM were divided into three subgroups: (1) previously diagnosed patients (long standing IDDM) (n : 15), (2) newly diagnosed patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (before treatment) (n : 12), and (3) newly diagnosed patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (after treatment for two weeks) (n : 12). In all stages of diabetes higher levels of IL-1β and TNF- α and lower levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were detected. Our data about elevated serum IL-1β, TNF- α and decreased IL-2, IL-6 levels in newly diagnosed IDDM patients in comparison with longer standing cases supports an activation of systemic inflammatory process during early phases of IDDM which may be indicative of an ongoing β-cell destruction. Persistence of significant difference between the cases with IDDM monitored for a long time and controls in terms of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α supports continuous activation during the late stages of diabetes

Proinflammatory Cytokines and Leptin Are Increased in Serum of Prepubertal Obese Children

It has not yet been shown in prepubertal children how cytokines, leptin, and body mass, as well as parameters of obesity are interrelated. The aim of this study was to explore the relation between circulating levels of some cytokines with leptin and body mass index. A case control study was carried out in obese children of both sexes. An obese group was carried out with 63 school prepubertal children and a control group comprised the same number of nonobese children paired by age and by sex. Mean serum leptin concentration was significantly higher in the obese children at 19.9 ± 7.4 ng/mL, than the control group (7.9 ± 5.1 ng/mL). Serum IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels were also significantly higher in the obese group than controls (33.0 ± 8.9, 45.2 ± 11.8, and 9.2 ± 2.3 pg/mL, versus 3.6 ± 1.0, 13.1 ± 3.9, and 3.9 ± 1.0 pg/mL, resp). In controversy, serum IL-2 level was diminished in the obese group as 0.4 ± 0.1 versus 0.9 ± 0.1 U/L. Obesity may be a low-grade systemic inflammatory disease. Obese prepubertal children have elevated serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α which are known as markers of inflammation

The effect of Bosentan on healing of colonic anastomosis

BACKGROUND: Ischemia is the most important factor compromises wound healing in colonic anastomosis. Mesenteric vessels are ligated at first while performing colonic resection and following anastomosis. Therefore blood supply of the related segments of colon temporarily interrupted and ischemia can easily occur. This study was carried out to explore whether Bosentan, an endothelin-receptor antagonist, can eliminate vasoconstruction, increase blood flow in the splanchnic area and anastomotic region and therefore possibly facilitate wound healing and prevent intra-abdominal adhesion formation. METODS: Study is conducted on 30 female Wistar-Albino rats weighing 180–240 gr. Rats were allocated into three groups. Group 1 (n = 10) recevied full-thickness resection of the left colon and end-to-end anastomosis. In Groups 2 (n = 10) and 3 (n = 10), vessels of 2–3 cm segment of the left colon were ligated, indications of necrosis of that segment were expected, followed by resection and end-to-end anastomosis. Two milliliter of saline and 5 mg/kg Bosentan was given intraperitoneally in Group 2 and 3, respectively. On postoperativ day 6, intra-abdominal adhesions were scored. Healing of anastomosis, anastomotic bursting pressures, tissue hydroxyproline levels and histopatologically healing scores were assessed. RESULTS: Macroscopic adhesion score in Group 3 was lower than the remained groups (p < 0.05). Tissue hydroxyproline levels were significantly higher in Group 3 compared to the Groups 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). Mean anastomotic bursting pressures were 200 mmHg, 164 mmHg and 240 mmHg in Groups 1, 2 an 3, respectively (p < 0.05 between Groups 1 and 3; p < 0.001 between Groups 2 and 3). Histopathologically, healing scores of Group 1 were significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05 group 1–3, group 2–3). CONCLUSION: Bosentan increases anastomotic healing of ischemic colonic anastomosis and decreases intra-abdominal adhesion formation

The Levels of Ghrelin, TNF-α, and IL-6 in Children with Cyanotic and Acyanotic Congenital Heart Disease

Background/Aim. Ghrelin has effects on nutrient intake and growth. The cause of growth retardation in congenital heart disease is multifactorial. The aim of the present study is to investigate the ghrelin in congenital heart disease and the association of ghrelin with TNF-α and IL-6. Materials and methods. We measured serum ghrelin, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels using spesific immunoassay in 68 patients (47 acyanotic, 21 cyanotic with congenital heart disease) and in 25 control subjects. Results. In comparison to controls, serum ghrelin, TNF-α levels were significantly higher in acyanotic patients and cyanotic patients with congenital heart disease (P<.0001). In acyanotic and cyanotic patients with congenital heart disease, there was a positive correlation between ghrelin and TNF-α (r=.485, P<.05 and r=.573, P<.01, resp.). Conclusion. Serum ghrelin levels is elevated in acyanotic and cyanotic patients with congenital heart disease. Increased ghrelin levels represents malnutrition and growth retardation in these patients. The relation of ghrelin with cytokines may be explained by the possible effect of chronic congestive heart failure and chronic shunt hypoxemia

Serum Adipokine and Ghrelin Levels in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Adipokines and ghrelin play role in insulin resistance, the key pathophysiological abnormality in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases. In the present study, relationship between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and serum adipokine and ghrelin levels was investigated. Thirty seven patients with biopsy-proven NASH and 25 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Ten of NASH patients (27%) had diabetes mellitus (n = 5) or impaired glucose tolerance (n = 5). Body mass index (BMI) was less than 30 kg/m(2) in 67.6% of patients, while in the remaining 32.4% it was more than 30 kg/m(2). Serum adiponectin, leptin, TNF-α, and ghrelin were determined. Serum leptin (15.49 ± 4.84 vs 10.31 ± 2.53) and TNF-α (12.1 ± 2.7 vs 10.31 ± 2.56) levels were significantly higher in the NASH group compared to in the control group (P < .001 for each). Nevertheless, adiponectin (11.1±2.1 vs 17.3±2.8) and ghrelin (6.46±1.1 vs 7.8±1.1) levels were lower in the NASH group than in the control group (P < .001 for each). Serum levels of the adipokines and ghrelin, however, were comparable in the subgroups of patients regardless of whether BMI was < 30 or > 30 or glucose tolerance was impaired or not (P > .05). Additionally, neither adipokines nor ghrelin was correlated with histopathological grade and stage (P > .05). In conclusion; there is a significant relationship between NASH and adipokines and ghrelin independent from BMI and status of the glucose metabolism. These cytokines that appear to have role in the pathogenesis of NASH, however, do not have any effect upon the severity of the histopathology

Levels of basophils and eosinophils are elevated while lymphocytes are reduced in patients with panic disorder compared to controls: a preliminary study

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates total blood count especially white blood cells (WBCs) in patients with panic disorder, based on the possible association between the immunologic system and panic disorder. METHODS: Whole total blood count parameters were detected by using an auto-analyser in 40 patients with panic disorder and the same number of healthy comparison subjects. To detect the severity of panic disorder and depression, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Panic Agoraphobia Scales were used. RESULTS: Patients with panic disorder and healthy subjects were not different in regard to red blood cell count and related haematological parameters including haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and platelet count. As for the WBC parameters, total WBC, neutrophil, and monocyte counts of the patients with panic disorder were similar those of healthy comparisons. However, basophil (0.02 ± 0.02/mm3 for the control subjects versus 0.05 ± 0.05/mm3 for the patient group), eosinophil (0.18 ± 0.13/mm3 for the control subjects versus 0.37 ± 0.24/mm3 for the patient group), and lymphocyte (2.50 ± 0.69/mm3 for the control subjects versus 2.06 ± 0.80/mm3 for the patient group) counts were statistically significantly different in the patient group compared to healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: In summary, this study represents the first published report of total haematological parameters in patients with panic disorder. Though further replication is required to confirm this association, there seems to be a relationship between panic disorder and immunologic system. ABBREVIATIONS: DSM-IV: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed.; HCT: haematocrit; HDRS: Hamilton Depression Rating Scale; HGB: haemoglobin; HLA: human leukocyte antigen; IFN-γ: İnterferon; IL-4: İnterleukin-4; MCH: mean corpuscular haemoglobin; MCHC: mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration; MCV: mean corpuscular volume; NK: natural killer cell; OCD: obsessive compulsive disorder; PAS: Panic Agoraphobia Scales; PD: panic disorder; RBC: red blood cell count; TNF: tumour necrotising factor; WBC: white blood cel