Investigation of the effect of trimethylamine-N-oxide on the proinflammatory cytokine genes expression in U937-derived macrophages

Background and Aim: Atherosclerosis is known as a multifactorial inflammatory disease. Trimethylamine N-oxide [TMAO] as a risk factor, has a potential to trigger or enhance the immune inflammatory reactions in atherosclerosis. Yet, The exact mechanism by which TMAO induces inflammation during atherosclerosis is not well understood. The present study was designed to evaluate the expression of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF- alpha mRNA in response to treatment of macrophages with different concentrations of TMAO

Material andmethods: In this experimental in-vitro study, U937-derived macrophages were treated with different concentrations of TMAO [37.5, 75,150 and 300 micrometer] for 24 h. A group of cells were also treated with tunicamycin as positive control for stress. RT-qPCR was used to evaluate the expression of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF- alpha mRNA levels. One-Way ANOVA and Post-hoc Dunnett test were used to compare the mean value of every group with that of control group

Results: Although TMAO increased expression of IL-1 beta, IL-6, and TNF- alpha mRNA, only 300 micrometer of TMAO significantly increased expression of IL-1 beta mRNA compared to the control cells [P<0.001]. Tunicamycin increased expression of IL-6 significantly

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that among the above mentioned cytokines, IL-1 beta as a proinflammatory cytokine had a greater role in inflammatory reactions, induced by TMAO as a risk factor for atherosclerosis

Identification of sarcocystis species of slaughtered sheep in Gazvin Ziaran slaughterhouse using PCR-RFLP

Sarcocystosis is caused by species of Sarcocystis, an intracellular protozoan parasite in the phylum Apicomplexa. The intermediate hosts are the herbivores eating infected food or water containing sporocysts excreted by the carnivorous final host, and that results in tissue cysts in corpses. The present study was carried out to identify Sarcosystis species of sheep using PCR-RFLP. In the present study 60 specimens from the diaphragm, heart and esophagus muscles of sheep slaughtered in Qazvin Ziaran slaughterhouse were collected. 40 specimens contained macroscopic Sarcocystis cysts and the next 20 contained microscopic Sarcocystis cysts. They were examined by Dob Smear and digestion method. DNA extraction was carried out by a kit. PCR conditions were optimized for 18S rRNA amplification. Meanwhile, a comparative study was done to investigate the specific primers of the Toxoplasma and Neospora along with the Sarcocystis cases. According to the position of restriction sites, restricted enzymes were selected. Results indicated that the primers were completely unique and specific for detecting Sarcocystis. PCR-RFLP analysis showed that macroscopic cysts and microscopic cysts belonged to Sarcocystis gigantea and Sarcocystis arieticanis, respectively. Sarcocystis species of sheep can be recognized through PCR-RFLP technique using the designed specific primers. By this technique applying TaqI enzyme from microscopic cysts as well as TaqI and HincII enzymes for macroscopic cysts were found more efficient than the others

study on knowledge of diseases causation among adults of an urban slum of Multan

A cross-sectional study with descriptive and analytical components was carried out at Basti Oddan, an urban slum of Multan city. The concept of disease causation regarding tuberculosis, hepatitis B and malaria among 320 adults was assessed utilising a pre-tested questionnaire. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS software, 11[th] version. Running and tabulation of all the variable frequencies were done as part of data management. Tables were used to present the data. Chi -square test was used as the test of significance. Level of significance was set at 0.05. The overall knowledge of disease, causation was poor i.e. less than 50%. Respondents with better educational status had better concept of causation regarding three common communicable diseases. The association between economic status and concept of disease causation was variable i.e. no significant association between economic status and awareness of tuberculosis causation. However a positive association between economic status and awareness regarding hepatitis B and malaria was noted. It is concluded that there is great need to improve the educational status of the people otherwise any health improvement program is unlikely to succeed