Nadeem Afzal
University of Health Sciences Lahore
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Publication
Featured researches published by Nadeem Afzal.
Infection, Genetics and Evolution | 2012
Shah Jahan; Usman Ali Ashfaq; Saba Khaliq; Baila Samreen; Nadeem Afzal
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes acute and chronic hepatitis which can lead to HCC (Hepatocelluar carcinoma) via oxidative stress, steatosis, insulin resistance, fibrosis and liver cirrhosis. Apoptosis is essential for the control and eradication of viral infections. In acute HCV infection, enhanced hepatocyte apoptosis is significant for elimination of viral pathogen. In case of chronic HCV, down regulation of apoptosis and enhanced cell proliferation not only causes HCV infection persistency in the majority of patients. However, the impact of apoptosis in chronic HCV infection is not well understood. It may be harmful by triggering liver fibrosis, or essential in interferon (IFN) induced HCV elimination. Regulation of apoptosis in hepatocytes by HCV Core is so important in progression of HCC. This review focuses on the dual character of HCV Core on regulation of apoptosis and progression of HCC.
Infectious Agents and Cancer | 2012
Shah Jahan; Usman Ali Ashfaq; Muhammad Qasim; Saba Khaliq; Muhammad Saleem; Nadeem Afzal
Hepatitis C virus causes acute and chronic hepatitis and can lead to permanent liver damage and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a significant number of patients via oxidative stress, insulin resistance (IR), fibrosis, liver cirrhosis and HCV induced steatosis. HCV induced steatosis and oxidative stress causes steato-hepatitis and these pathways lead to liver injury or HCC in chronic HCV infection. Steatosis and oxidative stress crosstalk play an important role in liver damage in HCV infection. This Review illustrates viral and host factors which induce Oxidative stress, steatosis and leads toward HCC. It also expresses Molecular cascade which leads oxidative stress and steatosis to HCC.
Infection, Genetics and Evolution | 2012
Baila Samreen; Saba Khaliq; Usman Ali Ashfaq; Mahwish Khan; Nadeem Afzal; Muhammad Shahzad; Sabeen Riaz; Shah Jahan
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been considered to be a significant risk factor in developing liver associated diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma all over the world. HCV is an enveloped positive strand virus comprising a complex between genomic RNA and viral envelope glycoproteins (E1 and E2), which are anchored within host derived double-layered lipid membrane surrounding the nucleocapsid composed of several copies of core protein. HCV cell entry is the first step in infection and viral replication into host cells mainly hepatocytes. HCV cell entry is a complex process involving both the viral (envelope glycoproteins E1/E2) and host factors (cellular receptors and associated factors i.e. CD81, SR-BI, LDL-R, CLDN1, Occludin, DC-SIGN, L-SIGN and Glycosaminoglycans). Besides these the expression of certain other conditions such as polarization and EWI-2 expression inhibits the viral cell entry. Exploring the mechanism of HCV entry will help to better understand the viral life cycle and possible therapeutic targets against HCV infection including viral and host factors involved in this process. New strategies such as RNAi represents a new option for targeting the host or viral factors for prevention and therapeutic against HCV infection. In the current review we try to summarize the current knowledge about mechanism and interaction of cellular and viral factors involved in HCV cell entry and its implication as therapeutic target to inhibit HCV infection.
Journal of applied pharmacy | 2010
Gul Afshan; Nadeem Afzal; Sadia Qureshi
It is generally acknowledged that autoimmune diseases are more prevalent in females all over the world. These diseases are caused by interaction of genetic and environmental factors that result in the failure of immune mechanisms responsible for self-tolerance. Naturally occurring regulatory T cells (Treg) prevent autoimmune diseases; nevertheless, gender is one of the important factors that reacts differently to the immune response and therefore constitutes a distinctive potential target for immunotherapy. The aim of the study was to enumerate Treg in healthy adult males and females, to find the difference in their frequency between the two genders and to correlate with the established value. Treg levels in peripheral blood of 97 young healthy males and females were determined using flowcytometery. Mann Whitney rank sum test was applied to estimate the significance of gender related difference. Significant difference was observed in Treg percentages, p-value < 0.020 showing that there is lower Treg percentage in females than in males (2.89 % ± 1.46 Vs 3.32 % ± 1.39). The modified Treg number could render females more prone to autoimmune diseases. The reference ranges of white blood cells have been well laid out for western countries and the same values are being used in Pakistan. The use of these reference values might be misleading since the expected normal values may vary depending upon the race or the geographical region. The estimated values in the present study may contribute to the correct determination of reference values in south Asia and in close proximity regions.
Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences | 2015
Nadeem Afzal; Muqaddas Riaz; Tafazzul Mahmud; Faheem Shahzad; Sabrina Rasheed; Aflak Rasheed
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Systemic lupus erythmatosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease and more than 100 auto antibodies have been detected in SLE. The present study was designed to determine the presence of anti-thyroid antibodies (ATA) in SLE patients. METHODS: It was a descriptive study and 42-SLE patients positive for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) and or anti-ds DNA (ds-DNA) antibodies were selected from Department of Rheumatology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore. Blood sample was collected and ATA was determined by indirect immunofluorescence technique. RESULTS: Thirty-nine (39) (92.9%) and 32 (76.2%) patients had ANA and ds-DNA antibodies respectively. On comparison, it was not statistically significant. Twenty- three (23) (54.76%) subjects had ATA and on comparison, it was not statistically significant. All the positive patients for ATA were females. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity of ANA and ds-DNA positive suspected SLE subjects to have ATA in their serum was 74%. About 55% of SLE patients were positive for ATA.
Jcpsp-journal of The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan | 2018
Aqsa Anam; Abdul Wajid Khan Faisal; Nadeem Afzal; Faheem Shahzad
OBJECTIVE To assess activation of immune system in rheumatic heart disease (RHD) patients in the form of AECA, ACL and anti GBM antibodies. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive, observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences (UHS), Lahore, and Outpatient Department, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, from February 2015 to January 2016. METHODOLOGY Clinically suspected patients of RHD and confirmed by echocardiography were included. AECA, ACL and anti GBM antibodies were investigated in the sera of RHD patients. RESULTS Eighty-six RHD patients were included in the study; the mean age of the patients was 30 ±9.3 years. Among these patients, 59 (68.6%) were females and 27 (31.4%) were males. AECA was most commonly detected autoantibody i.e. in 17 (19.8%) patients; whereas, ACL was detected in only 2 (2.3%) subjects. Another 2 (2.3%) patients had both AECA and ACL antibodies. AGBM was not detected in any of the patients. ACL was seen in females with isolated MR. AECA were seen in mixed valvular heart disease patients. CONCLUSION Immune system gets activated in RHD patients leading to formation of different antibodies, and they are also related to the type of lesion. ACL antibodies are present in females with isolated mitral regurgitation, while AECA are present in both the genders with mixed valvular heart disease. Anti GBM antibodies are not seen in RHD patients.
BioMed Research International | 2018
Husniah Batool; Ahmed Nadeem; Muhammad Kashif; Faheem Shahzad; Romeeza Tahir; Nadeem Afzal
Background/Purpose. Chronic periodontitis is an inflammatory disease of gums that causes loss of supporting structures of teeth, that is, gingiva, periodontal ligament, cementum, and alveolar bone. Levels of various cytokines in the serum, gingival tissues, and gingival crevicular fluid in patients with chronic periodontitis have been studied, but limited data are available on the level of cytokines in saliva. Therefore, a study was designed to determine levels of salivary IL-6 and IL-17 in patients with calculus associated chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods. It was a comparative, cross-sectional study that is comprised of 41 healthy controls and 41 calculus associated chronic periodontitis patients (CP patients). According to the degree of attachment loss, CP patients were subcategorized as mild (CAL 1-2 mm), moderate (CAL 3-4 mm), and severe (CAL > 5 mm) forms of periodontitis. Salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-17 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results. Between healthy controls and CP patients (moderate and severe disease), a statistically significant difference was observed in the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-17. In CP patients, the highest mean ± SD of salivary IL-6 and IL-17 was observed in severe CP, followed by moderate and mild CP. Regarding level of IL-6, a statistically significant difference was observed between mild and severe disease and between moderate and severe subcategories of CP patients. Similarly, statistically significant difference was observed in the level of IL-17 between mild and moderate, mild and severe disease, and moderate and severe disease. Conclusion. The levels of salivary IL-6 and IL-17 were increased significantly in calculus associated CP patients as compared to healthy controls and these levels increased with the progression of CP. Clinical Significance. Salivary levels of IL-6 and IL-17 may help in the subcategorization of CP.
Cancer biology and medicine | 2017
Sadia Minhas; Muhammad Kashif; Wasif Altaf; Nadeem Afzal; Abdul Hanan Nagi
Objective : Oral squamous-cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for >90% of oral cancers affecting adults mostly between the fourth to seventh decades of life. The most common OSCC treatment is concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) having both loco-regional and distant control, but CCRT has acute and chronic toxic effects on adjacent normal tissue. This study aimed to determine the side effects of CCRT on the oral mucosa and to characterize the clinicopathology of oral lesions in patients with OSCC. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was certified by the Ethical Review Committee (UHS/Education/126-12/2728) of the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan. OSSC patients (n=81) with various histological subtypes, grades, and stages were recruited, and findings on their oral examination were recorded. These patients received 70, 90, and 119 Gy of radiotherapy dosages in combination with the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. Data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. Results : The most common presentation of OSCC was a nonhealing ulcer (63%) involving tongue (55.6%). Clinical findings included mucositis (92.6%) and xerostomia of mild, moderate, and severe degrees in 11.1%, 46.9%, and 35.8% cases, respectively. Ulcers (87.7%), palpable lymph nodes (64.2%), limited mouth opening (64.2%) and fistula (40.7%) were also observed. In females, the association of radiotherapy dosage with limited mouth opening, xerostomia, and histological grading was statistically significant (P<0.05). The association of chemotherapy drugs with xerostomia (P=0.003) was also statistically significant. Conclusions : CCRT induced mucositis, xerostomia, and trismus in patients with OSCC.
Scientifica | 2016
Hifsa Mobeen; Nadeem Afzal; Muhammad Kashif
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder affecting females. It is a common cause of menstrual irregularities and infertility during reproductive age. Genetic and hormonal factors play crucial role in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Low level of progesterone in PCOS causes overstimulation of immune system that produces more estrogen which leads to various autoantibodies. Different autoantibodies have been documented in PCOS, for example, anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-thyroid, anti-spermatic, anti-SM, anti-histone, anti-carbonic anhydrase, anti-ovarian, and anti-islet cell antibodies. There is an association between PCOS and autoimmune diseases such as ANA and anti-TPO that have been documented in systemic lupus erythematosus and Hashimoto thyroiditis, respectively, and it is suspected that there are autoantibodies that might affect the long term clinical management of these patients. Therefore fluctuating levels of autoantibodies in different PCOS patients give us the way to open new chapter for future research on molecular level. This may lead to discovery of better treatment options for PCOS in near future.
British journal of pharmaceutical research | 2016
Foqia Naz; Nadeem Afzal; Faheem Shahzad; Muhammad Kashif; Khursheed Javed; Shah Jahan; Waqas Latif
Background: Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways caused by hypersensitivity and characterized by Th2 cytokine i.e. IL-4, that contribute to enhanced proliferation and differentiation of Th2 cells and switch of B cells from IgM to IgE production. Vitamin D also has a role in proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis of cells of the immune system, production of cytokines, and immunoglobulins. Elevated levels of IL-17 have been documented in bronchial submucosa and relationship of IL-17 and severe hyper responsiveness of airways have been established. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine serum level of vitamin D, IgE and IL-17 in patients of bronchial asthma. Methodology: It was a comparative study, which included 82 subjects i.e. Group-I (41 subjects without asthma), and group-II (41 asthmatic patients). Serum levels of IL-17, IgE and vitamin D