ABSTRACT
It has been documented that cytokines play important roles in the induction of normal functions of the placenta. It has been hypothesized that abnormal expression of the cytokines may be associated with unsuccessful pregnancy. The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of interleukin- 17A [IL-17A] and tumor growth factor [TGF-beta] in pre-term, term neonates, and their corresponding mothers. This study was performed on 100 term and 60 pre-term neonates, and also on their corresponded mothers. Serum levels of IL-17A and TGF-beta were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Our results revealed that the serum levels of IL-17A were significantly decreased in pre-term neonates in comparison to full-term neonates. However, the serum levels of IL-17A in the mothers either with pre-term or full-term neonates were not different. Also the serum levels of TGF-beta were not changed in pre-term neonates and their mothers when compared with full-term neonates and their mothers, respectively. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that IL-17A may play crucial roles in induction of normal pregnancies and also probably participates in normal growth of fetus
ABSTRACT
Herbal mouthwashes have been used to improve oral hygiene through antibacterial activity and dental plaque control. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the antibacterial effects of Persica and Matnca herbal mouthwashes with Chlorhexidine 0.2% [CHX]. The disc diffusion method was used to measure inhibition zone of tested mouthwashes on Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus sobrinus, Klebsicila pneumonia. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Eikenella corrodens. The paper discs containing mouthwashes were placed on media cultured with bacteria. Blank discs containing distilled water were used as controls. Three samples of each mouthwash were cultured, three times each. In total, including control discs, 240 cultures were performed. After 18 hours of incubation, inhibition zones were measured in millimeter and compared with one another. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS-16 soft ware and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. The CHX 0.2% mouthwash significantly exhibited greater inhibition zone than the Persica and Matrica mouthwashes. Persica could not inhibit bacterial growth, except for Klebsiella pneumonia. Also, there were not any significant differences among three samples of mouthwashes and three cultures of each mouthwash. Based on the results of this study, herbal mouthwashes are less potent than the CHX in inhibiting the growth of tested bacteria. Further in vivolin vitro studies are needed to substantiate present findings