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.     

Tumor control in a model of bone marrow transplantation and acute liver-infiltrating B-cell lymphoma: an unpredicted novel function of cytomegalovirus

Tumor relapse and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection are major concerns in the therapy of hematopoietic malignancies by bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Little attention so far has been given to a possible pathogenetic interplay between CMV and lymphomas. CMV inhibits stem cell engraftment and hematopoietic reconstitution. Thus, by causing maintenance of bone marrow aplasia and immunodeficiency, CMV could promote tumor relapse. Alternatively, CMV could aid tumor remission. One might think of cytopathogenic infection of tumor cells, induction of apoptosis or inhibitory cytokines, interference with tumor cell extravasation or tumor vascularization, or bystander stimulation of an antitumoral immune response. To approach these questions, the established model of experimental BMT and murine CMV infection was extended by the introduction of liver-infiltrating, highly tumorigenic variant clone E12E of BALB/c-derived B-cell lymphoma A20. We document a remarkable retardation of lymphoma progression. First-guess explanations were ruled out: (i) lymphoma cells were not infected; (ii) lymphoma cells located next to infected hepatocytes did not express executioner caspase 3 but were viable and proliferated; (iii) an inhibitory effect of virus on the formation of tumor nodules in the liver became apparent by day 7 after BMT, long before the reconstitution of immune cells; and (iv) recombinant tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) did not substitute for virus; accordingly anti-TNF-alpha did not prevent the inhibition. Notably, while the antitumoral effect required replicative virus, prevention of cytopathogenic infection of the liver by antiviral CD8 T cells did not abolish lymphoma control. These findings are paradigmatic for a novel virus-associated antitumoral mechanism distinct from oncolysis.     

Effect of vitamin E on follicular cell proliferation and expression of apoptosis-associated factors in rats with 6-N-propyl-2-thiouracil-induced goitrogenesis

We have investigated immunohistochemically the effect of dl-alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) on thyroid gland with 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism in rats. The animals were divided into four groups. Rats in group I were designated as control, rats in group II were treated with injections of PTU (10 mg/kg) for 15 days, rats in group III were treated with injections of PTU+vitamin E (10 mg/100 g) for 15 days. Rats in group IV were treated with injections PTU for 15 days and kept for 15 next days after cessation of PTU treatment. At the end of experiment, the animals were killed by decapitation, blood samples were obtained, thyroid tissues were collected and processed for quantitative evaluation of immunohistochemical PCNA (marker of cell proliferation), Bax (pro-apoptotic marker) and Bcl-2 (anti-apoptotic marker) staining. There was an increase in the number of PCNA-immunopositive cells in follicular epithelial cells of group II rats compared with other groups (p<0.05). After vitamin E treatment, the number of PCNA-immunopositive cells decreased (p<0.05) while the number of Bax-immunopositive cells increased (p<0.05). The number of Bcl-2-positive follicular epithelial cells of group IV rats was higher than in those of other groups (p<0.05). The results of this study indicate that hypothyroidism induces cell proliferation in the thyroid gland and vitamin E may promote involution of the gland.     

Influences of different stress models on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in rat erythrocytes

The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of different stress models on the antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in erythrocytes of rats. Swiss-Albino female rats (3 months old) were used in this study. Rats were randomly divided into the following four groups; control group (C), cold stress group (CS), immobilization stress group (IS) and cold+immobilization stress group (CS+IS). Control group was kept in an animal laboratory (22 ±2°C). Rats in CS group were placed in cold room (5°C) for 15 min/day for 15 days. Rats in IS group were immobilized for 180 min/day for 15 days. Rats in CS+IS group were exposed to both cold and immobilization stresses for 15 days. At the end of experimental periods, the activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. LPO was determined by measuring the contents of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). Cu,Zn-SOD activity and TBARS concentration were increased after cold and immobilization stresses, but CAT and GSH-Px activities and GSH levels were decreased. Immobilization stress decreased the activity of G-6-PD. The activities of G-6-PD, CAT and GSH-Px, and the level of GSH were lower in CS+IS group than in the control group. Cu,Zn-SOD activity and TBARS levels were increased in CS+IS group when compared with the control group. From these findings, three stress models are thought to cause oxidative stress.     

Evaluation of seasonal antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds in stems and leaves of some almond (Prunus amygdalus L.) varieties

Background

This study aimed to determine the seasonal changes of total antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in samples taken from leaves (April, July, October) and stems (April, July, October, January) of some almond (Prunus amygdalus L.) varieties (Nonpareil, Ferragnes and Texas).

Results

It was indicated that antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds in leaves and stems of Nonpareil, Ferragnes and Texas showed seasonal differences. Antioxidant activity IC₅₀ of these varieties reached the highest value in April for leaves whereas in October for stems. The highest level of total phenolic compounds was in January for stems while in October for leaves.

Conclusions

These results showed that total antioxidant activity and phenolics in leaves and stems of almond varieties changed according to season and plant organ.     

Effects of Exogenous Indole Butyric Acid and Callus Formation on the Anti-oxidant Activity, Total Phenolic, and Anthocyanin Constituents of Mulberry Cuttings

In order to evaluate the effects of exogenous indole butyric acid （IBA） and callus formation on the antioxidant activity, total phenolics, and anthocyanin constituents of Morus nigra L. and M. alba L. cuttings, we investigated the variations before and after the treatment. The results indicate that anti-oxidant ability, total phenolic, and anthocyanin constituents of the callus stems of both Morus species were higher than those of non-callus forming species. There were also increases observed in anti-oxidant ability, total phenolic, and anthocyanin constituents of calli treated with IBA （1 000-3 000 mg/L）.     

Changes in zinc levels and superoxide dismutase activities in the skin of acute, ultraviolet-B-irradiated mice after treatment with ginkgo biloba extract

Acute ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation is known to act as an initiator in the formation of reactive oxygen species. These oxygen products are highly reactive and they are able to cause irreversible damage to cellular components. Oxygen free radicals are normally neutralized by very efficient systems in the body. These include antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD). In a healthy subject, there is a balance between free radicals and the levels of antioxidants. In some pathological conditions such as oxidative stress, the level of antioxidants is significantly reduced. The skin contains relatively high levels of zinc (Zn), an essential element known to be a cofactor in some metabolic pathways. Zinc has also been reported to have antioxidant properties. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ginkgo biloba extract (Gbe), a potent free-radical scavenger, on UV-B-irradiated skin by measuring SOD activity and Zn levels in the skin, before and after treatment. The SOD activity was decreased after UV-B exposure, in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). After Gbe treatment, the SOD activity increased (p<0.05) as compared with the untreated UV-B irradiated group. The Zn levels changed in the same pattern as the SOD activity values.