Plasma malondialdehyde, bilirubin, homocysteine and total antioxidant capacity in patients with angiographically defined coronary artery disease

Oxidative stress has been implicated in coronary artery disease (CAD). Malondialdehyde (MDA) is lipid peroxidation end product. Bilirubin may act as an antioxidant that suppresses lipid oxidation. The role of MDA and antioxidant capacity and their inter-relationship in patients with and without CAD was investigated. Thirty-eight consecutive patients with angiographically diagnosed CAD were compared with 60 age, and sex-matched controls. The controls had completely normal coronary arteries in angiograms. Plasma MDA, serum bilirubin, total homocysteine and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were measured. Risk factors of CAD were determined for all subjects using National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult Treatment Panel (ATP)-III criteria. Serum MDA and total homocysteine concentration were significantly higher, but TAC, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels were lower in CAD patients when compared to the controls. Age, and sex-adjusted plasma MDA levels had negative correlations with TAC (r = -0.30, p = 0.001) and total bilirubin (r = -0.30, p = 0.002) concentrations. In multivariate analysis by the multiple logistic regression method, serum MDA was significantly associated with CAD (OR = 1.15, 95% CI, 1.25 to 1.82; p < 0.0001)) after adjustment for lipid status parameters and traditional risk factors in this study population. Increased serum MDA concentration, as a biomarker of lipid peroxidation, low serum bilirubin and antioxidant capacity were observed in patients with angiographically defined CAD. The significant inverse correlation of the serum bilirubin and MDA levels demands further in-depth investigations to clarify the association between them in the development of CAD

Precision medicine and molecular imaging: new targeted approaches toward cancer therapeutic and diagnosis

Abstract: This paper presents a review of the importance and role of precision medicine and molecular imaging technologies in cancer diagnosis with therapeutics and diagnostics purposes. Precision medicine is progressively becoming a hot topic in all disciplines related to biomedical investigation and has the capacity to become the paradigm for clinical practice. The future of medicine lies in early diagnosis and individually appropriate treatments, a concept that has been named precision medicine, i.e. delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time. Molecular imaging is quickly being recognized as a tool with the potential to ameliorate every aspect of cancer treatment. On the other hand, emerging high-throughput technologies such as omics techniques and systems approaches have generated a paradigm shift for biological systems in advanced life science research. In this review, we describe the precision medicine, difference between precision medicine and personalized medicine, precision medicine initiative, systems biology/medicine approaches (such as genomics, radiogenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics), P4 medicine, relationship between systems biology/medicine approaches and precision medicine, and molecular imaging modalities and their utility in cancer treatment and diagnosis. Accordingly, the precision medicine and molecular imaging will enable us to accelerate and improve cancer management in future medicine

Reference Database of CrossLaps and Osteocalcin for a Healthy Iranian Population

Markers of bone turnover are becoming an important tool for practitioners in the management of osteoporosis. Therefore, it is essential to establish a reference database of the markers before using them in various clinical settings. A total of 785 individuals (37% males, 63% females) without apparent or suggested abnormalities affecting bone mass were randomly selected from 13 clusters in Bushehr Port in southern Iran. The serum CrossLaps ELISA and the N-MID Osteocalcin ELISA were used for the quantitative measurement of CrossLaps and osteocalcin in sera. Bone mineral density was determined for the lumbar spines (L2-L4), proximal femur (neck), and forearm (the distal part) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Men had higher biochemical serum bone markers (P60 years. In men, serum CrossLaps levels were decreased progressively by increases in age, with the peak at 20 – 29 years. In women, there was a significant decrease in serum osteocalcin from 20 – 29 years to 30–49 years, followed by a progressive increases during 50 – 59 years, with the peak at >60 years. In men, the highest concentrations for serum osteocalcin occurred at 20 – 29 years. At all sites checked for bone mineral densitys, women in the high osteocalcin quartile had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys values, but women in the high CrossLaps quartile had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys at lumbar and radial sites. However, in men, bone mineral densitys values at neither site differed between the lowest and the highest quartiles of serum biochemical bone markers. We presented a five- year age-specific mean values of bone markers in a general healthy Iranian population. Only women in the high osteocalcin and CrossLaps quartiles had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys values at the lumbar and radial sites. Our results suggest that the significance of osteoclastic bone resorption or bone formation as a determinant of bone mineral densitys may depend on sex

Reference Database of CrossLaps and Osteocalcin for a Healthy Iranian Population

Markers of bone turnover are becoming an important tool for practitioners in the management of osteoporosis. Therefore, it is essential to establish a reference database of the markers before using them in various clinical settings. A total of 785 individuals (37% males, 63% females) without apparent or suggested abnormalities affecting bone mass were randomly selected from 13 clusters in Bushehr Port in southern Iran. The serum CrossLaps ELISA and the N-MID Osteocalcin ELISA were used for the quantitative measurement of CrossLaps and osteocalcin in sera. Bone mineral density was determined for the lumbar spines (L2-L4), proximal femur (neck), and forearm (the distal part) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Men had higher biochemical serum bone markers (P<0.0001). In women, there were progressive increases in serum CrossLaps after 30 years of age, peaking at >60 years. In men, serum CrossLaps levels were decreased progressively by increases in age, with the peak at 20 – 29 years. In women, there was a significant decrease in serum osteocalcin from 20 – 29 years to 30–49 years, followed by a progressive increases during 50 – 59 years, with the peak at >60 years. In men, the highest concentrations for serum osteocalcin occurred at 20 – 29 years. At all sites checked for bone mineral densitys, women in the high osteocalcin quartile had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys values, but women in the high CrossLaps quartile had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys at lumbar and radial sites. However, in men, bone mineral densitys values at neither site differed between the lowest and the highest quartiles of serum biochemical bone markers. We presented a five- year age-specific mean values of bone markers in a general healthy Iranian population. Only women in the high osteocalcin and CrossLaps quartiles had the lowest mean bone mineral densitys values at the lumbar and radial sites. Our results suggest that the significance of osteoclastic bone resorption or bone formation as a determinant of bone mineral densitys may depend on sex. Archives of Iranian Medicine, Volum

The association of metabolic syndrome and Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus type 1: The Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome together with insulin resistance and their consequences are basic factors in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Chronic infections with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Chlamydia pneumoniae are associated with the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. The infectious aspects of metabolic syndrome have not been investigated. METHODS: In a cross-sectional, population-based study, we used National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Adult Treatment Panel (ATP)-III criteria in 1791 subjects, aged 25 years and over, selected by cluster random sampling in three Iranian ports in the northern Persian Gulf. Sera were analyzed for IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae, HSV-1, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and CMV using ELISA. RESULTS: In multiple logistic regression analysis, of the infectious agents, CMV [OR = 1.81 (1.05–3.10); p = 0.03], H. pylori [OR = 1.50 (1.12–2.00); p = 0.007] and Chlamydia pneumoniae [OR = 1.69 (1.27–2.25); p < 0.0001] showed a significant association with the metabolic syndrome in men and HSV-1 [OR = 1.95 (1.22–3.11); p = 0.005], H. pylori [OR = 1.45 (1.09–1.94); 0.01] and Chlamydia pneumoniae [OR = 1.65 (1.23–2.21); p = 0.001] in women. CONCLUSION: The metabolic syndrome, which occurs very frequently in the general population, has a significant association with prior infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1. Hypothesis about participation of infection in pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome should be investigated

Serum visfatin and vaspin levels in normoglycemic first-degree relatives of Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aim: To investigate circulating visfatin and vaspin levels in first-degree relatives of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (FDRs) who frequently have higher value of HOMA-IR and beta cell dysfunction. Methods: Serum visfatin and vaspin concentrations were measured in 179 Iranian subjects (90 normoglycemic FDRs and 89 age- and sex-matched healthy controls) using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Result: Serum visfatin levels were significantly lower in the FDRs when compared to the controls (1.71 � 0.93 ng/ml versus 2.69 � 2.02 ng/ml, p = 0.0001). However, no significant difference was found in serum vaspin concentrations between the FDRs and the controls (0.452 � 0.254 ng/ml versus 0.409 � 0.275 ng/ml, p > 0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, the FDRs showed a significant association with lower visfatin levels after adjustments for age, sex, Body Mass Index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, lipid profile, blood glucose levels and HOMA-IR [odds ratios (OR) = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (1.30–2.25); p < 0.0001]. Conclusion: The FDRs showed a significant association with lower visfatin levels. The observed lower circulating visfatin levels in FDRs may suggest a pathophysiological role for visfatin in beta cell dysfunction in this group

Influence of levothyroxine treatment on serum levels of soluble Fas (CD95) and Fas Ligand (CD95L) in chronic autoimmune hypothyroidism

Abstract Fas/FasL-mediated apoptosis results in the destruction of thyrocytes in chronic autoimmune hypothyroidism (CAIH). In this study, we examined the serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble sFas ligand (sFasL) in euthyroid patients with chronic autoimmune hypothyroidism, who were taking levothyroxine (euthyroid, LT4- CAIH), to investigate the possible role of thyroid hormone therapy in down-regulation of apoptotic factors. Fifty euthyroid patients with CAIH on levothyroxine (median of duration 36 months, range 6–228 months) were compared with 75 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Serum levels of soluble Fas and soluble Fas Ligand, autoantibodies to thyroid peroxide and thyroglobulin were measured using ELISA. Serum levels of sFas were significantly higher in the euthyroid, LT4-CAIH group [median 9.12 ng/ ml, interquartile range (7.86–10.72 ng/ml)] than in the controls [6.11 ng/ml (5.60–6.81 ng/ml)] (P\0.0001). Compared with controls [80.33 pg/ml (68.22–103.70 pg/ ml)], the euthyroid, LT4-CAIH group [125.71 pg/ml (106.11–149.48 pg/ml)] had significantly higher levels of sFasL (P\0.0001). In a chronological study, there was no significant correlation between sFas, sFasL, and the duration of levothyroxine therapy. In conclusion, normalization of serum sFas and sFasL levels cannot be achieved during levothyroxine treatment in patients with CAIH. It appear

Relationships among serum receptor of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand, osteoprotegerin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women: osteoimmunity versus osteoinflammatory.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations among circulating osteoprotegerin (OPG), the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy postmenopausal women. METHODS: In a population-based study, highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods were used to evaluate the sera of 382 healthy Iranian postmenopausal women (mean age +/- SD, 58.7 +/- 7.5 y) for RANKL, OPG, hsCRP, degradation products of C-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen, and osteocalcin. BMD was determined for the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and the proximal femur using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Circulating levels of OPG (r = 0.30, P < 0.001) and the RANKL/OPG ratio (r = -0.17, P < 0.001) were significantly associated with age. The geometric mean of hsCRP was 1.89 mg/L (SE, 1.05) in the population studied. There was a significant correlation between log(hsCRP) levels and body mass index (BMI; r = 0.36, P < 0.001). Multivariate linear analyses revealed that age (beta = -0.295, P < 0.001), BMI (beta = 0.464, P < 0.001), RANKL (beta = -0.105, P = 0.014), and OPG (beta = 0.098, P = 0.029) were the independent determinants for lumbar BMD (R(2) = 0.35). Age (beta = -0.250, P < 0.001), BMI (beta = 0.486, P < 0.001), and RANKL (beta = -0.110, P = 0.009) were independently correlated with femoral neck BMD (R(2) = 0.36). Age- and BMI-adjusted analysis by quartiles of log-transformed hsCRP did not reveal an association with BMD, serum levels of biochemical markers of bone turnover, RANKL, or OPG