The role of endocan and selected pro-inflammatory cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem inflammatory autoimmune disease with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) are involved in its pathogenesis. Endocan is a novel marker of endothelial dysfunction and is likely to be engaged in proinflammatory processes in SLE. AIM: To determine whether endocan serum concentration in SLE patients vary from healthy controls. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 36 patients with SLE. SLEDAI-2K score was used to assess disease activity. The control group comprised 23 healthy volunteers. ELISA kits were used to assess serum concentrations of endocan, IL-1ß, TNF-α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP). RESULTS: The serum concentration of endocan was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the SLE group than in healthy individuals. A positive correlation was found between serum levels of endocan and IL-1ß (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). Active SLE patients (SLEDAI-2K score above 6 points) with an elevated total cholesterol level (above 5.17 mmol/l) were found to have VEGF concentration higher than those with a normal cholesterol level (p < 0.03). No other relevant relationships were found between the serum concentration of endocan, other laboratory parameters, anthropometric features, activity and duration of SLE. CONCLUSIONS: A higher serum level of endocan in SLE patients indicates its possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease and reflects endothelial dysfunction. Our findings indicate that endocan could serve as a potential marker of endothelial dysfunction in SLE.

Immunometabolic disorders in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease connected with complex and unclear disorders of the immune system, which causes inflammation of body tissues and internal organs. It leads to the formation of anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and immune complexes. Numerous immune system disorders and dysfunctions in the biochemical processes can occur in the course of the disease, and a wide range of abnormalities associated with cellular respiratory processes and mitochondrial function have been documented. The following paper presents the current understanding of the contribution of these disorders to the pathogenesis of lupus.

Changes of NADH Fluorescence from the Skin of Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

INTRODUCTION: The blood circulation of the skin is an accessible and representative vascular bed for examining the mechanisms of microcirculatory function. Endothelial function is impaired in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which implies disorders in cell metabolism dependent on blood circulation; however, noninvasive monitoring of metabolism at the tissue and cell level is absent in daily clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine changes of NADH fluorescence from the epidermis of a forearm measured with the flow mediated skin fluorescence (FMSF) technique in patients with SLE and to investigate whether they are associated with clinical manifestation of the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study enrolled 36 patients with SLE and 34 healthy individuals. Changes of NADH fluorescence were measured using FMSF on the forearm in response to blocking and releasing of blood flow. The results were represented as ischemic (IR max and IR auc) and hyperemic response maximum and area under the curve (HR max and HR auc). RESULTS: IR max, IR auc, HR max, and HR auc were all lower in patients with SLE (p < 0.05) compared with controls. All four parameters were negatively correlated (p < 0.05) with patient age. No difference was found in NADH fluorescence between SLE patients with malar rash, discoid rash, photosensitivity, oral ulcers, nonerosive arthritis, renal disorder, hematologic disorder, or immunologic disorder and those without. No correlation was revealed between the SLEDAI score and NADH fluorescence. CONCLUSION: Changes of NADH fluorescence indicate the reduction in NADH restoration, observed especially during reperfusion, and suggest the occurrence of disorders in the microcirculation of the skin and/or at the mitochondrial level. Such changes of NADH during reperfusion in patients with SLE could be associated with their possible lower sensitivity to hypoxia and possibly with endothelial dysfunction.

Cellulite: a cosmetic or systemic issue? Contemporary views on the etiopathogenesis of cellulite.

Cellulite (also known as gynoid lipodystrophy or orange peel syndrome) is one of the most common lipodystrophy syndromes, which affects millions of post-adolescent women. Cellulite is manifested by topographic disorders of subcutaneous tissue such as nodules, edema, and abnormal fibrosis. It is located mainly on the pelvic area, especially on the buttocks. Its pathogenesis is complexed and unclear. There are several theories about its pathophysiology. Hormonal disorders, endothelial dysfunction and genetic predispositions are taken under consideration.

Blood gas analysis, blood saturation and chosen parameters of spirometric examination in NSCLC patients undergoing chemotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation.

UNLABELLED: In industrialized countries lung cancer is associated with highest mortality among carcinoma. Progression of the disease is associated with diminished tolerance for physical activities, aggravated dyspnea and lowering of life quality. The aim of study was the evaluation of blood gas, blood saturation and chosen parameters of spirometric examination in NSCLC patients undergoing chemotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. Analysis of capillary blood was done using RapidPoint 405 Siemens device. Spirometric examination was done using PNEUMO abcMED device. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-nine patients with inoperable NSCLC were subjected to the examination. This included 38 men and 11 women aged between 46-75 years (mean age 63 +/- 7.5 years) who were separated into two groups: group I--25 patients undergoing standard chemotherapy (group C); group II--24 patients undergoing standard chemotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation (group CK). All patients were subjected to blood gas analysis, blood saturation analysis and spirometric examination twice, before and after first-line chemotherapy RESULTS: Increase of pO2 and SaO2 in blood, and FEV1 and FVC in spirometric examination was significantly higher in patients undergoing pulmonary rehabilitation and chemotherapy (group II) (p < 0.05) in comparison to NSCLC patients undergoing only chemotherapy (group I). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary rehabilitation of NSCLC patients undergoing first-line chemotherapy results in improvement of indicators of blood gas, blood saturation analysis and chosen parameters of spirometric analysis. Pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with lung cancer seems to be an important form of supplementary treatment.