Advanced glycation end-products and advanced oxidation protein products in schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia pathophysiology is still not well understood. Genetic factors involving biochemical systems are key players and oxidative stress takes part to the development and worsening of SZ. Oxidative stress led to the permanent production of oxidation products such as advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs).

Jellyfish anaphylaxis: A wide spectrum of sensitization routes.

Recent studies demonstrated that, in the past few years, the number of jellyfish species is increasing worldwide; this increase can be explained by environmental and climatic reasons. Contacts with jellyfish can cause acute and chronic effects, including allergic reactions. Although anaphylaxis caused by jellyfish is a rare event, repetitive stings during bathing as well as marine sports and job activities represent important risk factors that can increase the probability of sensitization.

Drug induced Kounis syndrome: does oxidative stress play a role?

Background: Kounis syndrome (KS) has been described as the coincidental occurrence of acute coronary syndromes during an allergic reaction with cardiac anaphylaxis. It is caused by inflammatory mediators released after exposure to drugs, food, environmental and other triggers. Oxidative stress occurring in various inflammatory disorders causes molecular damage with the production of advanced oxidation products (AOPPs) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

Oxidation products are increased in patients affected by non-segmental generalized vitiligo.

Several lines of evidence support the relevance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in vitiligo, but the exact role of glycation and oxidation of macromolecules needs to be better addressed. To investigate the involvement of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), we performed a case-control association study by spectrofluorimetry and spectrophotometry, in 47 patients with non-segmental generalized vitiligo and 47 age- and sex-matched controls. Significantly higher levels of both AOPPs (p < 0.

Increased serum levels of interleukin-23 circulating in patients with non-segmental generalized vitiligo.

Introduction: Vitiligo is a common progressive depigmentation of the skin due to selective destruction of melanocytes. Nowadays increasing evidences support the hypothesis of an autoimmune etiology.

Methods: In order to sustain the role of T-helper-17 lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of vitiligo, we measured the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-23 (an important regulator of this subset) using a quantitative enzyme immunoassay technique in 12 males and 16 females (ages ranging from 18 to 58 years) affected by non-segmental vitiligo and compared the results with a group of healthy donors.

Serum interleukin-23 (IL-23) is increased in Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Recent studies have demonstrated that T-helper 17 lymphocytes (Th17), which produce mostly IL-17, play a major role in several autoimmune diseases commonly thought to be Th1-related, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). IL-23, a member of the IL-12 cytokine family, is known to guide T cells toward the Th17 phenotype and its serum levels are increased in several autoimmune disease. Few data are available in the literature on IL-23 in HT.

Occupational asthma due to exposure to iroko wood dust.

Background: Occupational asthma (OA) from iroko wood has been reported primarily in case reports.

Objective: To improve understanding of the pathogenesis of OA induced by iroko wood dust.

Methods: Three groups of woodworkers were included in this study: 9 workers who had clinically proven OA from iroko; 10 asymptomatic woodworkers; and 10 woodworkers with asthma.