Circulating IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies to human eye muscle cytosol antigens were studied in 60 ... more Circulating IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies to human eye muscle cytosol antigens were studied in 60 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy using the indirect ELISA method. There was a significant difference in the levels of both IgG and IgA antibodies between the patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy and a control group (p < 0.001). IgA antibodies to eye muscle cytosol antigens were raised in 20 out of 29 patients with proptosis (class 3 ophthalmopathy), in comparison with 31 patients out of the total group of 60 with Graves' ophthalmopathy (p < 0.02). Anti-TSH receptor antibodies (TRAK) were not present in over half of the 31 patients with raised IgA antibodies to eye muscle antigens. However, a significant difference was found between the levels of IgG and IgA antibodies in the TRAK-negative patients (p < 0.05). These findings suggests that both IgG and IgA antibodies to eye muscle antigens might be important in the development of ophthalmopathy.
A neopterin szintézisét a T-lymphocyták által termelt interferon-γ indukálja. Emelkedett szérumsz... more A neopterin szintézisét a T-lymphocyták által termelt interferon-γ indukálja. Emelkedett szérumszintje a celluláris immunrendszer aktiválódását jelzi. Cél: Vizsgálatunkban arra a kérdésre kerestünk választ, hogy autoimmun pajzsmirigybetegekben a neopterinszintek összefüggnek-e a betegség klinikai stádiumával, előre jelezheti-e a neopterin a kórkép recidíváját, tehát alkalmas-e immunológiai monitorizálásra. Módszerek: 137, Basedow-kórban (47 hyperthyreosis, 36 euthyreosis, 7 hypothyreosis, 34 gyógyult, 13 relapsus), 25 Hashimoto-thyreoiditisben, 14 toxikus adenomában szenvedő nőbetegben határozták meg a szérum neopterin, pajzsmirigy-stimuláló hormon, szabad tiroxin, szabad trijód-tironin, tireoglobulin- és pajzsmirigyperoxidáz elleni antitestek szintjét. Eredmények: A neopterinszint szignifikánsan magasabb volt a Basedow-kóros betegekben (hyperthyreosis, euthyreosis, hypothy reosis és recidív hyperthyreosis esetén is), valamint Hashimoto-thyreoiditises betegeinkben. Pozitív korrelációt találtak a neopterin és tireoglobulin elleni, valamint pajzsmirigyperoxidáz elleni antitestek szintje között, de nem találtak összefüggést a neopterinszint és a pajzsmirigyhormonok, pajzsmirigy-stimuláló hormon, illetve pajzsmirigy-stimuláló hormonreceptor elleni antitestek értékei között. Következtetések: A magasabb szérumneopterin-szint a háttérben zajló autoimmun folyamatot tükrözi, nem mutat összefüggést a pajzsmirigyhormonok változásával. A neopterin meghatározása fontos jelzője lehet az autoimmun betegségek fellángolásának. An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim: The objective was to find a correlation in autoimmune thyroid patients between neopterin levels and the clinical stage of the disease and to examine whether neopterin can predict the relapse of the disease. Methods: Serum neopterin, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were determined in 137 patients with Graves’ disease (in different stages), 25 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 14 with toxic adenoma. Results: The neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with Graves’ disease (hyper-, eu-, hypothyroidism and relapsed hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Positive correlation was found between neopterin and anti-thyroglobulin and anti-tyhroid peroxidase antibody levels, but no correlation was detected between neopterin levels and thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone values and antibodies against thyroid stimulating hormone receptors. Conclusions: Higher level of serum neopterin refl ects an underlying autoimmune process, and does not correlate with changes in thyroid hormone levels. Determination of neopterin level can be an important indicator in the exacerbation of autoimmune processes
An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim:... more An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim: The objective was to find a correlation in autoimmune thyroid patients between neopterin levels and the clinical stage of the disease and to examine whether neopterin can predict the relapse of the disease. Methods: Serum neopterin, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were determined in 137 patients with Graves’ disease (in different stages), 25 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 14 with toxic adenoma. Results: The neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with Graves’ disease (hyper-, eu-, hypothyroidism and relapsed hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Positive correlation was found between neopterin and anti-thyroglobulin and anti-tyhroid peroxidase antibody levels, but no correlation was detected between neopterin levels and thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone values and antibodies against thyroid stimulating hormone receptors. Conclusions: Higher level of serum neopterin reflects an underlying autoimmune process, and does not correlate with changes in thyroid hormone levels. Determination of neopterin level can be an important indicator in the exacerbation of autoimmune processes. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1127–1131.
Pretibial myxoedema is a rare symptom of Graves’ disease. Histological studies detected mucopolys... more Pretibial myxoedema is a rare symptom of Graves’ disease. Histological studies detected mucopolysaccharide and glycosaminoglycan accumulation, and the role of anti-TSH receptor antibodies has been suggested. In this paper the authors present the case of a 34-year-old male patient with pretibial myxoedema treated successfully with pentoxifylline. In his case history multiple autoimmune diseases (type 1 diabetes mellitus, Graves’ disease with severe ophthalmopathy) concomitantly occurred. His severe pretibial myxoedema was undiagnosed and untreated at the time of admission. Because of his diabetes, steroid was contraindicated, which made the choice of the treatment more difficult. He received first intradermal, then intravenous and, finally, oral pentoxifylline, which resulted in a regression of the dermatological symptoms. The beneficial effect of pentoxifylline might be explained by its inhibitory effect of proinflammatory cytokines and proliferation of fibroblasts, and the producti...
An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim:... more An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim: The objective was to find a correlation in autoimmune thyroid patients between neopterin levels and the clinical stage of the disease and to examine whether neopterin can predict the relapse of the disease. Methods: Serum neopterin, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were determined in 137 patients with Graves’ disease (in different stages), 25 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 14 with toxic adenoma. Results: The neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with Graves’ disease (hyper-, eu-, hypothyroidism and relapsed hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Positive correlation was found between neopterin and anti-thyroglobulin and anti-tyhroid peroxidase antibody levels, but no correlation was detected between neopterin levels and thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone...
Uneven illumination affects every image acquired by a microscope. It is often overlooked, but it ... more Uneven illumination affects every image acquired by a microscope. It is often overlooked, but it can introduce considerable bias to image measurements. The most reliable correction methods require special reference images, and retrospective alternatives do not fully model the correction process. Our approach overcomes these issues for most optical microscopy applications without the need for reference images.
SUMMARYWe have investigated the effect of methimazole (MMI) on cell-mediated immunity and ascerta... more SUMMARYWe have investigated the effect of methimazole (MMI) on cell-mediated immunity and ascertained the mechanisms of immunosuppression produced by the drug. Methimazole (≥ 10−5m) produced a dose-dependent inhibition in ‘active’ (early) rosette formation with sheep red cells and in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte transformation. A concentration of 10−4 M MMI inhibited the immediate rise in intracellular cAMP triggered by PHA and the subsequent time dependent decrement over 24 h. The drug (10−3 M) also exerted a significant inhibitory effect on antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) over six-fold difference in target/effector cell ratios. At a concentration of 10−5 M, MMI inhibited zymosan-induced respiratory burst (determined by change in the chemiluminescence of oxidized luminol) in polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell preparations. Ninety-five per cent of the chemiluminescence in the latter preparation was due to monocytes. At concentrations between 10−7 and 10−6 M, MMI significantly inhibited (in cell-free systems) horseradish peroxidase-dependent generation of chemiluminescence as well as the oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide. Methimazole exerts its inhibitory effects on measures of cell-mediated immunity by at least two mechanisms: inhibition of peroxidase and scavenging free oxygen radicals. Insensitivity of the test systems or poor access of MMI to leucocytes may account for the need for ≥ 10−5m MMI to inhibit cell-mediated immunity significantly.
IL-6 is a paracrine and autocrine cytokine, which acts in the regulation of immunological and inf... more IL-6 is a paracrine and autocrine cytokine, which acts in the regulation of immunological and inflammatory processes. Its production can be observed in different cell types, as well as thyrocytes. The purpose of the study was to examine the serum IL-6 levels between the patients with Graves&#39; disease (N = 47) and without (N = 29) ophthalmopathy in respect of the presence of inflammatory eye signs and thyroiditis, thyroid function and radioiodine or medical treatments. The serum IL-6 levels were greater (P &lt; 0.025) in the patients with ophthalmopathy (440 +/- 32.4 pg/ml) than in those without eye disease (81.6 +/- 25.2 pg/ml). An elevated serum IL-6 levels could be detected in 22 out of 47 patients with ophthalmopathy with longer manifestation of thyroid disease than one year in comparison with those who had shorter (694 +/- 35.3 pg/ml vs 215.8 +/- 27.9 pg/ml, P &lt; 0.05). The increase showed a strong association with the inflammatory signs of eye disease in the patients with Graves&#39; hyperthyroidism compared with those without ophthalmopathy (513.3 +/- 33.7 pg/ml vs 96.9 +/- 12.1 pg/ml, P &lt; 0.025). Euthyroid function and the presence of thyroiditis did not influence the serum IL-6 levels. Radioiodine and medical treatments did not lead to a remarkable decrease in the serum IL-6 levels. The results supported that IL-6 cytokine may be an important factor in the inflammatory events of Graves&#39; ophthalmopathy.
Circulating IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies to human eye muscle cytosol antigens were studied in 60 ... more Circulating IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies to human eye muscle cytosol antigens were studied in 60 patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy using the indirect ELISA method. There was a significant difference in the levels of both IgG and IgA antibodies between the patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy and a control group (p < 0.001). IgA antibodies to eye muscle cytosol antigens were raised in 20 out of 29 patients with proptosis (class 3 ophthalmopathy), in comparison with 31 patients out of the total group of 60 with Graves' ophthalmopathy (p < 0.02). Anti-TSH receptor antibodies (TRAK) were not present in over half of the 31 patients with raised IgA antibodies to eye muscle antigens. However, a significant difference was found between the levels of IgG and IgA antibodies in the TRAK-negative patients (p < 0.05). These findings suggests that both IgG and IgA antibodies to eye muscle antigens might be important in the development of ophthalmopathy.
A neopterin szintézisét a T-lymphocyták által termelt interferon-γ indukálja. Emelkedett szérumsz... more A neopterin szintézisét a T-lymphocyták által termelt interferon-γ indukálja. Emelkedett szérumszintje a celluláris immunrendszer aktiválódását jelzi. Cél: Vizsgálatunkban arra a kérdésre kerestünk választ, hogy autoimmun pajzsmirigybetegekben a neopterinszintek összefüggnek-e a betegség klinikai stádiumával, előre jelezheti-e a neopterin a kórkép recidíváját, tehát alkalmas-e immunológiai monitorizálásra. Módszerek: 137, Basedow-kórban (47 hyperthyreosis, 36 euthyreosis, 7 hypothyreosis, 34 gyógyult, 13 relapsus), 25 Hashimoto-thyreoiditisben, 14 toxikus adenomában szenvedő nőbetegben határozták meg a szérum neopterin, pajzsmirigy-stimuláló hormon, szabad tiroxin, szabad trijód-tironin, tireoglobulin- és pajzsmirigyperoxidáz elleni antitestek szintjét. Eredmények: A neopterinszint szignifikánsan magasabb volt a Basedow-kóros betegekben (hyperthyreosis, euthyreosis, hypothy reosis és recidív hyperthyreosis esetén is), valamint Hashimoto-thyreoiditises betegeinkben. Pozitív korrelációt találtak a neopterin és tireoglobulin elleni, valamint pajzsmirigyperoxidáz elleni antitestek szintje között, de nem találtak összefüggést a neopterinszint és a pajzsmirigyhormonok, pajzsmirigy-stimuláló hormon, illetve pajzsmirigy-stimuláló hormonreceptor elleni antitestek értékei között. Következtetések: A magasabb szérumneopterin-szint a háttérben zajló autoimmun folyamatot tükrözi, nem mutat összefüggést a pajzsmirigyhormonok változásával. A neopterin meghatározása fontos jelzője lehet az autoimmun betegségek fellángolásának. An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim: The objective was to find a correlation in autoimmune thyroid patients between neopterin levels and the clinical stage of the disease and to examine whether neopterin can predict the relapse of the disease. Methods: Serum neopterin, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were determined in 137 patients with Graves’ disease (in different stages), 25 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 14 with toxic adenoma. Results: The neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with Graves’ disease (hyper-, eu-, hypothyroidism and relapsed hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Positive correlation was found between neopterin and anti-thyroglobulin and anti-tyhroid peroxidase antibody levels, but no correlation was detected between neopterin levels and thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone values and antibodies against thyroid stimulating hormone receptors. Conclusions: Higher level of serum neopterin refl ects an underlying autoimmune process, and does not correlate with changes in thyroid hormone levels. Determination of neopterin level can be an important indicator in the exacerbation of autoimmune processes
An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim:... more An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim: The objective was to find a correlation in autoimmune thyroid patients between neopterin levels and the clinical stage of the disease and to examine whether neopterin can predict the relapse of the disease. Methods: Serum neopterin, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were determined in 137 patients with Graves’ disease (in different stages), 25 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 14 with toxic adenoma. Results: The neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with Graves’ disease (hyper-, eu-, hypothyroidism and relapsed hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Positive correlation was found between neopterin and anti-thyroglobulin and anti-tyhroid peroxidase antibody levels, but no correlation was detected between neopterin levels and thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone values and antibodies against thyroid stimulating hormone receptors. Conclusions: Higher level of serum neopterin reflects an underlying autoimmune process, and does not correlate with changes in thyroid hormone levels. Determination of neopterin level can be an important indicator in the exacerbation of autoimmune processes. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1127–1131.
Pretibial myxoedema is a rare symptom of Graves’ disease. Histological studies detected mucopolys... more Pretibial myxoedema is a rare symptom of Graves’ disease. Histological studies detected mucopolysaccharide and glycosaminoglycan accumulation, and the role of anti-TSH receptor antibodies has been suggested. In this paper the authors present the case of a 34-year-old male patient with pretibial myxoedema treated successfully with pentoxifylline. In his case history multiple autoimmune diseases (type 1 diabetes mellitus, Graves’ disease with severe ophthalmopathy) concomitantly occurred. His severe pretibial myxoedema was undiagnosed and untreated at the time of admission. Because of his diabetes, steroid was contraindicated, which made the choice of the treatment more difficult. He received first intradermal, then intravenous and, finally, oral pentoxifylline, which resulted in a regression of the dermatological symptoms. The beneficial effect of pentoxifylline might be explained by its inhibitory effect of proinflammatory cytokines and proliferation of fibroblasts, and the producti...
An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim:... more An elevated serum level of neopterin indicates the activation of the cellular immune system. Aim: The objective was to find a correlation in autoimmune thyroid patients between neopterin levels and the clinical stage of the disease and to examine whether neopterin can predict the relapse of the disease. Methods: Serum neopterin, thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, anti-thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody levels were determined in 137 patients with Graves’ disease (in different stages), 25 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and 14 with toxic adenoma. Results: The neopterin levels were significantly higher in patients with Graves’ disease (hyper-, eu-, hypothyroidism and relapsed hyperthyroidism) and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Positive correlation was found between neopterin and anti-thyroglobulin and anti-tyhroid peroxidase antibody levels, but no correlation was detected between neopterin levels and thyroid hormones, thyroid stimulating hormone...
Uneven illumination affects every image acquired by a microscope. It is often overlooked, but it ... more Uneven illumination affects every image acquired by a microscope. It is often overlooked, but it can introduce considerable bias to image measurements. The most reliable correction methods require special reference images, and retrospective alternatives do not fully model the correction process. Our approach overcomes these issues for most optical microscopy applications without the need for reference images.
SUMMARYWe have investigated the effect of methimazole (MMI) on cell-mediated immunity and ascerta... more SUMMARYWe have investigated the effect of methimazole (MMI) on cell-mediated immunity and ascertained the mechanisms of immunosuppression produced by the drug. Methimazole (≥ 10−5m) produced a dose-dependent inhibition in ‘active’ (early) rosette formation with sheep red cells and in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte transformation. A concentration of 10−4 M MMI inhibited the immediate rise in intracellular cAMP triggered by PHA and the subsequent time dependent decrement over 24 h. The drug (10−3 M) also exerted a significant inhibitory effect on antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) over six-fold difference in target/effector cell ratios. At a concentration of 10−5 M, MMI inhibited zymosan-induced respiratory burst (determined by change in the chemiluminescence of oxidized luminol) in polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cell preparations. Ninety-five per cent of the chemiluminescence in the latter preparation was due to monocytes. At concentrations between 10−7 and 10−6 M, MMI significantly inhibited (in cell-free systems) horseradish peroxidase-dependent generation of chemiluminescence as well as the oxidation of luminol by hydrogen peroxide. Methimazole exerts its inhibitory effects on measures of cell-mediated immunity by at least two mechanisms: inhibition of peroxidase and scavenging free oxygen radicals. Insensitivity of the test systems or poor access of MMI to leucocytes may account for the need for ≥ 10−5m MMI to inhibit cell-mediated immunity significantly.
IL-6 is a paracrine and autocrine cytokine, which acts in the regulation of immunological and inf... more IL-6 is a paracrine and autocrine cytokine, which acts in the regulation of immunological and inflammatory processes. Its production can be observed in different cell types, as well as thyrocytes. The purpose of the study was to examine the serum IL-6 levels between the patients with Graves&#39; disease (N = 47) and without (N = 29) ophthalmopathy in respect of the presence of inflammatory eye signs and thyroiditis, thyroid function and radioiodine or medical treatments. The serum IL-6 levels were greater (P &lt; 0.025) in the patients with ophthalmopathy (440 +/- 32.4 pg/ml) than in those without eye disease (81.6 +/- 25.2 pg/ml). An elevated serum IL-6 levels could be detected in 22 out of 47 patients with ophthalmopathy with longer manifestation of thyroid disease than one year in comparison with those who had shorter (694 +/- 35.3 pg/ml vs 215.8 +/- 27.9 pg/ml, P &lt; 0.05). The increase showed a strong association with the inflammatory signs of eye disease in the patients with Graves&#39; hyperthyroidism compared with those without ophthalmopathy (513.3 +/- 33.7 pg/ml vs 96.9 +/- 12.1 pg/ml, P &lt; 0.025). Euthyroid function and the presence of thyroiditis did not influence the serum IL-6 levels. Radioiodine and medical treatments did not lead to a remarkable decrease in the serum IL-6 levels. The results supported that IL-6 cytokine may be an important factor in the inflammatory events of Graves&#39; ophthalmopathy.
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