Prevalence and Subtype Analysis of Blastocystis hominis Isolated from Patients in the Northeast of Iran.

Blastocystis hominis is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans and many other hosts. Pathogenicity of Blastocystis spp. remains controversial, and it has been suggested that it may be associated with specific subtypes of the organism. This study identified the B. hominis subtypes and their prevalence rates in the northeast of Iran. A total of 1878 samples were collected from the northeast of Iran from January to December 2017. The patients' demographic details were recorded. Samples were examined by a wet mount, and genomic DNA was extracted from positive samples. Also, PCR was done on the positive samples, and sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were subsequently performed. From 1878 collected stool samples, 152 (8.1%) Blastocystis samples were detected by the microscopic method. Of the 152 samples, Blastocystis spp. were found in 53.6% of the men and 28.9% of the women who showed clinical gastrointestinal symptoms, and a significant relationship was observed between gender and clinical symptoms (P = 0.002). A meaningful relationship was found between the season and infection with this parasite (P value = 0.003). The results of the sequencing of 22 PCR products showed the dominance of ST3, which was isolated from 10 (45.45%) patients, while ST1, ST2, and ST7 were found in 4 (18.19%), 7 (31.81%), and 1 (4.55%) patients, respectively. In this study, ST7 had a low prevalence in the northeast of Iran, and similar to previous studies, ST3 was the dominant subtype.

Oxidized LDL: As a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in renal transplantation. / LDL oxidada: Como um fator de risco para doença cardiovascular no transplante renal.

OBJECTIVES: The mortality rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients that have undergone renal replacement therapy is very high due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Some studies have indicated that cyclosporine A, a drug used to prevent transplant rejection, is associated with bone loss following transplantation. Furthermore, it has an oxidative effect on circulating lipids. Its prooxidant effect on cell membranes causes calcium release. This study aimed to examine whether or not renal transplantation result in improvement in oxidative stress and to assess the association between oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and some variables in the prediction of CVD risk in Renal Transplantation (RT) patients that were compared with the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total number of 30 CKD patients were recruited to evaluate time dependent changes in biomarker of OS before and after RT. The ox-LDL, lipid metabolism parameters, CsA, creatinine, calcium and phosphate were assessed both before RT, 10 days and 6 months after RT in comparison with the control group (n = 30). RESULTS: Over 6 months, ox-LDL concentration changed from 79.7 ± 9.7 to 72 ± 7 mU/mL (p < 0.009). calcium phosphate level was positively correlated with the concentration of ox-LDL (R = 0.467, p = 0.011) and cyclosporine (R = 0.419, p = 0.024) 6 months after transplantation. CONCLUSION: The findings indicated that restoring renal function by transplantation, improves uremia induced oxidative stress. calcium phosphate product, as an independent risk factor for CVD, correlates with ox-LDL before RT and 6 months after RT. Calcium phosphate product correlates with cyclosporine in the RT group, too.

LDL oxidada: Como um fator de risco para doença cardiovascular no transplante renal / Oxidized LDL: As a risk factor for cardiovascular disease in renal transplantation

RESUMO Objetivos: A taxa de mortalidade de pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC), que tenham sido submetidos à terapia de substituição renal, é muito elevada devido a doenças cardiovasculares (DCV). Alguns estudos indicaram que a ciclosporina A (CsA), um medicamento utilizado para prevenir a rejeição de transplante, está associada à perda óssea após o transplante. Além disso, ela tem um efeito oxidante sobre os lipídeos circulantes. Seu efeito pró-oxidante nas membranas celulares provoca a liberação de cálcio. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar se o transplante renal pode ou não resultar em melhora no estresse oxidativo (EO); e avaliar a associação entre a LDL oxidada (LDL-ox) e algumas variáveis na predição do risco de DCV em pacientes transplantados renais (TR), comparados com o grupo controle. Materiais e Métodos: Um total de 30 pacientes com DRC foram recrutados para avaliação das alterações dependentes do tempo no biomarcador de EO antes e após TR. Foram avaliados: LDL-ox, parâmetros do metabolismo dos lipídeos, a CsA, creatinina, cálcio e fosfato tanto antes do TR, 10 dias e 6 meses após o TR, em comparação com o grupo controle (n = 30). Resultados: após 6 meses, a concentração de LDL-ox mudou de 79,7 ± 9,7-72 ± 7 mU/ml (p < 0,009). O nível de fosfato de cálcio foi positivamente correlacionado com a concentração de LDL-ox (R = 0,467, p = 0,011) e ciclosporina (r = 0,419, p = 0,024) 6 meses após o transplante. Conclusão: Os resultados indicaram que a restauração da função renal pelo transplante, melhora o estresse oxidativo induzido pela uremia. O produto de fosfato de cálcio, como um fator de risco independente para DCV, correlaciona-se com o LDL-ox antes do TR e 6 meses após o TR. O produto de fosfato de cálcio também se correlaciona com a ciclosporina no grupo TR.

ABSTRACT Objectives: The mortality rate of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients that have undergone renal replacement therapy is very high due to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Some studies have indicated that cyclosporine A, a drug used to prevent transplant rejection, is associated with bone loss following transplantation. Furthermore, it has an oxidative effect on circulating lipids. Its prooxidant effect on cell membranes causes calcium release. This study aimed to examine whether or not renal transplantation result in improvement in oxidative stress and to assess the association between oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and some variables in the prediction of CVD risk in Renal Transplantation (RT) patients that were compared with the control group. Material and Methods: A total number of 30 CKD patients were recruited to evaluate time dependent changes in biomarker of OS before and after RT. The ox-LDL, lipid metabolism parameters, CsA, creatinine, calcium and phosphate were assessed both before RT, 10 days and 6 months after RT in comparison with the control group (n = 30). Results: Over 6 months, ox-LDL concentration changed from 79.7 ± 9.7 to 72 ± 7 mU/mL (p < 0.009). calcium phosphate level was positively correlated with the concentration of ox-LDL (R = 0.467, p = 0.011) and cyclosporine (R = 0.419, p = 0.024) 6 months after transplantation. Conclusion: The findings indicated that restoring renal function by transplantation, improves uremia induced oxidative stress. calcium phosphate product, as an independent risk factor for CVD, correlates with ox-LDL before RT and 6 months after RT. Calcium phosphate product correlates with cyclosporine in the RT group, too.

Evaluation of Serum Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein in Renal Transplant Recipients and Hemodialysis Patients and Relation With Involved Variables.

OBJECTIVES: Disturbances in metabolism of lipo-proteins and oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein contribute to cardiovascular disease and development of oxidative stress in patients under renal replacement therapy (hemodialysis and renal transplant). This study was designed to compare oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels and lipid profiles in renal transplant recipients and hemo-dialysis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the concentration of oxidized low-density lipoprotein in hemodialysis (n = 38) and renal transplant (n = 59) patients who had no active inflammatory disease, liver disease, or malignancy, and results were compared to a control group (n = 30). RESULTS: Renal transplant recipients had hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and increased oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels (P = .019) compared with the control group. Hemodialysis patients had moderate hypertriglyceridemia (not significant), hypercholesterolemia, decrease in high-density lipoprotein, and increase in oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels (P < .0001) compared with the control group. In the renal transplant group, oxidized low-density lipoprotein level had a negative correlation with the duration after transplant (r = -0.407; P = .026), positive association with cyclosporine level (r = 0.288; P = .04), and negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein level (r = -.30; P = .05); oxidized low-density lipo-protein/high-density lipoprotein ratio also had a positive correlation with cyclosporine level (r = 0.309; P = .027) and negative correlation with high-density lipoprotein level (r = -0.72; P < .001) in the renal transplant group and high-density lipoprotein in the hemodialysis group (r = -0.87; P < .001). Multiple stepwise regression analyses showed that oxidized low-density lipoprotein only was associated with cyclosporine level (R2 = 0.155; ß=0.393; P = .024). CONCLUSIONS: History of cardiovascular disease is the most important factor associated with end-stage renal disease, and high oxidized low-density lipoprotein level, oxidized low-density lipo-protein/high-density lipoprotein ratio, and high-density lipoprotein level may affect cardiovascular disease.