Proinflammatory cytokines in peritonitis.

RATIONALE: We performed this study with the purpose of revealing different aspects of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in peritonitis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the presentation was to make a research on some of the immune response mediators in secondary peritonitis and to observe their capacity to anticipate the evolution towards septic complications. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have undertaken a study on a group of 100 patients with acute diffuse peritonitis, between 2009 and 2011, in which we have accomplished the dosage of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF alpha cytokines in the serum of patients, in dynamics, for 7 days by using the Elisa method. Subsequently, we have compared the results to the ones of a control group. The data obtained indicated high levels of proinflammatory cytokines in the patients who subsequently suffered an unfavorable evolution towards septic complications. DISCUSSION: The study of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF alpha blood dynamics, offers valuable information about the severity of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome in peritonitis. They can be valuable biomarkers in establishing the unfavorable evolution of patients, helping the physician to establish a sustained and specific treatment, even from the early phases of the illness.

Oxidative injury and other metabolic disorders in hepatic encephalopathy.

Within the complex mechanism of hepatic encephalopathy resulting from alcohol poisoning, a significant pathogenic role seems to relate to lipid peroxides (free radicals generated by chronic alcohol poisoning itself). Oxidative aggression is emphasized by the diminishing antioxidative capacity of the body resulting from serious liver injury brought about by chronic ethyl poisoning. The poisoning influences the whole functional capacity of the liver, hepatic protein synthesis included, which also means ceruloplasmin and siderophilin synthesis; the two latter elements make up AOS Cp-Tr which neutralizes the harmful activity of Cu and Fe excess and stimulates release of free radicals of oxygen. The purpose of our research was to study the redox balance alteration in blood in a group of patients who were in a critical condition and had been admitted to the somatic patients ward of the "Prof. Dr. Alexandru Obregia" Neurology and Psychiatry Hospital and who were suffering from hepatic encephalopathy resulting from ethyl poisoning.

Investigation of immune reactivity in alcoholism with hepatic disease of various degrees.

The clinical and experimental investigations of alcoholic liver disease, have proved that hepatocytes injury is associated with immunologic abnormalities, which can be one of the sources of these injuries. The acetaldehyde, the main ethanol metabolite modify liver cytosolic proteins and form new antigens. Thus acetaldehyde induces the synthesis of auto-antibodies. Some hypotheses maintain the autoimmune pathogenesis of these diseases. Research was carried out on some patient groups admitted in the alcohol addiction department of the Neurology and Psychiatry hospital "Professor Gh. Marinescu". We have investigated the alcohol depending individuals with various degrees of hepatic injuries. Four groups have been studied: the control group, the alcohol depending patients without liver disease, the patients with alcoholic hepatitis, the group with alcoholic cirrhosis. In order to investigate the immunologic response the research has been carried on, along the following lines: serum immunoglobulins level, serum C3 level, serum protein C reactive level by using IDR, serum circulating immune complexes by Hakova method, auto-antibodies (antinuclear AAN, antimitochondria AM and antismoothmuscle ASM) by using indirect immunofluorescence, T lymphocytes by E rosetting and lymphocytes by direct immuno-fluorescence. Clinical and experimental study of the alcoholic liver has shown that destruction of hepatocytes is accompanied by several immunological events.

Survey on some aspects of immunologic reactivity in old age.

The raport focuses on investigation of a sample of old people, mainly in their eighties, as against a control group of healthy subjects, aged between 25 and 40. In order to investigate the immunologic response the research has been carried on along the following lines. to show self Ab antinuclear (AAN), antimitochondrial (AM) and antismoth muscle (ASM), by using indirect immunofluorescence; to study alteration of serum immunoglobulins by using IDR; to study alteration of serum concentration of C3 fraction in the complement by using IDR; to determine immune complexes by using Haskova method; to investigate IR through R rosetting method. Immunologic reactivity (IR) disturbance was found, with respect to alteration of immunoglobulin ratio IgA, IgG, IgM vere slightly diminished. Self antibodies were present to a percentage of 17% as predominant of ASM, AM and AAN in decreasing order. Increase in C3 associated with increase in immune complexes could account for high incidence of cardio-vascular complications. Decline in IR is shown through the decrease in T lymphocytes where Ts is more markedly decreased as against decreased Ts. The results imbalance between stimulating activated cells and suppressive controlling cells. IR alteration could account for degenerative pathology in the subjects, namely, ATS, cardiovascular diseases, senility, pseudobulb syndrome, schizoaffective psychosis.