Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:18 Issue: 72, 2010

A number of β-carboline alkaloids such as harmane are naturally present in the human food chain. In the present study the involvement of dopaminergic system on harmane induced-amnesia was investigated. One-trial step-down paradigm was used for the assessment of memory retention in adult male NMRI mice. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of harmane (5 and 10 mg/kg) immediately after training, dose-dependently decreased memory formation. Administration of D1/D2 receptors agonist, apomorphine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) before testing by itself could not alter memory retrieval. On the other hand, in the animals in which memory formation was impaired due to harmane post-training administration, pre-test administration of apomorphine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg, i.p.) 24 hr after training in day’s test restored memory. Furthermore, administration of SCH23390 (0.025, 0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) or sulpiride (12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) before testing by itself could not alter memory retrieval, respectively. On the other hand in the animals in which memory formation was impaired due to harmane post-training injection, pre-test administration of SCH23390 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) or sulpiride (25, 50 mg/kg, i.p.) 24 hr after training in day’s test decreased hamane-induced amnesia. These findings indicat the involvement of D1/D2 receptors in harmane induced-amnesia through different mechanism(s).

Leptin is a 16 KDa peptide which has a close correlation with adiposity. However, its effect on lipid profile is controversial in human. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate correlation between variations in serum leptin levels with lipid profile and anthropometric indices in women with different grades of obesity. The current cross-sectional study was carried out on 149 healthy non-diabetic women, including 33 normal weight (BMI<24.9 kg/m2) and 116 women with different grades of obesity (BMI>25 kg/m2) with age range of 15-49 years, respectively. Serum levels of leptin, fasting blood glucose and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol) were measured using high-sensitive immunoassay, glucose oxidase and enzymatic methods, respectively. Mean serum leptin levels were 15.34, 32.78, 42.13, 43.22 and 45.23 ng/ml in normal, overweight, obese grade I, obese grade II, and obese grade III women, respectively. Difference in mean of leptin serum level, lipid profile, and anthropometric indices was statistically significant between different groups (p<0.001). Leptin Serum levels had significant correlation with BMI (p<0.05, r=0.623). In addition, it showed a direct significant correlation with levels of fasting blood glucose (r=0.297) and lipid profile [total cholesterol (r=0.347), triglyceride (r=0.428), and LDL-cholesterol (0.367)] (p<0.05). In contrast, it showed an indirect correlation with HDL-C serum levels (r= -0.320, p<0.05). Results of the current study showed that leptin serum level has a close direct correlation with adiposity indices and lipid profile and its level increases significantly with increasing grades of obesity.

Efforts to develop new methods for a safe male contraceptive have been made during recent decades, but the most reliable method is still sterilization by vasectomy. In this experimental study, effects of administration of testosterone in combination with ultrasound on contraceptive male mice were studied. 28 mature male mice were randomly divided into the following groups: normal group, testosterone group, ultrasound group and testosterone-ultrasound group. Animals were injected with or exposed to normal saline, testosterone enanthate, ultrasound and testosterone enanthate in combination with ultrasound respectively for 6 weeks. After this period, viability, motility rate and number of sperms were assessed. The morphometric parameters such as tubular diameter were also studied. In the testosterone group, the number of sperms decreased significantly in comparison to the 1st and the 3rd groups (P ≤0.01). The percentage of sperm viability was significantly decreased in the testosterone group comparing to other two groups (P ≤0.001). In concern to the percentage of sperm motility, a significance difference was not observed. The diameter of seminiferous tubules and the number of spermatogonia were changed in ultrasound group. In this group, the compacted seminiferous tubules were seen, so the number of counted cells was increased. In the testosterone group, the epithelium height decreased significantly. It seems that the ultrasound did not have effect on the absorption of testosterone and the histological changes resulting from ultrasound may be mechanical and thermal.

An everted intestinal sac (EGS) technique has been used to extensively estimate the transport and intestinal absorption in rats. Therefore, a number of factors such as pH and the nature of solvent may play an important role in fatty acid uptake by entrocytes. There are reports indicating that fatty acid transport is affected by many biochemical parameters including trace elements. In this study the effect of titanium on stearic acid transport was investigated. Wistar male rats (200-250gr) were used for the experiments. Rats were killed, their intestine were removed and the jejunum parts were dissected. Everted gut sac was prepared from these parts. Sacs full of buffer were incubated in a medium containing stearic acid and titanium. Then the transported stearic acid inside the EGS was measured by spectrophotometer under different conditions of temperature and concentrations. Data was analyzed using SPSS software and Mann Whitney test. The results showed that titanium decreased fatty acid uptake by entrocytes in a dose dependent manner. Titanium concentrations of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 10 micromoles in the presence of sodium chloride can decrease the uptake of stearic acid by 32.2%, 43.4%, 54.5% and 61.5%, respectively. Titanium concentrations of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 10 micromoles in the absence of sodium chloride in medium could decrease the stearic acid by 10%, 19.5%, 23.9% and 28.3% respectively which is not very affective. Stearic acid transport appeared to be a Na dependent process and titanium may exert its inhibitory effect by interfering with this system. Our results showed that the incubation time, stearic acid concentration and pH were effective on stearic acid transport. Titanium decreased stearic acid transport in Rat EGS. This should be considered seriously, especially in people exposed to titanium compounds for a long period.

Diabetic neuropathy is one of the most frequent complications of diabetes. Despite some studies, the exact mechanism of glucose neurotoxicity has not been fully elucidated. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been proposed as a possible mechanism. Crocus sativus L. (saffron) has been known as a source of antioxidants. Therefore, neuroprotective effect of saffron extract was studied in glucose-induced neurotoxicity, using PC12 cells as a suitable in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy.

Cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay. ROS was measured using DCF-DA by flow cytometry analysis.

The result showed that glucose reduced the cell viability of PC12 cells. Saffron extract and GSH could decrease this toxicity. Glucose toxicity was consistent with increased ROS production which was reduced by saffron and GSH pre-treatment.

These results suggest that the glucose-induced cell toxicity could be mediated through the generation of ROS. Due to antioxidant effects of Saffron, it could be considered in diabetic neuropathy treatment in animal models.

labor pain management is one of the difficulties in most countries. Pharmacological methods for pain relief during labor has many side effects whereas reflexology as one of the non-pharmacological methods for pain relief, is an ancient and noninvasive technique, but there is not enough information on its effect on pain intensity of delivery. Therefore, this research was conducted to determine the effect of reflexology on pain intensity of labor on primeparous in Shahid Akbarabadi hospital in 2009. A randomized clinical trial study was designed. A total of 120 parturient women with low risk pregnancy were randomly assigned into three groups. Each group received one of the following treatments: reflexology, support or routine care only. In all groups pregnant women asked to evaluate their severity of pain before and after the intervention and also in 6-7 and 8-10 cm of cervical dilatation. Data was collected through numerical pain scale. Confounding factors were equal in all three groups. Pain intensity in all three dilatation stages was significantly lower in reflexology group (p< 0.001), but comparison between the supported group and routine care group, severity of pain was lower in supported group just in 4-5 cm dilatation, but during 6-7 and 8-10cm of dilatation there was no significant difference between these two groups. Based on the results of this study, it seems that reflexology can decrease the pain intensity in first stage of labor.

Chronic use of antiepileptic drugs may influence the bones and their mineral metabolism due to deficiency of vitamin D3. In this study we investigated the effect of high dose vitamin D3 on bones and their mineral metabolism. Fifty six children older that 3 years old who were affected by epilepsy and had taken the antiepileptic drugs at least for 6 months were included in the study. Levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, phosphorus and vitamin D3 was measured. The patients were divided into three groups one group was provided with 1peril of 50000 units of vitamin D and the other two groups took 2 and 3 perils of vitamin D. Two months after prescription, serum level of the above parameters were measured and compared with the results before vitamin D prescription. After prescription of vitamin D3, decrease of ALP (p<0/001), increase of calcium (p=0/01) and increase level of vitamin D3 in serum (p<0/001) was observed. The highest increase in the serum level of vitamin D3 was observed in the group which had received 3 perils of vitamin D (p<0/0001). Decrease in the serum level of vitamin D3 following long term use of antiepileptic drugs and its increase as a result of vitamin D supplementation suggests that this method of therapy can prevent the skeletal abnormalities due to side effects of these drugs.

Acne rosacea is a chronic skin disease with unknown etiology. Some reports have suggested an increased prevalence of helicobacter (H) pylori infection in patients with acne rosacea but it is controversial. This study was designed to compare the prevalence of H pylori between the acne rosacea patients and the healthy control group. This case-control study was performed on 30 patients with acne rosacea and 60 healthy individuals as a control group. 5 mL blood was taken from each person and anti-H pylori IgG was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Mean age was 45.8±14.05 years in acne rosacea patients and 41.4±12.3 years in control group. Seventeen (56.7%) of patients and fifty two (86.2%) of controls were infected by H pylori (P=0.002), but mean serum anti-H pylori IgG level was significantly higher in acne rosacea patients comparing to healthy control group (139.49±174.15 g/mL vs 38.87±23.50, P=0.005). Despite increased mean serum anti-H pylori IgG levels in acne rosacea patients, H pylori was more prevalent in healthy control group, in this study.

High prevalence of dental disease in children is one of the essential reasons for oral health education. Use of right and correct educational pattern is a new way in health service field. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oral health education based on health belief model for preventing carries and dental plaque on mothers who had 3-6 year old children.

This quasi-experimental research was carried out on 56 mothers who had 3-6 year old children (28 women in control group and 28 in experimental group) in No 1 health center of Zanjan. The training was based on health belief model and certain behavior goals for about 60 minutes in 3 sessions. Mother's functions were evaluated based on helping to brush the children's teeth and the number of brushing at zero and one month after the intervention time points. Finally, dental plaque was assessed based on Navy dental plaque index. Data was collected once in the first stage (before the intervention) and then in the second stage (after the intervention).

Mean score of all parts of health belief model in experimental group after educational intervention compared to before the intervention was increased significantly and also the mean score of all parts of health belief model was significantly increased after the intervention in experimental group comparing to control group.

The results of this survey showed that by increasing the score of health belief model parts including perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits and perceived barriers, the preventive actions of oral health is also increasing. Therefore, results of this survey confirm the efficacy of health belief model in education of oral health.

The term aplasia cutis is used to describe congenital localized defects of the skin. The most common site is scalp. The preauricular location is a rare form of aplasia cutis. The presented patient in this paper had skin tag and atrophy in preauricular region from after birth. Skin biopsy was performed, but surgical wound site was not healed. The results of precise investigation, deep biopsy and existence of localized skin atrophy guided to aplasia cutis diagnosis. Aplasia cutis could be recommended in every patient with skin atrophy. The treatments include protection, excision and skin graft or flap.