Stearoyl coenzyme a desaturase expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and in chronic viral hepatitis

Objective: to study stearoyl-CoA desaturase or delta 9 desaturase expression by polymerase chain reaction [PCR], gel documentation system densitometry of PCR products of liver biopsy from normal liver tissues as well as from hepatocellular carcinoma liver biopsy of the same patient and also from chronic viral C hepatitis [HCV] subjects and to correlate findings to the presence of HCV viremia as well as the presence of chronic active hepatitis

Design: a randomized, group comparative, single center study

Patients: 30 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and 30 cases of chronic viral hepatitis C [HCV] with and without signs of chronic active hepatitis and with and without HCV viremia. Diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examination of liver biopsy

Settings: internal Medicine and Medical Biochemistry Departments. Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

Main outcome measures: qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of delta 9 desaturase gene expression by RT-PCR and densitometry using gel documentation system of PCR products respectively

Results: the present study demonstrated that there was a significant increase in delta 9 desaturase gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma cases as compared to normal liver tissues as well as in comparison to chronic hepatitis cases. Furthermore, the extent of delta 9 desaturase expression was significantly elevated in the presence of HCV viremia as compared to non viremic subjects. Moreover, the presence of chronic active hepatitis was found to upregulate the extent of delta 9 desaturase gene expression to a significant extent in comprison to hepatitis cases with no activity

Conclusion: delta 9 desaturase gene expression was significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma as compared to chronic hepatitis subjects. whereas the extent of delta 9 desaturase expression was more significantly elevated in the presence of chronic active hepatitis as well as the presence of HCV viremia in chronic hepatitis subjects

Effect of laser therapy on VEGF and TGF-beta expression in psoriasis

Objective: to study the extent of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and transfomng growth factor-beta genes [TGF-beta] by RT-PCR then densitometry of ultraviolet transilluminated gel of PCR products from psoriatic plaque lesions in comparison to the extent of the gene expression in control skin samples. Moreover, the plasma levels of the two growth factors were also assessed by irnmunoassay. The effect of laser therapy on these growth factors was also Evaluated

Design: a randomized, group comparative, longitudinal, single center study

Setting: medical Biochemistry and Dermatology Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University

Main outcome measures: VEGF and TGF-cx genes and proteins

Results: results of this study demonstrated that there was a significant elevation of VEGF plasma level [p< 0.0001] as well as a significant elevation of gene expression of VEGF mRNA in psoriatic plaques [p< 0.0001] in comparison to control. On the other hand, there was a significant decrease of TGF-beta plasma level [p< 0.0001] as well as a significant decrease of TGF-alpha mRNA [p< 0.0001] in psoriatic plaques as compared to control. Furthermore, there was normalization of VEGF mRNA and TGF-beta mRNA gene expression as well as their plasma levels after effective laser therapy of psoriatic skin lesions

Conclusion: Upregulation of VEGF and downregulation of TGF-beta gene expression occur in psoriasis with subsequent aberrant epidermal proliferation and angiogenesis. These genes are downstream curative targets of laser therapy of psoriasis

1-Hydroxypyrene and interleukin-8 for biological monitoring of vehicle exhaust exposure and effects among gas-station workers

Air pollution encountered in many towns and cities throughout the world is associated with high levels of fuel vapors and motor vehicle-generated exhaust. A consistent association was reported between the levels of particulate matter and semi-volatile organic compounds in the ambient air with increasing mortality and morbidity. Although the epidemiological evidence is strong, there are yet neither established biological mechanisms to explain the toxicity in humans nor biologically established biomarkers for both exposure and severity of disease. This study was done to determine the impact of vehicle exhaust on the human airways among extensively exposed workers in few gas stations. The extent of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs] is measured by estimating the level of 1-hydroxypyrene [1-OHP], a pyrene metabolite. Respiratory inflammation is clinically assessed and evaluated using pulmonary function tests. The impact of respired vehicle exhaust on the immunobiology of the respiratory system is evaluated by estimating the level of the cytokine interleukin-8 [IL-8] in serum, being used as an indication for respiratory inflammation and tissue damage. The study population consisted of 34 highway gas-station workers exposed to vehicle exhaust and 30 matched non-exposed office workers. The exposed population was further subdivided into a fueling group [n=22] working in petrol filling of cars and a car washing group [n=12] working in car cleaning. The study population was subjected to thorough clinical examination, pulmonary function testing and laboratory investigations. Measurement of the urinary 1-OHP level was done using the high performance liquid chromatography [HPLC] with electrochemical water detectors. As for the cytokine IL-8, estimation was done using quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Medical history and clinical examination revealed significantly higher frequency of repeated chest infections among the exposed group [41%] than among the control subjects [6.6%]. As for chronic bronchitis, asthmatic attacks and dyspnea, the results were higher among the exposed groups but with no statistically significant difference. Ventilation function tests revealed the presence of an obstructive affection among exposed workers correlating strongly with age and smoking habits but not with the duration of exposure. The level of FEV[1] /FVC ratio correlated with the level of 1-OHP that is the PAHs biomarker of exposure [r=-0.313; P<0.01]. The urinary 1-OHP was found to be significantly higher among the exposed population, but still no significant correlation was obtained with exposure duration. The serum IL-8 level was markedly elevated among the exposed workers and significantly correlated with FEF[25%-75%] [r = -0.263; P<0.05] revealing the presence of a high risk of chronic inflammation and lung cancer. Occupational exposure of workers in the gas stations to vehicle exhaust carries an increased risk for respiratory diseases such as repeated chest infections, chronic bronchitis and asthmatic attacks as proved by the presence of dyspnea and the decrement in pulmonary functions. Alteration of the immunological responses of the respiratory epithelium should be considered bearing a risk factor for lung cancer development later on in life. Using the urinary 1-OHP level as a biomarker for exposure and the serum IL-8 level for chronic inflammation and respiratory disease severity and progression should be further evaluated. Long-term impact on the environment needs to be properly investigated in addition to the implementation of protective measures aiming at reducing the occupational exposure to diesel-related polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Role of serum interleukin-18 in the assessment of activity of tuberculosis

This study is carried out to evaluate the role of interleukin-18 [IL-18] in the immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis [M. tuberculosis] and the reliability of its serum level in the assessment of tuberculous disease activity. It included 40 subjects who were classified into three groups, group I [included 20 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis], group II [included 10 patients with active extrapulmonary tuberculosis], and group III [included 10 healthy subjects served as controls]. All subjects were investigated, before and 3 months after start of antituberculous treatment, by conventional methods to assess tuberculous disease activity [clinical features, ESR, sputum direct smear for acid fast bacilli and chest X-ray] and measurement of serum IL-18 level. In group I, 16 patients showed good response to treatment and became inactive and showed significant reduction in serum IL-18 level, while the remaining 4 patients showed poor response to treatment and still active and their serum IL-18 level did not change significantly. In group II, 9 patients showed good response to treatment and became inactive and their serum IL-18 level was reduced significantly. In conclusion, serum IL-18 plays an important role in the immune response against M. tuberculosis, as it was higher in patients than in the healthy controls. Serum IL-18 level is directly proportionate to the tuberculous disease activity and severity and it caries a prognostic value, where patients with high serum IL-18 level had good response to treatment, while patients with low serum IL-18 level had poor response to treatment

Oxidative stress among nuclear medicine workers

Whereas large doses of radiation produce identifiable effects within a relatively short period of time, the effects are difficult to ascertain at low doses. The biological effects of low dose radiation have been a focus of research in recent years. This study was conducted an a group of individuals working in a nuclear medicine unit, in an attempt to assess the oxidative stress among them and its relation with the level of exposure reading by dosimetry. This study was carried out among 40 individuals. They were presented in two groups. Exposed group [N = 25] which was subdivided into groups of technicians [N = 7], group of physicians [N = 6] and a group of nurses [N = 12]. Control group included 15 individuals. Estimation of glutathione peroxidase [GPX] plasma level by ELISA technique was used as a marker of oxidative stress. Personal dosimetry readings using TLD [trans luminescent dosimetry] were recorded for every subject in the exposed group. The study revealed marked lowering of glutathione peroxidase level [GPX] with a highly significant difference between the exposed and control subjects [P < 0.01]. The exposure reading by dosimetry was higher among the technicians and physicians groups compared with nurses and the difference was statistically significant [P < 0.05]. Correlation between duration of exposure, dosimetry readings with GPX was negative. Although all dosimetry readings were below the TLV recommended by ICRP. It is evident that there is no threshold for radiation damage below which there is zero risk of deleterious effects