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INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of female sex hormones on the level of intracellular molecules of cytokine signaling pathway after diffuse traumatic brain injury (TBI) in ovariectomized rats. METHODS Female rats were divided into 10 groups: control, sham, TBI, Vehicle (oil), Vehicle E1 (33.3 µg/kg), E2 (1 mg / kg), P1 (1.7 mg/kg), P2 (8 mg / kg), E2 + P1. All drugs were injected 0.5 h after TBI. Brain edema and the brain levels of P-STAT-3, NFκB-P52, NFκB-P65, P-IκB, and SOCS-3 by immunohistochemistry measured at 24 h after TBI. RESULTS Increased brain edema after TBI was inhibited by different doses of estrogen, progesterone (P

Among the numerous agents, genetic factors and environmental elements such as pesticides have an important role in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence. The present study aimed to investigate the probable-role of some organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and organophosphorous pesticides (OPPs) in patients with CRC.In this case-control study, 42 patients with CRC and 30 healthy subjects were selected. The serum levels of some OCPs (α-HCH, β-HCH, γ-HCH, 2,4 DDE, 4,4 DDE, 2,4DDT and 4,4DDT) were measured by gas chromatography (GC) method. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as well as the enzyme activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and arylesterase activity of Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) were evaluated in all participants. The methylation specific PCR (MSP) assay was used for determining the methylation status of CpG island of p16 and MGMT genes in CRC patients.The mean serum levels of each OCPs were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group (P 0.001). The AChE and arylesterase activity of PON-1 in the patient group were significantly lower than the control group (P 0.001). The mean serum levels of MDA and TAC in the serum of the patient group were significantly higher than the control group (P 0.001 and P 0.002, respectively). The current findings demonstrated significantly hypermethylation of p16 promoter in CRC patients.Regarding the higher levels of OCPs in CRC patients, along with hypermethylation of the p16 promoter gene, diminishing in AChE and PON-1 activity and increasing in oxidative stress factors, the role of OCPs and OPPs in the CRC progression in the South-East of Iran may be assumed.

It has been demonstrated that vitamin D (VD) significantly modulates immune responses. Toll like receptors (TLRs) are the main innate immunity receptors which are expressed on the cell membrane and intracellular vesicles and recognize several pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to induce immune responses. Based on the important roles played by TLRs in physiologic and pathologic functions of immune responses and due to the immunomodulatory functions of VD, it has been hypothesized that VD may present its immunomodulatory functions via modulation of TLRs. This review article collates recent studies regarding the interactions between VD and TLRs and discussed the controversial investigations.

Environmental factors that are involved in the development of autoimmune diseases include bacteria, viruses, and xenobiotics such as chemicals, drugs, and metals. Regarding the metals, a number of studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress is one of the well-directed pathways of arsenic-induced tissue damages. This study was designed to explore the serum concentrations of arsenic and its correlation with markers associated with oxidative stress in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients.This case-controlled study comprised 50 patients with RRMS and 50 healthy subjects. Serum arsenic levels, total antioxidant potential, malondialdehyde (MDA), and lactate levels were measured.The arsenic value, MDA, and lactate levels were elevated meaningfully while FRAP level significantly was decreased in RRMS patients with respect to healthy subjects (P0.05). Furthermore, arsenic serum levels were positively correlated with serum concentrations of MDA and lactate. In contrast, serum levels were negatively correlated to FRAP values in RRMS patients.Taken together, the association between arsenic level and oxidative stress parameters supports the hypothesis that high serum arsenic levels may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of MS progression.

Background Environmental factors namely pesticides may contribute to the development of cancer through epigenetic mechanisms. In order to evaluate the impact of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) on promoter methylation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in thyroid cancer, this research was designed. Methods In this study, DNA methylation profile of 61 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and 70 benign thyroid nodules (BTN) subjects was carried out. In order to measure MGMT gene promoter methylation, methylation-specific PCR (MSP) was used. Results Hypermethylation of MGMT marker were found in PTC compare with BTN. Also, OCPs increased the odds ratio of methylation of MGMT (OR = 3.66, P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that OCPs enhance the methylation of MGMT. Conclusion The results indicated that OCPs lead to PTC development through MGMT gene promoter hypermethylation. Furthermore, MGMT promoter methylation assessment could forecast PTC incidence.

Macrophages play key roles during cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and their related complications. Apelin (APLN) is a key molecule, whose roles during CVD have been documented previously. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that APLN may perform its roles via modulation of macrophages. Additionally, due to the widespread distribution of the CVD, more effective therapeutic strategies need to be developed to overcome the related complications. This review article collected recent information regarding the roles of APLN on the macrophages and discusses its potential chance to be a target for molecular/cellular therapy of APLN and the APLN treated macrophages for CVD.

Objective: In this experiment, we studied the chronic effects of NPY, as there were no data on long-term effects of NPY in vivo. Methods: Complementary DNA encoding NPY was isolated, sequenced and cloned into the expression vector, pCEP4. The 6-23 clone 6 cell line was transfected with this clone. Two groups of 10 adult male WAG rats (180–250 g body weight) were injected with either untransfected 6-23 clone 6 or 6-23 clone 6 transfected with NPY cDNA [6-23 (NPY)]. After 8 weeks, the animals were killed, their plasma assayed for insulin. Pancreatic glucagon (PG), by RIA, and plasma glucose were measured. Results: The transfected cells were shown to be producing fully processed, bioactive NPY. The expression of NPY was also confirmed by Northern blot analysis. The animals injected with 6-23 (NPY) cells gained significantly more weight than the controls, (on day 54, 31.89 ± 3.56 vs. 24.1 ± 4.12 g, n = 10, P < 0.05). Plasma insulin and PG increased significantly in NPY animals compared to controls. The total RNA extracted from tumours was analysed by Northern blotting and showed NPY mRNA expression in NPY animals, but not in controls. Conclusion: The long-term effects of NPY was confirmed by injection of the cells producing this peptide.

The effects of different concentration of opium on the secretion of TGF-beta in Jurkat cells

Serum levels of Interleukin (IL)-10 in 11-17 years old girls with vitamin D deficiency and control group