Hepcidin gene expression in chronic hepatitis C patients with and without cirrhosis

The liver is the main body site for iron stores and central in the regulation of iron homeostasis. Elevated serum ferritin and hepatic iron concentrations are frequently observed in chronic hepatitis C [CHC], and may be associated with more aggressive disease and decreased responsiveness to interferon therapy. It is now established that hepcidin, a peptide hormone made in the liver, is the principal regulator of systemic iron homeostasis. Because the role of hepcidin in CHC remains unclear, we aimed in this study to generate more information about it and its role in CHC and cirrhosis caused by CHC. This work was carried out on 20 chronic liver patients with HCV infection divided into two groups: Group 1: 10 patients with chronic hepatitis C [CHC], and Group 2: 10 patients with post hepatitis C liver cirrhosis A control group of 10 age and sex matched individuals undergoing emergency abdominal surgery was also included. Hepcidin mRNA from liver biopsy samples was extracted and quantified. Hepcidin mRNA levels were then correlated with haemoglobin, serum iron, ferritin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, prothrombin time, serum albumin, bilirubin, hepatic necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis. Liver Hepcidin mRNA expression correlated significantly with serum ferritin, serum albumin, prothrombin time, and liver fibrosis staging. However it did not correlate with haemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin receptor ALT, AST or hepatic necroinflammatory scoring. Hepcidin plays a unique role in hepatitis C infection. In CHC hepcidin gene expression shows no correlation with hepatic inflammatory activity contrary to other inflammatory conditions. Hepcidin gene expression correlates with serum albumin levels and hepatic fibrosis and could therefore be considered a marker for progression of fibrosis and hepatic dysfunction. Liver hepcidin gene expression correlates with ferritin levels indicating that its increase may be in response to increased iron stores with the purpose of down regulating iron absorption. Further studies could lead to improved understanding of the pathophysiology of systemic and hepatic iron disorders, and result in improved therapy for hepatitis C

Role of mast cells and cytokine profile [TNF-alpha, IFN-gmma, IL4 and IL-4 mRNA] in different types of leprosy

The aim of this study was to compare the number and the distribution of mast cells in biopsies taken in non reactional and reactional periods of the leprosy lesions. In addition, the expression of cytokines profile was analysed. 60 patients with leprosy were classified into three groups. Group I [non reactional leprosy included 38 patients, Group II [type I reaction] TIR included 13 patients, and Group III [type II reaction] TIJR included 9 patients. Cytokine profile was detected by determination of TNF-alpha, INF-gamma, IL-4 in the serum. In addition, IL-4 mRNA was determined in whole blood of all studied groups. Multiple punch biopsy specimens were taken from individual patients; for the examination of intra-lesional variation in mast cell numbers, specimens were taken from the centre of the lesion, the edge of tile lesion, and from the apparently unaffected skin outside the lesion at a point 2 cm from the nearest identifiable margin of the lesion. Comparison of INF-gamma and TNF-alpha in the sera of the different studied groups showed a significant difference between the groups, with a tendency to decrease in levels more in group III. Positive correlation between IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, was detected. In addition, comparison of IL-4 and mRNA for IL-4 in the sera of the different studied groups showed a significant difference between the groups, with a tendency to increase in levels more in group III. Positive correlation between serum IL-4 and mRNA for IL-4, was observed. Density of mast cells in skin lesions of the different studied groups showed an insignificant difference between all groups as regards the centre of the lesion, while a significant difference was detected between group III and both groups I and II as regards mast cell density in the periphery and interstitium. The number of mast cells tends to increase from TT up to LL. A positive correlation was detected between mast cell density and IL-4 mRNA [r=0.57], while other studied cytokines did not show such a correlation. The cytokine profile is Th1 predominant in non reactional and TIR leprotic patients, while it shows Th2 predominance in TIIR leprotic patients. According to the pattern of cytokine production, mast cells are closely related to CD8+ T cells and IL-4mRNA leading to increased density of mast cells in skin lesions from TT up to LL, which in turn controls the out come of the disease

lypmh nudes changes in mice in response to schistosomal infection

White albino mice were infected with circa ria of Schistosoma Mansoni. The mesenteric lymph nodes were examined both histologically and histo chemically for demonstration of cytoplasmic RNA granules using methyl green pyronin, as well as for some enzymes namely succinic dehydrogenase, alpha esterase and acid phosphatase. The histopathological changes suggested an immunological reaction. The histochemical examination revealed an increased activity of succinic dehydrogenase, alpha esterase and acid phosphatase enzymes suggesting that they are evolved in these immunological reactions