[IL-10 levels determination in Syrian patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma and their relation with disease progression]

Interleukin 10 is an immune regulatory and immunomodulating cytokine, in this study serum IL-10 levels were measured in 44 Syrian patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma [Hodgkin's disease, non Hodgkin's lymphoma] to determine the significance of pre-treatment IL-10 levels. In our attempting to further elucidate the immunological state of lymphoma patients, serum interferon gamma [IFN-GAMMA] [the immune stimulating cytokine] levels were determined. Pre treatment serum IL-10 were measured and patients were followed-up for at least one year, at the end of the study, the significance of basal serum IL-10 levels, and its independence from other prognostic factors were determined. Pre treatment serum IFN-GAMMA were calibrated, and the correlation between IL-10 levels and IFN-GAMMA levels was examined. Serum IL-10 were significantly higher in patients compared with healthy controls [p=0.002], basal IL-10 values were found significantly higher in non responders compared with responders in retrospective analysis [univariate analysis] p=0.008 in both Hodgkin's disease patients [p=0.013], non Hodgkin's lymphoma patients [p=0.004]. Moreover this prognostic value was found to be independent from other prognostic factors, tumour stage [p=0.13], clinical symptoms [p=0.49], [multivariate analysis MANOVA test]. The correlation between IL-10 and IFN-GAMMA in pre treatment lymphoma patients was [r=0.54], and it was stronger in Hodgkin's patients [r=0.93], than non Hodgkin's lymphoma patients group [r=0.53]. the results of the current study show that measurement of pre treatment serum IL-10 levels is of independent prognostic utility in patients with Hodgkin's disease, and some non Hodgkin's lymphoma types

Studying some of the mineral elements and vitamins among giardiasis infected patients in Syria

Giardiasis, an intestinal protozoan infection caused by Giardia lamblia, is common in Syria especially among children aged 2-14 years-old. Effect of giardiasis on serological levels of zinc, copper and iron elements and vitamin B[12] and folic acid were assessed in this study. Two children groups were included in this research: 60 children aged 2-14 years-old were diagnosed as having giardiasis by stool examinations, were enrolled as the study group. The control group consisted of 40 age-matched healthy children. Serological levels of zinc, copper and iron were measured by Colorimetric Method in all samples, and serological levels vitamin B[12] and folic acid were measured by Chemiluminescent Immunoassay. The results revealed that giardiasis increased the serological levels of copper, like other infectious agents, however zinc, and iron elements and vitamin B[12] and folic acid leurls decreased during grardasis due to malalsoyotion

effect of therapeutic procedures on tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF alpha] and interleukin-1 beta [IL-1beta] levels in patients with beta thalassemia

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in both tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF alpha] and Interleukine-1 beta [IL-1beta] levels in patients with beta- thalassemia who undergo special therapeutic Procedures such as splenectomy, iron chelation and blood transfusion. These Procedures may affect the levels of circulating cytokines, including TNF alpha and IL-Ill, which are known to have many biological functions and may be involved in the disease complications. Our study comprised 91 persons: 53 patients with beta-thalassemia and 38 controls. Serum specimens were collected to analyze both TNF alpha and IL-1beta concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]. TNF alpha, IL-1beta levels were considerably higher in the patients' group [7.9 pg/ml, 5.2 pg/ml, respectively] than those of control group [3.1 pg/ml, 2.5 pg/ml, respectively]. TNF alpha levels were considerably higher in postsplenectomized patients than those of nonsplenectomized ones [P=0.03], while there was no significant difference in IL-1beta levels between the two groups [P=0.18]. TNF alpha levels were considerably lower in desferrioxamine-treated patients than those of untreated ones [P=0.02], while there was no significant difference in IL-1beta levels between the two groups [P=0.06]. There were no significant correlations between both TNF alpha and IL-1beta levels and blood transfusion rate [P>0.05]. The therapeutic Procedures which are followed by beta-thalassemic patients affect their TNF alpha and IL-1beta serum levels. The effects of splenectomy and iron chelation on TNF alpha levels are higher than those of IL-1beta levels, while blood transfusion has the same effect on the two cytokines

Studying the reactive hypoglycemia in diabetic's relatives

The aim of the study was to detect and evaluate the incidence rate of reactive hypoglycemia between the first-degree relatives of diabetics. The study was carried out on 46 persons. 23 persons were from families who have a history of diabetes type NIDDM [father, mother, brother, sister]; this was the relative group. The other 23 persons were from families who have not a history of diabetes. [This was the normal group]. The oral glucose tolerance test for 4 hours was carried out on both groups. Fasting blood samples and after 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 hours were withdrawn. Glucose and insulin were assayed in these samples. Reactive hypoglycemia was noticed in 10 persons from relative group and in 5 persons from normal group. The glucose level was less than 67 mg/dl accompanied with hypoglycemic symptoms. By using statistical analysis, it was found that there was not any significant difference in glucose levels except for the samples of the third hours. The level of glucose was less in the relative group compared with the normal group, P=0.05, the glucose level was Less [Nadir], P=O.02 in relative group. The insulin levels were always high and there was not any significant difference. It was found that there was not any relation between the incidence of hypoglycemia and the degree of relation

[Using of C-peptide assay in differential diagnosis of diabetic]

To compare fasting C-Peptide [CP] levels as an indicator of beta-cell of the pancreas secretion among different groups of diabetic patients, and to define a cut-off value which may be useful to the proper classification and treatment. 225 type II, 62 secondary failure [SF], and 52 type I patients. Age, BMI, and duration of diabetes were recorded for all patients who had their fasting glucose, creatinine, and CP checked; while fasting insulin was measured only in type II patients. A significant decrease of fasting CP was recorded in SF and typeI compared to type I patients. The value 1.2 ng/lml [0.4 nmo] was highly sensitive in differentiating patients, and may be used when determining treatment protocols. In addition there was an important increase in fasting glucose in SF compared to type II patients that may reflex the importance of endogenous secretion to control HGP [hepatic glucose productin] and the necessity of combined therapy to treat SF patients