Low prevalence of obesity in Behçet's disease is associated with high obestatin level

OBJECTIVE

Chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with altered body composition. Ghrelin has anti-inflammatory effects, and its level is altered in obesity and inflammatory diseases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity and ghrelin and obestatin levels in patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

One hundred and forty-three (143) patients with BD and 112 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. Participants were subdivided according to the body mass index (BMI) as lean (<18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (18.5-24.9 kg/m²), overweight (25-29.9 kg/m²) and obese (≥30 kg/m²). In addition to the routine evaluations (fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and kidney and liver function tests), serum acylated-ghrelin (AG), unacylated-ghrelin (UAG), total ghrelin (TG) and obestatin levels were analyzed. Student's t-test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of obesity was relatively lower in the BD group than in the HC group (12.6% vs. 20.5%, p=0.089). Serum ghrelin levels were similar in the BD and HC groups (p>0.05 for all) although the obestatin level was higher in the BD group compared to the HC group (p<0.001). Serum UAG, TG and obestatin levels were lower in obese BD patients (n=18) than non-obese BD patients (p=0.027, p=0.014 and p=0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The obestatin level was high and the prevalence of obesity was low in the BD group. Moreover, obese BD patients had low obestatin levels. These results suggest that obestatin may protect BD patients from obesity.

Changes in sirtuin 2 and sirtuin 3 mRNA expressions in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Sirtuins (SIRTs) play a prominent role in metabolism, apoptosis, aging, inflammation, and epigenetics. Inflammation, apoptosis, and epigenetics are pathogenic issues in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to evaluate SIRT2 and SIRT3 mRNA expressions in patients with RA.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Fifty-four patients with RA and 26 healthy controls were enrolled. Disease activity was determined using the disease activity score (DAS) 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (score of >2.6 was considered to be active). SIRT2 and SIRT3 mRNA expressions in the extracellular plasma were investigated by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

SIRT3 mRNA expression was higher in the RA group than in the healthy control group (4.64 fold, p<0.001), whereas SIRT2 mRNA expression was relatively lower in the RA group than in the healthy control group (0.55 fold, p=0.109). However, SIRT2 (1.73 fold, p=0.065) and SIRT3 (3.58 fold, p=0.051) mRNA expressions were relatively higher in patients with active RA than in those with inactive RA.

CONCLUSION

In RA, SIRT3 mRNA expression is increased, whereas SIRT2 mRNA expression is decreased. Conversely, SIRT2 and SIRT3 mRNA expressions increase in active RA. Therefore, the fate of each SIRT may differ in RA.

Sonographic guide for botulinum toxin injections of the upper limb: EUROMUSCULUS/USPRM spasticity approach

The pertinent literature lacks overt technical data for optimal upper limb muscle botulinum toxin injections using ultrasound (US) imaging. Therefore, this guide is prepared for the commonly injected muscles of the upper limb and the shoulder girdle mainly in spasticity. It includes clinical information, anatomical description and explanation regarding the US imaging of several muscles. The figures have been organized to orient the readers on the innervation, injection sites, probe positioning and the US images simultaneously.

Effects of habitual knuckle cracking on metacarpal cartilage thickness and grip strength

Joint cracking involves a manipulation of the finger joints resulting in an audible crack. This study aimed to determine whether habitual knuckle cracking (KC) leads to an alteration in grip strength and metacarpal head (MH) cartilage thickness. Thirty-five habitual knuckle crackers (cracking their joints ≥5times/day) (20 M, 15 F, aged 19-27 years) and 35 age-, gender-, and body mass index-matched non-crackers were enrolled in the study. MH cartilage thickness was measured with ultrasound and grip strength was measured with an analog Jamar hand dynamometer. Grip strength was similar between groups (P>0.05). Habitual knuckle crackers had thicker MH cartilage in the dominant and non-dominant hands than those of the controls (P=0.038 and P=0.005, respectively). There was no correlation between MH cartilage thickness and grip strength in both groups (P>0.05). While habitual KC does not affect handgrip strength, it appears to be associated with increased MH cartilage thickness.

Does vitamin D affect muscle strength and architecture? An isokinetic and ultrasonographic study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to explore the association between 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and muscle strength/architecture.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

Thirty patients (27 women, 3 men) were allocated into Group I (n=15, mean age; 44.4±9.4 years) and Group II (n=15, mean age; 39.0±9.9 years) according to the median of 25(OH)D (<13.7 ng/mL vs >13.7 ng/mL, respectively). Peak torque/body weight of the knee flexor/extensor muscles at 60°/sec and 180°/sec and those of ankle flexor/ extensor muscles at 30°/sec and 90°/sec were evaluated by using a Biodex System 3 Pro Multijoint System isokinetic dynamometer. A 7-12 MHz linear array probe was used to evaluate thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA) and fascicle length (FL) of medial gastrocnemius and vastus lateralis muscles.

RESULTS

Mean of 25(OH)D was 9.4±2.5 ng/mL and 20.7±8.3 ng/mL in Groups I and II, respectively. Although all isokinetic strength parameters were lower in Group I, significant differences were found in knee flexion at 180°/sec (p=0.007), knee extension at 30°/sec (p=0.038) and 180°/sec (p=0.001), and ankle extension at 30°/sec (p=0.002) and 90°/sec (p=0.007). On the other hand, no significant difference was found between the groups regarding MT, PA and FL values (all p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

In light of our results, we can argue that 25(OH)D is associated with muscle strength but not with muscle architecture. Further studies concerning the long-term follow-up effects of 25(OH)D treatment on muscle strength are awaited.

Protective effects of vitamin C and vitamin E against hysterosalpingography-induced epithelial degeneration and proliferation in rat endometrium

Aim

The aim of this study was to examine the protective effects of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) against hysterosalpingography (HSG)-induced epithelial degeneration and proliferation in rat endometrium.

Materials and methods

A total of 28 female Wistar albino rats were randomized into four groups: G1 (n=7; abdomen was opened and closed), G2 (n=7; 0.1 mL Lipiodol [ethiodized oil] was administered to each uterine horn in conjunction with X-ray irradiation), G3 (n=7; 50 mg/kg of intraperitoneal (ip) VC was administered, followed by the administration of 0.1 mL of ethiodized oil into the uterine horns after 15 minutes), and G4 (n=7; 50 mg/kg of ip VE was administered, followed by the administration of 0.1 mL of ethiodized oil into the uterine horns after 15 minutes). After abdominal closure, rats in G2, G3 and G4 groups were exposed to whole-body X-irradiation three times with 2-minute intervals at a total dose of 15–20 mrad. Three hours after exposure, abdominal cavities of all the rats were reopened and uterine horns were removed. The right uterine horns were embedded into paraffin blocks after fixing in 10% formaldehyde for histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Uterine horns on the other side were rapidly excised and stored at −80°C for the examination of expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) and oxidant, antioxidant, apoptotic and antiapoptotic gene expression using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.

Results

No differences were observed in terms of expression of miRNAs and oxidant, antioxidant, apoptotic and anti-apoptotic gene expression between the study groups. Congestion, epithelial degeneration and malondialdehyde immunoreactivity were significantly lower in G3 and G4 groups than in G2 group; no differences were observed between G1, G3 and G4 groups. Ki-67 immunoreactivity score was significantly higher in G2 group when compared with G1, G3 and G4 groups. Caspase-3 immunoreactivity was not statistically different between the groups.

Conclusion

VC and VE may confer cellular protection against radiation injury induced by HSG in endometrial epithelium.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM basic scanning protocols revisited in children

High-resolution ultrasound (US) has been widely used in the evaluation of adult musculoskeletal disorders with several established high-quality scanning protocols. Despite the fact that US use is even more advantageous in the pediatric population, normal sonographic images of the major joints are lacking in children. Due to the excessive amount of hyaline cartilage, the bony landmarks can hardly be recognized. In this regard, familiarization with the normal ultrasonographic images is crucial before its wide/prompt application for the differential diagnosis of pediatric musculoskeletal conditions. Therefore, the purpose of this pictorial essay was to demonstrate the normal ultrasonographic images of major joints in normal children in comparison with adults' findings. The images used in this paper have been acquired from a 5-year-old and a 8-year-old child according to the EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM basic scanning protocols.

Ultrasonographic measurement of the femoral cartilage thickness in patients with transfemoral amputation

OBJECTIVE

To compare the distal femoral cartilage thickness of the non-amputee sides in patients who had unilateral transfemoral amputation with those of healthy subjects by using ultrasound.

METHODS

Thirty transfemoral amputees (27 male, 3 female) and 30 age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched healthy controls were included. Functional usage of the prosthesis was evaluated by using Houghton score. The cartilage thickness was measured from the following midpoints; medial femoral condyle (MFC), intercondylar area, and lateral femoral condyle.

RESULTS

Thirty patients with unilateral transfemoral amputation (mean age; 38.6 ± 9.5 years) and 30 healthy controls (mean age; 38.4 ± 9.4 years) were included. Although femoral cartilage thicknesses were found to be lower for all measurements in the amputees, the difference reached significance only in the MFC (p= 0.031). In the patient group, cartilage thickness values did not correlate with age, duration of amputation, daily walking time, stump length or Houghton score.

CONCLUSION

The distal femoral cartilage thickness seems to be decreased medially on the non-amputee sides of the transfemoral amputees when compared with the healthy subjects. Further studies concerning the follow-up designs, functional parameters and osteoarthritis scales are awaited.

Polymorphisms in ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 are not linked to susceptibility to knee osteoarthritis in the Turkish population

Considering the functions of aggrecanase-1 (ADAMTS4) and -2 (ADAMTS5), which are thought to be the two major enzymes responsible for the destruction of aggrecans in arthritic diseases, we investigated whether important polymorphisms in the ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 genes affect osteoarthritis (OA) susceptibility. Our study took place in Mugla, Turkey. Ninety-five cases were recruited following OA diagnosis (72 women and 23 men), and 80 individuals without any symptoms or radiographic signs of OA (56 women and 24 men) were chosen as healthy controls. After obtaining DNA from patients and control subjects, ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 genotypes were determined using the ABI Prism StepOnePlus Real-Time system. In addition, we categorized patients based on OA grade. There were no significant differences in the genotype distributions of the four polymorphisms between the groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 allele frequencies did not differ between OA and control participants (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that the ADAMTS4 (rs4233367 and rs11807350) and ADAMTS5 (rs226794 and rs2830585) variants examined may not contribute to susceptibility to knee OA in the Turkish population. Other gene polymorphisms should be assessed in order to explain variations in OA susceptibility.

Intraperitoneal Administration of Low Dose Aluminium in The Rat: How Good is It to Produce a Model for Alzheimer Disease

Since neurotoxicity of aluminium (Al) resembles the progressive neurodegeneration observed in Alzheimer Disease (AD), Al administration in several ways has been used to produce AD model. Intraperitoneal (ip) low dose (4.2 mg/ kg) Al injection in rats for long periods is the preferred method by some researchers. In this paper, the efficiency of this method for producing an AD model was evaluated. In this study, we looked at the neuropathology of Al and the characteristic lesions of AD by histological and immunohistochemical techniques and determined oxidative stress markers in the brains of Al-treated and control rats. We also made electrophysiological recordings at the hippocampus and evaluated possible behavioural changes by Morris water maze test. However, no pathologic changes occurred in the animals except for an impairment in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus (e.g. the LTPs of population spike (PS) amplitude at 15 min post-tetanus were measured as 217±27% in Al-treated rats and as 240±42% in sham-treated rats, of baseline PS amplitude). According to the findings of the present study, low dose of ip Al in rats is not sufficient to produce a good AD model. Higher doses (≥10 mg/kg) should be used.

Unenhanced respiratory-navigated NATIVE® TrueFISP magnetic resonance angiography in the evaluation of renal arteries: Comparison with contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography

PURPOSE

To compare unenhanced three-dimensional (3D) NATIVE^® true fast imaging with steady-state precession (TrueFISP) magnetic resonance (MR) angiography with the more conventional MR angiography technique obtained after intravenous administration of a gadolinium chelate in the evaluation of renal arteries and their branches in patients with suspected renal artery stenosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 39 patients (25 men, 14 women) with a mean age of 51.4±17.5years (SD) (range: 10-82years) were included in the study. All patients with suspected renal artery stenosis underwent unenhanced 3D NATIVE^® TrueFISP MR angiography and contrast-enhanced MR angiography. The two MR angiography methods were compared by two independent readers for image quality using a four-point scale, diagnostic performance and grading of renal artery stenosis on a total of 78 renal arteries.

RESULTS

For both readers image quality of unenhanced 3D NATIVE^® TrueFISP MR angiography (3.12 to 3.63) was greater than that of contrast-enhanced MR angiography (1.94 to 2.71) for renal artery ostium-trunk and the left renal artery segmental branches. The sensitivity of 3D NATIVE^® TrueFISP MR angiography for the diagnosis of renal artery stenosis was 100% for both readers for the right renal artery and 66% and 80% for the left renal artery for reader 1 and reader 2, respectively. Agreement between 3D NATIVE^® TrueFISP MR angiography and CE-MR angiography was 95% (74/78) for reader 1 and 92% (72/78) for reader 2.

CONCLUSION

Unenhanced NATIVE^® TrueFISP magnetic resonance angiography can play an additional role in the evaluation of renal arteries in patients with hypertension, especially in subjects at risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis.

Ultrasonographic assessment of the quadriceps muscle and femoral cartilage in transtibial amputees using different prostheses

BACKGROUND

In patients with lower limb amputations, gait alteration, increased loading on the intact extremity, and use of prosthesis may lead to joint degeneration.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of prosthesis type on quadriceps muscle and distal femoral cartilage thicknesses in transtibial amputees.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A total of 38 below-knee amputees were enrolled in the study, of which 13 patients were using vacuum system type prosthesis and 25 patients were using silicon liner pin system prosthesis. Patients' femoral cartilage and quadriceps muscle thickness measurements were performed using musculoskeletal ultrasound.

RESULTS

When compared with the intact sides, cartilage and rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis muscle thickness values were significantly decreased on the amputee sides (all p < 0.05). Clinical characteristics and ultrasound measurements were similar between the two groups except the lateral and medial femoral condyle thicknesses, thinner in the silicon liner pin system users (both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The distal femoral cartilage and quadriceps muscle thicknesses were found to be decreased on the amputated sides, and the negative impact on the cartilage seemed to be worse in the silicon liner pin system users.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study might provide another argument as regards the preference of vacuum system type prosthesis to prevent possible knee osteoarthritis due to cartilage thinning in adult transtibial amputees.

Heterotopic ossification and cubital tunnel syndrome in traumatic brain injury: Ultrasound 'sees' both

Reported here is a 50-year-old man with cubital tunnel syndrome due to heterotopic ossification after traumatic brain injury. Herein, underscoring the role of ultrasonographic evaluations in the diagnosis of our patient, we suggest that ultrasonographic imaging can be a useful first-line diagnostic method for the possibility of HO and its complications. Further, due to its high spatial resolution, lack of radiation and easy applicability, we imply that US seems to overweigh in the daily practice of rehabilitation physicians.

Carotid and cerebral CT angiography using low volume of iodinated contrast material and low tube voltage

PURPOSE

To evaluate image quality of carotid computed tomography angiography (CTA) using a low voltage (80kV) and low amount of iodinated contrast material.

MATERIALS-METHODS

A total of 101 patients referred for carotid CTA were randomly assigned to receive a specific protocol. In group A patients received intravenous administration of contrast material at a dose of 1mL/kg and CTA examinations were performed at 100kV. In group B, patients received intravenous administration of contrast material at a dose of 0.5mL/kg and CTA examinations were performed at 80kV. The same nonionic iodinated contrast material containing 370mg of iodine per mL was used in both groups. Attenuation values were measured from the center of specific arterial segments using regions of interest. Attenuation values above 300HU were accepted as significant. Institutional review board approval was obtained.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients were included in group A (38 men, 12 women; mean age, 63.56 years±13.18 [SD]) and 51 patients in group B (33 men, 18 women; mean age, 59.60 years±16.63 [SD]). A total of 1615 arterial segments (1515 common carotid artery-middle cerebral artery and 101 aortic arches) were analyzed. Venous contamination was not observed in either group. The mean attenuation values of all arterial segments in both groups were greater than 300HU. Mean arterial attenuation value in group B (499.22HU±97.25 [SD]) was significantly greater than in group A (374.36HU±73.79 [SD]) (P<0.01). Hemodynamically significant stenosis (grade III stenosis or >70%) was detected in 2 segments in group A and in 3 segments in group B, while grade IV stenosis (occlusion) was detected in 2 segments in group B. Distal common carotid artery dissection was detected in 1 patient and aortic dissection was detected in 1 patient in group B. Total dose-length product (DLP) value was significantly greater in group A (225.74mGy·cm±21.80 [SD]) than in group B (116.60mGy·cm±21.22 [SD]) (P<0.01). The mean tube current was similar in group A (2013.11mAs±195.92 [SD]) and in group B (2096.64 mAs±309.03 [SD]) (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Carotid and cerebral CTA examinations using 128-section CT can be successfully obtained using an imaging protocol that combines low voltage and 50% reduction in the volume of iodinated contrast material. This provides good image quality with low radiation dose.

The apoptotic effects of silibinin on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cells

Background:

Silibinin is a bioactive flavonolignan extracted from milk thistle, known as Silybum marianum. Silibinin exerts strong antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory effects. Many studies have shown that silibinin inhibits experimentally induced malignancies of the liver, prostate, skin, and colon as well as promotes inhibition of the proliferation of cancer cell lines in vitro. This study aimed to investigate the effects of silibinin on the human breast carcinoma cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 in monolayer and spheroid cultures.

Method:

The MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines were cultured in both monolayer and spheroid cultures. Cells were treated with silibinin at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. The 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine labeling index was used to determine the cells of the synthesis phase. Poly-ADP-ribose-polimerase immunohistochemical staining and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling assay were used to determine the death of cells in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures.

Results:

An half maximal inhibitory concentration dose of silibinin in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells was 100 µM/mL at 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling positive cells and active poly-ADP-ribose-polimerase were detected after treatment with silibinin in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures. The dead cell count was higher in the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines with silibinin applied than in the controls.

Conclusions:

Our study demonstrated that silibinin applications enhanced terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick and labeling positive cells and active poly-ADP-ribose-polimerase in comparison to the control in both the monolayer and spheroid cultures.

The use of sternal wedge osteotomy in pectus surgery: when is it necessary?

BACKGROUND

The Ravitch procedure is a well-established surgical procedure for correction of chest wall deformities. Sternal wedge osteotomy is an important part of this procedure. We studied the incidence of wedge osteotomy with respect to the type of chest wall deformity in patients undergoing surgical correction with the use of a recently developed chest wall stabilization system.

METHODS

A total of 47 patients, 39 (83%) male and 8 (17%) female with a mean age of 14.9 ± 2.1 years, underwent the Ravitch procedure. Twenty-four (51.1%) had pectus carinatum, 19 (40.4%) had pectus excavatum, and 4 (8.5%) had pectus arcuatum. A conventional or oblique sternal wedge osteotomy was performed as indicated, followed by chest wall stabilization using the MedXpert system.

RESULTS

Of the 47 patients, 27 (57.4%) had a sternal wedge osteotomy. All cases of pectus arcuatum and redo cases underwent sternal wedge osteotomy. Pectus excavatum cases tended to have a greater incidence of wedge osteotomy compared to pectus carinatum cases (68.4% vs. 41.7%, p = 0.052). Patients with more resected ribs had a greater rate of wedge osteotomy (63.4%) compared to those with fewer resected ribs (16.7%, p = 0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

A sternal wedge osteotomy is more commonly performed in patients with pectus excavatum compared to those with pectus carinatum. All redo and pectus arcuatum cases need a wedge osteotomy for proper correction. Wedge osteotomy is very likely in more aggressive corrections with more rib resections.

Management of Saddle Nose Deformity Using Dermal Fat and Costal Cartilage "Sandwich" Graft: A Problem-Oriented Approach and Anthropometric Evaluation

PURPOSE

In the surgical treatment of saddle nose deformity (SND), costal cartilage is often used. However, it can result in some potential complications such as resorption, bending, displacement, and its appearance under the skin (silhouette deformity). We prepared a composite "sandwich" graft by camouflaging the costal cartilage underneath the dermal fat graft as a novel method and applied it on SNDs using the closed rhinoplasty technique to prevent or minimize these risks.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The method was used for 21 patients (12 males and 9 females). Six anthropometric measurements, including the nasal dorsum projection, nasal supratip projection, nasal tip projection, nose length, labiocolumellar angle, and nasofrontal angle, were taken using the ImageJ program (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD) on preoperative and postoperative lateral photographs. The data were compared statistically.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time was 29.95 months. No donor site complications developed. The sandwich grafts transferred to the nose were well tolerated in all patients. A partial graft failure and a mild bending, which were treated conservatively without supplemental surgery, developed in 1 patient each. No resorption, migration, bending, or appearance under the skin of the sandwich grafts were seen in the remaining patients. A statistically significant difference was found in all anthropometric measurements from the preoperative and postoperative groups except for 2.

CONCLUSIONS

The severity of the deformity should be exactly determined before surgery, and cartilage grafts should be used accordingly for successful repair of SND. The sandwich technique, as a practical, effective, and long-lasting treatment method, could minimize the potential complications and risks of revision.

Serum adropin level and ENHO gene expression in systemic sclerosis

Adropin, a secreted protein, is encoded by the energy homeostasis associated (ENHO) gene. It has been implicated in the several physiological and pathological processes such as angiogenesis and apoptosis. Therefore, the aim of present study was to investigate serum adropin levels and ENHO gene expressions in systemic sclerosis (SSc) characterized by vasculopathy, inflammation, and progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. The study includes 27 patients with SSc, 39 patients with Behçet's disease (BD), and 20 healthy controls (HC). Serum adropin levels and ENHO gene expressions by peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by ELISA method and by real-time PCR, respectively. The serum adropin levels were higher in the SSc and BD groups than in the HC group (p = 0.023 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, there were no significant differences among the groups in terms of ENHO gene expressions (p ANOVA = 0.149). There was no significant difference between the limited and diffuse cutaneous subtypes of SSc in terms of serum adropin level and ENHO gene expression. Moreover, serum adropin level and ENHO gene expression were not associated with the disease activity and severity indexes. ENHO gene expression was correlated with the triglyceride levels in the BD group (r = -0.426, p = 0.027). The augmented serum adropin levels may be expected in the chronic inflammatory disease and seem not to be characteristic of only SSc. However, further studies are needed to explain the precise role of adropin in SSc.

Association Between Human Hair Loss and the Expression Levels of Nucleolin, Nucleophosmin, and UBTF Genes

AIMS

Nucleolar organizer regions, also known as argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions, are associated with ribosomal genes. The main function of the nucleolus is the rapid production of ribosomal subunits, a process that must be highly regulated to provide the appropriate levels for cellular proliferation and cell growth. There are no studies in the literature addressing the expression and function of nucleolar component proteins, including nucleophosmin, nucleolin and the upstream binding transcription factor (UBTF), in human follicular hair cells.

METHODS

Nineteen healthy males who had normal and sufficient hair follicles on the back of the head, but exhibited hair loss on the frontal/vertex portions of the head and 14 healthy males without hair loss were included in the current study. Gene expression levels were measured by relative quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

In the individuals suffering from alopecia, the total expression levels of nucleolin, nucleophosmin, and UBTF were lower in normal sites than in hair loss sites. Strong expression level correlations were detected between: nucleophosmin and nucleolin; nucleophosmin and UBTF, and nucleolin and UBTF for both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There was an association between human hair loss and the expression levels of nucleolin, nucleophosmin, and UBTF genes.