Browsing by Author "Mihailovic-Vucinic, Violeta (13410407800)"

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystem granulomatous disease with unknown etiology. The interplay of vitamin D deficiency and genetic polymorphisms in genes coding for the proteins relevant for metabolism of vitamin D is an important, but unexplored area. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP2R1 (rs10741657), CYP27B1 (rs10877012), DBP (rs7041; rs4588), and VDR (rs2228570) genes and sarcoidosis, as well as the association between these SNPs and 25(OH)D levels in sarcoidosis patients. Material and methods: For that purpose we genotyped 86 sarcoidosis patients and 50 healthy controls using the PCR-RFLP method. Results: Subjects carrying the CC genotype of CYP27B1 rs10877012 have 10 times lower odds of suffering from sarcoidosis. Moreover, DBP rs4588 AA genotype was shown to be a susceptibility factor, where carriers of this genotype had eight times higher odds for developing sarcoidosis. In addition, the A allele of the DBP gene (rs4588) was associated with lower levels of 25(OH)D in sarcoidosis patients. Conclusions: These results suggest that patients with vitamin D deficiency should be regularly tested for genetic modifiers that are related to sarcoidosis in order to prevent development of serious forms of sarcoidosis. Copyright © 2018 Termedia & Banach

Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory granulomatous disease that is characterized by diverse organ system manifestations, a variable clinical course, and a predilection for affecting relatively young adults worldwide. Abnormalities on chest radiographs are detected in 85% to 95% of patients who have sarcoidosis. Approximately 20% to 50% of patients who have sarcoidosis present with respiratory symptoms, including dyspnea, cough, chest pain, and tightness of the chest. The clinical course and manifestations of pulmonary sarcoidosis are protean: spontaneous remission occurs in approximately two thirds of patients; up to 30% of patients have chronic course of the lung disease, resulting in progressive, (sometimes life-threatening) loss of lung function. Morbidity that correlates to sarcoidosis occurs in 1% to 4% of patients. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A granuloma is a focal collection of inflammatory cells that include mononuclear cells, macrophages, and giant cells along with a number of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and fibroblasts. Granulomatous reactions may be classified functionally into two major categories (1). The first group consists of lesions characterized by delayed-type hypersensitivity, antigen- specific response. These granulomas have a high rate of cell turnover, are very active lesions, and are seen in tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and schistosomiasis. The second type is a foreign body granuloma that lacks an antigen-specific response and often is an inactive, minimally destructive lesion. These low-turnover granulomas are seen in berylliosis, where the offending agent is inanimate and inert. The composition of the causative irritant and its degradability and immunogenecity are decisive factors in the development of a granuloma (2). © 2006 by Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Purpose: Many studies include elevated activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in serum in sarcoidosis and in ocular sarcoidosis as well, but there are only a few analyzing ACE activities in aqueous humor. The aim of this study is to illuminate the diagnostic value of ACE in aqueous humor in patients with ocular sarcoidosis. Methods: We analyzed twenty patients with ocular sarcoidosis and 18 patients with nonocular involvement. All patients have biopsy-positive sarcoidosis of the lungs and/or mediastinal lymph nodes. Blood samples for ACE serum levels were obtained from all patients. Aqueous humor samples were taken by paracentesis with a 25-gauge needle in local anesthesia. With appropriate statistical tests, we compared ACE activity in serum and aqueous humor in patients with and without ocular sarcoidosis. Results: The majority of our patients with ocular sarcoidosis were female (12/20), also in the group with systemic sarcoidosis and without ocular involvement (12/6). Mean age of the whole analyzed group of sarcoidosis patients was 45 ± 6 years. There is no statistically significant difference in ACE activity in serum between two groups of patients (with and without ocular sarcoidosis). There is statistically significant difference in ACE activity in aqueous humor among patients with ocular and nonocular sarcoidosis. ACE activity in aqueous humor is significantly higher in patients with ocular sarcoidosis. Conclusion: Increased ACE activity in aqueous humor can point to a diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis, without the need for ocular biopsy. © 2017 Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow.

Background: Depressive symptoms are frequent in sarcoidosis. We assessed the impact of sarcoidosis symptoms, pulmonary function, fatigue, radiographic findings, comorbidities, treatment, and serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) on depressive symptoms in sarcoidosis patients. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we measured depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale (CES-D) and fatigue using the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Presence of depressive symptoms was defined with CES-D scores ≥16 and ≥20, respectively. Fatigue was defined as having an FAS score of ≥22. Results: A total of 400 patients were included in the study. CES-D score ≥16 had 128 patients, while CES-D score ≥20 had 86 patients. In a multivariate binomial logistic regression model, the following independent predictors of CES-D score ≥16 were identified: female gender (odds ratio, OR 1.983), chronic sarcoidosis (OR 2.311), serum levels of 25(OH)D ≤20 ng/mL (OR 2.326), persistent dry cough (OR 2.173), FAS Scores ≥22 (OR 9.243), and chest X-ray stage 3 (8.851). Five variables were independent predictors of CES-D score ≥20: diplopia (OR 4.411), FEV1 <80% predicted associated with FVC <80% predicted (OR 2.311), serum levels of 25(OH)D ≤20 ng/mL (OR 2.278), persistent dry cough (OR 3.001), and FAS Scores ≥22 (OR 7.611). Conclusions: Measuring the contribution of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the impact of persistent dry cough on depressive symptoms in patients with sarcoidosis may be crucial in deciding whether to use vitamin D3 alone or with antitussive therapy before the psychiatric diagnosis of depression with antidepressant therapy initiation. © 2025 Society of Medical Biochemists of Serbia. All rights reserved.