Daniela Lucido

Protein oxidation in a group of subjects with metabolic syndrome.

AIMS To examine the protein oxidation, marker of the oxidative stress, in metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS We enrolled 106 subjects (45 women and 61 men) with MS of which 43 (14 women and 27 men) were with diabetes mellitus and 63 (31 women and 32 men) were without diabetes mellitus, and 54 subjects (19 women and 35 men) as control group. The protein oxidation, expressed as carbonyl groups, was measured by an enzyme-like immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit (BioCell PC test kit, Enzo Life Sciences AG, Switzerland). RESULTS In the whole group of MS subjects, in comparison with control group, a significant increase in carbonyl groups was present. The same datum was also evident between control group and diabetic subjects with MS and between control group and nondiabetic subjects with MS. No difference was observed between the two subgroups (diabetic and nondiabetic subjects with MS) about NOx. Few information were obtained examining the linear regression among carbonyl groups, age, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure values and metabolic pattern of MS subjects. CONCLUSIONS In MS subject we observed an increase of protein oxidation not influenced by diabetes mellitus. Several strategies may be employed to reduce this parameter.

Erythrocyte deformability and nitric oxide metabolites in athletes before and after a cardiopulmonary test

Objective:To evaluate erythrocyte deformability, nitric oxide metabolites, and their modifications induced by exercise in athletes who practised different sports. Design:This evaluation was effected before and after cardiopulmonary test, using a cycloergometer. Setting:The study was performed in the Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular and Renal Diseases of the University of Palermo. Participants:We enrolled 62 male athletes who practised endurance (n = 23), mixed (n = 20), and power (n = 19) sports and 20 sedentary male subjects as controls. Assessment of Risk Factors:No subject had diabetes or hypertension or dyslipidemia. Five control subjects and 14 athletes were smokers. Main Outcome Measures:Erythrocyte deformability was examined as elongation index (EI) using a diffractometer. The nitric oxide metabolites (nitrite + nitrate = NOx) were evaluated employing the Griess reagent. Results:In the whole group, an increase in EI and NOx was present. Subdividing the whole group into 3 subgroups, we noted an increase in EI and NOx only in endurance and mixed athletes. The EI before and after the cardiopulmonary test significantly decreased in the whole group and in power athletes but not in endurance and mixed athletes. Before and after the test, NOx did not significantly change in the whole group and in the 3 subgroups. Conclusions:In athletes who practised endurance and mixed sports, we observed an increase of NOx level and an increase of erythrocyte deformability. The latter did not change after an exercise test in the same subgroups, whereas it decreased in power athletes.

Relationship between elastase and total antioxidant status in young subjects with recent myocardial infarction.

In a group of young subjects with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (68 men and 7 women; mean age 39.6+/-5.7 years) we examined the plasma concentration of elastase, the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the total antioxidant status (TAS) at the initial stage of AMI. In this group we found an increase of elastase (p<0.001) and TBARS (p<0.001) and a decrease of TAS (p<0.001). A statistical correlation was observed in the whole group of AMI patients between plasma elastase and TAS (p<0.01) and this correlation was more statistically significant in patients with more risk factors and not in those with more involved vessels.