Cytokine and LL-37 gene expression levels in Bartonella spp. seropositive and seronegative patients of a rheumatology clinic

PurposeThe variation in the immune response to Bartonella spp. infection in humans remains unclear. The present study compares the expression of selected interleukins, cytokines and cathelicidin (LL-37) in rheumatology clinic patients suffering from musculoskeletal symptoms with healthy blood donors. The patients had previously been tested for the presence of Bartonella henselae antibodies.MethodsGene expression of LL-37, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, interferon-(IFN)-γ, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)-α was determined in blood samples using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Statistical analysis was prepared with STATISTICA.ResultsStatistically significant differences in the mRNA levels of the tested cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12; p<0.0001) were observed between the healthy controls and patients; however, no difference was observed for LL37 mRNA (p ?= ?0.1974). No significant differences in mRNA expression were observed between IgG in anti-Bartonella seropositive and seronegative individuals (p>0.05). The only significant differences between the Bartonella spp. DNA positive and negative patients, indicated by PCR, were observed for TNF-α and IL-12 mRNA (p ?= ?0.0045 and p ?= ?0.0255, respectively).ConclusionA broadly similar immune response to the tested cytokines was observed among the participants irrespective of anti-Bartonella spp. IgG seropositivity. However, the Bartonella DNA-positive participants demonstrated significantly lower expression of IL-12 and TNF-α mRNA; this may indicate that these bacteria have a suppressive influence on the immune system.     

Cardioprotective effects of sinomenine in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model

BackgroundIschemia reperfusion (I/R) play an imperative role in the expansion of cardiovascular disease. Sinomenine (SM) has been exhibited to possess antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticarcinogenic properties. The aim of the study was scrutinized the cardioprotective effect of SM against I/R injury in rat.MethodsRat were randomly divided into normal control (NC), I/R control and I/R + SM (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg), respectively. Ventricular arrhythmias, body weight and heart weight were estimated. Antioxidant, inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory mediators and plasmin system indicator were accessed.ResultsPre-treated SM group rats exhibited the reduction in the duration and incidence of ventricular fibrillation, ventricular ectopic beat (VEB) and ventricular tachycardia along with suppression of arrhythmia score during the ischemia (30 and 120 min). SM treated rats significantly (P < 0.001) altered the level of antioxidant parameters. SM treatment significantly (P < 0.001) repressed the level of creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), creatine kinase (CK) and troponin I (Tnl). SM treated rats significantly (P < 0.001) repressed the tissue factor (TF), thromboxane B2 (TXB2), plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and plasma fibrinogen (Fbg) and inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators.ConclusionOur result clearly indicated that SM plays anti-arrhythmia effect in I/R injury in the rats via alteration of oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction.     

Chronic inflammation and risk of lung cancer in older adults in the health,aging and body composition cohort study

Objectives

We examined the association between three inflammatory markers (Interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) and incident lung cancer using baseline, updated, and averaged inflammatory measures in older adults.

清热通利汤对宫颈炎并HPV感染患者生化指标与临床症状的影响研究

目的:观察清热通利汤对于宫颈炎合并人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染患者生化指标与临床症状的功效。方法:选取86例宫颈炎合并HPV感染患者作为观察资料,选取的患者按简单随机原则以数字表平均划分为对照组与治疗组,对照组给予常规治疗,治疗组给予清热通利汤外用; 治疗后3个月,对比临床疗效,统计临床症状的缓解时间; 评估治疗前、后患者生化指标、中医证候积分、血清炎性因子的变化情况。结果:治疗组显效率为53.49%、总有效率为95.35%,对照组依次为37.21%、72.09%,治疗组临床疗效优于对照组(P<0.05)。治疗后,治疗组患者HPV-DNA转阴率高于对照组,HPV-DNA转阴时间、HPV病毒载量均低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05); 治疗组患者宫颈柱状上皮异位、接触性出血、阴道清洁度异常、白带化验异常的消退时间均短于对照组(P<0.05); 治疗后两组患者各项中医证候积分、血清炎性因子与生化指标均较治疗前改善且治疗组均优于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:清热通利汤能够促进宫颈炎合并HPV感染患者HPV-DNA转阴,提高临床疗效,更有效的缓解临床症状、改善生化指标、减轻炎性反应程度。     

解毒化浊促愈汤联合美沙拉嗪肠溶片治疗溃疡性结肠炎的疗效及对炎性细胞因子的影响

目的:研究解毒化浊促愈汤治疗溃疡性结肠炎的疗效及对白细胞介素-6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子(Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha,TNF-α)水平的影响。方法:选取自2017年8月-2018年10月在河南省中医院肛肠科就诊的溃疡性结肠炎患者60例为研究对象,随机将分为观察组与对照组,每组各30例。对照组用美沙拉嗪治疗,观察组在对照组治疗基础上联合解毒化浊促愈汤治疗。两组均连续治疗6周,比较两组患者治疗后的临床疗效以及治疗前后的IL-6、TNF-α水平变化情况。结果:治疗后观察组临床症状明显改善,总有效率为93.3%(28/30),明显高于对照组的70.0%(21/30)。治疗后,两组患者的血清IL-6、TNF-α水平分别较治疗前显著降低(P<0.05),且观察组各指标水平均低于对照组,差异显著(P<0.05)。结论:此方治疗方法能够明显缓解患者的临床症状,抑制炎症反应,提高临床疗效,具有临床推广价值。     

【开放获取】度普利尤单抗治疗特应性皮炎的疗效及安全性分析

【摘要】 目的 评价度普利尤单抗治疗特应性皮炎（AD）的有效性和安全性。方法 采用回顾性研究方法，纳入2020年6月1日至2021年9月1日在北京大学第一医院皮肤科门诊外用药物控制不佳、规范使用度普利尤单抗注射治疗满16周的AD患者。收集患者基本信息以及治疗开始前、治疗第2、4、8、12、16周研究者整体评估（IGA）评分、湿疹面积及严重程度指数（EASI）评分、瘙痒数字评价量表（NRS）评分、皮肤病生活质量指数（DLQI）评分以及源自患者的湿疹评价（POEM）评分。记录治疗过程中出现的不良反应。采用Wilcoxon秩和检验对全部患者结束随访时各项评分和治疗前进行比较。结果 共纳入57例AD患者，均完成16周的注射药物治疗和随访观察。第16周时 ，患者自身IGA评分由基线4.0（4.0，5.0）分降至1.0（1.0，1.0）分（Z = 6.65，P < 0.001），EASI评分由30.0（17.2，36.0）分降至4.0（1.6，7.3）分（Z = 6.57，P < 0.001），瘙痒NRS评分由9.0（7.0，10.0）分降至1.0（0.0，1.0）分（Z = 6.59，P < 0.001），DLQI评分由15.0（11.5，20.5）分降至3.0（1.0，4.0）分（Z = 6.57，P < 0.001），POEM评分由19.0（15.5，23.0）分降至4.0（2.0，4.0）分（Z = 6.57，P < 0.001），差异均有统计学意义。5种评分16周内均呈持续下降趋势。仅2例患者出现结膜炎，无明显严重不良反应。结论 度普利尤单抗治疗AD疗效明显，且具有较好的安全性。     

肾盂尿培养联合炎症指标对经皮肾镜碎石术后尿路感染的诊断价值

目的探讨经皮肾镜碎石术后,肾盂尿培养联合血清和肽素及IL-6水平对尿路感染的诊断价值。方法选取2015年6月-2018年6月于遵义医科大学附属医院行经皮肾镜碎石术的住院患者201例,根据术后尿路感染情况分为感染组32例及非感染组169例。术前中段尿、术中肾盂尿进行细菌培养,术后第1天采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清和肽素及白细胞介素-6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)水平,比较上述指标单独及联合对术后尿路感染的诊断价值。结果感染组与非感染组术前中段尿细菌培养阳性率分别为15.63%和14.79%,差异无统计学意义(χ^2=1.218,P=0.270);感染组肾盂细菌培养阳性率为81.25%,高于非感染组的3.55%,差异有统计学意义(χ^2=121.349,P<0.001)。感染组和肽素及IL-6水平高于非感染组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。肾盂尿培养、血清和肽素及IL-6联合诊断PCNL术后尿路感染敏感性为90.65%,特异性为86.44%,AUC为0.873±0.039,高于肾盂尿培养、和肽素、IL-6单独诊断水平(P<0.05)。结论术中肾盂尿培养较术前中段尿培养价值高,且血清和肽素、IL-6及肾盂尿培养联合诊断可提高诊断准确率。     

慢性阻塞性肺疾病继发肺部感染的炎性因子及TLR7/IL-23/IL-17信号通路作用

目的探究慢性阻塞性肺疾病(Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,COPD)继发肺部感染的炎性因子及Toll样受体7/白细胞介素-23/白细胞介素-17(Toll like receptor-7/Interleukin-23/Interleukin-17,TLR7/IL-23/IL-17)信号通路作用。方法选取2015年6月-2019年1月海口市中医医院收治的COPD患者120例,根据是否并发肺部感染及感染严重程度分组,选取同期于医院体检的健康者30名作为对照组,患者均抽取空腹静脉血5 ml,部分置于含有EDTA的抗凝管中,部分离心上清,-80℃保存待测。取部分血液样本,采用荧光定量PCR法(qPCR)检测外周血单个核细胞TLR7表达;采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测白细胞介素-2(Interleukin-2,IL-2)、白细胞介素-6(Interleukin-6,IL-6)、IL-17、IL-23、肿瘤坏死因子-α(Tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、γ-干扰素(γ-interferon,IFN-γ)水平;采用流式细胞术检测pDC及T细胞亚群比例;采用免疫比浊法检测免疫球蛋白A(Immunoglobulin A,IgA)、免疫球蛋白G(Immunoglobulin G,IgG)、免疫球蛋白M(Immunoglobulin M,IgM)水平。结果轻度感染组和重度感染组的TLR7表达水平均高于对照组(P<0.05);重度感染组的TLR7表达水平高于未感染组(P<0.05);轻度感染组和重度感染组的IL-6、IL-17、IL-23、TNF-α、IFN-γ水平高于对照组和未感染组,IL-2水平低于对照组和未感染组(P<0.05);轻度感染组和重度感染组的pDC、CD4^+、CD4^+/CD8^+比例高于对照组,CD8^+低于对照组(P<0.05);重度感染组的pDC、CD4^+、CD4^+/CD8^+比例高于未感染组,CD8^+低于未感染组(P<0.05);重度感染组的IgA、IgG、IgM水平低于对照组和未感染组(P<0.05)。结论COPD继发肺部感染患者的TLR7表达上升,抑炎因子水平下降,促炎因子分泌增加,提示炎症反应持续。     

The effect of interleukin 6 deficiency on myocardial signal transduction pathways activation induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide in young and old mice

PurposeExaggerated release of proinflammatory mediators during sepsis contributes to inadequate vasodilatation and depressed myocardial contractility, which lead to development of shock and circulatory collapse. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of IL-6 and aging on activation of intracellular signaling pathways in the myocardium induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration.Material/methodsLPS was injected intraperitoneally to male 3- and 24-month old mice with systemic IL-6 gene knock-out (IL-6KO) and the reference strain (WT). LPS was given intraperitoneally in single low (0.1 mg/kg) or high (10 mg/kg) dose, or in two doses (0.1 + 10 mg/kg) with 24-h delay. The expression and phosphorylation of STAT3, ERK1/2, Akt1/2/3 proteins in the left ventricular myocardium was evaluated after 24 h using Western blotting.ResultsLow LPS dose induced higher STAT3 phosphorylation only in old IL-6KO mice, not affecting ERK1/2 and Akt1/2/3 phosphorylation in any group. High LPS dose upregulated STAT3 phosphorylation similarly in all groups, reduced ERK1/2 expression in young WT mice and upregulated Akt1/2/3 expression and phosphorylation in young IL-6KO mice. Pretreatment with low LPS dose attenuated phosphorylation of STAT3 in both old groups and phosphorylation of Akt1/2/3 in young IL-6KO group. Two-dose approach also significantly potentiated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in both old groups.ConclusionsObtained results show that IL-6 deficiency alters the activity of intracellular signaling pathways: JAK/STAT in old and Akt in young LPS-treated mice. This may indicate that lack of IL-6 attenuates Akt-related cytoprotective effect of pretreatment with low LPS dose in young but not in aged animals.