حسن احمدوند

There is much evidence-based research on the anti-cancerous effect of antioxidants. Dihydroxyphenylethanol is a potent antioxidant that has several activities, such as oxidant stress control, cell proliferation inhibitory activity, and apoptosis induction. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of dihydroxyphenylethanol on antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde level in the HCT-116 cell line.

In this study, a human colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116 was treated with different concentrations of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylethanol (50, 100, 150, and 200 μM) for 24 h. Then, the level of malondialdehyde and activity of enzymes of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were measured by colorimetric methods.

The results showed that 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol administration resulted in significant reduction of the malondialdehyde concentration and also significant increase of the antioxidant enzymes (e.g., catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) in the treatment groups compared to the control group (P<0.05).

Overall, 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylethanol may result in reduction of oxidative stress on HCT-116 line through changes in concentration of the malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzymes activity.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the nervous system, characterized by inflammation of the central nervous system and oxidative stress. Carvacrol is a monoterpenoid phenol with antioxidant effects against free radical. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carvacrol on the expression of Hmox-1, iNOS, Nrf2 and NF-ҚB genes in the spinal cord of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) rats as an animal model of MS.

EAE was induced in female Lewis rats and they were then divided into three groups: control, EAE model, and EAE treated with carvacrol. Carvacrol was daily injected intraperitoneally for 17 days after immunization. RNA was extracted from rat spinal cord tissue and changes in the expression of the Hmox-1, iNOS, Nrf2 and NF-ҚB genes were examined by Real-Time PCR.

The results showed that carvacrol treatment stopped severe weight loss in the EAE model group and their mean weight increased. Furthermore, carvacrol was found to reduce the expression of iNOS and NF-ҚB genes and increase the levels of Hmox-1 mRNA and Nrf2 mRNA.

The effect of carvacrol on weight changes in treated rats, along with the increased HO-1 gene expression in their spinal cord, associated with increased Nrf2 mRNA and decreased expression of iNOS and NF-ҚB, led to a reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress, and an increase in the neuroprotection. Furthermore, the invasive environment created for some cells, such as oligodendrocytes, was modulated.

Reactive oxygen species are the main factors involved in kidney damage during renal ischemia-reperfusion (RIR). Since D-limonene has antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-apoptotic, and lipid peroxidation effects, it prevents mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibits ROS, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of pretreatment with D-limonene on oxidative stress and antioxidant activity in RIR injury.

In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, RIR (ischemia was induced by clamping of renal pedicles for 45 minutes and reperfusion was considered 24 hours after ischemia), and RIR+D-limonene (100 mg/kg by oral gavage for 12 days). Serum and kidney were used to evaluate malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), paraoxonase1 (PON1), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and nitric oxide (NO).

Serum and renal levels of MDA ([18.2±98.77 vs. 9.21±1.77] and [19.85±3.39 vs. 9.84±1.65]) and MPO ([67.25±32.67 vs. 40.21±6.1] and [18.44±2.86 vs. 10.42±1.68]) and serum level of NO (31.3±36.1 vs. 27.88±2.6) significantly increased in the RIR group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Serum and kidney levels of GSH, activities of CAT and GPX in serum and kidney, and serum activity of PON1 significantly decreased in the RIR group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Pretreatment with D-limonene could significantly ameliorate serum and renal levels of MDA, serum levels of GSH and NO, and serum activity of CAT in rats pretreated with D-limonene in comparison with RIR rats (p<0.05).

This study indicated that pretreatment with D-limonene could ameliorate RIR injuries in rats through its antioxidant activities.

 One of the most important challenges in poultry industry is supplying of feedstuff. The international prices of this feedstuff have increased the costs of poultry production, and therefore, reduced marketing margins. Additionally, due to the high amount of wastes from the agricultural sector and food industry, proper management of these resources and identifying the nutritional value, makes it possible to produce cheap and suitable ingredients for poultry which are not competitive with human food. Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) are one of the largest fruit crop in Iran with annual production of 2.5 million metric tons. Grape pomace (GP) is a by-product of grape processing for ethanol, fruit juice and vinegar production and including stems, skins, seeds and peels and these residues are about 20-25% of the weight of the original grape. Considerable production of this by-product encourages animal nutritionists to study its nutritive value. It has shown that GP has about 8-13 % crude protein (CP), 6.2-8.4 % ether extract (EE) and 22.3-36.8 % crude fiber (CF) and 2642.19 kcal/kg apparent metabolizable energy (AME). Grape skins and seeds are rich sources of flavonoids. Studies have shown flavonoids have the capacity to act as powerful antioxidants by scavenging free radicals and terminating oxidative reactions. Also, phenolic component of grapes have shown inhibitory effect on bacteria. It was reported that inclusion of up to 10% GP in diets did not adversely affect broiler chickens’ performance and improved their antioxidant and immune responses.

Two independent experiments were conducted to determine the nutritional value and metabolizable energy of GP and study its effect on performance of broiler chicken. In the first experiment, AOAC method (3) was used for determination of proximate analysis of GP. Forced feeding method was used for determination of GP metabolizable energy. In the second experiment, a total of 450, one day old broiler chicks (Ross -308 strain) were used in a completely randomized design with six treatments, five replicates and 15 birds per replicate. Experimental treatments were the levels of 0 (control, basal diet, based on corn and soybean meal), 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 % of GP included to basal diet. The diets were in mash form and formulated according to Ross -308 strain recommendations. Feed and water were provided ad libitum during the experiment. All broilers fed same diet in stater period (1-10 d of age) and turned to experimental diets from day 11. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds in each pen was recorded weekly and calculated for grower (11-24 d), finisher 1 (25–39 d), finisher 2 (40-49 d)  and total periods (11-49 d) for each bird. On day 49, one chick per replicate was slaughtered after 5 hours starvation and carcass characteristics were determined. At the end of experiment (49 d), blood samples were collected from one bird per replicate to determine blood biochemical characteristics.

 The results of this experiment showed that the GP contains about 7.13% CP, 4.92 % EE, 26.85 % CF and 5.86 % ash. Its gross energy and different terms of metabolizable energy such as AME, AMEn, TME and TMEn were 3371.75, 2223.58, 2221.04, 1527.63 and 1526.13 kcal/kg DM respectively. In biological part of experiment, and in total period, broiler BWG was decreased and FCR was increased when higher levels of GP (12 and 15%) were added to their diets in comparison with control. It was reported that GP contains high level of fiber and polymeric polyphenols as procyanidins could be bound and precipitated both dietary and endogenous proteins, and negatively affected poultry performance. Also, it was reported that GP tannins have adverse effects on nutrient utilization, and are toxic at high intake levels, due to their ability to bind proteins, minerals and carbohydrates. Relative weight of abdominal fat was decreased when high level of (15 %) GP used in broiler diet (P<0.05). The reduction in relative weight of thighs and abdominal fat, is probably due to reduced digestion and absorption of nutrients. It was indicated that polyphenols (specially condensed tannin) are able to inhibit a range of enzymes including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase and trypsin activity, therefore the digestion of charbohydrate, lipid and protein were adversely affected. Blood serum concentration of triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL were decreased and LDL concentration was increased when GP levels were increased in broiler diets (P<0.05). The mechanism by which dietary GP supplements affect the concentrations of plasma lipids is not fully understood. However, it was showed that herbs and herbal products induce hypocholesterolemic effects by reducing the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, the rate limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis.

In conclusion, the results of the present experiment shows that the crude fiber content of grape pomace is high and its crude protein content is low. Due to the high level of fiber content of grape pomace, its metabolizable energy is relatively low (1527.63 kcal/kg DM). Inclusion of up to 9% grape pomace in broiler diets had no negative effect on feed conversion ratio. Although, broiler performance, was depressed by dietary inclusion in higher levels.

To investigate the effects of replacement vitamin E with dietary grape pomace in the diets containing oil or beef tallow on growth performance, blood chara cteristics, oxidative status, and gut morphology of broiler chickens, the present study was carried out. Four hundred and fifty-one-day-old broiler chickens were used in a completely randomized design with six treatments and five replicates. Experimental treatments were as follows; 1- control oil (CO, basal diet containing 3.5 percent soy oil) with 200 mg/kg vitamin E, 2-contraol tallow (CT, basal diet containing 3.5 percent tallow) with vitamin E, 3- CO with 9 percent grape pomace (GP), 4- CT with 9 % GP, 5- CO with 9 percent GP and vitamin E,6- CT with 9 % GP, and vitamin E. The results of this experiment showed that in the whole period, the birds fed diets containing soy oil, GP and vitamin E had the highest body weight gain and production index and the lowest feed conversion ratio compared to the others. The blood concentration of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoproteins were reduced when GB was used in diets. Blood superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase concentrations were increased, and malondialdehyde concentration was decreased when GP was used in broiler diets. In the duodenum part of the small intestine, villus height, crypt depth, villus height to crypt depth ratio, and muscularis thickness were increased when GP was used in broiler diets. To conclude, the result of this experiment suggests that although the GP has strong antioxidant properties, the simultaneous using vitamin E has a better effect on broiler growth performance.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion can lead to acute renal failure. The use of antioxidants is a good way to reduce the damage caused by renal ischemia-reperfusion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of indole-3-acetic acid on renal ischemia-reperfusion injury through its antioxidant properties in a rat model.

Forty male rats were treated for 2 weeks in four groups included (control group, ischemia-reperfusion control group, ischemia-reperfusion group with 40 mg/kg indole acetic acid treatment and ischemia-reperfusion group with 60 mg/kg indole acetic acid treatment). Then, the blood sample was taken from the heart. Serum urea and creatinine levels were measured using biochemical kits and superoxide dismutase enzyme levels were measured using photometric methods.

The results showed that ischemia-reperfusion caused a significant increase in urea )P≤0/05) and creatinine) P≤0/05) levels and a significant decrease in the level of superoxide dismutase in ischemia-reperfusion rats compared to the control group. However, indole acetic acid caused a significant decrease in serum urea) P≤0/05) and creatinine e)P≤0/05) levels and a non-significant increase in superoxide dismutase enzyme compared to the ischemia-reperfusion control group )P>0/05).

The use of indol acetic acid was involved in reducing the renal biochemical parameters of urea and creatinine, which were increased due to ischemia-reperfusion injury, and caused the level of Super oxide dismutase enzyme to increase non-significant.

Gentamicin is one of the aminoglycoside antibiotics that commonly causes nephrotoxicity. Antioxidants are effective in reducing gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity. In this study, we investigated the possible effect of L-Glutamine on the reduction of renal tissue damages and renal function recovery in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

In this experimental study, 32 rats were divided into four groups of eight: Sham group, Gentamicin group (100 mg/kg i.p for 12 days), L-Glutamine group (30 mg/kg by gavage for 12 days), Gentamicin+L-Glutamine group. Then through anesthesia, the blood sample was collected via cardiac and its serum was used to measure the BUN and creatinine levels. The kidney of the rat was used to measure malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH) and determine histopathological parameters.

Receiving gentamicin causes significant elevation in BUN, Creatinine, MDA of the kidney, tubular necrosis, eosinophilic cast, and leukocyte infiltration compared to sham group (p<0.05). CAT, GPX, and GSH in gentamicin group caused significant decrease compared to the sham group (p<0.05). Glutamine has significantly decreased the MDA level, and leukocyte infiltration compared to gentamicin group (p<0.05). Glutamine caused significant increase in GPX (CAT in group 4) compared to gentamicin group (p<0.05) and in group 3, BUN, tubular necrosis, eosinophilic caused significant decreases compared to gentamicin group (p<0.05).

Receiving L-Glutamine, 30 mg/kg orally for 12 days has an effective role in the reduction of kidney injuries induced by gentamicin.

Multiple sclerosis is a common neurological disorder that is characterized by inflammation, axonal destruction, and atrophy of the central nervous system. Carvacrol is a valuable phytoestrogenic compound that has been shown thus far to be effective reducing inflammation and protecting neurons. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carvacrol on the expression of IL-10 FOX-P3, IL-4, and TGF-β genes in the spinal cord of EAE (Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis) rats as an animal model of MS. EAE was induced in female Lewis rats and they then were divided into three groups: control, EAE model, and EAE treated with carvacrol. Carvacrol was injected daily intraperitoneally from days 12 to 29 after immunization. RNA was extracted from rat spinal cord tissue and changes in the expression of the IL-10, FOX-P3, IL-4, and TGF-β genes were examined by real-time PCR.The results showed induction of the MS experimental model in the Lewis rats decreased expression of the IL-10, IL-4, and TGF anti-inflammatory genes in spinal cord of rats. Treatment of EAE rats with carvacrol significantly increased IL-10 gene expression(p < 0.001), but showed no positive effect on the expression of the other two genes. The expression of the FOX-P3 gene in the model group increased significantly(p < 0.001), but this decreased after carvacrol treatment. With the effect of carvacrol on increasing IL-10 gene expression, reduce local inflammation and increase debris clearance, converts the invasive environment created for neurons into a safe environment and triggers remyelination.

Diabetes leads to both structural and functional dysfunction in the tissues and causes problems such as fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 6 weeks moderate intensity endurance training on skeletal muscle fibrosis in diabetic rats.

Twenty eight adult male wistar rats in the weight range of 200-250gr, randomly assigned to four equal groups: diabetes and training, diabetes control, healthy and training, healthy control. After twelve hours of food deprivation, intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin solution method was used. Two weeks after STZ injection, the moderate intensity endurance training protocol was performed for six weeks. Twenty four hours after the last training session, soleus and EDL muscles were dissected. Mason’s trichrome staining method was used for analysis of fibrosis.

Compared with the healthy control group, diabetes caused a significant increase in fibrosis in soleus muscle (P=0.002) and extensor digitorum longus muscle (P=0.048). Also, endurance training resulted in significant reduction of fibrosis in soleus muscle in the Diabetes and training group compared to the diabetes control group (P=0.043), but endurance training did not have a significant effect on fibrosis of the extensor digitorum longus muscle (P=0.341). The exercise also significantly reduced blood glucose levels in the diabetic group compared to the control group.

It seems that moderate intensity endurance training could inhibit from muscle fibrosis caused by diabetes. So, it is suggested that moderate intensity endurance training could be used as a non-pharmacotherapy intervention for inhibition of fibrosis in diabetic patient’s muscles.

Loranthus grewinkii is a damaging species that is a type of leafy species and inhabits on trees of Zagros forests. This plant in order to provide some of the needed nutrient elements for photosynthesis, it needs its host plant to obtain the water and nutrients. For that reason, they cause changes in biochemical compositions in their host trees. In this research, the effect of Loranthus grewinkii Boiss & Buhse was investigated on organic compounds such as total tannin, total phenol, dense tannin, flavonoids, protein, total sugars, insoluble sugar and proline in Amygdalus Scoparia in Southern Zagros forests, Khoram Abad, Iran. The results showed that the total phenol, dense tannin, total tannin, flavonoids and proline in the leaf of the infected individuals were significantly higher than the healthy wild almond (P≤0.05 and P≤0.01). Also, the results showed that sugar content, soluble sugar and protein in healthy individuals were more than the infected individuals to Loranthus grewinkii (P≤0.05, P≤0.01). It is seemed, increasing secondary compounds such as total phenol, dense tannin, total tannin, flavonoid, and proline due to disease occurs in tree to make efforts in orderto increase tolerance to the disease. Therefore, due to the activity of the semi-parasitic plant on these trees, the drying phenomenon is observed on the crown or branches of wild almond trees, so it can be used in the cleaning practice to prevent the prevalence and spread of Loranthus grewinkii in the Southern Zagros region, especially, Lorestan province.

Loranthus grewinkii is a damaging species that is a type of leafy species and inhabits on trees of Zagros forests. This plant in order to provide some of the needed nutrient elements for photosynthesis, it needs its host plant to obtain the water and nutrients. For that reason, they cause changes in biochemical compositions in their host trees. In this research, the effect of Loranthus grewinkii Boiss & Buhse was investigated on organic compounds such as total tannin, total phenol, dense tannin, flavonoids, protein, total sugars, insoluble sugar and proline in Amygdalus Scoparia in Southern Zagros forests, Khoram Abad, Iran. The results showed that the total phenol, dense tannin, total tannin, flavonoids and proline in the leaf of the infected individuals were significantly higher than the healthy wild almond (P≤0.05 and P≤0.01). Also, the results showed that sugar content, soluble sugar and protein in healthy individuals were more than the infected individuals to Loranthus grewinkii (P≤0.05, P≤0.01). It is seemed, increasing secondary compounds such as total phenol, dense tannin, total tannin, flavonoid, and proline due to disease occurs in tree to make efforts in orderto increase tolerance to the disease. Therefore, due to the activity of the semi-parasitic plant on these trees, the drying phenomenon is observed on the crown or branches of wild almond trees, so it can be used in the cleaning practice to prevent the prevalence and spread of Loranthus grewinkii in the Southern Zagros region, especially, Lorestan province.