C3 Concentrations Research Articles

Bioimpedance analysis in determining body composition in women with systemic lupus erythematosus: a pilot study

Objective: to determine body composition (BC) in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), by using bioimpedance analysis.Patients and methods. The investigation enrolled 12 women with a reliable diagnosis of SLE, who were followed up at the Clinic of the V.A. Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology. Their median age was 46.5 [38.5; 54.7] years. All the patients underwent estimation of waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI). BC was analyzed using an InBody 770 multi-frequency bioimpedance analyzer (Biospace Co. Ltd, South Korea) at the Clinical Nutrition Clinic, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Biotechnology.Results and discussion. BMI corresponding to overweight or obesity was observed in 67% of patients; abdominal obesity (AO) was seen in 83%. BC study showed that in most patients, adipose tissue mass was greater than the normal values (75%), lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass, and the amount of body water were within normal limits (83%), and the basal metabolic rate was reduced (67%). There were positive correlations between the percentage of adipose tissue and BMI (r=0.9; p<0.01), WC (r=0.7; p<0.01), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (r=0.6; p<0.05), and complement C3 concentrations (r=0.9; p<0.01). Similar results were obtained when assessing the relationship between visceral fat area and BMI (r=0.9; p<0.01), WC (r=0.78; p<0.01), CRP (r=0.6; p<0.05), complement component C3 (r=0.8; p<0.01). There was an inverse correlation between visceral fat area and the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) (r=-0.6; p<0.05).Conclusion. Most women with SLE have AO, increased adipose tissue mass, normal lean body mass, and decreased basal metabolism. There is a direct correlation of visceral fat content and inflammatory markers (CRP, complement component C3) and an inverse correlation of those with the SLEDAI-2K.

Ameliorative effect of selective NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MCC950 in an ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis murine model

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a complex IgE-mediated nasal allergic and inflammatory disease. Nucleotide-binding domain (NOD)-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) is essential in the process of allergic and inflammatory responses. MCC950 is a selective NLRP3 inhibitor. However, its role and mechanism in AR remains undetermined. The present study aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of MCC950 on an ovalbumin (OVA) induced mouse model of AR. The AR BALB/c mice were constructed using OVA and administrated intranasally with MCC950. Concentrations of OVA-specific IgE, histamines and leukotrienes C4 (LTC4) in serum, and OVA-specific IgE, ECP, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-1β and IL-18 in nasal lavage fluid (NLF) were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Inflammatory cells were counted in NLF. HE and PAS staing were used for evaluating eosinophils and goblet cells. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining were employed to evaluate immunolabeling of NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18 in nasal mucosas of mice. Real-time PCR was conducted to assay NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA levels. In vitro studies, western blotting, real-time PCR and ELISA were performed to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of OVA and NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 on spleen mononuclear cells. We found significant downregulation of sneezing, nasal rubbing, inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory cells and NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18 expression in MCC950 treated mice compared with untreated AR mice. In spleen mononuclear cells culture and stimulation experiment, NLRP3, Caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18 levels were upregulated by OVA but inhibited by MCC950. In conclusion, MCC950 could effectively exert its ameliorative effect in murine AR by inhibiting NLRP3 and leads to reduction of Caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β and IL-18, resulting in the attenuation of the allergic and inflammatory responses.

Impact of blood-brain barrier disruption on newly diagnosed neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder symptoms and prognosis.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and ensuing immune activation are central to the pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases. However, the influence of BBB permeability on the clinical signs and prognosis of newly diagnosed neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has not been examined. We investigate the relationships between BBB permeability as showed by the albumin quotient (qalb) and clinical features of NMOSD. Demographic and clinical data of 46 patients, including peripheral blood (PB) measures (serum albumin concentration and total leukocyte, neutrophil, total lymphocyte, CD4+ T cell, and CD8+ T cell counts, complement C3 and C4 concentrations, AQP4-IgG titer),autoimmune antibody titers (ANA/SSA/SSB/Ro-52), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters (total leukocyte count, total protein and albumin concentrations, AQP4-IgG titer), were compared between qalb(BBB permeability) increased and normal groups. Complete measures were not obtained from 9 patients, but all other measures were included in the analysis. According to the calculated qalb, 15 patients with albumin quotient (qalb) > (4 + age/15) × 10-3 were assigned to the qalb increased (high BBB permeability) group (33%) and the remainder to the qalb normal group. Compared to the qalb normal group, the qalb increased group exhibited significantly lower serum albumin (P=0.001) and CD4+ T cell count (P=0.044), CD8+ T cell count (P=0.014), and total T lymphocyte count (P=0.016). The qalb increased group proved higher CSF albumin, total protein, leukocyte count, and IgG titer (all P=0.000). Optic neuritis and optic nerve abnormalities on magnetic resonance images were also more frequent in the qalb increased group (P=0.037 and 0.038, respectively). Patients in the qalb increased group showed significantly poorer treatment response as indicated by the lower post-treatment change in Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score compared to the qalb normal group. BBB permeability is strongly associated with the clinical features and treatment response of newly diagnosed NMOSD. The qalb is a potentially valuable indicator of disease severity and an index to guide personalized treatment.

Elevated C-reactive protein and complement C3 levels are associated with preterm birth: a nested case\u2013control study in Chinese women

BackgroundCurrently, there are many studies researched the associations between maternal serum inflammatory indicators (i.e. ferritin, C-reactive protein [CRP], C3 and C4) and preterm birth (PTB). The results, however, are inconsistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the relationship between maternal serum inflammatory indicators and PTB in a nested case-control (NCC)study.MethodsA NCC study was conducted by Guangxi Birth Cohort Study which enrolled a total of 6203 pregnant women between 50/7 and 346/7 weeks of gestational age (wGA) from six cities in China between 2015 and 2016. There were 206women who delivered preterm (< 370/7 wGA), and 412 women who delivered term birth, those women were matched by maternal age, birth place, gender of infants, and wGA at blood collection.The inflammatory indicators were quantified by immunoturbidimetric methods.ResultsHighest quartile concentrations of all inflammatory indicators were determined versus median. After adjusting for maternal age, high levels of CRP (CRP > 16.60 mg/L) are related to the risk of PTB (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.02–4.56, p = 0.044) in the first trimester. The association of C3 was extremely related to those who delivered PTB (OR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.14–5.64, p = 0.023) in the first trimester. Moreover, no significant associations were found in C4 (p = 0.079) and ferritin (p = 0.067) between PTB.ConclusionsElevated concentrations of CRP and C3 in the first trimester were associated with increased risk of PTB. Inflammatory indicators may act a pivotal part in early diagnosis and prognosis of PTB.

Alterations of the acylcarnitine profiles in blood serum and in muscle from periparturient cows with normal or elevated body condition

The objective of the current study was to characterize muscle and blood serum acylcarnitine (AcylCN) profiles and to determine the mRNA abundance of muscle carnitine acyltransferases in periparturient dairy cows with high (HBCS) and normal body condition (NBCS). Fifteen weeks antepartum, 38 pregnant multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to 2 groups that were fed differently to reach the targeted BCS and backfat thickness (BFT) until dry-off at -49 d before calving (HBCS: BCS >3.75 and BFT >1.4 cm; NBCS: <3.5 and <1.2 cm). Thereafter, both groups were fed identical diets. Blood samples and biopsies from the semitendinosus muscle were collected on d -49, 3, 21, and 84 relative to calving. Actual BCS at d -49 were 3.02 ± 0.24 and 3.82 ± 0.33 (mean ± SD) for NBCS and HBCS, respectively. In both groups, serum profiles showed marked changes during the periparturient period, with decreasing concentrations of free carnitine and increasing concentrations of long-chain AcylCN. Compared with NBCS, HBCS had greater serum long-chain AcylCN in early lactation, which may point to an insufficient adaptation of their metabolism in response to the metabolic load of fatty acids around parturition. The muscle concentrations of C5-, C9-, C18:1-, and C18:2-AcylCN were lower and those of C14:2-AcylCN were greater in HBCS than in NBCS cows. The mRNA abundance of carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT)1, muscle isoform (CPT1b) and CPT2 increased from d -49 to early lactation (d 3, d 21), followed by a decline to nearly antepartum values by d 84; this change was not affected by group. In conclusion, over-conditioning around calving seems to be associated with mitochondrial overload, which can result in incomplete fatty acid oxidation in dairy cows.

P217 The role of 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4) as a biomarker for bile acid malabsorption in inflammatory bowel disease and microscopic colitis

Abstract Background Bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) is a condition when excessive bile acids (BAs) enter the colon due to bile acid malabsorption (BAM). Impaired metabolism of BAs and BAM interaction are involved in the pathophysiology of microscopic colitis (MC) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), especially in Crohn’s disease (CD). Plasma levels of 7-alfa-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4) is a new biomarker of BA synthesis. Little is known about the mechanisms of BAs dysregulation and levels of C4 in patients with IBD, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and microscopic colitis (MC). Methods The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of plasma levels of C4 for finding BAM in patients with IBD, IBS-D and MC. We enrolled 109 adult patients with chronic diarrhoea and 11 healthy controls who underwent standard laboratory tests, colonoscopy, serum C4 and faecal calprotectin (FC). Patients were split into six groups: 30 patients with active IBD, 21 patients with IBD in remission reporting a high number of bowel movements per day, 21 patients with IBD after surgery (ileal resection), 23 patients with IBS- D, 14 patients with MC and 11 healthy subjects (controls). Fasting serum C4 were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis and FC by the quantitative immunochromatographic method. Results Based on cut-off levels of C4 (above 48.4 ng/ml) diagnosis of BAM was confirmed in 66 of 109 patients (60.5%) and excluded in 43 patients (39.4%) compare to healthy controls. Median levels of C4 in patients with IBD active were 53.1 ng/ml, IBD remission was 52.2 ng/ml, IBD after surgery was 85.7 ng/ml, IBS-D were 7.5 ng/ml, MC was 69.3 ng/ml and healthy controls were with 3.7 ng/ml. A cut-off concentration of C4 of 48.4 ng/ml or higher identified patients with MC and IBD with diarrhoea attributable to BAM with an AUROC 0.89 and sensitivity 79.8%, specificity 90.9%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 96.1% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 88.6% compared with healthy controls (p &amp;lt; 0.001). IBD patients in remission (FC &amp;lt; 100 µg/g) with up to 4 bowel movements daily was n = 16 (76.2%) and concentration of C4 above 48.4 ng/ml were found in n = 13 (61%) of the patients. Conclusion BAM in IBD and MC is a common and very under-diagnosed condition. Serum C4 could be used for screening biomarker for BAM in patients with IBD, IBD after surgery (ileal resection) and MC. We found that serum concentrations of C4 above 48.4 ng/ml identify patients with diarrhoea likely attributable to BAM with high diagnostic accuracy and IBD patients in remission with found bile acid diarrhoea can benefit from additional treatment with bile acid binders. Further bigger studies are needed to establish the efficacy of serum C4 in patients with suspected BAM in IBD and MC.

Prognostic Significance of Serum Complement Component 3 in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum complement component 3 (C3) levels and disease recurrences in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (NPs). Methods: Ninety-seven patients with NPs and 30 controls were recruited. Clinical features were collected. Serum concentrations of C3 and C4 were measured before and after endoscopic sinus surgery. Results: Compared to the controls, increased C3 levels were found in patients with NPs. Patients with polyp recurrences had higher pre- and postoperative serum C3 levels than patients without polyp recurrences. Serum C3 levels dropped after surgery. After polyp regrowth, the mean C3 level in the recurrent group elevated again to the degree similar to that before surgery. When patients were stratified by tissue eosinophilia, no significant difference was seen in pre-/postoperative, absolute change after surgery, and post-recurrent C3 levels between patients without and with eosinophilic NPs in the group with disease recurrences. Conclusion: Serum C3 may be involved in the pathogenesis of NPs. Higher serum C3 levels may pinpoint patients at high risk of recurrence as an independent factor. Furthermore, the change in C3 levels after surgery may have the potential to serve as a predictor for polyp progression. Adding serum C3 measurement to the routine walk-up in the clinical management of NPs is worth further investigation and may help physicians make a more rational diagnostic and/or therapeutic decision regarding this disease.

Volatile fatty acid production from Kraft mill foul condensate in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors

ABSTRACT The utilization of foul condensate (FC) collected from a Kraft pulp mill for the anaerobic production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was tested in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors operated at 22, 37 and 55°C at a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of ∼75 h. The FC consisted mainly of 11370, 500 and 592 mg/L methanol, ethanol and acetone, respectively. 42–46% of the organic carbon (methanol, ethanol and acetone) was utilized in the UASB reactors operated at an organic loading of ∼8.6 gCOD/L.d and 52–70% of the utilized organic carbon was converted into VFA. Along with acetate, also propionate, isobutyrate, butyrate, isovalerate and valerate were produced from the FC. Prior to acetogenesis of FC, enrichment of the acetogenic biomass was carried out in the UASB reactors for 113 d by applying operational parameters that inhibit methanogenesis and induce acetogenesis. Activity tests after 158 d of reactor operation showed that the biomass from the 55°C UASB reactor exhibited the highest activity after the FC feed compared to the biomass from the reactors at 22 and 37°C. Activity tests at 37°C to compare FC utilization for CH4 versus VFA production showed that an organic carbon utilization >98% for CH4 production occurred in batch bottles, whereas the VFA production batch bottles showed 51% organic carbon utilization. Furthermore, higher concentrations of C3–C5 VFA were produced when FC was the substrate compared to synthetic methanol rich wastewater.

C3, C5a and anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody as severity biomarkers in myasthenia gravis.

Background:Although the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis (MG) is well known, prognostic markers are not yet available. We assessed the utility of anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody (AChR-ab) titer and concentration of C3, C4, and C5a as potential severity biomarkers in MG.Methods:Levels of C3, C4, C5a, and AChR-ab were measured in 60 AChR-ab-positive patients with MG. Their relationship with clinical severity was analyzed using the activities of daily living (ADL) and MG composite (MGC) scales.Results:AChR-ab titer correlated with severity of MG according to ADL (p = 0.002) and MGC scales (p = 0.001). When patients were classified according to disease duration, a statistically significant correlation between AChR-ab titer and clinical severity was only found in the subgroup of patients with fewer than 5 years from symptoms onset. C5a levels showed a positive correlation with MG severity according to the ADL scale (p = 0.041; τb = 0.18), although C5a levels were not different from the control group.Discussion:AChR-ab titers and C5a levels could potentially be considered markers of severity in patients with MG.

Comparative Analysis of Global Gene Expression and Complement Components Levels in Umbilical Cord Blood from Preterm and Term Neonates: Implications for Significant Downregulation of Immune Response Pathways related to Prematurity.

Background: Preterm birth is the most frequent cause of neonatal death, but its aetiology remains unclear. It has been suggested that the imbalance of immunological mechanisms responsible for maintaining pregnancy is contributing to preterm birth pathogenesis. We aimed to investigate global gene expression and the levels of several complement system components in umbilical cord blood samples from preterm neonates and compare them to term newborns. We sought to examine how differentially expressed genes could affect various immune-related pathways that are believed to be crucial factors in preterm birth.Material and methods: We enrolled 27 preterm infants (<37 weeks GA) and 52 term infants (>37 weeks GA), from which umbilical cord blood samples were collected. From these samples, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and subsequent RNA isolation was performed. We used Affymetrix Human Gene 2.1 ST Array Strip for microarray experiment and DAVID resources for bioinformatics analysis of the obtained data. Concentrations of C2, C3a, C5/C5a, C9, FactorD, Properdin were measured in umbilical cord blood plasma samples using multiplex fluorescent bead-based immunoassays using Luminex technology.Results: The levels of C3a and C5/5a were significantly elevated in preterm neonates compared to term babies, whereas C9 concentration was evidently increased in term infants. The expression of 250 genes was upregulated at least 2-fold and 3781 genes were downregulated at least 2-fold in preterm neonates in comparison with term infants. Functional annotation analysis revealed that in preterm infants in comparison to term babies there was a significant downregulation of genes encoding several Toll-like receptors, interleukins and genes involved in major signalling pathways (e.g. NF-κB, MAPK, TNF, Notch, JAK) and vital cellular processes (e.g. intracellular signal transduction, protein ubiquitination, protein transport, RNA splicing, DNA-templated transcription).Conclusions: Preterm birth results in immediate and long-term complications. Our results indicate that infants born prematurely show significant differences in complement components concentration and a downregulation of over 3,000 genes, involved mainly in various immune-related pathways, including innate immune response, phagocytosis and TLR function, when compared to full-term babies. Further studies on larger cohorts are needed to elucidate the role of immunity in prematurity.

Effects of chitosan nanoparticle supplementation on growth performance, humoral immunity, gut microbiota and immune responses after lipopolysaccharide challenge in weaned pigs.

In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) on growth performance, immune status, gut microbiota and immune responses after lipopolysaccharide challenge in weaned pigs. A total of 144 piglets were assigned to four groups receiving different dietary treatments, including basal diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200 and 400mg/kg CNP fed for 28days. Each treatment group included six pens (six piglets per pen). The increase in supplemental CNP concentration improved the average daily gain (ADG) and decreased the feed and gain (F/G) and diarrhoea rate (p<.05). However, significant differences in the average daily feed intake (ADFI) among different CNP concentrations were not observed. CNP also increased plasma immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgG, and C3 and C4 concentrations in piglets in a dose-dependent manner on day 28, whereas IgM concentration was not affected by CNP. A total of 24 piglets in the control diet and control diet with 400mg/kg CNP supplementation groups were randomly selected for the experiment of immunological stress. Half of the pigs in each group (n=6) were injected i.p. with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a concentration of 100μg/kg. The other pigs in each group were injected with sterile saline solution at the same volume. Plasma concentrations of cortisol, prostaglandin E2(PEG2), interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1β dramatically increased after LPS challenge. However, CNP inhibited the increase in cortisol, PEG2, IL-6 and IL-1β levels in plasma, whereas TNF-α level slightly increased. Moreover, the effects of CNP on the gut microbiota were also evaluated. Our results showed that dietary supplementation with CNP modified the composition of colonic microbiota, where it increased the amounts of some presumably beneficial intestinal bacteria and suppressed the growth of potential bacterial pathogens. These findings suggested CNP supplementation improved the growth performance and immune status, alleviated immunological stress and regulated intestinal ecology in weaned piglets. Based on these beneficial effects, CNP could be applied as a functional feed additives supplemented in piglets diet.

Effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan on immune function in growing Huoyan geese

This present experiment was performed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan (CS) on immune function in growing Huoyan geese. A total of 320 28-day-old healthy growing Huoyan geese (sex balance) with similar body weight were randomly allotted into control, CS100, CS200, and CS400 groups. Each group includes 4 replicates with 20 geese per replicate, and the feeding trial lasted for 4 wk. The 4 diets contained 0, 100, 200, and 400 mg CS per kg feed, respectively. The results showed that compared with the control group, the relative weight of thymus, serum concentrations of IGF-I, INS, GH, T3, T4, IgM, IgG, IgA, complement C3, and IL-2 in CS200 group were significantly higher at both 42 and 56 D of age, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, relative weight of bursa of fabricius (BF), spleen, serum complement C4, and TNF-a concentrations in CS200 group were higher at 56 D of age (P < 0.05), no differences were observed at 42 D of age (P > 0.05). These results indicated that addition of 200 mg/kg CS enhanced immune organs weight, serum concentrations of immunoglobulins, complements, hormone, as well as cytokines, and improved immune function of growing Huoyan geese.

THE STATE OF THE MUCOSAL IMMUNITY OF THE ROGENITAL TRACT IN PATIENTS WITH VARIOUS VARIANTS OF CLINICAL COURSE OF ACUTE UNCOMPLICATED PYELONEPHRITIS

The purpose of the work was to investigate the state of mucosal immunity of the urinary and genital tract in patients with acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis (AUP), depending on the severity of the disease.&#x0D; Methods. 124 women with AUP and with concomitant chronic inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs (CIDPO) and 23 clinically healthy women were examined. To assess the clinical picture of AUP was used a division into 3 variants of the clinical course (VCC): mild (n = 105), moderate severity (n = 90) and severe (n = 51). Humoral indicators of mucosal immunity were determined in 64 urine samples and 121 vaginal washings by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. The levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) A, M, G, secretory IgA (sIgA), lactoferrin (LF) myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lysozyme, C3-component of complement (C3), secretory component, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined. The concentration of β -defensin-2 was determined in vaginal washings, and the levels of interleukins 10 and 15 – in urine.&#x0D; Results. A significant increase of the concentration of C3, LF, lysozyme, MPO, sIgA, and TNF-α relative to their reference values was found in the urine of patients with different variants of clinical course of AUP. The smallest median values for LF, lysozyme and MPO were recorded in patients with severe VCC AUP. An increase of TNF-α level was more characteristic for patients with moderate severity and severe VCT. The highest increase of IgA, IgM, IgG levels was found in patients with mild VCT. Significantly elevated levels of MPO, IgA, IgG and TNF-α were detected in vaginal washings in women of all groups relative to reference indicators. The highest (p&lt;0.05) increase in the level of non-specific immunity factors (lysozyme and MPO) was observed in vaginal washings in patients with severe VCT, and specific (IgA, IgM and IgG) – in patients with mild VCT.&#x0D; Conclusions. In patients with various clinical course of AUP, a significant increase of the humoral factors of nonspecific and specific immunity and cytokines in urine was established relative to reference indicators; to a lesser extent for non-specific indicators of immunity and to a greater extent for TNF-α in patients with severe VCT. Concomitant CIDPO contributed to the greatest increase in washings of MPO and lysozyme levels in patients with severe VCT, and the level of immunoglobulins of all classes – in patients with mild.

Estimation of Complement Components (C3 and C4) and hs-CRP Level in Kidney Failure Patients

Several kidney diseases associated with complement activation. Complement activation occurs in progressive chronic kidney disease and may contribute to the chronic inflammation that is characteristically found in the kidney. This study was aimed to detect the level of complement system in kidney failure patients. This study was included (30) patients with renal failure and (15) healthy donors as control group. Serum samples separated from the whole blood of patients and healthy individuals. C3, C4, and high sensitive C- reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were estimated for all samples. The results were analyzed according to patients who were dialysis, non-dialysis, with diabetes, without diabetes, with high blood pressure, and without high blood pressure. The results showed that there was a significant increase (P &lt; 0.05) in C3 level for patients with renal failure (154.12 mg/dl) compared to control group (126.08 mg/dl) while C4 level for renal failure patients (35.38 mg/dl) showed no significant change compared to control group (36.26 mg/dl). However, C3 level of patients under dialysis (152.15 mg/dl), not dialysis (162.01 mg/dl), with diabetic (155.80 mg/dl), and without diabetic (153 mg/dl) recorded significant elevation compared with control group (126.08 mg/dl) but C4 level did not show any significant change for all groups. C3 and C4 concentrations did not record significant alteration (P &lt; 0.05) in patient with hypertension, nonhypertension, and control group. Moreover, seropositivity of CRP for patients with renal failure was ranged from 33.33% to 60% in all patients groups included in this study. hsCRP concentration significantly elevated (P &lt; 0.05) in under dialysis (1.787 mg/L), nondialysis (1.583 mg/L), with diabetic (2.766 mg/L), nondiabetic (1.066 mg/L), with hypertension (1.84 mg/L), and nonhypertension (1.26 mg/L) when compared with control group (0.667 mg/L). The present findings suggest that the increased serum levels of C3, C4, and hs-CRP reflect the of kidney injury. Hence, this reflects the complement system as an important mediator of kidney injury and the role of anti-complement therapy in nephropathy will expand in the future.

EFEK PUPUK CAIR KALSIUM TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSI TANAMAN KENTANG (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM L.)

The research effects of liquid calcium fertilizers on the growing and producing of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) had properly done. The research was carried out on Lau Gumba Village, Berastagi Sub-district, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, December 2018- May 2019. Randomize Block Design with two factors i.e. Faktor I: Concentration of “BF” fertilizer, B0: control, B1: 2, 5 ml/96 ml of water, B2: 5 ml/ 96 ml of water, B3: 7, 5 ml/ 96 ml of water. Factor II: concentration of “BC” fertilizer, C0: control, C1: 1 ml/ 96 ml of water, C2: 2 ml/ 96 ml of water, C3: 3 ml/ 96 ml of water. The results of the study show that the concentration of the liquid calcium fertilizer had significantly impact (p &lt; 0.05) to the growing and the production of tubers. The concentration of B3 (7,5 ml/96 ml of water) and C3 (3 ml/96 ml of water) had highest score 39.4 cm of plants’ height, The concentration of B3 (7, 5 ml/96 ml of water) and C3 (3 ml/96 ml of water) had significant impact to tubers’ weight.

Uncovering the protective mechanism of Huoxue Anxin Recipe against coronary heart disease by network analysis and experimental validation

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Huoxue Anxin Recipe (HAR) is a novel Chinese Herbal Medicine formula of that has been used to treat CHD for several decades. Our previous study found that HAR had anti-oxidative effects, and could promote myocardial angiogenesis and improve cardiac function following myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. However, the active compounds, potential targets, and biological processes related to HAR have not been systematically investigated. Here, network pharmacology and experimental validation were used to study the protective mechanisms of HAR against CHD. We identified 124 active components, 124 verified targets, and 111 predictive targets. A total of 1192 genes related to CHD were identified by cDNA microarray and database analysis. A total of 47 putative targets of HAR against CHD were identified, including 32 verified targets and 15 predictive targets. ClueGo enrichment analysis identified 49 biological processes involved in the anti-CHD effects of HAR. Among them, the negative regulation of blood coagulation and regulation of collagen biosynthetic process were experimentally validated. After constructing a protein-protein interaction network and clustering with MECODE and ClusterONE, 162 key proteins (from ClueGo and clustering) were used to construct an internal interaction network. Complement C3 (C3), Fibrinogen alpha (FGA), Fibrinogen gamma (FGG), interleukin-6 (IL6), and Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1) were the top 5 hub proteins identified by cytoHubber analysis. HAR limited the concentrations of C3, FGA, FGG, and IL6 and increased APOA1 levels. The results indicated that HAR could down-regulate blood coagulation, regulate collagen biosynthesis, inhibit peroxidation and inflammation injury, and promote cholesterol efflux. HAR could be a potential source of novel and effective drugs for CHD.

Mechanistic Evaluation of Efficacy Using Biomarkers of the Oral, Small Molecule Factor D Inhibitor, Danicopan (ACH-4471), in Untreated Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)

Mechanistic Evaluation of Efficacy Using Biomarkers of the Oral, Small Molecule Factor D Inhibitor, Danicopan (ACH-4471), in Untreated Patients with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH)

Characterizing C5 Inhibition with the SMART-Ig Anti-hC5 Antibody Crovalimab in PNH Patients Using Free Available Paratopes

Characterizing C5 Inhibition with the SMART-Ig Anti-hC5 Antibody Crovalimab in PNH Patients Using Free Available Paratopes

Association of thyroid hormones with resting energy expenditure and complement C3 in normal weight high body fat women

BackgroundA high body fat percentage has a specific effect on activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. On the other hand, a slight change in thyroid hormones can affect metabolism and body composition as well as immune function. This study aims to examine the relationship between adiposity, thyroid hormone levels and immunity by comparing resting energy expenditure (REE), serum thyroid hormone levels and complement C3 in normal-weight high body fat (normal weight obesity) women and normal-weight normal body fat women.MethodsIn this case-control study, 40 women with normal body weight (BMI < 24.9 kg/m2) and body fat mass (FM) ≥ 30% (normal-weight obesity (NWO) group), and 30 non-obese women (BMI < 24.9 kg/m2) and FM < 30% (non-normal weight obesity (non-NWO) group) were recruited from a sport club in Tehran. Body composition was analyzed using bioimpedance analyzer. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for fasting serum concentration of thyroid hormones (including total T3 and total T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and serum complement C3. REE was measured by an indirect calorimetry.ResultsSerum T3 and T4 and also complement C3 were higher in the NWO group than in the non-NWO group. Body fat percentages had significant positive correlation with T3 (r; 0.344, P < 0.05), T4 (r; 0.294, P < 0.05), and complement C3 (r; 0.417, P < 0.05). Serum T3 and T4 were also positively correlated with C3 concentration (r; 0.417, p < 0.001) and (r; 0.349, p < 0.05); respectively, but there was no significant correlation between TSH and C3. REE was not significantly different between the two groups. REE only had a significant positive correlation with fat-free mass (r; 0.421, P < 0.001).ConclusionAn increase in body fat even in the presence of a normal body weight can be accompanied by the changes in thyroid function and inflammatory markers such as complement C3.

Dietary tea polyphenols induce changes in immune response and intestinal microbiota in Koi carp, cryprinus carpio

We evaluated the effects of dietary tea polyphenols (TP) on growth, immune response and intestinal bacterial community in Koi carp (cryprinus carpio). One hundred and eighty fish were randomly assigned to a basal diet or three treatments consisting of basal diet supplemented with three dosage of TP. Body weight were measured at the beginning and end of trial. Blood and intestinal samples were collected at the end of trial to determine immune response and intestinal bacterial community. The results indicated that lipase activity increased in the TP-500 and TP-1000 treatments (P = 0.0007). Dietary TP decreased the concentration of serum IL-1β, IL-6, lysozyme, complement C4 and C3 (P < 0.0001; P < 0.0001; P = 0.0007; P < 0.0001; P = 0.0365, respectively). No differences was observed in the body weight, protease and amylase activities, and serum TNF-α among the treatment and control groups. Proteobacteria was more abundance in the TP-500 and TP-1000 treatments compared to that in control (P = 0.0346; P = 0.0005), whereas Fusobacteria was less abundance in the TP-1000 treatment (P = 0.0008). Intestinal bacteria, indicated by simpson and shannon indices, was more diverse in the TP-1000 treatment. The principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) based on weighted UniFrac distance indicated that bacterial community of the TP-1000 or TP-500 treatment was separated from that of control (P = 0.001; P = 0.008). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of TP had anti-inflammation effects, but attenuated non-specific immune response. These TP-mediated changes in immune response may be associated with the structure of intestinal bacterial community.