Nagwa Abdelghaffar | Cairo University (original) (raw)

Papers by Nagwa Abdelghaffar

IntroductIon Nesfatin-1, which was discovered in 2006, consists of an 82-amino acid polypeptide. ... more IntroductIon Nesfatin-1, which was discovered in 2006, consists of an 82-amino acid polypeptide. It has an active core that has an anorexigenic effect, which is the mid-fragment that consists of 29 amino acids, through which it regulates food intake, gastrointestinal function, glucose and lipid Background Nesfatin-1 is considered an anorexigenic peptide that plays an important role in appetite regulation, weight loss, and malnutrition. Although the cause of anorexia in CKD patients is not totally understood, both anorexia and malnutrition are common presentations of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients who are susceptible to worse outcomes. Our aim of the work To study the relation of serum nesfatin-1 and its relation to the nutritional status of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), who are maintained on regular hemodialysis. Patients and methods A total of 60 ESRD patients are maintained on regular hemodialysis, and apparently healthy thirty persons (control group) were included in this study. Those included represented 45 males and 45 females with an age range from 19 to 68 years old. Based on malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), we had three groups, the first & second group, each included 30 ESRD patients maintained on regular HD without & with malnutrition respectively. 3rd group included 30 apparently healthy control persons; all subjects were exposed to full history, clinical examination, MIS questioner, and lab. Tests in the form of Complete blood count, liver function test, Kidney Function test, s.Calcium, Phosphrus, Parathyroid hormone, iron profile, C reactive protein titer, interleukin 6, and serum nesfatin 1. Results There were significant increases in s. nesfatin-1 and CRP levels in groups 1, 2 more than that of the control group, with a significant increase in group 2 in comparison to other groups. Group 2 had a statistically significantly increase of IL6 and MIS when compared to group 1. In group 2. while there was a highly significant positive correlation between nesfatin-1with MIS and IL6, but a significantly negative correlation with BMI, Ph. and serum parathyroid hormone. In group 1, while there was a highly significant positive correlation between nesfatin-1with MIS and IL6, a significantly positive correlation with duration of dialysis but a significantly negative correlation with ferritin, calcium, and cholesterol. The cutoff level in group1 patients versus group 2 was more than 16.6, with a sensitivity of 56.7% and specificity of 83.3%. In conclusion, s. nesfatin-1 is specific for the detection of malnutrition in hemodialysis patients.

Kasr Al Ainy Medical Journal

Background Chronic inflammation and airway remodeling have important roles in asthma pathophysiol... more Background Chronic inflammation and airway remodeling have important roles in asthma pathophysiology. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and YKL-40 play a very important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Aim The aim of this work was to find noninvasive biomarkers that may enable us to assess asthma severity as a surrogate for invasive bronchial mucosa biopsy. Therefore, we studied the correlation between TGF-β1 and YKL-40 and asthma severity. Patients and method The work was done on 40 patients with asthma who were classified into two groups: 20 patients with mild asthma and 20 patients with severe but stable asthma. A third group of 20 normal participants was taken as control. Immunoglobulin E total, YKL-40, and TGF-β1 were determined in serum of all studied groups. Results The results showed highly significant increased serum TGF-β1 and serum YKL-40 in patients with asthma compared with control group, and they were positively correlated with disease severity. Conclusion We conclude that increased serum levels of TGF-β1 and YKL-40 may be a biological characteristic of asthma exacerbation.

Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal, 2019

Childhood obesity has been linked to an increase in fracture risk, so the impact of obesity on bo... more Childhood obesity has been linked to an increase in fracture risk, so the impact of obesity on bone metabolism is becoming a focus of attention to identify factors that may affect bone health in obese children. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between serum 25-Hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) D], adipokines and bone status in obese children. This case control study was executed in the Child Health Clinic in Medical and Scientific Centre of Excellence, National Research Centre (NRC), 100 obese and 80 non-obese age- and sex-matched children were enrolled in our study with mean age of (10.12±2.34 & 9.62±1.67 years) respectively. Anthropometric measurements, femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) and its Z-score, bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in relation to body weight (kg), we also determined serum 25(OH) D, adiponectin, leptin and lipid profile. HOMA-IR was calculated to assess insulin resistance. It was found tha...

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2016

Hepatitis Monthly, 2015

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted glycoprotein and is frequently associated with variou... more Background: Osteopontin (OPN) is a secreted glycoprotein and is frequently associated with various tumors. Objectives: We sought to investigate the clinical usefulness of the level of plasma OPN, compared to α-fetoprotein (AFP), as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to evaluate its diagnostic value in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its relationship with clinical and laboratory features of HCC and NAFLD. Patients and Methods: The study was performed on 120 subjects classified into 5 groups: Group I included 25 chronic non-cirrhotic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients; Group II encompassed 25 patients with chronic HCV infection with liver cirrhosis; Group III comprised 25 patients with chronic HCV with liver cirrhosis and HCC; Group IV was comprised of 25 patients with NAFLD; and Group V consisted of 20 healthy age-and sex-matched controls. All the participants were subjected to history taking and clinical and abdominal ultrasonographic examinations as well as the following laboratory investigations: liver function tests, complete blood count, blood sugar, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C virus antibodies, HCV-RNA by qualitative polymerase chain reaction (for Groups I, II, and III) and serum AFP and plasma OPN levels. Results: There were statistically significant differences in plasma OPN levels between the HCC group (401 ± 72 ng/mL) and the other groups, between the cirrhotic group (258.3 ± 35 ng/mL) and the non-cirrhotic group (HCV group, 168.7 ± 41 ng/mL; fatty liver group, 106.7 ± 35 ng/mL), and between the chronic non-cirrhotic HCV group and the fatty liver group (I and IV) and the controls (35.1 ± 6 ng/mL). In the HCC group, the diagnostic value of OPN was comparable to that of AFP at a cutoff value of 280 ng/mL, achieving sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of 100%, 98%, and 96%, respectively. Regarding the validity of plasma OPN as a predictor of fatty change, our results revealed a diagnostic accuracy of 50% with 70% sensitivity, 45% specificity, 50% positive predictive value, and 75% negative predictive value at a cutoff value of 134 ng/mL. Conclusions: Plasma OPN is comparable to AFP as a diagnostic marker and is related to the severity of liver involvement in HCC patients. Plasma OPN is of diagnostic potential value in NAFLD.

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2014

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2018

Background Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a novel marker of tissue ischemia and oxidative str... more Background Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) is a novel marker of tissue ischemia and oxidative stress. Aim We assessed the level of IMA concentration in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with diabetic nephropathy and its correlation with glycemia level, duration of diabetes, dyslipidemia, serum creatinine, and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio. Patients and methods This study included 91 patients who were divided into three groups: group A (33) included T2DM patients without nephropathy; group B (29) included T2DM patients with nephropathy; and group C (29) included healthy as control. Blood samples were analyzed manually for plasma IMA by spectrophotometric cobalt (II)-albuminbinding assay. Results Serum levels of IMA were significantly higher in group B in comparison to group A with a P value less than 0.001 and group C with a P value less than 0.0001. IMA positively correlated with blood pressure, duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol, lowdensity lipoprotein, triglycerides, serum creatinine, and albumin/creatinine ratio, all with a P value less than 0.0001 and also with BMI (P<0.003). IMA was a significant discriminator for diabetic nephropathy (P<0.001) with 100% specificity and 100% sensitivity. Conclusion IMA could serve as an indicator of glycemic control and a sensitive marker of diabetic nephropathy.

The Scientific Journal of Al-Azhar Medical Faculty, Girls, 2018

Background Retinol has been involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis.... more Background Retinol has been involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) have emerged as the most common chronic liver diseases. A minority of affected patients develop subsequently hepatic fibrosis, whereas most of them exhibit simple steatosis. Indeed, the relation between retinol and NAFLD and NASH is still incomplete and unknown. Objective This study aimed to identify the clinical relevance of retinol in patients with NAFLD and NASH. Patients and methods This study enrolled 90 individuals who were selected from the outpatient clinic of Al Zahraa University Hospital, Egypt, which comprised 30 patients with NAFLD, 30 with NASH and 30 healthy persons as a control group. Serum glucose, lipid profiles, markers of liver damage, serum retinol, and abdominal ultrasound were studied. Results Serum retinol concentrations were significantly lower in NAFLD and NASH than in control, where the mean serum retinol concentration in patients with NAFLD was 23.02±2.9 and NASH was 11.7±2.3, and it was significantly lower than those in controls, with 36.1±2.7 (P<0.01). Conclusion Circulating retinol concentrations were lower in patients with NAFLD and were associated with hepatic lipid metabolism and insulin resistance.

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2015

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including insul... more Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), including insulin resistance, obesity, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, and low levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL). 1 Metabolic syndrome is a strong predictor of type 2 diabetes, with an increased incidence rate of 5 to 7-fold. The risk of developing CVD is approximately doubled in the metabolic syndrome. 2 Obesity, in particular visceral adiposity, is known to be associated with insulin resistance and a heterogeneous disorder, MS. MS is a cluster of interrelated common clinical disorders, including hypertension, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemia, in addition to obesity. 3 It has been shown that visceral fat deposits are more metabolically active than their subcutaneous homologues, being particularly involved in the development of diseases associated with obesity, such as MS, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and coronary artery disease (CAD). 4 White adipose tissue plays a key role as an organ secreting numerous bioactive molecules called adipokines or adipocytokines. 5 The number of identified ABSTRACT Background: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is a cluster of interrelated common clinical disorders, including hypertension, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and dyslipidaemia, in addition to obesity. Central obesity accompanied by insulin resistance is a keyfactor in the development of metabolic syndrome (MS) and future macro vascular complications. Adiponectin is the most abundant peptide secreted by adipocytes, being a key component in the interrelationship between adiposity, insulin resistance and inflammation. Hypoadiponectimia has already been associated with the risk of the MS in several populations. Plasma adiponectin level was measured in the current study to clarify its role as a biomarker for metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods: This study was conducted on 40 MS patients (Group I) compared with 20 age and sex matched healthy volunteers (Group II). All patients and controls were subjected to full medical history, clinical examination and laboratory investigations in addition to plasma adiponectin level. Results: Plasma adiponectin levels were significantly lower in subjects with MS when compared with subjects with no diagnosis of MS. There was significant negative correlation between plasma adiponectin and age, waist circumference, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, insulin resistance, serum insulin, and triglycerides. Also there was significant positive correlation between plasma adiponectin and HDL. Conclusion: We conclude that adiponectin levels could help as a biomarker for cases of MS.

Background: Patients under hemodialysis are at high risk for atherosclerotic events. Enhanced oxi... more Background: Patients under hemodialysis are at high risk for atherosclerotic events. Enhanced oxidant stress, dyslipidemia and inflammation may play a major role in this risk. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) is shown to reside over high density lipoprotein (HDL) and has both antioxidant and anti-atherogenic functions. Methods: Serum PON-1 was measured in 30 end stage renal disease (ESRD) children on hemodialysis and compared the results with those of 30 age and sex matched controls. We also studied the lipid profile of both patients and controls. Results: The paraoxonase-1 level was significantly reduced in ESRD patients compared to controls (63.3 Vs. 103.9). Total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly higher in cases compared to controls, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly lower in cases than controls. Conclusion: Patients on long term hemodialysis have decreased paraoxonase-1 activi...

al-azhar medical journal, 2020

Background: Fetuin-A is a liver-derived plasma protein, mediates the formation and stabilization ... more Background: Fetuin-A is a liver-derived plasma protein, mediates the formation and stabilization of calciprotein particles formation, ensures mineral solubilization, thus preventing pathological calcification, also it promotes insulin resistance. Objective: To study the role of fetuin A as a marker for early diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects and Methods: Cross sectional study including 30 diabetic patients without microalbuminuria (group I), 30 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria (Group II) and age and sex matched 30 healthy subjects served as a control group. All patients and control subjects were thoroughly examined clinically. Fasting and post prandial blood sugar, HbA1c, renal function tests, lipid profile, creatinine clearance, albumin/creatinine ratio and serum fetuin A by ELISA were investigated. Results: Serum Fetuin A increased in diabetic nephropathy patients without microabuminuria compared to those with microabuminuria. Significant negative c...

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2018

Background Vaspin is a compensatory adipokine with anti-inflammatory properties that can improve ... more Background Vaspin is a compensatory adipokine with anti-inflammatory properties that can improve insulin sensitivity and plays a cardioprotective role. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of vaspin in patients with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis (HD) and to determine whether it has any relation to the presence of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in these patients. Patients and methods The study was carried out on 45 HD patients who were divided into 15 patients with risk factors of developing IHD (group I) and 30 patients (group II) proved to have IHD by echocardiography and ECG compared with 20 healthy individuals (group III). Results We found that the mean±SD of serum vaspin was significantly lower in HD patients with IHD (0.57±0.27) ng/ml compared with the control group (0.74±0.20) ng/ml and there was a negative correlation between serum vaspin and serum creatinine in group I and group II. Also, an receiver operating characteristics study for patients with IHD (group II) yielded a vaspin cutoff value of 0.410 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 40%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and an negative predictive value of 53%, whereas the cutoff value for serum vaspin was 0.485 ng/ ml in patients at risk of developing IHD, with a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 85%, a positive predictive value of 83%, and an negative predictive value of 100%. Conclusion Lower vaspin level is associated independently with IHD in HD patients and can be used as a predictor of IHD in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Medical Research Journal, 2015

Objective Several lines of evidence demonstrate excessive endothelial activation in systemic lupu... more Objective Several lines of evidence demonstrate excessive endothelial activation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) is an antagonistic ligand of the endothelial-specific Tie2 receptor. It is a biomarker of endothelial cell activation that may be clinically useful in SLE and lupus nephritis (LN). The aim of this work is to study the possible role of Ang-2 as an inflammatory and angiogenic mediator of renal involvement in SLE patients and its correlation with various disease parameters. Patients and methods The present study included 30 patients of SLE divided into two groups: group 1 included 16 patients with LN, and group 2 included 14 patients without LN, and 22 healthy controls of matched age and sex for each patient group. Clinical examination and laboratory investigations including complete blood picture, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, anti-DNA antibodies, serum creatinine, urine analysis, and urinary proteins were conducted. Serum Ang-2 was performed for all SLE patients and healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Ang-2 concentration was significantly increased in patients with SLE in comparison with controls (P < 0.001). However, the increase was significantly higher in patients with LN than in patients without LN. Ang-2 was significantly positively correlated with urinary proteins, C-reactive protein, serum creatinine, and platelets. Conclusion Ang-2 may be used as a biomarker for renal involvement in SLE patients. However, a larger sample size study is needed to confirm this result.

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2015

The predominant HCV genotype among Egyptians was found to be genotype 4, particularly subtype 4a.... more The predominant HCV genotype among Egyptians was found to be genotype 4, particularly subtype 4a. However, other genotypes and subtypes such as 1a, 1b, and 2a are also present indicating that HCV genotypes are variable [6]. HCC is one of the most common and aggressive human malignancies worldwide (7). In 2012, more than half a million people worldwide were diagnosed as having HCC (8). Most of patients with HCC are diagnosed at a late stage. Screening strategies including imaging with ultrasound, triphasic computed tomographic (CT) scan, or gadolinium-enhanced MRI [9]. Although a-fetoprotein (AFP) is the most widely used biomarker of HCC, AFP is insufficiently sensitive or specific for use as a diagnostic assay. AFP can be elevated in

Hepatitis Monthly, 2014

Background: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unfavorable and needs serum marker... more Background: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unfavorable and needs serum markers that could detect it early to start therapy at a potentially curable phase. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the value of serum soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-IIα (sTNFR-IIα) in diagnosis of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Patients and Methods: The study was performed on 110 subjects who were classified into five groups. Group I included 20 patients with chronic noncirrhotic HCV infection and persistently normal transaminases for ≥6 months. Group II included 20 patients with chronic noncirrhotic HCV infection and elevated transaminases. Group III included 20 patients with Chronic HCV infection and liver cirrhosis. Group IV included 20 patients with chronic HCV infection with liver cirrhosis and HCC. Group V included 30 healthy age and sex-matched controls. Medical history was taken from all participants and they underwent clinical examination and abdominal ultrasonography. in addition, the following laboratory tests were requested: liver function tests, complete blood count, HBsAg, anti-HCVAb, HCV-RNA by qualitative PCR, and serum levels of α-fetoprotein (AFP) and sTNFR-IIα. Results: The serum level of sTNFR-IIα was significantly higher in patients with HCC in comparison to the other groups. A positive correlation was found between the serum levels of sTNFR-IIα and AST and ALT in patients of group-II. Diagnosis of HCC among patients with HCV infection and cirrhosis could be ascertained when sTNFR-IIα is assessed at a cutoff value of ≥ 250 pg/mL. Conclusions: Serum sTNFR-IIα could be used as a potential serum marker in diagnosing HCC among patients with HCV infection.

Journal of the Egyptian Womenʼs Dermatologic Society, 2012

Serum selenium levels in alopecia areata El-Tahlawi et al. 177

Journal of Medical Sciences(Faisalabad), 2006

INTRODUCTION: The circulating endothelial cells (CEC) are proposed to be a noninvasive marker of ... more INTRODUCTION: The circulating endothelial cells (CEC) are proposed to be a noninvasive marker of angiogenesis. The level of CEC in peripheral blood (PB) of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients has not been investigated prior to this study. The aim of this work was to study aCEC and EPC levels in patients with AML and compare their levels with healthy subjects to prove their role in tumorigenesis and correlate these findings with clinical and hematological data of patients and used as prognostic factors. METHODS: CEC were quantified by utilizing flow cytometry procedures in 50 AML patients at the time of diagnosis and 20 healthy controls. RESULTS: The numbers of aCEC and CEPC were significantly higher in the AML patients than in the controls (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: CEC levels are higher in AML and correlate with disease status. Further investigation should be undertaken to better determine their prognostic value.

Al-Azhar Medical Journal, 2017

Background: Asthma is a serious global health problem affecting all age groups. Cytokines from T-... more Background: Asthma is a serious global health problem affecting all age groups. Cytokines from T-helper 2 cells are believed to be critical contributors of asthma. Objective: Measuring the serum levels of IL-17 as non-invasive biomarkers to assess asthma severity. Patients and Method: A prospective case controlled study included forty patients were recruited from the outpatient clinic and inpatient of

Kasr Al Ainy Medical Journal

Biomedical & Pharmacology Journal, 2019

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2016

Hepatitis Monthly, 2015

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2014

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2018

The Scientific Journal of Al-Azhar Medical Faculty, Girls, 2018

International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 2015

al-azhar medical journal, 2020

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2018

Medical Research Journal, 2015

The Egyptian Journal of Internal Medicine, 2015

Hepatitis Monthly, 2014

Journal of the Egyptian Womenʼs Dermatologic Society, 2012

Serum selenium levels in alopecia areata El-Tahlawi et al. 177

Journal of Medical Sciences(Faisalabad), 2006

Al-Azhar Medical Journal, 2017