Assessment of serum interferon gamma and interleukin-4 in psoriasis vulgaris

Background: psoriasis is T cell mediated disorder in which the cytokine network is extremely complex, involving the actions and interactions of multiple cytokines. Psoriasis vulgaris was reported to be associated with T helper cell type 1 [Th1] upregulation and T helper cell type 2 [Th2] downregulation

Objective: this cross section study was aimed to evaluate the changes in serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL4 in psoriasis vulgaris patients and correlate these parameters with psoriasis area severity index score [PASI]

Subjects and methods: this work was achieved through the study of 24 psoriasis vulgaris patients [16 males, 8 females, age ranged from 24 to 62 years] and 12 age and sex matched healthy controls. They were subjected to thorough history taking, general and dermatological examination for patients and controls. PASI score was calculated for every one of psoriatic patients. IFN-gamma and IL4 serum levels were assessed for patients and control by quantitative sandwich enzyme immuneo-assay technique. The patients were classified into three groups according the duration of the disease, a group with duration up to 5 years [6 patients], a group with duration from 5 to 10 years [10 patients] and the third one with duration more than 10 years [8 patients], according to PASI score into two groups a group with PASI score up to 15 [14 patients] and a group with PASI score more than 15 [10 patients]

Results: the serum level of IFN-gamma was significantly higher in psoriasis vulgaris patients compared to controls and serum level of Il-4 was significantly lower in psoriasis vulgaris patients compared to controls. There was highly significant positive correlation between serum level of IFN-gamma and PASI score. There were significant inverse correlation between serum level of IL4 and each of PASI score and serum IFN-gamma. There was significant difference in the serum levels of IFN-gamma and IL4 between groups of psoriatic patients with different PASI scores, while the difference between groups with different duration of the disease was non-significant

Conclusion: psoriasis vulgaris is associated with high serum level of IFN-gamma indicating Th1 upregulation and low serum level of IL-4 indicating Th2 down regulation. These changes in IFN-gamma and IL-4 serum levels were significantly correlated to PASI score

Can exercise affect reproductive and trophic hormones in girls?

To study the effect of exercise on the reproductive hormones [testosterone and estrogen] and trophic hormones [follicle stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH] and prolactin [PRL]] in girls of Sport Education at Mansoura University. Sixty students were randomized chosen from the student girls aged 18-20 years in the faculty of Sport Education at Mansoura University, Egypt, divided into 2 groups: Study group [30 students]: Control group [30 students]. The study group will practice only the physical exercises in the faculty curriculum for 2 years, 4 days/week. The control group will not practice any kind of sport. There is no significant statistical difference between the study group and the control group regarding anthropometric measurements. There is significant increase in testosterone level in the control group. Also there is significant increase in estradiol level in the study group. Regarding FSH, LU and prolactin there is no significant statistical difference in hormonal level in the study and control group. Non vigorous exercise in young girls is beneficial in decreasing testosterone level and increasing estradiol level, with no effect on trophic hormones [FSH. LH and prolactin]

Endothelin-1 and leptin as markers of intrauterine growth restriction

To explore the role of endothelin-1 [ET-1] and leptin in intrauterine growth restriction [IUGR] among preeclamptic and non-preeclamptic women. Forty patients with a pregnancy complicated by IUGR, 20 cases with severe pre-eclampsia and 20 cases non-preeclamptic were enrolled. Control group comprised 15 cases with uncomplicated pregnancy. Blood sample from umbilical artery and maternal venous blood were collected at the time of delivery for ET-1 and leptin levels. Mode of delivery, birth weight and Apgar score were recorded. The mean maternal and fetal ET-1 was significantly higher in pregnancies complicated by IUGR than in control group. The mean maternal leptin was significantly higher in preeclamptic patients when compared to nonpreeclamptic and control groups. Mean fetal leptin was significantly lower in patients than in control; however fetal leptin was corrected to fetal weight, it was insignificantly different in both groups. Maternal plasma ET-1 and leptin correlates with the degree of fetal growth restriction originating from deterioration of placental function. Maternal plasma leptin and ET-1 levels may reflect deterioration in fetal growth

Homocysteine assay in patients with acute myocardial infarction and those at risk for coronary heart disease

It was suggested that homocysteine oxidation products as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide anion radical and other reactive oxygen species are injurious to vascular endothelium and so increased total homocysteine was considered as independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. To study homocysteine level in patients with AMI and those with DM and HTN - as established risk factors for coronary heart disease - in comparison to healthy controls this study was planned. This study included 11 patients with recent AMI, 14 with systemic HTN, 15 diabetics [type2] and 10 healthy controls .All of comparable age and sex. Homocysteine level was measured by ELISA in the blood of all groups. Simultaneous assay for serum B12 and folic acid was also done by radioimmunoassay technique. The study revealed a highly significant increase in the homocysteine level between each of the diseased groups [AMI 14.3 +/- 2. 7umol/L; HTN 14.7 +/- 3.3 umol/L and 16.5 +/- 1.7 umol/L for the diabetic group] versus 9.8 +/- 1.9 umol/ L for the control group [p < 0.05 between each of the diseased groups and the control]. No Significant decrease in the serum level of folic acid nor that of B12 in any of the diseased groups versus the control group was also noticed [p> 0.5]. Homocysteine is a clear risk factor for coronary heart disease. As no difference in homocysteine level between those with AMI and those at risk so homocysteine is only a risk factor not acute phase reactant in acute injury. High homocysteine level in the blood is highly suggested new member in the metabolic syndrome. Still folic acid as well as B12 supplements could be recommended in hyperhomocysteinemia whatever their serum level

Surgical importance of matrix metalloproteinase 2 in gastric cancer

Twenty-five gastric cancer patients undergoing clinically curative or palliative gastrectomy were studied. In addition, 15 healthy subjects of matched age and sex were enrolled as a control group. Serum matrix metalloproteinase-2 [MMP-2] levels were assayed using double antibody EIA method [Amersham Bio Science UK]. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] was also assayed using enzyme immunoassay method with chemiluminescent substrate [immulyte analyzer DPC. USA]. The results showed that MMP-2 was significantly elevated in patients with gastric cancer compared with the control group. The preoperative levels of MMP-2 were significantly higher than the postoperative levels. There was a significant correlation between preoperative serum MMP-2 levels and both the extent and the stage of the tumor. No correlation was demonstrated between serum MMP-2 and other variables such as age, sex or tumor differentiation