Decreased level of soluble receptors of advanced glycated end products [sRAGE] and glycine82serine [G82S] polymorphism in Egyptian patients with RA

The receptor for advanced glycation end products [RAGE] has been implicated in the pathogenesis of RA through its ability to amplify inflammatory pathways. [1] To evaluate the levels of soluble receptors of advanced glycated end products [sRAGE] as well as the gene variant among patients with rheumatoid arthritis [RA]. [2] To assess the association between the sRAGE level and the RAGE gene variants and to correlate the findings with various clinical and laboratory data. All patients were fulfilling the criteria for RA described by the American College of Rheumatology. In all patients assessment of disease activity was done by DAS28-ESR. Soluble RAGE level was determined by enzymatic immunoassay. Molecular study of single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNP] in the glycine82serine [G82S] of the RAGE gene was performed. The data was collected and statistically analyzed. Serum levels of sRAGE were significantly lower in RA patients than controls [840.11 +/- 230.32 pg/ml versus 1111.59 +/- 143.20 pg/ml, p < 0.05]. Genotyping of the RAGE gene showed polymorphisms in the glycine82serine [G82S] allele which did not reach statistical significance between patients and controls. The sRAGE levels were significantly lower in RA patients with Sjogren's syndrome and in those with cardiac disease. Correlation analysis showed that the glycine82serine [G82S] allele is related to MS, CRP and sRAGE in RA patients. Also, the G82S allele was more common in patients with cardiac affection. Linear regression analysis detected CRP and gene polymorphism as significant predictors for sRAGE level. The levels of sRAGE were significantly lower in patients with RA and this reduction was correlated with the disease activity parameters and glycine82serine gene polymorphism. The sRAGE may be an important marker of disease activity. The correlation of sRAGE level and cardiac disease can suggest that RAGE activity influences the co-development of joint and vascular disease in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Serum neopterin and zinc levels as biological markers of the HCV disease progression

In chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection, both oxidative stress and the effectiveness of the host immune response contribute to its progression to cirrhosis and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]. Neopterin is produced by monocyte-derived macrophages after stimulation with interferon-gamma [IFN- gamma] released from activated T- lymphcytes or other immune activators. High neopterin production is associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species [ROS]. Zinc plays an important role in cell-mediated immune function and it has also anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties which can neutralize free radicals and may protect liver cells from the potential damage they cause. To investigate the relationship between serum levels of neopterin and immune-regulated micronutrients [Zn] with chronic HCV infection progression mediated by increased cellular oxidative stress [malondialdehyde, MDA]. The study included 60 subjects that were divided into two groups: Group I comprised 40 chronic HCV patients further subdivided according to liver biopsy inflammatory grading into: 18 patients with mild active hepatitis [Ia], 16 patients with moderate active hepatitis [Ib] and 6 patients with liver cirrhosis [Ic]. Group II comprised 20 healthy volunteers as control. Serum Zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer [AAS], neopterin by ELISA and MDA by colorimetric method. Serum levels of neopterin and MDA were detected significantly higher in HCV patients than controls. A significant positive correlation was detected between the levels of both markers with the levels of total bilirubin, AST, ALT in HCV patients. Serum levels of neopterin and MDA were significantly elevated in group Ib and Ic HCV patients compared with group la patients, significant low serum level of zinc were detected in HCV patients than controls and were significantly lower in group Ib and Ic HCV patients than group Ia patients. Serum zinc, neopterin and MDA levels may be valuable biomarkers for the assessment of severity of viral hepatic damage in HCV infection