Upregulation of CCL7, CCL20, CXCL2, IL-1β, IL-6 and MMP-9 in Skin Samples of PCB Exposed Individuals—A Preliminary Study

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are well known immunotoxic and carcinogenic compounds. Although cutaneous symptoms are the hallmark of exposure to these compounds, exact pathophysiologic mechanisms are not well understood. We took skin biopsies from moderately high PCB exposed workers (n = 25) after an informed consent and investigated the expression of immunological markers such as CCL-7, CCL-20, CXCL2, IL-1β and IL-6, as well as the matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9, EPGN and NRF2 by RT-qPCR, and compared expression levels with plasma PCB levels. Statistical analyses showed a significant correlation between CCL-20, CXCL2, IL-6, IL-1β, CCL-7 and MMP-9 and PCB serum levels. EPGN and NRF2 were not correlated to PCB levels in the blood. We found a significant correlation of genes involved in autoimmune, auto-inflammatory and carcinogenesis in skin samples of PCB exposed individuals with elevated plasma PCB levels. Confirmation of these findings needs to be performed in bigger study groups and larger gen-sets, including multiple housekeeping genes. Further study needs to be performed to see whether a chronical exposure to these and similar compounds can cause higher incidence of malignancies and inflammatory disease.

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PRELIMINARY STUDY ON SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF SKIN COLOUR UNDER CIRCULATORY DYSFUNCTION USING ARTIFICIAL SKIN SAMPLES

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE AT THE CIE MIDTERM MEETING 2017 23 – 25 OCTOBER 2017, JEJU, REPUBLIC OF KOREA ◽

10.25039/x44.2017.op43 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Yuki Akizuki ◽

Yoshi Ohno

Keyword(s):

Spectral Characteristics ◽

Artificial Skin ◽

Skin Colour ◽

Preliminary Study ◽

Skin Samples

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Reassessing the Role of the Active TGF-β1 as a Biomarker in Systemic Sclerosis: Association of Serum Levels with Clinical Manifestations

Disease Markers ◽

10.1155/2016/6064830 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Andréa Tavares Dantas ◽

Sayonara Maria Calado Gonçalves ◽

Anderson Rodrigues de Almeida ◽

Rafaela Silva Guimarães Gonçalves ◽

Maria Clara Pinheiro Duarte Sampaio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Sclerosis ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Vascular Involvement ◽

Digital Ulcers ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽

Pbmc Culture ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Skin Biopsies

Objective. To determine active TGF-β1 (aTGF-β1) levels in serum, skin, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture supernatants and to understand their associations with clinical parameters in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients.Methods. We evaluated serum samples from 56 SSc patients and 24 healthy controls (HC). In 20 SSc patients, we quantified spontaneous or anti-CD3/CD28 stimulated production of aTGF-β1 by PBMC. The aTGF-β1 levels were measured by ELISA. Skin biopsies were obtained from 13 SSc patients and six HC, and TGFB1 expression was analyzed by RT-PCR.Results. TGF-β1 serum levels were significantly higher in SSc patients than in HC (p< 0.0001). Patients with increased TGF-β1 serum levels were more likely to have diffuse subset (p= 0.02), digital ulcers (p= 0.02), lung fibrosis (p< 0.0001), positive antitopoisomerase I (p= 0.03), and higher modified Rodnan score (p= 0.046). Most of our culture supernatant samples had undetectable levels of TGF-β1. No significant difference in TGFB1 expression was observed in the SSc skin compared with HC skin.Conclusion. Raised active TGF-β1 serum levels and their association with clinical manifestations in scleroderma patients suggest that this cytokine could be a marker of fibrotic and vascular involvement in SSc.

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Amino Acid and Acylcarnitine Levels in Chronic Patients with Schizophrenia: A Preliminary Study

Metabolites ◽

10.3390/metabo11010034 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 34

Author(s):

Irina A. Mednova ◽

Alexander A. Chernonosov ◽

Marat F. Kasakin ◽

Elena G. Kornetova ◽

Arkadiy V. Semke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Amino Acids ◽

Amino Acid ◽

Chronic Schizophrenia ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Tandem Mass ◽

Chronic Patients ◽

Healthy Donors ◽

Preliminary Study

Amino acids and acylcarnitines play an important role as substrates and intermediate products in most of pathways involved in schizophrenia development such as mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, lipid oxidation, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. It seems relevant to use an integrated approach with ‘omics’ technology to study their contribution. The aim of our study was to investigate serum amino acid and acylcarnitine levels in antipsychotics-treated patients with chronic schizophrenia compared with healthy donors. We measured serum levels of 15 amino acids and 30 acylcarnitines in 37 patients with schizophrenia and 36 healthy donors by means of tandem mass spectrometry. In summary, patients with chronic schizophrenia had an altered concentration of a few amino acids and acylcarnitines in comparison to the healthy probands. Further research is needed to assess and understand the identified changes.

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Antioxidant Levels in Cord Blood of Term Low Birth Weight Neonates Requiring Delivery Room Resuscitation

Journal of Neonatology ◽

10.1177/0973217921991402 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 097321792199140

Author(s):

Rimjhim Sonowal ◽

Anamika Jain ◽

V. Bhargava ◽

H.D. Khanna ◽

Ashok Kumar

Keyword(s):

Birth Weight ◽

Low Birth Weight ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Cord Blood ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Study Groups ◽

Delivery Room ◽

Normal Birth Weight ◽

Normal Birth ◽

Major Congenital Malformations

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of various antioxidants, namely, vitamin A and E, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the cord blood of term low birth weight (LBW) neonates who required delivery room resuscitation (DRR). Materials and Methods: This case control study included 37 term LBW neonates who needed DRR as cases and 44 term neonates as controls (15 term LBW and 29 term normal birth weight) who did not require resuscitation at birth. Neonates suffering from major congenital malformations, infection, or hemolytic disease were excluded. Standard methods were used to measure the levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, SOD, catalase, and GPx levels in the cord blood. Results: Vitamin A and E levels were significantly low in cases compared to term LBW controls as well as term normal birth weight controls. Levels of SOD, GPx, and catalase were comparable in different study groups. Conclusion: Our study shows that term LBW neonates requiring DRR had significantly low levels of vitamin A and E in their cord blood. This might compromise their ability to tolerate oxidative stress during DRR.

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Comparison of Antioxidant Status and Vitamin D Levels between Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Healthy Matched Subjects

Multiple Sclerosis International ◽

10.1155/2014/539854 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ehsan Hejazi ◽

Reza Amani ◽

Naser SharafodinZadeh ◽

Bahman Cheraghian

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Dietary Intake ◽

Antioxidant Status ◽

Sun Exposure ◽

Total Antioxidant Status ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Study Groups ◽

Vitamin D Levels ◽

Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Objective. The aim of the present study was to compare the serum levels of total antioxidant status (TAS) and 25(OH) D3 and dietary intake of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with those of normal subjects.Method. Thirty-seven MS patients (31 women) and the same number of healthy matched controls were compared for their serum levels and dietary intake of 25(OH) D3 and TAS. Sun exposure and the intake of antioxidants and vitamin D rich foods were estimated through face-to-face interview and food frequency questionnaire.Results. Dietary intake of antioxidants and vitamin D rich foods, vitamin C, vitamin A, and folate was not significantly different between the two groups. There were also no significant differences in the mean levels of 25(OH) D3 and TAS between the study groups. Both groups had low serum levels of 25(OH) D3 and total antioxidants.Conclusion. No significant differences were detected in serum levels and dietary intake of vitamin D and antioxidants between MS patients and healthy controls. All subjects had low antioxidant status and vitamin D levels.

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The effects of natural nano-sized clinoptilolite and Nigella sativa supplementation on serum bone markers in diabetic rats

Bioimpacts ◽

10.15171/bi.2019.21 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 173-178

Author(s):

Yalda Salari Lak ◽

Sirous Khorram ◽

Mehran Mesgari Abbasi ◽

Mohammad Asghari-Jafarabadi ◽

Ali Tarighat-Esfanjani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Markers ◽

Nigella Sativa ◽

Bone Mineralization ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Study Groups ◽

Tolerance Test ◽

Diabetic Rats ◽

Oral Glucose ◽

Model Assessment ◽

Beneficial Effects

Introduction: Many studies confirm that diabetes mellitus is associated with higher risks of bone fracture. The beneficial effects of Nigella sativa (NS) and clinoptilolite in preventing/reducing some diabetes-related disorders have been shown. This study was conducted to examine the effects of separate and concurrent supplementation of natural nano-sized clinoptilolite (NCLN) and NS on serum bone markers in rats with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 42 (case=36 and control=6) adult male Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: diabetic and non-diabetic. An oral glucose tolerance test and a homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) test were conducted to confirm diabetes. Then, the diabetic group was divided into 4 subgroups: [1] control (n=9), [2] NS 1%/food (n=9), [3] NCLN 2%/food (n=9), [4] NS 1%/food + NCLN 2%/food (n=9). After 7 weeks, serum levels of bone markers were determined using ELISA kits. Results: Analysis showed that serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in the NCLN group (1318.6 ± 217.5 U/L) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than other intervented groups. On the other hand, serum levels of calcium in NCLN+NS group (10.8 ± 2.6 mg/dL) were higher (P=0.027) compared to all other study groups. However, rats in the NS group had higher (535.8 ± 49.3 pg/mL) PTH (P<0.0001) compared to other supplementation groups. There were no significant differences in vitamin D and osteoprotegerin. Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that bone mineralization may be affected by concurrent use of NS and NCLN through influencing calcium circulation. Moreover, dietary NS administration is strongly related to an augmented level of PTH.

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EVALUATION OF SERUM TOLL-LIKE RECEPTOR 4 AND NUCLEAR FACTOR-ΚBP65 PROTEINS IN ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research ◽

10.22159/ajpcr.2018.v11i12.28234 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. 179

Author(s):

Jayalalitha Sathiyamoorthy ◽

Vidyarani Shyamsundar ◽

N. Aravindha Babu ◽

Subbaih Shanmugam ◽

Jagadeesan. G. Mani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Pearson Correlation ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Study Groups ◽

Nuclear Factor ◽

Toll Like Receptor ◽

Toll Like Receptor 4 ◽

Pearson Correlation Test

Objective: The present study is aimed to estimate the serum toll-like receptor 4 (sTLR 4) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 proteins in patients of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods: The study was performed in prospective cases of 22 OSCC patients, 10 oral epithelial dysplasia patients, 8 control with chewing habits, and 4 control patients. The estimation of sTLR 4 and NF-κBp65 proteins was done by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The Pearson correlation test was performed to find out the relationship between these two proteins. Results: There was an increase in the sTLR 4 protein level in study groups OSCC, oral premalignant disorders, control with chewing habits, and control habits such as 1.31 ng/ml±1.06 ng/ml, 1.99 ng/ml±0.98 ng/ml, and 2.11 ng/ml±0.61 ng/ml, respectively, when comparable (p=0.008) to control patients with 0.60 ng/ml±0.24 ng/ml. However, in the case of serum level NF-κBp65 protein all the study groups including the control showed same values. The Pearson correlation test showed significant relationship (rpearson=0.91, [p<0.0005]) of these two proteins only in the OSCC patients. Conclusion: It can be concluded that serum levels of TLR 4 are increased in OSCC patients, but there was no variation seen for the NF-κBp65 protein. There is a strong interrelationship exist between the serum levels of TLR 4 and NF-κBp65 proteins in the OSCC patients only.

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Oxygen Persufflation in Liver Transplantation Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Bioengineering ◽

10.3390/bioengineering6020035 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 35 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anja Gallinat ◽

Dieter Paul Hoyer ◽

Georgios Sotiropoulos ◽

Jürgen Treckmann ◽

Tamas Benkoe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Survival ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Randomized Study ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Study Groups ◽

Liver Preservation ◽

History Of ◽

Recipient Age ◽

Effect Of Oxygen ◽

Present Trial

Oxygen persufflation has shown experimentally to favorably influence hepatic energy dependent pathways and to improve survival after transplantation. The present trial evaluated oxygen persufflation as adjunct in clinical liver preservation. A total of n = 116 adult patients (age: 54 (23–68) years, M/F: 70/46), were enrolled in this prospective randomized study. Grafts were randomized to either oxygen persufflation for ≥2 h (O2) or mere cold storage (control). Only liver grafts from donors ≥55 years and/or marginal grafts after multiple rejections by other centers were included. Primary endpoint was peak-aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level until post-operative day 3. Standard parameters including graft- and patient survival were analyzed by uni- and multivariate analysis. Both study groups were comparable except for a longer ICU stay (4 versus 3 days) of the donors and a higher recipient age (57 versus 52 years) in the O2-group. Serum levels of TNF alpha were significantly reduced after oxygen persufflation (p < 0.05). Median peak-AST values did not differ between the groups (O2: 580 U/l, control: 699 U/l). Five year graft- and patient survival was similar. Subgroup analysis demonstrated a positive effect of oxygen persufflation concerning the development of early allograft dysfunction (EAD), in donors with a history of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and elevated ALT values, and concerning older or macrosteatotic livers. This study favors pre-implantation O2-persufflation in concrete subcategories of less than optimal liver grafts, for which oxygen persufflation can be considered a safe, cheap and easy applicable reconditioning method.

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