Teresa Grzelak

Concentrations of omentin and vaspin versus insulin resistance in obese individuals

INTRODUCTION Omentin and vaspin are adipokines manifesting a potentially protective action against obesity-associated metabolic disturbances. AIM Evaluation of relationship between serum concentrations of omentin and vaspin on one hand and indices of insulin resistance and anthropometric parameters in obese individuals on the other. MATERIAL AND METHODS The studies were conducted on 64 individuals. The investigated group (37 obese patients) included the subgroup with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and with abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT). The control group (n=27) included healthy individuals with normal body weight. In all participants anthropometric analyses and biochemical tests, including estimation of omentin and vaspin concentrations were performed, and insulin resistance by HOMA-IR was evaluated. RESULTS Concentrations of examined adipokines manifested no significant differences between the examined groups. Median values of the index defining ratio between studied adipokine and degree of insulin resistance, i.e. omentin/HOMA-IR, proved to be different in the investigated and the control group while no such difference could be noted in cases of vaspin/HOMA-IR indices. In the studied population a negative relationship was detected between serum concentration of omentin and systolic blood pressure (p<0.04). Values of omentin/HOMA-IR index manifested a correlation with values of most anthropometric parameters (p<0.0001), blood pressure (p<0.0001) concentrations of TG (p<000.1) and HDL (p<0.0001), ISIbasal (p<0.00001), ISIgly (p<0.0001), Quicki (p<0.00001) and fasting insulinaemia (p<0.00001). In the case of vaspin/HOMA-IR index only its positive relationship with HDL concentration was noted (p<0.05). CONCLUSION In context of date of correlation, multiple regression and values of area of under receiver operating characteristics curve omentin, as compared to vaspin, seems to provide a better predictor of insulin resistance in obese individuals.

The use of low-carbohydrate diet in type 2 diabetes - benefits and risks.

The pharmacological treatment of type 2 diabetes is increasingly being supported by the recommendation of an appropriate diet. The purpose of this study is to identify the potential benefits and risks arising from the use of one of the modern models of low-carbohydrate diet in patients with type 2 diabetes. Research shows that diet can favourably affect the health of diabetic patients. It has been shown that diet affects positively the concentration of blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin, and also contributes to the reduction of insulin taken in the course of drug therapy. At the same time, short-term studies have demonstrated a positive relationship of nutrition with reduction in body weight, as well as favourable changes in lipid profile of HDL cholesterol and levels of triglyceride. Attention is also drawn to the negative health effects of a low-carbohydrate diet; these include an increased risk of mineral deficiency, hypovitaminosis and reduced intake of dietary fibres. This diet may be associated with very high levels of protein which, in turn, raises the risk of renal dysfunction and the appearance of irregularities in the water and electrolyte balance. The impact of changes in the skeletal system and the development of osteopenia and osteoporosis is also observed. Besides the positive impact of this model of diet on the lipid profile parameters, its use significantly increases the risk of adverse changes in other markers predisposing to atherosclerosis occurring in individuals with type 2 diabetes. In composing a nutrition model for diabetes patients, both the benefits and potential risks of a low-carbohydrate diet should therefore take into account. At the same time, it is important to individualize the diet used, based on the current state of health, used pharmacological treatments, as well as taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.

The influence of natural feeding on human health: short- and long-term perspectives

Breastfeeding is the most appropriate way to nourish infants. It promotes proper physical and intellectual development of the child. Human milk is unique and impossible to replicate with any other kind of food. However, using maternal milk not only has beneficial effects on the infants health but it can also help to prevent illnesses in adulthood. Breastfeeding improves immunity and consequently decreases the occurrence of infections, especially those of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory tract. Moreover, it helps to reduce the risk of some disorders such as allergies, diabetes mellitus type 1, obesity and arterial hypertension.

The MAOA, COMT, MTHFR and ESR1 gene polymorphisms are associated with the risk of depression in menopausal women

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was assessment of a possible relationship between the polymorphisms of the candidate genes participating in the etiology of some neurological and psychiatric disorders and the risk of depression in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS A total of 167 (54 perimenopausal and 113 postmenopausal) Caucasian women from western Poland, aged 42-67, were recruited as the patient group in the study because of depressive symptoms, and another 321 healthy women (102 perimenopausal and 219 postmenopausal) served as the controls. All study participants were evaluated for climacteric and depressive disorders according to the Kupperman index and Hamilton rating scale for depression (HRSD), respectively. The following candidate genes were selected for the study: 5HTR2A, 5HTR1B, 5HTR2C, TPH1, TPH2, MAOA, COMT, NET, GABRB1, ESR1, MTHFR, MTR and MTHFD1. In each group the frequencies of the polymorphisms were determined using PCR-RFLP analysis. RESULTS After correcting for Bonferroni multiple tests, we found associations between the MAOA c.1460C>T (SNP 1137070), COMT c.472G>A (SNP 4680), MTHFR c.677C>T (SNP 1801133) and ESR1 454(-351) A>G (SNP 9340799) polymorphisms to mild and moderate depressive symptoms in menopausal women. In the perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, genotype association of the MAOA c.1460 CT and c.1460 CT+TT (OR=1.83; pcorr=0.009 and OR=1.85; pcorr=0.003, resp.), and of the MTHFR c.677 TT and c.677 CT+TT (OR=3.52; pcorr=0.00009 and OR=2.06; pcorr=0.0006, resp.), as well as of the COMT c.472 GA and COMT c.472 GA+AA genotypes (OR=2.23; pcorr=0.03 and OR=2.17; pcorr=0.027, resp.) in the postmenopausal women revealed significantly higher frequencies of these variants in depressed female patients than in controls, whereas the ESR1 454(-351) AG and 454(-351) AG+GG genotypes were associated with lower risk of depression in postmenopausal women (OR=0.48; pcorr=0.012, and OR=0.52; pcorr=0.015, resp.). CONCLUSIONS Our study substantiates the involvement of the MAOA and MTHFR polymorphisms in climacteric depression and offers evidence that the COMT and ESR1 genes may also play a role in the susceptibility to depressive mood in postmenopausal women.

Hypovitaminosis D and adipose tissue – cause and effect relationships in obesity

In recent years, attention has been focused on pleiotropic directions of effects exerted by vitamin D. Epidemiological data indicate that deficiency of vitamin D in various population groups represents an increasingly widespread phenomenon, while a decreased serum concentration of calcitriol correlates with manifestation of civilization-linked diseases, including visceral obesity. This study aims at a review and synthesis of data linked to relationships between lowered vitamin D concentrations in blood and manifestation of obesity, and potential mechanisms which affect the concentration of the vitamin in conditions of an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue. Several variables are distinguished which can affect the status of vitamin D in obesity, but the key role in this respect is ascribed to the metabolic activity of visceral adipose tissue. Among others, the activity favours sequestration and modulation of calcitriol turnover. On the other hand, the effects of vitamin D on the process of adipogenesis and its involvement in remodelling of adipose tissue are pointed out. Also, several factors of an environmental nature (e.g. time of year/day, dietetic supply of vitamin D), genetic nature (e.g. genetic polymorphisms) and other conditioning (e.g. coexisting diseases, age, content of melanin in skin) cannot be bypassed as they may affect the concentration of vitamin D. Nevertheless, it still remains unresolved to what extent hypovitaminosis D represents the cause and to which it is the effect of obesity.

Impact of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, free and bioavailable fractions of vitamin D, and vitamin D binding protein levels on metabolic syndrome components

Introduction Various forms of vitamin D and factors involved in their metabolism can play a role in the etiopathogenesis of metabolic disorders. This paper aims to define the relationship between concentration of the hydroxylated form of vitamin D (25(OH)D), the fraction of free and bioavailable vitamin D, and of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) levels on the one hand and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome components on the other. Material and methods The studies were conducted on 79 people, including 52 with metabolic syndrome (MetS+) and 27 without it (MetS–). Biochemical measurements (lipid profile, glycemia, 25(OH)D, VDBP, albumin, calcium, parathyroid hormone) were performed, concentration of free and bioavailable vitamin D was mathematically calculated, and anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were taken. Results The mean ± SD concentration of 25(OH)D among MetS+ individuals (41.90 ±13.12 nmol/l) was lower (p < 0.0001) than among the MetS– group (66.09 ±18.02 nmol/l). Differences between groups were observed in relation to medians/means of concentrations of free and bioavailable vitamin D (p < 0.0001) but not in the case of VDBP. In the entire study population, 25(OH)D correlated with all metabolic syndrome components, whereas its free and bioavailable fraction correlated with particular components of the syndrome. In the MetS+ group, VDBP concentration negatively correlated with body mass index (p = 0.037) and levels of diastolic pressure (p = 0.022). In the case of the MetS– group, the free fraction of vitamin D negatively correlated with triglyceridemia (p = 0.049). Conclusions The evaluation of various forms of vitamin D and VDBP in different population groups seems to have significant clinical value in evaluating the prevalence of metabolic disorders.

Neurobiochemical and psychological factors influencing the eating behaviors and attitudes in anorexia nervosa

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristic features which contribute to inappropriate eating attitudes in people suffering from anorexia nervosa, based on an analysis of recent data. Factors influencing these attitudes have a genetic, neurobiological, biochemical, affective-motivational, cognitive, and behavioral background. Another important issue addressed in the paper is a description of the mechanism leading to continuous dietary restrictions. The altered activity of neurotransmitters modulating patients’ moods after the consumption of food and a disturbed responsiveness to enterohormones enhance affective-motivational and cognitive aspects which, in turn, impede the improvement of eating behaviors. An understanding of the mechanisms behind the factors affecting the maintenance of inappropriate eating attitudes may contribute to greater effectiveness in the treatment of anorexia nervosa.

Biothiols and oxidative stress markers and polymorphisms of TOMM40 and APOC1 genes in Alzheimer's disease patients

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive disease, with frequently observed improper biothiols turnover, homocysteine (Hcy) and glutathione (GSH). GSH protects cells from oxidative stress and may be determined by 8-oxo-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo2dG) level and its repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1). The presence of unfavorable alleles, e.g., in APOE cluster, TOMM40 or APOC1 is known to facilitate the dementia onset under oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to analyze rs1052452, rs2075650 TOMM40 polymorphisms, rs4420638 APOC1, and their correlation with Hcy, GSH, 8-oxo2dG, OGG1 levels in plasma of AD patients and controls. We recruited 230 individuals: 88 AD, 80 controls without (UC), 62 controls with (RC) positive family history of AD. The TOMM40 genotype was determined by HRM and capillary electrophoresis, while APOC1 by HRM. The concentrations of OGG1, 8-oxo2dG were determined by ELISA, whereas Hcy, GSH by HPLC/EC. We showed that over 60% of AD patients had increased Hcy levels (p<0.01 vs. UC, p<0.001 vs. RC), while GSH (p<0.01 vs. UC), 8-oxo2dG (p<0.01 vs. UC, p<0.001 vs. RC) were reduced. Minor variants: rs10524523-L, rs4420638-G, rs2075650-G were significantly overrepresented in AD. For rs4420638-G, rs2075650-G variants, the association remained significant in APOE E4 non-carriers. The misbalance of analyzed biothiols, and 8-oxo2dG, OGG1 were more pronounced in carriers of major variants: rs10524523-S/VL, rs4420638-A, rs2075650-A. We showed, for the first time, that APOC1 and TOMM40 rs2075650 polymorphisms may be independent risk factors of developing AD, whose major variants are accompanied by disruption of biothiols metabolism and inefficient removal of DNA oxidation.

The new *G29A and G1222A of HCRTR1, 5-HTTLPR of SLC6A4 polymorphisms and hypocretin-1, serotonin concentrations in migraine patients

Migraine is one of the most common primary headache disorders that affects 11% of the adult population. The disease is divided into two main clinical subtypes: migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO). Both serotonergic and hypocretinergic systems are involved in the migraine pathomechanism. Polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and the hypocretin receptor 1 gene (HCRTR1) may be risk factors for migraine development due to their ability to affect serotonin and hypocretin-1 (HCRT-1) concentrations. The aim of the study was to analyze, for the first time in the Polish population, the 5-HT transporter linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) in SLC6A4, G1222A (rs2271933) and the never before studied *G29A (rs41263963) polymorphisms in the HCRTR1 gene, as well as the 5-HT and hypocretin-1 plasma concentrations in migraine patients (MA, MO) and control subjects. The study included 123 patients that were diagnosed with migraine and 123 control subjects. Methods such as PCR, HRMA and sequencing were used for genotyping, while 5-HT was determined by HPLC/EC and hypocretin-1 by ELISA. No significant differences were observed in 5-HTTLPR frequencies. The A allele of HCRTR1 G1222A occurred more often in MO, while the GA genotype of HCRTR1 *G29A was more frequent among MA when compared to control group (p < 0.05). The mean age of migraine onset in individuals with HCRTR1 *G29A was 18 years old for patients with MA and 26 years old for MO patients. The localization and type of HCRTR1 polymorphisms (G1222A—missense variant in exon 7, *G29A−3′UTR variant) may predispose patients to the clinical subtype of migraine: MO or MA, respectively. In control subjects, the short allele of 5-HTTLPR tended to decrease the 5-HT concentration, while the A allele of HCRTR1 G1222A decreased both 5-HT and hypocretin-1 levels. Serotonin concentrations differed in terms of clinical features of migraine. The relation between genotypes of 5-HTTLPR, HCRTR1 G1222A, and 5-HT concentrations may bedisturbed in migraine. It seems that HCRTR1 *G29A is more strongly associated with regulating the 5-HT in patients with MA than MO, and therefore may contribute to the early age of onset for migraine.

Neuropeptide B and Vaspin as New Biomarkers in Anorexia Nervosa

Introduction The aim of the study was to assess the correlation between the levels of neuropeptide B (NPB), neuropeptide W (NPW), vaspin (VAS), and the total antioxidant status (TAS) in the blood, as well as nutritional status of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). Materials and Methods The study covered a cohort of 76 female teenagers, including 46 females with extreme AN and 30 healthy peers (CONTR) aged 12-17. Results AN persons were characterized by higher (in comparison to CONTR) NPB and VAS concentrations and lower values of TAS levels, body weight, and anthropometric values. Positive correlations between NPB and VAS levels were noted in the AN group (R=0.33; p<0.001) as well as between concentrations of NPW and VAS in the same group (R=0.49; p<0.001). Furthermore, positive correlations existed between NPB and NPW concentrations across the whole studied population (AN+CONTR; R=0.75; p<0.000001), AN (R=0.73; p<0.000001) and CONTR (R=0.90; p<0.0005). Conclusions In detailed diagnostics of AN it is worth considering testing NPB and VAS levels.