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. 
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