Islets transplantation, as a treatment of type 1 diabetes, faces challenges, including the loss of islets in the process of isolation and pre-transplantation due to cellular stresses-induced apoptosis. Accordingly, the optimization of culture plays a decisive role in the transplantation success. In this study, we evaluated the effect of nobiletin on the cultured human islets. Isolated human islets were treated by different concentrations of nobiletin and cultured for 24 and 72 hours. Then, the islets viability, apoptosis, insulin and C-peptide secretion, and apoptosis markers were evaluated. Also, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hypoxia inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α), and its target genes in the islets were examined. Our findings showed that the islets were encountered with hypoxia and oxidative stress after isolation and during culture. These insults induced apoptosis and reduced viability during culture period. Moreover, the secretion of insulin and C-peptide decreased. Nobiletin treatments significantly improved the islets survival through reduction of HIF-1α and ROS production and suppression of apoptosis, along with increased islets function. Islet protective effect of nobiletin might be related to its anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic and insulinotropic properties. Hence, in order to achieve viable and functional islets for clinical transplantation, the application of nobiletin during pre-transplantation period is useful.

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Background The successful ex vivo expansion of T-cells in great numbers is the cornerstone of adoptive cell therapy. We aimed to achieve the most optimal T-cell expansion condition by comparing the expansion of T-cells at various seeding densities, IL-2 concentrations, and bead-to-cell ratios. we first expanded the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of a healthy donor at a range of 20 to 500 IU/mL IL-2 concentrations, 125 × 103 to 1.5 × 106 cell/mL, and 1:10 to 10:1 B:C (Bead-to-cell) ratios and compared the results. We then expanded the PBMC of three healthy donors using the optimized conditions and examined the growth kinetics. On day 28, CD3, CD4, and CD8 expression of the cell populations were analyzed by flow cytometry. Results T-cells of the first donor showed greater expansion results in IL-2 concentrations higher than 50 IU/mL compared to 20 IU/mL (P = 0.02). A seeding density of 250 × 103 cell/mL was superior to higher or lower densities in expanding T-cells (P = 0.025). Also, we witnessed a direct correlation between the B:C ratio and T-cell expansion, in which, in 5:1 and 10:1 B:C ratios T-cell significantly expanded more than lower B:C ratios. The results of PBMC expansions of three healthy donors were similar in growth kinetics. In the optimized condition, 96–98% of the lymphocyte population expressed CD3. While the majority of these cells expressed CD8, the mean expression of CD4 in the donors was 19.3, 16.5, and 20.4%. Conclusions Our methodology demonstrates an optimized culture condition for the production of large quantities of polyclonal T-cells, which could be useful for future clinical and research studies.

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Background: Hyperlipidemia and low antioxidant levels is one the diabetes side effects. Some studies have indicated the possible effects of nutrients on the improvement of hyperlipidemia, by their antioxidants ingredients. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the synthetic antioxidant, tempol, on blood lipid profiles and glucose levels in healthy and diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Adult Wistar rats were randomly divided to four experimental groups including, healthy control, diabetic control, diabetic receiving tempol and healthy receiving tempol groups. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, Intraperitoneally (IP)). The rats were then fed saline or tempol (30 mg/kg) by gavage for 60 days. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. Next, glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), cholesterol, triglyceride and HbA1c were measured by specific kits. Also, the coronary risk index was calculated. Results: The blood glucose level increased following diabetes induction. The level of blood glucose in the diabetic receiving tempol group decreased compared to the control diabetic group. The comparison of LDL, VLDL, cholesterol, triglyceride, HbA1c and coronary risk index among experimental groups indicated the increase of these factors in the diabetic group. High-density lipoprotein in the diabetic groups was lower than the other groups. Conclusions: It can be concluded that tempol can improve dyslipidemia and may decrease hyperglycemia in diabetes. It seems that antioxidants such as tempol can improve dyslipidemia and may decrease hyperglycemia in diabetes.