Oxidative enzymes of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and plasma fibrinogen, ceruloplasmin, and copper levels in Behçet's disease.

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidant mechanisms of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) in active stage of Behçet's Disease. PMN activities of myeloperoxidase (p < 0.02), superoxide dismutase (p < 0.001), catalase (p < 0.005), and glutathione peroxidase (p < 0.005) were significantly lower in the patients: the NADPH oxidase activity was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than those in controls. The plasma levels of ceruloplasmin (Cp), fibrinogen, and copper (Cu) were also significantly higher in the patients group (p < 0.001). Significant and positive correlations were found between the glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities (p < 0.001) and also between the plasma Cp and Cu levels (p < 0.001) in the patients group. However, no correlation was observed among the other enzyme activities. In the control group, a significantly positive correlation was present only between the plasma ceruloplasmin and Cu levels (p < 0.001). It was concluded that (impaired PMN functions) decreased enzyme activities in the antioxidant system and increased levels of oxygen free radicals may play a role in tissue damage in Behçet's disease.

Hypernatremia in two collodion babies.

Two cases of collodion babies with hypernatremia are presented, and the importance of this electrolyte abnormality in skin disorders is also stressed.

Thyroid antibodies in alopecia totalis.

Auto-antibodies to different thyroid cell components in serum of patients with thyroid disease have been estimated. Some types of antibodies were detected only in sporadic cases of nonthyroid auto-immune diseases. This study was performed on 24 patients who had alopecia totalis. Although they had normal serum free T3, T4 and TSH levels, five patients had significantly increased anti-microsomal antibody and one patient had both increased antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibody levels. These results suggested that in alopecia totalis cases, it is reasonable to analyse thyroid antibodies because they can be taken as one part of the abnormal immune reactivity.

Anti-Candida antibody levels in psoriasis vulgaris.

Recent reports have suggested a role of Candida colonization of gut in psoriatic patients. In this study, intestinal yeasts and anti-candida immune response were investigated in 39 patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Anti-candida antibodies were determined by indirect haemagglutination (IHAT) and indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) tests. Stool specimens showed 93pc C. albicans colonization but none of the patients showed clinical candidiasis. Four patients showed an increased IHAT titer and six patients showed an increased IFAT titer, the others were all in normal limits. Anti-Candida antibody titers did not correlate with PASI (Psoriasis area and severity index) scores.

Superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase activity in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and serum ceruloplasmin and copper levels, in psoriasis.

The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), and serum ceruloplasmin activity and copper content, were measured in 60 patients with psoriasis and 33 healthy controls. There were no significant differences in the activity of MPO between the patients and the controls. However, SOD activity in PMN was significantly lower in the patients than in the controls. Serum ceruloplasmin activity and copper levels were significantly higher in the psoriatics than in the controls.