Abstract The aim of the present study was to explore possible differences between serum C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and cortisol concentration ...in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) with melancholic features, and MDD with atypical features. As secondary aim, we investigated possible associations with clinical features such as suicidal ideation, number of episodes, duration of depression and symptomatology severity. We included 55 MDD patients (32 with melancholic features and 23 with atypical features) and 18 healthy controls. When compared to healthy controls, MDD with melancholic or atypical features showed higher CRP and IL-6, but not TNF-α. Cortisol concentration was higher in MDD with melancholic type, in comparison to the atypical type of MDD or controls. A positive correlation was found between the severity of depressive symptoms, concentrations of IL-6 and cortisol in the MDD group with melancholic features, while a negative correlation was observed between IL-6 and CRP in the MDD group with atypical feature. Also, in the MDD group with atypical features, there was a correlation between the severity of anxiety symptoms based on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HARS), concentration of CRP, and the duration of symptoms. In conclusion, we observed several differences in serum CRP, IL-6, and cortisol concentrations in MDD patients considering clinical features as well.
The hypothesis of the study was that polymorphisms in promoter regions -238 and -308 of
TNF-α
could be associated with different clinical outcomes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and ...immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRD). The aim was to examine the possible association of both polymorphisms with concentration of C-reactive protein (CRP) and fecal calprotectin (fCAL), onset of the remission and development of the ADA in patients on therapy with anti-TNF inhibitors. The prospective study was done in patients with IBD and IMRD on infliximab (IFX) or adalimumab (ADM). Patients were genotyped for
TNF-α
-238 and -308 polymorphisms. The concentration of CRP, fCAL, IFX or ADM and antibodies to drugs were measured according to manufacturer’s instructions and followed-up for 6 or 12 months. Out of all patients (
N
= 112), number of patients in remission did not differ according to genotypes (for IBD patients
P
= 0.509 vs 0.223; for IMRD patients
P
= 0.541 vs 0.132 for
TNF-α
-238 and -308, respectively). Initial CRP concentration was higher in IBD patients with
TNF-α
-308 GG than GA/AA genotypes in patients who failed to achieve remission 11.8 (4.4–39.6) vs 3.1 (1.5–6.5),
P
= 0.033. In IBD patients with remission, fCAL concentration after at least 6 months of therapy was higher in
TNF-α
-308 GG than in GA genotype 52 (25–552) vs 20 (20–20) µg/g,
P
= 0.041. Our results showed the association of
TNF-α
-308 GG genotype with a higher concentration of CRP and fecal calprotectin in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases on IFX or ADM therapy. Clinical remission and development of antibodies to anti-TNF drugs were not associated with
TNF-α
-238 and -308 polymorphisms.
Extracts from Boswellia serrata gum resin have anti-inflammatory effect and are used for treatment of a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases. It was previously demonstrated that the treatment ...with Boswellia serrata gum resin of LADA (Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults) patients decreased blood levels of IA2 antibodies, one of the markers associated with LADA autoimmune diabetes.
The purpose of this study was to test whether Boswellia serrata gum resin also influences GAD65 autoantibodies as the other marker associated with LADA.
We report a case study of male patient diagnosed with LADA with positive GAD65 autoantibodies who was treated with extract from Boswellia serrata gum resin, during 9 months. Blood levels of GAD65 autoantibodies, fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c were measured before the treatment and periodically during the treatment.
Over the observed period, the blood levels of GAD65 autoantibodies linearly decreased about 25%.
The study confirms that extract of Boswellia serrata gum resin seems to prevent insulitis in patients with LADA, as indicated by its action on both markers of autoimmune diabetes, i.e., GAD65 and IA2 autoantibodies. The possibility that the treatment with boswellic acids of LADA patients with positive autoantibodies could be beneficial on the course of the disease, calls for further investigation and a clinical study.
Vitamin D is beneficial in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases as it has been shown that it lowers the incidence risk and the level of inflammation. To examine the association between ...clinical outcomes and initial 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D concentrations in patients with the immune-mediated rheumatic diseases treated with infliximab for 9 months. This study was performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with infliximab for at least 38 weeks. Disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score (DAS28) for RA and PsA and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) for AS, while the global assessment was performed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to 25(OH)D concentration which was classified as deficient or non-deficient (below and above 50 nmol/L, respectively). Concentrations of infliximab (IFX) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured according to the manufacturer’s instructions.This study was performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated with infliximab for at least 38 weeks. Disease activity was assessed using Disease Activity Score (DAS28) for RA and PsA and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) for AS, while the global assessment was performed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to 25(OH)D concentration which was classified as deficient or non-deficient (below and above 50 nmol/L, respectively). Concentrations of infliximab (IFX) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The study included 23 patients (14 with RA, 6 with AS and 3 with PsA), median age 54 years, 15 females. Vitamin D deficient and non-deficient groups had median initial concentrations of 38 and 61 nmol/L, respectively. DAS28 and pain on VAS calculated at the 2nd and 38th week showed a statistically significant decrease only in RA and PsA patients with vitamin D deficiency (
P
= 0.02 and 0.06, respectively). Lower initial concentration of 25(OH)D in patients treated with infliximab was associated with better improvement of clinical measures (DAS28 and VAS) of disease after 9 months of therapy.
This study examined the effects of a 6-week repeated
sprint training on redox-based homeostasis and their association with muscle
damage. Fifteen male physical education students (aged 20.0±1.0 ...years; body
weight 77.7±6.0 kg; height 181.0±4.4 cm; %body fat 8.7±3.0 %), familiar with
intermittent activities, volunteered to participate in the study. Experimental
training program consisted of 2-3 sets of 6-10 straight-line or shuttle 20-m
repeated sprints with departures every 25 seconds and a 2-minute inter-set
passive recovery. The training intervention lasted six weeks during which 18
training sessions were performed. The levels were measured of the following: 15-F2t-isoprostanes
in plasma and 24-hour urine; superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and
glutathione reductase in erythrocytes; uric acid and creatine kinase in serum after
the first and the penultimate training session. The level of muscle damage
following the repeated sprint exercise was not significantly altered (402 to
496 U/L; p=.151) and had no significant associations with the changes in markers
depicting redox-homeostasis. A significant increase in plasma 15-F2t-isoprostanes
(0.32 to 0.56 ng/mL; p=.026), and a subsequent decrease in glutathione reductase
(7.7 to 3.4 U/g Hb; p<.001) were observed. Urinary 15-F2t-isoprostane
levels were 25% greater at post-training, although this increase did not reach
statistical significance. These results indicate that repeated sprint training
stimulates the equilibrium in redox homeostasis developing antioxidant
protection to the constantly increasing training load.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, FSPLJ, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Premature atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients is associated with chronic infection by itself and adverse effects of antiretroviral treatment (ART). Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has a beneficial ...effect on the cardiovascular system because of its anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to determine whether the consumption of EVOO improves inflammation and atherosclerosis biomarkers in HIV-infected patients receiving ART.
This randomized, crossover, controlled trial included 39 HIV-positive male participants who consumed 50 mL of EVOO or refined olive oil (ROO) daily. Four participants dropped out of the study. Leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, malondialdehyde, glutathione-peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, oxidized LDL and von Willebrand factor were determined before the first and after each of the 2 intervention periods. Intervention and washout periods lasted for 20 and 14 days, respectively.
In participants with >90% compliance (N=30), hsCRP concentrations were lower after EVOO intervention (geometric mean GM, 1.70 mg/L; 95% confidence interval CI, 1.15-2.52) compared to ROO administration (GM, 2.92 mg/L; 95% CI, 1.95-4.37) (p=0.035). In participants using lopinavir/ritonavir, ESR and hsCRP concentrations decreased 62% and 151%, respectively, after EVOO administration. In the whole study population (N=35) we found no difference in analyzed biomarkers after EVOO administration.
Our exploratory study suggests that EVOO consumption could lower hsCRP in patients on ART.
Abstract Aims Heart failure (HF) is a major public health issue currently affecting more than 23 million patients worldwide. Hyponatraemia has been shown to be a predictor of poor outcome in patients ...with acute and chronic HF. Therefore, we aimed at finding a marker for early detection of patients at risk for developing hyponatraemia. To this end, the present study investigated the relationship between initial serum chloride and follow-up sodium levels in acute heart failure (AHF) patients. Methods and results The present study was performed as a prospective, single-centre, observational research with a total of 152 hospitalised AHF patients. Compared to patients with initial normochloraemia, patients with initial hypochloraemia had a statistically significantly higher incidence of hyponatraemia after a 3-month follow-up P < 0.001; odds ratio (OR) = 27.08, CI: 4.3–170.7. A similar finding was obtained upon exclusion of patients with initial hyponatraemia with Fishers test P = 0.034; odds ratio (OR) = 15.5, CI:1.7–140.6. Binary logistic regression revealed a significantly increased 7-day mortality in the hypochloraemic/normonatriaemic (OR = 4.08, CI 1.08–15.43, P = 0.039), but not in the hypochloraemic/hyponatraemic, normochloraemic/hyponatraemic or normonatriaemic/normochloraemic patients. Ejection fraction (EF) at admission was significantly higher in hypochloraemic/normonatriaemic, compared to normonatriaemic/normochloraemic patients, but similar to EF in both hypochloraemic/hyponatraemic and normochloraemic/hyponatraemic patients. The N-terminal precursor Brain Natriuretic Peptide (Nt-proBNP) levels at admission were significantly lower in hypochloraemic/normonatriaemic compared to hypochloraemic/hyponatraemic and normonatriaemic/normochloraemic patients, respectively. Conclusion The data show that initial low serum chloride concentration is predictive of developing hyponatraemia and associated with increased 7-day mortality in AHF patients.
The aim of this paper was to investigate serum concentrations of calcium-independent lipoprotein phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and protein S100 in schizophrenia patients in comparison to healthy controls ...and correlate them with the clinical severity, duration, and number of schizophrenia relapses.
This study included 65 schizophrenia patients and 70 controls. Schizophrenia was diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria. Clinical severity was determined by PANSS. PLA2 and protein S100 concentration were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
PLA2 concentrations were higher in patients with schizophrenia, whereas protein S100 concentrations were not. Higher concentrations of PLA2 were positively correlated with the duration of illness and number of episodes, as determined by multivariate analysis.
PLA2 might be considered a possible biochemical trait marker for schizophrenia. Further research with larger and more homogeneous clinical samples is required.
Abstract An elevated homocysteine level is a newly recognized risk factor for osteoporosis. Older individuals may have elevated homocysteine levels due to inadequate folate intake and/or lower ...absorption of vitamin B12 . The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an impact of folic acid and vitamin B12 supplementation on homocysteine levels and, subsequently, on bone turnover markers in older women with mildly to moderately elevated homocysteine levels. It is hypothesized that supplementation with folic acid and vitamin B12 will improve homocysteine levels and, in turn, positively modify bone turnover markers in this population. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 31 women (65 to 93 years) with homocysteine levels greater than 10 μ mol/L. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a daily folic acid (800 μ g) and vitamin B12 (1000 μ g) (n = 17) or a matching placebo (n = 14) for 4 months. The results showed significantly lower homocysteine concentrations in the vitamin group compared to the placebo group (10.6 vs 18.5 μ mol/L, P = .007). No significant difference in serum alkaline phosphatase or C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen was found between the vitamin and placebo groups before or after supplementation. The use of folic acid and vitamin B12 as a dietary supplement to improve homocysteine levels could be beneficial for older women, but additional research must be conducted in a larger population and for a longer period to determine if there is an impact of supplementation on bone turnover markers or other indicators of bone health.
We investigated the influence of high sucrose diet (HSD) after 3 or 5 weeks of administration on paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity in plasma of normolipidemic rats and the relationship between serum PON1 ...activity, triacylglycerides (TGs), HDL and total cholesterol vs. the control group of rats fed normal, control diet (CD). Because the data about the influence of gemfibrozil (GEM) on PON1 activity are controversial, we also investigated its effects (administration in the 4th and 5th week in rats on HSD and CD) on plasma PON1 activity and lipid levels in normolipidemic rats, and in rats with hypertriglyceridemia caused by HSD. Our results obtained in rats on HSD show a significant increase of plasma TGs levels by 47% (P<0.05) after 5 weeks of treatment, and PON1 activity by 32% and 23% (P<0.05) after 3 and 5 weeks, but without change in lipid levels vs. rats on CD. In the rats on CD and HSD, GEM caused a significant decrease of PON1 activity by 44% and 33%, while a significant decrease of TGs level by 38% (P<0.05) was measured only in rats on CD. The effects of GEM on total cholesterol, HDL and LDL in both groups of rats were typical for its action on lipoprotein metabolism. Because GEM in the rat liver stimulates proliferation of peroxisomes, β oxidation, and production of H₂O₂, it is possible that the oxidative stress induced by GEM damages hepatocytes and lowers the synthesis of PON1.
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