Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Zinc Concentrations in Term Infants during the First Month of Life

Objective: We analyzed the influence of IUGR on the concentrations of plasma (Znpl) and erythrocyte (Zne) zinc and on the ratios of Zne to Znpl (Zne:Znpl) and Zne to hemoglobin (Zne:Hb) in term infants during the first month of life. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Tertiary Care Neonatal Unit. Subjects: Exclusively breastfed term newborns (n = 84) were divided into 3 groups: group 1, without IUGR (n = 41), group II. with mild to moderate IUGR (n = 12). and group III, with severe IUGR (n = 31). IUGR was defined as birth weight under the 5th percentile of the Alexander et at curve and as a Kramer Index (KI: ratio of birth weight to estimated weight for each gestational age) <0.85. Severe IUGR was defined as a KI <0.75. Znpl, Zne. and Hb were measured at birth. 3 days, and 1 month of life. Results: Znpl tended to decrease (P = 0.073), Zne and Zne:Znpl increased (P < 0.001), and Hb decreased (P < 0.001) during the first month of life. There was not Znpl, Zne and Zne:Znpl time by group interaction. Zne:Hb increased (P < 0.001) during the first month of life and was lower in Group II at I month of age. Differences between Groups I and If (P = 0.017) and Groups II and III at I month of age (P = 0.011) were detected. Conclusions: Our results suggest that IUGR did not have association with erythrocyte zinc and Zne:Hb ratio at birth. However. neonatal nutrition could have influenced zinc incorporation during this period, through Zne increase.

Relative Bioavailability of Two Oral Formulations of Risperidone 2 mg: A Single-Dose, Randomized-Sequence, Open-Label, Two-Period Crossover Comparison in Healthy Brazilian Volunteers

Background: Risperidone (RSP) is a benzisoxazole antipsychotic agent used to treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric illnesses in adults and children (including those with autism). After oral administration, RSP is completely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and undergoes hydroxylation to yield 9-hydroxyrisperidone (9-OH-RSP), an active metabolite that has a pharmacologic profile and potency similar to RSP. Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the relative bioavailability of a pharmaceutical-equivalent (test) formulation with a reference formulation of oral RSP 2 mg, both available commercially on the Brazilian pharmaceutical market, and to generate data regarding the oral bioavailability of the tested drug in healthy Brazilian volunteers. Methods: This single-dose, randomized-sequence, open-label, 2-period crossover study was conducted in healthy Brazilian volunteers from August to December 2008. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive the test formulation followed by the reference formulation or vice versa, with a 30-day washout period between doses. Study drugs were administered after a 12-hour overnight fast. For pharmacokinetic analysis, blood samples were drawn at 0 (baseline), 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 5, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120 hours after administration. Plasma concentrations of RSP and 9-OH-RSP were determined using LC-MS/MS. The test and reference formulations were to be considered bioequivalent if the 90% CIs for the geometric mean test/reference ratios were within a predetermined range of 80% to 125%, in accordance with the policies of the Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration. Tolerability was determined using clinical assessments, monitoring of vital signs, analysis of laboratory test results, and subject interviews regarding adverse events. Results: A total of 22 subjects were enrolled (11 men, 11 women; mean [SD] age, 32 [12] years [range, 18-58 years]; weight, 70.4 [11.9] kg [range, 50-103 kg]; height, 1.67 [0.08] m [range, 1.56-1.80 m]; and body mass index, 25 [4] kg/m(2) [range, 18-29 kg/m(2)]). For RSP, mean (SD) C(max) values were 12.6 (2.7) and 16.0 (2.3) ng/mL for the test and reference formulations, respectively. For 9-OH-RSP, mean C(max) values were 17.8 (1.3) and 21.0 (1.7) ng/mL for the test and reference formulations. The 90% CIs for the mean test/reference ratios for RSP C(max), AUC(0-120), and AUC(0-infinity) were 74% to 82%, 75% to 85%, and 76% to 85%, respectively, and 83% to 87%, 75% to 79%, and 75% to 78% for 9-OH-RSP. The related adverse events (headache, low back pain, drowsiness, standing hypotension, local postvenipuncture ecchymoses, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting) were transient and mild. Conclusions: This single-dose study found that the test and reference formulations of oral RSP 2 mg did not meet the Brazilian and US regulatory criteria for bioequivalence in these fasting, healthy volunteers. The study formulations appeared to be well tolerated. (Clin Ther 2010;32:2106-2115) (C) 2010 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.

Bipolar disorder comorbid with alcoholism: A (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy study

Alcoholism is highly prevalent among bipolar disorder (BD) patients, and its presence is associated with a worse outcome and refractoriness to treatment of the mood disorder. The neurobiological underpinnings that characterize this comorbidity are unknown. We sought to investigate the neurochemical profile of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of BD patients with comorbid alcoholism. A short-TE, single-voxel (1)H spectroscopy acquisition at 1.5T from the left DLFPC of 22 alcoholic BD patients, 26 non-alcoholic BD patients and 54 healthy comparison subjects (HC) were obtained. Absolute levels of N-acetyl aspartate, phosphocreatine plus creatine, choline-containing compounds, myo-inositol, glutamate plus glutamine (Glu + Gln) and glutamate were obtained using the water signal as an internal reference. Analysis of co-variance was used to compare metabolite levels among the three groups. In the primary comparison, non-alcoholic BD patients had higher glutamate concentrations compared to alcoholic BD patients. In secondary comparisons integrating interactions between gender and alcoholism, non-alcoholic BD patients presented significantly higher glutamate plus glutamine (Glu + Gln) than alcoholic BD patients and HC. These results appeared to be driven by differences in male subjects. Alcoholic BD patients with additional drug use disorders presented significantly lower myo-inositol than BD patients with alcoholism alone. The co-occurrence of BD and alcoholism may be characterized by neurochemical abnormalities related to the glutamatergic system and to the inositol second messenger system and/or in glial pathology. These abnormalities may be the neurochemical correlate of an increased risk to develop alcoholism in BD, or of a persistently worse clinical and functional status in BD patients in remission from alcoholism, supporting the clinical recommendation that efforts should be made to prevent or early diagnose and treat alcoholism in BD patients. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Homocysteine and cysteine concentrations are modified by recent exposure to environmental air pollution in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Millions of people worldwide are affected by anthropogenic air pollution derived from the combustion of fossil fuels. In this work, we tested the effects of fetal, lactation and post-weaning ambient air pollution exposure on total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations and on a downstream pathway element, the plasma cysteine (Cys) concentration. Two similar exposure chambers (polluted and filtered chamber) were located near an area with heavy traffic in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and male Swiss mice were housed there from the pre-natal period until 3 months of age. Groups during fetal, lactation and adult periods of exposure were apportioned, and tHcy and Cys plasma concentrations were assessed when the animals were 3 months old. In our study, both the tHcy and Cys concentrations were decreased in groups that spent their final stage of life in polluted chambers, suggesting recent alterations in tHcy and Cys concentrations due to air pollution exposure. The possible relationship of these data with cardiovascular dysfunction is still a matter of controversy in animals; nevertheless, epigenetic mechanisms emerge as a possible issue to consider in the investigation of the link between air pollution and Hcy measurement. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Influence of Quinidine, Cimetidine, and Ketoconazole on the Enantioselective Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of Metoprolol in Rats

Metoprolol is a beta-blocker and its racemic mixture is used for the treatment of hypertension. In the present study we investigated the influence of CYP2D and CYP3A on the stereoselective metabolism of metoprolol in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 6 per group) received racemic metoprolol (15 mg/kg) orally, with or without pretreatment with the CYP inhibitor ketoconazole (50 mg/kg), cimetidine (150 mg/kg), or quinidine (80 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected up to 48 h after metoprolol administration. The plasma concentrations of the stereoisomers of metoprolol, O-demethylmetoprolol (ODM), alpha-hydroxymetoprolol (OHM) (Chiralpak(R) AD column), and metoprolol acidic metabolite (AODM) (Chiralcel(R) OD-R column) were determined by HPLC using fluorescence detection (lambda(exc) = 229 nm; lambda(em) = 298 nm). CYP3A inhibition by ketoconazole reduced the plasma concentrations of ODM and AODM and favored the formation of OHM. CYP2D and CYP3A inhibition by cimetidine reduced the plasma concentrations of OHM and AODM and favored the formation of ODM. The inhibition of CYP2D by quinidine reduced the plasma concentrations of OHM and favored the formation of ODM. In conclusion, the results suggest that CYP3A is involved in the formation of ODM and CYP2D is involved in the formation of AODM. Chirality 21:886-893, 2009. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Genetic polymorphisms involved in folate metabolism and concentrations of methylmalonic acid and folate on plasma homocysteine and risk of coronary artery disease

Objectives Alterations in the enzymes involved in homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism or vitamin deficiency could play a role in coronary artery disease (CAD) development. This study investigated the influence of MTHFR and MTR gene polymorphisms, plasma folate and MMA on Hcy concentrations and CAD development. MMA and folate concentrations were also investigated according to the polymorphisms. Methods Two hundred and eighty-three unrelated Caucasian individuals undergoing coronary angiography (175 with CAD and 108 non-CAD) were assessed in a case-control study. Plasma Hcy and MMA were measured by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Plasma folate was measured by competitive immunoassay. Dietary intake was evaluated using a nutritional questionnaire. Polymorphisms MTHFR and MTR were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by enzyme digestion or allele-specific PCR. Results Hcy mean concentrations were higher in CAD patients compared to controls, but below statistical significance (P = 0.246). Increased MMA mean concentrations were frequently observed in the CAD group (P = 0.048). Individuals with MMA concentrations > 0.5 mu mol/l (vitamin B(12) deficiency) were found only in the CAD group (P = 0.004). A positive correlation between MMA and Hcy mean concentrations was observed in both groups, CAD (P = 0.001) and non-CAD (P = 0.020). MMA mean concentrations were significantly higher in patients with hyperhomocysteinemia in both groups, CAD and non-CAD (P = 0.0063 and P = 0.013, respectively). Folate mean concentration was significantly lower in carriers of the wild-type MTHFR 1298AA genotype (P = 0.010). Conclusion Our results suggest a correlation between the MTHFR A1298C polymorphism and plasma folate concentration. Vitamin B(12) deficiency, reflected by increased MMA concentration, is an important risk factor for the development both of hyperhomocysteinemia and CAD.

Enhanced concentrations of relevant markers of nitric oxide formation after exercise training in patients with metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) denotes a clustering of risk factors that may affect nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and predispose to cardiovascular diseases, which are delayed by exercise training. However, no previous study has examined how MetS affects markers of NO formation, and whether exercise training increases NO formation in MetS patients. Here, we tested these two hypotheses. We studied 48 sedentary individuals: 20 healthy controls and 28 MetS patients. Eighteen MetS patients were subjected to a 3-month exercise training (E+group), while the remaining 10 MetS patients remained sedentary (E-group). The plasma concentrations of nitrite, cGMP, and ADMA (asymmetrical dimethylarginine: an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), and the whole blood nitrite concentrations were determined at baseline and after exercise training using an ozone-based chemiluminescence assay, and commercial enzyme immunoassays. Thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBA-RS) were measured in the plasma to assess oxidative stress using a fluorometric method. We found that, compared with healthy subjects, patients with MetS have lower concentrations of markers of NO formation, including whole blood nitrite, plasma nitrite, and plasma cGMP, and increased oxidative stress (all P < 0.05). Exercise training increased the concentrations of whole blood nitrite and cGMP, and decreased both oxidative stress and the circulating concentrations of ADMA (both P < 0.05). These findings show clinical evidence for lower endogenous NO formation in patients with MetS, and for improvements in NO formation associated with exercise training in MetS patients. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Local profile of cytokines and nitric oxide in patients with bacterial vaginosis and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia

Objective: To evaluate the local immune response in patients with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), as assessed by cytokine and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations. Study design: Patients attending for routine gynaecological examination were prospectively enrolled in groups: BV (n = 25) diagnosed by clinical criteria, CIN graded I to III (n = 35, 6 CIN 1, 8 CIN 11 and 21 CIN 111) by histological analysis, and controls (n = 15) without clinical and cytological findings. Randomly selected patients within CIN group at grades 11 or III (n = 15) were re-evaluated at 60 days after surgical treatment. Endocervical (EC) and vaginal secretion samples were collected by cytobrush and the levels of cytokines (ELISA) and NO metabolite (Griess reaction) were assayed. Results: NO was assessed in all subjects, and cytokines in all controls, 15 BV and 30 CIN patients. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and nitrite levels were higher in EC than in vaginal secretions in BV and CIN groups. In CIN group, IL-8, IL-10 and nitrite concentrations were greater in EC and/or vaginal secretions than in BV or controls. Surgical treatment reduced IL-8 levels in EC and vaginal secretions. Conclusion: A similar local immune profile was found in BV and CIN groups. The increased local production of IL-8, IL-10 and NO in CIN suggests a role for these mediators in the immune response against tumour or tumour development. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Severity dependent increases in circulating cardiac troponin I and MMP-9 concentrations after experimental acute pulmonary thromboembolism

Background: Making the diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism (APT) and assessing its severity is very challenging, While cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations are promising in risk stratification, no previous study has examined whether there is a linear relation between cTnI concentrations and the severity of APT. Moreover, matrix metalloprotemases (MMPs) are involved in the pathophysiology of APT. However, it is unknown whether the increases in MMP concentrations after APT reflect the severity of this condition. We examined whether the circulating concentrations of these biomarkers increase in proportion to the severity of experimental APT induced in anesthetized dogs. Methods: APT was induced with autologous blood clots (saline, 1, 3, or 5 ml/kg) injected into the right atrium. Hemodynamic evaluations were carried out for 120 min. Gelatin zymography of MMP-2 and MMP-9 from plasma samples were performed and serum cTnI concentrations were determined at baseline and 120 min after APT. Results: While no significant increases in pro-MMP-2 concentrations were found after APT, pro-MMP-9 concentrations increased by 80% only after 5 ml/kg of clot embolization. Serum cTnI and plasma pro-MMP-9 concentrations correlated positively with pulmonary vascular resistance (P=0.007 and rs=0.833 for troponin 1, and P=0.034 and rs=0.684 for pro-MMP-9) and with pulmonary artery pressure (P=0.005 and rs=0.610 for troponin 1, and P=0.022 and rs=0.720 for pro-MMP-9). Conclusions: Circulating cTnI and pro-MMP-9 increase in proportion to the severity of APT, although the increases in plasma pro-MMP-9 are less clear with less severe APT. These findings may be relevant for clinical APT. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Interethnic differences in ADMA concentrations and negative association with nitric oxide formation in preeclampsia

Background: Recent studies have suggested that impaired nitric oxide (NO) formation in preeclampsia may result from increased concentrations of an endogenous NO synthase inhibitor, the asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). However, no previous study has examined whether a negative association exists between ADMA and nitrite concentrations in preeclampsia. Moreover, no previous study has compared ADMA and nitrite levels in black and white preeclamptic pregnant women. Methods: We measured plasma nitrite concentrations using an ozone-based chemiluminescence assay, and plasma ADMA levels using enzyme immunoassays in 94 pregnant (47 healthy pregnant: 16 blacks and 31 whites; and 47 preeclamptic: 14 blacks and 33 whites). Results: We found higher ADMA (2.199 +/- 0.016 mu mol/l vs. 2.112 +/- 0.012 mu mol/l; P < 0.0001) and lower plasma nitrite levels (102 +/- 7.1 nmol/l vs. 214.8 +/- 26.1 nmol/l; P<0.0001) in preeclamptic compared with healthy pregnant women. Black pregnant had higher ADMA levels than white pregnant women (P<0.05), both in preeclamptic (2.239 +/- 0.020 mu mol/l vs. 2.144 +/- 0.019 mu mol/l) and in healthy pregnant (2.172 +/- 0.025 mu mol/l vs. 2.077 +/- 0.018 mu mol/l). Conversely, we found no significant effects of ethnicity on the plasma nitrite levels, both in healthy pregnant and in preeclamptic women (P>0.05). We found a significant negative correlation (P<0.05) between these markers (r = 0.28; P<0.05). Conclusions: Our findings show higher ADMA and lower nitrite levels in preeclamptic compared with healthy pregnant, and the concentrations of these biomarkers are inversely associated. While ethnicity affected ADMA concentrations, no such effect was found with respect to nitrite levels. These results may have important implications for studies on NO biology and therapeutic approaches of preeclampsia. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pharmacokinetics of lidocaine and its metabolite in peridural anesthesia administered to pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus

Background Peridural blockade with lidocaine, bupivacaine, and fentanyl is an anesthetic procedure extensively used in obstetrics, justifying the pharmacokinetic study of these drugs during labor. Objective To investigate the influence of the physiopathological changes of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on the pharmacokinetics of lidocaine and its metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) in pregnant women subjected to peridural anesthesia. Patients and methods Ten normal pregnant women (group 1) and six pregnant women with GDM (group 2) were studied, all of them at term. The patients received 200 mg 2% lidocaine hydrochloride without a vasoconstrictor by the peridural locoregional route. Maternal blood samples were collected at predetermined times for the analysis of lidocaine and MEGX by chromatography and pharmacokinetic analysis. Results The median pharmacokinetic parameters of lidocaine for groups 1 and 2 (P <= 0.05), respectively, were as follows: for Cmax 879.11 and 1,145.58 ng/ml, AUC(0-infinity) 256.01 and 455.95 wg min(-1) ml(-1), Cl/f/kg 10.61 and 5.64 ml min(-1) kg(-1), and Vd/f/kg 3.26 and 2.19 L/kg. The median pharmacokinetic parameters of MEGX for groups 1 and 2 (P <= 0.05), respectively, were as follows: for Cmax 82.71 and 141.38 ng/ml, Tmax 44.71 and 193.14 min, t(1/2)alpha 7.64 and 59.77 min, alpha 0.097 and 0.012/min, and AUC(0-infinity) 29.91 and 108.23 mu g min(-1) ml(-1). Conclusion The present data permit us to conclude that the apparent clearance of lidocaine and MEGX was reduced in diabetic patients compared to normal women, suggesting that GDM inhibits the CYP1A2/CYP3A4 isoforms responsible for the metabolism of this drug and its metabolite.

Aluminum Concentrations in Water of Elderly People`s Houses and Retirement Homes and Its Relation with Elderly Health

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of aluminum (Al) and other metals in water samples from elderly people`s houses and retirement homes. Forty-six duplicate water samples from kitchen taps were collected in Ribeiro Preto/SP, Brazil. Metal levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Aluminum concentration exceeded the maximum allowed values in 26% of samples according to the Decree 518/2004 of the Brazilian Health Ministry. It was noted that 11% of elderly living at monitored houses, as well as 19% living at retirement homes presented Alzheimer disease diagnostic. These results suggest taking into account Al risks among vulnerable elderly population groups.

Ethanolic extract of Casearia sylvestris and its clerodane diterpen (caseargrewiin F) protect against DNA damage at low concentrations and cause DNA damage at high concentrations in mice`s blood cells

Casearia sylvestris is used in Brazil as a popular medicine to treat ulcer, inflammation and tumour. Caseargrewiin F is a clerodane diterpene isolated from the ethanolic leaf extract of C.sylvestris. The aim of the study was to assess the capacity of the ethanolic extract of C.sylvestris leaves and caseargrewiin F to protect DNA and verify if both the compounds cause some DNA damage, using the micronucleus (MN) test and comet assay in mice. Balb-C mice were treated with the extract [3.13, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 75 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)] and caseargrewiin F (0.16, 0.32, 0.63, 1.3, 2.5 and 3.8 mg/kg b.w.) for 14 days. On day 15, DNA damage was induced by intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection of cyclophosphamide (CP) (i.p.) at 50 mg/kg b.w. after the MN test and comet assay were performed. A protective effect of ethanolic extract was observed in MN test (6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg b.w.) and the comet assay (3.13 and 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg b.w.). Caseargrewiin F showed protective effect at 0.63, 1.3 and 2.5 mg/kg b.w. only in comet assay. We also tested the ability of compounds of C.sylvestris to induce MN and to increase the comet assay tail moment. The experimental design was similar to the DNA protection assay except that in test groups we omitted the CP challenge. We observed increased damage at 50 and 75 mg/kg b.w. of ethanolic extract of C.sylvestris and caseargrewiin F at 3.18 mg/kg b.w. in both the MN test and comet assay. We conclude that ethanolic extract of C. sylvestris and caseargrewiin F can protect cells against DNA damage induced by CP at low concentrations, but at high concentrations these compounds also induce DNA damage.

Both human immunodeficiency virus-infected and human immunodeficiency virus-exposed, uninfected children living in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico have similar rates of low concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, and vitamin E

Our objective was to describe the prevalence of low concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, and vitamin E in a group of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected Latin American children and a comparison group of HIV-exposed, uninfected children. Our hypothesis was that the rates of low concentrations of these micronutrients would be higher in the HIV-infected group than those in the HIV-exposed, uninfected group. This was a cross-sectional substudy of a larger cohort study at clinical pediatric HIV centers in Latin America. Serum levels of micronutrients were measured in the first stored sample obtained after each child`s first birthday by high-performance liquid chromatography. Low concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, and vitamin E were defined as serum levels below 0.70, 0.35, and 18.0 mu mol/L, respectively. The Population for this analysis was 336 children (124 HIV-infected, 212 HIV-exposed, uninfected) aged I year or older to younger than 4 years. Rates of low concentrations were 74% for retinol, 27% for beta-carotene, and 89% for vitamin E. These rates were not affected by HIV status. Among the HIV-infected children, those treated with anti retrovirals were less likely to have retinol deficiency, but no other HIV-related factors correlated with micronutrient low serum levels. Low concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene, and vitamin E are very common in children exposed to HIV living in Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, regardless of HIV-infection status. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Plasma obestatin concentrations are negatively correlated with body mass index, insulin resistance index, and plasma leptin concentrations in obesity and anorexia nervosa

Background: Obestatin is a recently identified ghrelin gene product that was reported to inhibit appetite and gastric motility in contrast to ghrelin. We investigated fasting obestatin and ghrelin levels in patients with obesity and anorexia nervosa. Methods: Fasting plasma obestatin, acyl-ghrelin, desacyl-ghrelin, leptin, glucose serum adiponectin, and insulin were measured in 10 obese subjects, 11 restricting-type anorexics, and 11 control subjects. Results: Obese group had significantly lower levels of obestatin (p < .01), while anorexic group had significantly higher levels (p < .01). Obestatin was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = -.74), glucose (r = -.56), insulin (r = -.55), leptin (r = -.66), and also with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-R) (r = -.49) and was positively correlated with acyl-ghrelin (r = .65) and desacyl-ghrelin (r = .60). No correlation was seen between obestatin and adiponectin, but the latter was negatively correlated with both acyl-ghrelin and desacyl-ghrelin. Desacyl-ghrelin to acyl-ghrelin ratio was significantly different between anorexic and control groups (p < .05), while no difference was seen between obese and control groups. Conclusions: Both obestatin and ghrelin are increased in anorexic and decreased in obesity. We suggest that obestatin is a nutritional marker reflecting body adiposity and insulin resistance.