The PhD dissertation defense by the student Marwa Saleh Sadiq in the Department of Pharmacology.

The PhD dissertation in the Department of Pharmacology at the College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, presented by the student Marwa Saleh Sadiq and titled:

((Effects of Rifaximin, Ramipril, and Isofraxidin in induced cytokine storm in mice))

The dissertation aimed to:

Investigate the potential role of Rifaximin, Ramipril, and Isofraxidin in the prevention and treatment of cytokine release syndrome in mice, thus contributing to a better understanding and management of this condition.

The study reached several important findings, most notably:

Mice treated with Rifaximin, Ramipril, and Isofraxidin, either individually or in combination with Methylprednisolone, showed a significant reduction in TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, INF-γ, and MDA levels. This marked decrease in cytokine levels provides strong evidence of the efficacy of these drugs in both the prevention and treatment groups compared to the induction group. Regarding GSH levels, there was a significant increase compared to the induction group. Histologically, the mice treated with Rifaximin, Isofraxidin, Ramipril, and their combination with Methylprednisolone showed improvements in tissue damage in both lung and liver tissues after LPS induction; these changes included reduced vascular congestion, decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, and protection of the alveolar membrane in lung tissues. In liver tissues, they involved reduced vascular congestion and dilation, decreased inflammation and hepatocyte degeneration, and prevention of necrosis.

Additionally, the study demonstrated that Rifaximin, Ramipril, and Isofraxidin each have protective and therapeutic effects in LPS-induced cytokine storms in mice. These effects were more pronounced when each of these agents was combined with Methylprednisolone. The histopathological features of the lung and liver tissues further confirm these findings.