Levels Of Hp Research Articles

Production of antisera against porcine haptoglobin: Potential for distinguishing haptoglobin subunits

Haptoglobin (Hp) is one of the acute phase proteins (APPs) that help to alleviate the immune oxidative damage. The present study expressed a truncated porcine Hp in Escherichia coli and produced rabbit and mouse antisera to the recombinant protein, in order to investigate Hp levels in sera from piglets infected with porcine reproduction and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). Antisera prepared revealed both chains of porcine Hp in Western blot, and mouse antisera showed stronger binding activities than the rabbit antisera. With the combination of Hp monoclonal antibodies, this study confirmed that serum Hp was increased in piglets infected with PRRSV and offered a tool to know about subunit levels of Hp in porcine serum. But Hp itself could not be used as a specific biomarker for PRRSV infection, for elevated Hp levels were also obtained from pigs infected with other pathogens.

Inflammatory Markers and Haptoglobin Polymorphism in Saudi with Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives:Haptoglobin (Hp) polymorphism associated with clinical evolution of several inflammatory diseases and considered as a predictive factor for development of diabetes complications. We designed the present study to investigate the frequency distribution of Hp phenotypes among Saudi with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus compared to healthy nondiabetic subjects. Moreover, we explored the possibility of relationship between serum levels of inflammatory markers (namely, high-sensitive C-reactive proteins “hs-CRP”, interleukin (IL)-6, and Hp) and Hp phenotypes.Methods:In the present case-control study, we enrolled 60 type 2 diabetic patients as the study group and 60 healthy subjects as the control group. We assayed serum levels of Hp and hs-CRP by immunoturbidimetric method; while IL-6 was measured by ELISA. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used for determination of Hp phenotypes.Results:In type 2 diabetics, serum concentrations of IL-6, hs-CRP, and Hp were significantly elevated and correlated to body mass index. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between plasma glucose level and Hp (r = 0.577, p = 0.000), IL-6 (r = 0.448, p = 0.000), and hs-CRP (r = 0.380, p = 0.001). In addition, data demonstrated a positive correlation between HbA1c and Hp (r = 0.521, p = 0.000), IL-6 (r = 0.420, p = 0.001), and hs-CRP (r = 0.353, p = 0.008). Hp 2-1 phenotype predominated among subjects in both study and control groups. No significant association between Hp phenotypes with any of the investigated inflammatory markers was documented.Conclusion:Inflammation may represent the link between type 2 diabetes and obesity. Hp 2-1 was the predominant phenotype among Saudi type 2 diabetics as well as healthy subjects. In addition to Hp; other possible genetic polymorphisms like CRP may have its effect on diabetes through different mechanisms.

Proteomics-based identification of haptoglobin as a favourable serum biomarker for predicting long-term response to splenectomy in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia

BackgroundSplenectomy is the most effective treatment for patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) who fail to respond to steroid therapy. Thus far, there is no effective means to predict the long-term haematological response of the procedure. The purpose of this study was to identify serum biomarkers as predictors of long-term response based on a proteomics approach.MethodsThe serum samples of ITP patients were collected before splenectomy and seven days after surgery. After depletion of the abundant serum proteins, pooled preoperative serum samples from four responders to splenectomy, four nonresponders and four healthy controls were subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Nine protein spots with at least a five-fold alteration in expression between responders and nonresponders were all identified as haptoglobin (Hp) by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometer (MS) analysis. The validation of serum Hp expression was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in thirty-seven responders, thirteen nonresponders and twenty-one healthy controls.ResultsThe preoperative serum levels of Hp in the nonresponders (925.9 ± 293.5 μg/ml) were significantly lower than those in the responders (1417.4 ± 315.0 μg/ml, p <0.001) and the healthy controls (1409.1 ± 354.2 μg/ml, p <0.001), while there was no significant difference between the latter two groups. The postoperative serum levels of Hp in responders and nonresponders were (1414.1 ± 225.0 μg/ml) and (952.9 ± 202.4 μg/ml), respectively. There were no significant differences between the serum Hp levels before and after surgery in both responders and nonresponders (p>0.05). The preoperative serum levels of Hp did not significantly correlate with preoperative platelet count of the same blood samples (r = 0.244, p = 0.087), while it positively correlated with postoperative peak platelet count (r = 0.622, p < 0.001). The optimal cutoff value of preoperative serum Hp levels (1173.80 μg/ml) derived from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve led to 78.4% sensitivity and 84.6% specificity.ConclusionsThese results suggest that serum Hp levels may serve as a favourable predictor for the long-term response to splenectomy in ITP and may help to understand the pathophysiological differences between responders and nonresponders.

Elevated Serum Haptoglobin is Associated with Clinical Outcome in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy with the highest incidence rates among women worldwide. Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) disease is diagnosed more frequently in younger women, and is associated with a poor prognosis. Elevated levels of serum haptoglobin protein (Hp) are observed in many malignant diseases including breast cancer. We evaluated the expression and prognostic value of Hp among patients with TNBC. Serum Hp levels were determined by Elisa in 41 patients with TNBC and 10 normal individuals. Hp status was correlated with other clinico-pathological parameters including patient survival. Of the 41 patients with TNBC, Hp over expression was detected in 24 (59%) by Elisa. Hp up-regulation was confirmed by Elisa based quantification in the serum of 41 TNBC patients against lower grades and 10 normal individuals. Survival analysis revealed that Hp (p=2.016x10-5), stage (p=2.166x10-5), distant metastasis (p=2.217x10-5), tumor size (p=1.053x10-5), and tumor grade (p=0.001), correlated with patient survival on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed that Hp (p=0.001), and grade of the disease (p=0.008) were independent predictors of survival. Our results indicate that serum levels of Hp may play a role as a potential serum biomarker and prognostic indicator among TNBC patients. Thus, Hp may present a new promising prognostic biomarker in TNBC patients, but independent validations are now necessary for confirmation.

Proteomic analysis of changes in protein expression in serum from animals exposed to paraquat

Paraquat (PQ) poisoning remains a major public health concern in many countries. Extensive research has focused on finding early diagnostic biomarkers of acute PQ poisoning. In order to investigate the characterization of diagnostic biomarkers in PQ poisoning, we utilized proteomic analysis using serum from rats exposed to PQ, and we identified 8 differentially expressed proteins from over 500 protein spots. The expression of apolipoprotein E (ApoE), preprohaptoglobin (Pphg), a precursor of haptoglobin (Hp), and complement component 3 (C3) proteins was greatly induced by PQ exposure while the expression of fibrinogen γ-chain (FGG) and Ac-158 was dramatically reduced. To further investigate the possibility of ApoE, Pphg and FGG as useful diagnostic biomarkers of PQ poisoning, western blot and qRT-PCR analyses were conducted using cell lines as well as rat and human sera. The expression levels of ApoE, Hp and FGG were significantly altered in the presence of PQ in both rat and human serum suggesting that these proteins may be appropriate candidate molecular biomarkers for the early diagnosis of acute PQ intoxication.

Inflammation biomarkers in chronic hepatitis C: association with liver histopathology, HCV genotype and cryoglobulinemia

This work investigated the profile of inflammation biomarkers in patients with chronic hepatitis C and its association with liver fibrosis, hepatic necroinflammatory activity, viral genotypes and cryoglobulinemia. Seventy-eight untreated patients were studied. Biomarker levels were determined by immunoassays, cryoglobulinemia by cryoprecipitation and liver histopathology investigated using METAVIR scores. Decreased levels of α(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP), C3 and haptoglobin (Hp) were observed in the patients (P<0.0001). Increased α(1)-antitrypsin (P<0.01) and ferritin (P<0.0001) levels were found in this group, but C-reactive protein (CRP) and C4 levels were unaltered. Alanine aminotransferase inversely correlated with Hp (P<0.01) and AGP (P=0.01), whereas it was directly correlated with ferritin (P<0.05) and AGP (P<0.0001). The levels of CRP, C3 and C4 were lower in the patients with hepatic necroinflammatory activity (P<0.05). Patients with advanced fibrosis had low levels of Hp and AGP (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Neither infection with different viral genotypes nor cryoglobulinemia caused an alteration in biomarker levels. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection alters the levels of some biomarkers, which are mainly observed in patients with liver fibrosis and hepatic necroinflammatory activity.

Combination of Haptoglobin and Osteopontin Could Predict Colorectal Cancer Hepatic Metastasis

This study aimed to identify novel molecular markers for the early detection of colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Genes related to hepatic metastasis were screened from the Oncomine database. The candidate markers were tested by immunohistochemistry, and their predictive accuracy was assessed by the cross-validation method and an independent test set. We got three datasets containing 2,973 genes that were highly expressed in primary colon cancer tissues compared with non-metastatic colon cancer tissues and identified 7 candidate molecules for immunohistochemical validation. A total of 213 colorectal cancer samples were randomly divided into a training set (113 cases) and a blind testing set (100 cases). In the training set, immunohistochemical analysis showed that HP, OPN, and PTGIS expression were significantly higher in the hepatic metastasis group than in the non-metastasis group. Logistic regression analysis showed that HP and OPN levels in primary tumors and lymph node metastasis status were the only significant (P<0.05) parameters for detecting liver metastasis. The predictive accuracy of markers was assessed by the cross-validation method and an independent test set. In leave-one-out cross-validation, the two markers combined with clinicopathologic features resulted in 91.2% sensitivity and 96.4% specificity for hepatic metastasis detection. In an independent test set, the combination achieved 94.5% sensitivity and 88.9% specificity for predicting the hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer. Our results suggest that combined HP and OPN expression levels are significantly related to liver metastasis and prognosis, and, if this is validated, they could be used as accurate predictors of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer.

Evaluation of C-reactive protein, Haptoglobin and cardiac troponin 1 levels in brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstructive syndrome

BackgroundBrachycephalic dogs have unique upper respiratory anatomy with abnormal breathing patterns similar to those in humans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between anatomical components, clinical signs and several biomarkers, used to determine systemic inflammation and myocardial damage (C-reactive protein, CRP; Haptoglobin, Hp; cardiac troponin I, cTnI), in dogs with brachycephalic upper airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS).ResultsFifty brachycephalic dogs were included in the study and the following information was studied: signalment, clinical signs, thoracic radiographs, blood work, ECG, components of BAOS, and CRP, Hp and cTnI levels. A high proportion of dogs with BAOS (88%) had gastrointestinal signs. The prevalence of anatomic components of BAOS was: elongated soft palate (100%), stenotic nares (96%), everted laryngeal saccules (32%) and tracheal hypoplasia (29.1%). Increased serum levels of biomarkers were found in a variable proportion of dogs: 14% (7/50) had values of CRP > 20 mg/L, 22.9% (11/48) had values of Hp > 3 g/L and 47.8% (22/46) had levels of cTnI > 0.05 ng/dl. Dogs with everted laryngeal saccules had more severe respiratory signs (p<0.02) and higher values of CRP (p<0.044). No other statistical association between biomarkers levels and severity of clinical signs was found.ConclusionsAccording to the low percentage of patients with elevated levels of CRP and Hp, BAOS does not seem to cause an evident systemic inflammatory status. Some degree of myocardial damage may occur in dogs with BAOS that can be detected by cTnI concentration.

Proteomic analysis of plasma samples from patients with acute myocardial infarction identifies haptoglobin as a potential prognostic biomarker

Prognosis of clinical outcome following myocardial infarction is variable and difficult to predict. We have analyzed the plasma proteome of thirty patients with acute myocardial infarction to search for new prognostic biomarkers. Proteomic analyses of blood samples were performed by 2-D-DiGE after plasma depletion of albumin and immunoglobulins G. New York Heart Association (NYHA) class determined at 1-year follow-up was used to identify patients with heart failure. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering of proteomic data revealed that patients could be separated into 3 groups. The 22 differentially expressed proteins involved in this grouping were identified as haptoglobin (Hp) and respective isoforms. The 3 groups of patients had distinct Hp isoforms: patients from group 1 had the α1-α1, patients from group 2 the α2-α1, and patients from group 3 the α2-α2 genotype. This classification was also associated with different total plasma levels of Hp. The presence of the α2 genotype and low plasma levels of Hp was associated with a higher NYHA class and therefore with a detrimental functional outcome after myocardial infarction. A plasma level of Hp below 1.4g/L predicted the occurrence of heart failure (NYHA 2, 3, 4) at 1-year with 100% sensitivity.

Combined measurement of PEDF, haptoglobin and tau in cerebrospinal fluid improves the diagnostic discrimination between alzheimer’s disease and other dementias

Using proteomic approach in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) we identified pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and Haptoglobin (Hp) as putative markers that could discriminate between AD and other dementias. ELISA assays were developed to measure the levels of PEDF and Hp in CSF from patients with AD (AD, n = 27), non-AD (NAD, n = 30) and in non-demented patients (ND, n = 27). The combined assessment of PEDF, Hp and Tau levels, using Iterative Marginal Optimization, improved the differential diagnosis of AD, especially in patients with moderate to severe dementia (p<0.002). This pilot study highlights the probable different contribution of oxidative mechanisms in dementia.

Haptoglobin phenotypes and plasma haptoglobin levels in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm

Inflammation is associated with the disruption of the aortic media and appears to play a fundamental role in the progression and development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Haptoglobin (Hp) is a genetically determined acute phase protein, the synthesis of which is increased during inflammation. This study was designed to investigate both phenotype and plasma levels of Hp in patients with AAA. Patients with documented AAA who were admitted for elective open repair operation or endograft stent implantation, and non-AAA subjects admitted for coronary arteriography, but found to have normal or insignificant coronary artery disease, were included in the study. Plasma Hp levels were determined using a standard specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, while Hp phenotype was determined by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride levels were analyzed enzymatically, and C-reactive protein was analyzed by immunochemistry. Forty-five patients with AAA and 49 non-AAA subjects were included. The Hp 2-2 phenotype was more predominant in AAA patients compared with non-AAA subjects, but this difference was not significant (67% vs 47%; P = .141), while plasma Hp concentrations were significantly higher in AAA patients (237 ± 144 vs 163 ± 86 ng/mL; P = .024). Further analysis revealed that plasma Hp concentrations were significantly higher in AAA patients with the 2-2 phenotype compared with corresponding non-AAA subjects (238 ± 144 vs 163 ± 86 ng/mL;P = .024). Our findings suggest that plasma Hp concentrations are elevated in patients with AAA, particularly those with the Hp 2-2 phenotype.

Serum Levels of Acute Phase Proteins: SAA, Hp and Progesterone (P4) in Mares with Early Embryonic Death

The study involved 46 healthy purebred Arabian mares exhibiting regular oestrous cycles that underwent artificial insemination (AI). Pregnancy was detected ultrasonographically (US) in 40 mares. In 15 mares in foal, early embryonic death (EED) was observed during the pregnancy days 14-21. Blood for determinations of serum acute phase proteins (SAA and Hp) and progesterone (P4) was sampled 12-24 h before ovulation and the first insemination, at 12, 24, 72, 96 h and on day 7, 10, 14, 21, 35 and 55 after ovulation. The results revealed that in 25 mares without EED, the serum levels of P4, SAA and Hp were within physiological limits; in 15 mares with EED, the levels of SAA and Hp were significantly increased. In seven mares with EED, high levels of SAA and Hp were already found before ovulation and at 12, 24, 72, 96 h as well as on day 7 and 10 post-ovulation, whereas the level of P4 was normal for early pregnancy. In the remaining eight mares with EED, increased levels of SAA and Hp were found at 72 h after ovulation and maintained until day 55. In this group, the level of P4 decreased since 96 h after ovulation. Determinations of SAA, Hp and P4 in mares in early pregnancy (EP) are useful for monitoring normal development of pregnancy and for diagnosis of subclinical genital inflammations, which may lead to EED.

High-protein diet during gestation and lactation affects mammary gland mRNA abundance, milk composition and pre-weaning litter growth in mice

We evaluated the effect of a high-protein diet (HP) on pregnancy, lactational and rearing success in mice. At the time of mating, females were randomly assigned to isoenergetic diets with HP (40% w/w) or control protein levels (C; 20%). After parturition, half of the dams were fed the other diet throughout lactation resulting in four dietary groups: CC (C diet during gestation and lactation), CHP (C diet during gestation and HP diet during lactation), HPC (HP diet during gestation and C diet during lactation) and HPHP (HP diet during gestation and lactation). Maternal and offspring body mass was monitored. Measurements of maternal mammary gland (MG), kidney and abdominal fat pad masses, MG histology and MG mRNA abundance, as well as milk composition were taken at selected time points. HP diet decreased abdominal fat and increased kidney mass of lactating dams. Litter mass at birth was lower in HP than in C dams (14.8 v. 16.8 g). Dams fed an HP diet during lactation showed 5% less food intake (10.4 v. 10.9 g/day) and lower body and MG mass. On day 14 of lactation, the proportion of MG parenchyma was lower in dams fed an HP diet during gestation as compared to dams fed a C diet (64.8% v. 75.8%). Abundance of MG α-lactalbumin, β-casein, whey acidic protein, xanthine oxidoreductase mRNA at mid-lactation was decreased in all groups receiving an HP diet either during gestation and/or lactation. Milk lactose content was lower in dams fed an HP diet during lactation compared to dams fed a C diet (1.6% v. 2.0%). On days 14, 18 and 21 of lactation total litter mass was lower in litters of dams fed an HP diet during lactation, and the pups’ relative kidney mass was greater than in litters suckled by dams receiving a C diet. These findings indicate that excess protein intake in reproducing mice has adverse effects on offspring early in their postnatal growth as a consequence of impaired lactational function.

Evaluation of isoenergenetic diets with various levels of protein and fish meal in bocachico fries (Prochilodus magdalenae)

To measure the effect of three protein levels (24, 28 and 32%) with and without the incorporation of fishmeal HP (7.5 and 0%), isoenergy diets (3100 Kcal / kg), with similar amounts of five essential amino acids (lysine, methionine + cystine, threonine and tryptophan) in the performance of bocachico (Prochilodus magdalenae) fries, in an experiment of 32 days was performed. For this purpose a completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement 3 * 2 (three levels of protein and two levels of HP) due to a difference in initial weights and standard lengths was employed. An ANACOVA, to assess the effect of the six diets in the final weight, weight gain expressed as percentage, specific growth rate and gain in standard length was executed. Finally, it was concluded that no significant difference (P> 0.05) among the different diets on these parameters was detected, so it can be stated that bocachico fries well tolerated diets devoid of fish meal as long as they have with a good balance of amino acids; furthermore, they can show also a good performance with diets with protein content of 24%.

Haptoglobin and serum amyloid A in bulk tank milk in relation to raw milk quality

The aim of the present study was to evaluate relationships between the presence of the two major bovine acute phase proteins haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA) and raw milk quality parameters in bulk tank milk samples. Hp and SAA have been suggested as specific markers of mastitis but recently also as markers for raw milk quality. Since mastitis has detrimental effects on milk quality, it is important to investigate whether the presence of Hp or SAA indicates such changes in the composition and properties of the milk. Bulk tank milk samples (n=91) were analysed for Hp, SAA, total protein, casein, whey protein, proteolysis, fat, lactose, somatic cell count and coagulating properties. Samples with detectable levels of Hp had lower casein content, casein number and lactose content, but higher proteolysis than samples without Hp. Samples with detectable levels of SAA had lower casein number and lactose content, but higher whey protein content than samples without SAA. The presence of acute phase proteins in bulk tank milk is suggested as an indicator for unfavourable changes in the milk composition, e.g. protein quality, due to udder health disturbances, with economical implications for the dairy industry.

Influence of addition of Raftiline HP ® on the growth, proteolytic, ACE- and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of selected lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium

This study examined the influence of Raftiline HP ®, added at the rate of 1, 2 and 3 g 100 mL −1 to reconstituted skim milk, on the growth and biochemical activities of selected strains of Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum. The growth of B. longum and S. thermophilus was improved in reconstituted skim milk (RSM) containing 1 g 100 mL −1 Raftiline HP ®. All the organisms except for S. thermophilus produced more lactic acid and acetic acid in the presence of Raftiline HP ® than in the control. L. acidophilus and B. longum showed improvement in the proteolytic capabilities at all the three levels of Raftiline HP ® addition. L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus showed maximum percent ACE inhibition in RSM containing 2 g 100 mL −1 Raftiline HP ® while B. longum exhibited this potential in RSM containing 3 g 100 mL −1 Raftiline HP ®. All organisms, except L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, however, showed improvement in the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in RSM containing Raftiline HP ®.

Endotoxin-like effects in acute phase response to Trypanosoma brucei brucei infection are not due to gastrointestinal leakage

Trypanosomosis is mainly an immunological and inflammatory response mediated by increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Evidence suggests that pathological changes produced during infection with trypanosomes could be initiated by nonspecific endotoxin-like substances in trypanosomes and/or Gram-negative secondary bacterial infection. Studies in trypanosome-infected rats indicate damage to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) accompanied by increased leakage of the GIT mucosa. The current study was carried out to determine the in vivo response to endotoxin-like substances of Trypanosomabrucei brucei. To this purpose we neutralized the entrance of endotoxin through the GIT using polymyxin-B treatment and monitored the plasma concentration of the acute phase proteins SAP and Hp. The results in this study, where infection was performed in the presence of oral antibiotic that is not absorbed from GIT and which binds to and inactivates endotoxin, show that the elevated plasma levels of endotoxin-like activity and the resulting acute phase response indicated by an increase in levels of Hp and SAP, are due to trypanosome infection. Results obtained in the present study indicate that GIT is not the major source of elevated plasma endotoxin-like activity levels and the observed acute phase response was due to an increase in the levels of acute phase proteins SAP and haptoglobin.Therefore trypanosomes are responsible for the elevated plasma endotoxin-like activity levels and the subsequent systemic acute phase response in the host.

PLASMA HEPARANASE AS A SIGNIFICANT MARKER OF TREATMENT RESPONSE IN CHILDREN WITH HODGKIN LYMPHOMA: Pilot Study

Introduction: The aim of this pilot study was to determine heparanase plasma levels (HP) at diagnosis and at restaging in children diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and to investigate whether this parameter provides prognostic information for response to treatment after induction therapy. Patients and Methods: HP levels of 19 pediatric patients (mean age: 10.3 years (y) (range, 4–18 y), 9 girls, 10 boys) with Hodgkin lymphoma were assayed at diagnosis and at restaging. HP levels were determined using an ELISA anti-human heparanase immunoassay kit. According to diagnosis, CAT scan and/or FDG/ PET-CT fusion were performed to assess response to treatment after 2–3 courses of chemotherapy. Two patients received VAMP protocol (1 stage IA, 1 stage IIA), 1 received AV-PC (nonbulky stage IIA), 4 received COPP/ABV (3 stage IIA bulky, 1 stage IIIA nonbulky), 4 received ABVE-PC (2 stage IIB, 1 stage IIA bulky, 1 stage IIIA bulky), 2 received ABVD (1 stage IIA bulky, 1 stage IIIA), and 6 received escalated BEACOPP (1 stage IIIB, 3 stage IVA, 2 stage IVB). Results: Changes in HP levels were found to correlate with response to treatment for most of the children. At diagnosis, average HP level was 1019 pg/mL (range, 141–5733 pg/mL), decreasing at restaging to 588 pg/mL (range, 62–3267 pg/mL) (p =. 034). At diagnosis, the average HP of the 16 patients in CR or VGPR was 1104 pg/mL; it had decreased at restaging to 586 pg/mL (p =. 032). At diagnosis, the average HP level for the 3 patients with TP or PR was 1704 pg/mL; it had increased to 1938 pg/mL at restaging (p =. 166). Due to the small number of patients, no correlation was observed between HP levels at diagnosis, staging, or any other clinical prognostic factor. Conclusions: Changes in plasma HP levels correlated with response to treatment for children diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. This provides a rationale for exploring clinical interest in plasma heparanase measurements of a larger group, using the test for clinical trials of antiangiogenic therapies.

Effect of soluble dietary fibre addition on rheological and breadmaking properties of wheat doughs

The aim of this experimental work was to evaluate the effect of inulin addition on the rheological properties of common wheat doughs and bread quality. Three commercial fructan products of different number average degree of polymerisation (DPn) were used (DPn = 10 for inulin ST; DPn = 23 for inulin HP and HP-gel). Inulin contents from 2.5 to 7.5% on dry matter (wheat flour plus inulin) were used. Dough rheological properties were investigated using farinograph and dynamic rheological measurements. Upon addition of dietary fibre (DF), significant increase in mixing time and stability, and decrease in water absorption were recorded. Inulin ST exerted greater effect on water absorption than HP products. Inulin with high DP determined large changes in linear viscoelastic properties of dough. The storage modulus ( G′) gradually increased and tan δ decreased with increasing levels of inulin HP and HP-gel, which contribute to the overall dough elasticity and strength. The increase in solid-like behaviour with DF content prevented expansion of wheat dough during the fermentation stage. No significant differences were observed between sample HP and HP-gel. Enrichment with inulin ST led to lower changes in linear viscoelastic properties of dough at farinograph water absorption than inulin HP. Bread volume was significantly reduced and crumb hardness was enhanced by inulin HP level in the range 5–7.5%. When inulin ST was added to a flour suitable for breadmaking, a trend of increasing bread volume with the increase of DF content was found.

Assessment of Acute Phase Proteins as Prognostic Factors in Patients Surgically Treated for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess quantitative acute phase protein (APP) level changes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) subjected to radical resections, as well as their influence on long-term survival. We analysed the correlation between quantitative APP changes and the histological type of the carcinoma, as well as the TNM stage and grade. Materials and methods: The study group comprised 46 patients subjected to surgical treatment of NSCLC during the period between 2003 and 2004. Average patient age amounted to 61 years (ranging between 45 and 77 years). The most frequent histological types of cancer were: squamous cell lung cancer (24 patients) and adenocarcinoma (17 patients). The majority of patients were diagnosed with stage II B (15 patients) and III A (14 patients). We evaluated the levels of the following APP: C-reactive protein (CRP), α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), α1-antichymotrypsin (ACT), α1-antitrypsin (AT), α2-macroglobulin (M), ceruloplasmin (Cp), haptoglobin (Hp), and transferrin (Tf) by means of rocket immunoelectrophoresis (Laurell’s method). Results: The level of AT was significantly higher in patients with adenocarcinoma, as compared to other histological types of cancer. In the case of patients with squamous cell lung cancer, significantly higher M and Cp levels were observed. We found no correlation between the APP level and tumour grading. The levels of five APP: CRP, AGP, ACT, M and Cp were significantly higher in the group of patients with T3 or T4 category, while N1 or N2 patients presented with significantly higher concentrations of AT, CRP and Hp. Multivariate analysis confirmed the influence of the following factors on long-term survival: N stage, histological type of cancer and preoperative serum levels of AGP and Hp. Conclusions: The serum concentration of some acute phase proteins can correlate with the more aggressive clinical course of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients with adenocarcinoma and local lymph node metastases present with significantly higher levels of AT. Thus, it seems that the elevated preoperative levels of AGP and Hp might unfavourably influence long-term survival. The above-mentioned proteins might prove useful as prognostic factors when assessing the risk of neoplastic recurrence following surgical management.