玻璃酸钠对膝骨关节炎的治疗作用及其与相关细胞因子表达的关系

目的 观察玻璃酸钠治疗膝骨关节炎的临床疗效及对关节液中白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)表达水平的影响.方法 30例健康人群为对照组,30例轻、中度膝骨关节炎患者观察组;观察组患者给予膝关节腔内注射玻璃酸钠2 mL,每周一次,5周为一个疗程.评估观察组一个疗程后临床症状的改善及治疗前后两组关节滑液中细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6及TNF-α水平变化.结果 一个疗程后,观察组患者膝关节在疼痛及关节功能方面改善,与治疗前相比P＜0.01;临床总有效率为90％;观察组治疗前关节滑液中细胞因子水平为IL-1β[(85.63 ±18.94) ng/L]、IL-6[(234.06 ±46.11) pg/mL]、TNF-α[(209.87±48.72) ng/mL]与对照组IL-1β[(21.13±7.54)ng/L]、IL-6[(45.78±17.09) pg/mL]、TNF-α[(59.87±16.01)ng/mL]相比浓度明显升高(P＜0.01);一个疗程后与治疗前相比三种细胞因子浓度均明显降低[分别为(44.69±15.68) ng/L,(92.18±34.76) pg/mL,(118.63±40.97) ng/mL,P＜0.01].结论 玻璃酸钠治疗膝骨关节炎短期临床疗效确切,其抑制了细胞因子IL-1β、IL-6及TNF-α的表达,降低了膝关节软骨的损害.     

老年抑郁症患者治疗前后血清细胞因子水平的研究

目的观测老年抑郁症患者使用盐酸帕罗西汀治疗前后血清细胞因子水平的变化。方法采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)检测30例首发老年抑郁症患者(研究组)治疗前后的血清IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α的水平并和30例健康老年人(对照组)比较,结合汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)、汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)总分及各因子分进行相关分析。结果研究组治疗前血清IL-6(63.24±15.67ng/1)、IL-1β(33.24±17.27ng/1)、TNF-α(29.24±15.67ng/1)水平显著高于对照组IL-6(31.41±11.51ng/l)、IL-1β(18.36±8.17ng/l)、TNF-α(18.24±10.56ng/l);P0.05。帕罗西汀治疗后血清IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α水平较治疗前显著下降(P0.05)。结论血清IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α水平升高可能是老年抑郁症的免疫学标志之一;帕罗西汀抗抑郁的同时降低血清IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α水平。     

强直性脊柱炎患者Th17细胞与CD4+CD25+FoxP3+调节性T细胞的变化及意义

目的 探讨强直性脊柱炎( ankylosing spondylitis,AS)患者Th17和CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+调节性T细胞比例及相关细胞因子水平的变化及意义.方法 强直性脊柱炎患者40例,正常同年龄对照37例.采用流式细胞术检测外周血Th17与调节性T细胞的比例,双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法( ELISA)检测血清IL-6、IL-23、IL-17和TGF-β水平.结果 AS组患者外周血Th17细胞比例明显高于对照组[(1.02±0.34)％vs(0.68:±0.29)％,P＜0.05],CD+ CD25+ FoxP3+细胞比例明显低于对照组[(3.77±0.81)％ vs (4.69±1.23)％,P＜0.05].AS患者血清中IL-6、IL-23、IL-17水平明显高于对照组[ (6.15±2.71) ng/L vs(3.31±1.65) ng/L; (9.44±3.12) ng/ml vs (5.82±2.61) ng/ml;( 10.53±4.97) ng/L vs (6.78±3、26) ng/L,P均＜0.01];差异有统计学意义.与对照组相比,AS组TGF-β水平有下降的趋势[(4,76±2.15) ng/ml vs(5.16±2.02) ng/ml,P＞0.05],但差异无统计学意义.AS患者血清各细胞因子含量与临床及实验室指标无相关性.结论 强直性脊柱炎患者Th17与CD4+CD35+FoxP3+调节性T细胞比例失衡,血清IL-6、IL-23、IL-17和TGF-β水平变化,这些原因可能参与强直性脊柱炎免疫发病过程.     

西藏大骨节病患者血清Se与几种细胞因子含量的变化

目的:测定大骨节病患者和正常对照血清中硒和肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和白介素-1(IL-1β)的水平。从细胞因子角度为研究其发病机制提供实验依据。方法:在西藏拉萨尼木县和墨竹工卡县的大骨节病区随机选取大骨节病患者30例(患者组),病区正常人30例(病区内对照组),在拉萨非大骨节病区选健康志愿者30例(病区外对照组),3组人群年龄和性别没有显著性差异。采取静脉血离心制备血清。采用荧光法测定血清Se,酶联免疫吸附测定法(ELISA)检测血清中细胞因子水平。结果:西藏大骨节病病区患者和正常人血清中Se低于非大骨节病区正常人;患者血清中TNF-α、VEGF和IL-1β的水平高于正常。血清Se与TNF-α、IL-1β水平呈负相关趋势。结论:低硒和血清中细胞因子水平升高在KBD的发病过程中起着某种作用。     

急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者血浆TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10和IL-13水平变化

目的：通过检测分析急性呼吸窘迫综合征（ARDS）和全身炎症反应综合征（SIRS）病人血浆促炎症细胞因子肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素6（IL-6）和抗炎细胞因子白细胞介素10（IL-10）、白细胞介素13（IL-13）水平的变化，探讨这些细胞因子在ARDS炎症发展机制中的作用。 方法： 选择临床诊断ARDS病例22例和SIRS 8例，以及正常对照10例，收集血样品，采用酶联免疫法（ELISA）检测TNF-α、IL-6和IL-10、IL-13蛋白含量。 结果： ARDS病人血浆TNF-α、IL-6、IL-10、IL-13含量分别为(629.30±187.00)ng/L、(261.10±71.30)ng/L、(458.10±111.93)ng/L、(5.21±2.02) ng/L，SIRS病人则分别为(206.10±85.90) ng/L、(141.40±41.50)ng/L、(259.60±54.34) ng/L、(1.69±0.39) ng/L，两者血浆细胞因子水平比较有显著差异(P<0.01)；但SIRS和ARDS病人的细胞因子水平均显著高于正常对照组(P<0.01)。 结论： TNFα、IL-6是SIRS和ARDS演变中的重要促炎细胞因子，抗炎细胞因子IL-10和IL-13的过度释放在促进炎症反应失控和ARDS发展中发挥一定作用。     

抑郁症患者血清细胞因子、C-反应蛋白和锌水平的变化及其临床意义

目的:探讨IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α、CRP、Zn在抑郁症病理生理机制中的作用。方法:抑郁症患者33例,正常对照组23例。采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定抑郁症患者和正常对照组的血清IL-6、IL-1β、TNF-α的水平,同时采用散射比浊法测定血清CRP,化学比色法测定血清Zn水平。于治疗前评定汉密尔顿抑郁量表(HAMD)。结果:①抑郁症血清IL-6[(8.90±5.63)pg/ml]、TNF-α[(13.57±7.63)pg/ml]、CRP[(6.18±5.68)mg/L]水平显著高于正常对照组(IL-6:5.95±3.66;TNF-α:12.87±5.34;CRP:2.50±1.44),且血清Zn水平[(11.88±2.37)μmol/L]显著低于正常对照组(13.60±1.90);抑郁症组血清Zn水平女性患者(11.19±2.21)显著低于男性患者(14.04±1.48)。②抑郁症血清IL-6水平与TNF-α有显著的正相关(r=0.470,P<0.01),而血清IL-1β水平与Zn有显著的正相关(r=0.346,P<0.05)。③抑郁症血清Zn与HAMD中迟缓因子分有显著的正相关(r=0.351,P<0.05),与性别有明显的正相关(r=0.576,P<0.01)。结论:①在抑郁症组血清IL-6、TNF-α、CRP水平升高可能是抑郁症的免疫学标志之一;②抑郁症中细胞因子IL-1β表达异常与微量元素锌密切相关,提示可能与抑郁症发病机制有关。     

IL-8、IL-1β、TNF-α水平在COPD发病中意义的探讨

目的:检测慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者诱导痰液和血清中白细胞介素-8(IL-8),白细胞介素-1β(IL-1β),肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)水平,探讨细胞因子在COPD发病中的作用.方法:选取符合COPD诊断标准的患者88例、健康对照者96例,采用放射免疫分析COPD急发期(AECOPD)、缓解期患者、健康对照组的诱导痰和血清IL-8、IL-1β、TNF-α水平,并比较AECOPD患者血清中IL-8,IL-1β,TNF-α水平与肺功能FEV1.0的相关性.结果:健康吸烟组和AECOPD与COPD稳定期患者诱导痰中IL-8分别为(2.72±1.39)μg/L、(5.76±3.87)μg/L、(3.52±2.18)μg/L,IL-1β分别为(2.67±1.38)μg/L、(3.95±2.16)μg/L、(2.98±1.37)μg/L,TNF-α分别为(74.28±24.83)pmol/L、(148.32±32.74)pmol/L、(95.62±17.35)pmol/L;血中IL-8分别为(1.37±2.62)μg/L、(4.26±3.16)μg/L、(2.66±1.54)μg/L,IL-1β分别为(1.78±1.26)μg/L、(3.69±3.52)μg/L、(2.42±1.87)μg/L,TNF-α分别为(46.53±31.77)pmol/L、(102.92±72.68)pmol/L、(59.62±33.87)pmol/L;三组比较差异具有统计学意义.且痰液和血清中IL-8,IL-1β,TNF-α水平高低与第一秒用力呼气容积(FEV1.0)呈显著负相关.结论:IL-8,IL-1β,TNF-α等细胞因子在COPD的发病及急性加重中起重要作用,而且与机体的系统性炎症反应有密切关系.     

人工肝技术治疗前后慢性重症乙肝患者血清IL-18、总胆红素的变化及其临床意义

目的:检测人工肝治疗前、后,重症乙型肝炎患者血清IL-18、总胆红素、γ-球蛋白(γG)水平的变化,分析人工肝技术清除病理性有害物质的功能。方法:34例慢性重症乙型肝炎患者分为两组,18例为人工肝治疗组,进行人工肝 内科综合治疗;16例为对照组,只进行内科综合治疗,血清IL-18、总胆红素及γG的水平,分别采用ELISA法、Beck-manCX4生化仪及Sebia电泳仪进行检测。结果:人工肝治疗组治疗前、后,血清IL-18的含量分别为(499.11±230.24)ng/L和(313.78±83.28)ng/L,差异显著(P<0.05);对照组治疗前、后血清IL-18的含量分别为(477.89±163.79)ng/L和(373.73±148.41)ng/L,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。人工肝治疗组治疗前、后,血清总胆红素含量的均值分别为(555.01±17.81)μmol/L和(305.92±62.19)μmol/L;差异显著(P<0.05)。血清γG均值分别为(23.8±12.41)g/L和(22.47±2.28)g/L,无统计学意义(P>0.05)。对照组治疗前、后血清总胆红素含量的均值分别为(543.12±21.77)μmol/L和(513.55±15.58)μmol/L;血清γG均值分别为(21.66±13.48)g/L和(21.96±5.88)g/L,均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:人工肝技术可有效地清除重肝乙肝患者体内IL-18、总胆红素等病理性物质,提高患者的存活率,为肝移植的治疗争取了时间。     

Th17和 Treg 细胞及其相关细胞因子在结核性胸膜炎患者中的变化及意义

目的检测健康人和结核性胸膜炎患者外周血Th17细胞和调节性T细胞（ Treg细胞）（ CD4＋CD25＋Foxp3＋）在CD4＋T细胞中的表达率以及IL-17、IL-23、IL-6、TGF-β血清水平和患者胸水中的IL-17、IL-23、IL-6、TGF-β水平,研究Th17细胞和调节性T细胞以及IL-17、IL-23、IL-6、TGF-β在结核性胸膜炎发病机制中的作用。方法使用流式细胞术检测患者以及健康对照人群外周血Th17细胞和调节性T细胞表达率,ELSIA方法定量检测血清以及胸水中IL-17、IL-23、IL-6、TGF-β水平,使用SPSS17．0统计学软件,分析健康人和结核性胸膜炎患者上述指标之间的差异以及各指标间的相关性。结果结核性胸膜炎患者外周血Th17细胞表达率（1．02％±0．20％）明显高于健康人外周血Th17细胞表达率（0．89％±0．13％,P＝0．002＜0．05）;结核性胸膜炎患者外周血调节性T细胞表达率（4．64％±0．77％）明显低于健康人外周血调节性T细胞表达率（5．10％±0．90％,P＝0．000＜0．05）;结核性胸膜炎患者Th17/Treg细胞的比率（0．25±0．07）明显高于健康人（0．17±0．05,P＝0．000＜0．05）;结核性胸膜炎患者外周血IL-17（17．49 ng/L±3．94 ng/L）和IL-23（90．42 ng/L±23．06 ng/L）水平和胸水中IL-17（26．13 ng/L±5．98 ng/L）和IL-23（122．26 ng/L±31．71 ng/L）水平显著高于对照组外周血IL-17（14．45 ng/L±3．81 ng/L）和IL-23（77．55 ng/L±20．26 ng/L）的水平,P值分别为0．022、0．039、0．000、0．000;患者胸水中IL-17和IL-23浓度也显著高于本人血液中的IL-17和IL-23浓度,P值为0．000和0．000;患者胸水中IL-6的浓度（5．31 ng/L±0．74 ng/L）显著高于患者血液中IL-6的浓度（4．54 ng/L±1．02 ng/L）和对照组血液中IL-6的浓度（4．26 ng/L±0．91 ng/L）,P值分别为0．003和0．000,患者血液与对照组血液中IL-6的浓度没有显著差别（P＝0．274）;对照组外周血液TGF-β浓度（3．95 ng/L±0．79 ng/L）显著高于患者外周血液TGF-β浓度（3．32 ng/L±0．80 ng/L）及胸水中TGF-β浓度（3．12±0．77）,P值分别为0．005和0．000,患者血液及胸水中TGF-β水平之间没有显著差别（P＝0．365）;结核性胸膜炎患者外周血Th17细胞的表达率与其Treg细胞在外周血的表达率呈显著负相关（r＝-0．684, P＝0．000＜0．05）,结核性胸膜炎患者外周血Th17细胞的表达率与其外周血中的IL-17、IL-23、IL-6水平呈明显的正相关（r＝0．479,0．441,0．326,P＝0．013,0．015,0．017）;患者血液中TGF-β水平与Treg细胞在外周血的表达率呈明显的正相关（r＝0．297,P＝0．024）,与Th17细胞表达率没有明显相关性（r＝0．091,P＝0．659）。结论 Th17和Treg细胞可能参与了结核性胸膜炎的免疫病理机制,有关细胞因子的变化可能参与了Th17和Treg细胞变化的调控以及炎症反应, Th17和Treg细胞以及有关细胞因子的变化可能是结核性胸膜炎重要的免疫病理机制。     

永久性心房颤动患者血清TXB2、6-K-PGF1α和PGE2改变的探讨

目的:探讨永久性心房颤动(PAF)患者血清血栓素B2(TXB2)、6-酮-前列腺素F1α(6-K-PGF1α)和前列腺素E2(PGE2)水平的变化及其临床意义.方法:采用放射免疫分析158例PAF患者和40例健康对照组的血清TXB2、6-K-PGF1α和PGE2水平,进行对照统计分析.结果:PAF组血清TXB2水平[(80.89±18.86)ng/L vs (51.38±7.66)ng/L]和 PGE2水平[(11.48±4.20)ng/L vs (7.15±1.26)ng/L]显著高于健康对照组( P<0.01;P<0.01),6-K-PGF1α水平[(49.81±7.53_ng/L vs (81.12±9.02)ng/L]显著低于健康对照组(P<0.01),三者之间均无显著相关性(P均＞0.05).NYHA心功能Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ级组PAF患者血清TXB2和PGE2水平依次升高,具有统计学意义(P均<0.01),6-K-PGF1α水平变化无统计学差异(P>0.05)(方差检验F TXB2=52.75,P<0.01;F 6-K-PGF1α=0.949,P>0.05;F PGE2=62.04;P<0.01).合并脑梗死组血清TXB2水平显著高于无合并组(P<0.01),但6-K-PGF1α和PGE2无统计学差异(P均>0.05).结论:PAF组血清TXB2和PGE2水平显著高于健康对照组,6-K-PGF1α水平显著低于健康对照组;心功能Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ和Ⅳ级组PAF患者血清TXB2和PGE2水平依次升高,合并脑梗死组血清TXB2水平显著升高.     

Cytokines in symptomatic asthma airways.

To determine whether cytokines are generated in vivo in subjects with asthma, we have measured cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor [TNF], granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF], interleukin [IL]-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6) in the airways of subjects with symptomatic (N = 24) and asymptomatic (N = 9) asthma with immunoassays (GM-CSF, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-4) or bioassays (TNF and IL-6) and the polymerase chain reaction (IL-1 beta and TNF). Significant levels of TNF (578 +/- 917 pg/ml versus 24 +/- 29 pg/ml) (p = 0.01), GM-CSF (24 +/- 41 pg/ml versus less than 8 pg/ml) (p = 0.02), and IL-6 (225 +/- 327 pg/ml versus 7 +/- 12 pg/ml) (p = 0.01), but not IL-1 alpha or IL-4, were detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of patients with symptomatic compared with BALF of patients with asymptomatic asthma. Levels of IL-1 beta (266 +/- 270 pg/ml versus less than 20 pg/ml) (p = 0.001) and IL-2 (1.4 +/- 2.8 ng/ml versus less than 0.3 ng/ml) (p = 0.05) in BALF in patients with symptomatic compared with that in BALF levels in patients with asymptomatic asthma suggested activation of alveolar macrophages and T cells. Thus, in episodes of asthma, several cytokines, including TNF, GM-CSF, IL-1 beta, IL-2, and IL-6 are detectable in BALF.     

原发性干燥综合症患者血清IL-21水平及其临床意义

目的通过检测原发性干燥综合症(pSS)患者血清白细胞介素-21(IL-21)的表达水平,探讨其水平变化与pSS患者其他实验室检测指标关系以及其在pSS发病中的作用。方法选取符合2002年修订的pSS国际分类标准的40例初诊pSS患者。采用双抗体夹心ELISA方法检测该组患者及30例正常对照者血清中IL-21的水平。同时,采用免疫化学发光法检测患者的甲状腺情况包括FT3、FT4、TSH、TgAb、TPOAb。抗SSA和抗SSB抗体、ESR、血清蛋白电泳检测分别采用免疫双扩散法、魏氏法、全自凝胶法。并与患者的其他临床表现进行统计学分析。结果pSS患者血清IL-21水平为(1051±335)ng/L,明显高于正常对照组水平[(466±90)ng/L,P<0.05]。特别是pSS患者中抗体阳性组、有腮腺肿痛组、皮疹组、合并甲状腺功能减退组血清IL-21水平均高于各自阴性对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。而且pSS患者中IL-21水平与γ-球蛋白及血沉存在明显正相关(r=0.715,P<0.05;r=0.740,P<0.05)。结论pSS患者血清IL-21水平明显升高,且与γ-球蛋白及血沉存在明显正相关,提示IL-21可能参与pSS的发病过程。     

HFRS患者血浆中TNF、sIL-2R、IL-6、IL-4和IFN-γ水平的变化及其意义

目的 :探讨肾综合征出血热 (HFRS)患者血浆中的TNF、sIL 2R、IL 6、IL 4和IFN γ水平的变化及其与血清中丙氨酸转氨酶ALT活性水平的相关性。方法 :利用双mAb夹心ELISA法检测HFRS患者血浆中细胞因子的水平 ,应用美国RA 10 0 0全自动生化仪检测患者血清中ALT的水平。结果 :HFRS患者血浆中TNF、IL 6、IL 4、IFN γ和sIL 2R水平分别为 (95 .82± 12 .0 4 )、(36 2 .4 6± 14 1.2 6 )、(17.76± 3.5 2 )、(116 .18± 19.80 )ng/L及 (89882 0± 12 72 0 0 )U/L ,健康对照组依次为 (17.89± 1.6 8)、(4 3.81± 18.0 8)、(4 .86± 1.14 )、(7.5 7± 2 .4 1)ng/L及(6 6 730± 2 96 90 )U/L、(P <0 .0 1) ;患者血清中ALT的水平也显著升高 ,为正常对照的 4 .4倍。通过相关性分析 ,发现TNF、sIL 2R、IL 6和IFN γ水平与患者血清中ALT的水平高度相关 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :HFRS患者体内TNF、sIL 2R、IL 6和IFN γ水平显著升高 ,且与患者体内ALT水平的升高高度相关 ,提示HTNV感染所致肝脏的损伤可能与上述细胞因子水平的升高有关     

Serum levels of IL-1, IL-6 and tumour necrosis factors in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafts or cholecystectomy.

Plasma levels of biologically active IL-1, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and IL-6 were measured before, during and after coronary artery bypass graftings (CABG) (n = 9) and cholecystectomy (CHO, n = 9), and in normal controls (nine healthy volunteers). Mean pre-operative IL-1 concentration in four of the nine CABG patients was 0.452 + 0.03 ng/ml, significantly (P less than 0.001) higher than that of the other five (0.045 +/- 0.009 ng/ml), CHO patients (0.035 +/- 0.005 ng/ml) and controls (0.029 +/- 0.008 ng/ml). Three of the four patients with high pre-operative IL-1 had functional capacity IV, while the other five had functional capacity IIa or IIb. Slight IL-1 elevation after anaesthesia, followed by reduction after initiation of bypass, elevation on completion of surgery and reduction to basal levels after 7 days was found in patients undergoing CABG. Mean basal TNF levels of CABG and CHO patients did not differ, but were higher than those of controls (2.85 +/- 0.5 ng/ml for CABG, 2.05 +/- 0.06 ng/ml for CHO, 0.72 +/- 0.07 ng/ml for normals, P less than 0.001). A unique kinetics of release during CABG was observed also for TNF. Mean pre-operative IL-6 levels were normal (50 +/- 3 ng/ml for CABG, 50 +/- 0.5 ng/ml for CHO and 65 +/- 10 ng/ml for controls). Gradual elevation to a mean peak of 725 +/- 100 ng/ml on completion of CABG was observed as compared with 275 +/- 50 ng/ml in CHO (P less than 0.01). On the seventh post-operative day mean IL-6 levels returned to normal. Two patients with post-operative low-grade fever (38 degrees C) had high, late cytokine levels. One of these two patients had leucocytosis, sterile discharge from the operative wound and was diagnosed as suffering from the Dressler syndrome. In this study elevated cytokine values and unique kinetics of release into the serum were found in patients undergoing CABG.     

Clinical significance of MMP-3 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: comparison with other inflammatory markers(IL-6, IL-8)

We determined serum metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3) and inflammatory cytokine(IL-6, IL-8) levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Sera were obtained from 307 healthy subjects(female 140, male 167), 54 RA patients, and 17 osteoarthritis (OA). The MMP-3 concentrations in healthy female and male were 43.3 +/- 15.3 ng/ml and 90.7 +/- 26.0 ng/ml, respectively. The serum MMP-3 levels in male were significantly higher than those in female (p < 0.0001). MMP-3 levels in RA patients(259.1 +/- 34.2 ng/ml) were significantly higher than OA(43.6 +/- 6.1 ng/ml) or healthy controls. There was a significant correlation between MMP-3 and CRP(r = 0.586), IL-6(r = 0.345) levels in serum. In contrast, no significant correlation was observed between MMP-3 and IL-8(r = 0.19), or CA-RF(r = 0.052) levels. However, there were some cases with high MMP-3 levels in CA-RF-negative patients definitely diagnosed as RA. These findings suggest that MMP-3 determination is useful for the early diagnosis and the follow-up during the treatment for RA patients.     

Soluble immunologic products in scleroderma sera

To investigate the role of immune mechanisms in scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc), we measured the levels of selected cytokines and soluble immune markers in patient sera. Forty-two patients and 14 matched healthy controls are the subject of this report. In the SSc group, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was found in 8/42 (29 +/- 539 pg/ml, mean level +/- SD) and lymphotoxin in 36/42 (1:409-1:200, serum dilution). Interleukin beta (IL-1 beta) was observed in 23/42 (44 +/- 29, U/ml). IL-2 was identified in 36/42 patients with a mean level of 286 +/- 406 U/ml, soluble interleukin-2 receptor in 42/42 (1055 +/- 393, U/ml), soluble CD4 antigen in 27/42 (1:10-1:320, serum dilution), and CD8 in 42/42 (470 +/- 134, U/ml). TNF, lymphotoxin, IL-1 beta, Il-2, and CD4 were not detected in the control group. IL-2 receptor levels in control subjects were 520 +/- 171 U/ml, significantly lower than those of scleroderma (P less than 0.001), and CD8 levels (582 +/- 140) were significantly higher than in scleroderma (P less than 0.05). The data suggest an ongoing activation of immune cells, particularly the CD4+ subset in SSc and indicate a potential role for the released mediator TNF, IL-1 beta, and lymphotoxin in the disease process.     

Evaluation of the relationship between IL-18 levels in urine and parameters of renal pathological changes in patients with lupus nephritis]

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between IL-18 levels in urine and parameters of renal pathological changes in patients with lupus nephritis (LN). METHODS: IL-18 levels in morning free urine and 24-hour's urine in 19 normal persons and 55 patients with LN were measured by ELISA. The correlation between IL-18 levels and parameters of renal pathological changes, namely activity index (AI) and chronicity index (CI), were analyzed by liner correlation analysis method. RESULTS: IL-18 levels in morning free urine and 24-hour's urine in LN group were elevated significantly compared with control group. In both groups IL-18 levels in morning free urine were (247.1+/-317.5) ng/L and (20.3+/-14.5) ng/L, respectively, P<0.001; those in 24-hour's urine were (192.1+/-170.1) ng/d and (21.0+/-3.8) ng/d, respectively, (P<0.001). There was close positive correlation between IL-18 levels in morning free urine and 24-hour's urine and LN patient's AI (for morning free urine: r=0.602, P<0.001; for 24-hour's urine: r=0.461, P<0.005) but there was no correlation between IL-18 levels in morning urine and 24-hour's urine and CI (P>0.05). Patients with LN were divided into three groups (high, moderate and low) according to AI value. There was distinct difference of IL-18 levels in urine among the three groups: IL-18 levels in morning urine were (69.2+/-82.7) ng/L, (193.5+/-106.1) ng/L and (580.7+/-453.1) ng/L, respectively, (P<0.001); those in 24-hour's urine were (103.5+/-141.4) ng/d, (188.8+/-124.0) ng/d and (333.1+/-183.2) ng/d, respectively. CONCLUSION: It is very simple and convenient to detect IL-18 levels in morning free urine, so it is a good method for evaluating renal pathological activity of LN.     

Circulating antiinflammatory cytokine IL-10 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

IBD is characterized by increased serum concentrations of different cytokines. IL-10 inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-6 through inhibitory action on Th1 cells and macrophages, and it is thought to be a suppressor type cytokine. In the present study we determined serum concentrations of IL-10 in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). We measured human IL-10 by our own newly established ELISA system using PharMingen antibodies. Serum antibodies were assessed in 44 patients with UC, 40 patients with CD, and in 30 healthy controls. Human IL-10 serum levels were significantly increased in patients with active UC (144 +/- 34 pg/ml (mean +/- s.e.m.), P < 0.001) and in active CD (132 +/- 32 pg/ml, P < 0.001) compared with healthy controls (44 +/- 9.5 pg/ml). Only patients with active CD and active UC presented with significantly increased IL-10 serum levels, while patients with inactive disease did not show any significant increase. There was no statistically significant difference between IL-10 serum levels in patients with CD or UC. Compared with clinical disease activity indices there was a significant correlation between IL-10 serum concentration and CDAI in patients with CD (r = 0.45, P < 0.01) and CAI in UC patients (r = 0.39, P < 0.05). Comparing IL-10 serum levels with serum concentrations of other proinflammatory cytokines there was a significant correlation to serum levels of sIL-2R (r = 0.417, P < 0.05) and IL-6 (r = 0.387, P < 0.05) in patients with CD. Serum cytokine levels in patients with UC did not show any significant correlation to IL-10 serum concentration. IL-10 is elevated in serum of patients with active CD and UC, suggesting that IL-10 acts as a naturally occurring damper in the acute inflammatory process of IBD.     

髓鞘碱性蛋白和肿瘤坏死因子α水平与Guillain-Barre综合征和多发性硬化的关系

目的 检测Guillain-Barre综合征(GBS)和多发性硬化(MS)患者血清髓鞘碱性蛋白(MBP)和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的水平,探讨它们的相互关系.方法 采用ELISA法测定24例GBS和36例MS患者的血清MBP和TNF-α,并与28例其它神经系统疾病(OND)和30例健康对照(HC)进行比较.结果 GBS和MS组的MBP、TNF-α水平分别是(230±52),(236±56)和(200±46),(185±38)ng/L,均高于OND组及对照组(均P＜0.01),且GBS组的MBP、TNF-α水平高于MS组(P＜0.01).结论 MBP、TNF-α在Guillain-Barre综合征与MS发病中可能都起一定的作用,但在GBS中可能更突出.