Regulatory T‐cell cytokines in patients with nonsegmental vitiligo

In the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo, the role of suppressor cytokines, such as transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), associated with regulatory T‐cells (Treg) is not completely known. In this study, the role of Treg‐cell functions in the skin of patients with nonsegmental vitiligo was investigated. Lesional and nonlesional skin samples from 30 adult volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 36 years with nonsegmental vitiligo were compared with normal skin area excision specimens of 30 benign melanocytic nevus cases as controls. All samples were evaluated staining for forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), TGF‐β, and IL‐10 using the standardized streptavidin–biotin immunoperoxidase immunohistochemistry method. Foxp3 expression was lower in lesional vitiligo skin specimens compared to controls; it was also lower in lesional vitiligo specimens than nonlesional vitiligo specimens. IL‐10 levels were lower in lesional vitiligo specimens compared to the controls, whereas IL‐10 expression was significantly lower in lesional specimens compared with nonlesional specimens. TGF‐β expression was higher in both lesional and nonlesional skin specimens of patients with vitiligo compared to controls. TGF‐β expression was lower in lesional skin specimens than nonlesional skin specimens. In addition, there was no significant correlation between Foxp3 expression with TGF‐β and IL‐10 expressions in lesional skin specimens in the vitiligo group. In this study, results supporting the contribution of Treg cells and IL‐10 deficiency to the autoimmune process were obtained. Therefore, future studies are necessary to demonstrate the definitive role of Treg‐cell functions in the etiopathogenesis of vitiligo.     

Effects of boric acid on experimental periodontitis and alveolar bone loss in rats

ObjectiveThe goal of the present study was to evaluate the histopathologic and morphometric effects of systemic boric acid in a rat periodontitis model.DesignTwenty-four Wistar rats were divided into three groups of eight animals each: non-ligated (NL), ligature only (LO), and ligature and treated with boric acid (BA) (3 mg/kg per day for 11 days). A 4/0 silk suture was placed in a subgingival position around the mandibular first molars; after 11 days the rats were sacrificed, and changes in alveolar bone levels were measured clinically and tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences amongst the study groups.ResultsThe ratio of presence of inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) and osteoclast number in the LO group was significantly higher than that of the NL and BA groups (p < 0.05). The ratio of presence of osteoblastic activity in the LO group was significantly lower than that of the NL and BA groups (p < 0.05). Alveolar bone loss was also significantly higher in the LO group compared to the BA and NL groups (p < 005).ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated that systemic administration of boric acid reduced periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in periodontal disease in rats.     

Serum cytokine levels and periodontal parameters in ankylosing spondylitis

Sezer U, Erciyas K, Pehlivan Y, Üstün K, Tarakç?o?lu M, ?enyurt SZ, Onat AM. Serum cytokine levels and periodontal parameters in ankylosing spondylitis. J Periodont Res 2012; 47: 396–401. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: Multiple studies support the role of periodontal disease in contributing to the chronic systemic inflammatory burden in a variety of diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), in the progression which the inflammatory process plays an important role. We assume that patients with AS are more likely to have periodontal disease than healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between inflammatory periodontal diseases and AS by evaluating clinical periodontal parameters and serum cytokine levels. Material and Methods: Forty‐eight adults with AS (35 women and 13 men; age range 18–56 years; mean age 34.27 years) and 48 age‐ and sex‐matched systemically healthy control subjects participated in the study. The clinical periodontal parameters, venous blood and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score were obtained, and serum C‐reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels were evaluated. Results: There was statistically no significant difference in the frequency of periodontitis between AS patients and the control group. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in probing depth, clinical attachment level and plaque index, and the only significant clinical difference between groups was in levels of bleeding on probing (p < 0.001). Serum concentrations of IL‐6, tumour necrosis factor‐α and C‐reactive protein in the AS group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). In the AS group, there was a correlation between serum IL‐6 levels and clinical attachment level (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of present study suggest that bleeding on probing was the only different periodontal parameter between the AS and the control group, and the periodontal status of patients with AS may be affected by IL‐6 levels.     

The Effect of iNOS Inhibitors and Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment in a Rat Model of Experimental Colitis

Aim Our aim was to investigate the effectiveness of aminoguanidine (AMG), an inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment in an experimental colitis model. Methods We induced colitis in rats. In the control group, we applied 2 ml serum physiologic intraperitoneally for 7 days. In the HBO group, 100% oxygen at 2.4 atm pressure was applied for 7 days. In the AMG group, 100 mg/kg AMG was applied intraperitoneally for 7 days. In the HBO + AMG group, HBO and AMG were applied, respectively. At the end of 7 days, rats were sacrificed and the distal 10 cm part of colon was examined macro- and microscopically. Results Severity of colitis and NO activities were reduced by AMG, HBO, and HBO + AMG application. There was histologically significant improvement, especially in the HBO + AMG group Conclusions Both HBO and AMG were significantly effective in preventing weight loss, reducing NO activities, and severity of colitis, when comparing HBO and AMG separately. Cemal Nuri Ercin and Zeki Yesilova contributed equally to this work.     

Arrhythmic manifestations in patients with congenital left ventricular aneurysms and diverticula

Congenital left ventricular aneurysms and diverticula (LVA/Ds) are rare cardiac malformations that can be detected using echocardiography or other imaging techniques. Some of these patients present with ventricular arrhythmias. This study investigated clinical characteristics of patients with congenital LVA/D presenting with arrhythmic manifestations. Over the previous 20 years 250 patients were diagnosed to have congenital LVA/D at our institution. Diagnosis was made using echocardiography after exclusion of coronary artery disease, local cardiac inflammatory processes, traumatic causes, or cardiomyopathies. At initial presentation 32 of the 250 patients (13%, average age 45 years, range 25 to 65, 21 men and 11 women) exhibited arrhythmias. At least 2 LVA/Ds were present in 6 of these patients. LVA/Ds were localized at the posterobasal, apical, anteroseptal, and anterolateral walls in 12, 11, 4, and 5 patients, respectively. The most common complaints at presentation were syncope or presyncope in 18 patients and palpitations in 11 patients. One patient had survived sudden cardiac death. Long-term electrocardiographic recordings showed ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation in 17 patients (53%). Twelve patients underwent electrophysiologic testing. Nine patients had inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmia, whereas induced tachycardia was similar to that during spontaneous arrhythmia in 7 patients. In conclusion, patients with congenital LVA/Ds who present with arrhythmic manifestations commonly have VT. Electrophysiologic testing can reproduce clinical VT in most of these patients.     

Decreased oxidation susceptibility of plasma low density lipoproteins in patients with Gilbert's syndrome

Background and Aim: The association of hyperbilirubinemia in Gilbert's syndrome (GS) with a decrease in prevalence of coronary artery disease is a well‐known phenomenon. In this study, the state of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation which has been postulated to be a significant determinant at the etiopathogenesis of atherosclerotic disorders was investigated among individuals with GS. Methods: For this purpose, serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, apolipoprotein A and B, bilirubins, thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances, and the sensitivity of LDL oxidation levels, as well as serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotranserfase, gamma glutamil transferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities, were determined in 17 patients with Gilbert's syndrome and 15 healthy adults. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups except the indirect bilirubin parameter (P < 0.001). In comparison with the healthy individuals, LDL oxidation levels between 75 and 120 min were significantly lower (P < 0.005) along with prolonged lag‐phase in GS patients, indicating a delay in oxidation susceptibility. Conclusion: It is suggested that the chronic hyperbilirubinemia leading to a lag‐phase prolongation in LDL oxidation and a decrease in LDL oxidation may be reason for the low percentage of coronary artery disease.