Review on the effects of saffron extract and its constituents on factors related to neurologic, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases

Background: Saffron [Crocus satious L.] provides a variety of promising preventive and therapeutic effects with non-considerable side effects

Objective: Based on our knowledge, this is the first study that simultaneously has reviewed the effect of saffron extract and its constituents on the factors associated with neuropsychological, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal tract diseases

Methods: To search studies, an open-ended, language-restricted [English] search of MEDLINE [PubMed] and Science direct databases were conducted [up to 28 October 2014] using specific search criteria to identify all related studies. In addition the SID and Magiran databases were also searched for Persian articles

Results: Results show that the saffron and its constituents can be beneficial for prevention and treatment of diseases related to memory and eye. However, studies about analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure effects of saffron are few, the results are promising. The effects of saffron and its constituents on anxiety and insomnia have been only studied in animal models and the results are promising. Their antidepressants effects are also very evident. On the other hand, the effects of saffron and its active constituents in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases have also been observed in previous studies. Although the studies about saffron effects on gastrointestinal diseases are few and only in animal models, they have shown potential benefits in prevention and treatment

Conclusion: It seems that saffron and its constituents have preventive and therapeutic roles in neurologic, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. These functions are contributed to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties of saffron

[ survey of unmet health needs and the related barriers to access them]

Introduction: Unmet needs are defined as the difference between services judged necessary to deal appropriately with health problems and services actually received. Unmet needs are considered as simple tools in monitoring the accessibility and the extent of inequity in access and use of health care

Methods: This is a cross-section health survey. The sample consists of 792 households living in Tehran. Data were collected by the WHO [households] questionnaire in 2012, and were analyzed using Logistic Model and STATA12 software

Results: The outcomes show that economical problems, lack of time, self-treatment, long distance to reach health facilities, deprivation of insurance coverage, and lack of adequate information about the locations of health care centres are all factors affecting patients' willingness to refer to these centres. The socio-economic factors which can enhance the probability of fulfilment of health care needs were found to be settlement ownership and poverty reduction

Conclusion: Unmet needs can cause detrimental effects, such as worsening health situation and quality of life, increasing the risk of mortality and causing mental and psychosomatic disorders; therefore, policy makers should give high priority to eliminating socio-economic barriers, as lack of insurance coverage, as well as reducing the costs and economic inequalities, and payment systems reform

Differential detection of echinococcus Spp. copro-DNA by nested-PCR in domestic and wild definitive hosts in moghan plain, Iran

Despite Echinococcus granulosus there are merely two old reports of E. multilocularis infection among Iranian canids of Moghan Plain, the only area known endemic for the species. We detected specific DNA markers in fecal samples by PCR [Copro-PCR] for differential diagnosis of Echinococcus species in living canids. Totally 144 fecal samples from domestic dogs, red foxes and a golden jackal were examined for genus-specific Echinococcus coproantigens using ELISA. Forty two positive or ambiguous samples were further examined for Echinococcus species-specific DNA markers by two different set of nested-PCR. Twenty five out of 144 [17.4%] animals were contaminated with E. granulosus including 14 [23.7%] domestic dogs, 10 [11.9%] red foxes and one [100%] golden jackal. But none of them harboured E. multilocularis species-specific Copro-DNA. The overall prevalence of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis infections in canids of the area was estimated to be 17.4% and 0.0%, respectively. There was a significant relation between the results of Copro-PCR and CA-ELISA. The lack of E. multilocularis infection, compared to previous reports may be due to the differences in used diagnostic methods and/or recently limited territories of wild canids and altered their food resources in this particular area

[Hormonal responses to two programs of exhaustive resistance training of different intensities in male body builders]

The purpose of this cross-over study was to investigate of hormonal responses to two programs of exhaustive resistance training with different intensities in male body builders. Participants were 13 men [age 23.8 +/- 5.53 years, height 177.53 +/- 5.69 cm, body weight 76.13 +/- 8.91 kg, waist to hip ratio 0.85 +/- 0.33] who had regular resistance training at least 3 times a week for more than 3 months. Study design was crossover. Subjects participated in three states of control, moderate resistance exercise [with 65% intensity, one repetition maximum] and high resistance exercise [90% intensity, one repetition maximum] modes, in 5 sessions. Blood samples were taken before exercise in fasting state, immediately after and one hour after exercise protocol. The data were analyzed using the analyses of variance method [ANOVA] with repeated measures and multiple analyses variance [MANOVA]. After adjusting the results relative to plasma volume changes, no significant differences were observed between the three groups in hormonal responses of testosterone, cortisol, growth, insulin, epinephrine and norepinephrine at the time points of immediately after and one hour after exercise protocol. It can be concluded that resistance exercise until exhaustion with moderate and high intensity, does not induce significant changes in acute and chronic responses of circulating anabolic and catabolic hormones in male body builders.

[Effect of educational intervention based on health belief model on knowledge and attitude about pap smear test among female secondary school teachers in district 11 of Tehran]

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women with incidence of more than 500000 cases per year. It is preventable because of its long precancerous period, suitable screening programs and effective treatments. Since the social and cultural barriers alongside the lack of knowledge are deterrents to participation in screening programs, the current study was performed to assess the effect of educational intervention through the Health Belief Model on knowledge and attitude of teachers about pap smear, considering their role in making people aware. This was a controlled before-after interventional study conducted on 72 individuals selected through simple sampling, assigned to two groups. Data collection tool was a questionnaire used and compared before training and one month after that. Training methods [intervention] included lectures with questions and answers. Data were analyzed with SPSS, version 11.5. 47.2% of intervention and 45.8% of control group were 40 to 50 years old and majority of them [47.2% and 50% respectively] had undergraduate educational level and 86.1% were married. Respectively, 67.2% and 74.2% have experience of being examined via Pap smear, while the knowledge of women in both groups was moderate about the disease. Study results revealed significant differences in knowledge, attitude and Health Belief Model constructs within intervention group [before and after training] as well as between groups [p<0.05]. Using Pap smear test among the participants was lower compared with healthy people aims targeted by 2010. Therefore, necessity of education and knowledge promotions are obvious

Comparison of logistic regression and artificial neural network in low back pain prediction: second national health survey

The purpose of this investigation was to compare empirically predictive ability of an artificial neural network with a logistic regression in prediction of low back pain. Data from the second national health survey were considered in this investigation. This data includes the information of low back pain and its associated risk factors among Iranian people aged 15 years and older. Artificial neural network and logistic regression models were developed using a set of 17294 data and they were validated in a test set of 17295 data. Hosmer and Lemeshow recommendation for model selection was used in fitting the logistic regression. A three-layer perceptron with 9 inputs, 3 hidden and 1 output neurons was employed. The efficiency of two models was compared by receiver operating characteristic analysis, root mean square and -2 Loglikelihood criteria. The area under the ROC curve [SE], root mean square and -2Loglikelihood of the logistic regression was 0.752 [0.004], 0.3832 and 14769.2, respectively. The area under the ROC curve [SE], root mean square and -2Loglikelihood of the artificial neural network was 0.754 [0.004], 0.3770 and 14757.6, respectively. Based on these three criteria, artificial neural network would give better performance than logistic regression. Although, the difference is statistically significant, it does not seem to be clinically significant

[Study on anti-cancer effect of plant extract ACA-1 on gastric adenocarcinoma cell line]

Apoptosis provides solutions for the treatment of cancers and its induction is used as a strategy for preparing drugs that destroy pre-neoplastic cells. Many plant compounds have anti-tumoral activity. ACA-1 plant product is an aqueous extract and has been used in traditional medicine in Iran and has cytotoxicity effect on melanoma cancer cells. In this study, anti-cancer effect of ACA-1 plant product on gastric adenocarcinoma cells was evaluated and the mechanism of its action was studied. Cytotoxicity of ACA-1 on gastric adenocarcinoma cells [AGS] and fibroblasts [HgF] was determined after 24 hours of incubation by MTT assay. Annexin V-FITC and PI staining method was used for measuring the cell apoptosis. Activity of aspase 8 and 9 was assayed by enzymatic method. An ECMatrix was used for determining invasion ability of AGS cells. ACA-1 showed strong and dose - dependent toxicity on AGS cells by induction of early apoptosis. Increase in caspase 8 and 9 activities was involved in this process. Also, ACA-1 decrease the invasion ability on AGS cells. ACA-1 induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cells by activating caspase 8 and 9. With respect to decreasing cell invasion of AGS cells, ACA-1 may be considered as a potential candidate against human gastric cancer

[Effects of graded levels of hemp seed [cannabis sativa L.] on performance, organ weight and serum cholesterol levels on broilers]

Hemp seed [HS] has high protein with good quality and more than 90% of its fats are polyunsaturated fatty acids. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of graded levels of HS on performance, organ weight [OW], and serum cholesterol levels on broilers. 192 male broiler chicks [1 d old-ROSS 308] were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design with 4 dietary treatments: control [without HS], 2.5, 5 and 7.5% HS in 4 replications [12 birds/pen]. Weight gain [WG], feed intake [FI] and feed conversion ratio [FCR] were measured and calculated at the end of each wk. At the end of 6th wk, to determine serum lipids [1 bird/pen] and OW [2 birds/pen] were randomly selected. WG on 0 - 21 d [p<0.01] and 0 - 42 d [p<0.05] were significantly affected by HS levels. Increasing dietary HS levels significantly decreased total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, triglyceride and liver weight relativity percentage [p<0.05] and increased HDL [p<0.01] levels in serum. HS levels had no significant effect on WG 22 - 42 d, FCR, FI and other organs weight relativity percentage [p >0.05]. In conclusion highest levels of HS used in this experiment could be apply to reduce serum cholesterol and saturated fatty acids and increasing meat quality to improve human health as target consumer

Candida parapsilosis as a potent biocontrol agent against growth and aflatoxin production by aspergillus species

Aflatoxin contamination of food and feed stuff is a serious health problem and significant economic concerns. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of Candida parapsilosis IP1698 on mycelial growth and aflatoxin production in aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus species was investigated. Mycelial growth inhibitions of nine strains of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species in the presence of C. parapsilosis investigated by pour plate technique at different pH, temperature and time of incubation. Reduction of aflatoxin was evaluated in co-cultured fungi in yeast extract sucrose broth after seven days of incubation using HPLC method. The data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5. The presence of the C. parapsilosis at different pH did not affect significantly the growth rate of Aspergillm isolates. On the other hand, temperature and time of incubation showed to be significantly effective when compared to controls without C. parapsilosis [P<0.05]. In aflatoxigenic strains, minimum percentage of reductions in total aflatoxin and BI, 62, Gi, G2 fractions were 92.98, 92.54, 77.48, 54.54 and 72.22 and maximum percentage of reductions were 99.59, not detectable, 94.42, and not detectable in both GI and G2, respectively. C parapsilosis might employ as a good biocontrol agent against growth and aflatoxin production by aflatoxigenic Aspergillus species

[Medical and non-medical direct costs of cancers in patients hospitalized in Imam Khomeini cancer institution - 2010]

With more than 12 million new cases of cancers and nearly 7.6 million deaths all around the world in 2007, cancer currently is the third leading cause of death in the world. This study was conducted to determine medical and non-medical direct costs of cancer patients' hospitalized in the cancer institute affiliated with Imam Khomeini hospital. This was a cross-sectional study. All patients over 18 years old with kind of head, neck, and stomach cancers that undertaken of oncology treatments in the cancer institute which affiliated " Imam Khomeini Hospital". Initially eligible patients invited to participate in this study. The data was collected through structured interviews with patients and or their carers. The data, then, was analyzed by SPSS software. The average medical and non-medical direct out-of-pocket costs during primary treatment were 2,609,000 and 245,000 Tomans per patient, respectively. Furthermore, the direct average of medical costs for patients who lived in Tehran and other cities were 3,313,000 and 1,870,000 Tomans; while the direct average of non-medical costs for patients who lived in Tehran and other cities were 136,000 and 360,000 Tomans, respectively. The new policies for costs coverage related to cancer patients', particularly the medical insurance organizations, financial supports from finance intuits like as banks or charity organizations, appropriate distribution of cancer's centers or providing accommodation to cancer patients who are referred from the remote sites in other cities, and also achieving the equities in health sectors could be reduced the financial costs of cancer patients and might be helped them to manage of cancers efficiently and effectively

[Effect of ginger and chamomile capsules on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy]

Nausea and vomiting are the most frequent complications in the first trimester of pregnancy. Herbal medicine is among the traditional effective treatments. Ginger and Chamomile are hypothesized to be useful in decreasing the signs. This study was done to determine the effect of Ginger and Chamomile capsules on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. This triple-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial was carried out on 105 pregnant women in 6-16 weeks of gestational age with a mild to moderate nausea and vomiting, whome referred to the prenatal care clinic in Dezyani hospital and health centers, Gorgan, Northern Iran during 2009-10. Rhodes index questionnaire had been given to all participants to be completed before bed-time for two weeks. In the first week no intervention was done and prescribing the capsules was started the following week. Subjects randomly divided into 3 groups: In group 1, ginger capsules were consumped twice a day for one week, in group 2; twice daily chamomile capsule and in placebo group, glucose capsule was prescribed. Scores were calculated and all data were entered into the SPSS-16 software, analysis was done using variance analysis, Will-Cockson, paired T and Fisher-exact tests. The mean of Rhodes index before intervention in plasbo, Ginger and Chamomile groups were 12.71 +/- 5.88, 10.42 +/- 0.76 and 11.19 +/- 5.51, respectively. Also, the mean of Rhodes index after intervention in plasbo, Ginger and Chamomile groups were 11.47 +/- 6.43, 7.28 +/- 3.74 and 5.73 +/- 4.32, respectively [P<0.05]. Bonferroni test indicated that there is no difference about scor chang [after and before] between Ginger and Chamomile and Ginger and plasbo, but this difference was significant between Chamomile and plasbo group [P<0.05]. This study showed that Chamomile capsule was more effective on nausea and vomiting during pregnancy compared to Ginger

Stress, coping strategies and related factors in a sample of Iranian adolescents

Since the stress and coping are the most reported problems by adolescents, this study aims to apprise the stressors, coping strategies and influential factors among male adolescents. The effect of stressors, coping strategies and some demographics variables were studied in 402 male adolescents in Tehran, Iran. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. A multiple regression was performed to assess factors related to perceived stress. The mean age of adolescents was 15.44 [SD=0.68] years. The mean value of perceived stress for the whole sample was 17.99 [SD=6.02]. Cognitive/emotional coping was the most frequent coping style. The findings revealed that there was a significant correlation between perceived and accumulative stress. In multiple regression analysis, the accumulative stress, social resources, parent's education and grade point average were found to be significant predictors of perceived stress. The findings suggest that increased level of perceived stress is associated with accumulative stress, social resources and parent's education that are modifiable factors. Stress management education might be a solution to overcome increased perceived stress

Leukocyte antigen [HLA] class ii allele frequencies in female patients with breast cancer: a case control study

The study aimed to examine the association between human leukocyte antigen [HLA] class II allele frequencies and breast cancer in Iranian women. A total of 100 patients with pathologically proven breast cancer who referred to Cancer Institute were randomly selected and compared with a group of age matched healthy blood donors [n = 80]. HLA class II alleles were determined by amplification of DNA followed by HLA-typing using sequence-specific primer [SSP] for each allele. The frequency of HLA-DQA1 0301 [P=0.001, OR=3.4] and HLA-DRB11303 [/M].02, OR=2.3] among breast cancer patients was significantly higher than those in control group. HLA-DQA 10505 [/M].003, OR=0.4], HLA-DRB11301 CP=0.002, OR=0.12] and HLA-DQA10101 [P=0.01, OR=0.21] alleles showed negative association with breast cancer. The findings suggest that HLA-DQA10301 allele is mainly associated with increased risk of breast cancer in Iranian female patients. HLA-DQA 10505 and HLA-DRB11301 alleles are suggested as protective genetic factors against breast cancer. The findings confirm that specific alleles of HLA class II influence breast cancer risk

Frequency of risk factors of HIV and hepatitis infections among the homeless in tehran, iran [2005-2007]

Background and Purpose: Identifying the risk factors of Hepatitis C, B, and HIV is necessary to prevent their increasing prevalence. Therefore, we sought to identify the frequency of their risk factors among the homeless of Tehran, Iran during 2005 to 2007

Methods and Materials: This descriptive analytical study was conducted during 2005 to 2007 on the homeless population of Tehran, Iran. Two groups of patients were enrolled in this study: 103 HIV-positive and 75 hepatitis patients were examined [total 178], and relevant risk factors were investigated. The relevant details of the participants were obtained and recorded by a questionnaire, HIV and Hepatitis diagnosis using Eliza technique. Data were analyzed using Chi square and factor analysis in SPSS 13

Results: 60.8% of the HIV positive cases and 43.88% of the hepatitis cases had no relations with their friends; the difference was statistically significant [p=0.027]. Also, 94.2% of the AIDS cases and 85.1% of the hepatitis cases were deprived of their family support, and the difference was statistically significant [p=0.o44]. the prevalence of addiction to crack and heroin was 28% and 44.7% in hepatitis and AIDS sufferers respectively, where the difference was statistically significant [p=0.023]. The results of factor analysis revealed five major factors: familial factors [relation with family, relation with friends, lifestyle], type of addiction [opium, crack, heroin], social factors [sex, incarceration history, family support], personal factors [age, marital status, living parents], cultural factors [education, psychological problems]. The five factors related to HIV comprised 68.42% of the total variance, and those of hepatitis 56.69% of the total variance

Conclusion: The risk factors among the two groups are having no relations with friends, lack of family support and addiction to crack or heroin

Knowledge, attitude and practice of health workers working in the southern cities of Kerman province about oral and dental health in 2009 [short report]

Prevention of oral and dental diseases is dependent on people's awareness about oral hygiene. Considering the important role of health workers in improving the people's awareness and encouraging them to follow oral hygiene, in this study, the levels of knowledge, attitude and practice of health workers in regard to oral health were determined. This descriptive cross sectional study was done to collect the data from all health workers of the southern regions of Kerman province in 2009 [n=511] using a researcher- made questionnaire consisting of four parts of demographic features, and questions for the evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practice. Chi-square test, t-independent test and Pearson coefficient of correlation were used for data analysis. The mean score of knowledge was 11.3 +/- 2.83 out of 20, mean attitude score was 42.26 +/- 5.58 out of 55 and mean practice score was 8.85 +/- 1.81 out of 21. Overall 13.3% of subjects had good knowledge and 24.4% had positive attitudes. None of the participants attained a desirable score in practice. Knowledge and attitude showed a significant relationships with sex, educational level, age and job experience [p<0.05]. Women had significantly higher knowledge and attitude scores than men. Knowledge and attitude also had positive relationship with educational level, but had a reverse relationship with age and job experience. Majority of respondents had moderate knowledge and poor practice. Considering the reverse relationship of knowledge with age and job experience, it seems continuous educational programs using new methods and experienced experts are necessary

[ effect of dimension and geometrical shape of prefabricated post and the material of crown on the stress levels and distributions in the root of restored molar tooth using finite element method]

Statement of Problem: Researchers are often looking for appropriate treatments while considering esthetic aspects and health. In endodontically treated teeth afflicted with severe damage or complete loss of the coronal structure, a post is usually inserted in the root canal to provide intra-canal retention of the restorations. Therefore, it seems that it is necessary to investigate the stress distribution in the restored teeth with different post algorithms

Purpose: In this study, the effects of post geometry and its dimensions on the stress distributions and levels in the root of molar teeth repaired by post-core crown [Ceramic, Alumina and Nickel-chrome] were studied using finite element method

Materials and Method: An extracted intact mandibular second molar tooth was embedded in a cylindrical acrylic resin mould and then were sliced. The sections generated in this way were photographed and the images were transferred into the Solidworks software. After tooth modeling, Posts and crowns were designed. Then, the samples were exposed to a uniform distributed load of 240 N with the load angle of 45 degree which was applied over the occlusal area. In order to simulate the surrounding area of the tooth and also the periodontal ligament space, the bone was also modeled

Results: Numerical results revealed that in the prefabricated post restoration, there was a stress concentration in the cervical region. The maximum value of normal stress [32.3 MPa] was seen in the parallel post with 1.4 diameter [D1.4], and the minimum value [26.7 MPa] was observed in the double tapered post [N0.1]. It was observed that the increase in the modulus of elasticity from 100 to 300 causes an increase in normal stress from 69.5 to 38.5 MPa and in tensile stress from 69.5 to 38.5 MPa

Conclusion: Numerical analysis showed that the maximum stress concentration in post core crown restoration increased when the posts with 1.4 mm diameter or post with double taper were used. The stress values decreased with the decrease in the post modulus of elasticity. The maximum stress in the residual dentin decreased by an increase in the post diameter. Besides, the maximum stress on the residual dentine changed irregularly by the change in the tapered post diameter. Also, it was found that crowns material did not have any considerable effect on the stress concentration

[Effect of home postpartum care on quality of life of low risk mothers]

Home care visits have unique advantages in many social problems and health complications such as psychologic complications and adverse birth outcomes. The aim of this study was to identify the effect of postpartum care at home on quality of life among low risk mothers. This interventional study was conducted in Akbarabad health center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2010. A total of 200 mothers were randomly allocated in two intervention and control groups. Mothers in the control group received two post partum visits in health care center and the intervention group received care at home. Data were collected through a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and the mothers' quality of life items; along with a growth and development monitoring chart for newborns. For analyzing data, Mann-Withney U, Wilcoxon and Chi-square tests were used. Most of the mothers aged 20-29 years old. The number of visits were statistically different between the two groups [P=0.00, P=0.01]. Dimensions of quality of life in the two groups were not statistically different: [Physical dimension: P=0.052], [Emotional dimension: P=0.775], [Public health dimension: P=0.068], [Social performance dimension: P=0.780] and [Total score: P=0.213]. the results of our study did not show no positive improvements in home postpartum care in comparison with the health care centers care. More studies are recommended

Survival of male breast cancer in Fars, south of Iran

Although breast cancer in men is uncommon, its incidence rates has an increasing trend. Due to its low incidence, there are few studies in this subject and limited information is available. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinicopathological characteristics and survival of male breast cancer [MBC] in Fars Province, south of Iran. The data for this study were obtained from the population based cancer registry of Vice-Chancellor for Health Affairs of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and Shiraz hospitals between January 1, 1989 and January 1, 2008, including 64 patients with MBC. Demographic, clinical and pathological aspects were investigated. The Kaplan-Meler method was used for the determination of survival rate and Log Rank test for the comparison. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for the multiple analysis. The patients' mean age at the time of diagnosis was 60,3 years [SD=12.7]. The most frequent age group [26.6%] was 51-60 years. The most common symptom [96.8%] was a palpable mass. The majority of patients [44.4%] had a symptom duration of less than or equal to 6 months. 56.3% of the patients had a tumor size of 2-4.9 cm. Forty six percent of the cases had axillary lymph node involvement. The median survival time was 10.0 years [95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.0-14.0]. The 5 year overall survival rate was 66.0% [95% CI=51.08-81.0%]. The median survival time of patients with axillary lymph node involvement was 8.2 years [95% CI=6.7-9.6] and for the cases without involvement was 12.0 years [95% CI=8.4-15.2]. In addition to axillary lymph node involvement, positive family history in contrast to negative family history and left tumors in comparison with right tumors were poorer prognostic factors in univariate analysis respectively [p=0.006, p=0.031]. In multiple analysis, axillary lymph node involvement was an independent predictor of poorer survival [Hazard ratio=1.6, 95% CI=1.1-6.4, p=0.030] and the other variables did not have a significant effect. The mean age of MBC in this series is lower than that in western countries. It is compatible to the mean age of female breast cancer which is approximately one decade less than that in developed countries. The survival rate of MBC is relatively lower than that in western countries. Axillary lymph node involvement is an important prognostic factor in the survival of MBC. Multicenter population based studies with greater number of patients are required for better estimation of different aspects of MBC in Iran

[Comparison of the percentages of peripheral blood CD4+ CD25+ T lymphocytes in recurrent abortion and normal pregnancy]

Background and Aims: Recent evidences indicate that parts of the immunoregulation system such as CD4+CD25+Tcells [Treg] and Th2 cells and Th1 cells, play very important roles in the maintenance of pregnancy. The deficiency in proper recognition of fetal alloantigen by the maternal immune system is associated with recurrent pregnancy failure. Here, we investigate the proportional changes of CD4+CD25+Tcells in peripheral blood of women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion in comparison to women with normal pregnancy by using flowcytometry

Methods: The case group was comprised of 24 women who had at least three successive miscarriages with unexplained etiology. They had normal karyotypes, anticardiolipin and prolactin and their husbands had normal spermograms. The percentages of TCD4+CD25+cells in peripheral blood of these patients were compared with those of 21 women who had normal pregnancy with no history of pregnancy loss. Anti-CD4, anti-CD25 and anti-CD3 antibodies were added to lymphocytes isolated from peripheral blood. Then samples were incubated, centrifuged and washed. Finally cells were analyzed using FACS Caliber system and data of the two groups were compared

Results: Mean percentage of CD4+CD25+bright T cells in peripheral blood in case group was significantly lower compared to the control group [P=0.000]. Mean percentage of CD4-CD25 bright cells in the CD4+Tcell peripheral blood was significantly higher in case group campared to the control group [P=0.021]

Conclusion: Decrease of CD4+CD25 bright T cells plays a major role in tolerating conceptus antigens and cytokine and might contribute to the maintenance of pregnancy. Inadequate CD4+CD25+Tcells or their functional deficiency may link with miscarriage. Therefore, alteration of CD4+CD25+T cells can be used as an immunologic marker for monitoring of patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion