TNF-α In Blood Serum Research Articles

Immunological disorders in patients with acute pleural empyema

In case of acute pleural empyema pronounced violations of cellular and humoral factors of immunity as well as non-specific resistance of the body are revealed. Dynamics of laboratory and immunological changes of 64 patients with acute pleural empyema who were treated with classical and minimally invasive surgical methods has been studied. Patients were classified into 5 groups in accordance with severity of the disease, which was determined according to the criteria which comprise such clinical and laboratory parameters as: respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature reaction, the number of affected particles, leukocytosis, SpO2. All the patients underwent a standard examination as well as determination of serum concentration InterLeykin 6 (IL-6), InterLeykin 8 (IL-8), Tumor Necrose Factor α (TNF-α), C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Assessment of cytokine spectrum of blood serum of patients with acute pleural empyema allows stating the condition of hypercytokinemia with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines. Meanwhile the degree of their increase differed depending on the severity of course of acute pleural empyema. Study of structure of cytokine status allowed identifying those patients with severe course of pleural empyema had a significant increase in IL-6 and CRP concentrations. Nevertheless, the severe course of the disease is associated with insufficient increase of IL-8 and TNF-α. Deficiency of IL-8 and to a less extent IL-6 is expressed in patients of the older age group. In the general blood test, there have been identified higher indicators of total number of leukocytes, neutrophils, pronounced shift of the leukocyte formula to the left, increases of erythrocyte sedimentation rate in patients with a severe course of the disease. There have been identified factors which affect severe course of acute pleural empyema: decrease in oxygen saturation to less than 94%, severity of shortness of breath, which exceeds 2 points on the Borg scale, damage to 3 or more segments of lung tissue, and also numerous clinical signs of violation of anti-infective protection, pronounced decrease in neutrophils, an increase in the concentration of C-reactive protein and insufficient increase of IL-8 and TNF-α in blood serum. Keywords: acute purulent diseases of the pleura, respiratory failure, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, tumor necrosis factor α, C-reactive protein.

Reduced Levels of Lacrimal Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) in Patients with Focal Epilepsy and Focal Epilepsy with Comorbid Depression: A Biomarker Candidate.

Our previous studies showed that in patients with brain diseases, neurotrophic factors in lacrimal fluid (LF) may change more prominently than in blood serum (BS). Since glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is involved in the control of neuronal networks in an epileptic brain, we aimed to assess the GDNF levels in LF and BS as well as the BDNF and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical and inflammation indices in BS of patients with focal epilepsy (FE) and epilepsy and comorbid depression (FE + MDD) and to compare them with those of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HC). GDNF levels in BS were similar in patients and HC and higher in FE taking valproates. GDNF levels in LF were significantly lower in all patient groups compared to controls, and independent of drugs used. GDNF concentrations in LF and BS positively correlated in HC, but not in patient groups. BDNF level was lower in BS of patients compared with HC and higher in FE + MDD taking valproates. A reduction in the GDNF level in LF might be an important biomarker of FE. Logistic regression models demonstrated that the probability of FE can be evaluated using GDNF in LF and BDNF in BS; that of MDD using GDNF in LF and cortisol and TNF-α in BS; and that of epilepsy with MDD using GDNF in LF and TNF-α and BDNF in BS.

Proinflammatory cytokines VEGFA, IL-6, IL-8 as markers of hepatotoxicity after COVID-19

The mechanism of hepatocellular liver damage after COVID-19 is a multifactorial process. The most widely discussed causes are cytolytic liver damage due to the inflammatory response after COVID-19, drug-induced hepatotoxicity and direct cytotoxic effect of the virus. There are observations that SARSCoV-2 infection causes hepatitis B virus reactivation, but little has been described about the interaction between hepatitis C virus and SARS-CoV-2. The course of coronavirus infection is associated with marked expression of proinflammatory cytokines, participants in the multisystem inflammatory response, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18, MCP-1, TNFα, which contribute significantly to the observed early and late liver function impairment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of proinflammatory cytokines (VEGFA, IL-8, IL-6, MCP-1, TNFα, IL-18) as additional markers of hepatotoxicity after COVID-19. The study was performed between March and August 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 – with increased aminotransferases against the background of treatment from COVID-19 and/or in the following 3-6 months after the disease without viral liver damage (n = 42), Group 2 – patients with co-infection (chronic viral hepatitis C (HCV) and COVID-19 (n = 26). The levels of cytokines – VEGF-A, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, IL-18, TNFα in blood serum were estimated by enzyme immunoassay method. Statistical analysis was performed using StatTech v. 3.1.4. The results of the study revealed a comparable increase in the level of transaminases and C-reactive protein in both groups, significantly different from the reference values. Direct correlations of moderate strength (linear Spearman correlation) were found between the following cytokines: TNFα-MCP-1 (R = 0.559; p = 0.001), TNFα-VEGFA (R = 0.400; p = 0.002), TNFα-IL-6 (R = 0.503; p = 0.001). We diagnosed a significant increase in serum VEGFA levels in group 1 patients (hepatotoxicity after COVID-19) (Me (Q0.25-Q0.75): 522 (250 to 1002), p = 0.001) and in group 2 patients (HCV + COVID-19) (Me 1196, Q0.25-Q0.75: (73 to 432). Similar trend with the level of IL-6, IL-8, exceeding the values of cytokines in healthy donors and significantly higher than in group 2 patients. Identified correlations between inflammatory cytokines prove unidirectional changes in the functioning of the regulatory network controlling immune virus-induced reactions.

Цитокіновий профіль у вагітних із безсимптомною бактеріурією

Purpose - to determine the informativeness of the cytokine profile in biological environments (blood and urine) of pregnant women with asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB). Materials and methods. 96 pregnant women were examined, in whom AB was detected during bacteriological examination of urine. The Group I (main) - 59 pregnant women with detected AB at a concentration of bacteria ≥10⁵ CFU/ml («expressed» bacteriuria), the Group II (comparison) - 37 pregnant women with AB at a concentration of ≤104 CFU/ml («moderate» bacteriuria), the control group - 32 pregnant women with an unchanged state of the urinary tract, vaginal environment, without obstetric and extragenital pathology. A study of the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interferon γ (IFNγ), mainly produced by type 1 T-helpers, as well as interleukin 4 (IL-4), produced by type 2 T-helpers, was carried out in peripheral blood and urine. Statistical processing of research results was carried out using standard Microsoft Excel 5.0 and Statistica 6.0 programs. Results. The average values of TNFα in blood serum in pregnant women with AB of the Groups I and II did not have significant differences and amounted to 42.1±7.59 pg/ml and 45.19±11.6 pg/ml, respectively (p>0.05), however, this indicator in female patients, control group was probably lower than in pregnant women with bacteriuria and amounted to 0.61±0.05 pg/ml (р<0.01). The concentration of IFNγ in the blood serum of pregnant women of the control group was 52.9±12.4 pg/ml, but in the blood serum of pregnant women from the Group II, a significant decrease in the concentration of IFNγ was established - 6.33±0.03 pg/ml, and in the pregnant women of the Group I IFNγ in the serum was determined in a higher concentration compared to the Group II - 35.17±4.5 pg/ml (р<0.05), but was significantly lower compared to the control group (52.9±12.4 pg/ml) (p<0.05). The maximum values of IL-4 in the serum did not exceed 350 pg/ml, the results obtained on average were 213.7±56.1 pg/ml in the Group I and 139.6±25.2 pg/ml in the Group II, respectively, which is likely distinguished them from control group and was 98.7±14.9 pg/ml (p<0.05). Conclusions. The obtained results convincingly indicate the rather high informativeness of changes in the content of cytokines - TNFα, IL-4 and IFNγ in bioenvironments for determining the course of the inflammatory process of the urinary tract in pregnant women, improving the prevention system and improving the health of future mothers and their babies. The research was conducted according to principles of Helsinki Declaration. Protocol of research was proved by local ethical committee, mentioned in institution’s work. A informed consent was collected in order to carry out the research. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

Actualization of differential diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain syndrome in women of reproductive age

The objective: to study the significance of the levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the blood of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).Materials and methods. The examined cohort included 150 patients with CPPS, who according to the clinical manifestations were divided into groups A and B: group A (n=74) included the patients with CPPS and suspicion of endometriosis and group B (n=76) – patients with CPPS and suspicion for benign proliferative diseases of reproductive organs. The control group included healthy women (n=50).Serum TNF-α and plasma BDNF levels were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to study pain intensity.Results. The mean concentration of TNF-α in blood serum was significantly higher in women of group A (10.76±0.55 pg/ml) and group B (14.65±0.95 pg/ml) than in the control one (5.02±0.31 pg/ml). The mean concentration of BDNF in blood plasma was higher in women in group A (1473.88±53.02 pg/ml; p<0.001) and in group B (1711.65±66.79 pg/ml; p<0.01) compared to the control group (1082.91±56.24 pg/ml). The levels of TNF-α (p<0.001) and BDNF (p<0.01) are significantly higher in the blood of patients with CPPS and suspected combined benign proliferative diseases of the reproductive organs (group B) than in patients with CPPS and suspected endometriosis (group A).Between the intensity of pain according to VAS and the level of TNF-α in the blood a direct correlation of medium strength was found (r=0.56) in patients of group A and group B (r=0.62). A strong direct correlation between the intensity of pain according to VAS and the level of BDNF in the blood was established in women of group A (r=0.74) and group B (r=0.83).Between the disease duration and the level of TNF-α in the blood of patients a direct correlation of medium strength (r=0.65) in group A and a direct strong correlation (r=0.72) in group B were determined. Between the duration of the disease and the level of BDNF in the blood of patients a direct correlation of average strength was also establishe, a strong correlation (r=0.67) was determined in group A and a direct strong correlation (r=0.78) – group B.Conclusions. Women with CPPS and suspicion of benign proliferative diseases of the organs of the reproductive system have significantly higher concentrations of TNF-α and BDNF in the blood compared to healthy women (p<0.001).The existence of a direct correlation between the intensity of pain, the duration of the disease, and the levels of TNF-α and BDNF suggest the possibility of their use as objective markers of the effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic measures.

Определение цитокинов в сыворотке крови и во влаге передней камеры у пациентов с глаукомой и катарактой на фоне псевдоэксфолиативного синдрома

Purpose. To investigate changes in proinflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL 1β) and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) before surgery in anterior chamber moisture and in blood serum in cataract and in its combination with glaucoma due to pseudoexfoliative syndrome (PES). Material and methods. The results of the examination included 61 patients aged 56 to 86 years (average age 72.2 years) who were hospitalized for cataract surgery. Among them, 12 (19.7 %) people had primary open-angle pseudoexfoliative glaucoma with normalized intraocular pressure (IOP). A group of 34 patients were diagnosed with PES, but without the presence of glaucoma. The control group consisted of 15 patients with cataracts of comparable age without signs of PES. The analysis of the results took into account the data of ophthalmological examination, immunological studies, namely measurements of the concentration of IL-1ß and TNFa in blood serum and in the moisture of the anterior chamber, as well as somatic status. Results. PES, in general (i.e. in the study of 46 patients), occurred in 23.9 % of cases, stage II — in 43.5 % and stage III — in 32.6%. With a combination of cataracts and glaucoma (in the advanced stage), PES stage I was diagnosed more often — in 33.3 %.Inflammatory postoperative complications were diagnosed only in stages II or III of PES, and more often with a combination of glaucoma and cataract (in 33.3 % of cases) than with isolated surgical treatment of cataract (11.8 %). There was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in the indicators of proinflammatory cytokines IL- 1ß and TNF-α in blood serum and especially in the moisture of the anterior chamber in patients with PES in comparison with the age control group. Various concomitant somatic pathologies in patients with PES, especially in the presence of glaucoma, occurred more often (93.5 %) than in patients without pseudoexfoliation (73.3 %). Conclusion. Significantly increased, in comparison with the control rate, concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNFa in blood serum and moisture of the anterior chamber of the eyes with unoperated cataract, and especially when combined with glaucoma due to PES, correlated with the degree of its development and the risk of postoperative, including inflammatory, complications. Taking into account more frequent presence of somatic pathology in patients with PES, it is necessary to have more frequent dynamic follow-up after surgery of patients with PES for the purpose of early diagnosis and timely treatment of potential complications. Keywords: cataract, glaucoma, surgical treatment, pseudoexfoliative syndrome, proinflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL-1β) and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), postoperative, inflammatory complications

Clinical and diagnostic significance of determining the cytokine status in infants with chronic cytomegalovirus infection against the background of hypoxic-ischemic CNS damage

Objective: based on the production of cytokines, to identify the immunological features of the chronic course of cytomegalovirus infection in children of the first year of life against the background of hypoxic-ischemic CNS damage.Research methods:108 newborns with cytomegalovirus infection occurring against the background of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic lesions of the central unequal system were examined. All observed patients immediately after the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus infection underwent an immunological examination, including the determination of the levels of interferon-alpha (IFN-α) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), the level of interleukins — 2 and 4 (IL -2 and IL-4) necrosis factor human alpha tumors (TNF-α in blood serum was determined by enzyme immunoassay using a set of reagents ProCon IF2 plus, ProCon Ifgamma, ProCon TNFα (Protein contour LLC, Russia, St. Petersburg). At 1 and 6 months of life .The observation groups consisted of 78 children (72.2%) with an acute course of the disease (Group 1) and 30 children (27.3%) with a chronic course (Group 2). The control group consisted of 15 newborns without herpes virus infection.Results. Of the totality of the studied cytokines, statistically significant for the chronic course of cytomegalovirus infection in children of the first year of life against the background of hypoxic-ischemic CNS damage were found: IL-2, IFN-γ. It was found that in children with a persistent low level of IFN-γ and an increased level of IL-4 in the blood serum at the age of 6 months, there was a chronic course of cytomegalovirus infection against the background of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic CNS damage.A decrease in IFN-γ production indicates a congenital or acquired deficiency of the interferon system and can be considered as an indication for long-term interferon replacement therapy.

The dynamics of TNF-α and IFN-γ content in adult patients with measles depending on the severity of the disease

Background. Measles is an acute viral infection, predominantly of childhood ages. However, in recent years, the incidence of measles among adults has significantly increased, with the development of a severe and complicated course of the disease.Materials and methods. The study included 175 patients with measles and 30 healthy people. The quantitative content of TNF-α and IFN-γ in blood serum was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical processing was performed in program "STATISTICA for Windows 13" (StatSoft Inc., No. JPZ804I382130ARCN10-J).Results. A study of 175 measles patients found the frequency and spectrum of complications in adult patients depending on the severity of the disease and dynamics of TNF-α and IFN-γ level in blood serum. It is shown that frequency and range of complications in adult patients with measles depends on the severity of the disease. Patients with severe measles were more likely to develop complications from the respiratory system (p <0.01) due to the formation of pneumonia (p = 0.0001) and from the gastrointestinal tract with more frequent development of hepatitis (p = 0.0001) and enteritis (p = 0.0001), compared with moderate patients. In patients with severe measles, content of TNF-α in blood serum is the highest and exceeds both corresponding rate of healthy individuals (p <0.05) and measles patients with moderate course (p <0.05). Higher levels of TNF-α in the serum of measles patients during rash period are associated with severe course of the disease (p = 0.008). At the time of hospitalization of adult patients with measles during the rash IFN-γ content in the serum is higher (p <0.05) than in healthy individuals, both in patients with severe (p <0.05) and moderate course of measles (p <0.05). In the dynamics of IFN-γ content in the serum patients of both study groups decreases (p <0.05), compared with hospitalization, and at the time of discharge is not statistically different from that of healthy people (p> 0.05).Conclusions. Patients with severe measles compared with moderate measles patients more likely developed complications from respiratory system (p <0.01) and gastrointestinal system (p <0.01). In patients with severe measles, content of TNF-α in blood serum is highest that corresponding rate of healthy individuals (p <0.05) and patients with moderate course (p <0.05). At the hospitalization time during the rash IFN-γ content in the serum is higher (p <0,05) than in healthy individuals, both in patients with severe (p <0,05) and with moderate measles (p <0,05).

Relation between TNFα and S100B in patients with herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia

One of the most important components in the pathogenesis of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia is presented by disturbed neuroimmune interaction, characterized by development of chronic inflammation in the nervous system structures. Normally existing interaction between immune and nervous systems is altered and results in development of pathological system. Altered level of TNFα and S100B proteins may characterize the features of neuroimmune inflammation during herpes zoster infection. Objective: to assess a relationship between TNFα and S100B level in patients with herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia. We examined 106 patients with herpes zoster within the framework of our study. Based on assessing intensity of pain syndrome and its three-month follow-up data after primary treatment patients were subdivided into 3 main groups: group I – weak or moderate pain syndrome; group II – severe pain syndrome; group III – postherpetic neuralgia. The control group contained 30 age-matched apparently healthy volunteers. Venous blood sampling was performed twice: on day 1 and day 10 after disease onset. Biological material in control group was collected once. Level of blood serum TNFα and S100B was measured by using solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) on analyzer “Multiscan”. While assessing TNFα level in all three main groups, its lowered level was detected (p 0.05) on day 1, without finding inter-group differences. On day 10 after disease onset, level of TNFα did not differ from the control values found in groups I and II, while in group III it remained lowered, not being significantly differed from those found on day 1. Level of S100B in the blood serum in patients vs. control group was equivalently increased (p 0.05), showing no inter-group differences. On day 10, the level of S100B in the blood serum from patients of groups I and II tended to stabilize, by decreasing almost by 2-fold to reference intervals in group I, without reaching control values, in group II. Patients from group III were found to have serum level of S100B remained elevated compared to control group without dynamic changes between 1 and 10 days. A correlation analysis for TNFα and s100b protein revealed significant feedback relation between them (p 0.05) in group III.

The Role of Nutrition and Inflammation on Cognition in a High-Risk Group for Alzheimer's Disease.

Background:Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease. Treatments are necessary to target people at high risk for AD. Inflammation, particularly tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), appears to be an important marker associated with the development of AD pathophysiology. Consuming a high-fat diet induces tissue expression of TNFα.Objective:This study investigates the relationship between nutrition, circulating inflammation, and cognition in African American women (age: M = 59.5 (±8.20) [42–73] years) at risk for developing AD.Methods:Participants were split into high-fat and low-fat groups based on total dietary fat consumption self-reported on the Lower Mississippi Delta Nutrition Intervention Research Initiative Food Frequency Questionnaire (Delta NIRI FFQ).Results:A high-fat diet was associated with increased blood serum TNFα (p = 0.02) compared to the low-fat diet. In addition, global cognition scores were 9.0% better in those who consumed a higher fat diet (p = 0.04). No significant differences across groups were noted for executive function, dual-tasking, and visuospatial performance.Conclusion:These results indicate that there may be multiple biological pathways involved in AD development, suggesting the need for more holistic approaches to mitigate AD-development risk.

Acute Immune Response of Micro- and Nanosized Erythrocyte-Derived Optical Particles in Healthy Mice.

Erythrocyte-derived particles activated by near-infrared (NIR) light present a platform for various phototheranostic applications. We have engineered such a platform with indocyanine green as the NIR-activated agent. A particular feature of these particles is that their diameters can be tuned from micro- to nanoscale, providing a potential capability for broad clinical utility ranging from vascular to cancer-related applications. An important issue related to clinical translation of these particles is their immunogenic effects. Herein, we have evaluated the early-induced innate immune response of these particles in healthy Swiss Webster mice following tail vein injection by measurements of specific cytokines in blood serum, the liver, and the spleen following euthanasia. In particular, we have investigated the effects of particle size and relative dose, time-dependent cytokine response for up to 6 h postinjection, functionalization of the nanosized particles with folate or Herceptin, and dual injections of the particles 1 week apart. Mean concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in response to injection of microsized particles at the investigated relative doses were significantly lower than the corresponding mean concentrations induced by lipopolysaccharide (positive control) at 2 h. All investigated doses of the nanosized particles induced significantly higher concentrations of MCP-1 in the liver and the spleen as compared to phosphate buffer saline (PBS) (negative control) at 2 h. In response to micro- and nanosized particles at the highest investigated dose, there were significantly higher levels of TNF-α in blood serum at 2 and 6 h postinjection as compared to the levels associated with PBS treatment at these times. Whereas the mean concentration of TNF-α in the liver significantly increased between 2 and 6 h postinjection in response to the injection of the microsized particles, it was significantly reduced during this time interval in response to the injection of the nanosized particles. In general, functionalization of the nanosized particles was associated with a reduction of IL-6 and MCP-1 in blood serum, the liver, and the spleen, and TNF-α in blood serum. With the exception of IL-10 in the spleen in response to nanosized particles, the second injection of micro- or nanosized particles did not lead to significantly higher concentrations of other cytokines at the investigated dose as compared to a single injection.

ЗМІНИ ВМІСТУ С-РЕАКТИВНОГО ПРОТЕЇНУ ТА ФАКТОРУ НЕКРОЗУ ПУХЛИН-α У СИРОВАТЦІ КРОВІ ЩУРІВ РІЗНОГО ВІКУ ЗА УМОВИ ПАСИВНОГО ТЮТЮНОКУРІННЯ НА ТЛІ ТРИВАЛОГО ВВЕДЕННЯ НАТРІЙ ГЛУТАМАТУ

The World Health Organization considers tobacco smoke as a global health and social problem. The active use of food supplements is ambiguous as regards human health and safety. So, the study of molecular mechanisms of toxicity of isolated and combined action of tobacco smoking and monosodium glutamate is one of the topical issues of modern science.
 The study aimed to determine changes in the C-reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor-α of blood serum in rats under secondhand tobacco smoking combined with a long-term monosodium glutamate injection in the age aspect.
 Experiments were carried out on 64 outbred white male rats divided into the following groups: I – control group; II – rats with modeled secondhand tobacco smoking; III - rats, which were injected with monosodium glutamate; IV - rats with modeled secondhand tobacco smoking combined with the monosodium glutamate injection. Blood serum TNF-α and CRP content were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) Kit developed by RayBiotech (USA) following the manufacturer’s protocol on a Multiscan FC analyzer (Finland).
 The findings suggest that under the combined action of secondhand tobacco smoke and monosodium glutamate, the content of TNF-α increased by 2.9 times (p

Interaction between TNF-α and oxidative stress status in first-episode drug-naïve schizophrenia

There has been evidence that the disturbances of TNF-α and the oxidative stress (OxS) status are involved in the mechanism of schizophrenia. However, the results of their levels in schizophrenia are still controversial, and their interactions have not yet been examined, especially in first-episode drug-naïve (FEDN) patients. We therefore applied Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) method to compare peripheral blood serum TNF-α, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in 119 FEDN patients with schizophrenia and 135 healthy controls. We found that TNF-α and MDA were higher, whereas GSH-Px was lower, in FEDN patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls (TNF-α, 2.21 ± 0.33 vs. 2.11 ± 0.36, Bonferroni p = 0.04; MDA, 2.95 ± 0.87 vs. 2.68 ± 0.76, Bonferroni p = 0.04, GSH-Px, 177.33 ± 28.84 vs. 188.32 ± 29.34, Bonferroni p = 0.03). Furthermore, TNF-α levels had an independent positive association with negative symptoms (r = 0.37, Bonferroni p < 0.001). Finally, GSH-Px levels were negatively associated with the presence of schizophrenia (B =-0.014, Wald statistic = 9.22, p = 0.002, 95 %CI = 0.97-0.99), while the interaction of TNF-α with MDA was a risk factor for schizophrenia (B = 0.22, Wald statistic = 10.06, p = 0.002, 95 %CI = 1.09–1.43). Our results suggest that TNF-α and disturbance of oxidative stress status as well as their interaction may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Pressure Injuries Treated With Anodal and Cathodal High-voltage Electrical Stimulation: the Effect on Blood Serum Concentration of Cytokines and Growth Factors in Patients With Neurological Injuries. A Randomized Clinical Study

The aim of this study was to determine whether anodal and cathodal high-voltage monophasic pulsed currents (HVMPC) provided to the area of a pressure injury (PI) change the blood level of cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and growth factors (insulin-like growth factor [IGF]-1 and transforming growth factor [TGF]-β1) in patients with neurological injuries and whether the level of circulatory cytokines and growth factors correlates with PI healing progression. This study was part of a randomized clinical trial on the effects of HVMPC on PI healing. All patients with neurological injuries (spinal cord injury, ischemic stroke, and blunt trauma to the head) and a stage 2, stage 3, or stage 4 PI of at least 4 weeks' duration hospitalized in one rehabilitation center were eligible to participate if older than 18 years of age and willing to consent to donating blood samples. Exclusion criteria included local contraindications to electrical stimulation (cancer, electronic implants, osteomyelitis, tunneling, necrotic wounds), PIs requiring surgical intervention, patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus (HbA1C > 7%), critical wound infection, and/or allergies to standard wound treatment. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: anodal (AG) or cathodal (CG) HVMPC treatment (154 μs; 100 Hz; 360 µC/sec; 1.08 C/day) or a placebo (PG, sham) applied for 50 minutes a day, 5 days per week, for 8 weeks. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, TGF-β1, and IGF-1 levels in blood serum were assessed using the immunoenzyme method (ELISA) and by chemiluminescence, respectively, at baseline and week 4. Wound surface area measurements were obtained at baseline and week 4 and analyzed using a digitizer connected to a personal computer. Statistical analyses were performed using the maximum-likelihood chi-squared test, the analysis of variance Kruskal-Wallis test, the Kruskal-Wallis post-hoc test, and Spearman's rank order correlation; the level of significance was set at P ≤.05. Among the 43 participants, 15 were randomized to AG (mean age 53.87 ± 13.30 years), 13 to CG (mean age 51.08 ± 20.43 years), and 15 to PG treatment (mean age 51.20 ± 14.47 years). Most PIs were located in the sacral region (12, 74.42%) and were stage 3 (11, 67.44%). Wound surface area baseline size ranged from 1.00 cm2 to 58.04 cm2. At baseline, none of the variables were significantly different. After 4 weeks, the concentration of IL-10 decreased in all groups (AG: 9.8%, CG: 38.54%, PG: 27.42%), but the decrease was smaller in the AG than CG group (P = .0046). The ratio of pro-inflammatory IL-10 to anti-inflammatory TNF-α increased 27.29% in the AG and decreased 26.79% in the CG and 18.56% in the PG groups. Differences between AG and CG and AG and PG were significant (AG compared to CG, P = .0009; AG compared to PG, P = .0054). Other percentage changes in cytokine and growth factor concentration were not statistically significant between groups. In the AG, the decrease of TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations correlated positively with the decrease of PI size (P <.05). Anodal HVMPC elevates IL-10/TNF-α in blood serum. The decrease of TNF-α and IL-1β concentrations in blood serum correlates with a decrease of PI wound area. More research is needed to determine whether the changes induced by anodal HVMPC improve PI healing and to determine whether and how different electrical currents affect the activity of biological agents responsible for specific wound healing phases, both within wounds and in patients' blood. In clinical practice, anodal HVMPC should be used to increase the ratio of anti-inflammatory IL-10 to pro-inflammatory TNF-α , which may promote healing.

Age Peculiarities of the Pro-inflammatory Component of Cytokine Profile in Chronic Odontogenic Infection Affected by Polymorbid Pathology

Aim: This study aimed to study the features of pro-inflammatory component of the cytokine profile in chronic odontogenic infection affected by polymorbid pathology. Materials and Methods: The study included 251 people: 125 middle-aged people (40–49 years) and 126 elderly people (60–69 years). All the people included in the study were divided into groups: Group 1 - apparently healthy people (33 patients of middle age and 31 of elderly age); Group 2 - patients suffering from chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) in granulating form (31 middle-aged patients and 33 elderly age patients); Group 3 - patients with CAP and coronary heart disease (CHD) (30 patients of middle age and 32 of elderly age); and Group 4 - patients suffering from CAP, CHD, and type 2 diabetes (31 middle-aged patients and 33 elderly patients). In all patients of different ages, cytokine profile was studied in blood serum, oral fluid, and crevicular gingival fluid. Results: The level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the blood serum depends significantly on the presence of a combination of CAP and CHD, CAP, CHD, and type 2 diabetes. A significant increase in the level of TNF-α in the oral and gingival fluids was noted when associated with polymorbid background in people of both the age groups. In the isolated course of CAP in elderly patients, unlike middle-aged patients, there was a significant increase in the concentration of interleukin (IL)-1β in blood serum. The level of IL-6 in the oral and gingival fluids is indicative of the characteristics of the inflammatory immune response in patients with CAP. The serum levels of IL-8 in elderly people are significantly higher than in middle-aged people. The increase in polymorphism leads to a significant increase in the degree of IL main in terms of IL-8. Conclusion: Concentration of TNF-α in blood serum with CAP can serve as an integral measure of immune inflammation. The level of IL-1β in blood serum, oral fluid, and gingival fluid can be considered as an additional factor characterizing the pathological process in polymorbid pathology. The level of IL-6 in the oral and gingival fluids is indicative of the characteristics of inflammatory immune response in patients with CAP. The severity of proinflammatory reaction by concentration of IL-8 is age dependent with a tendency of significant increase in the transition from middle to elderly age

Role of Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) in Pulmonary Pathophsiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF-α) is one of the most commonly studied cytokine of TNF superfamily. Patho-physiologically generation of high levels of TNF-α is a development of inflammatory responses for many of the chronic diseases. Simultaneously in pulmonary diseases increased level of TNF-α in blood serum relates with the cytotoxicity. The Study was conducted on 100 patients of Rajan Babu Institute for Pulmonary Medicine & Tuberculosis (RJPIMT) Hospital. Patient diagnosis was confirmed via Spirometry. The result reveals that the serum TNF-α level increases with the COPD severity. The mean values of TNF were significantly increased with the decreased FEV/FVC. The present study showed that serum TNF-α level correlates with severity of airway obstruction in Spirometry among the COPD patients. It is worth mentioning that serum TNF-α level may plays an important role to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a useful marker to monitor the disease severity in addition to spirometric parameters like FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio.

Factors of chemoresistant pulmonary tuberculosis progression in patients receiving palliative treatment

Objective – to define factors of chemoresistant pulmonary tuberculosis (CRPTB) progression in patients receiving palliative treatment by means of their QL, TNF-α levels and body mass index complex assessment.Materials and methods. 81 CRPTB patients were examined and divided into two groups: the main group consisted of 52 patients receiving palliative treatment and the control group consisted of 29 patients receiving antimycobacterial therapy by category 4 according to drug resistance. The MOS SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate the quality of life. Studies of serum TNF-α level were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using immunoenzymometric reader Sirio S and a set “Bender MedSystems GmbH” (Austria), (pg/ml). Body mass index was calculated with the help of calculator New BMI (New Body Mass Index), (kg/m2). Results of this study were processed using the modern methods of analysis with the help of a personal computer and the statistical package of the licensed software program Statistica® for Windows 6.0 (StatSoft Inc., № AXXR712 D833214FAN5).Results. CRPTB patients receiving palliative treatment have simultaneously a high activity of inflammatory specific process, predominant body mass deficit and low quality of life (both its physical and mental component). And along with this in patients receiving CRPTB treatment, activity of specific inflammatory process is 2.2 times lower, normal level of body weight predominate and quality of life is satisfactory (with satisfactory levels of both its components). Assessment of correlation relationships gave an opportunity to find out that in CRPTB patients, receiving palliative treatment, absence of the specific process antimycobacterial therapy leads to an increase in blood serum TNFα which in its turn promotes development of body mass deficit and as a consequence quality of life is decreased through decrease of all its components. In patients receiving etiotropic treatment activity of specific inflammatory process promotes decrease of body mass and quality of life but these changes are not so expressed as in case with patients receiving palliative treatment.Conclusions. Factors of CRPTB progression in patients receiving palliative treatment include increase of TNFα level in the blood serum (≥180 pg/ml), deficit in body mass (≤18,1 kg/m2), decrease in quality of life index (≤50 relative units).

Pretreatment with Antiviral Preparation Kagocel Normalizes the Content of Bone Marrow Multipotent Stromal Cells and TNFα in Blood Serum of CBA Mice Disturbed by Administration of S. typhimurium Antigen Complex In Vivo and Maintains High Concentration of IL-10 and Th1 Cytokines.

Pretreatment with the active substance of antiviral preparation Kagocel, inductor of type I endogenous IFN, in a daily therapeutic dose (30 μg/mouse) 3 h prior to administration of S. typhimurium antigens to CBA mice reduced the number of bone marrow multipotent stromal cell (significantly increased by 3.2 times on the next day after antigen injection) to the initial level. Thus, activation of the stromal tissue induced by administration of the bacterial antigen was blocked. In addition, preliminary administration of Kagocel modulated the cytokine profile of the blood serum affected by S. typhimurium antigens: reduced 1.6-fold elevated concentration a proinflammatory cytokine TNFα to the control level (in 4 h after antigen injection) and maintained this level in 20 h after antigen administration. Kagocel also maintained the concentration of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 at the level surpassing the normal by 1.6 times and high concentrations of Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFNγ, and IL-12). These results suggest that Kagocel can reduce the immune response to bacterial antigens (similar to type I IFN [7]), which can contribute to its therapeutic and preventive effects in addition to its well documented antiviral activity and then this preparation can be used for the therapy of diseases accompanied by excessive or chronic inflammation.

Cytokine Status of Serum in Ovarian Cancer Patients with Different Tumor Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response.

Polychemotherapy in ovarian cancer (OC) is the second major component of treatment. However, treatment with cytostatics is stopped in 25% of cases because of significant side effects. It is shown that concentration of certain cytokines and their balance is largely formed in accordance with a genetic polymorphism. The objective of the study was to evaluate the cytokine status of blood serum of patients with ovarian cancer with different tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Patients received 2 courses NACT according to the scheme AP. The levels of IL-1β and IL-1Ra, IL-10, TNF-α in blood serum were determined by solid phase ELISA. For molecular genetic studies we selected polymorphic variants in the promoters of the gene represented in dbS`NP NCBI and SNP500 Cancer databases. The sharply declined in patients with ovarian cancer compared with the normal, level of IL-1β correlates with increased levels of IL-1RA. It is found that 75% of patients who had progression of the disease after NACT bear CT genotype of gene IL-1β associated with a low expression of the cytokine, while the TT genotype, providing a high level of the expression of IL-1β gene had met only 25% among patients in this group. At the same time 70% of patients with a complete response are the carriers of the T allele, while a complete response was associated with a higher level of IL-1β than in the progression group. Low secretion of TNF-α in all types of tumor response when testing TNF-α G-308A gene polymorphisms was associated with carriage of GA and AA genotypes, which are associated with low production of this cytokine. Increased compared to the control IL-10 production in patients with ovarian cancer associated with genotype replacement at position 1082 G/A IL-10 gene, which occured in 10% of patients with a complete response and 25% of patients with tumor progression after NACT. All the studied polymorphisms of IL-1β, IL-10 and TNF-α genes in patients with OC are associated with the level of these cytokines and tumor NACT response.

Influence of hypolipidemic agents on the level of steatogenic and fibrogenic modulators in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with hyperhomocysteinemia

The aim was to determine the influence of Simvastatin and PUFA ω-3 remedy on the level of pro-fibrogenic neurotransmitters (Homocysteine, TNFα) and the level of neurotransmitters that determine anti-fibrous and liver regeneration potential (H 2 S and IGF-1) under experimental NAFLD associated with HHC. Materials and methods. The study was carried out using 100 white laboratory male rats divided into 7 experimental and 3 control groups. NAFLD associated with HHC was modeled in 7 groups of rats by applying high fat diet with simultaneous administration of Homocysteine thiolactone (100 mg / kg / intragastrically) for 60 days. From the 61st day and till the end of the experiment, 6 groups of rats with NAFLD + HHC had a standard diet. On this background, the animals of 4 groups were treated by lipid-lowering drugs - Simvastatin or ω-3 PUFAs remedy. The levels of Homocysteine, TNF-α and IGF-1 in bloodserum, as well as the content of triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, hydroxyproline and H 2 S in rat liver were determined. Results. The use of Simvastatin did not cause statistically significant changes in the levels of Homocysteine, TNFα in blood serum and H 2 S content in the liver, but it led to IGF-1 worsening deficits in blood serum. At the same time, the use of PUFA ω-3 resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of Homocysteine, TNFα and increase in the levels of IGF-1 in serum and H 2 S in rat liver. Anti-steatosis and anti-fibrous effects of ω-3 PUFA remedy were significantly higher comparing to Simvastatin. Conclusion. Therefore, PUFA ω-3 drug significantly exceeds Simvastatin by hypohomocystinemic effect, more effectively reduces TNFα in blood serum and increases the H 2 S content in liver, and stimulates an IGF-1 level increase in blood serum, while Simvastatin enhances its deficit