Body weight, insulin resistance, and serum adipokine levels 2 years after 2 types of bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgery reverses obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. Several studies have already described differences in anthropometrics and body composition in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass compared with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, but the role of adipokines in the outcomes after the different types of surgery is not known. Differences in weight loss and reversal of insulin resistance exist between the 2 groups and correlate with changes in adipokines. METHODS: Fifteen severely obese women (mean body mass index [BMI]: 46.7 kg/m(2)) underwent 2 types of laparoscopic weight loss surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass=10, adjustable gastric banding=5). Weight, waist and hip circumference, body composition, plasma metabolic markers, and lipids were measured at set intervals during a 24-month period after surgery. RESULTS: At 24 months, patients who underwent Roux-en-Y were overweight (BMI 29.7 kg/m(2)), whereas patients who underwent gastric banding remained obese (BMI 36.3 kg/m(2)). Patients who underwent Roux-en-Y lost significantly more fat mass than patients who underwent gastric banding (mean difference 16.8 kg, P<.05). Likewise, leptin levels were lower in the patients who underwent Roux-en-Y (P=.003), and levels correlated with weight loss, loss of fat mass, insulin levels, and Homeostasis Model of Assessment 2. Adiponectin correlated with insulin levels and Homeostasis Model of Assessment 2 (r=-0.653, P=.04 and r=-0.674, P=.032, respectively) in the patients who underwent Roux-en-Y at 24 months. CONCLUSION: After 2 years, weight loss and normalization of metabolic parameters were less pronounced in patients who underwent gastric banding compared with patients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Our findings require confirmation in a prospective randomized trial.

Two Loci on Chromosome 5 Are Associated with Serum IgE Levels in Labrador Retrievers

Crosslinking of immunoglobulin E antibodies (IgE) bound at the surface of mast cells and subsequent mediator release is considered the most important trigger for allergic reactions. Therefore, the genetic control of IgE levels is studied in the context of allergic diseases, such as asthma, atopic rhinitis, or atopic dermatitis (AD). We performed genome-wide association studies in 161 Labrador Retrievers with regard to total and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. We identified a genome-wide significant association on CFA 5 with the antigen-specific IgE responsiveness to Acarus siro. We detected a second genome-wide significant association with respect to the antigen-specific IgE responsiveness to Tyrophagus putrescentiae at a different locus on chromosome 5. A. siro and T. putrescentiae both belong to the family Acaridae and represent so-called storage or forage mites. These forage mites are discussed as major allergen sources in canine AD. No obvious candidate gene for the regulation of IgE levels is located under the two association signals. Therefore our studies offer a chance of identifying a novel mechanism controlling the host's IgE response.

Serum Testosterone Levels and Symptom-Based Depression Subtypes in Men

The main objective of this preliminary study was to further clarify the association between testosterone (T) levels and depression by investigating symptom-based depression subtypes in a sample of 64 men. The data were taken from the ZInEP epidemiology survey. Gonadal hormones of a melancholic (n  = 25) and an atypical (n = 14) depression subtype, derived from latent class analysis, were compared with those of healthy controls (n  = 18). Serum T was assayed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure. Analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, non-parametrical tests, and generalized linear regression models were performed to examine group differences. The atypical depressive subtype showed significantly lower T levels compared with the melancholic depressives. While accumulative evidence indicates that, beyond psychosocial characteristics, the melancholic and atypical depressive subtypes are also distinguishable by biological correlates, the current study expanded this knowledge to include gonadal hormones. Further longitudinal research is warranted to disclose causality by linking the multiple processes in pathogenesis of depression.

Phthalate exposure among US women, NHANES 1999--2002: Relationship to serum gonadotropin levels

Phthalates are industrial chemicals used primarily as plasticizers though they and are found in a myriad of consumer goods such as children's toys, food packaging, dental sealants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, and building materials. US biomonitoring data show more than 75% of the population have exposure to mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), mono-(2-ethyl) hexyl phthalate (MEHP), and mono-benzyl phthalate (MBZP). Reproductive toxicity from phthalate exposure in animal models has raised concerns about similar effects on fertility in humans. This dissertation research focuses on phthalate exposures in the US population and investigates the plausibility of an exposure-response relationship between phthalates and endocrine hormones essential for ovulation among US women. The objective of this research is to determine the relationship between levels of gonadotropins, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH), and urinary phthalate monoester metabolites: MBP, MEP, MEHP, MBZP among National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002 women aged 35 to 60 years. Using biomarker data from a one-third sub-sample of NHANES participants, log transformed serum FSH and serum LH, respectively were regressed on phthalates controlling for age, body mass index, smoking, and creatinine taking into consideration the complex survey design (n=385). Models were stratified by reproductive status: reproductive (n=185), menopause transition (n=49) and post-menopausal (n=125). A decrease in FSH associated with increasing MBzP (beta=-0.094, p<0.05) was observed for all participants but no statistical association between log FSH and MBP, MEP, or MEHP was seen. A decrease in LH (beta=-0.125, p<0.05) was also observed with increasing MBzP for all participants though there was no relationship between levels of LH and MBP, MEP, or MEHP. The observed associations between FSH, LH and MBzP did not persist when stratified by reproductive status. Thus, the present study shows a change in endocrine hormones related to ovulation with increasing urinary MBzP among a representative sample of US women from 1999-2002 though this observed exposure-response relationship does not remain after stratification by reproductive status. ^

Response and function of cutaneous mucosal and serum antibodies in barramundi (Lates calcarifer) acclimated in seawater and freshwater

Mucosal and serum antibody responses were studied in sibling barramundi (Lates calcarifer) acclimated in either seawater or freshwater following vaccination by intraperitoneal injection or direct immersion in an inactivated Streptococcus iniae vaccine. As expected, route of vaccination had a marked effect on immune response, with direct immersion resulting in low serum antibody levels against S. iniae by ELISA detected 21 days post vaccination at 26 degrees C, whilst a significant response was detected in mucus. A strong specific antibody response was detected in both mucus and serum 21 days following intraperitoneal injection. Fish acclimated in seawater prior to vaccination showed a markedly higher specific mucosal antibody response than sibling fish acclimated in freshwater, regardless of the route of vaccination, whilst the serum antibody response was not affected by salinity. Both mucosal and serum antibodies from fish in seawater and freshwater were capable of binding antigen at salinities similar to full strength seawater in a modified ELISA assay. These results indicate that this euryhaline fish species is riot only able to mount significant specific antibody response in cutaneous mucus, but that these antibodies will function in the marine environment. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Serum neopterin levels and gallium transferrin binding in Parkinson's disease

The unconjugated pterin neopterin is secreted by macrophages activated by interferon-gamma and hence, the level of neopterin in serum may be used as a marker of a cellular immune response in a patient. Serum neopterin levels were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 28 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and 28 age and sex matched controls. The level of serum neopterin was significantly elevated in PD compared with controls suggesting immune activation in these patients. The level of neopterin was negatively correlated with the level of binding of gallium to transferrin (Tf) but unrelated to the level of iron binding. Hence, in PD, it is possible that a cellular immune response may be important in the pathogenesis of the disease. One effect of the cellular immune response may be a reduction in the binding of metals other than iron to Tf and this could also be a factor in PD.

The Relationship of Diet Quality and Blood Serum Lipid Levels in a Population at High Risk for Diabetes: The Strong Heart Family Study

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-08

Salivary and serum cortisol levels, salivary alpha-amylase and unstimulated whole saliva flow rate in pregnant and non-pregnant

OBJETIVO: Comparar os níveis de cortisol sérico e salivar, alfa-amilase salivar (sAA) e fluxo de saliva não estimulada (UWS) em gestantes e não gestantes. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo longitudinal realizado no centro de promoção da saúde de um hospital universitário. Nove gestantes e 12 não gestantes participaram do estudo. Foram coletados e analisados soro e UWS nos três trimestres gestacionais e duas vezes por mês durante o ciclo menstrual. A análise do cortisol salivar e sérico foi realizada com o uso de quimiluminescência e a atividade da sAA foi determinada por meio de analisador automático para bioquímica. RESULTADOS: Foi verificado que a mediana (intervalo interquartil) dos níveis de cortisol sérico no grupo de gestantes foi maior que 23,8 µL/dL (19,4-29,4) quando comparado ao grupo de não gestantes, que teve média de 12,3 (9,6-16,8; p<0,001). Os níveis de sAA seguiram o mesmo padrão, com médias de 56,7 U/L (30,9-82,2) e 31,8 (18,1-53,2; p<0,001), respectivamente. Foram observadas diferenças dos níveis de cortisol sérico e salivar (µL/dL) e de sAA entre a fase folicular versus a fase lútea (p<0,001). As medianas dos fluxos salivares (UWS) foram semelhantes em gestantes (0,26 [0,15-0,30] mL/min) e não gestantes (0,23 [0,20-0,32] mL/min). Foram encontradas correlações significativas entre o cortisol salivar e o sérico (p=0,02) e entre o cortisol salivar e a sAA (p=0,01). CONCLUSÕES: Os níveis de cortisol sérico de sAA durante a gestação elevam-se. Na fase lútea do ciclo ovariano, os níveis de cortisol salivar aumentam ao passo que os níveis de cortisol sérico e sAA diminuem. _______________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT

Clinical effects of sirolimus treatment in patients with increased serum creatinine levels after renal transplant

Purpose: To observe the clinical effects of sirolimus (SRL) immunosuppressive therapy in patients with progressively increasing levels of serum creatinine (Scr) after renal transplant. Methods: In total, 180 patients whose Scr levels had been rising after renal transplant were given an oral calcineurin inhibitor (CNI): either cyclosporine A (CsA) or tacrolimus (FK506). All patients were treated at People’s Hospital of Zhengzhou, China, between January 2011 and December 2013, and were given SRL-based conversion treatment. Scr level and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were observed before and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment initiation. In addition, liver function, blood glucose, blood lipid levels, rejection reaction incidence, and mortality were recorded to evaluate the effects of SRL. Results: Scr levels were 116.60 ± 30.60 μmol/L and 119.00 ± 24.60 μmol/L, and GFR was 70.00 ± 19.70 mL/min and 75.90 ± 15.60 mL/min, at 3 and 6 months after treatment, respectively. The 3- and 6- month Scr and GFR values were statistically different (p < 0.05) compared to pre-treatment levels (Scr: 144.10 ± 61.70 μmol/L vs and GFR: 59.10 ± 16.20 mL/min. Acute rejection (AR) occurred in 20 patients (13.30 %) within 6 months of treatment initiation, but rejection was reversed with conventional methylprednisolone therapy. Twenty-one patients (11.70 %) developed lung infections, but all were cured. There were no significant differences in liver function before and after treatment. Conclusion: SRL-based immunosuppressive therapy is effective in treating patients with increased Scr levels after renal transplant.

Counterregulation of Th2 immunity by interleukin 12 reduces host defenses against Strongyloides venezuelensis infection

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of interleukin 12 (IL-12) during Strongyloides venezuelensis infection. IL-12(-/-) and wildtype C57BL/6 mice were subcutaneously infected with 1500 larvae of S. venezuelensis. On days 7, 14, and 21 post-infection, we determined eosinophil and mononuclear cell numbers in the blood and broncoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), Th2 cytokine secretion in the lung parenchyma, and serum antibody levels. The numbers of eggs in the feces and worm parasites in the duodena were also quantified. The eosinophil and mononuclear cell counts and the concentrations of IL-3, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and IgG1 and IgE antibodies increased significantly in infected IL-12(-/-) and wild-type mice as compared with uninfected controls. However, the number of eosinophils and mononuclear cells in the blood and BALF and the Th2 cytokine levels in the lungs of infected IL-12-/- mice were greater than in infected wild-type C57BL/6 mice. In addition, serum IgE and IgG1 levels were also significantly enhanced in the infected mice lacking IL-12. Meanwhile, parasite burden and fecal egg counts were significantly decreased in infected IL-12-/- mice. Together, our results showed that the absence of IL-12 upregulates the Th2 immune response, which is important for control of S. venezuelensis infection. (C) 2009 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Genetic variation in the recognition of Porphyromonas gingivalis antigens in mice

T-cell cytokine profiles, anti Porphyromonas gingivalis antibodies and Western blot analysis of antibody responses were examined in BALB/c, CBA/CaH, C57BL6 and DBA/2J mice immunized intraperitoneally with different doses of P. gingivalis outer membrane antigens, Splenic CD4 and CD8 cells were examined for intracytoplasmic interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-LD by FAGS analysis and levels of anti-P. gingivalis antibodies in the serum samples determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Western blot analysis was performed on the sera from mice immunized with 100 mug of P. gingivalis antigens. The four strains of mice demonstrated varying degrees of T-cell immunity although the T-cell cytokine profiles exhibited by each strain were not affected by different immunizing doses. While BALB/c and DBA/2J mice exhibited responses that peaked at immunizing doses of 100-200 mug of P. gingivalis antigens, CBA/CaH and C57BL6 demonstrated weak T-cell responsiveness compared with control mice. Like the T-cell responses, serum antibody levels were not dose dependent. DBA/23 exhibited the lowest levels of anti-P. gingivalis antibodies followed by BALB/c with CBA/CaH and C57BL6 mice demonstrating the highest levels. Western blot analysis showed that there were differences in reactivity between the strains to a group of 13 antigens ranging in molecular weight from 15 to 43 kDa. Antibody responses to a number of these bands in BALB/c mice were of low density, whereas CBA/CaH and C57BL6 mice demonstrated high-density bands and DBA/2J mice showed medium to high responses. In conclusion, different immunizing doses of P. gingivalis outer membrane antigens had little effect on the T-cell cytokine responses and serum anti-P. gingivalis antibody levels. Western blot analysis, however, indicated that the four strains of mice exhibited different reactivity to some lower-molecular-weight antigens. Future studies are required to determine the significance of these differences, which may affect the outcome of P. gingivalis infection.

Immune response to Bacteroides forsythus in a murine model

A murine skin abscess model was used to study the immune response to an acute infection with Bacteroides forsythus. BALB/c mice were given subcutaneous injections of either viable or heat-killed B. forsythus, while a third sham-immunized control group received phosphate-buffered saline. Weights and lesion sizes were measured. Blood was collected from the heart and specific antibodies to B. forsythus measured by an ELISA. Swabs taken from the lesions and also from pooled blood were cultured anaerobically for viable B. forsythus. Viable B. forsythus-induced lesions reached maximum size at day 7. B. forsythus cells were recovered from lesions up to day 4 although none were cultured from blood samples. Heat-killed bacteria induced much smaller lesions. Serum antibody levels increased during the 9-day study period, being significantly higher in mice injected with viable compared with heat-killed B. forsythus. Antibody levels in sham control mice were significantly lower than those seen in the other two groups. These results showed that a subcutaneous injection of viable cells of B. forsythus elicited a pronounced abscess formation and induce higher levels of specific antibodies compared with that produced by an injection of dead bacteria. This suggests that, as with other periodontopathic organisms, this mouse model can be used to study the immune response to B. forsythus.

Effect of Fusobacterium nucleatum on the T and B cell responses to Porphyromonas gingivalis in a mouse model

T cell cytokine profiles and specific serum antibody levels in five groups of BALB/c mice immunized with saline alone, viable Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586, viable Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277, F. nucleatum followed by P. gingivalis and P. gingivalis followed by F nucleatum were determined. Splenic CD4 and CD8 cells were examined for intracytoplasmic interleukin (IL)-4, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-10 by dual colour flow cytometry and the levels of serum anti-F. nucleatum and anti-P. gingivalis antibodies determined by an ELISA. Both Th1 and Th2 responses were demonstrated by all groups, and while there were slightly lower percentages of cytokine positive T cells in mice injected with F. nucleatum alone compared with the other groups immunized with bacteria., F nucleatum had no effect on the T cell production of cytokines induced by P gingivalis in the two groups immunized with both organisms. However, the percentages of cytokine positive CD8 cells were generally significantly higher than those of the CD4 cells. Mice immunized with F nucleatum alone had high levels of serum anti-E nucleatum antibodies with very low levels of P. gingivalis antibodies, whereas mice injected with P gingivalis alone produced anti-P. gingivalis antibodies predominantly. Although the levels of anti-E nucleatum antibodies in mice injected with E nucleatum followed by P. gingivalis were the same as in mice immunized with F nucleatum alone, antibody levels to P. gingivalis were very low. In contrast, mice injected with P. gingivalis followed by F nucleatum produced equal levels of both anti-P. gingivalis and anti-F nucleatum antibodies, although at lower levels than the other three groups immunized with bacteria, respectively. Anti-Actinobacillus actitiomycetemcomitans, Bacteroides forsythus and Prevotella intermedia serum antibody levels were also determined and found to be negligible. In conclusion, F nucleatum immunization does not affect the splenic T cell cytokine response to P. gingivalis. However, F nucleatum immunization prior to that of P. gingivalis almost completely inhibited the production of anti-P gingivalis antibodies while P. gingivalis injection before F. nucleatum demonstrated a partial inhibitory effect by P. gingivalis on antibody production to F. nucleatum. The significance of these results with respect to human periodontal disease is difficult to determine. However, they may explain in part differing responses to P. gingivalis in different individuals who may or may not have had prior exposure to F. nucleatum. Finally, the results suggested that P. gingivalis and F. nucleatum do not induce the production of cross-reactive antibodies to other oral microorganisms.