IgG,kappa monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance with AL amyloidosis simulating giant cell arteritis.

Monoclonal gammopathies complicated by AL amyloidosis can mimic giant cell arteritis (GCA). We hereby present the case of a 63 year old woman in whom symptoms consistent with GCA were the first manifestations of a monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) associated with amyloidosis. A 63 year old woman was admitted for temporal headache, maseterine claudication, neck and shoulder stiffness.

Quantification and molecular characterization of regulatory T cells in connective tissue diseases.

The aim of our study was to investigate and characterize regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood of patients with connective tissue diseases (Systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, poly- and dermatomyositis) as compared with blood from healthy controls. Treg cells were quantified and phenotypically characterized by flow cytometry while the expression level of Foxp3 mRNA was evaluated by real time PCR. A reduced percentage of peripheral blood Treg cells was found in patients than in controls, irrespective of the type of connective tissue disease.

[Wegener granulomatosis with severe alveolar hemorrhagic syndrome].

The article presents the case of a female admitted for the suspicion of pulmonary TB (clinical and radiological pattern compatible with this diagnosis), in which the lack of bacteriological confirmation together with a rapid and dramatic deterioration of clinical, radiological and functional status excluded tuberculosis and oriented the diagnosis towards a severe alveolar hemorrhage; further tests confirmed a Wegener granulomatosis with pulmonary, renal and ORL manifestations. The evolution was rapidly favorable using pulse-therapy with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone i.v.

Roles of CD147 on T lymphocytes activation and MMP-9 secretion in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in many abnormalities described in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) are still unclear. Some of these abnormalities referred to the hyperactivation of T lymphocytes and the enhanced secretion of MMP-9 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Therefore, in this paper we investigated the potential role of CD147 molecule in these abnormalities.

Plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetics.

Background: Type 2 diabetes, or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, represents an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), being characterized by a continuous low-grade inflammation and endothelial activation state. Atherosclerotic lesions occur in diabetic patients at an earlier age with severe clinical manifestations and poor outcome. Our objective was to investigate the correlation between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (PLA2-LDL), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and paraoxonase (PON), enzymes implicated in the evolution of endothelial dysfunction associated with type 2 diabetes.

The significance of human platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase in patients with chronic stable angina.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory reactions within coronary atherosclerotic plaques are increasingly thought to be crucial determinants of the clinical course in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Platelet-activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) is considered to reflect the ongoing inflammatory process in patients with CAD. Our objective was to determine the activity of PAF-AH in patients with stable angina and its correlations to lipoprotein levels and the inflammatory status of the patient.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 and its natural inhibitor TIMP-1 expressed or secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was involved in inflammation and immune system dysfunctions. Besides immunologic abnormalities, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) also presents chronic inflammatory components. Therefore, a role of MMP-9 in SLE pathology might be supposed.