Diagnostic value of GCP-2/CXCL-6 and hs-CRP in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis (AA) is one of the major causes of acute abdomen pain. Various laboratory markers have been studied for diagnosis of AA, but none of them have shown superiority to physical examination or imaging. GCP-2/CXCL6 is a chemokine expressed by macrophages and epithelial and mesenchymal cells during inflammation. The present study aims to investigate the diagnostic role of GCP-2/CXCL6 in AA patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the serum level of GCP-2/CXCL6 was measured in 56 AA patients and 32 healthy control subjects. Also, hs-CRP and white blood cell count (WBC) levels of the patient and control groups were evaluated. RESULTS: GCP-2/CXCL-6, hs-CRP and WBC levels of the AA group were significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05 for all comparisons). Among AA group, GCP-2/CXCL6 levels were higher in complex AA (gangrenous, abscess and perforation) ones when compared to non-complex AA (p<0.05). A strong positive correlation was found between GCP-2/CXCL6 levels and hs-CRP levels (r=0.756, p=0.003) and a moderate positive correlation between GCP-2/CXCL6 levels and WBC count (r=0.468, p=0.003). CONCLUSION: GCP-2/CXCL6 can be a useful marker in AA diagnosis and discrimination of complex cases, especially if combined with other laboratory markers and imaging techniques.

Association of Endocan, Ischemia-Modified Albumin, and hsCRP Levels With Endothelial Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

We investigated the relationship of ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels with direct (endocan) and indirect (carotid intima-media thickness [cIMT] and 24 hours urine protein excretion) endothelial dysfunction indicators in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients with T2DM (n = 88) and 88 healthy individuals were included in the study. The median endocan (475.15 vs 216.37 pg/mL; P < .001, respectively) and hsCRP (10.74 vs 3.11 mg/L; P < .001, respectively) and the mean IMA (0.64 ± 0.12 vs 0.51 ± 0.12 absorbance units; P < .001, respectively) levels were higher in participants with endothelial dysfunction compared to those without endothelial dysfunction in T2DM. The 24-hour urine protein excretion and cIMT levels had a positive correlation with hsCRP ( r = .357; P = .001 and r = .592; P < .001, respectively), IMA ( r = .519; P < .001 and r = .495; P < .001, respectively) and endocan ( r = .347; P = .001 and r = .583; P < .001, respectively) levels in the T2DM group. Stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis, which included laboratory findings found to be associated with endothelial dysfunction, showed that endocan (odds ratio [OR] = 1.456; P = .004), hsCRP (OR = 1.298; P = .008), and IMA (OR = 2.270, P = .003) were independent risk factors. It was found that none of these markers were superior in terms of diagnostic discrimination for endothelial dysfunction. Endocan, IMA, and hsCRP levels were found to be associated with endothelial dysfunction in patients with T2DM.

Correlation between ischemia-modified albumin and Ranson score in acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Although Ranson score is the most commonly used prognostic model in the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP), ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) has been reported as a novel biomarker of various ischemia-based diseases in recent years. The aim of the present study is to investigate the correlation between Ranson score and IMA in patients with AP. METHODS: Forty-three patients with AP were included in the study. All patients were classified as mild and severe AP. Plasma IMA level was measured after diagnosis and before treatment. The correlation between IMA level and amylase level, Ranson score, and disease severity was evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-nine (67.4%) patients were diagnosed as mild AP; the remaining 14 (32.6%) patients had moderately severe or severe form of disease, and were classified as severe AP. There was no significant difference in the IMA levels between the patient groups (p=0.737). No correlation between IMA levels and amylase levels (p=0.470), Ranson score (p=0.664), and disease severity (p=0.741) was found. CONCLUSION: According to the results from the study, IMA does not seem as a useful marker in earlier prediction of disease severity in AP. Despite important disadvantages, Ranson score still indicates the disease severity more accurately.

Ischemia-modified albumin as a predictor of the severity of acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The early prediction of gangrenous/perforated appendicitis is of great importance for the surgical planning, further treatments, and predicting the course of disease. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) was previously reported as a biomarker of various ischemia-based diseases. Our aim is to determine the predictive value of serum IMA in the severity of acute appendicitis. METHODS: Sixty-two patients who underwent urgent appendectomy were included in the study. Plasma level of IMA was measured after diagnosis and before treatment. All patients were classified as noncomplicated (acute) appendicitis and complicated (gangrenous/perforated) appendicitis according to histopathological findings, and comparisons were made between the groups. RESULTS: The data of 62 patients with a mean age of 30.1 years were statistically evaluated. The pathological diagnoses were acute appendicitis in 33 (53.2%), and gangrenous/perforated appendicitis in 29 (46.8%) patients. There were significant differences in computed tomography (CT) findings (P = .031) and IMA (P = .012) levels between the groups. A strong positive correlation between IMA levels and CT findings was also found (Spearman ρ = +0.688, P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: The IMA can be considered as a novel and useful marker to distinguish gangrenous/perforated appendicitis from noncomplicated appendicitis. The correlation of IMA with CT findings also enhances the predictive value of IMA.