Shahid Hussain; Nadeem Afzal; Khursheed Javaid; Muhammad Ikram Ullah; Tanveer Ahmad; Saleem-Uz -Zaman
Volume 7, Issue 4 , December 2010, , Pages 240-246
Abstract
Background: Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a cytokine produced by a variety of cells is involved in the immune response against M. tuberculosis. It activates the production of other cytokines and molecules that kill mycobacterium. IFN-γ also has diagnostic role in identification of active and ...
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Background: Interferon gamma (IFN-γ), a cytokine produced by a variety of cells is involved in the immune response against M. tuberculosis. It activates the production of other cytokines and molecules that kill mycobacterium. IFN-γ also has diagnostic role in identification of active and latent tuberculosis. Objective: To determine the level of IFN-γ in the blood of TB patients. Methods: Ninety-one subjects were selected, including 54 active TB patients and 37 healthy controls. Among 54 TB patients, 27 had confirmed TB and 27 were clinically diagnosed as having TB. IFN-γ concentration was determined in their blood by an ELISA technique. Results: In TB patients, Mean + SD of IFN-γ was 48.69 + 28.78 pg/ml while it was 12.99 + 5.70pg/ml in the control group (p <0.001). Significant differences in the level of IFN-γ were observed among confirmed TB patients, clinically diagnosed TB patients and the control group (Mean + SD 59.68 + 28.78, 36.85 + 24.76 and 12.99 + 5.70 pg/ml, respectively). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation was observed between the concentration of IFN-γ in TB patients and the duration of antituberculosis therapy. Conclusion: IFN-γ level was high in both clinically diagnosed and confirmed TB patients as compared to a control group. Measurement of IFN-γ production is helpful to diagnose active tuberculosis, but further research is required.
Farhana Shahzad; Shahzad Tawwab; Nadeem Afzal
Volume 7, Issue 2 , June 2010, , Pages 109-116
Abstract
Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory and multifactorial disease, with a high prevalence rate in Pakistan. Objective: To find a relation between serum IL-4 and IgE levels with oxidized LDL in atherosclerosis. Methods: In this observational, cross sectional study 99 male patients, between forty ...
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Background: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory and multifactorial disease, with a high prevalence rate in Pakistan. Objective: To find a relation between serum IL-4 and IgE levels with oxidized LDL in atherosclerosis. Methods: In this observational, cross sectional study 99 male patients, between forty and sixty years of age, with a history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and established atherosclerotic plaques on angiography were recruited. The study was completed within three years (Jan 2007 to Jan 2009). One hundred and one age and gender matched healthy subjects with no known history of IHD were also recruited. All the study participants were non-diabetics. Serum IL-4, IgE and oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) levels were measured by quantitative ELISA technique. Results: Serum IL-4 levels were generally undetectable or very low, but were higher in the patient group compared to the control subjects. Similarly, oxidized LDL and serum IgE levels were also increased in the patient group compared to the control, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study could not detect any relationship between IL-4 and IgE levels with LDL oxidation in atherosclerosis.
