Role of Oxidative Stress and the Protective Effect of Fermented Papaya Preparation in Sickle Cell Disease.

Fermented papaya preparation (FPP) is the source of antioxidants that may help in reducing the complications associated with oxidative stress and may improve the quality of life in sickle cell disease patients. In this study, we assessed the effect of FPP on sickled red blood cells (RBCs) using oxidative stress markers and observed that FPP has the potential to reduce the oxidative stress. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and eosin 5' malaemide (E5'M) dye test showed that FPP protects red cell morphology against the oxidative stress.

Expression of the matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9 and their inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Background: The study aimed to look at alterations in expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) and their potential use as biomarkers in the pathogensis of SLE.

Methods: SLE patients (n = 41) and healthy controls (n = 50) were recruited. Quantitative RT-PCR/ELISA assays were performed for expression of MMP and TIMP mRNA in whole blood and PBMC; and corresponding serum protein levels.

Role of MMP-2 and its inhibitor TIMP-2 as biomarkers for susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus.

To investigate the possible association between (-1575 G/A, -1306 C/T) and its inhibitor (-418 G/C) functional polymorphisms with development of severity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. 150 SLE patients and matched healthy controls were recruited. Polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP and serum levels by ELISA.

Cytokine genes multi-locus analysis reveals synergistic influence on genetic susceptibility in Indian SLE - A multifactor-dimensionality reduction approach.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype autoimmune disease with unclear etiology. Several loci associated with genetic susceptibility for lupus have been described. However, it lacks reports on cytokine gene-gene interactions among SLE patients from Asian population.