Biomedical subjects

Barbara Zahorska-Markiewicz

Publications and source records attributed to Barbara Zahorska-Markiewicz.

32 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2003

Hyperlipidaemias and serum cytokines in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVE: The inflammatory processes as well as the lipid disturbances play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the hyperlipidaemias on serum levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, the soluble form of TNF receptor (sTNFR) 1 and 2, Interleukin (IL)-10 in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: The study group comprised 94 consecutive admissions with stable CAD: 39 patients with hypercholesterolaemia (group HC), 22 patients with mixed hyperlipidaemia (group HL) and 33 patients with normal lipids (group NL). Twenty healthy volunteers were the controls (group C). Serum TNFalpha levels were higher in all CAD groups (p < 0.001) than in healthy subjects. Mean serum concentrations of sTNFR 1 were significantly higher in group NL (p < 0.05) in comparison both to group HC and controls. IL-10 levels were higher in group HC than in controls (p < 0.5). In all CAD patients TNFalpha showed a negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) and a positive correlation with triglycerides (p < 0.00 1). Moreover, sTNFR 1 and IL-10 showed a negative (p < 0.05) and sTNFR 2 a positive correlation with LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CAD patients are characterized by increased serum concentrations of TNFalpha. It seems likely that immune activation (TNFalpha, sTNFR 1, sTNFR 2, and IL- 10) in CAD patients is related to serum lipids levels.

Body Mass Index↗

PubMed2003

[Adhesion molecules: atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease].

Inflammation is now considered a critical pathogenic component of the atherosclerotic process. The initiation and progression of atherosclerosis as well as the pathogenesis of clinical forms of coronary artery disease are mediated by cell adhesion molecules. Their activation is associated with risk factors for atherosclerosis. The most important developments related to cell adhesion molecules and cardiovascular disease are the recognition of a novel target for therapeutics. Moreover the serum levels of adhesion molecules seem to be markers of the risk for cardiovascular events.

Coronary Artery Disease↗

PubMed2003

[Evaluation of gastric motility in obesity].

UNLABELLED: There are conflicting information about differences of gastric emptying rate between lean and obese subjects and lack of information concerning antral motility in both groups. It has been suggested that obesity is associated with an altered rate of gastric emptying, but the results of earlier studies examining gastric emptying rates in obesity have proved inconsistent. AIM: The purpose of this study was to compare gastric emptying rate and antral motility in obese and lean subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gastric antral motility and gastric emptying were measured after consumption of sweet omelette in 2 groups of patients: 10 obese (BMI mean = 33.18) and 10 lean subjects (BMI mean = 22.16) using a scintigraphic technique. Lag phase was assessed by physiologic and mathematic approach. Gastric area was calculated using a computer programme (Diacam-Siemens). RESULTS: There was no difference in gastric emptying profiles; the mean gastric contents after 2 hours of assessment in obese and lean groups was 69% and 71.6%, respectively. Gastric antral motility parameters such as contraction amplitude and frequency, relaxation and contraction time were not differing between the groups. Only in the 90th minute of the assessment a significant difference in contraction time was found. There were also no differences in gastric area and duration of lag phase. No significant correlation between height, BMI, gastric area and body area was found in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: There are no differences in the rate of gastric emptying and gastric antral motility between lean and obese subjects. No correlation between BMI, height, body area and gastric area was found. This findings deny the common opinion suggesting that obese people have bigger stomach which empties more rapidly than in lean subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Serum levels of selected adhesion molecules in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion molecules have been suggested as mediators of atherosclerotic inflammatory process. They may contribute to the pathogenesis of stable and unstable angina. METHODS: The study group consisted of 59 patients with coronary artery disease: 27 patients with stable exertional angina (group A), 32 patients with unstable angina (group B). 20 healthy persons acted as controls (group C). Serum levels of soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 (sICAM-1), Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 (sVCAM-1), sE-selectin, sP-selectin were measured both before and after the treadmill ECG stress test in groups A and C. In group B the measurements were carried out at 6, 24, and 48 hours following an episode of chest pain. RESULTS: There were no differences between the baseline serum levels of adhesion molecules as determined in groups A and C. In patients with stable angina, the post-exercise concentrations of sE-selectin were significantly higher (68.8+/-29 ng/ml) in comparison to both baseline- (38.7+/-15 ng/ml), and group C-values (pre-exercise: 35.1+/-16; post-exercise: 49.9+/-15 ng/ml). In unstable patients, serum sP-selectin (190.1+/-99 ng/ml) and sVCAM-1 levels (1359+/-299 ng/ml) were higher when compared to those found in groups A (142.3+/-24; 962+/-352 ng/ml, respectively) and C (136.4+/-33; 851+/-168 ng/ml, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules in patients with stable angina are comparable to those of healthy persons. Stress test-induced increase of sE-selectin concentration may reflect endothelial response to exercise. Unstable angina is characterized by significant elevation of sP-selectin and sVCAM-1 serum levels which seems to be related to enhanced platelets and leukocytes activation.

Aged↗

PubMed2002

Selected cytokines and soluble forms of cytokine receptors in coronary artery disease.

Background: Cytokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: We examined serum concentrations of selected pro- (TNFalpha, IL-2) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines, and soluble forms of TNF receptors (sTNFR 1 and sTNFR 2) by ELISA in 45 patients with stable exertional angina (group 1), 32 patients with unstable angina (group 2), and 20 healthy subjects (group C). Results: Serum concentrations of both TNFalpha (group 1, 18.3; group 2, 17.2 pg/ml; P<0.001) and IL-10 (group 1, 46.1; group 2, 41.5 pg/ml; P<0.05) were significantly higher in patients with CAD than in group C (8.3 and 14.3 pg/ml, respectively). sTNFR 1 serum level was higher in group 1 (1399.6; P<0.05) than in healthy volunteers (1093.9 pg/ml). In turn, the serum level of IL-2 was significantly higher in unstable patients than it was in groups 1 and C (89.4, 59.8 and 52.8 pg/ml, respectively). In group 1, both TNFalpha and IL-2 correlated with serum lipids. Conclusions: Patients with CAD, irrespective of the form of the disease, have higher serum levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines than control subjects. Increased concentrations of IL-2 in unstable angina may suggest additional immunologic activation. The pro-inflammatory cytokine levels seem to be related to lipid disturbances.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Is there a relationship between left ventricular systolic function and serum cytokines level in patients with coronary artery disease?

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that cytokines play a pathogenic role in both heart failure and atherosclerosis. The aim of our study was to assess serum levels of selected cytokines and soluble forms of receptors in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and the relation between these concentrations and left ventricular (LV) systolic function. MATERIAL/METHODS: We measured serum levels of TNFalpha, sTNFR 1 and 2, IL-2, and IL-10 in 100 patients with CAD: 70 patients with LV regional wall motion disturbances (group A); and 30 patients with normal LV function (group B). The control group (group C) consisted of 20 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Mean serum TNFalpha and IL-10 concentrations were significantly higher in groups A (18.3 +/- 3.5; 55.4 +/- 118.5 pg/ml) and B (17.9 +/- 4.9; 45.3 +/- 76.8 pg/ml) than in controls (8.3 +/- 1.4, p<0.001; 14.3 +/- 28.5, p<0.05; respectively). Moreover, in group A serum levels of sTNFR 1 were higher (1367.4 +/- 531.1 pg/ml) than in group C (1093.9 +/- 456.9 pg/ml; p<0.05). No differences were found in the study groups between serum sTNFR 2 and IL-2 levels. In group A, both the LV ejection fraction and motion score index correlated with TNFalpha (r=-0.277; r=0.282; p<0.05), and sTNFR 1 levels (r=-0.258; r=0.280; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The serum concentrations of TNFalpha and IL-10 are increased in patients with CAD. Additionally, patients with impaired LV contractility have higher sTNFR 1 concentrations. Serum cytokine activation may play a role in the development of heart failure in patients with CAD.

Case-Control Studies↗

PubMed2002

[Effect of chitosan in complex management of obesity].

UNLABELLED: The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of chitosan as a possible adjuvant in the complex management of obesity. METHOD: Fifty obese women (22-59 years, BMI > 30) participated in the study. A six months program consisted of 2-hour meetings with a physician, psychologist and dietitian, in a group of about 20 persons, every two weeks. Low calorie diet (1000 kcal/day), physical activity and behaviour modification were recommended. Supplementation with chitosan was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. In the chitosan group, participants received ChitininN (Primex Ingredients ASA, Avaldsnes, Norway) i.e. 750 mg pure chitosan per tablet, two tablets three times daily before each main meal. The placebo group received identical placebo tablets. RESULTS: Significantly higher body weight loss was noted in the chitosan-supplemented group (15.9 kg) than in the placebo group (10.9 kg) Also a greater decrease of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was observed in the chitosan group. There was no difference between the groups in the decrease of LDL and total cholesterol. No adverse effects were noted but the number of drop-outs was higher in the placebo group than in the chitosan group. CONCLUSION: Chitosan can be used as a valuable and safe adjuvant in long-term dietary treatment of obesity. Chitosan seems to accentuate the reduction of blood pressure associated with weight reduction.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[The influence of three-months weight reducing treatment on eating behavior in obese women].

The effectiveness of weight reducing treatment and maintaining of reduced weight depends in great extend on changing patient's food preferences and it can be achieved through nutritional education and through patients self-esteem. Estimation of changes in eating behaviour in obese women during 3 months of weight reducing treatment carried by doctors, dietician and psychotherapist. 3 months of weight reducing treatment resulted in weight loss of 9.1%. Percentage of animal fats in the meals was significantly reduced and the percentage of complex carbohydrates (fruit and vegetables) and low-fat protein products was increased. The change of a diet structure was accompanied by a symptomatic decrease of preferences of simple carbohydrates and animal fats as well as protein products. 3 months of weight reducing group treatment resulted not only in a reduction of weight but also in modification of eating behaviour. The beneficial change of food preferences which influenced the composition of the consumed meals seems to be good predictor of a long-term effect of the treatment. The most favourable results of the weight reducing treatment can be obtained by group therapy using eating education and psychotherapy.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor TNFalpha and its soluble receptors in obese women with diabetes type 2 and without additional disease].

INTRODUCTION: TNF-alpha is one with mediators insulin resistance. Previous study showed, that in obesity there is an increased synthesis of TNF-alpha by fat cells and serum concentrations of TNF-alpha. The aim of present study was: 1. To assess of serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and TNF soluble receptors sTNFRs in obese women with diabetes type 2 and obese women without additional disease. 2. To assess possible association between of manner treatment of diabetes type 2 and serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and TNF soluble receptors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group's involved 23 obese women with diabetes type 2 - group A (age 63.6 +/- 8.2 lat; BMI 32.7 +/- 3,9 kg/m2) in this 12 treated of derivatives of sulfonylurea (age 65.1 +/- 6.6 lat; BMI 32.0 +/- 3.4 kg/m2) - subgroup AI and 11 insulin treated (age 62.1 +/- 9.7 lat; BMI 33.4 +/- 4.4 kg/m2) - subgroup AII and 23 obese women without additional disease and without any pharmacological treatment - group B (age 36.6 +/- 10.9 lat; BMI 36.6 +/- 5.6 kg/m2). Body weight and height were measured, body mass index was calculated with formula. Serum concentrations of glucose was measured by enzymatic procedure. Serum concentrations of TNF-alpha and it's soluble receptors sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 was measured by ELISA. and sTNFR2 were significant decreased (respectively p <0,005 i p <0,001) in group A when compared to group B. There are not significant differences serum concentration of TNF-alpha and its soluble receptors between subgroups AI and AII. CONCLUSIONS: 1. In obese women with diabetes type 2 serum concentration of TNF-alpha increased and concentrations of its soluble receptors decreased when compared to obese without additional disease. 2. The treatment meaner of diabetes type 2 not influence of serum concentration of TNF-alpha and sTNFR1 but application of insulin maybe a cause increase activity sTNFR2.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Impact of the mass-reductive therapy with orlistat on 25-(OH)-D3 and PTH concentration in sera of obese, menopausal women].

UNLABELLED: Epidemiological studies suggest a protective influence of obesity against postmenopausal bone loss. Lower risk of osteoporotic fractures was described in obese patients. However there were only a few studies which examined the effect of weight reduction on bone metabolism and results of these studies are controversial. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of weight reduction program using Orlistat on bone metabolism in perimenopausal women. Twenty obese women with simple obesity and without concomitant diseases (BMI 37.1 +/- 3.0 kg/m2, mean age 49.8 +/- 4.6 yrs) were enrolled into this study. The control group consisted of 20 healthy women (mean age 53.5 +/- 5.4 yrs, BMI 24.1 +/- 2.2 kg/m2). All patients have participated in a 3-month weight reduction therapy that consisted of: a 1000-1200 kcal/ day balanced diet (daily calcium consumption about 500mg), Orlistat 3 x 120mg a day and regular physical exercises. Before the weight reduction therapy and after 10% reduction of body weight, serum concentrations of PTH, 25-(OH)-D3, total calcium and phosphorus, total cholesterol were assessed. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA method) of lumbar spine and femoral neck, measuring BMD was performed once, after a 3-month weight reduction therapy using Lunar DPXL. All these measurements were performed only once in control subjects. After a 3-month weight reduction program in patients treated with Orlistat the mean weight loss was 11.6 +/- 5.1 kg which is 12.1 +/- 4.78 %. BMI decreased from 37.1 +/- 3.0 kg/m2 at baseline to 32.6 +/- 2.7 kg/m2 post-treatment. The body weight reduction resulted in significant decrease of body fat and total cholesterol concentration. In obese subjects serum concentration of 25-(OH)-D3 was significantly lower and serum concentration of PTH was significantly higher in comparison to healthy controls, both before and after weight reduction therapy. Serum concentration of PTH, 25-(OH)-D3, total calcium and phosphorus did not change significantly after therapy with Orlistat. CONCLUSION: 3-month weight reduction program using Orlistat did not influence significantly bone metabolism.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The level of anxiety and locus of control in women deciding to start a weight loss programme].

UNLABELLED: Characteristic for an individual and a relatively constant level of anxiety and internal or external locus of control are personality dimensions that influence the biopsychosocial functioning of an individual and are reflected in his experience and behaviour. AIM: The aim of this study was to analyse the level of anxiety in women deciding to start a weight loss programme and to find the relationship between the locus of control and the intensity of this anxiety. METHOD: Sixty seven women participating in a group-based, interdisciplinary educational weight loss programme were examined using the Locus of Control Questionnaire (Drwal) and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger, Strelau, Tysarczyk & Wrześniewski). The average age of the subjects was 42.88 +/- 10.96 and the average body mass index was 35.98 +/- 5.66. RESULTS: The level of Anxiety as a State averaged at 5 +/- 2, the level of Anxiety as a Trait averaged at 5 +/- 1.55 and the result in the Locus of Control Questionnaire averaged 7 +/- 1.57. There was a correlation between: age and BMI, (r=0.33; p<0.05), age and state of anxiety (r=0.25; p<0.01), state of anxiety and trait of anxiety (r=0.60; p<0.05), state of anxiety and locus of control (r= 0.41; p<0.05), trait of anxiety and locus of control (r=0.35; p<0.05). In the group of women with lowest BMI their age was also significantly lower than in the other groups. There were no other differences correlating with age across the examined variables. CONCLUSIONS: The level of Anxiety (as a State and as a Trait) in women deciding to start a weight loss programme did not differ from the general population. 1. The results in the Locus of Control Questionnaire were higher than the general population--that means a more external locus of control. 2. There was no correlation between BMI and the level of anxiety or the locus of control. 3. There was a correlation between the locus of control and the anxiety level (state and trait).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The effect of weight loss on serum concentration of interleukine-6 (IL-6) and insulin resistance].

INTRODUCTION: Interleukine-6 (IL-6) is one of the cytokines, excreting by adipocytes, which increases in obesity. These cytokines participate in very complicated mechanisms of developing insulin resistance that accompany obesity. The aim of the study was to: 1) evaluate the influence of weight loss on insulin resistance and serum concentration of IL-6, 2) evaluate the hypothetical association between serum concentration of IL-6 and the improvement of insulin sensitivity in obese women after weight loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 27 obese women (age 40.3 +/- 11.1 year; BMI 37.4 +/- 5.2 kg/m(2)) with insulin resistance diagnosed using HOMA index, without concomitant diseases and without any medication. All the patients participated in complex weight reduction treatment (diet, physical activity and psychotherapy). Before and after weight reduction therapy weight and height were measured, body composition was determined using bioimpedance analysis. Serum concentration of glucose was determined by enzymatic procedure, serum concentration of insulin was measured by radioimmunoassay, serum concentration of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. HOMA index was calculated with formula. RESULTS: The mean weight loss after 3-month was 9.2 +/- 4.5 kg (approximately 10% of initial weight). After weight reduction significant decreases in HOMA index, insulin and IL-6 concentrations was observed. However, no correlations between changes in insulin concentrations, HOMA index and decrease of IL-6 concentration were showed. We observed significant correlations between DeltaHOMA and DeltaBMI (r = 0.48; p = 0.012) and Delta percentage fat mass (r = 0.39; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A moderate weight loss improves insulin sensitivity and decreases serum concentrations of IL-6. However improvement of insulin sensitivity is the effect of fat mass reduction and does not change serum concentration of IL-6.

Adipocytes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Insulin resistance and serum concentrations of ovarian and adrenal androgen in obese women without additional disease and with policystic ovary syndrome].

THE AIM: of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of adrenal and ovarian androgens and sex hormone-binding globulin in obese women without additional diseases and in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome with and without insulin resistance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group involved 73 obese women (39 with PCOS--A and 34 obese without additional diseases--B). The serum concentration of glucose and insulin were measured and the study group was divided on the basis of HOMA index into two subgroups: A I-PCO without insulin resistance (n=18, mean age 27.2+/-5.9 yr; BMI 33.2+/-3.5 kg/m2); AII-PCO with insulin resistance (n=21, mean age 27.5+/-7.1 yr; BMI 37.6+/-6.5 kg/m2); B I-obese without insulin resistance (n=8, age 33.5+/-7.5 yr; BMI 35.2+/-4.8 kg/m2); B II-obese with insulin resistance (n=24, age 30.3+/-5.2 yr; BMI 36.4+/-5.8 kg/m2). Body mass and height were measured and body mass index was calculated with formula. Body composition was measured using bioimpedance method. The serum concentrations of FSH, LH, total and free testosterone, androstendione, DHEAS, SHBG and insulin were determined by RIA method and glucose was determined by enzymatic procedure. RESULTS: We observed significantly higher body mass, fat mass and BMI in AII subgroup when compared to AI, BI and BII subgroups. Only serum concentration of free testosterone was significantly higher in AII subgroup when compared to AI subgroup. We observed a positive correlation between serum concentrations of insulin and free testosterone in both groups A and B, moreover we observed positive correlations between serum concentrations of insulin and both DHEAS and LH in group B. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that insulin resistance plays a key role in the development of hyperandrogenism in obese women. However mechanisms leading to hyperandrogenism in PCOS are still unrevealed and seem to be more complex.

Adrenal Glands↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of weight loss on serum concentrations of nitric oxide, TNF-alpha and soluble TNF-alpha receptors.

INTRODUCTION: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effect of weight-loss treatment on serum concentrations of NO and TNF-alpha and to examine whether there is an association between TNF-system activity and serum concentrations of NO after weight loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group involved 43 obese women (aged 41.8 +/- 11.9 years, weight 95.2 +/- 15.0 kg, BMI 36.5 +/- 4.6 kg/m(2)). The women were subjected to three-month complex weight-loss treatment. Patients were advised to keep to a 1000-1200 kcal diet and to exercise regularly. Pharmacological treatment was not administered. Serum concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites, TNF-alpha and its soluble receptors (sTNFR1, sTNFR2) were measured by ELISA kits; insulin was measured by RIA and glucose, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglicerydes by an enzymatic procedure before and after weight loss. Body composition was determined by impedance analysis using Bodystat. RESULTS: The mean weight loss during treatment was 8.3 +/- 4.3 kg. The serum concentrations of TNF-alpha decreased significantly (p < 0.000) and both receptors sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 increased significantly (p < 0.000) after weight loss. No significant changes in serum concentrations of NO were observed after weight loss. A multiple regression analysis was performed using DeltaTNF-alpha, DeltasTNFR1, DeltaTNFR2 and DeltaNO as dependent variables. A significant correlation was observed between DNO and initial plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates a decrease in serum TNF-alpha concentration as well as an increase in plasma concentration of both TNF receptors but does not show any change in serum concentrations of NO after weight-loss treatment in obese women. It seems that changes in TNF-system activity may be a counter-regulating mechanism, which inhibits further body mass loss. We did not observe any association between changes in TNF-system activity and serum concentrations of NO after weight loss.

Adult↗