Biomarkers in Non-Complicated Pregnancy: Insights About Serum Myeloperoxidase and Ultrasensitive C-Reactive Protein.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy is characterized by increased innate immune response, with low-grade systemic inflammation. The specific role of MPO during normal pregnancy remains not well understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate plasma levels of MPO, hs-CRP, total leukocyte, absolute neutrophil and monocyte counts, in all trimesters of normal human pregnancy compared with non-pregnant controls. In addition, possible fluctuations of MPO according to different inflammatory conditions in the normal gestation were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case-control study (n=84) developed with 63 normal pregnant women and 21 healthy non-pregnant women. Total leukocyte, absolute neutrophils and absolute monocytes count, hs-CRP and MPO were measured in non-pregnant women and normal human pregnancy. They were evaluated according to the 3 trimesters of pregnancy and systemic low grade inflammatory status, which was identified through increased hs-CRP levels. RESULTS: MPO levels in the normal pregnant women were not elevated in every 3 trimesters of pregnancy (P=0.456) or in systemic inflammation (P=0.446). The hs-CRP levels, total leukocyte, absolute neutrophil and monocyte counts are present in higher concentrations in normal pregnant women in relation to non-pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: The MPO did not show fluctuations in plasma levels during the 3 trimesters of gestation or in relation to different inflammation conditions. Considering MPO and hs-CRP levels are changed in high cardiovascular risk conditions and MPO levels (unlike hs-CRP) didn't increase during non complicated pregnancy, MPO could be a better biomarker than hs-CRP to monitor these patients.

Changes of metabolic and inflammatory markers in HIV infection: glucose, lipids, serum Hs-CRP and myeloperoxidase.

OBJECTIVE: HIV infection is exacerbated through additional pro-atherogenic mechanisms related to the processes of immune activation, inflammation, coagulation, and the modification of lipoproteins (e.g., particles of high density lipoprotein), contributing to increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to analyze the serum concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and other laboratory parameters in HIV-infected patients treated or not with antiretroviral drugs compared to non-infected individuals. MATERIALS/METHODS: The study included 154 volunteers: 47 non-infected individuals (control group - CON), 27 infected and untreated individuals (NTARV group) and 80 treated individuals (TARV group). We analyzed the counts of CD4+ lymphocytes and the viral load of the infected patients, along with the blood count, fasting glucose, total serum cholesterol (CHOL), HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, MPO and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) of all study participants. RESULTS: There were significant increases in glucose, CHOL, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in the TARV group and significant reductions in the levels of HDL cholesterol for the TARV and NTARV groups. Significantly elevated levels of Hs-CRP were observed only in the TARV group, while levels of MPO were significantly higher in the TARV and NTARV groups compared to the control group. A correlation of MPO with Hs-CRP (r=0.21, p=0.032) was observed for HIV-infected patients, but MPO did not correlate significantly with the other analyzed parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation of early biomarkers for cardiovascular risk evaluation, such as MPO, contributes to the clinical monitoring of HIV-infected individuals. The serum levels of MPO correlated with Hs-CRP and were high in HIV-infected individuals, indicating a possible predictor of cardiovascular events in these patients.

Composição do leite humano e microbiota predominantemente bífida do lactente em aleitamento materno exclusivo / Composition of the human milk and microbiota predominantly bífida of the infant in exclusive maternal breast feeding

O leite humano constitui-se em alimento rico em nutrientes e fatores de proteção para o bebê, que a partir do nascimento, através do parto, no contato com a mãe e meio ambiente, passa a ter o trato intestinal colonizado por microrganismos. A composição do leite humano pode apresentar variações quanto à vitaminas, lactoferrina, oligossacarídeos, ácidos graxos e minerais, entre outros componentes. O desenvolvimento da microbiota intestinal é favorecido em lactentes em aleitamento exclusivo devido aos componentes do leite humano humano que são fatores promotores do crescimento de bactérias bifídas. Este microrganismo apresenta características protetoras competindo com potenciais patógenos, por exclusão competitiva, produção de ácidos orgânicos e conseqüente redução do pH...