Keyvan Ghasami; Fardin Faraji; Masoud Fazeli; Ali Ghazavi; Ghasem Mosayebi
Volume 13, Issue 1 , Winter 2016, , Pages 16-26
Abstract
Background: Statins, widely used cholesterol-lowering agents, have also been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and immunomdulatory effects. Objective: To evaluate the effects of atorvastatin in combination with Interferon-β in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a randomized controlled ...
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Background: Statins, widely used cholesterol-lowering agents, have also been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory and immunomdulatory effects. Objective: To evaluate the effects of atorvastatin in combination with Interferon-β in the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) in a randomized controlled clinical trial. Methods: Multiple sclerosis patients were randomized independently, in a double blind design, into one of two treatment groups. Control group (n=45) received 30 μg/week interferon β-1a via intra-muscular injection. Atorvastatin-treated group (n=50) received interferon β-1a similar to control group in addition to atorvastatin (40 mg/day) for 18-months. All clinical and immunological variables were measured at the baseline and at the end of the study. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in the expanded disability status scale scores and the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions during the 18-month treatment period. After 18 months, the levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β and serum ferric reducing antioxidant power in the atorvastatin treatment group were significantly higher than the control group. Levels of IL-17, TNF-α and lymphocyte proliferation in the atorvastatin treatment group were significantly lower than the control group. Conclusion: Although combined atorvastatin and interferon-β do not change the clinical course of MS, atorvastatin might have beneficial effects in MS treatment possibly through inducing anti-inflammatory responses.
Ghasem Mosayebi; Shaban Ali Alizadeh; Ali Alasti; Alireza Amouzandeh Nobaveh; Ali Ghazavi; Mahsa Okhovat; Mohammad Rafiei
Volume 10, Issue 4 , Autumn 2013, , Pages 216-228
Abstract
Background: The appendix is considered as part of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue; however, lymphocyte subsets in this tissue are not fully defined. Objective: To investigate and compare the function and phenotype of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and appendix of patients with normal and inflamed ...
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Background: The appendix is considered as part of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue; however, lymphocyte subsets in this tissue are not fully defined. Objective: To investigate and compare the function and phenotype of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood and appendix of patients with normal and inflamed appendix tissues. Methods: Peripheral blood samples and appendiceal mononuclear cells were obtained from 81 patients (mean age; 23 ± 10.5 years), clinically suspected of having appendicitis. The phenotypic characteristics of lymphocyte subsets in peripheral blood (before and 48-72 hrs after appendectomy) and in appendix tissue were analyzed by three color-flow cytometry. The proliferative response of mononuclear cells was assessed by MTT method. Results: The frequency of CD19+DR+, HLA-DR+ and CD19+ cells in the appendix tissue were significantly higher than that of the peripheral blood in all the groups (p<0.001). The percentage of CD19+ cells and HLA-DR+CD19+ cells significantly decreased after appendectomy in the peripheral blood of the patients with acute appendicitis (p=0.047 and p=0.03, respectively). CD19 and HLA-DR plus CD19 had better diagnostic efficiency compared with T cell markers (area under the ROC curve [AUC]= 0.76 and 0.73, respectively). Conclusion: These results indicate a significant difference in CD19+ and HLA-DR+ lymphocytes between peripheral blood and the appendix tissue.