Plasma Agouti-Related Protein and Cortisol Levels in Cushing Disease: Evidence for the Regulation of Agouti-Related Protein by Glucocorticoids in Humans

Abstract Context Glucocorticoids regulate energy balance, in part by stimulating the orexigenic neuropeptide agouti-related protein (AgRP). AgRP neurons express glucocorticoid receptors, and glucocorticoids have been shown to stimulate AgRP gene expression in rodents. Objective We sought to determine whether there is a relationship between plasma AgRP and hypothalamic AgRP in rats and to evaluate the relationship between cortisol and plasma AgRP in humans. Methods We retrospectively evaluated plasma AgRP levels prior to transsphenoidal surgery in 31 patients with Cushing disease (CD) vs 31 sex- and body mass index–matched controls from a separate study. We then prospectively measured plasma AgRP, before and 6 to 12 months after surgery, in a subgroup of 13 patients with CD. Plasma and hypothalamic AgRP were measured in adrenalectomized rats with and without corticosterone replacement. Results Plasma AgRP was stimulated by corticosterone in rats and correlated with hypothalamic AgRP expression. Plasma AgRP levels were higher in patients with CD than in controls (139 ± 12.3 vs 54.2 ± 3.1 pg/mL; P < 0.0001). Among patients with CD, mean 24-hour urine free cortisol (UFC) levels were 257 ± 39 μg/24 hours. Strong positive correlations were observed between plasma AgRP and UFC (r = 0.76; P < 0.0001). In 11 of 13 patients demonstrating surgical cure, AgRP decreased from 126 ± 20.6 to 62.5 ± 8.0 pg/mL (P < 0.05) postoperatively, in parallel with a decline in UFC. Conclusions Plasma AgRP levels are elevated in CD, are tightly correlated with cortisol concentrations, and decline with surgical cure. These data support the regulation of AgRP by glucocorticoids in humans. AgRP’s role as a potential biomarker and as a mediator of the adverse metabolic consequences of CD deserves further study.

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The relationship between agouti related-protein (AgRP) and leptin in smoking cannabis

Toxicology Letters ◽

10.1016/j.toxlet.2011.05.316 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 205 ◽

pp. S86

Author(s):

W.M. Fathy

Keyword(s):

Related Protein ◽

Agouti Related Protein ◽

The Relationship

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The relationship between the calcium-sensing receptor and secreted frizzled-related protein in the breast.

10.35841/molecular-oncology.2.2.27-35 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 02 (02) ◽

Author(s):

Kelly J Gregory ◽

Stephanie M Morin ◽

Brooke Bentley ◽

Mahmoud Elsayad ◽

Giovanna M Crisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Related Protein ◽

Calcium Sensing Receptor ◽

Calcium Sensing ◽

The Relationship

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A possible role of neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein and leptin receptor isoforms in hypothalamic programming by perinatal feeding in the rat

Diabetologia ◽

10.1007/s00125-004-1596-z ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 48 (1) ◽

pp. 140-148 ◽

Cited By ~ 74

Author(s):

M. L�pez ◽

L. M. Seoane ◽

S. Tovar ◽

M. C. Garc�a ◽

R. Nogueiras ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neuropeptide Y ◽

Leptin Receptor ◽

Related Protein ◽

Receptor Isoforms ◽

Agouti Related Protein

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Eosinophil-to-monocyte ratio is a potential biomarker in the prediction of functional outcome among patients with acute ischemic stroke

BMC Neuroscience ◽

10.1186/s12868-021-00610-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shuhong Yu ◽

Yi Luo ◽

Tan Zhang ◽

Chenrong Huang ◽

Yu Fu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Acute Ischemic Stroke ◽

Functional Outcome ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Poor Outcome ◽

Net Reclassification Improvement ◽

Potential Biomarker ◽

The Impact ◽

The Relationship ◽

Integrated Discrimination Improvement

Abstract Background It has been shown that eosinophils are decreased and monocytes are elevated in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), but the impact of eosinophil-to-monocyte ratio (EMR) on clinical outcomes among AIS patients remains unclear. We aimed to determine the relationship between EMR on admission and 3-month poor functional outcome in AIS patients. Methods A total of 521 consecutive patients admitted to our hospital within 24 h after onset of AIS were prospectively enrolled and categorized in terms of quartiles of EMR on admission between August 2016 and September 2018. The endpoint was the poor outcome defined as modified Rankin Scale score of 3 to 6 at month 3 after admission. Results As EMR decreased, the risk of poor outcome increased (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that EMR was independently associated with poor outcome after adjusting potential confounders (odds ratio, 0.09; 95% CI 0.03–0.34; p = 0.0003), which is consistent with the result of EMR (quartile) as a categorical variable (odds ratio, 0.23; 95% CI 0.10–0.52; ptrend < 0.0001). A non-linear relationship was detected between EMR and poor outcome, whose point was 0.28. Subgroup analyses further confirmed these associations. The addition of EMR to conventional risk factors improved the predictive power for poor outcome (net reclassification improvement: 2.61%, p = 0.382; integrated discrimination improvement: 2.41%, p < 0.001). Conclusions EMR on admission was independently correlated with poor outcome in AIS patients, suggesting that EMR may be a potential prognostic biomarker for AIS.

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Diurnal Salivary Cortisol in Sarcopenic Postmenopausal Women: The OsteoLaus Cohort

Calcified Tissue International ◽

10.1007/s00223-021-00863-y ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Gonzalez Rodriguez ◽

Pedro Marques-Vidal ◽

Bérengère Aubry-Rozier ◽

Georgios Papadakis ◽

Martin Preisig ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Body Composition Assessment ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

X Ray ◽

Free Cortisol ◽

Cortisol Levels ◽

The Relationship

AbstractSarcopenia, similar to hypercortisolism, is characterized by loss of muscle mass and strength. Cortisol circadian rhythm changes with aging (blunted late-day nadir values) were suggested to contribute to this decline. We aimed to explore the relationship between diurnal salivary cortisol values and sarcopenia diagnosis and its components in postmenopausal women. This is a cross-sectional study within the OsteoLaus population-based cohort in Lausanne (Switzerland). Participants had a body composition assessment by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), a grip strength (GS) measure, and salivary cortisol measures (at awakening, 30 min thereafter, 11 AM (sc-11AM) and 8 PM (sc-8PM)). Associations between salivary cortisol and sarcopenia diagnosed by six different criteria (based on appendicular lean mass (ALM) assessed by DXA, and muscle strength by GS), and its components, were analyzed. 471 women aged > 50 years (63.0 ± 7.5) were included. Various definitions identified different participants as sarcopenic, who consistently presented higher salivary cortisol at 11 AM and/or 8 PM. There were no associations between salivary cortisol levels and ALM measures, either absolute or after correction to height squared (ALM index) or body mass index. GS was inversely correlated to sc-11AM (r = − 0.153, p < 0.001) and sc-8PM (r = − 0.118, p = 0.002). Each 10 nmol/l increase of sc-11AM, respectively sc-8PM, was associated with a GS decrease of 1.758 (SE 0.472) kg, respectively 2.929 (SE 1.115) kg. In postmenopausal women, sarcopenia is associated with higher salivary cortisol levels at 11 AM and 8 PM. An increase of daily free cortisol levels in the physiological range could participate to sarcopenia development by decreasing muscle function in postmenopausal women.

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The Relationship between Dynamic Balance and Jumping Tests among Adolescent Amateur Rugby Players. A Preliminary Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18010312 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 312

Author(s):

Bartosz Wilczyński ◽

Jakub Hinca ◽

Daniel Ślęzak ◽

Katarzyna Zorena

Keyword(s):

Injury Risk ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Study Data ◽

Balance Test ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Counter Movement Jump ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

The Relationship ◽

Rugby Players

Rugby is a demanding contact sport. In light of research, poor balance, reduced jumping ability, muscle strength, and incorrect landing patterns might contribute to the increased risk of injury in athletes. Investigating the relationship between tests assessing these abilities might not only allow for the skillful programming of preventive training but also helps in assessing the risk of injury to athletes. Thus, the main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dynamic balance, vertical and horizontal jumps, and jump-landings movement patterns. Thirty-one healthy amateur adolescent rugby players (age: 14.3 ± 1.6 years, height 171.4 ± 9.7 cm, body mass 80 ± 26 kg) participated in the study. Data were collected by the Y-balance Test (YBT), Counter Movement Jump (CMJ), Single Leg Hop for Distance (SLHD), and Landing Error Score System (LESS). Significant positive correlations were found between SLHD both legs (SLHDb) and YBT Composite both legs (COMb) (r = 0.51, p = 0.0037) and between SLHDb and CMJ (r = 0.72, p < 0.0001). A relationship was also observed between the CMJ and YBT COMb test (r = 0.51, p = 0.006). Moderate positive correlations were found between the dominant legs in SLHD and the posterolateral (r = 0.40, p = 0.027), posteromedial (r = 0.43, p = 0.014), and composite (r = 0.48, p = 0.006) directions of the YBT. These results indicate that variables that are dependent on each other can support in the assessment of injury-risk and in enhancing sports performance of young athletes.

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Elongation studies of the human agouti-related protein (AGRP) core decapeptide (Yc[CRFFNAFC]Y) results in antagonism at the mouse melanocortin-3 receptor

Peptides ◽

10.1016/s0196-9781(03)00030-5 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 263-270 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Christine G Joseph ◽

Rayna M Bauzo ◽

Zhimin Xiang ◽

Amanda M Shaw ◽

William J Millard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Related Protein ◽

Agouti Related Protein

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Objective and Subjective Outcomes in Patients with Hearing Aids: A Cross-Sectional, Comparative, Associational Study

Audiology and Neurotology ◽

10.1159/000516623 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Xunyi Wang ◽

Yun Zheng ◽

Gang Li ◽

Jingzhe Lu ◽

Yan Yin

Keyword(s):

Hearing Aids ◽

Patient Reported Outcomes ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Patient Reported ◽

Objective Tests ◽

The Difference ◽

Potential Factors ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

The Relationship ◽

Subjective Outcomes

Introduction: Outcome assessment for hearing aids (HAs) is an essential part of HA fitting and validation. There is no consensus about the best or standard approach for evaluating HA outcomes. And, the relationship between objective and subjective measures is ambiguous. This study aimed to determine the outcomes after HA fitting, explore correlations between subjective benefit and acoustic gain improvement as well as objective audiologic tests, and investigate several variables that may improve patients’ perceived benefits. Methods: Eighty adults with bilateral symmetrical hearing loss using HAs for at least 1 month were included in this study. All subjects completed the pure tone average (PTA) threshold and word recognition score (WRS) tests in unaided and aided conditions. We also administered the Chinese version of International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA), to measure participants’ subjective benefits. Objective HA benefit (acoustic gain improvement) was defined as the difference in thresholds or scores between aided and unaided conditions indicated with ΔPTA and ΔWRS. Thus, patients’ baseline hearing levels were taken into account. Correlations were assessed among objective audiologic tests (PTA and WRS), acoustic gain improvement (ΔPTA and ΔWRS), multiple potential factors, and IOI-HA overall scores. Results: PTA decreased significantly, but WRS did not increase when aided listening was compared to unaided listening. Negative correlations between PTAs and IOI-HA scores were significant but weak (r = −0.370 and r = −0.393, all p < 0.05). Significant weak positive correlations were found between WRSs and IOI-HA (r = 0.386 and r = 0.309, all p < 0.05). However, there was no correlation among ΔPTA, ΔWRS, and IOI-HA (r = 0.056 and r = −0.086, all p > 0.05). Moreover, 2 nonaudiological factors (age and daily use time) were significantly correlated with IOI-HA (r = −0.269 and r = 0.242, all p < 0.05). Conclusions: Correlations among objective audiologic tests, acoustic gain, and subjective patient-reported outcomes were weak or absent. Subjective questionnaires and objective tests do not reflect the same hearing capability. Therefore, it is advisable to evaluate both objective and subjective outcomes when analyzing HA benefits on a regular basis and pay equal attention to nonaudiological and audiological factors.

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Association between Procalcitonin and Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Bacterial Septic Shock

Blood Purification ◽

10.1159/000512351 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Guang Fu ◽

Hai-chao Zhan ◽

Hao-li Li ◽

Jun-fu Lu ◽

Yan-hong Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Septic Shock ◽

Acute Kidney Injury ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Piecewise Linear ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression ◽

Primary Analysis ◽

Female Patients ◽

Potential Biomarker ◽

The Relationship

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between serum procalcitonin (PCT) and acute kidney injury (AKI) induced by bacterial septic shock. Methods: A retrospective study was designed which included patients who were admitted to the ICU from January 2015 to October 2018. Multiple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) as well as smooth curve fitting analysis were used to assess the relationship between the PCT level and AKI. Results: Of the 1,631 patients screened, 157 patients were included in the primary analysis in which 84 (53.5%) patients were with AKI. Multiple logistic regression results showed that PCT (odds ratio [OR] = 1.017, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.009–1.025, p < 0.001) was associated with AKI induced by septic shock. The ROC analysis showed that the cutoff point for PCT to predict AKI development was 14 ng/mL, with a sensitivity of 63% and specificity 67%. Specifically, in multivariate piecewise linear regression, the occurrence of AKI decreased with the elevation of PCT when PCT was between 25 ng/mL and 120 ng/mL (OR 0.963, 95% CI 0.929–0.999; p = 0.042). The AKI increased with the elevation of PCT when PCT was either <25 ng/mL (OR 1.077, 95% CI 1.022–1.136; p = 0.006) or >120 ng/mL (OR 1.042, 95% CI 1.009–1.076; p = 0.013). Moreover, the PCT level was significantly higher in the AKI group only in female patients aged ≤75 years (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Our data revealed a nonlinear relationship between PCT and AKI in septic shock patients, and PCT could be used as a potential biomarker of AKI in female patients younger than 75 years with bacterial septic shock.

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The Influence of Countermovement Jump Protocol on Reactive Strength Index Modified and Flight Time: Contraction Time in Collegiate Basketball Players

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7020037 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 37 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Aaron Heishman ◽

Brady Brown ◽

Bryce Daub ◽

Ryan Miller ◽

Eduardo Freitas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Force Plate ◽

Flight Time ◽

Contraction Time ◽

Strength Index ◽

Countermovement Jump ◽

Basketball Players ◽

Arm Swing ◽

Collegiate Basketball ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

The Relationship

The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate differences in Reactive Strength Index Modified (RSIMod) and Flight Time to Contraction Time Ratio (FT:CT) during the countermovement jump (CMJ) performed without the arm swing (CMJNAS) compared to the CMJ with the arm swing (CMJAS), while exploring the relationship within each variable between jump protocols. A secondary purpose sought to explore the relationship between RSIMod and FT:CT during both jump protocols. Twenty-two collegiate basketball players performed both three CMJNAS and three CMJAS on a force plate, during two separate testing sessions. RSIMod was calculated by the flight-time (RSIModFT) and impulse-momentum methods (RSIModIMP). CMJ variables were significantly greater during the CMJAS compared to CMJNAS (p < 0.001). There were large to very large correlations within each variable between the CMJAS and CMJNAS. There were significant positive correlations among RSIModFT, RSIModIMP, and FT:CT during both the CMJAS (r ≥ 0.864, p < 0.001) and CMJNAS (r ≥ 0.960, p < 0.001). These findings identify an increase in RSIMod or FT:CT during the CMJAS, that may provide independent information from the CMJNAS. In addition, either RSIMod or FT:CT may be utilized to monitor changes in performance, but simultaneous inclusion may be unnecessary.

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