Sümeyra Nergiz

Circulating galanin and IL-6 concentrations in gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to compare galanin and IL-6 levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Also association of insulin resistance markers, galanin and IL-6 was investigated. Materials and Methods: The study registered 30 pregnant women with GDM and 30 pregnant women with NGT. Fasting venous blood samples were collected from all patients. Galanin and IL-6 levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Galanin and IL-6 levels were found higher in pregnant women with GDM (p < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was determined between galanin concentrations and glucose (r = 0.240, p = 0.065), insulin (r = 0.681, p < 0.001), HbA1c (r = −0.644, p < 0.001), IL-6 (r = 0.783, p < 0.05) and oral glucose challenge test results (r = 0.745, p < 0.001) in pregnant women included in study, whereas no significant association was determined between galanin and gestational age (r = 0.058, p = 0.662), body mass index (r = −0.019, p = 0.886). Conclusion: Galanin and IL-6 were found to be significantly associated with insulin resistance markers in GDM, thus may play important roles in regulation of glucose hemostasis.

Apelin levels are higher in obese patients with endometrial cancer.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of apelin, a newly discovered adipocytokine, in relation with tumor markers, metabolic profile and clinicopathologic features of patients with endometrial cancer.

Interleukin-6 levels in relation with hormonal and metabolic profile in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in relation with hormonal and metabolic profile in patients with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: A total of 40 women with PCOS and 40 age-matched controls were eligible for the study. Hirsutism scores, hormonal and metabolic profile as well as IL-6 levels were evaluated in each subject. Results: Women with PCOS exhibited higher body mass index (BMI) and serum concentrations of IL-6 levels than controls (p < 0.05); however, levels of IL-6 were not significantly increased when compared with BMI-matched controls (p > 0.05). IL-6 levels were significantly correlated positively with BMI and triglyceride levels; however, negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein levels. Conclusion: The data of this study suggested that serum IL-6 levels were found to be higher in women with PCOS as compared to controls; however, IL-6 levels might be dependent on nutritional status but not on PCOS per se. Raised serum IL-6 levels may be related to BMI and serum lipid levels and may be a predictor for cardiometabolic risks.

Apelin levels in relation with hormonal and metabolic profile in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE To evaluate serum concentrations of apelin in relation to the hormonal and metabolic profile in patients with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). STUDY DESIGN A total of 45 women with PCOS and 45 age-matched controls were eligible for the study. Hirsutism scores, hormonal and metabolic profile as well as apelin levels were evaluated in each subject. RESULTS Women with PCOS exhibited lower serum concentrations of apelin than controls (194.1±50.7pg/ml versus 292.1±85.6pg/ml, p<0.001). Apelin levels were significantly correlated positively with body mass index (BMI), insulin, triglyceride (TG), free testosterone (fT) levels, modified Ferriman Gallwey scores and Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index; but negatively correlated with high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in patients with PCOS (p<0.05). When overweight or obese (BMI≥25) and normal weight (BMI<25) women with PCOS were compared to BMI-matched controls, lower apelin levels were found in the PCOS group (226.7±45.4pg/ml versus 378.6±80.9pg/ml and 165.5±36.1 versus 249.0±46.6pg/ml, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION The data suggest that serum apelin levels are lower in women with PCOS than in controls. Furthermore, apelin can be used as a specific marker for insulin sensitivity and lipid profile and this adipokine might play a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.

Circulating adropin levels in patients with endometrium cancer

Abstract Aim: Adropin is a recently identified protein in liver, brain and many peripheral tissues, which is important in energy homeostasis. The purpose of this study is to determine adropin levels in patients with endometrium cancer (EC). Material and methods: A total of 74 patients (47 EC patients and 27 healthy controls) were included in the study. Fasting venous blood samples were collected from all patients. Serum adropin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlations between serum adropin levels and clinicopathologic variables were determined. Results: In body mass index and age-matched groups of patients, adropin levels were determined lower in patients with EC than control group (p < 0.01). Adropin levels were negatively correlated with age (r = −0.265, p = 0.023), homeostasis model-resistance index (HOMA-IR) (r = −0.294, p = 0.005) and fasting insulin levels (r = −0.292, p = 0.001). It was shown that in receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, at cut-off value ≤ 1.055 (ng/ml), adropin had 92.7% sensitivity, 91.5% specificity and had AUC = 0.948, CI; 0.894–1.000 for diagnosis of EC (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Adropin seems to be an important protein in pathogenesis of EC. Clearly, there are largely unknown aspects of adropin in EC pathophysiology and require further multi-centered, molecular and genetic studies including high number of cases. Chinese abstract 目的：能量相关蛋白是新近在肝，脑和许多外周组织中被发现的对能量平衡具有重要作用的蛋白质。研究的目的在于确定子宫内膜癌（EC）患者的能量相关蛋白水平。 材料与方法：总计74名患者（47例EC患者和27例对照）被纳入了此项研究。提取所有受试患者的空腹静脉血样本。使用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）测量血清能量相关蛋白水平。评估血清能量相关蛋白水平与临床病理变化之间的联系。 结果：在体质指数和年龄相当的患者组中，EC患者的能量相关蛋白水平较对照组低(p<0.01)。能量相关蛋白水平与年龄(r=－0.265,p=0.023)，稳态模型-抵抗指数(r=－0.294,p=0.005)和空腹胰岛素水平呈负相关(r=－0.292,p=0.001)。受试者工作特征分析表现，在截断值≤1.055 (ng/ml)时，能量相关蛋白在诊断EC时具有92.7% 的灵敏度， 91.5% 的特异性，且 AUC=0.948, CI; 0.894–1.000。 结论：能量相关蛋白是一个对EC的发病机理起重要作用的蛋白质。很明显，能量相关蛋白在EC发病机制中的作用有许多未知的方面，需要进一步的纳入大量患者的多中心的，分子与遗传方面的研究。

Elevated thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Abstract Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate plasma concentrations of thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) in relation with hormonal, metabolic, and hemostatic profile in patients with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Study design: A total of 38 women with PCOS and 37 age and body mass index (BMI) matched controls were eligible for the study. Hirsutism scores, hormonal, metabolic, and hemostatic profile as well as TAFI levels were evaluated in each subject. Results: Women with PCOS exhibited higher plasma concentrations of TAFI levels than controls (107.42 ± 34.77% versus 91.86 ± 23.88%, p = 0.027). TAFI levels were significantly correlated positively with BMI, fasting insulin levels, modified Ferriman Gallwey scores and Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index, systolic blood pressure, and waist and hip circumferences, whereas negatively correlated with activated partial thromboplastin time (p < 0.05). However, after adjustment for all possible confounding factors, none of the parameters was significantly deterministic on TAFI levels. Conclusion: The data of the present study suggested that plasma TAFI levels were higher in women with PCOS as compared with healthy age and BMI-matched controls, indicating impaired fibrinolysis. This hypofibrinolytic state may be responsible for the increased cardiovascular disease risk in women with PCOS.