Quantitative analyses of cytokine profiles reveal hormone-mediated modulation of cytokine profiles in recurrent spontaneous miscarriage.

Purpose: Cytokines play important roles in pregnancy complications. Some hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and dydrogesterone have been shown to alter cytokine profiles. Understanding how cytokine profiles are affected by these hormones is therefore an important step towards immunomodulatory therapies for pregnancy complications.

CytokineExplore: An Online Tool for Statistical Analysis of Cytokine Concentration Datasets.

Purpose: Cytokine data sets are increasing both in the number of different cytokines measured and the number of samples assayed. Further, typically data from different groups may be contrasted, eg, normal vs complication subjects. Many univariate and multivariate statistical techniques exist to study such cytokine datasets, but the ability to implement these techniques may be lacking for some practitioners, or may not be available quickly and conveniently.

Effects of Progesterone, Dydrogesterone and Estrogen on the Production of Th1/Th2/Th17 Cytokines by Lymphocytes from Women with Recurrent Spontaneous Miscarriage.

Anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokines have been shown to be associated with healthy, successful pregnancy while pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 cytokines are associated with pregnancy loss due to recurrent spontaneous miscarriage. This nexus between unexplained recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (uRSM) and maternal inflammatory has led to the possibility of using pregnancy-related hormones to modify the maternal cytokine bias in a manner that is conducive to successful pregnancy. We investigated the ability of progesterone, dydrogesterone and estrogen to modulate cytokine production by peripheral blood lymphocytes from women undergoing uRSM.

Multivariate Comparison of Cytokine Profiles for Normal- and Low-Bone-Density Subjects.

Osteoporosis is a serious worldwide public health concern. The role of the immune system in the onset of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women is an area of current research. Here we study data from a panel of 10 cytokines obtained from postmenopausal women, with both normal and low bone mineral density (BMD).

Circulatory Levels of RANKL, OPG, and Oxidative Stress Markers in Postmenopausal Women With Normal or Low Bone Mineral Density.

Introduction: Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and oxidative stress markers are suggested to contribute to bone loss in osteoporosis that occurs in menopause. However, the association between these markers and bone mineral density (BMD) is controversial. The aim of this study was to measure circulatory levels of these parameters in postmenopausal women with normal or low BMD.

In vitro spleen cell cytokine responses of adult mice immunized with a recombinant PorA (major outer membrane protein [MOMP]) from Campylobacter jejuni.

There is no information on cytokine profiles for use as markers of protection in Campylobacter jejuni infection. To study this, we used outer membrane protein (MOMP [PorA]) as the vaccine for protection and spleen cell cytokines as markers of protection. We cloned and expressed porA from C.

Circulatory pattern of cytokines, adipokines and bone markers in postmenopausal women with low BMD.

In addition to some well-characterized bone turnover markers (BTMs), cytokines and adipokines have also been suggested to be linked to osteoporosis seen in menopause. However, there is much controversy on the possible association between these markers and bone mineral density (BMD). This study was aimed at measuring circulatory levels of selected cytokines, adipokines and BTMs in postmenopausal women with normal and low BMD.

Multivariate analysis of cytokine profiles in pregnancy complications.

Problem: The immunoregulation to tolerate the semiallogeneic fetus during pregnancy includes a harmonious dynamic balance between anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Several earlier studies reported significantly different levels and/or ratios of several cytokines in complicated pregnancy as compared to normal pregnancy. However, as cytokines operate in networks with potentially complex interactions, it is also interesting to compare groups with multi-cytokine data sets, with multivariate analysis.

Patterns of circulatory and peripheral blood mononuclear cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis.

An imbalance in pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is suggested to contribute to tissue damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was aimed at investigating profiles of cytokines in circulation and cytokines produced by mitogen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in RA patients and healthy controls, and to explore correlations of cytokines with disease activity. Our aim was to identify patterns of cytokine expression as possible indicators of disease activity.

Fractures in Kuwait: incidence and distribution.

The absence of descriptive epidemiological data on the frequency and distribution of fractures in a population is serious and may underestimate the actual importance of this public health problem. In this study, we report the crude and standardized incidence rates of fractures in the population of Kuwait during the period 2009-2012. Using the Ministry of Public Health's national registry, demographic data of all fracture cases between 2009 and 2012 were retrieved.

Cytokine profiles in osteoporosis suggest a proresorptive bias.

Objective: As the immune system is suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology of osteoporosis in menopause, we compared the levels of proresorptive and antiresorptive cytokines produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from postmenopausal women with normal and low bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: Seventy-one postmenopausal women were studied; 25 had normal BMD and 46 had low BMD. Participants were categorized as normal (n = 25), osteopenic (n = 31), and osteoporotic (n = 15) based on T-scores.

Association of self-reported symptoms with serum levels of vitamin D and multivariate cytokine profile in healthy women.

Background: Although a large number of studies have investigated possible relationships among serum levels of vitamin D or cytokines with disease progress and prognosis, similar studies on self-reported symptoms are still controversial. The overall objective of this study was to look into the association between serum levels of vitamin D or cytokines with self-reported symptoms related to musculoskeletal pain, sleep disorders, and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in healthy adult women.

Subjects And Methods: Venous blood samples were collected from 117 healthy adult women, and serum levels of vitamin D, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13) were measured.

Association between levels of vitamin D and inflammatory markers in healthy women.

Background: No one can deny that the biological importance of vitamin D is much beyond its classical role in bone metabolism. Several recent publications have highlighted its potential role in the functioning of the immune system. The overall objective of this study was to look into possible correlations between levels of vitamin D and inflammatory markers in sera of healthy adult women.

Incidence of hip fracture in Kuwait: a national registry-based study.

Unlabelled: The crude and age-standardized rates of hip fractures in elderly Kuwaiti subpopulation were determined for the years 2009-2012. Both rates have increased and are further expected to rise substantially in the coming decades.

Introduction: It is projected that rates of hip fractures will increase in most of the Middle East countries.

Tumor necrosis factor-α and pregnancy complications: a prospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in normal pregnancies and pregnancies with complications.

Materials And Methods: Maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells from women with a recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (n = 35), premature rupture of fetal membranes (n = 30), preeclampsia (n = 27) and intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR; n = 36) were stimulated with mitogen or antigen, and the levels of TNF-α produced were compared to those produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a normal pregnancy (n = 35).

Results: The median levels of mitogen-induced TNF-α at the 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimester, and at normal delivery were 1,176.

Evaluation of bone mineral density in patients with chronic low back pain.

Study Design: This was designed as a retrospective study.

Purpose: We investigated the relationship between bone mineral density (BMD) and chronic lower back pain (LBP).

Overview Of Literature: In spite of a large number of epidemiological surveys on the prevalence of LBP and BMD measurements completed separately in the general population, the relationship between the two has not been well documented.

Relationship between leptin levels and suppressed CD4 counts in HIV patients.

Objective: To examine the relationship between serum leptin levels and suppression of CD4 count in HIV-infected individuals with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Subjects And Methods: Thirty seropositive HIV male patients selected from the Infectious Disease Hospital were classified into two groups according to their immunological and virological response to HAART. The first group included 15 male patients with low viral load and low CD4 counts; the second included 15 male patients with low viral load and high CD4 counts.

Evaluation of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women in Kuwait.

Menopause is the major risk factor for the loss of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in women. In this study, we determined the prevalence of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Kuwait and compared it with that of other Middle East and west countries. Two thousand two hundred ninety-six postmenopausal women ranging in age from 40 to 87yr were included in the study and divided into 4 age groups by decade.

Intrauterine growth restriction: cytokine profiles of trophoblast antigen-stimulated maternal lymphocytes.

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is an important perinatal syndrome that poses several serious short- and long-term effects. We studied cytokine production by maternal peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by trophoblast antigens. 36 women with a diagnosis of IUGR and 22 healthy women with normal fetal growth were inducted.

Redirection of cytokine production by lymphocytes from women with pre-term delivery by dydrogesterone.

Problem: To study the ability of dydrogesterone to modulate the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines by lymphocytes from women undergoing pre-term delivery (PTD).

Method Of Study: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 18 subjects undergoing PTD were stimulated with the mitogen phytohemagglutinin in the presence and absence of progesterone and dydrogesterone. The levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 in culture supernatants were then estimated by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant assay.

Modulation of cytokine production by dydrogesterone in lymphocytes from women with recurrent miscarriage.

Objective: To examine the effects of dydrogesterone on the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines by lymphocytes from women undergoing unexplained recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM).

Design: Controlled prospective, clinical study conducted in a maternity hospital and a university-based immunology laboratory.

Setting: Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University and Kuwait Maternity Hospital.

Maternal cytokine production patterns in women with pre-eclampsia.

Problem: To determine the levels of cytokines produced upon mitogenic or antigenic stimulation of maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from women with pre-eclampsia.

Method Of Study: PBMC from 54 women with a history of successful pregnancy and 32 women undergoing pre-eclamptic delivery were stimulated with a mitogen or with autologous placental cells or with trophoblast antigens, and the levels of cytokines released into the culture supernatants then assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results: Significantly higher levels of the Th1 cytokines, interferon-gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were produced by the pre-eclamptic group than by the normal pregnancy group, which on the contrary showed significantly greater production of the Th2 cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10.

Th1/Th2 cytokine patterns and clinical profiles during and after pregnancy in women with multiple sclerosis.

Pregnancy in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients is associated with a lower risk of progression and lower rate of exacerbation. These beneficial effects are reversed postpartum. Considering that the pathogenesis of MS appears to involve cell-mediated immune reactivity, and that pregnancy is accompanied by a depressed cell-mediated immunity, it has been proposed that the lower relapse rate and risk of progression of MS during pregnancy may be due to a pregnancy-associated down-regulation of cell-mediated immunity.

Increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in placentas of women undergoing spontaneous preterm delivery or premature rupture of membranes.

Problem: The objective of this study was to determine the levels of cytokines in the placentas of women undergoing preterm delivery (PTD) or premature rupture of membranes (PROM) as compared with women undergoing normal delivery at term.

Method Of Study: Placentas were obtained from 30 subjects with spontaneous PTD, 30 women with PROM and 30 women with a history of normal delivery at term. Levels of interleukin (IL)-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, TNF-beta, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 and IL-12 were estimated by ELISA in detergent lysates of placentas from the subjects.