Increased levels of circulating Annexin A5 in Familial Mediterranean fever

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Familial Mediterranean fever is a genetic autoinflammatory disease most commonly affecting the ethnic groups originating from around the Mediterranean Sea. Apoptosis plays an important role in down-regulation of the inflammatory response by reducing the lifespan of activated immunocompetent cells. Thus, increased apoptosis may be associated with pathogenesis of familial Mediterranean fever.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the present study we determined the serum levels of apoptotic marker, Annexin A5, in familial Mediterranean fever patients, within an attack and attack-free, in comparison to healthy subjects and assessed the influence of colchicine treatment on this parameter. In addition, in all study subjects serum levels of C-reactive protein and interleukine-1β, and the total leukocyte count were also determined.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results demonstrated that pathogenesis of familial Mediterranean fever is characterized by the increased levels of circulating Annexin A5, which is higher in patients within the attack and which associate with the increased levels of C-reactive protein and interleukine-1β and total leukocyte count.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results obtained indicate elevated rates of apoptosis of subpopulations of leukocytes involved in autoinflammation and recurrent episodes of fever in familial Mediterranean fever. It was also revealed that regular colchicine treatment sufficiently decreases the rate of apoptosis in familial Mediterranean fever patients by affecting the intensity of autoinflammatory reactions.</p

Alterations in the complement cascade in post-traumatic stress disorder

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the present study we assessed the functional state of the major mediator of the immune response, the complement system, in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Thirty one PTSD patients within 13 years from traumatic event and the same number of sex- and age-matched healthy volunteers were involved in this study. In the blood serum of the study subjects hemolytic activities of the classical and alternative complement pathways, as well as the activities of the individual complement components have been measured. Correlation analysis between all measured parameters was also performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>According to the results obtained PTSD is characterized by hyperactivation of the complement classical pathway, hypoactivation of the complement alternative pathway and overactivation of the terminal pathway.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results obtained provide further evidence on the involvement of the inflammatory component in pathogenesis of PTSD.</p