ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess serum levels of endocan & VEGF in patients with hepatitis C virus-related HCC and their diagnostic and predictive value of mortality.MethodsA total of 195 patients with CHC were subdivided into the following two groups: 105 HCV cirrhotic patients with HCC and 90 HCV cirrhotic patients without HCC. Sixty apparently healthy subjects served as the control group. The serum VEGF and endocan were assessed by ELISA.ResultsThe mean serum endocan level was 4257.6± 847.6 pg/mL in HCC patients, compared to 2099.2± 459.6 pg/mL in liver cirrhosis patients without HCC. VEGF levels in the HCC group were non-significantly higher than those of the non-HCC group, and control group. Endocan at cut-off value 2967 pg/ml had higher sensitivity and higher specificity in diagnosis of HCC than AFP and VEGF. The median follow up period was 9 months, survival curve analysis was done in HCC group and showed that probability of survival among HCC group with higher levels of VEGF and endocan were significantly lower than that patients with low levels. In HCC patients, elevated serum endocan levels were significantly associated with poor hepatic functions and a greater number and size of tumours. Multivariate analysis showed that serum endocan levels (≥4000 pg/ml), as well as elevated serum fetoprotein (>100 ng/dl), were independent prognostic biomarkers for mortality.ConclusionEndocan may be a useful diagnostic marker for HCC and a good predictor of mortality, especially when combined with AFP and VEGF.

Acne vulgaris is a disease of pilosebaceous units which results from the interplay between multiple factors. The sequence of events in acne pathogenesis is still not certain, but inflammation is strongly proposed as the early initial factor. 1Propionibacterium acnes initiates and maintains the inflammatory process via different mechanisms including increasing the proinflammatory cytokines mainly interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) release. 2Interleukin-1β can be released from keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and immune cells such as macrophages and mast cells. It can be involved in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, as it has a regulatory effect on chemokine expression and T-cell extravasation. Moreover, it is directly implicated in tissue destruction. 3,4 C-reactive protein (CRP), one of the acute phase proteins, is the best indicator of systemic inflammation, as its level elevates rapidly in cases of inflammation, and its serum levels show no circadian changes across the day. IL-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) that are implicated in the pathogenesis of acne are also major inducers of CRP production by the liver. Thus, CRP levels could be elevated in acne if the amount of inflammation is high enough. 5 Recently, the possible value of saliva to monitor the overall health, to diagnose various oral or systemic disorders, 6 and to monitor the therapeutic levels of different drugs to modify and individualize the

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Vitiligo is a multifactorial disorder related to both genetic and non-genetic factors. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is associated with the melanocytes destruction that may result from immune and inflammatory mediators. The autoimmune theory is the most important theory about the pathogenesis of vitiligo. The aims of the study are the evaluation and assessment of serum levels of IL17 in vitiligo patients to reveal their possible role in pathogenesis of vitiligo and to correlate their levels with the severity of the disease. Patients and Methods: In this study, thirty patients (15 male and 15 females) were included in the present study and 30 apparently healthy, age and sex matched individuals were included as a control group. Patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic of Benha University Hospitals from Dermatology, Venereology and Andrology Department. All patients were subjected to full history, full dermatological and general examination. Measurement of serum levels of IL-17 using the commercially available ELISA kit. Results: The present study revealed significant increase in serum levels of IL-17 in patients than controls. Conclusion: Vitiligo is associated with increased serum level in IL-17 indicating that IL-17 may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.