The Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxy- methamphetamine on Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus of Male Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Midkine (MK), a heparin-binding growth factor, is involved in neurological diseases by mediating the inflammatory responses through enhancing the leukocyte migration. The present study assesses the serum concentration of this growth factor among newly multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Methods: The present research, as a cross-sectional study, which performed at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. All samples were selected from patients who visited Kashani and Alzahra hospital during two years 2014-2016. The MK level was assessed in 80 new cases of MS, 80 NMO patients and 80 healthy subjects. After collecting blood sera samples, MK serum level was measured using the ELISA. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software. Results: The mean of MK level was 1038.58 ± 44.73 pg/ml in MS group, which was significantly higher compared with the mean of MK level in NMO (872.62 ± 55.42 pg/ml) and control groups (605.02 ± 9.42 pg/ml). Conclusion: Overall, these results demonstrated MK plays a prominent role in inflammatory reactions and also in neuroautoimmune diseases, especially in MS. So, the MK level may be applied to earlier diagnosis and also prevention of disease progression by using a special inhibitor.