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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, inflammatory, and autoimmune disease that can cause permanent joint damage. In our study, we aim to analyze the change in calprotectin levels following the low-density exercise levels applied to the patients with RA. Twenty-eight patients with RA and 30 healthy controls were included in this study. To evaluate the activity of disease in RA, scores of disease activity that has increased (DAS-28) are figured. Calprotectin, nitric oxide (NO), white blood cell (WBC) count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and rheumatoid factor (RF) levels are tested as the laboratory evaluation. Calprotectin, NO, CRP, ESR, WBC, and RF levels were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group ( p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively). In correlation analysis applied to the patient group with RA, there has been determined a positive relation with calprotectin, and DAS-28, CRP, NO, RF, and WBC ( p < 0.001, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). In result of the low-density exercise treatment applied to patients with RA for 8 weeks, there has been determined a significant decrease in calprotectin, DAS-28, NO, CRP, ESR, and RF levels ( p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). As a result, a significant relation is found between RA disease activity and calprotectin levels and other inflammatory parameters. At the same time, it shows that calprotectin which is a significant indicator of local inflammation can be used as a good identifier in following up exercise treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Chronic inflammation of the lung is a characteristic finding in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD). The protein chemerin has been identified in inflammatory fluid and in inflamed tissues. This study aimed to determine the association between serum chemerin levels and the severity of COPD. Methods Forty-three COPD patients and 38 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Fasting plasma samples were obtained from the patient and the control group. Serum chemerin levels were measured using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C-reactive protein levels, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and fibrinogen analysis were used to assess the inflammation status of the patients. Spirometric measurements with reversibility testing were performed in all the subjects. Results Serum chemerin levels were significantly elevated in the COPD patients (6.44 ± 0.52 vs 5.22 ± 0.59; P < 0.001). A Mann- Whitney U-test revealed that the serum chemerin levels of stage 2 COPD patients were higher than those of stage 1 and 3 COPD patients ( P = 0.651). Cigarette smoking and plasma chemerin relation was also understudied; however, there was no significant relationship between current smokers and ex-smokers ( P > 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis indicated that serum chemerin levels were positively correlated only with total cholesterol (T. cholesterol) ( P < 0.05, r = 0.382). In the linear regression analysis, chemerin levels were associated with age (β = 0.321), triglycerides (β = 0.299) and T. cholesterol (β = 0.555). Conclusion Our study points to a relation between plasma chemerin levels and COPD. Larger patient groups are needed to verify the role of chemerin in the severity of COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to determine acute phase response (APR) and oxidative stress in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and compare these characteristics with those in healthy controls; 20 patients with FMF and 15 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and leukocyte levels were determined as markers of APR. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated diene, and lipid hydroperoxide levels were measured as markers of lipid peroxidation. Carbonyl group and thiol (T-SH) levels were analyzed to determine the oxidative damage to proteins, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was measured to reflect DNA oxidation. The erythrocyte glutathione (GSH) level, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD), and catalase activities were measured as markers of antioxidant status. Conjugated diene ( p < 0.001) and carbonyl group ( p < 0.05) levels were significantly higher and GSH-Px activity ( p < 0.01) was significantly lower in FMF patients compared with controls. FMF patients in the attack period ( n = 8) had significantly higher CRP, ESR, fibrinogen, and leukocyte levels ( p < 0.001) than patients in the attack-free period ( n = 12). The T-SH level ( p < 0.05) was significantly higher and CuZn SOD activity was significantly lower ( p < 0.05) in FMF patients in the attack period. The findings revealed upregulated APR during the attack period in FMF patients and enhanced oxidative stress in the FMF patients as compared to controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]