Iranian Journal of Immunology

Impact of Opium on the Serum Levels of TGF-β in Diabetic, Addicted and Addicted-Diabetic Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Gholamreza Asadikaram 1, 2
Majid Asiabanha 3
Ahmadreza Sayadi 4
Abdollah Jafarzadeh 5
Gholamhossein Hassanshahi 6

1 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

2 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

3 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

4 Departments of Psychology

5 Immunology

6 Hematology, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/iji.2010.17055
Abstract
Background: Several cells of immune system such as regulatory T cells and macrophages secrete transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in response to different stimuli. This cytokine has inhibitory effect on immune system and diminished production of this cytokine is associated with autoimmune disorders.
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of opium addiction on serum level of TGF-β in male and female diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats.
Methods: This experimental study was performed on normal, opium addicted, diabetic and addicted-diabetic male and female rats. Serum level of TGF-β was measured by ELISA.
Results: The results of our study indicated that the mean serum level of TGF-β in female addicted rats was significantly increased compared to control group (p<0.004). Conversely, in male addicted rats the mean serum level of TGF-β was lower compared with control (p<0.065).
Conclusion: Our results suggest that opium and its derivatives have differential inductive effects on the cytokine expression in male and female rats.

Keywords

addiction
Diabetes
opium
TGF-β
Iranian Journal of Immunology
Volume 7, Issue 3
Summer 2010
Pages 186-192

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