Search Results (2)

Purpose: Acute central serous chorioretinopathy (ACSCR) is a condition characterized by decreased visual acuity, macular thickening, and edema under the retinal layer. Although the underlying mechanisms of the disease are not fully understood, oxidative stress is considered to be a critical risk factor. The aim of this study was to shed light on the pathophysiology of ACSCR by investigating the levels of circulating trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), phoenixin (PNX), alarin (ALA), and spexin (SPX) molecules in ACSCR patients. Methods: The study included 30 ACSCR patients and 30 healthy individuals as controls. ACSCR was diagnosed using optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging. Five mL blood samples were collected from all participants following overnight fasting. The levels of TMAO, PNX, ALA, and SPX in the blood samples were measured using the ELISA method. Results: Visual acuity was found to be significantly reduced in ACSCR patients compared to the control group (<0.05), while macular thickness was increased (<0.05). Furthermore, TMAO, PNX, and ALA levels were significantly higher in ACSCR patients (<0.05), while SPX levels were significantly lower compared to the control group (<0.05). In ACSCR patients, there was a positive correlation between macular thickness and TMAO, PNX, and ALA; there was, however, a negative correlation with SPX. Additionally, visual acuity was negatively correlated with TMAO, PNX, and ALA, while SPX levels decreased as visual acuity decreased. Conclusions: These results demonstrate a correlation between the TMAO, PNX, ALA, and SPX levels of ACSCR patients and their visual acuity and macular thickness. Given the role of these molecules in ACSCR’s pathophysiology, they hold promise as potential diagnostic, therapeutic, and follow-up markers in the future. Full article

Obesity/overweight are important health problems due to metabolic complications. Dysregulation of peptides exerting orexigenic/anorexigenic effects must be investigated in-depth to understand the mechanisms involved in feeding behaviour. One of the most important and studied orexigenic peptides is galanin (GAL). The aim of this review is to update the mechanisms of action and physiological roles played by the GAL family of peptides (GAL, GAL-like peptide, GAL message-associated peptide, alarin) in the control of food intake and to review the involvement of these peptides in metabolic diseases and food intake disorders in experimental animal models and humans. The interaction between GAL and NPY in feeding and energy metabolism, the relationships between GAL and other substances involved in food intake mechanisms, the potential pharmacological strategies to treat food intake disorders and obesity and the possible clinical applications will be mentioned and discussed. Some research lines are suggested to be developed in the future, such as studies focused on GAL receptor/neuropeptide Y Y₁ receptor interactions in hypothalamic and extra-hypothalamic nuclei and sexual differences regarding the expression of GAL in feeding behaviour. It is also important to study the possible GAL resistance in obese individuals to better understand the molecular mechanisms by which GAL regulates insulin/glucose metabolism. GAL does not exert a pivotal role in weight regulation and food intake, but this role is crucial in fat intake and also exerts an important action by regulating the activity of other key compounds under conditions of stress/altered diet. Full article