Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:2.6.1.1 (aspartate aminotransferase)
 21,665 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Lipocalin-2 (also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL]) has been described as a promising marker of metabolic syndrome associated with inflammation. The aim of our work was to develop an assay for the determination of lipocalin-2 in human serum and to investigate its levels in healthy volunteers and donors suffering from metabolic syndrome. We also conducted a pilot study on individuals with metabolic syndrome and on healthy probands and measured lipocalin-2 in these individuals. We developed and evaluated the sandwich ELISA method for the quantitative determination of human lipocalin-2 in serum samples. We measured blood pressure, waist circumference, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, insulin, glucose, creatinine, hs-CRP, and adiponectin and calculated the BMI and Quicki insulin sensitivity index. In the study on 153 healthy volunteers, we showed that sex and age are not determinative for lipocalin-2 serum values. Furthermore, we tested 45 individuals with metabolic syndrome; values of lipocalin-2 did not differ (78.8 vs. 80.0 microg/l, p =0.56) from the data of healthy individuals from the first study. Neither group differed with regard to sex or age. Lipocalin-2 correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (r=-0.3, p<0.01) aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (r=-0.3, p<0.01), cholesterol (r=-0.21, p=0.047), creatinine (r=0.19, p=0.05), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (r=0.22, p=0.036). No significant correlation was found between serum lipocalin-2 and BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL, Quicki, or the number of metabolic syndrome components. When study patients with metabolic syndrome were further stratified according to the number of components of metabolic syndrome, serum concentrations of lipocalin-2 did not differ. The results presented demonstrate the analytical competence of the lipocalin-2 assay. However, we assumed that lipocalin-2 is not a routinely usable marker of metabolic syndrome or obesity. The association between serum lipocalin-2 and obesity or metabolic syndrome was not validated in our study.
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PMID:Lipocalin-2: development, analytical characterization, and clinical testing of a new ELISA. 1839 69

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) induces hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Morbidity and mortality are increased in HUS patients with neurologic complications. To determine the pathogenesis of the central nervous system (CNS) involvement in HUS by EHEC, we determined the serum concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble TNF receptor 1 (sTNFR1), IL-10, interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), IL-2, IL-4, soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) during the acute stage in children with HUS with or without CNS involvement. Serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-10, sTNFR1, sE-selectin, MMP-9, and TIMP-1, but not TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-2, or IL-4, were significantly higher in patients with HUS with encephalopathy compared with controls. Serum IL-6, sTNFR1 and TIMP-1 concentrations were significantly higher in patients with HUS with encephalopathy compared with those with HUS without encephalopathy (P=0.031, P=0.005, and P=0.007, respectively) and those with acute colitis without HUS (P=0.011, P<0.001, and P=0.005, respectively). There were no significant differences in hemoglobin, platelet counts, leukocyte counts, or serum concentrations of IL-10, sE-selectin, MMP-9, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, or C-reactive protein between the HUS patients with and without encephalopathy. Our preliminary study suggests that serum IL-6, sTNFR1 and TIMP-1 levels, particularly sTNFR1 and TIMP-1, are important for predicting neurological complications in patients with HUS.
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PMID:Soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 in hemolytic uremic syndrome with encephalopathy. 1841 Sep 71

Approximately 15-20% of patients with Kawasaki disease (KD) are not responsive to high-dose intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG). We have previously reported a predictive method for identifying IVIG-non-responsive patients (high-risk KD patients). We determined the safety and effectiveness of pulse methylprednisolone with high-dose IVIG (mPSL+IVIG) as a primary treatment for high-risk KD patients. Sixty-two high-risk KD patients were treated with pulse methylprednisolone 30 mg/kg over 2 h, followed by IVIG 2 g/kg over 24 h (mPSL+IVIG group) and were compared with a historical control group of 32 high-risk patients treated with IVIG 2 g/kg alone at the participating hospitals before this study was opened (IVIG group). High-risk patients were identified with at least two of three predictors (C-reactive protein >or=7 mg/dL, total bilirubin >or=0.9 mg/dL or aspartate aminotransferase >or=200 IU/L). Sixty-six percent (95% confidence interval [CI] 54-78%) of patients had a prompt defervescence in the mPSL+IVIG group compared with 44% (95% CI 26-62%) for the IVIG group (p=0.048). Coronary artery lesions were observed in 24.2% (95% CI 13.2-35.2%) and 46.9% (95% CI 28.6-65.2%) of patients in the mPSL+IVIG and IVIG groups, respectively (p=0.025). This is the first report showing that mPSL+IVIG is effective and safe as a primary treatment for high-risk KD patients.
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PMID:Pulse methylprednisolone with gammaglobulin as an initial treatment for acute Kawasaki disease. 1844 65

Blood lipids and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are used to assess cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We evaluated in a cross-sectional design the relationship of hsCRP to markers of liver function (aspartate and alanine transaminases [AST and ALT, respectively]), CVD risk factors and HIV-disease progression markers in 226 HIV-1 sero-positive drug users. hsCRP showed a significant inverse relationship with ALT and high-density lipoprotein, independent of age, gender, viral load, CD4 cell-count and antiretroviral (ARV) use, and was not significantly associated with HIV-disease progression markers. Serum markers of liver damage, AST and ALT, were associated with lower hsCRP, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides. Elevated liver enzymes (> or =40 IU/L) were predictive of hsCRP levels that are considered a low risk for CVD. In conclusion, hsCRP may not be a reliable marker of CVD risk in populations with HIV at-risk for elevated liver enzymes due to high hepatitis B virus/hepatitis C virus prevalence and ARV use.
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PMID:C-reactive protein: a poor marker of cardiovascular disease risk in HIV+ populations with a high prevalence of elevated serum transaminases. 1859 80

It has been previously reported that serum levels of 70-kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp70) are elevated in preeclampsia. The aim of the present study was to examine whether increased serum Hsp70 levels are related to clinical characteristics and standard laboratory parameters of preeclamptic patients, as well as to markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein), endothelial activation (von Willebrand factor antigen) or endothelial injury (fibronectin), trophoblast debris (cell-free fetal DNA) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde). Sixty-seven preeclamptic patients and 70 normotensive, healthy pregnant women were involved in this case-control study. Serum Hsp70 levels were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Standard laboratory parameters (clinical chemistry) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were determined by an autoanalyzer using the manufacturer's kits. Plasma von Willebrand factor antigen (VWF:Ag) levels were quantified by ELISA, and plasma fibronectin concentration by nephelometry. The amount of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of the sex-determining region Y gene. Plasma malondialdehyde levels were measured by the thiobarbituric acid-based colorimetric assay. Serum Hsp70 levels were increased in preeclampsia. Furthermore, serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, bilirubin and CRP, serum alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, as well as plasma levels of VWF:Ag, fibronectin, cell-free fetal DNA and malondialdehyde were also significantly higher in preeclamptic patients than in normotensive, healthy pregnant women. In preeclamptic patients, serum Hsp70 levels showed significant correlations with serum CRP levels (Spearman R = 0.32, p = 0.010), serum aspartate aminotransferase (R = 0.32, p = 0.008) and LDH activities (R = 0.50, p < 0.001), as well as with plasma malondialdehyde levels (R = 0.25, p = 0.043). However, there was no other relationship between serum Hsp70 levels and clinical characteristics (age, parity, body mass index, blood pressure, gestational age, fetal birth weight) and laboratory parameters of preeclamptic patients, including markers of endothelial activation or injury and trophoblast debris. In conclusion, increased serum Hsp70 levels seem to reflect systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and hepatocellular injury in preeclampsia. Nevertheless, further studies are required to determine whether circulating Hsp70 plays a causative role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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PMID:Increased serum heat-shock protein 70 levels reflect systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and hepatocellular injury in preeclampsia. 1868 14

Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) are exposed to nutritional risk. Malnutrition in Crohn's Disease (CD) and to a somewhat lesser in Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is very frequent. Depending on the severity of the disease, weight loss has been reported in 65% to 76% of those with CD and in 18% to 62% of those with UC. The role of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is essential in very severe cases where enteral nutrition is not tolerated or standard drug therapy is not effective. Nutritional therapy is important for the correction of nutritional deficiency, especially in cases where elective surgical treatment is required. This study examined the effects of preoperative TPN administration in patients with IBD. Since 1990, 29 pts, 13 (44.8%) male and 16 (55.2%) female with severe IBD; 16 (55.2%) with UC and 13 (44.8%) with CD were treated with TPN in our department in the preoperative period. Evaluation of this group was compared with a group which was not treated with TPN preoperatively: 61 pts, 34 (55.7%) male, 27 (44.3%) female; 50 (82%) with CD, 11 (18%) with UC. Evaluation of this group was compared with the group of patients who were subjected to surgical procedure without prior TPN administration, in total a number of 61, of whom 34 (55.7%) were male and 27 (44.3%) female patients. In this group, the number of patients with CD and UC was 50 (82%) and 11(18%) respectively. During the course of the study, the following parameters were examined: Body mass index (BMI), Disease Activity Index (CDAI/AI), laboratory parameters and the number of hospital days. The parameters were analysed before the surgical intervention, and one week and six months after the surgical intervention. The duration of the application of TPN was 12.5 +/- 5 days. The analysis of these parameters has shown that there is no statistically significant difference in the number of hospital days in both groups, which was 18.9 +/- 8.9 in the intervention group and 18.9 +/- 6.5 days in the control group, p = 0.9808, but analysis of the Disease Activity (CDAI/AI) has shown that patients who were on TPN were in a more severe stage of the disease. In the TPN treated group of patients none, 0 pts (0%), of the pts had no Index of Activity, 1.7 pts (24.1%) had Index 2 and 22 (75.9%) had Index 3. In the other group 3 pts (4.9%) had Index 1; 39 pts (63.9%) had Index 2 and 19 pts (31.2%) had Index of Activity 3. During the monitoring period of six months the activity of the disease was lower in patients treated with TPN. The BMI in the group of patients treated with TPN was lower in both sexes. It was lower than 18.4 in 7 males and 5 females; between 18.4 and 19.9 in 2 males and 4 females; between 19.9 and 25 in 3 males and 6 females; between 25 and 19.9 in 1 male and 1 female; there were no pts with BMI higher than 29.9. In the control non-TPN group, 5 males and 3 females had BMI < or = 18.4; 2 males and 5 females had between 18.4 and 19.9; 23 males and 13 females had between 19.9 and 25; 3 males and 5 females had between 25 and 29.9 and 1 male and 1 female had BMI higher than 29.9. The BMI had an increasing trend in the postoperative period in both groups. The laboratory parameters that we examined were: number of erythrocytes and sedimentation, number of leukocytes, haemoglobin levels, total number of lymphocytes, albumin level, C-reactive protein, orosomucoid, electrolytes; sodium, potassium, calcium and serum iron, the enzymes (AP, AST and ALT); level of bilirubin and urea and creatinine. The results were analysed using the Tukey honest significant difference test (HSD), ANOVA and Student t-test. Statistically significant differences were observed between preoperative and postoperative period in both groups. The intergroup comparison showed significant differences in the level of albumin, AST, ALT and bilirubin.
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PMID:Total parenteral nutrition in treatment of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. 1870 98

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. It is characterized by fever, skin rash, polyarthralgias or polyarthritis, sore throat, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, leukocytosis, liver enzyme elevation, and high serum level of ferritin. Several kinds of skin lesions have been reported in this condition. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical and laboratory aspects of 28 patients with AOSD in central Iran. According to the diagnostic criteria of AOSD, we identified 28 patients between 2002 and 2007. We intended to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of our patients with AOSD. Of 28 patients with AOSD, 21 (75%) were female, 7 (25%) were male. Fever (100%), sore throat (92%), Arthralgia (92%), dermatographism (92%), typical rash (85%) and arthritis (60%) were the most common findings. The mean values of laboratory findings were as follows; C-reactive protein (CRP) level of 14.4 mg/dl, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 91.5 mm/h, leukocyte count of 15744.4/microl. Abnormal levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were observed in 25 (89%) patients. Twenty patients (71%) had high ferritin values (>500 ng/ml). The clinical characteristics were similar to previous series. A febrile polyarthritis was the most frequent presentation form. Dermatographism was frequently encountered phenomenon in our patients with AOSD. Being that dermatographism is a simple inducible skin reaction, along with its sensitivity in active disease, we suggest more controlled studies to validate accuracy and positive predictive value of it in convenient clinical setting in the diagnosis of AOSD and to consider including it in diagnostic criteria.
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PMID:Adult-onset Still's disease: a report of 28 cases and review of the literature. 1875 76

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of silybin-phospholipids and vitamin E complex (SPV complex), by determining cytokine patterns and various markers of liver disease. Forty Caucasian patients with chronic HCV infection were recruited and divided into two groups: 30 were treated with SPV complex for 3 months, while the other 10 did not receive any treatment. Ten other subjects without HCV infection but with staeatosic diagnosis were recruited and treated with SPV complex. Biochemical and hepatic principal parameters were investigated at 0 (T0) and 3 months (T3). The group of HCV patients treated showed an improvement trend of hepatic indecises and viral load, and had a significant and persistent reduction of ALT (P = 0.02) and AST serum level (P = 0.01). In this group cytokines showed a statistically significant increase of IL-2 (P = 0.03) and IL-6 were significantly reduced (P = 0.02) at T0 and T3. After the treatment the group of hepatic steatosics showed a significant decrease in ALT (P = 0.02), AST (0.008), gammaGT (0.004) alkaline phosphatase (0.05), total cholesterol (P = 0.03), fasting glucose (P = 0.008), insulinemia (0.0006), HOMA value (0.002) and C-reactive protein (CRP; 0.04). There was a significant reduction of IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 (P = 0.02, 0.05 and 0.04, respectively). The data suggest that the SPV complex exerts hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. This new compound may therefore be useful in clinical practice in patients with chronic hepatitis C who cannot undergo conventional antiviral therapy.
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PMID:Treatment with silybin-vitamin E-phospholipid complex in patients with hepatitis C infection. 1881 47

Treatment with angiotensin II receptor blockers is associated with lower risk for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus compared with thiazide diuretics. The Mechanisms for the Diabetes Preventing Effect of Candesartan Study addressed insulin action and secretion and body fat distribution after treatment with candesartan, hydrochlorothiazide, and placebo. Twenty-six nondiabetic, abdominally obese, hypertensive patients were included in a multicenter 3-way crossover trial, and 22 completers (by predefined criteria; 10 men and 12 women) were included in the analyses. They underwent 12-week treatment periods with candesartan (C; 16 to 32 mg), hydrochlorothiazide (H; 25 to 50 mg), and placebo (P), respectively, and the treatment order was randomly assigned and double blinded. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic (56 mU/m(2) per minute) clamps were performed. Intrahepatic and intramyocellular and extramyocellular lipid content and subcutaneous and visceral abdominal adipose tissue were measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and MRI. Insulin sensitivity (M-value) was reduced following H versus C and P (6.07+/-2.05, 6.63+/-2.04, and 6.90+/-2.10 mg/kg of body weight per minute, mean+/-SD; P<or=0.01). Liver fat content was higher (P<0.05) following H than both P and C. The subcutaneous to visceral abdominal adipose tissue ratio was reduced following H versus C and P (P<0.01). Glycosylated hemoglobin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were higher (P<0.05) after H, but not C, versus P. There were no changes in body fat, intramyocellular lipid, extramyocellular lipid, or first-phase insulin secretion. Blood pressure was reduced similarly by C and H versus P. In conclusion, visceral fat redistribution, liver fat accumulation, low-grade inflammation, and aggravated insulin resistance were demonstrated after hydrochlorothiazide but not candesartan treatment. These findings can partly explain the diabetogenic potential of thiazides.
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PMID:Hydrochlorothiazide, but not Candesartan, aggravates insulin resistance and causes visceral and hepatic fat accumulation: the mechanisms for the diabetes preventing effect of Candesartan (MEDICA) Study. 1925 58

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are important regulators of anti-cancer immune responses, and an increase in Treg frequency was observed in the blood of cancer patients. Blood samples from 112 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma antigen (HNSCC) were obtained at the time of tumour diagnosis, and lymphocyte subpopulations (CD3(+); CD3(-)CD16(+)CD56(+); CD4(+); CD8(+); CD19(+); CD4(+)CD45RA(+)) with emphasis on Treg counts (CD3(+)CD4(+)CD25(+)), complete blood count and tumour markers (squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]; CEA; alpha-1-antitrypsin [AAT]; Cyfra 21-1; C-reactive protein [CRP]) were analysed. The data were grouped according to TNM classification, and their significance for the course of the disease at an interval of 1 year after the end of the therapy was determined. The percentage of CD8(+) cells increased and the CD/D8 ratio decreased with tumour grade. The ratio of B lymphocytes decreased in patients with locoregional metastases (11.25%versus 9.22%). Treg (15.2%) and CD4(+) cells (45.3%) increased, while NK cells (11.8%) decreased in HNSCC patients compared to controls (9.0%, 38.1% and 15.8%, respectively). The data obtained at time of diagnosis were used to assess the significance of tumour markers (SCC, Cyfra 21-1 and AAT) for evaluation of prognosis. The erythrocyte counts (4.64 x 10(12)/l versus 4.45 x 10(12)/l) and haemoglobin levels (14.58 g/dl versus 14.05 g/dl) decreased, while Treg counts (8.91%versus 15.70%) increased in patients with early recurrence. Our results show that examination of these parameters could be helpful for prognostication in HNSCC patients and aid improvement of treatment strategy.
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PMID:Regulatory T cells and their prognostic value for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. 1918 42


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