Background A case-control study was performed to explore eight pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1Ra (IL-1 receptor antagonist), IL-12, IL-17A, IL-31, IL-33, CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10), and CXCL16, with the aim to understand their role in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) pathogenesis and evaluate their utility as markers to differentiate between diseased and healthy individuals. Among these cytokines, IL-31 and CXCL16 have not been well studied in AS. Patients and methods The study included 94 male patients with AS and 91 age-matched control males. Interleukin and chemokine levels were measured using ELISA kits. Results Serum levels of IL-17A, CXCL10, and CXCL16 were significantly elevated in patients compared to controls, while IL-31 levels were significantly decreased in patients. IL-17A, CXCL10, and CXCL16 were associated with an increased risk of AS, while IL-31 was associated with a decreased risk of disease (odds ratio = 1.22, 1.78, 1.14, and 0.89, respectively). As indicated by the area under the curve (AUC), IL-17A, IL-31, CXCL10, and CXCL16 were potential markers to differentiate between AS patients and controls (AUC = 0.877, 0.735, 0.8, and 0.7, respectively). IL-1α, IL-1Ra, IL-12, and IL-33 levels showed no significant variations between patients and controls. Conclusions Among the eight cytokines examined, IL-17A, CXCL10, and CXCL16 were up-regulated in the serum of AS patients, while IL-31 was down-regulated. The levels of IL-1α, IL-1Ra, IL-12, and IL-33 showed no significant differences between patients and controls. Serum levels of all cytokines were not affected by disease duration, HLA-B27 positivity, or disease activity.
Strategies to reduce obesity have become main priority for many health institution and health staff around the world, as the prevalence of obesity has risen and exacerbated in most of the world mainly because of the modern life style which tend to be more sedentary with an increase eating unhealthy fast western food. Many years ago, the lipid-lowering drug simvastatin; and omega-3 were considered as a traditional lipid-lowering drug that have been well-documented to possess anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective and triglyceride-lowering properties; and their co-administration may demonstrate a complementary effect in lowering patients' triglycerides and total cholesterol to treat atherosclerosis. Many previous studies have
... Show MoreThis study was to examine the effect of a mental training program, including a combination of autogenic training and imagery, on a number of mental skills and on the development of personality traits-psychological hardiness as well as conscientiousness, openness to experience, and neuroticism-in Adolescent male volleyball players. 60 adolescent male volleyball players (aged 15–17) participated in a two-group, pretest-posttest design. The experimental group (n = 30) completed 8-week mental skills training program, including imagery, self-talk, attention control, and relaxation, while the control group (n = 30) followed regular training. Psychological hardiness and selected personality traits were measured pre-and post-intervention using va
... Show MoreBackground: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age with primary manifestations of infertility, menstrual dysfunction and clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism (hirsutism, acne and elevated androgen). Adiponectin is the most abundant adipokine. It has insulin-sensitizing, anti-atherogenic, and antiinflammatory actions.Objective: Low adiponectin levels in women with PCOS have been largely attributed to obesity which is common among these patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to measure adiponectin levels in normal weight women with PCOS and its contribution to development of disease.Subjects and Methods: Fifty two (52) women were included in this study with age ra
... Show MoreAbstract The condition known as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) describes as an intolerance to glucoseThat first occur or progresses during pregnancy is the most common metabolic illness, and impacts up to25% of pregnant women. It has been demonstrated that omentin-1, which originates from both human placental and adipose tissue can serve as an insulin resistance mediator. It was initially identified as a secretory factor specific to visceral fat and showed that recombinant omentin-1 administration increased insulin-stimulated glucose transport in vitro which may increase insulin sensitivity, both glucose and insulin can down regulate omentin-1 which reduces levels in overweight women with polycys
... Show MoreChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a public health problem and many studies support the link between kidney dysfunction and cardiovascular events. Aldosterone has been shown for decades that a plasma aldosterone concentration is elevated in CKD. Whilst, Osteoprotegerin (OPG), after its capacity to protect bone, also osteoprotegerin is elevated in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), where it could predict the deterioration of kidney function, cardiovascular, vascular events and all-cause mortality. On the other hand, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), in patients with CKD, its levels seem to increase progressively as kidney function worsens. The aim of the present study is to assess the correlations between serum osteoprotegerin
... Show MoreKidney disease is a kidney injury or disease that affects many people globally. The study aims to evaluate the effect of Phosphatidyl Inositol (4,5) Bisphosphate, 5-Phosphatase (PIP2) enzyme on calcium (Ca2+) levels and its relationship to oculocerebrorenal gene variations in kidney stone and kidney failure patients. The enzyme-produced amount was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Genetic variations were studied through the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, followed by the sequencing of fragments of the exons (9, 13, 15). Blood samples were collected from eighty patients (40 with kidney stones and 40 with kidney failure), and 40 were healthy individuals. Results showed a significant difference between t
... Show MoreIt has been revealed previously that chronic liver disease (CLD) may be associated to hormonal fluctuations. The current study, therefore, aimed to evaluate some hormones in CLD patients compared with non-CLD individuals. This case control study was conducted at Gastroenterology and Hepatology Teaching Hospital, Medical city, Baghdad, Iraq during December 2021 to May 2022. One hundred and twenty male patients with CLD (age:14-75 years) and 120 control males (age: 24-70 years) were involved in this study. Serum samples were taken from all individuals and were then analysed for many tests which included hormones (Cortisol, testosterone, prolactin, insulin and thyroid stimulating hormone TSH); biochemical analysis (Prothrombin time
... Show MorePatients with renal failure in the final stages undergo the treatment by hemodialysis. Hemodialysis is used to reinstate the intracellular and extracellular fluid environment, by propagation of molecules in solution through a semipermeable membrane along an electrochemical concentration gradient. Blood catching in the dialysis machine and the recurrent phlebotomy may lead to losing about 1-3 g of iron per year. Prohepcidin hormone is an acute phase protein (type II) that plays a major role in the systemic iron irregularities as it is a mediator of anemia in inflammation and regulator of iron metabolism. This study aims to evaluate the effect of hemodialysis on iron hemostasis and its relationship with prohepcidin as an inflammatory mark
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