When wrinkles appear on the immune system can it be reversed?

During aging, physiological and physical frailty occur, which is accompanied by a decline in adaptive and innate immunity, termed 'immunosenescence' characterized by marked changes in the composition, function, and competence of the human immune system. Moreover, the capabilities of the immune system to defend the human body against infections, to detect and destruct malignant or autoreactive cells decline, resulting in an increase in the susceptibility to infection, development of cancer, as well as autoimmune disorders. The study of age-related changes in immune function is an important area of investigation. In this review, the function of the immune system during aging, as well as the different ways to rejuvenate the aging immune system, is explored, as medical intervention, balanced nutrition, and a healthy life style will be discussed.

IL-17, IL-10, IL-6, and IFN-γ in Egyptian Behçet's disease: correlation with clinical manifestations.

There are a limited number of studies that report the polarization of the immune system toward the production of T helper 1 (Th1), Th2, or Th17-type cytokines in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). Here, we aimed to detect the presence of various cytokines in serum samples of Egyptian BD patients and to determine the correlation between their production levels and clinical manifestations. To that aim, serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, IL-6, and IL-17 measured by ELISA were determined in BD patients with active or inactive disease to evaluate their clinical relevance. The results of the present study show significantly elevated levels of IL-17 and IL-6, as well as a reduction in IL-10, and no change in IFN-γ, in sera of BD patients, as compared to the healthy control group. Moreover, IL-6 serum levels were increased in BD patients in active stages of disease and correlated with arthritic manifestations. On the other hand, IL-10 serum levels were significantly decreased in patients with gastrointestinal tract complications. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between IL-10 serum levels and ocular manifestations in BD patients, in contrast to those of IL-17, showing no correlation with the different clinical manifestations. Taken together, the magnitude of IL-6 serum levels could be a potential marker for arthritic manifestations and disease activity, whereas those of IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-17 cannot be considered predictors for different clinical manifestations in patients with BD.

Increased level of B cell differentiation factor in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Most autoimmune disease are driven by a dysfunction in T and B cells, but B cells are still an interesting area of research, perturbations in their development are implicated in autoimmune diseases. B cell differentiating factor (BCDF) plays a part in the differentiation of B cells. The aim was To assess the levels of BCDF, IgM and IgG in SLE patients and whether they have any peculiarity in the clinical context of SLE. Thirty six patients with SLE and 24 healthy volunteers as control were enrolled in the study. BCDF was measured using Sandwich ELISA, total human IgM and IgG were measured by calorimetric methods. The mean concentrations of BCDF and IgM were significantly higher in patients with SLE as compared with controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.0001 respectively). No significant difference was observed as regard IgG. We observed positive correlation between BCDF and IgM (r = 0.281, P = 0.03), and between IgG and IgM, duration of the disease (r = 0.468, P = 0.004, r = 0.337, P = 0.008 respectively). Moreover we observed lower IgM level in patients with discoid lesion (P = 0.009) and lower IgG level in those with hematologic manifestations (P = 0.02). ROC analysis revealed area under curve (AUC) 0.861 for BCDF and 0.902 for IgM, they can delineate SLE from controls at a cut-off value of 98.5 pg/ml, and 18 mg/dl IgM respectively. CONCLUSION: BCDF and IgM are increased in SLE patients and are promissing diagnostic markers for SLE.

Effect of vitamin A deficiency on thymosin-ß4 and CD4 concentrations.

Vitamins are evaluated for their role in immunity. Recently, vitamin A received a particular attention as a critical micronutrient for regulating immune system. Therefore, the present study aimed to search for new about vitamin A. Forty-eight Egyptian adults aged from 18 to 42 years old from both sexes were subjected to clinical examination and nutrition questionnaire and were screened for vitamin A by using ELISA method. Forty subjects were selected and subdivided into two groups. Group 1 with vitamin A at level >200 µg/dl consists of 10 healthy subjects. Group 2 with vitamin A deficiency at level <50 µg/dl consists of 30 subjects. Tß4 and CD4 levels were also determined by a commercial ELISA kit. Results showed a significant decrease in serum levels of Tß4 and CD4 in group 2 than group 1 at P < .003 and P < .019 respectively. Both of Tß4 and CD4 had positive correlation with vitamin A level at P < .000 and P < .003 respectively as well as with each other at p < .000. We concluded that vitamin A deficiency may be influence the levels of Tß4 and CD4.

The Hidden Function of Vitamin D.

AIM: There are no reports regarding the influence of vitamin D on thymosin ß4 and the cluster of differentiation CD4 levels which are important for maintaining a healthy immune system. Consequently, we aimed to explore this relationship through a study. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 35 subjects, screened for 25-hydroxy vitamin D[25 (OH) D] using ELISA method and they were divided into two groups: Group 1 consists of 10 healthy subjects with sufficient vit. D level > 24.8 ng/ml. Group 2 consists of 25 subjects suffering, severely, from vitamin D deficiency at level < 11.325 ng/ml. Also, Thymosin ß4, CD4 and zinc levels were performed. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in the concentration levels of thymosin ß4, as the group 1 has shown higher levels (P = 0.005). Whereas, CD4 and zinc levels didn't show any significant difference between the two groups. At the same time, a significant positive correlation has been observed between vitamin D, thymosin ß4, and CD4 at (r = 0.719; P = 0.001), and (r = 0.559, P = 0.001) respectively. CONCLUSION: We concluded that vitamin D may be an essential factor that influence or determine the level of thymosin ß4. This study is the first that focused on demonstrating that sufficient level of vitamin D may have the ability to influence the thymic hormone thymosin ß4 levels. Further studies on large scale of subjects are needed to explore the positive correlation we had found between vitamin D and thymosin ß4 and CD4.

Comparison of Serum IgG Antibody Test with Gastric Biopsy for the Detection of Helicobacter Pylori Infection among Egyptian Children.

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is mainly acquired during childhood and may be a predisposing factor for peptic ulcer or gastric cancer later in life. Noninvasive diagnostic tools are particularly useful in children for screening tests and epidemiological studies. Data on serologic testing of children are lacking. Accurate noninvasive tests for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection in children are strongly required. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a serological test (serum IgG antibody for H. pylori) in Egyptian children with recurrent abdominal pain necessitating endoscopy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred children, referred to the endoscopy unit at Mansoura University. Upper endoscopy was done for each with rapid urease test (RUT) and histological examination as the gold standard test for detection of H. pylori infection. Serum samples were collected for detecting IgG for H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects included in the study was 7.23 ± 1.94 year. Serological test (IgG to H. pylori) was positive in 60% of all cases. A highly significant association between the standard test and the serological test at a cutoff > 10 U/ml at p = 0.001 were detected for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio for the IgG antibody a cutoff > 10 U/ml, were 96.5%, 93%, 13.83, 0.038 respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum IgG antibody to H. pylori infection has a high diagnostic value and can be considered as a suitable and reliable noninvasive test for detection of H. pylori infection.

Does positioning affect tracheal aspiration of gastric content in ventilated infants?

OBJECTIVES: Gastroesophageal reflux and aspiration can occur in premature infants who are supported with mechanical ventilation. The relation between physical positioning and gastric aspiration in ventilated infants has not been studied. Pepsin measured in tracheal aspirate (TA) emerged as a specific marker for aspiration. The objective of our study was to assess pepsin in TA of ventilated infants at 2 different positions: supine and right lateral. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial on premature infants who were enterally fed and supported with mechanical ventilation. Patients were randomized into intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, infants were placed supine for 6 hours before a sample of TA was obtained. A second sample was collected 6 hours later while lying in the right lateral position. In the control group, the 2 samples of TA were obtained while infants remained in the supine position during the entire study time. Pepsin in TA was measured while blinded to the group assignment. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were enrolled and randomized to intervention (n = 17) and control (n = 17) groups. Gestational age was 32.7 ± 2.7 weeks, and birth weight was 1617 ± 526 g; both groups had similar demographic and clinical characteristics. Pepsin concentration did not differ between groups at baseline. In the intervention group, pepsin concentration significantly declined from 13 ng/mL (interquartile range [IQR] 11.9-38.7) to 10 ng/mL (IQR 7-12; P < 0.001), whereas it did not change in the control group (P = 0.42). CONCLUSIONS: The right lateral positioning is associated with decreased TA pepsin. The implications of the present study on hospital practice and clinical outcomes need further investigations.

Proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory cytokines and adiponkines in students with central obesity.

Several studies have investigated the correlation between central obesity and inflammatory cytokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine adiponectin. But, the correlation between central obesity and the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-5 has not been studied yet. Thus, we aimed to study the IL-4 and IL-5 correlation to central obesity in adolescent Egyptian girls among proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The study was carried out on 86 obese adolescent girls (BMI>95 percentile) divided into two groups according to central obesity. The group I with waist to hip ratio <0.8 as a control and group II with waist to hip ratio >0.8 (central obesity). There was a significant increase in TNF-alpha (p<0.0001), and IL-1ß (p<0.0001), as proinflammatory cytokines in group II, as compared to their corresponding group I. Group II showed a significant increase in the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 than group I at (p<0.0001) and (p<0.0005) respectively. In addition there was a significant decrease in the anti-inflammatory adiponectin and an increase in the inflammatory leptin levels in group II at (p<0.0001) and (p<0.0001) respectively in comparison to group I. A high positive correlation has been observed between waist to hip ratio, leptin, TNF-α, IL-1-ß, IL-4 and IL-5 at (r=0.331, p<0.03), (r=0.559, p<0.001), (r=0.435, p<0.004), (r=0.509, p<0.001), (r=0.550, p<0.0015), in group II respectively and a high negative one with adiponectin at (r=-0.410, p<0.0001). We concluded that central obesity lowers adiponectin plasma level through increasing proinflammatory adipokines such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, leptin. Further studies are needed to explore the positive correlation we found between central obesity and the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 known to be associated with bronchial asthma.