Correlation of myeloid related proteins [MRP8/MRP14] and disease activity in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

To evaluate the expression of myeloid related proteins MRP8/MRP14 in the serum and synovial fluid of JRA and their correlation with local and systemic parameters of disease activity. Thirty JRA patients [Group I], and ten controls [Group II] were included in the study. The patients were subjected to thorough history taking and clinical examination. Synovial fluid aspiration was done from ten JRA patients. Laporatory investigations included CBC, ESR, RE, ASO, ANA, CRP, ALT, urine analysis and synovial fluid analysis for white blood cell count [SF-WBCs], lymphocytes%, and acute phase serum amyloid. MRP8/MRP14 was assessed with ELISA technique in serum and synovial fluid samples. Serum level of MRP8/MRP14 was elevated in Group I in comparison to up II. The serum and synovial levels of MRP8/MRP14 in Group I showed no significant inter-correlation. The MRP8/MRP14 in group I showed significant positive correlation with ESR, CRP, DAS, and A-SAA. The SF MRP8/MRP14 in group I showed positive significant correlation with SF-WBCs and A-SAA. The elevated MRP8/MRP14 in the serum and synovial fluids of patients with JRA showed a significant correlation with local and systemic disease activity parameters. So, it can be used to monitor disease activity and patient's response to treatment

Metacarpal index phalanx versus dual-energy X-Ray absorptiometry in osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is one of the most common metabolic diseases. It is responsible for considerable morbidity, mortality and costs. Our aim was to evaluate metacarpal index as a diagnostic tool for bone mass measurement as compared with DEXA. The study included 50 males above 60 years of age with a history of osteoporotic fractures as well as 20 apparently healthy males. Their ages ranged from 20-25 years. Metacarpals index had sensitivity of 46%, specificity of 95% positive predictive value 96%, negative predictive value 41% in comparison to DEXA. Metacarpals index can be used as a routine test for exclusion of osteoporosis

Plasma osteopontin concentration in lupus nephritis

To measure plasma concentration of osteopontin and to correlate these levels with clinical, laboratory, disease activity and histopathological parameters in SLE patients. This study was performed on 20 SLE patients and 10 normal control subjects. Plasma osteopontin concentrations were measured by ELISA technique for both patients and control groups. All patients underwent renal biopsies within 3 months of onset of proteinuria or hematuria. There was a highly significant difference between patients and control groups as regards plasma osteopontin concentration [p<0.001]. There was a significant positive correlation between osteopontin and SLEDAI [p<0.001] and activity index of renal biopsies [p<0.05]. Also there was a highly significant differences as regard osteopontin plasma concentration between patients with and without renal affection [p<0.001]. Osteopontin has been shown at least partly to account for SLE nephritis probably through predominance of Th[1]-type response in both peripheral and renal tissue. Further investigation of this mechanism in lupus nephritis may allow the design of new therapeutic strategies of lupus nephritis such as manipulation of Th[1]/Th[2] and down-regulation of Th[1]-response