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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]

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: 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: 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]