Serum interferon-alpha level in first degree relatives of systemic lupus erythematosus patients: correlation with autoantibodies titers

Interferon-alpha [IFN-alpha], a cytokine with both antiviral and immune-regulatory functions, was suggested as a useful tool which can evaluate current systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] disease activity and identify patients who are at risk of future disease flares. In the current study, serum IFN-alpha levels and associated demographic, and serological features in Egyptian SLE patients and their first degree relatives [FDRs] in comparison to unrelated healthy controls [UHCs] were examined, in order to identify individuals at the greatest risk for clinical illness. Methods In a cross-sectional study, blood samples were drawn from 54 SLE patients, 93 of their FDRs who consented to enroll into the study and 76 UHCs. Measurement of serum IFN-alpha by a modified ELISA was carried out. Data were analyzed for associations of serum IFN-alpha levels with autoantibodies titer. Results Mean serum IFN-alpha in FDRs was statistically higher than the UHCs and lower than in SLE patients [P < 0.0001] and it was correlated with ANA titer [r = 0.6, P < 0.0001] and anti ds DNA titer [r = 0.62, P < 0.0001]. Conclusion IFN-alpha is a crucial player in the complicated autoimmune changes that occur in SLE and serum IFN-alpha can be a useful marker identifying persons who are at risk of future disease development

Lipid metabolism and atherogenic index in turners syndrome

Turner's syndrome is the most common sex chromosome abnormality in females. Women with Turner's syndrome have short stature, hypergcnadotrophic hypogonadism and have an increased incidence of coronary heart disease. So, the aim of this work is to study growth parameters, serum FSH, LH, serum lipids and atherogenic index in girls with Turner's syndrome and highlight the correlation between different studied parameters. This work comprise 14 patients with Turner's syndrome [mean age +/- SD 11.93 +/- 3.79 years] and 14 healthy age matched Egyptian females as a control group. Thorough anthropometric measurements were done for patients and control and are expressed as standard deviation score utilizing Egyptian growth table for height and international tables for ideal weight for height. Morning blood sample after overnight fast was used for estimation of serum FSH and LH, serum lipids and atherogenic index. significant decrease in height with significant increase in weight% to ideal weight for height in Turner patients compared to controls with significant higher mean serum FSH, LH, cholesterol, LDL, TG and atherogenic index. Correlation studies showed that height SD score had significant negative correlation with weight% to ideal weight for height, serum LH, FSH and lipid profile. Meanwhile measures of weight% to ideal weight for height showed positive correlation with serum FSH, lipogram with no significant correlation with HDL and atherogenic index. Turner's syndrome is associated with hyperlipidemia and significant increased atherogenic index which explain the liability for coronary heart disease. The degree of lipid disorder is negatively correlated and height SD score

Anti lactoferrin antibody and serum ferritin in juvenile rheumatoid artheritis

Lactoferrin [LF] is a cationic iron -binding protein residing in the specific granules of poly-morph-nuclear neutrophil leucocytes [PMNL] .It is released upon neutrophil activation. Anti-LF antibodies .belong to anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies [ANCA] It has been described in several autoimmune diseases as classical Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] and Systemic Lupus Erthymatosis [SLE] and has a role in vasculitic changes associated with these diseases. The aim of this study was to assess anti LF antibodies and serum ferritin in different types of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis [JRA] and its relation to disease activity. Serum samples were collected from forty four patients with JRA diagnosed according to Cassidy, et al[11] criteria, 16 of them were pauciarticular type, [mean age 7.2 +/- 2.4 years],16 polyarticular [mean age 6.8 +/- 2.3 years], and 12 systemic onset type [mean age 7 +/- 3 years], in addition to 12 healthy subjects as control group. Clinical assessment of patients and controls was done with stress on fever, skin rash, joint swelling and tenderness and subcutaneous nodules. Laboratory measurement of anti- LF antibodies, serum ferritin, TIBC, ESR, RF, CRP and ANA. was done The results of our study showed high serum levels of both anti-LF antibodies and serum ferritin in all types of JRA patients' in comparison to control group. Anti- LF antibodies showed significant' positive correlation with clinical and laboratory variables of disease activity, including fever, joint swelling, SCN ,ESR, and CRP. Serum feriritin showed statistically significant high level in systemic onset type, and positive correlation with anti-LF antibodies. TIBC showed significant negative correlation with both Anti-LF antibodies and serum ferrtin. Anti-antibodies LF can be used as a marker of activity. Serum ferrtin is Considered as inflammatory marker and has a significant diagnostic value in systemic onset type of JRA.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant vitamins in obese children

Oxidant-antioxidant status was investigated in a group of obese children in comparison with healthy subjects by determination of malondialdehyde [MDA], tocopherol, and ascorbic acid. Thirty five obese children [25 male and 10 female] mean age [9 +/- 4.4year] with BMI > 2SD of the mean for age and sex [BMI = 31.5 +/- 6.6]. A group of 30 healthy, age and sex matched children were used as a control group. Blood samples were collected from every subject and control after an overnight fast of which 2ml blood collected on heparin for plasma ascorbic acid [vitamin C] and 4ml blood collected into plain tube for serum tocopherol and malondialdehyde [MDA]. MDA was significantly higher in obese children compared to control [P=0.0001]. This was associated with significantly lower plasma vitamin E and vitamin C in obese children compared to control [P= 0.0001]. BMI was positively correlated with age and MDA and showed negative correlation with vitamin E and C. Severely obese children present a highly altered oxidant antioxidant status, which is alarming for the increased risk of complication so early intervention has been recommended by giving antioxidant, diet-control and exercise

Serum leptin, insulin resistance and soft tissue composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in obese children

This work aimed to study serum leptin and insulin resistance in obese children and their relation to body composition by DEXA and various measurements of obesity. Thirty-three obese subjects body mass index [BMI] > 95th centile, were enrolled in this study [12 males and 21 females]. Their age ranged from 4 years to 15 years [mean 9.4 +/- 2.93]. Sixteen healthy age- and sex- matched Egyptian children were taken as controls. Obese children and the control group were subjected to thorough anthropometric measurements, estimation of BMI and weight% to ideal weight for height, DEXA study for body composition, serum Ieptin by ELISA and serum insulin [ELISA], blood glucose fasting and postprandial to assess insulin resistance. Insulin resistance index. IRP=Fasting Glucose x Fasting Insulin / 22.5. The study showed that obese children had significantly higher BMI and weight% to ideal weight for height compared to controls. Percent total body fat by DEXA was significantly higher in obese children compared to the controls [49.47 +/- 6.12 vs 19.85 +/- 5.06] [P< 0.0001] and arm fat percent in obese children was 52.92 +/- 8.46 vs. 16.84 +/- 4.6 in controls [P< 0.0001]. Also significantly higher trunk fat/lower limb fat by DE][A was detected [1.21 +/- 0.2 vs 0.81 +/- 0.07, P<0.0001]. IRI in obese children was 68.5 +/- 26.8 vs 19.74 +/- 4.8 in controls [P<0.0001] and serum leptin was higher in obese compared to nonobese children [40.71 +/- 22.73 vs. 10.38 +/- 16.08, P<0.001]. Serum leptin and IRI showed a significant correlation with BMI, weight% to ideal weight for height,% total body fat by DEXA and% arm fat. Moreover, a significant correlation was obtained between IRI and serum leptin [P<0.001]. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and high serum leptin level, which denote serum leptin resistance. Both are correlated with BMI, weight% to ideal weight for height,% total body fat by DEXA and% arm fat by DEXA

Bone mineral density and insulin resistance in patients with turner's syndrome

The aim of this work was to study bone mineral density [BMD], gonadotropins and insulin resistance in girls with Turner's syndrome and its correlation with some growth parameters. This work comprise 14 patients with Tumers syndrome [mean age +/- SD: 11.93 +/- 3.79years] and 14 healthy age matched Egyptian females as a control group. Thorough anthropometric measurements were done for patients and controls and are expressed as standard deviation score utilizing Egyptian growth table for height and international tables for ideal weight for height. Lumber2-lumber4 [L2. L4], BMD was done using dual energy X-ray absorptiometery [DEXA] [using lunar DPXIQ, USA], in Patients and controls and compared to 352 healthy age and sex matched Egyptian controls. Morning blood sample after over night fast was used for estimation of FSH, LH, insulin [Elisa] and blood glucose. Insulin resistance index [IRl] and relative insulin resistance [RIR] were calculated from fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin. The results shows: significant decrease in height with significant increase in weight%to ideal weight for height in turner patients compared to controls with significant higher FSH, LH and increased lRl, RIR while BMD of L2-L4 showed significant osteopenia. Correlation studies shows significant positive correlation between height SD score and L2-L4 BMD and significant negative correlation between it and wt%to ideal weight for height and measures of insulin resistance, FSH awl LH demonstrated negative correlation with L2-L4 BMD and height SD score. Insulin resistance indices demonstrated a positive correlation with wt%to ideal weight for height and negative correlation with BMD. Turner's syndrome is associated with significant short stature, and overweight with significant osteopenia and insulin resistance. Height SD score is positively correlated with BMD and negatively correlated with wt% to ideal wt for height, FSH, LH, IRl and RIR. FSH and LH showed significant negative correlation with BMD