Background and aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, variations in leukocytes and leukocyte subtypes, and the relationship between N/L ratio and insulin resistance (IR) in obesity. Materials and Methods: Ninety six patients and 40 healthy controls were included in this study. Patients’ blood glucose levels, insulin levels, and hemogram parameters upon 8 hours of fasting were determined. Body mass index (BMI) and homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were calculated. Results: Neutrophil numbers were found to be higher among IR obese patients than among non-IR obese patients. The N/L ratio was, moreover, found to be higher among IR obese patients, when compared to non IR obese. A positive correlation was found between insulin resistance and both neutrophil and WBC counts. Another positive correlation was also found between insulin levels and the N/L ratio, WBC, and neutrophil counts. Discussion: In our study, leukocyte numbers and subtypes were determined to be higher among obese individuals than among healthy individuals. The N/L ratio had increased significantly only among obese patients who have insulin resistance. Further studies are needed in order to better demonstrate the relationship between the N/L ratio and insulin resistance/inflammation. Key Words: Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, Obesity, Insulin Resistance

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is closely related to pancreas cancer. In this study we aimed to investigate the effect of hyperglycemia on tumor and inflammation markers, as well as pancreatic exocrine functions.MethodsA total of 98 consecutive diabetic patients with poor glycemic control, and 50 healthy controls were included in the study. We measured hsCRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CA19-9, CEA, amylase and lipase in addition to routine biochemistry tests, before and after euglycemia was achieved.ResultsFasting blood glucose, HbA1c, CA19-9, CEA, hsCRP, ESR, triglycerides, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels decreased significantly with the regulation of glycemic control. Amylase and lipase levels increased with the regulation of glycemic control. After glycemic control, CA19-9 and CEA levels were still higher, whereas amylase and lipase levels were still lower in the diabetic group compared with the control group. Basal HbA1c showed significant correlation with CA19-9, CEA, amylase and lipase.ConclusionsWe propose to repeat observations of tumor markers after hyperglycemia is resolved, in order to avoid unnecessary invasive tests. Our data also suggest that pancreatic exocrine function was improved with lowering blood glucose in a short period of time.

Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status within the last 6 months prior to COVID-19 infection and parameters of immune function and clinical outcomes. Methods Fifty-six patients, who were admitted to the emergency clinic and diagnosed with COVID–19 infection, were included in the study. Data on clinical characteristics, inflammatory parameters and vitamin D status were recorded for each patient. All the participants had data on 25-hydroxyvitamin D status within the last 6 months prior to COVID-19 infection. Results The patients were stratified as those with vitamin D status less than 20 ng/mL and higher than 20 ng/mL. A group with vitamin D status less than 20 ng/mL had lower lymphocyte counts and lower haemoglobin levels that was statistically significant (respectively; p = 0.021, p = 0.035). Higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were seen in the vitamin D–deficient group ( p = 0.013). It was observed that vitamin D status of the patients who required oxygen therapy were lower than those who did not require oxygen therapy, not statistically significant ( p = 0.05). Patients who did not use vitamin D supplementation within 6 months prior to COVID-19 infection had more likely to be diagnosed with pneumonia ( p = 0.004). Conclusion Cases with lower vitamin D status had increased inflammatory markers and worse clinical outcomes than patients with higher vitamin D status. This study suggests that vitamin D status can be used as a prognostic factor in COVID-19 patients, and vitamin D supplementation can be recommended to improve the clinical outcomes in COVID-19 infection.

IntroductionWhether Helicobacter pylori triggers celiac disease (CD) or protects against CD is currently the subject of research. In the literature, there are epidemiologic studies that have reported conflicting results regarding the association between H. pylori and CD.AimTo compare the prevalence of CD autoantibody positivity and the levels of CD autoantibodies between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative subjects.Material and methodsThis study was prospectively designed and included 240 dyspeptic patients who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with gastric and duodenal biopsies. The patients were divided into two groups according to presence of H. pylori infection. The serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTGA; IgA and IgG classes), and anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA; IgA and IgG classes) were measured for all participants by a blinded biochemistry expert.ResultsThere were no significant differences in the serum levels of CD autoantibodies or IgA between the two groups. There were also no significant differences in the percentages of subjects with positive CD serologies or subjects with IgA deficiencies between the groups.ConclusionsHelicobacter pylori remains one of the bacterial species that is most likely to trigger autoimmunity. However, studies have failed to reveal a relationship between H. pylori and CD; thus, additional basic work on the immunological aspects of the microbial-host interactions and longitudinal studies enrolling patients at very early stages of the disease may help us to address this issue.

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