Berberine Inhibits the Gene Expression and Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines by Mononuclear Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Healthy Individuals.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most prevalent autoimmune arthritis. Berberine is an alkaloid isolated from Berberis vulgaris, and its anti-inflammatory effect has been identified.

Methods: Twenty newly diagnosed RA patients and 20 healthy controls participated.

Sesquiterpene fractions of plants as potent inhibitors of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression.

Objectives: species are important medicinal plants throughout the world. Some species are traditionally used for their anti-inflammatory effect. The present study was designed to isolate sesquiterpene fractions from several species and evaluate their anti-inflammatory activities on key mediators and signaling molecules involved in regulation of inflammation.

Assays for Inducing and Measuring Cell Death to Detect Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) Release.

Cell death is a vital process for maintaining tissue homeostasis and removing potentially harmful cells. Cell death can be both programmed and non-programmed and is commonly divided into two main forms, termed apoptotic and necrotic death modes. In this chapter cell death is classified into apoptosis, primary necrosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis.

Tear and serum MMP-9 and serum TIMPs levels in the severe sulfur mustard eye injured exposed patients.

Introduction: Sulfur mustard (SM) intoxication produces local and systemic changes in the human body. In this study, the relationship between tear and serum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and serum tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are assessed in serious eye-injured SM-exposed casualties.

Methods: A group of 128 SM-exposed patients with serious ocular injuries in three subgroups (19 mild, 31 moderate, and 78 severe cases) is compared with 31 healthy controls.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity can modulate macrophage response to Leishmania major infection.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) ultimately plays a critical role in macrophage functions used against infectious agents. The present study investigated whether changes in G6PDH activity could influence the resistance of infected macrophages against Leishmania major infection. Mouse peritoneal and J774 macrophages were infected, respectively, ex vivo and in vitro, with L.

Mitophagy and the release of inflammatory cytokines.

Mitophagy is a selective form of autophagy in which damaged or dysfunctional mitochondria are specifically targeted by autophagosomes for lysosomal degradation. Studies have demonstrated that loss of autophagy/mitophagy can lead to a build-up of cytosolic reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial DNA, which can, in turn, activate immune signalling pathways that ultimately lead to the releases of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-18, type I IFN and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Moreover, release of these cytokines can subsequently promote the release of others, including IL-23 and IL-17.

St. John's wort and its component hyperforin alleviate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through expansion of regulatory T-cells.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disorder mainly characterized by inflammation, demyelination and axonal injury. Anti-inflammatory agents can be used to ameliorate the disease process. Hypericum perforatum L or St.

Evaluation of HTLV-I and HCV Prevalence in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Objective(s): Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is a lymphoproliferative malignancy in which cells undergo microscopic changes with unknown etiology, and risk factors such as age, sex, genetic and environmental factors are involved. The relationship between the presence of infectious agents and the development of lymphoproliferative diseases has been an interesting research topic. HTLV-I (Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type-1) predisposes the infected individulas to opportunistic neoplasms and lymphoid malignancies.

T lymphocyte apoptosis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Objective(s): Apoptosis is a tightly regulated process and plays a crucial role in autoimmune diseases. Because abnormalities in apoptosis are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in present study we studied the apoptosis in T lymphocytes from Iranian SLE patients at protein and gene expression levels for some molecules which are involved in apoptosis pathways.

Materials And Methods: Thirty five SLE patients (23 female, 12 male), and 20 age matched controls (10 female, 10 male) participated in this study.