The analysis of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and interleukin-1beta gene polymorphisms in Turkish FMF patients: do they predispose to secondary amyloidosis?

OBJECTIVE: Amyloid development in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients is associated with acute phase response and the acute phase reactant serum amyloid A which is induced by IL-1Beta. Its concentration can increase to more than 1000 fold during inflammation. In view of the inflammatory nature of FMF disease we have investigated whether IL-1Beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphisms may be involved in amyloid development in FMF patients. METHODS: Ninety-nine FMF patients without amyloidosis; 54 FMF patients with amyloidosis and 60 healthy controls samples were genotyped for IL-1Beta-511 (C/T) and IL-1Beta+3953 (C/T) polymorphisms using PCR-RFLP and for IL-1Ra VNTR polymorphism using PCR. RESULTS: The allele and genotype frequencies of IL-1Beta-511 (C/T), IL-1Beta+3953 (C/T) and IL-1Ra VNTR polymorphisms in FMF patients with and without amyloidosis were all compared with those in controls. There were no significant differences between FMF patients with and without amyloidosis and healthy control samples for these polymorphisms (all P-values are >0.05). These polymorphisms were not associated with M694V mutation in FMF patients with and without amyloidosis. CONCLUSION: IL-1Beta-511 (C/T), IL-1Beta+3953 (C/T) and IL-1Ra VNTR polymorphisms are not associated with the development of amyloid in FMF patients.

Relation of functional capacity with the oxidative stress and antioxidants in chronic heart failure.

Chronic heart failure is a common, disabling disorder with high mortality. Oxidative stress may have both functional and structural effects on the myocardium, leading to myocardial decompensation. In this study, the authors examined the relationship of oxidative stress and functional capacity in patients with varying degrees of heart failure. Fifty-one patients with chronic heart failure and 31 control subjects were studied. The functional capacity of patients was determined. Plasma malondialdehyde, vitamin E, and beta-carotene levels were measured. The malondialdehyde levels were significantly different between control subjects and heart failure patients (p=0.03). There was a positive correlation between patients' malondialdehyde levels and New York Heart Association functional class (r=0.59; p<0.0001). There was a negative correlation between the functional class and vitamin E and beta-carotene levels (r=20.43; p<0.0001 and r=20.25; p<0.01, respectively). These data demonstrate that oxidative stress is increased systemically in patients with chronic heart failure. It seems that this increase correlates with functional class. (c)2001 CHF, Inc.

Effects of fosinopril treatment on blood pressure during physical and mental stress test in essential hypertension.

In this study the effects of once daily administration of 10 mg fosinopril on blood pressure response to mental and physical stress were evaluated in mild to moderate essential hypertension. A total of 25 patients (14 women, 9 men) with mild to moderate essential hypertension were enrolled in this study. Before the treatment and after 10 mg/day fosinopril treatment for 2 months, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at rest and while performing a mental arithmetic test. In addition, exercise stress testing with Bruce protocol were performed before and after the treatment and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at rest and during peak exercise. Statistical analysis were done by using the paired t-test. During the mental arithmetic test, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced (p < 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively) after 2 months fosinopril treatment. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were also significantly reduced during the exercise stress test (p < 0.005 and p < 0.05) after the treatment. Heart rate did not change during either the mental arithmetic or the exercise test. As a result, once daily 10 mg fosinopril may be effective in reducing blood pressure, not only at rest, but also during stressful situations.