Transferrin isoforms analysis by capillary electrophoresis in systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.

The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and systemic sclerosis (SSc) are a diseases in which disturbances in plasma proteins glycosylation exist. The aim of the study was to compare the serum profile of transferrin isoforms between SLE and SSc. The study was carried out in 38 patients with SLE and 43 patients with SSc. Transferrin isoforms were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis method. Among the transferrin isoforms only the level of pentasialotransferrin in SLE patients was significantly higher than in SSc patients (p = .014). The median concentrations of trisialotransferrin and pentasialotransferrin were significantly lower in SLE patients (p < .001, p = .042; respectively) and SSc (p = .001, p < .001; respectively) than in the healthy subjects. In contrast, the level of tetrasialotransferrin manifested significant increase in comparison to the controls (p < .001 for all comparisons). The serum profile of transferrin isoforms alters in SLE and SSc but only level of pentasialotransferrin differs between SLE and SSc patients. We confirm that the serum profile of transferrin isoforms in SLE and SSc is unique to these diseases.

The Profile of Serum Transferrin Isoforms in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Transferrin, a microheterogeneous iron-transporting N-glycoprotein, is an optimal model for the analysis of the glycosylation profile in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess the transferrin isoforms profile in RA patients at the time of diagnosis and then look into their associations with disease activity. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 48 patients with RA. The patients were males (6) and females (42) (age range: 33-85 years). Control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers. Transferrin isoforms were analysed by capillary electrophoresis on MINICAP electrophoretic system. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the relative concentrations of trisialo- (mean ± SD; 2.130 ± 1.112) and pentasialotransferrin (13.562 ± 3.088), and significant increase in tetrasialotransferrin (83.640 ± 3.165) in RA patients when compared to the control group (3.615 ± 1.156; 76.840 ± 5.621; 18.610 ± 6.027, respectively) (U Mann-Whitney test: p < 0.001 for all comparisons). There were no significant changes in the disialotransferrin concentrations in RA patients. Trisialotransferrin concentration correlated with RA activity expressed as DAS 28 in RA patients (p < 0.001). The low trisialotransferrin concentration was also associated with high platelet count and high ESR (p < 0.001 for both). Disialo-, tetrasialo- and pentasialotransferrin concentrations did not correlate with DAS 28. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with RA the serum profile of transferrin isoforms is altered. We predict that the levels of trisialylated isoforms of transferrin will serve as a useful biochemical marker of the RA activity.

Plasma levels and diagnostic utility of macrophage-colony stimulating factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 as tumor markers in cervical cancer patients.

Macrophage-colony stimulating factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 may play an important role in malignant processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnostic power of those parameters (serological biomarkers) in comparison to cancer antigen 125 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen in cervical cancer patients and in relation to the control groups. The study included 100 cervical cancer patients, 50 patients with cervical ectropion and 50 healthy women. Plasma levels of tested parameters were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, cancer antigen 125, and squamous cell carcinoma antigen by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Plasma levels of all parameters in the total cancer group showed statistical significance (in all cases p < 0.05). In stage I of cancer only medial supraclavicular fossa and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, in stage II all the tested parameters and cancer antigen 125, and in stage III + IV macrophage-colony stimulating factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and cancer antigen 125 showed statistical significance when compared to the healthy volunteers group. Macrophage-colony stimulating factor showed the highest value of sensitivity from all tested parameters (I: 56.25%, II: 72.73%, III + IV: 77.14% and 69% in total cervical cancer group). The highest specificity was obtained by matrix metalloproteinase-9 (94%). Positive predictive values were highest also for matrix metalloproteinase-9 (I: 82.35%, II: 84.21%, III + IV: 88% and 94.55% in total cervical cancer group), negative predictive values for macrophage-colony stimulating factor (I: 75.44%, II: 82.69%, III + IV: 87.5% and 58.11% in total cervical cancer group) and tumor markers. In the total cervical cancer group, all tested parameters showed statistically significant areas under receiver operating characteristic curve, but maximum range was obtained for the combination macrophage-colony stimulating factor + squamous cell carcinoma antigen (0.8723). The combined analysis of tested parameters and tumor markers resulted in an increase in sensitivity and areas under receiver operating characteristic curve values, which provides hope for developing new panel of biomarkers that may be used in the diagnosis of cervical cancer in the future.

Serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PINP) in patients with liver diseases.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of interleukin-6 and N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I and their relationship in liver diseases of different etiologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 30 healthy volunteers and patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) - 31, non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NAC) - 28 and toxic hepatitis (HT) - 23 patients. Cirrhotic patients were classified according to Child-Pugh score. IL-6 and PINP concentrations were determined according to the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: The mean serum IL-6 concentration was significantly higher in AC (mean ± SD:21.52 ± 15.01 pg/mL), NAC (20.07 ± 32.12 pg/mL) and HT (15.14 ± 17.18 pg/mL) when compared to the control group (C) (1.67 ± 0.42 pg/mL) (Mann-Whitney U test: p < .001 for all comparisons). The mean serum PINP concentration was significantly higher only in patients with AC (104.32 ± 54.50 ng/mL) in comparison with the control group (54.70 ± 19.83 ng/mL; p < .001). The mean values of IL-6 and PINP significantly differed between liver diseases (ANOVA rank Kruskal-Wallis test: p = .020 and p < .001, respectively). Accordingly, the serum levels of IL-6 and PINP were significantly higher in patients with AC than that in NAC (p < .001 and p = .022, respectively). IL-6 and PINP concentrations appeared to vary depending on the severity of liver damage (p < .001 for both). The concentrations of IL-6 and PINP were significantly higher in class C (31.88 ± 21.51 pg/mL; 132.73 ± 65.63 ng/mL, respectively) than that in class A (6.12 ± 9.00 pg/mL; 57.32 ± 28.85 ng/mL, respectively) (p < .001 for both). There were also significant differences in IL-6 concentrations between Child-Pugh class B (27.88 ± 24.45 pg/mL) and class A (6.12 ± 9.00 pg/mL; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that serum concentrations of IL-6 and PINP change in liver diseases, and those changes reflect the severity of liver disease.

Serum profile of transferrin isoforms in juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a preliminary study.

It is reported that alterations in protein glycosylation are present in adult rheumatic diseases; however, the data related to pediatric rheumatic conditions are very scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) on the serum glycosylation profile of transferrin isoforms. Twenty-five patients with different clinical forms of an active JIA and 22 healthy controls were studied. Serum samples were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on MINICAP electrophoretic system (Sebia, France) to determine the levels of transferrin isoforms. In patients with JIA, tetrasialotransferrin (median 82.6%; range 68.8-99.5) concentration was lower (P = 0.032), and pentasialotransferrin (median 14%; range 0.5-31.2) was higher (P = 0.020) in comparison to controls (median 84.45; range 79.8-87.4; median 11.55; range 9.7-16.1, respectively). No significant correlations between concentration of transferrin isoforms and disease activity score (JADAS 27) or the degree of disability (VAS and CHAQ) were found. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and CRP levels correlated positively with disialotransferrin (R = 0.493, P = 0.017; R = 0.850, P < 0.001, respectively) and pentasialotransferrin (R = 0.533, P = 0.006; R = 0.491, P = 0.045, respectively), and negatively with trisialotransferrin (R = - 0.546, P = 0.007; R = - 0.515, P = 0.049, respectively) and tetrasialotransferrin (R = - 0.436, P = 0.029; R = - 0.504, P = 0.039, respectively). This preliminary study shows the shifts in transferrin isoforms profile among patients with JIA. Our data indicate a potential clinical utility of the transferrin isoforms measurement, especially tetrasialotransferrin and pentasialotransferrin. Further prospective studies on larger groups of patients should be conducted to validate the results.

Changed Profile of Serum Transferrin Isoforms in Liver Diseases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of liver diseases on the serum profile of transferrin isoforms. METHODS: Patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) - 63 subjects, non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NAC) - 28, and toxic hepatitis (HT) - 32 were studied. The cirrhotic patients were classified according to the Child-Pugh scale. Samples were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis with the MINICAP system. RESULTS: Significant differences were noted in the relative concentrations of disialotransferrin in HT patients (mean ± SD; 1.216 ± 0.900%) and in the levels of trisialotransferrin in AC (6.433 ± 3.131%) and NAC patients (5.311 ± 2.401%), as compared to the control group (0.984 ± 1.161%; 3.615 ± 1.156%, respectively). The levels of di-, tri- and tetrasialotransferrin appeared to differ between liver diseases. The mean relative concentration of disialotransferrin was significantly higher in patients with HT than in the NAC group, whereas trisialotransferrin level was lower in HT (4.074 ± 1.597%) than in AC and NAC. Tetrasialotransferrin was higher in HT (78.474 ± 4.393%) and NAC (77.932 ± 4.161%) in comparison with AC (75.290 ± 4.720%). Eleven percent of cirrhotic samples showed di-tri bridging and two samples displayed genetic variants of transferrin isoforms. There were significant differences in tri-, tetra-, and pentasialotransferrin according to the Child-Pugh score. The level of trisialotransferrin was significantly higher in class C of liver cirrhosis (7.219 ± 3.107%) than in class A (4.590 ± 1.851%), and tetrasialotransferrin relative concentration was lower in class C (69.048 ± 14.251%) as compared to class B (76.929 ± 3.931%) and A (78.990 ± 2.995%). The level of pentasialotransferrin was higher in class C (23.078 ± 15.898%) than in B (16.455 ± 4.491%) and A (15.680 ± 2.333%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the serum profile of transferrin isoforms shows alterations in liver diseases, varies according to the disease, and changes depending on the cirrhosis stage.

[The plasma levels and diagnostic utility of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and CA 125 in cervical cancer patients]. / Ocena stezenia i przydatnosci diagnostycznej metaloproteinazy-9 i CA 125 w osoczu chorych na raka szyjki macicy.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes, involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix components. The physiological function of MMP-9 is associated with regulation of immune processes, embryogenesis, reproduction and wound healing. MMP-9 also plays a critical role in tumor invasion, degrading the basement membrane, what is observed in different types of cancers: breast, gastrointestinal, and gynecological. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the plasma levels and diagnostic utility of MMP-9 and CA 125 in cervical cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 72 patients with cervical cancer and 24 healthy women. Plasma levels of the MMP- 9 was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and CA 15-3 - by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). RESULTS: This studies have shown increase levels of MMP-9 and CA 125 in cervical cancer patients compared to health control group. In addition, the MMP-9 concentration increased with the clinical stage of tumor. The sensitivity and specificity of MMP-9, positive and negative predictive value, were higher or equal than CA 125, but this parameter can not be used as a single marker. Our studies of MMP-9 have shown a high utility to the exclusion of cancer, similarly to CA 125. The combined analysis of MMP-9 and CA 125 significantly increased the ability to diagnose a cervical cancer and the possibility exclusion of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-9 has shown the usefulness in the diagnosis of cervical cancer, but only in the combined analysis with CA 125, as a new diagnostic panel.

Serum Carbohydrate-Deficient Transferrin in Pancreatic Diseases of Different Etiologies.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to find out whether pancreatic diseases invalidate the use of CDT for the detection of high alcohol intake and if CDT can distinguish between alcoholic and non-alcoholic pancreatitis. METHODS: The study was carried out on 110 patients with pancreatic diseases. Serum CDT was determined using the N Latex CDT test. RESULTS: The mean relative (%) and absolute (mg/L) CDT levels in acute and chronic pancreatitis were significantly higher than in controls and patients with primary pancreatic cancer. No significant difference was found in CDT concentrations between acute and chronic pancreatitis. The relative and absolute CDT concentrations in alcohol-induced pancreatitis were significantly higher compared to the controls and biliary-induced pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Acute and chronic alcoholic pancreatitis, but not biliary pancreatitis, may affect CDT levels. Pancreatitis does not invalidate the use of CDT as a marker of alcohol abuse. CDT can be a useful test for distinguishing alcoholic from non-alcoholic pancreatitis. Changes in CDT level indicate disturbances in transferrin glycosylation in the course of alcoholic pancreatic diseases.

Serum Sialic Acid Concentration and Content in ApoB-Containing Lipoproteins in Liver Diseases.

BACKGROUND: The great significance for the metabolism of lipoproteins is the composition of carbohydrate chain of apolipoproteins, where sialic acid (SA) is located. In VILDL and LDL sialic acid is attached to apolipoprotein B. The sialylation of serum proteins including apolipoprotein B can be affected in the course of liver diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of liver diseases on the concentration and content of SA in ApoB-containing lipoproteins. METHODS: The tested group consisted of 165 patients (118 males, 47 females) with liver diseases: alcoholic cirrhosis, non-alcoholic cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, toxic hepatitis, chronic viral hepatitis, and liver cancer. ApoB-containing lipoproteins were isolated by a turbidimetric procedure and SA concentration was measured according to an enzymatic method. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the serum concentration of SA in ApoB-containing lipoproteins in viral hepatitis. Although the serum concentration of ApoB was not significantly different between specific liver diseases, the serum levels of SA in ApoB-containing lipoproteins appeared to be different. There is an association between SA concentration and triglycerides in alcoholic cirrhosis and viral hepatitis. Also, in viral hepatitis SA concentration correlated negatively with HDL-cholesterol. The content of SA in ApoB-containing lipoproteins in alcoholic cirrhosis and viral hepatitis was significantly higher than that in the control group, but did not differ between diseases. CONCLUSIONS: This study may explain the variations in serum lipids and lipoproteins in liver diseases. It seems that the reason for these abnormalities is the changes in the concentration of sialic acid in ApoB-containing lipoproteins.

The Higher Prevalence of Non-Alcoholic versus Alcoholic Steatohepatitis in Alcoholics.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of alcoholic (ASH) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in alcoholics by non-invasive biochemical markers: AshTest and NashTest. METHODS: The tested group consisted of 142 alcoholic patients. All biochemical markers were assessed using the recommended methods. RESULTS: The highest values of AshTest and NashTest were observed in the highest H3 score and N2 score, respectively. The distribution of AshTest scores was the following: H0 - 94.1%, H1 - 5.2%, H2 - 0%, and H3 - 0.7%, while for NashTest was: N0 - 56.6%, N1 - 38.2% and N2 - 5.1%. In summary, alcoholic steatohepatitis was present only in 5.9% of alcoholics and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in 43.3% of patients. Co-occurrence of ASH and NASH was observed in 3.7% of patients. The BMI, mean glucose, and triglyceride levels were significantly different between NashTest scores, but not between AshTest scores. These results may evidence that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is associated with metabolic risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity. The MCV value and AST/ALT ratio were higher in alcoholic steatohepatitis than in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in alcoholics is higher than of alcoholic steatohepatitis, as estimated by non-invasive tests. Co-occurrence of alcoholic steatohepatitis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in alcoholic patients is low and the high prevalence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis is related with high occurrence of metabolic risk factors.

Sialic acid level reflects the disturbances of glycosylation and acute-phase reaction in rheumatic diseases.

In the rheumatic diseases, the changes in the carbohydrate part of serum glycoproteins occur and these abnormalities can be monitored by serum level of total and free sialic acid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total and free sialic acid level as a marker of inflammation activity (TSA) and the changes in glycosylation of blood glycoproteins (FSA) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Studies were carried out in 50 patients with RA, 24 with SLE and 32 with SSc. TSA concentration was measured with an enzymatic, colorimetric method and FSA with a thiobarbituric method. The serum levels of TSA in RA and SLE patients were significantly increased compared to controls and in RA patients were higher than that in SSc patients. The mean serum level of FSA in RA patients was significantly higher, but in SSc patients significantly lower than that in the controls, and in RA patients was significantly higher than in SLE and in SSc patients. All acute-phase proteins were changed: Positive acute-phase proteins were elevated, and the negative protein was decreased. The positive acute-phase proteins positively correlated with the levels of TSA and FSA in RA and SSc patients. In SLE patients, TSA positively correlated with haptoglobin and α1-antitrypsin. In RA patients, there was the positive correlation of TSA and FSA with DAS 28. The changes in the serum levels of TSA and FSA in the course of rheumatic diseases could reflect the abnormalities in glycosylation/sialylation patterns of glycoproteins induced by acute-phase response.

Serum sialic acids levels according to the severity of liver cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: The sialylation of serum proteins and lipids changes in liver diseases of different etiologies and could change the total sialic acid (TSA), lipid-bound SA (LSA), and free SA (FSA) levels in the sera. However, little is known of the relationship of serum SAs concentrations and the severity of liver disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the SAs concentrations (TSA, LSA, and FSA) in liver cirrhosis in relation with the severity of liver disease. METHODS: Tested group consisted of 91 consecutive patients suffering from liver cirrhosis. For each patient, the Child-Pugh score was calculated. TSA and LSA were determined by the enzymatic method on microplate reader, and FSA using the thiobarbituric method. RESULTS: Among the SA forms, only the serum FSA level in liver cirrhosis appears to be different according to the severity of liver damage evaluated by the Child-Pugh score. It was the highest in score C, and was higher than that in scores B and A. The elevated levels of FSA significantly positively correlated with the Child-Pugh score. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the sialylation of serum proteins and lipids changes in liver cirrhosis, but only the serum concentrations of FSA are stage-related and reflect the severity of liver disease.

[Diagnostic role of galectin-3]. / Galektyna-3 w diagnostyce laboratoryjnej.

The meaning of galectin-3 role in the diagnostics of different diseases was disscused in the paper. Galectin-3 is endogenous, soluble beta- galactoside-binding lectin, which occur in the cell nucleus, the cytoplasm and on the surface of certain cells. Galectin-3 controls cell cycle, modulates adhesion, affects the mRNA splicing, extracellular matrix interactions and cellular differentiation. Galectin-3, also affects to procollagen I which irreversibly crosslinks to form collagen and results in parenchymal organs fibrosis. Taking into account numerous research and knowledge of action mechanism of galectin-3 there were presented changes in its activity in the pathological processes of the human body, including: heart failure, liver fibrosis and tumors. The results of published clinical studies have shown its high diagnostic sensitivity, which probably enables to application in laboratory diagnosis.

The Association of Serum Profile of Transferrin Isoforms with COVID-19 Disease Severity.

Background/Objective: Bearing in mind the relationship of transferrin (TRF) microheterogeneity with the biological activity of its isoforms, we propose, in this study, to determine the association of the profile of TRF isoforms with COVID-19 disease severity and to compare this profile to the profiles of other diseases. Methods: The disease group consisted of 96 patients from whom blood was collected twice, upon admission to the ward and after treatment (on average on the ninth day). TRF isoforms were separated by capillary electrophoresis. The analysis included disease severity, cytokine storm, comorbidities, patient survival, oxygen therapy, and modified early warning scores (MEWSs). Results: The concentration of 5-sialoTRF was higher in patients compared to controls at the beginning and during COVID-19 treatment. The concentration of this isoform varies with the severity of disease and was higher in critical patients than those with a moderate condition. Additionally, the level of 5-sialoTRF was lower and the level of 4-sialoTRF was higher in patients with comorbidities than that in patients without them. The concentration of 5-sialoTRF was lower and the concentration of 4-sialoTRF was higher in surviving patients than in non-surviving patients. There were no statistical changes in TRF isoforms according to presence of cytokine storm, MEWS, and oxygen therapy. Conclusions: We conclude that the profile of TRF isoforms in COVID-19 patients differs from that in other diseases. An increase in the concentration of a sialic acid-rich isoform, 5-sialoTRF, may be a compensatory mechanism, the goal of which is to increase oxygen delivery to tissues and is dependent on the severity of the disease. Additionally, the concentration of 5-sialoTRF may be a prognostic marker of the survival of COVID-19 patients.

Serum sialic acid as a marker of pancreatic cancers.

BACKGROUND: The carbohydrate alterations in sialoglycoproteins and sialoglycolipids cause the high serum concentration of sialic acid in many types of cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of total sialic acid (TSA), lipid-bound sialic acid (LSA), and free sialic acid (FSA) in patients with primary pancreatic cancers. METHODS: TSA and LSA concentrations in the sera of 42 patients were measured by the enzymatic and FSA by the thiobarbituric method. RESULTS: The mean levels of TSA, LSA, and FSA in the sera of patients with pancreatic cancers were significantly higher than in controls. Taking into consideration the size and the location of the tumors, regional lymph node and distant metastases, there were no differences in TSA, FSA, and CA 19-9 levels. However, the location of tumors in the pancreas affects LSA levels. The sialic acids, contrary to CA 19-9, are not useful tools in the differential diagnosis of tumors and non-malignant diseases of the pancreas. LSA has the highest sensitivity, negative predictive value, accuracy, and the ability to discriminate cancer patients from healthy controls. The diagnostic power of LSA is similar to CA 19-9. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that LSA can be useful in the diagnosis and evaluation of the tumor location in patients with primary pancreatic cancers.

[The alterations of glycosylation in malignant diseases]. / Zaburzenia glikozylacji w chorobach nowotworowych.

The universal feature characteristic of cancer cells are the alterations in protein and lipid glycosylation. The most frequent changes in glycosylation during malignant transformation are: disappearance or appearance of structures containing sugar residues in the tumor cell, synthesis of highly branched and heavily sialylated glycans, the premature termination of synthesis resulting in the formation of incompleted glycoforms and the expression of fetal antigens. There are many factors that cause such changes in glycosylation during the malignancy, but the most common and important mechanism is the change in the expression of enzymes involved in glycans synthesis. The changes in the structure of glycans are rather quantitative than qualitative, and depend on the nature of genetic processes occurring in normal or tumor cells.

[The diagnostic value of non-invasive biochemical biomarkers in alcohol abuse]. / Wartosc diagnostyczna biochemicznych nieinwazyjnych biomarkerów w naduzywaniu alkoholu.

UNLABELLED: The diagnosis of alcoholic liver disease, steatosis, fibrosis and alcoholic steatohepatitis, can be evaluated by means of non-invasive biochemical biomarkers: SteatoTest, FibroTest and AshTest. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of these tests for the detection of steatosis, fibrosis and alcoholic steatohepatitis in alcohol abusing patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experimental group comprised 137 alcohol-dependent subjects. The control group was consisted of 50 healthy social drinkers. Ten biochemical assays were determined according to methods recommended by the provider of the tests - BioPredictive company. The scores were computed by the company according to the bilateral agreement. RESULTS: The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were as follows: 61.9% and 93.9% for SteatoTest, 61.3% and 93.9% for FibroTest and 9.6% and 93.9% forAsh Test. The diagnostic power of Steato Test (A UC = 0.806) and FibroTest (AUC = 0.795) were significantly higher than the diagnostic power of AshTest (AUC = 0.626) but did not differ from each other. The probability of a positive test results of Steato Test and FibroTest is 10-times more likely in alcoholics than in healthy individuals. CONCLUSION: SteatoTest and FibroTest can be useful diagnostic tool for the detection of liver steatosis and fibrosis in alcohol-dependent patients but cannot differentiate of these clinical conditions.

The Diagnostic Value of FibroTest and Hepascore as Non-Invasive Markers of Liver Fibrosis in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of two non-invasive, validated, and patented markers of liver fibrosis, the Hepascore and FibroTest, in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The study group consisted of 74 PSC patients and 38 healthy subjects. All patients had a liver biopsy. The Hepascore and FibroTest were calculated using specific algorithms. The ANOVA rank Kruskal-Wallis test revealed differences in the Hepascore and FibroTest between patients divided according to histological stage (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The Hepascore and FibroTest had significantly higher results in patients with significant fibrosis (F ≥ 2) in comparison to those with no significant fibrosis (F1) (p < 0.001 for both tests) and higher values in patients with cirrhosis (F4) when compared to those without cirrhosis (F1-F3) (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The Hepascore test showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 96.8%, a specificity of 100% for fibrosis (at cut-off 0.52) and a diagnostic sensitivity of 95.2%, and a specificity also of 100% for cirrhosis (at 0.80). The FibroTest in point 0.51 for the diagnosis of fibrosis obtained the following values: 58.6%, 90%, 89.5%, and 60%, respectively, and in point 0.73 for the diagnosis of cirrhosis: 42.9%, 100%, 100%, and 45.5, respectively. The Hepascore test reached an excellent diagnostic power in identifying both fibrosis and cirrhosis (AUC = 1.0). The FibroTest and Hepascore are highly valuable for the evaluation of the severity of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in PSC patients and can be used as a primary screening method, allowing for a significant reduction in the need for liver biopsy. Both markers have the required sensitivity and specificity to detect liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and can be equally used in clinical practice, although the Hepascore seems to be a better test because it is more specific.

N-Latex CDT results in liver diseases.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to test whether liver diseases of alcoholic and non-alcoholic origin cause false-positive carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) results when the particle-enhanced immunonephelometry for CDT assays is used and to assess the effect of liver disease severity on N-Latex CDT results. METHODS: Blood was sampled from 245 newly admitted patients suffering from liver diseases: alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis (AC), chronic viral (B and C) and non-viral hepatitis, toxic and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), hepatocellular carcinoma and primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). CDT was determined by particle-enhanced imunononephelometry using the N-Latex CDT test. RESULTS: There were significant differences in %CDT levels between liver diseases of various etiologies. The %CDT level in AC was higher than that in chronic hepatitis (non-viral and viral C). In turn, the %CDT level in chronic hepatitis C was lower than that in toxic hepatitis. The frequency of false-positive %CDT results in liver diseases of non-alcoholic origin was 13/146, and was highest in AIH (4/14). There were no CDT-positive results in PBC and chronic hepatitis B. The frequency of CDT-positive results in alcoholic liver diseases was 24/59 in cirrhosis and 10/34 in hepatitis. Serum levels of %CDT in cirrhotic patients are correlated with the severity of the disease assessed by the Child-Pugh score. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the liver diseases affect the relative but not absolute values of CDT when using the assay with the monoclonal antibodies directed against CDT. The CDT results from N-Latex CDT test reflect the severity of liver dysfunction.

[The alterations of proteins glycosylation in rheumatic diseases]. / Zaburzenia glikozylacji bialek w chorobach reumatycznych.

The alterations in glycosylation of serum glycoproteins were reported in several pathological conditions including rheumatic diseases. The many studies demonstrated the occurrence of some differentially glycosylated plasma immunoglobulins, especially IgG in rheumatoid arthritis. The most characteristic features are the decrease in galactose content, the presence of N-acetylglucosamine and the increase in fucose content. The structure of oligosaccharides attached to the antibody Fc region affect the pharmacokinetics and antibody effector functions of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity. The changes in immunoglobulin glycosylation was suggested to be important in the etiology of rheumatoid athritis and correlated with the disease severity. In addition to impaired glycosylation of imunoglubulins, in rheumatic diseases exist the disturbances in glycosylation of both acute-phase and non acute-phase response, such as alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin and alpha-2 macroglobulin. The alterations in glycosylation of these glycoproteins were also correlated with the disease activity.