Natural Killer Cells Expanded and Preactivated Exhibit Enhanced Antitumor Activity against Different Tumor Cells in Vitro.

One of the emerging treatment strategies for cancer particularly for haematological malignancies is natural killer (NK) cell therapy. However, the availability of a best approach to maximize NK cell anticancer potential is still awaited. It is well established that cytokine-induced memory-like NK cells have the potential to differentiate after a short period of preactivation with interleukins-IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18 and exhibit increased responses to cytokine or activating receptor restimulation for weeks to months after preactivation. We demonstrated that NK cells differentiated from CD34+ cells isolated from cord blood show increased antitumor potential in vitro against different cancer cells. Using flow cytometry, we found that NK cells were able to induce apoptosis in cancer cells in vitro. We further analysed surviving gene expression by quantitative real time PCR and reported that NK cells cause down regulation of survivin gene expression in tumor cells. Therefore, NK cell therapy represents a promising immunotherapy for cancers like AML and other haematological malignancies. It concluded that NK cells can be differentiated from CD34+ cells isolated from cord blood ,are able to induce apoptosis and induce increased antitumor potential in vitro against different cancer cells besides cause downregulation of survivin gene expression in tumor cells. Therefore, NK cell therapy represents a promising immunotherapy for different cancer types and haematological malignancies. Furthers studies are necessary to confirm our findings.
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OLR1 Gene Polymorphism and Oxidized LDL Levels in Metabolic Syndrome in Indian Population.

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with abnormal lipid profile and high cardiovascular risk. There is an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in India. Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor 1(OLR1), a cell surface endocytosis receptor recognize, internalize and degrade oxidized LDL (oxLDL) in vascular endothelium and plays a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim was to explore the association of OLR1 gene polymorphism and measure the serum levels of ox-LDL in patients with MetS in Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty cases fulfilling the IDF diagnostic criteria for MetS and 40 healthy controls having similar age and sex ratio were genotyped for OLR1 gene (SNP: IVS4-73C>T , rs3736234) by RFLP-PCR. Serum ox-LDL was estimated by ELISA.Their BP, BMI and waist circumference were measured. Fasting Plasma glucose, Serum Triglyceride and HDL-C were measured. RESULTS: Serum oxLDL was significantly higher in MetS cases as compared to controls (p < 0.0001). Odds ratio of T allele of above OLR1 SNP among subjects with MetS was 14.79 (95%CI: 1.80-121.2, p < 0.05). But no association was found between the SNP and serum ox-LDL levels. People having TT allele had higher BMI compared to those having CC allele. CONCLUSION: Ox LDL, being more atherogenic might contribute in the pathogenesis of MetS. The intronic SNP: IVS4-73 C>T of OLR1 gene increases the risk of developing MetS by a yet unknown mechanism that is independent of rise in ox-LDL. This OLR1 SNP probably influences BMI.

Dyslipidemia and associated risk factors in a resettlement colony of Delhi.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in India, with dyslipidemia contributing significantly to the risk. There are few community-based studies that highlight the burden and risk factors associated with dyslipidemia in the Indian population. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with dyslipidemia among adults ages 18 years and older in a resettlement colony located in central Delhi. METHODS: A cross-sectional study that included a random sample of 200 adults was designed. A study tool based on the World Health Organization STEPwise approach to surveillance of noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors (STEPS) questionnaire was used. Fasting venous blood sample was collected to assess the lipid profile and anthropometric measures of the participants were recorded. Criteria based on the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults were used to define the cut offs for dyslipidemia. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 17. RESULTS: Of a total of 200 study subjects, 34% had increased total cholesterol levels (≥200 mg %), 38% had increased low-density lipoprotein levels (≥130 mg %), 40% had increased triglyceride levels (≥150 mg %), and 42% had low high-density lipoprotein levels (<40 mg %). Using the logistic regression model, we found age, hypertension, alcohol consumption, and abdominal obesity to be associated with increased odds of dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: A high proportion of individuals in the community have dyslipidemia, often associated with modifiable risk factors. The situation demands programs aimed at risk factor reduction. A focus on behavior change and health promotion targeting the younger age group is recommended.

Are hsCRP Levels and LDL/HDL Ratio Better and Early Markers to Unmask Onset of Dyslipidemia and Inflammation in Asymptomatic Subclinical Hypothyroidism?

The implications of subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) are many amongst which the most important is progression to overt hypothyroidism. Other debatable aspects are its association with cardiovascular risk, neuromuscular and psychiatric dysfunction, increased predisposition to developing metabolic syndrome and an underlying pro-inflammatory state. We aimed to study the lipid profile, lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and hsCRP levels and insulin resistance in a group of patients with SCH in a referral hospital and see if any significant differences exist between them and euthyroids. This is a case-control study where the selection of controls and cases was based on the thyroid profile. Subjects were selected on their visit to clinical biochemistry lab for thyroid function tests. 33 euthyroids were taken as controls (Group I) and 38 patients comprising of subclinical hypothyroids were grouped as cases (Group II). Serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was in the range of 0.5-5.0 mIU/L for euthyroids and for subclinical hypothyroids the concentration of TSH was more than 5 mIU/L. The concentration of tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were in normal reference range in both the groups. Individual lipid profile parameters failed to show a significant p value between cases and controls. The LDL/HDL ratio was highly significant (p value < 0.0001) and hsCRP was also statistically between the two groups (p value = 0.0054). Lp(a) and insulin resistance did not differ significantly. SCH is a common disorder that frequently progresses to overt hypothyroidism. This study underlines the importance of LDL/HDL ratio rather than measurement of individual lipid profile parameters in bringing to light the dyslipidemic state associated with SCH. Moreover the use of hsCRP to detect an underlying pro-inflammatory state in SCH can also be emphasized.