ABSTRACT
Measurement of plasma neopterin by HPLC with fluorescence detection is used clinically as a marker of immune cell activation in the management of a number of disease pathologies. HPLC analysis of neopterin requires the acidic removal of plasma proteins but we have found that 7,8-dihydroneopterin is oxidised to neopterin with varying yield. Using acetonitrile as the precipitant, we have measured substantially higher quantities of both total neopterin (7,8-dihydroneopterin and neopterin) and neopterin from plasma of healthy and septicemia patient's. Total neopterin concentrations were on average 50% and 200% greater in healthy and septicemia subjects, respectively, when measured after acetonitrile precipitation compared to trichloroacetic acid. Our data suggests that some pterin co-precipitates with proteins during acid treatment.
Subject(s)
Neopterin/analogs & derivatives , Biomarkers/blood , Blood Proteins/chemistry , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Humans , Indicators and Reagents , Neopterin/blood , Neopterin/radiation effects , Oxidation-Reduction , Reproducibility of Results , Sepsis/metabolism , Ultraviolet RaysSubject(s)
Light , Neopterin/blood , Neopterin/radiation effects , Specimen Handling/methods , Freezing , Humans , Neopterin/chemistry , Temperature , Time FactorsABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate effects of low-intensity infrared impulse laser therapy (IRILT) on concentration of immunity activation [not readable: see text] (soluble receptors of TNF-alpha and neopterin) and indicator of the inflammation activity (concentration of C-reactive protein) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Enzyme immunoassay, radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay and radial immunodiffusion were used to measure soluble receptors of TNF-alpha, neopterin and C-reactive protein in 38 females with verified RA receiving IRILT or sham procedures. RESULTS: IRILT induced lowering of neopterin, TNF-alpha soluble receptors (p < 0.01) and C-reactive protein (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The findings give pathogenetical grounds for IRILT use in RA as this treatment suppresses functional activity of macrophages which serve the main source of neopterin and the receptors synthesis.
