فهرست مطالب

Avicenna Journal of Medical Biochemistry - Volume:4 Issue: 2, Dec 2016

Avicenna Journal of Medical Biochemistry
Volume:4 Issue: 2, Dec 2016

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1395/07/13
  • تعداد عناوین: 12
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  • Rehana Rehman, Syeda Sadia Fatima, Faiza Alam* Page 3
  • Shokoufe Nikpour Moghaddam, Durdi Qujeq*, Ali Asghar Rastegari Efahani Page 4
    Background
    Preliminary studies revealed that 4-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a key and major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Evidence from many animal studies and even some clinical studies indicate that GABA is responsible for regulating behavior and also plays an important role in brain functions. Previous studies presented Glutamic acid decarboxylase as a catalyst for the conversion of glutamic acid to GABA.
    Objectives
    The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of saffron on GABA content in the hypothalamus of rats.
    Materials And Methods
    Male rats weighing 190 - 210 g were used. They were maintained in a temperature-controlled room with a 12-hour light/dark illumination cycle. The rats were fed standard pellet feed and had access to water ad libitum. The animals were divided into three groups: The first group received a 250 µL intraperitoneal injection of 0.05 g/mL saffron (Group I). The second group received a 250 µL intraperitoneal injection of 0.1 g/mL saffron (Group II). The third group acted as the control and received only water (Group III). The time intervals chosen for this experiment were 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks following the administration of saffron. At least six animals were assigned to each experimental group. At each time interval, the animals were anaesthetized and brain tissue extracted, hypothalami separated and homogenized in PBS solution, rinsed with PBS, re-filtered, and centrifuged at 1200 g for 10 minutes.
    Results
    In this study, both doses of saffron (0.05 g/mL [Group I]; and 0.1 g/mL [Group II]) caused significantly increased GABA content in each hypothalamus. GABA in Group I increased significantly compared to the control group (1.00 ± 0.05 [mean ± SD, n = 8] vs. 0.29 ± 0.05, mM). GABA in Group II also increased significantly compared to the control group (1.45 ± 0.07 [mean ± SD, n = 8] vs. 0.29 ± 0.05, mM). The effect of saffron on GABA was also dose dependent; the only exception occurring during the final time interval for the 0.1 g/mL saffron concentration.
    Conclusions
    The results of this study demonstrated a significant increase in hypothalamus GABA content from saffron administration. One explanation for this observation could be the stimulation of glutamic acid decarboxylase the primary enzyme responsible for the production of GABA. Saffron may be a potential therapeutic agent for improving neurotransmitter levels.
    Keywords: 4, Amino Butyric Acid (GABA), Saffron, Neurotransmitter
  • Toofan Sabernia, Hossein Piri, Farzad Rajaei* Page 5
    Background
    Technology-induced increases in stress can have adverse effects on the nervous system.
    Objectives
    The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of chronic multiple stressors on morphometric changes in Betz cells in the rat cerebral cortex.
    Methods
    Eighteen Wistar rats were divided randomly into two equal groups. One group was then exposed to different types of stress (forced swimming, restraint, water deprivation, isolation, and food deprivation) for 10 days, and the other group (control) remained in cages and was not exposed to any stress. The animals were then weighed and anesthetized, and their brains were removed and weighed. After fixation, the brain samples were prepared for light microscopy study. The number, size, and incidence of apoptosis of Betz cells in the internal pyramidal layer were determined using the ImageTool software program, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software and a t-test, with a value of P
    Results
    The mean number and size of Betz cells in the stressed group decreased significantly compared to those in the control group (P
    Conclusions
    The results showed that chronic multiple sequential stress can have negative effects on the cerebral cortex of rats by reducing the size and number of Betz cells and increasing the incidence of apoptosis. More studies are needed to confirm these results.
    Keywords: Apoptosis, Brain, Pyramidal Cells, Rats, Stress
  • Vincenza Rita Lo Vasco*, Martina Leopizzi, Anna Scotto Dabusco, Carlo Della Rocca Page 6
    Background
    A large number of phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes, both mRNA transcripts and proteins, have been detected in osteoblasts, corroborating the importance of calcium regulation in bone tissue. MG-63 and SaOS-2 human osteosarcoma cell lines are actually considered osteoblast-like cells, and are therefore widely used as experimental models for osteoblasts.
    Objectives
    Our aim was to verify whether MG-63 or SaOS-2 cells might also represent appropriate experimental osteoblast models for signal transduction studies, with special regard to the phosphoinositide (PI) pathway. We analyzed the expression and the subcellular distribution of enzymes related to calcium signal transduction (the PI-specific PLC family), which are known to possess high cell/tissue specificity.
    Materials And Methods
    The expression of PLC genes was analyzed by performing RT-PCR experiments. The presence of PLC enzymes and their subcellular distribution within the cells was analyzed with immunofluorescence experiments.
    Results
    Osteoblasts, MG-63 cells, and SaOS-2 cells have expression panels similar to those of PLC enzymes. However, slight differences were found in the expression of enzymes belonging to the PLCη subfamily.
    Conclusions
    MG-63 and SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cell lines might not represent appropriate experimental models for studies that aim to analyze signal transduction in osteoblasts.
    Keywords: Signal Transduction, Phospholipase C, Osteosarcoma, Calcium, Osteoblasts
  • Mahsa Pourhamzeh, Zahra Gholami Mahmoudian, Massoud Saidijam, Mohammad Javad Asari, Zohreh Alizadeh* Page 7
    Background
    Silver nanoparticles have antibacterial properties and their use is growing in different industries. Since the toxicity of nanosilver is not well known, it is essential to examine its safety.
    Objectives
    This experiment was undertaken to study the effects of nanosilver on rat liver function with an evaluation of blood biochemistry parameters and caspase-3 expression in the liver.
    Materials And Methods
    In this experimental study, 40 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. In the four experimental groups, nanosilver particles were given orally for 28 consecutive days at doses of 30, 125, 300, or 700 mg/kg. Rats in the control group received equal volumes of deionized water. To evaluate the expression of caspase-3 in liver tissue, the real-time PCR method was used. Albumin, total protein, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were measured with an RA-1000 autoanalyzer.
    Results
    The results indicated that caspase-3 was upregulated in the treated groups compared to the control group (P 0.05).
    Conclusions
    Based on the present study, it can be concluded that oral administration of silver nanoparticles for 28 days had no effect on rat liver function, but probably led to early apoptotic stages.
    Keywords: Apoptosis, Caspase, 3, Liver, Nanoparticles, Silver
  • Samira Nasiri*, Sara Nasiri Page 8
    Background
    Biological synthesis of nanoparticles has emerged as a promising field of biotechnology. Various biological systems including fungi, yeasts, bacteria, and plants have been used for biosynthesis of nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles have unique properties that make them ideal for various medical and industrial applications. Owing to high levels of organic reducing agents and ease of manipulation, plant extracts are widely used for biological generation of various types of metal nanoparticles.
    Objectives
    The objective of the present study was to evaluate efficacy of Carum carvi extract in biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles and to investigate antifungal effects of the biosynthesized nanoparticles.
    Methods
    Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by addition of silver nitrate solution into fresh extract of C. carvi. Characterization of the synthesized silver nanoparticles was performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Inhibitory effect of silver nanoparticles on Candida albicans growth was evaluated by serial microdilution method.
    Results
    The results revealed the formation of spherical silver nanoparticles with an average size of 10 nm. Moreover, concentration of SNPs in a 25 mL sample containing both SNPs and plant extract biomass was 2.934 mg/L on average. Serial microdilution test showed that SNPs at the concentration of 50 μg/mL can inhibit growth of the pathogen.
    Conclusions
    The present study extends the existing literature about green synthesis of nanoparticles using plant tissues and extracts.
    Keywords: Biosynthesis, Nanoparticle, Silver, Candida albicans, Carum carvi
  • Zohre Alijanian*, Nasrin Talebian, Monir Doudi Page 9
    Background
    In recent years, bioactive bioceramics such as bioglass and hydroxyapatite (HA) have been introduced as a remarkable development in the field of medicine due to their bio-adaptability, non-toxicity, and persistence, in vivo. They have many potential applications in the repair of bone defects and hence they have attracted significant interest from scholars.
    Objectives
    The aim of this study was to synthesize inorganic matrix CuO-based bioglasses and evaluate their antibacterial activity against aerobic bacterial infections in bone implants.
    Methods
    Nano-composite samples of silica-based bioactive glass, 60S BG with nano-powder CuO, were synthesized using the sol-gel method and then assessed with regard to their antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus using well diffusion agar. The samples included BG58S (58%SiO2, 36%CaO, 6%P2O5), BG/10CuO (58%SiO2, 26%CaO, 6%P2O5, 10%CuO), and BG/20CuO (48%SiO2, 26%CaO, 6%P2O5, 20%CuO). To evaluate their bioactivity, the prepared samples of BG/20CuO, BG/10CuO, and BG58S were immersed in simulated body fluids (SBF). The surface morphology and structure of the samples before and after immersion in the SBF were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), respectively. Then, the BG/20CuO and BG/10CuO samples were loaded in clindamycin, an antibiotic widely used in the treatment of osteomyelitis, and their release profiles were studied in phosphate buffer solution.
    Results
    It was observed that the growth inhibition zone increased through clindamycin release due to the increasing CuO percentage in the nanocomposite of bioactive glass. The bioactivity of the nanocomposite/bioglass with CuO was superior to that of bioglass alone. In this study, the BG/20CuO sample showed a sustained release of clindamycin, which is sufficient for a drug delivery system.
    Conclusions
    Increasing the Cu nanoparticles in bioactive glass samples leads to the release of Cu2, which has a positive effect on the antibacterial mechanism, as well as decreasing the cultured Staphylococcus colonies found on the bioglasses. Therefore, it seems that the nanocomposite/bioglass of CuO is a promising option for aerobic bacterial inhibitor systems in common bone implant infections.
    Keywords: Bioactive Glass 58S, Bone, Implant Interface, Clindamycin, Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests
  • Katayoon Etemadi* Page 10
    Background
    Chromosomal aberrations are one of the most common causes of mental retardation (MR).
    Objectives
    In this study, in order to identify the rate of chromosomal abnormalities in idiopathic MR, 50 MR patients at a charity center in Hamadan, Iran, were investigated.
    Methods
    Fifty mentally retarded male patients without specific chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome) were included in the study. Standard cytogenetic techniques and high resolution GTG banding were performed on all the patients.
    Results
    All the patients were male, with a mean age of 37.12 years. Skeletal and facial abnormalities were found in 8% and 22% of patients, respectively. All the patients showed a moderate to severe level of mental retardation. None of the patients had numerical chromosome abnormalities. Two out of the 50 patients (4%) demonstrated structural chromosomal abnormalities. One patient had a paracentric inversion in chromosome 1, while the other had a pericentric inversion in chromosome 2.
    Conclusions
    The presence of structural chromosomal abnormalities (4%) in the studied MR patient population emphasizes the importance of cytogenetic investigation for all idiopathic MR patients.
    Keywords: Idiopathic Mental Retardation, Chromosome Abnormality, GTG Banding
  • Simmi Kharb*, Prerna Panjeta, Vikram Kala, Vs Ghalaut, Jyoti Bala, Smiti Nanda Page 11
    Background
    Human placenta, a non-neural tissue, contains cholinergic system and high-affinity muscarinic receptors. The role of cholinesterases (CE) in trophoblast function and pregnancy is not clear.
    Objectives
    The present study aimed to analyze cholinesterase (CE) levels in cord blood in preeclamptic women.
    Methods
    In the present study, maternal and cord blood butyrylcholinesterase levels were analyzed in women with preeclampsia (n = 25) and compared to those of normotensive pregnant women (n = 25) and normal, non-pregnant healthy controls (n = 25) by a kinetic method (the new DGKC method) using the AutoAnalyzer.
    Results
    In the present study, maternal butyrylcholinesterase levels were lower in preeclamptics as compared to normotensive controls. Butyrylcholinesterase levels were lower in the cord blood of the babies of normotensives, amounting to 88.65% of the maternal levels. Cord blood butyrylcholinesterase levels were significantly lower in preeclamptic pregnant women as compared to normotensive pregnant women. On comparing these butyrylcholinesterase levels to the normal, non-pregnant control (Group III), it was observed that CE levels were significantly lower in both normotensive and preeclamptic women.
    Conclusions
    The findings of the present study indicate that butyrylcholinesterase levels are lower in preeclamptics and that this might be due to the loss of muscarinic cholinergic receptors that occurs in preeclampsia.
    Keywords: Cholinergic System, Cholinesterases, Pregnancy, Preeclamptics, Cord Blood
  • Sayed Alireza Mirsane, Shima Shafagh*, Neda Mirbagher Ajorpaz Page 12