Decreased serum levels of IL-27and IL-35 in patients with Graves disease

ABSTRACT Objectives Graves' disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease causing the overproduction of the thyroid hormone from thyroid gland. This disease is mainly the result of the production of antibodies against TSH receptors. Cytokines play an important role in orchestrating the pathophysiology in autoimmune thyroid disease. The regulatory role of IL-12 on TH1 cells has been proven. IL-27 and IL-35, members of IL-12 cytokine family, are two cytokines that have been newly discovered. IL-35 has been identified as a novel immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory cytokine while IL-27 has both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory functions. The objective of the current study was to examine the changes in the serum level of the foregoing cytokines in GD patients in comparison to healthy controls. Materials and methods In this study, serum levels of IL-27 and IL-35 were determined by an ELISA method; anti TPO and anti Tg were measured by an RIA method in 40 new cases of Graves's disease. The findings were compared with 40 healthy controls. Results The results showed a significant difference between IL-27 and IL-35 regarding their serum levels with P values of 0.0001 and 0.024, respectively; anti TPO and anti Tg levels of the cases were also significantly different from controls (p < 0.001). Conclusion The reduction in the serum levels of IL-27 and IL-35 in GD patients compared to normal subjects suggests the possible anti-inflammatory role of these cytokines in GD.

Inhibition of nitric oxide production and proinflammatory cytokines by several medicinal plants

A number of medicinal plants have been used to treat various immunological diseases. Nitric oxide [NO] has an important regulatory role in the various types of inflammatory processes. To investigate the NO modulatory activity of the extracts of several medicinal plants native to Iran including Dracocephalum kotschyi, Linum persicum, Dionysia termeana, Salvia mirzayanii, Ferulago angulata and Euphorbia cheiradenia. The methanolic extracts of the plants were prepared and examined for their effects on the NO production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophages. The level of TNF- alpha and IL-1 beta proinflammatory cytokines in the macrophage culture were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. All the extracts at concentration of 50 micro g/ml demonstrated a significant decrease in NO production [p<0.001] after a 24-hour treatment. This inhibitory effect was also seen after 48 hours. Among the extracts, L. persicum was the strongest extract in reducing the NO production at 1 micro g/ml after both 24 and 48-hours [nearly 100% inhibition, p<0.001]. S. mirzayanii extract with 66.2 +/- 8% inhibition at 50 micro g/ml, showed the mildest effects in 48 hour culture. In cytokine release determination, the extract of L. persicum significantly inhibited both TNF- alpha and IL-1 beta cytokines production by stimulated macrophages [p<0.001]. D. kotschyi, D. termeana and F. angulata decreased secretion of IL-1 beta from the cells. These results indicate the presence of anti-inflammatory and macrophage inhibitory substances in these plants