Assessment of serum concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase 1, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases 1 in atopic dermatitis in correlation with disease severity and epidermal barrier parameters.

INTRODUCTION: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteolytic enzymes, conditioning the integrity of skin cells, however, their role in the inflammatory process of atopic dermatitis (AD) and the direct effect on the epidermal barrier parameters remain unexplained. AIM: To assess MMP-1, MMP-2, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 concentrations in blood serum in the context of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and stratum corneum hydration in AD. Moreover, serum levels of MMPs and TIMP-1 were analysed in relation to the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-three AD patients and 22 control group subjects have been investigated. Serum concentrations of MMP-1, MMP-2, and TIMP-1 have been evaluated with ELISA. TEWL and stratum corneum hydration have been assessed with a TM300 Tewameter and a CM825 Corneometer. Skin lesions in patients with AD have been evaluated with the Eczema Area and Severity Index. RESULTS: MMP-1 and MMP-2 serum concentrations were significantly higher in the AD group. The results of TIMP-1 serum concentration were similar for both groups. The correlation between the serum concentration and the EASI was demonstrated only for MMP-2 for patients with severe and moderate AD. Patients with AD and TIMP-1 serum concentration greater than MMP-1 presented lower TEWL and higher epidermal hydration. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study warrant further investigation. The predominance of TIMP-1 over MMP-1 in blood serum can potentially limit TEWL and maintain the proper water content of the epidermis. Future work is necessary to establish how reliable the role of MMP-2 concentration is as an indicator of the severity of AD.

Circulating Leptin, Adiponectin, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha in Patients Undergoing Surgery Due to Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Adipocytokines have been proposed as factors mediating associations between obesity and inflammation in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the clinical relationships between blood concentrations of leptin (LEP), adiponectin (ADP), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and the outcomes measured in patients with CRC undergoing surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: History, body composition, and blood concentrations of LEP, ADP, and TNF-alpha were determined in 107 patients undergoing surgery due to CRC. The patients were followed up for 619.72 ± 371.65 days. RESULTS: Compared to patients with stage II CRC, individuals with clinical stage I CRC had significantly lower ADP and higher TNF-alpha blood concentrations. We found significant correlations between the clinical stage of CRC (early vs. localized vs. metastatic) and the following: crude blood ADP concentration (R = 0.25; p = 0.015), ADP-to-TNF-alpha ratio (R = 0.31; p = 0.002), and ADP when indexed to body surface area (R = 0.25; p = 0.008) and to fat mass (R = 0.25; p = 0.016). The risk of death during the long-term follow-up period was independently related to the clinical stage of CRC, impairment of the patient's functional status, and higher blood carcinoembryonic antigen concentration. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, patients with blood LEP concentrations adjusted to a visceral adipose tissue score of ≥0.47 had a significantly better likelihood of surviving than their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CRC undergoing surgery, blood ADP and TNF-alpha concentrations were associated with the clinical stage of the cancer, likelihood of radical tumor excision, occurrence of nonsurgical postoperative complications, and long-term survival, which suggests the role of dysregulation in the endocrine function of adipose tissue in response to the neoplasmatic process.

Evaluation of the effect of the interleukin-25 serum concentration on the intensity of the symptoms of atopic dermatitis and epidermal barrier.

INTRODUCTION: Interleukin 25 (IL-25) is a cytokine with proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects, and its biological function of reciprocal epidermal hyperplasia and of inhibiting the filaggrin synthesis points to an essential role connecting the inflammatory process with damage to the epidermal barrier in the course of atopic dermatitis (AD). AIM: To assess the IL-25 in serum concentration in AD patients and to analyse its possible correlation with the disease intensity and selected epidermal barrier parameters such as transepidermal water loss (TEWL). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 43 patients with AD and 22 healthy volunteers. The IL-25 concentration was measured using the ELISA method. The intensity of disease symptoms was investigated using W-AZS and EASI indicators. The epidermal barrier was evaluated using a Tewameter TM300 and Corneometer CM825. RESULTS: The concentration of IL-25 in serum was higher in the study group than in the control group. IL-25 serum concentration correlates with W-AZS/EASI in patients with a severe and moderate course of AD. The concentration of IL-25 affects the TEWL within the affected, evaluated skin surface. CONCLUSIONS: An elevated IL-25 concentration in serum is characteristic for patients with moderate and severe AD intensity. The IL-25 concentration in serum correlates with TEWL and with the moisture level in the affected area. However, further studies are necessary to determine the role played by IL-25 in the course of the disease and how it affects the functional parameters of the epidermal barrier.

Leptin, adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor α, and irisin concentrations as factors linking obesity with the risk of atrial fibrillation among inpatients with cardiovascular diseases.

BACKGROUND: The endocrine function of adipose tissue and skeletal muscles mediates the risk of cardiovascular complications of obesity. AIMS: The aim of this study was to determine the associations of leptin, adiponectin (ADA), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF­α), and irisin levels with the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation (AF) on admission to the hospital as well as parameters of transthoracic echocardiography among inpatients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). METHODS: The study included 80 consecutive patients hospitalized due to paroxysmal or persistent AF and a control group of 165 age- and sex­matched individuals admitted due to exacerbation of chronic CVD. In all participants, we assessed serum leptin, ADA, TNF­α, and irisin concentrations, body composition determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis, and transthoracic echocardiographic parameters. RESULTS: Compared with controls, patients with AF had greater fat mass (FM), higher serum leptin levels and lower levels of ADA, TNF­α, and irisin when indexed to body surface area, FM, and visceral adiposity. Hyperleptinemia slightly increased the risk of AF (odds ratio [OR], 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03; P <0.01). The correlation was stronger after indexation to FM (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.81; P <0.05). The coefficients of significant correlations with echocardiographic parameters were stronger for irisin than for adipocytokines: 0.16 to 0.35 and 0.12 to 0.22, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Adipocytokines and irisin exert a significant but weak effect on heart chamber size and affect the risk of AF occurrence. Their blood concentrations do not seem to be related simply to body composition but probably depend on individual variations in adipocytokine and myokine secretion as a result of numerous factors.

Analysis of feline and canine allergen components in patients sensitized to pets.

BACKGROUND: Component resolved allergen diagnosis allows for a precise evaluation of the sensitization profiles of patients sensitized to felines and canines. An accurate interpretation of these results allows better insight into the evolution of a given patients sensitizations, and allows for a more precise evaluation of their prognoses. METHODS: 70 patients (42 women and 28 men, aged 18-65, with the average of 35.5) with a positive feline or canine allergy diagnosis were included in the research group. 30 patients with a negative allergy diagnosis were included in the control group. The total IgE levels of all patients with allergies as well as their allergen-specific IgE to feline and canine allergens were measured. Specific IgE levels to canine (Can f 1, Can f 2, Can f 3, Can f 5) and feline (Fel d 1, Fel d 2, Fel d 4) allergen components were also measured with the use of the ImmunoCap method. RESULTS: Monosensitization for only one canine or feline component was found in 30% of patients. As predicted, the main feline allergen was Fel d 1, which sensitized as many as 93.9% of patients sensitized to felines. Among 65 patients sensitized to at least one feline component, for 30 patients (46.2%) the only sensitizing feline component was Fel d 1. Only 19 patients in that group (63.3%) were not simultaneously sensitized to dogs and 11 (36.7%), the isolated sensitization to feline Fel d 1 notwithstanding, displayed concurrent sensitizations to one of the canine allergen components. Fel d 4 sensitized 49.2% of the research group.64.3% of patients sensitized to canine components had heightened levels of specific IgE to Can f 1. Monosensitization in that group occurred for 32.1% of the patients. Sensitization to Can f 5 was observed among 52.4% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent sensitizations to a few allergic components, not only cross-reactive but also originating in different protein families, are a significant problem for patients sensitized to animals.

Expression of IL-17A concentration and effector functions of peripheral blood neutrophils in food allergy hypersensitivity patients.

Lymphocytes Th17 and other types of immune system cells produce IL17. By induction of cytokines and chemokines, the IL17 cytokine is involved in mechanisms of allergic reaction with participation of neutrophil granulocytes. It affects activation, recruitment, and migration of neutrophils to the tissues, regulating inflammatory reaction intensity. Excited neutrophils secrete inter alia elastase and reactive oxygen species (ROS)--significant mediators of inflammation process responsible for tissues damage.The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentrations of serum interleukin 17A, serum neutrophil elastase, and ROS production by neutrophils in patients with food allergy.The study included 30 patients with food allergy diagnosed based on interview, clinical symptoms, positive SPT, placebo controlled double-blind oral provocation trial, and the presence of asIgE in blood serum against selected food allergens using fluoro-immuno-enzymatic method FEIA UNICap 100. The control group consisted of 10 healthy volunteers. The concentrations of IL17A were determined in all patients using ELISA method with eBioscience kits, and elastase using BenderMed Systems kits. Chemiluminescence of non-stimulated neutrophils was evaluated using luminol-dependent kinetic method for 40 min on Luminoskan (Labsystems luminometer).The results of serum IL-17A concentrations and the values of chemiluminescence obtained by non-activated neutrophils, as well as elastase concentrations, were higher in patients with food allergic hypersensitivity compared to healthy volunteers.This study demonstrates a significance of IL-17A and activated neutrophil granulocytes in the course of diseases with food allergic hypersensitivity.

B vitamin supplementation reduces excretion of urinary dicarboxylic acids in autistic children.

Urinary dicarboxylic acids are an important source of information about metabolism and potential problems especially connected with energy production, intestinal dysbiosis, and nutritional individuality in autistic children. A diet rich in vitamins and macroelements is a new idea of intervention in autism. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and magnesium supplementation is effective in reducing the level of dicarboxylic acids in the urine of autistic children. We examined the levels of succinic, adipic, and suberic acids in the urine of autistic children before and after vitamin supplementation. Thirty children with autism received magnesium (daily dose, 200 mg), vitamin B6 (pyridoxine; daily dose, 500 mg), and vitamin B2 (riboflavin; daily dose, 20 mg). The treatment was provided for a period of 3 months. Organic acids were determined using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Before supplementation, the levels of succinic, adipic, and suberic acids in the urine of autistic children were 41.47 ± 50.40 µmol/mmol creatinine, 15.61 ± 15.31 µmol/mmol creatinine, 8.02 ± 6.08 µmol/mmol creatinine; and after supplementation, the levels were 9.90 ± 8.26 µmol/mmol creatinine, 2.92 ± 2.41 µmol/mmol creatinine, and 2.57 ± 3.53 µmol/mmol creatinine, respectively. The results suggest that the supplementation reduces the level of dicarboxylic acid in the urine of autistic children.

Determination of homovanillic acid and vanillylmandelic acid in urine of autistic children by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

BACKGROUND: Studies suggest dopamine nervous systems are involved in the pathogenesis of autistic disorder. Quantification of urinary homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) can be a very important tool in the study of disorders of dopamine metabolism in autistic children. MATERIAL/METHODS: The urine specimens were collected from 20 autistic children and 36 neurologically normal children. Urinary HVA and VMA were simultaneously analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The method involves extraction of HVA and VMA from urinary samples and derivatization to N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide derivatives. RESULTS: The detection limits are 0.15 microg/mL and 0.23 microg/mL for VMA and HVA, respectively. The levels of HVA and VMA were higher in the urine of autistic children (28.8+/-15.5 micromol/mmol creatinine and 22.2+/-13.0 micromol/mmol creatinine, respectively) compared with those of the generally healthy children (4.6+/-0.7 micromol/mmol creatinine for HVA and 3.8+/-0.6 micromol/mmol creatinine for VMA). CONCLUSIONS: We proposed a simple, rapid method for a routine analysis of human urine to detect HVA and VMA related to an abnormal functional imbalance of the dopamine system, and showed our experience of application of this method to patients with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. These results suggest significant differences in the levels of HVA and VMA between autistic and healthy children.