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BACKGROUND: Many data support that oxidative stress and inflammation represent a pathway to pathology in a number of depressed patients. Therefore, investigating this pathway presents an area for developing potential therapeutic strategies for depression. AIM: This study compares the serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in depressed and non-depressed subjects and correlate between their levels with severity of disorder, socio-demographic characteristics, previous hospitalization, and number of episodes. METHODS: A total of 60 patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) from the Psychiatric Outpatient Clinic in Al-Zahra University Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, during the period from July 1, 2018, to December 31, 2018. A cross-matched control group of 60 subjects was selected from employers working in the hospital, complete psychiatric history, Hamilton Depression rating scale was done and serum levels of MDA, Nrf2, and SOD were estimated. RESULTS: No statistical difference between patient and control group was observed regarding age, sex, education, and marital status. The number of patients with mild depression was 28 (46.7%), moderate depression 18 (30%), and severe depression 14 (23.3%). The mean duration of illness in years was 6.13, and mean number of episodes was 3.66. MDA level was significantly elevated in the patient group than the control one. Meanwhile, SOD and Nrf2 were significantly lower in the patient group than the control. There was significant relationship between duration of illness and number of episodes and MDA, Nrf2, and SOD levels. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that oxidative stress can attribute to the occurrence of MDD.

Background The link between immune system and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pathogenesis attracted attention to demonstrate the role of immune cells and their secreted cytokines in T2DM development and its subsequent foot complications. Objective To investigate the relation between T Natural killer cell (TNK) %, Interleukin 4 (IL4) and Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and diabetic foot infection (DFI) development in patients with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Patients and Methods Ninety patients with diabetes were included in this work, divided as T2DM group (n=30), DFU group (n=30), and DFI group (n=30). TNK% was detected using flow cytometry. Serum IL4 and IFN-γ were measured by ELISA. Diabetes biochemical parameters were also analyzed. Results Significant decrease was detected in TNK% and IFN-γ in DFI group compared to other 2 groups ( P <0.001). Significant decrease was detected in serum levels of IL4 in DFI group compared to T2DM group ( P =0.006). IFN-γ/IL4 was significantly decreased in DFI compared to DFU group ( P =0.020). There was a significant correlation of TNK% with both IL4 and IFN-γ (r=0.385, P <0.001; r=0.534, P <0.001, respectively). Significant negative correlation of TNK% with HbA1c and LDL was revealed (r=−0.631, P <0.001; and r=−0.261, P =0.013, respectively), while a positive correlation was seen with HDL (r=0.287, P =0.006). A significant negative correlation of IL4 with HbA1c  was found (r=−0.514, P <0.001;. As for IFN-γ, a significant negative correlation with HbA1c and LDL was detected (r=−0.369, P < 0.001; r=−0.229, P =0.030). TNK % and IFN-γ level showed negative correlations with disease duration/year (r=−0.546, P < 0.001; r=−0.338, P =0.001,respectively). Conclusion Decline in TNK frequency has essential role in T2DM pathogenesis and subsequent foot complications. Downregulation of TNK% and IFN-γ level have potential roles in predicting infection of diabetic ulcer and are correlated with disease duration.

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Background: Stroke is a main cause of disability. Impaired cognition is an important aspect for stroke survivors. The discovery of laboratory biomarkers for post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) may help identification of those who are at risk of cognitive impairment and application of suitable therapeutic regimens.Objective: This study aimed to measure S1P serum levels in a group of patients with severe ischemic stroke at admission and to determine if they are associated with post stroke cognitive state. Patients and Methods:The study has been applied on sixty patients who had acute ischemic stroke in addition to 40 apparently healthy. The mean of age and gender in subjects and controls were matched. Serum sphingosine -1 phosphate (S1P) levels were analyzed by ELISA technique for all patients within 72 hours of admission and for healthy controls. The severity of the stroke has been evaluated based on the scale of the National Institute of Health Stroke (NIHSS). Patients also underwent cognitive assessment using Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at admission and after 3 months. Results:The level of serum S1P was apparently reduced in acute stroke patients by comparing with the healthy controls (p< 0.001). Furthermore, the decreased levels of the S1P serum were obviously with more disease severity as measured by high NIHSS score at admission and with more post stroke cognitive impairment as assessed by MoCA scale three months later after stroke onset. Conclusions:The study came up with key findings that reported a clear step-down in the levels of serum S1P in the patients with acute stroke as compared to the healthy control and the same obvious reduction in S1P levels in cognitive impairment patients as compared to those with non-cognitive impairment.