Genetic polymorphisms of IL-27 and risk of systemic lupus erythematosus disease in the Egyptian population.

OBJECTIVE: Cytokine polymorphisms have been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathogenicity. Interleukin 27 (IL-27) is an important one of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokine. It has been reported in various Th1/Th17-mediated inflammatory disorders, and even in Th2-complexed diseases, such as SLE. In our preliminary study, the aim was to investigate the potential roles of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) -964A/G (rs153109) and + 2905 T/G (rs17855750) in an IL-27p28 gene on susceptibility to SLE. METHODS: The 112 Egyptian SLE patients against 101 healthy persons were enrolled in this work. The polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) is used for genotyping IL-27 SNPs. RESULTS: No significant variations were found between patients and control in the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-27p28 (-964A/G). SLE patients have a significant increase in the frequency of IL-27p28 (+ 2905 T/G) TG genotype (P < 0.01) and G allele (P < 0.01) compared to controls. Complete disappearance of GG genotype was demonstrated in both groups. G allele might have considered a disease risk factor with odd ration (OR) = 9.184. From four possible haplotypes, the frequency of AT haplotype elevated in both examined groups. CONCLUSION: This was the first study on the Egyptian population for studying the relation between IL-27 SNPs and SLE. Our preliminary study indicated that both TG genotype and G allele of IL-27p28 (+ 2905 T/G) could consider risk factors for SLE. Key Points • This article provides an information about the relation between systemic lupus erythematosus and interleukin-27 cytokine by detection single nucleotide polymorphism.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3, vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, and occupational risk factors in lumbar disc degeneration.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is a process that begins early in life, contributing to the development of low back pain. LDD is a consequence of a variety of factors, and its etiology remains poorly understood. Objectives to investigate occupational and genetic risk factors inducing lumbar disc degeneration, and to evaluate the possible association of genetic polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) and vitamin D receptor (VDR) with the severity of LDD in an Egyptian population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A case control study involving 84 LDD and 60 controls was carried out. Five types of work related factors were investigated by questionnaire, complete neurological examination for all subjects and MRI for the cases. Polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods were applied to detect polymorphisms in MMP-3 Promoter (-1,171 6A/5A) (rs 731236) and VDR-Apa (rs 35068180). RESULTS: We found that family history, back injury, smoking, high level of sitting, bending/twisting, physical workload, lifting, whole body vibration, mutant allele 5A of MMP-3 and mutant allele T of VDR were significantly associated with LDD (OR = 2.9, 3.1, 2.1, 11.1, 15.9, 11.7, 8.2, 12.6, 2.5 and 3.1 respectively, p < 0.05). Cases that carry allele 5A and/or allele T were associated with LDD severity. CONCLUSION: LDD is closely associated in occurrence and severity with occupational, environmental risk factors and susceptibility genes namely MMP-3, and VDR (ApaI). This study throws light on the importance of screening for early detection of susceptible individuals and disease prevention.

Clinical significance of soluble-endoglin levels in systemic lupus erythematosus: possible association with anti-phospholipid syndrome.

AIM: The pathogenic role of soluble endoglin (s-Eng), as an antiangiogenic protein, has largely been demonstrated in various vascular disorders. Our aim was to assess, in a cross-sectional study, plasma levels of s-Eng in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and its relation with the disease characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Plasma from 86 patients with SLE and 36 normal healthy subjects was assayed for s-Eng levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Demographic, clinical, autoantibodies and serological data were prospectively assessed. Disease activity was assessed by total SLE disease activity index score. RESULTS: In our SLE patients, the levels of s-Eng were comparable between SLE patients and the control group. However, these levels were significantly associated with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). In addition, s-Eng levels were significantly associated with antiphospholipid antibodies in our studied population. On the other hand, we did not find significant differences in mean plasma s-Eng levels in relation to disease activity, other organ system involvement or the presence of anti-dsDNA. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary data indicated the importance of s-Eng in a special subgroup of SLE patients associated with secondary APS. An additional prospective, large-scale, longitudinal study should be carried out to support these findings.

Synthesis and characterization of 3-methyl-5-oxo-N,1-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1-H-pyrazole-4-carbothioamide and its metal complexes.

The molecular parameters have been calculated to confirm the geometry of 3-methyl-5-oxo-N,1-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1-H-pyrazole-4-carbothioamide, HL. The compound is introduced as a new chelating agent for complexation with Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions. The isolated chelates were characterized by partial elemental analyses, magnetic moments, spectra (IR, UV-vis, ESR; (1)H NMR) and thermal studies. The protonation constant of HL (5.04) and the stepwise stability constants of its Co(II), Cu(II), Cr(III) and Fe(III) complexes were calculated. The ligand coordinates as a monobasic bidentate through hydroxo and thiol groups in all complexes except Cr(III) which acts as a monobasic monodentate through the enolized carbonyl oxygen. Cr(III) and Fe(III) complexes measured normal magnetic moments; Cu(II) and Co(II) measured subnormal while Ni(II) complex is diamagnetic. The data confirm a high spin and low spin octahedral structures for the Fe(III) and Co(II) complexes. The ESR spectrum of the Cu(II) complex support the binuclear structure. The molecular parameters have also been calculated for the Cu(II) and Fe(III) complexes. The thermal decomposition stages of the complexes confirm the MS to be the residual part. Also, the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters were calculated for some decomposition steps.

Physical and spectroscopic studies on novel vanadyl complexes of some substituted thiosemicarbazides.

Complexes of V(IV)O with N(4) ethyl and/or phenyl thiosemicarbazides have been prepared to study the role of substituents, on the two sides of thiosemicarbazide moiety, on the behavior of the complex formation. The study of ligands in solution reflected the dependence of their ionization values on the nature of the function groups neighboring the active sites. Two main (octahedral and square-pyramid) structures have been characterized for the solid complexes by the well known methods. There is some similarity between the structure and the color of the obtained complexes. Three modes of chelation were suggested for the investigated complexes. Complete disappearance of the nitrile group during the complex formation with cyano ligands is attributed to the promotion of water molecules to the cyano group. The intensity and position of the VO band in the IR spectra reflect not only the nature of the ligand but also the geometry of the complex formed. Some complexes were isolated as binuclear and confirmed by ESR spectra. The end product on thermal degradation of most complexes was VO(2).

Spectroscopic, thermal and electrochemical studies on some nickel(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes.

Several complexes of thiosemicarbazone derivatives with Ni(II) have been prepared. Structural investigation of the ligands and their complexes has been made based on elemental analysis, magnetic moment, spectral (UV-Vis, i.r., (1)H NMR, ms), and thermal studies. The i.r. spectra suggest the bidentate mononegative and tridentate (neutral, mono-, and binegative) behavior of the ligands. Different stereochemistries were suggested for the isolated complexes. The thermogravimetry (TG) and derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) have been used to study the thermal decomposition and kinetic parameters of some ligands and complexes using the Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzger equations. The redox properties and stability of the complexes toward oxidation waves explored by cyclic voltammetry are related to the electron withdrawing or releasing ability of the substituent of thiosemicarbazone moiety. The samples displayed Ni(II)/Ni(I) couples irreversible waves associated with Ni(III)/Ni(II) process.