Propolis and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Attenuates Nitrosative Stress in Lens Tissue in Radiation-induced Cataracts in Rats

ABSTRACT Objective: Eye morbidity is widely observed in patients receiving total body irradiation prior to bone marrow transplantation or radiotherapy for ocular or head and neck cancers. Cataract blindness is the major cause of preventable blindness worldwide, especially in the developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate whether propolis and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) prevent radiation-induced cataractogenesis. Methods: Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 (irradiation (IR) + propolis) received total cranium irradiation and propolis was given orally through an orogastric tube daily. Group 2 (IR+CAPE) received total cranium irradiation plus CAPE intraperitoneally every day. Group 3 (IR) received 5 Gy of gamma irradiation as a single dose to total cranium plus 1 ml saline daily. Group 4 received daily plain saline. Group 5 received daily plain dimethyl sulfoxide. Group 6 (normal control group) did not receive anything. Results: At the end of the 10-day time period, cataracts developed in 80% of the rats in group 3 (IR group). After irradiation, cataract rate drop to 30% and 40% in groups treated with propolis and CAPE, respectively. Nitric oxide synthase activity, nitric oxide (NO•) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) levels were significantly higher in group 3 compared to all other groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that propolis and CAPE have free radical scavenging activities in the irradiation-induced cataractogenesis, and reduced nitrosative stress markers. Prop-olis was found to be more effective in anticataractogenic effect than CAPE.

Calcitriol Reduces Albuminuria and Urinary Angiotensinogen Level in Renal Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Although nonhuman animal models have strongly suggested that vitamin D suppresses the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and albuminuria, human data are largely lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] level and albuminuria and urinary angiotensinogen (UAGT) level in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). We also planned to investigate the effect of calcitriol treatment on albuminuria and UAGT level in these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 124 nondiabetic RTRs participated in this study. UAGT level was positively correlated with the urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) in all patients (r = 0.855; P < .001). The mean UACR (P = .036) and UAGT/urinary creatinine (UCr) level (P = .02) were significantly higher in RTRs with low 25-(OH)D than in RTRs with normal 25-(OH)D level. RTRs with low 25-(OH)D level were randomized to receive either 0.25 µg/d calcitriol (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40). All of the parameters were assessed again 12 months later in both groups. The mean UACR (P = .014) and UAGT/UCr level (P = .012) were significantly lower in the calcitriol group than in the placebo group at the end of the study. CONCLUSIONS: Low 25-(OH)D status may be related to the elevation in albuminuria and UAGT, and calcitriol may have a beneficial effect on albuminuria through the inhibition of intrarenal RAS in RTRs.

Macrophage Infiltration into Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue is Associated with Local Levels of 11BHSD1.

The present study aimed to evaluate the infiltration of macrophages in form of crown-line structures (CLS) in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) of obese individuals, and to investigate the effect of these on both metabolic parameters and adipose tissue 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11BHSD1) enzyme levels. A total of 53 obese (10 men, 43 woman) enrolled in the study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumfrence, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) of all subjects were recorded. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). The concentration of SAT, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, 11BHSD1 were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The infiltration of macrophages in form of CLS in adipose tissue were determined using cell-specific stains against CD68. There was no significant difference between the CLS+group and the CLS- group in terms of age, gender, BMI, WC, waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), SBP and DBP levels. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HOMA-IR, insulin and SAT TNF-α levels were higher in the CLS+group compared to the CLS- group. FPG and SAT TNF-α levels were significantly higher in participants with high CLS density compared to participants with low density CLS. SAT 11BHSD1 levels was significant higher in the CLS+group compare to the CLS- group and in the high CLS density group compared to the low density group. In conclusion, the infiltration of macrophages in the form of CLS in SAT is associated with increased 11BHSD1 levels. It may be an important mechanism in the development of metabolic disorders.

Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Type II Deiodinase Gene Expression Reduced in Obese Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome.

The present study aimed to evaluate the role of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) type II deiodinase enzyme gene (DIO2) expression in developing metabolic syndrome (MetS). A total of 51 obese patients with MetS and without MetS and 13 healthy subjects enrolled in the study. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip circumference ratio (WHR), hip circumference, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) of all subjects were recorded. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin, high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) of all subjects were analyzed. Expression of the DIO2 gene in adipose tissue was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). BMI, WC and WHR were not significantly difference between obese with and without MetS. SBP, DBP, FPG and TG were significantly higher in obese with MetS group than obese without MetS group. While the free triiodothyronine (T3) level was in the normal range in all group, it was significantly lower in the obese with MetS than both obese without MetS and control group. DIO2 expression was significantly lower in the obese with MetS group compared to the control. In correlation analysis, DIO2 expression was negatively correlated with DBP, TG and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels and positively correlated with free T3. In conclusion, the reduction of SAT DIO2 expression is negatively correlated with DBP and TG levels that are associated with the MetS. This might have an effect on developing MetS. We believe that DIO2 gene may be an important molecular target for future studies in developing targeted treatment options for obese people with MetS.

The Radioprotective Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester and Thymoquinone on Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress in Liver Tissue of Rats Exposed to Total Head Irradiation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of addition of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and thymoquinone (TQ) on oxidative and nitrosative stress in the liver tissue of irradiated rats. METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups to test the radioprotective effectiveness of TQ and CAPE administered by intraperitoneal injection. Appropriate control groups were also studied. RESULTS: Liver antioxidant capacity, as measured by levels of total superoxide scavenger activity (TSSA), non-enzymatic superoxide scavenger activity (NSSA) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity except superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, were statistically lower in the irradiation (IR) group compared to all other groups. Total superoxide scavenger activity and NSSA were statistically higher in the IR plus TQ and IR plus CAPE groups compared to all other groups. In contrast, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly found to increase in the IR plus CAPE group compared to control groups. The xanthine oxidase (XO), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities, nitric oxide (NO●) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the IR group were statistically higher than in the other groups. Moreover, XO activity in the IR plus TQ group was statistically lower than all other groups including the IR plus CAPE group. In addition, NO● level was found to increase in all groups when compared to the normal control group. CONCLUSIONS: Thymoquinone and CAPE decrease oxidative and nitrosative stress markers and have antioxidant effects, which also increase antioxidant capacity in the liver tissue of irradiated rats.

Serum calprotectin: a new potential biomarker for thyroid papillary carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate serum calprotectin levels and oxidative stress status in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and the changes in their levels after total thyroidectomy. The study involved 30 patients with PTC and 30 healthy controls. Blood samples were obtained from the PTC patients before and 1 month after the operation. Preoperative and postoperative serum samples from PTC patients and healthy controls were analysed for calprotectin, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS) and lipid hydroperokside (LOOH). The preoperative calprotectin, TOS, OSI and LOOH levels of the patients with PTC were significantly higher compared to those of the control group (p < 0.001, for each). The levels of calprotectin decreased significantly in patients with PTC after the operation (p < 0.001), while TAS, TOS and OSI levels remained unchanged (p = 0.313, p = 0.085 and p = 0.163, respectively). Preoperative serum calprotectin levels were positively correlated with TOS, OSI and LOOH levels and negatively correlated with TAS levels in patients with PTC. In conclusion, serum calprotectin levels is increased in patients with PTC, and calprotectin is positively correlated with TOS and LOOH. Serum calprotectin levels is significantly decreased after total thyroidectomy.

Relationship between coronary in-stent restenosis and plasma urotensin II level.

AIM: In-stent restonosis is an important limitation for coronary stenting. The cause of in-stent restenosis is neointimal hyperplasia developed from smooth muscle and matrix. We aimed to investigate the association between urotensin II (U-II) and in-stent restenosis after coronary stenting, which causes endothelial and muscle proliferation and accumulation of collagen. METHODS: Total 153 patient was enrolled to the study who meet criteria for angiographic indication underwent coronary artery angiography. All patients have history undergone for coronary stent implantation 3 to 9 months ago. In-stent restenosis is identified as ≥50% narrowing inside the stent. In-stent restenosis was observed in 73 and remaining of 80 patients revealed no critical lesion in stent on angiographic evaluation. Plasma level measurement of U-II was performed in all subjects. RESULTS: Urotensin II levels were found to be significantly higher in Group I compared to Group II (1.44±0.74 ng/mL and 1.21±0.59 ng/mL, respectively, P=0.03). In a subgroup analysis, U-II levels were significantly higher in group I than group II in patients treated with bare metal stent (BMS) (1.50±0.76 ng/mL and 1.18±0.56 ng/mL, P=0.016); however, there was not significant change in patients treated with drug-eluted stent (1.26±0.64 ng/mL and 1.27±0.63 ng/mL, P=0.9). Multivariate statistical significance: negative correlation was found between in-stent restenosis and renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) blocker usage (P=0.040) and right coronary artery (RCA) lesion interventions (P=0.018). CONCLUSION: This study revealed high plasma U-II level might be accepted as a risk factors for in-stent restenosis with BMS. In-stent restenosis is less developed after RCA interventions and taking drug of RAS blockages. Our study findings need to be confirmed in further studies.

Radio-protective effects of Nigella sativa oil on oxidative stress in tongue tissue of rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa (N.S.) oil against radiation-induced oxidative stress in the rat tongue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group 1 [control group(C)] did not receive N.S. oil or irradiation. Group 2 [sham control group(CN)] did not receive N.S. oil or irradiation but received 1-ml saline orally, plus sham irradiation. Group 3 [irradiation group(R)] received irradiation, plus 1-ml saline orally. Group 4 [irradiation plus N.S. oil group(RN)] received irradiation plus 1 g kg(-1) per day of N.S. oil orally for 10 days. The animals were euthanized on day 10, and tongue tissues were collected for evaluating biochemical oxidative parameters. RESULTS: The oxidative stress index, total oxidant status and lipid hydroperoxides levels in the R group were statistically higher than those in the C, CN and RN groups. The paraoxonase levels in the R group were statistically lower than those in the C, CN and RN groups. No statistically significant differences were detected between any of the groups, in terms of total antioxidant status and the arylesterase, ceruloplasmin and total sulfhydryl group levels. CONCLUSION: Nigella sativa (N.S.) oil may be a beneficial agent in protecting against ionizing radiation-related tissue injury.

Effects of periodontal therapy on disease activity and systemic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: This observational prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment on clinical periodontal measurements and systemic inflammatory mediator levels in low or moderate to highly active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with chronic periodontitis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Rheumatoid arthritis activity was assessed with disease activity score test (DAS28). Thirty patients with RA with moderate to high disease activity (DAS28 ≥ 3.2) and chronic periodontitis (MHDA group) and thirty patients with RA with low disease activity (DAS28 < 3.2) and chronic periodontitis (LDA group) were enrolled in the study. The patients were monitored at the beginning and 3 months after undergoing periodontal therapy. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in serum, DAS28 and periodontal parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, TNF-α levels in serum, DAS28 and periodontal parameters exhibited similar and significant reduction 3 months after the non-surgical periodontal treatment. CONCLUSION: Non-surgical periodontal treatment may prove beneficial in reducing RA severity as measured by ESR, CRP, TNF-α levels in serum and DAS28 in low or moderate to highly active RA patients with chronic periodontitis.

Serum paraoxonase, arylesterase activity and oxidative status in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum paraoxonase (PON), arylesterase activities, lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), sulfhydryl (-SH), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and to determine whether these oxidant and antioxidant levels can be used as OSAS markers. The results were compared with measurements from healthy control subjects. METHODS AND METHODS: This study was a prospective, controlled trial including 26 OSAS patients and 35 healthy controls (61 subjects total). Peripheral venous blood samples were taken from the OSAS patients and from the healthy volunteers. The serum PON, arylesterase activities LOOH, -SH, Cp, TAS, TOS, and OSI levels were measured. RESULTS: LOOH and Cp levels were higher in the OSAS group than in the control group (p < 0.01). The -SH levels were lower in the OSAS group than in the control group (p < 0.01). The PON and arylesterase enzyme activity levels were lower in the OSAS group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in the OSAS group (p < 0.01), while their TAS levels were significantly lower (p < 0.01) compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with OSAS have increased systemic oxidative stress and reduced levels of circulating antioxidant enzymes. Oxidative stress appears to be an underlying condition associated with OSAS.

Serum cytokine levels and periodontal parameters in ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Multiple studies support the role of periodontal disease in contributing to the chronic systemic inflammatory burden in a variety of diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), in the progression which the inflammatory process plays an important role. We assume that patients with AS are more likely to have periodontal disease than healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between inflammatory periodontal diseases and AS by evaluating clinical periodontal parameters and serum cytokine levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight adults with AS (35 women and 13 men; age range 18-56 years; mean age 34.27 years) and 48 age- and sex-matched systemically healthy control subjects participated in the study. The clinical periodontal parameters, venous blood and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score were obtained, and serum C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were evaluated. RESULTS: There was statistically no significant difference in the frequency of periodontitis between AS patients and the control group. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in probing depth, clinical attachment level and plaque index, and the only significant clinical difference between groups was in levels of bleeding on probing (p < 0.001). Serum concentrations of IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α and C-reactive protein in the AS group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). In the AS group, there was a correlation between serum IL-6 levels and clinical attachment level (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of present study suggest that bleeding on probing was the only different periodontal parameter between the AS and the control group, and the periodontal status of patients with AS may be affected by IL-6 levels.

Increased serum nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels in patients with acute intestinal amebiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the level of oxygen-nitrogen stress parameters in the pathogenesis of amebiasis. METHODS: Twenty-four acute intestinal amebiasis patients and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in the present study. Serum malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were determined spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Serum malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels were significantly higher in acute intestinal amebiasis patients than healthy controls (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that oxidative and nitrosative stress may play a major role in tissue damage in acute intestinal amebiasis patients. Also these parameters can be used to supplement the conventional microscopic method for reliable diagnosis of intestinal amebiasis.

Evaluation of oxidative and nitrosative stress in hemodialysis patients.

AIM: Oxidative/nitrosative stress has long been demonstrated in hemodialysis patients. It is associated with numerous complications such as atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular disturbances. However, the factors influencing oxidative/nitrosative status have not been characterized extensively in these patients. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the alteration of oxidative/nitrosative stress parameters and total antioxidant status. METHODS: Forty-one hemodialysis patients and 41 healthy subjects were enrolled in the present study. Serum myeloperoxidase, nitrotyrosine and total antioxidant capacity were determined. RESULTS: Serum myeloperoxidase and nitrotyrosine were significantly higher in the haemodialysis patients compared to the healthy subjects (P<0.05) while total antioxidant capacity was lower (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, oxidative and nitrosative stress is increased in haemodialysis patients, therefore these alterations should be considered in the treatment of these patients.

Occupational lead exposure effect on liver functions and biochemical parameters.

The effect of occupational lead exposure on the liver function and on the blood biochemical parameters among the battery workers and the muffler repair workers was studied. The study included 22 battery and 38 muffler repair workers. Whole blood lead levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometers. Total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, total bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were determined in the serum by spectrophotometry. The blood lead levels of the battery workers, muffler repair workers, and the controls were found to be 36.83 +/- 8.13 microg/dL, 26.99 +/- 9.42 microg/dL, and 14.81 +/- 3.01 microg/dL, respectively. Blood lead levels of the workers were significantly higher than those of controls (p < 0.001). The lead level of the battery workers was also significantly higher than that of muffler repair workers (p < 0.001). Although, statisticly significant, higher blood lead levels are not related to toxicity for battery and muffler repair workers. Total protein, globulin, cholesterol, LDH, and ALP levels were within normal levels, however, they were slightly higher than the control levels. Increased LDH among the workers seems to be related rather to other causes than to the liver injury.

Serum leptin level in acute myeloid leukemia patients.

Leptin is a regulator of fat metabolism that is synthesized in adipocytes and released into circulation. The serum levels of leptin are, therefore, correlated with body fat mass and show a wide variation in healthy individuals. Leptin may have an additional indirect effect on leukemic hematopoesis. We investigated serum leptin levels with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in 14 acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) patients before and after chemotherapy and compared the results with that of the levels determined 14 healthy controls. We found no significant difference between leptin levels before and after chemotherapy and control group. Therefore, serum leptin level should not be used as a diagnostic marker in acute leukemia patients. However, the possibility of regional leptin production by leukemia blasts in bone marrow stroma creates a high local concentration of leptin within bone marrow microenvironment and systemic leptin level in combination with local leptin production may affect leukemic hematopoesis.

Serum prolidase activity in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

AIM: Prolidase is a specific imidodipeptidase involved in collagen degradation. The increase in the enzyme activity is believed to be correlated with increased intensity of collagen degradation and may be a useful tool in diagnosis and/or monitoring osteoporosis. The study aimed to evaluate serum prolidase activity in postmenopausal osteoporosis and its relation with several metabolic bone markers. METHODS: Sixty-one postmenopausal women with menopause times = or >1 year without any hormone replacement treatment were recruited in this study. Bone mineral density (BMD) was obtained from antero-posterior spine L2-L4 and femoral neck scanning with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Thirty-one subjects with T scores lower than -2.5 were accepted as osteoporotic and control group consisted of 30 subjects. Urinary deoxypyridinoline (Dpd), calcium, creatinine, serum total calcium, phosphorus (Pi), alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone levels and prolidase activity were analysed with colorimetric or immunochemical RESULTS: Serum prolidase activity was neither significantly different in osteoporosis nor correlate with other bone turnover markers. Urinary Dpd/creatinine and serum Pi levels of postmenopausal osteoporotic group were significantly higher than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Serum prolidase activity does not correlate with BMD in postmenopausal osteoporosis with menopause time over 1 year. However, its role during premenopausal accelerated decrease in BMD is not established yet.

A ruptured ovarian endometrioma mimicking ovarian malignancy: case report.

A 24-year-old single woman was referred to our department due to intermittent abdominal pain. Because her serum CA 125 concentration was extremely elevated an ovarian malignancy was suspected. At the laparoscopic examination, it was determined to be a ruptured endometrioma and serum CA 125 concentrations rapidly decreased after surgery.

The effect of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis on serum CA-125 levels.

Malignant and non-malignant serosal fluids were found to be associated with high serum levels of CA-125, suggesting that the presence of fluid in the serosal cavities may stimulate its release. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum CA-125 levels and peritoneal irritation during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). We performed a clinical study in 24 stable patients (15 amenstrual females and 9 males), aged 46 +/- 14 years on CAPD. The control group consisted of 32 healthy volunteers (20 females, 12 males) aged 44 +/- 12 years. CA-125 levels were determined prior to the CAPD dwell (without dialysate in abdomen) and during the CAPD dwell (dialysate in abdomen 4 hours after). As a result, serum CA-125 levels were found to be 14.86 +/- 5.98 U/ml and 15.23 +/- 6.05 U/ml respectively, whereas it was 8.32 +/- 5.54 U/ml in the control group. Serum CA-125 levels were found to be significantly elevated in CAPD patients when compared with healthy volunteers. However, serum CA-125 levels detected prior to and after CAPD did not differ between the groups. Interestingly, all of the patients in our study group were detected to have normal serum CA-125 levels (< 35 U/ml). We concluded that CAPD-induced abdominal artificial ascites did not affect serum levels of CA-125. Moreover, short and non-inflammatory mechanical pressures in the CAPD procedure do not have any effect on serum CA-125 levels.

Acute effect of haemodialysis on serum markers of myocardial damage.

Cardiac markers are more likely to be elevated in dialysis patients than in patients with renal failure not on dialysis. In this study, 31 patients (20 males, 11 females) undergoing chronic haemodialysis were enrolled. The effect of haemodialysis on cardiac troponin T (cTnT), I (cTnI), creatine kinase MB (CKMB) mass, CKMB activity and myoglobin assays was assessed by comparing pre- and post-haemodialysis determinations. After correcting for haemoconcentration, significant differences were observed (mean +/- SEM, pre- vs post-dialysis) for myoglobin (178.9 +/- 19.3 vs 225.0 +/- 28.4 ng/ml; p=0.006) for cTnT (0.111 +/- 0.028 vs 0.148 +/- 0.037 ng/ml; p=0.004), for CKMB mass (2.75 +/- 0.37 vs 2.59 +/- 0.37 ng/ml; p=0.000) and CKMB activity (14.8 +/- 0.9 vs 13.1 +/- 0.9 U/l; p=0.000) assays. Our study questions the reliability of cardiac markers in dialysis patients and suggests that the clinical threshold value and diagnostic efficiency of each assay needs to be validated. Although these differences exceeded clinical threshold values in only a few patients, serum markers of myocardial damage in dialysis patients should be interpreted with caution.

Serum IL-1beta, sIL-2R, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha in schizophrenic patients, relation with symptomatology and responsiveness to risperidone treatment.

Activation of the inflammatory response system and varied levels of cytokines in acute schizophrenia have been suggested by recent studies. Psychopharmacologic agents can differentially effect cytokine production, which suggests that therapeutic function of neuroleptics may involve immunomodulation. The present study was carried out to examine: (i) serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1beta, soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R), IL-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in schizophrenic patients; (ii) their relation with psychopathological assessment; and (iii) the relation of the initial cytokine levels with responsiveness to risperidone therapy. Thirty-four drug-free schizophrenic patients with acute exacerbation and 23 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited for this study. Psychopathological assessments at admission and throughout risperidone treatment for 60 days were recorded. Serum cytokine concentrations were determined with chemilumunescence assays. According to our results, serum IL-1beta, sIL-2R, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha concentrations adjusted for age, gender, body mass index and smoking were no different in patients with schizophrenia and controls and among subtypes of schizophrenia. However, the initial TNF-alpha concentrations had a significant effect on Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Scale Assessment of Positive Symptoms scores. The initial cytokine concentrations of the patients responsive to risperidone were not significantly different from those of non-responsive patients. The present study demonstrates that plasma levels of IL-1beta, sIL-2R, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha adjusted for confounding factors are not altered in drug-free schizophrenic patients at acute exacerbation. We suggest that, if cytokine production is altered in schizophrenia, these alterations may not be detectable in systemic circulation. According to our results, the therapeutic effect of risperidone is not related to basal levels of the aforementioned cytokines. However, serum TNF-alpha may contribute to symptomatology in schizophrenia