scholarly journals Mirtazapine Treatment of a Severe Depressive Episode and Resolution of Elevated Inflammatory Markers

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Shahzad M. Alikhan ◽  
Jessica A. Lee ◽  
Luiz Dratcu
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Depressive Episode ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Therapeutic Response ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Medical Comorbidity ◽  
Antidepressant Response ◽  
Depressed Patients

Depression has been shown to be associated with systemic inflammatory activity and the mode of action of several antidepressants appears to involve immunomodulation. Effects on immune system activity have also recently been observed in correlation with therapeutic response to mirtazapine in cardiac patients with depression, but no study has yet examined these effects in otherwise physically healthy depressed patients treated with mirtazapine. This report describes an association between a clinical antidepressant response and a decrease in markers of systemic inflammation observed during pharmacotherapy with mirtazapine in a severely depressed but physically well patient. This observation adds to the evidence that changes in inflammatory responses may be implicated in the mode of action of antidepressants. Further studies of antidepressant responses to mirtazapine and levels of inflammatory markers in depressed patients without medical comorbidity can help elucidate the role of the immune system in the pathophysiology of depression, and hence contribute to the development of novel antidepressant therapies.

scholarly journals The Gene Regulatory Roles of Herbal Extracts on the Growth, Immune System, and Reproduction of Fish

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2167
Author(s):  
Ehsan Ahmadifar ◽  
Hamideh Pourmohammadi Fallah ◽  
Morteza Yousefi ◽  
Mahmoud A. O. Dawood ◽  
Seyed Hossein Hoseinifar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Medicinal Herbs ◽  
Environmental Stressors ◽  
Fish Diet ◽  
Sustainable Aquaculture ◽  
Herbal Supplements ◽  
Aquatic Animals ◽  
Gene Regulatory

The crucial need for safe and healthy aquatic animals obligates researchers in aquaculture to investigate alternative and beneficial additives. Medicinal herbals and their extracts are compromised with diverse effects on the performances of aquatic animals. These compounds can affect growth performance and stimulate the immune system when used in fish diet. In addition, the use of medicinal herbs and their extracts can reduce oxidative stress induced by several stressors during fish culture. Correspondingly, aquatic animals could gain increased resistance against infectious pathogens and environmental stressors. Nevertheless, the exact mode of action where these additives can affect aquatic animals’ performances is still not well documented. Understanding the mechanistic role of herbal supplements and their derivatives is a vital tool to develop further the strategies and application of these additives for feasible and sustainable aquaculture. Gene-related studies have clarified the detailed information on the herbal supplements’ mode of action when administered orally in aquafeed. Several review articles have presented the potential roles of medicinal herbs on the performances of aquatic animals. However, this review article discusses the outputs of studies conducted on aquatic animals fed dietary, medicinal herbs, focusing on the gene expression related to growth and immune performances. Furthermore, a particular focus is directed to the expected influence of herbal supplements on the reproduction of aquatic animals.

The attenuation of pain behaviour and serum interleukin-6 concentration by nimesulide in a rat model of neuropathic pain

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 229-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taraneh Moini Zanjani ◽  
Masoumeh Sabetkasaei ◽  
Behnaz Karimian ◽  
Farzaneh Labibi ◽  
Babak Farokhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Pain Behaviour ◽  
Behavioural Tests

AbstractBackgroundEvidence for a role of immune system in hyperalgesic pain states is increasing. Recent work in neuroimmunology suggests that the immune system does more than simply perform its well known functions of recognizing and removing invading pathogens and tumors. Interest in neuroinflammation and neuroimmune activation has grown rapidly in recent years with the recognition of the role of central nervous system inflammatiom and immune responses in the aetiology of pain states. Among various theories, the role of inflammatory responses of the injured nerve has recently received attention. Cytokines are heterogenous group of polypeptides that activate the immune system and mediate inflammatory responses, acting on a variety of tissue, including the peripheral and central nervous system. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is potentially important in pain aetiology, have pronociceptive actions. Neuropathic pain may be due to a primary insult to the peripheral or central nervous system. Substances released during inflammation from immune cells play an important role in the development and maintenance of chronic pain. Nimesulide, a highly selective cox-2 inhibitor, effectively reduces hyperalgesia due to peripherally administration of inflammatory agents like formalin. The safety of nimesulide was reported for some conditions in which other NSAIDs are contraindicated. Here we have determined the effect of nimesulide on pain behaviour and serum IL-6 level in chronic constriction injury (CCI) model of neuropathic pain.MethodsExperiments were carried out on male Wistar rats, (weight 150–200 g, n = 8). Rats were divided into 3 different groups: 1-CCI + saline 0.9% 2Sham + saline 0.9% (control) 3CCI + drug. Nimesulide (1.25, 2.5, 5 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected 1h before surgery and continued daily to day 14 post-ligation. 42 °C water for thermal hyperalgesia, von Frey filaments for mechanical allodynia, acetone test for cool allodynia and 10 °C water for cold hyperalgesia were respectively used as pain behavioural tests. Behavioural tests were recorded before surgery and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and the serum concentration of IL-6 was determined at the day 14.ResultsThe results of this study showed a decrease in hyperalgesia and allodynia following nimesulide administration.ConclusionsIt appears that nimesulide was able to reduce pain behaviour due to nerve inflammation and a parallel decrease in the serum IL-6 concentration was observed.ImplicationsThe immune system is an important mediator in the cascade of events that ultimately results in hyperalgesia. Cytokines contribute to the patheogenesis of neuropathic pain, therefore drugs that inhibit cytokine release from immune cells may reduce inflammatory pain states.

scholarly journals Gut–neuroimmune interactions: the unexpected role of the immune system in brain development

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Spichak ◽  
Timothy G. Dinan ◽  
John F. Cryan
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Brain Development ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Brain Health ◽  
Cytokines And Chemokines ◽  
The Brain

How does the immune system impact brain development? The exciting and somewhat unexpected relationship between the immune system and the brain has become one of the most fascinating topics in neuroscience. Even though the immune system was initially implicated in resolving viral and bacterial threats, it is now becoming more evident that it also plays a role in processes in the brain, both under healthy and pathological conditions. This novel role of the immune system in brain health has been implicated in various psychopathologies where neurodevelopment, stress and mood are central. In particular, its role in healthy brain development is becoming more evident, and understanding neuroimmune communication is becoming crucial in treating neurodevelopmental and mood disorders in later life. In the brain, glia function as part of the innate immune system and are programmed to respond to pathogens and physical injury. They also play an important role in neuronal development and pruning. These cells communicate with and respond to chemical signals, such as cytokines and chemokines, which can then initiate or downregulate inflammatory responses. Finally, the trillions of microbes residing in the gut can also stimulate cytokine and chemokine responses in the periphery and play an important role in both immunity and brain development.

Role of the Innate Immune System in the Development, Progression, and Therapeutic Response of Bladder Cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 650-652 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Daza ◽  
Andrew Charap ◽  
Peter N. Wiklund ◽  
John P. Sfakianos
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Therapeutic Response ◽  
Innate Immune

Immune and Inflammatory Responses to Stroke: Good Or Bad?

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 254-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. McCombe ◽  
S. J. Read
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Regulatory Lymphocytes ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Inflammatory and immune responses play important roles following ischaemic stroke. Inflammatory responses contribute to damage and also contribute to repair. Injury to tissue triggers an immune response. This is initiated through activation of the innate immune system. In stroke there is microglial activation. This is followed by an influx of lymphocytes and macrophages into the brain, triggered by production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This inflammatory response contributes to further tissue injury. There is also a systemic immune response to stroke, and there is a degree of immunosuppression that may contribute to the stroke patient's risk of infection. This immunosuppressive response may also be protective, with regulatory lymphocytes producing cytokines and growth factors that are neuroprotective. The specific targets of the immune response after stroke are not known, and the details of the immune and inflammatory responses are only partly understood. The role of inflammation and immune responses after stroke is twofold. The immune system may contribute to damage after stroke, but may also contribute to repair processes. The possibility that some of the immune response after stroke may be neuroprotective is exciting and suggests that deliberate enhancement of these responses may be a therapeutic option.

scholarly journals Role of the Immune System in Hypertension

2017 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 1127-1164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardo Rodriguez-Iturbe ◽  
Hector Pons ◽  
Richard J. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Immune System ◽  
High Blood Pressure ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Immunosuppressive Drugs ◽  
Organ Injury ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Experimental Hypertension ◽  
Immune Reactivity

High blood pressure is present in more than one billion adults worldwide and is the most important modifiable risk factor of death resulting from cardiovascular disease. While many factors contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension, a role of the immune system has been firmly established by a large number of investigations from many laboratories around the world. Immunosuppressive drugs and inhibition of individual cytokines prevent or ameliorate experimental hypertension, and studies in genetically-modified mouse strains have demonstrated that lymphocytes are necessary participants in the development of hypertension and in hypertensive organ injury. Furthermore, immune reactivity may be the driving force of hypertension in autoimmune diseases. Infiltration of immune cells, oxidative stress, and stimulation of the intrarenal angiotensin system are induced by activation of the innate and adaptive immunity. High blood pressure results from the combined effects of inflammation-induced impairment in the pressure natriuresis relationship, dysfunctional vascular relaxation, and overactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Imbalances between proinflammatory effector responses and anti-inflammatory responses of regulatory T cells to a large extent determine the severity of inflammation. Experimental and human studies have uncovered autoantigens (isoketal-modified proteins and heat shock protein 70) of potential clinical relevance. Further investigations on the immune reactivity in hypertension may result in the identification of new strategies for the treatment of the disease.

Acrylamide Induced Toxicity and the Propensity of Phytochemicals in Amelioration: A Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinomol George Kunnel ◽  
Sunitha Subramanya ◽  
Pankaj Satapathy ◽  
Ishtapran Sahoo ◽  
Farhan Zameer
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Skeletal System ◽  
Mitochondrial Dysfunctions ◽  
Acrylamide Formation ◽  
Mechanism Of Toxicity ◽  
Fried Foods

Acrylamide is widely found in baked and fried foods, produced in large amount in industries and is a prime component in toxicity. This review highlights various toxicities that are induced due to acrylamide, its proposed mode of action including oxidative stress cascades and ameliorative mechanisms using phytochemicals. Acrylamide formation, the mechanism of toxicity and the studies on the role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunctions are elaborated in this paper. The various types of toxicities caused by Acrylamide and the modulation studies using phytochemicals that are carried out on various type of toxicity like neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, immune system, and skeletal system, as well as embryos have been explored. Lacunae of studies include the need to explore methods for reducing the formation of acrylamide in food while cooking and also better modulators for alleviating the toxicity and associated dysfunctions along with identifying its molecular mechanisms.

scholarly journals The Positive Role of Tai Chi in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7479
Author(s):  
Suodi Xu ◽  
Julien S. Baker ◽  
Feng Ren
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Biological Research ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Positive Role

The ongoing coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has posed a significant threat to both people’s physical and mental health. Physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and negative emotions among the general population have been significantly increased because of COVID-19 home confinement. These are major risk factors associated with higher incidences of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, effective exercise management should be proposed as a prevention strategy to improve both physical and mental health while diminishing the effects of COVID-19. Tai Chi as a low-to-moderate aerobic exercise combines physical and mental training and plays a positive impact on human health. Here we aim to outline the effects of Tai Chi on the immune system, inflammatory responses, pulmonary function, and emotional control. The benefits of Tai Chi practice for individuals coping with COVID-19 are stated here which include immune system promotion, inflammation response reduction, rehabilitation in respiratory diseases, and emotional improvement. This statement has been supported by available clinical, physiological, and biological research. As a result, we hope to introduce Tai Chi as an effective exercise intervention for people coping with COVID-19 and as a beneficial exercise for maintaining an active lifestyle during a pandemic.

scholarly journals The Many Faces of Innate Immunity in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 596
Author(s):  
Nicholas Hanan ◽  
Ronnie L. Doud ◽  
In-Woo Park ◽  
Harlan P. Jones ◽  
Stephen O. Mathew
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
System A ◽  
Genetic Risks ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
The Many ◽  
Lung Tissue Damage

The innate immune system is important for initial antiviral response. SARS-CoV-2 can result in overactivity or suppression of the innate immune system. A dysregulated immune response is associated with poor outcomes; with patients having significant Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte ratios (NLR) due to neutrophilia alongside lymphopenia. Elevated interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 leads to overactivity and is a prominent feature of severe COVID-19 patients. IL-6 can result in lymphopenia; where COVID-19 patients typically have significantly altered lymphocyte subsets. IL-8 attracts neutrophils; which may play a significant role in lung tissue damage with the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps leading to cytokine storm or acute respiratory distress syndrome. Several factors like pre-existing co-morbidities, genetic risks, viral pathogenicity, and therapeutic efficacy act as important modifiers of SARS-CoV-2 risks for disease through an interplay with innate host inflammatory responses. In this review, we discuss the role of the innate immune system at play with other important modifiers in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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