ABSTRACT
Objectives: Imbalances in effector T cell functioning have been associated with a number of autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto's thyroiditis [HT]. Differentiation of effector T helper [Th] 1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cell [Treg] lymphocytes is regulated by transcription factors, including Th1-specific T box [T-bet], GATA binding protein-3 [GATA3], retinoid-related orphan receptor [ROR]-alpha and forkhead box P3 [FOXP3]. This study aimed to investigate Th1/Th2, Th1/Treg, Th2/Treg and Th17/Treg balances at the level of these transcription factors
Methods: This study took place between October 2015 and August 2016. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were collected from a control group of 40 healthy women recruited from the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran, and a patient group of 40 women with HT referred to the Hazrat Ali Asghar Hospital, Zahedan. Total ribonucleic acid extraction was performed and the gene expression of transcription factors was quantitated using a real-time polymerase chain reaction technique
Results: Expression of T-bet and GATA3 was significantly elevated, while FOXP3 expression was significantly diminished among HT patients in comparison with the controls [P = 0.03, 0.01 and 0.05, respectively]. Expression of RORalpha was higher among HT patients, although this difference was not significant [P = 0.15]. Expression of T-bet/FOXP3, GATA3/FOXP3 and RORalpha/FOXP3 ratios were increased among HT patients in comparison with the controls [P <0.02, <0.01 and <0.01, respectively]
Conclusion: These results indicate that HT patients have imbalances in Th1/Treg, Th2/Treg and Th17/Treg lymphocytes at the level of the transcription factors, deviating towards Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells. Correction of these imbalances may therefore be therapeutic
ABSTRACT
Background: genetic factors are candidates for about 30% of male infertility with sperm production-related abnormalities. Y chromosome microdeletions are responsible for around 10% of male infertility. These microdeletions generally occur in azoospermia factor on the Yq. That is often associated with the quantitative reduction of sperm
Objective: the aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the frequency of Yq microdeletions among idiopathic azoospermic, oligoasthenozoospermic, and oligospermic men in Shohada infertility center, Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province
Materials and Methods: a total of 81 idiopathic azoospermic, oligoasthenozoospermic, and oligospermic infertile men were selected as cases and 81 fertile men assigned to control group. For molecular investigations, 13 sequance tagged sitemarkers were chosen from azoospermia factor [AZF] region for detection of Y chromosome microdeletions and amplified by two separate multiplex-polymerase chain reaction. The relationship between the AZF microdeletions and incidence of male infertility in the family, consanguineous parents, smoking, and the levels of reproductive hormones among infertile men were investigated.The relationship between the AZF microdeletions and incidence of male infertility in the family, consanguineous parents, smoking, and the levels of reproductive hormones among infertile men were investigated
Results: the total frequency of the microdeletions was 6.17% [2 cases in azoospermic, 3 cases in oligoasthenozoospermic subgroups, and none in the oligospermic participants and the control group]. Most deletions [3.7%] were seen in the AZFb followed by the AZFc [2.46%] and none in AZFa. No significant association was seen between the microdeletions and clinical characteristics
Conclusion: although the frequency of Yq chromosome microdeletions in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province is lower than the mean frequency of Iran, the frequency is comparable to those reported by some studies in Iran
ABSTRACT
Objectives: Interleukin [IL]-33 is a cytokine with both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects involved in the pathogenesis of some inflammatory diseases. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the serum and cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] IL-33 concentrations in patients with multiple sclerosis [MS]
Methods: Blood specimens were obtained from 140 patients with MS [46 males and 94 females] with various disease patterns and treatment plans and 140 healthy subjects [47 males and 93 females], who acted as a control group. CSF samples were collected from 20 MS group and 20 sex- and agematched patients with other neurological diseases of nonautoimmune etiology. The serum and CSF concentrations of IL-33 were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Results: The serum and CSF IL-33 levels were significantly higher in the MS group compared to the control group [p<0.001 and p<0.050, respectively]. The serum IL-33 concentrations were also significantly higher in newly diagnosed [untreated] patients and patients treated with methylprednisolone or with interferon-beta and methylprednisolone compared to the healthy patient group [p<0.007, p<0.002, and p<0.010, respectively]. Moreover, the serum IL-33 concentrations in patients with relapsing-remitting [RRMS], primary progressive [PPMS], and secondary progressive [SPMS] forms of the disease were significantly higher than in the healthy control group [p<0.006, p<0.001, and p<0.020, respectively]
Conclusions: Our results showed increased concentrations of IL-33 in patients with MS including both untreated and treated MS patients and patients with the RRMS, SPMS, and PPMS forms. This suggests that IL-33 may be involved in the pathogenesis of all MS forms and treatment with methylprednisolone or both interferon-beta plus methylprednisolone has no influence on IL-33 concentrations
ABSTRACT
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
ABSTRACT
Background: IL-17/IL-23 axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of severalautoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis [EAE] andmultiple sclerosis [MS]. The immunomodulatory properties of ginger are reported in previous studies
Objective: To evaluate the effects of ginger extract on the expressionof IL-17 and IL-23 in a model of EAE
Methods: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 miceby immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein and then treated with PBSor ginger extracts, from day +3 to +30. At day 31, mice were scarificed and theexpression of IL-17 and IL-23 mRNA in spinal cord were determined by using realtime-PCR. The serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA
Results: ThemRNA expression of IL-17, IL-23 P19 and IL-23 P40 in CNS and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher in PBS-treated EAE mice than non-EAE group[p<0.003, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively]. In 200 mg/kg gingertreatedEAE mice the mRNA expression of IL-17, P19 and P40 in CNS and serum IL-23 levels were significantly decreased as compared to PBS-treated EAE mice [p<0.05,p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively]. Moreover, 300 mg/kg ginger-treated EAEgroup had significantly lower expression of IL-17, P19 and P40 in CNS and lowerserum IL-17 and IL-23 levels than PBS-treated EAE group [p<0.02, p<0.001, p<0.001,p<0.03 and p<0.004, respectively]
Conclusion: Ginger extract reduces the expressionof IL-17 and IL-23 in EAE mice. The therapeutic potential of ginger for treatment ofMS could be considered in further studies
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of Oxybutinin in comparison to tolterodine in treatment of overactive bladder [OAB] with detrussor overactivity [DOA] in Iranian women
Materials and Methods: One hundred Iranian old women with clinical symptoms of OAB who show IDO in the filling cystometry participated in this randomized double-blinded parallel-group by using two kinds of the drugs for 4- week course [2 mg tolterodine twice-daily, or oxybutinin 5 mg, three times a day] in alike packages. We collected data from 3-day FVC before and after the treatment course. The effectiveness of each drug was studied using the paired t-test and improvement after treatment between two groups was compared by independent T-test
Results: Positive changes in urinary urgency, Frequency and Urge incontinence after treatment in both groups were seen but mean improvements in the all were larger in the patients who treated by oxybutinin especially in terms of urgency and Urge incontinence. Dry mouth was the most common side-effect in two groups. Unlike other studies it was higher in the tolterodine group but the difference was not significant
Conclusion: Four week treatment with oxybutinin was better than tolterodine in improving urgency and urge incontinence but there were not statistically significance between them
ABSTRACT
H. pylori infection has been associated with some autoimmune disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentrations of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies in H. pylori-infected peptic ulcer patients, H. pylori-infected asymptomatic carriers and a healthy control group. A Total of 100 H. pylori-infected peptic ulcer patients, 65 asymptomatic carriers and 30 healthy H. pylori-negative subjects [as a control group] were enrolled into study. Serum samples of participants tested for the levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies by use of ELISA. The mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies in peptic ulcer group was significantly higher in comparison to the control group [p<0.05]. Although, the mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies in the asymptomatic carriers group was higher than those in the control group, the difference was not statistically significant. No significant differences were observed between peptic ulcer patients and asymptomatic carriers groups regarding the mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies. The mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor in men with peptic ulcer was significantly higher compared to the group of healthy men [p<0.05]. Although in female of peptic ulcer patients or asymptomatic carriers groups, the mean serum levels of rheumatoid factor was higher than that in healthy women, but the differences were not statistically significant. Also, no significant differences were observed between men and women with peptic ulcer, asymptomatic carriers control groups based on the serum levels of anti-nuclear antibodies. The results showed higher serum levels of rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies in H. pylori-infected patients with peptic ulcer disease which represent the H. pylori-related immune disturbance in these patients. Additional follow-up studies are necessary to clarify the clinical significance of these autoantibodies in patients with H. pylori infection
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Rheumatoid Factor/blood , Helicobacter Infections/immunology , Antibodies, Antinuclear/blood , Peptic Ulcer/microbiologyABSTRACT
It has been also reported that that H. pylori infection may be responsible for some endocrine disorders, such as autoimmune thyroid diseases, diabetes mellitus and primary hyperparathyroidism. H. pylori which express cytotoxin-associated gene A [CagA] may be more virulent than those that do not. The aim was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori IgG and anti-CagA antibodies in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus [type 2 DM] and healthy individuals from Rafsanjan city [Iran]. A total of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes and 100 age-matched healthy individuals were enrolled to study. A blood sample was collected from each participant. The type 2 DM established according to the fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl. The sera were tested for the presence of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies and antibody to CagA by use of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The seroprevalence of anti-H. pylori antibodies in diabetic patients [76%] was similar to that observed in healthy subjects [75%]. The mean titer of anti-H. pylori IgG in healthy control group [131.63 +/- 11.68 U/ml] was significantly higher than diabetic group [54.43 +/- 4.50 U/ml; P<0.0001]. The prevalence of serum anti-CagA IgG antibodies was 78.9% in infected diabetic patients and 77.3% in healthy control group with mean titer of 75.02 +/- 4.54 U/ml and 84.34 +/- 5.85 U/ml, respectively. No significant differences were observed between diabetic and healthy control groups regarding the prevalence and the mean titer of anti-CagA IgG antibodies. In the diabetic group, the seropositive rate of anti-H. pylori IgG was higher in women as compared to men, but the difference was not statistically significant. These results show that H. pyloriseropositivity rate was similar in type 2 DM patients and non-diabetics control group. No association was also found between CagA-positive strains of H. pylori and type 2 DM
ABSTRACT
Alterations in CXCL10 [a Th1 chemokine] expression have been associated with various diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum CXCL10 levels in H. pylori- infected patients with peptic ulcer [PU], H. pylori- infected asymptomatic [AS] subjects and healthy H. pylori-negative subjects, and also to determine its association with bacterial virulence factor cytotoxin-associated gene A [CagA]. Serum samples from 90 H. pylori infected patients with PU [70 were anti-CagA[+], 20 were anti-CagA[-]], 65 AS carriers [40 were anti-CagA[+], 25 were anti-CagA[-]] and 30 healthy H. pylori-negative subjects [as a control Group] were tested for concentrations of CXCL 10 by using the ELISA method. The mean serum levels of CXCL10 in PU patients [96.64 +/- 20.85 pg/mL] were significantly lower than those observed in AS subjects [162.16 +/- 53.31 pg/mL, P < 0.01] and the control group [193.93 +/- 42.14 pg/mL, P < 0.02]. In the PU group, the serum levels of CXCL10 in anti-CagA[+] subjects was significantly higher in comparison to anti-CagA[-] patients [P < 0.04]. These results showed that the mean concentrations of CXCL10 in H. pylori-infected-PU patients was lower than AS carriers and control group. In the PU group, the serum levels of CXCL10 were associated with bacterial factor CagA
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Helicobacter Infections , Chemokine CXCL10 , Peptic Ulcer , Antigens, Bacterial , Bacterial Proteins , Virulence FactorsABSTRACT
Immunopathological and inflammatory processes play important roles in the initiation and development of Ischemic Heart Disease [IHD]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum levels of several autoantibodies including rheumatoid factor [RF], anti-nuclear antibodies [ANA], anti-small nuclear ribonucleoprotein [anti-Sm], anti-phosphatidylserine [anti-PS] and anti-cardiolipin [anti-CL] antibodies in patients with IHD. A total of 120 patients with IHD with acute myocardial infarction [AMI; n=60] or unstable angina [UA; n=60] and 60 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Serum samples of participants were tested for the ANA, anti-Sm, anti-PS and anti-CL antibodies by ELISA. Serum level of RF was measured by a turbidometric method. The mean serum levels of RF and anti-PS antibodies in AMI group and UA group were significantly higher than those observed in the control group [p<0.0001]. The mean serum levels of RF and anti-PS antibodies in AMI patients were significantly higher than the UA group [p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively]. The mean serum levels of RF in men with AMI or UA diseases were significantly higher as compared to healthy control men [p<0.0001 and p<0.003, respectively]. The differences of the serum levels of ANA, anti-Sm and anti-CL antibodies were not significant between AMI, UA and the control groups. There was no difference in the serum levels of RF, ANA, anti-Sm, anti-PS or anti-CL antibodies in patients with traditional risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and smoking, and those without a certain risk factor. Higher serum levels of RF and anti-PS antibody in patients with IHD may be considered as independent risk factors for IHD
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Rheumatoid Factor , Phosphatidylserines , Autoantibodies , Antibodies, Antinuclear , Angina, Unstable , Myocardial Infarction/immunology , Ribonucleoproteins, Small NuclearABSTRACT
Leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminate is a very rare condition characterized by the development of multiple smooth muscle-like nodules in the peritoneal cavity. It is associated with increased serum levels of gonadal steroids. The present report describes a Bilateral Salpingo oophorectomy six years ago because of leiomyomatosis peritonealis disseminate. After six years she referred to us again because of retroperitoneal fibroma, another rare entity, during hormone replacement therapy inspite of lack of uterus and previous castration
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between stress and time management skills. In this descriptive study, 103 personnel were selected from Sari Health Center, by stratified random sampling, and data was gathered by two questionnaires from samples. There is a significant negative relationship in two component study. Also, females' stress level was higher than in males. However, these groups did not have a significant difference in time management. Regression analysis showed there is a significant relationship between gender, with stress and time management scores. For reducing stress and increasing organizational productivity, it is recommended to train these skills in orientation and employee training