Serum myeloperoxidase activity and oxidative stress in patients with acute brucellosis

Investigation of serum ischemic-modified albumin, galectin-3, paraoxonase-1, and myeloperoxidase activity levels in patients with acute brucellosis

OBJECTIVES

Infection remains current as an important discussion topic in the etiological factors of atherosclerosis. Ischemic-modified albumin (IMA), galectin-3 (gal-3), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) are biomolecules that play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Our aim is to investigate serum IMA, gal-3, PON-1, and MPO activity in acute brucellosis infection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty patients with acute brucellosis and 40 healthy individuals were included in the study. Serum IMA, gal-3, PON-1, and MPO activity were analyzed by the ELISA method.

RESULTS

In acute brucellosis infection, serum gal-3, IMA, and MPO activities were found to be significantly increased compared to the control group, and PON-1 activity was found to be significantly decreased compared to the control group (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between serum IMA, and MPO activity (r = 0.707 p = 0.000) and a negative correlation (r = -0.943, p = 0.000) between PON-1 activity. There was a positive correlation between serum gal-3 and MPO activity (r = 0.683, p = 0.000) and IMA level (r = 0.927, p = 0.000) and a negative correlation between PON-1 activity (r = -0.951, p = 0.000).Conclusion, it was found that serum gal-3, IMA levels and MPO activity increased, while PON-1 activity decreased. These results showed that the oxidant-anti-oxidant balance is impaired in acute brucellosis infection. In addition, these results indicate that brucella infection may be increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Further studies are needed to support our findings.

Long-COVID post-viral chronic fatigue and affective symptoms are associated with oxidative damage, lowered antioxidant defenses and inflammation: a proof of concept and mechanism study

The immune-inflammatory response during the acute phase of COVID-19, as assessed using peak body temperature (PBT) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), predicts the severity of chronic fatigue, depression and anxiety symptoms 3-4 months later. The present study was performed to examine the effects of SpO2 and PBT during acute infection on immune, oxidative and nitrosative stress (IO&NS) pathways and neuropsychiatric symptoms of Long COVID. This study assayed SpO2 and PBT during acute COVID-19, and C-reactive protein (CRP), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls (PCs), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), zinc, and glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) in 120 Long COVID individuals and 36 controls. Cluster analysis showed that 31.7% of the Long COVID patients had severe abnormalities in SpO2, body temperature, increased oxidative toxicity (OSTOX) and lowered antioxidant defenses (ANTIOX), and increased total Hamilton Depression (HAMD) and Anxiety (HAMA) and Fibromylagia-Fatigue (FF) scores. Around 60% of the variance in the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Long COVID (a factor extracted from HAMD, HAMA and FF scores) was explained by OSTOX/ANTIOX ratio, PBT and SpO2. Increased PBT predicted increased CRP and lowered ANTIOX and zinc levels, while lowered SpO2 predicted lowered Gpx and increased NO production. Lowered SpO2 strongly predicts OSTOX/ANTIOX during Long COVID. In conclusion, the impact of acute COVID-19 on the symptoms of Long COVID is partly mediated by OSTOX/ANTIOX, especially lowered Gpx and zinc, increased MPO and NO production and lipid peroxidation-associated aldehyde formation. The results suggest that post-viral somatic and mental symptoms have a neuroimmune and neuro-oxidative origin.

Intracerebral hemorrhage associated with brucellosis: A case report

Background

Intracerebral hemorrhage is a common disease, but cases of intracerebral hemorrhage with brucellosis are very rare. Here, we are presenting a case of a 60-year-old male patient diagnosed with brucellosis who has a right basal ganglia hemorrhage ruptured into bilateral lateral ventricles.

Case presentation

A 60-year-old male patient with symptoms of intracerebral hemorrhage who had no common risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage, but having been diagnosed with brucellosis 2 months earlier and telling a shepherd history for 3 years. Cranial computed tomography (CT) and cranial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed that an intracerebral hemorrhage in the right basal ganglia had broken into bilateral lateral ventricles, and a Brucella serology test was positive. The patient's condition improved significantly after receiving bilateral lateral ventricle cone drainage, hematoma cavity cone drainage and anti-brucellosis treatment.

Conclusions

Herein, we discuss the possible mechanisms and clinical implications between brucellosis and intracerebral hemorrhage. This case suggests whether we can use brucellosis as a routine examination for disease diagnosis and prevention in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage from pastoral areas.

Myeloperoxidase activity and acute coronary syndrome survival: long-term evaluation in the ERICO study

AIM

We aimed to analyze the influence of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity on mortality in the Acute Coronary Syndrome Registry Strategy (ERICO) study.

METHODS

MPO activity levels were evaluated in 342 patients. We performed survival analyses using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression with respective hazard ratios, 95% CI, according to MPO tertiles distribution up to 7 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

Higher MPO activity levels were seen in men, smokers, diabetics and those who were taking aspirin. MPO activity levels were neither significant in relation to mortality nor to survival rates up to seven years.

CONCLUSION

We found no relationship between elevated levels of MPO activity post-acute coronary syndrome and mortality up to 7-years of follow-up in the ERICO study.

Impaired Thiol-Disulfide Balance in Acute Brucellosis

The objective of this study was to examine a novel profile: thiol-disulfide homeostasis in acute brucellosis. The study included 90 patients with acute brucellosis, and 27 healthy controls. Thiol-disulfide profile tests were analyzed by a recently developed method, and ceruloplasmin levels were determined. Native thiol levels were 256.72 ± 48.20 μmol/L in the acute brucellosis group and 461.13 ± 45.37 μmol/L in the healthy group, and total thiol levels were 298.58 ± 51.78 μmol/L in the acute brucellosis group and 504.83 ± 51.05 μmol/L in the healthy group (p < 0.001, for both). The disulfide/native thiol ratios and disulfide/total thiol ratios were significantly higher, and native thiol/total thiol ratios were significantly lower in patients with acute brucellosis than in the healthy controls (p < 0.001, for all ratios). There were either positive or negative relationships between ceruloplasmin levels and thiol-disulfide parameters. The thiol-disulfide homeostasis was impaired in acute brucellosis. The strong associations between thiol-disulfide parameters and a positive acute-phase reactant reflected the disruption of the balance between the antioxidant and oxidant systems. Since thiol groups act as anti-inflammatory mediators, the alteration in the thiol-disulfide homeostasis may be involved in brucellosis.

Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in patients with chronic otitis media

OBJECTIVES

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) prevents oxidative stress by inhibiting the oxidation of cell membrane lipids by the reactive oxygen species that form during acute and chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate serum PON1 activity and oxidative stress in patients with chronic otitis media (COM).

METHODS

Fifty consecutive patients with COM and 55 controls were enrolled in the present study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of cholesteatoma. The serum PON1 arylesterase activities and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) levels were determined.

RESULTS

Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were significantly lower in the COM patients than in the controls (P < 0.001 for all comparisons), whereas the LOOH levels were significantly higher (P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION

These results indicated that a lower level of PON1 activity was associated with an oxidant-antioxidant imbalance. In addition, decreased PON1 activity may play an important role in the pathophysiology of COM.

Serum antioxidant enzymes activities and oxidative stress levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke: influence on neurological status and outcome

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress is well believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke. Reports on antioxidant enzyme activities in patients with stroke are conflicting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate serum antioxidant enzyme activities and oxidative stress levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke within 1st, 5th, and 21st day after stroke onset and also the relationship between these results and the clinical status of patients.

METHODS

The current study comprised 45 patients with acute ischemic stroke and 30 healthy controls. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase activities were measured spectrophotometrically.

RESULTS

Serum MDA levels were significantly higher in acute ischemic stroke patients within 24 h after stroke onset than controls (p < 0.05), whereas serum catalase activity was significantly lower (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in GSH-Px and SOD activities. Serum catalase and SOD activities were significantly lower in fifth day than those of controls (both, p < 0.05) but GSH-Px activity and MDA levels did not change (p > 0.05). Serum SOD activity was significantly lower in 21st day compared to SOD activity of controls (p < 0.05) but MDA levels, GSH-Px, and CAT activities did not change significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that acute ischemic stroke patients have increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant enzymes activities. These findings indicated that an imbalance of oxidant and antioxidant status might play a role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke.

Effect of carbon monoxide-releasing molecules II-liberated CO on suppressing inflammatory response in sepsis by interfering with nuclear factor kappa B activation

Sepsis continues to be a challenge in clinic. The rates of mortality in sepsis patients remain high. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanisms of carbon monoxide-releasing molecules II (CORM-2)-liberated CO on suppressing inflammatory response in sepsis. It was shown that treatment of septic mice with CORM-2 attenuated PMN accumulation, downregulated cytokines production, inhibited expressions of iNOS and NF-κB activity in the lung and liver. In parallel, CORM-2 prevented activation of NF-κB in LPS-stimulated HUVEC. This was accompanied by a decrease in ROS and NO production, expression of ICAM-1 and subsequent PMN adhesion to HUVEC. These findings demonstrated that CORM-released CO attenuates inflammatory responses by interfering with NF-κB activation and therefore decreasing the expression of ICAM-1 and NO production, attenuating the oxidative stress and inflammation in sepsis.

Clinical relevance of different biomarkers in imported plasmodium falciparum malaria in adults: a case control study

Background

For rapid initiation of anti-malarial treatment and prevention of complications, early diagnosis and risk stratification is important in patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Routine laboratory values do not correlate well with disease severity. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic and prognostic value of several biomarkers related to inflammation; endothelial and cardiac dysfunction; coagulation, and haemolysis in imported P. falciparum malaria.

Methods

In a prospective case-control study, 79 adult travellers with both uncomplicated and complicated P. falciparum malaria were included between 2007 and 2011. Forty-one healthy subjects were included as controls. Blood samples were obtained within 24 hours after first consultation to assess routine laboratory values as well as markers related to inflammation (PAPP-A, copeptin, CRP), endothelial activation (MPO, elastase-2, endothelin-1, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1), cardiac function (NT-proBNP, MR-proANP), coagulation (fibrinogen, D-dimers, platelet count), and haemolysis (LDH). Prognostic performance was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve = AUROC).

Results

Twelve (15.2%) patients had severe P. falciparum malaria. In the patient group, significant thrombocytopaenia was found, all other markers but PAPP-A were significantly elevated. Diagnostic performance was best for CRP with an AUROC of 1.00, followed by MPO (0.99), D-dimers (0.98), elastase-2 (0.98), and sICAM-1 (0.98). Biomarker levels did not correlate well with disease severity.

Conclusion

The combination of travel history, fever prior to blood sampling, and CRP serum levels above or below 10.8 mg/l upon hospital admission, best discriminated between malaria patients and control persons. None of the biomarkers studied predicted the presence or the development of malaria complications, neither at the time of admission, nor during hospitalization.