Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 1 2019 02 24 1 11 EN Saloomeh Fouladi Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Mohsen Masjedi Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Mazdak Ganjalikhani Hakemi Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Nahid Eskandari Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 2017 11 22 2018 05 16 Allergic asthma is the most common type of allergy which have become increasingly prevalent in all around the world. Airway eosinophilic inflammation is a major feature of allergic asthma. Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice) is one of the regular herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as it has many effects on the immune system such as anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory activity; antiviral and antitumor effects. This review focuses on the "licorice” components, mainly glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and derivatives structure that evaluate its effects on the allergic asthma. We performed searching articles in Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus data bank from 1990 to 2017. The search syntax were: "glycyrrhizin" OR " glycyrrhizic acid" OR " glycyrrhizinic acid" OR" glycyrrhiza glabra" OR " liquorice root" OR "G. glabra" OR "glycyrrhizic Acid" AND "allergic asthma" OR "bronchial asthma" OR "asthma, bronchial" OR "airway hyper-responsiveness" OR "airway inflammation". Several molecular mechanisms and inflammatory mediators may possibly be responsible for efficacy of glycyrrhizin. Some in vitro studies indicated to the fact that possible mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effects could be through reduction of pro-inflammatory mediator's synthesis that motivates eosinophil, basophils and mast cells to release cytokines for the differentiation of T helper cells into Th2 cells to secrete interleukins. Furthermore, some transcription factors such as NF-κB, STAT6 and HDAC2 go between modulations of anti-asthmatic effects. The last but not the least it can be said that glycyrrhizin is potentially a good herbal drug with the lower most adverse effects for asthma treatment. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/1740 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/1740/1398

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 1 2019 02 24 12 26 EN Farzaneh Shakeri Natural Products and Medicinal Plants Research Center, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran Vahideh Ghorani Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Saeideh Saadat Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Zahra Gholamnezhad Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mohammad Hossein Boskabady Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran AND Neurogenic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2017 12 28 2018 05 09 Medicinal plants have been identified and used as primary sources in prevention and treatment of pulmonary diseases (mainly obstructive pulmonary diseases) from ancient times due to various pharmacological activities. In this review, the stimulatory effects of extracts, some fractions and constituents of medicinal plants on β2-adrenoceptors which could be used as possible therapeutic agents in the future were reviewed. Various databases including; Medline, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using stimulatory effect, β2-adrenoceptors, possible mechanism, tracheal smooth muscle (TSM), medicinal plants and their constituents as keywords from 1985 to 2017. All studied plants including; Nigella sativa, Rosa damascena, Thymus vulgaris, Carum copticom, Carum carvi, Zataria multiflora, Crocus sativus, Cuminum cyminum, Liomnia acidissima, Portulaca oleraceae, Satureja hortensis, Ephedra sinica and Achillea millefolium showed relaxant effect on tracheal smooth muscle with a stimulatory effect on β2-adrenoceptors mechanism. The studied plants and their constituents could be of therapeutic value in clinical practice as a bronchodilatory drug by β2-adrenoceptors stimulatory mechanism for treatment of obstructive pulmonary diseases. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/1803 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/1803/1378

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 1 2019 02 02 27 37 EN Emel Ceylan Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Aydın, Turkey Sertan Bulut Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Atatürk Chest Diseases and Chest Surgery Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey Mustafa Yilmaz Department of Biochemistry, Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Aydın, Turkey Hüseyin Örün Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Aydın, Turkey Fisun Karadağ Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Aydın, Turkey İmran Ömürlü Department of Biostatistics, Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Aydın, Turkey Sevin Kirdar Department of Clinical Microbiology, Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Aydın, Turkey Aslıhan Karul Department of Biochemistry, Adnan Menderes University Medical School, Aydın, Turkey 2017 11 25 2018 05 09 The effects of comorbidities on systemic inflammation markers in stable asthmatics and the consequences of such effects have not been well evaluated. We aimed to evaluate the effect of comorbidities on clinical manifestations and systemic inflammation in asthmatic patients under control. The study group consisted of asthmatic patients who applied to our pulmonology outpatient clinic and volunteered to participate. 120 clinically stable asthma patients (71 females and 49 males) and 35 healthy controls (19 females and 16 males) with similar age, gender, and body mass index distributions were admitted to the study. The levels of osteopontin, interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 13 (IL-13), eosinophilic cationic protein, adiponectin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein of the individuals were evaluated using commercial ELISA kits by taking venous blood samples. Of 120 asthmatic subjects, 47 (39, 2%) had comorbidities and allergic rhinitis (15%) coexisted most frequently. Other comorbidities associated with asthma were gastroesophageal reflux, sinusitis, hypertension, diabetes, gastritis, and peptic ulcus respectively. There was no physician-diagnosed comorbidity in the control group. The levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were found higher in asthma group with comorbidities when compared to those with no comorbidities (p were 0.032 and 0.046, respectively). Comorbidities interfere with the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, besides affecting the disease control. Our findings suggest the possibility of the impact of comorbidities on systemic inflammation markers, especially IL-6 and IL-8. To evaluate the impact of comorbidities on asthma control and systemic markers, further studies are needed. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/1750 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/1750/1390

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 1 2019 02 24 38 47 EN Shole Faridi Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran Norouz Delirezh Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran Seyyed Meysam Abtahi Froushani Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran 2018 03 02 2018 07 30 Streptozocin (STZ) is a strong alkalizing agent which is capable of destroying the beta cells of the pancreatic islets. Multiple low doses (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days) prescription of STZ to mice can lead to the T cell-dependent immune response and induction of autoimmune diabetes (AD) with complete similarity to the human type 1 diabetes (T1D). This study has evaluated the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of saffron on the clinical and immunological profile of experimental autoimmune diabetes in C57BL/6 mice. After the establishment of the AD, mice were treated orally with hydroalcoholic extract of saffron (500 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. The results with p<0.05 were considered significant. Obtained data showed that treatment with the hydroalcoholic extract of saffron significantly reduced the incidence of hypoglycemia and restored insulin secretion and histopathological changes in pancreas sections. In addition, treatment with saffron reduced lymphocyte proliferation index in the cells isolated from the pancreas of diabetic mice. Also, the extract of saffron markedly decreased the production of pro-inflammatory interleukin-17 (IL-17) increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 and transforming growth factor-β in the pancreatic cell population. Moreover, the production of proinflammatory nitric oxide and reactive oxygen substances were down-regulated by the saffron extract. It seems that the hydroalcoholic extract of saffron can be considered as a useful strategy in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/1886 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/1886/1389

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 1 2019 02 24 48 61 EN Hassan Ghobadi Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Division, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran Mohammad Reza Alipour Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Rana Keyhanmanesh Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Mohammad Hossein Boskabady Neurogenetic Inflammation Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mohammad Reza Aslani Ardabil Imam Khomeini Educational and Clinical Hospital, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran 2018 02 15 2018 07 18 Epidemiological and clinical studies have demonstrated a close association between obesity and asthma. The current study investigated the effect of high-fat diet on tracheal responsiveness to methacholine and insulin resistance in ovalbumin (OVA) sensitized male and female rats. The rats were divided into eight groups (n=6 per group): female with the normal diet (F+ND), male with the normal diet (M+ND), female OVA-sensitized with the normal diet (F+SND), male OVA-sensitized with the normal diet (M+SND), female with high-fat diet (F+HFD), male with high-fat diet (M+HFD), female OVA-sensitized with high-fat diet (F+SHFD), and male OVA-sensitized with high-fat diet (M+SHFD). All rats were fed for 8 weeks with high-fat diet or standard pelts, and for another 4 weeks, they were sensitized with OVA or saline. At the end of the study, the tracheal responsiveness to methacholine, serum insulin, and blood glucose levels was measured. Also, insulin resistance indexes were determined. OVA-sensitization and diet-induced obesity caused the curve of methacholine concentration response to shifting to the left. In addition, results indicated that the EC50 (the effective concentration of methacholine generating 50% of peak response) in F+SHFD rats was statistically lower than M+SHFD group (p<0.05). Moreover, insulin resistance was higher in the F+SHFD than the M+SHFD group (p<0.001). These results suggest that insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome may be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity associated with OVA-sensitized rats condition, especially in female animals.   https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/1874 https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/download/1874/1394

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 1 2019 02 24 62 71 EN Lei Chong Institute of Pediatrics, National Key Clinical Specialty of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China Liu Liu Department of Pediatrics, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China Lili Zhu Discipline of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China Haiyan Li Discipline of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China Youyou Shao Discipline of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China Hailin Zhang Discipline of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China Gang Yu Discipline of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China 2017 11 21 2018 05 06 Obese asthma is a new asthma phenotype. The underlying mechanisms are not clearly understood. Leptin and adiponectin are two predominant adipokines produced by adipose tissue. Studies have demonstrated a role of leptin on regulating the Janus kinase/signal transducer and ativator of transcription protein (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway and STAT3, STAT6 were known to have essential role on inflammatory cytokines production. However, whether STAT3 and STAT6 are activated and related to leptin merit further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels of leptin/adiponectin ratio and the activations of STAT3 and STAT6 in the lungs of obese asthma mice. Experiments were carried out on male C57/B6J mice. The proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measureb_url>

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 5 2019 10 23 501 510 EN Leila Siavoshinia Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Mostafa Jamalan Abadan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran Majid Zeinali Biotechnology Research Center, Research Institute of Petroleum Industry (RIPI), Tehran, Iran Ghorban Mohammadzadeh Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Hyperlipidemia Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran 2018 07 28 2019 05 11 Targeting of cancerous cells with a high level of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expressions by drug immunoconjugates is a new approach for specific delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. Our previous work indicated that idarubicin-ZHER2 affibody conjugate has a great potential for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing malignant cell lines but possible induced immune response against constructed conjugate was not addressed. In the current study, the possibility of induction of humoral and cellular immune responses against idarubicin-ZHER2 affibody conjugate in BALB/c mice was investigated. For assessment of the induced immune response, prepared and qualified idarubicin-ZHER2 affibody conjugate was administrated intravenously to BALB/c mice and the induced cellular immune response was evaluated by measuring secretion levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) cytokines by the splenocytes. Humoral response of treated mice was also assessed by measuring total immunoglobulin G (IgG) titer in mice sera. The obtained results showed that idarubicin-ZHER2 affibody conjugate at any examined concentrations could not induce secretion of IFN-γ as a pro-inflammatory cytokine. A mild increase in the level of regulatory IL-10 cytokine was seen in the treated mice although no dose dependency in the level of IL-10 production was observed. Furthermore, results showed that idarubicin-ZHER2 conjugate could not induce IgG production in the treated mice. Based on these findings, the idarubicin-ZHER2 conjugate can be considered as a candidate for the development of new therapeutics against HER2-overexpressing cancers although further in vivo studies are needed. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2075

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 5 2019 10 23 511 522 Mahdieh Mehrab Mohseni Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran Jafar Amani Applied Microbiology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahdi Fasihi Ramandi Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Forouzandeh Mahjoubi Department of Medical Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran Mahyat Jafaria Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran Ali Hatef Salmanian Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, National Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran 2018 12 18 2019 05 26 Human epithelial growth factor receptor2 (Her2) and polymorphic epithelial mucin (MUC1) are tumor-associated antigens that have been extensively investigated in adenocarcinomas. Generally, each of these molecules was used separately for diagnosis of adenocarcinomas and as an injective vaccines in cancer therapy researches, but not in the chimeric form as an edible immunogen. In this study, Her2, MUC1, and a novel fusion structure were expressed in the seeds and hairy roots of transgenic plants appropriately. The mice groups were immunized either by feeding of transgenic seeds or hairy roots. All immunized groups showed a considerable rise in anti-glycoprotein serum IgG and IgA, and IFNɣ cytokine. However, the animals received chimeric protein showed significant higher immune responses in comparison to ones received one of these immunogen. The results indicated that the oral immunization of an animal model with transgenic plants could effectively elicit immune responses against two major tumor-associated antigens. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2237

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 5 2019 10 23 523 532 Tayebeh Nowras Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Mohammad Fereidouni Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Hamidreza Safari Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Mohsen Naseri Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran 2018 10 28 2019 05 22 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the autoimmune diseases that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and causes myelin loss and axonal damage. Recent studies have shown the important role of autoreactive T cells in the pathogenesis of MS. One of the plants in the Astersa family, which has therapeutic benefits is Artemisia dracunculus L. or Tarragon. In this study, the role of aqueous extract of Tarragon in suppressing Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and ameliorating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was investigated. EAE was induced in C57BL/6 female mice by Hook kit MOG35-55/CFA Emulsion PTX and one group was treated with Tarragon at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Mice were euthanized on day 33 post-immunization, spleens were removed for assessing Th1, Th17 and Treg cells by flow cytometry. We provided evidence that Tarragon (500 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated clinical scores of EAE. We did not observe significant alterations in T cell differentiation to Th1, Th17 or Treg in the spleen of mice during EAE. This is the first experimental evidence showing that administration of aqueous extract of Tarragon reduces the severity of EAE, but the protective effect of Tarragon is independent of alteration in T cells in the spleen. These results suggest other mechanisms for the effectiveness of this extract in improving the EAE process. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2177

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 5 2019 10 23 533 542 EN Amin Farzanegan Gharabolagh Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Taravat Bamdad Department of Virology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran Mehdi Hedayati Cellular and Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyed Ali Dehghan Manshadi Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2018 09 14 2018 11 04 There is a relationship between the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the synthesis and hemostasis of lipids as well as lipid metabolism and interferon (IFN) regulatory system. This study was aimed to examine the effect of fluvastatin and IFN-ƛ in the expression of mediators involved in lipid metabolism and HCV proliferation in patients with rs12979860 CC polymorphism. Thirteen patients with HCV and five controls with rs1297986CC polymorphism were included in this study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients and controls were treated by fluvastatin, IFN-λ or fluvastatin+IFN-λ. Assessment of IL-28B polymorphism, RNA extraction, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed. The mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 c (SREBP1c), ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1), and HCV core as well as measurement of ABCA1 protein level were evaluated before and after treatment. The results indicated that IFN-λ +fluvastatin acted as an inhibitor in mRNA expression of SREBP1c; while acting as an inducer in the expression of ABCA-1. The results of ABCA1 assay showed a significant increase of this protein after treatment with fluvastatin and IFN-λ compared with untreated cells (p=0.02). Moreover, the mRNA expression of HCV core was suppressed in all experimental groups treated with fluvastatin, IFN-λ or their combination which was more significant after treatment with fluvastatin+IFN-λ (p<0.001). The results of this study demonstrated the significant effect of treatment with fluvastatin+IFN-λ in PBMCs of HCV patients with rs12979860 CC polymorphism. According to the drug resistance of viruses and prevention of virus-induced steatosis in patients with HCV, using regulatory agents of lipid mediators in parallel with current medications could be considered as an effective therapeutic strategy. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2150

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 5 2019 10 23 543 553 Hamed Fouladseresht Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Atefe Ghamar Talepoor Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Shirin Farjadian Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Shahdad Khosropanah Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Mehrnoosh Doroudchi Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2019 06 12 2019 07 17 The relationship between high levels of anti-Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) IgG in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis commends a possible similar association in other vessels. We aimed to investigate the association of VZV-seropositivity with coronary artery atherosclerosis. We recruited 88 newly diagnosed patients with more than 50% stenosis in at least one of the main coronary arteries. As the control group, 99 age-matched individuals with normal/insignificant coronary artery findings were included. Clinical, paraclinical, and demographical data were gathered at the time of sampling. High‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were measured by nephelometry. VZV-seropositivity was determined by measuring of anti-VZV IgG level in plasma. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the correlation of data with coronary vascular atherosclerosis. The frequency of VZV-seropositivity was significantly higher in the atherosclerosis group compared to the controls (OR=1.88; 95%CI=1.03-3.44). The plasma levels of anti-VZV IgG were significantly higher in patients with atherosclerosis (Median=2.70, IQR=1.53-4.30 AU/mL) than in the controls (Median=2.10, IQR=1.70-3.10 AU/mL, p=0.034). The hsCRP levels in patients and controls were 5.19±2.00 and 1.51±1.07 mg/L, respectively. The correlation between hsCRP and anti-VZV IgG level in plasma was observed (r=0.40, p<0.001). The levels of hsCRP and anti-VZV IgG increased based on the number of diseased vessels but only the difference in hsCRP levels reached a significant level (p<0.001 and p=0.168, respectively). Our data suggest that VZV-seropositivity and hsCRP elevation jointly increase the risk of atherosclerosis. The multifactorial nature of atherosclerosis; however, leaves more options for the inflammatory milieu to be generated. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2436

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 5 2019 10 23 554 566 Zeinab Emruzi Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran Pegah Babaheidarian Department of Pathology, Rasul-e Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahmoud Arshad Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Research Center, Rasul-e Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Hannes Stockinger Institute for Hygiene and Applied Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Molecular Immunology Unit, Vienna, Austria Ghasem Ahangari Department of Medical Genetics, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran 2019 02 07 2019 05 04 Many observations showed that hypercholesterolemia can disrupt immune response. Statin drugs that were used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia patients can interfere in the regulation of the immune response and cytokine secretion. The primary aim of the current study was to investigate the immune response among treatment-naïve patients with hypercholesterolemia and healthy subjects. The secondary goal of the study was to determine whether atorvastatin can reverse the detrimental effect of hypercholesterolemia on the immune system. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 50 patients afflicted with hypercholesterolemia who were treatment-naïve along with 50 sex/age-matched hypercholesterolemia patients receiving atorvastatin, and 50 sex/age-matched healthy subjects. Quantitative PCR and ELISA methods were used for gene and protein expression analysis of T helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 related cytokines. Additionally, the expression of the cluster of differentiation (CD) markers on T, B, and natural killer (NK) cells was measured by flow cytometry method. The results showed that hypercholesterolemia and atorvastatin down-regulated the expression of Th1-related cytokines and elevated the levels of Th2-related cytokines. The expression of cell surface markers, CD25 and CD69, was significantly decreased in the treatment-naïve, and atorvastatin groups. It seems that atorvastatin is not able to repair the deleterious effects of hypercholesterolemia on the immune system. Moreover, elevated levels of cholesterol along with the administration of atorvastatin tilt the Th1/Th2 balance in favor of Th2 and reduce T cell activation. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2302

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 5 2019 10 23 567 571 Zahra Nafei Children Growth Disorders Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Nasrin Behniafard Department of Allergy and Immunology, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran Farzane Shefai Department of Pediatrics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran 2019 02 06 2019 05 20 Phenobarbital is still one of the most commonly used medical treatments for different types of seizures. It has numerous different side-effects. Antiepileptic hypersensitivity syndrome (AHS) is a rare and potentially life-threatening adverse reaction to aromatic anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital. Its characteristic features are fever, rash, and lymphadenopathy with different severity of hematologic abnormalities. This case report presents a 26-month-old girl that developed fever, disseminated maculopapular rash, petechiae and thrombocytopenia two weeks after the initiation of phenobarbital prescribed for febrile seizure prophylaxis. The patient was admitted in our center with the impression of hypersensitivity syndrome, so phenobarbital was discontinued and her treatment was resumed with methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin. After a few days, all symptoms improved and the platelet count was normalized. Thrombocytopenia is a rare complication of hypersensitivity syndrome to phenobarbital in children. Paying attention to this point can prevent the life-threatening adverse effects of this highly consumed medicine. https://ijaai.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijaai/article/view/2299

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology 1735-1502 18 5 2019 10 23 572 583 EN Hamza Elfekih Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia Faten Hadjkacem Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia Mouna Elleuch Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia Dorra<