Papers by Christos Derdemezis
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, Apr 1, 2007
Visfatin [pre-B cell colony- enhancing factor (PBEF)] is a cytokine highly expressed in visceral ... more Visfatin [pre-B cell colony- enhancing factor (PBEF)] is a cytokine highly expressed in visceral fat that exhibits insulin-mimetic properties. However, its role in insulin-resistant states, such as in metabolic syndrome (MetS), remains largely unknown. To investigate the possible differences of plasma visfatin levels between obese and overweight subjects with and without MetS. Plasma visfatin concentrations were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 28 overweight and obese [body mass index (BMI)>28 kg/m2] subjects with Mets and 28 age- and sex-matched overweight and obese (BMI>28 kg/m2) individuals without MetS (control group). Patients with MetS exhibited significantly elevated waist circumference (WCR ) values, higher blood pressure readings, higher fasting glucose and triglyceride concentrations as well as lower levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) compared with controls. Total and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations did not differ significantly between the two groups. Plasma visfatin concentrations were significantly higher in subjects with MetS compared with controls [27 (16- 65) ng/ml vs 19 (10-47) ng/ml, p<0.05]. The same results were observed even after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. Plasma visfatin levels were positively correlated with age (r=0.32, p<0.05), WCR (r=0.31, p<0.05), triglyceride (r=0.59, p<0.01) and glucose (r=0.33, p<0.05) levels and were negatively correlated with HDL-C levels (r=-0.38, p<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed similar results. Plasma visfatin levels are increased in overweight and obese subjects with MetS compared with those individuals who do not fulfil the criteria for the diagnosis of MetS.
Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, Oct 1, 2009
Adipose tissue is no longer considered solely a bodily compartment devoted to energy storage, ins... more Adipose tissue is no longer considered solely a bodily compartment devoted to energy storage, insulation and mechanical protection of various organs. Adipocytederived proteins, at first only thought to modulate food intake and energy homeostasis, are now widely regarded as modulators of immune response as well, and possess a potentially major role in various pro-inflammatory and inflammatory conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and asthma [1]. Adipocyte products, hence termed adipokines, modulate appetite and hunger, insulin sensitivity, energy expenditure and immunity. The most widely studied are leptin [2] and Acrp-30, commonly termed adiponectin [3]. Leptin, the most widely studied adipokine, is a 16-kDa protein encoded by the ob gene [1]. It is predominantly produced from adipocytes and its primary role is appetite control. Mice lacking the leptin gene or leptin receptor gene are massively obese. Leptin has also been found to possess a role in lipoprotein metabolism, acute phase reactants, sex hormones and glucocorticoid metabolism, and immune function. It protects T lymphocytes from apoptosis, regulates their proliferation and activation,
Hormone and Metabolic Research, Feb 27, 2023
A synergistic interplay between vitamins K and D appears to exist. We aimed to investigate for th... more A synergistic interplay between vitamins K and D appears to exist. We aimed to investigate for the first time whether the associations of dietary vitamin K intake and circulating 25(OH)D with serum lipoprotein levels are influenced by the existence of deficiency of either or both vitamins K and D. Sixty individuals [24 males, 36(18–79) years old] were examined. Vitamin deficiency of K1 and D were defined as vitamin K1 intake/body weight (BW)<1.00 μg/kg/day and circulating 25(OH)D<20 ng/ml, respectively. In individuals with vitamin K1 deficiency, the vitamin K1 intake/BW correlated positively with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (r=0.509, p=0.008) and negatively with serum triglycerides (TG) (r=–0.638, p=0.001), whereas circulating 25(OH)D correlated negatively with TG (r=–0.609, p=0.001). In individuals with vitamin D deficiency, the vitamin K1 intake/BW correlated positively with HDL-C (r=0.533, p=0.001) and negatively with TG (r=–0.421, p=0.009), while circulating 25(OH)D correlated negatively with TG (r=–0.458, p=0.004). The above-mentioned associations of vitamin K1 intake/BW and circulating 25(OH)D with serum lipoproteins were not detected in individuals without vitamin K1 deficiency or the ones without vitamin D deficiency. The vitamin K2 intake/BW correlated negatively with low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (r=–0.404, p=0.001). In conclusion, the associations of vitamin K1 intake with TG and HDL-C and of circulating 25(OH)D with TG were more pronounced in individuals with deficiency of either or both vitamins K1 and D. Increased dietary vitamin K2 intake was associated with decreased LDL-C.
Biochemistry Research International, 2011
Introduction. Adipose tissue contributes to atherosclerosis with mechanisms related to adipokine ... more Introduction. Adipose tissue contributes to atherosclerosis with mechanisms related to adipokine secretion. Polyphenols may exhibit antiatherogenic properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of three polyphenols, namely, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and resveratrol on adipokine secretion from cultured human adipocytes. Methods. Human SGBS adipocytes were treated with quercetin, EGCG, and resveratrol for 24 and 48 hours. Visfatin, leptin, and adiponectin were measured in the supernatant. Results. Visfatin secretion was inhibited by quercetin 10 μM by 16% and 24% at 24 and 48 hours respectively. The corresponding changes for quercetin 25 μM were 47% and 48%. Resveratrol 25 μM reduced visfatin by 28% and 38% at 24 and 48 hours. EGCG did not have an effect on visfatin. None of tested polyphenols influenced leptin and adiponectin secretion. Conclusion. Quercetin and resveratrol significantly decreased visfatin secretion from SGBS adipocytes. This effect may contribute to their overall antiatherogenic properties.
Nutrition Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, Apr 1, 2013
Background and aims: Visfatin is associated with atherosclerosis-related diseases. We assessed in... more Background and aims: Visfatin is associated with atherosclerosis-related diseases. We assessed in non-diabetic individuals the association of plasma visfatin levels with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and the atherosclerosis-related metabolic variables. Methods and results: When study population (n Z 179, age 49 AE 11 years) was divided according to visfatin tertiles, the 10-year CVD Framingham risk scores were significantly increased in the top visfatin tertile. We observed a positive association between visfatin tertiles with waist circumference and blood pressure, as well as with total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but not with apolipoprotein C-III, fibrinogen or pre-beta1 high density lipoprotein (HDL). The percentage of large HDL subclasses was significantly lower and the percentage of small HDL subclasses over the HDL-C concentration was significantly higher in the top visfatin tertile compared with the other tertiles. The atherogenic small dense low density lipoprotein subclasses (sdLDL-C) were significantly increased in the top visfatin tertile compared with the lower tertiles. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration was significantly increased in the top visfatin tertile compared with the lower tertiles. Although age and sex distribution did not differ between visfatin tertiles, the simultaneous adjustment for these parameters attenuated the significance of the differences observed in sdLDL-C and hsCRP levels. Similarly, after adjustment for hsCRP or waist circumference, only triglycerides and blood pressure levels, as well as the distribution of HDL subclasses, remained significantly different between visfatin tertiles. Conclusions: Our results support a role for visfatin in the detection of subjects with many metabolic abnormalities, which result in increased CVD risk.
Hormone and Metabolic Research
A synergistic interplay between vitamins K and D appears to exist. We aimed to investigate for th... more A synergistic interplay between vitamins K and D appears to exist. We aimed to investigate for the first time whether the associations of dietary vitamin K intake and circulating 25(OH)D with serum lipoprotein levels are influenced by the existence of deficiency of either or both vitamins K and D. Sixty individuals [24 males, 36(18–79) years old] were examined. Vitamin deficiency of K1 and D were defined as vitamin K1 intake/body weight (BW)<1.00 μg/kg/day and circulating 25(OH)D<20 ng/ml, respectively. In individuals with vitamin K1 deficiency, the vitamin K1 intake/BW correlated positively with high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (r=0.509, p=0.008) and negatively with serum triglycerides (TG) (r=–0.638, p=0.001), whereas circulating 25(OH)D correlated negatively with TG (r=–0.609, p=0.001). In individuals with vitamin D deficiency, the vitamin K1 intake/BW correlated positively with HDL-C (r=0.533, p=0.001) and negatively with TG (r=–0.421, p=0.009), while circulati...
Copyright © 2011 Christos S. Derdemezis et al. This is an open access article distributed under t... more Copyright © 2011 Christos S. Derdemezis et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Introduction. Adipose tissue contributes to atherosclerosis with mechanisms related to adipokine secretion. Polyphenols may exhibit antiatherogenic properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of three polyphenols, namely, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and resveratrol on adipokine secretion from cultured human adipocytes. Methods.HumanSGBS adipocytes were treated with quercetin, EGCG, and resveratrol for 24 and 48 hours. Visfatin, leptin, and adiponectin were measured
Atherosclerosis Supplements, 2011
Methods and Results: We assessed the follow-up of 120 consecutive patients with CHF in which mark... more Methods and Results: We assessed the follow-up of 120 consecutive patients with CHF in which markers of inflamation [high sensitive-C reactive protein (hs-CRP), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1)] were determined. The primary endpoint was defined by cardiac death, hospitalization due to worsening of heart failure. Cox regression analysis was used to determine whether hs-CRP, VCAM and ICAM were associated with these heart failure-related events. During a median follow-up of 18.4 months 9 patients were hospitalized due to worsening of heart failure, 7 for new episodes of non-stable angina pectoris, 11 patients died for cardiac reasons. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that hs-CRP (OR = 1.06, CI: 1.02-1.11; p < 0.02) was independent predictive factor for cardiac death. ROC curve was drawn to evaluate the reliability of hs-CRP as marker of mortality (AUC = 0.68, CI: 0.51-0.85, p < 0.02). The best balanced threshold was 3.3 mg/l with 63.6% sensitivity and 63.3% specificity. VCAM-1 was significantly correlated with repeted hospitalization (r = 0.185, p < 0.04) and total number of cardiovascular events (r = 0.22, p < 0.02). Conclusion: Level of hs-CRP is independently associated with mortality and morbidity. The ability of treatments to reduce CRP levels may be important for slowing the progression of atherosclerosis and by that improve the prognosis of CHF.
Molecular nutrition & food research, Jan 7, 2015
Cruciferous-rich diets have been associated with reduction in plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), whi... more Cruciferous-rich diets have been associated with reduction in plasma LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), which may be due to the action of isothiocyanates derived from glucosinolates that accumulate in these vegetables. This study tests the hypothesis that a diet rich in high glucoraphanin (HG) broccoli will reduce plasma LDL-C. One hundred and thirty volunteers were recruited to two independent double-blind, randomly allocated parallel dietary intervention studies, and were assigned to consume either 400 g standard broccoli or 400 g HG broccoli per week for 12 weeks. Plasma lipids were quantified before and after the intervention. In study 1 (37 volunteers), the HG broccoli diet reduced plasma LDL-C by 7.1% (95% CI: -1.8%, -12.3%, p = 0.011), whereas standard broccoli reduced LDL-C by 1.8% (95% CI +3.9%, -7.5%, ns). In study 2 (93 volunteers), the HG broccoli diet resulted in a reduction of 5.1% (95% CI: -2.1%, -8.1%, p = 0.001), whereas standard broccoli reduced LDL-C by 2.5% (95% CI: +0.8%,...
Biochemistry research international, 2011
Introduction. Adipose tissue contributes to atherosclerosis with mechanisms related to adipokine ... more Introduction. Adipose tissue contributes to atherosclerosis with mechanisms related to adipokine secretion. Polyphenols may exhibit antiatherogenic properties. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of three polyphenols, namely, quercetin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and resveratrol on adipokine secretion from cultured human adipocytes. Methods. Human SGBS adipocytes were treated with quercetin, EGCG, and resveratrol for 24 and 48 hours. Visfatin, leptin, and adiponectin were measured in the supernatant. Results. Visfatin secretion was inhibited by quercetin 10 μM by 16% and 24% at 24 and 48 hours respectively. The corresponding changes for quercetin 25 μM were 47% and 48%. Resveratrol 25 μM reduced visfatin by 28% and 38% at 24 and 48 hours. EGCG did not have an effect on visfatin. None of tested polyphenols influenced leptin and adiponectin secretion. Conclusion. Quercetin and resveratrol significantly decreased visfatin secretion from SGBS adipocytes. This effec...
Clinical and experimental rheumatology
In the last two decades we have witnessed a boost in scientific interest and knowledge of adipose... more In the last two decades we have witnessed a boost in scientific interest and knowledge of adipose tissue biology to such an extent that it was promoted to an active endocrine organ. Adipose tissue is not just related to body weight and appetite regulation. It is also implicated in obesity, a low-grade inflammatory state, as well as inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease where anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokine balance is critical. All major adipose derived products, simply termed adipokines, like leptin, adiponectin, visfatin and resistin, reportedly participate in inflammation and immunity. In this review we explore in depth the relationship between adipose tissue and RA, with focus on possible mechanisms, beyond observations about circulating or synovial levels, and special reference to future perspectives and clinical implications.
Clinical and experimental rheumatology
Adipose tissue-derived leptin and adiponectin control hunger, energy expenditure, insulin sensiti... more Adipose tissue-derived leptin and adiponectin control hunger, energy expenditure, insulin sensitivity, endothelial function, reproduction and immunity and are thought to play a role in autoimmune diseases. However, their role in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is not clearly defined. Tumour necrosis factor ΤNF-α is a potential modulator of adipocytokines. The effect of longterm anti-TNF-α treatment on plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin has not been assessed so far. To assess the effect of a 6-month anti-TNF-α treatment on serum leptin and adiponectin levels in AS patients. Thirty men with AS were included in the study. Thirty age- and weight-matched men served as controls. Clinical and biochemical parameters were assessed and serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were measured with enzyme immunoassay methods prior to and after the 6-month treatment with infliximab. Mean age and disease duration of AS patients were 40.6±13.7 and 13.4±8.4 years, respectively. At baseline, AS patient...
Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology and therapeutics, 2010
Consumption of foods and supplements enriched with plant sterols/stanols (PS) may help reduce low... more Consumption of foods and supplements enriched with plant sterols/stanols (PS) may help reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. In this review, we consider the effects of PS beyond LDL-C lowering. Plant sterols/stanols exert beneficial effects on other lipid variables, such as apolipoprotein (apo) B/apoAI ratio and, in some studies, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides (TG). Plant sterols/stanols may also affect inflammatory markers, coagulation parameters, as well as platelet and endothelial function. Evidence also exists about a beneficial effect on oxidative stress, but this does not seem to be of greater degree than that expected from the LDL-C lowering. Many of these effects have been demonstrated in vitro and animal models. Some in vitro effects cannot be seen in vivo or in humans at usual doses. The epidemiological studies that evaluated the association of plasma PS concentration with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk do not provide...
Atherosclerosis Supplements, 2008
Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among hypertensive patients in a community practice in Israe... more Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among hypertensive patients in a community practice in Israel Background: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and DM.Appropriate treatment can reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. However, family physicians in Israel may not routinely diagnosis the MS. Purpose: To measure the prevalence of the MS among hypertensive patients in a community clinic,to identify the characteristics of this population. Method: A sample of hypertensive patients were invited by mail to an appointment in which they filled out a questionnaire, underwent a physical exam, and appropriate lab tests. Additional information was obtained from the patient files. Results: 200 patients were invited to the clinic, of which 82% participated. The age range of the participants was 28-95 years,48% were men,10% were smokers. 47% reported that they followed a diet and 48% reported doing physical activity Only 4 patients had been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome before the study. 110 additional hypertensives were found to meet the criteria for the syndrome. Significant correlation was found between metabolic syndrome and life style. Patients on a diet had a lower prevalence of MS (58 Patients-p<0.008). Hypertensives without MS smoked less (35 Patients-p=0.024) Conclusions: In this sample,69% of hypertensives suffer from MS but only 2.4% had this diagnosis recorded in their medical file before this intervention. Keeping to good diet is associated with less MS Interventions should be planned to increase the awareness of family physicians in Israel to diagnose and treat the MS
Atherosclerosis Supplements, 2009
Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology, 2013
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of the presen... more Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was the assessment of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) subclass distribution in patients with early RA (ERA, n = 30) compared with age- and sex-matched healthy subjects (n = 30), as well the effect of treatment for 12 months with the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) methotrexate and prednisone in this distribution. LDL and HDL subclass distribution was determined using a polyacrylamide gel-tube electrophoresis method. ERA patients exhibited increased levels of inflammatory markers and high disease activity score. ERA patients had higher serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) whereas their serum HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower compared with controls. ERA patients exhibited significantly higher plasma levels of small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C), leading to a significantly decreased mean LDL diameter. ERA patients had significantly decreased small HDL particles (HDL-3) concentration whereas serum levels of large HDL particles (HDL-2) did not differ compared with controls. Treatment with DMARDs resulted in a significant decrease in inflammatory markers and disease activity, along with a significant increase in HDL-C serum levels. The concentration of sdLDL-C did not change significantly during treatment. We observed a significant increase in the levels of large HDL-2 whereas the concentration of small HDL-3 did not significantly change. Patients with ERA have increased sdLDL-C levels and decreased HDL-C levels because of decreased concentration of the small HDL-3 subclass. The administration of DMARDs induced a significant increase in HDL-C levels, which was attributed to the increase in large HDL-2 serum concentration.
Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 2013
Background and aims: Visfatin is associated with atherosclerosis-related diseases. We assessed in... more Background and aims: Visfatin is associated with atherosclerosis-related diseases. We assessed in non-diabetic individuals the association of plasma visfatin levels with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and the atherosclerosis-related metabolic variables. Methods and results: When study population (n Z 179, age 49 AE 11 years) was divided according to visfatin tertiles, the 10-year CVD Framingham risk scores were significantly increased in the top visfatin tertile. We observed a positive association between visfatin tertiles with waist circumference and blood pressure, as well as with total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but not with apolipoprotein C-III, fibrinogen or pre-beta1 high density lipoprotein (HDL). The percentage of large HDL subclasses was significantly lower and the percentage of small HDL subclasses over the HDL-C concentration was significantly higher in the top visfatin tertile compared with the other tertiles. The atherogenic small dense low density lipoprotein subclasses (sdLDL-C) were significantly increased in the top visfatin tertile compared with the lower tertiles. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentration was significantly increased in the top visfatin tertile compared with the lower tertiles. Although age and sex distribution did not differ between visfatin tertiles, the simultaneous adjustment for these parameters attenuated the significance of the differences observed in sdLDL-C and hsCRP levels. Similarly, after adjustment for hsCRP or waist circumference, only triglycerides and blood pressure levels, as well as the distribution of HDL subclasses, remained significantly different between visfatin tertiles. Conclusions: Our results support a role for visfatin in the detection of subjects with many metabolic abnormalities, which result in increased CVD risk.
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, 2007
Visfatin [pre-B cell colony- enhancing factor (PBEF)] is a cytokine highly expressed in visceral ... more Visfatin [pre-B cell colony- enhancing factor (PBEF)] is a cytokine highly expressed in visceral fat that exhibits insulin-mimetic properties. However, its role in insulin-resistant states, such as in metabolic syndrome (MetS), remains largely unknown. To investigate the possible differences of plasma visfatin levels between obese and overweight subjects with and without MetS. Plasma visfatin concentrations were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 28 overweight and obese [body mass index (BMI)&gt;28 kg/m2] subjects with Mets and 28 age- and sex-matched overweight and obese (BMI&gt;28 kg/m2) individuals without MetS (control group). Patients with MetS exhibited significantly elevated waist circumference (WCR ) values, higher blood pressure readings, higher fasting glucose and triglyceride concentrations as well as lower levels of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) compared with controls. Total and LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations did not differ significantly between the two groups. Plasma visfatin concentrations were significantly higher in subjects with MetS compared with controls [27 (16- 65) ng/ml vs 19 (10-47) ng/ml, p&lt;0.05]. The same results were observed even after adjustment for age, sex and BMI. Plasma visfatin levels were positively correlated with age (r=0.32, p&lt;0.05), WCR (r=0.31, p&lt;0.05), triglyceride (r=0.59, p&lt;0.01) and glucose (r=0.33, p&lt;0.05) levels and were negatively correlated with HDL-C levels (r=-0.38, p&lt;0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed similar results. Plasma visfatin levels are increased in overweight and obese subjects with MetS compared with those individuals who do not fulfil the criteria for the diagnosis of MetS.
Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, 2009
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) appear to have increased plasma levels of leptin and adip... more Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) appear to have increased plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin. These adipokines may be implicated in the pathophysiology of RA. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (ΤNF‐α) is a potential modulator of adipokines. The effects of long‐term anti‐TNF treatment on plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin are not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 6‐month anti‐TNF treatment (infliximab) on leptin and adiponectin plasma levels in RA patients. Thirty women with RA were included in the study. Patients with diabetes mellitus, any endocrine disorder or receiving any hypolipidemic or antidiabetic medication were not included. Thirty healthy age‐ and body mass index‐matched women served as controls. Plasma levels of leptin and adiponectin were measured with enzyme immunoassay methods prior to and after the 6‐month treatment with infliximab. Mean age and disease duration of patients were 51.8 ± 14.4 and 12.2 ± 6.7 years, respectively. Body ...
Uploads
Papers by Christos Derdemezis