Serum Levels Of Anti-inflammatory Cytokines Research Articles

Acupuncture at five Zang-shu and Ge-shu for bipolar depression: study protocol for a randomized controlled pilot trial

Background: Bipolar disorder is a very common, often misdiagnosed mental disorder strongly associated with comorbidity, disability, and premature mortality. Bipolar depression (i.e., depressive episode in bipolar disorder) is poorly responsive to available treatments. Acupuncture at five Zang-shu and Ge-shu, a prescription from Dr. Leting Wang, is a popular therapy for depression in China. Its effectiveness and safety for bipolar depression is yet to be verified by clinical study. Methods/design: The study is a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial involving 72 patients diagnosed with bipolar depression. Participants will be randomized either to the study group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. All participants will receive mood stabilizer therapy. In addition, the study group will receive acupuncture therapy at five Zang-shu and Ge-shu, three times per week. The control group will orally take the antidepressant bupropion. Observation and intervention will last for 8 consecutive weeks. Outcome measurements include Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Young Manic Rating Scale (YMRS), Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS), serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP). Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 1st, 2nd, 4th and 8th week after randomization. Safety assessments will be performed throughout the study. Discussion: The results of this study are expected to verify the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture at five Zang-shu and Ge-shu for bipolar depression, and explore its therapeutic mechanisms from the point of anti- inflammation.

The Positive Effect of Atropa belladonna on Inflammatory Cytokines in the Animal Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system. Given the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of MS and the anti-inflammatory effect of Atropa belladonna (AB), the aim of this study was to determine the effect of AB on inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors in MOG35-55 induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Methods: Thirty-two purebred C57BL/6 mice, weighing (20±2g) were randomly assigned to the 4 groups: control, and three experimental groups: EAE, EAE+AB100, and EAE+AB300 that after EAE induction received 0, 100, and 300 mg/kg AB daily. AB was dissolved in PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) and the volume of gavage in all groups was 100 µL. After 30 days, the mice were weighed, anesthetized with ether and blood was collected directly from the heart. Specific animal ELISA kits measured the inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, IL-17, IL-4, and TNF-α). One-way ANOVA with Duncan post hoc test was used for comparison between groups. Results: EAE increased serum concentrations of TNF-α, IL-17, and decreased IL-10 and IL-4 compared to the control group. AB significantly decreased the mean level of TNF-α, IL-17 and increased IL-10 and IL-4 compared with EAE group. The effect of 300 mg/ kg was clearly better than 100 mg/kg. There was also a significant difference between the control group and the 300 mg/kg group. Conclusion: In the present study, AB plant extract increased serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines and decreased proinflammatory cytokines in the MS animal model.

In vivo and in vitro studies of Danzhi Jiangtang capsules against diabetic cardiomyopathy via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway

ObjectivesDanzhi Jiangtang capsule (DJC) is widely used for preventing and treating diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, the underlying mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities are unclear. MethodsIn the in vivo diabetic cardiomyopathy rat model, cardiac function was measured through echocardiography, histological changes in the myocardium were visualized using HE staining, and cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected using TUNEL. The serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines were detected using ELISA. Finally, TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB mRNA expressions were analyzed using RT-qPCR. In the in vitro experiments, the apoptosis rate of the H9c2 cells was detected using FCM; moreover, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB mRNA expressions were measured using RT-qPCR and related protein levels were investigated using Western blotting. ResultsIn vivo, DJC effectively improved cardiac function, alleviated the pathological changes, and reduced the apoptosis rate. Moreover, DJC reduced TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 activities, with significant inhibition of the TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression. Moreover, in vitro, DJC effectively inhibited high-glucose-induced H9c2 apoptosis-an effect similar to that for TAK242. Finally, both the DJC and TAK242 considerably reduced TLR4, MyD88, NF-κB, Bax, and caspase-3 protein expression but increased that of BCL-2. ConclusionsDJC prevented the overactivation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and regulate cardiomyocyte apoptosis against DCM.

Pre-clinical study of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for the treatment of traumatic brain injury: safety evaluation from immunogenic and oncogenic perspectives.

Stem cell therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, animal experiments are needed to evaluate safety; in particular, to examine the immunogenicity and tumorigenicity of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (huMSCs) before clinical application. In this study, huMSCs were harvested from human amniotic membrane and umbilical cord vascular tissue. A rat model of TBI was established using the controlled cortical impact method. Starting from the third day after injury, the rats were injected with 10 μL of 5 × 106/mL huMSCs by cerebral stereotaxis or with 500 μL of 1 × 106/mL huMSCs via the tail vein for 3 successive days. huMSC transplantation decreased the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in rats with TBI and increased the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby exhibiting good immunoregulatory function. The transplanted huMSCs were distributed in the liver, lung and brain injury sites. No abnormal proliferation or tumorigenesis was found in these organs up to 12 months after transplantation. The transplanted huMSCs negligibly proliferated in vivo, and apoptosis was gradually observed at later stages. These findings suggest that huMSC transplantation for the treatment of traumatic brain injury displays good safety. In addition, huMSCs exhibit good immunoregulatory function, which can help prevent and reduce secondary brain injury caused by the rapid release of inflammatory factors after TBI. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Wuhan General Hospital of PLA (approval No. 20160054) on November 1, 2016.

Anti-obesity effect of Liupao tea extract by modulating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice.

Liupao tea (LPT) is traditional dark Chinese tea. The effect of LPT extract on high-fat-diet-induced obese mice was investigated systematically. The results showed that LPT extract could reduce body weight and significantly alleviate liver damage and fat accumulation. LPT could also decrease the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increase the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in the liver. It also decreased the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 and increased the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-10 and IL-4. Moreover, LPT improved the levels of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase (CAT) and reduced the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver. Moreover, LPT could upregulate the mRNA and protein expressions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1(CPT1), and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) and downregulate those of PPAR-γ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP-α) in the liver. It also increased the mRNA expression of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), CAT, gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase 1 (GSH1), and GSH-Px. The components of LPT extract include catechin, rutin, taxifolin, and astragalin, which possibly have a wide range of biological activities. In conclusion, our work verified that LPT extract possessed an anti-obesity effect and alleviated obesity-related symptoms, including lipid metabolism disorder, chronic low-grade inflammation, and liver damage, by modulating lipid metabolism and oxidative stress.

Ghrelin Exerts Analgesic Effects through Modulation of IL-10 and TGF-β Levels in a Rat Model of Inflammatory Pain.

Background:Ghrelin is a peptide with attenuating effect on inflammatory pain. Both anti- and pro-inflammatory mediators have a role in the nociception and development of pain and hyperalgesia. IL-10 and TGF-β are anti-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines related to peripheral and central inflammatory pain. In this study, the effects of i.p. injection of ghrelin on the early and the late phases of pain, as well as serum levels of IL-10 and TGF-β, as anti-inflammatory cytokines, were investigated in formalin-induced pain in male rats.Methods:Adult male Wistar rats (n=48) were randomly divided into six groups: control, formalin+saline, ghrelin (40, 80, and 160 μg/kg), and morphine. Ghrelin was administered i.p. 30 min before inducing pain by formalin. Pain induced by intraplantar (i.pl.) injection of 50 µl formalin 5%, and pain behavior was studied for 60 min. Serum IL-10 and TGF-β levels were assessed by ELISA method.Results:The findings of the present study showed that ghrelin with high doses (80 and 160 μg/kg) significantly reduced pain intensity in both the early and the late phases of pain. The serum levels of cytokines, IL-10, and TGF-β1 showed a significant elevation with ghrelin at the dose of 160 μg/kg.Conclusion:Ghrelin is effective in reducing the intensity of both the early and the late phases of inflammatory pain. It seems that ghrelin exerts its analgesic effects in part by increasing the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Study the role of proinflammatory and anti- inflammatory cytokines in Iraqi chronic periodontitis patients

Background: Chronic periodontitis is a multifactorial polymicrobial infection characterized by an inflammatory process that leads to destruction of teeth supporting tissues. There is a complex network of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines acting in the inflamed periodontal tissues. This study was designed to detect the serum levels of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines in chronic periodontitis patients and determine its correlation with different clinical parameters of the periodontal status, as well as study the correlation among these cytokines and to evaluate the ratio between pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Subjects and Methods: A total of 50 patients with chronic periodontitis were studied, their ages range from 23-60 years with a mean age of 40.1±7.6 years. Apparently healthy volunteers consisted of 25 individuals who were their age range (21-50) years with a mean age of 33.4±9.1 years considered as control. Periodontal parameters used in this study were plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing. Blood samples were collected from CP patients and healthy control groups to assess serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 by means of enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay. Results: The current results revealed that median serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) were significantly higher in CP patients than in healthy control groups (p 0.05). In contrast serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) was significantly low in patients when compared to control (p<0.001). On the other hand, the ratios of IL-1β\IL-10 and TNF-α\IL-10 were significantly higher in patients when compared with the ratios in control group. Regarding correlation between serum cytokines and clinical periodontal parameters, serum IL-1β level was showed significant positive correlation with each of plaque index, gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. On the otherhand no association between serum IL-2 levels and clinical parameters of chronic periodontitis were found. Moreover; IL-6 was showed significant positive correlation with probing pocket depth, while TNF-α revealed significant positive association with each of gingival index, probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level. Conversely, serum IL-10 levels had negative significant correlation with plaque index, probing pocket depth and bleeding on probing. Interestingly strong linear positive correlation was found among each of (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α,).While strong negative correlation was noticed between IL-10 and each of (IL-1β and TNF-α). Conclusion: The present results may provide direct evidence for the systemic activation of immune cells in periodontitis, and suggests that cytokines may play an important role in pro-inflammatory response in serum of patients with chronic periodontitis. Moreover imbalance between pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines could be involved in the initiation and progression of chronic periodontitis and is indicative of a stronger systemic pro-inflammatory state in disease.