BDNF, GDNF, NGF and Klotho levels and neurocognitive functions in acute term of schizophrenia

Abstract Background Klotho and its relationship with neurotrophic factors and cognition in schizophrenia has not yet been investigated. In this study, the hypothesis that the blood serum levels of BDNF, GDNF, NGF and Klotho in schizophrenia patients and healthy controls would be related to cognitive functions was investigated. Methods In this study, two groups were assessed: schizophrenia patients (case group) who were hospitalised in the Psychiatry Clinic of Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital and healthy volunteers (control group). The patients were evaluated on the 1st and 20th days of their hospitalisation with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the General Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF) and the Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI). For cognitive assessment, both groups were evaluated with the Wechsler Memory Scale-Visual Production Subtest (Wechsler Memory Scale III-Visual Reproduction Subtest) and the Stroop test. Results BDNF, GDNF, NGF and Klotho levels were lower in schizophrenia patients than in healthy controls. In the schizophrenia patients, on the 20th day of treatment, there was a statistically significant increase in BDNF compared to the 1st day of treatment. BDNF, GDNF and Klotho showed positive correlations with some cognitive functions in the healthy controls. BDNF, GDNF, NGF and Klotho levels were intercorrelated and predictive of each other in both groups. Conclusion This study suggests a relationship between cognitive functions, neurotrophic factors and Klotho. Most of the results are the first of their kind in the extant literature, while other results are either similar to or divergent from those generated in previous studies. Therefore, new, enhanced studies are needed to clarify the role of Klotho and neurotrophic factors in schizophrenia.

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Evaluation of Sex Hormone Levels in Patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris in Comparison to the Healthy Population

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2021/9947706 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Fatemeh Lavaee ◽

Fahimeh Rezazadeh ◽

Nasrin Saki ◽

Zahra Tavazo ◽

Saman Baghaei

Keyword(s):

Sex Hormones ◽

Pemphigus Vulgaris ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Healthy Population ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Mean

Background and Aim. The onset of autoimmune diseases is associated with the levels of sex hormones. Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune disease with a higher prevalence in postmenopausal women. The present study is aimed at evaluating the sex hormones’ levels in patients with pemphigus vulgaris in comparison to healthy controls. Materials and Methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on patients with pemphigus vulgaris referred to Faghihi Hospital and Shiraz Dental Faculty in 2017-2018. The participants included 26 women with histopathologically confirmed pemphigus vulgaris and 26 healthy age-matched controls. The serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, prolactin, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were evaluated in both groups. Independent t -test and two-way ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results. The mean age of the patients was 49.88 ± 10.46 years and that of the control group was 49.92 ± 11.30 years. Unlike the case group, the DHEA serum level was significantly higher among nonmenopausal participants in the control group. Moreover, the levels of testosterone and DHEA were significantly lower in the case group in comparison to the control group ( p = 0.015 and p = 0.026 , respectively). Conclusion. Considering the effects of age and menopause, the serum levels of testosterone and DHEA were significantly lower in the patients with pemphigus vulgaris than in the healthy controls. Hence, these hormones might have a role in the pathogenesis of pemphigus vulgaris.

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Association between apolipoprotein gene polymorphisms and hyperlipidemia: a meta-analysis

BMC Genomic Data ◽

10.1186/s12863-021-00968-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiao-Ning Zhao ◽

Quan Sun ◽

You-Qin Cao ◽

Xiao Ran ◽

Yu Cao

Keyword(s):

Risk Factor ◽

Cerebrovascular Disease ◽

Gene Polymorphisms ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Ε4 Allele ◽

Different Populations ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Hyperlipidemia plays an important role in the etiology of cardio-cerebrovascular disease. Over recent years, a number of studies have explored the impact of apolipoprotein genetic polymorphisms in hyperlipidemia, but considerable differences and uncertainty have been found in their association with different populations from different regions. Results A total of 59 articles were included, containing in total 13,843 hyperlipidemia patients in the case group and 15,398 healthy controls in the control group. Meta-analysis of the data indicated that APOA5–1131 T > C, APOA1 -75 bp, APOB XbaI, and APOE gene polymorphisms were significantly associated with hyperlipidemia, with OR values of 1.996, 1.228, 1.444, and 1.710, respectively. All P-values were less than 0.05. Conclusions Meta-analysis of the data indicated that the C allele of APOA5 1131 T > C, the A allele at APOA1-75 bp, the APOB XbaI T allele, and the ε2 and ε4 allele of APOE were each a risk factor for susceptibility for hyperlipidemia.

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Exploring The Clinical Significance of Serum Angiopoietin-2 In Breast Cancer Patients

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcab091.014 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Abeer I Abd Elmagid ◽

Hala Abdel Al ◽

Wessam El Sayed Saad ◽

Seham Kamal Mohamed

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Tnm Staging ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Female Patients ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Angiopoietin 2

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and one of the most important causes of death among them.Angiogenesis is an important step for primary tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastases. Angiopoietins are well-recognized endothelial growth factors that are involved in angiogenesis associated with tumors. Aim To explore the diagnostic significance of serum angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) in breast cancer and to evaluate its prognostic efficacy through studying the degree of its association with the TNM staging of the disease. Patients and Methods This study was conducted on (35) Egyptian female patients who were diagnosed as breast cancer according to histopathological examination of breast biopsy (Group 1, Breast Cancer Patients) and (25) female patients with benign breast diseases (Group II, Pathological Control Patients), in addition to (20) age - matched apparently healthy, free mammogram, females serving as healthy controls (Group III, Healthy Controls). For all participants, measurement of serum Ang-2 was done using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results A highly significant increased levels of Ang-2 was observed in breast cancer patients when compared to healthy control group (Z = 4.95, p < 0.01). However, no significant difference was observed in Ang-2 levels between breast cancer patients group and pathological control group (Z = 3.37, p > 0.05). No significant difference was detected in Ang-2 levels in relation to TNM stage and histological grade. No significant correlation was found between Ang-2 levels and serum levels of CA15-3, hormone receptors, HER2/new receptor status (p > 0.05, respectively). Conclusion This study revealed that Ang-2 serum levels were significantly increased in patient with breast cancer compared with healthy controls, indicating that high Ang-2 level is a promising non invasive biomarker for breast cancer diagnosis. However, no significant difference of Ang-2 levels was detected in relation of breast TNM staging in the population studied.

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Expression of Microrna-195 Increased Significantly in Patients with Methamphetamine Abuse Disorder

Gene Cell and Tissue ◽

10.5812/gct.118755 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol In Press (In Press) ◽

Author(s):

Zahra Asadi ◽

Jamal Hallajzadeh ◽

Shima Fathi ◽

Gholamreza Khanbabaie ◽

Hossein Soltanzadeh

Keyword(s):

Fold Change ◽

Diagnostic Methods ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Methamphetamine Abuse ◽

Human Disorders ◽

Important Challenge ◽

Pcr Method ◽

Reliable Marker

Background: Addiction is one of the most important social and health problems in the world. Development of rapid and inexpensive diagnostic methods for identification of patients with addiction to methamphetamine is still a very important challenge. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been introduced as an accurate and reliable biomarker for diagnosis of human disorders. Objectives: In the present study, the expression of miRNA-186 and miRNA-195 was investigated in blood of patients with methamphetamine abuse disorder. Methods: In this case-control study, 60 patients with methamphetamine abuse disorder (case group) and 60 healthy controls (control group) were enrolled. Total RNA was extracted from whole blood of patients and healthy controls, and then cDNA synthesis was performed using reverse transcriptase. Real-time PCR method was employed to investigate miRNA-186 and miRNA-195 expression. Finally, statistical software was used to analyze the obtained data. Results: The results demonstrated that the expression of miRNA-195 significantly increased in blood samples of patients with methamphetamine abuse disorders (8.75-fold change) compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05). However, the expression of miRNA-185 did not significantly increase (1.61-fold change) in patients compared to healthy controls (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study suggested that miR-195 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of drug addiction and can be used as an accurate and reliable marker for the identification of patients with methamphetamine abuse disorder.

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Shortened platelet half-life in multiple myeloma

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v68.2.514.bloodjournal682514 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 68 (2) ◽

pp. 514-520

Author(s):

E Fritz ◽

H Ludwig ◽

W Scheithauer ◽

H Sinzinger

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Half Life ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Statistical Correlation ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Platelet Factor ◽

Healthy Control

Various defects in platelet function have been reported as being associated with multiple myeloma. In 30 myeloma patients and 15 healthy controls, we investigated platelet survival using in vitro labeling of autologous platelets with 111indium-oxine and measuring the in vivo kinetics of the radioisotope. Significantly shortened platelet half- life in patients averaged 73 hours, while platelet half-life in the healthy controls averaged 107 hours. In myeloma patients, serum levels of thromboxane B2, beta-thromboglobulin, and platelet factor 4 were significantly elevated; aggregation indices were within the pathological range; platelet counts and spleen-liver indices, however, were comparable to those of the healthy control group. No statistical correlation was found between platelet half-life and paraprotein concentrations. Our findings suggest an initial--so far unexplained-- intravascular process of platelet activation and consumption that finally manifests in shortened platelet half-life. It seems that overt thrombocytopenia develops only when the compensatory capacity of the bone marrow finally becomes exhausted. Further studies should be able to elucidate the pathophysiologic processes involved.

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Serum Levels of HCY, MIF, and hs-CRP Correlate with Glycolipid Metabolism in Adults with Never-Medicated First-Episode Schizophrenia

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/7394699 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Xiao Zhong ◽

Qin Ao ◽

Fei Xing

Keyword(s):

Waist Circumference ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Serum Levels ◽

First Episode ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Glycolipid Metabolism ◽

Hs Crp ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

First Episode Schizophrenia ◽

Negative Syndrome

Objective. It has been reported that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in multiepisode patients with schizophrenia is 35.3%, which is 2- to 4-fold higher than in the general population. The study is designed to compare the glycolipid metabolism in patients with first-episode schizophrenia (FES) with sex- and age-matched healthy controls to investigate changes in serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and their relationships with the glycolipid metabolism in patients with FES. Methods. His case-control study included 88 patients diagnosed with FES and 88 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Patient psychopathology was assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), and 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17). Patients with FES were classified into MS and non-MS groups. Results. There were significant differences in the education level, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference between the patients with FES and healthy controls (all p > 0.05 ). The patients with FES had higher levels of FPG and blood glucose at the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (2 h glucose) concomitant with higher proportion of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) than healthy controls (all p < 0.001 ). It was revealed that the patients with FES showed higher serum levels of Hcy, MIF, and hs-CRP than healthy controls (all p < 0.001 ). The serum level of Hcy shared positive correlations with the score of PANSS totals (r = 0.551) and the negative syndrome of the PANSS scale (r = 0.494). The serum levels of MIF and hs-CRP was only positively correlated with the negative syndrome of the PANSS scale (r = 0.320 and r = 0.446). The level of Hcy shared positive correlations with the levels of FPG, 2 h glucose, and HOMA2-IR; the level of MIF was only positively correlated with the level of HOMA2-IR; the level of hs-CRP had a positive correlation with both levels of FPG and 2 h glucose (all p < 0.001 ). The levels of Hcy, MIF, and hs-CRP all shared positive correlations with the TG level and negative correlations with the HDL-C level (all p < 0.001 ). There were remarkable differences between the MS and non-MS groups with regard to BMI, waist circumference, negative subscale of the PANSS scale, FPG, TG, and HDL-C (all p < 0.05 ). Elevated levels of Hcy, MIF, and hs-CRP were detected in the MS group compared to the non-MS group (all p < 0.05 ). Conclusion. These findings suggest that increased concentrations of HCY, MIF, and hs-CRP may contribute to the abnormal glycolipid metabolism in the context of schizophrenia.

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Brain Volumetric Changes and Cognitive Functions in Epileptic Patients

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcaa054 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

A A Ashour ◽

A M A Nassef ◽

E M Awad ◽

A M Hazzou ◽

M A Nada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Functions ◽

Brain Volume ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Whole Brain ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Epileptic Patients ◽

Generalized Epilepsy ◽

Patients With Epilepsy ◽

And Control

Abstract Background Epilepsy is a serious common neurological disorder that can affect any age. Cognitive functions are highly prevalent in patients with epilepsy and is more likely to occur in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Associations were found between cognitive functions and brain volume loss in patients with epilepsy. Objective This work was carried out to assess the volumetric changes in brain of epileptic patients to use it as a biomarker for cognitive dysfunction in adult and adolescent patients with epilepsy. Patients and Methods A case control study was conducted to include 61 patients, 20 of which diagnosed with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), 21 with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 20 with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) who were selected from the epilepsy outpatient clinic in Ain Shams university hospitals along with 23 age and sex matched healthy controls. Both cases and control groups were subjected to Magnetic resonance imaging MRI brain volumetry and detailed cognitive testing. An informed consent was taken from each adult patient, guardian of adolescent patient and healthy control. Results Statistically significant difference in comprehension subcategory of the Wechsler adult intelligence scale (WAIS) between patients with IGE and healthy controls denoting poorer social judgment in the IGE group. The IGE group also showed poorer performance in digit symbol subcategory of the same test denoting worse psychomotor speed and sustained attention. Also, significant difference in similarities subcategory was found between TLE group and control group denoting poorer abstract thinking among the TLE group. The IGE and TLE groups also showed lower attention and concentration than control group in the mental control subcategory of the Wechsler memory scale (WMS) yet failed to show superiority over each other. No statistically significant difference was found on comparing the whole brain volume between cases and control groups. A statistically significant direct relationship was found between the arithmetic subcategory of WAIS and the whole brain volume of the patients among the patients of the FLE group. Conclusion Patients with IGE had worse psychomotor speed, sustained attention and concentration than healthy controls in addition to poorer social judgment. Also, patients with TLE showed lower attention and concentration together with poorer abstract thinking despite normal IQ. The study also concluded that increased whole brain volume in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy is associated with better mathematical problem solving.

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EVALUATION OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ANTIOXIDANT STATUS BETWEEN TYPE II DIABETES PATIENTS AND HEALTHY POPULATIONS

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i9.25998 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 264

Author(s):

Sudharshan Reddy Nelli ◽

Nilesh Kumar Sharma ◽

Manoj Kumar P ◽

Surya S Singh

Keyword(s):

Blood Glucose ◽

Type Ii Diabetes ◽

Fasting Blood Glucose ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Diabetes Patient ◽

Postprandial Blood Glucose ◽

Control Group ◽

Case Group ◽

Type Ii ◽

South Indian

Introduction: The aim of the present study is to profile the serum antioxidative enzymes, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level in Type II diabetes mellitus patients in comparison to healthy volunteers in the South Indian population.Methodology: A prospective, observational, case–control study was conducted for 1 year with a total of 120 patients including 90 Type II diabetes patients (case group) and 30 healthy volunteers (control group). Blood was collected from these volunteers, and serum levels of CAT, GPx, and SOD were estimated. In addition, they were also monitored for the fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and postprandial blood glucose. Data were statistically analyzed applying unpaired t-test and Pearson correlation with the statistical significance of p<0.05.Results: The diabetes patient group showed significant higher levels of glycated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose (p<0.0001). There was asignificant lower level in the RBC levels of superoxide dismutase in case group compared to control group 3859.00±381.8 (mean+SD) and 5862.7±209.45 (mean+SD) Units per gram Hb, (t-value 27.35, p-Value <0.0001). Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase RBC levels also showed significant lower levels in the case group compared to the control group (catalase 212.7±19.08 (mean±SD) and 396.47±10.83 (mean±SD) Units per gram Hb; T value=50.07 and p<0.0001)(Glutathione peroxidase11.7 ±01.09 (mean +SD) and 18.6 ± 01.00 (mean +SD) Units per gram Hb; t value=30.26 and p<0.0001).Conclusion: A significant reduction in serum levels of antioxidative enzymes, CAT, GPx, and SOD was observed in the South Indian Type II diabetes patient population.

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Agomelatine vs fluoxetine: Efficacy and improvement of cognitive functions in patients with MDD

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/j.eurpsy.2016.01.1463 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 33 (S1) ◽

pp. S405-S405

Author(s):

E. Aydın ◽

M. Güleç ◽

E. Oral ◽

A.G. Daloğlu

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Functions ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Word Association ◽

Digit Span ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Wisconsin Card Sorting Test ◽

Card Sorting ◽

Neurocognitive Functions ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Competing Interest

IntroductionIn major depressive disorder (MDD) neurocognitive functions are impaired. In addition to melatonergic properties of agomelatine, via 5-HT2C antagonism it increases extracellular noradrenaline and dopamine in frontal cortex and may improve the neurocognitive functions of patients with MDD.Aims and objectivesTo investigate the extent of neurocognitive improvement and efficacy of agomelatine and fluoxetine in patients with MDD.Material and methodAgomelatine 25 mg/day (n: 24) and fluoxetine 20 mg/day (n: 24) were administered to drug-naive unipolar, non-psychotic, non-suicidal MDD patients according to DSM-IV. Evaluations were performed just before the treatment and at the sixth week of treatment via administering Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), Digit Span Test (DST), Trail Making Test (TMT-A/B), Stroop Test and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test.ResultsBoth agomelatine and fluoxetine was found to be efficacious for the treatment of MDD (P < 0.05 for both). Further there was no difference between the antidepressant efficacy of two drugs. Both of the drugs improved measured neurocognitive functions (P < 0.05), except scores of DST (P > 0.05) and only fluoxetine improved significantly scores of COWAT (P < 0.05). Only in terms of TMT-B there was significant difference between groups and agomelatine was superior to fluoxetine (P < 0.05).ConclusionAgomelatine and fluoxetine were efficacious in treatment of MDD. Furthermore both of the drugs improved cognitive functions in patients with MDD. Superiority of agomelatine in improvement of executive functioning (TMT-B) is important and therefore it could be an appropriate choice for MDD patients who have pronounced executive disturbances.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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Effect of Proinflammatory Cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β) on Clinical Manifestations in Indian SLE Patients

Mediators of Inflammation ◽

10.1155/2014/385297 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Vinod Umare ◽

Vandana Pradhan ◽

Milind Nadkar ◽

Anjali Rajadhyaksha ◽

Manisha Patwardhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Organ Damage ◽

Inactive Disease ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Sledai Score ◽

Active Disease

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an inflammatory rheumatic disease characterized by production of autoantibodies and organ damage. Elevated levels of cytokines have been reported in SLE patients. In this study we have investigated the effect of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β) on clinical manifestations in 145 Indian SLE patients. One hundred and forty-five healthy controls of the same ethnicity served as a control group. Clinical disease activity was scored according to SLEDAI score. Accordingly, 110 patients had active disease and 35 patients had inactive disease. Mean levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1βwere found to be significantly higher in SLE patients than healthy controls (P<0.001). Mean level of IL-6 for patients with active disease (70.45±68.32 pg/mL) was significantly higher (P=0.0430) than those of inactive disease patients (43.85±63.36 pg/mL). Mean level of TNF-αwas44.76±68.32 pg/mL for patients with active disease while it was25.97±22.03 pg/mL for those with inactive disease and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.0161). Similar results were obtained for IL-1β(P=0.0002). Correlation between IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1βserum levels and SLEDAI score was observed (r=0.20,r=0.27, andr=0.38, resp.). This study supports the role of these proinflammatory cytokines as inflammatory mediators in active stage of disease.

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