Effects of ulcerative colitis activity on plasma and mucosal prostaglandin E2 concentration

The aim of this study was to determine effects of changes in ulcerative colitis activity on mucosal and plasma PGE2 concentrations measured with an EIA in 49 patients who underwent sigmoidoscopy. The disease was diagnosed in 37 patients. Twelve patients with normal colonic mucosa served as controls. Patients were divided into three groups depending on the changes of endoscopic picture during a three-month follow-up. Some laboratory markers of the disease activity, such as C-reactive protein, albumin, gamma-globulin and hemoglobin concentrations, sedimentation rate, and white blood and platelets counts, were also evaluated. Initial examination revealed a significant, positive correlation of mucosal and plasma PGE2 concentration with endoscopic score. Follow-up of patients without significant progression of mucosal changes revealed constant and close to normal concentration of mucosal PGE2. Plasma PGE2 was higher at the second examination, yet without significant difference. Improvement of endoscopic picture resulted in significant decrease of plasma and mucosal PGE2 concentrations. Worsening of mucosal changes reflected endoscopically was associated with significant increase of PGE2. There were no remarkable changes in the values of analyzed laboratory markers of the disease activity. These results indicate the usefulness of mucosal or plasma PGE2 measurement as a possible prognostic marker in patients with ulcerative colitis.     

Acute effects of mazindol on the secretion of ACTH, beta-lipotropin, beta-endorphin and cortisol in man

The effects of mazindol, an anorexiant, on the secretion of anterior pituitary and adrenocortical hormones were examined in healthy male volunteers and in patients with Addison's disease. In healthy male volunteers, significant elevations in plasma ACTH, beta-endorphin, beta-lipotropin and growth hormone were induced by mazindol administration, though no changes were observed in plasma thyrotropin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone or prolactin. Plasma ACTH increased in patients with Addison's disease, too. In addition, plasma cortisol increased, without a change in the plasma aldosterone levels after mazindol administration to normal subjects.     

Renal function during vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) infusions in normal man and patients with liver disease

VIP containing nerves are present in the kidney and plasma VIP levels are elevated in cardiac failure and severe liver disease. We studied the effects of intravenous VIP; 6 pmol kg-1 min-1 on 6 normal subjects and 3 patients with liver disease. In normal subjects VIP produced flushing and significant rises in heart rate and pulse pressure but the clearance rates of paraaminohippurate and creatinine did not change significantly. Urine flow fell to about 1/3 and the rate of excretion of electrolytes (except phosphate) fell to about a half of control values. Plasma renin activity rose about 3-fold and there were significant rises in haematocrit and the plasma concentrations of solids, calcium and phosphate. The patients with liver disease responded similarly. Elevated plasma VIP could contribute to salt and water retention in disease states.     

Gelsolin蛋白在类风湿性关节炎和系统性红斑狼疮的临床诊断及疾病活动度评价中的意义

目的:分析gelsolin蛋白对类风湿性关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis,RA)和系统性红斑狼疮(systemic lupus erythematosus,SLE)的临床诊断及疾病活动度评价的意义。方法:采集RA 30名和SLE 47名及健康人群50名的临床资料及血清标本,定量Western Blot法检测血清gelsolin水平。分析gelsolin蛋白与RA和SLE患者临床表现及疾病活动度的相关性。结果:RA、SLE和正常对照组之间性别、年龄、血红蛋白、血小板、血红细胞、血白细胞之间没有显著差异;RA患者出现CRP、转氨酶、RF、CCP异常的阳性率明显高于SLE患者(P0.05);而SLE患者出现白蛋白、尿蛋白、尿红细胞、尿素氮、ANA、肌酐异常增高的几率高于RA患者(P0.05)。gelsolin蛋白在SLE和RA血清中的含量均显著低于正常人(P0.05),且RA患者含量更低(P0.05)。gelsolin蛋白滴度与RA的疾病活动度无明显相关性(r=0.089,P=0.652),而与SLE的疾病活动度呈显著负相关(r=0.646,P0.05)。gelsolin蛋白正常组RA患者的转氨酶升高、CRP、RF、CCP阳性率均显著高于SLE患者(P0.05)。gelsolin蛋白降低组SLE患者的白蛋白、尿蛋白、尿红细胞、尿素氮、ANA、肌酐阳性率显著高于RA患者(P0.05)。结论:gelsolin蛋白滴度检测可作为RA和SLE临床辅助诊断手段,其滴度变化可作为SLE疾病活动度进展的预判指标。     

Beneficial effect of fish oil on blood viscosity in peripheral vascular disease.

Reports suggest that the low incidence of ischaemic heart disease in Greenlandic Eskimos is related to the effect of a diet rich in eicosapentaenoic acid on platelet reactivity and plasma lipid concentrations. A double blind randomised investigation was therefore conducted of the effects on blood viscosity of dietary supplementation with an oil rich in this fatty acid (1.8 g/day, given as fish oil) and an eicosapentaenoic acid poor oil (as corn/olive oil) in patients with peripheral arterial disease. A statistically significant reduction in whole blood viscosity was observed at seven weeks in those patients receiving the eicosapentaenoic acid rich oil. No changes in plasma viscosity, haemoglobin concentration, packed cell volume, or platelet count were seen. A significant fall in plasma triglyceride concentration was also noted only in the patients receiving oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid; plasma concentrations of cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were unchanged. It is concluded that rheological changes that result from a diet rich in eicosapentaenoic acid may contribute to the suggested protective effects of such a diet against arterial disease and that such changes are of potential therapeutic importance in established arterial disease.     

Plasma and scales levels of interleukin 18 in comparison with other possible clinical and laboratory biomarkers of psoriasis activity

The aim of the study was to assess plasma and scales levels of interleukin (IL) 18 collected from psoriatic patients with different disease activity. IL-18 concentrations were measured using an enzyme immunoassay in the plasma and scales of 34 patients with chronic plaque type psoriasis. IL-18 levels were analysed with respect to plasma-transforming growth factor β₁ (TGF-β₁), the disease duration and the duration of the present relapse, and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Plasma IL-18 concentration varied from 90 to 1300 pg ml^-1 and means (368.2±42.4 pg ml^-1) were significantly elevated in comparison with healthy controls (205.9±31.8 pg ml^-1). The presence of IL-18 was also demonstrated in scales from skin lesions. Treatment caused a significant decrease of plasma IL-18 concentration to 250.2±13.8 pg ml^-1. There was a significant correlation between plasma IL-18 levels and PASI values (r=0.554). There was no correlation between IL-18 concentration in scales and PASI, between IL-18 concentrations in plasma and scales, and between plasma IL-18 and the disease duration or duration of present relapse. Plasma TGF-β₁ concentration demonstrated a significant correlation with PASI (r=0.353), but not with IL-18 levels in plasma (r=0.063) and scales (0.141). The sum of plasma levels of IL-18 and TGF-β₁ divided by the optimal coefficient demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with the highest r-value. The findings confirm an association between plasma IL-18 concentration and psoriasis severity. Moreover, it was shown that combined measurement of IL-18 and TGF-β₁ in plasma can be considered as a possible biomarker of psoriasis activity.     

Plasma adiponectin concentrations in patients with chronic renal failure: relationship with metabolic risk factors and ischemic heart disease.

AIMS: To compare plasma adiponectin levels between healthy controls and patients with chronic renal failure and to examine for a relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and ischemic heart disease as well as aortic distensibility which is an early marker of atherosclerosis. METHODS: We included 89 patients with CRF (45 on and 44 not on hemodialysis) and 70 controls in a cross-sectional study. Plasma adiponectin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Aortic distensibility was assessed by high-resolution ultrasonography. RESULTS: Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly almost twice as high in patients with renal failure compared to controls (9.7 +/- 1.1 vs. 5.4 +/- 0.6 microg/ml, p < 0.0001). No significant differences were found between renal patients on hemodialysis and not on hemodialysis (p = 0.71). Multivariate linear regression analysis in the renal patient group demonstrated a significant negative relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and ischemic heart disease (p = 0.02). The same analysis in the control subjects group showed a significant, negative relationship between plasma adiponectin levels and body mass index (p = 0.02) and a highly significant positive relationship with the high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.0001). In the total study population, glomerular filtration rate was the only independent predictor of plasma adiponectin concentrations. Aortic distensibility was lower in renal patients than in controls at a high level of significance (p < 0.0001). However, no significant relationship could be found between plasma adiponectin and aortic distensibility in either the controls or the renal patients. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma adiponectin levels are almost twice as high in patients with chronic renal failure in comparison with healthy controls, but not different between renal patients on and those not on hemodialysis. In addition, low plasma adiponectin levels are strongly associated with ischemic heart disease, but not with aortic distensibility in chronic renal failure.     

Lipid peroxides and atherosclerosis.

Plasma lipid peroxide concentrations were measured in 100 patients with occlusive arterial disease proved angiographically (50 patients with ischaemic heart disease, 50 with peripheral arterial disease) and compared with values in 75 control patients with no clinical evidence of atherosclerosis. Lipid peroxide concentrations were significantly higher in patients both with ischaemic heart disease (median 4.37 mumol/l (interquartile range 3.85-5.75 mumol/l); p less than 0.001) and with peripheral arterial disease (median 4.37 mumol/l (3.88-5.21 mumol/l); p less than 0.001) than in controls (median 3.65 mumol/l (interquartile range 3.29-3.89 mumol/l). Overall there was a significant but weak correlation between plasma lipid peroxide and plasma triglyceride concentrations (rs = 0.25; p less than 0.001) but not between plasma lipid peroxide and plasma total cholesterol concentrations. Furthermore, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, smoking, positive family history, and intake of beta blockers and thiazide diuretics were not associated with significant differences in lipid peroxide values. This study provides clinical support to experimental data indicating that peroxidised lipids may be important in atherogenesis and its complications and also suggests that peroxidised lipids may provide an index of the severity of atherosclerosis.     

Plasma and scales levels of interleukin 18 in comparison with other possible clinical and laboratory biomarkers of psoriasis activity

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess plasma and scales levels of interleukin (IL) 18 collected from psoriatic patients with different disease activity. IL-18 concentrations were measured using an enzyme immunoassay in the plasma and scales of 34 patients with chronic plaque type psoriasis. IL-18 levels were analysed with respect to plasma-transforming growth factor β₁ (TGF-β₁), the disease duration and the duration of the present relapse, and psoriasis area and severity index (PASI). Plasma IL-18 concentration varied from 90 to 1300 pg ml^?1 and means (368.2±42.4 pg ml^?1) were significantly elevated in comparison with healthy controls (205.9±31.8 pg ml^?1). The presence of IL-18 was also demonstrated in scales from skin lesions. Treatment caused a significant decrease of plasma IL-18 concentration to 250.2±13.8 pg ml^?1. There was a significant correlation between plasma IL-18 levels and PASI values (r=0.554). There was no correlation between IL-18 concentration in scales and PASI, between IL-18 concentrations in plasma and scales, and between plasma IL-18 and the disease duration or duration of present relapse. Plasma TGF-β₁ concentration demonstrated a significant correlation with PASI (r=0.353), but not with IL-18 levels in plasma (r=0.063) and scales (0.141). The sum of plasma levels of IL-18 and TGF-β₁ divided by the optimal coefficient demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with the highest r-value. The findings confirm an association between plasma IL-18 concentration and psoriasis severity. Moreover, it was shown that combined measurement of IL-18 and TGF-β₁ in plasma can be considered as a possible biomarker of psoriasis activity.     

Selenium and glutathione peroxidases in blood of patients with different stages of chronic renal failure

In patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) Se concentration in blood components is usually lower as compared with healthy controls. One of the five known forms of Se-dependent glutathione peroxidases (GSH-Px), the plasma GSH-Px, is synthesized primarily in the kidney. In CRF patients, plasma GSH-Px activity is reduced and the reduction increases with the progress of the disease.

The Se concentration in blood components was measured spectrofluorometrically with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene as complexing reagent. Activities of GSH-Px in red cells and in plasma were assayed by the coupled method with t-butyl hydroperoxide as substrate. The study group consisted of 150 patients in different stages of CRF. The results were compared with the values for 30 healthy subjects.

Se concentrations in whole blood and plasma of the entire group of patients were significantly lower (p < 0.01) as compared with the healthy subjects. In the incipient stage, however, the Se levels in all blood components were non-significantly lower. In whole blood and plasma the Se levels gradually decreased, reaching in the end stage values that were lower by 29 to 32% (p < 0.0001) as compared with the control group. Total protein and albumin levels in plasma of patients were significantly lower (p < 0.0001) as compared with healthy subjects and they decreased linearly with the progress of the disease. Positive and highly significant correlations were noted between total plasma protein and plasma Se concentrations (p < 0.0001) as well as between plasma albumin and plasma Se concentrations (p < 0.0001).

Red cell GSH-Px activity in the entire group of patients was lower (p < 0.05) than in the control group and did not change significantly with the progress of the disease. In plasma, however, GSH-Px activity of the entire group was lower by 33% (p < 0.0001) as compared with healthy subjects and decreased gradually with increasing renal failure. Highly significant, inverse correlations were seen between creatinine levels and plasma GSH-Px activities (p < 0.0001) as well as between urea nitrogen levels and plasma GSH-Px activities (p < 0.0001) when all stages of the disease were included.

In conclusion, patients with CRF exhibit lower Se levels in blood components as compared with healthy subjects. In whole blood and plasma these levels decrease with the progress of the disease. Plasma GSH-Px activity in patients was extremely reduced and it dramatically decreased with the progress of the illness.     

The regulation of the biologically available fractions of oestradiol and testosterone in plasma

The albumin bound fractions of oestradiol and testosterone have been measured in samples of plasma obtained over a 24 h period from women with breast cancer or polycystic ovarian disease and from pre- and postmenopausal control subjects and related to plasma levels of free fatty acids. For most subjects changes in the fraction of oestradiol bound to albumin were related to changes in plasma levels of free fatty acids. A significant decrease in the albumin bound testosterone fraction during the night was associated with increased plasma levels of cortisol.     

Genetic susceptibility to keloid disease and hypertrophic scarring: transforming growth factor beta1 common polymorphisms and plasma levels

Keloid disease and hypertrophic scars are dermal tumors that are often familial and typically occur in certain races. Their exact etiology is still unknown. Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays a central role in wound healing and fibrosis and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of keloid disease and hypertrophic scar. The aims of this study were to measure the plasma level of TGF-beta1 in patients compared with controls, and to investigate the association of five common single nucleotide polymorphisms in TGF-beta1 with the risk of keloid disease and hypertrophic scar formation. Platelet-poor plasma levels of TGF-beta1 in 60 patients (15 with hypertrophic scar and 45 with keloid disease) and 18 controls were measured using an enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay technique. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used for genotyping TGF-beta1 polymorphisms. DNA samples from 133 patients (101 with keloid disease and 32 with hypertrophic scar) and 200 controls were examined. All patients and controls were Caucasians of Northern European extraction. There was no statistically significant difference in TGF-beta1 plasma levels between patients with keloid disease and hypertrophic scar and controls. There was also no statistically significant difference in genotype or allele frequency distributions between patients and controls for codons 10, 25, and 263 and for -509 and -800 single nucleotide polymorphisms of the TGF-beta1 gene. These results suggest that TGF-beta1 plasma levels and common polymorphisms are not associated with a risk of keloid disease and hypertrophic scar formation. This lack of association may be significant in view of the importance attached to the role of TGF-beta1 in dermal scarring. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a case-control association study in keloid disease and hypertrophic scars using any single nucleotide polymorphisms.     

Effect of ulcerative colitis activity on plasma concentration of transforming growth factor beta1

Enhanced expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) demonstrated in human colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), indicates its possible significance in the pathogenesis of this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma TGF-beta1 concentration in patients with different degrees of colonic mucosal injury, as a possible indicator of ulcerative colitis activity. TGF-beta1 concentration was measured with an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in plasma of 45 patients with endoscopically confirmed UC. Values observed in UC patients (40.5+/-15.9 ng/ml) were significantly higher than in healthy people (18.3+/-11.6 ng/ml) and higher than in patients with irritable colon syndrome (ICS), (20.5+/-13.6 ng/ml). The highest plasma TGF-beta1 (58.6+/-112.1 ng/ml) was in patients with the severe UC course. TGF-beta1 level analysed in all UC patients revealed significant positive correlation with scored degree of mucosal injury (r=0.396;P<0.01). Among other possible laboratory markers of the disease activity, only C-reactive protein concentration demonstrated significant correlation. Enhanced production of TGF-beta1 can be related to inflammation activity. Measurement of plasma TGF-beta1 may be considered as a biomarker of the disease activity.     

The association between the total antioxidant potential of plasma and the presence of coronary heart disease and renal dysfunction in patients with NIDDM

Oxidative stress may be an important pathogenetic factor in the development of diabetic vascular complications. The total antioxidative potential of plasma reflects the ability of an individual to resist oxidative stress. We measured the plasma total peroxyl radical-trapping potential (TRAP) and the concentrations of four plasma chain-breaking antioxidants in 81 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) nine years after diagnosis and in 102 well-matched non-diabetic control subjects. The association between the total antioxidative potential and the presence of coronary heart disease (CHD) and diabetic kidney disease were also studied. There were no significant differences in plasma TRAP between NIDDM patients and control subjects (1250 ± 199 vs. 1224 ± 198 μM). Nor were there any significant differences in the concentrations of plasma uric acid, ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, and protein thiols between NIDDM patients and control subjects. Patients with a low glomerular filtration rate and/or high urinary albumin excretion had elevated plasma uric acid. Plasma TRAP was not, however, associated with renal dysfunction. The plasma of NIDDM patients with CHD had a significantly higher value of unidentified antioxidative potential than that of patients without CHD. This relation was strongly dependent upon smoking. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that there are no major defects in the antioxidative potential of plasma caused by NIDDM per se. CHD and diabetic renal dysfunction were not associated with changes in plasma TRAP.     

Plasma beta carotene in Alzheimer's disease. Association with cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid 1-40, (Abeta40), beta-amyloid 1-42 (Abeta42) and total Tau

We studied the plasma beta carotene concentrations in 40 Alzheimer's disease patients and the association with cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid 1-40, (Abeta40), cerebrospinal fluid beta-amyloid 1-42 (Abeta42) and cerebrospinal fluid total Tau. We found that patients with plasma beta carotene levels below the 25th percentile had 55% reduced ratios of Abeta40/Tau and 51% reduced ratios of Abeta 40/Abeta 42 compared with patients in the highest quartile. Mean Tau concentrations in the lowest quartile of plasma beta-carotene levels were 74% higher compared with the highest quartile of plasma beta-carotene levels. Thus, we could demonstrate an statistically significant association between beta carotene levels in plasma and neurochemical markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of Alzheimer's disease patients.     

The Ceruloplasmin Transferrin Ratio in the Blood of Patients at Different Stages of Parkinson’s Disease

The ratio of the concentrations of Cu²⁺-ceruloplasmin/Fe³⁺-transferrin in the blood plasma of 54 patients at different stages of Parkinson’s disease treated and not treated with L-DOPA was estimated by EPR-spectroscopy. It was established that in patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, the value of ceruloplasmin/ transferrin increased by 157% in comparison with the control group of clinically healthy people of the same age group. In patients with Parkinson’s disease, the ratio of ceruloplasmin/transferrin increased at stage 1 of the disease by 119%, at stage 2 by 117%, and at stage 3 by 135% in comparison with the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the ratio of ceruloplasmin/transferrin in patients who received and did not recive L-DOPA replacement therapy. These data reveal changes in the functioning of the ceruloplasmin: transferrin system, which decreases the content of toxic ions of Fe²⁺ in the plasma of patients with Parkinson’s disease. These changes are a pathogenetically significant factor of Parkinson’s disease at all stages of the disease.     

Metabolism of thyroxine in acute viral hepatitis

Aim of this report was to define the correlation between hepatic acute damage and thyroxine metabolism. We have studied plasma levels of T4, T3, rT3 and TSH in 18 adult male subjects with acute viral hepatitis. No significant variation of T4, T3 and TSH plasma levels was found in different phases of disease. However, plasma rT3 levels were clearly elevated in 72% of patients in the first 7 days (mean 440 pg/ml vs 198 pg/ml of normal controls) and in 17% of cases in the second 10 days of disease (mean 269 pg/ml). Plasma rT3 concentration was always normal in the subsequent phases of disease. Our results indicate a diversion of peripheral thyroxine metabolism in the early stages of acute hepatitis.     

Effect of Hormonal Therapy on Plasma Testosterone Levels in Prostatic Carcinoma

Plasma concentrations of testosterone were estimated in normal men, in patients before treatment for prostatic cancer, and in patients who had had various forms of endocrine treatment for prostatic carcinoma. There was no decline in plasma testosterone levels with age. Patients with non-metastatic disease had levels similar to those of normal controls, but in advanced metastatic disease the levels were low. After orchidectomy the plasma testosterone level fell to that found in normal women. In every patient stilboestrol in doses as small as 1 mg three times a day suppressed plasma testosterone at first to negligible amounts, irrespective of the clinical response. Subsequently a small but significant rise in the concentration was always observed over a period of six months'' oestrogen therapy. Pituitary ablation with yttrium-90 lowered the plasma testosterone concentration again to negligible amounts in patients who had been on stilboestrol. In advanced metastatic disease this was often associated with relief of pain. Preliminary studies with aminoglutethimide indicate that it can produce biochemical and clinical effects similar to those of pituitary ablation.     

Protease activity in the plasma of American oysters, Crassostrea virginica, experimentally infected with the protozoan parasite Perkinsus marinus

Perkinsus marinus is responsible for disease and mortality of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica. To investigate the interactions between P. marinus and oyster hemocytes, protease activity was measured in plasma of oysters collected 4 hr, 24 hr, 4 days, and 2 mo after experimental infection with P. marinus. A significant increase in protease activity was observed in oyster plasma 4 hr after injection with P. marinus, followed by a sharp decrease within 24 hr. Gelatin-impregnated gel electrophoresis showed the presence of 2 major bands (60 and 112 kDa) and 3 less prevalent bands (35, 92, and 200 kDa) with metalloproteinaselike activity in the plasma of noninfected oysters. Additional bands in the 40- to 60-kDa range, corresponding to P. marinus serine proteases, were observed in oyster plasma at early time points after infection. A transient, but significant, decrease in the activity of oyster metalloproteinases was observed at early time points after infection. Coincubation of oyster plasma with P. marinus extracellular products resulted in a decrease in oyster metalloproteinases and several P. marinus proteases. This study provides insights into the role of proteases in the pathogenesis of Dermo disease.     

D- 二聚体、血流变学指标对结缔组织病患者诊疗价值研究

目的:探讨分析结缔组织病合并多器官损害患者D-二聚体(DD)、血流变学指标(血浆纤维蛋白原/血浆纤维蛋白降解产物FDP、全血黏度、血浆黏度)水平及指标变化对结缔组织病合并多器官损害患者病情活动期的诊疗价值。方法:本研究共纳入120例患者,其中活动组患者60例,病情缓解组患者60例,分别测定二组患者DD、血流变学指标水平,并采用t检验、灵敏度与特异度进行统计学分析与描述。结果:与缓解组比较,活动组DD、纤维蛋白降解产物(FDP)、全血黏度、血浆黏度、γ球蛋白、补体C4、ESR均具有统计学差异(P0.01),补体C3组间差异也具有统计学意义(P0.05)。各指标对于疾病活动性诊断的准确性,其DDFDP补体C3、C4γ-球蛋白血浆黏度全血黏度ESR。结论:结缔组织病合并多器官损害患者,其纤溶水平、微循环状态与疾病活动密切相关。