Prevalence of dynapenic obesity and sarcopenic obesity and their associations with cardiovascular disease risk factors in peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Dynapenic obesity and sarcopenic obesity increase cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality in nonuremic patients. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of dynapenic obesity and sarcopenic obesity and their associations with CVD risk factors in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: All eligible PD patients in Tehran peritoneal dialysis centers were included in this cross-sectional study. Skeletal muscle mass and fat mass were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Muscle strength and physical performance were determined using hand grip strength and a 4-meter walk gait speed test, respectively. In addition, a 5-mL blood sample was obtained from each patient. RESULTS: The prevalence of dynapenic obesity and sarcopenic obesity were 11.4% and 3.8% in PD patients, respectively. Serum high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule type 1, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly higher in PD patients with dynapenic obesity than in dynapenic nonobese and nondynapenic nonobese patients. Similarly, serum concentrations of CVD risk factors in PD patients with sarcopenic obesity were higher than in nonsarcopenic nonobese patients, but these differences were statistically significant only for serum hs-CRP and triglyceride. In addition, muscle strength and skeletal muscle mass percentage were negatively associated with markers of inflammation and dyslipidemia, whereas body fat percentage was positively associated with these CVD risk factors. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that although the prevalence of dynapenic obesity and sarcopenic obesity are relatively low in PD patients, these disorders may be associated with CVD risk factors.

Elevated serum nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide levels as potential valuable predictors of herpes zoster

Objective: To evaluate the biomarkers of oxidative stress in herpes zoster patients compared with control subjects. Methods: This study compared the nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (H

Elevated serum nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide levels as potential valuable predictors of herpes zoster

Objective:To evaluate the biomarkers of oxidative stress in herpes zoster patients compared with control subjects.Methods:This study compared the nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen peroxide (HResults:The significant differences were observed in the serum levels of NO, HConclusions:High levels of NO and H

Biochemical assessment: findings from 20 years of the Tehran lipid and glucose study

Context: the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS] is a community-based study to reveal the frequency of non-communicable diseases [NCDs] in Tehran's population. This research consists of two main parts, a cross-sectional study on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and a 20-year-ongoing prospective cohort study, which was initiated in 1999 in several phases with an approximate duration of 3.6 years, and is still ongoing. The aim of the present study is review the 20 year biochemical findings of the TLGS related to the NCDs in a large sample

Methods: all articles on biochemical assessments derived from the TLGS from the earliest publications [2002] until 30 January 2018 were reviewed for their findings on different risk factors of NCDs

Results: according to the TLGS findings high sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], homocysteine [Hcy], age, smoking, hypertension, and obesity were the most important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases [CVD]. It was illustrated that in subjects with abdominal obesity, the hs-CRP and IL-6 serum levels were higher than in normal subjects. The most appropriate prognostic indexes and associations were for hs-CRP, IL-6, and Hcy with abdominal obesity, waist circumference, WHtR, and wrist circumference, respectively. Previous studies have demonstrated a direct relationship between obesity and serum levels of inflammatory factors

Conclusions: according to the results of TLGS, serum levels of biochemical risk factors such as hs-CRP, IL-6, and Hcy could be beneficial in early diagnosis and effective treatment of cardiovascular, obesity and other metabolic diseases

Genetic identification for non-communicable disease: findings from 20 years of the Tehran lipid and glucose study

Context: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study [TLGS], a longitudinal family based cohort study, is the oldest and largest longitudinal family based study in Iran, aimed at investigating effects of environmental, social and biological factors on the health of Tehranians over time. Considering the importance of genetic studies in this aspect, here we present a summary of the important genetic findings, and the potentiality of their contributions to future related projects

Evidence Acquisition: for all related studies during the past 20 years the search sources were all prominent search engines such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar with the most proper Medical Subject Headings [MeSH]

Results: this review summarizes associations of 6 binary phenotypes and 17 quantitative traits with genetic markers in 26 genes. Of the 47 genetic markers, studied most were related to cardio metabolic risk factors. Results of heritability and linkage analysis were also collected and the highest heritability was found to be related to HDL-C [0.5]

Conclusion: considering the opportunity provided by large-scale cohort studies to investigate molecular effects of genetic variants on causality and different omics' data, genetic studies conducted on TLGS population have had a remarkable success in identifying genetic variants that facilitating a unique genetic database on Iranian populations. The results of genome wide association studies in this population are currently facilitating investigations to define the Iranian genetic differences with other population

effects of exercise on expression of CYP19 and StAR mRNA in steroid-induced polycystic ovaries of female rats

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is the most frequent female endocrine disorder that affects 5-10% of women. PCOS is characterized by hyperandrogenism, oligo-/anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. The aim of the present research is to evaluate the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein [StAR] and aromatase [CYP19] mRNA in the ovaries of an estradiol valerate [EV]-induced PCOS rat model, and the effect of treadmill and running wheel [voluntary] exercise on these parameters

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we divided adult female Wistar rats that weighed approximately 220 +/- 20 g initially into control [n=10] and PCOS [n=30]. Subsequently, PCOS group were divided to PCOS, PCOS with treadmill exercise [P-ExT], and PCOS with running wheel exercise [P-ExR] groups [n=10 per group]. The expressions of StAR and CYP19 mRNA in the ovaries were determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [qRT-PCR]. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA using SPSS software, version 16. The data were assessed at alpha=0.05

Results: There was significantly lower mRNA expression of CYP19 in the EV-induced PCOS, running wheel and treadmill exercise rats compared to the control group [P<0.001]. Treadmill exercise [P=0.972] and running wheel exercise [P=0.839] had no significant effects on CYP19 mRNA expression compared to the PCOS group. mRNA expression of StAR in the ovaries of the PCOS group indicated an increasing trend compared to the control group, however this was not statistically significant [P=0.810]. We observed that 8 weeks of running wheel and treadmill exercises could not statistically decrease StAR mRNA expression compared to the PCOS group [P=0.632]

Conclusion: EV-induced PCOS in rats decreased CYP19 mRNA expression, but had no effect on StAR mRNA expression. We demonstrated that running wheel and moderate treadmill exercise could not modify CYP19 and StAR mRNA expressions

brief review on the molecular basis of medullary thyroid carcinoma

Approximately 5-10% of all thyroid cancers are medullary thyroid carcinomas [MTC]. MTC is mainly sporadic in nature, but 20-30% of cases are hereditary. Genetic testing for hereditary MTC is very important for the patient and his family, but the patients must be receiving appropriate genetic counseling. About 98% of patients with hereditary MTC have germline mutations in exons 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16 and intron 16 of the REarrangement during transfection [RET] proto-oncogene, but the etiology of the more frequent sporadic form of MTC [sMTC] is not well understood. Recently, it has been reported that apparently sporadic MTC may involve point mutations in BRAF and RAS genes, with an overall prevalence of almost 10%. Also alteration and abnormal expression of miRNA has been described in MTC. In this review, we attempted to mention some mutations and molecular changes in sporadic and hereditary MTC pathogenesis

[Effect of high intensity interval training and L-Arginine supplementation on serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 and atrial natriuretic peptide in overweight and obese young men]

Background and Aim: Activation of brown adipose tissue can be a new approach in reducing obesity and related complications. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of high intensity interval training [HIIT] supplemented with L-Arginine [L-Arg] .on serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 [FGF21] and atrial natriuretic peptide [ANP] in overweight and obese men

Materials and Methods: In this semi experimental study, 40 overweight and obese men [ with mean age 24.58+/-6.52 years and mean body mass index 29.43+/-3.66 kg/m2] were selected through purposive sampling method and were randomly divided into 4 equal groups of HIIT, supplementation with L-Arg, HIIT+ L-Arg ,and placebo. The training program consisted of 6 weeks of HIIT training [3 days.per week]. L-Arg supplementation [6 gr/day] was taken orally. Blood sampling was done 24 hours before and 48 hours after intervention and the blood serum was used for the measurement of FGF21 and ANP levels. The obtained data was analyzed using ANOVA, ANCOVA and post -hoc Bonferroni tests at a significant level of P<0.05

Results: It was found that the serum level of ANP significantly increased in L-Arg and HIIT+L-Arg groups [P values were 0.02 and 0.01, respectively], but HIIT did not cause a significant change in the level of ANP. The serum level of FGF21 had no significant changes after HIIT and use of L-Arg

Conclusion: It seems that L-Arg supplementation and HIIT together with L-Arg supplementation with increased level of ANP can be considered as an effective step to activate brown adipose tissue

Identification of sequence variations in the apolipoprotein A2 gene and their relationship with serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels

Background: Apolipoprotein A2 [APOA2] is the second major apolipoprotein of the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C]. The study aim was to identify APOA2 gene variation in individuals within two extreme tails of HDL-C levels and its relationship with HDL-C level

Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on participants from Tehran Glucose and Lipid Study [TLGS] at Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Tehran, Iran from April 2012 to February 2013. In total, 79 individuals with extreme low HDL-C levels [/=95[th] percentile for age and gender] were selected. Variants were identified using DNA amplification and direct sequencing

Results: Screen of all exons and the core promoter region of APOA2 gene identified nine single nucleotide substitutions and one microsatellite; five of which were known and four were new variants. Of these nine variants, two were common tag single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] and seven were rare SNPs. Both exonic substitutions were missense mutations and caused an amino acid change. There was a significant association between the new missense mutation [variant Chr.1:16119226, Ala98Pro] and HDL-C level

Conclusion: None of two common tag SNPs of rs6413453 and rs5082 contributes to the HDL-C trait in Iranian population, but a new missense mutation in APOA2 in our population has a significant association with HDL-C

[ effect of 4 weeks resistance training on MuRF1 gene expression and muscle atrophy in diabetic wistar rats]

Background and Objectives: Muscular atrophy is one of the most common complications of diabetes. In such cases, protein degradation isincreased and protein synthesisis decreased. MuRF1 is an E3 ubiquitin ligase which has been identified as a mediator of skeletal muscle wasting in various skeletal muscle atrophy models, and its expression is upregulated in atrophy. Exercise training has been suggested as one of the treatment strategies for muscular atrophy. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of 4 weeks of resistance training on MuRF1 gene expression in muscular atrophy in streptozotocin-diabetic wistar rats

Material and Methods: Thirty six male Wister rats [288 +/- 22 g] were randomly divided into four groups: nondiabetic control, non-diabetic trained, diabetic control and diabetic trained. The exercise groups were subjected to a resistance training program using a ladder [3 days/wk, for 4 wk]. MuRF1 mRNA level was measured in Flexor Hallucis Longus muscle using Real-Time PCR. The results were studied by statistical methods

Results: MuRF1 gene expression was increased in rats with diabetes [p=0.001]; resistance training diminished the skeletal muscle wasting in diabetic rats [p=0.002] by inhibiting MuRF1 gene expression

Conclusion: This study indicates that short term resistance training can overcome diabetes-induced atrophy in rats. Whether this kind of training might be a good way for countering atrophy in other diseases with similar catabolic situation to diabetes remains to be elucidated

Subclinical hypothyroidism and the alterations of lipid profile as a cardiovascular risk factor

The association between overt hypothyroidism and altered lipid profile is well known, whereas the significance of dyslipidemia in subclinical hypothyroidism [SCH] is still a matter of debate. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the lipid profile in patients with SCH in comparison to controls. Serum lipid parameters of 34 patients with SCH and 34 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated in our study. TC [198.88 +/- 42.90 vs 171.40 +/- 26.24 mg/dl, P < 0.01] and LDL-C concentrations [129.04 +/- 35.44 vs 106.71 +/- 26.21 mg/dl, P < 0.01] as well as ratio of LDL-C/HDL-C [3.51 +/- 1.46 vs 2.81 +/- 0.80, P < 0.05] were significantly higher in the patients in comparison to the controls, whereas HDL-C and TC/HDL-C ratio remained unaltered. TG concentrations were higher in the patients but this difference did not reach statistical significance [0.063]. Correlation analyses revealed a significant correlation of TSH with TC, LDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio [r=0.351, r=0.345, r=0.340, respectively, P < 0.01] and a borderline correlation with TG [p=0.051]. Our findings showed that SCH is associated with some lipid abnormalities suggesting higher risk of cardiovascular disease in these patients which seems to weigh in favor of treatment of patients with SCH

Association of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase rs5923 polymorphism in Iranian individuals with extremely low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: Tehran lipid and glucose study

The serum concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C] is one of the important heritable risk factors for cardiovascular disease and is a target for therapeutic intervention. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase [LCAT] gene polymorphism rs5923 on LCAT enzyme activity and serum HDL-C concentration. The study population was selected from consecutive individuals with HDL-C /= 95[th] percentile [n = 57] who had participated in the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. The rs5923 polymorphism was genotyped using direct sequencing. LCAT activity was measured by fluorometric assay kit, and lipid concentrations were measured using the enzymatic colorimetric method. The genotype frequencies were significantly different between the high HDL-C group [CC 94.7%, CT 5.3%] and the low HDL-C group [CC 83.6%, CT 16.4%] [P = 0.048]. The Tallele frequencies in subjects with low and high HDL-C were 0.082 and 0.026, respectively [P = 0.16]. The association of the single-nucleotide polymorphism rs5923 with low HDL-C was not statistically significant after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI [odd ratio = 2.65, 95% confidence interval = 0.32-21.5, P = 0.36, regression logistic analysis]. Also, the effects of LCAT enzyme activity did not depend on the HDL-C level [P = 0.24]. rs5923 polymorphism is not associated with low HDL-C levels in Iranian population

Effect of energy-restricted diet in combination with calcium supplement or low-fat milk on iron status of overweight or obese premenopausal women

Background: Although it is assumed that calcium has beneficial effects on weight loss, the interaction of calcium and iron would be a major concern. We did this study to investigate the effects of calcium and low-fat milk on serum ferritin in overweight or obese premenopausal women

Methods: Sixty-four healthy overweight or obese premenopausal women recruited in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences clinics participated in this clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated to one of the following dietary regimens for 8 weeks: 1] a control diet providing a 500 kcal/day deficit, with 500-600mg/day dietary calcium; 2] a calcium- supplemented diet identical to the control diet with 800mg/day calcium carbonate 3] a milk diet providing a 500kcal/day deficit and containing three servings of low fat milk. Serum ferritin and anthropometric indices were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. Primary outcome measure was serum ferritin level

Results: Mean +/- SD of baseline values for age, body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], and serum ferritin were 37.44 +/- 9.46 [year], 30.79 +/- 3.63 [kg/m[2]], 88.04 +/- 8.90 [cm], and 59.20 +/- 47.8 [microg/l], respectively. There were no significant differences in baseline age, BMI, WC, and serum ferritin among 3 groups. Mean values of serum ferritin reductions were 0.26 +/- 20.36, 14.59 +/- 17.07 and6.57 +/- 25.93 [microg/l] in control, calcium, and milk groups, respectively. Reduction in serum ferritin was only significant in the calcium group [P=0.003]. Serum ferritin reductions were not significantly different among the 3 groups [P=0.260]

Conclusion: An energy-restricted diet in combination with calcium supplement or low-fat milk does not induce any additional adverse effect on iron status, compared to an energyrestricted diet alone

Calcium determination in EDTA treated plasma by colorimetric method and microplate reading format

Calcium has different functions in metabolic processes and increase or decrease of calcium level in blood may lead to different disorders. Therefore, measurement of calcium level in blood is an important clinical issue. It is not possible to measure calcium in plasma samples which contain calcium chelators and we need serum samples to do so. This research aims to investigate the simple and direct colorimetric method for calcium measuring in EDTA treated plasma. In this experimental study, through adding a patented solution to EDTA treated plasma, calcium ions are released from calcium chelators and then reacted with Ortho Cresolphthalein Complexone [o-CPC] as a coloring reagent and finally product of calcium reaction is measured using microplate reading format. The details of methodology are patented on 29.04.2012 in State Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties with registration number of 74804, and are the exclusive property for the owners. Sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and the correlation of plasma calcium with serum calcium level were investigated. Sensitivity of this method was 0.4 mg/dL. Coefficient of variation for intra assays and inter assay were less than 5% and 6% respectively. According to recovery and parallelism tests, ratio and recovery percent ranged from 90 to 110% and correlation coefficient in compare with determination of calcium in serum by the same reagent was 0.92. This method is capable of measuring calcium in EDTA treated plasma and in addition, it has the required sensitivity, precision and accuracy for common clinical tests

Improvement of kidney apelin and apelin receptor in nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester induced rats

We have investigated the effect of 8 weeks aerobic training [AT] and Ferula gummosis supplement [FG] on apelin and apelin receptor [APJ], nitric oxide [NO] and angiotensin converting enzyme [ACE] of hypertensive rats. In a experimental study, 50 adult male wistar rats were classified into five groups; 1- AT, 2- FG, 3- combination of aerobic training + Ferula Gummosa supplement [TFG], 4- nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester [L-NAME], 5- shame [control] groups [SH]. The rats in the 1 to 4 groups received L-NAME [10 mg/kg, 6 times a week for 8 weeks]. Also, the 1 and 3 groups experienced the training of 15 to 22 m/min for 25 to 64 minutes, 5 times a week for 8 weeks, whereas, the 2 and 3 groups received Ferula gummosis supplement [90 mg/kg, 6 times a week for 8 weeks]. However, rats in 5 groups received NaCl solution. At protocols resulted in a significant increase in apelin and APJ as compared to control and L-NAME groups. The TFG protocols resulted in a markedly increase in apelin, APJ and significantly decrease of ACE levels as compared to L-NAME group. Chronically administration of L-NAME resulted increased, ACE, and reduced the levels of apelin, APJ and NO, as compared to control group. The results in this study show that physical regular activity with and without herbal treatment induce amplification in apelin/APJ system and down-regulation blood pressure in L-NAME induced hypertension in the rat kidney tissue

effect of ovariectomy and orchiectomy on orthodontic tooth movement and root resorption in wistar rats

Statement of the Problem: Root resorption [RR] after orthodontic tooth movement [OTM] is known as a multifactorial complication of orthodontic treatments. Hormonal deficiencies and their effect on bone turnover are reported to have influences on the rate of tooth movement and root resorption

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of female and male steroid sex hormones on tooth movement and root resorption

Materials and Method: Orthodontic appliances were placed on the right maxillary first molars of 10 ovariectomized female and 10 orchiectomized male Wistar rats as experimental groups and 10 female and 10 male healthy Wistar rats as control groups. NiTi closed-coil springs [9mm, Medium, 011"×.030", Ortho Technology[registered sign]; Tampa, Florida] were placed between the right incisors and the first right maxillary molars to induce tipping movement in the first molars with the application of a 60g force. After 21 days, the rats were sacrificed and tooth movement was measured by using a digital caliper [Guanglu, China]. Orthodontic induced root resorption [OIRR] was assessed by histomorphometric analysis after hematoxylin and eosin staining of sections of the mesial root

Results: The rate of tooth movement was significantly higher in all female rats, with the root resorption being lower in the experimental group. The rate of tooth movement in experimental male rats was significantly higher than the control group [p= 0.001] and the rate of root resorption was significantly lower in the experimental group [p= 0.001]

Conclusion: It seems that alterations in plasma levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone hormones can influence the rate of OTM and RR. The acceleration in tooth movement increased OTM and decreased RR

[Rapid screening for synthetic adulterant drugs in herbal slimming products]

In recent years the use of herbal slimming supplements has increased in Iran. One problem may be the illegal inclusion of synthetic drugs by some manufacturers in these products. The aim of this study is to determine four undeclared synthetic adulterants in some herbal slimming products present in the Iranian market. This survey study researched six common herbal slimming supplements that were obtained from the market. Supplements were purchased from Persian language advertising sites on satellite channels and the Internet. These products were analyzed by GC-MS for the detection of sibutramine, phenolphthalein, phenytoin and LC-MS for bumetanide. Three products contained phenolphthalein. Fast Slim and Original Super Slim carried the highest content of sibutramine - 57 microg per capsule for Fast Slim and 78 microg per capsule for Original Super Slim. Bumetanide was found in Herbaceous Essence, Green Lean Super Slim, Magic Slim and Fat loss. Other undisclosed components such as caffeine and pseudoephedrine were detected by GC-MS library search. All herbal slimming products have been shown to contain undeclared synthetic adulterants. Increased public awareness of the risks of taking herbal weight-loss supplements is necessary

[ effect of one event of submaximal exercise on plasma hepcidin concentrations in male runners]

Because of the importance iron metabolism and role of hepcidin in running, the present study investigates the effects of one event of submaximal exercise on plasma hepcidin concentrations in male runners. For this purpose, we selected eight runners who were athletic team members of Mazandaran University with an average age of 21.7 +/- 1.34 years, height of 175.6 +/- 5.88 cm, weight of 71.7 +/- 11.13 kg and BMI of 23.2 +/- 2.95 kg/m2. Subjects ran on the treadmill at 65% heart rate reserves for 60 min and blood samples were taken before, immediately after, and at 3 and 24 h following exercise. Plasma samples were analyzed to determine the concentrations of hepcidin, IL-6, iron and ferritin. The repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc LSD were used to compare the differences between the samples. The results showed significant decrease in plasma hepcidin at 24 h postexercise compared to immediately postexercise [P < 0.05], which might be attributed to a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of IL-6 at 3 h postexercise [P < 0.05; r=0.794]. Although there were no significant differences observed in postexercise plasma iron, a dramatic increase in plasma ferritin was observed immediately, 3 and 24 h postexercise compared to pre-exercise [P < 0.05]. With regards to the lack of correlation between plasma concentrations of hepcidin and iron [P > 0.05], it can be concluded that one event of submaximal exercise does not cause significant differences on plasma hepcidin concentration immediately postexercise and it does not change in regulation of iron metabolism. This observation may be related to exercise duration and intensity

[Effects of aerobic exercise on C-reactive protein and lipid profile in subclinical hypothyroidism among overweight-obese women]

The goal of the current research was to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on C-reactive protein [CRP] and lipid profile in overweight-obese women with subclinical hypothyroidism. This study enrolled 23 women who suffered from subclinical hypothyroidism. Patients' average age was 41.08 +/- 6.56 years and BMI was > 25 kg/m2. Subjects, following medical screening, were objectively selected and randomly divided into two groups, control [N=13] and experimental [N=10]. Initially, patients' height, weight, BMI, waist ratio, and WHR were measured in addition to serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, LDL-C, CRP, T4 and TSH. Then, the experimental group participated in aerobic exercise. The control group received no intervention other than follow up. After 12 weeks all variables were remeasured. For intra group comparison of data t-test was used and for group comparison, we used the independent t-test [P

Target antigens for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in Iranian patients with ulcerative colitis

Patients with ulcerative colitis [UC] carry autoantibodies such as perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies [p-ANCA]. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the target antigens for p-ANCA in Iranian patients with UC. p-ANCA target antigens including elastase, lactoferrin, cathepsin G, myeloproxidase, lysozyme, and bactericidal permeability increasing protein [BPI] were determined in 113 patients with UC using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. 59.2% of the patients were positive for at least one antigen and p-ANCA directed against lactoferrin, elastase, lysozyme, cathepsin G, Bactericidal permeability increasing protein, and myeloproxidase in 31.5%, 25.9%, 8.3%, 7.4%, 5.6%, and 0% of the patients, respectively. The highest prevalence of p-ANCA was observed against lactoferrin and elastase. Also, myeloproxidase was not an antigen for p-ANCA among our patients