Sex-specific effects of CNTF, IL6 and UCP2 polymorphisms on weight gain

The human proteins ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and interleukin-6 (IL6) and their receptors share structural homology with leptin and its receptor. In addition, uncoupling protein-2 (UCP2) has been shown to participate the regulation of leptin on food intake. All three proteins are active in the hypothalamus. Experiments have shown that CNTF and IL6, like leptin, can influence body weight in humans and animals, while the effect of UCP2 is not consistent. In a Dutch general population (n = 545) we investigated associations of CNTF (null G/A, rs1800169), IL6 (174 G/C, rs1800795) and UCP2 (A55V, rs660339 and del/ins) polymorphisms with weight gain using interaction graphs and logistic regression analysis. The average follow-up period was 6.9 years. Individuals who gained weight (n = 264) were compared with individuals who remained stable in weight (n = 281).In women the CNTF polymorphism (odds ratio (OR) = 2.15, 95%CI: 1.27-3.64, p = 0.004) and in men the IL6 polymorphism by itself (OR = 2.26, 95%CI: 1.08-4.75, p = 0.03) or in combination with the CNTF polymorphism, were associated with weight gain. Furthermore, CNTF and IL6 polymorphisms in interaction with UCP2 polymorphisms had similar strong effects on weight gain in women and men, respectively. All observed effects were statistically shown to be independent of serum leptin level. These results are incorporated in a biological model for weight regulation with upstream effects of CNTF and IL6, and downstream effects of UCP2.The results of this study suggest a novel mechanism for weight regulation that is active in both women and men, but strongly influenced by sex.     

Mitochondrial UCP4 and bcl-2 expression in imprints of breast carcinomas: relationship with DNA ploidy and classical prognostic factors

Mitochondria are the bioenergetic and metabolic centers of cells and play an important role in the regulation of cell death. The mitochondrial apoptosis pathway is controlled by the bcl-2 protein family. Overexpression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 4 (UCP4) can promote proliferation and inhibit apoptosis and differentiation. Imprint smears obtained from 124 tumors were studied immunocytochemically, and results were correlated with prognostic markers. There were 112 ductal and 12 lobular carcinomas. The positivity of UCP4 was correlated with lymph node metastases (p = 0.005), positive ER and PR expression (p < 0.0001 for both), as well as positivity for p53 (p < 0.0001) and Ki-67 (p < 0.0001). Decreased expression of bcl-2 correlated with increased expression of UCP4 (p = 0.001). Regarding DNA ploidy, UCP4 positivity was correlated with aneuploid tumors (p = 0.002). Negative expression of bcl-2 was correlated with poorly differentiated carcinomas (p < 0.0001), as well as with positive expression of p53 (p < 0.0001) and Ki-67 (p < 0.0001). Logistic regression revealed that ploidy and p53 expression had an impact on UCP4. These findings encourage future investigations regarding the potential role of UCPs not only into mechanisms underlying breast cancer, but also as a novel candidate to the design and development of more effective therapeutic strategies.     

Activation of brain somatostatin 2 receptors stimulates feeding in mice: Analysis of food intake microstructure

We recently reported that the oligosomatostatin receptor agonist, ODT8-SST increases food intake in rats via the somatostatin 2 receptor (sst₂). We characterized ingestive behavior following intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of a selective sst₂ agonist in freely fed mice during the light phase. The sst₂ agonist (0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 or 1 μg/mouse) injected icv under short inhalation anesthesia dose-dependently increased cumulative light phase food intake over 4 h compared to vehicle with a 3.1-times increase at 1 μg/mouse (p < 0.05). Likewise, the sst_2,3,5 agonist octreotide (0.3 or 1 μg/mouse) dose-dependently increased 4-h food intake, whereas selective sst₁ or sst₄ agonists at 1 μg/mouse did not. In vehicle-treated mice, high fat diet increased caloric intake/4 h by 2.8-times compared to regular diet (p < 0.05) and values were further increased 1.4-times/4 h by the sst₂ agonist. Automated continuous assessment of food intake established a 6.6-times higher food intake during the dark phase due to increased number of meals, meal size, meal duration and rate of ingestion compared to non-treated mice during the light phase. During the first 4 h post icv sst₂ agonist injection, mice had a 57% increase in number of meals with a 60% higher rate of ingestion, and a 61% reduction in inter-meal intervals, whereas meal sizes were not altered compared to vehicle. These data indicate that the activation of brain sst₂ receptors potently stimulates the light phase ingestive behavior under basal or high fat diet-stimulated conditions in mice. The shortened inter-meal interval suggests an inhibitory effect of the sst₂ agonist on “satiety”, whereas “satiation” is not altered as indicated by normal meal size.     

Association of the FTO and ADRB2 genes with body composition and fat distribution in obese women

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the polymorphisms of the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO, rs9939609:T > A) and the β2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2, rs1042714:Gln > Glu) are associated with weight loss in dieting obese premenopausal women and the association of these SNPs with body weight, body composition and distribution of fat mass.

Methods

75 obese (BMI > 30) premenopausal women participated in the intervention including a 3-month weight reduction period and a subsequent 9-month weight maintenance period. Weight and height were measured and BMI calculated. Body composition and fat mass distribution were assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Results

At baseline, the AA homozygotes of the FTO gene were 10.1 kg heavier (p = 0.031), they had higher BMI (p = 0.038), and greater waist and greater hip circumference (p = 0.08 and p = 0.067, respectively) compared to the TT homozygotes. Gln/Gln carriers of the ADRB2 gene had smaller gynoid fat-% compared with both the Gln/Glu and Glu/Glu carriers (p = 0.050 and p = 0.009, respectively). The Gln homozygotes had also smaller total body fat-% and higher total body lean mass-% than that of the Glu homozygotes (p = 0.018 and p = 0.019, respectively).

Conclusion

FTO genotype was associated with body weight in general, whereas ADRB2 genotype was associated with fat distribution. However, all women in the study group lost weight similarly independently of their genotypes. Neither the FTO nor ADRB2 genotype had statistically significant effect on weight reduction or weight maintenance.     

Mitochondrial function in physically active elders with sarcopenia

Physical activity is reported to protect against sarcopenia and preserve mitochondrial function. Healthy normal lean (NL: n = 15) and sarcopenic (SS: n = 9) participants were recruited based on body composition (DXA, Lunar DPX™), age, and physical activity. Gastrocnemius mitochondrial function was assessed by ³¹P MRS using steady-state exercise in a 4 T Bruker Biospin. Total work (429.3 ± 160.2 J vs. 851.0 ± 211.7 J, p < 0.001) and muscle volume (p = 0.006) were lower in SS, although these variables were not correlated (NL r = −0.31, p = 0.33, SS r = (0.03, p = 0.93). In the SS resting ATP/ADP was lower (p = 0.03) and ATP hydrolysis higher (p = 0.02) at rest. Free energy ATP hydrolysis was greater at the end of exercise (p = 0.02) and [ADP] relative to total work output was higher in SS (ANCOVA, p = 0.005). [PCr] recovery kinetics were not different between the groups. Adjusting these parameters for differences in total work output and muscle volume did not explain these findings. These data suggest that aerobic metabolism in physically active older adults with sarcopenia is mildly impaired at rest and during modest levels of exercise where acidosis was avoided. Muscle energetics is coordinated at multiple cellular levels and further studies are needed to determine the loci/locus of energy instability in sarcopenia.     

The effects of mind–body training on stress reduction,positive affect,and plasma catecholamines

This study was designed to assess the association between stress, positive affect and catecholamine levels in meditation and control groups. The meditation group consisted of 67 subjects who regularly engaged in mind–body training of “Brain-Wave Vibration” and the control group consisted of 57 healthy subjects. Plasma catecholamine (norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), and dopamine (DA)) levels were measured, and a modified form of the Stress Response Inventory (SRI-MF) and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) were administered. The meditation group showed higher scores on positive affect (p = .019) and lower scores on stress (p < .001) compared with the control group. Plasma DA levels were also higher in the meditation (p = .031) than in the control group. The control group demonstrated a negative correlation between stress and positive affects (r = −.408, p = .002), whereas this correlation was not observed in the meditation group. The control group showed positive correlations between somatization and NE/E (r = .267, p = .045) and DA/E (r = .271, p = .042) ratios, whereas these correlations did not emerge in the meditation group. In conclusion, these results suggest that meditation as mind–body training is associated with lower stress, higher positive affect and higher plasma DA levels when comparing the meditation group with the control group. Thus, mind–body training may influence stress, positive affect and the sympathetic nervous system including DA activity.     

Protein intake induced an increase in exercise stimulated fat oxidation during stable body weight

Background

Protein-rich weight-loss diets spare fat-free mass at the cost of fat mass. The objective was to examine if there is a change in stimulated fat oxidation related to protein intake during stable body weight.

Methods

Subjects' (BMI 22 ± 2 kg/m², age 25 ± 8 years) maximal fat oxidation (Fat_max) was assessed during a graded bicycle test, before and after a 3-month dietary-intervention of 2 MJ/day supplements exchanged with 2 MJ/d of habitual energy intake. The parallel design consisted of protein-rich supplements in the protein group and an isocaloric combination of carbohydrate and fat supplements in the control group. Daily protein intake was determined according to 24-h urine nitrogen. Body composition was measured according to a 4-compartment model by a combination of underwater-weighing technique, deuterium-dilution technique and whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results

Subjects were weight stable and did not change their physical activity. The protein group (n = 12) increased protein intake (11 ± 14 g, P < 0.05) and had significantly higher daily protein intake vs. control (n = 4) (80 ± 21 vs.59 ± 11 g, P < 0.05). Fat_max increased significantly in the protein group (0.08 ± 0.08 g/min, P < 0.01). Fat-free mass increased independent of change in body weight (P < 0.01), and fat mass and fat percentage decreased (P < 0.05). Change in Fat_max was a function of change in protein intake (r = 0.623, P < 0.05), and not of changes in body composition or VO₂max.

Conclusion

Increased stimulated fat oxidation was related to increased protein intake.     

Avoidance of physical activity is a sensitive indicator of illness

Although fever and sickness behavior are common responses to infection, it has been proposed that the sickness behaviors associated with infection, in particular lethargy and fatigue, may be more valuable clinical markers of illness and recovery in patients, than is body temperature alone. Measuring abdominal temperature, food intake and wheel running we therefore determined the dose thresholds and sensitivities of these responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive one of three LPS doses (10, 50, 250 μg/kg), or saline, subcutaneously. Administration of LPS induced a dose-dependent increase in abdominal temperature and decrease in wheel running, food intake and body mass. Regression analysis revealed that decreased running was the most-sensitive of the sickness responses to LPS administration, with a regression slope of − 41%/log μg, compared to the slopes for food intake (− 30%/log μg, F_(1,2) = 244, P = 0.004) and body mass (− 2.2%/log μg, F_(1,5) = 7491, P < 0.0001). To determine the likelihood that exercise training influenced the sickness responses we measured in our dose-response study we performed a second experiment in which we investigated whether fever and anorexia induced by LPS administration would present differently depending on whether rats had been exercising or sedentary. Six weeks of wheel running had no effect on the magnitude of fever and anorexia induced by LPS administration. Avoidance of physical activity therefore appears to be a more-sensitive indicator of a host's reaction to LPS than is anorexia and fever.     

Association of GPR50, an X-linked orphan G protein-coupled receptor,and affective disorder in an independent sample of the Scottish population

A recent report detected association between GPR50, an orphan G protein-coupled receptor, and bipolar disorder (BD) in the Scottish population [29]. We sought to replicate this study in a second sample from the same population, consisting of 338 patients with BD, 359 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 913 control individuals. In addition, the effect of GPR50 genotype on clinical phenotype and treatment response was assessed in a subset of 56 patients with early onset MDD (eoMDD). We identified an association with BD in women with an intronic SNP, rs1202874, that withstood correction for multiple testing (p = 0.0035, permuted p = 0.037, OR = 1.9, 95%CI 1.2–3.0). However, we failed to find an association with the previously associated Δ502-505 polymorphism (p = 0.2). Combined analysis of this and the original samples did detect association between the deletion and susceptibility to BD in females, but with a reduced effect size (p = 0.0006, permuted p = 0.0024, OR = 1.41, 95%CI 1.16–1.71). In the highly phenotyped eoMDD subgroup, we found an association between the Δ502-505 deletion polymorphism and age of onset (p = 0.049), number of episodes (p = 0.044), hypomanic symptoms (p = 0.019), and initial thinking time (p = 0.027), in women; and in family history of depression in men (p = 0.038), uncorrected for multiple testing. No association was seen between Δ502-505 genotype and treatment response at 3 months. To our knowledge this is the first association of rs1202874 with BD and is the second positive association at the GPR50 locus.     

Decreased IL-35 levels in patients with immune thrombocytopenia

IL-35 is a novel heterodimeric anti-inflammatory cytokine consisting of Epstein–Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) and the p35 subunit of IL-12. IL-35 has been shown to possess the potency of inhibiting the CD4+ effector T cells and alleviating autoimmune diseases. In the study we investigated the levels of IL-35 as well as its prospective role in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).ELISA was adopted to measure plasma IL-35, TGF-β and IL-10 levels. The mRNA expression levels of P35 and EBI3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were studied based on real-time quantitative PCR. The correlation between plasma cytokine levels and clinical parameters was analyzed. Significantly lower plasma IL-35 levels were found in active ITP patients compared with those in remission (p = 0.017) and the healthy controls (p < 0.001). In active ITP patients, the plasma IL-35 levels displayed a significantly positive correlation with platelet counts (r = 0.5335, p < 0.0008). Further, P35 mRNA expression levels were lower in patients with active ITP than patients in remission (p = 0.033) and normal controls (p = 0.016).Thus, for the first time, this research reported a dramatically decreased IL-35 levels in ITP patients, suggesting that IL-35 may be involved in the pathogenesis of ITP.     

Osteopontin expression correlates with nuclear factor-κB activation and apoptosis downregulation in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphoglycoprotein implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor cell metastasis. Apoptosis inhibition is one of the mechanisms that contribute to development and progression of cancer, and might be initiated by OPN interaction with tumor cells. The aim of this study was to analyze the relation between OPN and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC), as well as their relation to apoptotic activity of tumor cells.Expression of OPN protein and p65 NF-κB subunit was analyzed immunohistochemically in 87 CCRCC samples, and compared mutually and with apoptotic index. Expression of OPN mRNA was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR and compared with OPN and NF-κB protein expression in 22 CCRCC samples.Statistical analysis showed an association of p65 NF-κB with OPN mRNA (p = 0.015) and protein (p < 0.001). Also, we found an inverse relationship of OPN with NF-κB protein expression and apoptotic activity of tumor cells (p = 0.006 and p = 0.022, respectively). Our results indicate that p65 NF-κB signaling pathway may be involved in OPN-mediated CCRCC progression, partly by protecting tumor cells from apoptosis. Therefore, both molecules can constitute potential targets for therapeutic intervention in CCRCC.     

d-Dimer and CRP levels are elevated prior to antiretroviral treatment in patients who develop IRIS

Biomarkers could be useful in evaluating immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS). A cohort of 45 HIV-1-infected, antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naive patients with baseline CD4 T cell counts ≤ 100 cells/μL who were started on ART, suppressed HIV-RNA to < 50 copies/mL, and seen every 1–3 months for 1 year were retrospectively evaluated for suspected or confirmed IRIS. d-Dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and selected autoantibodies were analyzed at baseline, 1 and 3 months post-ART in cryopreserved plasma. Median differences between cases and controls were compared with Mann–Whitney and Fisher's exact tests. Sixteen patients (35.6%) developed IRIS (median of 35 days post-ART initiation): unmasking = 8, paradoxical = 7, autoimmune = 1. Pre-ART d-dimer and CRP were higher in IRIS cases versus controls (d-dimer: 0.89 mg/L versus 0.66 mg /L, p = 0.037; CRP: 0.74 mg/L versus 0.39 mg/L, p = 0.022), while d-dimer was higher in unmasking cases at IRIS onset (2.04 mg/L versus 0.36 mg /L, p = 0.05). These biomarkers may be useful in identifying patients at risk for IRIS.     

Changes in body fat percentage during body weight stable conditions of increased daily protein intake vs. control

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine if increased protein intake vs. control influences body fat percentage during stable body weight.

Design

Body composition was assessed before and after a 3-month isoenergetic dietary intervention of 2MJ/d supplements exchanged with 2MJ/d of habitual ad libitum energy intake. The parallel design consisted of protein-rich supplements in the protein group (n = 12) and an isoenergetic combination of carbohydrate and fat supplements in the control group (n = 12). Daily protein intake was calculated from a 24 h urinary nitrogen. Body composition was measured by a combination of underwater-weighing technique, deuterium-dilution technique and whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a method that allows for estimation of 4-body compartments (fat and lean; water, bone and rest).

Results

Subjects were weight stable and did not change their habitual physical activity. Daily protein intake increased in the protein group during the intervention compared to baseline with + 11 ± 14 g (P < 0.05) vs. the control group that did not change their protein intake − 1 ± 15 g. This resulted in a significant difference in protein intake during the intervention of 80 ± 21 g of the protein group vs. 59 ± 11 g of the control group (P < 0.01). Change in body fat percentage showed a significant group × time interaction of decreased body fat percentage of − 1.0 ± 1.1% of the protein group vs. 0.1 ± 0.6% of the control group (P < 0.05). The group × time interaction of change in fat mass was significant (P < 0.05), and change in fat-free mass was a trend (P = 0.05). Fat-free mass of the protein group had increased with + 0.9 ± 0.6 kg (P < 0.01), and fat mass had decreased with − 0.6 ± 0.8 kg (P < 0.05), while the control group had not changed.

Conclusion

During increased daily protein intake vs. control body fat percentage decreased with unchanged physical activity during 3 months of stable body weight.     

Metabolic transitions at menopause: In post-menopausal women the increase in serum uric acid correlates with abdominal adiposity as assessed by DXA

Objectives

The present study aimed to investigate any associations between parameters of body fat mass distribution and levels of serum uric acid (sUA), a well-documented cardiovascular risk factor, among non-obese women ranging from pre- to post-menopausal status.

Methods

In this cross-sectional population-based study we assessed body fat distribution by dual-energy-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and sUA levels in 101 pre- and 134 post-menopausal non-obese apparently healthy women.

Results

Multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that sUA was independently associated to the indicators of overall fatness, i.e. body mass index (β = 0.339, p < 0.001) and DXA-assessed total and percentage body fat (β = 0.366, p < 0.001 and β = 0.412, p < 0.001, respectively), only among post-menopausal women. Within this sample subset, trunk (i.e. central) fat mass emerged as a strong predictor of sUA (β = 0.408, p < 0.001), after taking the potential confounders (including body mass index) into account.

Conclusion

Central fat accumulation was found to be independently associated with higher sUA levels among non-obese women in post- but not among those in pre-menopause.     

Can interactive skills-based seminars with standardized patients enhance clinicians’ prevention skills? Measuring the impact of a CME program

Objective

Communication skills are crucial for high-risk behavior screening and counseling. Practicing physicians have limited opportunities to improve these skills. This paper assesses the impact of a continuing medical education (CME) program for Student Health Center clinicians that targeted communication skills, screening practices and patient satisfaction.

Methods

Program evaluation included pre- and post-objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE's), chart review, and provider and patient satisfaction surveys. Data were analyzed using paired t-tests and ranked sum tests.

Results

OSCE scores (n = 15) revealed significant improvements in communication skills overall (p = 0.004) and within specific domains (data gathering: p = 0.003; rapport building: p = 0.01; patient education: p = 0.02), but no change in case-specific knowledge (p = 0.1). Participants (n = 14) reported high satisfaction with program methods (mean = 4.6/5) and content (mean = 4.7/5), 70% planning to alter their clinical practice. Chart audits (pre = 96, post = 103) showed increased screening for smoking (RR 1.65, p = 0.03), depressed mood (RR 1.40, p = 0.04), anhedonia (RR 1.47, p = 0.01), sexual activity (RR 1.73, p = 0.002) and drinking (RR 1.77, p = 0.04). Sampling of satisfaction among participants’ patients (pre n = 689, post n = 383) detected no increase in already high baseline satisfaction.

Conclusion

This curriculum improved clinicians’ relevant skills and screening behavior.

Practice implications

Skills-oriented CME can improve clinicians’ communication skills and screening and counseling practices.     

The relationship between visfatin and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women

Objective

The biological role and activity of visfatin, an adipokine mainly produced by visceral fat, has not been fully elucidated. The observed relationships between visfatin and metabolisyndrome are inconsistent. The purpose of this study was to illuminate the relationship between visfatin and metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.

Methods

The present study included a sample of 110 postmenopausal Korean women. Subjects with cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled diabetes were excluded from the study sample. Body weight, height, blood pressure (BP), and waist and hip circumference were measured, and biochemical tests were performed.

Results

The mean serum visfatin level (mean ± SD) of subjects with metabolic syndrome was 2.74 ± 1.70 ng/ml. This was significantly higher than the mean level of subjects without metabolic syndrome (p < 0.01). As the number of components of metabolic syndrome increased, the concentration of serum visfatin also increased (p < 0.01). Visfatin concentration was positively correlated with age (r = 0.209, p < 0.05), waist circumference (r = 0.261, p < 0.01), systolic BP (r = 0.255, p < 0.01), diastolic BP (r = 0.252, p < 0.01), fasting glucose level (r = 0.278, p < 0.01), fasting insulin level (r = 0.313, p < 0.01), HOMA-IR (r = 0.345, p < 0.01), total cholesterol level (r = 0.213, p < 0.05), triglyceride level (r = 0.368, p < 0.01), WBC count (r = 0.352, p < 0.01), and homocysteine level (r = 0.196, p < 0.05). Using a multiple logistic regression analysis, visfatin was found to be an independent factor associated with metabolic syndrome after an adjustment for confounding variables including age, body mass index (BMI), and HOMA-IR.

Conclusions

Serum visfatin was associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women. This suggests that visfatin may act as the underlying pathophysiological trigger for metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.     

Autonomic nervous system reactivity to positive and negative mood induction: the role of acute psychological responses and frontal electrocortical activity

The differential effects of positive versus negative emotions on autonomic nervous system activity are insufficiently understood. This study examined the role of acute mood responses and central nervous system activity on heart rate variability (HRV) using 5-min event recall tasks (happiness and anger recall) and a 5-min Stroop Color Word Test (SCWT) in 20 healthy individuals (mean age 25 ± 4 years, 55% female). HRV was measured in high frequency (HF) and low frequency (LF) domains, and frontal brain activity using electroencephalography (EEG) in the alpha frequency band in F3 and F4. Happiness Recall resulted in increased LF-HRV (p = 0.005) but not HF-HRV (p = 0.71). Anger Recall did not change HRV (p-values > 0.10). The SCWT produced decreases in HF-HRV (p = 0.001) as well as LF-HRV (p = 0.001). The magnitude of feeling “happy” during Happiness Recall was positively correlated with ΔHF-HRV (p = 0.050), whereas an incongruent mood state (“frustrated”) was associated with smaller ΔHF-HRV (p = 0.070). Associations between frontal EEG activation and HRV responses were mostly non-significant, except for increased right frontal activation during Happiness Recall which was associated with a decrease in LF/HF ratio (p = 0.009). It is concluded that positive and negative mood induction result in differential HRV responses, which is related to both task valence and the intensity of task-induced emotions.     

Significance of galectins-1, -3, -4 and -7 in the progression of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

The aim of this study was to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of galectins-1, -3, -4, and -7 in 65 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and to correlate this expression with clinical (disease outcome, metastasis, and clinical stage) and morphological parameters (histological grade of malignancy). Clinical data were obtained from the patient records. The histological grading system of malignancy proposed by Bryne (1998) [9] was used for the analysis of morphological parameters. The results were analyzed statistically by χ² test (p < 0.05). Galectin-1 expression was observed in 87.7% of cases and was significantly correlated with metastasis (p = 0.033) and clinical stage (p = 0.016). Immunoexpression of galectin-3 was observed in 87.7% of cases and was correlated with the presence of metastasis (p = 0.033) and histological grade of malignancy (p = 0.031). Galectin-4 showed no significant correlation with any of the parameters studied. Expression of galectin-7 was observed in 73.8% of cases and was significantly correlated with the histological grade of malignancy (p = 0.005). In conclusion, the intense immunoexpression of galectins-1, -3, and -7 suggests the participation of these proteins in oral carcinogenesis and their use as markers of biological behavior and tumor progression in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.