European journal of clinical investigation
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · Jun 2016
ReviewThe controversy over the use of cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors: is there some light at the end of the tunnel?
According to epidemiological studies, there is no clear relationship between the plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) concentration and the development of atherosclerosis in human populations. Although some studies suggest that increased CETP activity relates to undesirable profiles of plasma lipoproteins, promoting an anti-atherogenic plasma lipoprotein profile by drugs that inhibit CETP has not succeeded in preventing atherosclerosis in humans. ⋯ These models are strong indicators that the benefit in preventing atherosclerosis should be earned in cases of hyperlipidemia by CETP inhibitors.
-
Secreted frizzled-related protein (Sfrp)5 improves insulin sensitivity, but impairs beta-cell function in rodents. However, the relationship between Sfrp5, insulin sensitivity and secretion in humans is currently unclear. Therefore, the aim of the study was to characterize the associations between serum Sfrp5 and indices of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function from dynamic measurements using oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in humans. ⋯ The inverse association of serum Sfrp5 with beta-cell function suggests a detrimental role of Sfrp5 for insulin secretion also in humans. The severity of NAFLD does not appear to affect this relationship. The weak association between serum Sfrp5 and insulin sensitivity was partially explained by body mass.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2016
Observational StudyNational curves of foetal growth in singleton foetuses of Greek origin.
Foetal growth monitoring is an essential component of prenatal care with postnatal impact. The aim of the study was to construct reference ranges for foetal biometric parameters in Greek foetuses and to compare them with previously published models. ⋯ We present national foetal biometric references. Using charts from other populations (including INTERGROWTH-21st) may be unrepresentative of local populations and lead to misclassification of foetal growth status.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialHigher hydrocortisone dose increases bilirubin in hypopituitary patients- results from an RCT.
Bilirubin has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain its proposed protective effects on the development of cardiometabolic disorders. Glucocorticoids affect heme oxygenase regulation in vitro, which plays a key role in bilirubin production. Effects of variations in glucocorticoid exposure on circulating bilirubin levels in humans are unknown. Here we tested whether a higher hydrocortisone replacement dose affects circulating bilirubin in hypopituitary patients. ⋯ Bilirubin is modestly increased in response to higher glucocorticoid exposure in humans, in conjunction with lower alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, which are supposed to represent biomarkers of a pro-inflammatory state and enhanced liver fat accumulation.
-
Eur. J. Clin. Invest. · May 2016
Lifestyle and clinical determinants of skin autofluorescence in a population-based cohort study.
Skin autofluorescence (SAF) is a noninvasive marker of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In diabetes, higher SAF levels have been positively associated with long-term complications, cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Because little is known about the factors that influence SAF in nondiabetic individuals, we assessed the association of clinical and lifestyle parameters with SAF as well as their interactions in a large-scale, nondiabetic population and performed the same analysis in a type 2 diabetic subgroup. ⋯ In addition to the established literature on type 2 diabetes, we have demonstrated that SAF levels are associated with several clinical and lifestyle factors in the nondiabetic population. These parameters should be taken into consideration when using SAF as a screening or prediction tool for populations at risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.