Relationship of Oxidant and Antioxidant Markers to Asthma Severity in Egyptian Asthmatic Children

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a chronic airway disease which is characterized by oxidant antioxidant imbalance with the generation of oxidative stress related mediators.AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the role of asymmetric dimethylarginine, and malondialdehyde as oxidant markers and serum paraoxonase activity as an antioxidant marker in asthma, and to determine their relationship to the asthma severity and lung function among asthmatic children in Egypt.PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case control study was conducted on sixty patients with asthma compared with sixty apparently healthy children of matched age and sex.RESULTS: Serum concentrations of oxidant markers as asymmetric dimethylarginine and malondialdehyde were significantly increased in asthmatic patients while anti-oxidant marker as paraoxonase activity was significantly decreased compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05). ANOVA test revealed highly significant elevation of the serum concentrations of oxidant markers while anti-oxidant marker was significantly decreased in severe asthmatic patients (P < 0.001) compared to the patients with moderate and mild asthma respectively. Serum malondialdehyde concentration was a strong predictor of asthma severity by multiple regression analysis (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The study revealed an imbalance between oxidative and antioxidant defence systems in asthmatic children. Serum concentration of malondialdehyde was the most predictive biomarker having a significant association with asthma severity

Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine, and Adiponectin as Predictors of Atherosclerotic Risk among Obese Egyptian Children

BACKGROUND: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, premature atherosclerosis, and coronary artery disease in the future.AIM: This study is designed to assess the relationship between serum adiponectin, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and lipid profile among Egyptian overweight and obese children.METHODS: This cross sectional case control study included 40 selected pre-pubertal overweight and obese children, 24 girls (60%) and 16 boys (40%) aged between 5 to 13 years (8.85 ± 2.7 years), from new cases attending the National nutrition institute clinic during 2013. Forty apparently healthy children of matched age and sex were recruited as a control group.RESULTS: Obese group showed highly significant higher levels of serum ADMA, triglycerides, and total cholesterol compared with healthy controls (P <0.000 in all). However, serum adiponectin levels were highly significant lower in obese children compared to healthy controls (P < 0.000). Serum ADMA showed significant positive correlations with height, serum total cholesterol and serum triglycerides levels and significant negative correlation with the body mass index and weight for age z score.  Serum adiponectin showed significant negative correlations with BMI, weight, and weight for age z score and significant positive correlation with serum triglycerides. By linear regression analysis; serum adiponectin, and serum triglycerides levels were significant predictors of high serum ADMA level (p =0.045 and 0.015 respectively). BMI, weight, height and serum triglycerides were significant predictors of low serum adiponectin levels (p = 0.005, 0.022, 0.026 and 0.015 respectively).CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that ADMA, Adiponectin and lipid profile can be considered as predictive biomarkers in prediction and prevention of atherosclerotic risk in the future among overweight and obese Egyptian children

ROLE OF APELIN/MONOCYTE CHEMOATTRACTANT PROTEIN-1, INFLAMMATORY, APOPTOTIC MARKERS IN THE REGULATION OF PATIENTS WITH NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate blood nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), apelin, Lipid peroxide product ; thiobarbituric acid (TBA) malonaldehyde (MDA), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), and paraoxonase (PON1) levels in patients with non -alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in a trail to correlate the significance of these biomarkers in the diagnosis and initiation of NAFLD patients.Methods: A total of 32 patients with NAFLD and 45 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Apelin levels were measured along with, NF-κB, MCP1, MDA, Bcl2, and PON1 were detected.Results: Significant increase in serum NF-κB, MDA, MCP1, and apelin levels in NAFLD patients with percentages increase 1031.23, 293.02, 165.93, and 120 %, respectively, while significant reduction in PON1 and BCl2 with percentages decrease 54.58 and 79.03 %, respectively, were detected as compared to controls. A significant correlation was found between serum concentration of the measured biomarkers with the incidence of NAFLD.Conclusions: It could be concluded that the patients with NAFLD have significantly increased circulating apelin, NF-κB, and MDA levels as compared to healthy control subjects while significant reduction in BCl2 and PON1 levels were recorded. Besides, the NAFLD status is tightly attributed to the existence of insulin resistance and oxidative stress

Preventive effects of cannabis on neurotoxic and hepatotoxic activities of malathion in rat

Objective: To investigate the effect of Cannabis sativa extract on the development of neuro- and hepato-toxicity caused by malathion injection in rats. Methods: The extract of Cannabis sativa was obtained from the plant resin by chloroform treatment. Δ-Tetrahydrocannabinol content of the extract (20%) was quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The doses of cannabis extract were expressed as Δ -tetrahydrocannabinol content of 10 or 20 mg/kg. Malathion (150 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered followed after 30 min by the cannabis extract (10 or 20 mg/kg, subcutaneously). Rats were euthanized 4 h later. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide and paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) activity were determined in brain and liver. Brain 5-lipoxygenase and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity were measured as well. Histopathological examination of brain and liver tissue was also performed. Results: Compared to controls, malathion resulted in increased oxidative stress in brain and liver. MDA and nitric oxide concentrations were significantly increased (P<0.05) and GSH significantly decreased with respect to control levels (P<0.05). Malathion also significantly inhibited PON-1 and BChE activities but had no effect on brain 5-lipoxygenase. Brain MDA concentrations were not altered by cannabis treatment. Cannabis at 20 mg/kg, however, caused significant increase in nitric oxide and restored the GSH and PON-1 activity. Brain BChE activity significantly decreased by 26.1% (P<0.05) after treatment with 10 mg/kg cannabis. Cannabis showed no effect on brain 5-lipoxygenase. On the other hand, rats treated with cannabis exhibited significantly higher levels of liver MDA, nitric oxide and PON-1 activity compared with the malathion control group. Rats treated with only malathion exhibited spongiform changes, neuronal damage in the cerebral cortex and degeneration of some Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. There were also hepatic vacuolar degeneration and dilated and congested portal vein. These histopthological changes induced by malathion in brain and liver were reduced to great extent by cannabis administration at 20 mg/kg. Conclusions: Our data suggest that acute treatment with cannabis alleviates the malathion-induced brain and hepatic injury in rats possibly by maintaining the levels of GSH and PON-1 activity

Association of serum paraoxonase enzyme activity and oxidative stress markers with dyslipidemia in obese adolescents

Objectives : The aim of the present study was to investigate the serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1) concentration and oxidative stress markers and assess its relations with the biochemical parameters in obese adolescents. Materials and Methods : One hundred and fifty obese adolescents (range 16-18 years) and 150 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled in the study. The data were extracted from a project entitled "Obesity among Youth: Lifestyle and Genetic Factors" funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund, Egypt. Serum paraoxonase 1 (PON1), nitric oxide (NO), and malonaldehyde were measured. Anthropometry, fasting glucose, insulin concentrations, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were measured. Insulin resistance was determined by Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Diagnostic accuracy of oxidative markers to identify dyslipidemia was calculated with ROC analysis. Results: The study showed that PON1 activity was significantly lower in obese adolescents than controls. Obese adolescents had significant lower NO level and significant increased MA values as compared to controls. PON1 was negatively correlated with MAD and body mass index in obese subjects. Obese adolescents showed dyslipidemia and increased blood pressure and HOMA-IR values. PON1 had high area under the curve in ROC analysis for identifying dyslipidemia in obese subjects. Conclusions: Our results indicate that obese subjects have increased oxidative stress and decreased PON1 activity. The lower paraoxonase level might contribute to the greater risk of dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, high blood pressure that are considered as important components in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents

Efficacy of different dexmedetomidine regimens in producing controlled hypotensive anesthesia during functional endoscopic sinus surgery

Background: The study was designed to assess the ability of dexmedetomidine in different regimens to produce controlled hypotensive anesthesia during functional endoscopic sinus surgery in adults and the need to add an additional hypotensive agent in the form of nitroglycerin to achieve the target MAP. Methods: In this blinded randomized controlled trail, 45 Patients, aged from 18 to 50 years, ASA physical status I and II, underwent endoscopic sinus surgery were enrolled in the study. Before induction of GA, all patients received bolus dexmedetomidine 1 μ/kg iv more than 10 min. After induction, Patients were randomly allocated into three groups, group Dex-0.4, in which patients received dexmedetomidine infusion as 0.4 μg/kg/h, group Dex-0.8, in which patients received dexmedetomidine infusion as 0.8 μg/kg/h and group Dex-P, in which patients received saline infusion. The target MAP was 55–65 mmHg, if not achieved by the infused study drug, nitroglycerin infusion was added in a titrating manner started with 0.1 μg/kg/min and increased gradually till the target MAP is reached. The surgical field quality was assessed by using Fromme et al. bleeding score. Results: The intraoperative MAP in group Dex-P and group Dex-0.8 was maintained within target range at all time intervals. In group Dex-0.4, the MAP showed fluctuation to fall below and increased above the target range at different time intervals. Unlike the other two groups, no nitroglycerin infusion was needed in group Dex-0.8. Fromme et al. bleeding score showed the lowest values in Dex-0.8 group and the highest values in group Dex-0.4. The differences between the three groups were statistically significant with (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine as bolus 1 μg/kg iv followed by iv infusion of 0.8 μg/kg/h or dexmedetomidine as pre-induction bolus 1 μg/kg iv followed by nitroglycerine iv infusion significantly decreased the mean arterial blood pressure to target values and provide satisfactory field quality

Coenzyme Q10 and pro-inflammatory markers in children with Down syndrome: clinical and biochemical aspects

Objective: Evidence of oxidative stress was reported in individuals with Down syndrome. There is a growing interest in the contribution of the immune system in Down syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the coenzyme Q10 and selected pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α in children with Down syndrome. Methods: Eighty-six children (5–8 years of age) were enrolled in this case-control study from two public institutions. At the time of sampling, the patients and controls suffered from no acute or chronic illnesses and received no therapies or supplements. The levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, coenzyme Q10, fasting blood glucose, and intelligence quotient were measured. Results: Forty-three young Down syndrome children and forty-three controls were included over a period of eight months (January–August 2014). Compared with the control group, the Down syndrome patients showed significant increase in interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α (p = 0.002), while coenzyme Q10 was significantly decreased (p = 0.002). Also, body mass index and fasting blood glucose were significantly increased in patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between coenzyme Q10 and intelligence quotient levels, as well as between interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α. Conclusion: Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels in young children with Down syndrome may be used as biomarkers reflecting the neurodegenerative process in them. Coenzyme Q10 might have a role as a good supplement in young children with Down syndrome to ameliorate the neurological symptoms

Association of neopterin as a marker of immune system activation and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis activity

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate neopterin plasma concentrations in patients with active juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and correlate them with disease activity.METHODS: Sixty patients diagnosed as active JIA, as well as another 60 apparently healthy age- and gender-matched children as controls, were recruited from the Pediatrics Allergy and Immunology Clinic, Ain Shams University. Disease activity was assessed by the Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score 27 (JADAS-27). Laboratory investigations were performed for all patients, including determination of hemoglobin concentration (Hgb), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein. Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and neopterin were measured.RESULTS: Significant differences were found between JIA patients and controls with regard to the mean levels of Hgb, ESR, TNF-a, IL-6, and MCP-1 (p < 0.05). A statistically significant higher mean level serum neopterin concentration (p < 0.05) was found in JIA patients (20.43 ± 8.73 nmol/L) than in controls (6.88 ± 2.87 nmol/L) (p < 0.05). Positive significant correlations were detected between serum neopterin and ESR, TNF-a, IL-6, MCP-1, and JADAS-27 (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between serum neopterin and CRP (p > 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that JADAS- 27 and ESR were the main variables associated with serum neopterin in JIA patients (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: The elevation of plasma neopterin concentrations in early JIA patients may indicate stimulation of immune response. Serum neopterin can be used as a sensitive marker for assaying background inflammation and disease activity score in JIA patients

Coenzyme Q10 and pro-inflammatory markers in children with Down syndrome: clinical and biochemical aspects

Abstract: Objective: Evidence of oxidative stress was reported in individuals with Down syndrome. There is a growing interest in the contribution of the immune system in Down syndrome. The aim of this study is to evaluate the coenzyme Q10 and selected pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α in children with Down syndrome. Methods: Eighty-six children (5-8 years of age) were enrolled in this case-control study from two public institutions. At the time of sampling, the patients and controls suffered from no acute or chronic illnesses and received no therapies or supplements. The levels of interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor α, coenzyme Q10, fasting blood glucose, and intelligence quotient were measured. Results: Forty-three young Down syndrome children and forty-three controls were included over a period of eight months (January-August 2014). Compared with the control group, the Down syndrome patients showed significant increase in interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α (p = 0.002), while coenzyme Q10 was significantly decreased (p = 0.002). Also, body mass index and fasting blood glucose were significantly increased in patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between coenzyme Q10 and intelligence quotient levels, as well as between interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α. Conclusion: Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels in young children with Down syndrome may be used as biomarkers reflecting the neurodegenerative process in them. Coenzyme Q10 might have a role as a good supplement in young children with Down syndrome to ameliorate the neurological symptoms