High levels of endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells in patients with Behçet's disease and their relationship to disease activity

Abstract: Background: Behçet's disease is a multisystemic vasculitis, associated with vascular endothelial dysfunction. Currently, the prognosis is unpredictable, because there is still no valid laboratory marker indicating the disease activity in Behçet's disease. Endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells are newly introduced hematological markers which are presumed to take part in the pathogenesis of vasculitis. Objectives: To evaluate the levels of endothelial progenitor cells and subtypes and circulating endothelial cells in patients with Behçet's disease and to describe their relationship with the disease activity. Methods: A total of 45 patients with Behçet's disease and 28 healthy controls were included in the study. Endothelial progenitor cells (CD34+CD133+KDR+ as early endothelial progenitor cells and CD34+KDR+ as late endothelial progenitor cells), and circulating endothelial cells (CD34+CD133+) were measured by flow cytometry. Results: The mean plasma level of endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells, vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase-9, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher in patients with Behçet's disease. All of these parameters except circulating endothelial cells were also found to be higher in patients with active disease than in patients with inactive disease. Early endothelial progenitor cells showed significant correlations with C-reactive protein and circulating endothelial cells. Study Limitations: The cross-sectional nature of the study and patient characteristics such as being under treatment, which can affect endothelial progenitor cells numbers. Conclusion: The increase in endothelial progenitor cells may play an essential role in the repair of endothelial injury in Behçet's disease, especially in the active period of the disease. Thus, endothelial progenitor cells can indicate the disease activity. In addition, endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells can be used as endothelial repair and injury markers for Behçet's disease, respectively.

SCUBE1: a promising biomarker in renal cell cancer

ABSTRACT Purpose To investigate the efficacy of signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE-1) as a novel biomarker of renal tumors. Materials and Methods 48 individuals were included in the study. The patient group (Group-1) consisted of 23 subjects diagnosed with renal tumor, and the control group (Group-2) of 25 healthy individuals. Patients diagnosed with renal tumor received surgical treatment consisting of radical or partial nephrectomy. Blood specimens were collected following overnight fasting. Signal peptide-CUB-EGF domain-containing protein 1 (SCUBE-1), soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) levels were measured from plasma samples. Patients in groups 1 and 2 were compared in terms of these biochemical parameters. Results The 23-member renal tumor group was made up of 17 (73.91%) male and 6 (26.08%) female patients with a mean age of 58.5±15.7 years (range 25 to 80). The 24-member healthy control group was made up of 16 (64%) male and 9 (36%) female subjects with a mean age of 52.4±9.12 years (range 40 to 67). Analysis revealed significant elevation in SCUBE-1 levels in the renal tumor group (p=0.005). No significant differences were detected between the groups with regard to CA IX or suPAR measurements (p=0.062 vs. p=0.176). Conclusions SCUBE-1 appears to represent a promising biomarker in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with renal tumor.

Effects of kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala DC) leaves extracts on the susceptibility of very low and low density lipoproteins to oxidation.

Of Brassicaceous plants, kale (Brassica oleraceae L. var. acephala DC) contains polyphenols, flavonoids, isoflavones and glucosinolates and so has antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. Antioxidants inhibit negative effects of free radicals and may, therefore, protect tissues against oxidative damage. Oxidation of lipoproteins is a key event in the development of atherosclerosis. In the current study, the levels of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and total antioxidant capacity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of kale leaves were determined. In addition, the susceptibility of isolated lipoproteins — very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) to the Cu2+-induced oxidation with various concentrations of metanolic and aqueous extracts was evaluated as t-lag values. Although aqueous extract had higher total antioxidant capacity, methanolic extract had higher total phenolic and flavonoid content (P<0.05). On the other hand, both extracts inhibited lipid peroxidation in both isolated VLDL and LDL. Inhibitory effect of extracts or increasing t-lag values, mainly in methanolic extract was found to be related to increasing the concentration of extracts. It was concluded that because of high antioxidant capacity and phenolic content, kale showed a protective effect on the oxidation of lipoproteins. Therefore, it may be speculated that kale consumption may play an important protective role in the cardiovascular and other related diseases resulting from imbalance of oxidant and antioxidant status.