Activity In Sera Of Patients Research Articles

The significance of serum lysozyme in predicting bacterial complications in patients after kidney transplantation

The aim of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of serum lysozyme activity and study its innovativeness in predicting bacterial complications after kidney transplantation. Material and methods. Lysozyme activity was studied in 99 patients after kidney transplantation and 81 practically healthy volunteers. Patients depending on period after surgery were divided into five groups: group 1 – 1st day after kidney transplantation (n = 6); group 2 – 1–5 months (n = 10); group 3 – 6–12 months (n = 21); group 4 – 2–5 years (n = 30); group 5 – 6–10 years (n = 32). An analysis of the correlation between serum lysozyme level, absolute leukocyte count and creatinine content was performed. Lysozyme activity was assessed in bacterial complications, transplant dysfunction and organ rejection. Results and discussion. On the 1st day after kidney transplantation lysozyme activity was minimal – 117.95 [60.80–133.51] µg/ ml (median [lower quartile – upper quartile]) (in healthy volunteers it was 243.80 [190.76–305.69] µg/ml, p < 0,001). One month after surgery, it returned to normal (292.08 [311.66–218.48] μg/ml) and did not differ from the value of the group of practically healthy volunteers for 5 months (p = 0,17). Lysozyme activity in serum of patients after kidney transplantation had inverse moderate correlation with creatinine content (r = –0,32, p < 0,05). The threshold value for the probability of bacterial infections for serum lysozyme was > 321,4 μg/ml (p = 0,003). Creatinine level > 0,11 mmol/l predicts graft dysfunction. Conclusions. On the first day after transplantation a low level of lysozyme indicates high risk of bacterial infection. One month after surgery lysozyme returned to normal which indicates restoration of humoral component of nonspecific immune resistance. Relationship between creatinine content and lysozyme activity as well as an increase in the latter in comparison with healthy group allows to use lysozyme as an additional diagnostic criterion for acute bacterial infection and creatinine – for prognosis of graft dysfunction.

Evaluation of gamma glutamyl transferase activity in sera of patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) plays a role in cellular glutathione uptake, which is an important element of antioxidant mechanisms. An increase in serum GGT is thought to be an early and sensitive marker of oxidative stress. Oxidative stress has a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of present study was to investigate the levels of serum Gamma glutamyl transferase (S.GGT) in samples from patient with Alzheimer’s disease.The study included 67 AD patients and 70 individuals as normal controls . Serum Gamma glutamyl transferase GGT and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. The study revealed that the S.GGT activity was significantly higher in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (75±2.1IU/L) than in control (healthy individuals) (25±2.1IU/L). The study was carried out in optimum pH (8.2) and optimum temperature 37ć. The results showed that There was a significant positive correlation between age and S.GGT activity in males (r=0.75); and females (r=0.72). Increase in age was significantly associated with raised GGT levels in control group and patients group. The mean serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly (p < 0.001) greater in patients group ((33.9 ± 2.3) when compared with control group (4.8±0.2). The high serum GGT concentration may play a critical role in the oxidative stress present in AD brain and, consequently, may play a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Pausing methotrexate prevents impairment of Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 neutralisation after COVID-19 booster vaccination

ObjectiveThe level of neutralising capacity against Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 after third COVID-19 vaccination in patients on paused or continuous methotrexate (MTX) therapy is unclear.MethodsIn this observational cohort study, neutralising...

Study of arginase activity in serum of patients with hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes mellitus

In L-arginine metabolizing pathways, arginase and nitric oxide synthase are regulated in a reciprocal manner. In recent years, nitric oxide has been proposed as a key player in hyperthyroidism. The importance of arginase in arginine control has not yet been studied in hypothyroidism. The goal of this study was to examine the activity of arginase in in type 2 diabetic patients with and without hypothyroidism. The two most popular endocrinopathies that exist in clinical practice are thyroid disease and diabetes mellitus DM. The thyroid hormones, on the other hand, control the metabolism of carbohydrates and the pancreas activity. The study group consisted of 120 subjects divided into four groups; the first group included 30 healthy control subjects, the second group included 30 patients with both hypothyroidism and type 2 DM, the third group included 30 patients with hypothyroidism without type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and the fourth group included 30 patients with T2DM without hypothyroidism. The concentration of fasting serum glucose (FSG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxin (T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined.

Bradykinin and angiotensin-converting enzyme in serum of patients with diabetic retinopathy and the prognosis of diabetic macular edema development (pilot study)

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a microvascular complication of diabetic retinopathy. One of the key roles in the pathogenesis of DME may belong to the components of rennin-angiotensin and kallikrein-kinin systems: bradykinin (Bk) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). To determine the Bk and ACE concentration and ACE activity in serum of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and to estimate the significance of these parameters for the early diagnostic and prognosis of DMO. Serum was collected from the 2 groups of patients with II type diabetes. Group I (n=9) had DME, group II (n=27) had PDR without DME. Control group (n=14) consisted of adult volonteers without diabetes and ophthalmic diseases. Concentration of Bk and ACE was measured using ELISA kits, ACE activity was determined enzymatically with specific fluorogenic substrate. Concentration of Bk in serum of patients without DME did not differ from one in controls (12,00 (9,70; 12,40) pg/ml) while all patients with DME had Bk level of 14,69 (13,68; 16,78) pg/ml that was significantly higher (p<0,01). In patients without DME ACE concentration (88,60 (77,30; 97,45) ng/ml) and ACE activity (6,8 (5,1;7,1) nmol/min·ml) were higher than normal (p<0,01) while in the case of DME concentration of ACE increased (77,36 (70,24; 86,29 ng/ml, p<0,01) and activity remained normal. The Bk/ACE concentrations ratio decreased in patients without DME and increased in those having DME. Patients with DME have increased Bk concentration along with nearly normal ACE concentration that indicate predominance of Bk synthesis over its degradation that may lead to the DME development. The Bk/ACE ratio decrease in patients with uncomplicated PDR and increase significantly in ones with DME. It means that determination of Bk in serum of patients with PDR may be used for the prediction of DME development. The Bk/ACE concentrations ratio may be even more informative.

Assessment of IL-6 , IL-23 and Serum amylase Levels in Patients with Enteric Fevers

The study was carried out during the period of March 2019-January 2020 for the detection of Salmonellosis in102 suspected patients with age group ranged from 17 - 69 years, who attended Baghdad teaching hospitals,that had been examined and defined as suspected cases by a specialized physician with the recording ofclinical manifestation. The diagnosis is done by the immunochromatography method, a blood sample wastaken from each patient as well as other 30 healthy control matching in age and gender. The study includedmeasurement of the level of interleukin -6,23 and Amylase activity in sera of patients and healthy control.The result indicated that anti –salmonella IgM positive in 54 cases, anti- salmonella IgG positive in 50cases, and 18 positive cases with both IgM and IgG. The Level of interleukin 6,23 increased significantlywhile the serum amylase activity decreased significantly in patients sera in comparison with healthy control.

Impact of cathepsin D activity and C224T polymorphism (rs17571) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: correlations with oxidative and inflammatory markers.

Cathepsin D (CTSD) is an aspartyl proteinase that plays an important role in protein degradation, antigen processing and apoptosis. It has been associated with several pathologies such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease and inflammatory disorders. Its function in lung diseases remains, however, controversial. In the current study, we determined CTSD activity in serum of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and evaluated the correlations between this proteinase and inflammatory and oxidative parameters. We also investigated the impact of a CTSD C224T polymorphism on enzyme activity and clinicopathological parameters. Our population included 211 healthy controls and 138 patients with COPD. CTSD activity, MMPs (-1/-7/-12), cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide and peroxynitrite levels were measured in patients and controls using standard methods. Genotyping of CTSD C224T polymorphism was determined using PCR-RFLP. Our results showed an increased CTSD activity in COPD patients compared to healthy controls (4.87 [3.99-6.07] vs. 3.94 [2.91-5.84], respectively, p < 0.001). COPD smokers presented also a higher CTSD activity when compared to nonsmokers (4.91[3.98-6.18] vs. 4.65[4.16-5.82], respectively, p = 0.01), while no differences were found when subjects were compared according to their GOLD stages. The activity of this proteinase was not dependent on the C224T polymorphism because we did not found any influence of this SNP on proteinase activity among patients and controls. Furthermore, our data provide the first evidence of the interrelationships between CTSD activity and both MMPs and TNF-α levels (MMP-1[r = -0.4; p = 0.02], MMP-7[r = 0.37; p = 0.04], MMP-12[r = 0.43; p = 0.02], TNF-α [r = 0.89, p = 0.001]) in COPD smokers. There were no correlations, however, between CTSD activity and oxidative stress parameters in controls and patients. Our findings suggest that CTSD could be a relevant marker for COPD disease. Alteration of CTSD activity may be related to increased MMPs and TNF-α levels, particularly in COPD smokers.

The Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes on Oxidative Stress Markers and Catalase Activity.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease worldwide. Chronic HCV infections are usually associated with increased oxidative stress in the liver tissue. The intensity of oxidative stress may be a detrimental factor in liver injury and may determine the severity of the disease. The aim of the present case-control study was to determine the level of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), protein oxidative modification (AOPP), and catalase activity in sera of patients infected with HCV, in relation to different HCV genotypes and viral load. Considering the HCV patients with chronic hepatitis C (52) and control subject (50) recruitment, the study was designed as a case–control-type. The HCV RNA isolation, viral load, and HCV genotyping were performed according to the standard protocols. A significant difference compared to control healthy subjects was reported for TBAR (p < 0.001), AOPP (p = 0.001), and catalase activity (p = 0.007). In a gender-based comparison, a significantly higher level of AOPP for females was reported (p < 0.001). As stratified by HCV genotype, the most common was HCV-1 (HCV-1a and HCV 1b), with the overall participation of more than 60%, followed by genotype 3, while the least represented was genotype 2. No significant difference was documented among genotypes in regard to oxidative stress markers, although somewhat higher TBARS level, but not significant, was registered in patients infected with genotype 1b. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the concentration of HCV genome copies and AOPP (r = 0.344; p = 0.012). A high level of HCV viral load was more likely to have a higher TBARS, but still without statistical significance (p = 0.072). In conclusion, the results obtained confirmed an imbalance between the ROS production and antioxidative defense system in HCV-infected patients. Since oxidative stress may have a profound influence on disease progression, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis, our results may meet the aspirations of mandatory introduction of antioxidants as early HCV therapy to counteract ROS consequences.

Differences in cysteine peptidases-like activity in sera of patients with breast cancer.

The key role in carcinogenesis with destruction of the extracellular matrix is played by proteases released by invasive cancer cells. Cysteine peptidases, such as cathepsin B and L, take an important role in cancer progression and metastasis. Cysteine peptidase-like activity (CPA) in sera of patients with breast cancer at different stages of disease and the influence of genetic predisposition associated with BRCA-1 gene mutations were analysed. CPA in serum was determined with the spectrofluorometric technique using Z-Phe-Arg-AMC as a substrate. Determination was carried out in 111 breast cancer patients in comparison to a control group of 50 healthy subjects. The highest CPA was found in breast cancer patients with a hereditary predisposition bearing BRCA1 gene mutations, and the lowest activity was found in patients who had a tumour surgically removed and before adjuvant therapy. The differences in the activities between control group and cancer groups were statistically significant (p< 0.05), except from group of cancer patients in complete remission (p< 0.52). Serum CPA in patients with breast cancer differs depending on the cancer stage and treatment methods. Our study demonstrate the correlation between BRCA-1 gene mutations and the increased level of CPA.

The role of oxidative stress in the liver injury pathogenesis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

In patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), development of hepatotoxic reactions against the background of chemotherapy (CT) can be caused by either hematologic disease impact, or chemotherapy effects.Objective — to investigate the role of oxidative stress in the development of hepatotoxic reactions in patients with AML during CT.Materials and methods. The study involved 56 patients with AML, who underwent the first remission induction cycle. The ratio of women to men was 25 (44.6 %)/31 (55.4 %), age range 21 to 77 years. The examination was performed at baseline before treatment and on the 14th day of CT. Alanine (ALT) and asparagine (AST) aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase (AP), gamaglutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP), total protein, total bilirubin and serum urea were evaluated. The concentration of TBA‑reactants and serum catalase activity were determined.Results. At baseline the abnormalities in biochemical liver tests were detected in 42.8 % (24/56) of patients. Prior to CT, the ALT activity in the blood serum of patients with AML was increased in 2.4 times, AST — in 1.3 times, GGTP — 2.3 times, AP — 1.7 times compared with almost healthy individuals (p < 0.05). The increased concentration of TBA‑reactants in 1.7 times (1.84 ± 0.1vs 1.1 ± 0.1) mmol/l and catalase activity in 1.9 times (25.8 ± 0.9 vs 13.07 ± 0.6) mkkat/l compared to norm was also revealed. After CT, the hepatotoxic reactions development was observed in 64.3 % (36/56) of patients with AML, whose risk factor was the primary impaired liver biochemical tests (RR = 2.66; 95 % СІ 1.7 — 4.17; р < 0.05).Conclusions. Liver injury in AML patients is characterized by the mixed‑type hepatotoxic reactions development, which are accompanied by the activation of free radical oxidation and antioxidant protection systems.

Assessment of ZnO Nanoparticles Effect on Peroxidase Activity in Serum of Patients with Type2 Diabetes Millets : in vitro study

Assessment of ZnO Nanoparticles Effect on Peroxidase Activity in Serum of Patients with Type2 Diabetes Millets : in vitro study

Peculiarities of values of acetylcholine concentration and cholinesterase activity in serum of patients with alcoholic chronic pancreatitis and duodenal ulcer

Introduction. There are a lot of pathogenic factors involved in development of polyetiologic diseases. Acetylcholine (AC) is known as first-order mediator as it plays an important role in development and maintenance of pathological processes. In this article we provide data on AC concentration in blood serum of patients with duodenal ulcer, alcoholic chronic pancreatitis and control group as well as activity of cholinesterase.&#x0D; The aim of this study was to identify a role played by AC in pathological process during disease, which may complicate a course of the disease as a bad prognostic factor.&#x0D; Results and discussion. We divided AC concentration into three types in the control group: low — 0.46–1.0 mmol/l (60% of individuals), moderate — 1.02–1.5 mmol/l (30%) , and high — more than 1.5 mmol/l (10%).&#x0D; Conclusion. We suppose that cholinesterase activity and AC concentration depend on localization of pathological process.

Paraoxonase activity in sera of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The results of our study showed significantly decreased levels of PON1 in patients with chronic liver diseases (controls 185 ± 14 U/l, NAFLD 160 ± 15 U/l, chronic hepatitis 99 ± 18 U/l, cirrhosis 52 ± 11 U/l). There were significant correlations of PON activities with standard liver function tests (Tab. 1, Ref. 5).

P.1.f.019 - IgG antibodies with nuclease activity in serum of patients with schizophrenia

P.1.f.019 - IgG antibodies with nuclease activity in serum of patients with schizophrenia

Studies on the Relationship Between Chromium(III) ion and Thyroid Peroxidase Activity in Sera of Patients with Thyroid Dysfunction

The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of trace element chromium(III) and thyroid peroxidase activity in human serum , and to find a relationship between the concentration of chromium(III) and thyroid peroxidase activity in serum of patients with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and healthy subjects. Serum thyroid peroxidase was measured by enzyme linked radioimmunoassay(ELISA) method and chromium determination was by atomic absorption spectrophotometer .Comparing the values of chromium concentration and thyroid peroxidase activity in both samples showed that there were significant positive correlations between chromium levels and thyroid peroxidase activity(P&lt;0.01, r=0.11). The results showed that Serum thyroid peroxidase activity and chromium levels were significantly higher in hyperthyroidism patients (152.0±4.6 IU/L) (2.159±0.15 ppb) respectively than normal (51.0±1.8 IU/L) (0.378±0.024 ppb) respectively and lower than normal in hypothyroidism patients (35.0±0.31 IU/L)(0.099±0.011 ppb) respectively.

A possible role for CD26/DPPIV enzyme activity in the regulation of psoriatic pruritus

BackgroundPsoriasis (PSO) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory skin diseases, and pruritus affects approximately 60–90% of patients with PSO. However, the pathogenesis of pruritus in PSO remains unclear. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) enzyme activity is involved in the regulation of peptide hormones, chemokines and neurotransmitters. ObjectivesOur aim is to evaluate for a potential association between DPPIV and an increased risk of pruritus, and to identify possible underlying treatment targets in affected patients. MethodsUtilizing clinical serum samples of PSO patients and in vivo experimental pruritus models, we evaluated for a potential association between DPPIV and an increased risk for pruritus, and attempted to identify possible underlying treatment targets in pruritus of PSO. ResultsWe first showed that levels of DPPIV enzyme activity in sera of patients with PSO were significantly increased compared to those of healthy controls. We next evaluated levels of substance-P (SP), which is a neurotransmitter for pruritus and a substrate for DPPIV enzyme. Truncated form SP cleaved by DPPIV was significantly increased in sera of PSO. In an in vivo pruritus model induced by SP, scratching was decreased by treatment with a DPPIV inhibitor. Moreover, DPPIV-knockout mice showed attenuation of scratching induced by SP. Finally, scratching was decreased following the administration of a DPPIV inhibitor in an imiquimod-induced PSO model. On the other hand, scratching induced by imiquimod was increased in DPPIV overexpressing-mice. ConclusionsThese results suggest that inhibition of DPPIV enzyme activity regulates pruritus in PSO.

Serum 8-isoprostane levels and paraoxonase 1 activity in patients with stage I multiple myeloma

Objective: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy comprising 15% of hematological malignancies. Many studies have assessed the relationship between free radicals and tumor progression or cancer risk. We aimed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of paraoxonase 1 (PON1), arylesterase (ARE), and 8-isoprostane in patients with stage I MM.Materials and methods: Spectrophotometric assays of serum PON1 and ARE activities in addition to serum 8-isoprostane level were performed in 34 patients newly diagnosed with stage I MM as compared to 35 age- and sex-matched individuals who comprised the healthy control group.Results: A significant reduction was found in the activities of PON1 and ARE (for both, P < 0.001) in the patient group. The ratio of PON1/high-density lipoprotein was significantly lower in the MM patient group than in the control group (P < 0.001), while 8-isoprostane levels compared with the control group were significantly higher (P < 0.001), observations that may indicate an increase in oxidative stress in stage I MM patients.Conclusion: A decrease in PON1 activity and increase in 8-isoprostane serum activities in patients may indicate the importance of lipid peroxidation in MM disease. Oxidative stress and especially lipid peroxidation could reduce the antioxidant activity of PON1 and ARE in MM patients and could be considered as factors in the pathogenesis of MM disease.

The sodium iodide symporter is unlikely to be a thyroid/breast shared antigen.

Anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) autoantibodies (TPOAb) seem to be protective for patients with breast cancer (BC). Thyroid and breast tissues both express the sodium iodide symporter (NIS), similarly both have a peroxidase activity, TPO and lactoperoxidase (LPO) respectively. We hypothesize a common immune response to a thyroid/breast shared antigen suggesting three putative mechanisms: (1) TPOAb react to both TPO and LPO, (2) TPO could be expressed in BC and (3) patients with TPOAb could have autoantibodies to NIS (NISAb). Previous studies excluded NISAb that block NIS activity in sera of patients with thyroid autoimmunity (TA) and/or BC. This study investigates neutral NISAb (binding without affecting function). Clones of CHO cells stably expressing human NIS (hNIS; CHO-NIS) were isolated following transfection of hNIS in pcDNA3 vector. Expression of hNIS mRNA and surface protein was confirmed by PCR and flow cytometry respectively using a hNIS-mouse-monoclonal-antibody. CHO-NIS and controls transfected with the empty pcDNA3 vector (CHO-Empty) were incubated with 42 heat-inactivated human sera followed by an anti-human-IgG-AlexaFluor488-conjugate: 12 with BC, 11 with TA, 10 with both BC and TA and 9 with non-autoimmune thyroid diseases. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test was used to compare the fluorescence intensity obtained with CHO-NIS and CHO-Empty, using sera from six young males as a negative control population. None of the 42 sera were positive for NISAb. NISAb are rare and NIS is unlikely to be a common thyroid/BC shared antigen. We have recently demonstrated TPO expression in BC tissue and are currently investigating TPOAb cross-reactivity with TPO/LPO.

The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor is a Critical Regulator of Tissue Factor Stability and an Antithrombotic Target in Uremia.

Patients with CKD suffer high rates of thrombosis, particularly after endovascular interventions, yet few options are available to improve management and reduce thrombotic risk. We recently demonstrated that indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a potent CKD-specific prothrombotic metabolite that induces tissue factor (TF) in vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs), although the precise mechanism and treatment implications remain unclear. Because IS is an agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), we first examined the relationship between IS levels and AHR-inducing activity in sera of patients with ESRD. IS levels correlated significantly with both vSMC AHR activity and TF activity. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that IS activates the AHR pathway in primary human aortic vSMCs, and further, that AHR interacts directly with and stabilizes functional TF. Antagonists directly targeting AHR enhanced TF ubiquitination and degradation and suppressed thrombosis in a postinterventional model of CKD and endovascular injury. Furthermore, AHR antagonists inhibited TF in a manner dependent on circulating IS levels. In conclusion, we demonstrated that IS regulates TF stability through AHR signaling and uncovered AHR as an antithrombotic target and AHR antagonists as a novel class of antithrombotics. Together, IS and AHR have potential as uremia-specific biomarkers and targets that may be leveraged as a promising theranostic platform to better manage the elevated thrombosis rates in patients with CKD.

Increased sialidase activity in serum of cancer patients: Identification of sialidase and inhibitor activities in human serum.

Aberrant sialylation in glycoproteins and glycolipids is a characteristic feature of malignancy. Human sialidases, which catalyze the removal of sialic acid residues from glycoconjugates, have been implicated in cancer progression. They have been detected in a wide variety of human cells and tissues, but few studies have focused on their existence in human serum. Among the four types identified to date, we previously demonstrated that plasma membrane-associated ganglioside sialidase (NEU3) is markedly upregulated in various human cancers, including examples in the colon and prostate. Here, using a sensitive assay method, we found a significant increase of sialidase activity in the serum of patients with prostate cancer compared with that in healthy subjects having low activity, if any. Activity was apparent with gangliosides as substrates, but only to a very limited extent with 4-methylumbelliferyl sialic acid, a good synthetic substrate for sialidases other than human NEU3. The serum sialidase was also almost entirely immunoprecipitated with anti-NEU3 antibody, but not with antibodies for other sialidases. Interestingly, sera additionally contained inhibitory activity against the sialidase and also against recombinant human NEU3. The sialidase and inhibitor activities could be separated by exosome isolation and by hydrophobic column chromatography. The serum sialidase was assessed by a sandwich ELISA method using two anti-NEU3 antibodies. The results provide strong evidence that the serum sialidase is, in fact, NEU3, and this subtype may, therefore, be a potential utility for novel diagnosis of human cancers.