title: Serum levels of TGFβ, IL-10, IL-17, and IL-23 cytokines in β-thalassemia major patients: the impact of silymarin therapy.
abstract: Abstract Several immunological abnormalities have been characterized in β-thalassemia, many of which are linked to or identified with cytokines. In this study, we investigated the serum levels of TGF-β, IL-10, IL-17 and IL-23 in β-thalassemia major patients in comparison with healthy controls. The immunomodulatory effect of silymarin (a flavonoid complex obtained from Silybum marinum) on the serum levels of cytokines was further evaluated in thalassemia patients receiving silymarin (420 mg/day) and compared with patients treated with placebo for 6-month. Serum cytokines levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed a significant higher concentration of TGF-β and IL-23 in the patient group than control group. Among studied cytokines, a significant reduction in serum IL-10 levels was found in patients treated with silymarin when compared with IL-10 values at baseline. However, no significant difference was observed between baseline values of cytokine compared with end values in placebo group. Our data suggest the presence of imbalanced immune condition involving inflammation and immunosuppression in thalassemia patients, which could be modulated to a more effective immune response by silymarin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Isfahan , Iran .
authors.forename: Sima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balouchi
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gharagozloo
authors.forename: Nafiseh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Esmaeil
authors.forename: Milad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirmoghtadaei
authors.forename: Behjat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moayedi
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood*; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood*; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D012838:Silymarin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: C508609:IL10 protein, human; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; D012838:Silymarin; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016753:Interleukin-10
keywords: IL-10; IL-17; IL-23; TGF-β; silymarin; β-Thalassemia major