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Vol.10 No.2 – 5: Modulating effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) oil on CD34 and vimentin expressions in fibrotic and cirrhotic liver tissues induced by CCl4 in mice

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Nabila I. El-Desouki1,*, Mohamed A. Basyouny1, Soha G. Okba1 , Rabab A. Hegazy2,*, Buthina S. Alshammari1

1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt

2 Department of Biology, University College in Darb, Jazan University, Al-Darb, Jazan 45142, Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

Aim: evaluate the impact of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) on CD34 and vimentin expression in hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis induced with CCl4 in experimental mice. Methods: GI: normal group given no therapy; control group. GII: received a daily dose (1mL/kg/bw/d) of milk thistle oil M.T.O for 4 weeks; GIII&GIV: injected i.p. with (1:1 ratio) mixture of CCl4 and olive oil (1mL/kg/bw) twice weekly for 4 weeks to induce fibrosis, and for 6 weeks to induce cirrhosis. Gp5 and Gp6: fibrotic and cirrhotic groups administered M.T.O as in Gp2. The results showed that liver sections of Gp1 and Gp2 showed normal moderate to strong CD34 expression in the endothelial cells of the blood sinusoids and many hepatocytes. The liver tissues of Gp3 and Gp4 expressed decrement CD34 immunoreactivity in many hepatic lobules. The liver sections of Gp5 or Gp6 showed restoration of CD34 expression in most of the hepatic tissues. In Gp1 and Gp2, the vimentin was expressed as weak or moderate immunostaining in the endothelial cells and connective tissues (wall of the blood sinusoids, central portal veins, and portal tract stroma). The liver sections of Gp3 and Gp4 showed overexpression of vimentin immunoreactivity. The treatment with M.T.O in Gp5 and Gp6 showed improvement and recovery of vimentin expression in the hepatic lobules. Conclusion: M.T.O. treatment improved the hepatic injury induced in fibrotic or cirrhotic tissues by CCl4 injection and could be recommended for patients with fibrotic and cirrhotic liver diseases.

Modulating effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) oil on CD34 and vimentin expressions in fibrotic and cirrhotic liver tissues induced by CCl4 in mice

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Vol.5 No.3 – 5 : Serum cytokine profile during disease progression stages in male and female hepatitis C patients

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By: Abdel-Rahman N. Zekri1, Abeer M. Badr2*, Shimaa Rabah2, Maysa El Razky3, Somaya El Deeb2

1Molecular Virology and Immunology Unit, Department of Cancer Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Cairo 11976, Egypt.

2Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, 12613, Egypt.

3Hepatology Department and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 11441, Egypt.

Abstract

T helper (Th) cytokines play a key role in the immunological aspects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) pathogenesis. The pattern of Th1 (IL-2, interferon (IFN)-γ), Th2 (IL-10), and immunomodulatory cytokines (IL-12, IL-1β, IFN-α and tumor necrosis factor-α receptor (TNF-αR2) balance participated in the outcome of host immune responses. The study aimed toinvestigate the serum levels of Th1/Th2 and immunomodulatory cytokines in HCV infected patients in both genders during various liver disease stages compared to healthy controls. Blood samples were collected from 16 healthy individuals and 77 patients at different disease stages including chronic, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Serum cytokine levels were measured by ELISA. Levels of serum IL-12 and IL-10 were significantly higher in both genders in all groups than those in corresponding healthy subjects. Whereas, HCV infected female patients showed significant lower levels of IL-2, IL-1β, IFN-α in chronic and cirrhosis stages than corresponding males. Serum level of IFN-γ could be utilized as biomarker for early detection of HCC. Finally, cytokine response variation in gender during various stages of disease, imply that the subsequent activation and attenuated functional immune responses displayed differences in the balance of Th1 and immunomodulatory related cytokines between females and males upon infection.

Serum cytokine profile during disease progression stages in male and female hepatitis C patients-converted

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