Fetuin-A is related to syndesmophytes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a case control study

OBJECTIVES: New bone formation is one of the hallmark characteristics of ankylosing spondylitis, which is thereby associated with syndesmophytes. Fetuin-A is a molecule that is abundantly found in calcified tissues and it shows high affinity for calcium phosphate minerals and related compounds. Considering the role of fetuin-A in the regulation of calcified matrix metabolism, we compared the fetuin-A levels in ankylosing spondylitis patients with syndesmophytes with those in patients without syndesmophytes and in healthy controls. We also studied other biomarkers that are thought to be related to syndesmophytes. METHODS: Ninety-four patients (49 patients without syndesmophytes, 67.3% male, 40.7±8.7 years; 45 patients with syndesmophytes, 71.1% M, 43.9±9.9 years) and 68 healthy controls (44.2±10.6 years and 70.6% male) were included in this study. Syndesmophytes were assessed on the lateral radiographs of the cervical and lumbar spine. The serum levels of fetuin-A, dickkopf-1, sclerostin, IL-6, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and bone morphogenetic protein-7 were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Patients with syndesmophytes had significantly higher levels of fetuin-A compared with patients without syndesmophytes and controls (1.16±0.13, 1.05±0.09 and 1.08±0.13 mg/ml, respectively). However, fetuin-A was not different between the patients without syndesmophytes and controls. Bone morphogenetic protein-7 was significantly lower; dickkopf-1 was significantly higher in patients with ankylosing spondylitis compared with controls. The sclerostin concentrations were not different between the groups. In regression analysis, fetuin-A was an independent, significant predictor of syndesmophytes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that fetuin-A may a role in the pathogenesis of bony proliferation in ankylosing spondylitis

Bacteriological evaluation of tonsillar microbial flora according to age and tonsillar size in recurrent tonsillitis

Although numerous studies based on the bacteriology of the tonsil have been carried out, none of them analyzed the variation of tonsillar flora with respect to both age and tonsillar size. The purpose of this study was to isolate the facultative and obligate anaerobes both from the surface and the core of tonsils in recurrent tonsillitis as well as to analyze the variation of isolated bacterial strains according to age and tonsillar size. A prospective study was performed on 111 patients who underwent tonsillectomy. We analyzed the differences between the bacterial pathogens in recurrent tonsillitis and semi-growth estimates with regard to age and tonsillar grade. Among 111 cases, 604 bacterial strains of 21 different from the tonsil superficial and core were isolated. The most common facultative anaerobic species isolated from the surface and core were Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Alpha-hemolytic streptococci and Diphtheroid bacilli in all subgroups except patients below 8 years old. The most commonly obligate anaerobic species isolated from the core were Propionibacterium acnes, Prevotella melaninogenica and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius. We found no significant difference in the cultured bacteria with respect to age and tonsillar size. The study subgroups did not differ in the occurrence of semiquantitative growth estimates of 3-4+. Our study demonstrates that there is polymicrobial aerobic and anaerobic flora in tonsils with regardless of patient's age and tonsillar size. This polymicrobial spectrum of bacteria may contribute to recurrence and to the failure of conservative treatment of these cases and therefore leads to surgical therapy

Increased Levels of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/). Reproduction is permitted for personal, noncommercial use, provided that the article is in whole, unmodified, and properly cited. Received: 2013.02.21; Accepted: 2013.04.16; Published: 2013.04.30 Objective: To determine the level of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), its relationship with Mediterranean fever (MEFV) gene mutations and oxidative stress in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Methods: Fifty one unrelated attack free FMF patients (24 M and 27 F, 32.8±8.7 years) and 30 healthy controls (16 M and 14 F, 32.7±7 years) were included in the study. Serum MIF, total oxidant status (TOS) and total anti-oxidant status (TAS) were studied

Anti toxic effect of broccoli extract on stannous dichloride toxicity Efeito antitóxico do extrato de brócolis na toxicidade do dicloreto de estanho

PURPOSE: Since Technetium-99m (99mTc) has favorable physical and chemical characteristics, it is widely used radioisotope in Nuclear Medicine. However, stannous dichloride (SnCl2) has been widely used as a reducing agent in labeling procedure of pharmaceutical with radionuclide, it has been realized that SnCl2 have genotoxic and cytotoxic effects on biological systems. In previous studies, it has been shown that some herbal extract can reduce genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of SnCl2. In the present study, it is aimed to evaluate the effect of the broccoli extract on the survival of E. coli ATCC 25922 strain against to toxic effects of SnCl2. METHODS: Broccoli was extracted with methanol extraction. HPLC and TLC analysis of broccoli extract were performed. Then antitoxicity and dose response assays were performed on bacterial strain. RESULTS: The broccoli extract had dose dependent protective effect against SnCl2 toxic effect on E. coli. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of broccoli may alter the stannous dichloride toxicity. Broccoli extract may use as a new protective strategies against the toxic effect of SnCl2 on patients who were taken 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals.<br>OBJETIVO: Em face de suas características físico-químicas, o Tecnécio-99m (99mTc) é um radiofármaco amplamente utilizado na Medicina Nuclear. Todavia, o dicloreto de estanho (SnCl2) tem sido largamente aplicado como um agente redutor no procedimento farmacêutico de marcação com radionuclídeos. Constatou-se que o SnCl2 apresenta efeitos genotóxicos e citotóxicos nos sistemas biológicos. Em estudos prévios, foi demonstrado que alguns extratos de ervas podem reduzir tais efeitos. O estudo atual objetivou avaliar os efeitos do extrato de brócolis na sobrevida da cepa E. coli ATCC 25922, exposta ao efeito tóxico do SnCl2. MÉTODOS: O extrato de brócolis foi obtido mediante extração com metanol. Analises com HPLC e TLC foram efetuadas. Avaliou-se a antitoxicidade e realizou-se um ensaio dose-resposta para uma cepa de bactérias. RESULTADOS: O extrato de brócolis mostrou um efeito protetor dose dependente para os efeitos tóxicos do SnCl2 sobre a E. coli. CONCLUSÕES: O consumo de brócolis pode alterar a toxicidade do dicloreto de estanho. O extrato de brócolis pode ser utilizado como uma nova estratégia para proteção de pacientes contra os efeitos tóxicos do SnCl2, nos quais foi administrado o radiofármaco Tecnécio-99m

Evaluation of various endothelial biomarkers in ankylosing spondylitis

Atherosclerosis has been shown to be increased in chronic inflammatory diseases including ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Impaired endothelial function, the first step in atherosclerosis, may be reflected by changes in various endothelial biomarkers of hemostasis and the release of several cellular adhesion molecules or cytokines. In this study, we investigated changes in the levels of various possible markers with regard to disease activity and treatment regimen with/without anti-TNF-alpha drugs. Fifty-six AS patients (44 males) and 27 controls (19 males) with no known cardiovascular risk factors were included in the study. Spinal mobility was assessed by the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, and patients were evaluated with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index. Cytokines and various endothelial biomarkers were measured in serum samples using commercially available ELISA kits. Age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, fasting glucose, MAP, lipids are all similar between patients and controls. von Willebrand factor (vWF), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM), and urotensin (UT-II) were found to be significantly higher in the sera of the patients compared to the controls. Treatment with anti-TNF-alpha a compared to conventional therapy and disease activity in AS patients seemed to have no effect on the blood levels of UT-II, sTM, CD146, vWF, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue plasminogen activator, or the thrombin-antithrombin complex. The increased UT-II, sTM, and vWF in AS patient sera regardless of treatment and disease activity suggest an increased tendency for atherosclerosis

Fetuin-A and interleukin-18 levels in ankylosing spondylitis

Aim: Interleukin-18 (IL-18) and fetuin-A have been implicated in atherosclerosis. Preliminary evidence suggests that ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible abnormalities in IL-18 and fetuin-A levels in AS

Down-regulation of adiponectin in patients with familial Mediterranean fever during attack-free period

To evaluate the circulating levels of adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) and ghrelin in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and also to assess the relationships between these molecules and disease-related parameters. Forty-eight FMF patients in attack-free period (31 men, [M], 17 women, [F], mean age 35.8 +/- A 8.6 years, and a mean body mass index [BMI] of 24.7 +/- A 3.1) and 40 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched healthy controls (24 M, 16 F, mean age 35.5 +/- A 8.5 years, and a mean BMI of 24.5 +/- A 2.8) were included in the study. Patients and controls with a history of any other chronic diseases and obese or underweight subjects were excluded. High-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), leptin, adiponectin, and total ghrelin concentrations were studied. Age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, and smoking status were similar between FMF patients and controls (P > 0.05). Adipose tissue-derived molecules including leptin, and adiponectin were lower than healthy controls but only adiponectin levels reached the statistically significance (16.7 +/- A 8.9 ng/ml vs. 27.7 +/- A 15.9 ng/ml, P < 0.001) and leptin concentrations just missed significance (25.2 +/- A 16.2 ng/ml vs. 34.9 +/- A 27.2 ng/ml, P = 0.051). Ghrelin concentrations were not different between the groups. Adiponectin levels were significantly and negatively correlated with hs-CRP (P < 0.05, r = -0.24). The results of this study suggest that low-grade chronic inflammation during attack-free period in FMF patients may suppress adiponectin production or low levels of adiponectin might contribute to subclinical inflammation in these patients