Jasminko Huskić

Increased serum C-reactive protein concentration is associated with body mass index but not with glycated haemoglobin in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with body mass index within normal range

This study investigated whether serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration is increased in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus with a normal body mass index (BMI) and whether BMI, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and CRP are correlated in patients with type 1 diabetes. High-sensitivity CRP was determined by immunonephelometry and HbA1c by an immunoturbidimetric method in 30 patients with type 1 diabetes and 30 healthy individuals matched for age, sex and BMI. Median serum CRP concentration in patients with type 1 diabetes (1.34 mg/L) was significantly higher than healthy individuals (0.2 mg/L; p<0.0001). Positive correlation between CRP and BMI was observed (rho=0.598; p<0.0001), but no significant correlation was observed between CRP and HbA1c (rho=0.285; p=NS) in patients with type 1 diabetes. Increased CRP levels in type 1 diabetes patients do not appear to be associated with glycaemic control, and may reflect low-grade inflammation associated with atherosclerosis, as well as activation of innate immune activity. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2011;11:249-252

Effect of Antiviral Therapy on Serum Activity of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Introduction: Renin-angiotenzin system (RAS) is frequently activated in patients with chronic liver disease. Angiotenzin - II (AT-II), produced by angiotenzin converting enzyme (ACE), has many physiological effects, including an important role in liver fibrogenesis. Combined antiviral therapy with PEG-IFN and ribavirin besides its antiviral effect also leads to a reduction in liver parenchyma fibrosis. Aim of the study: Determining the value of ACE in serum of patients with chronic hepatitis C before and after combined antiviral therapy, as well as the value of ACE activities in sera of the control group. Materials and methods: We studied 50 patients treated at Gastroenterohepatology Department, in the time-period of four years. Value of ACE in serum was determined by Olympus AU 400 device, with application of kit “Infinity TN ACE Liquid Stable Reagent”. HCV RNA levels in sera were measured by real time PCR. HCV RNA test was performed with modular analysis of AMPLICOR and COBAS AMPLICOR HCV MONITOR test v2.0, which has proved infection and was used for quantification of the viruses and monitoring of the patients’ response to therapy. Liver histology was evaluated in accordance with the level of necroinflammation activity and stage of fibrosis. Results: Serum activities of ACE in chronic hepatitis C patients is statistically higher than the values in the control group (p=0.02). Antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients statistically decreases serum activities of ACE (p= 0.02) and indirectly affects fibrogenesis of the liver parenchyma. Correlation between ACE and ALT activity after the therapy was proved (0.3934). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the activity of ACE in serum is a good indirect parameter of the liver damage, and could be used as an indirect prognostic factor of the level of liver parenchyma damage. Serum activity of ACE can be used as a parameter for non-invasive assessment of intensity of liver damage.

ELEVATED SERUM C-REACTIVE PROTEIN LEVEL IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH SERUM NITRIC OXIDE IN PATIENTS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER

BACKGROUND The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum nitric oxide (NO) and C reactive protein (CRP) concentration in veterans with and without PTSD. Furthermore, we aimed to assess whether there is a correlation between serum NO and CRP concentrations in tested groups. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Cross-sectional study included 90 male individuals, with and without experience of direct war combat, divided into three equal groups (n=30): group 1- included war veterans with PTSD, group 2 - included war veterans without PTSD, and control group - 30 apparently healthy volunteers, without experience of direct war combat. The diagnosis of PTSD was assessed according to the guidelines in the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). High-sensitivity CRP was determined by immunonephelometry. The serum NO level was determined by classic colorimetrical Griess reaction. RESULTS Serum CRP concentration in veterans with (3.54±1.19 mg/L) and without PTSD (3.24±2.04 mg/L), was significantly higher (p<0.05) compared to control group (1.26±1.06 mg/L). Serum NO concentration in veterans with (7.64±4.43 μmol/L) and without PTSD (7.12±2.60 μmol/L) was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared to control group (11.26±7.01 μmol/L). Statistically significant correlation between serum NO and CRP concentration was determined in veterans without PTSD (r=-0.473; p<0.01). No correlation was observed between serum NO and CRP concentration in veterans with PTSD (r=0.118; p=0.534) and in control group (r=-0.067; p=0.727). CONCLUSION The present study has showed significant increase of serum CRP and significant decrease of serum NO concentrations in veterans with and without PTSD. Furthermore, statistically significant negative correlation between serum NO and CRP concentration was determined only in veterans without PTSD. Obtained results indicate that the complex mechanism of the pathogenesis of PTSD requires further research.

Serum Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity in Patients with Endemic Nephropathy

Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme was measured in 60 patients with endemic nephropathy and in 30 healthy individuals. According to the arterial blood pressure, the patients with endemic nephropathy were further divided into groups with arterial hypertension (n = 30) and without arterial hypertension (n = 30). The activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme was determined by a spectrophotometric method using hippuryl-l-histidyl-l-leucine as a substrate. The serum activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme was significantly increased in the patients with endemic nephropathy (28.51 +/- 1.64 U/l) as compared with healthy individuals (20.83 +/- 1.33 U/l). The level of the enzyme was further increased if the endemic nephropathy was accompanied by arterial hypertension (37.09 +/- 1.45 U/l). The possible mechanisms of the increase in the angiotensin-converting enzyme activity are discussed.