سید میثم ابطحی فروشانی

 Nowadays, some aspects of neuroendocrine and immune systems intercalation are already known. Accordingly, it has been shown that certain immune cells, such as monocytes, can produce and store dopamine in their secretory vesicles. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dopamine on some immunological functions of the rat peripheral blood monocytes.

 In this experimental study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells of rats were isolated by a ficoll-hypaque gradient. Afterward, the plastic adherent fractions were used as monocytes. Monocytes in the treatment group cocultured for 24 h with 5×10-7 M dopamine, and then their phagocytosis performance, respiratory burst, killing ability, nitric oxide production, neutral red harvest, vital ability, and NF-κB gene expression were investigated.

The results of this study showed that both control or treatment monocytes showed no significant difference in phagocytosis after the challenge with opsonized yeast. Nevertheless, the neutral red uptake, respiratory burst, and nitric oxide production after the challenge with opsonized yeast, and also the expression of NF-κB, were decreased in dopamine-treated monocytes compared to monocytes in the control group (P<0.05). The monocyte vitality of the treatment group did not show any significant effects compared to the monocytes of the control group.

It seems that dopamine dynamically creates an anti-inflammatory phenotype in the monocyte. Therefore, alongside a decrease in the lysosomal compartment activity, the monocytes produce lower levels of free oxygen and nitrogen radicals.

The killed preparation of microorganisms in combination with alum does not generally produce strong cellular immune responses. Glycyrrhizic acid is a triterpenoid saponin with immunomodulating properties. The present study was conducted to investigate the synergism of glycyrrhizic acid (GL) and alum liposome on immune responses against the killed form of Salmonella Typhimurium (HKST).

In this experimental study, male Balb/c mice in 5 groups of 15 were immunized with HKST vaccine alone or in combination with alum, GL or alum-GL combination twice with two weeks’ interval. Fourteen days after the last vaccination, the immune responses against Salmonella Typhimurium and the protective potential of the vaccines were evaluated. Survival rate was monitored by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Other findings were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test. A level of P<0.05 was considered significant.

Delayed type hypersensitivity reaction, lymphocyte proliferation, IgG2a antibody titer and the rate of improvement of survival against challenge with live were significantly increased in the group receiving combined adjuvant and HKST compared to other groups. In the group receiving combined adjuvant, the level of IFN-γ significantly increased and IL-4 significantly decreased more profound than other groups.

Alum-GL combination as an adjuvant synergistically increased cellular and humoral immunity after immunization with the HKST vaccine.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease that increases oxidative stress and causes immune system disorders. Curcumin is the active component of turmeric with anti-inflammatory properties. This study was conducted to determine the effects of curcumin on cortisol, catalase, and nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in an animal model of MS.

This experimental study was conducted on 30 female Wistar rats. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was chosen as an experimental model of MS. The rats were divided into 3 groups of 10, including a healthy control group, an affected group, and a group treated with curcumin. The disease was induced by immunization of rats with homogenized guinea pig spinal cord and Freund's complete adjuvant. Then, the immunized animals were allocated into two equal groups. Treatment with curcumin (100 mg/kg daily) was started 12 days after the immunization when the rats showed the first symptoms of neurologic disability. The treatment was continued until day 24 post-immunization. Simultaneously, the EAE group received the medicine solvent (distilled water). Finally, the rats' weights as well as cortisol, catalase, and NGF levels were measured in the study groups.

Curcumin significantly increased the level of cortisol to a level equal to that of healthy rats (P<0.05). It also significantly increased the expression of NGF and reduced the amount of catalase in the affected rats (P<0.05). The curcumin administration significantly increased the overall weight of rats with MS but had no significant effect on the spleen weight of the treated rats.

Curcumin can be beneficial for treating EAE by reducing the destructive effects of oxidative damage and increasing NGF.

Infestation of humans with helminth parasites can reduce the severity of some auto-inflammatory symptoms in humans. This study was done to evaluate the impact of the somatic antigens extracted from Fasciola hepatica (as an indicator Trematode) ,and Teladorgasia circumcincta (as an indicator nematode) on the immune responses of NMRI mice challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs).

The mice in treatment groups were intraperitoneally immunized with 1×109 SRBCs twice with 14 days intervals. Concurrent with the immunization, the mice received the extract of each of the parasites (50,100. And 150 µg of protein) or placebo, throughout the study on a daily basis. The specific cellular immune responses and the anti-SRBC antibody titers were detected by footpad thickness and, microhemagglutination test, respectively. Splenocytes were also monitored for cytokine production, proliferation rate, and respiratory burst.

The extracts of F. hepatica and T. circumcincta had an opposite effect on the change of the Anti-sRBC antibody level. The extract of F. hepatica caused a significant decrease in the antibody level whereas, extract T. circumcincta did not show any significant changes in the anti-SRBC antibody. Both extracts caused a significant decrease in the level of delayed-type hypersensitivity. However, the extract of F. hepatica caused a more profound reduction in the severity of delayed-type hypersensitivity. The level of IFN-γ in the splenocytes of immunized mice receiving the F. hepatica showed a more pronounced decrease than the immunized mice receiving the extract of T. circumcincta extract. IL-10 levels were only increased in the immunized mice that received the extract ofF. hepatica.

The extract of F. hepatica may have an immunosuppressive property, while the extract of T. circumcincta may have immunomodulatory properties.

In previous studies, the crosstalk between some cancer cells and platelets have been documented. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on B92 glial cancer cells.

In this experimental study, 1×106 B92 cells were treated with Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for different of 0, 5, 10 and 20 percent of cutler media for 24 h. The morphological changes of the treated cells were evaluated by inverted light microscopy. The effects of PRP on the proliferation rate of cells were measured using the tetrazolium salt reduction test (dimethyl thiazole-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, MTT). QRT-PCR technique was used to evaluate the expression level of TNFα, IL-10 and BCL-2 genes.

The results of the MTT reduction test showed that PRP promotes B92 glial cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. PRP in a dose-dependent manner also increased BCL-2 gene expression. The expression of the TNF-α cytokine gene was decreased in a non- percent -dependent manner after the treatment of B92 glial cells with PRP. Treatment of B92 glial cells with PRP promoted a significant increase in the expression level of the gene of anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine.

In the microenvironment of cancer, platelets promote the growth and proliferation of B92 glial cells and their escape from immune responses.

Melatonin is one of the immuno-modulator compounds. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of improving immune responses following the use of melatonin in a vaccine made from the killed form of Salmonella typhimurium and alum.

This experimental study consists of 50 male NMRI mice that were allocated in 5 equal groups, randomly. Each mouse in different groups was subcutaneously treated with killed preparations of bacteria (106 CFU), killed preparations of bacteria with alum, killed preparation bacteria with melatonin (100mg/kg), combined melatonin and alum with killed preparation bacteria, and finally PBS at two-week intervals. One week after the last immunization, one-half of the mice were euthanized and used for immunological evaluations. Other mice in each group were challenged intraperitoneally with the 107CFU live preparation of S.typhimurium in order to evaluate the protective efficacy of vaccine protocols.

Combined vaccine caused a more favorable survival curve concurrent with a significant increase in the delayed-type hypersensitivity immune response and lymphocyte proliferation after challenging with bacterial antigen compared to other groups (P<0.05). The antibody titers against O and H antigens in the Widal test showed an increase in the alum group more than the melatonin group. The antibody titers showed an increase in the combined group. Nevertheless, this change did not show any significant effect in comparison with the alum group.

Combined melatonin and alum caused a significant increase in immunogenicity and protective effects against the killed preparation of S. typhimurium.

Poosti cheese is an artisanal cheese produced mainly from ewe’s milk in southwest Iran. The objective of this study was to identify lactobacilli isolated from Poosti cheese and to investigate their potential probiotic and antioxidative properties. Materials and methods 101 Gram-positive bacilli with catalase-negative reaction were isolated from Poosti cheese. Twenty isolates were selected based on their highest acid and bile salt tolerability. Using genus-specific primers, 10 isolates out of these were identified as Lactobacillus, and they were subsequently identified at species level using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In vitro tests were used to assess their probiotic properties or antioxidative activities.

Six species were Lactobacillus plantarum, and the rest was Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus buchneri. The acid and bile tolerances were quantitatively close to the reference probiotic strain. L. plantarum S32E showed the highest survival under simulated gastric or intestinal conditions. Cholesterol reduction ability of L. plantarum S12E and L. acidophilus S37A was significantly higher than that of the reference strain. L. acidophilus S37A and L. plantarum S12E were more susceptible against common antibiotics. It was found that the highest antimicrobial activity was detected in the case of Listeria monocytogenes, and the extent of the activity was species- and strain-dependent. The best result of DPPH radical scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was achieved by intact cells of L. paracasei S5D and by intracellular cell-free extracts of L. plantarum S8D, respectively. The results indicated that the superoxide dismutase activity of Lactobacillus could not be regarded as an appropriate predictor of antioxidative traits. The highest glutathione content belonged to L. acidophilus S37A and L. parcasei S5D. Discussion and

Overall, some of Lactobacillus strains of Poosti cheese could be considered as potential probiotic candidates; it should, however, be confirmed by further in vivo evaluation.

Research suggests the inhibitory effects of deferoxamine as an iron chelator on erythroleukemia cells. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of deferoxamine on B92 cells as a model of glial cells carcinoma.

The present experimental study treated 6×104 B92 cells with 0, 10, 50 and 100 µM of deferoxamine for 24 hours in the presence or absence of 10 μmol/l of ferric chloride. Morphological changes were evaluated in the treated cells compared to in the control sample using an inverse optical microscope. The inhibitory and cytotoxic effects of deferoxamine were evaluated using the dimethylimidazole-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction and neutral red uptake assay. The data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. P <0.05 was set as the level of statistical significance.

The inhibitory effects of deferoxamine on the proliferation of B92 cells were identified after 24 hours in a way that the cells began to accumulate in the presence of deferoxamine. Ten μmol/l of ferric chloride prevented these morphological changes. Deferoxamine was also found to significantly and 
dose-dependently inhibit the vitality and viability of B92 cells. Moreover, the data showed that ferric chloride prevents the emergence of the effects of treating B92 cells with deferoxamine.

Deferoxamine exerts in-vitro antiproliferative effects on the glial cell line B92.

Previous studies have shown that cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) have high pharmacological capacity due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and systemic autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. The aim of this study was to determine and effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles in rheumatoid arthritis model.

In the present experimental study, 40 Wistar rats weighing 90 to 110 g were collected from the laboratory animal center of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University. Rats were randomly divided into four equal groups of healthy, RA affected and treated with Serium Oxide Nanoparticles(30 mg/kg oral, daily) and treated with Methotrexate(1 mg/kg oral, weekly). Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by Freund's complete adjuvant injection(0.1ml). Treatment was started when the rats exposed inflammatory symptoms in the tharsus joint (day 8) and continued until day 28 of the rats’ slaughter. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles had a good anti-inflammatory effect to reduce the severity of foot-pad inflammation in a pattern similar to methotrexate (p=0.27). The level of neutral red uptake in the peripheral blood phagocytic cell population and the blood level of myeloperoxidase in the treated and cerium oxide groups were 0.76 0 0.08 and 10.39 ± 1.99 mmol / ml, respectively. Significantly lower levels were observed in the methotrexate group (0.98 0 0.07 and 19.2 2 2.59 mmol / ml) (p<0.05). Conversely, blood levels of nitric oxide in the methotrexate treated and recipient group (137.81±12.18 μM)) exhibited a greater decrease than that of the cerium oxide nanoparticles (165.9 13 13.29 mmol). / 0> p). There was no significant difference in severity of respiratory burst (p = 0.09) and CRP (p=0.13) in both treatment groups. Most importantly, unlike methotrexate, the intensity of lymphocyte proliferation in rats with arthritis treated with cerium oxide did not decrease significantly (p=0.13).

Due to the improved clinical and experimental appearance of affected rats, it seemed that, treatment with CeO2-NPs is a promising strategy to improve the inflammation in a rat model of RA.

Glycyrrhizin is one of the most important pharmacological compounds of the Licorice plant which has anti-inflammatory properties. Ethanol is one of the most damaging substances in the brain, Increasing use of this substance has increases the amount of nerve damage. Therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of glycyrrhizin on ethanol-damaged B92 glial cells.

Methods

The present experimental study was performed in 2018. B92 cells were obtained from the Pasteur institute cell bank of Iran, (1×106 cell/ml) were transferred to 96 plates and incubated with various glycyrrhizin concentration (5, 10 and 25 µM) for 24 hours. At that point, the cells were exposed to absolute ethanol for 80 minutes at concentrations of 86 mM. Finally, the viability of the cells was evaluated with neutral red (NR) uptake and MTT tests.

Glycyrrhizin reduced the level of the cell membrane and mitochondrial damages induced by ethanol in a dose-dependent manner, so that 10 and 25 µM concentration of glycyrrhizin reduced the membrane damage and the mitochondrial performance damage, significantly. Nevertheless, Glycyrrhizin at concentration of 5 µM didn’t show any protective role so that at this concentration the growth and proliferation of cells reduced.

The results of the present study indicated that licorice extract (glycyrrhizin) had a positive effect on survival rate of the cells and improves the vital capabilities of ethanol-damaged glial cells. Hence, glycyrrhizin dose dependently can protect the B92 cells against ethanol-induced damage.

Aims Aloe Vera is among the crucial medicinal plants, with proven anti-cancer effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of plant extracts of Aloe Vera Leaf (AVL) on the proliferation of cell lines K562 (erythroleukemia) and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs). Methods & Materials The inner parts of the plant, including the gelatinous substance, were emptied, and the outer layer was used to prepare the lyophilized extract. The extract was dissolved in DMSO. K562 cells and PBMCs were cultured with 9.375, 18.75, 37.5, 75, 150, and 300 μg/mL concentrations of AVL for 24, 48, or 72 hours. After cultivation, the IC50 was determined for the K562 and normal PBMCs, using the MTT assay (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). Doxorubicin was used as a positive control. Findings The obtained data suggested that the viability of cells in both the leukemic cell line and normal PBMCs significantly decreased by the treatment with the extract in a dose-dependent manner; however, the AVL toxicity for PBMC was significantly more than K562. IC50 for the standard drug was also significantly less than AVL extract. Conclusion AVL possesses cytotoxic effects for K562 and PBMCs. Nevertheless, it has no selective benefits and has more cytotoxic effects on PBMCs.

Diabetic mellitus nephropathy is one of the most important implication factors in kidney´s physiological function in diabetes mellitus. Having major role in filtration, in hyperglycemic condition kidney has shown more damages in comparison with other tissues. This study was done to determine the effect of combined Atorvastatin and Zinc oxide on the biochemical and histopathological alterations in kidney of diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 40 female Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups including normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), diabetic rats treated with atorvastatin (20mg/kg/bw daily, orally) (D+A), Zinc oxide (30mg/kg/bw daily, orally) (D+Z) and combination of each drug in half dose (daily, orally) (D+A+Z). Diabetes induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60mg/kg/bw streptozotocin-diabetic.Animals treated for one month. At the end of the study, kidney weight and body weight and biochemical factors including creatinine and urea were measured to assess renal function. For determing the histopathology of kidney tissue, sections with 4-5 micrometer were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The level of serum creatinine and urea was significantly increased in diabetic rats in compare to controls (P<0.05). Treatment of diabetic rats with half doses of combination of atorvastatin and Zinc oxide reduced the level of creatinine, urea and renal tissue damage in comparision with diabetic rats without treatment (P<0.05). This study showed that the combination of atorvastatin and Zinc oxide has effect on controlling diabetic nephropathy.

Medicinal herbs have been used for managing various diseases for many years. Quercetin is a member of flavonoid family with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to
investigate the beneficial potential of quercetin in ameliorating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In this experimental study, EAE was induced in male Wistar rats by guinea pig spinal cord homogenate and complete Freund’s adjuvant. Then, the rats were allocated into three equal groups (n=10). Quercetin administration (10 mg/kg daily) initiated on day 12 post-immunization, when the rats developed a disability score. The brains and blood samples were collected on day 36 and used for next experiments. Quercetin therapy led to a better outcome in EAE rats compared to EAE rat without treatment. Myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide levels in the sera and the lipid peroxidation level in the brain tissues of EAE rats were significantly increased in EAE rats compared to normal control rats (P<0.05). Serum level of uric acid insignificantly decreased in EAE rats compared to normal control rats (P<0.05). It appears that quercetin is a promising strategy to be added to the treatment protocol of MS patients.

The anti-inflammatory effects of cabergoline have been documented in various studies. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of cabergoline administration (as a potent D2 agonist) on clinical aspects and immune responses in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) induced in Wistar rats. In the present experimental study, the population consisted of 40 male Wistar rats with a weight range of 160 to 180 g. Animals were randomly allocated into four groups of 10, including the control group (healthy), RA group treated with PBS (100 mg/kg orally), RA group treated with cabergoline (50 µg/kg-orally) and ultimately RA group treated with Prednisolone (10 mg/kg orally). Changes in severity of disease and changes in temperature were recorded every three days. All treatments were initiated at day 7, after induction and observation of the first symptoms of foot inflammation in all rats. Finally, the serum of rats was isolated to evaluate the levels of nitric oxide (Griess assay) and myeloperoxidase (evaluation of the ability to the reduction of hydrogen peroxide). Spleen cells were isolated in sterile conditions in order to evaluate the lymphocyte proliferation rate (MTT reduction assay), the intensity of the respiratory burst (NBT reduction assay), and the potential of neutral red phagocytosis. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis statistical tests and one-way ANOVA and Tukey tests. The cabergoline drug was similar to prednisolone, which led to a reduction in the severity of the disease and the swelling of soles of the feet (p=0.15). The serum levels of nitric oxide (p=0.0001) and myeloperoxidase (p=0.0001), the intensity of the respiratory burst of splenic phagocytic cells (p=0.002) and the proliferation rate of splenic lymphocytes (p=0.02) were significantly decreased in both treatment groups. Prednisolone indicated a more profound effect than cabergoline in reducing the lymphocyte proliferative index (p=0.001), while cabergoline effectively reduced respiratory burst activity (p=0.002). Moreover, cabergoline significantly revealed a more profound effect than prednisolone in reducing the increased levels of neutral red uptake by splenic phagocytic cells (p=0.01). Considering the appropriate results in the animal model, the use of cabergoline may be considered as a useful approach to control RA.

The present study was to investigate the effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) at various inclusion levels of lecithin on immune indices of rainbow trout. To do so, 600 rainbow trout with an average body weight of 100±10g were randomly allotted into 10 distinct treatments comprised of various combinations of three dietary inclusion levels of lecithin (2, 3 and 4%) and CLA (1, 2 and 3%) along with a control group (devoid of CLA and lecithin) for 70 days. At the end of the experiment, immune parameters including lysozyme activity, complementary pathway, total antibody, lymphocyte proliferation and phagocytic power of the neutrophil (NR assay) were assayed. Lysozyme activity, complement pathway and total antibody content of serum of those fish fed diet containing 4% lecithin were affected by dietary CLA level to extent that lysozyme activity was the highest at 1% of CLA, while complement pathway and total antibody content of serum were the highest in diets containing 2% CLA (P<0.05). Lymphocyte proliferation of those fish fed diet containing at least 3% lecithin along with 2% CLA was the highest (P<0.05), and NR was significantly increased in those fish received diet included with at least 2% lecithin and 1% CLA (P<0.05). In conclusion, dietary incorporation of at least 1% CLA along with 3% lecithin could improve immune parameters of rainbow trout.

Macrophages have a variety of functions and different phenotypes that are affected by the microenvironment. Due to the multiple functions, Melatonin can promote the cancer progression or cancer regression in relation to other factors. However, there is no information about the role of melatonin on the formation of macrophages in the tumor environment. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of melatonin treated RAW264.7 macrophages on the growth rate of erythroleukemia cell line K562. RAW264.7 cells were cultured in the 24-well plates at a density of 6 × 104 cells per well. After culturing for 24 h, the cells were treated for 24 h with melatonin at concentrations 0, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200 μmol/L. After removal of the supernatant, macrophages and K562 were co-cultured in 1:10 ratio. K562 vitality was then determined by MTT and NR assay. The rate of apoptosis in the cell population was evaluated by staining with acridine orange and ethidium bromide colors. Also, NO and MPO were measured in the supernatant of macrophages RAW264.7. Data were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann–Whitney U test (P<0.05). The growth rate and vitality of K562 cells co-cultured with melatonin-treated macrophages was increased at concentrations of 50 and 75 μmol/L. Nevertheless, at higher concentrations of melatonin, this process was reversed. The levels of MPO and NO were decreased by increasing concentrations of melatonin. These results indicated that treatment of macrophage with melatonin, especially at lower doses (50 and 75μmol/L) could remarkably increase the K562 viability and vitality.

Ulcerative colitis is one of the common causes of gastrointestinal tract diseases in developing countries. This disease causes disability, especially in young adults, and imposes many social and economic burdens on the community. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects Effect of Fasciola hepatica extract on acetic acid induced ulcerative colitis in rat model. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 equal groups. Colitis was induced by administration of 4% acetic acid. Control group just was administrated phosphate-bufferedsaline (S.C.) and the other groups were received Prednisolone (0.5 mg/kg) and Fasciola hepatica extract (100 mg/kg) for 10 consecutive days.Since then, the animals were euthanized and intestinal tissue and blood samples were taken. Macroscopic and microscopic features, inflammatory mediators as well as cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6 were assessed. The amount of the myeloperoxidase production was the same between the two treatment groups. As compared to the control, both of the treatment groups produced lower amount of TNF-α and IL-6, however this reduction was more pronounced in Prednisolone treated animals than those of extract treated. There were no significant differences between Prednisolone andFasciola extract regarding gross damages and histopathological features. since preparation of Fasciola extract is easy and simple, it may be used as ameliorative agent for ulcerative colitis.

In previous studies, the effects of food restriction on the changes in immune responses and brain dopamine content have been determined. On the other hand, it has been shown that immune cells, in addition to dopamine production, also have dopamine receptors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of inhibition of D2 dopamine receptors on several functions of monocytes of peripheral blood in rat under food restriction In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats (weighing 200-250 gr) were allocated into six groups (n=6), including control groups, food restriction (25%), food restriction (50%), food restriction (75%), food restriction 75% and Sulpiride and rats treated with Sulpiride. Sulpiride was injected Intracerebroventricular at a concentration of 50 μg / rat on day 21 after the study initiation. At the end, the Rats were bled and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated by ficoll gradient method. Food restriction caused a significant decrease in the activity of monocyte cells of gradient of peripheral blood mononuclear cells like neutral red uptake test and respiratory burst (NBT reduction test) simultaneously with decreasing lymphocytes proliferation after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin. Administration of Sulpiride with a 75% Food restriction resulted in the improvement of these functions of monocyte cells of gradient of peripheral blood mononuclear cells as well as lymphocyte proliferation. Intracerebroventricular administration of dopamine D2 receptor antagonists (sulpiride) effectively inhibited the effects of a severe dietary restriction on the suppression of immunity system.

Feeds are widely exposed to various mycotoxin contaminations including aflatoxin and zearalenone. The present study was designed to investigate the simultaneous toxic effects of aflatoxin and zearalenone. To this end, 540 rainbow trout fingerlings (3.0 ± 0.2 g) were randomly allotted to nine different experimental groups composed of three different dietary aflatoxin (0, 25 and 50 ppb) and zearalenone (0, 200 and 400 ppb) levels. The experiment lasted 30 days. Red and white blood cell counts along with some immunological indices including serum lysozyme activity, antibody, lymphocyte proliferation, complementary pathway and phagocytic intensity of peripheral blood phagocytic cells (NR assay) were investigated. Results showed that lysozyme activity, serum antibody content, red and white blood cell counts were not significantly affected by dietary mycotoxin contamination (p>0.05). However, the complementary pathway was significantly affected by dietary aflatoxin B1 content (p<0.05) and the lowest and highest activity was observed in those fish received 50 ppb and diet lacking aflatoxin contamination, respectively. Aflatoxin B1 and zearalenone interactively affected lymphocyte proliferation and NR indices (p≤ 0.05) with the lowest and highest activities were recorded in those fish fed diet containing 50 ppb aflatoxin devoid of zearalenone and diet containing 50 ppb aflatoxin and 200 ppb zearalenone, respectively. It is conceivable that simultaneous dietary contamination of aflatoxin and zearalenone attenuates immune system functioning of rainbow trout.

Nowadays, attention to natural products with therapeutic potential has been increased. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Thymol on the animal model of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA was induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the footpad of Wistar rats. Then, rats were allocated in 3 groups: treated with Thymol (100 mg/kg-orally), treated with Prednisolone (100 mg/kg-orally) and un-treated group. All treatments were initiated at the 5th day after induction. The change in the dorso-plantar diameter of hands and legs of each rat were recorded every other day until 23 days after induction. The edema and swelling of the soles of the feet of RA rats that received Thymol or prednisolone, were significantly decreased in a similar manner compared to RA rat without treatment. The serum levels of nitric oxide and myeloperoxidase correlated with the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes and the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 production were significantly decreased in treatment groups compared to control group rats. The level of decrease in the level of serum nitric oxide was higher in the thymol group compared to the prednisolone-induced group. Conversely, prednisone caused more decrease in the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 cytokines compared to RA rats that received thymol. Thymol may be considered as a useful strategy to control RA disease.

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic properties of hydro-alcoholic extract of C. dactylon in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The standard regime was consisted of 5 normal rabbits that they were fed for 75 constitutive days with a standard regimen. Hypercholesterolemic group was consisted of 20 rabbits that were fed for 75 constitutive days with a high cholesterol (1% of food weight). These rabbits were allocated in 4 equal groups at the day after initiating the research, including animals with the hyper-cholesterol regime and treatment groups that daily received 100,200 or 400 mg/kg of the hydro-alcoholic extract of C. dactylon, respectively. On the 45th and 75th day after beginning, other than blood sugar, the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, atherogenic index (LDL/HDL ratio), CRP, fibrinogen, serum levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde were significantly increased in rabbits with hypercholesteremic regime and without treatment compared to normal rabbits. The oral administration of the extract of C. dactylon at all doses for 30 constitutive days after the establishment of hypercholesterolemia, could significantly reduce the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and malondialdehyde. Moreover, 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract could significantly decrease the levels of the atherogenic index, CRP, fibrinogen, and malondialdehyde, and simultaneously increase the levels of HDL compared to rabbits with hypercholesterolemia. Only 400 mg/kg of extract could significantly decrease the serum levels of nitric oxide. Hydro-alcoholic extract of C. dactylon showed beneficial effects in reducing of hypercholesterolemia in the animal model.

Due to the progress of diabetes and the use of alternative herbal medicines, In this study, the effects of oral administration of the mucilage extracted from pods of Abelmoschus esculentus (Ae) fruits on serum levels of glucose, lipids and morphology of Langerhans islets in diabetic rats was investigated. In this experimental study, 24 female wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups (n=6): normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC) and 2 diabetic groups that received (oral) 300 and 500 mg/kg/body weight of Abelmoschus esculentus. After preparing and confirming the type of, mucilage extraction from the fruit’s green okra was done by evaporation device in vacuum. Diabetes mellitus was induced by single dose intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin 60mg/kg/body weight in diabetic groups. After 4 weeks, the serum levels of glucose and lipid profile of all groups were analyzed. Also morphology of Langerhans islets in the 4 groups was evaluated using H&E staining method. The data analyzed by SPSS software using ANOVA and Tukey tests. The results indicate a significant increase (P<0/05) in glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and significant decrease (P<0.05) in HDL in diabetic rats compared to normal control. The use of the mucilage extracted from A. esculentus caused a significant decrease in serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and significant increase in serum level of HDL comparison with diabetic group. according to the results of this study, the mucilage extracted from A. esculentus could be effective on control hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia caused by diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease associated with impaired glucose and lipid metabolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of combined atorvastatin and zinc sulfate on blood glucose and lipids in diabetic rats.
One control group (group NC) and four diabetic groups as diabetic control (group DC), treatment with atorvastatin 20mg/kg (group DA), treatment with zinc sulfate 30mg/kg (group DZ) and treatment with combination in half doses of both (group DZA)]. One month after treatment (orally), animals were euthanized and serum levels of glucose and lipids were evaluated. At the end, the data were analyzed by SPSS software, ANOVA and Tukey tests.
The results of this study showed that treatment of diabetic rats with atorvastatin alone rather than decreasing blood sugar, caused a significant decrease (p It seems that combination of atorvastatin and zinc oxide have synergistic benefits in controlling blood sugar levels and lipid profile and thus in controlling diabetes.

The regulatory role of the mesenchymal stem cells on the cells of immune system such as neutrophil has been investigated in several studies. On the other hand, estrogen hormone is one kind of immunomodulatory agents. This study was designed to investigate the effect of mesenchymal cells treated with estrogen on the neutrophil function.
Having isolated the mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow of rats, the researchers treated the cells with 10 or 20 nM concentrations of estrogen for 72 hours. In the next stage, the MSC cells were co-cultured with neutrophil cells and incubated for 1 hour. Then, the neutrophil functions were assessed (P The results of the study clearly showed that the percentage of phagocytosis and the respiratory burst in co-cultured neutrophil with mesenchymal stem cells treated with estrogen had increased compared to that of the control group. Moreover, the rate of apoptosis in neutrophils treated with estrogen significantly decreased in both estrogen concentrations compared to that of the control group (P It seems that estrogen can modify the interaction of the mesenchymal stem cells and neutrophil.

Pervious studies indicated that the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) produce adenosine and express adenosine receptors. Moreover, produced adenosine has biological effect on these cells. On the other hand, MSCs have a wide relationship with macrophages in tissues and bone marrow. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the MSCs treated with caffeine, as an adenosine antagonist, on the peritoneal macrophages isolated from rats.
After isolation of mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow of rats, these cells pulsed with different concentration of caffeine (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mM) for 48h. Then, MSCs were co-cultured with macrophages for 1 day. Then, the level of nitric oxide production and respiratory burst of macrophages after challenge with N-formylmethionine-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-MLP) or opsonized yeast were evaluated.
Findings: It seems that MSCs pulsed with caffeine or without it could significantly decrease the respiratory burst and nitric oxide production of co-cultured macrophages more prominent than macrophages alone after unspecific challenged with fMLP. Although, pervious treatment of MSCs with caffeine could decrease the respiratory burst and nitric oxide production of macrophages challenged with f-MLP more prominent than MSCs without treatment. However, the potential of nitric oxide production and respiratory burst of various group after challenge with opsonized yeast didn’t show any significant differences.
Discussion & Collectively, these data may offer new insight into the potential mechanisms underlying the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of caffeine.