These results suggest that according to the criteria of the IDF, the significant decrease observed in serum paraoxonase activity was independent of the metabolic syndrome in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque-type psoriasis, whereas the significant decrease in serum arylesterase activity was associated with the metabolic syndrome.

To evaluate plasma lipid peroxidation and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems in patients with Behçet's disease, plasma malondialdehyde levels and total antioxidant status, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and whole blood glutathione peroxidase activities were studied in 15 patients with active disease and in 30 with inactive disease, and compared with 20 age-matched healthy control subjects. Plasma malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in patients with active Behçet's disease than in patients with inactive disease, who had significantly higher levels than control subjects. The plasma total antioxidant status of both groups of patients was significantly lower than that of controls. Furthermore, whole blood glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly lower in patients with active versus inactive Behçet's disease. There were no significant differences in erythrocyte superoxide dismutase levels between the groups. In conclusion, there is an increase in oxidative stress in Behçet's disease. Despite this stress, the antioxidant system is deficient and inadequate, especially in patients who are in an active phase of the disease.

Background/AimsAcute coronary syndrome (ACS) is characterized by increased inflammatory processes and endothelial activation. We investigated the association between ACS and inflammatory mediators and matrix-degrading enzymes.MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 55 consecutive patients with ACS: 25 with unstable angina (UA) and 30 with non-ST elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). For comparison, 25 age- and sex-matched subjects with no significant coronary artery stenosis were included as the control group. Peripheral serum levels of interleukin (IL)-33, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, tissue inhibitor of MMP-1, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured on admission, and at 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after the initial evaluation.ResultsCompared to serum levels in the control group, serum levels of IL-33 decreased in the NSTEMI group (p < 0.05), and levels of MMP-9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 increased in the UA group (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively) and NSTEMI group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). IL-33 levels were significantly lower on admission than at 12 hours after the initial evaluation (p < 0.05). IL-33 levels were negatively correlated with MMP-9 levels (r = -0.461, p < 0.05) and CRP levels (r = -0.441, p < 0.05).ConclusionsElevated levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, and decreased levels of IL-33 play a role in the development and progression of ACS.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In order to elucidate the association between VEGF levels and RA disease activity, VEGF concentrations were measured in RA patients at different phases and severity levels. Thirty-eight healthy subjects and 40 patients with RA were prospectively included in the study. Subjects were further categorized into four subgroups (high, moderate, low, or remission) using the disease activity score-28 (DAS28) scoring system. VEGF levels were significantly higher in patients than controls (p < 0.001). VEGF levels differed significantly in controls, early and late-phase RA patients (p = 0.002). A significant difference was found between controls and patients with high RA disease activity scores (p < 0.0001). VEGF levels were not correlated with age (r = -0.016; p = 0.921) or sex (r = 0.209; p = 0.921). VEGF values were correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r = 0.445; p = 0.004), but was not correlated with serum rheumatoid factor levels (r = -0.130; p = 0.424) in the patient group. In conclusion, higher VEGF levels are associated with late phase and high disease activity in RA, independent of age and sex.

No abstract