مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی بابل
سال هجدهم شماره 6 (پیاپی 105، خرداد 1395)

Diabetes mellitus is the most prevalent endocrine disorder associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Considering the possible effects of sesamin, the most important sesame lignan, on the prevention of metabolic disorders leading to diabetes, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of sesamin supplementation on glycemic indices, serum levels of lipid profile and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with type II diabetes.
This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 44 patients with type II diabetes referring to the endocrine clinic of Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran (IRCT: 2014061818134N1). Patients were randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. Patients of the intervention group received a daily dose of sesamin (200 mg capsules), and control subjects were administered with an equivalent dose of placebo. Anthropometric indices, fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin level, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated before and eight weeks after the intervention.
FINDINGS: Comparison of different indices before and after the intervention indicated that sesamin significantly decreased the serum levels of FBS (138.59±36.89 versus 172.50±53.9 mg/dl) (p=0.016), HbA1c (7.51±1.14% versus 8.28±1.55%) (p=0.002), TC (141.50±29.03 versus 164.54±45.96 mg/dl) (p=0.015), and LDL-C (73.86±18.34 versus 89.22±32.96 mg/dl) (p=0.008) in the intervention group compared to the control group. Moreover, after eight weeks of sesamin treatment in the intervention group, a significant reduction was observed in TG (139.04±78.46 versus 168.31±68.45 mg/dl) (p=0.021), MDA (1.93±0.30 versus 2.21±0.55 µmol/L) (p=0.023), waist circumference (101.65±9.78 versus 103.77±10.84 cm) (p=0.006), and body adiposity index (34.90±5.68 versus 36.02±5.56) (p=0.000). No significant differences were observed in the other studied variables.
According to the results of this study, daily administration of sesamin (200 mg) significantly improved the glycemic index, lipid profile, and serum MDA levels in type II diabetic patients. Therefore, sesamin could be effective in the prevention and control of type II diabetes complications.

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in the neonatal period. Phototherapy is regarded as the most important treatment for this condition. Several factors affect the duration of phototherapy in newborns with jaundice. Considering the scarcity of research on the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on phototherapy duration, in this study, we aimed to determine whether KMC can influence the duration of phototherapy in icteric infants.
In this clinical trial, 106 term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia were selected and randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Conventional phototherapy was performed following the same procedure for all the neonates. The subjects were matched in terms of age, sex, and weight and the two groups were breastfed at least every three hours. In the intervention group, KMC was applied during breastfeeding at least six times over 24 h. On the other hand, KMC was not applied in the control group during phototherapy. Bilirubin level was measured at 24, 48, and 72 h after phototherapy. The mean duration of phototherapy and length of hospital stay were compared during the treatment (IRCT: 201505231760N40).
FINDINGS: Age, sex, and the mean bilirubin level at the beginning of the study did not significantly differ between the groups (16.75±0.75 mg/dl in the intervention group and 16.53±0.95 mg/dl in the control group). However, phototherapy duration and the mean length of hospital stay in the intervention group (64.25±17.54 h) were shorter than the control group (91.12±16.26 h) (p=0.000).
Concurrent application of KMC and phototherapy can reduce the length of hospital stay among infants treated with phototherapy.

Hypotension after spinal anesthesia is a common and potentially dangerous complication, prompt and accurate prevention and treatment of which are of paramount importance. In the recent studies there have been conflicting results regarding the efficacy of phenylephrine and ephedrine in the prevention and treatment of hypotension after spinal anesthesia. Thus, in this study, we purport to compare the effects of phenylephrine and ephedrine in the treatment of hypotension after spinal anesthesia for lower limb orthopedic surgery.
This double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 110 ASAI-II patients aged 40-65 years, who were candidates for orthopedic surgery of lower limbs under spinal anesthesia with 3 mL of bupivacaine 0.5%. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups of 55. After observing 20% fall in blood pressure or blood pressure less than 90/60 mm/Hg, the first group received 50 µg of phenylephrine and the second group was administered 5 mg of intravenous ephedrine. Information concerning the hemodynamic status of the patients was collected and compared..
FINDINGS: Phenylephrine was more effective in the treatment of systolic and diastolic hypotension following spinal anesthesia compared to ephedrine (systolic blood pressure: 119±10.6 vs. 112.35±10.34 nc and diastolic blood pressure: 73.42 ± 6.67 vs. 70.05± 6.15 nc). However, it should be noted that except for 2 and 4 minutes after administration of vasopressor, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. In both groups, heart rate elevated simultaneously with decrease in blood pressure.
The results revealed that phenylephrine was more effective in the treatment of hypotension following spinal anesthesia compared to ephedrine in lower limb orthopedic surgery.

Anxiety is a common psychological disorder in developing societies, in which several neurotransmitters are involved. Use of pharmaceutical drugs in the treatment of anxiety has been associated with numerous side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the anxiolytic effects of grape seed oil on male rats in the elevated plus maze (EPM) model.
This experimental study was conducted on rats weighing 250- 300 grams divided into five groups of eight. Animals were administered with grape seed oil via gavage for five consecutive days, and behavioral tests were carried out 30 minutes after the intervention. Anxiolytic properties of grape seed oil were evaluated using the EPM model, and motor coordination of rats was assessed using the Rotarod apparatus. After behavioral evaluations, the animals were deeply anesthetized, and blood samples were obtained from their heart. After the extraction of blood serum, the antioxidant capacity test was performed.
FINDINGS: In animals administered with grape seed oil at doses of 50 (15±2.1), 100 (21.5±1.8), and 200 (27.5±1.8) milligram per kilogram of body weight, the number of open arm entries in EPM increased significantly compared to the control group (p=0.008, p=0.005, p=0.008). Moreover, gavage of grape seed oil at the dose of 200 mg/kg (177.5±95.17) significantly increased the time spent in the open arms of EPM (p=0.023). In addition, serum antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in rats receiving grape seed oil compared to control subjects.
According to the results of this study, grape seed oil could be effective in the reduction of anxiety levels through the inhibition of oxidative stress in rats in the EPM model

Glycyrrhiza glabra rhizome extracts have been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of peptic ulcers and cough; therefore, evaluation of the side-effects of these extracts seems essential. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of G. glabra rhizome extract on blood pressure and heart rate of male rats and assess its interaction with the nitrergic system.
In this experimental study, 10 male rats intravenously received G. glabra extracts and LNAME drug in three different modes: 1) administration of the physiological serum at baseline, 2) concomitant administration of LNAME (5 mg/kg) and the physiological serum in the control mode, and 3) concomitant administration of G. glabra extract (90 mg/kg) and LNAME in the trial mode. Heart rate and blood pressure of the animals were measured after the administration of G. glabra extract and LNAME drug. The measurements were performed, using organ electrodes, an arterial catheter connected to a pressure transducer, and a PowerLab A-D device.
FINDINGS: Based on the findings, a significant decline was observed in the mean arterial pressure in the trial mode (93±8.04), compared to the control mode (129±2.7) (p≤0.05). In addition, a significant reduction was observed in the mean systolic blood pressure in the trial mode (98±7.9), compared to the control mode (136±2.9) (p According to the results of the present study, concomitant administration of G. glabra extract and LNAME drug caused a significant decline in blood pressure

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a four-carbon non-protein amino acid used in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, inflammation, and depression. GABA is synthesized by glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme in many organisms, including bacteria. Therefore, cloning of this enzyme is essential to the optimization of GABA production. This study aimed to clone and construct the expression vector of GAD gene from Lactobacillus plantarum PTCC 1058 bacterium.
In this experimental study, we investigated the morphological, biochemical, genetic and 16s rDNA sequencing of L. plantarum PTCC 1058 strain. Genomic DNA of the bacterium was isolated and amplified using the GAD gene via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Afterwards, the gene was inserted into the pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector and subcloned in vector pET32a. Plasmid pET32a-gad expression vector was transformed in Escherichia coli BL21 strain, and protein expression was assessed using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).
FINDINGS: Morphological, biochemical and genetic analyses of 16s rDNA sequencing indicated that the studied substrain was of the L. plantarum strain. In addition, results of nucleotide sequencing of the fragmented segment via PCR showed the presence of GAD gene. Results of colony PCR and SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the accuracy of the cloning and gene expression of the recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 strain.
According to the results of this study, cloning of GAD gene from L. plantarum PTCC 1058 was successful. These cloned genes could grow rapidly in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems and be used in cost-effective culture media and even non-recyclable waste.