Mirosława Pietruczuk

Serum leptin, adiponectin, and resistin concentration in colorectal adenoma and carcinoma (CC) patients

IntroductionLeptin, adiponectin, and resistin are the proteins secreted by adipocytes, which affects the metabolism. While the role of leptin in colon carcinogenesis is documented, the effect of adiponectin and resistin remains unclear. It has been indicated that while leptin may potentiate the cancer cells growth, adiponectin and resistin may act oppositely.AimThe aim of this study is to determine the concentration of leptin, adiponectin, and resistin in patients with adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer.MethodsThe serum concentration investigated adipohormones had been measured with ELISA in 37 patients with colorectal adenomas, 36 with colorectal cancer (CC) and in 25 controls with no colorectal pathology. Endoscopically removed polyps and CC biopsies had been evaluated with histopathology. Mean BMI value was calculated for all patients.ResultsAmong 37 adenomas, 25 revealed high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and 12 low-grade dysplasia (LGD). All cases of CC were adenocarcinomas. No difference in the level of investigated adipohormones in serum between patients with HGD and LGD polyps was observed. The serum concentration of leptin and adiponectin in CC patients was lower than in patients with adenomas (pu2009<u20090.05; pu2009<u20090.05, respectively) as well as in controls (pu2009<u20090.01; pu2009<u20090.05, respectively). The concentration of resistin in CC was not significantly different in the adenoma group (pu2009>u20090.05) but higher than in controls (pu2009<u20090.05). There was a correlation between adiponectin and leptin serum concentration (ru2009=u20090.61).ConclusionWe conclude that serum concentration of adiponectin and resistin may play an important role in colon carcinogenesis. We also assume that leptin may possibly have the prognostic value useful in clinical practice and its concentration is independent of BMI value.

Circulating Levels of Visfatin, Resistin and Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-8 in Acute Pancreatitis

Background: Resistin and visfatin, hormones produced by adipose tissue, have pro-inflammatory potential; however, their role in acute pancreatitis (AP) has been investigated only rarely. Methods: The study group comprised 32 patients with alcoholic AP and 30 controls. In all cases AP was classified as C according to Balthazar’s CT score and as severe according to Ranson’s criteria. The serum level of visfatin, resistin, and interleukin(IL)-8 immunoassays were measured by ELISA on admission and on the third and fifth day of hospitalization. Results: On the admission day serum resistin and IL-8 concentrations in AP patients were significantly higher than in controls and they further increased on the third and fifth day of hospitalization. On the admission day serum visfatin levels in AP patients were significantly higher than in controls and further increased on the third day of hospitalization. On the fifth day the levels decreased; however, they were still higher than on admission. The correlation between visfatin and resistin as well as between C-reactive protein and visfatin, resistin and IL-8 levels has been found. Conclusion: In the course of AP, visfatin and resistin levels increase in parallel with C-reactive protein. We speculate that those parameters may provide an additional tool for the prognosis and monitoring of AP.

Usefulness of Assessing Circulating Levels of Resistin, Ghrelin, and IL-18 in Alcoholic Acute Pancreatitis

ObjectivesAcute pancreatitis (AP) is a severe inflammatory disease with high mortality and morbidity rates. We have previously demonstrated that resistin may represent an early marker of inflammation in AP. It was also revealed that ghrelin may have anti-inflammatory potential. However, the role of adipohormones in AP—resistin and ghrelin as well as the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-18—has not yet been fully elucidated.MethodsThe study group comprised 32 patients with alcoholic AP and 30 controls matched for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI). In all cases AP was classified as gradexa0C according to Balthazar’s computed tomography (CT) score and as severe (3 points) according to Ranson’s criteria. Serum levels of resistin, ghrelin, and IL-18 were measured on first, third, and fifth day of hospitalization by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsOn first day of hospitalization the mean serum resistin concentration in AP patients was significantly higher than in controls (Pxa0<xa00.05) and further increased on third and fifth day of hospitalization (17.4xa0±xa04.23xa0ng/ml and 25.8xa0±xa08.14xa0ng/ml, respectively). On first day of hospitalization the mean serum IL-18 concentration in AP patients was significantly higher than in controls (Pxa0<xa00.05), on third day its level further increased, and on fifth day it decreased to a level similar to that observed on admission. The serum ghrelin concentrations on first, third, and fifth day of hospitalization were comparable, and significantly higher than in controls (Pxa0<xa00.01). Significant correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) and resistin levels (rxa0=xa00.43; Pxa0<xa00.05) and between CRP and IL-18 (rxa0=xa00.58; Pxa0<xa00.05) on day of admission was found.ConclusionsSerum concentration of IL-18 and resistin may contribute to inflammatory response and may be useful as an early marker of inflammation in AP. We also suspect that ghrelin affects the course of AP and plays an important role in inflammatory response.

The relative values of CD8+CD25+Foxp3brigh Treg cells correlate with selected lung function parameters in asthma

The study aimed to detect CD8 + CD25 + FoxP3brigh Tregs and investigate their possible association with selected lung function values. CD8+CD25+FoxP3brigh Tregs were detected by flow cytometry in the peripheral blood of 25 patients with severe asthma (SA), 25 patients with mild-to-moderate asthma (MA), and 25 age-matched healthy donors (NC). The percentages of CD8+CD25+FoxP3brigh Tregs of the patients with severe (3.4 ± 4.55), and mild-to-moderate asthma (7.5 ± 8.15), were markedly lower than those of controls (12.1 ± 13.2). The mean forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % predicted value in severe asthma subpopulation was significantly lower (67.05 ± 15.98%) when compared with that of mild-to-moderate asthma subgroup (87.71 ± 16.12%). Interestingly, the percentages of CD8+CD25+FoxP3brigh Tregs correlate with mean peak expiratory flow (PEF)% predicted values in severe (r = 0.7, P <0.01) and mild-to-moderate (r = 0.73, P <0.01) asthma. In contrast, this parameter was positively correlated with FEV1% predicted values in the severe asthmatics only (r = 0.71, P <0.01). In summary, this study establishes a link between the percentage of CD8+CD25+FoxP3brigh Tregs and selected lung function parameters, suggesting that this parameter has potential as a marker for inflammation and airflow obstruction.

The relationship between peripheral blood mononuclear cells telomere length and diet - unexpected effect of red meat

BackgroundRepeated nucleotide sequences combined with proteins called telomeres cover chromosome ends and dictate cells lifespan. Many factors can modify telomere length, among them are: nutrition and smoking habits, physical activities and socioeconomic status measured by education level.The aim of the study was to determine the influence of above mentioned factors on peripheral blood mononuclear cells telomere length.MethodsStudy included 28 subjects (seven male and 21 female, age 18–65xa0years.), smokers and non-smokers without any serious health problems in past and present. Following a basic medical examination, patients completed the food frequency questionnaire with 17 foods and beverages most common groups and gave blood for testing. PBMC telomere length were measured with qualitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (rtPCR) method and expressed as a T/S ratio.ResultsAmong nine food types (cereal, fruits, vegetables, diary, red meat, poultry, fish, sweets and salty snacks) and eight beverages (juices, coffee, tea, mineral water, alcoholic- and sweetened carbonated beverages) only intake of red meat was related to T/S ratio. Individuals with increased consumption of red meat have had higher T/S ratio and the strongest significant differences were observed between consumer groups: “never” and “1–2 daily” (pu2009=u20090.02). Smoking habits, physical activity, LDL and HDL concentrations, and education level were not related to telomere length, directly or as a covariates.ConclusionsUnexpected correlation of telomere length with the frequency of consumption of red meat indicates the need for further in-depth research and may undermine some accepted concepts of adverse effects of this diet on the health status and life longevity.

Interleukin 18 as an early marker or prognostic factor in acute pancreatitis.

Introduction Acute pancreatits (AP) still reqiures better diagnostic and therapeutic options to be introduced in order to decrease its morbidity and mortality. It appears that the assessment of serum levels of interleukin 18 (IL-18) and its correlation with C-reactive protein (CRP) may provide adequate prognostic value. Aim To measure serum concentrations of IL-18 and inflammation markers such as CRP in patients with AP during subsequent hospital stay days and to assess the role of IL-18 as an early AP marker and prognostic factor. Material and methods Thirty-two patients aged 47 ±16.7 years were included into the study (17 males and 15 females), in whom AP was diagnosed based on ultrasound and computer aided tomography imaging and amylase. Serum amylase, CRP, and IL-18 levels were measured on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th days of hospital stay. All patients were scored “B” according to Balthazar and mild AP based on Ranson criteria. The control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers aged 50.7 ±12.4 years (15 males and 15 females). Results The average IL-18 serum level in the control group was 86.91 ±4.94 pg/ml. Mean IL-18 study group levels were 128.4 ±7.6 pg/ml on the 1st, 112.0 ±4.4 pg/ml on the 3rd, and 122.8 ±6.8 pg/ml on the 5th day of AP, and were significantly higher than those in the control group, accordingly: p < 0.001, p < 0.005, p < 0.001. A positive correlation between IL-18 and CRP serum concentrations was observed. A slight increase in correlation was observed as the days went by. Conclusions We concluded that the serum IL-18 level increases in the initial phase of AP, and it may be used as an inflammatory reaction marker in patients with AP, and it is correlated with CRP, which may indicate its prognostic role in AP.

The impact of multiple sclerosis relapse treatment on migration of effector T cells--Preliminary study.

UNLABELLEDnMigration of inflammatory cells from the blood to the central nervous system (CNS) is crucial for development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Inhibition of this process would allow to control disease activity. The first step confirming this approach would be the analysis of the impact of effective MS relapse therapy on migration of effector T cells. The aim of the study was to analyze the influence of methylprednisolone (MP) on the migratory activity of effector CD4+ T cells from MS patients. Moreover, to study the potential mechanism of this process we studied expression of chemokine receptors on migrating cells.nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnPeripheral blood samples were obtained from relapsing-remitting MS (RR-MS) patients during relapse (n=23) and from control group (n=23). After isolation CD4+ T cells were incubated with various concentrations of MP. Then they were stimulated in chemotaxis assay with chemokines CCL3 or CXCL10 or were used to CCR1 and CXCR3 expression analysis.nnnRESULTSnCXCL10- and CCL3-stimulated migration of CD4+ T cells was significantly increased in MS. MP was able to reduce in vitro migration of effector T cells induced by CXCL10, but not by CCL3. Inhibition by MP was dose-dependent. Expression of analyzed chemokine receptors was unaltered after MP incubation.nnnCONCLUSIONSnMP reduced CD4+ T cells migration induced by CXCL10 without affecting CXCR3 expression. These observations demonstrate one of the potential mechanisms of MP action in MS, distinct from inducing cell apoptosis, and suggests the new targets for development of more effective MS treatments.

Tissue Factor in Dermatitis Herpetiformis and Bullous Pemphigoid: Link between Immune and Coagulation System in Subepidermal Autoimmune Bullous Diseases

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and bullous pemphigoid (BP) are skin diseases associated with eosinophilic and neutrophilic infiltrations. Although chemokines are critical for the selective accumulation and activation of various leukocyte subsets in the inflammatory process, there are few findings concerning inflammatory cells and production of coagulation factors in blistering diseases. Skin biopsies were taken from 14 patients with DH, 27 with BP, and 20 control subjects. The localization and expression of tissue factor (TF) in skin lesions and perilesional skin were studied by immunohistochemistry and confirmed by Western Blot. Moreover the plasma concentrations of TF were measured by immunoassays. D dimers, fibrinogen, and selected coagulation parameters were measured by routine methods. Expression of TF in the epidermis and in inflammatory influxed cells in dermis was detected in skin biopsies from BP patients. Examined TF expression was detected in perilesional skin of all BP patients too. The expression of TF was not observed in biopsies from healthy people and DH patients. The findings of the study show an increased expression of tissue factor in the lesional and perilesional skin of patients with bullous pemphigoid. The difference in chemokine pattern expression and variations in the cellular infiltration in BP and DH cause variable expression of TF.