The Profile of Serum Transferrin Isoforms in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: Transferrin, a microheterogeneous iron-transporting N-glycoprotein, is an optimal model for the analysis of the glycosylation profile in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to assess the transferrin isoforms profile in RA patients at the time of diagnosis and then look into their associations with disease activity. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 48 patients with RA. The patients were males (6) and females (42) (age range: 33-85 years). Control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteers. Transferrin isoforms were analysed by capillary electrophoresis on MINICAP electrophoretic system. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the relative concentrations of trisialo- (mean ± SD; 2.130 ± 1.112) and pentasialotransferrin (13.562 ± 3.088), and significant increase in tetrasialotransferrin (83.640 ± 3.165) in RA patients when compared to the control group (3.615 ± 1.156; 76.840 ± 5.621; 18.610 ± 6.027, respectively) (U Mann-Whitney test: p < 0.001 for all comparisons). There were no significant changes in the disialotransferrin concentrations in RA patients. Trisialotransferrin concentration correlated with RA activity expressed as DAS 28 in RA patients (p < 0.001). The low trisialotransferrin concentration was also associated with high platelet count and high ESR (p < 0.001 for both). Disialo-, tetrasialo- and pentasialotransferrin concentrations did not correlate with DAS 28. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with RA the serum profile of transferrin isoforms is altered. We predict that the levels of trisialylated isoforms of transferrin will serve as a useful biochemical marker of the RA activity.

Serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PINP) in patients with liver diseases.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentration of interleukin-6 and N-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I and their relationship in liver diseases of different etiologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples were obtained from 30 healthy volunteers and patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) - 31, non-alcoholic cirrhosis (NAC) - 28 and toxic hepatitis (HT) - 23 patients. Cirrhotic patients were classified according to Child-Pugh score. IL-6 and PINP concentrations were determined according to the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS: The mean serum IL-6 concentration was significantly higher in AC (mean ± SD:21.52 ± 15.01 pg/mL), NAC (20.07 ± 32.12 pg/mL) and HT (15.14 ± 17.18 pg/mL) when compared to the control group (C) (1.67 ± 0.42 pg/mL) (Mann-Whitney U test: p < .001 for all comparisons). The mean serum PINP concentration was significantly higher only in patients with AC (104.32 ± 54.50 ng/mL) in comparison with the control group (54.70 ± 19.83 ng/mL; p < .001). The mean values of IL-6 and PINP significantly differed between liver diseases (ANOVA rank Kruskal-Wallis test: p = .020 and p < .001, respectively). Accordingly, the serum levels of IL-6 and PINP were significantly higher in patients with AC than that in NAC (p < .001 and p = .022, respectively). IL-6 and PINP concentrations appeared to vary depending on the severity of liver damage (p < .001 for both). The concentrations of IL-6 and PINP were significantly higher in class C (31.88 ± 21.51 pg/mL; 132.73 ± 65.63 ng/mL, respectively) than that in class A (6.12 ± 9.00 pg/mL; 57.32 ± 28.85 ng/mL, respectively) (p < .001 for both). There were also significant differences in IL-6 concentrations between Child-Pugh class B (27.88 ± 24.45 pg/mL) and class A (6.12 ± 9.00 pg/mL; p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that serum concentrations of IL-6 and PINP change in liver diseases, and those changes reflect the severity of liver disease.

The transferrin isoforms in chronic hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic hepatitis on the serum profile of transferrin isoforms. METHODS: Tested group consist of 160 patients with chronic hepatitis. The samples were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis on MINICAP electrophoretic system (Sebia, France). RESULTS: In patients with chronic hepatitis tetrasialotransferrin level was increased (P=0.002) and pentasialotransferrin decreased (P=0.009). Moreover, statistical analysis revealed that trisialotransferrin level was different according to the grade of portal/periportal activity (P=0.009), the grade of lobular activity (P=0.004) and the stage of fibrosis (P=0.022). There were no differences in tetrasialotransferrin and pentasialotransferrin according to the advancement of hepatitis activity and the stage of fibrosis (P>0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that chronic hepatitis affect the serum profile of transferrin isoforms, but only trisialotransferrin level could be useful in determining progression of chronic hepatitis and the stage of fibrosis.

Simple non-invasive markers for early diagnosis and determination of the severity of liver diseases.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect and severity of liver diseases of different etiologies on the values of three non-invasive fibrosis markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples from 65 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, 31 with non-alcoholic cirrhosis and 32 with toxic hepatitis, were tested. Cirrhotic patients were classified according to the Child-Pugh scale. The age-platelet (AP) index, HUI score and Fibro Q index were calculated using the specific formulas. RESULTS: The values of all tested scores were significantly higher in controls than in patients with liver diseases and were significantly different between liver diseases. The patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis had higher values of the AP index, HUI score and Fibro Q index than patients with toxic hepatitis. HUI and Fibro Q scores appeared to vary according to the severity of liver damage and were higher in Child-Pugh class C than in classes A and B. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that all tested scores based on liver function tests are good markers for non-invasive diagnosis of liver damage. Additionally, HUI and Fibro Q scores reflect the severity of liver cirrhosis.