title: Impact of opium on the serum levels of TGF-β in diabetic, addicted and addicted-diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several cells of immune system such as regulatory T cells and macrophages secrete transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in response to different stimuli. This cytokine has inhibitory effect on immune system and diminished production of this cytokine is associated with autoimmune disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of opium addiction on serum level of TGF-β in male and female diabetic and non-diabetic Wistar rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  This experimental study was performed on normal, opium addicted, diabetic and addicted-diabetic male and female rats. Serum level of TGF-β was measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of our study indicated that the mean serum level of TGF-β in female addicted rats was significantly increased compared to control group (p<0.004). Conversely, in male addicted rats the mean serum level of TGF-β was lower compared with control (p<0.065).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that opium and its derivatives have differential inductive effects on the cytokine expression in male and female rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran, e-mail: asadi_ka@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Asadikaram
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asiabanha
authors.forename: Ahmadreza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sayadi
authors.forename: Abdollah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jafarzadeh
authors.forename: Gholamhossein
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hassanshahi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D009892:Opium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D009294:Narcotics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D009892:Opium