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Aim: Clomipramine (tricyclic antidepressant), Risperidone (a non-typical antidepressant), and Escitalopram (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant) might be good candidates for investigating the anti-colitis activity. Background: The incidence of depression with ulcerative colitis in patients has led to the use of antidepressants in their treatment. In addition to the antidepressant effect of these drugs, anti-inflammatory effects have also been reported. Methods: In this study, 36 rats were used 2 ml of 3% acetic acid solution rectally to show the colitis. Then, Clomipramine (25 mg/kg), Escitalopram (10 mg/kg), Prednisolone (5 mg/kg), Risperidone (2 mg/kg), and normal saline as the control was administered orally for six days. The levels of Tumor Necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured by Enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA), and changes in the tissue pathology were investigated. Results: IL-6 level was significantly reduced after the administration of clomipramine and Prednisolone (p=0.025). Risperidone has significantly reduced MPO activity in colonic tissue (P=0.006). We did find no statistical decrease in MPO activity and TNF-α and IL-6 levels after consumption of Escitalopram (p>0.05). Conclusion: Clomipramine showed the best anti-inflammatory effect compared to Escitalopram and Risperidone. Therefore, clomipramine showed the best relieving effect on inflammation of ulcerative colitis in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus is a new virus that has affected human life on a large scale; it has infected millions of people and killed hundreds of thousands of people. In contrast, among cancers, stomach neoplasia is the most common cancer of the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract. COVID-19 disease has disrupted the optimal management of patients with cancer. Metastasis, deterioration of the patient's nutritional status, UGI bleeding, and increased surgical complications are all consequences of delayed treatment of patients with gastric cancer. However, there is still insufficient evidence on the immunogenicity of the vaccine and the protection provided by coronavirus vaccines in patients with cancer, especially those with immunodeficiency or those who are treated for certain types of cancers. Also, as part of the prevention and control of COVID-19 disease, nutritional support for patients with gastrointestinal cancer is particularly important, and the psychological and physiological limitations caused by the disease duration are hurting the well-being of patients. Therefore, the assessment of the impact of the coronavirus on cancer should be treated as an important issue, and healthcare professionals should be prepared to deal with the long-term effects of the coronavirus disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a highly prevalent microorganism and risk factor for gastric cancer. In this study, we evaluated the serum levels of PIVKA-II in patients with and without H. pylori. Methods: This study was performed on 90 patients (45 with H. pylori infection and 45 in the control group). After recording demographic information, serum levels of PIVKA-II were measured by the ELISA method. Results: We found no significant difference in PIVKA-II levels between all patients with and without H. pylori infection (P=0.08), but among individuals below 40, H. pylori infection was associated with significantly lower serum PIVKA levels in patients vs. controls (P=0.026). Among men, H. pylori infection was associated with a significantly lower serum PIVKA level than controls (P=0.038). Among all H. pylori-infected patients, females had higher PIVKA levels than males (P=0.037). Conclusion: Our results indicate that (i) serum PIVKA-II levels are lower in H. pylori-infected individuals under 40 and men than in non-infected controls, and ii) among all H. pylori-infected patients, serum PIVKA-II levels are lower in men than women and in those under 40 years of age compared to those 40 or above. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are at risk of viral infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV). Current study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV among HD patients who attended the dialysis center in Fasa, Iran. Methods: Collectively, 2082 HD patients (1291 men, 791 women) took part in our 6-year follow-up study. Results: 2082 HD patients with a mean age of 56.2 ± 17.8 were included in our study. One (0.09%) patient was HBsAg positive, two (0.18%) patients were anti-HCV positive, and one (0.09%) was anti-HIV positive. There was no significant correlation between the paraclinical parameters of men and women. Conclusion: The present study showed a reduction in the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV infections during 6 years of follow-up in HD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigari. Previous studies have shown that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is associated with treatment and clinical response to Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of H. pylori infection in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. METHODS: 75 patients who suffered from Parkinson's disease and H. pylori infection and 91 healthy controls were recruited. All the subjects were evaluated for serum IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies as well as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-4 cytokines by Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA)methods. RESULTS: The participants included 102 men and 64 women with a mean age of 66 ± 10.2 and 52.6 ± 10.7 years in the patients and control groups, respectively. The level of IgG, TNF-α, IL-6 in the patients with Parkinson's infected with H. pylori was significantly more than that in the control group. In contrast, IgA was significantly lower in patients with Parkinson's disease compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Probably, persistent infection with H. pylori could be effective in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease by dominating the systemic inflammatory profile. It is suggested that pro-inflammatory cytokines followed by H. pylori infection through the promotion of immune response or neurotoxicity might have a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relation between interleukin-33 (IL-33) and asthma is not precisely known yet. The present study set to compare the serum level of IL-33 in patients with asthma and controls and study the relation with the severity of disease. Methods: The serum level of IL-33 and total IgE in 89 asthmatic patients and 57 controls were analyzed. The association of levels of IL-33 with the severity of disease, levels of total IgE, measures of spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1]), age, sex, presence or absence of other allergic diseases, and the disease duration was evaluated. Results: Higher levels of IL-33 and total IgE were detected in asthmatic patients compared with controls (P = 0.0001 and P = 0.008, respectively). In the asthmatic group, a significant direct association of IL-33 with age (P = 0.02, R = 0.23) and with total IgE level (P = 0.003, R = 0.31) were observed, but there was no relationship between other variables. Comparison of mean level of IL-33 in different asthma groups concerning the disease severity showed the statistically significant difference between them and a significant increased serum level of total IgE was observed in more severe disease. The results showed a significant negative correlation between FEV1 and total IgE (P = 0.028, R = -0.23) and IL-33 level (P = 0.0001, R = -0.83). Conclusions: IL-33 is suggested as a new inflammatory marker of severe and refractory asthma. Therefore, it may be a unique therapeutic target in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background An association exists between Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori), peptic ulcers, gastritis, and sometimes gastric carcinomas. Th22 cells have protective and inflammatory roles in defense against microbes. Aim We investigated the frequencies of Th22, Tc22, Th22/17, and Tc22/17 cells in addition to the changes in levels of cytokines IL-22, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, IL-1β, and TGF-β in sera from patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis, and peptic ulcer, and in uninfected patients. Methods A total of 76 patients with H. pylori-associated disorders formed the studied group. Frequencies of T-cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry. Levels of cytokines IL-22, IL-6, IL-23, TNF-α, IL-1β, and TGF-β in the sera and supernatants of patients were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry. Results The study participants included 32 males and 44 females with a mean age of 38.5±15.3 years. We divided the infected group into peptic ulcer and gastritis (mild, moderate, active chronic, and chronic). The frequencies of Th22, Tc22, and Tc22/17 increased significantly in the peptic ulcer, moderate, active chronic, and chronic gastritis groups compared to the uninfected group. Th22/17 only increased significantly in the chronic gastritis group. We observed significant increases in IL-22 in the moderate and active chronic gastritis, IL-23 in the active chronic and chronic gastritis, and TNF-α in the peptic ulcer and moderate gastritis groups. Following in vitro antigenic stimulation, we observed significantly higher levels of IL-1β, IL-23, and IL-6 in the active chronic gastritis group, as well as IL-6 and IL-1β in the chronic gastritis group compared to the uninfected group. Conclusion Increased Th22, Tc22, and Tc22/17 cells and IL-22 levels appear to be influential in progression and severity of H. pylori infection. Th22/17 can be an interesting therapeutic target for chronic H. pylori infections where eradication is more difficult. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Despite the similar rate of HP infection, the rate of gastric cancer (GC) differs in different regions of the country. There are conflicting reports for using a panel of serologic tests such as pepsinogens I, II (PG I and PG II), and gastrin for population screening. We designed this study to assess healthy appearing adults in Shiraz, southern Iran in order to evaluate the correlation of these serological tests with demographics and lifestyle in a region with a low rate of gastric malignancy. METHODS In a population-based study, 846 out of 1978 subjects who were selected by cluster random sampling based on postal code division in Shiraz agreed to participate in the present study. A questionnaire that included age, gender, weight and height, lifestyle such as physical activity, smoking and the use of nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was completed. A blood sample was taken after overnight fasting for measurements of PG I, PG II and Cag A status by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). Gastrin level was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). RESULTS The study included 305 men and 541 women. Their mean age was 50.53+11.4 (range: 35-99 years). The level of PG I was significantly more in males than females (116.6±57.1 vs. 103.1±55.8, p < 0.001), lower in older age groups (p = 0.01), and rural compared with urban residents (110.3+55.7 vs. 100.2+58.1, p = 0.02). The serum level of PG II was less in obese subjects (p = 0.5). There was no significant correlation between PG I, PG II, smoking, NSAID use and activity. Gastrin level were not correlated with any of the demographic characteristics. The level of Cag A was significantly different between males and females (30.5±37 vs. 37.7±41.7, p < 0.001), more in older subjects (p = 0.007) and non smokers (p = 0.001). The serum levels of PG I and PG I/PG II ratio decreased significantly in subjects with positive Cag A serology (p < 0.05). The ratio of PG I/PG II was lower than 3 in 35 (4.1%) subjects. CONCLUSION In this area, the PG I/PG II ratio is less than 3 in 4% of subjects of which most are positive for Cag A serology and older than 50. We recommend comparison of these findings with high GC mortality regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: H pylori plays a critical role in the development of stomach cancer, especially in people affected by the bacteria at an early stage of life. Th9 cells and IL‐9 play major roles in immune responses against various infections. IL‐9 is influential in chronic or acute inflammation of the mucosa. Aim: This study seeks to investigate the possible functions of Tc9, Th9 cells, and IL‐9 level in patients with inflammation due to H pylori infection. Methods: Eighty‐three patients with dyspepsia symptoms and twenty normal subjects with no sign and symptoms of dyspepsia were recruited. Frequencies of T‐cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry. Levels of cytokines IL‐9 family in the sera and supernatants of antigen‐activated PBMCs patients were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry. Results: The participants included 56 females and 47 males with a mean age of 39.2 ± 15.3 years. We assigned the infected group into peptic ulcer and gastritis (chronic active and chronic). Frequencies of Tc9, Th17, Tc17, Th17/9, and Tc17/9 increased significantly in the peptic ulcer, chronic active, and chronic gastritis, compared with the uninfected and healthy control groups. A significant increase was seen in IL‐9, IL‐4, and IL‐23 in the chronic active gastritis. Further observed was a significant increase in IL‐21 and a decrease in IL‐10 in the infected groups. Conclusion: The results revealed that increased Tc9, Th17/9, and Tc17/9 cells appear to be influential in the progression and severity of H pylori infection. Also, increased IL‐9 and IL‐4 levels and Tc9, Tc17/9, and Th17/9 were seen in chronic active gastritis patients. These findings may provide useful information for a therapeutic targeting of chronic active H pylori infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a major public health concern worldwide. Genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors contribute to the multifactorial etiology of obesity. Evidence suggests an association between human Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Val66Met single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and obesity. Reduced plasma BDNF levels have also been reported in patients with eating disorders and obesity. We aimed to evaluate the BDNF Val66Met (rs6265) SNP and also plasma BDNF levels in morbidly obese patients compared with healthy normal controls in southern Iran. One hundred morbidly obese patients and one hundred eight healthy normal controls were enrolled. Blood-derived DNA samples were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and confirmed by DNA sequencing. Plasma BDNF levels were evaluated using a commercially available sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for human BDNF. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software, version 18.0. Genotype distribution was not significantly different between obese patients and controls. However, plasma BDNF levels were significantly lower in obese patients compared with controls. Interestingly, a significant association was found between BDNF Val66Met SNP and plasma BDNF levels. No relationship was observed between BDNF Val66Met SNP and all assessed demographic and clinical characteristics of obese patients. It seems that plasma BDNF levels were associated with both obesity and BDNF Val66Met SNP. However, this association was not found between BDNF Val66Met SNP and obesity. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed for more detailed assessment of this genetic variation as a potential biomarker for obesity. • This study has determined the pattern of BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism and plasma BDNF levels in morbidly obese patients and healthy controls in southern Iran. • No significant association was found between BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism and obesity • Significant association was found between BDNF gene Val66Met polymorphism and reduction of plasma BDNF levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]