Monire Hajimoradi - Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Saeed Daneshmandi - Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Roudbary - Department of Mycology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Shahla Roudbar Mohammadi - Department of Mycology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Zuhair Mohammad Hassan - Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Rozita Heidari - Department of Mycology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Hasan Namdar Ahmadabad - Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Objective(s) The fractions of Candida albicans have been used as an immunomodulator. The present work assessed the effect of different fractions of C. albicans on nitric oxide (NO) production by mice peritoneal macrophages. Materials and Methods Cell wall and cytoplasmic fractions of C. albicans ATCC ۱۰۳۲۱ strain were extracted. Mice peritoneal macrophages were purified and cultured. Different concentrations of both fractions and also killed C. albicans cells were used for macrophages stimulation and evaluation of NO production. NO amount was detected in culture supernatants of macrophages by Griess reagent. Also, MTT assay was performed to assess the viability of macrophages. Results The results elucidated that suppressive effect of cell wall proteins on NO release was significant at the dose of ۱۰۰ pg/ml (P=۰.۰۱), while cytoplasmic fraction increased NO amount at the dose of ۱ pg/ml compared to the control group (P=۰.۰۰۳). Augmentation of NO production was statistically significant at ۲۰۰ killed C. albicans per well (P=۰.۰۰۶). Conclusion According to our findings, cytoplasmic fractions and killed C. albicans have a positive effect on NO production by peritoneal macrophages, while cell wall fractions did not. Therefore, it is proposed that C. albicans fractions can be studied more as inflammation modulators.

Candida albicans, Macrophages, Nitric oxide