[Relationship between vitamin D plasma level and Foxp3 gene expression among rheumatoid arthritis patients]

Background and Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is an autoimmune disease. It seems that the function of regulatory T cells [Tregs] is compromised in RA. Foxp3 is a critical transcription factor of these cells. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of vitamin D plasma level with Foxp3 gene expression in the patients with RA

Material and Methods: 18 untreated RA patients and 41 healthy people participated in this study. Plasma levels of vitamin D were measured by competitive ELISA method. Foxp3 gene expression was also determined by using realtime PCR technique

Results: The expression of Foxp3 gene was significantly lower in RA patients compared to that in the healthy controls [p<0.001] .There was no significant relationship between vitamin D plasma levels with the rate of Foxp3 gene expression

Conclusion: We found low levels of vitamin D could not affect the expression of Foxp3 gene. It seems that vitamin D deficiency cannot be considered as an effective environmental factor in the pathogenesis of RA

[Effects of hydro- alcoholic extract of falcaria vulgaris on pancreas tissue in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats]

Introduction: Diabetes, as a chronic disease, is the third leading cause of death in developing countries. Hyperglycemia and oxidative stress have been recognized as the main factors involved in pathogenesis of diabetes. On the other hand, the antioxidant system is the first defense mechanism of body against oxidative stress. Falcaria Vulgaris possesses hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects. This study surveyed the effects of different doses of Falcaria vulgaris extract [50,100,150 mg/kg] on histological changes of Langerhans islets andserum insulin, nitric oxide and glucose levels

Materials and Methods: A total of 64 male Wistar rats were divided into 8 groups [control, diabetic with STZ, treatment with Falcaria Vulgaris [50,100,150 mg/kg] and diabetic treated with Falcaria Vulgaris] [50,100,150 mg/kg]. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and p value<0.05 was considered significant

Results: Falcaria Vulgaris extract [100 and 150 mg/kg] significantly decreased serum glucose level [p<0.01] and improved the diameter of islets [p<0.05] in diabetic rats treated with Falcaria Vulgaris extract, compared with the diabetic group. Moreover, at dose of 150 mg/kg, the extract improvedserum insulin [p<0.01], decreased nitric oxide [p<0.01] and increased the weight [p<0.01] and number of islets of diabetic rats [p<0.05]. Histopathological studies also confirmed these changes

Conclusion: F. vulgaris can improve insulin secretion and serum glucose levels in an animal model of STZ induced diabetes, possibly by reducing nitric oxide production and preventing pancreatic tissue oxidative damage

Effect of aqueous extract of trigonella foenum-graecum on pain and inflammation induced by formalin in male mice

Studies have emphasized the effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract on the reduction of pain and inflammation. In this research we investigated the mechanisms of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract in reducing pain and inflammation induced by formalin. Male Albino mice [weight 20 - 25 g] were evaluated through the injection of 2 microliters of formalin to the plantar part of right foot. Following this, the rate of animal foot pain and inflammation were measured using Dubbison-Dennis and immersion in mercury. Trigonella foenum-graecum extract was injected 30 minutes before administration of formalin to the animals intraperitoneally. In addition, blood samples were taken from animals and corticosterone concentrations were measured. In an in vitro study the effect of extract on the activity of cyclooxygenase type 1 and 2 was assessed. Our results showed that Trigonella foenum-graecum extract inhibits the first and second phase of pain induced by formalin, while inflammation is slightly reduced. Also the effect of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract is reversible with naloxone or memantine administration. Also Trigonella foenum-graecum extract could not increase plasma corticosterone level and was ineffective in activity of cyclooxygenase type 1 and 2 enzyme. Although Trigonella foenum-graecum extract can inhibit pain induced by formalin administration, but it seems that the reduction of pain is due to the possible interaction of components of Trigonella foenum-graecum extract with opioid and/or glutamate systems which occurs in the body and the mechanisms of inflammation reduction are not activated by the extract