Evaluation the -174G>C Genetic Polymorphism of Interleukin-6 in Iranian Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Background & Objective: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is involved in inflammation and has a significant role in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) progression. Accordingly, IL-6 level may increase in CLL-affected patients compared to healthy individuals. The -174G>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in IL-6 promoter region has been related to differences in IL-6 transcription. Therefore, we investigated the possible association of IL-6 polymorphism with CLL. Methods: We examined the -174G>C SNP in IL-6 gene and studied its possible relationship with CLL in affected patients and in healthy controls using Amplification Refractory Mutation System- polymerase chain reaction genotyping method. IL-6 plasma level was measured in both studied groups. Results: According to the results, IL-6 mean plasma concentration was increased significantly in the CLL patients compared to the controls. However, 174G>C genotype of the IL-6 gene was not associated with CLL. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies between the CLL-affected patients and the controls (P>0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that -174G>C SNP in promotor of IL-6 gene could not be considered a risk factor for CLL. Larger prospective studies should be performed to confirm our results.

Regulatory Effects of Apatinib in Combination with Piperine on MDM-2 Gene Expression, Glutathione Peroxidase Activity and Nitric Oxide level as Mechanisms of Cytotoxicity in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Purpose: Apatinib has been utilized in colon cancer therapies but its efficiency and molecularmechanism are not fully understood. Chemotherapy in combination with non-toxic compoundscan be an effective treatment strategy for cancer. Consequently, this study was carried out toevaluate the effects of apatinib and piperine on colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line and theirpotential anti-cancerous mechanisms in vitro. Methods: The effects of apatinib and piperine on HCT-116 CRC cells were detected byassessing cell viability using MTT assay. The potential cytotoxic mechanisms of apatinib andpiperine were investigated by evaluating MDM-2 gene expression ratio using real-time PCRassay. Moreover, the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity and nitric oxide (NO) levels wereassessed by colorimetric assays. Results: The proliferation rate of CRC cells decreased by increasing the concentrations ofpiperine or apatinib. When HCT-116 cells were treated with different concentrations of apatinibin combination with piperine, the synergistic effects were observed (combination index < 1).In HCT-116 cells treated with apatinib and piperine at the concentrations of 0.5×IC50 and0.2×IC50, the MDM-2 gene expression was downregulated and NO levels increased comparedto the untreated control cells and related single treatments. In addition, GPX activity significantlydecreased in combination treatment at 0.5×IC50 concentration of both agents versus singletreatments. Conclusion: Apatinib in combination with piperine could significantly inhibit the growth ofCRC cells. These cytotoxic effects were induced by regulation of MDM-2 gene expression andinhibition of antioxidant marker.

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Seroprevalence in Pregnant Women in Urmia, Northwest of Iran, during 2014-2015

Background: Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) seroprevalence has been shown to be a potential sign of infection in pregnant women, and it could be applied to check HSV-2 transmission. This study evaluated the anti-HSV-2 IgG prevalence in pregnant women who were referred to health centers in Urmia, Northwest of Iran, during 2014-2015. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 86 pregnant women and tested for Anti-HSV-2-specific IgG using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kit. Results: Five (5.8%) pregnant women showed the presence of Anti-HSV-2-specific IgG antibodies. Previous abortion was reported in 16 (19.7%) and 2 subjects in the seronegative and seropositive groups, respectively. Conclusion: Data from the present study indicate a lower number of HSV-2 seropositives among the pregnant women in Urmia. This reduction would be a result of low number of studied subjects used in the present study; hence, assessing a large sample is recommended.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis e among pregnant women in urmia, iran.

BACKGROUND: While hepatitis E virus (HEV) mostly causes self-limited disease in general population, it is more severe in pregnant women. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG among a population of pregnant women in West Azerbaijan of Iran . PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty six pregnant women referred to urban health centers of Urmia for pursuing pregnancy-related health services were enrolled in a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Anti-HEV IgG antibody was evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA; Dia.Pro; Diagnostic Bioprobes). RESULTS: Only five (3.6%) of 136 cases had positive results for anti-HEV IgG. There was no significant difference between age (P=0.88), and income level (P = 0.19) of the two seropositive and seronegative groups. All seropositive cases were from urban areas. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG is low in the population of pregnant women in , similar to the rates reported from developed countries. Effective health services and provision of safe water supplies in Urmia may take role in this low prevalence rate.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis E among Iranian renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: Renal transplant recipients are known to be susceptible to viral infections, with more severe clinical presentations compared to healthy persons. Hepatitis E is generally a self-limited disease, which is caused by hepatitis E virus. Recently, hepatitis E has become more important in organ transplant recipients, because of new findings regarding the potential for chronic infections in this patient group. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-HEV IgG among kidney transplant recipients in Urmia, in the north-western region of Iran. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 91 patients were selected randomly from amongst patients who had undergone kidney transplantation in Urmia, Iran. Each patient was tested for the presence of anti-HEV IgG antibody using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA, Dia.Pro; Diagnostic Bioprobes, Italy). RESULTS: 28 subjects (30.8%) were seropositive for anti-HEV IgG. Seropositive patients were generally older than seronegative patients (P = 0.009). There was no correlation between HEV infection and the level of education (P = 0.206), the history of blood transfusion (P = 0.164), or history of pre-transplantation hemodialysis (P = 0.228). There was no significant difference in the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels of the anti-HEV seropositive and seronegative patients. Multinomial logistic regression analysis indicated no significant relationship between HEV infection and increase in ALT levels, even after controlling for treatment with azathioprine (P = 0.79, OR = 1.12; 95% CI: 0.45-2.76). CONCLUSION: The anti-HEV IgG antibody has a high prevalence in Iranian kidney transplant recipients, and it is significantly higher in comparison with previous studies in the general population or in hemodialysis patients.

Seroprevalence of herpes simplex virus-2 in kidney transplant recipients: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Viral infections are a real threat in kidney transplant recipients because of their immunocompromised condition. This study aimed to evaluate herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) seropositivity among kidney transplant recipients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum samples of 91 kidney transplant recipients from Urmia, Iran, were examined serologically for antibodies against HSV-2 using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The mean time from transplantation at HSV-2 testing was 5.04 +/- 4.45 years. The anti-HSV-2 immunoglobulin G antibody was positive in 5.4% of the kidney transplant recipients. Seropositive patients did not present any clinical manifestations of genital herpes infection. There was no association between HSV-2 seropositivity and age, gender, history of hemodialysis and transplantation, blood transfusion, or immunosuppressive regimen. CONCLUSIONS: Seroprevalence of HSV-2 is not high among our kidney transplant recipients. However, it remains a source of concern, considering the compromised immune system in this specific population.