肝癌患者手术前后血管内皮细胞相关细胞因子的变化

目的 检测肝细胞癌行根治性手术切除前后m管内皮细胞生长相关细胞因子的变化.方法 对照组1:健康人群30例;对照组2:肝血管瘤手术切除患者30例;实验组1:肝硬化患者30例;实验组2:肝癌根治性手术切除患者30例.利用生物蛋白芯片技术检测血清中细胞因子含量.结果 肝癌患者血清中细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和表皮生长因子(EGF)含量明显高于健康对照组和肝硬化组(P<0.01);细胞因子IL-10、γ干扰素(IFNT)和α肿瘤坏死因子(TNFα)含量明显低于健康对照组和肝硬化组(P<0.01).肝癌患者根治性手术后,血清中细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6、IL-8、VEGF和EGF的含量明显低于术前(P<0.01);而细胞因子IL-10、IFNγ和TNFα的含量明显高于术前(P<0.01).术后血清中细胞因子含量的总体水平与肝硬化患者接近(P>0.05).结论 肝细胞癌患者血清中促进血管内皮细胞生长的细胞因子的含量明显升高;而抑制血管内皮细胞生长的细胞因子的含量明显降低.根治性手术后肝细胞癌患者血清中促进血管内皮细胞生长的细胞因子的含量明显下降;而抑制血管内皮细胞生长的细胞因子的含量明显升高.

Abstract：

Objective To determine the serum levels of cytokine IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, VEGF, IFNγ, EGF, MCP-1 and TNFα in preoperative and postoperative patients with hepatocarcinoma(HCC). Methods 30 patients with hepatocirrhosis were taken as hepatocirrho-sis group; 30 normal health examiners were taken as the normal control group. 30 patients with hepatocarcinoma were taken as HCC group; 30 patients with hepatic hemangioma were taken as the control group. Cytokines had been measured by biochips methods in evidence 180 automatic biochips analyze.Results The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, VEGF and EGF of the patient with HCC and cirrhosis were significantly higher than those in normal control group. The serum levels of IL-10, IFNγand TNFα of the patient with HCC and cirrhosis were significantly lower than those in normal control group. The serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, VEGF and EGF of the preoperative patient with HCC were significantly higher than those in the postoperative patient with HCC. The serum levels of IL-10,IFNγ and TNFa of the preoperative patient with HCC were significantly lower than those in the postoperative patient with HCC. Conclusions These results suggest that the serum levels of angiogenic factors in HCC were increased. The serum levels of the inhibitors of vascular endothelial cells in HCC were decreased. The serum levels of angiogenic factors in the postoperative patient with HCC were decreased. The serum levels of inhibitors of vascular endothelial cells in the postoperative patient with HCC were increased.     

原发性肝癌TACE前后血清HIF-1α与VEGF的相关性

目的检测原发性肝癌（PLC）经导管动脉化疗栓塞（TACE）治疗前后血清缺氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）及血管内皮细胞生长因子（VEGF）的含量,探讨其与TACE疗效及肿瘤复发、转移之间的相关性。方法40例PLC患者接受TACE治疗前、术后1天、1周、1个月接受血清HIF-1α、VEGF含量检测,对照组为20名健康体检者。结果40例PLC患者TACE术前血清HIF-1α、VEGF含量为（154.94±83.29）pg/ml、（264.00±148.10）pg/ml,明显高于对照组（P〈0.01）;术后1天为（570.64±230.87）pg/ml、（362.07±102.25）pg/ml,较术前明显升高（P〈0.01）;术后1周为（198.62±92.11）pg/ml、（283.52±145.46）pg/ml,较术后1天明显下降;术后1个月完全缓解（CR）组患者血清HIF-1α、VEGF含量为（133.96±57.02）pg/ml、（150.96±84.89）pg/ml,较术前明显降低,其中VEGF的含量差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,而部分缓解（PR）和稳定（SD）组患者血清HIF-1α、VEGF含量为（255.74±123.44）pg/ml、（368.95±161.90）pg/ml,较术前明显升高（P〈0.05）。PLC患者术前血清HIF-1α与VEGF含量呈正相关,血清HIF-1α与门静脉癌栓形成及肿瘤转移密切相关（P〈0.05）;血清VEGF的含量与肿瘤临床分期、门脉癌栓及有无包膜密切相关。结论通过检测PLC患者TACE治疗前后血清HIF-1α、VEGF含量,能为评估TACE疗效及判断肿瘤有无复发、转移等提供重要参考依据。     

解脲支原体感染患者精浆中细胞因子对精子活力的影响

目的 观察解脲脲原体(Ureaplasma urealyticum,Uu)感染患者精浆中细胞因子的变化对精子活力的影响.探讨Uu对精子活力影响的免疫机制.方法 采用ELISA方法对Uu阳性组(44例)、治疗后转阴组(30例)和正常对照组(14例)精浆中的IL-8、IL-10、TNF-α,抗精子抗体(AsAb)进行检测.使用全自动精子分析仪对精子活力(路径速度、前向速度和活动率)进行分析.结果 Uu阳性组的IL-8、IL-10和TNF-α分别为(157.2±74.6)pg/ml、(315.4±112.5)pg/ml和(223.6±89.7)pg/ml,明显高于正常对照组IL-8、IL-10和TNF-α的(78.7±28.6)pg/ml、(158.2±56.3)pg/ml和(84.3±47.9)pg/ml,两组差异比较具有统计学意义(P<0.01).治疗转阴后该组IL-8、IL-10和TNF-α分别为(114.3±61.5)pg/ml、(237.2±86.1)pg/ml和(152.6±83.5)pg/ml,也显著下降(P<0.05).同时精子活力亦随三种细胞因子的下降而明显提高.结论 Uu可引起精浆中细胞因子紊乱,AsAb阳性率增高,使精子凝集、活力下降,从而生育能力下降.Uu转阴后细胞因子趋于正常,精子的活力也得以提高.     

短疗程糖皮质激素对原发性胃癌病人术后并发症及炎性细胞因子的影响

目的分析短疗程糖皮质激素对原发性胃癌病人术后并发症及炎症细胞因子的影响。方法因胃癌行腹腔镜辅助下胃部分切除术病人96例,随机分为对照组和治疗组。对照组术前术后采用常规治疗方案,治疗组在常规治疗的基础上加用静滴糖皮质激素(甲泼尼龙)每天1mg/kg,连用3天,后减半量使用2天后停药。比较两组病人术后并发症及住院情况,术前及术后1天、3天、7天血清白细胞介素(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)、超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)含量变化。结果对照组和治疗组术后胃排空障碍发生率分别为12. 5%和2. 1%、肠梗阻分别为14. 6%和2. 1%、吻合口漏分别为8. 3%和0,住院时间分别为(15. 52±3. 00)天和(13. 27±1. 54)天;术后第1天血清中IL-6分别为(109. 40±14. 48) pg/ml和(81. 59±12. 61) pg/ml,TNF-α分别为(52. 92±11. 67) pg/ml和(39. 16±11. 67) pg/ml,hs-CRP分别为(29. 56±4. 12) mg/ml和(22. 27±4. 61) mg/ml;第3天血清中IL-6分别为(93. 34±14. 19) pg/ml和(70. 19±12. 00) pg/ml,TNF-α分别为(44. 95±1. 55) pg/ml和(29. 99±1. 29) pg/ml,hs-CRP分别为(25. 58±1. 04) mg/ml和(18. 11±0. 47) mg/ml;第7天血清中IL-6分别为(83. 52±13. 99) pg/ml和(55. 74±11. 80) pg/ml,TNF-α分别为(34. 65±5. 44) pg/ml和(21. 85±4. 15) pg/ml,hs-CRP分别为(21. 11±3. 84) mg/ml和(14. 81±3. 38) mg/ml,两组比较差异均有统计学意义(P 0. 05)。结论原发性胃癌病人术后给予短疗程糖皮质激素可缩短住院时间,减少手术相关并发症,其机制可能与减少了血液中IL-6、TNF-α等炎症细胞因子以及C反应蛋白的表达有关。     

明胶海绵微粒化疗栓塞肝细胞癌后外周血中血管内皮生长因子水平变化

目的通过观察肝细胞癌（HCC）患者外周血中血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）水平在GSPs化疗栓塞治疗前后的变化,探讨该方法对肿瘤血管生成的影响。方法应用ELISA双抗体夹心法检测30例原发性HCC患者（HCC组）GSPs化疗栓塞术前1天、术后4、7及28天和30名健康志愿者（对照组）外周血中VEGF水平。结果 HCC患者术前外周血中VEGF含量明显高于对照组（P〈0.05）。HCC患者术后4天[（232.56±119.40）pg/ml]、7天[（290.33±97.17）pg/ml]外周血中VEGF水平较术前1天[（106.79±55.85）pg/ml]明显增高（P均〈0.05）;术后28天[（233.54±106.60）pg/ml]低于术后7天[（290.33±97.17）pg/ml],但差异无统计学意义。结论 GSPs化疗栓塞治疗HCC术后VEGF规律性的变化可反映肿瘤血管生成状态,为术后抗血管内皮生长治疗提供理论依据。     

VEGF和MVD在术前接受过肝动脉栓塞化疗的肝癌组织中的表达及临床意义

目的探讨血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)和平均微血管密度(MVD)在接受术前经导管肝动脉栓塞化疗(TACE)肝癌细胞中的表达和在二期切除肝癌复发预后中的意义。方法选取91例术前TACE和50例未行TACE肝癌手术切除标本,采用免疫组化方法检测两组标本VEGF、CD34的表达情况和MVD值。分析两组VEGF的表达情况和MVD值的差异,以及62例术前TACE后根治性切除的肝癌中VEGF的表达水平与复发的关系。结果 VEGF表达于肝细胞质中,CD34选择性表达于血管内皮细胞,术前TACE组和未行TACE组VEGF的表达(6.9±4.7vs5.1±4.4)和MVD值(62.0±35.4vs45.6±29.0)差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。术前TACE后根治性二期切除患者,复发组(45例)与未复发组(17例)肿瘤组织中VEGF阳性率分别为82.2%和41.2%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。VEGF阳性组1、3、5年无瘤生存率分别为50.9%、%、22.5%,VEGF阴性组分别为88.5%、68.2%、28.153.0%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。多因素分析表明治疗前存在播散结节及VEGF的表达水平是影响TACE后二期切除患者复发的独立危险因素。结论 TACE后残癌组织血管生成增多,术前TACE后二期根治性切除肝癌VEGF的表达与患者术后复发转移密切相关。     

慢性丙型肝炎患者血清白细胞介素-8表达水平及抗病毒治疗后变化

目的探讨慢性丙型肝炎患者血清趋化因子白细胞介素-8(IL-8)的表达水平及抗病毒治疗后的动态变化。方法对74例慢性丙型肝炎患者及30例健康对照的血清标本,应用双抗体夹心ABC-ELISA法进行IL-8检测,并观察了36例聚乙二醇化干扰素联合利巴韦林抗病毒治疗12周后血清IL-8水平的变化。结果慢性丙型肝炎患者血清IL-8水平较健康对照组明显升高,分别为(42.95±50.00)pg/ml及(11.06±1.39)pg/ml(t=3.4831,P=0.0007)。抗病毒12周治疗后,26例HCVRNA低于检测下限者的血清IL-8水平较治疗前明显下降,由(41.29±28.65)pg/ml降至(23.15±10.58)pg/ml(t=3.76,P=0.001);10例HCVRNA仍阳性者血清IL-8水平无明显下降,治疗前后水平分别为(43.79±18.60)pg/ml及(42.38±18.00)pg/ml(t=1.04,P=0.32)。结论慢性丙型肝炎患者血清IL-8表达水平显著升高,提示IL-8参与了慢性丙型肝炎的致病过程,干扰素治疗抑制病毒复制,显著降低了血清IL-8的表达水平。     

复方丹参片联合硫酸镁治疗附睾炎的疗效及对病人血清炎性因子水平的影响

目的观察复方丹参片联合硫酸镁治疗附睾炎的临床效果及对血清炎性因子水平的影响。方法附睾炎病人120例,根据随机数字表将病人分成实验组和对照组,每组60例。对照组使用盐酸左氧氟沙星注射液治疗21天。实验组在对照组用药方式的基础上,加用复方丹参片联合硫酸镁湿敷治疗21天,观察两组的疗效和临床症状评分,比较两组病人白细胞介素(IL)-1β、IL-6和肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α的水平。结果实验组治疗总有效率为91.67%,高于对照组的80%(P0.05)。对照组治疗前后疼痛评分分别为(10.57±0.05)和(5.30±0.11),实验组分别为(10.54±0.09)和(3.30±0.02);对照组治疗前后生活质量(QOL)评分分别为(8.33±0.82)和(4.37±0.04),实验组分别为(8.57±0.03)和(3.26±0.03),治疗前后组内比较和治疗后组间比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。实验组治疗后病人血清IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α含量分别为(49.92±0.45)pg/ml,(8.94±0.16) pg/ml和(7.10±0.14)pg/ml,对照组分别为(88.31±0.31)pg/ml,(18.25±0.26)pg/ml和(16.06±0.22)pg/ml,治疗后实验组炎性因子水平均较对照组降低(P0.05)。结论复方丹参片联合硫酸镁湿敷可有效治疗附睾炎,降低血清炎性因子水平。     

不同治疗方案对直径小于10cm肝细胞癌合并门静脉癌栓患者生存率的影响

目的 比较不同治疗方法对肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC)合并门静脉癌栓(portal vein tumor thrombosis,PVTT)患者疗效的影响及其危险因素.方法 2005年至2008年338例肝细胞癌合并门静脉癌栓、肝功能Child-Pugh A级或B级患者,根据治疗方法的不同分成4组:保守治疗组(75例)、单纯肝动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)治疗组(86例)、单纯手术切除组(90例)、手术切除+术后TACE治疗组(87)例.以术后1年、2年、3年生存率评估不同治疗方法的疗效.同时以多因素分析评估影响疗效的危险因素.结果 姑息治疗组患者的中位生存期为4.5个月,其l、2、3年生存率分别为0.0％、0.0％、0.0％.单纯TACE组患者中位生存时间7.0个月,其1、2、3年生存率分别为7.5％、0.0％、0.0％.单纯手术组患者中位生存时间8.2个月,其1、2、3年生存率分别为28.0％、20.0％、15.0％.手术+TACE组患者的中位生存期为15.1个月,其1、2、3年生存率分别为49.2％、37.5％、19.1％.保守治疗组的生存率明显低于其他三组.TACE组的生存率小于单纯手术和手术+TACE组,P值均＜0.05.肝切除术后合并TACE可比肝切除术更有效地延长肝细胞癌合并门脉癌栓患者的生存期(P＜0.05).Cox多因素分析结果表明,门脉癌栓累计主干及术后TACE的次数是影响术后生存率的危险因素.结论 对于合并门静脉癌栓、肝功能Child-PughA级或B级的肝细胞癌患者,TACE、手术或术后+术后TACE均能较保守治疗明显提高生存率.对于肝功能处于代偿期以及肝功能储备充足的患者,与姑息治疗及TACE比较,手术治疗可更有效地延长生存期.并且术后TACE对于预防复发及延长生存率都有重要意义.对于肝功能条件尚可但肿瘤无法切除的患者,TACE可较姑息治疗更有效地延长患者的生存期.     

慢性前列腺炎患者EPS中IL-2、IL-10和TNF-α的表达的临床意义

目的 探讨慢性前列腺炎患者前列腺液中TNF-α、IL-10和IL-2的表达在慢性前列腺炎中发病的作用,评估这些细胞因子的变化与慢性前列腺炎分类、症状和前列腺液白细胞计数的关系.方法 通过尿常规、前列腺液常规检查、两杯法尿液细菌培养和NIH-CPSI评分,将58例前列腺炎患者按NIH前列腺炎诊断标准进行分型.采用双抗体夹心ELISA法检测患者及12例正常对照组前列腺液中的IL-2、TNF-α、IL-10的含量.用SPSS for Windows 12.0统计软件对测革数据进行统计学分析.结果 对照组、Ⅱ型、Ⅲ a型及Ⅲ b型CPPS患者EPS中TNF-αQ水平分别为(17.8±9.2)pg/ml、(91.5±34.8)pg/ml、(74.9±35.1)pg/ml、(23.9±12.9)pg/ml,IL-10水平分别为(234.9±56.6)pg/ml、(392.7±62.4)pg/ml、(364.1±77.1)pg/ml、(300.4±80.2)pg/ml,IL-2水平分别为(311.4±67.5)pg/ml、(247.7±96.1)pg/ml、(278.2±77.6)pg/ml、(299.7±78.6)pg/ml.Ⅱ型、Ⅲ a型患者EPS中TNF-α和IL-10水平与对照组及Ⅲ b犁比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05),各型CP患者EPS中IL-2水平均低于对照组,但Ⅱ型与对照组比较差别有统计学意义(P＜0.05).TNF-a含量和白细胞计数呈正相关性(r=0.772,P＜0.01),而IL-10含量与患者疼痛评分呈正相关(r=0.549,P＜0.01).结论 慢性前列腺炎患者EPS中TNF-α、IL-10和IL-2表达变化,提示它们参与了前列腺的炎症反应.TNF-α、IL-10有可能成为CP诊断分型的一个依据,而IL-10水平有可能作为患者疗效评估的一个指标.     

Early postoperative compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome is associated with septic complications after major surgical trauma in patients with cancer

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo major surgery for cancer are at high risk of postoperative infection. Postoperative immunosuppression may be due to dysregulation of cytokine production. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between changes in serum proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations and postoperative septic complications after major surgery. METHODS: Serial blood samples were collected from 30 consecutive patients for determination of serum cytokine levels. Healthy volunteers were used as the control group. RESULTS: Eleven patients developed no complications (group 1), 14 developed sepsis or severe sepsis (group 2), and five developed septic shock (group 3). On day 1 the patients in groups 2 and 3 had significantly higher levels of interleukin (IL) 6 than those in group 1. IL-6 levels remained high until day 5. Tumour necrosis factor (TNF), IL-1, interferon (IFN) gamma and IL-12 levels were not affected by surgical trauma or by the occurrence of septic complications. After operation the circulating IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) concentration was increased in all groups, but patients in group 3 had significantly higher levels of IL-1ra than those in group 1. IL-1ra levels correlated with IL-6 levels. The pattern of IL-10 levels was similar to that of IL-1ra levels. CONCLUSION: Serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-1, IFN-gamma and IL-12) were not affected by operation or the occurrence of septic complications. The postoperative increase in IL-6 concentration was associated with septic morbidity, while raised IL-1ra concentration was associated with postoperative septic shock.     

Changes in serum levels of growth factors in healthy individuals after living related liver donation

INTRODUCTION: To obtain better insight into the kinetics of hepatic growth factors following partial hepatectomy for living related liver donation, we investigated the postoperative changes in serum levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular epidermal growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen healthy donors undergoing right hepatectomy for living related donation were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of HGF, EGF, VEGF, and TGF-alpha were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits before surgery, at 2 hours after resection, and daily during 5 days postoperatively. RESULTS: Mean preoperative HGF serum levels in healthy adults were 778 +/- 64 pg/mL. Within 2 hours after operation, they significantly increased to 9608 +/- 3111 pg/mL afterward decreasing to 2726 +/- 241 at day 1 and 2283 +/- 250 pg/mL at day 2. Hereafter HGF serum levels stabilized at increased levels until day 5 (2109 +/- 138, 2047 +/- 219, 2283 +/- 336 pg/mL, respectively). At all time points, the differences between pre- and postoperative HGF levels were significant (P < .01). In contrast, VEGF and EGF serum levels showed no significant differences between pre- and postoperative levels at all time points. TGF-alpha was not detected using a commercially available test with a detection limit of 10 ng/mL, suggesting only low TGF-alpha serum levels following liver resection. CONCLUSION: Significantly increased HGF serum levels after hepatectomy demonstrate its crucial role among the other investigated growth factors in regeneration of the remnant liver tissue during the early period after the operation.     

自体血液回输对脊柱手术患者术后IL-6、IFN-γ和TNF-α的影响

目的观察同种异体输血和自体血液回输对脊柱手术患者术后免疫反应的影响。方法择期行脊柱手术的患者44例,按手术日奇偶数分为2组,自体组术中仅输注自体洗涤红细胞（22例）,异体组术中仅输注异体悬浮红细胞（22例）,分别测定2组术前、术后1天和术后7天血清中白细胞介素6（IL-6）、干扰素γ（IFN-γ）和肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF—α）的水平。结果与术前相比,自体组术后1天、7天血清IFN-γ和IL-6均增高,IL-6升高尤为显著,明显高于异体组,2组间差异有显著性（P〈0.01）。2组术后的TNF—α水平在各个时间点都没有明显变化。结论与同种异体输血相比,在脊柱手术中采用自体血液回输对术后患者血清中TNF-α的影响不明显,但可以明显提高IFN-γ和IL-6的水平。自体血液回输对术后免疫细胞因子的抑制作用远小于异体输血,能够保护甚至增强脊柱手术患者术后的细胞免疫功能。     

Imaging predictors of the response to transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a radiological-pathological correlation

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is one of the standard therapies for bridging patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to transplantation. This study was designed to determine which features on pre- and post-TACE imaging are associated with tumor necrosis in pathological specimens. Records of 105 patients with 132 HCC lesions who underwent liver transplantation after TACE were retrospectively reviewed. In 70% of the nodules, >90% necrosis was achieved. The development of >90% lesion necrosis upon pathological analysis was associated with avid lesion enhancement (P = 0.03) and the presence of a feeding vessel larger than 0.9 mm in diameter on the pre-TACE visceral angiogram (P = 0.01). Near-complete lesion necrosis was also associated with an extensive accumulation of ethiodized oil within a lesion during TACE administration (P = 0.04). On post-TACE computed tomography imaging, a lack of residual contrast enhancement (P < 0.0001), a decrease in the lesion size (P = 0.04), a high lesion density due to an accumulation of ethiodized oil (P = 0.03), and a diffuse distribution of ethiodized oil throughout the lesion (P = 0.0001) were also correlated with near-complete lesion necrosis upon pathological analysis. In conclusion, this study found multiple pre- and post-TACE imaging characteristics of HCC that were associated with near-complete tumor necrosis upon histopathological analysis after TACE. These findings may help to guide the selection of an optimal treatment strategy for bridging patients with HCC to liver transplantation.     

Role of TH1/TH2 Cytokines in Kidney Allograft Rejection

One of the major issues in contemporary kidney transplantation is prevention of acute allograft rejection episodes (AREs). Cytokines are crucial mediators of immune reactions leading to AREs. We correlated serum Th1/Th2 cytokine concentrations with AREs. The project included 44 patients undergoing kidney transplantation. During the 3-month period following the transplantation, ARE was diagnosed in 11 patients. Serum samples collected 1 day before and 2, 7, 14, and 30 days after transplantation were tested for interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, interferon (IFN)-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α concentrations using flow cytometry. Nonrejection (NONAR) and rejection (ARE) groups of patients did not show significant differences in baseline demographic characteristics. We observed that higher pretransplantation serum levels of IFN-γ (P = .000003) and IL-10 (P = .000001) were associated with AREs. Our analysis also showed slightly higher IL-4 serum levels among NONAR patients up to 7 days posttransplantation, followed by a drop in concentrations in NONAR patients. In contrast, there was a continuous increase among ARE patients. No significant differences were observed in plasma levels of IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, or TNF-α between the two groups. Higher pretransplantation levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 observed in ARE patients indicated ongoing nondetected, probably nonspecific, inflammatory processes able to intensify an immune response directed against the transplanted organ leading to its acute rejection. Higher levels of IL-4 prior to and shortly after transplantation may have protective effects on graft survival. However, a prolonged, increased production of IL-4 after transplantation can also contribute to AREs.     

Marked elevation of interferon-γ in acute focal bacterial nephritis

Acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN) is a localized, interstitial bacterial infection of the renal parenchyma. In this study, we measured the serum levels of several cytokines in patients with AFBN. A total of 11 children were enrolled in the study and classified into two groups of patients: an AFBN group and a control group. There was no significant difference in the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, or tumor necrosis factor-α among the patients in the two groups. However, the serum levels of interferon-γ among the patients in the AFBN group were significantly higher than those among the patients in the control group. The current results suggest that the bacterial kidney infection in the AFBN group is localized and that interferon-γ may be produced locally in response to the infection.     

The odontogenic-related microinflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease

Objectives: This study estimated plasma levels of interleukin IL-1β, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (INF-γ) in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with a single odontogenic pathology. Material and methods: Forty-nine selected adult CKD patients with single odontogenic pathology based on clinical and X-ray examination: patients after proper root canal treatment, without periapical lesions (n?=?12), with pulp necrosis (n?=?7), with asymptomatic periapical lesions (n?=?22), with periodontal disease (n?=?8), and 14 with healthy teeth were enrolled. Patients with coexisting different dental pathologies and the evidence of other infection were excluded. In all patients plasma concentrations of CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and INF-γ were measured. Results: Patients with periodontitis were characterized by increased concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α. Those with pulp necrosis had significantly more frequently serum CRP level over 2?mg/L and presented significantly elevated IL-6, but decreased TNF-α concentration than in the subjects with healthy teeth. In patients with periapical lesions and patients after root canal therapy, the concentrations of cytokines did not indicate for the systemic inflammation. Conclusions: Periodontitis and pulp necrosis are important sources of systemic microinflammation in CKD patients. Plasma concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α appear to be more sensitive markers of odontogenic inflammation in CKD patients than CRP.