Our results suggest that serum omentin levels are raised in patients with NAFLD regardless of potential confounders and represent an independent predictor of hepatocyte ballooning.

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Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of paricalcitol on the experimental contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) model. We hypothesised that paricalcitol may prevent CIN. Methods: 32 Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n58 each): control group, paricalcitol group, CIN group and paricalcitol plus CIN group. Paricalcitol (0.4 mg kg -1 day -1 ) was given intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days prior to induction of CIN. CIN was induced at day 4 by intravenous injection of indometacin (10 mg kg -1 ), Nv-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg kg -1 ) and meglumine amidotrizoate (6 ml kg -1 ). Renal function parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, histopathological findings and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoexpression were evaluated. Results: The paricalcitol plus CIN group had lower mean serum creatinine levels (p50.034) as well as higher creatinine clearance (p50.042) than the CIN group. Serum malondialdehyde and kidney thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances levels were significantly lower in the paricalcitol plus CIN group than in the CIN group (p50.024 and p50.042, respectively). The mean scores of tubular necrosis (p50.024), proteinaceous casts (p50.038), medullary congestion (p50.035) and VEGF immunoexpression (p50.018) in the paricalcitol plus CIN group were also significantly lower. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the protective effect of paricalcitol in the prevention of CIN in an experimental model.