Variation In Biochemical Markers Research Articles

Detecting Hepatic Steatosis Among Potential Liver Donors by Using Non-Invasive Methods

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of non-invasive methods in detecting hepatic steatosis among potential liver donors. Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 67 potential liver donors, recruited via consecutive non-probability sampling over a two-year period (2021-2023). Data collection involved a semi-structured questionnaire covering demographics and biochemical indicators like serum bilirubin, cholesterol levels, ALT, AST, platelets, INR, and GGT. Hepatic steatosis was assessed using Fasting Lipid Profile, Fibroscan/Shearwave ultrasonography, and Liver Attenuation Index (LAI) from CT scans. Descriptive statistics were applied, and gender-based variations in biochemical markers, CAP, and LSM were analyzed using independent t-tests. Chi-square tests evaluated gender differences in steatosis identified by pathology and CAP. A significance level of P < 0.05 was used. Results: Of the 67 donors, 49 were males, with a mean age of 30.1 ± 8.8 years. Pathology revealed mild steatosis in 35 and moderate steatosis in 5 donors. Ultrasound showed normal liver echotexture in 47 subjects, while 18 had fatty liver. CAP findings indicated mild steatosis in both genders, with females showing higher values (P = 0.02) and more advanced steatosis (P < 0.01). Mean LSM was 4.6 ± 1.53 kPa, indicating normal liver stiffness. LAI findings suggested 37 donors required further evaluation. Among overweight donors, 22% had advanced steatosis compared to 14% in the healthy-weight group. Conclusion: Ultrasound-directed CAP, LSM, and BMI are effective non-invasive tools for diagnosing hepatic steatosis in potential liver donors.

Beta-Cyfluthrin-Induced Hepatic Alterations in Zebrafish: Enzymatic Profiles and Oxidative Stress Responses

Beta-Cyfluthrin is a widely used pesticide belonging to class of synthetic pyrethroids which affects the central and peripheral nervous systems. The current study investigates the impact of beta-Cyfluthrin on the biochemical parameters of liver of zebrafish (Danio sp.). Adult zebrafish were exposed to concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 µg/L of beta-Cyfluthrin for acute (96 hours) and chronic (21 days) exposure periods respectively (n=20). It was observed that exposure to beta-Cyfluthrin led to variations in biochemical markers in both acute and chronic exposure groups. Liver function tests revealed significant elevated activity of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) at exposure concentrations of 2.0 and 4.0 µg/L of beta-Cyfluthrin in both acute and chronic groups, while acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity decreased significantly at concentrations of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 µg/L in the chronic group. Lipid peroxidation exhibited a concentration and time-dependent increase with significant difference at 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 µg/L in both acute and chronic groups, while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (PER) levels declined significantly in both acute and chronic exposure groups at exposure concentrations of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 µg/L for SOD and 2.0 and 4.0 µg/L for PER. Catalase (CAT) initially increased significantly in acute groups of 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 µg/L but decreased in chronic ones. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels exhibited a significant increase at lower concentrations of 0.25 µg/L but a decrease at higher concentrations, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 µg/L of beta-Cyfluthrin. The level of significance were considered at p<0.05 and p<0.01. This research suggests that exposure to beta-Cyfluthrin leads to hepatic damage in adult zebrafish. This indicates a potential risk to non-target aquatic fauna, through runoff where beta-Cyfluthrin is used as an agricultural pesticide.

Procena odnosa između nivoa TWEAK-a u serumu i stepena vaskularne uključenosti kod pacijenata sa stabilnom anginom pektoris

Introduction: This study investigates the relationship between serum TWEAK levels and the degree of vascular involvement in patients with stable angina pectoris, offering insights beyond conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Materials and Methods: This study involved 88 patients (33 women, 55 men) diagnosed with stable angina pectoris. Patients were classified based on angiographic findings. Comprehensive demographic and medical history data were collected, and morning blood samples were analyzed, focusing on TWEAK and IL-6 levels. To assess the severity of coronary artery lesions, a modified version of the Gensini scoring system was employed. Results: Analyses revealed no significant correlation between TWEAK levels and the severity of coronary artery disease. Although some variations in biochemical markers were observed based on gender and diabetic status, these differences did not exhibit a statistically significant relationship with the degree of vascular involvement. Conclusion: The findings indicate that serum TWEAK levels do not have a significant association with the severity of vascular involvement in patients with stable angina pectoris. These results highlight the limited efficacy of TWEAK as a sole biomarker in assessing the severity of coronary artery disease, emphasizing the complexity of its role.

Assay optimisation and age-related baseline variation in biochemical markers in Lesser Black-backed gulls

Free-ranging animals are often used as bioindicators of both short- and long-term changes in ecosystem health, mainly to detect the presence and effects of contaminants. Birds, and gulls in particular, have been used as bioindicators over a broad range of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In this study, we standardise the conditions for the use of a suite of biochemical markers in non-destructive matrices of Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus) to facilitate future biomonitoring of marine and terrestrial contaminants. We characterized cholinesterase (ChE) in plasma and optimized assay conditions for ChE activity as a marker of neurotoxic damage. Moreover, we quantified variation in activity of ChE, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) as well as variation ranges of lipid peroxidation (LPO), in free-ranging adults and captive chicks. The main ChE form present in plasma of both adults and chicks was butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) followed by acetylcholinesterase (AChE), whose relative proportion in plasma tended to decrease with increased chick age. LPO levels and GST activity in blood cells (BCs) decreased significantly with increasing chick age, while BChE and LDH activity in plasma were not age-dependent. CAT in BCs tended to decline non-significantly in older chicks. Results of this study underscore the importance of standardising assay conditions and assessing intrinsic baseline variation in biochemical markers, before biochemical quantification. Data presented here provide a foundation for future use of BChE and LDH activity in plasma, as well as oxidative stress markers (LPO, CAT and GST) in BCs, to monitor environmental stress effects in Lesser Black-backed gulls.

Evaluation of Adjuvant Biomarkers in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the dreadful complications of cardiovascular disease causing increasing mortality worldwide. The alterations (increase or decrease) of intracellular and extracellular enzymes or components in developing phase of disease are called markers. Variations in biochemical markers like Cardiac Troponins - T (ctnl) creatine kinase may correlate with the extent of myocardial damage in Acute myocardial infarction (AMI). 
 Aim and Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate serum sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine as adjunctive parameters along with cardiac markers, which probably help in better prognosis of AMI. 
 Material Methods: 100 subjects were included in this study with confirmed diagnosis of recent AMI by the physicians and 100 healthy persons visiting hospital for routine checkup. Blood samples of both group were analyzed for serum urea by Diacetylmonoxime, creatinine by Jaffe's, &sodium & potassium by flamephotometry uing Bio- Lab Diagnostic Kit Methods. Whereas cardiac troponin - T was done by chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) on Lumax hormone analyser and CKMB by kinetic kit method.
 Results: There were statistically significant decreased levels of serum sodium (P<0.0001) potassium (p<0.0001), and elevated levels of urea (p<0.0001) and creatinine (0.0001) observed in AMI. Both established cardiac markers Trop- T and CKMB were extremely statistically significantly increased (p<0.0001) as compared to control group.
 Conclusion: This study showed association of routine blood tests such as urea, creatinine, sodiumand potassium hence can be used as supplement information with regard to treatment and better prognosis of AMI patients or these could be cost effective time saving adjuvant markers in management of myocardial infarction.

Salinity-Induced Variation in Biochemical Markers Provides Insight into the Mechanisms of Salt Tolerance in Common (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Runner (P. coccineus) Beans.

The evaluation of biochemical markers is important for the understanding of the mechanisms of tolerance to salinity of Phaseolus beans. We have evaluated several growth parameters in young plants of three Phaseolus vulgaris cultivars subjected to four salinity levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl); one cultivar of P. coccineus, a closely related species reported as more salt tolerant than common bean, was included as external reference. Biochemical parameters evaluated in leaves of young plants included the concentrations of ions (Na+, K+, and Cl−), osmolytes (proline, glycine betaine, and total soluble sugars), and individual soluble carbohydrates. Considerable differences were found among cultivars, salinity levels, and in their interaction for most traits. In general, the linear component of the salinity factor for the growth parameters and biochemical markers was the most important. Large differences in the salinity response were found, with P. vulgaris cultivars “The Prince” and “Maxidor” being, respectively, the most susceptible and tolerant ones. Our results support that salt stress tolerance in beans is mostly based on restriction of Na+ (and, to a lesser extent, also of Cl−) transport to shoots, and on the accumulation of myo-inositol for osmotic adjustment. These responses to stress during vegetative growth appear to be more efficient in the tolerant P. vulgaris cultivar “Maxidor”. Proline accumulation is a reliable marker of the level of salt stress affecting Phaseolus plants, but does not seem to be directly related to stress tolerance mechanisms. These results provide useful information on the responses to salinity of Phaseolus.

Association of Serum Electrolytes and Urea Levels with Cardiac Markers in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Background: The alterations (increase or decrease) of intracellular and extracellular enzymes or components in developing phase of disease are called markers. Variations in biochemical markers like Cardiac Troponins-I (cTnI), Creatine kinase (CK) and its isoform Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) may correlate with the extent of myocardial damage in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). Association of serum electrolytes and urea levels were undertaken in this study as adjunctive parameters along with cardiac markers, which probably helps in better prognosis of AMI. Materials and Methods: 120 subjects were included in this study and divided equally as study and control groups. Estimation of cTnI, CK, CK-MB, Serum sodium, potassium, chloride and urea were done in all the participants. Data were compared by using student `t’ test and chi-square test (SPSS version 17.0). Results: There were statistically significant decreased levels of serum sodium (p

Performance Evaluation of Biochemical and Ultrasound Markers for the Screening of Chromosomal Numerical Abnormalities in the First Trimester of Pregnancy

To estimate the effectiveness of the first-trimester combined screening test in our population, departing from the results of diagnostic sensitivity and false positive rate (FPR), and checking some important parameters in prenatal screening. The test was evaluated on 14250 pregnant women. The following variables were studied: the number of invasive techniques and the reasons for using such techniques, newborns with chromosomal abnormalities, total number of births, variation of biochemical markers throughout the gestational weeks, and MoM (multiple of the median) for biochemical and ultrasound markers. An important coverage and a decreased number of invasive techniques were obtained. For our population of pregnant women, the best gestational week to determine free beta-hCG and PAPP-A would be week 11 in which the best discrimination was found between affected and non affected fetuses for the three trisomies researched. We propose the cut-off 1/350, because it is the best one to increase sensitivity without exceeding the 5% FPR. Combined screening should be offered to pregnant woman, preferentially at week 11. Although different cut-offs for this prenatal test have been recommended by scientific societies, biochemical laboratories should set their own cut-off for getting the best sensitivity and FPR results. There should be a good level of collaboration between the laboratory and each participating ultrasound unit in order to ensure an optimal use of the first-trimester combined screening test.

Circadian variations in biochemical markers of bone metabolism in horse of different age

Summary The author studied in thirty Thoroughbred horses the influence of age and gender on daily rhythms of serum osteocalcin (OC). The animals were divided into two groups. Group A: six male and six female 2 years old; Group B: six male, six female and six geldings 6 years old. They were housed individually in box-like stalls under natural photoperiod and environmental conditions. Blood samples were collected every 3 hours over a 48 hour period. Statistical differences of serum OC concentration due to different gender were observed in both Groups A and B. Daily rhythms of serum OC concentration were observed only in Group B, with nocturnal acrophase. In females the acrophase was statistically postponed for 1 hour compared to male and gelding. Male and female showed a more robust daily rhythm than the geldings. The results showed that blood sampling for determination of serum OC should be strictly standardized with regard to the time of the day.

Circadian variation in biochemical markers of bone cell activity and insulin-like growth factor-I in two-year-old horses.

Studies in humans have found circadian changes to be one of the most important sources of controllable preanalytical variability when evaluating bone cell activity using biochemical markers. It remains unclear whether similar circadian changes influence bone marker concentrations in the horse. The aim of this study was to characterize changes in serum concentrations of three biochemical markers of bone cell activity over a 24-h period in six 2-yr-old Thoroughbred mares, and to determine circadian variability in IGF-I, which regulates bone turnover. Three bone markers were measured in serum: osteocalcin, a marker of bone formation, the carboxy-terminal propeptide of type-I collagen (a marker of bone formation), and the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen (a marker of bone resorption). Data were analyzed using the cosinor technique, which fits a 24-h cycle to each dataset. A significant circadian rhythm was observed for osteocalcin (P = 0.028), with an estimated amplitude of 7.6% of the mean (95% confidence interval 1.3% to 16.3%), and an estimated peak time of 0900. However, the observed rhythm for the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen (amplitude = 7.4%) was not significant (P = 0.067), and there were no significant changes in concentrations of the carboxy-terminal propeptide of type-I collagen over the 24-h study period (P = 0.44). There was a small but significant circadian rhythm for IGF-I (P = 0.04), with an estimated amplitude of 3.4% (95% confidence interval 0.2 to 7.1%) and peak at 1730. Further studies are now required to determine the potential association between circadian changes in IGF-I and osteocalcin in the horse. Although no significant circadian variation was found in concentrations of the car-boxy-terminal propeptide of type-I collagen and the carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type-I collagen, this may in part be a result of the age of the animals that were still skeletally immature. Future studies should aim to determine whether these markers develop a circadian rhythm at a later age when growth is complete. In the meantime, consistency in time of sampling should continue to be considered best practice when measuring biochemical markers of bone turnover in the horse.

The effect of temporal variation in biochemical markers of trisomy 21 across the first and second trimesters of pregnancy on the estimation of individual patient-specific risks and detection rates for Down's syndrome.

In a previous study we examined the changes in the median multiple of the median (MoM) with gestation of free beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (F beta-hCG), total human chorionic gonadotrophin (ThCG), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) in a large series of Down's syndrome pregnancies. Results showed that there was a significant temporal variation of the MoM for each marker. In this paper, we assess the impact of this temporal shift on the estimation of patient-specific risks and the detection rates (DRs) for Down's syndrome pregnancies. Individual patient-specific risks, DRs and false positive rates were estimated using statistical modelling techniques and computer simulations. The data for these simulations were the regressed mean log(10) analyte MoMs, marker standard deviations (as log(10) MoM) and correlation coefficients derived from the analysis of over 1000 cases of Down's syndrome and 150,000 unaffected pregnancies between 6 and 20 weeks of gestation reported in our previous study. Two models were compared: the classical constant median separation model, which assumes no variation in median shift with gestation (model 1), and a variable median separation model (model 2), which takes account of the changes in median shift with gestation as described in our previous study. When individual patient-specific risks calculated for various MoM values using model 1 were compared with those derived from model 2, considerable differences in risk estimates were observed for all marker combinations, particularly in the first trimester. Using a 1 in 250 cut-off risk, DRs at each gestation in the second trimester for the AFP+F beta-hCG combination were maximized at 14-17 weeks of gestation and were virtually identical at 63-65% for model 1 and model 2. A similar trend was observed for the AFP+ThCG combination, with an optimum gestational range of 15-18 weeks and DRs of 66-68%. In the first trimester, using a 1 in 250 cut-off risk, DRs were more variable with gestation for the prime marker combination of F beta-hCG+PAPP-A, varying from 73% at 8 weeks to 65% at 13 weeks with model 1 and from 75% to 66% with model 2. Risk algorithms should take into account temporal variation in marker MoMs in order to produce accurate patient-specific risks. This also helps to maximize DRs, particularly when samples are taken out with the optimal gestational range.

High bone turnover in the elderly

Objectives: To document lifestyle-associated variations in biochemical markers of bone metabolism in advanced age. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland. Subjects: Three hundred twelve ambulatory and 193 institutionalized men and women, aged 54 to 99yrs. Outcome Measurements: Biochemical markers of bone resorption (urinary deoxypyridinolin and N-telopeptides), serum vitamin D metabolites, and serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) concentrations were assessed. Mean values of all parameters were correlated with a six-grade activity score. Physical activity score reflected the degree of weight bearing, ranging from walking independently to primarily bed-bound. Ambulatory subjects were measured in summertime and institutionalized subjects in wintertime to accentuate seasonality of vitamin D hormone levels. Results: Excretion of bone resorption markers was significantly higher in the institutionalized and physically inactive patients compared with those who were ambulatory and physically active ( p = .0001). Vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D of <12ng/mL) was present in 86% of institutionalized and 15% of ambulatory subjects, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D serum concentrations were lower in institutionalized than in ambulatory subjects ( p = .0001). Mean serum concentrations for iPTH were similar for both the institutionalized and ambulatory groups. When subjects were arranged according to activity score, mean excretion of urinary bone resorption markers increased with degree of inactivity. Conclusion: Despite the difference in vitamin D metabolites, iPTH serum concentrations did not differ significantly between the institutionalized and ambulatory groups. However, institutionalized and physically inactive participants had markedly elevated excretion of urinary bone resorption markers compared with ambulatory and physically active subjects. These results suggest that high bone turnover in the elderly may be caused by physical inactivity related to low mechanical loading rather than secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Morning or evening administration of nasal calcitonin? Effects on biochemical markers of bone turnover

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of intranasal salmon calcitonin (sCT) administration (200 IE), given either in the morning (8:00) or evening (21:00), on the known circadian variation in biochemical markers of bone turnover. An open, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study, with three 24 h studies of blood samples drawn every third hour and urine collected in 3 h aliquots was undertaken. Subjects consisted of nine healthy postmenopausal women, aged 58 ± 7 years. Urinary CrossLaps (a measure of bone resorption) was measured by ELISA and corrected for creatinine (Cr). Serum osteocalcin (sOC) was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The first 24 h study was performed without intervention. Prior to this control study the participants were randomized to either morning (8:00) or evening (21:00) sCT (200 IE). sCT administrations were given 4–5 days prior to and during the second study. After a washing-out period of 2 weeks the participants were given 200 IE of sCT at the reverse time of the day 5 days prior to and during the third study. At all timepoints, urinary CrossLaps/Cr exhibited a significant ( p < 0.001) circadian rhythm with its zenith in early morning and nadir in late afternoon. Both morning and evening administration of sCT significantly decreased the urinary excretion of CrossLaps/Cr approximately 3–6 h after administration with a subsequent rebound effect. sOC did not exhibit a significant circadian variation and was not affected by the calcitonin. The 24 h mean urinary CrossLaps/Cr and sOC remained unchanged. Both morning and evening sCT significantly decreased the urinary excretion of CrossLaps/Cr 3–6 h after administration, with a rebound effect approximately 12 h later. However, the present study does not indicate that neither evening nor twice-daily administration is superior to morning administration.