Mediators of inflammation
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Mediators of inflammation · Jun 2003
The involvement of T lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of endometriotic tissues overgrowth in women with endometriosis.
Endometriosis, uncontrolled proliferation of ectopic and eutopic endometriotic tissues, is common in women at reproductive age, and may affect fertility. The role of macrophages in the pathogenesis is well proved, but engagement of T cells in the pathogenesis of endometriosis is a matter of controversy. ⋯ The significant functional and phenotypic differences between the lymphocytes from healthy women and women with endometriosis were noted. The diminished IFN-gamma production in relation to decreased NK cells number and the increased IL-4 production before the treatment and normalisation after the treatment suggest the involvement of the deregulated T-cell system in the growth stimulation and recruitment of endometriotic cells. The increased CD4:CD8 ratio, IL-6, TNF-alpha deposits and diminished anti-inflammatory IL-10 production by lymphocytes may participate in the pathogenesis of endometriosis, and may secondarily affect the monocyte/macrophage function.
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Mediators of inflammation · Apr 2003
Adenosine deaminase enzyme activity is increased and negatively correlates with catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in patients with Behçet's disease: original contributions/clinical and laboratory investigations.
Behçet's disease (BD) is an inflammatory vasculitis with immunologic, endothelial and neutrophil alterations. Adenosine deaminase (AD) is a marker of T-cell activation and is related to the production of reactive oxygen species by neutrophils with the production of NO(*), O(2)(*-), H(2)O(2) and OH(*). We reported increased tumour necrosis factor-alpha, soluble interleukin-2 receptor, interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and NO(*) in active BD. As there is a relation between cytokines, T cells and oxidative stress in inflammatory diseases, this study further evaluated: (1) plasma AD activity and its correlation with acute phase reactants; (2) thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) as an indicator for lipid peroxidation; and (3) antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and catalase in patients with BD. The effect of disease activity and correlations between the measured parameters were explored. ⋯ AD and lipid peroxidation are increased and associated with defective antioxidants in BD, suggesting interactions between activated T cells and neutrophil hyperfunction. Measures of pro-oxidative stress and antioxidative defence with AD activity as an indicator of T-cell activation can be considered as significant supportive diagnostic indicators, especially in active disease. In addition, strengthening the antioxidant defence may contribute to treatment modalities.
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Mediators of inflammation · Feb 2003
Acute effect of hemodialysis on serum levels of the proinflammatory cytokines.
Chronic inflammation is a common feature of end-stage renal disease, which carries a heightened risk of atherosclerosis and other co-morbid conditions. Dialysis treatment per se can bring additional risk factors for inflammation, such as increased risk of local graft and fistula infections, impure dialysate or bio-incompatible membranes. Our study was designed to determine whether a hemodialysis session leads to an acute substantial alteration in the plasma levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, the T-lymphocyte activation factor soluble IL-2 receptor (sIL-2R), and an inflammation mediator and chemotactic granulocyte factor, IL-8, in end-stage renal disease patients receiving chronic intermittent HD. ⋯ Serum median (25th-75th percentiles) IL-8 concentration was 69.4 (34.9-110.3) pg/ml before hemodialysis, and decreased to 31.5 (18.0-78.8) pg/ml following hemodialysis (p: 0.006). Clearance of IL-8 increased by 0.47+/-0.08 pg/ml for each unit increase in pre-dialysis IL-8 (p<0.001) and decreased by 5.63+/-2.59 pg/ml for each unit increase in pre-dialysis urea mmol/l (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results of our study demonstrate that a hemodialysis session markedly decreases IL-8 concentration, which is significantly affected by pre-dialysis concentrations, indicating that removal of IL-8 is a concentration gradient-dependent action, but does not change the serum levels of IL-1beta, sIL-2R, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, underlining importance of the structural characteristics of the molecules.
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Mediators of inflammation · Apr 2002
T cells expressing the gammadelta receptor are essential for Th2-mediated inflammation in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma.
T lymphocytes have a central regulatory role in the pathogenesis of asthma. The objective of this study was to characterize immunologically the activation stage of asthma and the functional profile of lymphocytes from induced sputum, with particular emphasis on gammadelta T cells. ⋯ The presence of cytokines producing gammadelta cells in induced sputum of asthmatic patients is consistent with regulatory activities. These cells display also cytotoxic function.
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Mediators of inflammation · Feb 2002
Evidence for local inflammation in complex regional pain syndrome type 1.
The pathophysiology of complex regional pain syndrome type 1 (CRPS 1) is still a matter of debate. Peripheral afferent, efferent and central mechanisms are supposed. Based on clinical signs and symptoms (e.g. oedema, local temperature changes and chronic pain) local inflammation is suspected. ⋯ This is the first time that involvement of mediators of inflammation in CRPS 1 has been so clearly and directly demonstrated. This observation opens new approaches for the succesful use and development of immunosuppressives in CRPS 1.