Serum levels of IL-32 in patients with coronary artery disease and its relationship with the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α.

The coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by atherosclerosis, in which arteries become clogged due to plaque formation, fat accumulation, and various sorts of immune cells. IL-32 is a proinflammatory cytokine, which enhances inflammation through inducing the secretion of different inflammatory cytokines. The main objective of the current study was to assess the serum levels of IL-32 in subjects with obstructive CAD and its relationship with the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. This study was performed on 42 subjects with obstructive CAD and 42 subjects with non-obstructive CAD. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-32 were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-32 were 3.2, 3.48, and 2.7 times higher in obstructive CAD compared to non-obstructive CAD, respectively. Moreover, the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-32 in obstructive CAD with cardiac arterial stenosis in one major vessel were significantly higher than the levels in obstructive CAD with cardiac arterial stenosis in more than one major vessel. ROC curve analysis revealed that the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-32 were good predictors of obstructive CAD. Moreover, multiple logistic regression analyses suggested that the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-32, LDL, and ox-LDL were independently related to the presence of obstructive CAD, while serum levels of HDL were not. TNF-α, IL-32, and IL-6 showed an increase in obstructive CAD, and the serum levels of these cytokines showed a satisfactory ability for predicting obstructive CAD.

Expression levels of miR-27a, miR-329, ABCA1, and ABCG1 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and their correlation with serum levels of oxidative stress and hs-CRP in the patients with coronary artery disease.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with high mortality worldwide. The reverse cholesterol transport pathway in macrophage plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is strongly controlled by regulatory factors. The microRNAs can promote or prevent the formation of atherosclerotic lesions by post-transcriptional regulation of vital genes in this pathway. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the expression levels of miR-27a, miR-329, ABCA1, and ABCG1 genes and serum levels of hs-CRP, ox-LDL, and indices of oxidative stress in the patients with established CAD and controls. A total of 84 subjects (42 patients with CAD and 42 controls) were included in this study. Expression levels of miR-27a-3p, miR-329-3p, ABCA1, and ABCG1 genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum concentration of hs-CRP and ox-LDL were measured by real time-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Also, oxidative stress parameters in the serum were evaluated by ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. ABCA1 and ABCG1 gene expression in PBMC and serum concentration of FRAP were significantly lower in the CAD group compared to the control group. Expression levels of miR-27a and miR-329 and serum levels of hs-CRP, ox-LDL, and MDA were significantly higher in the CAD group compared to the control group. Serum levels of hs-CRP, ox-LDL, and expression level of miR-27a have inversely related to ABCA1 and ABCG1 gene expression in all the subjects. An increase in the expression levels of miR-27a and miR-329 may lead to the progression of atherosclerosis plaque by downregulating the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 genes.

Comparative study of quality of life, anxiety, depression, and fatigue among patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis: The first report from Iran.

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are associated with reduced Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). To the best of our knowledge, change of HRQOL in patients with NMOSD has not been yet measure in Iran. The objective of this study was to assess HRQOL in NMOSD and MS patients and identify related factors METHODS: A cross sectional study of 41 patients with NMOSD and 136 age and sex-match MS patients was performed. A series of questionnaires including Persian validated questionnaires on HRQOL (SF-36), fatigue (MFIS), depression (BDI-II), anxiety (HAM-A) and sleep quality (PSQI) were record. All demographic variables, socioeconomic status and clinical data were also obtained. Student's T test and Mann-Whitney U test used to compare variables between groups and multivariate regression analysis applied to assay predictor factors. RESULTS: The mean scores of mental (MCS) and physical (PCS) components of QOL were statistically lower in patients with NMOSD compare with MS patients (ß = -4.49, P = 0.004; ß = -3.52, P = 0.015). Multivariate analysis indicated fatigue, depression and anxiety were independent, significant predictor of MCS (ß = -0.229, P = 0.002; ß = -0.229, P = 0.002; ß = -0.258, P = 0.020 respectively). However, PCS was significantly predicted by fatigue (ß = -0.258 P < 0.001), solely. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate NMOSD patients have lower HRQOL in compare to patients with MS. Also, screening and treatment of fatigue as the most important predictor for HRQOL is necessary.