Serum Adipocytokine Levels Research Articles

Mulberry leaf multi-components exert hypoglycemic effects through regulation of the PI-3K/Akt insulin signaling pathway in type 2 diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevancePhytochemicals have unique advantages in the treatment of diabetes due to their multi-target activity and low toxicity. Mulberry leaves, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, have been used in the prevention and treatment of diabetes for centuries. The main active ingredients in mulberry leaves with regards to the hypoglycemic effect are 1-deoxynojirimycin, flavonoids, and polysaccharides. However, the combined hypoglycemic effects and mechanisms of mulberry leaf multi-components remain unclear. Aim of the studyThis study explored the anti-diabetic effects of mulberry leaf multi-components (MMC) and the role of the PI-3K/Akt insulin signalling pathway in improving insulin resistance. Materials and methodsThe main chemical components of MMC were analyzed using the phenol-sulfuric acid method, aluminum nitrate-sodium nitrite method, and HPLC-ultraviolet/fluorescence detection method. The T2DM rat model was created via feeding a high-fat diet and peritoneal injection of streptozotocin. T2DM rats were divided into four groups: model, model plus metformin, model plus low-dose, and model plus high-dose MMC groups (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/day, respectively), and plus normal group for a total of five groups. MMC was administered by oral gavage for six weeks. Fasting blood glucose and serum lipid profiles were measured using a glucometer and an automatic biochemistry analyzer, respectively. Serum insulin and adipocytokine levels were analyzed by ELISA. Hepatic glucose metabolizing enzyme activity was evaluated by ELISA and the double antibody sandwich method. Expression of PI-3K/Akt signalling pathway proteins was analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. ResultsExtracted 1-deoxynojirimycin, flavonoid, and polysaccharide purity was 70.40%, 52.34%, and 32.60%, respectively. These components were then mixed at a ratio of 1:6:8 to form MMC. MMC significantly reduced serum glucose, insulin, and lipid levels. In diabetic rats, MMC enhanced insulin sensitivity and alleviated inflammatory and oxidative damage by lowing adipocytokine levels and increasing anti-oxidative enzyme activity. Insulin resistance was also mitigated. MMC regulated the activity of key downstream enzymes of hepatic glucose metabolism via activating the expression of PI-3K, Akt, PDX-1, and GLUT4 at the mRNA and protein levels, thereby correcting hepatic glucolipid metabolism disorders and exerting a hypoglycemic effect. ConclusionMMC ameliorated hepatic glucolipid metabolism disorders and improved insulin resistance in T2DM rats by activating the PI-3K/Akt signaling pathway. These results highlight the multi-component, multi-target, and combined effects of MMC, and suggest it may be further developed as a hypoglycemic drug.

Evaluation of serum adipocytokine and interleukin-18 levels in patients with epilepsy

Objective: Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in epilepsy are not fully known. Our aim is to investigate the relationship between serum adipocytokine and interleukin (IL)-18 levels in epilepsy patients receiving and not receiving antiepileptic therapy.
 
 Method: Our study was established as three groups. I: Epilepsy patients receiving antiepileptic therapy (n=30), II: Newly diagnosed epilepsy patients (n=30) and III: Control group (n=30). Serum adipocytokine and IL-18 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassorbent assay method.
 
 Results: It was determined that serum adipocytokine and IL-18 levels were increased in epilepsy patients who received topiramate treatment and did not receive antiepileptic therapy compared to the control group. Serum glucose, total protein, cholesterol and albumin concentrations of patients who received antiepileptic treatment were decreased compared to the control group (p0.05). It was found that the body mass index (BMI) ratio of epilepsy patients who received antiepileptic treatment decreased and was significant compared to the control group and the group that did not receive treatment (p

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Coincident with Clinical and Subclinical Thyroid Dysfunctions Results in Dysregulation of Circulating Chemerin, Resistin and Visfatin

The alterations of circulating adipocytokines have been reported in thyroid diseases or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but such data in T2DM coincident with clinical and subclinical thyroid-dysfunctions are limited, and remain to be investigated. We studied the changes in serum chemerin, resisitin and visfatin in T2DM patients with thyroid dysfunctions, and their association with inflammatory and insulin resistance-markers. A total of 272 female and male Iranian participants were selected and divided into six groups: the euthyroid group, T2DM, T2DM coincident with clinical and sub clinical hypothyroidism (SC-HO, and C-HO), and T2DM coincident with clinical and sub clinical hyperthyroidism (SC-HR, C-HR).Demographic characteristics, serum levels of adipocytokines, thyroid hormones, inflammatory factors (IL1-β, IL-6 and CRP) and insulin resistance-markers were determined in all participants. T2DM patients with clinical thyroid dysfunctions showed higher levels of circulating resistin, visfatin, chemerin and inflammatory factors, compared with the T2DM group and T2DM coexisted with subclinical thyroid diseases. No significant differences were observed in circulating adipocytokines and inflammatory markers between T2DM coexisting with subclinical thyroid diseases and those without thyroid dysfunctions. Our results revealed that clinical thyroid dysfunction in T2DM patients was associated with elevated levels of circulating resistin, chemerin, visfatin and inflammatory factors, while no such alteration was detected in T2DM coincident with subclinical thyroid dysfunction.

Adipocytokines in obstructive sleep apnea: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aimAdipocytokines play an important role in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by mediating inflammatory responses. Previous studies have reported that OSA is related to a change in the serum levels of adipocytokines; however, the results are still controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the relationship between OSA and circulating level of adipocytokines in adults and children. MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted in databases of Medline/PubMed and Scopus for pertinent articles published since their inception to July 2022. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the relationship between the concentrations of adipocytokines with OSA. ResultsIn the overall analysis, contrary to IL-10, which showed a significant reduction, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8, IL-17, and IFN- gamma showed higher levels in OSA patients in comparison with control groups (p <0.05). For adults, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-17, IL-18, vaspin, visfatin, and chemerin were linked to a greater serum levels in patients with OSA, while, IL-5 and IL-10 were detected significantly lower in adults with OSA in comparison with healthy adults (p <0.05). In children with OSA, the serum levels of IL-4, IL-8, IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, and IFN-gamma were significantly higher than healthy children (p <0.05). ConclusionThe levels of inflammatory markers were found to be higher in OSA patients compared with control individuals, suggesting that adipocytokines may contribute to the pathology of OSA.

Relationships of body composition and adipocytokines with outcomes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients receiving docetaxel chemotherapy.

We evaluated the relationships of body composition and serum adipocytokine levels with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients receiving docetaxel. The medical records of mCRPC patients who received docetaxel between January 2011 and December 2015 at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (Shanghai, China) were reviewed. The following body composition parameters were calculated using computed tomography: skeletal muscle index (SMI), visceral adipose tissue index (VATI), and subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI). Pretreatment serum adipocytokine levels, including interleukin 6, insulin, leptin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, adiponectin, and resistin, were measured using the multiplex bead-based immunoassays. Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier methods were used for survival analyses. Of the 453 mCRPC patients initially identified, 105 were included in the analysis. High VATI group patients had longer PFS (median, 10 months vs 7 months, P = 0.008) and OS (median, 24 months vs 15 months, P = 0.017), compared with low VATI group patients. SMI and SATI were not significantly associated with PFS or OS. Of the six detected adipocytokines, only leptin was associated with mCRPC prognosis. High leptin group patients had shorter PFS (median, 7 months vs 12 months, P = 0.0018) and OS (median, 17 months vs 22 months, P = 0.042), compared with low leptin group patients. Multivariate analysis showed that a high VATI was an independent protective factor for PFS and OS, while a high leptin level was an independent risk factor for PFS and OS. Therefore, VATI and serum leptin levels could provide important information concerning mCRPC prognosis.

Intermittent fasting and exercise therapy abates STZ-induced diabetotoxicity in rats through modulation of adipocytokines hormone, oxidative glucose metabolic, and glycolytic pathway.

Diabetes is a global, costly, and growing public health issue. Intermittent fasting (IF) and exercise therapy have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity (IS) in large studies, although the underlying processes are still unknown. The goal of this study, which included both nondiabetic and diabetic rats, was to look at the mechanisms of intermittent fasting and exercise in the management of diabetotoxicity. The effects of starvation and honey on the oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, adipocytokines, oxidative glucose metabolic enzymes, glycolytic enzymes, food intake, and body weight in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were also investigated. In the nondiabetic phase, rats were administered an oral regimen of distilled water (0.5ml/rat), honey (1g/kg body weight), and interventions with IF, and starvation for 4weeks while in the diabetic phase, after STZ or citrate buffer injections, interventions with IF, exercise, starvation, and honey treatment began for 4weeks. At all OGTT and ITT points, there was a substantial rise in glucose in the STZ group. Adipocytokines hormone, oxidative glucose metabolic enzymes, glycolytic enzymes, and body weight were all affected by STZ when compared to starvation and honey, however, IF and exercise significantly reduced these alterations. In diabetic rats, intermittent fasting and exercise enhanced serum adipocytokines levels. These findings imply that adipokines modulate glycolytic/nonmitochondrial enzymes and glucose metabolic/mitochondrial dehydrogenase to mediate the antidiabetic effects of intermittent fasting and exercise.

Adipocytokines and Insulin Resistance: Their Role as Benign Breast Disease and Breast Cancer Risk Factors in a High-Prevalence Overweight-Obesity Group of Women over 40 Years Old.

Insulin levels, adipocytokines, and inflammatory mediators trigger benign breast disease (BBD) and breast cancer (BC). The relationship between serum adipocytokines levels, overweight-obesity, metabolic disturbs, and BC is unclear. Methods: To analyze the serum levels of the adipocytokines, insulin, and the HOMA IR in women without breast disease, with BBD or BC, and the role of these as risk factors for benign breast disease or breast cancer. Results: Adipsin values > 0.91 and visfatin levels > 1.18 ng/mL represent a risk factor to develop BBD in NBD lean women (OR = 18; and OR = 12). Data in overweight-obese women groups confirm the observation due to insulin levels > 2.6 mU/mL and HOMA IR > 0.78, with OR = 60.2 and 18, respectively; adipsin OR = 26.4, visfatin OR = 12. Breast cancer risk showed a similar behavior: Adipsin risk, adjusted by insulin and visfatin OR = 56 or HOMA IR and visfatin OR = 22.7. Conclusion: Adipose tissue is crucial for premalignant and malignant tissue transformation in women with overweight-obesity. The adipocyte–breast epithelium interaction could trigger a malignant transformation in a continuum, starting with BBD as premalignant disease, especially in overweight-obese women.

Ginsenoside Rb1 Protects Against Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Regulating the Adipocytokine Pathway.

PurposeObesity and diabetes are often accompanied by chronic inflammation and insulin resistance, which lead to complications such as diabetic cardiomyopathy. Ginsenoside Rb1 has been used to treat diabetes and obesity and reduce inflammation as well as risk of heart diseases. However, the role of ginsenoside Rb1 in treating diabetic cardiomyopathy remains unclear.MethodsDiabetic mice were administered ginsenoside Rb1 for 12 weeks, and their body weight, body fat, and blood glucose levels as well as and serum insulin, lipids, and adipocytokine levels were assessed. Lipid accumulation, pathological morphology of the adipose tissue, liver, and heart were examined. Western blot and qRT-PCR were performed to investigate the molecular changes in response to ginsenoside Rb1 treatment.ResultsGinsenoside Rb1 treatment significantly reduced body weight and body fat, attenuated hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and ameliorated insulin resistance and abnormal levels of adipocytokines in diabetic mice. In addition, lipid accumulation and inflammation reduced while the functions of heart improved in the ginsenoside Rb1-treated group. Furthermore, antioxidant function improved in the ginsenoside Rb1-treated diabetic hearts. PCR and Western blotting analyses revealed that the lipid-lowering effect of ginsenoside Rb1 and the resulting improvement of cardiac function could be attributed to the adipocytokine pathway, which promoted energy homeostasis and alleviated cardiac dysfunction.ConclusionGinsenoside Rb1 lowered lipid levels in a adipocytokine-mediated manner and attenuated hyperglycemia/hyperlipidemia-induced oxidative stress, hypertrophy, inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes.

Relationship Between Lipodystrophy, Body Composition, Metabolic Profile, and Serum Levels of Adipocytokines.

Background: Despite the benefits in improving the clinical state of people living with HIV/aids (PLWHA), some side effects associated with the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) are reported. Redistribution of body fat has been associated with treatment and is characterized by morphological changes, also known as lipodystrophy. The complications of metabolic and morphological changes in these individuals seem to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Adipocytokines are proteins that have essential functions in biological processes, in which the levels of these proteins are related to the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have shown that such levels are generally modified in PLWHA, regardless of whether the treatment is established or not. An application of methods for body fat estimation in patients with fat redistribution, as in the case of aids, especially those that quantify body fat by segments, appears to clarify these alterations and plays an important role in the development of multiprofessional treatment.Objectives: This investigation was carried out to compare and correlate body composition, biochemical metabolic parameters, and levels of adipocytokines and cytokines of PLWHA, with and without lipodystrophy, with individuals with negative HIV serology and stratified by sex.Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which body composition, metabolic and anthropometric changes, and levels of adipocytokines of 110 individuals were assessed. These individuals were paired in sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) and subdivided into three groups: PLWHA with and without a clinical diagnosis of lipodystrophy associated with HIV, and a group control.Results: Collinearity was identified both in the general sample and for genders of the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) with all anthropometric parameters, except for muscle mass. The results show strong association between IFN-γ and TNF-α both in the general sample and for genders and moderate correlation between leptin and fasting glucose for women; worsening of the triglyceride profile in both women with lipodystrophy compared with the control group and men without lipodystrophy compared with the control group; higher serum TNF-α values among men without lipodystrophy compared to those with HIV-associated lipodystrophy (HALS).Conclusions: The results of this study underline that, considering the manifestations of the syndrome, these patients have a high-risk endocrine metabolic profile for cardiovascular events.

Blood serum myokine irisin and adipocytokine levels in newborns small for gestational age at birth

In recent years, a number of the studies of myokine irisin in adults and isolated in newborns have been carried out. The role of adipocytokines in the growth and development of the fetus and children has been shown.The aim of the study was to assess the levels of myokine irisin and adipocytokines in newborns small for gestational age at birth and to analyze the relationship between the parameters of the hormonal status of children and their mothers.49 newborns and their mothers were examined. Two groups were identified: group 1 (Gr1) – newborns small for gestational age (n = 24), group 2 (Gr2) – newborns appropriate for gestational age (n = 25). The levels of irisin and adipocytokines in the blood serum were determined by the enzyme immunoassay.Newborns small for gestational age had significantly lower levels of leptin and IGF-1 in the umbilical cord blood compared to children with physical development corresponding to the gestational age. There were no significant differences in the irisin content of cord blood serum in newborn Gr1 compared with Gr2. The presence of significant positive correlations between the level of irisin in the umbilical cord blood of newborns small for gestational age and the body weight at birth was established. In Gr1, a positive relationship was found between the irisin levels of mothers and newborns (r = 0.518, p = 0.028). The differences in the irisin content between the groups were established, taking into account the delivery mode (p = 0.0104).The revealed statistically significant differences in the concentrations of the analyzed metabolic markers in mother–child pairs, their relationship with clinical and anthropometric parameters substantiate the possibility of using irisin and adipocytokines as predictors in predicting the formation of metabolic disorders of infants small for gestational age.

Serum spexin, adiponectin and leptin levels in polycystic ovarian syndrome in association with FTO gene polymorphism.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive endocrinopathy among reproductive-aged women and related with body mass and insulin resistance. Adipocytokines produced by adipose tissue seems to take part in the hormonal and metabolic alterations that arise in PCOS. Fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene is linked with body mass index (BMI) and diabetes. Aims - To investigate the association between fat mass related adipocytokines and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs9939609 T/A) in the FTO gene in women with PCOS. Study design - Cross-sectional study MATERIAL AND METHODS: FTO+rs9939609 gene polymorphism and serum spexin, adiponectin and leptin levels were determined in 91 PCOS women and 86 healthy controls. Study participants were subdivided according to BMI and comparisons were made within each group. Serum spexin levels were not differed between study groups. Serum levels of adiponectin were found to be decreased in PCOS women with BMI lower than 25 kg/m2 (10.1 ± 5.6 vs 14.1 ± 9.1, p = 0.015). Serum leptin levels were elevated in obese PCOS women compared to healthy control group (2197.9 ± 596.3 pg/mL vs 1535.9 ± 812.1 pg/mL, p = 0.001). The prevalence of A risk allele of SNP rs9939609 was more frequent in PCOS patients than in the control group. PCOS risk was found to increase 3 times more in AA genotype when compared with TT genotype (OR = 3.04 95% CI: 1.243-7.309; p = 0.013). Serum adiponectin and leptin levels may serve as independent markers for PCOS diagnosis. Moreover, the FTO+rs9939609 gene polymorphism increase susceptibility to PCOS development independent from serum adipocytokine levels.

Serum Levels of Asprosin, a Novel Adipokine, Are Significantly Lowered in Patients with Acromegaly.

Background Asprosin is a novel identified adipokine secreted mainly by white adipose tissue, which is elevated in metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Acromegaly is a syndrome caused by pituitary growth hormone (GH) cell adenoma with excessive GH secretion. Serum adipocytokines levels may be involved in abnormal glycolipid metabolism in acromegaly patients. Objectives To investigate serum asprosin levels in acromegaly patients and its correlation with high GH levels and glucolipid metabolic parameters. Methods A retrospective case-control study was conducted and 68 acromegaly patients and 121 controls were included in this study. Clinical information and laboratory examinations were collected and serum asprosin levels were measured by commercial ELISA kits. Results Serum asprosin levels in acromegaly patients were significantly lower than controls (P < 0.001). Serum asprosin levels in patients with the course of acromegaly ≥5 years (compared with <5 years), high area under curve of growth hormone (GH-AUC) after 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (compared with low GH-AUC patients), and high IGF-1 SDS group (compared with low IGF-1 SDS group) were significantly reduced (all P < 0.05). Serum asprosin levels in acromegaly patients were negatively correlated with the course of acromegaly, IGF-1 SDS, nadir growth hormone value (GH-Nadir), and GH-AUC after OGTT. Multiple stepwise linear regression indicated that acromegaly was an independent influencing factor of serum asprosin levels. According to serum asprosin levels tertiles, the risk of acromegaly in the lowest group was 2.67 times higher than the highest group (OR ＝ 3.665, 95% CI 1.677 ∼ 8.007, P=0.001), and the increased risk of the lowest group still existed after adjusting for gender, age, BMI, and TC (Model 2). Conclusions Serum asprosin levels in acromegaly patients are lowered, which may be related to increased blood glucose and reduced body fat mass caused by long-term high GH levels exposure.

Serum Adipocytokines Levels and Their Association with Insulin Sensitivity in Morbidly Obese Individuals Undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

BackgroundObese adipose tissue secretes a variety of adipocytokines that act as metabolic regulators with complex mechanisms. Our objective was to compare serum concentration of a panel of adipocytokines between obese and non-obese individuals and identify any distinct patterns correlating with insulin sensitivity in obesity.MethodsWe designed a cross-sectional study among obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m2, n=62) and non-obese (BMI <25 kg/m2, n=32) individuals to compare circulating levels of the adipokines, such as adiponectin and resistin in conjunction with the measurement of the levels of inflammatory cytokines including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α using Luminex multiplex immunoassay with drop array technology. Correlations between circulating adipocytokine levels and those of multiple well-established markers of insulin resistance including homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index were also established.ResultsCRP, IL-8, MCP-1, and TNF-α levels were higher in obese than non-obese individuals; the CRP and IL-8 differences were statistically significant. CRP correlated significantly with markers of insulin resistance (fasting plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, and QUICKI), and adiponectin correlated with HOMA-β in obese individuals. We divided the group of obese individuals on the basis of HOMA-IR levels into insulin-resistant (IR; HOMA-IR ≥2.5) and insulin-sensitive (IS; HOMA-IR <2.5) groups; and 43 out of 62 participants were IR despite comparable BMIs. An overall proinflammatory profile was compared between IR and IS obese, though the values were higher in IR obese but the difference was not significant.ConclusionObesity is associated with a general inflammatory milieu and a crosstalk between adipocytokines and insulin resistance is complex as well as multifactorial.

Association of adipocytokines serum levels with left atrial thrombus formation in atrial fibrillation patients on oral anticoagulation (Alert) – A cross-sectional study

Background and aimsOral anticoagulation is effective for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF). However, strokes may still occur in high-risk individuals. We conducted a prospective trial to assess the association between adipocytokine serum levels and surrogate parameters for thromboembolic events. Methods and resultsIn this cross-sectional multicenter trial, we enrolled 189 patients with AF who were on oral anticoagulation. The primary endpoint was defined as either the presence of spontaneous echo contrast (SEC), a left atrial appendage (LAA), or a left atrial (LA) thrombus on transesophageal echocardiography. We investigated the association of adipocytokine serum levels with the combined endpoint using logistic regression analysis. Forty-eight individuals (25%) were assigned to group 1 (G1) due to the occurrence of at least one of the components of the combined endpoint (41 [21.7%] SEC, 3 [1.6%] LA thrombus, 13 [6.9%] LAA thrombus), whereas the remaining patients formed group 2 (G2). The BMI, logarithmized (loge) leptin (G1: 2.0 ± 1.3 μg/ml, G2: 2.0 ± 1.1 μg/ml, p = 0.746) and visfatin serum levels (G1: 3.4 ± 0.3 ng/ml, G2: 3.4 ± 0.5 ng/ml, p = 0.900) did not significantly differ between the groups. Conversely, logarithmized adiponectin (G1: 3.3 ± 0.6 ng/ml, G2: 3.1 ± 0.7 ng/ml, p = 0.036) and resistin levels (G1: 1.8 ± 0.5 ng/ml, G2: 1.6 ± 0.5 ng/ml, p = 0.009) were higher in patients with the primary endpoint. Multivariate logistic regression analysis using a score that combined the individual adiponectin and resistin values in each patient corroborated this association. ConclusionsOur results suggest that adiponectin and resistin may act as potential biomarkers to identify individuals with AF who are at high thromboembolic risk.

An exploratory cross-sectional study of subclinical vascular damage in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica

The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of subclinical vascular damage in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). We enrolled PMR patients having major cardiovascular risk factors (MCVRF) and, as controls, patients with MCVRF. All underwent: color Doppler ultrasound to evaluate the common carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), the anterior–posterior abdominal aortic diameter (APAD), and the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis; the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) to measure arterial stiffness together with the ankle-brachial index (ABI) to investigate the presence of lower-extremity peripheral arterial disease. Finally, we measured the serum levels of adipocytokines implicated in vascular dysfunction. As a result, 48 PMR and 56 MCVRF patients were included. An increase of IMT (1.07/0.8–1.2 vs 0.8/0.8–1.05; p = 0.0001), CAVI (8.7/7.8–9.3 vs 7.6/6.9–7.8; p < 0.0001) and APAD values (21.15/18.1–25.6 vs 18/16–22; p = 0.0013) was found in PMR patients with respect to controls. No differences were reported in the prevalence of carotid artery stenosis or ABI values between the two groups. A significant correlation between IMT and CAVI in PMR and MCVRF subjects (r2 = 0.845 and r2 = 0.556, respectively; p < 0.01) was found. Leptin levels (pg/mL; median/25th–75th percentile) were higher in PMR than in MCVRF subjects (145.1/67–398.6 vs 59.5/39.3–194.3; p = 0.04). Serum levels of adiponectin (ng/mL) were higher in PMR patients (15.9/10.65–24.1 vs 6.1/2.8–22.7; p = 0.01), while no difference in serum levels of resistin (ng/mL) was found between PMR and MCVRF subjects (0.37/0.16–0.66 vs 0.26/0.14–1.24). Our study shows an increased subclinical vascular damage in PMR patients compared to those with MCVRF, paving the way for further studies aimed at planning primary cardiovascular prevention in this population.

Adipocytokine, leptin, and resistin in combination with quantitative visceral adiposity as predictors of colorectal neoplasm: A case-control study

Background: Substantial evidence has supported the association between adipocytokines and many types of cancers. However, the results in the setting of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains conflicting. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the predictive power of adipocytokines (leptin and Rrsistin) levels and abdominal fat distribution in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Methods: Eighty participants were recruited then divided into three groups based on the endoscopic and histopathological investigation. The recruited individuals included 30 patients with colon cancer, 25 with colonic adenoma, and 25 controls. Serum adipocytokines (leptin and resistin) levels were measured, and the quantitative fat analysis was calculated based on an abdominal CT scan. Results: Multivariable logistic regression revealed that two predictors (leptin and resistin) of CRC development could be used. Visceral/superficial fat rate was the most significant predictor among the parameters of quantitative fat analysis. Also, psoas muscle and visceral fat volume showed significant differences among the study groups. Conclusion: Leptin and resistin can be used as a valuable independent predictor for the diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Also, the visceral/superficial fat rate was the most predictor.

Suppressed immune profile in children with combined type 1 diabetes and celiac disease.

SummaryChildren diagnosed with a combination of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and celiac disease (CD) show a dysregulated T helper type 1 (Th1)/Th17 response. Besides the cellular involvement, several soluble immune markers are involved in the autoimmune process of both T1D and CD. Only few studies have examined the peripheral pattern of different cytokines, chemokines and acute‐phase proteins (APP) in children with combined T1D and CD. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated the serum levels of adipocytokines and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in this context. The purpose of the present study was to acquire more knowledge and to gain deeper understanding regarding the peripheral immunoregulatory milieu in children with both T1D and CD. The study included children diagnosed with both T1D and CD (n = 18), children with T1D (n = 27) or CD (n = 16) and reference children (n = 42). Sera were collected and analysis of 28 immune markers (cytokines, chemokines, APPs, adipocytokines and MMPs) was performed using the Luminex technique. The major findings showed that children with a double diagnosis had lower serum levels of interleukin (IL)‐22, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MIP)‐1α, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, visfatin and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2. These results indicate a suppressed immune profile in children with combined T1D and CD, including Th17 cytokines, chemokines, APPs, adipocytokines and MMPs. We conclude that, besides cytokines and chemokines, other immune markers, e.g. APPs, adipocytokines and MMPs, are of importance for further investigations to elucidate the heterogeneous immune processes present in patients diagnosed with T1D in combination with CD.

Relationship between adipocytokines and angiotensin converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism in lean women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between the levels of select adipocytokines (adiponectin, visfatin and apelin) and angiotensin in converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (ID) polymorphism in lean women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The PCOS group (N = 94) was identified according to the Rotterdam criteria. The Control group (N = 68) included age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy volunteers. Serum levels of adipocytokines were measured using enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and ACE genes were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCOS group, when compared to the Control group had lower adiponectin (p < .001) but higher visfatin (p < .001) and apelin (p = .003). There was no significant correlation of the levels of these adipocytokines with BMI, fasting glucose, fasting insulin or Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). The PCOS and the Control groups also differed with regard to the ACE ID genotype distribution (p < .001). The ID, DD, and II genotype frequencies were, respectively, 34, 57 and 9% in the PCOS group and 49, 22 and 29% in the Control group. When stratified according to individual ID genotypes, the levels of adipocytokines in the PCOS and the Control groups remained significantly different. There was no statistically significant relationship between the levels of adipocytokines and ACE ID genotypes.

The clinical significance of serum adipocytokines level in patients with lung cancer.

Adipocytokines were known to play a relevant role in metabolism, inflammation responses and carcinogenesis of several malignancies. Our aims were to detect the expression of serum adipocytokines, explore their potential diagnostic ability and relationship with clinicopathological characteristics of lung cancer. Adipocytokines, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), resistin, tumor necrosis factors (TNFα), TNF RI and TNF RII, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leptin, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10, chemerin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were assessed in 49 untreated lung cancer patients and 20 healthy controls. The protein chip was used to detect the serum levels of adipocytokines. Lung cancer patients exhibited significantly elevated serum IGFBP-1, TNF RI, VEGF, TNF RII, PAI-1 and IL-6 levels compared to controls (P<0.05) and most of these adipocytokines revealed a modest discriminative ability for the diagnosis of lung cancer, while BDNF were lower in patients (P<0.05). TNF RI was associated with distant metastasis of lung cancer, while there was no relation between other adipocytokines and the patient clinicopathological features. These results suggest that cytokines IGFBP-1, TNF RI, VEGF, TNF RII, PAI-1 and IL-6 may be involved in the development and progression of lung cancer, and TNF RI may be involved in distant metastasis of lung cancer. Additionally, IGFBP-1, TNF RI, VEGF and TNF RII probably represent potentially useful biomarkers for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

Effect of Phytosomal Curcumin on Circulating Levels of Adiponectin and Leptin in Patients with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with insulin resistance and changes in serum adipocytokine levels. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of phytosomal curcumin on serum adiponectin and leptin levels in patients with NAFLD. In this randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 65 eligible patients were randomly allocated into curcumin and placebo recipient groups using a blocked randomized technique. Parameters of weight, height, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profile, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), adiponectin, leptin, and the leptin:adiponectin ratio were measured at baseline and eight weeks after intervention. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels increased significantly in the curcumin group compared to the placebo group (p=0.01). Serum adiponectin levels increased significantly (p<0.001) and serum leptin levels decreased significantly (p<0.001) with a decrease in the leptin: adiponectin ratio in the curcumin group compared to the placebo group after 8 weeks of intervention. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease was associated with changes in serum adipokines levels. Phytosomal curcumin effectively improved leptin and adiponectin levels. It is possible that curcumin efficacy will increase with long-term use of higher doses of this substance.