Volkan Küçükyalçin

Omentin and chemerin and their association with obesity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract We aimed to investigate whether overweight/obesity is associated with omentin and chemerin. The study group consisted of 81 women with Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (41 lean, BMI < 25 kg/m2 and 40 overweight or obese, BMI > 25 kg/m2) and 61 healthy subjects (31 lean, BMI < 25 kg/m2 and 30 overweight or obese, BMI > 25 kg/m2; control group). The clinical, endocrine, metabolic parameters, plasma omentin and chemerin levels were measured in patients and compared to control. In all subjects with PCOS (n = 80), serum chemerin levels were higher compared with those of the controls (n = 58) (7.71 ± 1.78 ng/mL versus 6.94 ± 0.82 ng/mL, p = 0.003). However, serum omentin levels were not significantly different between the PCOS subjects and the controls (1.55 ± 0.43 ng/mL versus 1.69 ± 0.37 ng/mL, p = 0.056). The mean chemerin concentrations were significantly elevated in the obese PCOS group compared with the obese control subjects (8.98 ± 1.45 ng/mL versus 7.02 ± 0.67 ng/mL, p = 0.000) and the nonobese PCOS group compared with the obese control subjects (6.57 ± 1.17 ng/mL versus 7.02 ± 0.67 ng/mL, p = 0.000). In conclusion, fat mass seems to be the main determinant factor of increased chemerin and decreased omentin in women with PCOS.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine contributes to airway nitric oxide deficiency in patients with COPD.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and nitric oxide (NO) show their mechanism of action reciprocally, the balance between these molecules contributes to the tight regulation of airways tone and function.

Elevated circulating levels of YKL‐40 are a marker of abnormal glucose tolerance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

This study investigates human cartilage glycoprotein‐39 (YKL‐40) levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and controls, and tests their relationship with metabolic and hormonal parameters.

Midkine levels and its relationship with atherosclerotic risk factors in essential hypertensive patients

Background and Objectives: Hypertension (HT) is one of the risk factors associated with atherosclerosis. Midkine (MK) plays a role as a growth factor in various biologic and pathologic events. In some reports, MK expression has been shown to be linked with vascular smooth muscle proliferation and neo-angiogenesis in atherosclerotic vessels. The aim was to research relationship of MK serum levels with some atherosclerotic risk factors in hypertensive patients. Methodology: This study examined 60 patients with essential HT and 30 healthy controls. Serum biochemistry, including lipid profile, MK, Vitamin B12, C-reactive protein, zinc and copper levels were obtained. Results: MK levels of the HT patients were significantly higher than the control group (24.8 ± 6.8 ng/mL vs. 18.39 ± 5.6 ng/mL, respectively, P < 0.01). Lipid profile parameters such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were also significantly higher in HT patients (P < 0.021, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively). Zinc levels were 179.13 ± 34.06 μg/dL and 172.55 ± 45.47μg/dL in the HT and control group, respectively. Serum MK levels were positively correlated with diastolic (r = 0.288, P < 0.05) and systolic blood pressures (r = 0.390, P < 0.002), and also with serum total cholesterol (r = 0.406, P < 0.002) and LDL cholesterol (r = 0.318, P < 0.015) levels. Furthermore MK was also negatively correlated with zinc and Vitamin B12levels (r = −0.298, P < 0.023, r = −0.334, P < 0.027, respectively). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated an important association between increased serum MK levels and risk factors of atherosclerosis such as HT, increased total and LDL cholesterol.