Background: Th1 cytokines are required for host antiviral immune responses. However little is known about the production and progression of cytokines in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients. The aim of this study was to assess the serum levels of Th1 cytokines and also their association with inflammatory indicators in HCV-infected and normal individuals. Method: Fifty four HCV-infected patients along with thirty one healthy controls were selected using the sequential sampling method. Serum levels of interleukine-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-y) and tumor necrosis factor-alfa (TNF-a) was determined in all the precipitants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartat aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), C-reactive protein (CRP) and rheumatoid factor (RF) were also determined in both patient and control groups.
Results: The results showed that serum levels of IFN-y, TNF-a and IL-2 were higher in HCV-infected patients than controls group but the difference was significant only for TNF-a (p
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. Serum levels of melatonin decrease in MS patients who are also at risk of osteoporosis. Procalcitonin (proCT) has been reported as a biomarker of systemic inflammation and autoimmune disease; however, its changes in MS patients have not been well explored. This study investigated, using ELISA, the clinical correlation between serum melatonin and proCT in MS patients. We then assessed the effect of melatonin (10 mg/kg) therapy on bone metabolism and osteoporosis in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of MS and in MS patients. Data showed a significant increase (*P < 0.05) in serum levels of proCT in MS patients, inversely correlated (r = -0.945; P = 0.0001) with melatonin levels, compared to healthy participants. On the other hand, melatonin therapy ameliorated EAE severity by significantly decreasing (*P < 0.05) mean clinical scores, compared to control EAE mice. In addition, serum levels of proCT significantly (**P < 0.01) increased in EAE mice, compared to controls, which was significantly (*P < 0.05) reduced by melatonin. Moreover, EAE-induced decrease in 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, and osteocalcin (OCN) in EAE mice, compared to controls, was significantly (*P < 0.05) increased by melatonin. Finally, OCN serum levels were found to be significantly decreased (*P < 0.05) in MS patients, in comparison with controls. Taken together, we suggest that proCT could be used as a diagnostic biomarker in MS patients and that melatonin normalizes bone metabolites in MS. Further clinical and experimental investigations are needed to understand bone metabolism in MS.
Continuous light or darkness has various effects on different systems. In the present research work, the effects of constant light and darkness exposure of male rats and oral administration of exogenous melatonin on the serum levels of melatonin have been studied.Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of: (1) Control, (2) melatonin, (3) light, (4) light and melatonin, (5) darkness, and (6) darkness and melatonin. All groups were placed according to light conditions for 10 days. Melatonin was administered orally after a period of 10 days to Groups 2, 4, and 6 (10 mg/kg of body weight). Serum levels of melatonin were measured using ELISA.The results showed the significant difference on serum melatonin in darkness, no light, and control groups. Although serum levels of melatonin were different in melatonin groups, the difference is not significant.We concluded that being exposed to continuous darkness leads to an increase in serum melatonin.
Summary Melatonin has a beneficial role in adult rat models of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, melatonin treatment (10 mg/kg/d) was investigated in young age (5‐6 weeks old) Lewis rat model of acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) followed by assessing serum levels of lactate and melatonin. Results showed that clinical outcomes were exacerbated in melatonin‐ (neurological score = 6) vs PBS‐treated EAE rats (score = 5). Melatonin caused a significant increase in serum IFN‐γ, in comparison to PBS‐treated EAE rats whereas no considerable change in IL‐4 levels were found, although they were significantly lower than those of controls. The ratio of IFN‐γ/IL‐4, an indicator of Th‐1/Th‐2, was significantly higher in PBS‐ and melatonin‐ treated EAE rats, in comparison to controls. Moreover, results showed increased lymphocyte infiltration, activated astrocytes (GFAP+ cells) but also higher demyelinated plaques (MBP‐deficient areas) in the lumbar spinal cord of melatonin‐treated EAE rats. Finally, serum levels of lactate, but not melatonin, significantly increased in the melatonin group, compared to untreated EAE and normal rats. In conclusion, our results indicated a relationship between age and the development of EAE since a negative impact was found for melatonin on EAE recovery of young rats by enhancing IFN‐γ, the ratio of Th1/Th2 cells, and astrocyte activation, which seems to delay the remyelination process. While melatonin levels decline in MS patients, lactate might be a potential diagnostic biomarker for prediction of disease progression. Early administration of melatonin in the acute phase of MS might be harmful and needs further investigations.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). While the etiology of MS is still largely unknown, scientists believe that the interaction of several endogenous and exogenous factors may be involved in this disease. Epidemiologists have seen an increased prevalence of MS in countries at high latitudes, where the sunlight is limited and where the populations have vitamin D deficiency and high melatonin levels. Although the functions and synthesis of vitamin D and melatonin are contrary to each other, both are involved in the immune system. While melatonin synthesis is affected by light, vitamin D deficiency may be involved in melatonin secretion. On the other hand, vitamin D deficiency reduces intestinal calcium absorption leading to gut stasis and subsequently increasing gut permeability. The latter allows gut microbiota to transfer more endotoxins such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into the blood. LPS stimulates the production of inflammatory cytokines within the CNS, especially the pineal gland. This review summarizes the current findings on the correlation between latitude, sunlight and vitamin D, and details their effects on intestinal calcium absorption, gut microbiota and neuroinflammatory mediators in MS. We also propose a new mechanistic pathway for the initiation of MS.
Ginger is a medicinal herb rich in potassium that has the most anti-oxidants (vitamins E, C, B) and promotes sex. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of ginger on serum level of cations and sex ratio in newborn rats. In this study, 160 female adult rats and 84 male Wistar rats were used. Male rats were divided into 3 groups-controls, sham, maximum dose (2000mg/kg/day). Female rats were divided into 5 groups-control, sham, minimal (500mg/kg/day), medium (1000mg/kg/day) and maximal experimental (2000mg/kg/day). All experimental groups received the extract. Control group received extraction solvent and Sham group received an equal amount of water and alcohol. Injections were performed as Gavage for a period of 30days. After the period was completed, blood was collected. The rest of the male and female rat’s in-group and out-group were associated and sex ratio of male to female was measured. The results evaluated through one-way analysis of variance, T test and ANOVA using 20SPSS software. Results indicated a significant accumulation of sodium and potassium ions in the blood serum of male and female rats that received a ginger extract compared to that of the control groups. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the amount of sodium and potassium ions in the blood serum of female rats at least with maximum and medium groups. The number of male newborn rats that received extract was higher than that of females. The number of male newborn rats in the experimental group at a minimum dose was higher than that of the other groups. The results indicated that ginger extract alters the function of the reproductive system in male and female rats and increases sex ratio of male and the chance of male birth. This is due to the change in serum ion balance and consequently an electrolyte change of the internal environment of the uterus and discharges of the fallopian tubes that effect on the acceptability of X-, Y- bearing sperms in egg and alters the sex ratio of newborns.
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