The Potential Effect of Simvastatin on Regulatory T cells in Experimentally Induced Autoimmune Thyroiditis in Female Rats

Yaqeen Talib Mohammed; Nadia Hameed Mohammed; Inam Sameh Arif

doi:10.32947/ajps.v23i4.1098

Authors

Yaqeen Talib Mohammed Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Mustansiriyah, Iraq
Nadia Hameed Mohammed Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Mustansiriyah, Iraq
Inam Sameh Arif Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, University of Mustansiriyah, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32947/ajps.v23i4.1098

Keywords:

Autoimmune thyroiditis; Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis; Statins; pleotropic effects; simvastatin; Tregs; TGF-ß

Abstract

Autoimmune thyroiditis also named Hashimoto's thyroiditis: is an inflammatory disorder of the thyroid gland. It is characterized by circulating antibodies to thyroid antigens, and enlargement of the gland with lymphocytic infiltration.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a particular subset of CD4+ T cells that express CD25 at a markedly increased level. they can regulate immune response in order to preserve homeostasis and self-tolerance. T cell expansion and cytokine production are restricted by Tregs. The development of this autoimmune disease is influenced by TGF-ß1 shortage. Management of HT is usually a symptomatic therapy that concentrates on HT's symptoms rather than its underlying cause. Statins, the lipid lowering medications have pleotropic effects. they can alter immunological reactions. Twenty-four female rats were used for this experiment divided into four groups (n=6), the disease was induced in all groups except group1 (control) where rats only received phosphate buffer saline, group 2 (induction group), group 3 received Prednisolone 2mg\kg orally for 30 days and group 4 received Simvastatin (4mg\kg) orally for 30 days too. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was induced experimentally by subcutaneous injection of porcine thyroglobulin in Freund’s adjuvant emulsion (4mg/ml). Results showed an increase in Tregs and serum TGF-ß level in rats treated with simvastatin.

In conclusion, simvastatin improves the number of functioning Tregs and increases TGF-ß signaling to suppress the autoimmune reaction. Therefore, simvastatin can be a promising approach in the treatment of this disease.

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