Down-regulation of transforming growth factor-beta and interleukin-6 serum levels in the idiopathic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ICOPD) is a prevalent human disease. The etiology of the disease is yet to be clarified. The main aim of this project was to explore serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) in the ICOPD patients in comparison to healthy controls. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-ß were evaluated in the 70 non-smoker ICOPD patients and 70 sex and age matched controls, using ELISA technique by the commercial kits from Karmania Pars Gene Company. Analysis of data was performed by parametric independent and Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: Serum levels of IL-6 and TGF-ß, but not TNF-α, were significantly decreased in the ICOPD patients in comparison to controls. Serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α and TGF-ß were not altered in the ICOPD male in comparison to female and also in mild when compared to moderate ICOPD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Down-regulation of TGF-ß may be the main risk factor for deterioration of inflammation in the ICOPD patients. Decreased IL-6 may be related to the idiopathic type of COPD.

Serum Levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and TGF-ß in Chronic HBV-Infected Patients: Effect of Depression and Anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of depression and anxiety on serum cytokine levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 60 healthy control individuals and 60 patients with CHB participated after filling out standard questionnaires. We examined their serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and TGF-ß levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques. RESULTS: In patients with CHB compared with healthy controls, serum levels of IL-8 were significantly increased, whereas IL-6 and TGF-ß levels were significantly decreased. Serum levels of TGF-ß were significantly decreased in the patients with CHB who had mild depression, compared with patients with CHB without depression and with moderate and severe depression. CONCLUSIONS: Downregulation of IL-8 and TGF-ß, respectively, is a corresponding mechanism for induction of chronic inflammation in patients with CHB. Depression also seems to induce inflammation via downregulation of TGF-ß in these patients.

Epidemiology of occult hepatitis B infection among thalassemic, hemophilia, and hemodialysis patients.

CONTEXT: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common disease commuted through blood transfusion. Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is a form of the disease which does not present Hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg) in the serum of patients; however, HBV-DNA is detectable in the serum and hepatocytes of patients. OBI is an important risk factor to induce post transfusion hepatitis (PTH), cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and reactivation of the HBV. Recently, several reports from various regions of the world have been published regarding PTH among blood recipients as well as HCC, and cirrhosis among patients who require permanent blood transfusion, including diseases such as hemophilia, hemodialysis and thalassemia. This form of the hepatitis also creates problems for individuals that are co-infected with other viruses such as HCV and HIV. To determine the prevalence of OBI among hemophilia, hemodialysis and thalassemia patients is important because it is a high risk factor for PTH, HCC and cirrhosis therefore, its detection is a critical strategy for most health care services. This review addresses recent information regarding prevalence of OBI in relation to the mentioned diseases. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The data presented here was collected by searching the key words in Pubmed and Scopous databases. RESULTS: Our searching in the published papers revealed that OBI prevalence is frequent in patients receiving frequent blood transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: it seems that one of the main mechanisms for OBI transmission is most likely through infected blood and its component and evaluation of the prevalence of OBI in donors and patients, especially those with hemophilia and thalassemia should be foul considered.