PURPOSE: Epilepsy affects more than 0.5% of the world's population. It has a large genetic component and is caused by electrical hyperexcitability in the central nervous system. Despite its prevalence, the disease lacks definitive diagnostic serological biomarkers. To identify potential biomarkers for epilepsy by a convenient method, we analyzed the expression of serum proteins, reflecting alterations in the patient's proteomes. METHODS: We compared two-dimensional electrophoretic band patterns of human sera from eight patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with those of eight control subjects. The differentially expressed bands were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Twelve proteins were differentially expressed in the TLE group, of which 6 were identified. Expression of haptoglobin Hp2, PRO2675, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, an unnamed protein, and three unidentified proteins were upregulated in serum from the patients with TLE, whereas those of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen, plasma retinol-binding protein precursor, and three unidentified proteins were downregulated in these patients. After resection of the epileptogenic zone, the expressions of MHC class I antigen, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, two of the downregulated unidentified proteins, and one of the upregulated unidentified proteins returned to the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: The 12 serum proteins in this study are potentially useful biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of TLE.
Biomarkers ; Blood Proteins ; Central Nervous System ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; Haptoglobins ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Mass Spectrometry ; Plasma ; Prevalence ; Proteins ; Proteome ; Proteomics ; Reference Values ; Temporal Lobe

PURPOSE: Epilepsy affects more than 0.5% of the world's population. It has a large genetic component and is caused by electrical hyperexcitability in the central nervous system. Despite its prevalence, the disease lacks definitive diagnostic serological biomarkers. To identify potential biomarkers for epilepsy by a convenient method, we analyzed the expression of serum proteins, reflecting alterations in the patient's proteomes. METHODS: We compared two-dimensional electrophoretic band patterns of human sera from eight patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with those of eight control subjects. The differentially expressed bands were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Twelve proteins were differentially expressed in the TLE group, of which 6 were identified. Expression of haptoglobin Hp2, PRO2675, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, an unnamed protein, and three unidentified proteins were upregulated in serum from the patients with TLE, whereas those of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigen, plasma retinol-binding protein precursor, and three unidentified proteins were downregulated in these patients. After resection of the epileptogenic zone, the expressions of MHC class I antigen, immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region gamma 2, two of the downregulated unidentified proteins, and one of the upregulated unidentified proteins returned to the normal range. CONCLUSIONS: The 12 serum proteins in this study are potentially useful biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of TLE.
Biomarkers ; Blood Proteins ; Central Nervous System ; Epilepsy ; Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe ; Haptoglobins ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains ; Major Histocompatibility Complex ; Mass Spectrometry ; Plasma ; Prevalence ; Proteins ; Proteome ; Proteomics ; Reference Values ; Temporal Lobe

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intrahepatic biliary stricture is one of the most common cause of treatment failure in hepatolithiasis, and it is also the main cause of stone recurrence. Ductal dilatation with percutaneous cholangioscopy is a promising therapy for biliary stricture, however the long- term outcome of this treatment modality has limited documentation. We performed the long-term follow up examination of these cases to investigate stone clearance and recurrence after percutaneous balloon dilatation, with or without stenting, and of stricture associated with intrahepatic cholelithiasis. METHODS: From October 1996 to December 1999, 28 patients with hepatolithiasis and intrahepatic biliary stricture were treated with percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic or postoperative cholangioscopic lithotripsy, and balloon dilatation. Choledochoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy was applied when impacted or large stones were encountered. We studied clinical and radiological examination regularly to evaluate the complete clearance and recurrence of stone after ductal dilatation. RESULTS: Complete clearance of stones was achieved in 23 patients (82.1%). The rate of stone recurrence in complete stone clearance group after mean follow up period of 41 months was 17.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Balloon dilatation is an efficient method of complete stone removal and prevention of the stone recurrence in biliary stricture-associated hepatolithiasis.
Cholelithiasis ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Dilatation* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Recurrence* ; Stents ; Treatment Failure