Caraway extract alleviates atopic dermatitis by regulating oxidative stress, suppressing Th2 cells, and upregulating Th1 cells in mice

Objective: To explore the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of caraway on atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice. Methods: AD was induced in two stages, including sensitization and challenge with the application of 2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene 2% and 0.2%, respectively. Clinical symptoms and histological analysis of the skin were assessed. The effects of caraway on oxidant/ antioxidant parameters as well as Th1- and Th2-related cytokines were also evaluated. Results: Caraway reduced the severity of dermatitis in AD-induced mice, as evidenced by significant inhibition of Th2-related cytokines (IL-4 and IL-13) and increased Th1-related cytokine (IFN-γ). Additionally, treatment with caraway significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activity and decreased the malondialdehyde level in the serum of AD mice. Furthermore, caraway inhibited the differentiation of Th2 cells while favoring Th1 cell differentiation in the spleen via regulating their master transcription factors GATA3 and T-bet. Conclusions: Caraway could improve AD autoimmune responses and could be considered a potential candidate to treat AD disease.

Investigation of the association of ccl22 gene polymorphism rs4359426 with multiple sclerosis

Background: CCL22 is a chemokine that induces the migration of Th2- and regulatory T cells to the inflammatory sites. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of a single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP], rs4359426, in CCL22 gene, with multiple sclerosis [MS] in patients from southeast of Iran

Materials and Methods: the blood samples collected from 150 patients with MS and 150 healthy subjects as a control group. The serum levels of CCL20 measured by ELISA and the DNA analyzed for CCL22 polymorphism using PCR-RFLP method

Results: there were no significant differences in the frequencies of genotypes and alleles at SNP rs4359426 in CCL22 gene between MS patients and controls. No significant differences also observed between controls and patients with RRMS, SPMS, PPMS and PRMS patterns regarding the genetic variation of rs4359426. In both MS and control groups, no significant differences were observed between subjects with CC, CA and AA genotypes or between subjects with C and A alleles concerning rs4359426 with respect to the serum levels of CCL22

Conclusion: these results do not show any association between the investigated genotypes and alleles at rs4359426 in CCL22 gene with MS or its patterns in MS patients. The serum levels of chemokine did not also influence by genetic variation of SNP rs4359426