Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels are increased in patients with fibromyalgia: correlation with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2α) (8-iso-PGF(2α))

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to investigate serum levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and plasma levels of 8-iso-prostaglandin F_2α (8-iso-PGF_2α) in patients with fibromyalgia.Design and methodTwenty-seven patients with fibromyalgia and twenty healthy controls were enrolled in this study. ADMA, TNF-α, IL-6 and 8-iso-PGF_2α levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsSerum levels of ADMA and TNF-α and plasma levels 8-iso-PGF_2α were significantly increased in patients with fibromyalgia compared to controls. However, no significant difference was observed in IL-6 levels between the two groups. ADMA concentrations were positively correlated with TNF-α and 8-iso-PGF_2α levels in patients with fibromyalgia.ConclusionThis is the first study reporting that ADMA levels are significantly elevated in patients with fibromyalgia in association with increased 8-iso-PGF_2α and TNF-α concentrations. Thereby, ADMA could be suggested as a reliable marker of endothelial dysfunction in patients with fibromyalgia.     

Copeptin is associated with the severity of endometriosis

Purpose

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in ectopic locations and may be associated with local and systemic inflammatory processes. Copeptin is elevated in acute and chronic inflammation conditions. The aim of the present study was to determine whether serum copeptin levels were altered in women with endometriosis and played a role in the pathophysiology of the disease.

Methods

A total of 86 women were recruited for this case–control study. 50 patients with surgically proven endometriosis were included, while 36 patients without endometriosis comprised the control group. Patients were classified as having minimal, mild, moderate and severe disease in accordance with American Society of Reproductive Medicine revised classification. Two subgroups were formed by combining patients with minimal and mild disease and with moderate and severe disease (Stage 1–2, stage 3–4; respectively). Levels of copeptin, tumor markers (CA-125, CA-19-9, CA-15-3) and C-reactive protein in serum were measured.

Results

Serum copeptin, CA-125, CA-15-3 and CA-19-9 levels were higher in the endometriosis group (p: 0.002; 0.001; 0.017; 0.015; respectively). Copeptin and CA-19-9 levels were significantly higher in stage 3–4 group as compared to stage 1–2 group (p: 0.004; 0.036 respectively). Serum copeptin levels were positively correlated with stage of the disease and size of endometriomas. ROC analysis revealed that CA-125 had the highest AUC for predicting endometriosis (0.938; 95 % confidence interval 0.882–0.993; p: 0.001).

Conclusions

Serum copeptin levels were significantly higher in patients with endometriosis as compared to healthy controls. Moreover, severity of the disease was correlated with serum copeptin levels.     

Possible effects of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms on cardiovascular risk in patients with preeclampsia

Purpose: Lipoprotein lipase-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a vascular inflammatory marker associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Women with preeclampsia (PE) have elevated vascular inflammation and at higher CVD risk in the later life. We hypothesize that vascular inflammation related genetic variations increase the risk for developing future cardiovascular disease in women with PE. To test this hypothesis, we studied PLA2G7 gene polymorphisms, Lp-PLA₂ mass, activity, index, and other cardiovascular risk factors in women with preeclampsia.

Methods: A total of 200 pregnant women were included into the study. We stratified the PE group: early (28.7?±?3.0 weeks) and late onset (36.0?±?1.4 weeks). Serum Lp-PLA2 mass in the early PE and the late PE group were significantly higher than the control group (p?=?.000). Lp-PLA2 index, Hs-C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A (SAA), calprotectin, and PTX3 levels were higher in early and late PE (p?=?.000). Single-nucleotide mutations of PLA2G7 rs1805017 (r?=??0.228, p?r?=?0.216, p?Conclusions: Lp-PLA2 genetic variability with vascular inflammatory markers might contribute the incidence of future cardiovascular events.