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Bone mass progressively increases to peak during childhood and adolescence, which determines future bone health. Bone formation–resorption processes are assessed using bone markers. However, studies on the impact of obesity on bone turnover markers at this age are limited, and results are inconsistent. The objective of this study was to examine the potential impact of overweight/obesity on bone metabolism. A study was performed to compare parameters of bone metabolism in 45 girls and boys with normal weight (controls) and in a group of 612 girls and boys with overweight/obesity (cases) from the Exergames study (University of Zaragoza). Ages ranged from 8 to 12 years. Higher values of phosphorus and IGFBP-3 were observed in children with overweight/obesity, as compared to children with normal weight, (p=0.042) and (p=0.042), respectively. BAP, osteocalcin, magnesium, vitamin D and IGF-I concentrations were lower in the group with overweight/obesity, whereas calcium concentrations were higher in this group, although differences were not statistically significant. A negative correlation was found (r=−0.193) (p=0.049) between BAP and BMI. Although differences did not reach statistical significance, BAP and osteocalcin concentrations were lower in children with overweight/obesity. This added to the negative correlation found between BAP and MIC may demonstrate that overweight/obesity may negatively affect bone health already at a young age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the risk factors associated with the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) in Asians. It talks about the insulin growth factor (IGF) being composed of polypeptide hormones which are important for growth, apoptosis and survival of the patient diagnosed with CLL. It tells about females being diagnosed more than males in the population.

Abstract: Objectives: Genetic variations in the Insulin/IGF-I genes pathway have been related to longevity, dementia, metabolic diseases and cancer. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the 192bp allele of IGF-I gene promoter and its relationship with metabolic syndrome (MS) components, mental and nutritional state, muscle strength and functional capacity in an aged Spanish population. Design: Population-based study (Mataró Ageing Study), including 292 subjects (144 men and 148 women, mean age 77.0±5.4). Anthropometric variables, lipid profile, glucose and blood pressure (BP) were measured; mental state (MMSE), nutritional state (MNA) and Barthel scale were performed, and were correlated to the presence of the 192bp allele of IGF-1 gene promoter polymorphisms. Results: MS (ATP-III criteria) was found in 49.5% (41.4% in men and 57.6% in women). The 192bp allele of IGF-I gene promoter was distributed as: 41.9% homozygous, 44.3% heterozygous and 13.9% were non-carriers of this allele. A lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome was observed in homozygous (41.9% vs 54.9% in heterozygous+non-carriers, p =0.031). Mental state (MMSE), nutritional state (MNA) and Barthel scale were better in homozygous individuals compared to heterozygous and non-carriers (p =0.015, p =0.026 and 0.047, respectively). In men, MNA was better in homozygous with no differences in MMSE and Barthel scales. In homozygous women, BP was lower (p =0.009) and Barthel scale was better (p =0.05) with no differences in MMSE and MNA. Conclusion: Homozygosity for the 192bp allele of the IGF-I gene polymorphism suggests a healthier aging condition, with less prevalence of cardiometabolic disturbances, and better mental, nutritional and functional state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Several endocrine regulators are implicated in the development of metabolic syndrome. The aim of our study was to assess normal ranges for glucose, growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), cortisol, insulin and the yet-to-be-published quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) for newborns and a number of homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-related equations that have been proposed as indicators of insulin sensitivity (HOMA-S) and insulin resistance (HOMA-R). The study included 115 (54 males, 61 females) singleton, normoweight, Spanish Caucasian neonates delivered without foetal distress from mothers of the Mérida (Spain) Birth Cohort who tested negative in the O'Sullivan screen. Neonatal normal values given as the mean (95% confidence interval) were: glucose, 75.3 mg/dL (68.29-82.29); cortisol, 7.4 microg/dL (6.85-7.97); GH, 16.7 ng/mL (14.87-18.60); insulin, 5.5 microUI/mL (4.12-6.88), IGF-155.2 ng/mL (50.82-59.53); QUICKI, 0.45 (0.43-0.48); HOMA-R, 1.36 (0.84-1.88); HOMA-S, 4.07 (2.66-5.49), the glucose/insulin ratio, 33.6 (24.58-42.67); the insulin/cortisol ratio, 0.8 (0.61-1.05). Hormone ranges (except for cortisol, whose values were lower) were equivalent to those of other studies. Cortisolaemia values cannot be associated with the type of delivery, as only three births (2.6%) were by caesarean section, while 20 (17.4%) were instrumental deliveries. Neonates from the lowest quartile of the insulin/cortisol ratio presented higher (p < 0.001) HOMA-S and QUICKI and lower (p < 0.01) HOMA-R values. The results of our study indicate normal ranges for insulin resistance and sensitivity at birth. The insulin/cortisol ratio at birth appears to be a good early indicator of insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Prolonged cold ischemic time (CIT) in cadaveric renal transplants has been associated with a high rate of delayed graft function, acute rejection, and even reduced graft survival. We analyzed the influence of CIT on both initial graft function (IGF) and survival rate. Methods: We studied 2525 noncombined cadaveric cases in recipients over 17 years of age between 2000 and 2008, using data from the renal transplant records of Andalusia. We defined IGF as the need to resume dialysis within the first week or a nonfunctional kidney. The multivariate analyses were corrected by center and year of transplantation. Results: The mean and median cold ischemic time was 17 hours. The duration of CIT was significantly associated (P < .001) with older donor and recipient age. The frequency of IGF increased progressively with longer CIT and older donors. However, the influence of CIT persisted among all donor age strata. Logistic regression analysis using both donor and recipient age as covariables showed a relative risk per hour of 1.05 (95% confidence interval = 1.04–1.07; P < .0001). In a univariable study, longer CIT led to a significant reduction in both recipient and graft survival rates. The multivariate study (Cox) using preprocedure covariables, showed CIT to produce significantly worse survival rates for both recipients (relative risk: 1.03, 1.005–1.05, P = .02) and for grafts (relative risk: 1.03, 1.01–1.04, P = .002). However, the survival rates showed no clear progression in terms of CIT within each individual donor age stratum. Conclusions: A longer CIT was associated with an increase in IGF independent of the age of both the donor and the recipient. Our data also suggested that CIT influenced patient and graft survival rates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article reports on a pilot study which suggests that treatment with growth hormone may reduce symptoms of pain in some fibromyalgia sufferers conducted by researchers from the Centro Medico Teknon in Barcelona, Spain. The study found that some fibromyalgia patients have low serum concentration of IGF-1. There was a 60% decline in the number of tender points among the group receiving the hormone compared with the control group.