Background: Vitamin C is a major antioxidant in lung airways and also functions against external insulting oxidant sources such as smoke and environmental contaminants. The aim of study was to assess the vitamin C in asthmatic patients, by it’s measurement in plasma and white blood cells (WBC).
Materials and Methods: In a case–control study 50 asthmatic patients and 50 healthy person were randomly selected. The data were obtained by utilizing socioeconomic questionnaire and 24 hour dietary recall. l0 c.c blood samples were drawn. Plasma and WBC vitamin C concentration were measured colorimetrically. The data were analyzed by FPI and SPSS software.
Results: The results indicate that 38 percent and 92 percent of patients had deficient plasma and WBC vitamin C concentrations respectively. There was a significant difference in plasma and WBC vitamin C concentrations among patients and control group (P<0.0001) Analysis of regression showed that a significant dependence was observed between the duration of asthma and plasma vitamin C status (P=0.03), though a positive significant correlation was obtained between plasma vitamin C status and dietary vitamin C intake (P=0.0001, r =0.56), The interaction of socioeconomic parameters and vitamin C concentration in asthmatic patients in this study was not significant .
Conclusion: Present study indicates that while there is an association between vitamin C status and asthma but WBC vitamin C status is more sensitive in this regard and deserves further study and consideration.
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Background: Dendritic Cell (DC) is an important
antigen-presenting cell that present tumor antigen to CD8+ and CD4+ T- Lymphocytes and
induce specific anti-tumor immunity. In
order to induce effective anti-tumor response, an option is increasing the
efficiency of antigen presentation of dendritic cells and T cell activation capacity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dendritic cell maturation with protein components of toxoplasma gondii on cytotoxic T lymphocyte
activity and their infiltration in to the tumor.
Methods: For DC generation, bone marrow cells were cultured in the
presence of GM-CSF and IL-4 for five days. After that, LPS, protein
components and whole extract of toxoplasma gondii were added to the culture
media and incubated for another two days for DC maturation. To generate tumor,
mices were injected subcutaneously with WEHI-164 cell line. For immunotherapy 106 DCs
matured with different compounds were injected around the tumor site.
Infiltration of CD8+ T cells were determined by flow cytometry and cytotoxic
activity was measured by LDH detection kit.
Results: Immunotherapy with DCs treated with protein components of toxoplasma gondii
led to a significant increase in the activity of cytotoxic T cells and
infiltration of CD8+ T cells in to the tumor. Immunotherapy using protein
components of toxoplasma gondii significantly improved the survival of the mice
compared with other groups (p<0.0001).
Conclusion: Protein components of toxoplasma are able to increase DC capability in
induction of CTL-mediated
anti-tumor response and
increase infiltration of these
cells in to the tumor.
Background: M. pneumoniae infection in children is usual and diagnosis of its neurologic complications for rapid treatment is very important. To compare the CSF- M. pneumoniae antibody level between febrile children with acute neurologic signs (Menigoencephalitis, Guillan Barre Syndrome (GBS), Transverse myelitis, Ataxia and so on) with unaffected ones.
Methods: A cross sectional/ case control study in pediatric wards of Rasoul-e-Akram & Mofid hospitals (2007-2009) was done. The amount of Specific M. pneumoniae IgG (ELISA) antibody level determined in CSF of 55 cases and in 10 controls. Chi square values (CI 95%, p< 0.05) calculated for all categorical variables. Sensitivity specificity Positive Predictive Value (PPV) Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of CSF antibody level determined by using the Area under the ROC Curve.Results: Cases (n= 55) aged between five month to 13 years with mean age of 3.84±3.43 years. Area Under Curve (AUC) in ROC was 0.876 (%95 CI, 0.78- 0.96 p< 0.0001). Cut off level for antibody was 0.0025 with 73% sensitivity 90% specificity 100% PPV 28.8% NPV. CSF antibody level had significant difference between cases and controls [0.08± 0.26 Versus 0.001± 0.001 p: 0.02] It had poor agreement between cases and controls (Kappa= 0.27). Lowest amount seen in cases with aseptic meningitis highest amount observed in cases with GBS and cases with focal neurologic signs.
Conclusion: The presence of very low amount (0.0025) of M. pneumoniae antibody in CSF of febrile children with acute neurologic signs had 70% sensitivity and 90% specificity 100% PPV but had low (28.8%) NPV. M. pneumoniae would be a rare cause in cases with aseptic meningitis. Finding the M. pneumoniae-DNAs in CSF are not so frequent (2%) but in high suspicious cases adding this test to determining the CSF antibody level might be helpful.Background: There are conflicting reports about zinc, a trace element, in the pathogenesis of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of zinc in high blood pressure.
Methods: We conducted this study on 80 patients with primary (idiopathic) hypertension and 80 normotensive people with similar age who attended to Tehran Heart Center between 2007 and 2008. We examined the effect of zinc concentration on blood pressure in both sexes in four age groups (41-50, 51-60, 61-70 and 71-80 years old). We measured plasma zinc concentration by atomic absorption.
Results: The mean plasma zinc concentrations were 0.456±0.04 µg/ml and 0.551±0.055 µg/ml in patients with hypertension and in normotensive people, respectively, (P≤0.05). Nevertheless, the mean plasma zinc concentrations were 0.494 µg/ml and 0.486 µg/ml in men with and without hypertension, respectively. The mean plasma zinc concentrations of women with and without hypertension, respectively were 0.415 µg/ml and 0.596 µg/ml, showing a significant difference between two groups (P≤0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference in plasma zinc concentration between hypertensive and normotensive people in 51 to 60 years age group (P≤0.05), but difference were not significant between other age groups.
Conclusion: The results of this study revealed the relationship between the decrease in plasma zinc concentration and increase in blood pressure in women and in the men aged 51 to 60 years.
Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the world, but the effect of this infection on male fertility is still controversial. Despite reports of interaction between Mycoplasma genitalium and sperm, this pathogen in semen samples of infertile men is less studied. We studied, the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium infection in infertile men.
Methods: Among attending Avicenna Infertility Center, 120 men who had abnormal semen analysis tests were selected and the samples were taken. After detailed analysis of semen quality, DNA was extracted from each sample by chelex. Samples were evaluated for these two pathogens by multiplex PCR. Results were statistically analyzed.
Results: Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium was detected in 23/3% and 12/5% of the samples, respectively. Although, Mycoplasma genitalium infection rises by increasing (P=0.640) and decreasing in age of first sexually activity (P=0.203), and also positive cases of Chlamydia trachomatis infection showed increase regarding age increase (P=0.619) and age decrease in first sexually activity (P=0.511), but these differences were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: All in all, regarding to the increased prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection compared with the only similar study in Iran and high prevalence of Mycoplasma genitalium infection in infertile men, this assessment was done. A multiplex PCR protocol rapidly and simultaneously identify these organisms in comparison with uniplex from clinical samples. Based on our results screening for Chlamydia trachomatis and Mycoplasma genitalium infection among infertile men seems to be valuable.
Background: Velopharyngeal insufficiency causes hypernasal vocal quality and can also result in audible nasal air emission and difficulty in producing pressure consonants. The resulting speech is often socially unacceptable and can be difficult to understand. Platelet-rich plasma is an autologous derivative of whole blood. Today, the importance of clinical use of Platelet-rich plasma in the plastic surgery is considered. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of combined Platelet-rich plasma and fat injection in the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency.
Methods: In this prospective clinicaltrial study, of 15 patients including 9 males and 6 females and aged 15-20 years with mild/ moderate velopharyngeal insufficiency who were injected with 5 mL of combined Platelet-rich plasma (1 mL) and fat (4 mL) in the front volume in the posterior pharyngeal wall in the pre-vertebral fascia under sedation. Speech samples were recorded by nasoendoscopy before the injection, and at 6 weeks and 6 months after the injection. Assessment of pathologic speech was done by speech therapist.
Results: Velar displacement showed significantly increased at 6 weeks after the injection (P=0.049). Velopharyngeal gap disappeared in 60% of patients at 6 weeks after the injection (P=0.019). Lateral pharyngeal wall movement showed significantly increased in 73.3% of the patients at 6 months after the injection (P=0.04). After the treatment, aerodynamic assessment showed significantly decreased in nasal air escape during phonation and repeat the words (P<0.05). Assessment speech therapist showed significantly improve quality of phonation in these patients (P<0.05).
Conclusion: It seems that, combined Platelet-rich plasma and fat injection lead to improve voice resonance and reduce nasal air escape in all treated cases. It can be a promising alternative to major procedures, such as velopharyngoplasties, for the treatment of mild/ moderate velopharyngeal insufficiency. |
Background: Peripheral nerve injury is one of the most challenging of modern surgical problem. Recent advances in understanding the physiological and molecular pathways demonstrated the important role of growth factors in peripheral nerve regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological product that has many growth factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PRP in the regeneration of sciatic nerve crush in the rat model.
Methods: In this experimental study that established in the animal lab of the Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital in Tehran from September to October 2013, Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were randomly divided into two groups. In all rats the sciatic nerve was cut and then carefully repaired by the tension free method under a light microscope. In group 1, after the repair, 0.05 µL of PRP was injected below the epineurium to the proximal and distal parts of the repaired area. In group 2 the same amount of normal saline was injected to the proximal and distal of the repaired area. After six weeks footprint analysis, neurophysiologic and histopathology evaluations were performed.
Results: Significant differences existed between the two groups footprint analysis (P= 0.001). Also the nerve conduction latency test was significantly shorter in PRP group. (1.0233 ms in PRP group and 1.7375 ms in control) (P< 0.001). The average amplitude in the first group and the second group was 7.6250 mv (control) 6.3667 mv that does not show a statistically significant difference (P= 0.093). Significant differences between the two groups in the number of axons of the proximal portion of the study was not seen (P= 0.29). The parameters included number of axons of the proximal and the distal part of axons, the diameter of the distal and proximal axons in the two groups were compared. In the two groups there was statistically significant difference between the above parameters. (P= 0.298).
Conclusion: It seems that PRP may have an important role in peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery after nerve laceration and repair. Further clinical evaluation recommended.
Background: Graft survival has been considered the major problem in reconstructive surgery. Clinical studies have helped us to understand the role of PRP in increasing skin survival. Our goal in this study was to examine the treatment effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on autologous full thickness skin graft survival in male rats.
Methods: This experimental study was performed on 36 rats of Sprague-Dawley race with weighing approximately 250 to 300 gr on May 2015 in animal laboratory of Hazrat Fatima Hospital. After anesthesia, rats were divided into 3 groups. We injected platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the first group, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in the second and saline in the third group after removing the skin. Microscopic analysis was performed with camera (Canon powershot SX200, Tokyo, Japan) on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after surgery. We used image analysis system (ImageJ, ver. 1.45) to examine necrosis and survival rate. Samples were studied with H&E staining on day 28 microscopically for histological analysis of vascular density and angiogenesis.
Results: Our findings showed the area of necrosis in animals injected with PRP on days 7 and 14, was meaningfully less than control group (P= 0.0001). There was no meaningful difference between control and PRP groups (P> 0.05). The area of necrosis in animals injected with PRF did not have any significant difference with control group from beginning to 21st day (P< 0.0001). there was no meaningful difference in vascular density between control and PRP group, whereas in animals injected with PRF the vascular density was significantly less than control group (P= 0.002).
Conclusion: According to our results in this study, we can conclude that using autologous PRP can enhance the process of healing soft tissue injury and be affective at increasing graft survival. This method is suggested to be conducted for patients highly at risk of graft loss and also for those who are in need of early treatments.
Background: Major platelet adhesive receptors that contribute significantly to thrombus formation include platelet receptor glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) of the GPIb-IX-V complex and platelet glycoprotein VI (GPVI). GPIbα plays a crucial role in platelet tethering to sub-endothelial matrix, which initiates thrombus formation at arterial shear rates, whereas GPVI is critically involved in platelets firm adhesion to the site of injury regardless of shear condition. During storage, platelets experience some changes that deleteriously affect the expression levels of platelet receptors, which in turn can alter platelet functional behaviors. Considering the important roles of GPIbα and GPVI in platelet adhesion, it seems that any dramatic changes in the expression levels of these receptors can influence adhesive function of transfused platelets. Thereby examining GPIbα and GPVI expression during the storage of platelet concentrates may provide some useful information about the functional quality of these products after transfusion.
Methods: In our experimental study, 5 PRP-platelet concentrates were randomly obtained from Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO). All the platelet products met the standard quality assessment based on AABB (American Association of Blood Banks) guidelines. Washed platelets were subjected to flowcytometry analysis for the evaluation of GPIbα and GPVI receptor expression in day 1, 3 and 5 after storage. Data were presented as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) and analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s multiple comparison test.
Results: The GPIbα expression on first day (MFI=86±5.9) was reduced three days after storage (MFI= 69±6.9). The expression levels continued to reduce until day 5 in which GPIbα expression was markedly decreased to (MFI= 61±7.7) (P= 0.0094). GPVI expression on the days 1, 3 and 5 after storage were 20.6±3.3, 24±2.5 and 14±4.9, respectively. The results showed a significant decrease of expression on day 5, compared to that in day 3 after storage (P= 0.0213).
Conclusion: Our study showed significant decreases in the expression of platelet receptors GPIbα and GPVI after 5 days storage, suggesting a major defect in adhesive function of platelets during this term.
Background: Platelet adhesion typically occurs by the critical role of GPIb-V-IX in capturing free-flowing platelets to the injured vessel wall where its rapid binding kinetics enables platelet tethering even under conditions of high shear through the interaction of the major ligand-binding subunit of GPIb-V-IX, GPIbα with subendothelial-bound vWF. During storage, platelet undesired activation may lead to platelet storage lesion (PSL) which changes the expression levels of platelet functional receptors including GPIbα. This study investigates the levels of expression and ectodomain shedding of platelet adhesive receptor GPIbα during the storage of platelet rich plasma (PRP) concentrates (PRP- PCs).
Methods: Five PRP-platelet concentrates were obtained from Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO). The GPIbα expressions of platelets were analyzed on day 1, 3 and 5 after storage using flowcytometry. To examine the ectodomain shedding of this receptor the microparticle free supernatants obtained from stored platelets were subjected to western blot analysis. For control study, blood specimens was drawn from healthy consenting individuals and resting platelets were isolated while resuspended in Tyrode buffer.
Results: Our results indicated a continuous decrease of GPIbα expression during storage where the expression from fist day (Mean fluorescence intensity=86±5.9) was significantly reduced compared to that of fifth day (mean fluorescence intensity=61±7.7) after storage (P=0.0094). Conversely, shed GPIbα (Glycocalicin) demonstrated continuous elevation during five-day storage (P=0.0098). According to the results the shedding levels for the first day were increased from 0.31± 0.3 to 1.5± 0.4 by the day 5 after storage.
Conclusion: Our study has demonstrated significant loss of platelet GPIbα during storage mostly due to receptor ectodomain shedding that leads to significant increase of soluble GPIbα in stored platelets. Considering the high levels of shed GPIbα in long stored platelets whether the transfusion of such products might be associated with defective adhesive function of platelets or possible proinflammatory effects could be of interests for future investigation.
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Background: Platelet storage is complicated by deleterious changes that cause progressive structural and functional damages, so-called platelet storage lesion (PSL). PSL is commonly manifested by augmented platelet activation which is also associated with the increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Whether ROS generation increases during the storage of platelet concentrates and whether it will be correlated with P-selectin expression as a valid marker of platelet activation was investigated in this study. Methods: In our experimental study, six PRP-platelet concentrates were randomly obtained from Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO). All the platelet products met the standard quality assessment based on AABB guidelines. Washed platelets were subjected to flow cytometry analysis for the evaluation of P-selectin expression and intracellular ROS production using DHR 123 in day 0, 1, 3 and 5 after storage. Statistical data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn’s multiple comparison test. For correlations, linear regression analysis was applied. P values of less than 0.05 were considered to be significant. Results: Platelets ROS generation significantly increased from day 0 to day 5 of storage (P= 0.0002). This observed gradual increase was also directly correlated with the increasing levels of P-selectin expression during platelet storage (r= 0.72, P= 0.0001). Conclusion: Our study showed significant increases in ROS generation during the storage of platelet concentrates correlated with the increments of P-selectin expression as an important marker of platelet activation. This finding suggests that the analysis of ROS generation can also be considered a marker of platelet activation during storage. However, whether ROS generation first induces platelet activation or platelet activation during storage triggers ROS generation is still remain to be determined. |
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