RESUMEN
Objectives: Delayed tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolysis is accompanied by different complications in stroke patients. Studies reported sex differences in stroke therapy. Ischemic postconditioning (PC) unveils neuroprotection in stroke models. In this study, we investigate the combined effect of delayed tPA therapy and PC procedure during an embolic stroke experimental model in female rats. Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (saline), tPA, PC, and tPA+PC groups after stroke induction via clot injection to the middle cerebral artery. tPA treatment was initiated 6 hr after stroke, and PC procedure was performed 6.5 hr post-ischemia induction (occlusion: 10 sec; reopening: 30 sec; 5 cycles). The cerebral blood flow (CBF) was recorded up to 60 min from IV tPA injection time. The parameters of brain edema, infarct volume, disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), behavioral tests, and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) were evaluated. Results: This study revealed that PC conduction prevents excessive CBF increase by tPA and played a protective role in infarct volume reduction (P<0.05). The combination of PC and tPA reduced the infarct volume, brain edema, and protected BBB. tPA+PC could alleviate neurobehavioral disorders compared with control or tPA. Moreover, PC had the capability of MMP-9 reduction when combined with delayed tPA (P<0.05). Conclusion: Conduction of PC not only alleviated some stroke complications but also enhanced the therapeutic time window of tPA in female rats under embolic stroke.
RESUMEN
Imbalanced immune responses against fetus alloantigens can lead to abnormality in pregnancy. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) plays key roles in regulation of immune responses against self and foreign antigens to induce tolerance to these antigens. Therefore, alteration in expression of IL-10 during pregnancy may result in several pathologic conditions such as preterm labor. IL-10 leads to a normal pregnancy via several molecular mechanisms including development of tolerogenic dendritic cells, T regulatory lymphocytes and activation of the JAK1/STAT3 pathway in the target cells. This review has collected recent data regarding the status of IL-10 expression during term and preterm deliveries and also its molecular mechanisms that lead to a normal pregnancy.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: It has been documented that cytokines play important roles in the induction of normal functions of the placenta. It has been hypothesized that abnormal expression of the cytokines may be associated with unsuccessful pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the serum levels of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and tumor growth factor (TGF-ß) in pre-term, term neonates, and their corresponding mothers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 100 term and 60 pre-term neonates, and also on their corresponded mothers. Serum levels of IL-17A and TGF-ß were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Our results revealed that the serum levels of IL-17A were significantly decreased in pre-term neonates in comparison to full-term neonates. However, the serum levels of IL-17A in the mothers either with pre-term or full-term neonates were not different. Also the serum levels of TGF-ß were not changed in pre-term neonates and their mothers when compared with full-term neonates and their mothers, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it can be concluded that IL-17A may play crucial roles in induction of normal pregnancies and also probably participates in normal growth of fetus.
