Tehran University Medical Journal

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We evaluated the power of pregnant women's neutrophils in releasing the oxidant substances (such as H202, superoxide, ...) in the presence of luminol. In the presence of luminol these substances will emit light and we measured this light by a luminometer (chemiluminescence technicque). Baker's yeast was used for neutrophil activation.
This study includes 45 pregnant women (mean age = 30.7 years) and 20 controls (mean age 31.8 years).
Results : 1-the mean of maximum light in p.w (N-CL in p.w) was 209.1 mv (milivolt) and in controls 152.6 mv.
2-the mean of maximum time for N-CL in p.w is 10.3 min and in control 11.1 min.
We observed that N-CL (power of phagocytosis) in p.w increased (P< 0.01) but the time didn't.

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Lithium is a immunomodulator that can increase immunoglobulins to confront infectious desese. It is also able to increase the production of interleukins, interferon gamma and prostaglandins. We conducted this study to evaluate the correlation between lithium consumption and humoral immunity. Blood samples were obtained from 76 patients under lithium treatment. We classified the patients according to their serum lithium level in to five categories. Using single radial immuno diffusion technique, we measured IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4 levels in the blood samples of our patients and a group of 100 controls as well. Analysis of variance method was used for comparison of groups. We found significant differences between groups in level of IgG, IgA, IgM and C3 (P<0.05). This findings show that lithium has many effects on humoral immunity.

 

 

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Introduction: Alcoholic and aqueous extracts and total alkaloids of the seed of (Syrian rue) peganum harmala L. as scolicidal compound against Hydatid cyst protoscolices were assessed in this study.

Methods and Materials: This study was carried out both invitro and by inoculating inside the intact cysts in the shaking bath and dry incubator at 37°c. Different concentration of suspensions were tested in different exposure times. Mortality of protoscolices was determined by their loss of mortality, ability to take vital stains and inactivity of flame cells.

Results: The results indicated that alcoholic extract had scolicidal effect against protoscolices total alkaloids had stronger action and rapid effect on protoscolices.

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Background: Recent studies present a high prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Iran. Treatment with interferon is now the first choice in management of MS. CinnoVex^TM (an interferon beta 1-a) is available in Iran, with achievement of the technology of producing beta interferon. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CinnoVex^TM in a national study named CINA study.

Methods: This study was conducted from 2007 to 2008 in cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, Tabriz, and Shiraz. Patients with relapsing/remitting MS with 16-50 years of age and EDSS of <4 received CinnoVex^TM (30µg/week, IM) after diagnosis by a neurologist. EDSS, drug side effects, and frequency of relapse were evaluated for one year in four 3-month visits.

Results: A total of 1050 patients entered the study. Complete data were collected from 627 (60%) patients. Mean age was 30.7±8.6 year and 514 (82%) were female. The most common onset presentations were sensory symptoms (44%). Changes of EDSS through the study showed a significant decrease in the last 3-month of evaluation (p<0.05). Drug side effects were observed in 47%, 50%, 61%, and 61.4% (p>0.05) and relapse was occurred in 13.4%, 15.7%, 16.9%, and 2.4% of the patients in the first, second, third, and forth evaluation visits (p=0.001), respectively.

Conclusion: CinnoVex^TM prevents progression and improves clinical course of MS. The conventional side effects of beta interferon therapy, however, are observed with CinnoVex^TM.