Impact of helicobacter pylori infection on circulating interleukin-1beta [IL-1BETA] in gastroduodenal disorders

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infection in characterized by marked changes in cytokine production, resulting from the immune response to infection. The H. pylori-associated diseases present with manifestations varying from mild non-ulcer dyspepsia or peptic ulcer disease [PUD] to gastric cancer. Study the effect of H. pylori infection on circulating serum levels of IL-1beta in some gastroduodenal disorders. According to upper gastrointestinal [GI] tract symptoms, upper GI endoscopy [including gastric pH measurement, ultra-rapid urease test-for the diagnosis of H-pylori infection, and biopsy], and histo-pathological examination, 80 patient with gastroduodenal disorders [20 gastric ulcer, 20 duodenal ulcer, 10 gastritis, 10 duodenitis and 20 gastric cancer] were studied. In addition, 10 apparently healthy subjects served as a control group. Circulating serum IL-1beta levels were determined for all subjects, by ELISA. The majority of gastroduodenal disorders studied had evidence of H. pylori infection and significantly higher serum IL-1beta than control subjects, being more in gastric disorders [gastritis, cancer and ulcer]. Gastric pH was significantly higher in patients with gastric disorders [gastric cancer, gastric ulcer and gastritis]. IL-1beta correlates positively with H. pylori infection in patients with duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer. Meanwhile, it correlates negatively with gastric pH, in patients with gastric ulcer. Gastric pH and serum IL-1beta are significantly higher in cancer patients than in non-cancer patients. On other hand, H. pylori infection is detected more significantly in non-cancer patients. The mean serum IL-1beta was found to be significantly higher in patients with positive H. pylori infection than in those negative for H. pylori infection. IL-1beta is in an important pro-inflammatory cytokine with profound effects. Its acid inhibitory properties uniquely qualify it as a major player in the host's response to H. pylori infection and the diseases associated with it

Effect of liver cirrhosis on circulating insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 ternary complex

Insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-I], an anabolic hormone synthesized by the liver upon stimulation by growth hormone [GH], exerts important effects on nitrogen balance, bone metabolism, glucose metabolism and renal hemodynamics. IGF binding protein-3 [IGFBP-3] binds nearly 95% of circulating IGF, forming a stable ternary complex. Study the changes in circulating serum levels of IGF-l and IGFBP-3 in patients with liver cirrhosis and possible relations of these changes to the degree of liver affection. According to modified Child-Pugh [CP] classification of liver cirrhosis. 86 patients were divided into group A: 28 patients with CP class-A [score 5-6]; group B: 28 patients with CP class B [score 7-9]; and group C: 30 patients with CP class C [score 10-15]. In addition, 20 healthy age- and sex-matched volunteers served as a control group. Diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and upper gastro-intestinal endoscopy findings. Jaundice, encephalopathy, lower limb edema/ascites, and history of hematemesis/melana were significantly more observed in moderate and severe forms of cirrhosis. In addition, liver function tests were significantly more impaired in severe cases of liver cirrhosis except AST and ALP which showed nonsignificant differences among the 3 groups of liver cirrhosis. IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were observed to be significantly decreased with the progression of liver cirrhosis. A strong negative correlation was found between IGF-I and IGFBP-3 on one side and total bilirubin, PT, INR and CP score on the other side. On the other hand, both IGF-I and IGFBP-3 correlate positively with serum albumin. The changes in the level of IOP-I and its binding protein [IGFBP-3] correlates with the degree of liver affection due to cirrhosis and can be used as a prognostic tool. Yet larger scale studies are still needed