Dubiously increased FT4 and FT3 levels in clinically euthyroid patients: clinical finding or analytical pitfall?

OBJECTIVES

We systematically investigated normally or subclinically increased thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) values associated with unexpectedly increased thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) in findings of patients without any thyroid disease. Moreover, we looked for alternatives to overcome such states with an improved diagnostic procedure and to investigate the pathogenetic background of the respective patients.

METHODS

Samples with TSH concentrations within the range of 0.4-10 mU/L combined with increased concentrations of FT4 (n=120; Cobas, Roche) were collected over a period of around six years. Cobas FT4 results were compared with measurements from Liaison (DiaSorin) and Architect (Abbott) FT4 assays. For further validation all samples were measured for total thyroxine (TT4) (Cobas, Roche). Finally, FT3 and TT3 as complementary parameters were measured in samples with leftover material. To overcome potential analytical disturbances from stimulating heterophilic antibodies, we used heterophilic blocking tubes (HBTs).

RESULTS

From the 120 samples with increased FT4 concentrations by Cobas, 51/120 were also increased by Liaison, and 26/120 by Architect. However, the measurement of TT4 indicated only n=10/120 increased values. The number of increased FT3 (n=71) measurements was higher in Architect>Cobas>Liaison (28>27>9). TT3 levels of 70/71 samples were within the reference interval. HBTs were inappropriate to reduce unspecific immunoreactivity in our samples. No clear pathogenetic background could be elucidated in the anamnesis of individual patients.

CONCLUSIONS

To overcome dubious constellations of TSH, FT4, and FT3, it is helpful to measure TT4 and TT3 for control or to use an immunoassay with an alternative assay design for the respective parameters.

Analytical evaluation of a BNP assay on the new point-of-care platform respons®IQ

a) Objectives: respons^®IQ is a new point-of-care (POC) immunoassay platform utilizing evanescent field total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) detection and active microfluidics controlled by optical sensors. A B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) assay was developed on this system. The objective was to show that the BNP test fulfils the basic requirements regarding analytical performance, storage stability of cartridges and correlation to reference systems to be used as a POC test. b) Design and methods: Analytical sensitivity and imprecision were determined in 10 separate experiments over a period of one year. Cartridge storage stability at 4-7 °C and 37 °C was tested. The correlation of responsIQ whole blood measurements to a POC reference device and a laboratory analyzer was determined using 100 patient samples. c) Results: Limit of detection (LOD) was 2.3±1.0 pg/ml BNP and within-run coefficient of variation (within-run CV) was 4.8±1.4% down to a concentration of <40 pg/ml BNP. Cartridge storage stability at 4-7 °C was greater than 50 weeks and at 37 °C, stability was three weeks. The correlation of responsIQ results with both reference methods was high (r≥0.972). d) Conclusions: The developed BNP test fulfils the basic requirements for the performance parameters defined above. The test׳s sensitivity was in the performance range of laboratory analyzer BNP tests. This is the first extensive proof of concept of the responsIQ system.

Differential role of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in cirrhotic patients with or without hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells have a negative prognostic impact in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, but may play a different role in portal hypertension according to preclinical data. Here, we address this issue for the first time in cirrhotic patients+/-hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

Portal hypertension in cirrhotic and hepatocellular carcinoma patients was determined by hepatic venous pressure gradient. Blood cells staining positive for CD34/KDR/AC133 using flow cytometry were characterised as endothelial progenitor cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels were determined by ELISA.

RESULTS

Endothelial progenitor cells levels in peripheral blood were elevated in cirrhotic (n=23) (mean: 0.12+/-0.06% S.D.) and in hepatocellular carcinoma patients (n=24) (0.14+/-0.09% S.D.) relative to healthy controls (H-group, n=15) (0.06+/-0.04% S.D.) (P=0.056 and P=0.02, respectively). There were higher vascular endothelial growth factor levels in hepatocellular carcinoma patients compared to cirrhotics (P=0.047) and HC (P=0.037). Notably, hepatic venous pressure gradient was positively correlated with vascular endothelial growth factor (r=0.5, P=0.046) but negatively with endothelial progenitor cells levels (r=-0.51, P=0.02) in cirrhotics, but not hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

CONCLUSION

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells are increased in patients with portal hypertension+/-hepatocellular carcinoma. The negative correlation of endothelial progenitor cells with hepatic venous pressure gradient suggests a protective role of endothelial progenitor cells in liver cirrhosis whilst vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with high hepatic venous pressure gradient. In contrast, increased endothelial progenitor cells in hepatocellular carcinoma rather reflect tumour specific endothelial progenitor cells mobilisation.

Transport of paclitaxel (Taxol) across the blood-brain barrier in vitro and in vivo

Paclitaxel concentrations in the brain are very low after intravenous injection. Since paclitaxel is excluded from some tumors by p-glycoprotein (p-gp), the same mechanism may prevent entry into the brain. In vitro, paclitaxel transport was examined in capillaries from rat brains by confocal microscopy using BODIPY Fl-paclitaxel. Western blots and immunostaining demonstrated apical expression of p-gp in isolated endothelial cells, vessels, and tissue. Secretion of BODIPY Fl-paclitaxel into capillary lumens was specific and energy-dependent. Steady state luminal fluorescence significantly exceeded cellular fluorescence and was reduced by NaCN, paclitaxel, and SDZ PSC-833 (valspodar), a p-gp blocker. Leukotriene C(4) (LTC(4)), an Mrp2-substrate, had no effect. Luminal accumulation of NBDL-cyclosporin, a p-gp substrate, was inhibited by paclitaxel. In vivo, paclitaxel levels in the brain, liver, kidney, and plasma of nude mice were determined after intravenous injection. Co-administration of valspodar led to increased paclitaxel levels in brains compared to monotherapy. Therapeutic relevance was proven for nude mice with implanted intracerebral human U-118 MG glioblastoma. Whereas paclitaxel did not affect tumor volume, co-administration of paclitaxel (intravenous) and PSC833 (peroral) reduced tumor volume by 90%. Thus, p-gp is an important obstacle preventing paclitaxel entry into the brain, and inhibition of this transporter allows the drug to reach sensitive tumors within the CNS.

False-positive results of screening for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus in chronic hemodialysis patients

Eighty-three chronic hemodialysis patients were tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Testing included screening enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for HIV antibodies, competitive EIA for envelope and core antibodies, EIA for HIV antigen, and lymphocyte culture. Five (6%) of the patients had positive screening EIA at low reactivity. Four of these five had antibodies to H-9 cellular antigens. Comparison of the five seropositive patients to matched controls showed no significant differences in number of lymphocytes or helper/suppressor ratio. Six months later, the five patients had negative screening EIA results using a kit with a manufacturing change approved by the Food and Drug Administration that provided improved specificity. In addition, their Western blot analysis was negative. We conclude that (1) false-positive screening EIA results are more common in chronic hemodialysis patients than other populations; (2) evaluation of chronic hemodialysis patients for HIV infection requires confirmatory tests; and (3) newer EIA screening kits appear to have improved specificity.

Potent immunosuppression overcomes immunologic high-risk factors in recipients of cadaveric renal allografts

With the introduction of more potent immunosuppressive regimens, increasing numbers of kidney transplant recipients traditionally viewed as being at high immunologic risk for rejection and graft loss have been accepted. These include recipients of multiple grafts, sensitized patients as measured by high panel reactive antibody (PRA), and patients with current warm B or historical positive crossmatches. Since November 1983, all recipients of cadaver kidneys have been treated with cyclosporine and prednisone. In addition, most also received a short posttransplant course of antilymphocyte globulin and long-term azathioprine. With these regimens, retransplantation, sensitization, current B-cell crossmatch and historical B- and/or T-cell crossmatch do not affect graft survival.