Serum leptin concentrations in patients with liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis c infection and its correlation with soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I levels

The aim of this work is to study the serum levels of leptin and sTNF-RI and study the correlation between these two factors in patients with liver cirrhosis due to HCV. The present study was performed on 80 individuals; 60 patients with liver cirrhosis due to HCV Infection and 20 normal age and sex matched subjects as a control group. Serum leptin and sTNF-RI levels were measured by ELI.SA. The results showed significantly elevated serum leptin. [the mean value +/- SD 8.8 +/- 4.0 ng/mL vs 4.4 +/- 2.69 ng/ml. p<0.001], and serum sTNF-RI[mean +/- SD 6.2 +/- 2.3 ng/mI vs 2.25 +/- 0.39 ng/mI, P<0.001] in cirrhotic patients versus controls. There was positive significant correlation between serum leptin and serum total bilirubin [p<0.05] and negative significant correlation with serum albumin, and total protein [p<0.01]. There was positive significant correlation between serum sTNF-RI and serum total bilirubin. direct bilirubin, AST and ALP [p<0.05] and negative significant correlation with serum albumin, total protein. A /G ratio [p<0.01] and BMI [p<0.05]. There was Positive significant correlation between serum sTNF-RI and serum leptin [r=0.62, P=0.001]. In conclusion, in patients with liver cirrhosis, there is increase in the serum level of leptin due to increased levels of some cytokines as sTNF-RI the increase in serum leptin leads to loss of appetite and malnutrition

Interleukin 8 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor in chronic hepatitis B and C and in hepatocellular carcinoma

Interleukin 8 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor were evaluated in 61 patients suffering from chronic active hepatitis [CAH] and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. They were classified into 5 groups: group I [HBV], group II [HCV], group III [mixed HBV and HCV], group IV [HCC with HCV], and group V [HCC negative for HBV and HCV]. Another 10 apparently healthy subjects were also evaluated for the same parameters [control group or group VI]. All groups were also assessed for HBsAg, HCV Ab, liver function tests [AST, ALT, T. bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase]. The study showed a significant increase in IL 8, AST, ALT and alkaline phosphatase in all groups as compared with control group, a significant increase in T. bilirubin in groups I, II and III and a non significant difference in GM CSF in all groups as compared to control group. Also, IL 8 was undetectable in control group. There were significant correlations between IL 8 and T.bilirubin and liver enzymes. Also, there were significant correlations between GM CSF and T.bilirubin and liver enzymes except ALT which showed non significant correlation.We concluded that IL 8 and GM CSF may reflect the degree of liver injury as well as the immune response in chronic viral hepatitis especially HCV but its role in progression to hepatocellular carcinoma was not proven

Study of nitric oxide in septic and aseptic meningitis in children

To study the endogenous production of nitric oxide [NO] in septic and aseptic meningitis, we measured the stable end products [nitrite and nitrate] in the cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] and serum of 14 children with septic meningitis and 16 children with aseptic meningitis. 10 children who presented with fever which required analysis of CSF to exclude the presence of meningitis represented the control group. CSF and serum levels of nitrite and nitrate were significantly increased in septic meningitis when compared with aseptic meningitis and control group. Clinical and laboratory improvement following administration of antibiotics and dexamethazone to children with septic meningitis was associated with a fall in CSF and serum [nitrite and nitrate] to normal levels in these patients. CSF [NO] remained almost consistently within the normal range in patients with aseptic meningitis. We concluded that [NO] production is enhanced in the CSF compartment of children with septic meningitis and support the hypothesis that NO contributes to the pathophysiology of septic meningitis and that this simple and rapid test is very promising as a clinically useful diagnostic tool and therapeutic monitor in the evaluation of septic meningitis in children