Plasma fibronectin (Fn) study in homozygous beta-thalassemia: relation to splenectomy and transfusion

The concentration of plasma Fn was determined in non-splenectomized and splenectomized patients with homozygous beta-thalassemia, before and 7-10 days after blood transfusion. The mean Fn concentration of non-splenectomized patients before transfusion did not differ from that of matched normal controls but appeared significantly decreased following blood transfusion. On the other hand, in splenectomized thalassemics, Fn levels were increased but were unrelated to transfusion. It is concluded that Fn plays some homeostatic function when RES activity of thalassemic patients is altered either as a result of splenectomy or blood transfusion.     

Reduced amyloid-A-degrading activity in serum in amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

The ability to degrade amyloid A fibrils was studied in the serum of 31 patients with amyloidosis associated with rheumatoid arthritis, 33 patients with rheumatoid arthritis without amyloidosis, and 47 healthy controls. Fibrillar amyloid A protein and the radial diffusion method were used. The mean degrading activity in serum was significantly lower in patients with rheumatoid arthritis complicated by amyloidosis (58 +/- 19% SD of the activity in a pooled sample of sera from 100 healthy blood donors used as standard) than in patients with rheumatoid arthritis alone (78 +/- 14%; p less than 0.001) or controls (99 +/- 19%; p less than 0.001). Alpha 1-antitrypsin, concentrations of which were raised in both groups of patients, inhibited the degrading activity in serum even in low concentrations. A negative correlation between degrading activity and alpha 1-antitrypsin concentrations was observed. These findings suggest that reduced amyloid-A-degrading activity is due to inhibition rather than to deficiency of enzyme.     

Bone mineral density in beta - thalassemic Lebanese children

Osteoporosis has been described extensively in adult thalassemics. Fewer studies have been reported in thalassemic children. In this article, we measured the bone mineral density (BMD) of Lebanese beta-thalassemic children before institution of a balanced transfusion-chelation regimen, in comparison with that of healthy controls, and studied its correlation with various demographic and biological parameters. Both groups, controls and thalassemics were comparable with respect to age, sex, socioeconomic and regional distribution. On the other hand, thalassemics had a significantly lower height age (p<0.001), lower bone age (p=0.001), lower sexual maturation (p=0.004), lower absolute BMD values and larger negative BMD-Z scores (p<0.001). Within the thalassemic group, BMD correlated significantly with luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol and testosterone values, as well as with the pretransfusion hematocrit, but not with other endocrine or bone metabolism parameters. We conclude that Lebanese beta-thalassemic children have a significantly lower BMD than their healthy counterparts due, in part, to their slower physical development. A major contributor seems to be the low-transfusion regimen followed by these patients, as well as the endocrine dysfunction which was detected in about 25% of them.     

Immune status of Greek patients with beta-thalassemia major negative for anti-HIV

Patients with thalassemia who receive multiple blood transfusions are at risk for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations were studied in 22 multitransfused thalassemic patients; 10 patients were without splenectomy and 12 were studied after splenectomy. Both groups were negative for anti-HIV. Four additional patients who were found positive for anti-HIV and ten healthy controls were also included in this study. Patients without splenectomy compared to controls and to patients after splenectomy showed a significant decrease of both percentage (p less than 0.001) and absolute numbers (p less than 0.001) of Leu-7+ cells without significant abnormalities of T4/T8 ratio (1.56 +/- 0.4). Patients after splenectomy compared to controls and to patients without splenectomy showed a significant increase of the absolute numbers of lymphocytes and lymphocytes subsets T11+, T3+, T4+, T8+ and SmIg+ cells. In the seropositive patients for HIV only a significant increase of the absolute number of T8+ cells was observed while the T4/T8 ratio was 1.24 +/- 0.73. The decrease in the percentage of Leu-7+ cells in patients without splenectomy correlated inversely to the total amount of blood transfused. In conclusion patients with thalassemia had normal T4/T8 ratio and did not show the abnormal immunologic profile that has been reported in haemophiliacs.     

Diagnostic utility of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide and anti-modified citrullinated vimentin antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis

Several autoantibodies found in RA are directed to epitopes in citrullinated proteins. One of them is anti modified citrullinated vimentin (Anti-MCV). We tested the value a newly developed ELISA for the detection of antibodies against a genetically modified citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV) in comparison with an anti-CCP based ELISA system for the diagnosis of RA. Thirty-five patients with RA (mean age; 42.6 +/- 10.87 years, mean disease duration; 9.37 +/- 3.98 years) were enrolled in this study. Twenty -five ankylosing spondylitis (mean age; 35.88 +/- 6.64 years, mean disease duration; 10.25 +/- 4.61 years), and 19 healthy subjects (mean age; 40.26 +/- 5.11 years) served as controls. Anti-CCP antibodies and Anti-MCV antibodies were measured using ELISA. In all RA patients, mean anti- CCP level was 69.07 +/- 90.43 U/ml and anti-MCV level was 665.77 +/- 1040.19 U/ml. In patients with AS, the mean anti-CCP level was 10.7 +/- 5.22 U/ml and anti-MCV level was 40.54 +/- 20.15 U/ml. In healthy controls, the mean anti-CCP level was 11.11 +/- 7.65 U/ml, anti-MCV level was 23.12 +/- 12.04 U/ml. In patients with active RA, the mean serum anti-CCP level was 100.54 +/- 98.07 U/ml and anti-MCV level was 998.74 +/- 1154.93 U/ml. In patients with inactive RA, the mean serum anti-CCP level was 8.77 +/- 1.55 U/ml and anti-MCV level was 27.59 +/- 23.10 U/ml. According to these results; In patients with RA, the mean serum anti-MCV and anti-CCP levels were significantly high compared to patients with AS and healthy controls (p=0.002, p=0.001, p=0.002, p=0.001 respectively). The mean serum anti-MCV and anti- CCP levels were significantly higher in active patients with RA than in inactive patients with RA patients (p=0.001 and p=0.001 respectively). In inactive patients with RA, the mean serum anti-MCV and anti-CCP levels were similar in patients with AS and patients (p=0.484, p=0.308, p=0.09 and p=0.222 respectively). The mean serum anti-MCV levels were correlated with DAS 28 (r=0.531, p=0.001), VAS score (r=0.332, p=0.01), ESR (r=0.458, p=0.001), serum CRP levels (r=0.568, p=0.01), serum RF levels (r=0.529, p=0.001), swollen joints number (r=0.525, p=0.001) and tender joints number (r=0.638, p=0.001). As a result; measurement of serum anti-MCV levels is useful for diagnosis of RA and combined use of anti-MCV and RF may be more useful prognostic factor than either method alone, RF and anti-CCP.     

Relationships between serum levels of autoantibodies against oxidized low density lipoproteins, lipid-soluble antioxidants and apolipoprotein B in patients with coronary heart disease

High affinity IgG autoantibodies against oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDLs), apolipoprotein B and lipid-soluble antioxidants--alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene, were tested in patients with coronary heart disease. Correlation relationships between these parameters were analysed. Fifty one patients with coronary heart disease (37 males/14 females) defined as Q-wave myocardial infarction and/or stenosis of more than 50%, and 51 healthy blood donors (34 males/17 females) as controls participated in this study. LDLs were isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugation and oxidized with Cu2+. OxLDLs or native LDLs (nLDLs) were used as antigens in enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) to detect IgG autoantibodies in the serum. The contents of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene were measured by HPLC. Apolipoprotein B was determined by immunoturbidimetry. Correlation analysis of the parameters was carried out by Spearmann's test. Alpha-tocopherol was decreased significantly in the serum of patients with coronary heart disease (2.96+/-1.63 nmol/mg serum protein vs 6.23+/-2.28 nmol/mg serum protein in Control group) (p < 0.01). Also, the serum level of beta-carotene was decreased in patients with coronary heart disease (174.0+/-95.7 pmol/mg serum protein vs 313.2+/-141.5 pmol/mg serum protein in Control group) (p < 0.01), while apolipoprotein B was increased significantly (1.20+/-0.34 g/l in patients with coronary heart disease vs 0.86+/-0.23 g/l in Control group) (p < 0.001). In a previous study we established that the mean serum level of IgG autoantibodies against oxLDLs (expressed in optical density units) was about 2.5 times higher in patients with coronary heart disease as compared to control subjects (p < 0.001). A good positive linear correlation was observed between alpha-tocopherol and apolipoprotein B levels in Control group (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), as well as in the group of patients with coronary heart disease (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Poor nonsignificant correlations were established between all another measured parameters. In conclusion, the lipid-soluble antioxidants--alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene, are not informative with respect to the susceptibility of the serum to oxidative modifications and as to the extent of the subsequent humoral immune response. Presumably, the reduction of the correlation coefficient between apolipoprotein-B and alpha-tocopherol in patients with coronary heart disease in comparison with control subjects could provide indirect information on modifications of apolipoprotein-B and on a decrease of its susceptibility to interact with this major lipid-soluble antioxidant in atherogenesis.     

Serum free thyroxine and thyroxine-binding globulin concentrations in early phase of subacute thyroiditis

Serum total thyroxine (T4), total triiodothyronine (T3), T4-binding globulin (TBG), free T4(FT4) and free T3(FT3) concentrations and the T3-uptake(T3-U) value were estimated in 11 patients with subacute thyroiditis, and compared with the same parameters in 11 patients with Graves' disease, whose serum T4 concentrations were similar to the former group. Seven patients with subacute thyroiditis, who were treated with dicrofenac sodium alone, were investigated as to the sequential changes in serum parameters during their clinical courses. The mean serum T3-U value and FT4, T3 and FT3 concentrations in patients with subacute thyroiditis were increased, but all were significantly lower than those in patients with Graves' disease (p less than 0.01, p less than 0.001, p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.001, respectively). Three patients with subacute thyroiditis, who showed shorter duration of symptoms than 10 days, had serum TBG excess. Thus the mean (+/- SD) serum TBG concentration (26.5 +/- 8.4 micrograms/ml) was significantly higher than that (18.3 +/- 2.9 micrograms/ml) in patients with Graves' disease (p less than 0.02). The ratios of serum T3 to T4 and FT3 to FT4 in patients with subacute thyroiditis were also significantly lower than those in patients with Graves' disease (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.001, respectively). The serum FT4 in 7 patients treated with dicrofenac sodium alone decreased to the normal range after 3 to 8 weeks from the onset of the illness. In 3 patients with TBG excess and one patient (TBG; 29.0 micrograms/ml), serum TBG declined in consequence of the serum FT4 normalization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Partial splenic embolisation for hypersplenism of thalassaemia major: five year follow up.

Six patients with thalassaemia major were treated by partial splenic embolisation as an alternative to splenectomy and followed up for five years. Results were compared with those in a matched control group of seven patients treated by splenectomy. All patients treated by partial splenic embolisation showed a reduction in blood transfusion requirements comparable with those in the controls and which remained unchanged over the five years. Serious infections that commonly occur in patients splenectomised for thalassaemia did not occur after embolisation, presumably owing to preservation of some immune function by the splenic remnant. By contrast with the change in platelet counts seen after splenectomy, platelet counts remained normal after partial splenic embolisation, so reducing the risk of thromboses. On the other hand, pre-existing leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were corrected after embolisation. It is concluded that partial splenic embolisation provides an alternative to splenectomy for thalassaemia major and is equally effective and much safer.     

Relation of leptin and tumor necrosis factor alpha to body weight changes in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

In this study we investigated whether leptin and TNFalpha levels change with improvement in body weight with antituberculotic therapy in active tuberculosis patients. 30 patients (8 females and 22 males) with active pulmonary tuberculosis formed the patient group, and 25 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects (8 females and 17 males) served as the control group. Body weight, body mass index (BMI) and serum leptin and plasma TNFalpha levels are measured before and in the sixth month of therapy in all patients. Before the initiation of therapy, BMI of the patients was significantly lower than BMI of the controls (20.2 +/- 1.6 vs. 25.2 +/- 2.7 kg/m(2), respectively; p < 0.05). After treatment, BMI of the patients increased significantly to 21.4 +/- 1.9 kg/m(2) (p < 0.05), but was still lower than that of the controls (p < 0.05). Pretreatment serum leptin (4.5 +/- 0.9 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.2 ng/ml, respectively; p < 0.05) and plasma TNFalpha (27.9 +/- 3.4 vs. 23.9 +/- 3.0 pg/ml, respectively; p < 0.05) levels of the patients were significantly higher than those of the controls. After treatment, serum leptin levels increased to 6.7 +/- 2.2 ng/ml, but this rise was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Treatment did not result in any significant change in TNFalpha levels, either. Delta leptin was highly related to Delta BMI in patients with tuberculosis (r = 0.68, p = 0.02). In the pretreatment period, there was a significant correlation between leptin and TNFalpha levels in the whole patient group (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), and in female (r = 0.74, p < 0.001) and male patients separately (r = 0.74, p = 0.035). In conclusion, leptin and TNFalpha may be responsible for the weight loss in pulmonary tuberculosis patients, but their levels do not change with improvement in body weight with antituberculotic treatment.     

High values of CXCL10 serum levels in patients with hepatitis C associated mixed cryoglobulinemia in presence or absence of autoimmune thyroiditis

The aim of this study was to evaluate CXCL10 serum levels in patients with hepatitis C virus chronic infection (HCV) associated mixed cyoglobulinemia (MC), in the presence or absence of autoimmune thyroiditis (AT). CXCL10 was assayed in 50 MC patients without AT, in 40 MC patients with AT (MC+AT), in 2 gender- and age-matched control groups [50 healthy controls (without HCV or AT; control); 40 controls with AT (without HCV and MC; control+AT)]. CXCL10 was significantly higher: (1) in control+AT than in control (p<0.001); (2) in MC patients than in control (p<0.001); (3) in MC+AT patients than in control (p<0.001), control+AT (p<0.001), or in MC (p=0.002). CXCL10 was significantly increased in MC+AT patients with thyroid hypoechogenicity (388+/-147 vs 302+/-112; p=0.03), or hypothyroidism (391+/-142 vs 307+/-118; p=0.04), compared to those without. By defining a high CXCL10 level as a value at least 2 SD above the mean value of the control (>167 pg/ml), 8% of control, 22% of control+AT, 47% of MC and 80% of MC+AT had high CXCL10 (p<0.0001). In conclusion, our study is the first to demonstrate high serum levels of CXCL10 in MC and that CXCL10 in MC+AT patients are significantly higher compared to MC patients.     

Elevated white blood cell count, CRP and fibrinogen levels are not associated with increased anti-endothelial and anti-ox-LDL antibody, MCP-1, and RANTES levels in early onset occlusive carotid artery disease

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory processes have importance in atherosclerosis. We evaluated if subjects below 55 years of age with occlusive carotid artery disease have higher serum levels of antibodies against oxidized LDL and endothelial cells and the chemokines MCP-1 and RANTES than age matched subjects without atherosclerosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sixty patients with occlusive carotid artery disease (stenosis or occlusion) and 30 age-matched controls participated in the study. We measured the degree of carotid artery stenosis and intima-media thickness (IMT) by duplex ultrasound. White blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), and fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in patients (means+/-SD: 7.5+/-1.8 vs. 6.1+/-1.1 G/L, p<0.001; 7.7+/-20.7 vs. 2.5+/-1.9 mg/L, p=0.015; and 3.7+/-0.9 vs. 3.1+/-0.5 g/L, p<0.001, respectively). Antibody levels against oxidized LDL and endothelial cells (21.1+/-22.9 and 19.9+/-15.3 EU/mL, p=0.6; and 19+/-15 vs. 20+/-9 U/mL, p=0.07) and RANTES and MCP-1 levels (72.4+/-32.3 vs. 73.8+/-27.3 ng/mL, p=0.7; and 468+/-1041 vs. 318+/-131 pg/mL, p=0.7) did not differ significantly between patients and controls and did not correlate with IMT. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of WBC, CRP, and fibrinogen suggest an ongoing inflammation in early-onset carotid atherosclerosis, but increased IMT is not associated by the elevation of serum levels of chemokines and antibodies evaluated in this study.     

Metabolic evaluation of urolithiasis patients from eastern Croatia

Metabolic parameters were determined in fasting blood serum, fasting first morning urine, and 24-hour urine of male patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones (N = 26, age 39.1 +/- 6.2 years) as well as in male healthy controls (N = 18, age 35.0 +/- 7.1 years), recruited from the eastern part of Croatia. The 24-hour urinary calcium excretion was significantly higher (p < 0.01) for patients (5.6 +/- 2.5 mmol) than for controls (3.7 +/- 1.9 mmol), but potassium excretion was higher (p < 0.01) for controls (74.5 +/- 33.8 mmol) than for patients (49.2 +/- 15.7 mmol). The mean ionic activity product of calcium and oxalate ions, IAP(CaOx), calculated from the fasting first morning urine parameters, was 25% higher for patients than for controls, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Very strong correlation (r = 0.97) was obtained between IAP(CaOx) values and calculated Ogawa indices that were recommended for estimating the potential risk for calcium oxalate stone formation.     

Serum level of IgG autoantibodies against oxidized low density lipoproteins and lag-phase of serum oxidation in coronary heart disease--inverse correlation.

High affinity IgG autoantibodies (ABs) against oxLDLs and lag-phase of serum oxidation were tested in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). Fifty one (37 M/14 F) patients with CHD defined as Q-wave myocardial infarction and/or stenosis of more than 50% and 51 (34 M/17 F) healthy blood donors as controls participated in this study. LDLs were isolated by gradient ultracentrifugation and oxidized with CuSO4. The modified LDLs (oxLDLs) or native LDLs (nLDLs) were used as antigens in an enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) to detect IgG ABs in both groups. The serum was oxidized by CuSO4 and the oxidation was monitored spectrophotometrically at lambda = 234 nm to follow the formation of conjugated diens. The lag-phase (in minutes) is the interval between the addition of CuSO4 to the serum and the beginning of extensive oxidation (increasing absorbance at 234 nm). The concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, apo-A and apo-B were measured as well. The mean level of ABs against oxLDLs (expressed as optical density units) was 0.590 +/- 0.330 in CHD-patients vs 0.244 +/- 0.200 in controls (p < 0.001). The lag-phase in minutes was 47.00 +/- 27.19 in CHD-patients and 80.23 +/- 26.30 in controls (p < 0.001). A negative correlation between ABs levels and lag-phase was established in CHD-patients (r = -0.69, p < 0.001) and controls (r = -0.62, p < 0.001). A poor correlation was established between ABs levels or lag-phase, on one hand, and other measured parameters. In conclusion, the lag-phase of serum oxidation by Cu2+ could be informative for LDL susceptibility to modification and the extent of consequent humoral immune response.     

Correlation between serum alkaline phosphatase activity and blood glucose levels

Fasting blood glucose levels and serum alkaline phosphatase activity of age-matched Libyan diabetic men (168) and women (168) were determined. The mean levels of blood glucose of men and women were 227 +/- 6 and 237 +/- 5 mg/dl, respectively. The respective values of serum alkaline phosphatase were 179 +/- 5 and 199 +/- 6 IU/l. The mean serum phosphatase activity of women was significantly higher (p less than 0.001) than that of their male counterparts. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between serum alkaline phosphatase and blood glucose levels of these diabetic patients (r = 0.35; p less than 0.001).     

Significance of serum trace element status in patients with rheumatic heart disease: a prospective study

It is known that certain trace elements can affect various heart diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in concentrations of certain serum trace elements in patients with chronic rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Serum analysis of selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) trace elements was assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. RHD patients had significantly lower serum concentrations of Se and Zn than control subjects (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). However, the serum Cu concentration was significantly higher in RHD patients than in controls (1.93 +/- 0.59 microg/L vs 1.06 +/- 0.29 microg/L; p < 0.001). Similarly, the Cu/Zn ratio in RHD patients was higher than in control subjects (4.70 +/- 0.92 vs 1.68 +/- 0.45; p < 0.001). Additionally, no significant correlation was found among these trace element concentrations and the functional capacity classes (p > 0.05). RHD patients had decreased serum Se and Zn element concentrations and increased serum Cu element concentration. We suggest that Se and Zn deficiency might be contributory factors in the development of rheumatic heart disease, and a high Cu concentration and a high Cu/Zn ratio might reflect an ongoing inflammatory process in this disease.     

Nitric Oxide Production Is Increased in Patients with Inflammatory Myositis

Nitric oxide (NO) production is increased in several inflammatory disorders. We have previously demonstrated higher levels of NO production among patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study we measured serum levels of nitrite and citrulline using calorimetric methods as surrogate markers of NO production among patients with inflammatory myositis (IM). Twenty patients with IM and 19 age- and sex-matched controls were studied. Serum nitrite levels were significantly higher among patients than among controls (986.6 +/- 880 and 204.3 +/- 113.9 nmol/ml, respectively; P = 0.001). Serum citrulline levels, too, were significantly higher among patients than among controls (3755.7 +/- 1905.5 and 189 +/- 177.2 nmol/ml, respectively; P < 0.0001). There was a positive correlation between steroid dosage and serum citrulline levels (r = 0.51, P = 0.036) and a negative correlation between steroid dosage and disease duration (r = -0.54, P = 0.025). It was concluded that NO production is increased in patients with IM and those with more active disease, as indicated by higher steroid dosage, have higher serum citrulline levels.     

Blood dolichol in lysosomal diseases.

Highly elevated serum total dolichol (free dolichol + dolichyl ester) concentrations have recently been found in two lysosomal storage diseases, aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU) and mannosidosis. The present study demonstrates that the increase of serum dolichol in AGU patients is caused by an increase of serum free dolichol. In 15 patients the mean serum level of free dolichol (227 +/- 16 ng/mL) was 1.9 times higher (p < 0.001) than that in healthy controls (120 +/- 6 ng/mL), while the amounts of dolichol fatty acid esters were similar in the patients and controls (110 +/- 9 vs. 118 +/- 6 ng/mL). In contrast, 10 patients with neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinosis (NCL) (three with infantile, four with juvenile, and three with variant late infantile NCL) had significantly (p < 0.01) lower mean serum levels of both free (79 +/- 5 ng/mL) and total (159 +/- 6 ng/mL) dolichol than age-adjusted healthy controls (free, 100 +/- 6 ng/mL; total, 206 +/- 14 ng/mL). Decreased blood dolichol has not been reported earlier for any other disease. We conclude that the increased serum free dolichol in AGU reflects disturbed lysosomal function and that the decreased free and esterified dolichols in NCLs speak against their presumed primary lysosomal nature.     

Population of K-lymphocytes in various kinds of thyroid disease

We have measured the population of Killer (K) lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 108 patients with various kinds of thyroid disease. In the patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease, the relative and absolute numbers of K-lymphocytes were significantly lower than those seen in healthy controls (p less than 0.001), and the longer the duration of medication, the lower the K-lymphocyte population. However, there was no apparent correlation between the serum titers of thyroid autoantibodies and the K-lymphocyte population. In the patients with malignant and benign thyroid tumors, the relative and absolute numbers of K-lymphocytes significantly decreased when compared with those of controls (p less than 0.001), the decrease was more prominent after surgical operation than before operation. A prominent decrease in the K-lymphocyte population was evoked to maximum 2 to 4 weeks after surgical operation. The patients with both malignant and benign tumors having abundant lymphocytic infiltration in their surgical specimens generally revealed a lower K-lymphocyte population than those having no lymphocytic infiltration.     

Erythropoietin-mediated erythrocytosis in rodents after intrarenal injection of nickel subsulfide

Rats and guinea pigs developed pronounced erythrocytosis at one to four months after unilateral intrarenal (ir) injection of nickel subsulfide (Ni3S2). For example, at two months after ir administration of Ni3S2 (5 mg) to rats, blood hematocrit values averaged 70 +/- 3 percent (p less than 0.001 vs. 48 4/- 2 in controls); at two months after ir administration of Ni3S2 (20 mg) to guniea pigs, blood hematocrit values averaged 67 +/- 6 percent (p less than 0.001 vs. 49 +/- 1 percent in controls). Hamsters and gerbils did not develop erythrocytosis after ir injection of Ni3S2 (5 mg/animal). Administration of Ni3S2 to rats by intrasplenic injection did not increase blood hematocrit; splenectomy did not prevent erythrocytosis in rats that received ir injection of Ni3S2. Erythrocytosis in rats was completely blocked by excision of the Ni3S2-injected kidney but was unaffected by excision of the non-injected kidney. Partial inhibition of Ni3S2-induced erythrocytosis in rats occurred after simultaneous ir injection of Mn, Cu, or Al dusts, benzo(a)pyrene, or subcutaneous (sc) infusion of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate. Erythrocytosis induced by ir injection of Ni3S2 was augmented by ir injection of Cr dust or intramuscular (im) administration of iron-dextran. Erythrocytosis occurred in rats after ir implantation of Ni3S2 within semi-permeable cellulose tubules, indicating that phagocytosis of Ni3S2 particles is unnecessary for erythropoietic stimulation. Erythropoietin (Ep) activity in rat serum increased sixfold at two weeks after ir injection of Ni3S2 (p less than 0.001 vs. controls), but Ep activity in pooled extracts of Ni3S2-treated rat kidneys did not increase significantly. This study identifies several factors that influence erythropoietic stimulation by Ni3S2, and furnishes salient information concerning the pathogenesis of Ni3S2-induced erythrocytosis.     

Serum and salivary CEA and GICA levels in oral cavity tumours

The gastrointestinal cancer-associated antigen (GICA) is recognised by a monoclonal antibody in both serum and tissues of patients with neoplasm of the GI tract. This study compared the serum and saliva values of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and GICA in 19 healthy subjects, 43 patients with benign oral cavity lesions and 26 with histologically confirmed squamous-cell carcinomas. Serum CEA levels were much the same in all three groups, whereas salivary values were significantly higher (p less than 0.001) in both patient groups than in the controls. Serum GICA gave the opposite result: lower in carcinoma than in controls (p less than 0.001) and benign lesions (N.S.), while salivary GICA was significantly lower in carcinoma than in both the other two groups (p less than 0.001). The meaning of this difference between the values for the two antigens is discussed.