Increased circulating interleukin-23 level in patients with sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a Th1-mediated chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granulomas. Its pathogenesis is not yet clear, but the possible role of various proinflammatory cytokines is being discussed. AIM: This study aims to determine serum cytokine (IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, and IL-23) levels in patients with sarcoidosis, and to determine a possible correlation with clinical and laboratory findings of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-four biopsy-proven sarcoidosis patients followed up at a single centre and 41 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data of all patients were recorded. Serum samples from the patients and the control group were taken and IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IL-23 were measured by ELISA method. RESULTS: Of the 44 sarcoidosis patients, 13(29.5%) were male and 31(70.5%) were female. Average patient age was 47.4 years, mean disease duration was 3.2 years. Twenty-one (47.7%) patients had erythema nodosum, three (6.8%) had uveitis, 40(90.9%) had arthralgia, 23(52.3%) had ankle arthritis, 15(34.1%) had enthesitis. Laboratory evaluation showed increased serum ACE levels in 24(54.5%) patients, increased serum calcium levels in 11 (25%) patients, increased serum D3 levels in 5(11.4%) patients, increased ESR and CRP levels in 22(50%) and 23(52.3%) patients, respectively. Compared with the control group higher serum IL-23 levels were found in the patients with sarcoidosis (p=.01). Serum IL-23 was associated with ankle arthritis (p=.02). Serum IL-6, IL-12, and IL-17 levels were similar in the sarcoidosis patients and the control group (p=.128, p=.212, p=.521 respectively). CONCLUSION: In our study, we found increased serum IL-23 in patients with sarcoidosis, while serum IL-6, IL-12, and IL-17 were detected as normal. Although our results are somewhat contradictory to other studies in the literature, the question should still be whether sarcoidosis is a Th1/Th17 disease. Multicentre studies are needed in this regard.

Serum salusin-α and salusin-ß levels in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by skin lesions and joint involvement. Salusin-α and salusin-ß are two new bioactive molecules. It is reported that salusins may have role in regulation of the immune system and inflammation. The aim of our study was to evaluate the serum salusin-α and salusin-ß levels in PsA patients and to establish the possible relationship with the disease features. Material and methods: Our study included 40 PsA patients who fulfilled the CASPAR criteria and 40 healthy volunteers. Demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological data and disease activity indices (PASI, BASDAI, BASFI, HAQ) were recorded in all patients. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to measure serum salusin-α and salusin-ß levels. Results: The demographic data were as follows: 13 patients (32.5%) were males and 27 (67.5%) were female, mean age was 48.5 years and mean disease duration was 2.4 years. Patients' history was taken and clinical assessment was performed; 20 (50%) patients had a family history, 18 (45%) patients were smoker, 19 (47.5%) patients had HLA-B27 positivity, 33 (82.5%) had sacroiliitis, 36 (90%) had enthesitis, 23 (57.5%) had distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and nail involvement, 26 (65%) had wrist involvement, and 11 (27.5%) had ankle involvement. Laboratory data of the patients were recorded; 20 (50%) patients had elevated CRP level and 25 (62.5%) patients had an elevated ESR level. The study results showed that PsA patients had an elevated serum salusin-α level when compared with the control group (p = 0.004). The association between serum salusin-α level and ankle arthritis was found (p = 0.04). Serum levels of salusin-ß were similar in PsA patients and controls both (p = 0.285). Conclusions: We found elevated serum salusin-α in PsA patients while the serum salusin-ß levels were normal. Salusin-α may have a possible role in disease pathogenesis and it may be use as a reliable biomarker in PsA patients. Multicenter prospective studies are needed in this regard.

Serum galectin-3 and TGF-beta levels in patients with sarcoidosis.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease that develops with non-caseified granuloma formation. Galectin-3 is a multifunctional protein operating in biological processes such as fibrosis, angiogenesis, and immune activation. PURPOSE: This study evaluates the levels of serum galectin-3 and TGF-beta in sarcoidosis patients to determine a possible correlation with clinical findings. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-four biopsy-proven sarcoidosis patients followed in a single centre and 41 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. The levels of serum galectin-3 and TGF-beta were evaluated by ELISA method. RESULTS: Among the 44 sarcoidosis patients, 13(29.5%) were male and 31(70.5%) were female. The average patient age was 47.4 and the average disease duration was 3.2 years. The level of serum galectin-3 was found to be the same as in the control group and had no significance statistically (p=.977). No correlation was determined between the level of serum galectin-3 and clinical and laboratory findings of sarcoidosis (p>.05). The level of serum TGF-beta was found to be higher in the sarcoidosis patients when compared to that of the control group (p=.005). While a correlation was found between serum TGF-beta and enthesitis, sacroiliitis, and arthralgia (p=.006, p=.034, p=.02), no correlation was determined on the other clinical and laboratory findings (p>.05). CONCLUSION: While the level of serum galectin-3 was determined to be normal in sarcoidosis patients, a high level of serum TGF-beta was found. These findings show that TGF-beta may play an important role in sarcoidosis pathogenesis and the formation of granuloma.

Serum Galectin-3 and TGF-Beta Levels in Patients With Sarcoidosis.

INTRODUCTION: Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease that develops with non-caseified granuloma formation. Galectin-3 is a multifunctional protein operating in biological processes such as fibrosis, angiogenesis, and immune activation. PURPOSE: This study evaluates the levels of serum galectin-3 and TGF-beta in sarcoidosis patients to determine a possible correlation with clinical findings. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty-four biopsy-proven sarcoidosis patients followed in a single centre and 41 age and sex-matched healthy volunteers were included in the study. The levels of serum galectin-3 and TGF-beta were evaluated by ELISA method. RESULTS: Among the 44 sarcoidosis patients, 13(29.5%) were male and 31(70.5%) were female. The average patient age was 47.4 and the average disease duration was 3.2 years. The level of serum galectin-3 was found to be the same as in the control group and had no significance statistically (p=.977). No correlation was determined between the level of serum galectin-3 and clinical and laboratory findings of sarcoidosis (p>.05). The level of serum TGF-beta was found to be higher in the sarcoidosis patients when compared to that of the control group (p=.005). While a correlation was found between serum TGF-beta and enthesitis, sacroiliitis, and arthralgia (p=.006, p=.034, p=.02), no correlation was determined on the other clinical and laboratory findings (p>.05). CONCLUSION: While the level of serum galectin-3 was determined to be normal in sarcoidosis patients, a high level of serum TGF-beta was found. These findings show that TGF-beta may play an important role in sarcoidosis pathogenesis and the formation of granuloma.

Serum adipokine levels in patients with sarcoidosis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcoidosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by non-caseating granuloma which etiology is unknown yet. Adipokines are different proteins synthesized by adipose tissue that have an influence on angiogenesis, hemostasis, lipid metabolism, and immune system regulation. Adipokines may play a role in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the serum adipokine levels in patients with sarcoidosis and to determine a possible correlation with clinical and laboratory signs of disease. METHODS: Forty-four biopsy-proven sarcoidosis patients followed at a single center and age- and sex-matched 41 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were recorded and body mass index (BMI) was calculated in all patients. Routine laboratory tests (blood glucose, liver, and kidney function test) were measured. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels were measured by ELISA method. RESULTS: Among 44sarcoidosis patients, 13 (29.5%) were male and 31 (70.5%) were female. Twenty-one (47.7%) patients had erythema nodosum, three (6.8%) had uveitis, 40 (90.9%) had arthralgia, 32 (72.7%) had arthritis, 15 (34.1%) had enthesitis. Laboratory evaluation showed increased serum ACE level in 24 (54.5%) patients, increased serum calcium level in 11 (25%) patients, increased serum D3 level in 5 (11.4%) patients, and increased ESR and CRP levels in 22 (50%) and 23 (52.3%) patients, respectively. Compared with the control group, serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in patients with sarcoidosis(p = 0.007). Serum adiponectin level was associated with arthralgia and ankle joint swelling (p = 0.007, p = 0.006 respectively). Serum leptin levels were similar in sarcoidosis patients and controls (p = 0.327). There was no relationship between serum leptin level and disease features (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, high serum adiponectin level was detected in patients with sarcoidosis while serum leptin level was similar in the sarcoidosis and control group. Adiponectin, an anti-inflammatory protein, may play a role in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. Studies are needed to shed light on this topic.Key Points• Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease characterized by granuloma formation• High serum adiponectin level was found in sarcoidosis patients• Serum adiponectin level was associated with some clinical features such as arthralgia and arthritis• High adiponectin levels in sarcoidosis patients may mitigate the inflammatory response, resulting in a mild form of the disease and/or spontaneous remission.

Fecal calprotectin is associated with disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Calprotectin is one of the major antimicrobial S100 leucocyte proteins. Serum calprotectin levels are associated with certain inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to investigate serum and fecal calprotectin levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and show their potential relations to the clinical findings of the disease. Fifty-one patients fulfilling the New York criteria of AS and 43 healthy age- and gender-matched volunteers were included in the study. Physical and locomotor system examinations were performed and history data were obtained for all patients. Disease activity parameters were assessed together with anthropometric parameters. Routine laboratory examinations and genetic testing (HLA-B27) were performed. Serum calprotectin levels and fecal calprotectin levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean age of the patients was 41.5 years, the mean duration of the disease was 8.6 years, and the delay in diagnosis was 4.2 years. Serum calprotectin levels were similar in both AS patients and in the control group (p=0.233). Serum calprotectin level was correlated with Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI) and Bath AS functional index (BASFI) (p=0.001, p=0.002, respectively). A higher level of fecal calprotectin was detected in AS patients when compared with the control group. A statistically significant correlation between fecal calprotectin level and BASDAI, BASFI, C-reactive protein and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate were detected (p=0.002, p=0.005, p=0.001, p=0.002, respectively). The results indicated that fecal calprotectin levels were associated with AS disease findings and activity parameters. Calprotectin is a vital disease activity biomarker for AS and may have an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Multi-centered prospective studies are needed in order to provide further insight.

Protective effect of Panax ginseng against serum biochemical changes and apoptosis in kidney of rats treated with gentamicin sulphate.

The protective effects of Panax ginseng (PG) on gentamicin sulphate (GS) induced acute nephrotoxicity were investigated in rats. A total of 32 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups and treated by intraperitoneous route for 10 days with: 0.5 mL of isotonic saline (group C), GS 100 mg/kg/day (group GS), co treatment PG (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) plus GS (100 mg/kg/day). After the last injection, kidney markers (urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen-BUN) and hepatic markers (aspartate aminotransferase-AST, alanine aminotransferase-ALT, gama glutamil transferase-GGT), and biochemical parameters were analyzed using diagnostic kits. Also, kidney changes were evaluated by immunohistochemical and stereological methods. GS treatment induced significant elevation (P < 0.05) in kidney and hepatic markers, most of biochemical parameters, and Bax immunoreactivity as well. However, co treatments with both doses of PG (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) significantly alleviated (P < 0.05) the GS-induced elevations and have partially protected rats from nephrotoxicity (reduction of kidney damage, and of urea, creatinine and BUN concentrations, and of apoptotic index). Both biochemical results and immunohistochemical evidence showed that administration of PG reduced the gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.

The correlation between the plasma nitric oxide levels and QT/QTc interval in conscious rabbits.

The current study was undertaken to investigate the effects of NOx (plasma concentrations of nitrate plus nitrite which are plasma nitric oxide (NO) metabolites) over QT interval and to determine the level of correlation between them in conscious rabbits. For this purpose, twenty-one New Zealand rabbits (5-7 months old) were used and randomly assigned into the following three groups: control (CG; n = 7, 1 ml isotonic NaCl solution per animal/day), L-arginine (ARG-G; n = 7, L-arginine solution 200 mg/kg/day) and L-NAME (NAME-G; n = 7, L-NAME solution 100 mg/kg/day). Injections were performed intraperitoneally at 9:00 a.m. for 9 days. Blood samples were collected 2 h after the injections on day 1, 5 and 9 and the concentration of plasma NOx was determined using a colorimetric method. ECG was also recorded 2 h after the injection on 1st, 5th and 9th days. The heart rate, QT intervals, corrected QT intervals (QTc) and QT dispersion (QTd), QTc dispersion (QTcd) values were calculated from the ECG recordings. Statistically significant differences were observed between HR, QT and QTc values in all groups for all days (p < 0.001). QTd and QTcd values were found statistically significant different in NAME-G compared to CG and ARG-G (p < 0.001). It was also determined that there was a statistically significant correlation between the NOx and HR and QT and QTc in all days. It is concluded from this study that NO is an important molecule for the electrical activation of heart and has effects on the duration of QT/QTc interval, which should be taken into consideration by the physicians. In addition, application of the L-arginine should be further studied.