Plasma adhesion molecules levels in patients with chronic heart failure

This study was done on 30 male patients suffering from chronic heart failure. Fifteen patients have previous history of ischemic heart. Their ages ranged from 45 to 55 years and 15 patients with past history of rheumatic heart, their ages ranged from 45 to 55 years. Another 10 normal healthy volunteers were taken as control with ages ranged from 45 to 55 years. Plasma VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and TM were measured. Serum C-reactive protein [CRP] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] were also measured in both patients and controls. There were significant increases in all parameters if compared with those of normal individuals. This indicated that plasma adhesion molecules were increased in patients with chronic heart failure of different causes

Matrix-metallo proteinase-9 [MMP-9] [gelatinase B] levels in rheumatoid arthritis useful laboratory marker

In an attempt to find a potentially useful serum markers in rheumatoid arthritis which reflect the underlying pathogenic mechanisms, we measured the circulating levels of matrix degrading metalloproteinase-9 [MMP-9] also termed gelatinase B in sera and synovial fluids [SF] from patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The levels of MMP-9 in sera were measured in 20 females patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and in 15 female healthy control subjects, while the levels of MMP-9 in synovial fluid were measured in the same 20 female individuals with active rheumatoid arthritis and compared to 10 patients with noninflammatory joint diseases as a control. There was significant elevation in the levels of MMP-9 in sera of patients compared to controls. There was also significant elevation in the levels of MMP-9 in SF in patients compared to controls. So Matrix Mettalloproteinase-9 can be used as a good marker in cases of rheumatoid arthritis