Role of IL33 in chronic inflammation and microvascular damage as a reflection of organ damage on a cohort of patients with acromegaly.

AIM: Acromegaly is a rare chronic disease, caused by the over-secretion of growth hormone (GH), that creates a pro-inflammatory state, but the exact mechanisms by which GH or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) act on inflammatory cells are not fully understood. Aim of the study was to evaluate Interleukin-33 (IL33) and the skin perfusion of hands in patients with acromegaly (AP) and healthy controls (HC). METHODS: IL33 have been assessed in 40 AP and 40 HC. IL 33 was determined and skin perfusion of hands was assessed by laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) in both populations. RESULTS: IL33 was significantly higher in AP compared to HC [45.72 pg/ml (IQR 28.74-60.86) vs 14 pg/ml (IQR 6.5535); p < 0.05]. At LASCA, peripheral blood perfusion (PBP) was significantly lower in AP compared to HC [53.39 pU (IQR 40.94-65.44) vs 87 pU (IQR 80-98) p < 0.001]. The median values of ROI1, ROI2 and ROI3 were significantly lower in AP compared to HC [97.32 pU (IQR 50.89-121.69) vs 131 pU (IQR 108-135); p < 0.001], [58.68 pU (IQR 37.72-84.92) vs 83 pU (IQR 70-89), p < 0.05] and HC [52.16 (34.47-73.78) vs 85 (78-98), p < 0.001], respectively. The proximal-distal gradient (PDG) was observed in 18 of 40 (45%) AP. CONCLUSION: Serum IL33 is higher in AP compared to HC; conversely a reduction of PBP of hands was present in AP compared to HC, probably due to endothelial dysfunction, strictly dependent on acromegaly and are not influenced by the choice of treatment.

A new challenge for urinary free light chains: assessment of the upper reference limit in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: Free light chains (FLCs) can be measured in both urine (uFLC) and serum (sFLC) in immunochemistry. We aim to compare FLC levels in serum and urine assessed among healthy volunteers and measured upper reference limits (URLs) of urinary FLC to creatinine ratio (uFLC/uCr) in mg/g to compare with the manufacturer's recommended URLs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligibility criteria: normal serum and urine FLC measure and negative serum/urinary immunofixation. Immunoturbidimetry was used to assess both κ and λ FLCs. The URLs were calculated with the 97.5th percentile of uFLC concentrations according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations. RESULTS: 126 healthy subjects (median age 46 years, 62% females) met the inclusion criteria. Median concentrations of κ and λ sFLCs were similar both for males and females without significant differences. κ and λ uFLCs were significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively). Slower clearance for λ FLC compared to κ FLC was observed with an increased κ/λ uFLC ratio in both males and females. URLs for male and female subjects: κ uFLC mg/g uCr = 34.35 vs. 23.18, and λ uFLC mg/g uCr = 3.59 vs. 1.96, respectively compared well with manufacturer's URLs. CONCLUSIONS: FLC catabolism is gender-dependent and occurs less rapidly in λ FLC than in κ FLC. The determination of the URL of uFLC, as uFLC/uCr, in healthy subjects in morning urine, proved to be consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations, but with a significant difference according to gender.

The dark side of current analytic methods for Bence Jones Proteinuria.

OBJECTIVE: Bence Jones proteinuria (BJP) refers to monoclonal free immunoglobulin light chains detected in urine, deriving from the clonal expansion of plasma cells in the bone marrow in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias, associated with monoclonal gammopathies of uncertain origin. This review summarizes routinely diagnostic procedures to assess BJP highlighting critical steps of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE METHODS: The best option for BJP detection is the first morning void urine sample and immunofixation electrophoresis detection technique (IFE) the recommended method, with the employment of specific polyvalent antisera. Other qualitative tests for a quick evaluation of BJP are currently available. Densitometric analysis performed on the 24-hour urine is the recommended method to quantify BJP. To overcome the 24-hour collection, it is possible to use morning urine sample and correlate the assessed value of BJP to creatininuria. In addition to the traditional ones, we here reviewed screening methods currently used to avoid false negatives and reduce the time around test (TAT), together with immunochemical quantification methods for increased sensitivity, after checking BJP by IFE. Mass spectrometry emerges as a new challenge in the determination of BJP. CONCLUSIONS: The employment of different based-assays methods may be useful for diagnostic purposes to improve the accuracy of BJP monitoring in monoclonal gammopathies.

Evaluation of immunoglobulins subclasses and free-light chains in non-obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and correlations with hormonal and metabolic parameters: preliminary data.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinemia that contribute to create a state of chronic low-grade inflammation. We performed an observational case-control study to investigate inflammatory and immunological parameters, such as IgG subclasses and free light chains (FLCs) and hemolytic complement activity (CH50) in non-obese PCOS, evaluating their relations with metabolic and hormonal parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 36 subjects were studied: 16 PCOS patients (mean±SEM 27.13±1.82 age; BMI 24.1±0.9 kg/m2); 20 controls (aged 26.05±0.73; BMI 20.8 ± 0.4 kg/m2). The blood sample was collected for metabolic and hormonal parameters, IgG subclasses, k and λ FLCs, CH50. Hormones were measured by immunochemiluminometric assays; metabolic parameters by enzymatic assays; subclasses of IgG, FLCs, and CH50 were evaluated by the turbidimetric method. RESULTS: PCOS patients showed vs. controls lower IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 (mean±SEM 3.76±0.29 g/l, 2.63±0.20, 0.62±0.06, 0.34±0.08 vs. 6.49±0.35, 4.28±0.25, 0.84±0.07, 0.33±0.04, respectively) and higher levels of FLCs (k 12.22±0.71 vs. 6.03±0.30, λ 10.10±0.79 vs. 8.04±0.48 g/l) and CH50 (48.64±2.65 vs. 36.51±1.38 U/ml); we found correlation between IgG2 and free-testosterone (r=0.72, p=0.005) and CH50 and vitamin D (r=0.54, p=0.04); an inverse correlation was found between IgG1 and, respectively, ACTH (r=-0.57, p=0.02) and cortisol (r=0.78, p=0.001) in PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: In the complex scenario of low-grade inflammation in non-obese PCOS, we showed lower levels of main subclasses of IgG and higher CH50 levels, suggesting the involvement of other mechanisms other than the "classical" pathway of complement activation; FLCs could be attractive to monitor inflammation degree, disease activity and influence on hormonal status.

SARS-CoV-2 was already circulating in Italy, in early December 2019.

OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) identified in China, in December 2019 determines COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19). Whether or not the virus was present in Italy earlier the first autochthonous COVID-19 case was diagnosed is still uncertain. We aimed to identify anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in sera collected from 4th November 2019 to 9th March 2020, in order to assess the possible spread of the virus in Italy earlier than the first official national diagnosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were evaluated in retrospective serum samples from 234 patients with liver diseases (Hep-patients) and from 56 blood donors (BDs). We used two rapid serologic tests which were confirmed by a validated chemoluminescence assay. RESULTS: Via rapid tests, we found 10/234 (4.3%) IgG-positive and 1/234 (0.4%) IgM-positive cases in the Hep-patient group. Two/56 (3.6%) IgG-positive and 2/56 (3.6%) IgM-positive cases were detected in BD group. Chemoluminescence confirmed IgG-positivity in 3 Hep-patients and 1 BD and IgM-positivity in 1 Hep-patient. RNAemia was not detected in any of the subjects, rendering the risk of transfusion transmission negligible. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an early circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in Italy, before the first COVID-19 cases were described in China. Rapid tests have multiple benefits; however, a confirmation assay is required to avoid false positive results.

The diagnostic performance of PIVKA-II in metabolic and viral hepatocellular carcinoma: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver tumor derived from metabolic or viral chronic hepatitis, with few treatment options in advanced cases. New biomarkers that allow improving diagnosis and staging are widely desired. Here, we aim to evaluate the performance of Protein Induced by Vitamin K Absence or Antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) in combination with α-fetoprotein (AFP), in the diagnosis of HCC in patients with metabolic or viral hepatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 60 HCC patients (20 metabolic and 40 viral) and 20 healthy subjects (HS) as negative controls. PIVKA-II, AFP, Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) serum levels were assessed by immunoassays. RESULTS: AFP and PIVKA-II levels were obviously higher in patients than in HS. AFP displayed a better diagnostic performance than PIVKA-II for viral HCC while PIVKA-II was better for metabolic HCC. The combination of the two biomarkers did not improve the discriminating ability. CONCLUSIONS: PIVKA-II may be considered an independent predictor of macrovascular invasion from HCC cells and it can be used to better stratify HCC patients and should be evaluated in prospective studies for early detection of advanced HCC in metabolic subjects.

Biomarkers in HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinemia patients withnon-Hodgkin lymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can cause severe extrahepatic manifestations, such as mixed cryoglobulins (MC), up to the development of B cell nonHodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL). Mechanisms transforming of HCV infection into lymphoproliferative and/or autoimmune disorders are still poorly understood. In course of HCV infection, the sustained virus-driven antigenic stimulation may probably induce a B-cell clonal expansion. Measurements of serum free light chains (FLCs) levels, considered as a direct marker of B cell activity, are analyzed with increasing interest in clinical practice, for diagnosis, monitoring and follow-up of plasma cell dyscrasia. Syndecan-1 (CD138) is a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan expressed and actively shed by most myeloma cells. Membrane CD138 represents the major receptor protein for HCV attachment to the hepatocyte surface and high levels of circulating sCD138 levels are detected in patients at early stage of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This study is aimed to evaluate sCD138 and FLC levels as diagnostic biomarkers of HCV-related MC with B-NHL. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 35 HCV-MC-NHL patients, characterized for the specific type of cryoglobulins, and 25 healthy blood donors (HBD) as negative control. Serum sCD138 levels were determined using ELISA kits specific for human sCD138. Serum FLCs were assessed by means of the turbidimetric assay. RESULTS: We found that serum levels of sCD138, as well as FLCs, were significantly higher in patients than in HBD (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In agreement with the definition of HCV-driven lymphoproliferative disorders as the consequence of a multifactorial and multistep pathogenetic process, we suggest that sCD138 and FLCs could be considered putative independent markers of worsening progression of the disease.

Serum immunoglobulin free light chain levels in systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases.

Several reports have highlighted the abnormal increments of serum immunoglobulin free light chains (FLCs) in the course of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD), but a comparative analysis among different conditions is still lacking. A strong association between elevated FLC and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related mixed cryoglobulinaemia (HCVMC) has been well established. Here, we aimed to analyse serum FLC levels in patients with four different SARD in comparison with HCVMC. Using a turbidimetric assay, free κ and λ chains were quantified in sera from 198 SARD patients (37 rheumatoid arthritis, RA; 47 systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE; 52 anti-phospholipid syndrome, APS; 62 primary Sjogren's syndrome, pSS), 62 HCVMC and 50 healthy blood donors (HD). All patient groups showed increased κ levels when compared to HD: 33·5 ± 2·6 mg/l in HCVMC, 26·7 ± 2·3 mg/l in RA, 29·7 ± 1·9 mg/l in SLE, 23·8 ± 1·1 mg/l in APS, 24·2 ± 1·1 mg/l in pSS; 10·1 ± 0·6 mg/l in HD. Free λ levels displayed a significant increase only for HCVMC (20·4 ± 1·4 mg/l) and SLE (18·4 ± 1·0 mg/l) compared to HD (13·6 ± 0·9 mg/l). The increase of κ compared to λ takes into account a κ /λ ratio of 1·6 for all groups. Our results substantially analyse and strengthen the association between FLC and SARD focusing the questions regarding their role in the pathogenesis and diagnosis of human diseases. Unfortunately, the biochemical differences distinguishing normal from pathological FLC have not been identified. Production of different isotypes is probably connected to still-unknown pathways.

Lack of association between Vitamin D status and free light chains profile with different chronic HCV-related liver and extrahepatic disorders.

OBJECTIVE: A still uncertain association between vitamin D levels and HCV chronic liver diseases has been reported. Increased levels of serum-free light chains (FLCs) and an altered k/λ FLC ratio correlate with Mixed Cryoglobulinemia (MC) vasculitis and/or B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in HCV-positive patients. We aimed to investigate the possible role of vitamin D, vitamin D Binding Protein (DBP), and FLCs levels as a tool for discriminating different stages of HCV- related MC and chronic liver diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-five untreated patients were retrospectively enrolled and 21 healthy blood donors (HBD) were used as controls. Vitamin D, DBP, FLCs, and cryoglobulins levels were measured. Based on cryoglobulins, patients were divided in three subgroups (without cryoglobulins, type II, and type III). RESULTS: We didn't find any significant differences in vitamin D and DBP levels between HCV patients' main groups and HBD. Serum FLCs levels were significantly higher in HCV patients than in HBD. FLCs ratio among patients' subgroups did not reveal differences. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm the presence of an increased serum level of FLCs in HCV patients and suggest that nor vitamin D and DBP or FLC levels can be considered reliable biomarkers for discriminating different stages of HCV-associated chronic liver diseases and/or HCV-associated extrahepatic manifestation. We confirm that serological FLCs levels are significantly higher in patients than in HBD as a signature of B cell activation in course of HCV infection.

A novel biomarker score for the screening and management of patients with plasma cell proliferative disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Monoclonal plasma cell proliferative disorders comprise a wide spectrum of diseases associated to clonal B-cell expansion. Serum protein electrophoretic profile (SPEP) and circulating free light chains (FLCs) levels are the mainstay of diseases management. Recently, soluble (s) Syndecan-1 (SDC1, CD138) produced by myeloma plasma cells has been suggested in the monitoring and follow-up of patients with myeloma. The aim of our study is to evaluate sCD138 in addition with FLCs and SPEP for the screening of patients with different evolutive disease pathways. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sera from 73 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), 120 smoldering and 42 multiple myeloma (SMM and MM, respectively), 70 HCV-related mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC), 35 B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) and sera from 50 healthy donors (HD), were tested for sCD138, FLCs (assessed by means of ELISA and turbidimetric assay, respectively) and electrophoresis pattern (performed on Capillarys system) for the generation of a novel biomarker score (BS). RESULTS: Our results were grouped according to the two main lines of disease progression (vs. MM or B-NHL): in one group we found BS mean values of 0.2, 3.4, 5.3, 7.1 for HD, MGUS, SMM and MM, respectively; in the other group of 0.2, 4.4, 6.7 for HD, MC and B-NHL. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that BS mean values follow the ingravescence disease status towards the two main lines of progression to cancerous conditions; it could represent an additional useful tool in the management of screening and/or follow-up.

Free light chains a novel biomarker of cardiovascular disease. A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease (IHD) are the major cause of morbidity and mortality but their inflammatory pathogenesis is still unclear. In this scenario, the role of serum free light chains (sFLC) has never been fully evaluated. The aim of the present study is to assess the clinical and pathogenetic role of sFLC in patients with IHD and to propose their use as a new biomarker for cardiovascular disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 117 patients, divided into 5 cohorts: 15 healthy controls, non-diabetic and without ischemic heart disease; 19 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), without ischemic heart disease at recruitment; 39 patients with stable chronic angina; 27 patients with NSTEMI, 17 patients with acute STEMI. Serum sFLC and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured. Patients also underwent a transthoracic echocardiographic study. RESULTS: sFLC were higher in patients with IHD and T2DM. However, we did not find statistically significant differences in sFLC concentration among subgroups. No correlation resulted between sFLC and hs-CRP levels. The median value of the sFLC κ/λ ratio in the population was 0.63, therefore stratifying it into two groups according to their levels. We found that an increase in left ventricular ejection fraction at 12 months was detected in 77% of patients with κ/λ ratio higher than 0.63 and 25% of patients with κ/λ ratio lower of 0.63 (p=0.016, OR=10.0 [1.8-55.6]). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the sFLC, produced by the B-lymphocytes in the context of generalized immune activation, could play a pathogenetic role in acute coronary syndromes and that they could represent a novel risk biomarker of cardiovascular disease.

IgG cryoglobulinemia.

OBJECTIVE: Mixed Cryoglobulinemia is the most well-known Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-associated extrahepatic manifestation. MC is both an autoimmune and B-lymphoproliferative disorder. Cryoglobulins (CGs) are classified into three groups according to immunoglobulin (Ig) composition: type I is composed of one isotype or Ig class. Type II and type III mixed CGs are immune complexes composed of polyclonal IgGs acting as autoantigens and mono, polyclonal or oligoclonal IgM with rheumatoid factor activity. IgG1 and IgG3 are the predominant subclasses involved. This study shows the simultaneous presence of IgG-RF and IgG3, supporting the hypothesis of an involvement of this subclass in the initiation of early stages of CGs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe a case series of six HCV-positive patients, all of whom had peripheral neuropathy and transient ischemic attacks, presenting cryoprecipitates formed by IgG3 and IgG1. Cryoprecipitate IgG subclass research was carried out by immunofixation electrophoresis by using antisera against IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4. RESULTS: Our six patients presented with an immunochemical pattern characterized by the mere presence of IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses with probable RF activity and one of these six patients exhibited monoclonal IgG3 in his cerebrospinal fluid. CONCLUSIONS: We can hypothesize that the IgG passage through the blood-brain barrier could have contributed to the cause of TIAs, through a mechanism involving the precipitation of circulating immune complexes formed by the two subclasses in the intrathecal vessels.

Cystic duplication of transverse colon: an unusual case of abdominal pain and bowel obstruction.

Gatrointestinal duplications are rare congenital anomalies, usually detected prenatally or in the first two years of life, although they can be diagnosed even in older age. Within the abdomen, a small bowel location is the most frequent (more than 50% of cases), while colonic site accounts for 17% of patients; transverse colonic location is very rare. These lesions can vary in shape, being cystic or tubular, and typically show the same structure of the adjacent normal bowel, with which they can have direct communication. The most of case of intestinal duplication in adults present with acute abdomen and bowel obstruction, and are more common in the ileum than in the colon. When diagnosed these lesions should be surgically resected to avoid future possible complications. The Authors present a case of cystic duplication of transverse colon in a young adult male, cause of acute abdominal pain and intestinal obstruction, thus requiring urgent surgery.

Stromal tumors of the small bowel causing unexplained melena: report of two cases.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the small bowel are relatively rare and, therefore, both difficult to diagnose and treat. The authors present two cases of such tumors and review the various options for diagnosis and treatment.

Haemangiopericytoma of greater omentum. A rare cause of acute abdominal pain.

Haemangiopericytoma (HPT) is a rare neoplasm that can occur in any part of the human body. In this report, we describe the case of a patient with sudden severe upper abdominal pain caused by primary HPT in the greater omentum.

[Malignant pheochromocytoma. Personal experience, review of the literature]. / Considerazioni sul feocromocitoma maligno. Esperienza personale, revisione della letteratura.

Pheochromocytoma is a catecholamine-producing tumor of the sympathetic nervous system which in 4-14% of the cases may be malignant. The differentiation between benign and malignant phoechromocytomas is very difficult, the presence of metastatic lesions and gross invasion into surrounding tissues are the lonely accettable parameters to confirm malignancy. Since the patients with malignant pheochromocytomas have a very poor survival rate, care must be taken for an early detections and a careful follow up. Three cases of malignant pheochromocytoma are reported. In one of these cases the tumor was a functioning mass; the other two cases presented by a hemorrhagic complication. A careful review of the pertinent literature allows to outline the correct approach to this rare pathology as for the diagnosis and the treatment, also including the actual criteria to establish its malignancy.

An approach to realistic evaluation of antihypertensive regimes.

Where practicable, all subjects found with onset-phase-four blood pressure of 90 mmHg or more after referral were allocated, on a random basis, to alternative antihypertensive regimes at a dosage related to response. Of those 110 receiving either guanethidine, methyldopa or debrisoquine, only the group on methyldopa had significantly reduced median blood pressure by two out of four criteria and after 6 months of therapy. It is nevertheless considered that by assessment of the total group more significant conclusions can be drawn for an eventual attempt to control hypertension on a community basis than by studies of highly selected groups treated under unusually favourable conditions.