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Biomedical subjects

Christopher C Case

Publications and source records attributed to Christopher C Case.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Adiponectin, inflammation, and the expression of the metabolic syndrome in obese individuals: the impact of rapid weight loss through caloric restriction.

Severe obesity increases the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, and moderate acute weight loss with a very low-calorie diet in obese subjects with the metabolic syndrome leads to significant metabolic benefits. Adiponectin has been implicated in both the pathogenesis of obesity-related insulin resistance and increased inflammation. We analyzed the relationship of the adipocyte-derived hormone adiponectin with indices of inflammation, adiposity, and insulin resistance in obese subjects with (MS+, n = 40) and without (MS-, n = 40) the metabolic syndrome and examined the acute effects of rapid weight loss. MS+ subjects had significantly lower adiponectin (7.6 +/- 0.6 vs. 10.4 +/- 0.6 microg/ml; P = 0.003) and significantly higher TNF-alpha (3.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.8 +/- 0.3 pg/ml; P = 0.004) levels compared with MS- subjects matched for age and body mass index. Plasma adiponectin and TNF-alpha levels were inversely related to the number of metabolic syndrome factors in a stepwise manner. After 4-6 wk of weight loss, there was marked improvement in glucose, insulin, leptin, and triglycerides, whereas adiponectin and TNF-alpha concentrations did not change. Thus, increases in plasma levels of adiponectin or reductions in TNF-alpha are not required for marked improvements in glucose/insulin and lipid metabolism with acute weight loss.

Adiponectin↗

Statins and inflammatory markers.

Inflammation is involved in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and the development of atherosclerotic events. Understanding of the molecular basis of inflammation has led to the identification of markers that may be important new targets in atherothrombotic disease. Inflammatory markers, such as cell adhesion molecules, cytokines, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, have been shown to predict future cardiovascular events in individuals with and without established disease. 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins, inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol and have been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recently, statins have been shown to modulate several of the mechanisms of inflammation in atherosclerosis in vitro and in vivo, including reduction of inflammatory markers in clinical trials. In this article, we briefly review the biology, epidemiology, and clinical trial data on the effects of statins on some of the more promising inflammatory markers.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Reproduction of features of the glucagonoma syndrome with continuous intravenous glucagon infusion as therapy for tumor-induced hypoglycemia.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the adverse effects of continuous intravenous infusion of glucagon as therapy for tumor-induced hypoglycemia and to correlate these treatment-related effects with symptoms of endogenous hyper-glucagonemia. METHODS: We reviewed three cases in which patients received continuous glucagon therapy for tumor-induced hypoglycemia and experienced adverse side effects to the treatment. We noted that these adverse events were consistent with changes that are described in the literature as symptoms of the glucagonoma syndrome. RESULTS: Continuous intravenous glucagon infusion has evolved as a reliable and efficacious modality for the treatment of tumor-induced hypoglycemia. We report the adverse events of venous thromboembolism, necrolytic migratory erythema, and angular cheilitis in conjunction with continuous intravenous glucagon treatment. These complications resemble symptoms that characterize the human model of hyperglucagonemia--the glucagonoma syndrome--which is associated with hyperglucagonemia and alpha-islet cell neoplasms of the pancreas. CONCLUSION: Symptoms that characterize the islet cell neoplasm-related glucagonoma syndrome may develop in patients receiving an infusion of exogenous glucagon. This observation lends support to the suggestion that glucagon may have a direct, causative role.

Drug Eruptions↗