Mohammad Hossein Nikoo; Seyed Rahmatollah Taghavian; Hossein Golmoghaddam; Narges Arandi; Alireza Abdi Ardekani; Mehrnoosh Doroudchi
Volume 11, Issue 4 , December 2014, , Pages 246-258
Abstract
Background: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and an independent risk factor for stroke among the elderly. A role for inflammation in the atrial remodeling as well as development and recurrence of AF is known. Objective: To compare IL-17A between patients with different types ...
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Background: Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and an independent risk factor for stroke among the elderly. A role for inflammation in the atrial remodeling as well as development and recurrence of AF is known. Objective: To compare IL-17A between patients with different types of AF and healthy individuals. Methods: IL-17A was measured in sera of 112 patients and 107 healthy age/sexmatched controls using ELISA assay. In sera of 26 patients with elevated IL-17A (>1 Pg/ml), CCL5 and CCL18 levels were also measured. Results: IL-17A was significantly increased in patients with AF compared to controls (1.28 ± 3.5 vs. 0.19 ± 0.64 Pg/ml, p=0.001). There was no significant difference in the level of IL-17A between different types of AF. IL-17A was significantly higher in patients with a history of coronary artery bypass graft compared to other patients (p=0.01). A significant positive correlation between IL-17A and CCL18 concentration was found (p=0.001). An increase in the Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was observed in patients with elevated serum IL-17A compared to other patients (p=0.006). Male patients showed higher increase in NLR (p=0.007) which was accompanied by a decrease in CCL5 (p=0.000) and a marginal increase in CCL18 (p=0.085) compared to females. There was an increase in CCL5 levels in patients receiving Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA) therapy (p=0.046). Conclusions: The increase in IL-17A levels is related to the AF pathology mediated by neutrophils and monocytes. The current study signifies the role of immune cells and cytokines in the pathology of AF.
Zahra Amirghofran; Saeed Malek-Hosseini; Hossein Golmoghaddam; Fathollah Kalantar; Mehdi Shabani
Volume 8, Issue 3 , September 2011, , Pages 159-169
Abstract
Background: A number of medicinal plants have been used to treat various immunological diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) has an important regulatory role in the various types of inflammatory processes. Objective: To investigate the NO modulatory activity of the extracts of several medicinal plants native to ...
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Background: A number of medicinal plants have been used to treat various immunological diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) has an important regulatory role in the various types of inflammatory processes. Objective: To investigate the NO modulatory activity of the extracts of several medicinal plants native to Iran including Dracocephalum kotschyi, Linum persicum, Dionysia termeana, Salvia mirzayanii, Ferulago angulata and Euphorbia cheiradenia. Methods: The methanolic extracts of the plants were prepared and examined for their effects on the NO production by lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophages. The level of TNF-α and IL-1β proinflammatory cytokines in the macrophage culture were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: All the extracts at concentration of 50 μg/ml demonstrated a significant decrease in NO production (p<0.001) after a 24-hour treatment. This inhibitory effect was also seen after 48 hours. Among the extracts, L. persicum was the strongest extract in reducing the NO production at 1 μg/ml after both 24 and 48-hours (nearly 100% inhibition, p<0.001). S. mirzayanii extract with 66.2 ± 8% inhibition at 50 μg/ml, showed the mildest effects in 48 hour culture. In cytokine release determination, the extract of L. persicum significantly inhibited both TNF-α and IL-1β cytokines production by stimulated macrophages (p<0.001). D. kotschyi, D. termeana and F. angulata decreased secretion of IL-1β from the cells. Conclusion: These results indicate the presence of anti-inflammatory and macrophage inhibitory substances in these plants.