Serum levels of interleukin-23 and 35 in patients with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic periodontitis

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic periodontitis (CP) show common pathophysiological features. We investigated the serum levels of IL-23 and IL-35 in people with type 2 DM and CP. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 72 patients were divided into four equal groups: group A, participants without type 2 DM and CP; group B, patients with type 2 DM without CP; group C, patients with CP and without type 2 DM; and group D, patients with type 2 DM and CP. Demographic data were obtained and periodontal conditions including clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing, plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth was evaluated on all existing teeth. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels, hemoglobin (Hb) A1c, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed. In addition, serum levels of IL-23 and 35 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The serum levels of IL-23 and 35 showed no significant differences between all groups (P>0.05). A significant positive correlation between the serum concentration of IL-23 and clinical attachment loss in the control group (r: 0.548, P=0.019) was detected. A significant negative correlation between IL-35 and the plaque index in group B (r: -0.578, P=0.012), plus significant negative correlations between IL-23 with ESR (r: -0.487, P=0.040) and CRP (r: -0.498, P=0.035) in groups C and D were also detected. Conclusion: Despite significant associations of serum concentration of IL-23 and 35 with certain periodontal and inflammatory indices, neither type 2 DM nor CP differentially affects serum levels of these two cytokines

Introducing a New SYBR green Real-time PCR for Detection of SARS-CoV2 Virus Genome

Background and purpose: There are various methods for molecular detection of SARS-CoV2 genome among which, PCR-based methods are the most reliable for making diagnosis. The majority of approved PCR kits for detection of Coronavirus are based on TaqMan real-time PCR which is expensive due to incorporating fluorescent and quencher-harboring probe. The aim of this study was to design a simple and affordable method for detection of SARS-CoV2 based on a more affordable SYBR green qPCR method. Materials and methods: Specific primers were designed for the virus nucleocapsid gene and the human control gene using Oligo software. The specificities of the primers were examined by Primer-BLAST capability according to NCBI database. Nasal swab samples were obtained from 10 PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients and 10 healthy control people. Results: The designed reactions were performed in full compliance with the kit approved by the Ministry of Health to discriminate healthy individuals from COVID-19 patients. The Ct cut-off values calculated for N1 and N2 reactions were 39.72 and 39.69, respectively. Conclusion: The designed SYBR green-based reaction showed a potential role for detection of SARS-CoV2 genome in clinical samples and this method can be considered as a less-expensive alternative to TaqMan real time PCR if the primers and standard reaction conditions are properly designed

Effect of lithium chloride on the luteal steroidogenesis in gonadotropin-stimulated rat

Background: Main function of corpus luteum is progesterone synthesis that is significantly accompanied with an increase in levels of mRNA encoding of steroidogenic enzymes known as luteal markers. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate effects of lithium chloride on the release of steroid hormones and steroidogenic enzymes in gonadotropin-stimulated rats. Materials and Methods: Immature 23 days old Wistar rats were divided into 10 groups; each group comprised of 8 rats, and induced with single injection of pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and followed by single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Then, rats were given lithium chloride (LiCl) or saline at 12 hours post-hCG injection. Ovaries were collected in 4-hour interval from 8-24 hour post-hCG injection. Expression pattern of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) genes were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, serum levels of progesterone and 17β-estradiol were measured by ELISA. Results: Our results showed that hCG stimulation of progesterone was markedly diminished and transcript levels of key steroidogenic enzymes were altered in the hormone-stimulated rats following LiCl treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that critical steps in the function of corpus luteum are disrupted by lithium. It is concluded that LiCl is an effective factor for suppressing of steroid genes expression

Alterations in salivary IgA levels in infectious and inflammatory disorders of upper respiratory tract

Background: The airway surfaces are one of the most common ways of entry of infectious agents. Oral cavity associated lymphoid tissues are inductive site of humoral immune responses in inflammatory and infectious disorders of the upper respiratory tract. These lymphoid tissues play important roles in the induction of salivary IgA. The impact of upper respiratory tract diseases on salivary IgA production has not been fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the salivary IgA levels in patients suffered from upper respiratory tract diseases to indicate the effect of these diseases on salivary IgA production. Materials and Methods: In this study, salivary IgA level of 156 patients with inflammatory diseases of the upper respiratory tract including chronic rhinosinusitis, ear and pharynx diseases have been evaluated by direct immunoenzymatic determination. Results: In pharynx disorders 11.8 % of patients were IgA deficient , 76.2 % were normal and11.8 % had elevated level of IgA .In patients with chronic rhinosinusitis IgA deficiency was observed in 9.2 % , 75.9 % were normal and there was an elevation in 14.8 % of patients .In ear disorders 11.6% were IgA deficient ,76.7 % normal and 11.6 % had elevated IgA level. Conclusion: This study provided evidence for the first time that changes in salivary IgA level are almost the same in different sites of infectious and inflammatory diseases of upper respiratory tract. Our investigation revealed that local up regulation of salivary IgA is not particular interest in majority of patients with upper respiratory tract infections

The effect of mesenchymal stem cell ‑conditioned medium on the proliferation of cancer cell lines, A549 and JEG3

Background: Cancer is a significant public health problem. Some studies indicated the anti-cancer effects of mesenchymal stem cells. These effects are related to stem cells or secretory mediator of them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of condition medium of mesenchymal stem cells on A549 and JEG3 cancer cell lines. Methods: In an experimental study, A549 and JEG3 cell lines provided and grown in the culture media of DMEM F12 containing 10% fetal bovine serum were then treated with different percentages of condition medium of mesenchymal stem cells (5, 10, 20, 40, 50, and 100) for 48 hours. Metabolic activity was evaluated by MTT assay in compare to untreated cells (control). Results: MTT assay showed that various percentages of condition medium of mesenchymal stem cell had inhibitory effects on A549 cell line. Significant differences were observed between treated cells to control (p<0.05(.While condition medium had no effects on JEG3 cell line. Conclusion: The results of the present study have shown different effects of condition medium of mesenchymal stem cells on the various cancer cells. According to the inhibitory effects demonstrated in this study on the A549 cell line, proposed that the mesenchymal stem cells and secretory paracrine factors derived them considered as therapeutic targets in these cancers. It should investigate in more studies for confirmation

Effect of lithium chloride on the luteal steroidogenesis in gonadotropin-stimulated rat

Background: Main function of corpus luteum is progesterone synthesis that is significantly accompanied with an increase in levels of mRNA encoding of steroidogenic enzymes known as luteal markers. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate effects of lithium chloride on the release of steroid hormones and steroidogenic enzymes in gonadotropin-stimulated rats. Materials and Methods: Immature 23 days old Wistar rats were divided into 10 groups; each group comprised of 8 rats, and induced with single injection of pregnant mare’s serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and followed by single injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Then, rats were given lithium chloride (LiCl) or saline at 12 hours post-hCG injection. Ovaries were collected in 4-hour interval from 8-24 hour post-hCG injection. Expression pattern of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) genes were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. In addition, serum levels of progesterone and 17β-estradiol were measured by ELISA. Results: Our results showed that hCG stimulation of progesterone was markedly diminished and transcript levels of key steroidogenic enzymes were altered in the hormone-stimulated rats following LiCl treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that critical steps in the function of corpus luteum are disrupted by lithium. It is concluded that LiCl is an effective factor for suppressing of steroid genes expression

Dendritic Cell Stimulation by IFN-β Alters T Cell Function via Modulation of Cytokine Secretion in Diabetes Type 1

During antigen capture and processing, mature dendritic cells (DC) express large amounts of peptide-MHC complexes and accessory molecules on their surface. We investigated the role of IFN-&amp;beta; in induction HLA-G expression on the monocyte derived DC and cytokine profile in diabetes type 1. We accomplished secretary pattern and total cytokine production of the Th1 cytokine (IL-2, &amp;gamma;IFN) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) before and after mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) of 30 diabetic patients and 30 normal subjects. &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;In this study a significant increase of IL-10 and &amp;gamma;IFN reduction after IFN-&amp;beta; Therapy in culture in presence of HLA-G bearing DC as compared to control were seen. It is seen that dendritic cell causes IL-10 production of T cell in vitro that reduce T cell activation from diabetes patients and normal subjects resulted to the production and expression of HLA-G on these cells from both groups. Using mixed leukocyte reaction, it was found that IFN-&amp;beta;-treated dendritic cell mediated the inhibition of autologous T cell activation via IL-10 production and level of HLA-G on dendritic cell may be correlated to disease activity in diabetes patients and it could also serve as a useful marker for disease progress and treatment

Evaluating the Effect of Four Extracts of Avocado Fruit on Esophageal Squamous Carcinoma and Colon Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines in Comparison with Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

Most patients with gastrointestinal cancers refer to the health centers at advanced stages of the disease and conventional treatments are not significantly effective for these patients. Therefore, using modern therapeutic approaches with lower toxicity bring higher chance for successful treatment and reduced adverse effects in such patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of avocado fruit extracts on inhibition of the growth of cancer cells in comparison with normal cells. In an experimental study, ethanol, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and petroleum extracts of avocado (Persea americana) fruit were prepared. Then, the effects if the extracts on the growth of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and colon adenocarcinoma cell lines were evaluated in comparison with the control group using the MTT test in the cell culture medium. Effects of the four extracts of avocado fruit on three cells lines of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and colon adenocarcinoma were tested. The results showed that avocado fruit extract is effective in inhibition of cancer cell growth in comparison with normal cells (P<0.05). Avocado fruit is rich in phytochemicals, which play an important role in inhibition of growth of cancer cells. The current study for the first time demonstrates the anti-cancer effect of avocado fruit extracts on two cancers common in Iran. Therefore, it is suggested that the fruit extracts can be considered as appropriate complementary treatments in treatment of esophageal and colon cancers

The assessment of cytotoxic T cell and natural killer cells activity in residents of high and ordinary background radiation areas of Ramsar-Iran

The effective radiation dose of human from natural sources is about 2.4 mSv/y and the dose limit for radiation workers is 20 mSv/y. Ramsar, a city in Iran, has been the subject of concern in the last forty years for a high level of radiation measured in some spots as high as 260 mSv/y. Carcinogenesis is one of the most studied effects of radiation especially in high doses. Recent studies showed that the high level of natural radiation received by inhabitants of this area, paradoxically don′t have significant health effect. Natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T cells are the most important cells in tumor immune surveillance and CD107a is a widely expressed intracellular protein located in the lysosomal/endosomal membrane. CD107a transiently located on the cell membrane can be used as a marker of CD8 + T cell degranulation following stimulation. It is also expressed, to a lower extent, on activated NK cells. In this study, 60 healthy people were selected randomly and their consent obtained and confounding factors such as sex, age, life-styles was matched then the count of activated NK and CD8 + cells was compared in high and normal background radiation areas inhabitants of Ramsar. After filling the questionnaire and measurement of background radiation, blood samples of 30 healthy people from each region were analyzed immediately by means of flowcytometry. The leukocytes and their subsets were not significantly different between two groups and the count of active cells was higher in control group. The result shows that the changes in immune system occur due to radiation and maybe it is as a result of higher radiosensitivity of activated cells