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Chiorean AD, Bâlici Ş, Nicula GZ, Vică ML, Nechita VI, Loga LII, Bordea MA, Simon LM, Matei HV. Are single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL-2 gene biomarkers for Hashimoto's thyroiditis? Med Pharm Rep 2024; 97:178-183. [PMID: 38746024 PMCID: PMC11090275 DOI: 10.15386/mpr-2739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and aims Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disorder that can lead to hypothyroidism. The pathophysiology of HT involves the production of antithyroid antibodies that attack the thyroid tissue, causing inflammation and progressive fibrosis. Recent studies demonstrated a strong correlation between Interleukin-2 (IL-2) levels and the development of autoimmune diseases, suggesting that this cytokine may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of HT. Methods In this study, we determined the presence of the point mutation +114T/G in the IL-2 gene in patients with HT compared with a control group, and also the serum level of anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPOAbs) and anti-thyroglobulin (TgAbs) antibodies in HT patients with vs. without the mutation. The sequences of the IL-2 gene obtained from subjects were determined by the Sanger sequencing method. Results Our study did not reveal that the +114T/G polymorphism of the IL-2 gene is a susceptibility or protective factor for HT. No significant correlations were observed between the reference genotype, hetero- and homozygous +114T/G polymorphism and TPOAbs, respectively TgAbs serum levels in HT patients. Conclusions Further studies of more cases are needed to identify more polymorphisms in the IL-2 gene and study their correlations with HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alin-Dan Chiorean
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ştefana Bâlici
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Gheorghe Zsolt Nicula
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihaela Laura Vică
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Legal Medicine Institute Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Vlad-Ionuţ Nechita
- Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | | | - Mădălina Adriana Bordea
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Laura-Mihaela Simon
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Horea Vladi Matei
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Legal Medicine Institute Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Pintea-Trifu ML, Bâlici Ş, Siserman CV, Vică ML, Matei HV. Chlamydia trachomatis and the HLA involvement in the development of infection and disease: a narrative review. Med Pharm Rep 2023; 96:335-345. [PMID: 37970191 PMCID: PMC10642737 DOI: 10.15386/mpr-2593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction CT (Chlamydia trachomatis) is among the most common pathogens leading to sexually transmitted diseases. Considering the uncertain mechanism by which HLA polymorphisms influence the CT infection, reinfection, comorbidities or evolution and because there is no consensus regarding the alleles involved in the pathogenesis of the infection, we considered necessary to perform a review to summarize the current knowledge of HLA related to CT. Methods Pubmed was researched using key terms. Out of the 198 results found, we analyzed articles of all types which describe how the MHC, through HLA alleles, participates in the different stages of CT penetration in the body, including studies about cells or other molecules involved in the process. Results Almost 40% of the variation in the clinical course of CT infection depends on host genetic factors. There are haplotypes that influence the infection susceptibility/resistance, haplotypes that are involved in the recurrence of the infection, haplotypes that are related to tubal infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease development or trachoma. Antibody to Chsp60 (influenced by MHC genes) has been observed to correlate with late tissue-damaging sequelae. Toll-like receptors were found to increase the susceptibility to CT. The association of HLA-B27 creates susceptibility of reactive arthritis in the organisms infected by CT, but does not influence the carriage of CT. Conclusion We identified HLA haplotypes belonging both to MHC class l and ll, which influence different stages of CT infection. Genetic risk factors still need research, especially on Caucasians. Studies are moving towards designing a safe and effective vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina-Luciana Pintea-Trifu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ştefana Bâlici
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Costel-Vasile Siserman
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Mihaela-Laura Vică
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Horea-Vladi Matei
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Wankeu-Nya M, Florea A, Bâlici Ş, Matei H, Watcho P, Kamanyi A. Cytoarchitectural improvement in Leydig cells of diabetic rats after treatment with aqueous and ethanol extracts of Dracaena arborea (Dracaenaceae). J Tradit Complement Med 2021; 11:1-8. [PMID: 33511056 PMCID: PMC7817706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Recent studies have demonstrated the androgenic effects of Dracaena arborea in castrated and diabetic rats, but the cytoarchitectural mechanism at the level of Leydig cells (LCs) justifying this improvement in androgens production in diabetic rats has never been examined. We investigated the effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of D. arborea on diabetes-induced cytoarchitectural impairments of LCs in rats. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Besides a normal group, 4 groups of diabetic rats were treated orally with Millipore water (10 ml/kg, diabetic), sildenafil citrate (1.44 mg/kg), aqueous (500 mg/kg) and ethanol (100 mg/kg) extracts of D. arborea for 21 days. On day 22, rats were sacrificed and the testes were removed and prepared for electron microscopic analyses of LCs ultrastructure. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The ultrastructure of LCs in control rats was normal, while that in diabetic rats exhibited large heterochromatization in the nuclei, reduced amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum with no lipid droplets in the cytoplasm, many autophagosomes and degenerated mitochondria containing lots of electron dense granules in the matrix. Interestingly, treatment with D. arborea especially its aqueous extract (500 mg/kg) alleviated these impairments, characterized by a rarification of heterochromatization in the nuclei coupled to an increase and the presence in the cytoplasm of prominent smooth endoplasmic reticulum and a reduction of electron dense granules in the matrix of mitochondria. These alleviating properties of D. arborea on LCs ultrastructure of diabetic rats could explain its androgenic potential. These results are useful for the management of patients suffering from diabetes-induced hypogonadism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Modeste Wankeu-Nya
- Animal Organisms Biology and Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P.O. BOX, 24157, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Adrian Florea
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 L. Pasteur St, Cluj-Napoca, 400359, Romania
| | - Ştefana Bâlici
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 L. Pasteur St, Cluj-Napoca, 400359, Romania
| | - Horea Matei
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 6 L. Pasteur St, Cluj-Napoca, 400359, Romania
| | - Pierre Watcho
- Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology Laboratory, University of Dschang, P.O. BOX 67, Dschang, Cameroon
| | - Albert Kamanyi
- Animal Physiology and Phytopharmacology Laboratory, University of Dschang, P.O. BOX 67, Dschang, Cameroon
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Jeican II, Matei H, Istrate A, Mironescu E, Bâlici Ş. Changes observed in erythrocyte cells exposed to an alternating current. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 90:154-160. [PMID: 28559698 PMCID: PMC5433566 DOI: 10.15386/cjmed-696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background and aims Appliance of electric pulses induces red blood cells (RBCs) membrane poration, membrane aminophospholipid perturbation and alteration of the normal flip-flop process, resulting in various shape changes of the RBCs. We studied morphological and water permeability changes of RBCs bombarded with electrons in an alternating current circuit. Methods We used three venous blood samples of 100 mL and an alternating current device. The harvested blood was divided into four experimental sets to be used for various exposure times: 0 hours (control RBCs), 0.5h, 3h and 6h (electric-stimulated RBCs). Following the electric current each of the four sets were further divided into three samples: one for the assessment of the echinocytes/RBCs ratio, another for the electron microscopy study of ultrastructural changes induced by the alternating electrical current and a larger third one for determining water permeability of RCBs by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and morphological measurements. Results There is a small but statistically significant effect of the RBC exposure to alternating electric current on cell diameters. Exposure to electric current is positively and strongly correlated with the percentage of echinocytes in a duration-dependent manner. There is a strong and statistically significant correlation between electric current exposure and permeability to water as measured by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Conclusion Following interactions between electric current and RBC membrane, certain modifications were observed in the erythrocyte structure. We attribute the increased cell size to a higher permeability to water and a decreased tonicity. This leads to the transformation of the RBCs into echinocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ionut Isaia Jeican
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Horea Matei
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandru Istrate
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Eugen Mironescu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ştefana Bâlici
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Bâlici Ş, Wankeu-Nya M, Rusu D, Nicula GZ, Rusu M, Florea A, Matei H. Ultrastructural Analysis of In Vivo Hypoglycemiant Effect of Two Polyoxometalates in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes. Microsc Microanal 2015; 21:1236-1248. [PMID: 26343528 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927615015020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Two polyoxometalates (POMs), synthesized through a self-assembling method, were used in the treatment of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. One of these nanocompounds [tris(vanadyl)-substituted tungsto-antimonate(III)-anions—POM1] was previously described in the literature, whereas the second [tris-butyltin-21-tungsto-9-antimonate(III)-anions—POM2], was prepared by us based on our original formula. In rats with STZ-induced diabetes treated with POMs (up to a cumulative dose of 4 mg/kg bodyweight at the end of the treatments), statistically significant reduced levels of blood glucose were measured after 3 weeks, as compared with the diabetic control groups (DCGs). Ultrastructural analysis of pancreatic β-cells (including the mean diameter of secretory vesicles and of their insulin granules) in the treated diabetic rats proved the POMs contribute to limitation of cellular degeneration triggered by STZ, as well as to the presence of increased amounts of insulin-containing vesicles as compared with the DCG. The two POMs also showed hepatoprotective properties when ultrastructural aspects of hepatocytes in the experimental groups of rats were studied. Based on our in vivo studies, we concluded that the two POMs tested achieved hypoglycemiant effects by preventing STZ-triggered apoptosis of pancreatic β-cells and stimulation of insulin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ştefana Bâlici
- 1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine,"Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy,6 Louis Pasteur St.,400349 Cluj-Napoca,România
| | - Modeste Wankeu-Nya
- 1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine,"Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy,6 Louis Pasteur St.,400349 Cluj-Napoca,România
| | - Dan Rusu
- 4Department of Physical-Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy,"Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy,6 Louis Pasteur St.,400349 Cluj-Napoca,România
| | - Gheorghe Z Nicula
- 1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine,"Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy,6 Louis Pasteur St.,400349 Cluj-Napoca,România
| | - Mariana Rusu
- 2Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,"Babeş-Bolyai" University,11 Arany Janos St.,400028 Cluj-Napoca,România
| | - Adrian Florea
- 1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine,"Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy,6 Louis Pasteur St.,400349 Cluj-Napoca,România
| | - Horea Matei
- 1Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine,"Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy,6 Louis Pasteur St.,400349 Cluj-Napoca,România
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Bâlici Ş, Şuşman S, Rusu D, Nicula GZ, Soriţău O, Rusu M, Biris AS, Matei H. Differentiation of stem cells into insulin-producing cells under the influence of nanostructural polyoxometalates. J Appl Toxicol 2015; 36:373-84. [DOI: 10.1002/jat.3218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2015] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ştefana Bâlici
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine; “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Cluj-Napoca România
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; “Babeş-Bolyai” University; Cluj-Napoca România
| | - Sergiu Şuşman
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine; “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Cluj-Napoca România
- Imogen Research Centre - Department of Pathology; Cluj-Napoca România
- Radiotherapy, Tumor and Radiobiology Laboratory; The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă”; Cluj-Napoca România
| | - Dan Rusu
- Department of Physical-Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy; “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Cluj-Napoca România
| | - Gheorghe Zsolt Nicula
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine; “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Cluj-Napoca România
| | - Olga Soriţău
- Radiotherapy, Tumor and Radiobiology Laboratory; The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuţă”; Cluj-Napoca România
| | - Mariana Rusu
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; “Babeş-Bolyai” University; Cluj-Napoca România
| | - Alexandru S. Biris
- Center for Integrative Nanotechnology Sciences; University of Arkansas at Little Rock; Little Rock AR USA
| | - Horea Matei
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine; “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy; Cluj-Napoca România
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Orza A, Pruneanu S, Soritau O, Borodi G, Florea A, Bâlici Ş, Matei H, Olenic L. Single-Step Synthesis of Gold Nanowires Using Biomolecules as Capping Agent/Template: Applications for Tissue Engineering. Particulate Science and Technology 2013. [DOI: 10.1080/02726351.2013.831151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Biapa PCN, Matei H, Bâlici Ş, Oben JE, Ngogang JY. Protective effects of stem bark of Harungana madgascariensis on the red blood cell membrane. BMC Complement Altern Med 2013; 13:98. [PMID: 23663227 PMCID: PMC3661344 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-13-98] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Anemia is a condition that has multiple origins. One such origin is the destruction of red blood cells’ (RBCs) membrane induced by free radicals. Treatment of anemia could therefore be enhanced by the use of free radicals’ scavengers potentially found in some medicinal plants. In this study, the protective effect of Harungana madagascariensis on the RBCs’ membrane physiology was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Methods In vitro hemolytic anemia was induced by incubation of fresh human RBCs with carbontetrachloride (CCl4) in Olive oil (Oo). Relaxation times of protons excited at 20 MHz (Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill pulse sequence) in the absence or presence of paramagnetic Mn2+ ions (T2i for “extracellular” water and T2a for “intracellular” water, respectively) were determined at several temperatures (25–37°C) via Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) on a Bruker Minispec spectrometer. Water exchange times (Te) were consequently calculated using the Conlon-Outhred equation: 1/Te = (1/T2a) – (1/T2i). Morphological characteristics (mean cell volume, V, and cell surface area, A) were determined by photonic microscopy and the RBCs’ diffusional water permeability (Pd) was calculated as Pd = (1/Te)*(Va/A), where Va is the aqueous volume in the RBC and is about 0.7 of the cell volume (V). The activation energy of the diffusional process (Ea) for the respective temperature range was estimated using the Arrhenius modified equation k = A(T/T0)n*e-Ea/RT. Inhibition of the water diffusion induced by incubation with para-chloro-mercuribenzoic acid (PCMB) at 25, 30 and 37°C was calculated as I(%) = [(Pd control – Pd sample)/Pd control]*100. To investigate the protective influence of the extract on the RBC membrane, inhibition of the water permeability was evaluated on membranes pre-incubated with the Harungana madagascariensis extract. Male rats were used in in vivo investigations. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and cholesterol in the RBC membrane were estimated by induction of lipid peroxidation while the antioxidant properties of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) on the membrane were evaluated in regard to their antioxidant properties on the membrane. Results T2a significantly decreased at each temperature. Te results were higher in both RBCs and RBCs + extract groups incubated with PCMB compared to non-incubated controls, but differences were not statistically significant. A high percentage (73.81 ± 7.22) of RBCs pre-incubated with the extract presented the regular biconcave shape. Inhibition by PCMB of the RBCs’ membrane water permeability was increased at 30°C and decreased in the presence of extract (25°C and 37°C), while Ea decreased from 30.52 ± 1.3 KJ/mol to 25.49 ± 1.84 KJ/mol. Presence of the Harungana madagascariensis extract normalized the SOD and CAT activities as well as the MDA and membrane cholesterol concentrations altered by the CCl4-induced oxidative stress. Conclusion Harungana madagascariensis could protect the RBCs’ membrane through its antioxidative properties.
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