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Aim: We aimed to evaluate the circulating thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in order to integrate these signaling pathways in the inflammatory and fibrogenic processes of this liver disorder. Methods: Ninety-five NAFLD patients were recruited in the study. The study also included 83 age-sex matched healthy controls. Results: The number of patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) criteria was 57 (60%). TSP-1 level was found to be statistically significantly lower in the NAFLD group compared to the control group (p=0.037). However, NF-κB level was found to be significantly higher in the NAFLD group compared to the control group (p=0.004). There was a significant negative correlation between plasma TSP-1 levels with glucose (r=-0.235, p=0.022), alanine aminotransferase (r=-0.261, p=0.011) and aspartate transaminase (r=-0.328, p=0.001) levels. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between plasma TSP-1 and NF-κB levels (r=-0.729, p

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate whether low serum calcium (Ca) and corrected calcium (cCa) levels could predict disease prognosis and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Methods: In this study, we retrospectively enrolled 206 eligible patients with COVID-19, diagnosed at Turkey Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital between March 12, 2020 and June 15, 2020. Results: Serum Ca level was 8.8 ± 0.57 mg/dL and the serum cCa level was 8.99 ± 0.53 in all patients. The patients were divided into two groups, such as hypocalcemic and non-hypocalcemic patients. We observed that serum Ca levels of patients who died were significantly lower than that of surviving patients. A significant negative correlation was found between serum cCa level and albumin level. A significant positive correlation was found between serum cCa level and C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, ferritin, procalcitonin, troponin, CURB-65 score, and quick Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (q-SOFA) score. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age, respiratory rate, saturation, heart rate, lymphocyte, serum calcium, D-dimer, CURB-65 score, and q-SOFA score were independent predictors of high-risk group of mortality. Conclusions: This study confirms that the severity of COVID-19 is associated with lower concentrations of serum Ca. The cCa levels were associated with certain prognostic factors. Serum Ca and cCa levels could be an early and helpful marker to improve management of patients with COVID-19. We recommend evaluation of calcium in patients on initial presentation and serial monitoring during hospitalization in order to perform timely and appropriate corrective actions.

Background Both the extracellular matrix molecule tenascin-C (Tn-C) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) have a role in tissue injury, inflammation, and remodeling. In this pilot study, we tried to evaluate the role of these markers in acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods A total of 52 subjects were enrolled in this study. Group 1 consisted of 27 patients with AKI (stage 1, 2, and 3), and Group 2 consisted of 25 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. Serum and urine samples (to determine Tn-C and TIMP-1) were obtained from the participants at the beginning of the study. Second samples were obtained from Group 1 patients when renal function improved (at discharge). Results Serum TIMP-1 concentrations (admission and discharge) were higher in Group 1 than Group 2 (p = 0.0001 for both comparisons). Tn-C excretion in spot urine was significantly higher in healthy controls than at the admission levels of the patient group (p = 0.036). However, TIMP-1 excretion in spot urine was lower in healthy controls than in admission and discharge levels of the patient group (p = 0.0001 for both comparisons). Conclusions Our results show that these biomarkers (especially TIMP-1) may have a role in the pathophysiology of AKI. Further studies are needed in this field.

The risk for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly increases in the patient population with metabolic syndrome (MeS). The present study aimed to investigate the association between the epicardial adipose tissue thickness (EATT) and the oxidative stress parameters in MeS patients. The study included 181 patients as a patient group of 92 consecutive patients with MeS and a control group of 89 consecutive patients with similar age and gender. EATT was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. Serum levels of total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidative capacity (TAS), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), and arylesterase activities were measured. EATT was higher in the MeS group compared to the control group (6.0 ± 2.0 mm and4.0 ± 1.0 mm, resp.;P<0.001). The level of TOS was higher in the MeS group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Additionally, the TAS level was higher in the MeS group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the serum levels of PON-1 and arylesterase were lower in the MeS group compared to the control group (P<0.001). EAT may cause an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases by leading to increased oxidative stress in patients with MeS.