Chemistry of oral saliva related to dental caries in a group of Egyptian Turner syndrome children

Research on salivary functions and the underlying molecules has been intensive for the last three decades. Saliva acts as an ocean of anions, cations, nonelectrolytes, amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids flowing in waves against and into the plaque. There are only a few references on caries prevalence in patients with Turner syndrome with the majority of investigators observing the low incidence of dental caries among the permanent teeth of Turner syndrome children. This study was undertaken to assess the chemistry of saliva in relation to caries in a group of Egyptian Turner syndrome children. Caries index was recorded and 5 ml saliva was collected from thirty children aged 8 to 14 years. Samples analyzed for pH, viscosity, immunoglobulin A, electrolytes and streptococcus mutans counts. Caries incidence in Turner children was lower than that of the control ones. Salivary electrolytes, pH and immunoglobulin A have significant higher values in Turner group; the reverse occurred for viscosity and Streptococcus mutans count. Low caries index in Turner syndrome children can attribute to lower viscosity, lower streptococcus mutans count, alkaline pH and rise in immunoglobulin A

Predictive value of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and cystatin C as markers for contrast nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography

Contrast induced-nephropathy is a more frequent and potentially serious complication after coronary angiography. Very few biomarkers exist for monitoring contrast induced-nephropathy. Recently, serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL] represents a novel biomarker for early identification of acute kidney injury. The present work aimed to test the hypothesis that NGAL could represent an early biomarker for kidney injury and to assess the relation ship between NGAL and serum creatinine and cystatin C, in patients with normal serum creatinine undergoing percutaneous coronary angiography. The study was performed on thirty non-diabetic patients with normal serum creatinine, undergoing coronary angiography due to corollary artery disease. All patients were mateched for age and body mass index. following full clinical examination, fasting blood sample were withdrawn for estimation of blood glucose. glycosylated hemoglobin, lipid profile. creatinine as well as NGAL and cystatin C before coronary angiography. Another blood samples were taken 4 and 24 hours after coronary angiography for all patients for evaluation of serum creatinine, NUGL and cystatin C. There was a significant increase in serum NGAL level 4 hours and 24 hours after coronary interventions when compared to the baseline value before coronary- angiography Before coronary angiography, serum NGAL was positively correlated with serum creatinine, and cystatin C. in multiple regression analysis, serum creatinine was the only predictor of serum NGAL. Serum NGAL, 4 hour after coronary angiography, correlated with serum ereatinine only in simple and multiple regression analysis. On the other hand, serum cystatin C level increased significantly only 24 hour after coronary angiography compared to the baseline value before coronary angiography. In a simple regression analysis serum cystain C correlated positively to systolic and diastolic blood pressure, Serum creatinine and serum NGAL, before Coronary angiography. In multiple regression analysis, serum creatinine and systolic blood pressure were the predictors of serum cystatin C. Serum NGAL and cystatin C could be valuable in the detection of acute renal impairment after coronary angiography. However current diagnostic methods such as. Serum creatinine or cystatin C measurements only respond after renal function has deteriorated. Therefore, the presence of new early markers for renal injury such as NGAL, can initiate proper management of acute renal failure within hours rather than days of the insult

Circulating soluble transferrin receptor and ferritin in polycystic ovary syndrome

The aim of this study was to determine serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor [sTfR] concentrations in poiycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS] women and to clarify their relationship to insulin resistance and metabolic features of PCOS. This cross-sectional study consisted of 20 obese patients with PCOS, 15 obese, normally menstruating, age and BMI matched women, and 10 healthy, age matched, lean women as control groups. Serum ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, participants were subjected to hormonal assays, lipid profile, fasting glucose, iron, total iron binding capacity and serum insulin levels as well as transvaginal ultrasonography. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR], Free Androgen Index [FAI], Body mass index [BMI] and Waist to hip ratio [WHR] were also calculated for each participant. Serum ferritin level was significantly higher in obese PCOS patients compared to both obese and lean control subjects Also, serum ferritin level was significantly higher in obese compared to lean control subjects. On the other hand, serum sTfR level was significantly lower in obese PCOS patients compared to both obese and lean subjects. While, no significant difference was observed between obese and lean subjects as regard sTfR level, the fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR were significantly higher in obese PCOS patients compared to both obese and lean control subjects. In addition, obese subjects had significantly higher fasting insulin level and HOMA-IR compared to lean control subjects. Serum ferritin levels showed a significant inverse correlation with soluble transferrin receptor level in all of the studied groups. Obese PCOS women have lower soluble transferrin receptor levels compared to obese and normal controls. sTfR is highly correlated with ferritin. Furthermore, sTfR could serve as a sensitive marker for iron overload in obese, PCOS patients, or metabolic syndrome

Taurine protects transplanted liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury

Although liver transplantation as a treatment of end-stage liver disease has developed rapidly, the problem of ischemia-reperfusion injury [I/RI] to the liver graft remains an obstacle. After I/R, Kupffer cells were activated and generate reactive oxygen species [ROS] which play a central role in the pathogenesis of rejection. Taurine is a cysteine derivative known as being a conjugate to primary bile acids; besides oxidative regulation functions, it is supposed to have protective efficacy on ischemia reperfusion liver damage and its anti-hepatic injury may be mainly related to inhibiting lipid peroxides formation, regulating cellular calcium homeostasis and stabilizing biological membrane. To evaluate the effect of taurine injection before liver transplantation on the oxidant [MDA] /antioxidant [reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase] status, activation of Kupffer cell [tumor necrosis factor-alpha] and cell apoptosis [expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha [HIF-1 alpha] and caspase-3]. Forty patients undergoing liver transplantation were divided into two groups: Group I: Taurine group [n=20] were given [1 gm taurine intravenous bolus to the donor 30 min before hepatectomy and another 1 gm to recipient 15 min before graft reperfusion] .Group II: saline control group [n= 20] were given physiological saline of the same volume as taurine group. Liver biopsy was taken before the end of operation for the mRNA expression of HIF-1 alpha and caspase-3. Blood samples were taken from each participant at the beginning of the operation [T[0]], clamping of portal vein [T[1]], 1 h and 3 h after portal vein reperfusion [T[2] and T[3], respectively]. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF- alpha], malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione [GSH] and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity [GPx] were analyzed. TNF-alpha and MDA levels were significantly increased at T[1], significantly peaked at 1 h after reperfusion [T[2]] and significantly decline after 3h [T[3]]. However, this elevation of TNF-alpha and MDA levels were significantly higher in saline group compared to taurine group. On the other hand, the level of GSH and the activity of GPx were significantly higher in the taurine group than in the control group. HIF-1 alpha and caspase-3 mRNA were highly expressed in control group more than taurine group. Taurine can protect the liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury by downregulation of HIF-1alpha, caspase-3, decreasing the production of TNF-alpha and improvement of hepatic antioxidant capacity

Circulating soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products: relation to vascular complications and oxidative stress in type II diabetic patients

Advanced glycation end products [AGEs] and their specific receptor [RAGE] system play an important role in the development of diabetic vascular complications. Recently, an endogenous secretory receptor form, called soluble RAGE [sRAGE] has been identified in human sera. Interestingly, it was reported that sRAGE binds AGE ligands and acts as a decoy receptor that neutralizes AGE actions. To clarify the relationship between serum sRAGE levels and micro-and macrovascular complications as well as oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on sixty patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and twenty age and sex matched healthy subjects serving as controls. All patients and control subjects were subjected to a thorough clinical assessment, and measurement of fasting blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin [HbA[1C]], lipid profile, 24 hours urinary albumin excretion, high sensitivity CRP [hsCRP],oxidized low density lipoprotein [oxLDL], and sRAGE. The presence of retinopathy and the intima-media thickness [IMT] of the carotid artery were also evaluated. Serum sRAGE levels were significantly lower in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to control subjects and were inversely correlated with HbA[1C], hsCRP, 24 hours urinary albumin excretion, and oxLDL. Using multiple stepwise regression analysis, HbA[1C],, hsCRP, and urinary albumin excretion remained independent determinants of serum sRAGE levels. In addition, serum sRAGE levels were inversely correlated with mean carotid IMT in diabetic patients only. Also, serum sRAGE levels were significantly lower in diabetic patients with retinopathy compared to those without retinopathy and in diabetic patients with macroalbuminuria compared to those with normo- or microalbuminuria. Serum sRAGE levels were decreased in type 2 diabetic patients and low serum sRAGE levels may be a risk factor for the development and progression of diabetic vascular complications