Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Turning Strong Rationale into Strong Evidence?

Hamid Reza Sodagari,Zahra Aryan,Amir Hossein Abdolghaffari, Nima Rezaei,Nima Rezaei,Amirhossein Sahebkar 대한약침학회 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.4

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises two types of chronic and relapsing intestinal inflammation conditions including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis [1]. Although the exact etiology of IBD remains elusive, the interaction of host’s immune system with diet and microbiome of intestinal tract in genetically susceptible individuals seems to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of IBD [2]. Encoding regions for nucleotide oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2) and interleukin 23 T helper 17 (Th17) pathway are the most prominent genetic components of IBD pathogenesis [3,4]. NOD2 recognizes bacterial peptidoglycan and triggers the inflammatory cascade [5], and interleukin 23 is integral to immune defense against non-self-antigens and chronic intestinal inflammation [6]. On the other hand, breakdown and alteration of normal microbiome increases the risk of intestinal colonization with pathogenic organisms and inflammatory diseases [7]. Dietary factors are known to influence gut microbiome and have the potential to shape the interplay between gut microbiome and immune responses involved in the pathogenesis of IBD [2]. Dietary factors can affect gut colonization of microorganisms in long term; they can mimic pathogenic antigens and trigger intracellular transduction and transcription pathways leading to modulation of inflammatory responses [8,9]. Exposure to stimuli such as reactive oxygen species, bacterial antigens and even innocent antigens activate nuclear factor (NF)-κB. This cascade results in the production of chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and infiltration of lymphocytes to the intestinal mucosa and disturbance of epithelial barrier leading to chronic intestinal inflammation. Phytochemicals including ellagic acid, curcumin, flavonoids, quercetin and green tea polyphenols can modulate NF-κB pathway [10-14]. Besides cytokine overproduction, overexpression of COX-2, the rate-limiting enzyme of prostaglandin production, is also involved in either acute or chronic intestinal inflammation. Phytochemicals such as grape juice and black raspberry powder have the ability to inhibit COX-2 and prostaglandin production [15,16]. Research on immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities of phytochemicals in preventing and treating intestinal inflammation, and in modulating the gut microbiome and colitis symptoms is still at its infancy. Most of the evidence have come from animal studies [10-16], thus evidence from well-designed randomized controlled trials in this area are lacking. The shortcomings of available drugs to treat IBD and their side effects highlight a real need to additional therapies that could confer, either as alternative or adjunct, a better control of disease. In this context, phytochemicals are interesting candidates owing to their multimechanistic mode of action, potential safety, and wide availability [1,2]. Moreover, limited bioavailability of phytochemicals which is generally considered as an obstacle against their maximal systemic effects is less of a problem in IBD, as the site of action is intestine where the phytochemical is almost completely bioavailable upon oral use. While all these points emphasize the great therapeutic potential of phytochemicals for the treatment of IBD, important questions as to the dose-response association, clinical efficacy, precise mechanism(s) of action, and long-term tolerability still remain to be answered.

COx-free hydrogen and carbon nanofibers production by methane decomposition over nickel-alumina catalysts

Mehran Rezaei,Nima Bayat,Fereshteh Meshkani 한국화학공학회 2016 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.33 No.2

Nickel catalysts supported on mesoporous nanocrystalline gamma alumina with various nickel loadings were prepared and employed for thermocatalytic decomposition of methane into COx-free hydrogen and carbon nanofibers. The prepared catalysts with different nickel contents exhibited mesoporous structure with high surface area in the range of 121.3 to 66.2m2g−1. Increasing in nickel content decreased the pore volume and increased the crystallite size. The catalytic results revealed that the nickel content and operating temperature both play important roles on the catalytic performance of the prepared catalysts. The results showed that increasing in reaction temperature increased the initial conversion of catalysts and significantly decreased the catalyst lifetime. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the spent catalysts evaluated at different temperatures revealed the formation of intertwined carbon filaments. The results showed that increasing in reaction temperature decreased the diameters of nanofibers and increased the formation of encapsulating carbon.

Performance analysis and modeling of catalytic trickle-bed reactors: a comprehensive review

Abbas Azarpour,Nima Rezaei,Sohrab Zendehboudi 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.103 No.-

Trickle-bed reactors (TBRs) are extensively used in industry. There have been great progresses in designand control of the TBRs. However, more improvements are required in the performance/operation ofTBRs. These improvements can lead to more efficient process control and further reduction of the operationcosts. In terms of process efficiency, the product quality can be improved since a large number ofthe TBRs are used in purification processes. In terms of operation costs, the process improvement canresult in longer utilization of the catalysts because the catalytic TBRs’ operations usually suffer fromthe deactivation phenomenon for expensive catalysts. Hydrodynamic parameters play significant rolesin the control and operation of TBRs. We provide comprehensive information and discussion on TBRsapplication and hydrodynamic characteristics. Moreover, a systematic methodology is proposed todevelop a TBR mathematical model. A detailed review on the previous TBRs studies is presented, andtechnical issues in their design and operation are discussed. In addition, current challenges in the TBRmodeling are summarized, and further research plans/topics are suggested. This review provides anexhaustive knowledge and practical and theoretical tips that can be employed to more efficaciouslymodel targeted TBR processes, leading to better understanding of the process behaviours, and more efficientoperation of the relevant plants.

Product quality control in hydropurification process by monitoring reactor feed impurities: Dynamic mathematical modeling

Abbas Azarpour,Nima Rezaei,Sohrab Zendehboudi 한국공업화학회 2020 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.92 No.-

Control of product quality plays a crucial role in petrochemical industries. In this paper, we propose a newstrategy to control the quality of purified terephthalic acid (PTA) product. In this approach, the PTAquality is controlled by monitoring the concentration of the main impurity in the hydropurificationprocess, which is 4-carboxybenzaldehyde (4-CBA) in the crude terephthalic acid (CTA) powder. To attainthe research objectives, a dynamic dispersion model is developed in the face of catalyst deactivation,considering the vital operating parameters. The CTA powder streams with low and high 4-CBAconcentrations can be effectively used through a proper (and controlled) mixing procedure. This strategycan be applied by controlling the ratio of the massflowrates of the two streams, having high and lowconcentrations. The positive effect of H2 partial pressure on the system performance can be implementedby a small decrease in reactor temperature. Off-spec PTA powder can be used with the CTA powder havinga high 4-CBA concentration. Increasing temperature accelerates the reduction rate of the Pd/C catalystsurface area, leading to an unfavorable sintering phenomenon. The decreased activity of Pd/C catalyst isin good agreement with the normalized ratio of decrease in the surface area of pure Pd with increasingtemperature.

Brief communication : Bloody Diarrhea as a Presentation Manifestation of Familial Mediterranean Fever in a Patient with Compound Heterozygote Mutations of the MEFV Gene

( Gholam Hossein Fallahi ),( Nima Rezaei ),( Nooshin Sadjadei ) 대한소화기학회 2013 Gut and Liver Vol.7 No.4

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary autoinflammatory disease characterized by episodic fever and inflammatory polyserositis, which could lead to a variety of manifestations, including recurrent abdominal pain. Herein, a 12-year-old boy who has suffered from fever and bloody diarrhea since early childhood is described. All structural and underlying disorders leading to bleeding were excluded. Genetic studies indicated compound heterozygote mutations of M680I/R761H in the MEFV gene, which confirmed the diagnosis of FMF. Therefore, treatment with colchicine was started, which led to symptom relief. As gastrointestinal manifestations appear to be the main features of FMF, bloody diarrhea could also be considered an initial symptom of FMF. (Gut Liver 2013; 7:497-499)

Design and Fabrication of Multi-well Liver-on-a-chip with Biomimetic 3D Hepatic Lobule Scaffold

K. Hyun(현기남),Simon Park,Nima Tabatabaei Rezaei,K. Kim(김기경) Korean Society for Precision Engineering 2023 한국정밀공학회 학술발표대회 논문집 Vol.2023 No.5

Negative HER2/neu Amplification Using Immunohistochemistry and Chromogenic in Situ Hybridization Techniques in Skin Melanoma Cases

Shayanfar, Nasrin,Bahari, Leila,Safaie-Naraghi, Zahra,Kamyab, Kambiz,Gheytanchi, Elmira,Rezaei, Nima Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.2

Background: This study was performed to evaluate the amplification of HER-2/neu in patients with melanoma. Materials and Methods: Amplification of HER-2/neu was evaluated in a group of patients with melanoma, referred to two referral centers in Tehran, using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) techniques. Results: Forty patients with mean age $57.9{\pm}19.5years$ were enrolled in this study. The most frequent type of melanoma was acral, while lower limbs were the most frequent sites. The amplification of HER2/neu was negative in 97.5% of patients with IHC and in 100% of patients with CISH technique. Only one case (2.5%) shows weak positive staining (+2) in IHC method. Fifty five percent of melanoma was ulcerative, and the most common stages of tumors were stages 4b and 3b. More than 47% of cases were in Clark level III, while the mean of Breslow thickness was $3.56{\pm}2.87mm$. The stage of the case that showed weakly positive staining (2+) in IHC was 4b. Conclusions: The amplification of HER2/neu biomarker was negative in patients with melanoma, using both CISH and IHC techniques.

Cow`s Milk Allergy among Children with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

( Fatemeh Farahmand ),( Mehri Najafi ),( Pedram Ataee ),( Vajiheh Modarresi ),( Turan Shahraki ),( Nima Rezaei ) 대한소화기기능성질환·운동학회 2011 Gut and Liver Vol.5 No.3

Background/Aims: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and cow`s milk allergy (CMA) are two common conditions that occur in infancy. This study was performed to investigate the frequency of CMA in a group of patients with GERD. Methods: Eighty-one children with signs and symptoms of GERD were enrolled in this study. All subjects received omeprazole for 4 weeks after the initial evaluation. Empirical elimination of cow`s milk from the diet was started for the patients who did not respond to the omeprazole treatment. Results: Seventy-two cases presented with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, whereas the remaining nine cases presented with respiratory complaints. After the initial treatment with omeprazole, two thirds of the cases (54 patients, 66.7%) responded well, and all of their symptoms were resolved. Cow`s milk was eliminated from the diets of the remaining 27 patients. All signs and symptoms of GERD were resolved in this group after a 4 week elimination of cow`s milk from the diet. Conclusions: A diagnosis of CMA was considered in one third of the pediatric cases with signs and symptoms of GERD. This finding shows that CMA can mimic or aggravate all signs and symptoms of severe GERD during infancy. (Gut Liver 2011;5:298-301)

Immunomodulatory and Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) - Turning Strong Rationale into Strong Evidence? -

Sodagari, Hamid Reza,Aryan, Zahra,Abdolghaffari, Amir Hossein,Rezaei, Nima,Sahebkar, Amirhossein KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2018 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.21 No.4