T-cell cytokine production and endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy

This study assessed changes in serum levels of cytokines IFNgamma and IL-10 [biomarkers of inflammatory changes] and soluble biomarkers sICAM-1 and sE-selectin [biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction] in diabetic patients with and without nephropathy. IFNgamma and IL-10 were significantly elevated in patients with diabetic nephropathy [DN] and end-stage renal disease [ESRD] compared with controls and diabetic patients without DN. IFNgamma and IL-10 levels were significantly increased after haemodialysis. sICAM-1 and sE-selectin were significantly higher in diabetic, DN and ESRD groups compared with controls, and sICAM-1 but not sE-selectin was increased after haemodialysis

Plasma met-enkephalin, beta-endorphin and leu-enkephalin levels in human hepatic encephalopathy

To address the role of the opioid system in the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy [HE] we measured plasma met- enkephalin, beta -endorphin and leu- enkephalin in patients with different grades of HE compared to control subjects and patients with cirrhosis. Plasma met- enkephalin levels were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis and all grades of HE than controls. Plasma beta levels were similar in the 3 groups. Plasma leu- enkephalin levels were significantly higher -endorphin in HE grades II, III and IV than in controls, patients with cirrhosis and HE grade I patients. Our results support data on the involvement of met- enkephalin and leu- enkephalin in the pathogenesis of HE and provide a rationale for the use of opioid receptor antagonists in the treatment of HE

Serum levels of astroglial S100-beta and neuron-specific enolase in hepatic encephalopathy patients

To find a reliable, noninvasive method for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in patients with hepatic cirrhosis we measured serum levels of astroglial S100beta and neuron-specific enolase in cirrhotic patients with and without hepatic encephalopathy [HE]. S100beta levels showed a significant increase in groups with HE stage 1 and 2 compared to both control and cirrhosis patients. However serum neuron-specific enolase levels were not significantly different between the studied groups. S100beta levels had a specificity of 91.3% and sensitivity of 51.7% for detection of HE from cirrhosis. Serum S100beta may be a useful surrogate marker for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment in cirrhotic patients before they progress to more advanced stages of HE