Skin and kidney are commonly affected in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with similar molecular mechanisms. Although clinical indicators of renal injury in SLE are fairly uncontroversial, few biomarkers are reliable. The role of Micro-RNAs (miRNAs) in lupus nephritis (LN) pathogenesis has been investigated. The aim of work is to evaluate miRNA199 expression in SLE Egyptian patients and their association with LN. This is a case-control study involving 98 SLE patients with and without LN (LN and non-LN groups), and 20 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were carried out to detect miRNA199 with quantitative Real-Time Polymerase chain reaction methods. The SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was assessed. The mean disease duration was 5.9 ± 3.4 and 6.4 ± 4.4 months in LN and non-LN, and SLEDAI was 11.98 ± 5.3 and 10.5 ± 3.8 in LN and non-LN. miRNA199 expression was significantly decreased in patient groups compared to controls (1.01 ± 0.03) (P = 0.0001) and in LN (0.41 ± 0.21) compared to non-LN group (0.55 ± 0.15) (P = 0.002). There was no correlation between miRNA199 expression and SLEDAI or other clinical and laboratory data of the patients. In conclusion, miRNA199 may play a role in SLE activity and helping in the early diagnosis of LN.
Background
Lichen planus (LP) is a chronic mucocutaneous inflammatory disease. Its etiology remains unknown and may be caused by a cell-mediated immunological response, where autoreactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the effector cells, which cause degeneration and destruction of keratinocytes. Inflammation produces disturbances of lipid metabolism such as serum increase of triglycerides or decrease of high-density lipoprotein. Hyperhomocysteinemia has been regarded as a new modifiable risk factor for atherosclerosis and vascular disease. Homocysteine increases the damage to the cardiovascular system in different ways. It is widely seen now as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease in adults. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a well-recognized clinical predictor of subclinical atherosclerosis. In several previous studies, patients with psoriasis exhibited greater CIMT than did the controls. In light of these studies, authorities might think that LP would also be associated with the formation of subclinical atherosclerosis, given the similarity between the pathogenesis of psoriasis and that of LP.
Aim
To assess carotid intima thickness and serum homocysteine level as markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with LP.
Patients and methods
Abstract Peripheral blood samples were collected from 25 patients with LP and 25 controls to assess serum homocysteine level, blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides. CIMT was measured by B mode ultrasound.
Results
Both serum homocysteine and CIMT were significantly higher in patients with LP than controls.
Conclusion
Serum homocysteine and CIMT could be reliable predictors of subclinical atherosclerosis in LP.
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