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Biomedical subjects

M T García-Unzueta

Publications and source records attributed to M T García-Unzueta.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Blood-soluble Fas levels are increased in type 2 diabetic patients with peripheral vascular disease.

AIM: To investigate the possible utility of plasma sFas (soluble Fas) levels as a marker of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) in type 2 diabetic patients, and the relationship between classical cardiovascular risk factors and sFas levels in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: sFas levels were measured in 57 type 2 diabetic patients with and 60 without PVD matched for age and sex. Diagnosis of PVD was established in presence of at least one of the following criteria: leg or foot amputation of vascular cause, lower-extremity arterial angioplasty or surgical by-pass, or ankle-braquial index (ABI) less than 1 in at least one side of the body. ELISA was used to measure sFas levels. RESULTS: None of the risk factors assessed total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, CRP, ACE, fibrinogen, Lp(a) and homocysteine was significantly different between both groups of patients. However, patients with PVD had higher plasma sFas levels than the group without PVD (10.25+/-3.7 ng/ml VS. 8.86+/-2.6 ng/ml; p=0.02). Levels of sFas were 1.45 ng/ml (95% CI: 0.32-2.58; p=0.013) higher in PVD patients when adjusting by age, total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, homocysteine, CRP, ACE, arterial hypertension and tobacco smoking. Using multiple logistic regression sFas is a predictor of PVD, although not potent. CONCLUSION: Plasma sFas may be an independent marker of PVD in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Fasting plasma ghrelin levels increase progressively after biliopancreatic diversion: one-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The role of ghrelin in weight control after surgery is not clear. We examined plasma ghrelin and leptin levels in patients with morbid obesity undergoing biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) of Scopinaro. METHODS: 30 adult patients (27 females, 3 males), undergoing elective BPD were recruited from the Hospital Surgery Service. Fasting blood samples for biochemical determinations were drawn before surgery and 1, 3 and 12 months after BPD. Human plasma ghrelin was measured by RIA. RESULTS: During the study period, weight, BMI and serum leptin levels decreased significantly at all sample points compared to preoperative values. Ghrelin plasma levels increased during the study, with statistical significance at 3 months and 1 year after surgery compared with preoperative levels. While leptin changes correlated with changes in BMI, no correlation was found between ghrelin and leptin or BMI changes. CONCLUSION: Plasma ghrelin levels could be decreased in obese patients as a compensatory mechanism to their nutritional state, but our results do not support the postulated beneficial role of ghrelin in the 1-year weight loss after BPD. They rather suggest that weight loss somehow stimulates ghrelin secretion, even in the absence of part of the stomach.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

[Plasma leptin levels in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis and their relationship with degree of fibrosis].

OBJECTIVES: a) To analyze plasma leptin levels in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and b) to investigate the relationship between leptin levels and liver fibrosis stage in a cohort of patients with PBC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum leptin levels were evaluated through radioimmunoassay in 30 patients with PBC (mean age: 37.2 +/- 11.0 years; range:19-75) and in 29 controls matched for age and weight. Venous blood obtained after a 12-hour fast was centrifuged in EDTA tubes. Weight, height and body mass index (BMI) were measured using standard methods. Hepatitis C virus RNA was determined using qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In all patients liver biopsies were performed and the degree of fibrosis and extent of inflammatory infiltrate were evaluated. RESULTS: Plasma leptin levels in patients with PBC were lower than those obtained in control subjects (p<0.0001). No significant differences were found between the two groups in age, weight, height, BMI or body fat index. There was a clear increase in serum leptin levels according to histological stage of PBC (stage I: 2.1 ng/ml; stage II: 4.3 ng/ml; stage III: 5.3 ng/ml; stage IV: 12.1 ng/ml; p<0.01) CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates the correlation between leptin and stage of liver fibrosis in a cohort of patients with PBC, providing further evidence of the involvement of leptin in the process of liver fibrosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Autoantibodies against oxidized LDL and serum total antioxidant status in active cyclists and ex-cyclists.

There is an apparent paradox between the benefits of aerobic exercise and the potentially deleterious effects of increased free radicals and decreased circulating antioxidants generated during exercise. To assess the oxidative/antioxidative status in competitive cyclists and ex-cyclists, we measured two markers not well studied in these situations, serum total antioxidant status (TAS) and antibodies against oxidized LDL (AuAb-ox-LDL) in 18 competitive male cyclists, 10 ex-competitive cyclists and 14 healthy males. AuAb-ox-LDL was evaluated by enzyme immunoassay, and serum TAS concentration was analyzed by spectrophotometry. Ex-cyclists had serum TAS levels statistically higher than the control group and cyclists group (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Active sportsmen showed significantly less AuAb-ox-LDL than healthy sedentary males, while there was a non-significant trend in the ex-cyclists to have lower AuAb-ox-LDL than the corresponding control group. AuAb-ox-LDL levels were not statistically different between the groups of active and previously active sporting men. There was a positive correlation between TAS and LDL-cholesterol in active cyclists under heavy training. In the ex-cyclist group, there was a negative correlation between serum TAS and the time elapsed since they had ended the competition. Competitive cycling decreases AuAb-ox-LDL levels, suggesting that it may decrease ox-LDL levels. After ending physical training, antioxidative status remains increased for at least one year, but the effect on AuAb-ox-LDL levels is lost.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Perioperative response of leptin and the tumor necrosis factor alpha system in morbidly obese patients. Influence of cortisol inhibition by etomidate.

BACKGROUND: Leptin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and soluble TNFalpha receptors are secreted by the adipose tissue. Surgery induces a complex cytokine and neurohormonal response. The aim of our study was to investigate the perioperative response of leptin and the TNFalpha system in morbidly obese patients submitted to gastroplasty, and the possible involvement of cortisol in their responses. METHODS: Serum cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leptin, TNFalpha and soluble TNFalpha receptor I were measured in 22 morbidly obese women (11 anesthetized with thiopental and 11 with etomidate, a well known inhibitor of cortisol synthesis). Samples were collected before anesthesia induction, just before surgical incision, and 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h after the start of surgery. RESULTS: Baseline serum leptin correlated with body mass index (r=0.567, P=0.007). Baseline serum leptin and TNFalpha were higher than normal. Cortisol release was inhibited in the etomidate group with a subsequent higher stimulation of ACTH release. A statistically significant decrease in serum leptin levels was observed in both groups at 2, 4, 6 and 48 h, compared with basal values. A similar decrease in serum TNFalpha levels was observed in both groups, but the decrease reached significance only in the etomidate group. Serum soluble TNFalpha receptor I did not decrease. No differences were found between the two groups in leptin, TNFalpha or soluble TNFalpha receptor I concentrations at any time. CONCLUSION: Serum leptin and TNFalpha levels decrease in obese patients during gastroplasty. Transitory inhibition of cortisol release does not alter this response.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed2001

Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide in hepatic cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVES: Dendroaspis natriuretic peptide (DNP) is a novel peptide that is structurally similar to atrial, brain, and C-type natriuretic peptides. Many natriuretic peptides are increased in hepatic cirrhosis, but the role of DNP in cirrhosis is unknown at present. The aim of the study was to investigate plasma levels of dendroaspis natriuretic-like immunoreactivity in cirrhosis. METHODS: We measured plasma concentrations of DNP by radioimmunoassay methods in 12 cirrhotic patients without ascites and 44 cirrhotic patients with ascites, and compared these values with 20 age-matched healthy subjects. Renal function, plasma cGMP concentration, plasma renin activity, and plasma endothelin concentration were measured in each patient. RESULTS: Patients without ascites had circulating levels of DNP similar to those of healthy subjects. By contrast, patients with ascites had increased circulating DNP levels compared to both patients without ascites and healthy subjects. In addition, circulating levels of DNP increased in relation to the severity of cirrhosis. Significant positive correlations were also found between DNP levels, endothelin concentrations, and plasma renin activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that plasma DNP is increased in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Effects of long-term treatment with antipsychotics on serum leptin levels.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal regulation of the adipocyte-derived hormone leptin could play a role in body weight gain induced by antipsychotics. AIMS: To study the effects of long-term antipsychotic treatment on leptin levels in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD: Serum leptin levels were determined in 59 out-patients with chronic schizophrenia and in the same number of healthy subjects controlled by gender, age and body mass index. RESULTS: Leptin levels did not differ between patients and controls. Leptin levels in patients with schizophrenia correlated with weight gain, even after controlling for current weight, but did not show any association with clinical variables. Antipsychotic class tended to exert different effects over leptin levels (among atypicals, olanzapine induced a greater increase). CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of leptin levels induced by chronic antipsychotic treatment can be attributed to weight gain, but other mechanisms could be involved.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Higher levels of serum copper in schizophrenic patients treated with depot neuroleptics.

The findings of previous research on the status of trace elements in patients with schizophrenia have been controversial. We studied 62 outpatients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia, and compared them with sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Serum copper levels were significantly higher in schizophrenic patients (mean 117.4 microg/dl; S.D. 23.4) than in healthy controls (105.6+/-27.9). Those patients on treatment with depot neuroleptics had higher copper levels. Zinc levels did not differ between patients and healthy controls. Altered levels of trace elements in schizophrenic patients may be a consequence of antipsychotic treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Different time course of circulating adhesion molecules and hyaluran during hepatic allograft rejection.

BACKGROUND: Inducible adhesion molecules are involved in cell-mediated allograft rejection. In addition, the endothelium is the main target of this process. This study investigated, whether soluble (s) forms of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) are elevated during cellular rejection and whether hyaluran is a useful marker of endothelial function in liver transplantation. METHODS: Serum levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and hyaluran were determined in 24 controls and 27 hepatic transplant recipients. These patients were divided in two groups: group I, 14 patients without rejection; and group II, 13 patients with rejection. Samples were collected on day 1 and 7 after transplantation, on the day of liver biopsy, and after treatment of the rejection. RESULTS: We found a significant increase in sICAM-1 levels in the postoperative period in the rejection group compared with the non rejection group. It persisted significantly elevated until the diagnosis of rejection was made. In contrast, sVCAM-1 was only significantly elevated in the rejection group when diagnosis of rejection was evident. Hyaluran levels were also significantly elevated in the rejection group at diagnosis of rejection. We noticed a significant decline in sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and hyaluran levels after successful treatment of rejection. In addition, we observed in the non-rejection group a stable lower levels of hyaluran during the entire postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: The release of circulating adhesion molecules is a prominent feature coinciding with the first episode of hepatic rejection. Differential patterns of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 exist during rejection. In addition, hyaluran levels may be a sensitive marker of liver endothelial cell function in the postoperative period of liver transplantation.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Adrenomedullin in liver transplantation and its relationship with vascular complications.

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent vasodilating peptide that increases rat platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels and acts on endothelial cells to stimulate nitric oxide release. Both mechanisms inhibit platelet function. Considering these effects, AM may have a role in cardiovascular regulation after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and could have an antithrombotic effect. The aim of the present study is to investigate plasma AM levels in the early postoperative period after OLT and their relationship with vascular complications in OLT. We measured plasma AM levels in 35 patients with cirrhosis who underwent OLT at baseline and 1, 7, and 15 days postoperatively. We found that AM levels were significantly greater in patients with cirrhosis compared with healthy subjects. Of the 35 patients, 10 had vascular complications. In these 10 patients, AM concentrations were significantly greater than those observed in the nonthrombotic group in the early postoperative period. In addition, we also noticed in the nonthrombotic group a significant increase in AM levels from baseline to day 1, then a decrease to baseline levels in the early postoperative period. Our study shows that AM might act as a new humoral factor involved in the response to surgery in OLT and is significantly associated with vascular thrombosis in OLT.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed1999

Patients with poor preoperative ejection fraction have a higher plasma response of adrenomedullin in response to open heart surgery.

BACKGROUND: Adrenomedullin (AM) is a potent vasodilator peptide. Plasma AM levels are increased in heart diseases and in sepsis. Heart surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces a systemic inflammatory response. METHODS: We measured plasma AM, cAMP (the second messenger of AM), C-reactive protein (CRP) and haemodynamic parameters in 29 patients undergoing elective open heart surgery, before, during and after anaesthesia and CPB as well as on the first morning after surgery. RESULTS: Basal AM levels were higher than normal and correlated with systolic pulmonary pressure and pulmonary capillary pressure, but not with other haemodynamic parameters. AM increased during CPB and remained elevated 24 h after the start of surgery. Plasma cAMP increased only at the end of CPB. CRP was increased only in the last sample. At the end of CPB and at the end of surgery AM levels were higher in patients with basal ejection fraction<40% compared with those with ejection fraction >60% [456+/-386 vs 252+/-343 (P<0.03) and 832+/-781 vs 391+/-356 pg/ml (P<0.05), respectively]. CONCLUSION: We conclude that AM, as inflammation-related cytokines, increases during and after CPB, that cAMP response is unrelated to AM and that AM response is higher in those patients with worse basal ejection fraction.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed1999

Folate levels in psychiatric outpatients.

This study examines folate in psychiatric outpatients. Fifty-three outpatients with schizophrenia and 24 outpatients with depressive disorder assessed with the Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry interview are included. Patients with schizophrenia had lower serum folate levels than age- and sex-matched controls, while red cell folate levels did not differ. Serum folate levels showed a negative correlation with the Clinical Global Impression, disorganized dimension, and total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score. Patients with depressive disorder had lower serum folate levels than healthy controls, but showed no differences in red cell folate levels. Only two patients with schizophrenia had red cell folate levels below the normal range.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Serum interleukin-6 in renal osteodystrophy: relationship with serum PTH and bone remodeling markers.

Interleukin-6, synthesized by osteoblasts in response to PTH, stimulates osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in vitro, and it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of bone loss in several clinical situations. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether serum levels of interleukin-6 were increased in patients with renal osteodystrophy, and to investigate the possible relationships between serum interleukin-6 and PTH levels on one hand, and serum interleukin-6 and bone remodeling markers on the other. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), intact PTH, osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and carboxyterminal telopeptide of Type 1 collagen (ICTP) were measured in 86 uremic patients. IL-6 (median [range] 16.5 [1.0-430] pg/ml), PTH (279.8 [11-2004] pg/ml), osteocalcin (143.8 [8-921] ng/ml), BAP (20.9 [6-169] U/I) and ICTP (38.8 [1.5-181.5] microg/l) were higher than normal. IL-6 levels correlated with PTH (r= 0.22, p = 0.04) and with ICTP (r = 0.31, p = 0.004). A stronger correlation was found between PTH and circulating bone remodeling markers (r = 0.66 for osteocalcin, r = 0.56 for BAP, and r = 0.39 for ICTP). The correlation between PTH and IL-6 was stronger in those patients (n = 15) with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (r= 0,71, p = 0.003). On the other hand, in the group of patients (n = 41) with PTH lower than 250 pg/ml, there was no correlation between IL-6 and PTH, while IL-6 correlated with ICTP (r = 0.44, p = 0.006). Serum IL-6 correlates with ICTP which suggests that it may mediate bone resorption in renal osteodystrophy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effects of radiation on endothelial function.

PURPOSE: The response of endothelium to ionizing radiation was studied. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The abdominal aorta in different experimental groups of rats was irradiated, and the response of arterial rings from the irradiated segments to norepinephrine, acetylcholine (ACh), and nitroglycerin (NTG) was studied. Nonirradiated thoracic segments in the same experimental animals were used as as a control for comparisons. Two age-matched nonirradiated control groups were also studied. RESULTS: A poor endothelium-dependent vasodilator response was obtained with ACh in the irradiated rings and also in those not directly irradiated; the endothelium-independent vasodilator response to NTG was preserved during the first 3 days after irradiation. By 6 months, both the endothelium-dependent response and endothelium-independent response were impaired. CONCLUSIONS: Alterations in nitric oxide synthesis and/or release by the endothelium were observed during the early phase of radiation in irradiated and nonirradiated segments. In the delayed phase of radiation, endothelium-independent muscular relaxation was also affected.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1998

Age-related responses of vasoactive factors during acute exercise.

To evaluate the age-related response of vasoactive factors during acute exercise, young (n = 8, aged 23.6+/-2 years) and old (n = 13, aged 77+/-6 years) healthy volunteers performed a stress test using a treadmill, and blood samples were taken before and after exercise. There were neither basal (old people 77+/-53 vs. young people 67.6+/-40 pg/ml) nor peak exercise-related (old people 77+/-43 vs. young people 66.8+/-34 pg/ml) differences in plasma adrenomedullin (AM) between both groups. AM did not increase with exercise in either group. Regarding plasma cAMP, there were neither basal nor exercise related differences, but this nucleotide increased with exercise in both groups (old people p < 0.0001, young people p < 0.05). Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) was higher in basal (116.3+/-64 vs. 46.8+/-21 pg/ml, p < 0.003) and after exercise samples (150.2+/-76.5 vs. 68.7+/-29.5 pg/ml, p < 0.004) in old people as compared with young people. Old people showed an increase in ANP with exercise (p < 0.05), but in young people, though there was a trend to increase, it did not reach statistical significance. There were neither basal nor exercise related differences in plasma cGMP, but this nucleotide increased with exercise in both groups. Angiotensin II (AT-II) levels were lower in basal and after exercise samples in old people as compared with young people. AT-II levels did not increase with exercise in either group. These data suggest that, with increasing age, the vascular tree develops resistance to ANP and higher sensitivity to AT-II, while AM levels do not change. Exercise makes ANP changes more evident, while AM and AT-II are not modified.

Adrenomedullin↗
PubMed1998

Plasma adrenomedullin levels in type 1 diabetes. Relationship with clinical parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between plasma adrenomedullin (AM) levels and the presence of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetic patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We measured plasma AM and cAMP levels in 103 type 1 diabetic patients (46 without complications, 24 with retinopathy only, 14 with microalbuminuria but normal kidney function, and 19 with renal insufficiency) and 41 matched healthy control subjects. RESULTS: Patients with renal insufficiency had higher levels of AM and cAMP than all other groups. Patients with only retinopathy showed a trend to have higher levels than patients without complications. There were no differences among all other groups. There was a significant correlation between AM and cAMP in the total diabetic group (rs = 0.36, P < 0.001) but not in the control group. In multiple regression analysis, plasma AM demonstrated significant relationships with creatinine clearance (beta = -0.31, P = 0.004) and duration of the disease (beta = 0.28, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma AM and cAMP are increased in type 1 diabetic patients with renal insufficiency. Creatinine clearance (CrClc) and duration of the disease are related to plasma AM levels in these patients.

Adrenomedullin↗