Oxidative stress is independently associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in subjects with and without type 2 diabetes

ObjectiveOur work is aimed at exploring the interrelationship of oxidative stress and insulin resistance in NAFLD subjects with and without type 2 diabetes in a population-based study.MethodsSubjects [n = 200] were recruited from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study. 1: Normal glucose tolerance (NGT) subjects without NAFLD; 2: NGT with NAFLD; 3: type 2 diabetic subjects [T2DM] without NAFLD and 4: T2DM with NAFLD. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl (PCC) and glutathione levels were measured by standard methods. Ultrasound of the liver was used to diagnose NAFLD.ResultsTBARS and PCC levels were significantly elevated and GSH/GSSG ratio was significantly decreased in diabetic subjects with NAFLD compared to all other groups (p trend < 0.001). Oxidative stress markers significantly associated with NAFLD even after adjusting for age, gender, BMI and glycemic status.ConclusionsIncreased oxidative stress is independently associated with NAFLD in Asian Indians without and with T2DM.     

Serum levels of vaspin and visfatin in patients with coronary artery disease—Kozani study

BackgroundThe association of novel adipokines, vaspin and visfatin, with atherosclerosis is still obscure. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of those adipokines with the existence as well as the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD), suggesting a link between adiposity and atherosclerosis.MethodsWe enrolled a total of 108 patients with angiographically proven stable, asymptomatic CAD and 65 healthy controls (HC) without cardiovascular diseases. The severity of CAD was assessed using coronary angiography by the Gensini score. Clinical parameters, glycemic and lipid profile, high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), vaspin and visfatin levels were assayed.ResultsSerum levels of vaspin were significantly lower in subjects with CAD [0.91 (0.44–1.29) ng/ml] than healthy controls [1.42 (0.96–2.42) ng/ml] (p = 0.009). Inversely, visfatin (p = 0.016) and hsCRP (p < 0.001) levels were considerably up-regulated in CAD vs HC group. Multivariate analysis demonstrated decreased vaspin and increased visfatin levels to correlate with CAD presence, independent of other cardiovascular risk factors (p < 0.05). Standard multiple regression revealed HDL, LDL-C and vaspin to be independent determinants of Gensini score (R² = 0.189, p = 0.019). Notably, statin-free patients had even lower vaspin levels compared to statin users (p = 0.018).ConclusionsDecreased vaspin and increased visfatin serum levels were observed in asymptomatic patients with CAD. Low vaspin concentrations seemed to correlate with CAD severity.     

Association of serum carotenoids with high molecular weight adiponectin and inflammation markers among Japanese subjects

BackgroundSeveral studies have reported that serum concentrations of carotenoids and adiponectin are inversely associated with the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, no studies have investigated the association between serum concentrations of adiponectin and carotenoids in the general population.MethodsWe investigated cross-sectionally whether serum carotenoids are associated with serum high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and some inflammatory markers in 437 Japanese subjects (116 men and 321 women) who attended a health examination.ResultsIn multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors, serum β-carotene concentrations were significantly associated with serum HMW adiponectin concentrations in both sexes (standardized β coefficient = 0.197, p = 0.036 for men; standardized β coefficient = 0.146, p = 0.012 for women). Serum α-carotene and β-carotene concentrations were significantly associated with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in men. In women, there were significant negative associations between serum carotenoids concentrations and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations. Additional adjustment for serum concentrations of IL-6 or CRP did not significantly affect the association between carotenoids and HMW adiponectin in non-smoking men as well as in women.ConclusionSerum β-carotene concentrations were positively associated with serum HMW adiponectin concentrations even after adjustment for possible confounding factors including inflammatory markers.     

High density lipoprotein-anionic peptide factor effect on reverse cholesterol transport in type 2 diabetic patients with and without coronary artery disease

ObjectivesTo verify if HDL3 Anionic Peptide Factor (HDL3-APF) is as an apolipoprotein that promotes the reverse cholesterol transport.Design and methodsWe investigated a possible association between plasma HDL3-APF concentration, cholesterol efflux from Fu5AH cells and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 36), those without CAD (n = 20), and 37 healthy subjects.ResultsPlasma APF concentrations were decreased in diabetics with CAD compared to controls (p < 0.01). Cellular cholesterol efflux was decreased in diabetics without and with CAD, (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively). CETP activity was significantly elevated in all patient groups. Multiple linear regression analysis shows that cholesterol efflux was independently and positively related only to APF concentrations in controls.ConclusionsAPF is likely to be a key independent factor for promoting cellular cholesterol efflux in healthy subjects. However this association is altered in type 2 diabetes.     

VEGF-A gene promoter polymorphisms and microvascular complications in patients with essential hypertension

ObjectivesWe investigated the possible involvement of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) gene promoter polymorphisms in essential hypertension (EH).Design and methods1225 bp of the VEGF-A gene promoter were screened for polymorphisms using PCR amplification and direct DNA sequence analysis in 62 EH and 62 normotensive (HS) individuals. Circulating VEGF-A levels were determined by immunoassay.Results?152G/A (p = 0.009) and ?116G/A (p = 0.016) polymorphisms were correlated to hypertension (p < 0.05). Median platelet VEGF-A load in EH was 2.10 fg/plt. Patients with microvascular complications (MC) had higher platelet VEGF-A load than those without (p = 0.005). Multivariate analyses showed that ?116 A allele was an independent predictor of microalbuminuria (p = 0.014) and increased platelet VEGF-A load (p = 0.009) in EH. Platelet VEGF-A load independently predicted MC (p = 0.049) in addition to ?116G/A polymorphism (p = 0.035).ConclusionsAbnormal regulation of VEGF-A due to polymorphism at position ?116 might represent a genetic factor for increased VEGF-A production and MC in EH.     

C-reactive protein to distinguish pneumonia from acute decompensated heart failure

Background:Patients with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) are frequently treated with unnecessary antibiotics since they are confused with pneumonia patients.Aim:To study the efficacy of measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on admission and CRP velocity in differentiating ADHF from pneumonia.Methods:A retrospective observational study of ADHF and pneumonia patients admitted to a tertiary hospital during 2 years. Patients who were already treated with antibiotics on admission were excluded. Efficacy of CRP as a diagnostic marker was evaluated by using receiver operator curves (ROC).Results:Overall, 72 ADHF and 50 pneumonia patients were included in the study. The mean CRP levels on admission were 13.5 ± 13.5 mg/L for the ADHF patients and 127 ± 84 mg/L for the pneumonia patients (p < 0.001). CRP increases of ≥0.56 mg/L/h were diagnostic of pneumonia. CRP levels on admission together with CRP increases had a sensitivity of 0.96 and a specificity of 0.972 (p < 0.001) as markers to distinguish pneumonia from ADHF.Conclusions:This study emphasizes the dynamic nature of biomarkers. Demonstrating the efficiency of repeated CRP measurements in an acute setting will provide clinicians with a valuable tool for establishing the correct diagnosis and refraining from unnecessary use of antibiotics.     

An oxidative stress score as a combined measure of the pro-oxidant and anti-oxidant counterparts in patients with coronary artery disease

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis and development of atherosclerosis.AimTo evaluate the relationship between a novel oxidative stress index (reflecting both oxidative and anti-oxidant counterparts) with traditional cardiovascular risk factors and C-reactive protein (CRP) in coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods100 angiographically proven CAD and 70 control subjects (mean age: 65 ± 10 years, 110 males), underwent a global cardiovascular risk assessment and serum CRP and oxidative stress estimation. The Oxidative-INDEX was calculated after automated evaluation of serum hydroperoxides and total anti-oxidant capacity (D-ROM and OXY-adsorbent Test, Diacron, Italy) subtracting the OXY standardized variable from the ROM standardized variable.ResultsThe Oxidative-INDEX was higher in CAD with respect to control subjects (p < 0.001). A stepwise elevation in the Oxidative-INDEX levels was found depending on the number of affected vessels (p < 0.001). Oxidative stress was elevated according to the presence of diabetes (p < 0.001), smoking habit (p < 0.01), and hypercholesterolemia (p < 0.05). Oxidative-INDEX significantly correlated with aging (p ≤ 0.05) and CRP (p < 0.001). The Oxidative-INDEX increased with the number of cardiovascular risk factors (p < 0.001).After adjustment for traditional CV risk factors, the multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated the Oxidative-INDEX concentration as an independent factor for CAD (odds ratio = 1.4, confidence intervals = 1.1–1.9, p < 0.05).ConclusionOxidative stress represents a shared molecular pathway in atherosclerotic-related conditions, and its estimation by the automated Oxidative-INDEX could represent a valuable tool and a promising target in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of CAD in the clinical setting.     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthetase,methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms,and cardiovascular complications in Tunisian patients with nondiabetic renal disease

ObjectivesThe relationship between endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Tunisian patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) has not been examined. We investigated (a) the relationship of these gene polymorphisms with the presence and the severity of renal disease, and (b) their relationships with CVD in these patients.Design and methodsWe used PCR-RFLP analysis to detect the eNOS G894T, MTHFR C677T and A1298C variants in 100 patients with CRD and in 120 healthy controls.ResultsMTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were not associated with the presence of renal disease. However, we found that eNOS G894T polymorphism was associated with the presence and severity of renal disease and with CVD in CRD patients (P = 0.028, P = 0.018, P = 0.016 respectively). We showed that 894T allele was an independent risk factor of severity of renal disease and the incidence of CVD (P = 0.01 and P < 0.01 respectively).ConclusionThe G894T polymorphism of the eNOS gene is associated with severity of renal disease. Presence of the 894T allele aggravated renal damage and increased the incidence of CVD in Tunisian CRD patients.     

Thioflavin T fluorescence in human serum: Correlations with vascular health and cardiovascular risk factors

Objectives:Amyloid fibrils and amyloid-like structures are implicated in atherosclerosis via macrophage activation and inflammation. A common property of amyloid-like structures is their ability to induce thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence. We measured ThT fluorescence in serum and related these levels to traditional cardiovascular risk factors and non-invasive measures of vascular dysfunction (elasticity). In addition, chemically modified serum components that contribute to serum ThT fluorescence were explored and identified.Design, Methods, and Results:Sera from 105 people, including 35 healthy subjects, and 70 high cardiovascular risk patients (36 with rheumatoid arthritis and 34 with systemic lupus erythrematosus) showed an 8.75-fold variation in induced ThT fluorescence. Although mean (± SD) ThT fluorescence did not differ significantly between groups (controls 0.97 ± 0.26, RA 1.12 ± 0.45, and SLE 0.74 ± 0.23), the combined data set showed significant inverse correlation (p = 0.046) between ThT fluorescence tertiles and small artery elasticity. Correlation was also found between ThT fluorescence tertiles and LDL-cholesterol, total-cholesterol, and C-reactive protein. Floatation fractionation of apoB containing lipoproteins showed that ThT reactivity in this fraction correlated with both serum oxidised-LDL and LDL-cholesterol levels. However, approximately 94% of ThT reactivity in serum was associated with the non-apoB containing serum fraction, with the majority of ThT fluorescence associated with albumin. Incubation of purified albumin with glucose or with methylglyoxal induced ThT fluorescence, suggesting that glycated or chemical adducts of albumin contribute to the variation in ThT fluorescence of human serum.Conclusions:We propose that the detection of these adducts in serum using ThT fluorescence measurements may provide a marker for chemically modified protein structures that could assist the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk.     

Predicting myocardial infarction and other serious cardiac outcomes using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in a high-risk stable population

ObjectivesPrevious work on high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-cTnI) has demonstrated that it may identify patients with stable cardiovascular disease (CVD) at risk for future myocardial infarction (MI). In this study, we assessed if hs-cTnT concentrations could also identify those stable CVD patients at high risk for future MI and other ischemic cardiac outcomes.Methodshs-cTnT (lot:153-401) was measured in specimens obtained at randomisation in the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) study (n = 2941 stable CVD patients, 4.5 years follow-up). The primary outcome for the HOPE study (MI, stroke, or cardiovascular death) was used to identify cutoffs by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and was used in conjunction with the 95th and 99th percentile upper limits to construct different concentration ranges, which were assessed using log-rank tests and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. These different concentration ranges were then assessed for the components of the primary outcome and for heart failure (HF).ResultsThe ROC derived hs-cTnT cutoff was 8 ng/L for the primary outcome. Subjects with hs-cTnT either below (8 to < 14 ng/L) or slightly above the published 99th from a healthy population (14 to 21 ng/L) had similar probability for the primary outcome. Those with hs-cTnT concentrations > 31 ng/L had the highest probability and greatest risk for future MI, HF, and cardiovascular death as compared to those with hs-cTnT concentrations < 8 ng/L.ConclusionIn patients with stable CVD disease hs-cTnT measurement identifies those at risk for MI as well as HF and cardiovascular death.     

Antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in the blood of breast cancer patients of different ages after chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil,doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide

ObjectivesBreast carcinoma is related to the increase of lipid peroxidation in plasma with concomitant decrease of antioxidant (AO) defense capacity in blood cells, which becomes more pronounced during aging of the patients. This work evaluated the potential age-related effect of chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (FAC) on the level of lipid hydroperoxides (LP), glutathione (GSH), AO enzyme activities of copper, zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) in breast cancer patients. The level of CuZnSOD protein was assessed after the FAC therapy and radiotherapy of breast cancer.Design and methodsAO parameters were measured in the blood of 58 breast cancer patients and 60 healthy age-matched healthy subjects by biochemical and Western blot analyses.ResultsIncreased oxidative stress (LP: p < 0.05) and decreased AO enzyme activities (CuZnSOD: p < 0.01, GPx: p < 0.05, GR: p < 0.01) and GSH level (p < 0.01) in the blood of breast cancer patients in response to FAC chemotherapy seem not to be age-dependent. CuZnSOD enzyme expression decreased after the FAC chemotherapy (p < 0.05), while it increased after the radiotherapy of breast cancer (p < 0.05).ConclusionFAC chemotherapy and radiotherapy promote further oxidative shift, which potentiate already existing chronic oxidative stress linked to breast cancer. In these effects, impaired capacity for H₂O₂ detoxification (CAT, GPX and GSH) seems to have major contribution.     

Paraoxonase activity in athletes with depleted iron stores and iron-deficient erythropoiesis

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate how conditions that precede anaemia (iron store depletion and iron-deficient erythropoiesis) affect human serum paraoxonase PON1 activity.Design and methodsBased on haemoglobin, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin values 119 athletes were divided into three groups: with iron depletion, with deficient erythropoiesis and controls. The following parameters were measured: paraoxonase activity towards paraoxon (POase) and diazoxon (DZOase), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), red blood cells (RBC) and lipid status.ResultsSignificant differences were found between athletes with different stages of iron deficiency and controls with respect to PON 1 activity and oxidative stress status parameters (Wilks' Lambda = 0.712, F = 5.241, p < 0.001, η² = 0.156). There was no significant difference between the PON1 192 Q and R polymorphism distribution in the two groups of athletes with different stages of iron deficiency and controls (χ² = 1.086; p = 0.896). PON1 activity was positively correlated with RBCs, haemoglobin, transferrin saturation (p < 0.001) and ferritin (p = 0.037) and negatively correlated with LOOH (p = 0.044) in all three study groups.ConclusionsDeficient erythropoiesis in athletes contributes to impaired PON1 activity. In contrast, iron depletion, regardless of increased oxidative stress, does not affect PON1 activity.     

Time of sampling is crucial for measurement of cell-free plasma DNA following acute aseptic inflammation induced by exercise

ObjectivesTo determine the time-course changes of cell-free plasma DNA (cfDNA) following heavy exercise.MethodscfDNA concentration, C-reactive protein levels (hs-CRP), uric acid concentration (UA), creatine kinase activity (CK) were measured before and post-exercise (immediately post, 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, 8 h, 10 h, 24 h).ResultscfDNA increased (15-fold) 30-min post-exercise and normalized thereafter. hs-CRP increased (56%, p < 0.001) 1 h post-exercise, remained elevated throughout recovery (52–142%, p < 0.0001), and peaked (200% rise, p < 0.0001) at 24 h post-exercise. UA and CK increased (p < 0.05), immediately post-exercise, remained elevated throughout recovery (p < 0.0001), and peaked (p < 0.0001) at 24 h of post-exercise recovery.ConclusionscfDNA sampling timing is crucial and a potential source of error following aseptic inflammation.     

C-reactive protein,gamma-glutamyltransferase and type 2 diabetes in a Chinese population

BackgroundWe studied the association of C-reactive protein (CRP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and type 2 diabetes in Chinese.MethodA population-based cross-sectional study.ResultsCRP and GGT levels were significantly higher in participants with diabetes than in those without (P < 0.001). Higher CRP levels were positively associated with prevalent type 2 diabetes after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, family history of diabetes, body mass index, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio, education, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, use of antihypertensive drugs, aspirin and lipid-lowering agents, with multivariable odds ratios (OR) of 1.55 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05–2.27, P trend = 0.005, comparing quartile 4 to quartile 1). However, after further adjustment for GGT, the association was completely attenuated (fourth quartile OR 1.23, 95% CI, 0.83–1.82, P trend = 0.127). Moreover, the association of CRP and prevalent type 2 diabetes was stronger in subjects with GGT values above the median than in those with GGT values below the median. Increasing serum GGT quartiles were positively associated with prevalent type 2 diabetes after adjustment for potential confounding variables (P for trend < 0.001).ConclusionCRP may not be an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes, at least in Chinese people.     

The haptoglobin 2-2 genotype is associated with carotid atherosclerosis in 64-year old women with established diabetes

BackgroundHaptoglobin polymorphism generates three common human genotypes: Hp1-1, Hp2-1 and Hp2-2. Among subjects with diabetes, Hp2-2 is associated with an elevated risk to develop cardiovascular disease. The impact of haptoglobin genotype on subclinical carotid atherosclerosis is not known. We hypothesized that Hp2-2 was associated with increased occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis in subjects with diabetes.MethodsWe studied a population-based sample of 64-year old women with diabetes (n = 226), either established diabetes known before study entry (n = 116) or new diabetes detected at study screening (n = 110). Haptoglobin genotype was determined by PCR. Carotid atherosclerosis was assessed by ultrasound imaging.ResultsIn the entire diabetes cohort, no differences were observed in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) or plaque prevalence between the genotype groups. However, among those with established diabetes, Hp2-2 was associated with higher plaque prevalence and larger carotid IMT compared with the Hp2-1 and Hp1-1 genotypes. Common cardiovascular risk factors did not differ between the genotype groups.ConclusionsThe Hp2-2 genotype was associated with increased occurrence of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in 64-year old women with established diabetes. This association was not explained by traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These results extend previous observations that Hp2-2 is associated with clinical cardiovascular disease in diabetes.     

Significantly elevated C-reactive protein serum levels are associated with very high 30-day mortality rates in hospitalized medical patients

Background:There is insufficient data regarding the differential diagnosis and the prognostic value of significantly elevated serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in hospitalized medical patients.Design and methods:A retrospective review of medical charts of patients admitted to a tertiary hospital's Internal Medicine ward during a period of 1 year who had at least one CRP serum level measurement of 200 mg/L or more.Results:Overall, 341 patients with a mean age of 69.8 ± 1.0 years were included in the study. Acute infection was the most prevalent diagnosis (n = 293; 85.9%) with community-acquired pneumonia being the most common acute infection (n = 115; 33.7%). Non-infectious conditions accounted for 9.1% (n = 31) of the diagnoses and included mainly malignant metastatic diseases (n = 19; 5.6%). Overall, 70 (20.5%) patients died within 30 days of admission. Age and active malignancy, with metastasis or without metastasis, were independently associated with 30-day mortality.Conclusion:Significantly elevated CRP serum levels are associated with bacterial infections, malignant diseases, and very high rates of 30-day mortality in hospitalized medical patients.     

Circulating osteoprotegerin is increased in the metabolic syndrome and associates with subclinical atherosclerosis and coronary arterial calcification

ContextThe relationship between osteoprotegerin (OPG) a glycoprotein related to bone metabolism and the metabolic syndrome (MS) has not been established.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate OPG concentration in patients with MS and its association with subclinical atherosclerosis and coronary arterial calcification (CAC).Materials/methodsThe study included 238 asymptomatic patients. MS was diagnosed according to the NCEP/ATPIII guidelines. OPG was measured by ELISA. All subjects underwent ultrasonography of the common carotid arteries to measure intima-media thickness (IMT) and evaluate the presence of atheroma plaques. In a subgroup (n = 39) CAC was quantified by ECG-triggered cardiac computed tomography. Adipose tissue was excised from 25 patients and OPG expression by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry was studied.ResultsPatients with the MS (n = 60) had higher OPG than patients without (n = 178) (p < 0.05). OPG correlated with IMT (r = 0.2, p = 0.005) and patients with atheroma plaques had higher OPG (p = 0.008) and also those with coronary artery calcification (p < 0.05).OPG expression was confirmed in adipose tissue (n = 12) and the expression was significantly higher in patients with MS than in those without (p = 0.003).ConclusionsThis study shows that OPG may potentially be a biomarker for cardiovascular risk/damage in the MS and identifies adipose tissue as a potential source of OPG.     

Plasma osteopontin concentration correlates with the severity of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in HCV-infected subjects

BackgroundThe association between OPN level and the histological severity of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in hepatitis C virus (HCV) induced liver fibrosis remains unknown.Methods120 chronic HCV-infected subjects and 75 controls were enrolled in this study. Assessment of liver histology was performed based on liver biopsy. Plasma OPN levels were determined.ResultsSignificant differences were noted in the mean plasma OPN levels between subjects with extensive fibrosis and those with mild fibrosis (4.29 ± 1.01 ng/ml vs. 2.15 ± 0.63 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). Similarly, the subjects with higher histological activity index (HAI) score had elevated OPN levels than those with mild HAI score (4.41 ± 1.11 ng/ml vs. 2.25 ± 0.94 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.001). The correlation between the plasma OPN levels and the severity of liver fibrosis degree and HAI score were noted (r = 0.945, and r = 0.788, respectively both p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum OPN was an independent risk factor contributing to extensive liver fibrosis and inflammation (p = 0.0018 and p < 0.001, respectively) in patients with HCV subjects.ConclusionThe plasma OPN level is correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis and inflammation, suggesting OPN could be used as a biomarker to evaluate the severity of liver damages in HCV subjects.     

Kallikrein-related peptidase 13 (KLK13) gene expressional status contributes significantly in the prognosis of primary gastric carcinomas

ObjectivesGastric cancer is a fatal human malignancy with poor prognosis. Modifications in gene expression, including those of the kallikrein-related peptidase family, have been portrayed in gastric carcinogenesis. Given KLK13 involvement in human malignancies, we aimed to uncover its prognostic strength in stomach cancer.Design and methodsQuantitative analysis of KLK13 profiles was accomplished in human gastric cancer cells and in a statistically significant sample size of stomach tissue specimens with the development of the highly sensitive real-time PCR methodology.ResultsDecreased KLK13 expression was demonstrated in cancerous compared with their matching non-malignant pairs (p = 0.002) and in poorly differentiated gastric tumors (p = 0.029). KLK13-positive patients were shown to live considerably longer (p = 0.014) and with low risk of disease recurrences (p = 0.043).ConclusionsThis is the first study disclosing the possible clinical utility of KLK13 as a new tumor biomarker capable of predicting a favorable outcome for gastric cancer patients.     

Serum glycated albumin levels,but not glycated hemoglobin,is low in relation to glycemia in non-diabetic men with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with high alanine aminotransferase levels

ObjectivesWe have reported that serum glycated albumin (GA) levels are low in obese subjects, smokers and hyperuricemic subjects in whom high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) is elevated. Because patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with high alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels are reported to show high levels of hs-CRP, the relationship between serum ALT and serum GA levels was investigated.Design and methodsThis study comprised 196 non-diabetic men without drinking habit.ResultsCompared with the normal ALT group (serum ALT ≤ 30 U/L; n = 158), the high ALT group (serum ALT > 30 U/L; n = 38) had significantly higher fasting plasma glucose (PG), OGTT 2-h PG and HbA_1C levels. Meanwhile, serum GA was significantly lower, and hs-CRP was significantly higher in the high ALT group.ConclusionsThe results obtained indicate that serum GA is under a negative control of hs-CRP in subjects with high ALT without drinking habit.