Systemic evaluation of lymphocyte-bound C4d and immunoglobulins for diagnosis and activity monitoring of systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of lymphocyte-bound C4d (LB-C4d: T-C4d, B-C4d) and immunoglobulins (LB-Igs: T-IgG, T-IgM, B-κ and B-λ) in the diagnosis and monitoring of SLE. DESIGN & METHODS: The levels of C4d and Igs on peripheral lymphocytes were measured in 172 patients with SLE, 174 patients with other non-SLE inflammatory diseases and 100 healthy individuals. Immunobinding and blocking experiments were performed to characterize Igs from SLE patients to generate LB-C4d/Igs in vitro. Sixty-five patients with SLE were followed up longitudinally. Disease activity was assessed for each SLE patient. RESULTS: Patients with SLE had the highest median LB-C4d/Igs levels. LB-C4d had a significant but weak positive association with LB-Igs, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.008 to 0.316. Anti-cardiolipin IgG and anti-ß2GP1 IgG, but not C3 and C4, were found to be closely associated with LB-C4d/Igs formation, with correlations as high as 0.337. Compared to anti-dsDNA, LB-C4d performed better in SLE diagnosis, while B-κ and B-λ performed better in disease activity monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Both autoantibodies and receptors on lymphocytes contribute to LB-C4d/Igs formation. LB-C4d/Igs could be used as reliable indicators for SLE diagnosis and activity monitoring.

[Effect of purple sweet potato on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of purple sweet potato on lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats. METHODS: Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control group, high-fat control group, high purple sweet potato groups, low purple sweet potato group. The rats were fed with different diets for 6w respectively. RESULTS: Serum TC, TG levels were significantly lower in high dosage group than in high-fat control group; while only serum TG was significantly lower in low dosage group than in high-fat control group, these changes started at the third week and lasted to the end of experiment. Serum LDL-C and AI levels were significantly lower in high and low dosage group than in high-fat control group, whereas, serum HDL-C was significantly higher than that in high-fat control group at w3 and lasted to the end of experiment. Serum SOD was significantly higher in high and low dosage group than in high-fat control group, whereas, serum MDA was significantly lower than that in high-fat control group at w6. CONCLUSION: Purple sweet potato can decrease serum lipids and reduce hepatic oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic rats.