Evaluation of iron, ferritin, copper, and ceruloplasmin along with proviral load in human T lymphotropic virus type 1-associated myelopathy

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection can cause HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM). In this study, we evaluated the levels of serum iron, ferritin, copper, and ceruloplasmin, and their correlations with HTLV-1 proviral load (PVL) and standard indices of HAM severity. In total, 114 subjects were recruited in this cross sectional study in Qaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran between 2017 and 2018, including 36 HAM and 32 asymptomatic cases (ACs) and 46 healthy people (HSs). The clinical examination and evaluation of serum levels of biochemical factors and proviral load were performed. The PVL in HAM and ACs were 1835.49 ± 382.81 and 280.97 ± 67.41 copies/104 PBMCs, which statistically differed. Significant differences were also observed in plasma levels of iron, copper, and ceruloplasmin, among the three groups, while ferritin level was not considerably different. For HAM severity, the mean Osame motor disability scale (OMDS) and overactive bladder-validated-8-questionnaire (OABV-8) scores were 4.97 ± 0.38 and 15.75 ± 0.83, respectively, that had no significant correlations with the biochemical variables. Even though the studied elements in HAM group did not affect the severity of the disease, the levels of copper and ceruloplasmin might be determinants of the development and progression of HAM, as they are shown to play role in progression of other neurological diseases.

Increased Th17 functions are accompanied by Tregs activities in lupoid leishmaniasis

The immunopathogenesis of lupoid leishmaniasis is challenging. Although an appropriate immune response is critical for controlling these parasites, inappropriate inflammatory reactions can also promote increased pathology. The role of immune modulatory effect of the main transcription factors and cytokines of T regulatory and Th17 cells in pathogenesis of leishmaniasis chronicity was investigated in this study. The gene expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1), forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), interleukin-17(IL-17A) and retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (ROrC) was assessed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of eighty blood samples from cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients with usual lesions (n = 31), lupoid lesions (n = 29) and healthy volunteers (n = 20). Quantitative relative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed using the Taqman and Sybergreen methods for expression of target genes. Expression of Foxp3 (P = .013), IL-10 (P < .001) and IL-17A (P < .001) was significantly higher in lupoid patient compare to the nonlupoid group. Expression of Foxp3 (P < .001), IL-10 (P < .001) and IL-17A (P = .033) was significantly more in nonlupoid subjects than in healthy volunteers, except for RORγt. These findings suggest that Foxp3+ cells, IL-10 and IL-17 play important roles in the immunopathogenesis of CL and that these roles differ depending on the causal leishmania species and different body compartments.

Evaluation of T Regulatory Lymphocytes Transcription Factors in HTLV-1-Associated Myelopathy/Tropical Spastic Paraparesis (HAM/TSP) Patients

HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) is an aggressive neurological disease. The CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cell population plays pivotal roles in the maintenance of immunological tolerance and prevention of such autoimmune diseases. In the current study, proviral load (PVL), factor forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), and glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR) gene expression and regulatory T cells (Tregs) counts of 21 HAM/TSP patients and 16 HTLV-1 healthy carriers (ACs) were measured using real-time PCR, TaqMan method, and flow cytometry. The demographic, history of disease, and severity of myelopathy were assessed by a checklist and the Osame motor disability score (OMDS). The mean OMDS for HAM/TSP was 4.82 ± 2.37 which had no significant correlation with Treg count or the expression of Foxp3, GITR, and PVL. The CD4⁺CD25⁺ cell counts had no significant differences between HAM/TSP and ACs. Findings revealed a higher PVL in HAM/TSPs (313.36 copies/10⁴) compared to ACs (144.93 copies/10⁴, p = 0.035). The Foxp3 and GITR mRNA levels were lower in HAM/TSP patients (11.78 and 13.80, respectively) than those in healthy carriers (18.44 and 21.00, p = 0.041 and 0.03, respectively). There was a significant correlation between Treg frequency and Foxp3 gene expression (R = 0.67, p = 0.006) and GITR and Foxp3 (R = 0.84, p = 0.042) in HAM/TSP patients. Furthermore, the transcription factors have strong correlations with CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cell frequencies. These findings suggest that HTLV-1 infection can modify the expression of main functional transcription factors, FOXP3 and GITR, which may lead to immune response deterioration of Tregs and consequently HAM/TSP manifestation.

Study of the Vitamin D Levels in Patients Referred to Clinical Laboratories in Mashhad in 2015 and their Relationship with the Patients' Lipid Profiles

INTRODUCTION

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that has a significant role in the metabolism of minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus; it also is a major determinant of the strength of bones. This hormone has a significant effect on three major health issues that people worldwide encounter, i.e., high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes. Considering the limited and dispersed studies on the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in Iran and the relationship of vitamin D with lipid profiles in different people, this study was conducted to determine the vitamin D levels in patients and its relationship with their lipid profiles.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015 on 1,110 patients who were referred to the two laboratories at Jihad Daneshgahi and to eight specialist laboratories in Mashhad through random sampling of patients for whom serum vitamin D and serum lipid tests were prescribed. The data that were obtained were entered into SPSS 13 software.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight percent of the patients in the study were deficient in vitamin D. The vitamin D levels in males were significantly lower than those in females (p < 0.05). The relationship between age and vitamin D deficiency was significant as well (p < 0.05). A positive and significant relationship was observed between age and vitamin D deficiency (p = 0.000, r = 0.187), i.e., vitamin D deficiency was more apparent in patients whose ages were in the range of 40-59. The relationship between the levels of vitamin D and serum lipids was significant and positive (p = 0.05), with the exception of LDL.

CONCLUSION

About two-thirds of the population that was studied had a vitamin D deficiency. There was a positive and significant relationship between serum vitamin D and serum lipids and serum calcium. The results of this study showed the necessity for more research and the implementation of preventive measures related to vitamin D deficiency. It is recommended that vitamin D enrichment programs be planned and implemented.

The effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on inflammatory and angiogenic factors in hypercholesterolemia

BACKGROUND

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) can be activated during hyperlipidemia. Angiotensin II increases the migration of monocytes, cytokine levels, and gene expressions of VEGF and VCAM-1. With this in mind, the present work attempted to investigate the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition on VEGF, VCAM-1, and nitric oxide (NO) serum levels in hypercholesterolemic rats.

METHODS

Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups including normal diet+saline injection (control), hypercholesterol diet+saline injection, normal diet+captopril injection, and hypercholesterol diet+captopril injection. Before and after the beginning of the diet and after the treatment, the serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL, and NO were measured. Finally, gene expressions of VCAM-1 and VEGF in the vascular cells from aorta were determined.

RESULTS

Hypercholesterolemic diet increased the serum levels of cholesterol, LDL (p<0.001), triglycerides (p<0.01) and decreased HDL (p<0.001). Captopril caused a reduction in the serum levels of cholesterol, LDL (p<0.001), and triglycerides (p<0.05) as well as an increase in HDL levels (p<0.01). Although the serum levels of NO decreased after hypercholesterolemic diet (p<0.001), no significant change was observed after the treatment. Increased gene expressions of VEGF (p<0.05) and VCAM-1 (p<0.01) in hypercholesterolemia were regressed in captopril treated rats (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Captopril, an ACE inhibitor, improves hyperlipidemia and prevents from overexpression of genes for VEGF and VCAM-1, that are implicated in the inflammation and angiogenesis.

Distribution of Hepatitis C virus genotypes in city of Mashhad, North-east of Iran

PURPOSE

Six major hepatitis C virus genotypes have been characterised, which vary in their geographical distribution. The prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in an area is not constant, and depends on the changes in route of infection, which may change over time. In this study, the distribution of HCV genotypes in Mashhad, the capital of Razavi Khorasan province in north-east of Iran was investigated. Mashhad is a holy city of Shiate Moslems, which attracts more than 20 million tourists and pilgrims every year.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred and seventy-eight HCV infected subjects (227 males and 51 females) were included in this study. HCV genotypes were analysed by type specific reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

Genotype 3a was detected in 49.6%, 1a in 36.3%, 1b in 12.6% and 2a in 0.4%. Two HCV genotypes were detected in 1.1% cases; 1a +3a in 1%, 3a + 1b in 0.4%. Genotypes 2b and 3b were not detected in any samples.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrated that despite the previous reports on the frequency of HCV genotypes in Iran, 3a is the predominant genotype in Mashhad.

Assessment of HTLV-I proviral load, HIV viral load and CD4 T cell count in infected subjects; with an emphasis on viral replication in co-infection

OBJECTIVE(S)

HTLV-I and HIV virus quantification is an important marker for assessment of virus activities. Since there is a direct relationship between the number of virus and disease progression, HTLV-I and HIV co-infection might have an influence on the development of viral associated diseases, thus, viral replication of these viruses and co-infection were evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, 40 subjects were selected; 14 HIV infected, 20 HTLV-I infected and 6 HTLV-I/HIV co-infected subjects. The amount of viruses was measured using qPCR TaqMan method and CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes were assessed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

The mean viral load of HIV infected subjects and HTLV-I infected individuals were 134626.07±60031.07 copies/ml and 373.6±143.3 copies/10(4) cells, respectively. The mean HIV viral load in co-infected group was 158947±78203.59 copies/ml which is higher than HIV infected group. The mean proviral load of HTLV-I in co-infected group was 222.33±82.56 copies/ml which is lower than HTLV-I infected group (P<0.05). Also, the mean white blood cell count was higher in co-infected group (5666.67±1146.49 cells/μl). However, the differences between these subjects did not reach to a statistical significance within 95% confidence interval level (P =0.1). No significant differences were observed regarding CD4 and CD8 positive lymphocytes between these groups.

CONCLUSION

HTLV-I/HIV co-infection might promote HIV replication and could reduce the HTLV-I proviral load, in infected cells. Considering the presence of both viruses in Khorasan provinces, it encourages researchers and health administrators to have a better understanding of co-infection outcome.