Examination of NRF2, Heme Oxygenase, and neopterin levels in brucellosis
Nihayet Bayraktar1, Büşra Öztürk1, Mehmet Çelik2, Mehmet Reşat Ceylan2, Mehmet Bayraktar31Department of Medical Biochemistry, Harran University Faculty of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Türkiye2Department of İnfection Diseases, Harran University Faculty of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Türkiye
3Department of Medical Microbiology, Harran University Faculty of Medicine, Sanliurfa, Türkiye
INTRODUCTION: Brucella species are highly infectious organisms that can gain access to the human body through various routes, including the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, conjunctiva, and eroded skin. In some cases, they may also enter the bloodstream directly, as in transfusion-related cases or via transplacental transmission. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential role of serum anti-inflammatory and antioxidant factors such as nuclear factor erythropoietin-2 (NRF2), heme oxygenase (HO-1), and neopterin in brucellosis and to investigate their relationship with serologic anti-Brucella antibody findings.
METHODS: A total of 90 patients with brucellosis and 30 healthy control individuals were included in the study. The patient group was divided into three subgroups according to antibody titers: 30 patients with a 1/160 titer, 30 patients with a 1/320 titer, and 30 patients with a 1/640 titer. Blood samples were collected and transferred into biochemistry tubes containing gel. The tubes were then centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 minutes to separate the serum. The separated serum samples were stored at -80°C. Serum levels of NRF2, HO-1, and neopterin were measured using the ELISA method.
RESULTS: No significant differences in biomarker levels were observed between gender or age groups. However, biomarker levels varied significantly according to antibody titer. Healthy controls exhibited the lowest levels of NRF2, HO-1, and neopterin, whereas the 1/640 titer group exhibited the highest levels. NRF2, HO-1, and neopterin levels in-creased progressively with rising anti-Brucella antibody titers (p<0.01).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: NRF2, HO-1, and neopterin levels were positively correlated with antibody titers, suggesting that these biomarkers may play a role in the immune response to brucellosis. Further studies with larger patient groups are needed to better understand and confirm these findings.
Keywords: Brucellosis, heme oxygenase, neopterin, NRF2
Manuscript Language: English