DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i01.039

Pages: 185-193

Since T helper cells type 2 (Th2) are considered as atheroprotective agents, this study was designed to investigate the possible role of vitamin A as a regulator of immune function on gene expression of IL-4 and GATA-3 in atherosclerotic patients. The vitamin A treated groups (patients and healthy controls) received 25,000 IU of retinyl palmitate while the placebo group (control patients) was given one pearl of placebo per day for 4 months. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and divided into 3 groups; fresh cells, activated with PHA and activated with oxLDL. Gene expressions of Th2 cells were studied by real-time PCR. IL-4 gene expression in fresh cells significantly increased in vitamin A treated patients compared with the other two groups. IL-4 gene expression in PHA-activated cells also showed a significant increase in vitamin A treated patients compared with the placebo group (p=0.027), however, there were no significant differences in IL-4 gene expression in ox-LDL activated cells between the 3 groups (p=0.737) although all groups showed an increase in the gene expression levels. There were no significant differences in GATA-3 gene expression in fresh cells, among the 3 groups (p=0.084), while the mean of GATA-3 gene expression in PHA and ox-LDL-activated cells in vitamin A treated patients showed a significant difference in comparison with healthy controls (p=0.016) and placebo group (p=0.019) respectively. It can be concluded that vitamin A supplementation led to increase in the gene expression of IL-4 and GATA-3 which in turn may reduce the complications of atherosclerosis.