Discussion of the doctoral thesis for student Zeina Iyad Hussein in the Pharmacology Department.

On Monday, May 13, 2024, the doctoral dissertation of student Zeina Iyad Hussein was defended in the Pharmacology Department, titled:

"Effects of para-hydroxycinnamic acid and vinpocetine on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice."

The study aimed to explore the potential anti-fibrotic effects of para-hydroxycinnamic acid and vinpocetine in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by investigating their impact on important cytokines (TGF-beta1, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-alpha), fibrosis markers (collagen, vimentin, fibronectin, alpha-SMA), and oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, SOD, GPx). The effects of the treatments on molecular markers in both mouse lung tissues and MRC-5 cell line were verified.

The study revealed that both compounds (vinpocetine and para-hydroxycinnamic acid) were able to reduce key signs of pulmonary fibrosis, including weight loss, fibrosis severity, tissue inflammation, and hydroxyproline content compared to the induced group (P≤0.05). Additionally, they provided a statistically significant reduction in serum levels of other fibrosis markers, such as collagen type IV and KL-6. Both compounds showed good anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities by significantly reducing levels of important inflammatory cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-alpha) with improvement in oxidative stress markers (MDA) and antioxidant markers (GSH, SOD, GPx). They also reduced fibrosis-related cytokine levels in lung tissues compared to the induced group (P≤0.05) and inhibited the transformation of fibroblast cells into myofibroblasts, as well as the deposition of fibrotic tissue components by reducing the protein expression of fibrosis-associated markers (alpha-SMA, vimentin, fibronectin, Smad3) (P≤0.05). Additionally, both compounds increased the expression of antioxidant-related gene (Nrf2) and decreased the expression of inflammation-related genes (NF-kappaB, NLRP3, PPAR-gamma).

Ultimately, the results showed that vinpocetine performed much better than para-hydroxycinnamic acid and the standard treatment (pirfenidone) and also when compared together.

The examining committee consisted of:

- Prof. Najah Raish Hadi (Chair)

- Prof. Ahmed Sahib Abdulameer (Member)

- Prof. Enas Jawad Kadhim (Member)

- Prof. Haider Bahaa Sahib (Member)

- Assoc. Prof. Haider Abdulhameed Rashid (Member)

- Prof. Ahmed Rahma Ali (Supervisor)

The dissertation was successfully accepted with distinction.