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Introduction: Saffron (crocus sativus L.), an important spice rich in carotenoids, is used in folk medicine to treat numerous diseases. This study examines the effects of saffron consumption on innate and humoral immunity of healthy male students.
Materials and Methods: 41 healthy volunteered university students in two control and case groups were included in this study and consumed respectively milk and milk containing saffron for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the subjects at weeks 0, 3 and 6. Innate immunity was evaluated by determining the percentage and counts of monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, platelets and the total white cells, CRP concentration and C3 and C4 concentrations and humoral immunity was assessed by deterning the percentage of lymphocytes and the concentrations of IgG, IgM and IgA.
Results: Three weeks after saffron consumption, monocytes percentage and IgG concentration increased significantly (P<0.05, P=0.01). Total white blood cells and platelets count also reduced significantly (P<0.05). After 6 weeks, monocytes percentage and IgG concentration reduced significantly (P<0.05, P< 0.001) and platelets count increased significantly (P<0.05) as compared with week 3.
Conclusion: This investigation demonstrated that saffron consumption enhances innate and humoral immunity systems and has anti-inflammatory effects. These effects depending on the duration of saffron consumption.

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Introduction: Preclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition characterized by hypertention, proteinuria and generalized edema. The condition usually occurs in the third trimester and word wide is one of the most common causes of maternal mortality and morbidity. No study concerning the immunological etiology and pathogenesis of preclampsia has been done in Iran. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of some immunological factors involved in the pathogenesis of preclampsia.
Materials and methods: This research was a clinical trial study. We measured C3, C4, IgG, IgA and IgM levels in 20 women with preclampsia, 20 normal pregnant women and 20 non-pregnant women matched for age, BMI, parity and gestational age. Seven patients had developed severe and thirteen mild preclampsia. After written informed consent was obtained, blood samples of subject group.
Collected serum collected was analyzed for immunological parameters by the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) method of Mancini.
Results: C4 level was significantly decreased in women with severe preclampsia than in women with mild preclampsia and normal pregnancies, whereas C3 level did not differ between groups. IgG concentration was significantly higher in non-pregnant women than in women with preclampsia and normal pregnancies. There was a significant decrease in IgA concentration in normal pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women. There was a not significant difference between the IgM concentrations of both groups.
Conclusion: Our data show several changes in immunological factors in preclampsia which may contribute to the pathogenesis of the disorder in Iranian women.

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Introduction:Final examinations are important stressors in schools and universities that result in different psychoneuroimmunological outcomes but the study of these effects on children has not been paid enough attention to. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of final examinations on salivary immunoglubulin A in children. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial a total of 100 children (50 boys, 50 girls) in 5th grade, aged less than 12 years from two primary schools of 5th educational district in Tehran were choosen randomly. The subjects completed Test Anxiety Scales of Sarason & Abolghasemi. After making sure of their physical and mental health by reviewing their medical history, clinical examinations and after controlling sleep, food, drug and sport variables, based on time series design, salivary IgA samples were taken five times as followed: one week before and then three times through mathematics, history and science exams and at last one week after passing the exams at, 9 to 10 am. IgA samples were analyzed by nephlometry method. Data was analyzed using ANOVA. Results: Findings indicated that IgA level was decreased significantly during examinations comparing to IgA levels before and after examinations (p=0.01). The relations of sex and anxiety scores were not statistically significant. It means that decreased IgA levels are the same in all children. Conclusion: Final examinations as a stress resource, diminishes IgA and this change is not related to sex and test anxiety score.

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Introduction: Celiac disease (CD) or gluten-sensitive enteropathy is a malabsoption of nutrients due to hyoersesitivity of gluten. Some etiologic facrors are environmental, immunologic and genetic factors. The frequancy of Celiac disease is not studied in western regions of Iran, therefore this study is done to determine the frequancy of Celiac disease in general population of rural regions of Arak. Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study in which 700 people between 20-56 years old in rural regions of Arak were selected by multistage random sampling (364 male and 336 female). After completing questionnaires, blood samples were collected and serum IgA levels (to rule out IgA deficiency), and serum t-TG Ab were assessed. All cases that had positive serologies and those who had high clinical probability of having Celiac disease underwent second duodenal segment biopsy. Data was presented using mean, standard deviation and frequency distribution. Results: Serum IgA levels were normal in all samples. 8 cases were positive for t-TG Ab, 38 cases had high normal levels of t-TG Ab and the others had less than 6 Au/ml t-TG Ab. Only in patients with high normal serology, histology was positive. 1% (10 in 1000 people) of all studied subjects demonstrated intestinal lesions due to Celiac disease. Most of them were asymptomatic. Conclusion: CD frequency in rural regions of Arak in people between 20-65 years old was 10 among 1000 cases. This frequency is the same as studies done in northern and southern regions of Iran but was higher comparing to the other parts of the word. This amplifiles the importance of screening of CD in Iran. Also the sensitivity and specificity of t-TG Ab was found high because all cases with high normal levels of t-TG Ab were approved by histology.

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Background: Hyperemesis Gravidarum is the pernicious vomiting during pregnancy that causes various complications. This present was investigated to relationship between Helicobacter Pylori and Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Methods and Materials: 80 women with 7-16 gestational age, participated in this case-control study. It was done in Obstetric Clinical of Shabihkhani Hospital in Kashan from April to July 2008.The case group had Hyperemesis Gravidarum but the control group did not. The criteria for Hyperemesis Gravidarum were pernicious vomiting (more than 3 times a day) and the presence of one pluse ketonuria. Serum titre of anti Helicobacter pylori IgG with standard ELAZA kit in each group then compared. Chi square test was applied for data analysis and significancy was P-Value less than 0.05. Results: The mean of age was 25.4±4.5 in case and 22.4±4.6 in control group. There were no statistically significant differences in age, gestational age, gravity and parity between two groups. The frequency of Helicobacter Pylori was 75% in case and 35% in control group. Difference was significant (p=0.001). Conclusion: In this study, significant relationship between Hyperemesis Gravidarum and Helicobacter Pylori was seen. Regarding to Helicobacter Pylori causes peptic ulcer and hyperemesis imitates some Peptic ulcer symptoms, more studies should be carried out to determine this relationship.