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PubMed2000

[Impact of Chlamydia pneumoniae infections on asthma].

VIRUSES AND BACTERIA: The fact that the airways are exposed to a large number of infectious agents could explain the frequency of respiratory infections and their causal effect in bronchial inflammation. Viruses are most often the causal agent, but the frequency of bacterial infections make them potential candidates in certain respiratory diseases. Chlamydia are particularly important due to their capacity to provoke immune dysfunction and chronic inflammation. EFFECT ON ASTHMA: It is not surprising to find biological evidence of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in a large number of subjects who experience major degradation of their asthma because asthmatic subjects are particularly susceptible to respiratory infections and Chlamydia pneumoniae is a frequent cause of such infections. PATHOGENIC EFFECT: Finding Chlamydia pneumoniae as the causal agent in asthma is however much more surprising, with a much different consequence. There are however many epidemiological and clinical findings and case observations (Chlamydia pneumoniae asthma associations, prolonged favorable course in certain obstructive bronchial diseases after a short antibiotic regimen) as well as provocative pathophysiological data favoring this particular form of "infectious asthma". FURTHER INFORMATION: Large-scale studies with rigorous methodology remain to be performed. The would be needed to determine the exact relationship between Chlamydia pneumoniae infections and certain types of asthma, particularly when wheezing occurs after a respiratory infection and when chronic obstruction develops. The could also determine the role of anti-Chlamydia pneumoniae antibiotics in case of obstructive respiratory failure and also determine their efficacy on long-term outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Dietary zinc deficiency and expression of T lymphocyte signal transduction proteins.

Impaired immune function in dietary zinc (Zn) deficiency is characterized in part by reduced lymphocyte numbers (lymphopenia) and depressed cell-mediated (T lymphocyte) immune function, however, the causative mechanisms at the molecular level have not been elucidated. This paper will focus on the role of dietary Zn in T lymphocyte signal transduction, and specifically, the early Zn-dependent steps for phosphorylation and the putative Zn-finger proteins or Zn-metalloenzymes that may be part of the molecular mechanism for explaining immune dysfunction in Zn deficiency. One of the major recent findings is that murine splenic T lymphocyte p56lck expression is elevated in dietary Zn deficiency and caloric deficiency. Based on the known functions of p56lck, it is proposed that elevated p56lck may contribute to altered thymocyte maturation, apoptosis, and lymphopenia in dietary Zn deficiency and other malnutrition syndromes.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Impaired expression of the CD3-zeta chain in peripheral blood T cells of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia results in an increased susceptibility to apoptosis.

In patients with myeloid malignancies, cell-mediated immunity is often suppressed, being most profound in those with advanced disease. Such immune dysfunction, as demonstrated in many patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), may, at least in part, be due to altered expression of the CD3-zeta chain, which is an important component of the T-cell receptor (TCR). We speculated that impaired expression of the TCR-zeta chain would be evident in peripheral blood T cells of patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) and that such an abnormality would result in an increased ex vivo susceptibility to apoptosis. In this study, we demonstrated that, compared with normal controls, zeta chain expression was significantly downregulated in all of the T-cell subsets (P < 0.009) in more than 90% of CML patients. In addition, there was a significantly lower expression of the CD3-epsilon chain (P < 0.001) in patients than in controls. In those patients with abnormal zeta chain expression, the proportion of lymphocytes with spontaneous DNA fragmentation, as determined by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assays, was also significantly higher (P < 0.002) than controls. From all of the patients tested, it was possible to upregulate partially zeta chain expression and hence to reduce the susceptibility to apoptosis by cross-linking the T cells with interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-alpha or immobilized CD3. In addition, such cross-linked T cells showed a significantly higher capacity to proliferate than the native CML T cells.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Cardiac involvement in inflammatory disease: systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatic fever, and Kawasaki disease.

This review focuses on treatment and preventive issues relevant to cardiac problems associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, acute rheumatic fever, and Kawasaki disease in adolescence. Cardiac abnormalities occur as a result of the immune dysfunction and as side effects of therapy. With increased survival, more cardiac complications are being detected. Screening for cardiac risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, hypertension, obesity, and hypercholesterolemia, should begin in adolescence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

[Release of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines during different anesthesia procedures].

The modulation of immune functions, induced by trauma, surgical interventions and anaesthesia, is thought to play a crucial role in the development of post-traumatical or postoperative disorders. The balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines was shown to affect the outcome of the patients. This work studied the effects of different anaesthesiological procedures--total intravenous anaesthesia using Propofol/Sufentanil (TIVA) versus balanced inhalational anaesthesia using Trapanal/Sevoflurane (BIA) in patients with elective lumbal discectomia--on the secretion of various cytokines and their correlation to endocrine stress response. The concentrations of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-6, IL-12 and IFN-gamma and their soluble receptor molecules as well as the concentrations of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10, IL-1RA and TGF-beta were determined in plasma samples obtained pre-, intra- and postoperatively. Additionally, the plasma concentrations of the stress-related hormones cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine were measured. Changes in the cytokine profile were observed immediately after induction of anaesthesia. Significant differences were found particularly in IL-6 production as well as in the release of the soluble IL-2R alpha and the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). Whereas under BIA, the concentrations of IL-6 were found to be significantly elevated during the course of the study, the release of the soluble IL-2R alpha and the production of IL-1RA were reduced in this patient group in comparison to the TIVA group. The increase of the postoperative concentrations of cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine under BIA indicated enhanced activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic system. Thus, with respect to limitation of surgery-associated stress, total intravenous anaesthesia seems to have a favourable effect. Moreover, induction of the release of anti-inflammatory mediators under TIVA might contribute to the prevention of excessive postoperative inflammation. Taken together, these data suggest that the anaesthesiological management may have considerable influence on the postoperative inflammatory process. This might be of particular relevance for surgical interventions in patients after injuries, infections or malignant diseases which are known to be associated with immune dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Oral zinc supplementation in the treatment of HIV-infected children.

Primary zinc (Zn) deficiency has been reported to cause immune dysfunction; secondary Zn deficiency has been noted in HIV-infected adults; and in vitro studies have suggested that Zn may have antiviral activity. Zn supplementation was studied in HIV-infected children to evaluate selected clinical and laboratory responses. Thirteen clinically stable HIV-infected children (five females, eight males, 1.5-10 years of age, mean 6 years) with CD4+ counts < 500/mm3 were supplemented with oral elemental zinc at 1.8-2.2 mg/kg/day for 3 to 4 weeks. HIV p24 antigen (p24) levels, T-cell subsets, and serum Zn and copper (Cu) levels were measured before and at the end of Zn supplementation. Clinical assessment of appetite, sense of well being, weight change, and days of fever over 38 degrees C was performed at these times. Baseline serum Zn levels were abnormally low in nine (69%) HIV-infected children. After oral elemental Zn supplementation, six had increased their serum Zn level into the normal range. However, only two patients had increased CD4+T-cell numbers and none of the seven patients with positive p24 had decreased p24 levels. Clinical scores improved in only four patients. This study does not demonstrate impressive short-term benefit from oral Zn supplementation in HIV-infected children.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1999

[A study on the T-cell subsets and glucocorticoid receptor in children with anaphylactoid purpura].

To study the changes of T-cell subsets and glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) in children with anaphylactoid purpura. T-cell subsets and GCR were measured respectively by cytotoxicity assay and GCR radioligand-binding assay in peripheral blood lymphocytes from 35 children with anaphylactoid purpura and 35 normal children. The result showed that the average percentages of CD3+, CD4+ cell subtypes and the CD4+/CD3+ ratio were 46.03% +/- 9.40%, 31.06% +/- 6.80% and 1.23 +/- 0.33 respectively, and the GCR numbered 3060 +/- 2153 binding sites per cell in the study group, on the other hand, the average percentages of CD3+, CD4+ cell subtypes and the CD4+/CD3+ ratio were 53.11% +/- 5.40%, 35.01% +/- 4.41% and 1.52 +/- 0.26 respectively, and the GCR numbered 5210 +/- 1639 binding sites per cell in the control group. These indicate that and that patients with anaphylactoid purpura may have abnormal immunomodulations and decreased GCR numbers per cell, which may have effects on the immune dysfunctions in the pathogenesis of anaphylactoid purpura.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Regulatory CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells in tumors from patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer and late-stage ovarian cancer.

Immunosuppression may contribute to the progression of cancer. In this study we assessed the structural and functional status of T cells from tumor specimens obtained from patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer and late-stage ovarian cancer. Although some groups have described structural alterations in the TCR in patients with other malignancies, we did not observe decreased expression of the CD3zeta subunit in the tumor-associated T cells. However, increased percentages of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells were observed in the non-small cell lung cancer tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and ovarian cancer tumor-associated lymphocytes. Furthermore, these CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells were found to secrete transforming growth factor-beta, consistent with the phenotype of regulatory T cells. Despite a generalized expression of lymphocyte activation markers in the tumor-associated T-cell populations, the CD8(+) T cells expressed low levels of CD25. To determine whether expression of CD25 could be restored on the CD8 cells, tumor-associated T cells were stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies. After stimulation, nearly all of the CD8 T cells expressed CD25. Furthermore, despite the low levels of interleukin 2, IFN-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion by the tumor-associated and peripheral blood T cells at baseline, stimulation with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies significantly increased the fraction of cells producing these cytokines. Thus, tumor-associated T cells from patients with early and late-stage epithelial tumors contain increased proportions of CD4(+)CD25(+) T cells that secrete the immunosuppressive cytokine transforming growth factor-beta. Furthermore, our results are consistent with previous reports showing impaired expression of CD25 on CD8(+) T cells in cancer patients. Finally, increased lymphocyte costimulation provided by triggering the CD28 receptor is able to increase CD25 expression and cytokine secretion in tumor-associated T cells. These observations provide evidence for the contribution of regulatory T cells to immune dysfunction in cancer patients.

CD3 Complex↗
PubMed2001

Chronic iron overload and toxicity: clinical chemistry perspective.

The content of body iron is regulated primarily by absorption since humans have no physiological mechanism by which excess iron is excreted. This regulation, however, is not absolute. Many factors such as the content of diets, iron doses, life styles, etc. influence iron absorption. In the past, nutrition programs for iron fortification and the ingestion of iron preparations have been widely practiced because of the seriousness of worldwide iron deficiency. Also, we now know that a significant number of asymptomatic people carry the hemochromatosis gene, HFE, indicating that these people have the potential to accumulate excess body iron in their lifetime. Excess body iron can be highly toxic. This toxicity involves many organs leading to a variety of serious diseases such as liver disease, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hormonal abnormalities, dysfunctional immune system, etc. The tissue damage associated with iron overload is believed to result primarily from free radical reactions mediated by iron. Iron is an effective catalyst in free radical reactions. The diseases associated with iron overload can be managed effectively or prevented. Therefore, early diagnosis of iron overload and appropriate therapy are critical. By providing the necessary laboratory data, clinical chemistry laboratories can play the pivotal role in the management of these health problems.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

[Experimental study on the effect of yiyuan shengxue capsule on gamma-interferon and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients with chronic aplastic anemia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Yiyuan Shengxue capsule (YYSXC) on peripheral gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with chronic aplastic anemia (CAA). METHODS: Applying the assay of microcell lesion inhibitory and L595 cytotoxicity test to detect gamma-IFN and TNF-alpha level 36 thirty-six cases with CAA before and after treatment with YYSXC. RESULTS: To compare the test group with the normal group, the difference was significant before treatment (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), but after treatment, the difference was insignificant between these two groups (P < 0.05). To compare the group of Kidney Yin Deficiency with Kidney Yang Deficiency, both the difference of before and after treatment were significant. For the therapeutic effective rate, the group of Kidney Yang Deficiency was higher than that of Kidney Yin Deficiency. CONCLUSION: YYSXC could treat CAA through reducing the level of peripheral gamma-IFN and TNF-alpha of CAA patients, and the effect was through regulating the dysfunctional immune state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Flavonoids as chemoprotective agents in civilization diseases.

Flavonoids, a class of polyphenolic compounds widely distributed in the plant kingdom, are capable of protecting against several chronic and degenerative diseases, among them cancer, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cataracts and brain and immune dysfunctional states. These substances are common dietary components. They exhibit many biological properties through various mechanism of activity. Early studies of flavonoids investigated their significant antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiallergenic and hepatoprotective effect. Additionally, their ability to modulate the activity of various enzymes affects normal as well as malignant systems. This review summarizes data on the beneficial effects of flavonoids in humans.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents↗
PubMed2001

[Level change of IL-10, IL-12 and TNF alpha in the serun of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship and clinical significance between level change of serum Interleukin 10 (IL-10), interleukin 12 (IL-12), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC). METHODS: Serum IL-10, IL-12, TNF alpha in 40 patients with PHC, 36 cases with hepatocirrhosis and 33 normal controls were measured with ELISA. RESULTS: The higher serum levels of IL-10, IL-12, TNF alpha were observed in patients with hepatocirrhosis than in controls (P < 0.01), although IL-12, TNF alpha in the serum of patients with PHC were in the proximity of that of controls (P > 0.05), the IL-10 level was significantly higher than that of control (P < 0.01), further more, IL-10 being opposed to IL-12, TNF alpha is higher in patients with tumor above 5.0 cm in diameter than below 5.0 cm, IL-12 and TNF alpha were declined and IL-10 increased with tumor enlargement. CONCLUSION: The immune dysfunction in patients with PHC may be related to level increase of IL-10. The level decrease of IL-12, TNF alpha and increase of IL-10 is helpful to clinical differential diagnoses between cirrhotic nodule and PHC, and this suggests cancerous tendency.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Recalcitrant tinea corporis as the presenting manifestation of patch-stage mycosis fungoides.

Mycosis fungoides is a cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Its presence, which denotes an altered immune system, may make treatment of otherwise simple cutaneous infections difficult. In the case presented here, a patient with widespread tinea corporis poorly responsive to several oral antifungals was noted as having a background poikilodermatous slightly scaly eruption. Results of a skin biopsy during therapy with oral antifungal medications showed evidence of tinea corporis; atrophy of the epidermis; a superficial, perivascular, and interstitial lymphocytic infiltrate with numerous atypical lymphocytes; and exocytosis of atypical lymphocytes into the epidermis with formation of microabscesses-findings consistent with the diagnosis of mycosis fungoides. Treatment with PUVA (oral psoralen and UVA light) and oral itraconazole led to long-term remission of the mycosis fungoides and the associated tinea corporis. Immune suppression may have contributed to the recalcitrant nature of our patient's dermatophyte infection. Underlying cutaneous, systemic, or iatrogenic disorders associated with immune dysfunction should be considered in patients with recalcitrant dermatophyte infections.

Female↗
PubMed2002

[A case of sensory perineuritis with Bowen disease].

A 60-year-old man was admitted because of subacutely progressive sensory disturbance characterized by fluctuating dysesthesia and light pain on the skin of his hands and feet. He exhibited mononeuritis multiplex, and a plaque with sloughing was observed on the left side of his back. Sural nerve biopsy revealed marked thickening of the perineurium with vascularization, and no necrotizing vasculitis. The pathological features of the nerve biopsy were compatible with sensory perineuritis. A biopsy from his skin lesion revealed Bowen's disease. There have been several reported cases of sensory perineuritis accompanied by malignant tumors. In these cases, immune dysfunctions were considered a common underlying cause in both diseases. This is the first reported case of sensory perineuritis associated with Bowen's disease.

Bowen's Disease↗
PubMed2002

The role of nutrition and micronutrients in paediatric HIV infection.

It has been postulated that micronutrients play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV disease. Though data are sparse, there is evidence that HIV-infected adults and children have a range of micronutrient deficiencies with increasing severity in advanced disease and in the presence of malnutrition. It appears that micronutrient deficiencies contribute to immune dysfunction, infectious morbidity and disease progression. Limited interventive studies suggest that vitamin and mineral supplementation is beneficial to HIV-infected adults and children; however, current, regimens are not evidence-based and there are no randomised controlled trials in children. There are a number of African studies under way addressing these issues.

Child↗
PubMed1976

T and B lymphocytes in patients with Down's syndrome.

Individuals with Down's syndrome are thought to have abnormalities of immune function. Studies to quantify the number of peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes and serum immunoglobulins in 12 individuals and 12 sex and age matched control subjects were performed. Hepatitis B antigen and antihyroglobulin antibodies as markers of possible immune dysfunction were determined. The numbers of circulating T and B cells, and the level of serum immunoglobulins in children with Down's syndrome did not differ from nonretarded control children. Circulating hepatitis B antigen and antihyroglobulin antibodies were not present. These studies indicated that quantitative abnormalities of T and B cells are not present in children with Down's syndrome. The data did not exclude the existence of qualitative abnormalities.

Antibodies↗
PubMed1992

Application of immunohistochemical techniques to sural nerve biopsies.

The role of immunohistochemistry in the day-to-day diagnostic work of a peripheral nerve laboratory is not yet clearly established, although for conditions such as amyloid neuropathy, immunohistochemistry appears to be a useful adjunct to conventional techniques. Immunohistochemistry has provided new information about some neuropathies in which immune dysfunction is believed to play a central role. Immunohistochemical data about normal human nerve are scarce; a better appreciation of the normal cellular constituents of nerve, particularly the endoneurium, is needed. In the future, the techniques may be a means to understand better the pathogenesis of other types of neuropathy, such as inherited or toxic neuropathies, or to examine fundamental pathologic events such as axonal degeneration.

Amyloidosis↗
PubMed1992

Modification of lymphoid subsets by chronic ethanol consumption in C57Bl/6 mice infected with LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus.

The relatively high incidence of infectious disease in alcoholics is attributed to the immunosuppressive effects of alcohol. The potential role of alcohol as cofactor in HIV infection and in the development and expression of AIDS is suggested but unknown. In order to understand better the contribution of alcohol to immune dysfunction following HIV infection, we assessed the presence of specific markers on thymus and spleen cells in C57B1/6 mice infected with LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus and fed ethanol-containing diets. In the first experiments, mice were fed diets containing 0, 4.5, 5.5, and 6% (v/v) ethanol for 14 weeks. High ethanol exposure (6%) resulted in severe dehydration and death after 7 weeks. Although moderately low intakes of ethanol did not significantly modify percentages of T and B cells, they increased the absolute number of mature T, B, and CD4+ cells and decreased percentages of Thy 1.2+ cells. In the second experiment, mice were infected with LP-BM5 murine leukemia retrovirus and fed diets containing 5% ethanol in a regimen of 5 days of ethanol diet and 2 days of diet without alcohol for 12 weeks. Ethanol exposure in the retrovirally infected mice showed a marked decrease in Thy 1.2+ (P < 0.05). Moderate decreases in percentages of CD4+, CD8+, CD5+ cells and an increase in Ia+ cells were also observed in the retrovirus/infected ethanol-treated mice. Moderate ethanol consumption during retroviral infection induced mild/moderate changes on lymphoid cells. Ethanol consumption may accelerate the progression of murine AIDS through such changes in the lymphoid cells of the spleen.

Alcoholism↗