Impact of opium on the serum levels of TGF-β in diabetic, addicted and addicted-diabetic rats.
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.
Asadikaram
Gholamreza
G
Department of Biochemistry, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran, e-mail: asadi_ka@yahoo.com.
Asiabanha
Majid
M
Sayadi
Ahmadreza
A
Jafarzadeh
Abdollah
A
Hassanshahi
Gholamhossein
G
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*
D009294:Narcotics; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D009892:Opium