Objective: In humans, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an androgen-dependent ovarian disorder. Aberrant gene expression in folliculogenesis can arrest the transition of preantral to antral follicles, leading to PCOS. We explored the possible role of altered gene expression in preantral follicles of estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovaries (PCO) in a mouse model. Methods: Twenty female balb/c mice (8 weeks, 20.0±1.5 g) were grouped into control and PCO groups. PCO was induced by intramuscular EV injection. After 8 weeks, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum (for hormonal assessments using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique) was aspirated, and ovaries (the right ovary for histological examinations and the left for quantitative real-time polymerase) were dissected. Results: Compared to the control group, the PCO group showed significantly lower values for the mean body weight, number of preantral and antral follicles, serum levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, and gene expression of TGFB1, GDF-9 and BMPR2 (p<0.05). Serum progesterone levels were significantly higher in the PCO animals than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant between-group differences (p>0.05) were found in BMP6 or BMP15 expression. Conclusions In animals with EV-induced PCO, the preantral follicles did not develop into antral follicles. In this mouse model, the gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9, and BMPR2 was lower in preantral follicles, which is probably related to the pathologic conditions of PCO. Hypoandrogenism was also detected in this EV-induced murine PCO model.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the expression of interleukin-9 (IL-9), IL-17, IL-22, and IL-25 genes that might be the potential predisposing factors for asthma as well as count of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) as another source of inflammatory cytokines have been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of newly identified helper T cells signature cytokines and amount of ILCs. METHODS: Blood and sputum samples from 23 patients with moderate to severe asthma and 23 healthy volunteers were collected. The types of allergens to which our patients were sensitive were defined using immunoblotting method. Gene expression of studied cytokines was evaluated using quantitative transcription-polymerase chain reaction and ILCs were counted by the flow cytometry method. RESULTS: In this research, the gene expressions of IL-9, IL-17, IL-22, and IL-25 were significantly higher in asthmatics, especially in the severe form of the disease. This increase was even higher in serum samples compared with sputum samples. Counting ILCs revealed their increase in comparison with normal people. CONCLUSION: We showed the importance of IL-25, IL-22, IL-17, and IL-9 cytokines in patients with asthma as their expression levels are increased and these increase are correlated with the severity of the disease. We also showed that the increased amount of ILCs in asthmatics could confirm their potential role in the immunopathogenesis of asthma as another source of inflammatory cytokines.
Allergens ; Asthma ; Causality ; Cytokines ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Immunoblotting ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-9 ; Lymphocytes ; Methods ; Sputum ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

Objective: In humans, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an androgen-dependent ovarian disorder. Aberrant gene expression in folliculogenesis can arrest the transition of preantral to antral follicles, leading to PCOS. We explored the possible role of altered gene expression in preantral follicles of estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovaries (PCO) in a mouse model. Methods: Twenty female balb/c mice (8 weeks, 20.0±1.5 g) were grouped into control and PCO groups. PCO was induced by intramuscular EV injection. After 8 weeks, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation. Blood serum (for hormonal assessments using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique) was aspirated, and ovaries (the right ovary for histological examinations and the left for quantitative real-time polymerase) were dissected. Results: Compared to the control group, the PCO group showed significantly lower values for the mean body weight, number of preantral and antral follicles, serum levels of estradiol, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and follicle-stimulating hormone, and gene expression of TGFB1, GDF-9 and BMPR2 (p<0.05). Serum progesterone levels were significantly higher in the PCO animals than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant between-group differences (p>0.05) were found in BMP6 or BMP15 expression. Conclusions In animals with EV-induced PCO, the preantral follicles did not develop into antral follicles. In this mouse model, the gene expression of TGFB1, GDF9, and BMPR2 was lower in preantral follicles, which is probably related to the pathologic conditions of PCO. Hypoandrogenism was also detected in this EV-induced murine PCO model.

Objectives: To elucidate the possible ways by which hydroxyurea molecules affect globin chain (αor β-like) synthesis.Methods:5 and 26 years were treated for five months with 15 mg/(kg·day) of hydroxyurea. Hemoglobins electrophoresis and globin chain electrophoresis was performed on each sample at different time points before and during the treatment. A total of 23 thalassemia intermedia patients (13 male and 10 female) aged between Results: Fetal hemoglobin increased significantly in most patients and average episodes of transfusion decreased. Both Gγ and Aγ-globin chains increased significantly andα-globin:Nonα-globin chain as well as Gγ-globin:Aγ globin chains ratios decreased. Conclusions: Improvement in α:non-α ratio and consequent decrease of free α-globin chain might be the cause of beneficial effects of hydroxyurea therapy. Two patients who felt better didn’t show significant increase in their fetal hemoglobin level, and this is in contradiction with the hypothesis claiming that the HbF level increase is the cause of such therapeutic effect. In spite of the unclear mechanism of action of this drug, hydroxyurea therapy had noticeable impacts on thalassemia intermedia and also sickle cell disease and even patients suffering from thalassemia major.

Toxoplasma gondii is an important opportunistic agent especially in immunocompromised hosts and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Hence, detection and monitoring of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies are of a great interest in HIV-infected patients. A study on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and associated risk factors was carried out among HIV-infected patients in Jahrom, southern Iran. The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies was 21.1% in HIV-infected patients by ELISA. PCR was performed on all of the samples, and 1 of the blood samples was positively detected. Among the HIV patients, anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were significantly higher in age group of 30–39 years old (P=0.05). The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with CD4+<100 cells/μl was 33.3% that was significantly higher than the other groups (P=0.042) with or without IgG antibodies. The CD4+ count mean of seropositive patients was lower than that of seronegative patients. The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy was significantly less than patients without therapy (P=0.02). In conclusion, this study showed low seroprevalence of latent toxoplasmosis among HIV-infected patients in the region and confirmed the need for intensifying prevention efforts among this high-risk population and also the risk of toxoplasmosis reactivation which could be important among this population.
Antibodies ; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; HIV* ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunoglobulin G ; Iran* ; Mortality ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Seroepidemiologic Studies* ; Toxoplasma* ; Toxoplasmosis

OBJECTIVES: Gastrointestinal disorders caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (SesE) are a significant health problem around the globe. Probiotic bacteria have been shown to have positive effects on the immune responses. Lactobacillus acidophilus was examined for its capability to influence the innate immune response of HT29 intestinal epithelial cells towards SesE. The purpose of this work was to assess the effect of L. acidophilus PTCC 1643 on cultured intestinal epithelial cells infected with SesE. METHODS: HT29 cells were cultured in Roswell Park Memorial Institute medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. The cells were treated with L. acidophilus PTCC 1643 after or before challenge with SesE. At 2 and 4 hours post-infection, we measured changes in the expression levels of TLR2 and TLR4 via real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Treatment with L. acidophilus inhibited SesE-induced increases in TLR2 and TLR4 expression in the infected HT29 cells. Moreover, the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in cells that were pretreated with L. acidophilus and then infected with SesE was significantly higher than that in cells infected with SesE without pretreatment. Taken together, the results indicated that L. acidophilus had an anti-inflammatory effect and modulated the innate immune response to SesE by influencing TLR2 and TLR4 expression. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that L. acidophilus PTCC 1643 was able to suppress inflammation caused by SesE infection in HT29 cells and reduce TLR2 and TLR4 expression. Additional in vivo and in vitro studies are required to further elucidate the mechanisms underlying this anti-inflammatory effect.
Bacteria ; Epithelial Cells* ; Gene Expression ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; In Vitro Techniques ; Inflammation ; Lactobacillus acidophilus* ; Lactobacillus* ; Probiotics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Salmonella enterica* ; Salmonella enteritidis* ; Salmonella*

AIM: The most important side effect of methotrexate (MTX) is mucositis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of turmeric extract on intestinal damage and oxidative stress in rats receiving methotrexate. METHODS: Experiments were performed on male Wistar albino rats divided into six groups. First group received normal saline orally, the second group received turmeric extract (100 mg·kg(-1)) orally for 30 days, the third group received turmeric extract (200 mg·kg(-1)) orally for 30 days, the fourth group received a single dose of methotrexate (20 mg·kg(-1)) i.p. at day 30, the fifth group received turmeric extract (100 mg·kg(-1)) orally for 30 days and a single dose of methotrexate (20 mg·kg(-1)) i.p. at day 30, and the sixth group received turmeric extract (200 mg·kg(-1)) orally for 30 days and single dose of methotrexate (20 mg·kg(-1)) i.p. at day 30. Four days after methotrexate injection, animals were anesthetized, blood samples were taken to determine total antioxidant status (TAS) and jejunum samples were taken for glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aldehyde malondialdehyde (MDA), and histopathological assessment. RESULTS: Microscopic evaluation from intestinal tissues of the MTX treated group, showed severe villus shortening and blunting, inflammatory cell infiltration and hemorrhage in lamina propria, along with epithlial cell necrosis. Levels of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT decreased in the MTX received group, but increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the turmeric + MTX groups. MTX increased lipid peroxidation, however, turmeric decreased peroxidation significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that turmeric extract may protect the small intestine of rats from methotrexate-induced damage. Turmeric effects could result from its antioxidant properties.
Animals ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Curcuma ; chemistry ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intestinal Diseases ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Intestinal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Methotrexate ; adverse effects ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVESTo elucidate the possible ways by which hydroxyurea molecules affect globin chain (α or β-like) synthesis.

METHODSA total of 23 thalassemia intermedia patients (13 male and 10 female) aged between 5 and 26 years were treated for five months with 15 mg/(kg·day) of hydroxyurea. Hemoglobins electrophoresis and globin chain electrophoresis was performed on each sample at different time points before and during the treatment.

RESULTSFetal hemoglobin increased significantly in most patients and average episodes of transfusion decreased. Both Gγ and Aγ-globin chains increased significantly and α-globin:Nonα-globin chain as well as Gγ-globin:Aγ globin chains ratios decreased.

CONCLUSIONSImprovement in α:non-α ratio and consequent decrease of free α-globin chain might be the cause of beneficial effects of hydroxyurea therapy. Two patients who felt better didn't show significant increase in their fetal hemoglobin level, and this is in contradiction with the hypothesis claiming that the HbF level increase is the cause of such therapeutic effect. In spite of the unclear mechanism of action of this drug, hydroxyurea therapy had noticeable impacts on thalassemia intermedia and also sickle cell disease and even patients suffering from thalassemia major.