Serum Impedance in Children with Recurrent Respiratory Infections.

The role of disturbed immunoglobulin content during recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTI) might escape recognition in practical children's diagnostics. This study aims to investigate the potential changes in serum impedance caused by a constellation of decreases in the immunoglobulin IgA, IgG, and IgM content in RTI. The control group consisted of children suffering from RTI without any evident decreases in immunoglobulins. Serum bioelectrical properties were measured using impedance spectroscopy and immunoglobulins with an immunoturbidimetric analyzer. We found that the magnitude of serum impedance was significantly smaller in the sick children with immunoglobulin deficiency when compared with those of normal immunoglobulin profile, 134.1 ± 12.8 Ω vs 141.2 ± 16.9 Ω, respectively. We conclude that serum impedance, a parameter easily measured, has the potential to unravel the immunological underlining of RTI, particularly frequent and troubling infections in children. Screening for immunological disturbance is essential for the prompt implementation of a targeted treatment.

The Potential Role of Seminal Plasma in the Fertilization Outcomes.

For human infertility both male and female factors may be equally important. Searching for molecular biomarkers of male infertility, neglected for decades, and the attempts to explain regulatory mechanisms of fertilization become thus extremely important. Apart from examination of the structure and function of male gametes, also the possible importance of seminal plasma components should be considered. In this article we discuss data that indicate for the substantial significance of active seminal plasma components for conception and achievement of healthy pregnancy. Seminal plasma impact on the storage and cryopreservation of human and animal sperm and regulatory role of glycodelin on human sperm capacitation as well as hypothesized course of female immune response to allogenic sperm and conceptus has been discussed. The possible involvement of carbohydrates in molecular mechanism of fetoembryonic defense has been also mentioned.

Elastase, α1-proteinase inhibitor, and interleukin-8 in children and young adults with end-stage kidney disease undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis is one of the main modality of treatment in end-stage kidney diseases (ESKD) in children. In our previous work in chronic kidney disease patients, in pre-dialyzed period and on hemodialysis, the neutrophils were highly activated. The aim of this study was to assess an inflammatory condition and neutrophil activation in ESKD patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Thirteen CAPD patients without infection, both sexes, aged 2.5-24 years, and group of healthy subjects (C) were studied. For comparative purposes the conservatively treated (CT) group of ESKD patients was included. Neutrophil elastase in complex with α1-proteinase inhibitor (NE-α1PI; ELISA), α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1PI; radial immunodiffusion) and interleukin-8 (IL-8; ELISA) were measured in the blood samples from CAPD, CT, and C group and in the peritoneal dialysate fluid (PDF) samples of patients on CAPD. A significantly increased plasma NE-α1PI levels (median 176.5 µg/L, range 85.2-373.2 µg/L; p < 0.00005), serum IL-8 (median 18.6 pg/mL, range 15.73-35.28 pg/mL; p < 0.05), and slightly decreased serum α1PI (median 1,540 mg/L, range 1,270-1,955; p ≤ 0.05) compared to the control groups were found. There were no significant differences of analyzed parameters between CAPD and CT patients. The concentration ratio of NE-α1PI, α1PI and IL-8 in blood/PDF was 29.97, 8.24, and 4.48, respectively. There were significantly positive correlations between serum and PDF concentration of α1PI and IL-8 (r = 0.613, p < 0.05; r = 0.59; p < 0.005, respectively). The results of our study demonstrate that neutrophils are highly activated in non-infected CAPD patients. The pivotal marker of this activation is NE-α1PI. It may contribute to chronic inflammation and tissues injury.

Elastase, α1-proteinase inhibitor, and interleukin-8 in pre-dialyzed and hemodialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil elastase in complex with α(1) -proteinase inhibitor (NE-α(1) PI) and interleukin (IL)-8 may serve as indicators of neutrophil activation and inflammatory stage. The aim of the study was to evaluate NE-α(1) PI, α(1)-PI, and IL-8 levels in the blood of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD) or conservatively treated (CT). The influence of a single HD session on the investigated parameters was also assessed. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from two groups of hemodialyzed patients (children/young adults [group HD1, n = 8] and adults [group HD2, n = 13]), as well as 13 CT patients and a group of healthy subjects. The proteins were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or radial immunodiffusion. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in NE-α(1) PI, α(1)-PI, and IL-8 concentrations between the HD1 and HD2 patients. The levels of NE-α(1) PI were considerably higher than normal in both groups of HD patients (before and after the HD session) and in the CT patients. Higher titers of NE-α(1) PI (P < 0.05) and α(1)-PI (P < 0.01) were obtained in the adults during the course of HD. Increased NE-α(1) PI was positively correlated with α(1)-PI. The serum concentration of IL-8 was significantly higher in the HD2 patients before and after dialysis than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that in CKD patients, neutrophils are highly activated both in the pre-dialyzed period and on regular HD. Contact with the dialysis membrane during HD causes a significant increase in blood NE-α(1) PI and α(1)-PI in adults, but not in children/young adults. NE-α(1) PI seems to be a much better indicator of an inflammatory state in CKD patients than free α(1)-PI or IL-8.

Neutrophil elastase and interleukin-8 as inflammatory mediators in mechanically ventilated children.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil elastase is a proteolytic enzyme which can have a destructive effect on respiratory tract structures. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a proinflammatory cytokine, is an important chemoattractant for neutrophils. The aim of our study was to assess inflammatory states by determining elastase in complex with alpha1-proteinase inhibitor (E-alpha1PI) and IL-8 in children requiring mechanical ventilation. MATERIAL/METHODS: Plasma and respiratory tract lavage fluid (RTLF) levels of E-a1PI and IL-8 were measured (ELISA) in 31 children with (group I) and 22 without (group II) respiratory tract infection. Plasma results were compared with a group of healthy controls. Results are given as medians and ranges. Additionally, the percentage content of neutrophils in RTLF was determined. RESULTS: Significantly higher (p<0.00004) plasma levels of E-alpha1PI were found in group I than in group II. In group II, there were significantly higher (p<0.002) RTLF levels of E-alpha1PI and IL-8 than in group I. In both groups, the percentage content of neutrophils in RTLF exceeded 60%. A negative correlation was found between the plasma and RTLF levels of E-alpha1PI (r=-0.69; p<0.0004), between E-alpha1PI and percentage neutrophil content (r=-0.6; p<0.006), and between IL-8 and percentage neutrophil content (r=-0.5; p<0.04) in RTLF in group II. CONCLUSIONS: The determination of E-alpha1PI and IL-8 may be useful in the assessment of the inflammatory state in children requiring mechanical ventilation.