Association of serum levels of aggrecan ARGS,NITEGE fragments and radiologic knee osteoarthritis in Tunisian patients

ObjectivesProteolytic degradation of aggrecan is a hallmark of the pathology of osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to develop enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to quantify the serum levels of specific aggrecan fragments generated by aggrecanases-mediated cleavage. We investigated the relationships between these two aggrecan degradations fragments and urinary CTX-II levels.MethodsThe competitive ELISAs employ a polyclonal antibody raised against the aggrecan fragments containing two neoepitopes NITEGE³⁷³ and ³⁷⁴ARGSVI. We measured serum levels of ARGSV and NITEGE in 125 women with knee osteoarthritis (mean ± SD age of 53.6 ± 7.6 years, mean ± SD disease duration of 3.6 ± 3.8 years), and 57 women age-matched controls.ResultsAggrecan neoepitopes assays showed an intra- and inter-assay imprecision (CV) lower than 20% for both tests and good linearity. Median serum ARGSVI (by 18%; P = 0.002), and NITEGE (36.4%; P < 0.001) levels were significantly decreased in patients with knee osteoarthritis compared with controls. Minimal joint space width was negatively correlated with ARGSVI (r = –0.368, P = 0.04) and NITEGE (r = –0.274, P = 0.038) in knee osteoarthritis patients. Median urinary CTX-II levels were significantly increased by 39.5% (P = 0.001) in knee OA patients compared with controls.ConclusionMarkers of degradation aggrecan were analyzed for the first time in an African osteoarthritis population. These markers can be used to monitor aggrecanase activity in human joint disease. Their combination with CTX-II can improve clinical investigation of patients with osteoarthritis patients.     

Oxidative damage in erythrocytes of adult rats and their suckling pups exposed to gibberellic acid

Gibberellic acid (GA(3)) is a plant growth regulator used in agriculture worldwide. The present study investigated the propensity of GA(3) to induce hematological disorders. Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: group I served as controls; group II received orally GA(3) (200 ppm) from the 14th day of pregnancy until day 14 after delivery. GA(3) reduced the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit in suckling rats, while these parameters remained unchanged in their mothers. White blood cells increased in mothers and were unchanged in their pups. Several studies have associated these hematological disorders with oxidative stress. In fact, GA(3) treatment revealed in erythrocytes a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels and a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Moreover, a significant decline was observed in acetylcholinesterase activity, glutathione, nonprotein thiols, and vitamin C levels.     

Inflammatory pseudo-tumor of the lung. A pathology clinical study of one case

Inflammatory pseudo-tumors of the lung are generally unifocal lesions with a benign prognosis. The pathogenesis is unknown. We report the case of a 71-year-old man who underwent exploration for dyspnea and chest pain associated with weight loss and a heterogeneous opacity in the lingula. This radiological and clinical presentation suggested a malignant bronchopulmonary tumor. Surgery was performed and the histologocial examination of the surgical specimen corrected the diagnosis: inflammatory pseudo tumor. No recurrence has been observed at three years.     

A case of severe paraneoplastic itch resistant to antihistamines and responding to serotonin reuptake inhibitors

This article covers an interesting topic. Paraneoplastic pruritus is rare but can be severe. It can sometimes be resistant to usual treatments. In our case, it was resistant to antihistamines but was relieved by inhibitors of serotonin scrapping.     

Microscopic colitis. A 20 cases series

Microscopic colitis are defined as a chronic inflammation of a normal macroscopic colonic mucosa. We report 20 cases of microscopic colitis. Chronic diarrhea revealed the diagnosis in 95% of cases. Endoscopic examination was normal in 95% of patients. We diagnosed collagenous colitis in 65% of cases and lymphocytic colitis in 35% of cases. The treatment was based on sulphasalazine in 16 patients, on 5 aminosalicylic acid in 1 case, on gluten free diet in 2 cases and a symptomatic treatment was prescribed to one patient. A clinical remission was observed in 41.2% of patients taking sulphasalazine.     

Familial cases of glomerulonephritis complicating Crohn's disease

A part from nephrolithiasis, renal involvement is rare in the course of Crohn's disease, particularly glomerulonephritis. On the other hand, while onset of Crohn's disease is strongly influenced by environmental and genetic factors, little is known regarding influence of these factors on extra intestinal manifestations. We report a familial case of glomerulonephritis that occurred in a 38-year old woman and her mother, 59 years old with a 7-year and a 37 year history of stenosing ileocolonic disease, respectively. Both of them developed peripheral oedema with nephrotic syndrome during the course of their Crohn's disease while they had no intestinal symptoms and were not receiving any maintenance therapy. Renal function was conserved in the former while the latter developed renal failure and had already small size kidneys on abdominal sonography. Thus, renal biopsy had been performed only in the former patient and had showed membranous glomerulonephritis. Investigations showed no other underlying disease than Crohn's disease. Through this report we emphasis possible genetic influence on extra intestinal manifestations, particularly glomerulonephritis, in Crohn's disease patients.