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Vesna Ilić

Publications and source records attributed to Vesna Ilić.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Hypogalactosylation of salivary and gingival fluid immunoglobulin G in patients with advanced periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Altered glycosylation of immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been found to affect certain immunological activities of IgG and to correlate with increased inflammation in various disease states. This work deals with the changes in distribution and galactosylation of IgG subclasses present in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) of patients with initial and advanced periodontitis and of normal controls. METHODS: IgG subclasses were quantified by dot-blot assay, and the degrees of expression of galactose in the total IgG and its individual subclasses were estimated by lectin immunoblot assay after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) separation of IgG and by capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using biotinylated Ricinus communis (RCA-I) and Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BS-II) lectins. RESULTS: The distribution of IgG subclasses in both fluids was found to differ in periodontal patients compared to normal controls. In the periodontitis saliva and GCF, the IgG2 subclass dominated quantitatively, regardless of periodontal status. However, galactose was found to be expressed in IgG heavy chains in normal controls and patients with initial periodontitis but not, or at barely detectable levels, in advanced periodontitis. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the shift toward hypogalactosylated glycoforms may occur during the process of inflammation of the gingiva.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

A longitudinal study of the relationship between galactosylation degree of IgG and rheumatoid factor titer and avidity during long-term immunization of rabbits with BSA.

Although IgG with reduced content of galactose has been implicated as important in the autoimmune rheumatoid factor (RF) response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), relatively little is known about the temporal relationship between RF and the degree of galactosylation of IgG in vivo. We established an experimental model for studying the dynamic association between changes in the relative extent of galactosylation of IgG antigen(s) and the main parameters of RF activity, such as the titer, specificity and functional affinity/avidity. Rabbits hyperimmunized with BSA were used for examining the influence of long-term antigenic stimulation on the galactosylation status of IgG and rheumatoid factor production. The results showed that the galactosylation profile of IgG varied during the humoral anti-BSA response in rabbits and that the accompanying RF response fluctuated in titer and binding avidity for differently galactosylated IgG. The immune complexes (IC) were found to be composed of differently galactosylated IgG differing in capacity to inhibit the agglutination activity of RF. Moreover, the ability of circulating RF to react avidly with rather small IC was associated with a lower content of galactose in complexed IgG. The results suggest that a certain dynamic relationship exists between the oligosaccharide moiety of IgG and the titer and avidity of RF during the normal anti-BSA response of rabbits.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Case report: celiac disease].

INTRODUCTION: Celiac disease (nontropical sprue, gluten-sensitive enteropathy, chronic intestinal malabsorption disorder) is caused by gluten intolerance. This hereditary disorder is caused by sensitivity to gliadin. Because the body's own immune system causes the damage, celiac disease is considered to be an autoimmune disorder. However, it is also classified as a disease of malabsorption because nutrients are not absorbed. When people with celiac disease eat foods containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine. Specifically, tiny finger-like protrusions, called villi, on the lining of the small intestine are lost. The diagnosis is suspected on the basis of symptoms and signs, enhanced by laboratory and x-ray studies, and confirmed by biopsy revealing flat mucosa and subsequent clinical and histologic improvement on a gluten-free diet. Gluten must be excluded from diet. Supplementary vitamins, minerals and hematinics may be given depending on deficiency. CASE REPORT: This is a case report of a 23-year old female patient with a mineralization defect (osteomalacia) and secondary osteoporosis caused by long-time unrecognized celiac disease. The patient had many symptoms: short stature, steatorrhea, anemia, weight loss and chronic bone pain. Laboratory and x-ray studies and jejunal biopsy revealed a chronic intestinal malabsorption disorder caused by gluten intolerance. Gluten-free diet and supplementary vitamins, minerals and hematinics were included with apparent clinical remission. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Some people with celiac disease may not have symptoms. The undamaged part of their small intestine is able to absorb enough nutrients to prevent symptoms. However, people without symptoms are still at risk for complications of celiac disease. Biopsy of the small intestine is the best way to diagnose celiac disease. Decreased bone density (osteoporosis and osteomalacia) is a serious problem for celiacs. If calcium is not absorbed, due to small intestinal damage caused by untreated celiac disease, bones are not as dense. The only treatment for celiac disease is gluten-free diet, that is, avoiding all foods that contain gluten. For most people, this diet stops symptoms, heals the existing intestinal damage, and prevents further damage.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dyslipidemia and subclinical hypothyroidism].

INTRODUCTION: Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as an increased serum TSH and normal serum FT4 concentration. In subclinical hypothyroidism, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies are frequently present. Subclinical hypothyroidism may have endogenous or exogenous causes. The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism is rather high. The number of patients progressing to overt hypothyroidism may be higher. These patients may be asymptomatic, or have only mild symptoms or a single symptom. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated 35 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism in order to establish the type and degree of dyslipidemia and effects of therapy with L-thyroxine (50 micrograms/d) during three months. RESULTS: Serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apo B were increased. A significant reduction of serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and apo B concentrations was established during thyroid hormone replacement. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Only a few studies reported higher LDL and lower HDL-cholesterol values in subclinical hypothyroidism. Much interest was thus aroused to evaluate whether or not subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with hypercholesterolemia. Only patients with serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentration above 10 mU/L had a significant reduction of serum cholesterol concentration during thyroid hormone replacement. Most patients with subclinical hypothyroidism should be treated with thyroxine to prevent progression to overt hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy may slow the progression of coronary heart disease, because of its beneficial effects on lipids. These findings and especially high rate of progression towards overt hypothyroidism suggest early thyroxine treatment.

Female↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Lipid abnormalities in elderly patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism].

INTRODUCTION: Sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) assays provide identification of many patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism resulting from excessive production or excessive replacement of thyroid hormone. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is defined by a TSH below normal (suppressed) with normal serum T3 and T4 levels. Subclinical hyperthyroidism is the goal of thyroid hormone therapy in patients with thyroid cancer, solitary thyroid nodules, multinodular or diffuse goiters, or a history of head and neck irradiation. Benefits of TSH suppression in these patients, were thought to exceed the risks of subclinical hyperthyroidism. Subclinical hyperthyroidism also occurs in patients with thyroiditis and those with autoimmune thyroid disease. Other causes of TSH suppression, such as use of glucocorticoids, severe illness and pituitary dysfunction should be excluded. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This investigation included 55 elderly patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism in order to establish the type and degree of lipid abnormalities and effects of therapy with antithyroid drugs (methimazole 10 mg/day) during three months. These patients presented with no or minimal symptoms of thyroid hormone excess, but 56% of patients experienced atrial fibrillation and cardiac hypertrophy. RESULTS: Levels of serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were decreased. We found a significant increase of serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels after treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Subclinical hyperthyroidism in elderly individuals is difficult to diagnose because it may present only with cardiac manifestations including atrial fibrillation and cardiac hypertrophy. There is general agreement that measurement of serum TSH is the most sensitive indicator of thyroid hormone activity in its target tissues. Patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism tend to have low serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol anf HDL-cholesterol levels. These values increase after treatment. Most patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism should be treated with antithyroid drugs to prevent cardiovascular complications and bone loss, particularly among postmenopausal women.

Aged↗