Paraoxonase 1 rs662 polymorphism, its related variables, and COVID-19 intensity: Considering gender and post-COVID complications.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) rs662 polymorphism, arylesterase (ARE) activity, and the serum lipid profile in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in different stages of the disease considering post-COVID outcomes. A total of 470 COVID-19 patients (235 female and 235 male patients) were recruited into the study, and based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, the patients were divided into three groups: moderate, severe, and critical. PON1 rs662 polymorphism was determined by the Alw 1 enzyme followed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Moreover, serum levels of triglycerides (TG), cholesterol (Chol), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), as well as the level of the ARE activity of PON1 in the sera of patients were measured at the time of infection and one and three months after hospitalization. There was a significant relationship between the G allele and the severity of the disease. In addition, the probability of death in homozygous individuals (GG) was higher than in heterozygous patients (GA), and it was higher in heterozygous patients than in wild-type individuals (AA). There was also a significant relationship between the decrease in serum lipids and the intensity of COVID-19. On the contrary, at the onset of the disease, the HDL-c level and serum ARE activity were reduced compared to one and three months after COVID-19 infection. The findings of this study indicated the significant impact of PON1 rs662 polymorphism on ARE activity, lipid profiles, disease severity, and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Protective effect of Mumiju against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we elucidated the ameliorative effect of aqueous extract of leaves of Mumiju against acetic acid-induced experimental colitis in male rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animals were randomly divided into four groups (n=7) including I: control group, II: vehicle group (injected with 2 ml acetic acid (4%) intra rectally), III and IV: treatment groups which received Mumiju (250 mg/kg) orally or intraperitoneally for 4 consecutive days after ulcer induction. Ulcer index, severity of inflammation, colonic levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA), and histological changes were recorded after the treatment regimen of 4 days. RESULTS: The ulcer index, severity of inflammation and colonic MDA levels were increased following intrarectal instillation of acetic acid. Also, acetic acid significantly decreased the SOD and GSH levels. Treatment with Mumiju for 4 days exhibited significantly lowered oxidative stress, while elevated of SOD and GSH levels. Regenerative-healing patterns also was seen by histopathological findings after treatment with Mumiju. CONCLUSION: The present investigation demonstrates that Mumiju could be regarded as a herb with potent therapeutic value in the amelioration of experimental colitis in laboratory animals by modulation of oxidant- antioxidant system.

Time- and dose-dependent neuroprotective effects of sex steroid hormones on inflammatory cytokines after a traumatic brain injury.

Following a traumatic brain injury (TBI), excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines is the major cause of cerebral edema and neuronal loss. This study was designed to examine changes in concentrations of some proinflammatory cytokines-including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß)-in a rat model of TBI in which the animals were treated with different doses of estrogen or progesterone 6 and 24 h after the TBI. Adult female rats were divided into 14 groups. Hormones or vehicle were given intraperitoneally 30 min after a moderate TBI was induced by the Marmarou method. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines in brain were measured at 6 and 24 h after the TBI. A high dose of estrogen (E2) or a low dose of progesterone (P1) increased brain levels of IL-1ß 52.7% and 79.2% respectively at 6 h after the TBI. By 24h, IL-1ß levels in the brain were 27.5% and 27% lower following administration of estrogen low dose (E1) or E2, respectively. High-dose administration of progesterone reduced brain levels of IL-6 to 45.9% at 6 h after the TBI, and P1 and E1 treatment significantly decreased IL-6 levels at 24 h. Brain levels of TNF-α were 72.5% lower at 6 h after the TBI following P2 treatment and 48.5% higher at 24 hrs following treatment with E2. The levels of TGF-ß were also 3.37 times higher 24 h after the TBI following treatment with E1. Both doses of the hormones tested increases TGF-ß levels 6 h after the TBI. Based on our findings, we conclude that progesterone and estrogen influence the levels of proinflammatory cytokines either at the primary or secondary stages after a TBI. Accordingly, this study suggests a mechanism by which hormones reduce cerebral edema.