ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Yersinia enterocolitica infection is reportedly associated with the development of autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD). However, evidence that such infection can lead to AITD is controversial. Thus, this study was aimed to investigate the associations of Y. enterocolitica infection with AITD. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane library to identify relevant studies. The odds ratios (OR) and associated 95% confidence intervals [CI] were obtained. Data were analyzed by STATA 13.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: Of 215 articles identified, 8 studies with a total of 1490 participants met the criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. There was a significant association between Y. enterocolitica positivity and AITD (OR: 4.31 [CI 95%: 1.81-10.07], P-value: 0.00). According to the subgroup analysis, Y. enterocolitica infection statistically increased the risk of Graves' disease (GD) (OR: 6.12, [CI 95%: 3.71-10.10], P-value: 0.00). Likewise, the pooled OR of association between Y. enterocolitica positivity and hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) was 2.84 (CI 95%: 0.71-11.25, P-value: 0.1). CONCLUSION: The current studies suggest that Y. enterocolitica may be associated with the development of AITD. Further study is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms.
Subject(s)
Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/epidemiology , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/immunology , Yersinia Infections/epidemiology , Yersinia Infections/immunology , Case-Control Studies , Graves Disease/diagnosis , Graves Disease/epidemiology , Graves Disease/immunology , Hashimoto Disease/diagnosis , Hashimoto Disease/epidemiology , Hashimoto Disease/immunology , Humans , Observational Studies as Topic/methods , Thyroiditis, Autoimmune/diagnosis , Yersinia Infections/diagnosisABSTRACT
Cerebellar ataxias (CA) include a range of neurodegenerative disorders hallmarked by deterioration of the cerebellum. Cell replacement therapy (CRT) offers a potential remedy for the diseases associated with the central nervous system (CNS). This study was designed to assess the neurorestorative/protective effects of dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) implantation on a rat model of CA induced by 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP) as a neurotoxin. To begin, human DPSCs were extracted, cultured and phenotypically characterized. Then, experimental ataxia was induced in 20 male adult rats by a single injection of 3-AP and bilateral DPSC transplantation was performed 3 days after 3-AP administration, followed by stereological analysis of cerebellar layers along with assessment of motor skills and inflammatory response. The findings showed that transplantation of DPSCs in a 3-AP model of ataxia ameliorated motor coordination and muscle activity, increased cerebellar volumes of molecular and granular layers plus white matter, reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines and thwarted the degeneration of Purkinje cells against 3-AP toxicity. Taken together, human DPSCs could be considered as a suitable candidate for CRT-based therapies with a specific focus on CA.
