An insight on pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythmatosus-induced anemia of chronic diseases

The present study was designed to evaluate the frequency of anemia of chronic diseases [ACD] in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] and to estimate serum levels of interleukin-6 [IL-6] and erythropotien [EPO] and to determine the serum positivity for antibodies to human EPO [anti-EPO antibodies] in patients with ACD so as to evaluate their probable role in pathogenesis of ACD. The study included 200 patients with SLE; all underwent clinical evaluation of disease activity using the British Isles Lupus Assessment Group [BILAG] score and laboratory assessment of immunologic parameters. Hemoglobin concentration [Hb cone.] was determined and anemia was defined by haemoglobin concentration [Hb cone.] of

Immune response in acute coronary syndromes.

Inflammatory response in the atherosclerotic lesions of coronary artery disease, mediated by cellular immune mechanisms is well appreciated. The significance of the immuno-inflammatory processes for the development of acute ischaemic sequelae of these lesions remains unsettled. Fifty patients of acute coronary syndromes were studied for complement components and immunoglobin levels by single radial immunodiffusion method. Twenty-eight patients of acute myocardial infarction showed significantly lower levels of complement components C3 and C4 at admission (C3--69.19 +/- 12.91 mg% compared to 82.40 +/- 9.26 mg% in controls, p < 0.01; C4--14.56 +/- 2.46 mg% compared to 18.53 +/- 2.69 mg% in controls, p < 0.01). Twenty-two patients of unstable angina did not show any significant change (C3--83.14 +/- 8.01 mg% and C4--19.07 +/- 4.47 mg%). Sixteen patients of acute myocardial infarction who were thrombolysed with streptokinase showed a steep rise in the levels of complement components immediately after thrombolysis (C3--69.19 +/- 12.91 mg% before and 100.56 +/- 17.09 mg% after thrombolysis, p < 0.001; C4--14.56 +/- 2.46 mg% before and 21.48 +/- 4.78 mg% after thrombolysis, p < 0.001). Plasma C3 and C4 levels in acute myocardial infarction showed no relationship with peak CPK levels. Plasma immunoglobulins remained unchanged in patients of acute coronary syndromes.