Interleukin-7 and interleukin-15 as prognostic biomarkers in sepsis and septic shock: Correlation with inflammatory markers and mortality.

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection and a syndrome shaped by pathogen and host factors evolving over time. During sepsis, the absolute number of lymphocytes decreases. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, B cells, and NK cells are reduced. Lymphocytes are an essential element of the body's defence against pathogens. Interleukin 7 has strong anti-apoptotic properties and induces the proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. IL-15 prompts the generation of mature NK cells in the bone marrow, plays an important role in the generation, cytotoxicity, and survival of CD8+ T lymphocytes, and is essential for the survival of natural killer T (NKT) and intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). The study highlights the importance of monitoring IL-7 levels in patients with sepsis and septic shock, as low levels of this cytokine were associated with an increased risk of mortality. Physicians should consider using IL-7 levels as a biomarker to identify patients who are at higher risk of mortality and may require more aggressive treatment.

Measurement of Serum Levels of 5 Amino Acids and Dimethylamine Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry in Patients without Septic Associated Acute Kidney Injury and with Septic Associated Acute Kidney Injury Requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy.

BACKGROUND Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most common organ failures. An early diagnosis of AKI using specific biomarkers is essential for effective treatment. This study determined the serum concentrations of selected amino acids and amines using targeted liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in patients with AKI during sepsis and septic shock treated in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). MATERIAL AND METHODS A sample of 41 patients was divided into 2 groups: (1) patients with sepsis and septic shock along required continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) due to AKI (n=13), and (2) patients with sepsis and septic shock but without AKI (n=28). LC-MS/MS was used to measure a serum concentration of 6 amino acids and amines: arginine, ornithine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA), dimethylamine (DMA), and citrulline. RESULTS There was a statistically significantly higher median DMA level in AKI patients compared to those without AKI (8.1 vs 5.2 umol/L; P=0.022). The results for the remaining molecules showed no significant differences (P>0.05). Patients with DMA ≥14.95 umol/L (n=5; 100%) and treated with CRRT presented DMA level below the cut-off point (n=7; 20%). Subjects with creatinine levels ≥1.19 mg/dL (n=11; 28%) and treated with CRRT presented creatinine levels below the cut-off point (n=1; 3%). CONCLUSIONS In patients with sepsis, increased serum levels of DMA were significantly associated with AKI requiring CRRT. It remains unclear whether increased DMA concentrations are secondary to sepsis-induced AKI or are a cause.

Renin as a Marker of Tissue Perfusion, Septic Shock and Mortality in Septic Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by the dysregulation of the host's response to an infection, where the dominant mechanism is tissue hypoperfusion. Currently, the marker used to define tissue disorders is lactate levels, which may be elevated in other disease states as well. Renin is an essential hormone for the proper functioning of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RASS) system. It is secreted in the glomerular apparatus in response to hypoperfusion. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of renin as a marker of tissue hypoperfusion in patients with sepsis and septic shock. A final group of 48 patients treated for sepsis and septic shock in the intensive care unit was included. Blood samples for renin quantification were collected in the morning as a part of routine blood analysis on the first, third, and fifth days. Sepsis was diagnosed in 19 patients (39.6%), and septic shock was diagnosed in 29 patients (60.4%). There was no significant difference in renin concentration between patients who received and did not receive continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) on any study day. Therefore, all samples were analyzed together in subsequent analyses. There was a significant difference in renin concentration between sepsis survivors and non-survivors on the third (31.5 and 119.9 pg/mL, respectively) and fifth (18.2 and 106.7 pg/mL, respectively) days. As a survival marker, renin was characterized by 69% and 71% overall accuracy if determined on the third and fifth days, respectively. There was a significant difference in renin concentration between sepsis and septic shock patients on the first (45.8 and 103.4 pg/mL, respectively) and third (24.7 and 102.1 pg/mL, respectively) days. At an optimal cut-off of 87 pg/mL, renin had very good specificity and a positive likelihood ratio. Renin was a strong predictor of mortality in patients with sepsis and septic shock. Further, the level of renin in patients with septic shock was significantly higher than in patients with sepsis. In combination with the assessment of lactate concentration, renin seems to be the optimal parameter for monitoring tissue hypoperfusion and could be helpful for septic shock diagnosis, as well as for identifying candidate patients for CRRT.

Modulating Properties of Piroxicam, Meloxicam and Oxicam Analogues against Macrophage-Associated Chemokines in Colorectal Cancer.

The mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic effects of oxicams have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to assess the effect of classic and novel oxicams on the expression/secretion of macrophage-associated chemokines (RTqPCR/Luminex xMAP) in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, and on the expression of upstream the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated genes NAG1, NFKBIA, MYD88, and RELA, as well as at the chemokine profiling in colorectal tumors. Meloxicam downregulated CCL4 9.9-fold, but otherwise the classic oxicams had a negligible/non-significant effect. Novel analogues with a thiazine ring substituted with arylpiperazine and benzoyl moieties significantly modulated chemokine expression to varying degree, upregulated NAG1 and NFKBIA, and downregulated MYD88. They inhibited CCL3 and CCL4, and their effect on CCL2 and CXCL2 depended on the dose and exposure. The propylene linker between thiazine and piperazine nitrogens and one arylpiperazine fluorine substituent characterized the most effective analogue. Only CCL19 and CXCL2 were not upregulated in tumors, nor was CXCL2 in tumor-adjacent tissue compared to normal mucosa. Compared to adjacent tissue, CCL4 and CXCL2 were upregulated, while CCL2, CCL8, and CCL19 were downregulated in tumors. Tumor CCL2 and CCL7 increased along with advancing T and CCL3, and CCL4 along with the N stage. The introduction of arylpiperazine and benzoyl moieties into the oxicam scaffold yields effective modulators of chemokine expression, which act by upregulating NAG1 and interfering with NF-κB signaling.

Altered profiles of serum amino acids in patients with sepsis and septic shock - Preliminary findings.

BACKGROUND: The clinical and diagnostic significance of systemic amino acids in sepsis and septic shock is unclear. Hence, the purpose of our study was to assess amino acids relationship with sepsis-related clinical data and to analyze whether they might have prognostic and discriminative value in sepsis and septic shock. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective and observational study with 5-day follow-up. Circulating amino acids were measured in 20 patients with sepsis or septic shock diagnosis and 30 healthy volunteers by means of targeted metabolomics (LC-MS/MS). RESULTS: Non-survivors were distinguished by significant elevated concentration of hPro (1st and 2nd day) and by mHis (5th day). Septic shock was associated with significant increased concentration of hPro (1st and 5th day) and Gly-Pro, His, Sarc and Phe (2nd day), Gly-Pro (3rd day) and Gly-Pro and mHis (5th day). In non-survivors was observed the rising trend in concentration of His (P = 0.04; 2nd day) and declining trend in concentration of Asn (P = 0.004; 5th day) and Pro (P = 0.03; 3rd day). In septic shock was observed mainly the declining trend in concentration of Arg (P = 0.03; 5th day), APA (P = 0.04; 2nd day), Lys (P = 0.02; 5th day), Sarc (P = 0.04; 5th day), Ser (P = 0.02; 5th day), Val (P = 0.04; 5th day), Trp (P = 0.03; 5th day) and Gly-Pro (P = 0.03; 2nd day; P = 0.02; 3rd day). CONCLUSION: Sepsis and septic shock are associated with altered concentration of serum amino acids indicative particularly of the intensified breakdown of muscle and connective tissue proteins leading to the accumulation of their characteristic degradation products. Some amino acids hold potential as predictors of sepsis progression and outcome but, in the light of discrepancies between studies, should be assessed in more numerous cohort study.

Interleukin-18 serum levels in sepsis: Correlation with disease severity and inflammatory markers.

PURPOSE: Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection and a syndrome shaped by pathogen and host factors with characteristic that evolve over time. The study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic and discriminative value of IL-18 assessment in comparison to PCT, CRP, WBC in early stage of sepsis and septic shock. METHODS: An observational and prospective study was conducted in the group of 40 ICU patients with diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock, serum PCT, IL-18, CRP and WBC measurements were performed on admission, and on the 2nd, 3rd and 5th therapy day. The level of IL-18 was determined with commercially available test according to manufacturer's protocol. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in IL-18 levels in survivors vs non-survivors and in sepsis vs septic shock subgroups the IL-18 levels were statistically significant in the course of the study except for the 5th day. CONCLUSION: The PCT, CRP and WBC levels revealed no significant differences between any analyzed subgroups in all time points during study. According to our results the IL-18 is a biomarker better differentiating sepsis and septic shock status than PCT, CRP and WBC but with no prognostic impact.

Alterations in Serum Concentration of Soluble CD163 within Five Study Days from ICU Admission Are Associated with In-Hospital Mortality of Septic Patients-A Preliminary Study.

BACKGROUND: CD163, a cell membrane surface molecule specifically expressed by macrophages with an anti-inflammatory phenotype, participates in innate immunity. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical utility of sCD163 in septic patients in comparison to other parameters associated with infections, mainly PCT, CRP and IL-18. METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 40 septic patients on the ICU admission day, 3rd and 5th study days. The control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers from whom the specimen was collected once. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the concentrations of sCD163 and IL-18. CRP and PCT records, among others, were provided by the hospital. RESULTS: Septic shock was associated with the highest concentrations of sCD163 and IL-18. Admission values of sCD163 significantly contributed to mortality prediction in septic patients. CONCLUSIONS: The concentration of sCD163 determined on the ICU admission day may potentially be utilized in estimation of the odds of death among septic patients.

Does the Serum Concentration of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Have an Effect on the Severity of COVID-19? A Prospective Preliminary Observational Study among Healthcare Professionals.

SARS-CoV-2 is a virus that causes severe respiratory distress syndrome. The pathophysiology of COVID-19 is related to the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). SARS-CoV-2, a vector of COVID-19, uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2), which is highly expressed in human lung tissue, nasal cavity, and oral mucosa, to gain access into human cells. After entering the cell, SARS-CoV-2 inhibits ACE-2, thus favouring the ACE/Ang II/angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) axis, which plays a role in the development of acute lung injury (ALI). This study aimed to analyse the influence of angiotensin 1 receptor (AT1R) levels in the serum on the course of the severity of symptoms in healthcare professionals who had a SARS-CoV-2 infection. This prospective observational study was conducted on a group of 82 participants. The study group included physicians and nurses who had a COVID-19 infection confirmed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2. The control group consisted of healthy medical professionals who had not had a SARS-CoV-2 infection or who had no symptoms of COVID-19 and who tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 on the day of examination. We analysed the correlation between AT1R concentration and the severity of COVID-19, as well as with sex, age, blood group, and comorbidities. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean values of AT1R concentration in the recovered individuals and the non-COVID-19 subjects (3.29 vs. 3.76 ng/mL; p = 0.32). The ROC curve for the AT1R assay showed an optimal cut-off point of 1.33 (AUC = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.32-0.57; p = 0.37). There was also no correlation between AT1R concentration and the severity of symptoms associated with COVID-19. Blood type analysis showed statistically significantly lower levels of AT1R in COVID-19-recovered participants with blood group A than in those with blood group O. In conclusion, AT1R concentration does not affect the severity of symptoms associated with COVID-19 among healthcare professionals.

Serum and Erythrocyte Antioxidant Defense in Colorectal Cancer Patients during Early Postoperative Period: Potential Modifiers and Impact on Clinical Outcomes.

A better understanding of antioxidant status, its modifiers, and its effect on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery is needed for effective antioxidant-based interventions. The objectives of this cohort study were: to determine baseline serum (total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP); n = 72) and erythrocyte (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx); n = 47) antioxidant capacity and time-course during the 72 h postoperative period, to identify potential modifiers, and to establish impact on clinical outcomes. Older patients with comorbidities had lower baseline FRAP. TAC was inversely and SOD directly correlated with inflammatory markers. Cancer pathology affected GPx (lower in advanced and more aggressive cancers) and SOD (higher in advanced cancers). Surgical intervention induced a transient increase in FRAP and TAC with greater FRAP elevation in older, obese patients with several comorbidities. SOD activity significantly increased while GPx non-significantly decreased between 8 and 24 h post-incision. Poorer health status was associated with an increase in SOD and a decrease in GPx at 72 h. Clinical manifestation of postoperative ileus was preceded by decreased TAC at 24 h and an increase in SOD between 8 and 24 h and anastomotic leak was manifested by diminished SOD at 72 h compared to activities at 8 and 24 h. The time-frame between 8 and 24 h post-incision might be the most critical regarding oxidant/antioxidant balance and therefore the best suited for antioxidant-based intervention.

Effect of a 3% gelatin solution on urinary KIM-1 levels in patients after thyroidectomy: a preliminary randomized controlled trial.

Optimal fluid therapy significantly affects the maintenance of proper tissue perfusion and, consequently, kidney function. An adverse effect of colloids on kidney function is related to the incidence of postoperative kidney failure. The study aimed to assess the effect of a 3% gelatin solution on kidney function based on the urinary kidney injury molecule-1 (uKIM-1) level. This study used a parallel design and enrolled 64 adult patients with a mean age of 52.5 ± 13.1 years, all of whom underwent a thyroidectomy procedure under general anesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to three comparison groups, each receiving a different dose of 3% gelatin solution during the thyroidectomy procedure. The patients from study groups A (n = 21) and B (n = 21) received a 3% gelatin solution at a dose of 30 ml/kg and 15 ml/kg body weight, respectively, during the first hour of the procedure. The patients from the control group C (n = 22) received an isotonic multi-electrolyte solution. Serum creatinine levels were determined, and urine samples were collected to determine levels of uKIM-1 before, 2 h, and 24 h after surgery. The patients' demographic data, type and volume of fluid and hemodynamic status during the surgery were collected from relevant anesthesia protocols and were included in the study data. There were no statistically significant changes between groups in hemodynamic parameters such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation values. A statistically significant increase in uKIM-1 level was noted in patients receiving the 3% gelatin solution regardless of the dose. A statistically significant difference in uKIM-1 level was observed between groups A, B, and C measured 24 h after surgery, with the highest uKIM-1 level in group A. Measurement of uKIM-1 level could be an early and sensitive biomarker of kidney injury. Kidney toxicity of a 3% gelatin solution, evaluated based on the level of uKIM-1 in urine, correlates with transfused fluid volume. This study was retrospectively registered in the ISRCTN clinical trials registry (ISRCTN73266049, 08/04/2021: https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN73266049 ).

An analysis of urine and serum amino acids in critically ill patients upon admission by means of targeted LC-MS/MS: a preliminary study.

Sepsis, defined as a dysregulated host response to infection, causes the interruption of homeostasis resulting in metabolic changes. An examination of patient metabolites, such as amino acids, during the early stage of sepsis may facilitate diagnosing and assessing the severity of the sepsis. The aim of this study was to compare patterns of urine and serum amino acids relative to sepsis, septic shock and survival. Urine and serum samples were obtained from healthy volunteers (n = 15) once or patients (n = 15) within 24 h of a diagnosis of sepsis or septic shock. Concentrations of 25 amino acids were measured in urine and serum samples with liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry. On admission in the whole cohort, AAA, ABA, mHis, APA, Gly-Pro and tPro concentrations were significantly lower in the serum than in the urine and Arg, Gly, His, hPro, Leu, Ile, Lys, Orn, Phe, Sarc, Thr, Tyr, Asn and Gln were significantly higher in the serum than in the urine. The urine Gly-Pro concentration was significantly higher in septic shock than in sepsis. The serum Cit concentration was significantly lower in septic shock than in sepsis. The urine ABA, mHis and Gly-Pro, and serum Arg, hPro and Orn concentrations were over two-fold higher in the septic group compared to the control group. Urine and serum amino acids measured in septic patients on admission to the ICU may shed light on a patient's metabolic condition during sepsis or septic shock.

Altered L-Arginine Metabolic Pathways in Gastric Cancer: Potential Therapeutic Targets and Biomarkers.

There is a pressing need for molecular targets and biomarkers in gastric cancer (GC). We aimed at identifying aberrations in L-arginine metabolism with therapeutic and diagnostic potential. Systemic metabolites were quantified using mass spectrometry in 293 individuals and enzymes' gene expression was quantified in 29 paired tumor-normal samples using qPCR and referred to cancer pathology and molecular landscape. Patients with cancer or benign disorders had reduced systemic arginine, citrulline, and ornithine and elevated symmetric dimethylarginine and dimethylamine. Citrulline and ornithine depletion was accentuated in metastasizing cancers. Metabolite diagnostic panel had 91% accuracy in detecting cancer and 70% accuracy in differentiating cancer from benign disorders. Gastric tumors had upregulated NOS2 and downregulated ASL, PRMT2, ORNT1, and DDAH1 expression. NOS2 upregulation was less and ASL downregulation was more pronounced in metastatic cancers. Tumor ASL and PRMT2 expression was inversely related to local advancement. Enzyme up- or downregulation was greater or significant solely in cardia subtype. Metabolic reprogramming in GC includes aberrant L-arginine metabolism, reflecting GC subtype and pathology, and is manifested by altered interplay of its intermediates and enzymes. Exploiting L-arginine metabolic pathways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is warranted. Functional studies on ASL, PRMT2, and ORNT1 in GC are needed.

Salmonella Typhimurium enolase-like membrane protein is recognized by antibodies against human enolase and interacts with plasminogen.

BACKGROUND: Enolase is generally known as the glycolytic pathway enzyme present in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells and in some microorganisms. In human cells, it is also a component of cell surface membranes, where it functions as a human plasminogen receptor. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to purify Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium cytosolic enolase and obtain the antibodies against this protein; to identify enolase on the surface of bacteria; and to find cross-reactivity and plasminogen binding properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cytosolic enolase from S. Typhimurium was purified using a five-step preparation method. Anti-cytosolic enolase antibodies combined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) allowed us to detect enolase on the surface of intact S. Typhimurium cells. The binding of plasminogen to surface enolase and the cross-reactivity of this protein with antibodies against human enolases were tested with western blot. RESULTS: Antibodies against human α- and ß-enolases cross-reacted with S. Typhimurium membrane protein, the identity of which was further confirmed using a mass spectrometry analysis of enolase tryptic peptides. The enolase form bacterial membrane also bound plasminogen. CONCLUSIONS: The cross-reactivity of membrane enolase with antibodies against human enolases suggests that this bacterium shares epitopes with human proteins. Surface exposition of enolase and the demonstrated affinity for human plasminogen indicates that Salmonella membrane enolase could play a role in the interaction of S. Typhimurium with host cells.

L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide Pathway Is Altered in Colorectal Cancer and Can Be Modulated by Novel Derivatives from Oxicam Class of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.

L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway metabolites are altered in colorectal cancer (CRC). We evaluated underlying changes in pathway enzymes in 55 paired tumor/tumor-adjacent samples and 20 normal mucosa using quantitative-PCR and assessed the impact of classic and novel oxicam analogues on enzyme expression and intracellular metabolite concentration (LC-MS/MS) in Caco-2, HCT116, and HT-29 cells. Compared to normal mucosa, ARG1, PRMT1, and PRMT5 were overexpressed in both tumor and tumor-adjacent tissue and DDAH2 solely in tumor-adjacent tissue. Tumor-adjacent tissue had higher expression of ARG1, DDAH1, and DDAH2 and lower NOS2 than patients-matched tumors. The ARG1 expression in tumors increased along with tumor grade and reflected lymph node involvement. Novel oxicam analogues with arylpiperazine moiety at the thiazine ring were more effective in downregulating DDAHs and PRMTs and upregulating ARG2 than piroxicam and meloxicam. An analogue distinguished by propylene linker between thiazine's and piperazine's nitrogen atoms and containing two fluorine substituents was the strongest inhibitor of DDAHs and PRMTs expression, while an analogue containing propylene linker but no fluorine substituents was the strongest inhibitor of ARG2 expression. Metabolic reprogramming in CRC includes overexpression of DDAHs and PRMTs in addition to ARG1 and NOS2 and is not restricted to tumor tissue but can be modulated by novel oxicam analogues.

Sepsis diagnosis and monitoring - procalcitonin as standard, but what next?

Sepsis is a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a systemic altered host response to infection. According to the newest guidelines the sepsis treatment should be personalized and based on an approach specified by use of biomarkers to tailor therapy to each patient's needs. The main features of such biomarkers should be high specificity, sensitivity and ability to monitor the progress of sepsis. There is limited application of procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) for reaching this target, because of their secretion during non-infectious processes. The purpose of this review was to introduce four biomarkers, i.e. kallistatin, testican-1, presepsin and mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin, and compare their usefulness in diagnosing sepsis with PCT, CRP and IL-6.

Cardiovascular Insufficiency, Abdominal Sepsis, and Patients' Age Are Associated with Decreased Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) Activity in Critically Ill Patients with Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS).

Oxidative stress and uncontrolled inflammation are hallmarks of sepsis, leading to organ failure and death. As demonstrated in animal studies, oxidative stress can be alleviated by antioxidant therapies. Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a serum-based antioxidant, anti-inflammatory agent, detoxifier, and quorum-sensing factor found to be a prognostic marker in sepsis. However, its associations with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), a complication of sepsis and the leading cause of death in the surgical intensive care units (ICU), as well as with specific organ dysfunction, infection site, and invading pathogen remain unknown. Therefore, we measured arylesterase activity of PON1 in 87 individuals (35 with MODS) and related it to the clinical type, organ failure, infection site, pathogens, and hematological and biochemical indices of inflammation at admission to ICU and during a five-day follow-up. Suitability of PON1 and its indices derived from a follow-up as biomarkers in MODS was evaluated as well. MODS was associated with decreased PON1, more so in patients with septic shock, displaying an excellent accuracy as a marker of MODS (91%) and a fair one as a marker in differentiating septic shock from severe sepsis (76%). Decreased admission PON1 accompanied cardiovascular insufficiency (CVI), and, as its marker, PON1 displayed a good accuracy (82%). It was also associated with the abdomen as a site of infection but not with an invading pathogen. In multivariate analysis, 50% of variability in PON1 activity in patients with MODS was explained by the patients' age, CVI, and abdomen as a site of infection. Patients with septic shock, CVI, and abdominal MODS had distinctly different dynamics of PON1 during a follow-up. Mean PON1 activity during the follow-up reflected the associations observed for admission PON1 but was also significantly associated with metabolic dysfunction. Our results show PON1 potential as a biomarker in MODS, particularly as an indicator of CVI.

Experimental and bioinformatic approach to identifying antigenic epitopes in human α- and ß-enolases.

Human α- and ß-enolases are highly homologous enzymes, difficult to differentiate immunologically. In this work, we describe production, purification and properties of anti-α- and anti-ß-enolase polyclonal antibodies. To raise antibodies, rabbits were injected with enolase isoenzymes that were purified from human kidney (α-enolase) and skeletal muscle (ß-enolase). Selective anti-α- and anti-ß-enolase antibodies were obtained by affinity chromatography on either α- or ß-enolase-Sepharose columns. On Western blots, antibodies directed against human ß-enolase, did not react with human α-isoenzyme, but recognized pig and rat ß-enolase. To determine what makes these antibodies selective bioinformatic tools were used to predict conformational epitopes for both enolase isoenzymes. Three predicted epitopes were mapped to the same regions in both α- and ß-enolase. Peptides corresponding to predicted epitopes were synthesized and tested against purified antibodies. One of the pin-attached peptides representing α-enolase epitope (the C-terminal portion of the epitope 3 - S262PDDPSRYISPDQ273) reacted with anti-α-enolase, while the other also derived from the α-enolase sequence (epitope 2 - N193VIKEKYGKDATN205) was recognized by anti-ß-enolase antibodies. Interestingly, neither anti-α- nor anti-ß-antibody reacted with a peptide corresponding to the epitope 2 in ß-enolase (G194VIKAKYGKDATN206). Further analysis showed that substitution of E197 with A in α-enolase epitope 2 peptide lead to 70% loss of immunological activity, while replacement of A198 with E in peptide representing ß-enolase epitope 2, caused 67% increase in immunological activity. Our results suggest that E197 is essential for preserving immunologically active conformation in epitope 2 peptidic homolog, while it is not crucial for this epitope's antigenic activity in native ß-enolase.

Specific plasma amino acid disturbances associated with metabolic syndrome.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of the present study was to examine the association between branched chain and aromatic amino acid profiles (BCAA and AAA respectively) and the metabolic syndrome (MS), and to evaluate the clinical utility of these associations in the diagnostic process. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty three healthy men with MS [MS(+): n = 165] and without MS [MS(-): n = 98] were enrolled in the observational study. Anthropometrical, biochemical, and amino acid measurements were performed. The ability of the BCAA and AAA to discriminate subjects with MS and insulin resistance was tested. Based on logistic discrimination, a multivariate early MS diagnostic model was built, and its discrimination properties were evaluated. RESULTS: Two functionally independent amino acid clusters were identified. BCAA and phenylalanine differed significantly between MS(+) and MS(-) participants (P = 0.003). These factors were also found to be indicators of MS(+) individuals (AUC: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.5757-0.7469), and correlated with cardiometabolic factors. No statistically significant differences in amino acid concentrations between those with and without insulin resistance were noted, and none of the amino groups were indicators of insulin resistance. The proposed MS multivariate diagnostic model consisted of phenylalanine, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin, and had good discrimination properties [AUC 0.79; 95% CI: 0.7239-0.8646]. CONCLUSIONS: MS is associated with selective BCAA and AAA profile disturbances, which could be part of cardiometabolic disease pathogenesis and derive neither directly from insulin sensitivity impairment, nor obesity or muscle mass. The MS diagnostic model developed and described herein should be validated in future studies.

Procalcitonin kinetics - prognostic and diagnostic significance in septic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Severe sepsis and septic shock are advanced clinical conditions representing the patient's response to infection and having a variable but high mortality rate. Early evaluation of sepsis stage and choice of adequate treatment are key factors for survival. Some study results suggest the necessity of daily procalcitonin (PCT) monitoring because of its prognostic and discriminative value. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational and prospective study was conducted to evaluate the prognostic and discriminative value of PCT kinetics in comparison to PCT absolute value measurements. In a group of 50 intensive care unit patients with diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock, serum PCT measurements were performed on admission, and on the 2(nd), 3(rd) and 5(th) day of therapy. The level of PCT was determined with a commercially available test according to the manufacturer's protocol. RESULTS: The kinetics of PCT assessed by ΔPCT was statistically significant in the survivors vs. the non-survivors subgroup (ΔPCT3/1, p = 0.022; ΔPCT5/1, p = 0.021). ΔPCT has no statistical significance in the severe sepsis and septic shock subgroups for all analyzed days. Only the 5(th) day PCT level was significantly higher in the non-survivors vs. survivors group (p = 0.008). The 1(st) day PCT level in the severe sepsis vs. septic shock group has a discriminative impact (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, single serum PCT measurement, regardless of absolute value, has a discriminative impact but no prognostic significance, during the first 2 days of therapy. The PCT kinetics is of prognostic value from the 3(rd) day and is of earlier prognostic significance in comparison to changes in the patient's clinical condition evaluated by SOFA score kinetics.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9: its interplay with angiogenic factors in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 9 is one of the main metalloproteinases reported to be involved in extracellular matrix degradation and recently also in triggering of angiogenic switch in the course of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The goal of our studies was to estimate in one experimental setting the levels of MMP-9 in sera of Crohn's Disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and to evaluate its possible diagnostic potential in comparison with other biochemical markers and selected proinflammatory and angiogenic factors. The study group included 176 subjects (CD = 64, UC = 85, control = 27). Concentrations of serum MMP-9 were significantly higher in active than inactive forms of IBD, being higher in active UC than in active CD. Both in the case of CD and UC serum MMP-9 positively correlated with disease activity, IL-6 levels, platelet and leukocyte count, midkine, and PDGF-BB, as well as in UC with ESR and in CD with CRP, IL-1, and VEGF-A. Diagnostic accuracy of MMP-9 in distinguishing active UC from active CD was 66%, and displayed higher specificity than CRP (79.0% versus 61.6%, resp.). Evaluation of serum MMP-9 concentrations could aid in differentiation of active UC from active CD. MMP-9 correlated better with inflammatory and angiogenic parameters in CD than in UC.