[Evaluation of serum hepcidin levels and its relation to inflammatory acute- phase proteins and disease progress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] disease is a common inflammatory arthritis associated with joint destruction, motor disorder, and decreased life span. Hepcidin is an acute phase reactant protein which increases in inflammatory conditions mediated by IL-6 and its concentration elevates within the cell through regulating iron metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum hepcidin and its association with acute-phase proteins and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In this case control study, 45 women with rheumatoid arthritis without prior therapy and 45 healthy individuals were investigated. After the physical examination and assessment of the disease activity based on DAS28-3[CRP] questionnaire, serum levels of hepcidin, TNF-alpha, hsCRP, ferritin, hemoglobin, and MDA [Malondialdehyde] were determined. Serum levels of hepcidin, MDA, TNF-alpha and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] were higher in RA patients than the control group [P=0.028, P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.014]. Hepcidin and MDA levels did not correlate with the disease activity scores and TNF-alpha, hcCRP, and hemoglobin levels in the RA group. Hepcidin was significantly correlated with the serum levels of ferritin higher than 60 ng/ml [r=0.57, P=0.031]. From the results of this study it can be concluded that serum hepcidin and ferritin concentrations could be a useful laboratory marker in confirmatory diagnosis of anemia and atherosclerosis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Effect of cyclosporine. A on paraoxonase activity in wistar rats

Many adverse effects have been reported on using cyclosporine [CSA] in organ transplantation. To investigate the effects of CSA on paraoxonase [PON] activity and lipid peroxidation metabolites in early and late-stage of peroxidation and also total antioxidant [TA]. Twenty 220-250 g adult male Wistar rats were included in the study. The animals were stored for one week in the animal room before the initial injection to habituate with temperature, humidity, and circadian rhythm of day [12 h] and night [12 h]. The temperature was kept at 23 °C. Animals had access to food and water ad libitum. A significant [p=0.002] increase in the serum levels of conjugated diones was observed in the case compared to the control group. At the end of the study, malondialdehyde [MDA] levels in CSA group was significantly [p=0.01] higher than the control group. Serum PON1 activity was significantly [p=0.004] lower in the case than the control group. CSA administration could impair oxidant-antioxidant pathways and increase oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy could be beneficial in patients treated with CSA

Effect of isoproterenol on LDL susceptibility to oxidation and serum total antioxidant capacity in cyclosporine-treated rats

Cyclosporine therapy is associated with a variety of adverse effects. Recent studies have suggested increased oxidative stress as a cause of these side effects. Since, melatonin is one of the most powerful known antioxidants, and regarding that isoproterenol is one of the drugs stimulating endogenous melatonin production, we tried to determine the effect of isoproterenol on LDL susceptibility to oxidation and serum total antioxidant capacity in cyclosporine-treated rats.32 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: of group A were controls that received placebo; group B, received intraperitoneal isoproterenol [20 mg/kg/d] alone; group C, intravenous cyclosporine [15 mg/kg/d] alone; and group D, both drugs simultaneously at the same doses and durations namely cyclosporine one week after administration of isoproterenol. Blood samples were drawn four times for each group: before injections, during the treatment, end of the treatment, and one week after the last injections. There was an increase in LDL susceptibility to oxidation [P<0.05], and a decrease in serum total antioxidant capacity [P<0.05] in group C rats. But, there were no significant changes in group B and D rats by point of LDL susceptibility to oxidation and total antioxidant capacity. Isoproterenol may be capable of delaying adverse effects of cyclosporine by preventing the increase in LDL susceptibility to oxidation, and decrease in serum total antioxidant capacity

Serum Lp [a] and Hey concentrations on dry type age related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration usually affects people 50 years of age or older and is a most common cause of central visual loss. In this study the alterations in the levels of plasma lipoprotein [a] [Lp [a]] a Homocysteine [Hcy] and malondialdehyde [MDA] were investigated, and their serum Levels qua age related macular degeneration risk factors compared between patient and control groups. In a case-control study, 44 dry type AMD patients from Nikookari eye hospital of Tabriz and 54 normal subjects, were studied. The serum levels of Lp [a] were assayed by immunoturbidimetric method, serum Hcy was analyzed by ELISA method. MDA and lipid profile concentrations were determined by tiobarbituric acid and spectrophotometric methods respectively. Levels of Cho, TG, LDL-C, Lp [a] and Hcy were significant and higher in patients than in control group [p<0.05 in all cases]. Level of TG, HDL-C and MDA were not significant and similar in the two groups [p>0.05 in both cases]. Increased Lp [a], Hcy, MDA and lipid profiles seems to be associated with AMD and may be involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. Therefore, alterations af serum level of these factors may effectual way for prevention and progression of AMD

effect of zinc supplementation on taste acuity in chronic hemodialysis patients

Zinc deficiency is a cause of taste disturbances. The purpose of the present investigation is to examine the effect of zinc supplementation on improvement of taste acuity in chronic hemodialysis patients. 65 chronic hemodialysis patients were studied in two groups, group one consist of 35 patients and group two consist of 30 patients. Group one received placebo and group two received 100 mg elemental zinc daily for 2 months. Then the placebo and supplement disrupted in next 2 months and afterwards, this study continued as a crossover design 2 months. Taste acuity for the four primary tastes was determined by asking patients to identify them at varying concentration. Taste acuity, body mass index [BMI] and the levels of serum zinc at the 0[th], 60[th], 120[th], 180[th] days in fasting, predialysis samples were determined. Patients completed 1-day food record at nondialysis mentioned day and their dietary zinc were analyzed. Basal serum zinc levels in both groups were below than 80 microg/dl. The zinc supplementation lead to significant increase the levels of serum zinc in both groups. Taste thresholds for the primary tastes significantly increased during the placebo period in both groups. Zinc supplementation lead to decrease taste thresholds for the four tastes in both groups. This decrease was significant, except for salty tastant in group two. BMI values significantly didn't change during study. It can be conclude that in chronic hemodialysis patients: 1] Taste thresholds increased in the absence of zinc supplementation. 2] Zinc supplementation lead to improved of taste acuity. 3] Low serum zinc levels are improved by zinc adminstration