Relationship between the thrombospondin-1/Toll-like receptor 4 (TSP1/TLR4) pathway and vitamin D levels in obese and normal weight subjects with different metabolic phenotypes.

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) contributes to obesity-associated inflammation via activating Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). The regulatory role of vitamin D on this pathway has been suggested. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between TSP1/TLR4 pathway and vitamin D in obese and normal weight subjects with different metabolic phenotypes. Thirty obese and thirty normal weight men were selected. Anthropometric parameters and serum TSP1, TLR4, TNF-α, vitamin D, and metabolic profile were determined. Metabolic phenotypes of obese and normal weight subjects were determined. Findings revealed enhanced TSP1/TLR4/TNF-α levels and reduced 25(OH)D levels in obese compared to normal weight subjects and metabolically unhealthy compared to metabolically healthy subjects. TSP1 correlated positively with parameters of unhealthy metabolic profile. TSP1, TLR4 and TNF-α levels significantly negatively correlated with vitamin D levels. In conclusion, vitamin D might exert a regulatory role on TSP1/TLR4 pathway, providing a potential mechanism that links hypovitaminosis D with risk of metabolic dysfunction.

Demonstration of species-specific and cross-reactive components of hydatid cyst fluid antigens.

ELISA-hydatid cyst fluid antigen (HCF-Ag-ELISA) and conventional echinococcosis IHAT were assessed for cystic hydatid disease (CHD), confirmed by HCF-Ag immunoblotting assay. The sensitivity of the tests was 94.4% and 83.3% for HCF-Ag-ELISA and IHA respectively. HCF-Ag-ELISA showed some cross-reaction in tumor cases (5.5%), but no cross-reaction was observed in Rheumatoid arthritis patients. IHA showed 100% specificity. To confirm this data SDS-PAGE immunoblotting using HCF-Ag was applied. Echinococcus specific reactions were reported with 44Kda, 34Kda, 29Kda and 8Kda HCF-Ag resolved bands. Cross-reaction was found with 27Kda, 21Kda, 16Kda and 13Kda bands in tumor patients. Moreover, cross-reaction was found with 200Kda, 175Kda, 62Kda, 52Kda and 40Kda in serological anti-Schistosoma antibodies positive cases. So, using specific HCF-Ag components, immunoblotting provided 100% sensitivity and specificity in CHD.