role of serum level of interleukin-6 in severity of pulmonary complications of sulfur mustard injuries

Diverse studies suggest that interleukin-6 [IL6], as a member of cytokines family, has a major role in inflammatory processes of airways and lungs. In this study, an attempt was made to determine the serum level of IL6 in sulfur mustard [SM] injured patients and its comparison with controls. The measured IL6 mean level in patients with chemical injuries [0.76 +/- 0.3 ng/ml] was significantly higher than the control group's mean level [0.34 +/- 0.12 ng/ml]. Furthermore, patients with moderate to severe symptoms had a serum level of [0.95 +/- 0.92 ng/ml] which was significantly higher than mild [0.47 +/- 0.54] and control [0.34 +/- 0.12] groups. The outcome of this research program demonstrates that an increase in serum level of IL6 can have a role in pulmonary complications of SM, similar to other well defined pulmonary diseases. However, further studies are required to clarify the role and mechanism of IL6 in such patients

[Effects of calcitonin nasal spray on serum bone resorptive marker CTX and other laboratory findings in osteopenic menopausal women: a clinical trial]

Various therapeutic options such as calcitonin have been suggested for patients with low bone density, despite uncertain efficacy in most patients. C-telopeptide of type I collagen [CTX] is a new bone marker used for the assessment of bone resorption. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of nasal spray calcitonin in women with osteopenia via serum CTX and other laboratory tests. We conducted a self controlled clinical trial in 2009 on 105 women of menopausal age diagnosed in Baqiyatallah Hospital Clinic with osteopenia based on a bone mineral density score of 1.5 SD lower than peak bone mass. The patients were assigned to receive nasal spray calcitonin [200 IU/day], calcium [1000 mg/day] and Vit-D [400 IU/day] for 6 months. Serum CTX and other laboratory parameters were measured before and after the treatment. The data were analyzed by SPSS, version 17, using t-tests and a P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Fifty-two patients completed the study and the mean CTX level decreased significantly from 3.10 +/- 2.03 to 2.61 +/- 1.82 pmol/lit [P<0.001], but total serum levels of PTH, Ca, AST, ALT and Alkaline Ph decreased insignificantly. It seems that nasal spray of calcitonin is significantly effective in preventing disease progression and treatment of low bone density by inhibiting bone tissue resorption indicated by CTX although further studies with larger samples sizes and inclusion of control groups are warranted

[TGF- beta 1 gene expression in skin lesions and correlation with pruritus in mustard gas exposed victims]

As a blistering agent, mustard gas causes a variety of disorders in different body organs, including the skin, such as altrations in DNA and clinical manifestations like pruritus. TGF- beta 1 molecule is a cytokine with anti-cell growth and inflammation suppression effects in skin inflammation. The aim of this study was to determine TGF- beta 1 gene exprtession in victims exposed to mustard gas and the correlation with the severity of their pruritus. 17 victims exposed to mustard gas, 17 patients with chronic contact dermatitis and 10 healthy individuals were included in the study. The assessment of TGF- beta 1 expression in their skin samples was conducted by semi-quantitative RT-PCR followed by immunohistochemistry and classification of patients was done by pruritus severity scoring system [0-3]. There was a significant decrease in TGF- beta 1 gene expression in mustard gas exposed victims comparing to chronic contact dermatitis group and the control group [P<0.05]. In addition, in the absence of TGF- beta 1 expression, the severity of pruritus in the patient group significantly increased [P<0.05]. TGF- beta 1 has a significant role in chronic inflammatory skin lesions caused by mustard gas

Comparison of skin erythema and melanin level in sulfur mustard induced chronic skin lesions and normal skin

Sulfur mustard gas is a chemical agent that has been used in many wars, especially in Iran-Iraq war. This chemical agent affects many organs including lungs, eyes and skin, causing numerous acute and chronic lesions including erythema and hyperpigmentation, respectively. This study was conducted to evaluate erythema and melanin in subjects with a history of exposure to sulfur mustard. This case-control study was done on 309 subjects. They were divided into four groups: sulfur mustard-exposed patients with skin lesions [n=87], sulfur mustard-exposed cases without current skin lesions [n=71], non sulfur mustard-exposed patients with dermatitis [n=78] and normal controls [n=74]. Erythema and melanin were measured in 4 areas [forehead, suprasternal, palm and back of hands] by Mexameter MX18 [Courage-Khazaka, Germany]. Erythema was significantly lower in suprasternal and palmar aspect of hands in sulfur mustard-exposed patients with dermatitis [P<0.05] while there was no significant difference in other areas. In terms of melanin, there was a significant difference in the dorsal aspect of hands in all four groups [P<0.05], where patients with dermatitis [both sulfur mustard exposed and normal population] had higher levels of melanin, probably due to pruritus in such areas. Forehead melanin of the normal population was also significantly lower than other three groups [P<0.05] while there was no significant difference between the melanin level of sulfur mustard exposed subjects [with or without dermatitis] and patients with dermatitis. Sulfur mustard contact can affect erythema and melanin content of the skin