RESUMO
Purpose: We aimed to explore the clinical diagnostic value of combined detection via protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and D-dimer (D-D) in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: We analyzed PIVKA-II, AFP, and D-D levels in 291 subjects comprising liver cirrhosis (LC) patients (n = 143) and HCC patients (n = 148). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze and compare the clinical diagnostic value of the three biomarkers for HBV-related HCC alone and in combination. Results: The levels of PIVKA-II, AFP, and D-D were positively correlated with tumor size in HCC patients. The levels of PIVKA-II and AFP in early-stage HCC, advanced HCC, HBV DNA+ HCC, and HBV DNA- HCC patients were higher than those in LC patients, while the levels of D-D were lower. The area under the curve for combined detection was greater than that for single-index detection in early-stage HCC, advanced HCC, HBV DNA+ HCC, and HBV DNA- HCC patients. Conclusion: D-D may be a useful biomarker for the diagnosis of HBV-related HCC. The combined detection of PIVKA-II, AFP, and D-D had better diagnostic value for different types of HCC than the detection of individual biomarkers.
RESUMO
PURPOSE: We explored the expression levels of IgG4 and interleukin (IL)-21 in the serum and ankle joints of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats at different disease stages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal and model groups, and the latter group was administered bovine type II collagen to induce arthritis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed at 21, 28, 35, and 42 days to detect IgG4 and IL-21 in the serum, followed by histological and immunohistochemical analyses of IgG4 and IL-21r in the ankle joint of rats. RESULTS: The contents of IgG4 and IL-21 in the serum of the CIA model group were positively correlated and increased with disease progression. The expression of IgG4 and IL-21 receptors in the ankle joint of the CIA model group was significantly higher than that in the control group. These proteins were closely related to the pathological score. The serum IL-21 level in the model group was closely related to the level of IL-21 receptor in the ankle joint. CONCLUSION: IL-21 may promote the occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis by combining with IL-21r to regulate the content of IgG4.
RESUMO
Present investigation was aimed at developing methotrexate (MTX) and miR-22 mimics-loaded lipid nanoparticles for the effective treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The dual therapeutics loaded nanoparticles was prepared and subjected to in vitro and in vivo characterizations. The in vivo study was performed on adjuvant- induced arthritis model. The addition of IL-1ß significantly decreased the expression of miR-22 levels in negative control groups, whereas miR-22 mimics treated cells showed significantly higher miR-22 expression compared to both the NC groups. MTX+miR-22 showed significantly lower cell viability compared to that of free MTX indicating a synergistic anti-inflammatory in the MH7A cells. To be specific, MTX/miR-22-loaded lipid nanoparticles (MTmiR-NP) showed the significantly lower cell viability compared to any other group indicating the potential of lipid nanoparticles. Consistently, MTmiR-NP exhibited a significantly higher cell apoptosis (~50%) compared to any other tested group further reiterating the nanoparticle-based combinational therapeutics. MTmiR-NP exhibited the significant reduction in the paw thickness and significantly lower arthritic score compared to all other groups on all time points. Present study clearly highlights the potential of lipid nanoparticles-based synergistic combination of MTX and miR-22 in achieving higher therapeutic response in rheumatoid arthritis treatment.