Interleukin 1 (IL-1) contains two proteins, which are the products of distinct genes, but which recognize the same cell surface receptors. In the liver, IL-1 initiates the acute phase response resulting in an increase in hepatic protein synthesis and decreased albumin production IL-1 also plays an important role in immune functions, having effects on macrophages/monocytes, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, NK cells, and LAK cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a cytokine that regulates immune responses. We analyzed total 160 serum specimens of patients from Clinical Center University of Sarajevo with different inflammatory diseases by ELISA method on interleukins: IL-1alfa and IL-6. Tests that we performed with IL-lalfa and IL-6 by ELISA method confirmed that serum specimens with IL-6 ELISA showed increased values of tested specimens, than the lowest standard and blank. We had average levels of IL-1alfa 3.7 pg/ml which was below the level of the lowest standard. All obtained results were in accordance with the results in IBL protocol for blank and lowest standard values, as well as the average levels of serum specimen values.

Aim: Detection of Anti-CCP antibodies in rheumatoid arthritis patients using Automated Microreader and Gen5 Software for analysis and data processing. Material and method: Total of 776 blood samples from inflammatory arthritis patients were obtained. Statistical analysis for positive and negative results was calculated and test values were compared. Results: Anti-CCP test was found positive (>25U/ml) in 32,8% of blood samples. The all positive test results were in rheumatoid arthritis patients with 95% specificity. Negative test results was found in 67,2% of blood samples that were drawn from all IgM RF negative individuals, reactive arthritis and osteoarthritis patients as well as in some end-stage rheumatoid arthritis disease. Mean value of positive results was very high: 599,62 U/ml. Conclusion: The anti-CCP test is highly specific test in Rheumatoid arthritis. The positive test in early undifferentiated inflammatory polyarthritis provides new laboratory diagnostic inflammatory marker and helps practitioners to confirm diagnosis of early rheumatoid arthritis. Microplate reader and Genf4 Software using ELISA method is essential automotive tool for extensive on-board data obtained analysis.

The history of transplantation is a scientific journey describing the medical community's effort to understand how the human body works. Humans have long realized the possibilities which transplantation of organs and tissue provides. Throughout history people have always been intrigued by the possibilities of the transplantation of organs and tissues. In the 6th Century BC Indian surgeons described how to reconstruct facial wounds by transplanting skin from one place on the body to the other. During the middle age there were many references in historical medical literature of attempted blood transfusions as well as the transplantation of teeth. A skin transplant and a corneal transplant were reported in medical journals dating as far back as 1880. These early attempts were usually unsuccessful. Early in the twentieth century transplantation started to offer the promise of restored health and life. One of the exceptional medical advances of the twentieth century, organ transplantation has become a routine treatment for patients with organ failure which was a goal.

We examined the effects of treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) on metabolic control and hyperinsulinemia. The study included 53 patients ages 53.42+/-3.11 years, BMI = 28.43+/-1.67 kg/m2, with SH. Laboratory evaluation included serum free T3, free T4, TSH, thyroid antibodies, TGL, insulin, C-peptide and glucose during OGTT, HbA1c, CRP and level of lipids. Twelve SH patients (37.7 %) had diabetes mellitus (DM), 14 patients (26.4 %) had glucose intolerance (GI) and 35 patients were obese (66 %). All patients were treated with L-thyroxin (25-50 microg). Patients with DM and GI were treated with diabetic diet, physical activity and previously antidiabetics without change of doses. After the six months of treatment, patients had normal or limited TSH (8.43+/-2.14 vs. 4.22+/-1.23 ulU/ml), level of fasting insulin (176+/-42 vs. 119+/-30 pmol/l) significantly decreased, level of HbA1c (7.2+/-1.3 vs. 5.8+/-0.6 %) decreased as well. The level of fasting and postprandial glucose significantly decreased, level of CRP decreased as well. The level of total cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol were changed. The correlation between TSH and HbA1c was positive and significant. These data support an important role of treatment of SH in support metabolic control and insulin sensitivity.

Human anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) react specificaly with DNA, RNA, several proteins and ribonucleoproteins. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is the classic type of polysystemic autoimmune disease. The high frequency of ANA is determined in these patients. Actually, all SLE patients are ANA positive. ANA testing by IFA (Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay) is an excellent screening tool for SLE cases, but it is not so highly specific test. Patients with connective tissue diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and dermatomyositis are also frequently positive. Results of IFA ANA have relative low specific degree, and for this reason the titration of these specimens to the end point is usually recommended. Indirect immunoflourescence is reference method for ANA testing. Common substrates are thin sections of rodent organs or various types of cell lines. The cell line substrates are preferable to organ sections, because these rapidly dividing cells have higher level for detection of certain clinically relevant antigens such as (e.g., centromere, SSA (Ro) and Scl-70). In this paper we present the results evaluation of ANA incidence, detected by IFA in serum specimens of corresponding clinical patients, during 2005 and 2006.

In practical terms, regardless of HLA compatibility level, whenever tissues are transplanted from one person to another it is essential to suppress the immune response of the recipient. A variety of methods are available however, the most frequently used ones have the disadvantage of being immunologicaly non specific. The consequence is a difficult balance between immunosuppression sufficient to prevent the tissue rejection and maintenance of immune system at the level of ability to adequately deal with an infection. The goal, not yet achieved, is to find a way of generating donor specific immunosuppression that leaves the immune machinery otherwise completely intact. The major approaches to immunosuppression are described below.

Enteroviruses are members of Enterovirus genus of Picornaviridae family. On the basis of their pathogenesis and host range, most human enteroviruses are classified into one of three groups (Coxsackie's viruses, echoviruses and polioviruses). Some unclassified human enteroviruses may cause bronchitis (type 68), acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (type 70), meningitis and paralysis (types 70 and 71) and hepatitis (type 72 or hepatitis A virus). Enteroviruses can be propagate in primary cultures of human monkey kidney cells and in some cell lines such as HeLa, Vero and WI-38. Virions are small (22-30 nm diameters) containing ss RNA, monopartite and have icosahedra symmetry. The fast, high sensitive and specific detection of enteroviruses today is achieved by using of PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) method. But, PCR is so much more than just mixing reagents in a tube and running a thermal cycler. In each laboratory with PCR facilities, it is necessary to find optimal PCR conditions (performing of PCR optimization experiments). In this paper we presented results of PCR optimization for enteroviruses by using of poliovirus type 1(Sabin). Optimal obtained PCR parameters were: 2,5 mM MgCl2, dNTPs dilution 10(-1) and annealing temperature 50 degrees C, after 30 amplification cycles in Perkin Elmer 2400 thermal cycler.

When histocompatibility differences exist between donor and recipient, it is necessary to modify or suppress the immune response in order to enable the recipient to accept a graft. Immunesuppressive therapy, in general, suppresses all immune responses, including those to bacteria, fungi and even malignant tumors. In the 1950s when clinical renal transplantation began, sublethal total body irradiation was employed. Currently immunosuppression is more safely induced pharmacologically. Agents used in humans to suppress the immune response are discussed in our paper.

AIM To examine the gene encoding for 5alpha-reductase type 1 in hyperandrogenic women, and assess the association of its eventual mutations or polymorphisms with the development of the hyperandrogenic female pattern. METHODS Sixteen hyperandrogenic women were included in the study. Single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis (SSCP) and DNA sequencing were performed after polymerase chain reaction amplification of each of the 5 exons of the SRD5A1 gene in both hyperandrogenic and control group (16 participants). RESULTS Sequence analysis identified the existence of many polymorphisms; in codon 24 of exon 1, GGC (Gly) into GAC (Asp); in codon 30 of exon 1, CGG (Arg) into CGC (Arg); in exon 3 codon 169, ACA to ACG (both encoding for threonine); in exon 5, AGA to AGG (both encoding for arginine, codon 260); and T/C polymorphism in intron 2. Polymorphisms were found in both groups. CONCLUSION Polymorphisms of SRD5A1 gene were the same in both hyperandrogenic and healthy women, indicating no significant associations of genetic polymorphisms/variations of SRD5A1 gene with clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenic disorders in women.

Transplantation of the pancreas is progressively becoming one of the preferred options of treating the insulin addicted diabetes mellitus. Pancreas can be transplanted alone, or together with a kidney, the latter option becoming more successful in recent years. In this case, the successfully transplanted pancreas with the regulation of sugar, protects the kidney from further damage. Among the more important complications in the recipient of the graft, we can certainly include vascular complications. One of the most important non-invasive methods of early discovery of vascular complications on the pancreas is in the first place ultrasound. Early diagnosis with ultrasound enables timely appropriate treatment and therefore the survival of the transplant. Especially unavoidable and useful in everyday practice is the role of the modern forms of ultrasound such as the Gray-scale sonography, duplex Doppler imaging and sonographic guidance for percutaneous biopsy. Color and Doppler ultrasound have proved themselves in everyday use as a precious source of information for diagnosis of eventual vascular complications and the status of regional vasculature. Early diagnosis resulting from the ultrasound and the concurrent use of other laboratory and clinical findings enables us to timely recognize and preempt the consequences of vascular complications thereby increasing the chances of pancreatic survival.