Role of epidermal growth factor, interleukin-1 and lipid peroxidation in healing of experimental gastric ulcer in rats

The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of the epidermal growth factor (EGF), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and of lipid peroxides (TBARS) in the development and healing of experimental gastric ulcer in the rat. In 66 male Sprague Dowley rats, gastric ulcer was induced by means of the serosal application of 100% acetic acid. The animals were followed up for 1 (6 cases), 3 (6) and 5 (6) hours, and 1 (6 cases), 2 (6), 3 (7), 5 (6), 10 (6) 15 (6) and 21 (6) days. Five animals were sham operated. Samples from the ulcer margin (U), from an ulcer adjacent area (UAA) and from the antrum (A) were obtained. All treated animals developed gastric ulcer, evident just after one hour; the ulcer progressively healed and after 21 days all were scarred. Mucosal U-EGF significantly increased immediately after ulcer induction; it progressively and slowly decreased paralleling ulcer scarring. UAA-EGF and A-EGF behaved likewise: they significantly increased after 1, 3 and 5 hours and returned to normal levels just 1 day after ulcer induction. Variations in mucosal IL-1 were similar to those in EGF, a correlation being found between these two parameters. The EGF serum levels of rats with ulcers of 1 and 5 hours, were significantly lower than those of controls. One day after ulcer induction, U-TBARS levels were increased, and the high levels persisted, even when the ulcers had healed. In conclusion: (1) the rapid increase in mucosal EGF occurring in the presence of gastric ulcer may be consequent to an enhanced local and/or submandibular production; (2) the parallel behaviour between EGF and IL-1 suggests that this cytokine may play a role in stimulating EGF production; (3) chronic gastric ulcer is associated with an enhancement of lipid peroxidation phenomena, which persist after healing and which may create a "loci minoris resistentiae". © 1995

Establishment of the upper reference limit for thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies according to the guidelines proposed by the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry: comparison of five different automated methods

The estimation of the upper reference limit (URL) for autoantibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPOAbs) is a controversial issue, because of an uncertainty associated with the criteria used to correctly define the reference population. In addition, the URL of TPOAbs is method-dependent and often arbitrarily established in current laboratory practice. The aim of this study was to determine the reference limits of TPOAbs in a male sample according to the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) guidelines, and to compare them with those obtained in a female group, for five third-generation commercial-automated immunoassay (IMA) platforms

The upper reference limit for thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies is method-dependent: A collaborative study with biomedical industries

The determination of the upper reference limit (URL) for thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies (TPOAbs) is a contentious issue, because of the difficulty in defining the reference population. The aim of this study was to establish the URL (eURL) for TPOAbs, according to the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) guidelines and to compare them with those obtained in a female counterpart, by the use of six commercial automated platforms

Indoor air pollution, physical and comfort parameters related to schoolchildren's health:Data from the European SINPHONIE study

Substantial knowledge is available on the association of the indoor school environment and its effect among schoolchildren. In the same context, the SINPHONIE (School indoor pollution and health: Observatory network in Europe) conducted a study to collect data and determine the distribution of several indoor air pollutants (IAPs), physical and thermal parameters and their association with eye, skin, upper-, lower respiratory and systemic disorder symptoms during the previous three months. Finally, data from 115 schools in 54 European cities from 23 countries was collected and included 5175 schoolchildren using a harmonized and standardized protocol. The association between exposures and the health outcomes were examined using logistic regression models on individual indoor air pollutants (IAPs); a VOC (volatile organic compound) score defined as the sum of the number of pollutants to which the children were highly exposed (concentration > median of the distribution) in classroom was also introduced to evaluate the multiexposure \u2013 outcome association, while adjusting for several confounding factors. Schoolchildren exposed to above or equal median concentration of PM2.5, benzene, limonene, ozone and radon were at significantly higher odds of suffering from upper, lower airways, eye and systemic disorders. Increased odds were also observed for any symptom (sick school syndrome) among schoolchildren exposed to concentrations of limonene and ozone above median values. Furthermore, the risks for upper and lower airways and systemic disorders significantly increased with the VOCs score. Results also showed that increased ventilation rate was significantly associated with decreased odds of suffering from eye, skin disorders whereas similar association was observed between temperature and upper airways symptoms. The present study provides evidence that exposure to IAPs in schools is associated with allergic and respiratory symptoms in children. Further investigations are needed to confirm our findings