Soluble form of fasl [sFasL] in adult asthma

sFasL is the soluble form of FasL inducing apoptosis by binding to Fas. Fas/sFasL could be the most important mechanisms in inflammatory conditions such as asthma by controlling inflammatory responses. This study was undertaken to determine the level of sFasL in allergic and non- allergic asthmatic patients with different stages of asthma control. Twenty asthmatic patients were enrolled and divided into controlled and uncontrolled patient groups. They were divided into 4 subgroups including controlled/allergic, controlled/non-allergic, uncontrolled/allergic and uncontrolled/non-allergic subgroups. Five normal subjects were selected as a control group. From all subjects, 3 ml of blood was obtained and sFasL and IgE serum levels were evaluated by a specific ELISA kit. sFasL in the controlled and uncontrolled patient groups did not have any significant difference; but in the uncontrolled/allergic subgroup, it was significantly lower than that in the control group and also higher in the uncontrolled/non-allergic subgroup insignificantly. In patients with acute inflammatory conditions, sFasL had an increasing effect to control inflammation observed in uncontrolled/non-allergic subgroup, but unexpectedly not in the uncontrolled/allergic subgroup. Probably in allergic patients, there are factors or mechanisms that inhibit sFasL production or expression

Assessment of nutritional status in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD] is considered a major public health problem in the world. Weight loss, muscle and fat mass depletion are common nutritional problems in COPD patients and are determinant factor in pulmonary function, health status, disability and mortality. In the present study, we assessed nutritional status in COPD patients. This cross-sectional study was performed in the Rasul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran on 63 COPD patients with mean age [SD] of 67.6 [9.4] years. All subjects were diagnosed by a pulmonary specialist and based on a spirometry test. They were divided into three groups [2,3, 4 stages of disease]. Anthropometric and biochemical indices, body composition analyses were performed using the SPSS 14. All data presented as means [ +/- sd]. Reduction of body mass index [BMI], Mid-Arm Muscle Circumference [MAMC] and Fat-Free Mass [FFM] were observed alongside and increase in disease severity but it was not significant. Significant reduction of Fat Mass [FM] [P=0.007], Fat Mass Index [FMI] [P=0.03] and biochemical indices like Albumin [P=0.000] and Total Protein [P=0.04] were associated with an increase in disease stages. It is suggested that in addition to BMI, other nutritional status indices like MAMC, FFM and FM should be used for early diagnosis of malnutrition before weight loss occurs

Beliefs, perceptions and practices about asthma among Iranian asthma patients

To evaluate the beliefs and practices of patients diagnosed with asthma about various aspects of their condition we interviewed 123 patients attending 2 outpatient departments of hospitals in Tehran. Most of the participants did not recall their past medical history of asthma. Many patients with a history of using oral inhalers did not use these regularly [41.9%]; the major reason reported was feeling no need to use medication during symptom-free intervals. Only 32 [30.5%] patients demonstrated the correct technique for using their oral inhaler. Patients with asthma need more education about prevention and control of symptoms. Neglect by physicians of the Global Initiative for Asthma management guidelines was another major concern

Relation of Interleukine-4 [C-589T] and Interferon-Gamma [A+874T] allele polymorphism with Asthma

Asthma is a common respiratory disease caused by acute and chronic bronchial inflammation. Clinical manifestations of the disease are closely related to genetics. IL-4 is a cytokine of TH2 lymphocytes, polymorphism in prompter region, C-589T, is associated with IL-4 production, while IFN-gamma, is a cytokine of TH1, and A+874T polymorphism in interon 1 of IFN-gamma is associated with it.s production and release. Cytokine gene polymorphisms could influence pathogenesis of asthma with TH1/THh2 ratio, being of great importance. 81 unrelated asthmatic patients were selected according to ATS characteristics and separated into two groups of controlled and uncontrolled asthma. 80 normal subjects were chosen as control group. After collection of peripheral blood and DNA extraction, PCR-RFLP method was used for genotyping of IL-4, -589 position. For evaluation of polymorphism in +874 position of IFN-gamma ARMS-PCR method was used. Distribution of frequency of IFN-gamma [A+874T] and IL-4[C-589T] polymorphisms didn.t show any statistically significant difference between two patient groups and healthy control group [p >/= 0.05]. There was neither any significant difference [p >/= 0.05] among other parameters. Studies in field of cytokine polymorphism have had variable results. So many studies have mentioned a relationship between cytokine gene polymorphism and susceptibility and/or severity of asthma and some studies have shown that there is no association between these factors we believe that there may exist factors different from IL-4 and IFN-gamma polymorphism which coner the effects of these genetic vaciants in pathogenesis and severity of asthma