Influence of narrowband ultraviolet-B phototherapy on plasma concentration of matrix metalloproteinase-12 in psoriatic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) may play an important role in the pathogenesis and spread of psoriatic disease. AIM: To investigate plasma levels of the selected enzyme in plaque psoriasis patients before and after the course of narrowband UVB (NBUVB) therapy with respect to disease advancement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cohort included 49 patients suffering from plaque psoriasis, divided into groups according to severity of the disease. The control group consisted of 40 healthy volunteers. Plasma levels of MMP-12 were determined using immunoenzyme assay (ELISA), while the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) was used to define disease advancement. RESULTS: The results have shown a significantly decreased plasma level of MMP-12 in the total psoriasis patient group compared to healthy individuals, declining with the increase in disease advancement. The NBUVB therapy caused a decrease in the concentration of the analyzed enzyme, but this change was not statistically significant in the total group of psoriatic patients, while a significant change was detected in patients with a mild advancement of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: Decreased synthesis of MMP-12 may lead to the stimulation of the epidermal angiogenesis process, which results in the appearance and spread of psoriatic scales. Based on the obtained results, macrophage metalloelastase seems to be a negatively reacting plasma biomarker of the studied disease.

Influence of atorvastatin on blood pressure control in treated hypertensive, normolipemic patients - An open, pilot study.

AIMS: The aim of the study was to determine whether a high dose of atorvastatin lowers blood pressure (BP) in normolipemic patients with well controlled primary arterial hypertension and if this effect is associated with alteration of biomarkers of endothelial function and oxidative stress. In this open-label study, normolipemic patients (n=56) were randomized in the proportion of 2:1 to receive atorvastatin 80 mg daily for 3 months (statin-treated, ST n=39), or to previous therapy (statin-free, SF). BP was measured using a 24-h ambulatory BP measurement device. Plasma levels of 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) (prostacyclin metabolite), serum nitric oxide (NO) and levels of autoantibodies immunoglobulin G against oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were measured. MAJOR FINDINGS: The mean change in systolic BP and diastolic BP for ST was - 5.7 mmHg (95% CI -4.1 to -7.2 mmHg) and -3.9 mmHg (95% CI -2.7 to -5.0 mmHg), respectively. Hypotensive statin effect was independent of lipid lowering. No change of BP in SF patients was observed. In ST, prostacyclin metabolites and NO concentrations were not significantly increased and autoantibodies against ox-LDL concentrations did not change. In ST, the decrease in BP correlated with increase in NO and decrease in autoantibodies against ox-LDL. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSION: High-dose atorvastatin resulted in reduction of BP independently of lipid-lowering effect, changes in endothelial function and oxidative stress, but it was related to the increase in NO and decrease in autoantibodies against ox-LDL. However, because of the open design of the study, these results should be carefully debated.

[Evaluation of influence of selenium, copper, zinc and iron concentrations on thyroid gland size in school children with normal ioduria]. / Ocena zaleznosci miedzy stezeniem selenu, miedzi, cynku oraz zelaza w surowicy krwi a wielkoscia tarczycy u dzieci szkolnych z prawidlowym wydalaniem jodu w moczu.

UNLABELLED: Proper diet with regard to quantity and quality of meals is of vital importance for normal development and functioning of the organism. There are many proofs that environmental factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of goiter. Iodine deficit in diet is best known of all factors contributing to goiter. Deficit of other elements like, iron, selenium, copper and zinc is also essential. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of chosen environmental factors, i.e., iron and trace elements of selenium, zinc and copper--essential for the thyroid functioning on the development of goiter in school children aged 6-13 years with normal ioduria in the Polish population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 2002, the study was performed in 4 elementary schools chosen randomly in Bialystok and in the Children's Outpatient Clinic of Endocrinology of the Specialist Regional Hospital. The study included 400 children aged 7-13 years from schools and 120 patients at the same age treated with KJ and/or tyroxine for minimum 12 months due to goiter in the Out-patient Clinic of Endocrinology. Basing on the assessment of the thyroid size as well as the criteria of WHO from 1997 year for body surface and sex, children were divided into 2 subgroups: with goiter and the thyroid gland within the norm. Children aged 9-11 years were qualified and chosen from subgroups to further examinations. In both subgroups, blood samples were taken to determine concentrations of iron, selenium, copper and zinc. RESULTS: The mean concentration of selenium in the blood was statistically significantly lower in children with goiter in comparison with children with the thyroid gland within the norm (44.4 +/- 7.8 microg/L vs. 49.2 +/- 9.1 microg/L, p = 0.044) in the study population of school children and the Outpatient Clinic of Endocrinology. No differences of serum iron concentrations were observed in children with goiter and with the thyroid gland within the norm. However, nearly the half (45.5%) of patients with the lower serum concentration of iron (< 60 microg/dL) had goiter despite average 22-month therapy with KJ and/or tyroxine. CONCLUSION: Observed, in spite of proper iodine prophylaxis, 7% rate of goiter occurring in school children suggests other than iodine deficiency factors that influence goiter development. The study proved that the low concentration of iron and/or selenium deficit found in the serum of children with goiter in spite of their treatment with KJ and/or tyroxine may be additional factors influencing the effectiveness of this treatment.

The importance of interleukin 18, glutathione peroxidase, and selenium concentration changes in acute pancreatitis.

Cytokinemia and oxidative stress are important factors responsible for an inadequate immune response in the early course of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of the study was to evaluate the profiles of interleukin 18 (IL-18), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and selenium concentrations in serum with respect to AP severity and to study the relationships between these parameters and recognized prognostic indicators of AP severity. Prospective clinical analyses were performed on 61 patients with mild and severe forms of AP and for 15 healthy volunteers. In both forms of AP severity, the IL-18 concentration in the serum was significantly higher than in healthy controls. In the severe form of AP, the IL-18 concentration was the highest and exceeded significantly the values recorded on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 10th days of mild AP. A significantly lower GPx concentration in the serum was recorded in severe AP compared to the mild form and in the control group. There was a significantly lower selenium concentration in the severe form of AP. Significant correlations between GPx and selenium, between IL-18 and GPx, and between IL-18 and selenium were recorded. The ROC analysis shows a high prognostic accuracy of IL-18 and GPx concentrations in the determination of AP severity. IL-18 is released early in the course of AP and may be a key immunomodulator of the inflammatory response in the severe form of this disease. Low GPx and selenium concentrations in severe AP reflect the lower antioxidative ability in this form of AP. IL-18 and GPx may represent new indicators of AP severity.