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

Impacts of Hibiscus esculentus extract on glucose and lipid profile of diabetic rats.

Introduction:Hibiscus esculentus is capable to produce various molecules including phenolic and flavonoid compounds, phytosteroids with antioxidant property. Therefore, it has the potential to show antidiabetic activities. Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the impacts of Hibiscus esculentus extract on glucose and lipid profile of diabetic rats. The flavonoid, flavonol and phenolic components, as well as antioxidant activity of Hibiscus esculentus was also evaluated. Materials and Methods: In a preclinical study, 40 male Wistar rats were designated into four 10-member groups, i.e., control, diabetic control, diabetic Hibiscus esculentus, and diabetic glibenclamide. The Alloxan-induced diabetic rats received extracts orally for four weeks. Then, the serum biochemical factors were measured and compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Serum glucose, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly decreased and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased in diabetic Hibiscus esculentus rats compared to diabetic control ones (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Improving the blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic rats indicates that Hibiscus esculentus extract might be beneficial in diabetic patients

Data on copper level in the blood of patients with normal and abnormal angiography

In this data article, we measured the levels of copper in the blood of patients undergoing coronary angiography. The samples were taken from patients with cardiovascular disease in Bushehr's university hospital, Iran. Patients were divided in two groups: normal angiography and abnormal angiography. After the chemical digestion of samples, the concentration levels of Cu in both groups were determined by using inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP-OES). & 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY licens

The normoglycemic first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have low circulating omentin-1 and adiponectin levels

Objective: It has been suggested that adipose-derived cytokines act as insulin sensitizers/insulin-mimetics and some others may induce insulin resistance. In order to elucidate the potential role of novel adipocytokines in the pre-diabetes states, circulating levels of novel adipocytokines were evaluated in first-degree relatives of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (FDRs). Method: Serum omentin-1, adiponectin and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) levels were measured in 179 subjects (90 glucose tolerant FDRs and 89 age- and sex-matched healthy controls) using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding serum RBP4 concentrations. However, serum omentin-1 (median [interquartile range], 6.18 [4.06–11.52] ng/ml versus 10.50 [4.30– 20.60] ng/ml, p = 0.004) and adiponectin (mean ± SD, 10.07 ± 4.0 lg/ml versus 20.66 ± 8.12 lg/ml, p < 0.0001) levels were significantly lower in FDRs when compared with the controls. In multiple logistic regression analysis, FDRs showed a significant association with lower circulating omentin-1 and adiponectin levels, even after adjustments were made for age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure measures, and biochemical parameters including glucose status, lipid profile, insulin levels and HOMA-IR (OR = 0.49, CI [0.30–0.79]; p = 0.004 and OR = 0.74, CI [0.67–0.82]; p < 0.0001, respectively). However, FDRs did not show a significant association with serum RBP4 levels in different models of regression analyses. Conclusions: The FDRs showed significant associations with lower omentin-1 and adiponectin levels. A potential role for these adipokines in the FDRs’ increased risk of diabetes needs to be further elucidated

The ability of analysts’ recommendations to predict optimistic and pessimistic forecasts

Previous researches show that buy (growth) companies conduct income increasing earnings management in order to meet forecasts and generate positive forecast Errors (FEs). This behavior however, is not inherent in sell (non-growth) companies. Using the aforementioned background, this research hypothesizes that since sell companies are pressured to avoid income increasing earnings management, they are capable, and in fact more inclined, to pursue income decreasing Forecast Management (FM) with the purpose of generating positive FEs. Using a sample of 6553 firm-years of companies that are listed in the NYSE between the years 2005–2010, the study determines that sell companies conduct income decreasing FM to generate positive FEs. However, the frequency of positive FEs of sell companies does not exceed that of buy companies. Using the efficiency perspective, the study suggests that even though buy and sell companies have immense motivation in avoiding negative FEs, they exploit different but efficient strategies, respectively, in order to meet forecasts. Furthermore, the findings illuminated the complexities behind informative and opportunistic forecasts that falls under the efficiency versus opportunistic theories in literature

Comparative Study of Transparency and Disclosure Indices In Developing and Developed Countries

Many studies have been developed on transparency and disclosure indices around the world. These studies use the indices to measure the transparency of corporate information. This has led to a wide variety of information transparency indicators in different countries. The purpose of this study is to compare the components and dimensions of information transparency indices in different countries. In addition, the study will examine the comprehensiveness of the indices and classify the researches conducted in this field into two groups of developed and developing countries. Analysis of Variance has been used to compare the extent of transparency and disclosure indices in the two groups. In addition, after a broad conceptual matrix of 773 items of disclosure, 27 information groups were detected. Analysis of Variance was used to compare the usage of these groups in the developing and the developed countries indices. In addition, U-‌Man Whitney test were used to compare the disclosure level of the companies in the developed and the developing countries. The review of 63 studies conducted between 1971 and 2012 on 8075 firm-years in 32 countries indicate that although the developing countries use broader measures of transparency and disclosure, disclosure level is higher in developed countries. In addition, the findings reveal that the developed countries spend more attention on disclosing their goals and strategies, expansion plans, and industrial environments. However, the developing countries focus on disclosure of Information in types of risk management, corporate governance and ethical, social and environmental issues

Evaluation of Relationship between Blood Concentration of Vitamin D and Ejection Fraction, Homocysteine, Calcium and CRP in Bushehr Heart Center

Background & Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between blood concentration of vitamin D and cardiovascular diseases, with regard to the percentage of ejection fraction, the number of coronary artery blockage, concentration of homocysteine, CRP and Ca. Materials & Methods: In this case-controlled investigation, 433 people who referred to Bushehr Heart Center for medical examination participated. Based on the preliminary results of clinical tests including ECG, echocardiogram, and angiography, the participants were selected and divided into case and control groups. Venous blood samples were collected (10 ccs) and immediately centrifuged and the serum samples were separated and stored at -80 ᵒC until analysis. The ejection fraction was recorded and the serum samples were processed for the measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, homocysteine, calcium and CRP concentration. Results: The mean concentration of vitamin D in the serum of case group was significantly lower than that of the control. Moreover, the mean percentage of EF in the control group was significantly higher than that of the control group. Furthermore, the serum level of vitamin D and the atherosclerosis of coronary arteries were inversely correlated. Moreover, the mean concentration of CRP was significantly higher in the case group than in the control gorup. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that low serum levels of vitamin D may be related to cardiovascular disease. Moreover, vitamin D levels were inversely associated with the number of atherosclerotic arteries in men only

The Effects of Resveratrol Supplementation on the Level of Adiponectin and Leptin in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Background: Resveratrol (RSV), one of the most effective natural polyphenolic compounds synthesized by plants, has antioxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-insulin-resistance properties. Some studies suggest that the mechanism of action of RSV is mainly mediated by the deacetylase Sirt1. However, other studies have shown that RSV plays its role through other metabolic routes such as its stimulatory effect on the secretion of adiponectin. Adiponectin is a hormone that plays an important role in the regulation of insu-lin sensitivity and energy homeostasis. In addition, RSV can control obesity by preventing the develop-ment of central leptin resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of RSV on blood concentration of adiponectin and leptin in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial recruited 51 patients with type II diabetes from a previous study. Patients&rsquo; demographics and medical history were recorded in an inter-view. The intervention group received 500 mg RSV capsules twice a day for 45 days while the control group received identical placebo capsules. Blood pressure, weight, BMI, lipid profile, blood levels of adi-ponectin, leptin and liver function tests were measured at baseline. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test in SPSS 18. Results: There were no differences in the concentration of adiponectin and leptin between the two groups. However, Mann-Whitney test revealed a difference in the concentration of leptin between intervention and control groups (p= 0.025). That is, the blood level of leptin was significantly more in the intervention group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that supplementation of 1 g per day of RSV for 45 days has no effect on the blood level of adiponectin and leptin in patients with type 2 diabetes

Assessment of the synergistic association of serum concentration of vitamin D, vitamin K and osteocalcin with coronary atherosclerosis in patients undergoing angiography

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between serum concentration of vitamin D, vitamin K, and osteocalcin with coronary atherosclerosis in patients undergoing angiography. Design: In this case-control study, 138 people who referred to Bushehr Heart Center for routine examination participated. Demographic information of the participants was registered by using a standard questionnaire. Before undergoing the angiographic processes, venous blood samples were obtained via venipuncture from the antecubital vein into gel and clot activator tubes and stored at – 80 °C until the analysis. After the angiography process was over, the normal participants entered the control group and those with coronary atherosclerosis plaque placed in the case group. Finally, serum levels of vitamin K2 and Osteocalcin were measured in the samples, by using ELISA kits and the serum level of vitamin D was measured by using HPLC. Result: serum levels of vitamin D in the case group were significantly lower than in the control (p = 0.009) and, serum levels of osteocalcin in the case group were significantly higher than in the control (P = 0.019). There was no difference in K2 level between the two groups (P = 0.84). By separating the three factors like age, sex and T2DM in the two groups, a significant synergistic was found between the concentration of osteocalcin, vitamin D (just in <20 ng/ml) and coronary atherosclerosis (p = 0.025, p = 0.029 respectively). Further, an association was observed between vitamin D level and the severity of atherosclerosis (P = 0.041).). Conclusion: the results of this study suggest that the increase in the level of osteocalcin and the deficiency of vitamin D is significantly associated with coronary atherosclerosis but, not with vitamin k2. Moreover, serum vitamin D concentration is associated with severity of coronary atherosclerosis