Proteins of the serum amyloid A (SAA) family have been remarkably conserved in evolution. Their biologic function(s) are not fully defined but they are likely to be a part of primordial host defense. We have detected a ∼ 12-kDa protein reacting with antibodies against serum amyloid A (SAA) in human colostrum by western blotting. Mass spectrometry identified the reactive species as SAA1, previou...

Atrial fibrillation (AF) may occur and persist due to atrial remodeling exacerbated by inflammation. However, whether inflammatory cytokines, such as serum amyloid protein A (SAA), are elevated in patients with atrial arrhythmias remains unclear. In a case-control study design, serum levels of inflammatory cytokines SAA, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α and high...

UNLABELLED Serum amyloid P component (SAP) binds to amyloid. (123)I-SAP scintigraphy is used to evaluate the extent and distribution of amyloid in systemic amyloidosis and has great clinical value in the detection of systemic amyloidosis. The aim of the study was to assess during scintigraphy the diagnostic performance and prognostic value of a simple parameter describing extravascular (123)I-S...

A recent study has demonstrated secondary amyloidosis in dogs treated with continuous intravenous insulin infusion. Since elevated levels of serum amyloid A protein (SAA) and diminished amyloid fibril degrading activity (AFDA) are associated with amyloidosis, we measured SAA and AFDA in ten type I diabetics treated with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and in five conventionally treated...

The responses of C reactive protein, measured by radial immunodiffusion and radioimmunoassay, and serum amyloid A protein, measured by radial immunodiffusion, were compared in eight subjects with inflammation induced experimentally by intradermal injection of monosodium urate crystals. A significant increase in serum amyloid A was noted after a lag phase of eight hours, the increase in median c...

Psoriatic spondyloarthropathy (PSA) can occasionally be complicated by AA amyloid, and renal amyloidosis should be suspected in patients with PSA who have unexplained proteinuria. The diagnosis of amyloidosis can be made either histologically or by radiolabelled serum amyloid P component (SAP) scintigraphy. Prognosis is determined by the extent of organ involvement and associated impairment of ...

A relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and folate has been reported. Amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) is currently one of the most reliable biomarkers for AD. We investigated the correlation between serum folate levels and amyloid imaging to clarify whether serum folate could be a biomarker for AD. We also examined the usefulness of a combined assessment of serum folate level...

It is a striking observation that tissue of patients invaded by the deep mycoses often lacks evidence of an inflammatory response. This lack of host response is often attributed to neutropenia secondary to chemotherapy. However, systematic studies do not support this simplistic explanation. However, invasive fungal lesions are characterized by abundant fungal functional amyloid, which in turn i...

The plasma protein serum amyloid P (SAP) reduces neutrophil adhesion, inhibits the differentiation of monocytes into fibroblast-like cells called fibrocytes, and promotes phagocytosis of cell debris by macrophages. Together, these effects of SAP reduce key aspects of inflammation and fibrosis, and SAP injections improve lung function in pulmonary fibrosis patients. SAP functions are mediated, i...

Good science demands independent replication of new ideas and results and abandonment of accepted theories in light of more reliable evidence. Failure to comply leads to damaging bad science, as with the falsely claimed association between measles, mumps and rubella vaccination and autism. Progress of good science also often requires serendipity, 'making discoveries by accident and sagacity of ...