RESUMEN
Changes in the plasma concentrations of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), interleukin 2 (IL-2), and lymphocyte subsets were investigated in 19 persons with newly diagnosed (type 1) insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) from admission to hospital prior to insulin treatment and following 1 week and 1 month of treatment. Furthermore, the cytokines were measured 16-28 months after the presentation of IDDM. The mean TNF alpha values were all within the normal range, but demonstrated a slight increase in all the samples taken (Friedman 0.06). The mean plasma IL-1 beta value was initially at the upper normal limit, but gradually increased significantly from admission to hospital to 1 week, 1 month, and 16-28 months afterwards (Friedman 0.031). No IL-2 activity was detectable in the majority of the samples. No significant changes in total leukocyte and lymphocyte counts were found. The lymphocyte subsets (CD5+, CD8+, CD4+, CD16+, CD20+, HLA-DR+) did not show any significant changes from admission to after the start of insulin treatment. It is concluded that the gradual increase in IL-1 beta and TNF alpha plasma levels may reflect an ongoing autoimmune inflammatory reaction at the onset of IDDM.
Asunto(s)
Citocinas/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/inmunología , Insulina/uso terapéutico , Subgrupos Linfocitarios/inmunología , Adolescente , Adulto , Antígenos CD/sangre , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/tratamiento farmacológico , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Interleucina-1/sangre , Interleucina-2/sangre , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valores de Referencia , Factores de Tiempo , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/análisisRESUMEN
To examine the effect of intensive physical exercise on interleukin 2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and lymphocyte subsets, eleven elite and well-conditioned runners were tested in relation to a five-kilometer race. IL-2 was significantly decreased (p less than 0.01) immediately after the exercise and significantly increased after 24 hours (p less than 0.05), compared to the pre-exercise values taken at steady state. TNF alpha was significantly increased after 2 hours (p less than 0.05), and returned to habitual values after 24 hours. In the steady state at rest, elevation of HLA-DR+ cells was observed in all runners compared with control subjects (p less than 0.05), indicating a persistent activation of lymphoid cells. In connection with exercise a significant increase in NK cells (CD16+) was observed (p less than 0.01). The T-helper/T-suppressor (CD4+/CD8+) ratio was significantly reduced in connection with physical activity (p less than 0.01). In seven runners the ratio was reduced to a value of less than one. This decrease was observed immediately after the exercise, followed by increased ratios 2 hours later (p less than 0.01), due to oppositely directed quantitative changes of the CD4+ and CD8+ cell populations. After 24 hours the ratios returned to habitual levels. Furthermore, we confirmed an increase in the total number of granulocytes in connection with exercise (p less than 0.01), and observed a decrease in absolute numbers of lymphocytes two hours after exercise (p less than 0.01). We emphasize the importance of obtaining information about physical activity within the previous 24 hours before measuring white blood cell parameters.
Asunto(s)
Factores Biológicos/sangre , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Linfocitos/citología , Adulto , Antígenos de Diferenciación/inmunología , Antígenos de Diferenciación de Linfocitos T/inmunología , Antígenos CD4/inmunología , Antígenos CD8 , Citocinas , Humanos , Sistema Inmunológico/citología , Sistema Inmunológico/inmunología , Sistema Inmunológico/fisiología , Interleucina-2/sangre , Células Asesinas Naturales/citología , Células Asesinas Naturales/inmunología , Recuento de Leucocitos , Linfocitos/inmunología , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Masculino , Monocitos/metabolismo , Receptores Fc/inmunología , Receptores de IgG , Linfocitos T/metabolismo , Linfocitos T Colaboradores-Inductores/citología , Linfocitos T Colaboradores-Inductores/inmunología , Linfocitos T Reguladores/citología , Linfocitos T Reguladores/inmunología , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/metabolismoRESUMEN
Viscous/plastic properties were investigated in the passive tissue opposing dorsiflexion of the human ankle. The foot was rotated (dorsiflexed) and fixed. Due to viscous/plastic properties, the passive torque declined with time. After 300 s, torque, relative to the initial torque at 0 s, had fallen by 22.7% +/- 2.6% (mean +/- 1S.D.), as an expression of the relative importance of the viscous/plastic tissue properties for the passive torque. By a peel-off technique the number of different tissue elements with viscous/plastic properties was found to be at least three. After 100 s, all but one of these elements had yielded completely. Viscous/plastic properties were unchanged by stretching when measured 90 min after a single stretching program and when measured 24 h after stretching procedures had been performed twice a day for three weeks.
Asunto(s)
Tobillo/fisiología , Músculos/fisiología , Adulto , Fenómenos Biomecánicos , Elasticidad , Humanos , Masculino , ViscosidadRESUMEN
The passive tension resulting from dorsiflexion of the ankle was measured in relation to stretching in six handball players and six soccer players. Corresponding values of ankle angle and passive tension were measured by a strain gauge and a potentiometer connected to a pedal system. The passive tension versus ankle angle was measured before and 90 minutes after a single contract-relax stretching program of the plantar flexors. Stretching lowered the passive tension by up to 18%. Contract-relax stretching performed twice a day for 3 weeks lowered the passive tension in the plantar flexors by up to 36%. Before the last measurements, no stretching was performed for 20 hours or more. Stretching thus had both a short-term effect, matching the length of a training session, and a long-term effect, shown in a reduction of passive tension after 3 weeks. The relative decrease in passive tension after stretching exercises was constant from a neutral position of the ankle to maximal dorsiflexion. There was no correlation between 1) flexibility and the short-term effect of stretching, 2) flexibility and the long-term effect of stretching, or 3) the short-term and long-term effects of stretching. This indicates that passive tension was decreased in all subjects irrespective of their flexibility, and that subjects who had short-term effects after stretching did not necessarily demonstrate a long-term effect.
Asunto(s)
Articulación del Tobillo/fisiología , Ejercicio Físico , Deportes , Adulto , Electromiografía , Humanos , Masculino , Músculos/fisiología , Estrés Mecánico , Resistencia a la Tracción , Anomalía Torsional/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) are potential immunological mediators of pathogenetic changes in rheumatoid arthritis. We measured the concentrations of TNF alpha and IL-2 in plasma from 2 groups of patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis (RA). One group had high and one had low disease activity. In addition, in connection with steroid treatment in the high disease activity group, TNF alpha was significantly increased in plasma from RA patients with high disease activity compared with those of low disease activity (p = 0.0009). Furthermore, TNF alpha decreased significantly in relation to steroid medication, parallel to clinical improvement (p = 0.016). All IL-2 concentration measurements were within the estimated normal range. The increased TNF alpha plasma levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with high disease activity, might result from activated white mononuclear cells in the inflamed joints. This might, in part, support the theory that TNF alpha is a possible mediator of pathogenetic changes known to occur in rheumatoid arthritis.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/sangre , Interleucina-2/sangre , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/análisis , Artritis Reumatoide/fisiopatología , HumanosRESUMEN
The effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids on the level of cytokines and complement activation in plasma from patients with rheumatoid arthritis were examined. Thirty-two patients with active rheumatoid arthritis were included in a 12-week double-blind, randomized study of dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids (3.6 g per day) or placebo. The cytokines were measured in plasma before and after treatment with fish oil or placebo. In general, cytokine values at the upper limits of the calculated normal areas were found. The Interleukin-1 beta concentration in plasma was reduced significantly after 12 weeks of dietary supplementation with fish oil (p < 0.03). No significant difference was observed in the placebo group. The tumour necrosis factor alpha activity in plasma did not change significantly (p = 0.167). No significant changes were observed in the degree of complement activation. The clinical status of the patients was improved in the fish oil group, but not in the placebo group, judged by Ritchie's articular index (p < 0.02). We conclude that dietary supplementation with n-3 fatty acids results in significantly reduced plasma IL-1 beta levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Even though the cytokine levels were low, the anti-inflammatory effect of n-3 fatty acids could in part be explained by their ability to decrease cytokine production.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/sangre , Ácidos Grasos Omega-3/farmacología , Alimentos Fortificados , Interleucina-1/sangre , Artritis Reumatoide/fisiopatología , Activación de Complemento , Complemento C3/análisis , Método Doble Ciego , Ácidos Grasos Omega-3/administración & dosificación , Aceites de Pescado/administración & dosificación , Humanos , Estudios Prospectivos , Índice de Severidad de la Enfermedad , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/análisisRESUMEN
Patients with severe active active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have higher than normal plasma concentrations of the complement C3 split-product C3d, indicating increased complement activation. Treatment with steroids reduced plasma C3d levels in these patients. Ten patients with classic or definite RA and high disease activity were studied during six days of treatment with steroids. The C3d plasma concentrations declined in a dose-related manner with an increase in daily prednisolone dosage. However the statistical significance of this relationship did not seem to be high enough to validate the use of serial C3d estimations to monitor changes in disease activity in RA patients during short-term steroid treatment.
Asunto(s)
Artritis Reumatoide/tratamiento farmacológico , Activación de Complemento/efectos de los fármacos , Prednisolona/uso terapéutico , Artritis Reumatoide/inmunología , Espectroscopía de Resonancia por Spin del Electrón , HumanosRESUMEN
Two cases of pyomyositis in Caucasians, from a region with temperate coastal climate is reported. The identification of staphylococci as an aetiological factor in both temperate and tropical regions is mentioned, and so are other possible identical aetiological factors.
Asunto(s)
Miositis/etiología , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/complicaciones , Adulto , Clima , Dinamarca , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Miositis/diagnóstico , Miositis/terapiaRESUMEN
The polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type II, (Schmidts syndrome), is defined as coexistence of two of the diseases: Addison's disease, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and autoimmune thyroid disease. The first endocrine deficiency state typically develops after the age of twenty and in most cases it is Addison's disease. The prevalence is approximately 5 per 100,000. The syndrome occurs within families in half of the cases. The immunological mechanism is not finally determined, but both the humoral and cellular systems seem to be involved and furthermore there is an association with the major histocompatibility complex. Whereas treatment of the components in polyglandular autoimmune syndrome is straightforward, diagnosis may be troublesome: Patients with Addison's disease may be biochemically hypothyroid the first months of corticosteroid treatment. Patients with myxedema show decreased urine excretion of 17-ketosteroids until thyroid substitution treatment is sufficient. A decreased insulin requirement or increased frequency of hypoglycaemic attacks may be the first sign of an adrenocortical hypofunction in diabetic patients. Patients with one autoimmune disease and their relatives are predisposed to (other) autoimmune diseases.
Asunto(s)
Enfermedad de Addison , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1 , Tiroiditis Autoinmune , Enfermedad de Addison/genética , Enfermedad de Addison/inmunología , Adulto , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/genética , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 1/inmunología , Femenino , Humanos , Síndrome , Tiroiditis Autoinmune/genética , Tiroiditis Autoinmune/inmunologíaRESUMEN
Percutaneous closure of a patent arterial duct was performed in 58 patients. A Rashkind double umbrella was inserted in 20 patients. A supplementary double umbrella or coils were implanted in four who had residual leaks after 12 months. Three complications: embolization, haemolysis and late bacteriaemia were managed successfully without surgery. A detachable PDA coil was inserted in 38 patients. Three coils embolized and one could not be retrieved. At complete follow-up of 28 patients the duct was closed in all. Median procedure duration and fluoroscopy time was 60 min. and 12 min. respectively for double umbrella implantation, and 20 min. and 5 min. for coil insertion. Transcatheter occlusion of the patent duct is effective and carries little morbidity.
Asunto(s)
Cateterismo Cardíaco/instrumentación , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/métodos , Conducto Arterioso Permeable/cirugía , Cateterismo Cardíaco/efectos adversos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/efectos adversos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Cardíacos/instrumentación , Conducto Arterioso Permeable/diagnóstico por imagen , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Lactante , Prótesis e Implantes , Radiografía , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
In a regional blood transfusion centre, we observed 45 episodes of hyperlipidemic plasma among the 45,000 units produced from 12,000 unpaid volunteer blood donors during a two year period. Analysis of fasting serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides showed that 26 of the 45 were raised in either one or both of the values. Dietary instructions were given, in most cases through their general practitioners, who were informed of the results. Control of serum lipids taken in average 9.5 weeks later by the general practitioner showed a remarkable decrease in triglyceride and a slight decrease in serum cholesterol. Among the 26 we found one case of non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, three possible and three chronic alcohol abusers. Based on these findings, fasting serum cholesterol and serum triglyceride are now analysed in donors, who repeatedly show hyperlipemic plasma.
Asunto(s)
Donantes de Sangre , Colesterol/sangre , Triglicéridos/sangre , Adulto , Dinamarca , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios RetrospectivosRESUMEN
Stretching is a regular item in training programmes and it is employed to increase flexibility, to prevent muscle tenderness, overuse injuries and strains. Stretching is carried out by stretching muscles and connective tissue to the extreme positions of joints. A review of stretching exercises based on the literature is presented in relation to prevention of injuries. The various techniques employed are reviewed.
Asunto(s)
Traumatismos en Atletas/prevención & control , Contracción Muscular , Relajación Muscular , Gimnasia , Humanos , Músculos/fisiologíaAsunto(s)
Traumatismos en Atletas/diagnóstico , Boxeo , Adolescente , Adulto , Traumatismos en Atletas/epidemiología , Niño , Dinamarca , Humanos , MasculinoAsunto(s)
Miositis/diagnóstico , Adulto , Antibacterianos/uso terapéutico , Técnicas Bacteriológicas , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Miositis/tratamiento farmacológico , Miositis/etiología , Infecciones Estafilocócicas/tratamiento farmacológico , SupuraciónAsunto(s)
Fascitis/inducido químicamente , Ibuprofeno/efectos adversos , Adulto , Fascitis/inmunología , Femenino , Humanos , NecrosisRESUMEN
AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of long-term physical training on left ventricular longitudinal contraction by strain rate analysis and tissue tracking imaging. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study population comprised 17 male elite endurance and 15 male elite strength athletes and 12 male control subjects of similar age. Tissue Doppler imaging was recorded in the apical views and used for analysis of the longitudinal systolic myocardial velocity, annular diastolic velocities, strain rate and tissue tracking. Left ventricular mass index was significantly increased in both endurance athletes (209+/-40 g/m(2)) and strength athletes (138+/-38 g/m(2)) compared with normal subjects (96+/-20 g/m(2), P<0.001). Tissue tracking score index and mean strain rate of the 16 segments were significantly increased in strength athletes (7.9+/-1.1 mm and -1.4+/-0.3 s(-1), respectively) compared with endurance athletes (7.5+/-0.9 mm and -1.0+/-0.4 s(-1), P<0.01 for both) and normal subjects (7.4+/-1.0 mm and -1.0+/-0.3 s(-1), P<0.01 for both). CONCLUSION: Despite significant left ventricular hypertrophy and extensive training in elite athletes, we found normal longitudinal left ventricular systolic function, and in strength athletes performing isometric exercise even increased function.