Correlation of Paraoxonase Status with Disease Activity Score and Systemic Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritic Patients

Circulating Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and Nitric Oxide (NO) Levels Are Significantly Reduced in HIV Patients Concomitant with Increased Oxidative Stress Biomarkers

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) attacks the immune system and weakens the ability to fight infections/disease. Furthermore, HIV infection confers approximately two-fold higher risk of cardiac events compared with the general population. The pathological mechanisms responsible for the increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in HIV patients are largely unknown. We hypothesized that increased oxidative stress and attenuated circulating levels of the cardioprotective gaseous signaling molecules, nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) were involved in the cardiovascular pathobiology observed in HIV patients. Plasma samples from both HIV patients and age-matched normal subjects were used for all assays. Oxidative stress was determined by analyzing the levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) and H₂O₂. Antioxidant levels were determined by measuring the levels of trolox equivalent capacity. ADMA, hs-CRP, and IL-6 were determined by using ELISA. The levels of H₂S (free H₂S and sulfane sulfur) and NO₂ (nitrite) were determined in the plasma samples by using gas chromatography and HPLC, respectively. In the present study we observed a marked induction in the levels of oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status in the plasma of HIV patients as compared with the controls. Circulating levels of the cardiovascular disease biomarkers: ADMA, hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein), and IL-6 were significantly increased in the circulatory system of HIV patients. The levels of both nitrite and H₂S/sulfane sulfur were significantly reduced in the plasma of HIV patients as compared with normal subjects. Our data demonstrate significant increases in circulating biomarkers of oxidative stress and cardiovascular (CV) in conjunction with decreased bioavailability of H₂S and NO in HIV patients. Diminished levels of these two cardioprotective gaseous signaling molecules may be involved in the pathogenesis of CV disease in the setting of HIV.

Evaluation of CYP1B1 Expression, Oxidative Stress and Phase 2 Detoxification Enzyme Status in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients

INTRODUCTION

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) affects global health with increasing incidence and mortality rate. It may involve exposure to carcinogens from tobacco smoking or chewing. Alteration in expression of gene encoding the enzymes concerned with carcinogen biotransformation along with oxidative stress may increase or decrease the risk of cancer.

AIM

To evaluate the expression of CYP1B1 gene in OSCC patients along with its relation with oxidative stress and phase 2 detoxification enzyme status.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the present study, CYP1B1 genotypic analysis was carried out along with estimation of serum Total Antioxidant Activity (TAA), erythrocyte Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and serum Glutathione-S-Transferase (GST) activity in 20 OSCC patients and statistically compared with that of age matched 20 healthy subjects, served as control by using student's t-test.

RESULTS

It was observed that 85% of histopathologically diagnosed OSCC patients had CYP1B1 expression with significantly elevated levels of MDA (p<0.001). In addition, plasma total antioxidant status and serum GST levels were decreased significantly (p<0.05) in OSCC patients as compared to the healthy controls to overcome the burden of oxidative stress.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of the present study, we conclude that the expression of CYP1B1 is an important determinant of carcinogenesis and significantly associated with oxidative stress characterized by decreased serum GST and total antioxidant levels in OSCC patients.