Angiogenic biomarkers in children with congenital heart disease: possible implications

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet derived endothelial cell growth factor/thymidine phosphorylase (PD-ECGF/TP) and leptin are known as potent angiogenic factors The objective of the study was to evaluate these angiogenic factors VEGF, PD-ECGF/TP and leptin in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and the factors that lead to angiogenesis in such cases.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty CHD children were studied and divided into two groups (n = 30); cyanotic-CHD (C-CHD) and acyanotic-CHD (A-CHD). Twenty five healthy children were included as controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Significantly higher serum levels of VEGF, PD-ECGF/TP activity and leptin were detected in patients with CHD, particularly in patients with C-CHD. CHD patients with SpO₂<90%, pulmonary hypertension (PH), severe pulmonary stenosis (PS), detectable collaterals, cardiomegaly and/or heart failure showed significantly higher levels of these factors than those with higher SpO₂or those without these findings.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Hypoxia, PH and PS are important factors that lead to harmful angiogenesis. However, angiogenesis could be essential in some cases of CHD as coarctation of aorta to enhance renal perfusion. This may provide new ways for therapeutic strategies aiming at reducing or promoting angiogenesis in CHD to improve patient's outcome.</p

Apoptotic markers in semen of infertile men: association with cigarette smoking

OBJECTIVES: (i) To examine the role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of DNA damage in semen from infertile men. (ii) To assess the effects of smoking on apoptotic markers and seminal parameters among infertile men. (iii) To assess the correlation of apoptosis with conventional semen parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out on 70 men with idiopathic infertility, divided into two groups: thirty infertile non smokers and forty infertile smokers. In addition to 60 fertile men (30 non smokers and 30 smokers) as control group. Each subject provided semen for analysis of parameters, determination of % of DNA fragmentation, s-Fas, caspase-3 activity levels and cotinine levels. RESULTS: The results revealed that infertile men, particularly smokers have significantly lower semen variables and significantly higher levels of apoptotic variables (% of DNA fragmentation, s-Fas and caspase-3 activity) in addition to cotinine. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings provide additional evidence supporting the importance of the evaluation of apoptotic markers to test male infertility particularly among smokers

Urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, plasminogen activator inhibitor- 1,extracellular matrix metalloproteinase protein inducer and CA 15-3 as potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of primary breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most important leading causes of cancer deathin the less developed countries.The identification of markers that could assist in diagnosis, evaluation of therapeutic response, detection of recurrence and metastasis is a useful tool. The present study is undertaken to provide insights about the role of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), extracellular matrix metalloproteinase protein inducer (EMMPRIN), cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 in diagnosis and/or prognosis of breast cancer, evaluate the possible correlations between these biomarkers and the clinico-pathological status of breast cancer and compare between validity of these biomarkers with tumor marker (CA 15-3). A total of 75 women whose ages ranged between 30 to70 years and 10 healthy controls with matched age and sex were included. The patients were divided into 4 groups, group I: Included 39 female patients with breast cancer before operation, group II: Included 17 women from group I followed for 6 months after operation, group III: Included 9 women from group I followed for 12 months after operation, group IV: Included 10 female patients with benign breast diseases. Estimation of serum uPAR, PAI-1, EMMPRIN and CA 15-3 by ELISA and related clinico-pathological features were assessed. The results revealed higher mean serum levels of uPAR, PAI-1, EMMPRIN and CA 15-3 in breast cancer women before operation when compared to other 4 groups. Patients after 6 and 12 months follow up showed a decrement of uPAR, EMMPRIN, PAI-1 and CA 15-3 levels.There was significant relationbetween uPAR, PAI-1, EMMPRIN, CA 15-3 and clinicopathological characteristic of breast cancer patients. There was a significant positive correlation between serum uPAR, PAI-1 and EMMPRIN (p&lt;0.001).In conclusion, High circulating uPAR, PAI-1 andEMMPRIN were significantly associated with breast carcinogenesis and metastasis. Accordingly, estimation of these biomarkers may predict the breast disease behavior and its prognosis.Key words:Breast cancer,CA 15-3,EMMPRIN, PAI-1, uPA