The changes in the levels of serum interleukin-13 (IL-13) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and their clinical significance were investigated. Sandwich ELISA was used to determine the levels of serum IL-13 and NGF in 35 SLE patients and 15 normal controls. The results showed that the levels of serum IL-13 (92.69+/-9.87 pg/ml) and NGF (339.69+/-25.60 pg/ml) in active SLE patients were significantly higher than those in inactive SLE patients (IL-13, 54.22+/-9.31 pg/ml; NGF, 300.89+/-33.51 pg/ml) (P<0.01). The inactive patients also had significantly increased serum levels of IL-13 and NGF as compared with normal controls (IL-13, 35.20+/-12.70 pg/ml; NGF, 111.40+/-32.54 pg/ml; P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the serum IL-13 levels were correlated with disease activity index of SLE (SLEDAI), ESR and serum levels of C3 (r= 0. 813, 0.504, -0.605, respectively). The serum NGF levels were also correlated with above markers (r=0.442, 0.338, -0.463, respectively). The serum levels of IL-13 and NGF had a positive correlation (r=0.506, P<0.01). It was suggested that IL-13 and NGF might be involved in the pathogenesis of SLE and closely correlated with disease activity.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods ; Interleukin-13/*blood ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/*blood ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/etiology ; Nerve Growth Factors/*blood

OBJECTIVE: Elevation of serum S100B protein has been reported after cerebral ischemic strokes. Previous studies had revealed the positive correlation between peak concentration of serum S100B protein and extent of ischemic stroke. However its peak level usually reaches at 48~72 hours from stroke onset time. We evaluate the usefulness of serum S100B protein during hyperacute stage in the patients with ischemic stroke as a marker for expecting clinical severity and prognosis. METHODS: Total 67 patients who arrived in the Emergency Department within 6 hours from ischemic stroke onset were retrospectively recruited. Subjects were grouped according to the level of serum S100B protein (normal vs elevated group). We analyzed the differences of clinical (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS), laboratory (initial serum glucose, initial systolic blood pressure, lipid profiles, homocysteine) and radiologic (visible lesion in the initial MRI) data between those two groups. RESULTS: Mean serum S100B protein was normal in 27 patients and elevated in 40 patients. Infarction sizes, cortical lesions and level of serum triglyceride (TG) were significantly different between two groups. There were no significant differences in the age, sex, stroke etiology, initial NIHSS, initial serum glucose, blood pressure and other lipid profiles. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum S100B protein in the hyperacute phase of ischemic stroke was correlated with infarction extent, cortical involvement and lower serum TG level. Serum S100B protein may be used as an easily assessable and inexpensive marker for predicting infarction size and cortical involvement during hyperacute stage in patients with ischemic stroke regardless of other clinical factors.
Biomarkers ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Emergencies ; Glucose ; Humans ; Infarction ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; S100 Proteins ; Staphylococcal Protein A ; Stroke

OBJECTIVE: Elevation of serum S100B protein has been reported after cerebral ischemic strokes. Previous studies had revealed the positive correlation between peak concentration of serum S100B protein and extent of ischemic stroke. However its peak level usually reaches at 48~72 hours from stroke onset time. We evaluate the usefulness of serum S100B protein during hyperacute stage in the patients with ischemic stroke as a marker for expecting clinical severity and prognosis. METHODS: Total 67 patients who arrived in the Emergency Department within 6 hours from ischemic stroke onset were retrospectively recruited. Subjects were grouped according to the level of serum S100B protein (normal vs elevated group). We analyzed the differences of clinical (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, NIHSS), laboratory (initial serum glucose, initial systolic blood pressure, lipid profiles, homocysteine) and radiologic (visible lesion in the initial MRI) data between those two groups. RESULTS: Mean serum S100B protein was normal in 27 patients and elevated in 40 patients. Infarction sizes, cortical lesions and level of serum triglyceride (TG) were significantly different between two groups. There were no significant differences in the age, sex, stroke etiology, initial NIHSS, initial serum glucose, blood pressure and other lipid profiles. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum S100B protein in the hyperacute phase of ischemic stroke was correlated with infarction extent, cortical involvement and lower serum TG level. Serum S100B protein may be used as an easily assessable and inexpensive marker for predicting infarction size and cortical involvement during hyperacute stage in patients with ischemic stroke regardless of other clinical factors.
Biomarkers ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Emergencies ; Glucose ; Humans ; Infarction ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; S100 Proteins ; Staphylococcal Protein A ; Stroke

OBJECTIVETo study changes of serum S100B protein level in preterm infants with brain damage and its role.

METHODSForty-seven preterm infants were classified into 3 groups based on the results of brain ultrasound and MRI: brain white matter damage (WMD; n=13), brain but not white matter damage (non-WMD; n=14) and control (no brain damage; n=20). Blood samples were collected within 24 hrs, 72 hrs and 7 days after birth. S100B protein level was measured using ELISA.

RESULTSSerum levels of S100B in the WMD and non-WMD groups were significantly higher than in the control group within 24 hours, 72 hours and 7 days after birth (P<0.05). More increased serum S100B levels were observed in the WMD group compared with the non-WMD group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSerum S100B protein level increases in preterm infants with brain damage within 7 days after birth, suggesting that it may be used as an early sensitive marker for the diagnosis of brain damage, especially WMD.

Brain ; pathology ; Echoencephalography ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; blood ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; S100 Proteins ; blood

OBJECTIVETo analyze the dynamic change of serum protein S100b in patients with traumatic brain injury and its clinical value in assessing brain damage.

METHODSAccording to Glasgow coma scale (GCS), 102 cases of traumatic brain injury were divided into mild brain injury group (GCS > or = 13, n = 31, Group A), moderate brain injury group (8 < GCS < 13, n = 37, Group B) and severe brain injury group (GCS < or = 8, n = 34, Group C). Serial S100b concentrations were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in blood samples taken on admission, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 7 days after traumatic brain injury.

RESULTSThe severe brain injury group showed significantly higher concentration of serum S100b, with earlier increase and longer duration, than the mild and moderate brain injury groups. The patients with higher S100b exhibited lower GCS scores and poor clinical prognosis. The increase in S100b could emerge before clinical image evidence indicated so.

CONCLUSIONSSerum S100b can be used as a sensitive index for assessment and prediction of traumatic brain injury severity and prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Injuries ; blood ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; S100 Proteins ; blood

The effects of the balance changes of pigment epithelium growth factor (PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in whole-body and retinal tissue on rats with oxygen-induced retinopathy were investigated. Forty-eight neonatal SD rats at the age of 7 days were randomly divided into 4 groups. The neonatal rats in experimental groups were exposed to 75% to 80% oxygen for 5 days and then to normal air, and those in control groups were kept feeding in normal air. At the age of 17 and 22 days, all the neonatal rats received retina angiography with FITC-dextran and the pathological changes of retinal vessels and perfusion were observed. HE staining of the tissue section and the number counting of endothelial cells extending beyond the inner limiting membrane were performed to evaluate the endothelial proliferation. Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of PEDF and VEGF in retinal tissue, and ELISA to detect their expression in serum. A hypoxic-ischemic proliferation of retina and more endothelial cells extending beyond the inner limiting membrane were found in the neonatal rats in both experimental groups of 17-day old and 22-day old as compared with those in control group with the difference being statistically significant (P<0.01). VEGF staining of the rats in the 17-day old experimental group was significantly stronger, with an increasing positive rate, than that of the rats in the 17-day old control group (P<0.01). PEDF staining of the rats of 22 days old was weaker than that of the rats of 17 days old in the experimental groups (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in serum VEGF concentration among all groups (P>0.05). The serum PEDF concentration in the rats of 17 days old in experimental group was decreased significantly as compared with that in the rats of 17 days old in control group (P<0.01), and in experimental groups, the serum PEDF concentration of the rats of 22 days old was increased as compared with that of the rats of 17 days old (P<0.01). In conclusion, the obviously decreased serum PEDF concentration and the abnormal enhanced expression of VEGF density in local retinal tissue broke down the balance of PEDF/VEGF in whole-body or local tissues, which might play an important role in retinal vascular proliferation.
Animals ; Eye Proteins ; blood ; metabolism ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Retina ; metabolism ; Retinal Diseases ; etiology ; metabolism ; Serpins ; blood ; metabolism ; Time and Motion Studies ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of NGF, BDNF, NT-3 mRNA in the peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). And to analyze the correlation between NGF, BDNF, NT-3 mRNA expression and the epidsode of rhinitis through Th-2 Hypothesis. METHOD: This study was a group controlled trial. The expression of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 mRNA were tested by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and the concentrations of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and INF-alpha were tested by ELISA. RESULT: The expression of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 mRNA in AR patients were 2.44, 4.46 and 1.78 times the amount of those in the healthy adults, respectively. The increased expression of NT-3 correlated positively with the scores of visual analog scale of AR. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10, which were 2198 +/- 472 pg/mL, 9407 +/- 703 pg/mL and 3917 +/- 323 pg/mL respectively, were higher than those in the healthy adults. The concentration of INF-alpha was 2198 +/- 472 pg/mL and less than the healthy adults. The increased expressions of NGF, NT-3 were positively related to the increase of IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10. CONCLUSION The expressions of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 mRNA in AR patients are higher than those in the healthy adults. NGF, BDNF and NT-3 may contribute to the pathogenesis of AR. Moreover, NGF and NT-3 may induce the episode of rhinitis through Th-2 Hypothesis.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; blood ; Case-Control Studies ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; blood ; Interleukin-4 ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factor ; blood ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; genetics ; Neurotrophin 3 ; blood ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; blood ; immunology ; Th1-Th2 Balance ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on the serum level of S100 calcium-binding protein beta (S100beta) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in patients undergoing craniocerebral tumor operation.

METHODSA total of 32 patients, who would go through craniocerebral tumor resection under general anesthesia, were randomly assigned to two groups, 16 in each group. Patients in the electroacupuncture (EA) group received electroacupuncture on Fengfu acupoint (Du16) and Fengchi acupoint (GB20) for 30 min, 2 h before operation. The stimulus is 1-4 mA with a density wave frequency of 2/15 Hz. Patients in the control group received no pretreatment. Anesthesia was maintained with remifentanil at the dose of 4-8 mg/kg per hour, pumped intravenous drip of vecuronium at 1.0-2.0 microg/kg each hour, and discontinuous intravenous dripped with vecuronium bromide at 0.5-1 mg. The serum levels of S100beta and NSE were measured with ELISA before operation, before skin incision, after tumor removal, at the end of operation, and at 24 h after operation.

RESULTSThe serum level of S100beta and NSE did not change before skin incision. The serum level of NSE increased significantly and the level of S100beta increased insignificantly after the tumor resection. The serum levels of S100beta and NSE in the EA group and the control group were 1.16+/-0.28 microg/L vs 1.47+/- 0.33 microg/L, 24.7+/-13.3 microg/L vs 31.4+/-14.1 microg/L at the end of the operation, respectively. Twenty-four h after operation, the correspondence indices were 1.18+/-0.31 microg/L vs 1.55+/-0.26 microg/L, and 25.5+/-12.4 microg/L vs 32.4+/- 11.7 microg/L. The two indices at these two time points were significantly increased than those before operation, respectively (P<0.05). At the end of the operation and 24 h post-operation, the serum levels of S100beta and NSE in the EA group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONElectroacupuncture Fengchi and Fengfu for 30 min before craniocerbral tumor operation could decrease the serum level of S100beta and NSE, thus may have potential protective effect on brain damage, which needs to be further studied.

Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; blood ; enzymology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Demography ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; S100 Proteins ; blood ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVEA prospective study was conducted to probe into the relationship between arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) and brain injury during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD).

METHODEnrolled in the study were 45 cyanotic infants, who were less than three years old and underwent corrective cardiac surgery from August 1(st), 2010 to January 31(st), 2011 at Guangdong General Hospital. All the infants had a pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) lower than 85% and were randomly allocated into three groups by a specific computer program. In controlled group 1 (G1 group), PaO2 levels were controlled at 80 - 120 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) during CPB; in controlled group 2 (G2 group), PaO2 levels at 120 - 200 mm Hg during CPB; while in uncontrolled group (G3 group), PaO2 levels were at 200 - 400 mm Hg during CPB. Blood samples were collected just before starting CPB, at the end of CPB, and at 3 h, 5 h, and 24 h after CPB (T1, T2, T3, T4, T5) for the determination of serum concentrations of protein S100β, neuron specific enolase (NSE), and adrenomedullin (ADM) by ELISA.

RESULTProtein S100β rose significantly after starting CPB. In group G3, it reached a peak of (699 ± 139) ng/L by the end of CPB, significantly higher than those in groups G1 and G2 [(528 ± 163) ng/L and (585 ± 155) ng/L], and was positively correlated with PaO2 levels (r = 0.526, P < 0.01). NSE levels of group G1 were continuously rising after starting CPB and reached significantly high levels at 3 h or 5 h after CPB [(12.2 ± 3.4) µg/L and (12.3 ± 3.7) µg/L], while those of group G2 rose significantly during CPB [(10.9 ± 4.8) µg/L] and even higher at 3 h or 5 h after CPB [(12.6 ± 5.1) µg/L and (13.2 ± 5.4) µg/L]. NSE levels of group G3 rose significantly during CPB and maintained at a high level [(12.2 ± 5.7) µg/L] afterwards. There was no significant difference in serum ADM concentrations among different time points in each group and among these three groups. All the infants were discharged from the hospital without any obvious nervous symptom and sign.

CONCLUSIONHigh PaO2 during CPB in infants with CHD might cause an increase of serum protein S100β and NSE, indicating that brain injury might become worse with a higher PaO2 and might be positively correlated with PaO2 during CPB.

Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Child, Preschool ; Cyanosis ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; blood ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; Oximetry ; Oxygen ; blood ; Partial Pressure ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; Prospective Studies ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; S100 Proteins ; blood ; Serum

OBJECTIVEThis study examined the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on the serum levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100β protein and myelin basic protein (MBP) in young rats 24 hrs after lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in order to study the potential role of r-HuEPO in epileptic brain damage.

METHODSForty 19-21-day-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=10): normal control group, SE, r-HuEPO pretreated-SE and r-HuEPO. SE was induced by lithium-pilocarpine. R-HuEPO (500 IU/kg) was intraperitoneally injected in the r-HuEPO pretreated-SE and r-HuEPO groups 4 hrs before SE. Serum levels of NSE, S-100β and MBP were determined 24 hrs after the SE event.

RESULTSSerum levels of NSE, S-100β and MBP in the SE group increased significantly compared with those in the normal control and the r-HuEPO groups (P＜0.05). The r-HuEPO pretreated-SE group showed significantly decreased serum levels of NSE, S-100β and MBP compared with the SE group (P＜0.05).

CONCLUSIONSr-HuEPO may reduce the expression of NSE, S-100β and MBP and thus might provide an early protective effect against epileptic brain injury.

Animals ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Myelin Basic Protein ; blood ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Proteins ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; S100 Proteins ; blood ; Status Epilepticus ; blood ; drug therapy