Evaluation of pleural fluid human epididymis 4 (HE4) as a marker of malignant pleural effusion.

Pleural effusion is a commonly encountered problem in clinical practice, and pleural fluid analysis is usually the first step towards identifying the underlying etiology. Numerous studies have been published analyzing the potential utility of measuring biomarkers in pleural fluid as possible indicators of a malignant effusion; however, there are no studies that have examined the presence of human epididymis 4 (HE4) in pleural effusions. The aims of this study were to assess pleural effusion and serum concentrations of HE4 in patients with different types of pleural effusions and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of HE4 in detecting malignant pleural effusion. A prospective cohort study was carried out of 88 consecutive patients presenting with pleural effusions. The patients were divided into three groups: 22 patients with transudative effusions, 32 patients with non-malignant exudative effusions, and 34 patients with malignant pleural effusions. Blood and pleural fluid HE4 levels were measured using immunoassay. Both serum HE4 levels and pleural effusion HE4 levels were significantly higher in patients with malignant effusions than in patients with transudative or non-malignant exudative effusions. A pleural fluid HE4 cutoff value of 1,675 pmol/L was found to predict malignant pleural effusions with a diagnostic sensitivity of 85.3 % and specificity of 90.7 %. The current study reports a novel finding of increased serum and pleural fluid HE4 levels in patients with malignant effusions compared to non-malignant effusions. This finding has the potential to strengthen the diagnostic performance of tumor markers in detecting malignant pleural effusions.

Taq1B polymorphism of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in Egyptian patients with metabolic syndrome.

AIM: We aimed at evaluation of the possible association of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) Taq1B polymorphism with the components of metabolic syndrome in a cohort of Egyptian patients compared to their healthy counterparts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Blood samples were collected for lipid profile, fasting glucose, insulin and routine biochemical tests. The Taq1B genotypes of CETP were determined using RFLP-PCR technique. RESULTS: The patients group showed a significantly higher B1B1 genotype and lower B2B2 genotype compared to the controls group. Serum HDL-C level was significantly higher in all subjects with the B2B2 genotype compared to those with B1B1 genotype. In the patients group, age positively correlated with cholesterol level, triglycerides, BMI and waist circumference. CONCLUSION: Egyptian patients affected with metabolic syndrome have a higher prevalence of B1B1 genotype that is associated with lower serum HDL-C levels.

Plasma myeloperoxidase, NT-proBNP, and troponin-I in patients on CAPD compared with those on regular hemodialysis.

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is a hemoprotein that is released during inflammation and may lead to irreversible protein and lipid modification, increasing levels of oxidized low density lipoprotein, and promoting athrogenesis. Recently, it has been considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Similarly, the measurement of carotid intima-media thickness gives an indication about the degree of atherosclerosis and prediction of clinical cardiovascular events. Elevated white blood cells counts may indicate a state of acute inflammation and follow its progression. Dialysis patients are at a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared with healthy subjects. The role of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and increased cardiac troponin in identification and prognostication of cardiovascular diseases in end-stage renal disease patients has been investigated. The current study aimed to evaluate plasma MPO and its possible relationship with carotid intima-media thickness, troponin I, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and insulin resistance as measured by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA index) in a cohort of Saudi patients who are undergoing hemodialysis (HD) vs. continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease. Plasma MPO was significantly higher in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) than in those on HD and in normal subjects (P<0.001). Conversely, NT-proBNP plasma levels were significantly higher in patients on HD (both predialysis and postdialysis) than in those on CAPD (P<0.01) and than normal subjects. Similarly, plasma troponin-I levels were significantly higher in patients on HD compared with those of CAPD and than normal subjects (P<0.001). Plasma troponin-I and NT-proBNP levels were positively correlated in the 3 groups namely those on CAPD, Pre-HD, and post-HD (r: 0.464 and P=0.047; r: 0.330 and P=0.013; and r: 0.452 and P=0.024), respectively. There was no correlation between the MPO level and carotid intima-media thickness (P>0.05). However, plasma MPO level correlated positively with the white blood cell count in patients on CAPD and in those on HD (P<0.05). Our findings suggest an increased oxidative stress in CAPD patients compared with HD patients, while the reported difference in plasma NT-proBNP and troponin-I may be related to the rapid decline of residual renal function in HD and type of membrane used in the HD dialysis procedure itself.