| Background: MS is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes to brain inflammation and Th17 cells are considered
to be important in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis. In the current study, we aimed to identify nanocurcumin
effects on Th17 cells frequency, cytokines secretion, and expression of transcription factor of patients
with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
Methods: In this study we investigated frequency of Th17 lymphocytes; the expression of transcription factor,
associated cytokines and the concentration of them in 35 healthy controls, and from 25 patients at baseline and
after 6 months of nanocurcumin treatment and also from 25 patients whose received placebo by flowcytometry,
real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively.
Results: Our analysis revealed that the proportions of Th17 were increased dramatically, along with increases in
the levels of IL-17A, IL-23, and RORγt expression in MS patients in compared with healthy control group. Posttreatment
evaluation of the nanocurcumin group revealed a significant decrease in Th17 associated parameters
such as Th17 frequency (p=0.029), expression levels of RORγt (p < 0.0001) and IL-17 (p=0.0044) and also
secretion level of IL-17 (p=0.0011), but IL-23 mRNA expression levels and IL-23 concentration were not influenced
by nanocurcumin. However, in the placebo group there is no significant changes in these factors.
Conclusion: Our study suggests that the increase in proportion of Th17 cells might contribute to the pathogenesis
of RRMS. The results of the current work indicated that nanocurcumin is able to restore the dysregulated of Th17
cells in MS patients. |