Comparison of oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation and inflammatory markers between rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients.

Objectives: To measure the levels of superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde along with erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in patients of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. METHODS: The comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2 to December 30, 2022, at the Centre for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine laboratory of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in collaboration with the Department of Rheumatology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. The sample comprised healthy controls in group 1, patients of rheumatoid arthritis in group 2 and patients of ankylosing spondylitis in group 3. Blood samples were assessed for levels of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 180 subjects, 60(33.3%) were in group 1; 32(53.3%) females and 28(46.7%) males with mean age 34.9±6.4 years. There were 60(33.3%) patients in group 2; 35(58.3%) females and 25(41.7%) males with mean age 46.0±11.1 years. There were 60(33.3%) patients in group 3, and all 60(100%) were males with mean age 35.9±6.9 years. Superoxide dismutase level was significantly low and malondialdehyde level was significantly high in groups 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (p<0.05). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate was the highest in group 2, followed by group 3 (p<0.05). C-reactive protein levels were the highest in group 2 and the lowest in group 3 (p<0.05). A significantly negative correlation (p<0.001) was found between superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress played a pivotal role in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

Comparison of Platelets-to-Lymphocyte and Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratios in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: To calculate and compare the platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), to be used as a complementary diagnostic tool in patients of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional, comparative study. Place and Duration of the Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital (PEMH), Rawalpindi, from February to November 2022. METHODOLOGY: A total of two hundred and ten patients, aged between 25 to 70 years, were included in the study. C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) along with platelets, leukocyte, and neutrophil count were estimated. PLR and NLR were calculated and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The PLR was significantly high in the RA group (p-value <0.001) followed by AS and control groups. NLR also followed the same trend and was significantly raised in both the disease groups as compared to controls. Pearson correlation depicted significant positive correlation between PLR and ESR (r = 0.43, p <0.001), NLR and ESR (r = 0.34, p <0.001), PLR and CRP (r = 0.15, p = 0.034) and NLR and CRP (r = 0.18, p = 0.018). Logistic regression analysis displayed the diagnostic value of PLR and NLR. CONCLUSION: Both PLR and NLR are effective as complementary diagnostic indices in RA and AS patients. These may be used in addition to the inflammatory markers ESR and CRP as cost-effective and promptly available indices. KEY WORDS: Ankylosing spondylitis, Platelets-lymphocyte ratio, Neutrophils-lymphocyte ratio, Rheumatoid arthritis.

Association of C-262 polymorphism in catalase gene with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of C-262 polymorphism in Catalase gene (CAT) with Rheumatoid Arthritis. METHODS: The comparative cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with the Rheumatology Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to December 2020, and comprised Deoxyribonucleic acid extraction of samples. Samples in group I belonged to diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients of either gender aged 30-60 years who were on disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Group II had an equal number of healthy controls. The promoter region of the CAT gene having the polymorphic segment was amplified through polymerase chain reaction, and its products were then subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism for the analysis of polymorphic region of the CAT gene. Genotypic frequency equilibrium and the association of polymorphism with rheumatoid arthritis was checked. Also, association between fasting lipid profile and haemoglobin was assessed. Data was analysed using SPSSS 22. RESULTS: Of the 60 samples, 30(50%) belonged to each of the two groups. The mean age was 44.90±10.50 years (range: 30-60 years). Overall, there were 34(56.7%) males and 26(43.3%) were females. Two alleles and three genotypes of the polymorphism was detected. The frequency of CC genotype was higher in group I 23(76.6%), but no association of any of the genotype of polymorphism was found significant (p <0.05). Haemoglobin and lipid profile levels were significantly different in the two groups (p≤0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant association found between C-262 polymorphism in CAT gene and rheumatoid arthritis.

Association of Pro198Leu polymorphism in glutathione peroxidase one (GPX1) gene with peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of Pro198Leu polymorphism in glutathione peroxidase 1 gene in type 2 diabetic patients with neuropathy. METHODS: The comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2 to November 30, 2018, at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, in collaboration with the Department of Neurology, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. Diagnosed type 2 diabetics of either genders aged 40-70 years were divided into two equal groups of neuropathy and non- neuropathy subjects. Deoxyribonucleic acid was subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism for glutathione peroxidase 1gene analysis. Hardy Weinberg equation was used to check the genotype frequency equilibrium. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, there were 30(50%) each in the two groups. Age, fasting glucose level and diabetes duration were significantly different between the groups (p<0.05). Even though the frequency of TT genotype was higher, no association of the polymorphism and any of the genotypes was found with diabetic neuropathy (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There was no association found between Pro198 Lue polymorphism in glutathione peroxidase 1 and diabetic neuropathy.

Gene expression of Interleukin-18 in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis is the inflammation that is mediated by the macrophages and monocytes that cause release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-18. It is highly expressed in serum of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and has a positive association with disease activity. The aim of this study was to analyze the gene expression of interleukin-18 in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy. METHODS: The cross sectional comparative study is conducted at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Center for Research in Experimental and Applied Medicine (CREAM-1Lab), Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with Rheumatology Department, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi. Study was conducted on two groups consisting of Group-I of rheumatoid arthritis patients on diseases modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and control Group-II comprising of normal healthy individuals. Non-probability purposive sampling was done from patients and controls. The duration of study was one year i-e from November 2015 to November 2016. Relative quantification of gene expression of interleukin-18 was done by Real time PCR using ∆∆CT method. RESULTS: Expression analysis for interleukin-18 showed down regulation of gene in rheumatoid arthritis patients as compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Interleukin-18 gene shows down regulation in rheumatoid arthritis patients on disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs therapy.

Comparison Of The Effects Of Broiler And Domestic Chicken Meat On Serum Testosterone And Luteinizing Hormone Levels In Rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of study is to evaluate and compare the effects of broiler chicken fed with commercially available feed and chicken fed with organic diet on serum testosterone and Luteinizing Hormone levels in Sprague Dawley rats. It was a randomized controlled trial conducted in Multi-Disciplinary Laboratory of Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad from November 2017 to April 2019. METHODS: Ninety male early weaned Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assorted into three groups (n=30). Group I control rats were nourished on standard pelleted diet. Group-II rats were nourished with organic chicken meat along with their standard pelleted diet. Group-III rats were nourished with broiler chicken meat along with their standard pelleted diet. Serum Testosterone and Luteinizing Hormone levels were estimated through ELISA. Weight gain and the % growth rate were also estimated. Mean±SD values of all variables were calculated. One-way ANOVA was applied to determine the significance among groups followed by Tuckey's HSD post hoc test. p-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The current study demonstrated significant increase in serum Testosterone levels (p=0.002) and a significant decrease in serum Luteinizing Hormone levels (p=0.003) between control and broiler meat fed rats (Group-III). The study also showed significant increase in weight gain and % growth rate (p<0.001) in both experimental groups as compared to control group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the findings of our study we propose that broiler chicken meat consumption could be the potential cause of hormonal imbalance and out of proportion weight gain and growth in experimental rats.