Studies from our laboratory have shown that Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), an ingredient found in marijuana plant Cannabis sativa, can attenuate acute lung injury induced by Staphylococcus enterotoxin B (SEB). In the current study, we investigated the role of THC on the metabolism of SEB-activated lymphocytes. To this end, we determined metabolic potential of SEB-activated lymphocytes treated with vehicle or THC by performing the Cell Mito Stress Test. The oxygen consumption rate (OCR) in THC-treated cells was decreased when compared to vehicle-treated group whereas the extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) was similar in both the groups. Specifically, electron transport chain inhibitors namely, oligomycin, FCCP and rotenone+antimycinA were added to measure ATP-linked respiration, maximal respiration and non-mitochondrial respiration, respectively. THC treatment led to a significant decrease in the basal respiration, ATP production, proton (H+) leak, maximal respiration, spare respiratory capacity and nonmitochondrial respiration. We also performed the Mito Fuel Flex assay to measure the dependency, capacity and flexibility of cells to oxidize glucose, glutamine and fatty acids. Treatment with inhibitors, BPTES and etomoxir showed a decline in the OCR in SEB+vehicle treated cells demonstrating that glutamine and/or fatty acids serve as major source of fuel in these cells when compared to SEB+THC treated group. However, when UK5099 was added, THC- and vehicle-treated cells showed a reduced response thereby indicating that glucose dependency was similar in both the groups. Together, THC modulates metabolic functions of activated lymphocytes which may affect their signaling, differentiation and toxicity.
The removal of COD from wastewater generated by petroleum refinery has been investigated by adopting electrocoagulation (EC) combined with adsorption using activated carbon (AC) derived from avocado seeds. The process variables influencing COD removal were studied: current density (2–10 mA/cm2), pH (4–9), and AC dosage (0.2–1 g/L). Response surface methodology (RSM) based on Box–Behnken design (BBD) was used to construct a mathematical model of the EC/AC process. Results showed that current density has the major effect on the COD removal with a percent of contribution 32.78% followed by pH while AC dosage has not a remarkable effect due to the good characteristics of AC derived from avocado seeds. Increasing current density gives be
... Show MoreBackground: Metabolic syndrome MS a cluster of disorders comprising obesity (central and abdominal), dyslipidaemias, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance (or hyperinsulinaemia) and hypertension – is highly predictive of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. It should be emphasized that the metabolic syndrome is a syndrome and not a disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of serum phosphate in different levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome MS and Correlation between serum phosphate levels with metabolic syndrome components. The study was carried out at the National diabetes Center (NDC) /AL-Mustansiryia University ,the period from (Desmber.2011 – May 2012) One hundred forty (140) Iraqi indivi
... Show MoreThis work aims to detect the associations of C-peptide and the homeostasis model assessment of beta-cells function (HOMA2-B%) with inflammatory biomarkers in pregnant-women in comparison with non-pregnant women. Sera of 28 normal pregnant women at late pregnancy versus 27 matched age non-pregnant women (control), were used to estimate C-peptide, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxin (T4) by Enzyme-linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fasting blood sugar (FBS) by automatic analyzer Biolis 24i, hematology-tests by hematology analyzer and the calculation of HOMA2-B% and homeostasis model assessment of insulin sensitivity (HOMA2-S%) by using C-peptide values instead of insulin. The comparisons, correlations, regression analysis tests were perfo
... Show MoreMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of health disorders that mainly result from overweight and obesity. It increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. (MetS) closely related to the existence weight gain or Obesity and laziness. It increases the serum levels of TNF-α and change the levels of a number of other parameters (e.g., adiponectin, resistin, and PAI-1). TNF-α dose not only appear to cause the production of inflammatory cytokines. It can trigger cell signaling by interacting with TNF-α receptors that can lead to insulin resistance. Usually, the digestive system molders the foods you eat and converts them to glucose. Insulin is an anabolic hormone produced by the pancreas that aids glucose get in y
... Show MoreMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of health disorders that mainly result from overweight and obesity. It increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. (MetS) closely related to the existence weight gain or Obesity and laziness. It increases the serum levels of TNF-α and change the levels of a number of other parameters (e.g., adiponectin, resistin, and PAI-1). TNF-α dose not only appear to cause the production of inflammatory cytokines. It can trigger cell signaling by interacting with TNF-α receptors that can lead to insulin resistance. Usually, the digestive system molders the foods you eat and converts them to glucose. Insulin is an anabolic hormone produced by the pancreas that aids glucose g
... Show MoreThis study included nine patients with inactive carrier states of HBV and 14 healthy control groups. The number and the percentage of T-lymphocyte (CD3+ Cells) in the peripheral blood of these groups showed no significant difference. Similar trend was observed when number and percentages of T helper cells (CD4+ cells) and T cytotoxic lymphocytes (CD8+ cells). Moreover, no significant difference in CD4+ /CD8+ cells ratio (P > 0.05) in peripheral blood of patients with inactive carrier state of HBV as compared with healthy control group. The levels of total serum bilirubin (TSB) concentration and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity were similar to control group. The levels of immunoglobulin concentration (IgG and IgM) in patients g
... Show MoreContents IJPAM: Volume 116, No. 3 (2017)