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Aim and Methods. In this study, we evaluated NOS and arginase activities and their regulation during Behçet disease, a systemic chronic inflammatory disorder with uncertain etiology. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 36 patients and 15 control samples (PBMC) were cultured in either RPMI 1640, MEM, or DMEM complemented with 10% of FBS and antibiotics. Cultures were performed with or without the control or patients plasma. Subsequent treatment contained anticytokines (IL-6, TGF-β), a mitogenic effector (PHA), or NOS modulators (L-NMMA, BH4). Culture supernatants were harvested after 24 h of incubation. NO and urea measurements were, respectively, performed by modified Griess and Berthelot methods. Results. Higher urea levels were found in patients' plasma compared to the control's (P < 0.05). NOS modulators induced inverted production profiles for NO and urea (P < 0.05). Their results differed depending on the clinical findings (P < 0.05). It was also found that cytokine neutralization induced different response profiles in patients as opposed to control cultures (P < 0.05). Conclusion. Our results suggest that arginases can compete with NOS2 for L-arginine during Behçet disease. Both enzymes are regulated by environmental cytokines and substrate availability. Furthermore, it seems that NOS/arginase balance is dependent on clinical expression.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of metabolic disorders with increased risks for several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It is associated with the presence of various inflammatory molecules. Vitamin D plays an important role in the regulation of metabolism homeostasis. Objective: The main goal of this work is to investigate vitamin D levels among Algerian MetS patients and its possible outcomes on key molecules of the immune response, as well, the immunemodulatory effects of its active metabolite. Methods: In this context, we evaluated the vitamin D status by electrochemiluminescence method, Nitric Oxide (NO) levels by the Griess method and extracellular. Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) activities such as MMP-2 and MMP-9 by zymography in plasma of patients and healthy controls (HC). The immunmodulatory effects of the active metabolite of vitamin D (α-25 (OH)2D3) on the production of NO, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-β and s-CTLA-4 was assessed by Griess method and ELISA, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of Algerian MetS patients and HC. MMPs activities were also determinated ex-vivo, while iNOS expression was assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Results: Severe vitamin D deficiency was registered in Algerian MetS patients, the deficiency was found to be associated with an elevated in vivo NO production and high MMPs activity. Interestingly,on α-25 (OH)2D3 declined the NO/iNOS system and IL-6 production, as well as MMPs activities. However, the ex-vivo production of IL-10, TGF-β increased in response to the treatment. We observed in the same way, the implication of s-CTLA-4 in MetS, which was markedly up regulated with α-25 (OH)2D3. Conclusion: Our report indicated the relationship between MetS factors and Vitamin D deficiency. The ex-vivo findings emphasize its impact on maintaining regulated immune balance.

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