BMI Is the Main Determinant of the Circulating Leptin in Women after Vertical Banded Gastroplasty

Objective: To assess the main determinant of serum leptin concentration changes in morbidly obese patients treated by banded vertical gastroplasty. Research Methods and Procedures: Serum leptin and insulin concentrations, insulin resistance, BMI, body weight, and body fat mass in 18 obese women and 8 obese men treated by vertical banded gastroplasty were studied. Lean women and men subjects were used as controls. Results: Before surgery, serum leptin and insulin concentrations and insulin resistance index were significantly higher in morbidly obese patients than in control subjects. BMI, body fat mass, and serum triacylglycerol concentrations were also significantly higher in obese than in lean subjects. All of these parameters gradually decreased during 50 weeks after surgery. Univariate regression analysis displayed significant correlations between the following: serum leptin concentration and BMI (and body fat mass), serum leptin concentration and serum insulin concentration, and serum leptin concentration and insulin resistance index. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that only BMI was independently correlated with the decrease in serum leptin concentration. Discussion: Obtained data suggest the following: 1) vertical banded gastroplasty causes reduction of body weight, serum leptin and insulin concentration, insulin resistance, and serum triacylglycerol concentration; and 2) BMI is the main determinant of the circulating leptin concentration in morbidly obese women after anti‐obesity surgery.     

Current "corrected" calcium concept challenged.

There is wide individual variation in the number of millimoles of calcium bound per gram of albumin in the serum. Individual regression coefficients for serum calcium concentration on serum albumin concentration have been determined in 62 people (25 of our own patients and 37 reported by others). The 95 percentile range was 0-007-0-053 mmol/g, with a median value of 0-025 mmol/g. Accordingly, it is not valid to "correct" a person''s measured serum total calcium concentration for variations in serum albumin concentration using an average regression coefficient. Rather, the individual''s own regression coefficient must be used. A tourniquet test seems to be the simplest technique for determining this value. Even then, precise interpretation of an individual''s corrected serum calcium concentration is possible only when an appropriate reference range for corrected serum calcium concentration has been established. Such an appropriate reference range must be determined from an adequate number of normal people using the individual''s own correction factor in each case.     

Serum cholesterol concentration and death from suicide in men: Paris prospective study I.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether low serum cholesterol concentration or changing serum cholesterol concentration is associated with risk of suicide in men. DESIGN: Cohort study with annual repeat measurements of serum cholesterol concentration (for up to four years). SETTING: Paris, France. SUBJECTS: 6393 working men, aged 43-52 in 1967-72, who had at least three measurements of serum cholesterol concentration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Individual change over time in serum cholesterol concentration (estimated using within person linear regression method); death from suicide during average of 17 years'' follow up after last examination. RESULTS: 32 men committed suicide during follow up. After adjustment for age and other factors, relative risk of suicide for men with low average serum cholesterol concentration (< 4.78 mmol/l) compared with those with average serum cholesterol concentration of 4.78-6.21 mmol/l was 3.16 (95% confidence interval 1.38 to 7.22, P = 0.007). Men whose serum cholesterol concentration decreased by more than 0.13 mmol/l a year had multivariate adjusted relative risk of 2.17 (0.97 to 4.84, P = 0.056) compared with those whose cholesterol remained stable (change of < or = 0.13 mmol/l a year). CONCLUSION: Both low serum cholesterol concentration and declining cholesterol concentration were associated with increased risk of death from suicide in men. Although there is some evidence in favour of a concomitant rather than a causal effect for interpreting these associations, long term surveillance of subjects included in trials of lipid lowering treatments seems warranted.     

A study of some serum mineral levels before and during pregnancy and during lactation period of sheep and cattle

The purpose of this study was to determine serum Cu, Zn, Mn, K, and Mg levels before and during pregnancy and during the lactation period of sheep and cattle and to determine the relationships between periods. For this purpose, blood samples of 14 healthy, pregnant Brown Swiss cows fed under normal condition and 36 Karakaş (İvesi × Akkaraman) sheep were used. Blood samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. There were significant differences between before pregnancy and during pregnancy, and during pregnancy and the lactation period for serum Zn concentration; also before pregnancy and during pregnancy, and before pregnancy and the lactation period for serum K concentration in cows (p<0.05). There were significant differences between before pregnancy and the lactation period for serum Cu concentration, and before pregnancy and during pregnancy for serum K concentration; also pregnancy and the lactation period for serum Mg concentration in sheep (p<0.05).     

Supplementation of calves with stabilized orthosilicic acid

The bioavailability of silicon in stabilized orthosilicic acid was investigated in a double blind, placebo controlled supplementation study of calves maintained on a normal diet. The total dietary Si intake was increased by 4.9% in the form of stabilized orthosilicic acid. After 23 wk of Si supplementation, the serum Si concentration increased (p=0.0001,n=29) by 70% compared to control animals in spite of the low Si dose administered and the Si adequate diet. The individually administered Si dose was significantly associated with the serum Si concentration (r=0.44,p=0.016,n=29). The collagen concentration in dermis was significantly higher (p=0.019,n=4) in the Si group and a positive correlation (r=0.72,p=0.018,n=9) was found between the Si concentration in serum and the collagen concentration in cartilage. The calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) concentrations in serum were marginally higher for animals supplemented with Si compared to control animals. In serum, a significant linear relationship was found between the Si and the Ca concentration (r=0.31,p=0.019,n=59), whereas the magnesium concentration correlated marginally with the Si concentration (r=0.25,p=0.068,n=59). In summary, increasing the total dietary Si intake by 4.9% in the form of stabilized orthosilicic acid resulted in a 70% higher Si concentration in serum indicating a high bioavailability of Si in this supplement. The positive correlation between the serum Si concentration and the collagen concentration in cartilage and the serum Ca concentration, respectively, suggest the involvement of Si both in the formation of extracellular matrix components and in Ca metabolism.     

Effects of salicylate and zinc deficiency on the serum concentrations of magnesium,calcium, and parathyroid hormone

Oral application of 700 mg/kg salicylic acid to pregnant and nonpregnant female rats caused an increase of serum Mg²⁺ and a decrease of serum Ca²⁺ concentration. The salicylate effect was drastically enhanced by Zn deficiency. The increase in serum Mg²⁺ is probably caused by the nephrotoxicity of salicylate. The decrease of serum Ca²⁺ concentration is combined with an increase of parathyroid hormone concentration in serum. Probably, salicylate and Zn deficiency inhibit Ca²⁺ mobilization by parathyroid hormone in bone.     

Serum copper and zinc concentrations in a representative sample of the Canarian population.

Serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations of 395 individuals (187 males + 208 females) living in Canary Islands were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The mean copper and zinc concentrations were 1.10 +/- 0.25 mg/L and 1.16 +/- 0.52 mg/L respectively. Our data were similar to other data published in other Spanish regions. Individuals from Lanzarote presented a mean Cu and Zn concentrations higher (p < 0.05) than individuals from the rest of islands; Individuals from EL Hierro showed the lowest (p < 0.05) mean Zn concentration. These differences could be attributed a differences in Cu and Zn contents of soil and/or differences in dietary habits of the populations. The mean serum Cu concentration in females was higher (p < 0.05) than in males, however serum Zn concentration did not vary with the sex of the subjects. No relation to socio-economic status and educational level were found with respect to the serum Cu and Zn concentrations. The serum Cu concentration varied with age of individuals, observing the highest (p < 0.05) Cu concentration in the 20-30 year old interval. A higher serum Cu concentration in females within 20-30 year old interval was observed. This could be due to a higher use of oral contraceptives or to the higher number of pregnancies. Boys (younger than 15) showed a decrease (p < 0.05) of the serum Cu concentration with age. The mean Zn concentrations in serum did not change (p > 0.05) among the different age intervals. No clear trends in the serum Cu and Zn concentrations were observed when drinking and smoking habits were considered. The increase of physical exercise reduced (p < 0.05) the serum Cu concentrations.     

Cerebrospinal Fluid Glucose: Turnover and Metabolism

The turnover of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose was studied in cats during steady-state perfusion. In all experiments, the perfusion fluid contained either tracer [¹⁴C]glucose alone or tracer glucose along with 4.45 mM unlabeled glucose. In some studies, serum glucose was lowered with insulin. The concentration of glucose and [¹⁴C]glucose in the effluent fluid was measured, and the distribution of ¹⁴C between glucose and lactate was determined by chromatography. From these values, the extraction of glucose and the metabolism of glucose to lactate were calculated. From the decrease in the specific activity of glucose in the perfusion fluid, the influx of glucose from serum was also determined. During steadystate perfusion, 71% of the radioactivity was recovered in the effluent fluid: 50% in the form of glucose, 6% in the form of lactate, and 15% in forms that were not identified. Thus, 50% of the perfusion fluid glucose was cleared, of which 29% was extracted and 21% metabolized. The influx of glucose was proportional to the serum glucose when the latter was about 2.5 mM or 10.0 mM. During perfusion with tracer glucose only, the concentration of glucose in the effluent fluid was 25% that of serum. The transport of glucose from serum was independent of the glucose concentration gradient between serum and perfusion fluid. However, when perfusion fluid glucose concentration was greater than that of serum, transport was inhibited. These studies suggest that in maintaining CSF glucose at a lower concentration than serum glucose, with equal amounts of glucose entering and leaving the CSF, 50% of CSF glucose concentration cleared is replaced by 25% of serum glucose concentration.     

Goat serum as an alternative to establish cell culture from Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala

Serum from goat, calf, and chicken sources were evaluated in terms of attachment, growth, and proliferation of explants of Indian major carp, Cirrhinus mrigala. The attachment of explants viz. heart, liver, and kidney was directly proportional to the concentration of the serum. Among these sera, the highest percentage of attachment, growth, and proliferation was recorded for 10% goat serum and 15% newborn calf serum without affecting their cell morphology. On contrary to these sera, chicken serum at 15% concentration was found to be mildly toxic for all the explants. The cell count was significantly high for the kidney, liver, and heart at 10% goat serum among all the tested sera as well as concentration. Similarly, the liver, heart, and kidney explants were found to survive up to the tenth, seventh, and ninth passage, respectively. Therefore, the goat serum at 10% concentration can be used as effectively as newborn calf serum for routine culture of fish cells.     

Stimulation of WI-38 cell cycle transit: Effect of serum concentration and cell density

Flow microfluorometry has been used to characterize the effects of serum concentration and cell density on the initiation of cell cycle transit of stationary phase (G₀) human diploid fibroblasts (strain WI-38). The concentration of serum used to stimulate these cultures had no effect on the time cells began appearing in S (the DNA synthetic period), nor on the synchrony with which they moved around the cell cycle. However, as the serum concentration increased, the fraction of the stationary phase population released from G₀ increased. Cell density modulated the ability of serum to stimulate cell cycle traverse. For example, at a cell density of 1.81 × 10⁴ cells/cm², 78% of the population was sensitive to serum stimulation; whereas, when the density was increased to 7.25 × 10⁴ cells/cm², only 27% of the population could be stimulated. This effect of cell density on the serum response is not simply the result of changing the ratio of serum concentration to cell density, but appears to reflect a true modulation of the population's sensitivity to serum stimulation. These results are consistent with the interpretation that the primary action of serum is to determine the transition of cells from a non-cycling G₀ state to a cycling state and that cell density determines the proportion of the population capable of undergoing this transition.     

Changes in Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Peripartum Healthy and Subclinically Hypocalcemic Dairy Cows

The objective of this study was to determine the levels of serum copper and zinc in subclinically hypocalcemic peripartum dairy cows in comparison to healthy animals. Blood samples were taken from 219 multiparous Holstein cows near parturition (from 4 weeks prepartum to 4 weeks postpartum) and 51 cows with subclinical hypocalcemia. The results showed that the serum copper concentration increased gradually at 1 week prepartum and remained high for the first 4 weeks postpartum in the healthy periparturient dairy cows. The serum zinc concentration reached a nadir at 1 week postpartum and subsequently increased gradually to baseline. The serum zinc concentration was significantly decreased (P?<?0.01) in dairy cows with subclinical hypocalcemia compared with healthy cows. There was no significant difference in the serum copper concentration between cows with subclinical hypocalcemia and healthy cows. These data demonstrate that the concentrations of copper and zinc in serum change dramatically during the peripartum period in dairy cows, which is a tremendous challenge for the body and for the maintenance of dairy cow health. The present study further suggests that a decreased serum zinc concentration could be a cause of decreased productive performance and increased susceptibility to other diseases due to immunosuppression in dairy cows with subclinical hypocalcemia. Additionally, this decreased zinc concentration may be involved in the pathogenesis of subclinical hypocalcemia.     

Changes in Serum Ghrelin Concentration following Biliopancreatic Diversion for Obesity

Objective: Ghrelin is a recently discovered hormone that is produced mainly by the stomach and that increases food intake in rodents and humans. It has been postulated that the weight loss after gastric bypass surgery for obesity might be related to changes in serum ghrelin concentration. Research Methods and Procedures: Serum leptin and ghrelin concentrations were measured in a group of obese patients before biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) and 2 and 12 months postoperatively. Insulin sensitivity was determined from serum glucose and insulin levels according to the homeostatic model of assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA IR). Results: A sharp drop was observed in body weight, in BMI values, in HOMA IR data, and in serum leptin concentration at 2 and 12 months after BPD, whereas a significant increase of serum ghrelin level was observed at 12 months, when food intake had returned to preoperative levels. A negative correlation between the postoperative changes of serum ghrelin concentration and those of HOMA IR values was observed at 2 and 12 months after BPD. Discussion: No evidence upholding a relationship between serum ghrelin concentration and food intake after BPD was seen; the postoperative changes likely reflected the achievement of a new state of energy balance. The negative relationship observed between post‐BPD changes in HOMA IR values and changes in serum ghrelin concentration supported the role of insulin in the modulation of ghrelin production.     

Caused of intensified lipid peroxidation in the blood of patients with viral hepatitis B

The tissue oxygen concentration, the serum antioxidant system state and the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were studied in patients with hepatitis B. The good correlations were studied in patients with hepatitis B. The good correlations between MDA concentration in patients serum and the oxygen concentration in tissues (R-0.79), and the cytoplasmic enzymes activity (R-0.75 for lactate dehydrogenase; R-0.75 for alanine transferase) were found. On the other hand, it was shown an antioxidant activity decrease of ceruloplasmin-transferrin system in patients serum. It is proposed, that the tissue hypoxia and the decrease of the serum antioxidant activity are the general factors leading to the MDA accumulation in the serum of patients with hepatitis B.     

Hepatic calcium-binding protein regucalcin is released into the serum of rats administered orally carbon tetrachloride

The change in calcium-binding protein regucalcin, mainly localized in liver, in the liver and serum of rats received a single oral administration of carbon tetrachloride (50%; 1.0 ml/100 g body weight) was investigated. The change of regucalcin mRNA levels in the liver was analyzed by Northern blotting using liver regucalcin cDNA (0.6 kb). At 10 and 24 h after the administration, liver regucalcin mRNA levels were reduced markedly. Moreover, regucalcin concentration in the liver and serum was estimated by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) with rabbit-anti-regucalcin IgG. Administration of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) induced a significant decrease in liver regucalcin concentration and a corresponding elevation of serum regucalcin concentration at 24 h after the administration. An appreciable increase in serum regucalcin concentration was seen at 2 h after the administration. Meanwhile, serum transaminases (GOT and GPT) activities were significantly increased by CCl₄ administration, indicating that liver injury is induced. The present study demonstrates that hepatic regucalcin is released into the serum of rats administered orally CCl₄, suggesting that the estimation of serum regucalcin is a useful tool for diagnosis of liver injury.     

Strain and sex differences in serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in Mus musculus

Normal levels of circulating serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in different inbred strains of mice, as determined by radioimmunoassay, are reported. These strains show different and characteristic values for the mean serum AFP concentration, suggesting genetic control of the serum level of this protein. Furthermore, within each strain a difference in serum levels of the protein is observed between sexes; males have a significantly higher serum AFP concentration.     

Blood Serum Potassium and Sodium Concentration Constants: Search for Regulatory Factors

The age-related dynamics of serum potassium concentration was studied. Extreme conditions (spaceflight, prolonged hypokinesia, or immersion) provide similar tendencies of the decrease of blood serum potassium concentration. In chronic kidney disease, before the end stage renal disease is developed, two trends of disturbance in the potassium homeostasis: hyperkalemia or hypokalemia was revealed. The serum sodium concentration is stable under the above mentioned physiological conditions. Acute hypernatremia leads to an increase in the potassium concentration followed by a tendency of stable Na⁺/K⁺ ratio. The establishment of an internal standard of the physicochemical parameters of internal fluids was discussed.     

Serum copper concentration in adults with acute, uncomplicated Falciparum malaria infection

Serum copper concentration was measured in 80 adult patients (40 males and females each; age range: 18–40 yr) presenting with acute, uncomplicated falciparum malaria infection and a control group of 20 age-matched, healthy individuals. The mean serum copper concentration was 109.0±40.0 μg/dL in healthy individuals. Both male and female patients were found to have a significantly decreased serum copper concentration (p<0.05). In the male patients, the mean serum copper concentration decreased by 33.95%, whereas it dropped by 38.53% in their female counteraparts. A compromised enzymatic antioxidant defense capability, particularly superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, has been reported in patients with falciparum malaria infection. Because SOD activity is dependent on copper, the ineffective SOD activity can be related to the decrease in the concentration of copper during the infection. Low serum copper can also contribute to the ineffective immune response of the host to the antigenic challenge of the falciparum parasite because copper is also important for normal immune function.     

Only through the brain nuclei, arginine vasopressin regulates antinociception in the rat

The effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on rat antinociception was investigated. Intraventricular injection of 50 or 100 ng AVP dose-dependently increased the pain threshold; in contrast, intraventricular injection of 10 μl anti-AVP serum decreased the pain threshold; both intrathecal injection of 200 ng AVP or 10 μl anti-AVP serum and intravenous injection of 5 μg AVP or 200 μl anti-AVP serum did not influence the pain threshold. Pain stimulation reduced AVP concentration in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), and elevated AVP concentration in hypothalamic supraoptical nucleus (SON) and periaqueductal gray (PAG), but no change in AVP concentration was detected in pituitary, spinal cord and serum. The results indicated that AVP regulation of antinociception was limited to the brain nuclei.     

Lithium and Pregnancy—III,Lithium Ingestion by Children Breast-Fed by Women on Lithium Treatment

Children breast-fed by women on lithium treatment ingested lithium with the milk. Their serum lithium concentration was one-third to one-half the concentration in the nursing women''s serum. Bottle-feeding should be considered for children of women on lithium treatment.     

Superoxide dismutase activity (erythrocuprein) in Wilson's disease

Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (erythrocuprein) levels were determined in cells from normal subjects and from patients with Wilson's disease. The concentration of this copper-containing enzyme was essentially identical in both groups, even though serum ceruloplasmin was markedly reduced, or absent, in Wilson's disease. The observed concentration of the dismutase confirms previous results by others using immunochemical procedures. Extended therapy with D-penicillamine resulted in a 25 to 43% decrease in superoxide dismutase activity, and an 81 to 99% decrease in serum ceruloplasmin. Our results indicate that erythrocuprein levels are independent of serum ceruloplasmin concentration.