Disturbances of circadian profile and blood pressure control in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus without overt heart disease.

Introduction: Lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that causes a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. This process is underlain by the early and accelerated atherosclerosis.

Aim: To assess the diurnal blood pressure profile disturbances in normotensive patients without overt cardiovascular disease and to correlate with early atherosclerotic markers.

Interleukin-18, interleukin-20, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3) as markers of psoriatic arthritis disease severity and their correlations with biomarkers of inflammation and turnover of joint cartilage.

Introduction: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, seronegative spondyloarthropathy characterised by joint inflammation and psoriatic skin changes. Recent data indicate that interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-20 (IL-20) may be involved in the aetiopathogenesis of PsA.

Aim: To evaluate the potential role of IL-18, IL-20, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-3) in the pathogenesis of PsA and their correlations with other markers of inflammation and destruction of joint cartilage, as well as clinical changes.

The influence of tumour necrosis factor α inhibitors treatment - etanercept on serum concentration of biomarkers of inflammation and cartilage turnover in psoriatic arthritis patients.

Introduction: Effective treatment in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients can protect them from severe musculoskeletal complications. For appropriate monitoring of anti-tumour necrosis factor α (anti-TNF-α) treatment in PsA, specific biomarkers are needed.

Aim: To investigate whether biological treatment with anti-TNF-α (etanercept 50 mg once a week subcutaneously) affects the activity of selected mediators of inflammation and destruction of articular cartilage: interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18), matrix metalloproteinases 1 and 3 (MMP-1, MMP-3), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), human cartilage glycoprotein (YKL-40) in serum of patients with PsA.

The Role of Angiogenesis Factors in the Formation of Vascular Changes in Scleroderma by Assessment of the Concentrations of VEGF and sVEGFR2 in Blood Serum and Tear Fluid.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by tissue hypoxia, excessive fibrosis of skin and internal organs, and angiogenesis imbalance. The aim of the study was to evaluate in SSc patients the association between the retinal microcirculation disturbances and the presence of peripheral trophic changes and to determine the role of angiogenesis factors in the formation of vascular changes in scleroderma. Twenty-five SSc patients and 25 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included to the study.

Abnormalities of heart rate turbulence and heart rate variability as indicators of increased cardiovascular risk in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease manifested by progressive fibrosis of many internal organs including the cardiovascular system and development of autonomic disorders with sympathetic predominance. These abnormalities can increase cardiovascular mortality.

Aim: To evaluate heart rate turbulence (HRT) and variability (HRV) parameters (indicator of autonomic imbalance) obtained from 24-hour ECG Holter monitoring, as predictors of the increased cardiovascular risk in patients with scleroderma.

Analysis of genetic polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase (GSTP1, GSTM1, and GSTT1) in Polish patients with systemic sclerosis.

Aim: It is commonly assumed that a genetically determined polymorphism of xenobiotic biotransformation plays a particular role in the development of such disease entities in which chemical compounds and environmental pollutants are relevant etiologic factors. Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) belongs to diseases of connective tissue, characterized by chronic inflammation developing on an autoimmune background. The current state of knowledge on the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune diseases indicates the existence of many factors affecting the development of the disease, including factors of the external environment.

[Phototoxic reaction due to solar radiation exposure in a psoriatic patient treated with PUVA therapy].

A phototoxic reaction may be induced by additional exposure to solar radiation during photochemotherapy (psoralen, ultra-violet A - PUVA treatment). A woman was admitted to Dermatology and Venereology Clinic in Łódź as an emergency case due to extensive erythematous-vesicular lesions on the skin of the lower limbs, accompanied by pain, itching and burning of the skin. The interview found that the patient was undergoing PUVA phototherapy for psoriatic lesions, with hypertension and nicotine dependence.

Haplotypes of ABCB1 1236C >T (rs1128503), 2677G >T/A (rs2032582), and 3435C >T (rs1045642) in patients with bullous pemphigoid.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) constitutes the most prevalent disease in the group of bullous dermatoses with the autoimmune background. Some authors suggest that certain cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ) may be transported by P-glycoprotein (P-gp), the product of the ABCB1 gene. ABCB1 polymorphism might affect not only the effectiveness of treatment with drugs that are P-gp substrates but also contribute to the development of diseases, including BP.

The Role of Intereukin-31 in Pathogenesis of Itch and Its Intensity in a Course of Bullous Pemphigoid and Dermatitis Herpetiformis.

Itch which is one of the major, subjective symptoms in a course of bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis makes those two diseases totally different than other autoimmune blistering diseases. Its pathogenesis is still not fully known. The aim of this research was to assess the role of IL-31 in development of itch as well as to measure its intensity.

Correlation between IL36α and IL17 and Activity of the Disease in Selected Autoimmune Blistering Diseases.

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), bullous pemphigoid (BP), and pemphigus vulgaris (PV) are autoimmune bullous skin conditions with eosinophilic and neutrophilic infiltrations. While cytokines are crucial for the affinity and activation of different leukocyte cells in the inflammation and blister formation, there are no studies concerning a role of IL-36. The goal of the study was to analyze whether interleukin 36 is involved in pathogenesis of DH, BP, and PV.

Genotype and haplotype analysis of ABCB1 at 1236, 2677 and 3435 among systemic sclerosis patients.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) belongs to the group of systemic diseases of the connective tissue, which are characterized by a chronic autoimmune inflammatory process. P-glycoprotein, initially associated with the drug resistance in patients with cancer, becomes more and more often a subject of considerations in terms of its significance in the development of illnesses, including autoimmune diseases. The aim of the study was an attempt to answer the question whether there was a relationship between ABCB1 polymorphisms and morbidity of systemic sclerosis in a Polish population.

ABCB1-Gen-Polymorphismus in einer polnischen Kohorte ist mit Risiko für bullöses Pemphigoid assoziiert.

Hintergrund Und Ziele: Polymorphismen im ABCB1-Gen, das für das P-Glykoprotein kodiert, können die intrazelluläre Konzentration von Xenobiotika beeinflussen und so zur Entwicklung von Autoimmunerkrankungen, einschließlich des bullösen Pemphigoids (BP), beitragen. In der vorliegenden Studie sollte untersucht werden, ob in einer polnischen Kohorte die C3435T- und G2677T/A-Polymorphismen im ABCB1-Gen mit dem Risiko für ein BP assoziiert sind.

Patienten Und Methodik: Die Studie umfasste 71 Patienten mit BP und 156 gesunde Probanden.

ABCB1 gene is associated with the risk of bullous pemphigoid in a polish population.

Background And Objectives: Polymorphisms in the P-glycoprotein-encoding ABCB1 gene may affect the intracellular concentration of xenobiotics, and thus contribute to the development of autoimmune diseases, including bullous pemphigoid (BP). The objective of the present study was to investigate whether there is an association between the C3435T and G2677T/A polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene and the risk of BP in a Polish population.

Patients And Methods: The study included 71 patients with BP and 156 healthy volunteers.

Genetic polymorphism of in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis.

Human organism is constantly exposed to harmful exogenous factors (xenobiotics) including drugs and carcinogenic compounds that can induce development of a large number of diseases. The processes of biotransformation in the organism are multidirectional and xenobiotics can be transformed into active or inactive metabolites via the oxidative route. The knowledge of oxidation polymorphism in the course of systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic sclerosis may be helpful in choosing more efficient and safer therapy, particularly in the case of a disease involving various organs and treated with drugs belonging to diverse therapeutic groups.

The impact of the CYP2D6 gene polymorphism on the risk of pemphigoid.

Background: Studies concerning the etiopathogenesis of numerous diseases emphasize the involvement of genetically determined impairments of xenobiotic metabolism. Nowadays, more attention has been drawn to the role of cytochrome P450 and its isoenzymes in the course of dermatological diseases, including pemphigoid, the most frequently occurring autoimmune bullous disease, whose etiopathogenesis has not been completely elucidated.

Aim: The aim of the study was to find out whether there was any relationship between the CYP2D6 gene polymorphism and the development of bullous pemphigoid (BP).

Tissue Factor in Dermatitis Herpetiformis and Bullous Pemphigoid: Link between Immune and Coagulation System in Subepidermal Autoimmune Bullous Diseases.

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and bullous pemphigoid (BP) are skin diseases associated with eosinophilic and neutrophilic infiltrations. Although chemokines are critical for the selective accumulation and activation of various leukocyte subsets in the inflammatory process, there are few findings concerning inflammatory cells and production of coagulation factors in blistering diseases. Skin biopsies were taken from 14 patients with DH, 27 with BP, and 20 control subjects.

Mediators of mast cells in bullous pemphigoid and dermatitis herpetiformis.

Bullous pemphigoid (BP) and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) are skin diseases associated with inflammation. However, few findings exist concerning the role of mast cells in autoimmune blistering disease. Skin biopsies were taken from 27 BP and 14 DH patients, as well as 20 healthy individuals.

Assessment of skin microcirculation by laser Doppler flowmetry in systemic sclerosis patients.

Introduction: First lesions to occur in the course of systemic sclerosis (SSc) involve microcirculation.

Aim: The study involved assessment of the suitability of laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in examination of the performance of skin microcirculation in the distal portion of the upper extremity in SSc patients.

Material And Methods: Overall the study involved 27 patients with systemic sclerosis.

Prevalence of ocular manifestations in systemic sclerosis patients.

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) is a severe chronic connective tissue disease caused by immune system disorders and changes in the structure and functions of blood vessels, which consequently leads to enhanced tissue fibrosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the organ of vision in systemic sclerosis patients.

Material And Methods: Overall the study involved 27 patients with systemic sclerosis.

Genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6 oxidation in patients with autoimmune bullous diseases.

Introduction: Bullous skin diseases, which include, among others pemphigoid, pemphigus, and dermatitis herpetiformis are classified as severe autoimmune dermatoses. It has been shown that a pattern of xenobiotic metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

Aim: To estimate whether the CYP2D6 genotype may be considered a predisposing factor in autoimmune bullous diseases induction.

[Increased level of lipid peroxidation products and disturbances in oxidation-reduction balance in erythrocytes from patients suffering from systemic sclerosis, who are chronically treated with vitamin E].

Unlabelled: Systemic sclerosis is a chronic connective tissue disease of unknown pathogenesis. In view of the reports of essential role of oxidative stress in development of disease, trials with supportive care with vitamin E are undertaken. The aim of the study was to estimate parameters of oxidation-reduction balance in erythrocytes from scleroderma patients, who were chronically treated with vitamin E compared with healthy controls.

IL-17 expression in dermatitis herpetiformis and bullous pemphigoid.

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and bullous pemphigoid (BP) are skin diseases associated with eosinophilic and neutrophilic infiltrations. Although cytokines are critical for the inflammatory process, there are single findings concerning concentration of IL-17 in bullous diseases. The goal of this study was to assess IL-17 expression in DH and BP patients.

Evaluation of effectiveness of osteoporosis treatment in patient with pachydermoperiostosis according to densitometric findings. Case study.

This study presents the outcome of osteoporosis treatment in a 29-year-old male patient with full-blown Touraine-Solente-Gole syndrome. His first DXA densitometry of the proximal femur demonstrated severe osteoporosis (BMD 0.628 g/cm(2); T-score -3.

The expression of selected proapoptotic molecules in dermatitis herpetiformis.

The role of the process of apoptosis is investigated in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases; however at present, there is not much information about its role in dermatitis herpetiformis. Skin biopsies were taken from 18 DH patients and from 10 healthy subjects. The localization and expression of Bax, Fas, FasL, TRAIL, TRAIL-R in skin lesions, and perilesional skin were studied by immunohistochemistry.