[ ability of H2O2 to induce differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes]

Background and Aim: Cartilage disorders may deteriorate following oxidative stress injuries affecting mature chondrocytes. Meantime, mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] can differentiate into chondrocytes in the presence of oxidative conditions and act as a source of compensation for injured chondrocytes. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of H2O2 on MSCs differentiation into chondrocytes in order to cast light on the dual roles of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of diseases

Materials and Methods: Human mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from abdominal adipose tissue of three different donors and cultured in the presence of 50 microM H2O2 in order to differentiate into chondrocytes. We determined cell viability by tetrazolium assay and measured reactive oxygen species [ROS] level by flow cytometry. Presence of glycoseaminoglycans was confirmed by safranin staining

Results: The percentage of cells containing ROS was significantly higher in the cells treated with hydrogen peroxide [29.2% +/- 1] compared to that in the untreated control cells [7.7% +/- 1.4]. A significant increase in glycoseaminoglycan content was observed in H2O2 treated cells compared to that in the control cells both on the 9[th] day [treated: 1.57×104 +/- 0.1 vs control: 0.91×104 +/- 0.09] and 21[st] day [treated: 2.87×104 +/- 0.2 vs control: 0.96×104 +/- 0.07]. In addition, comparison of glycoseaminoglycan content on the 9[th] and 21[st] days showed a significantly higher content in both treated and control cells on the 21[st] day [p<0.05]

Conclusion: Hydrogen peroxide resulted in increased differentiation of adipose tissue-derived MSCs into chondrocytes. Therefore, we concluded that, oxidative stress had positive role in the induction of chondrocyte differentiation

[Comparison of adenosine deaminase level in HIV positive patients co-infected with hepatitis B and C and healthy subjects]

Measurement of adenosine deaminase and its isoenzymes in serum has been used for diagnosis and differentiation of intracellular infections and malignancies of immune cells. The aim of this study was to compare ADA levels and its isoenzymes in HIV positive patients and HIV positive patients co-infected with hepatitis B and C and healthy individuals, as a quick and low-cost diagnostic biochemical marker. This historical cohort study included 97 HIV positive IDU patients. After obtaining blood samples, serum was separated and examined for hepatitis B and C. We used Guisti method for measurment of ADA activity and EHNA inhibitor for the activity of its isoenzymes. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 16 [SPSS Inc., Chicago]. Our results showed that there was a high prevalence of HBV and HCV in HIV positive IV drug users. We found that total ADA activity in the patients groups was significantly higher than control group. Also HIV-HCV group showed a higher activity of this enzyme in comparison to HIV positive groups. Significant differences were found in regard to ADA2 isoenzymes among the four groups [P<0.05]. But ADA1 activity showed no significant difference. CD4+ counts were lower in HIV-HCV and HIV-HBV patients than HIV positive patients. ADA activity was considerably increased in HIV positive patients co-infected with either HBV or HCV. According to the results of this study and because of its low cost and simplicity to perform, in addition to other markers, measurement of ADA activity in serum is a sensitive biological marker for assessment of intracellular infections, particularly hepatitis in HIV positive patients

[Correlation of serum pro-inflammatory [IL 6] and anti-inflammatory [IL 10] interleukine levels with fatty acid composition of dietary oils in rats]

Nowadays, proposing dietary recommendations to regulate serum inflammatory mediators is of immense importance. This study is designed to evaluate the effects of different commercial dietary oils which have more complicated effects than pure fatty acids on serum levels of interleukins IL 6 and IL 10. In this experimental animal study, 40 male rats were divided into 5 groups and received standard chow diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3[rd] week, four rats from each of the 5 groups were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. The remaining rats then received chow diet or an experimental diet containing yogurt butter, olive oil, soybean oil, or flaxseed oil for another 4 weeks. Then, blood samples were collected and serum fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography and serum levels of interleukins were obtained by use of ELISA kits. We used variance analysis for comparison of the mean values and regression analysis for assessment of correlation among variables. Consumption of yogurt butter and soybean oil significantly increased serum level of IL 6, whereas IL 10 level increased after consumption of flaxseed oil [p<0.05]. Increase in serum n-6 PUFA, led to a notable increase in IL 6 concentration, but increase in serum MUFA gave rise to decreased IL 6 level. A direct relationship was observed between the levels of arachidonic acid and IL 6. In addition, the level of IL 6 decreased when serum decosahexaenoic acid increased. We showed that composition of serum fatty acids can modulate concentrations of the interleukins. Using oils containing n-6 PUFA led to generation of pro inflammatory mediators, but oils containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids showed anti inflammatory effects.

[Different effects of dietary fats on serum fatty acid composition and lipid profile in rat]

The correlation between dietary fat and coronary heart disease [CHD] has been clearly established. This study was designed to investigate the effects of different dietary oils on serum fatty acid composition and lipid profile in rats. In this experimental study, 40 male rats were assigned to 5 groups and received standard chow diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3rd week, blood samples were obtained from four rats in every group. The remaining rats received standard chow diet or experimental diet [chow diet supplemented with yogurt butter, olive oil, soybean oil, or flaxseed oil for another 4 weeks. Serum fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography whereas serum lipids were determined by use of enzyme kits. Total saturated, monounsaturated, and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFA] were significantly higher in the rats which received yogurt butter, olive, soybean, and flaxseed oils, respectively. In addition, consumption of olive, soybean, and flaxseed oil markedly increased total unsaturated fatty acids. There was a significant increase in total PUFA after consumption of soybean or flaxseed oils in comparison to yogurt butter. A marked reduction was observed in n 6:n 3 PUFA ratio in the rats that consumed flaxseed oil. Serum triglycerides significantly decreased after consumption of olive, soybean, and flaxseed oils, whereas no change was observed in the total cholesterol. Olive oil and yogurt butter consumption led to increased HDL-C, but a noticeable decrease occurred in LDL-C in the rats of all test groups. Different dietary oils differentially affect serum fatty acid composition and serum lipid profiles

[Evaluation of the rate of occupational exposure to wheat flour dust in wheat flour mill factories in Hamedan]

Wheat flour is a complex organic particle containing an array of different allergic and antigenic components. Exposure to flour dust may result in a variety of respiratory problems such as allergic responses, occupational asthma and allergic rhinitis. The aim of the present study was to assess the concentration of inhalable dust and gliadin of flour dust as an important wheat flour allergen and to determine the relationship between concentrations of flour dust and that of gliadin in the air breathed by the workers in different workstations of wheat flour mill factories. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. 64 air samples were collected by means of universal air sampling pumps. Inhalable flour dust density was measured by gravimetric method and flour dust gliadin concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. The mean flour dust density was higher than that of permissible limit in all wheat flour mill factories [1.64-4.68 mg/m3] and showed a significant positive relation with gliadin concentration [R2 = 0.708, p<0.05] in all factories. In addition, Inhalable dust density and gliadin concentration have been different in different stations of the factories and were highest in flour packing workstation. This study revealed the density of Inhalable flour dust had been higher than the level of permissible limit [0.5 gr/m3] and the workers in Hamadan flour mills are exposed to a dangerous level of flour dust, and inhale a high level of gliadin in all flour packing unites of the factories in Hamedan