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Leptin, produced by adipocytes, regulates metabolism, hunger, and immune response. The inflammatory role of leptin has been linked to autoimmune diseases. To assess leptin gene polymorphism and serum level in alopecia areata and their relation to metabolic syndrome (MS). This case-control study was conducted on 100 alopecia areata patients (50 with MS and 50 without MS) and 50 age- and gender-matched controls. Leptin gene polymorphism and serum level were assessed through the use of PCR and ELISA, respectively. GG genotype was the highest in AA with MS (54%), lower in AA without MS (42%), and the lowest in controls (20%). G allele was more expressed in cases, than in controls (

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin disease with a potential morbidity in patients. Cold-inducible RNA binding protein (CIRP) is a stress responsive protein having diverse roles in cancer and inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of CIRP, (serum and tissue), in psoriasis patients and to correlate this expression to the clinico-pathological data of the patients. The serum level and tissue expression of CIRP were compared between 20 patients and 20 healthy controls. Additionally, the association between CIRP level and various clinicopathological parameters was done. The serum level of CIRP was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while its tissue expression was detected via immunohistochemistry. CIRP was expressed in the epidermis of all studied cases and controls with nuclear localization. A significant difference in its epidermal expression between lesional, perilesional cases and controls was observed. It was higher in control epidermis than perilesional skin and the lowest in lesional skin. Conversely, the serum CIRP level was significantly higher in psoriasis patients compared to healthy subjects. CIRP seemed to have a significant pathologic role in psoriasis patients with evident difference in its intracellular and extracellular expression levels suggesting a potential difference it its function.

Objectives To assess cluster of differentiation 93 (CD93) protein serum level in psoriasis cases and its role in the disease pathogenesis. Background Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is a complex multifactorial condition related to a combination of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors; hence, this study was established to study the role of CD93 in the psoriasis pathogenesis. Patients and methods This prospective study was carried out during the period from June 2018 to December 2018. This case–control study was conducted on 30 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 20 age-matched and sex-matched healthy volunteers as a control group. Cases were selected from the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic at Menoufia University Hospital during the period from June 2018 to December 2018. Control were selected from the healthy staff of Menoufia University Hospital. The laboratory part of the study was done at the Biochemistry Department of Menoufia Faculty of Medicine. Results There were no significant differences in CD93 protein levels in serum between patients with psoriasis and controls. Conclusion There were no differences in CD93 protein expression in serum among psoriasis cases and control group.

Objectives To assess the role of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in the pathogenesis of vitiligo patients and its relation to severity of vitiligo. Background Vitiligo is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by skin depigmentation caused by the loss of epidermal melanocytes. Its prevalence ranges between 0.5 and 2%. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is poorly understood. Patients and methods This is a case–control study that was conducted on 80 participants, who were divided into two main groups. The first group A included 40 patients with vitiligo. The second group B included 40 age-matched and sex-matched healthy participants as a control group. Blood sample was taken from each participant for measurement of plasma HMGB1 level by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results The result showed significant increase in the level of plasma HMGB1 in vitiligo patients (79.48 ± 110.5) compared with controls (51.70 ± 69.16) (P = 0.040). The result also showed that HMGB1 concentration was not correlated with clinical parameters such as age, sex, disease onset, duration of recent aggravation, or percentage of vitiligo involvement. Conclusion Our data provide insights into the possible role of HMGB1 for the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Waleed Abdou Hamed,1 Ghada E Hammouda,2 Sally M El-Hefnawy,2 Eman M Abd El-Gayed2 1Cardiology Department, 2Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt Background: CAD is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death in both men and women. Transcription factor 21 (TCF21) is required for normal epicardial development and regulates epicardium-derived cell (EPDC) differentiation into smooth muscle and fibroblast lineages.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of TCF21 (12190287G/C) gene polymorphism in patients with CAD and its association with other clinical and laboratory variables in these patients.Patients and methods: This study was carried out in 100 patients with CAD, and 50 healthy subjects served as controls. All studied subjects underwent laboratory investigations, including measurement of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB), troponin I (TnI) and genotyping of TCF21 (12190287G/C) gene using the TaqMan Allelic Discrimination assay technique.Results: Serum creatinine, TC, TG, LDL-c, CK-MB and TnI were significantly higher in patients with CAD than in the control group. There was a statistically significant difference regarding genotype frequency of TCF21 (12190287G/C) polymorphism between the two studied groups, with the highest frequency of GG genotype among the control group, while CC genotype had the highest frequency in the patient group. C allele was more frequent in the patient group, while G allele was more frequent in the control group.Conclusion: CC genotype and C allele of TCF21 (12190287G/C) polymorphism are considered as genetic risk factors for CAD; these findings could have an impact on the future preventive and management protocols in this group of patients. Keywords: coronary artery disease, transcription factor, gene polymorphism

Objective This study was conducted to investigate the prognostic significance of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) serum levels in patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation (RFA) therapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Background HCC is one of the prominent types of malignancies and ranks third in mortality worldwide. RFA is regarded as an alternative to surgical resection for curative treatment of a small HCC. GGT is a key enzyme that catalyzes the transpeptidation and hydrolysis of the C-terminal glutamyl group of glutathione and related molecules, and it correlates with biotransformation, nucleic acid metabolism, and tumorigenesis. Patients and methods This study was conducted on 20 patients with a small HCC who had been treated with RFA. Baseline serum GGT was estimated before therapy and then after 1–2 months to see its possible prognostic tool as a marker in HCC. In addition, 20 apparently healthy individuals matched for age and sex were selected as a control group. Results Our study revealed that level of GGT was significantly reduced compared with pretreated level in patients with HCC treated with RFA. Moreover, high GGT level and big tumor size were risk factors for recurrence. Conclusion We can use GGT as a marker for prognosis of HCC patients treated with RFA.