Are the specific and nonspecific ANA staining patterns of Behçet's Disease patients important?

BACKGROUND: The autoinflammatory character of Behçet's Disease has led researchers to investigate the role of autoantibodies. However, no significant positive result has been reported for autoantibody tests for the disease. AIMS: To investigate the specific and nonspecific staining patterns of Behçet's Disease (BD) patients. METHODS: 140 patients (87 females, 53 males) with an average of 41.9±3 years who were being followed up for Behçet's Disease, and a control group consisting of a total of 736 (464 females, 272 males) healthy volunteers made up of blood donors without any disease whose average age was 50.2±4 years were included in the study. Peripheral venous blood was collected from the patients and the sera were separated. Patient sera were studied by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA) at a dilution of 1/40 and 1/100. RESULTS: A total of 140 (87 females, 53 males) Behçet's Disease patients and 736 (464 females, 272 males) healthy controls were examined. The rate of ANA positivity was 11.6% in the control group and 10.7% in the Behçet's Disease group. In general, no difference was detected between the patients and the healthy controls in terms of autoantibody positivity (p>0.05). However, when examined in terms of patterns, the low detection of DFS70 and the observation of centriole staining type patterns in Behçet's Disease patients was noteworthy (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Autoantibody tests, which hold an important place in classic autoimmune diseases, are not necessary for Behçet's patients, but they should be examined in terms of nonspecific patterns.

Are the specific and nonspecific ANA staining patterns of Behçet's Disease patients important? / ¿Son importantes los patrones de tinción ANA específicos y no específicos para los pacientes con enfermedad de Behçet?

Background: The autoinflammatory character of Behçet's Disease has led researchers to investigate the role of autoantibodies. However, no significant positive result has been reported for autoantibody tests for the disease. Aims: To investigate the specific and nonspecific staining patterns of Behçet's Disease (BD) patients. Methods: 140 patients (87 females, 53 males) with an average of 41.9±3 years who were being followed up for Behçet's Disease, and a control group consisting of a total of 736 (464 females, 272 males) healthy volunteers made up of blood donors without any disease whose average age was 50.2±4 years were included in the study. Peripheral venous blood was collected from the patients and the sera were separated. Patient sera were studied by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA) at a dilution of 1/40 and 1/100. Results: A total of 140 (87 females, 53 males) Behçet's Disease patients and 736 (464 females, 272 males) healthy controls were examined. The rate of ANA positivity was 11.6% in the control group and 10.7% in the Behçet's Disease group. In general, no difference was detected between the patients and the healthy controls in terms of autoantibody positivity (p>0.05). However, when examined in terms of patterns, the low detection of DFS70 and the observation of centriole staining type patterns in Behçet's Disease patients was noteworthy (p<0.05). Conclusion: Autoantibody tests, which hold an important place in classic autoimmune diseases, are not necessary for Behçet's patients, but they should be examined in terms of nonspecific patterns.(AU)

Antecedentes: El carácter autoinflamatorio de la enfermedad de Behçet (EB) ha llevado a los investigadores a estudiar el rol de los autoanticuerpos. Sin embargo, no se ha reportado un resultado positivo significativo para las pruebas de autoanticuerpos. Objetivo: Investigar los patrones de tinción específicos y no específicos de los pacientes con EB. Métodos: Se incluyó en el estudio a 140 pacientes (87 mujeres y 53 varones) con una edad media de 41,9±3 años con seguimiento por EB, y un grupo control que incluyó a un total de 736 voluntarios sanos (464 mujeres y 272 varones) integrados por donantes de sangre sin enfermedad alguna, con una edad media de 50,2±4 años. Se extrajo sangre de vena periférica a todos los pacientes, separándose el suero, que se estudió mediante el test de anticuerpos por inmunofluorescencia directa (IFA) a un factor de dilución de 1/40 y 1/100. Resultados: Se examinó a un total de 140 pacientes (87 mujeres y 53 varones) con EB y 736 controles sanos (464 mujeres y 272 varones). La tasa de positividad de ANA fue del 11,6% en el grupo control y del 10,7% en el grupo de EB. En general no se detectó diferencia entre los pacientes y los controles sanos en términos de positividad de autoanticuerpos (p>0,05). Sin embargo, al realizarse el examen en términos de patrones, fue destacable la baja detección de DFS70 y la observación de los patrones tipo tinción de centriolos en los pacientes con EB (p<0,05). Conclusión: Los test de autoanticuerpos, que ocupan una posición importante en las enfermedades autoinmunes clásicas, no son necesarios para los pacientes con EB, aunque deberían examinarse en términos de patrones no específicos.(AU)

Are the Specific and Nonspecific ANA Staining Patterns of Behçet's Disease Patients Important?

BACKGROUND: The autoinflammatory character of Behçet's Disease has led researchers to investigate the role of autoantibodies. However, no significant positive result has been reported for autoantibody tests for the disease. AIMS: To investigate the specific and nonspecific staining patterns of Behçet's Disease (BD) patients. METHODS: 140 patients (87 females, 53 males) with an average of 41.9±3 years who were being followed up for Behçet's Disease, and a control group consisting of a total of 736 (464 females, 272 males) healthy volunteers made up of blood donors without any disease whose average age was 50.2±4 years were included in the study. Peripheral venous blood was collected from the patients and the sera were separated. Patient sera were studied by indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFA) at a dilution of 1/40 and 1/100. RESULTS: A total of 140 (87 females, 53 males) Behçet's Disease patients and 736 (464 females, 272 males) healthy controls were examined. The rate of ANA positivity was 11.6% in the control group and 10.7% in the Behçet's Disease group. In general, no difference was detected between the patients and the healthy controls in terms of autoantibody positivity (p>0.05). However, when examined in terms of patterns, the low detection of DFS70 and the observation of centriole staining type patterns in Behçet's Disease patients was noteworthy (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Autoantibody tests, which hold an important place in classic autoimmune diseases, are not necessary for Behçet's patients, but they should be examined in terms of nonspecific patterns.

The impact of plasma SOCS3 levels and endometrial leukocytes on unexplained infertility

Background/aim: To investigate the possible differences in endometrial leukocyte subtype distribution between women with unexplained infertility and normal fertile women and to determine whether there is a correlation between endometrial leukocyte counts and plasma cytokine levels in unexplained infertility. Materials and methods: This case-control study involved 79 infertile and 40 fertile women. Peripheral venous blood samples and endometrial samples were obtained on day 21 of the menstrual cycle. Plasma interleukin-4 (IL4), IL6, IL10, IL17, IL35, interferongamma (IFN-g), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b), and suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS3) levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endometrial CD8, CD56, and CD163 counts were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: CD8 and CD56 counts were significantly higher, while CD163 count was significantly lower in infertile women than in fertile women. Plasma SOCS3, IL35, and IL4 levels of the infertile group were significantly lower than those of the fertile group (P < 0.01); the remaining cytokine levels were significantly higher in the infertile group than in the fertile group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: We observed aberrant cytotoxic immune activity in infertile women. The interaction between plasma SOCS3 levels and staining degree of endometrial leukocytes may be either the reason for or result of infertility leading to unavailability of the environment for implantation.

Atherosclerosis and the role of immune cells.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease arising from lipids, specifically low-density lipoproteins, and leukocytes. Following the activation of endothelium with the expression of adhesion molecules and monocytes, inflammatory cytokines from macrophages, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells, high levels of interferon (IFN)-α and ß are generated upon the activation of toll-like receptor-9, and T-cells, especially the ones with Th1 profile, produce pro-inflammatory mediators such as IFN-γ and upregulate macrophages to adhere to the endothelium and migrate into the intima. This review presents an exhaustive account for the role of immune cells in the atherosclerosis.

What is the impact of SOCS3, IL-35 and IL17 in immune pathogenesis of recurrent pregnancy loss?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the plasma levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), IL-17, IL-35 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) in the women with history of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and in the fertile controls. METHODS: This study was conducted with 60 idiopathic RPL cases and 40 age-matched fertile controls. Mid-follicular plasma levels of IL-17, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, IL-6, IL-4, IL-10, SOCS3 and IL-35 were assayed by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The mean age of RPL and control cases were 31.6 ± 0.6 and 32.1 ± 0.7 years, respectively. While plasma IL-35 and SOCS3 levels of RPL group were significantly lower than that of the control group; IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17 and TGF-beta levels of RPL group were significantly higher than that of the control group. The comparison of cytokine ratios between RPL and control groups indicated significantly high TNF-alpha/IL-10, TNF-alpha/IL-4, IFN-gamma/IL-10, IFN-gamma/IL-6 and IFN-gamma/IL-4 ratios in the RPL group. IL-35/IL-17 ratio was significantly low in the RPL group compared to that in the control group. Overstimulation of TNF-alpha presented moderate influence on recurrent miscarriage risk. CONCLUSION: Decreased SOCS3 and IL-35 plasma levels and increased Th1/Th2 cytokine ratios in RPL cases pointed out the supression of anti-inflammatory process and this supression might play an important role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic RPL.

Plasma IL-17, IL-35, interferon-γ, SOCS3 and TGF-ß levels in pregnant women with preeclampsia, and their relation with severity of disease.

UNLABELLED: Abstract Objective: To research the hypothesis of preeclampsia (PE) is associated with increased systemic inflammatory responses of Th1-type as well as decreased Th2-type responses; we evaluated the maternal plasma levels of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IL-35 and SOCS3 in preeclamptic and healthy pregnants. METHODS: This study was conducted with 40 preeclamptic (study group) and 40 normotensive pregnant (control) women in third trimester when they were admitted to the labor and delivery unit. The extracted maternal plasma samples were assayed by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 16.0 version. RESULTS: While IFN-gamma and TGF-beta levels of preeclamptic women were significantly higher (p < 0.01), IL-35 and IL-17 levels of preeclamptic women were significantly lower (p < 0.01) than those of controls. The ratios of IFN-gamma/IL-10, IFN-gamma/IL-6, IFN-gamma/IL-4 were significantly high and ratio of IL-35/IL-17 was significantly low in the PE group compared to those in the control group. Maternal plasma SOCS3 levels showed negative correlation with blood pressure and proteinuria severity, but none of the cytokines showed influence on blood pressure and proteinuria after adjusting for maternal and gestational age. CONCLUSIONS: Increased IFN-gamma/TGF-beta production and reduced IL-35/IL-17/SOCS3 production in preeclamptic women may lead to less cytokine inhibitory activity in PE, which may account for the increased proteinuria and blood pressure in PE.

What is the impact of Th1/Th2 ratio, SOCS3, IL17, and IL35 levels in unexplained infertility?

Implantation necessitates complex interactions among the developing embryo, decidualizing endometrium, and developing maternal immune tolerance and/or alterations in cellular and humoral immune responses. Overstimulation of T helper 1 (Th1) or Th2 cytokines in systemic and local environments, alterations of the prevalence of IL17 and regulatory T cell (Treg) cytokines have also been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of implantation failure. We aimed to investigate the plasma levels of IL4, IL6, IL10, TNFα, IFNγ, TGFß, IL17, IL35, and SOCS3 in infertile and fertile women. This case-control study was conducted with 80 women suffering from unexplained infertility and 40 fertile women. Peripheral venous blood samples were drawn on day 21 of the menstrual cycle. The extracted plasma samples were assayed by an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0. Our main findings were as follows: despite the significantly high IL17 and IL35 plasma levels of infertile women, IL35/IL17 ratio was significantly lower in the infertile group compared with that in the fertile group; SOCS3 plasma levels showed an inverse relation with plasma levels of all cytokines except IL35; increased plasma IL17 levels (>3.42 pg/mL) have a negative impact on fertility; TNFα/IL10, IFNγ/IL10, IFNγ/IL6, and IFNγ/IL4 ratios were significantly higher in infertile group compared with those in the fertile group. It is not possible to show the major immunological factor(s) of unexplained infertility, but our findings point out that the decreased suppressor activity of the immune system may play a role in implantation failure.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae seropositivity in patients with age-related macular degeneration.

BACKGROUND: To determine a possible relation between Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) or Chlamidia pneumoniae (CP) seropositivity and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: Sixty patients (20 wet AMD, 20 dry AMD and 20 non-AMD controls) were included in the study. Serum samples were collected for analysis of IgM and IgG antibody seropositivity for CP and MP by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Comparison of the distribution of seropositivity of these antibodies among patients with wet and dry AMD, and controls was performed. A prospective comparative clinical trial was applied. RESULTS: There was no major difference in the distribution of IgM and IgG seropositivity to CP and MP in patients with wet and dry AMD, and in controls (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found no significant association between MP as well as CP antibody titers and AMD. It seems that MP or CP infection is not a risk factor for AMD. KEYWORDS: Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Chlamydia pneumoniae; Age-related macular degeneration; Serology.

Th1 polarization of the immune response in uveitis in Behçet's disease.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that abnormalities in the balance of T-helper cells type 1/2 (Th1/Th2) may account for the pathophysiology of human autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to define the role of the Th1/Th2 balance in the pathogenesis of uveitis in Behçet's disease (BD). METHODS: From February 2003 to August 2005, we studied 31 patients with active BD. Of these patients, 21 (12 female, 9 male; mean age 35.5 [SD 10] years) presented with acute uveitis, and 10 (7 female, 3 male; mean age 34 [SD 11] years) presented with inflammatory arthritis but no prior uveitis attack. The control group consisted of 10 (7 female, 3 male; mean age 34.7 [SD 8] years) age-matched, healthy individuals. CD4+ CD26+ and CD4+ CD30+ cell surface expression of the peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes was evaluated by analytic flow cytometry in order to determine percentages of Th1 and Th2 lymphocyte subsets. RESULTS: The mean percentage of CD4+ CD26+ and CD4+ CD30+ cells was 26.27 (SD 6.18) % and 2.56 (SD 0.82) %, 17.42 (SD 5.90) % and 2.86 (SD 0.72) %, and 14.99 (SD 3.96) % and 3.11 (SD 1.25) % in BD with active uveitis, BD with inflammatory arthritis but no prior uveitis attack, and control groups, respectively. T-helper 1 (Th1) cell percentage was significantly higher in the BD with active uveitis group than the BD with arthritis and no prior uveitis attack group (p = 0.001). With respect to the percentage of CD30+ Th2 cells, there was no statistical difference between the 2 BD groups (p = 0.529) or among the 3 groups (p = 0.375). INTERPRETATION: Th1 lymphocyte dominance in peripheral circulating blood may play a role in the pathogenesis of BD uveitis.

[Biliary fasciolosis: a report of three cases diagnosed by ERCP]. / Biliyer Fasciolosis: ERCP ile Tani Konulan Uç Olgu Raporu.

Fasciola hepatica is an endemic parasite in Turkey. Chronic Fasciola hepatica infestation is known to cause biliary obstruction and inflammation. Also, biliary fasciolosis may be asymptomatic. We report three patients with biliary fasciolosis who were diagnosed and managed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). None of cases had eosinophilia. All cases were admitted to hospital with nonspecific symptoms. ERCP may be used for direct diagnosis and management of biliary fasciolosis.

Effect of bosentan on the production of proinflammatory cytokines in a rat model of emphysema.

Endothelin (ET) receptor antagonists have been developed to produce a reduction of ET related effects in various diseases, as well as in animal models of airway inflammation. We aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory potential of bosentan on a rat model of emphysema. Thirty Wistar male rats were classified as control group (group 1), intratracheally (i.t.) instilled with saline, treated with vehicle solution; elastase group (group 2), i.t. instilled with porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE), treated with vehicle solution; and PPE+bosentan group (group 3), i.t. instilled with PPE, treated with bosentan. The levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue, cell counts in BALF, and histologic analysis of all groups were evaluated. Neutrophile granulocytes (NG) and alveolar macrophages (AM) were increased more in group 2 than in group 1 (P<0.001, P=0.04, respectively). Compared with group 2, neutrophil granulocyte (NG) and alveolar macrophages (AM) counts were decreased in group 3 (P<0.001). Histological examination confirmed a diffuse neutrophilic inflammation and irregular alveolar air space enlargement in group 2. Treatment with bosentan partially reduced the enlarged lung volumes. Compared with group 1, the BALF levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6, and the lung tissue levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 were increased in group 2 (P=0.028, P=0.005, P=0.001, P=0.019, P<0.001, respectively). The TNF-alpha and IL-8 levels of BALF (P=0.007, P=0.001, respectively), and the TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and the IL-8 levels of lung tissue (P=0.031, P=0.017, P=0.007, P<0.001) were decreased in group 3 compared to group 2. In conclusion, bosentan decreased the inflammatory response by reducing numbers of inflammatory cells and proinflammatory cytokines.

Fasciola hepatica case with hemobilia.

Fasciola hepatica (FH) can lead to important hepatobiliary diseases. Here we present a case of hemobilia associated with biliary FH, which is quite a rare case. The 41-year-old patient, who underwent common bile duct exploration due to hemobilia, was found to have arterial bleeding associated with ulcer caused by a dead parasite in the common bile duct. Hemobilia is a very rare complication associated with FH. When searching for the cause of hemobilia, FH should be considered.

Atopic dermatitis and Valpha24+ natural killer T cells.

OBJECTIVE: Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with cutaneous hyperreactivity to environmental triggers and is often the first step in the atopic march that results in asthma and allergic rhinitis. Helper T cells and their cytokines, in addition to IgE and eosinophils, play a major role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Natural killer T (NKT) cells may play a role in atopic dermatitis status. METHODS: The authors examined the percentage of Valpha24+CD161+ NKT cells and CD3+CD16+ CD56+ NKT cells in peripheral blood from 23 patients with atopic dermatitis aged 8 to 35 years (mean, 21.77+/-2.88 years) and 30 healthy controls aged 18 to 32 years (mean, 24.32+/-2.44 years) by using flow cytometric analysis. The mean percentages of Valpha24+CD161+ NKT cell subtypes in the atopic dermatitis group and the healthy group were 0.29%+/-0.02% and 0.42%+/-0.05%, respectively (P<.001). RESULTS: Percentages of Valpha24+CD161+ NKT cell subtypes are significantly lower in patients with atopic dermatitis than healthy individuals. On the other hand, the CD3+CD16+CD56+ NKT cell subtype does not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of Valpha24+CD161+ NKT cells subtypes may be involved in the immunopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis.

The serum high-sensitive C reactive protein and homocysteine levels to evaluate the prognosis of acute ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke is one of the most common causes of death worldwide and is most often caused by thrombotic processes. We investigated the changes in hsCRP and homocysteine levels, two of these risk factors, during the acute period of ischemic stroke and evaluated the relationship between these levels and the short-term prognosis. HsCRP and homocysteine levels were measured at the 2nd, 5th, and 10th days in forty patients admitted within second of an ischemic stroke. The clinical status of the patients was simultaneously evaluated with the Scandinavian stroke scale. The results were compared with 40 healthy control subjects whose age and sex were matched with the patients. The mean hsCRP levels of the patients were 9.4 +/- 7.0 mg/L on the 2nd day, 11.0 +/- 7.4 mg/L on the 5th day, and 9.2 +/- 7.0 mg/L on the 10th day. The mean hsCRP level of the control subjects was 1.7 +/- 2.9 mg/L. The mean hsCRP levels of the patients on the 2nd, 5th, and 10th days were significantly higher than the control subjects (P < .001). The patients' mean homocysteine levels were 40.6 +/- 9.6 micromol/L on the 2nd day, 21.7 +/- 11.1 micromol/L on the 5th day, and 20.7 +/- 9.2 micromol/L on the 10th day. The mean homocysteine level of the control subjects was 11.2 +/- 1.1 micromol/L. The homocysteine levels of the patients were higher than the control subjects at all times (P < .01). In conclusion, patients with stroke have a higher circulating serum hsCRP and homocysteine levels. Short-term unfavorable prognosis seems to be associated with elevated serum hsCRP levels in patients with stroke. Although serum homocysteine was found to be higher, homocysteine seems not related to prognosis.

The effect of infliximab, cyclosporine A and recombinant IL-10 on vitreous cytokine levels in experimental autoimmune uveitis.

BACKGROUND: To identify the effect of infliximab, cyclosporine A and recombinant IL-10 in experimental autoimmune uveitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male rats were assigned to five groups of 12 each. All the groups (except the control group) were administered 30 microg retinal-S antigen intraperitoneally. On the 14th day, after confirmation of uveitis with histopathological study, daily cyclosporine A injection was given in cyclosporine A treatment group and physiological serum in the uveitis-induced placebo treatment and control groups. In the infliximab treatment group, infliximab was administered on the 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th and 21st days. In the recombinant IL-10 treatment group, three doses of recombinant IL-10 were given four hours and a half hours before and eight hours after retinal-S antigen administration. On the 21st day of the study, all rats were sacrificed and vitreous cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha) were studied with ELISA. RESULTS: In the treatment groups, cytokine levels (IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha) were significantly lower than the uveitis-induced placebo treatment group. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference with respect to TNF-alpha and IL-8 in the infliximab treatment group; IL-8 in the cyclosporine A treatment group; IL-6 and IL-8 in the recombinant IL-10 treatment group. The drugs used did not significantly differ in respect to their effects on vitreous IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha levels. CONCLUSION: Cyclosporine A, infliximab and recombinant IL-10 reduce the vitreous cytokines levels. Among these drugs, recombinant IL-10, which is still in its experimental phase, might be considered as a new therapeutic agent.

Lymphocyte subpopulations in pulmonary tuberculosis patients.

Protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis is based on cell-mediated immunity, most importantly involving CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell subsets. The aim of this study was to evaluate CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell profiles and CD19(+) and CD3(+)CD(16 + 56)(+) populations in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, B-lymphocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells were evaluated in 75 active (APTB) and 25 inactive (IPTB) pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 20 healthy subjects (HCs). The results were compared at different stages of antituberculosis treatment in the APTB patients and also according to X-ray findings in the newly diagnosed APTB patients. The percentages of CD4(+) T cells were significantly lower (P < .01) and those of CD3(+)CD(16+56)(+) cells were significantly higher (P < .01) in APTB patients than in HCs. CD8(+) T cells were significantly decreased (P < .05), and CD3(-)CD(16+56)(+) cells were significantly increased (P < .01), in IPTB patients compared to HCs. The percentages of CD4(+), CD8(+), CD3(-)CD19(+), and CD3(-)CD(16+56)(+) cells showed no differences at different times of the antituberculosis regimen, and different stages of newly diagnosed APTB patients. APTB patients have a reduced percentage of circulating CD4(+) T cells and an increased percentage of NK cells compared with healthy individuals. These cells could play important roles in the immune response to M tuberculosis infection.

Effect of chronic exercise on immunoglobin, complement and leukocyte types in volleyball players and athletes.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of various sports disciplines on basic elements of the acquired and natural defense systems and to compare their results with that of non-sporting controls. MATERIALS/METHODS: The study included 15 sedentary (Group 1), 15 volleyball players (Group 2) and 15 long distance running athletes (Group 3). The VO2 Max for the groups was determined by subjecting the individuals to a 20 meter Shuttle run test. Immunoglobin and complement levels were measured by the turbidometric method. Leukocyte counts were made through peripheral blood smear examination. RESULTS: The IgA levels in sedentary living individuals was found to be lower than that in volleyball and athlete groups while that in athletes was in turn lower than that in volleyball players (p<0.05). In volleyball players the IgG level was significantly higher than both the sedentary living individuals and the athletes (p<0.05). IgM however, showed a significantly higher level in the sedentary group than in both athletes and volleyball players. The C3 levels in athletes was significantly lower than that of volleyball players and sedentary individuals (p<0.05), while the C4 levels were higher in the volleyball group (p<0.05). The leukocyte, eosinophil, and monocyte counts in the athletes were also significantly lower than those in the volleyball and sedentary groups (p<0.05). The values for the sedentary group on the other hand however, was found to be lower than those of the volleyball players (p<0.05). The neutrophil counts was lower in the sedentary group than in the volleyball group (p<0.05). The levels in the athlete group was lower than that in the volleyball group, however (p<0.05). The lymphocyte counts in volleyball players was higher than that in the sedentary group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, changes in the immune parameters were found to be dependent on the type of physical exercise performed on regular basis. Considering the protective antibody response in those performing regular sports, moderate exercise carried out on regular basis can be said to affect positively mononuclear and polymorphonuclear phagocytic cells--the basic elements of the natural immune system.

Serum adipokine and ghrelin levels in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Adipokines and ghrelin play role in insulin resistance, the key pathophysiological abnormality in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases. In the present study, relationship between nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and serum adipokine and ghrelin levels was investigated. Thirty seven patients with biopsy-proven NASH and 25 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled. Ten of NASH patients (27%) had diabetes mellitus (n = 5) or impaired glucose tolerance (n = 5). Body mass index (BMI) was less than 30 kg/m(2) in 67.6% of patients, while in the remaining 32.4% it was more than 30 kg/m(2). Serum adiponectin, leptin, TNF-alpha, and ghrelin were determined. Serum leptin (15.49 +/- 4.84 vs 10.31 +/- 2.53) and TNF-alpha (12.1 +/- 2.7 vs 10.31 +/- 2.56) levels were significantly higher in the NASH group compared to in the control group (P < .001 for each). Nevertheless, adiponectin (11.1 +/- 2.1 vs 17.3 +/- 2.8) and ghrelin (6.46 +/- 1.1 vs 7.8 +/- 1.1) levels were lower in the NASH group than in the control group (P < .001 for each). Serum levels of the adipokines and ghrelin, however, were comparable in the subgroups of patients regardless of whether BMI was < 30 or > 30 or glucose tolerance was impaired or not (P > .05). Additionally, neither adipokines nor ghrelin was correlated with histopathological grade and stage (P > .05). In conclusion; there is a significant relationship between NASH and adipokines and ghrelin independent from BMI and status of the glucose metabolism. These cytokines that appear to have role in the pathogenesis of NASH, however, do not have any effect upon the severity of the histopathology.

Procalcitonin, c-reactive protein and neopterin levels in patients with coronary atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies demonstrate that the serum inflammatory markers increase in patients with atherosclerosis. We aimed to assess whether a difference exists between patients with acute coronary syndrome and patients with stable angina pectoris in respect to serum neopterin, procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52 patients (42 male, 10 female) who had atherosclerosis confirmed by angiography and were being followed up for an acute coronary syndrome were recruited and for control group, 45 patients with stable angina pectoris (SA) (35 male and 10 female) who underwent coronary angiography, were examined. Serum concentrations of neopterin, CRP and PCT in the study group (acute coronary syndrome) were compared to control group (stable angina pectoris). The mean neopterin level of the study group was 22.47 +/- 2.93 nmol/l, the mean CRP level was 30.40 +/- 8.05 mg/l and the mean PCT level was 0.40 +/- 0.04 ng/ml. In control group these levels were 12.26 +/- 0.61 nmol/l (p < 0.05), 5.26 +/- 0.64 mg/l (p < 0.001) and 0.19 +/- 0.02 ng/ml (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: In the presented study our results showed that these markers can be useful for the assessment of inflammation related to atherosclerosis.