ali mohammad alizadeh

LncRNAs interact with miRNAs and mRNAs that can have a special expression pattern in a specific cell type. We investigated the specific lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs in different groups of prostate cancer (PC).

The mRNAs with significant expression differences were first analyzed using the GEO and TCGA databases. The lncRNAs and miRNAs were then identified in the miRWalk2, miRmap, OncomiR, miRGator 3.0, miRCancerDB, LncRNA2target, TANRIC, LncRNADisease, Lnc2Cancer v3.0, and LncBase. Seventy subjects, including sixty PC patients classified as local, locally advanced, biochemical relapse, metastatic, and benign groups, as well as ten normal individuals, were then included. Finally, real-time PCR determined the expression of the candidate biomarkers.

The bioinformatics analysis detected candidate 6 miRNAs, 6 lncRNAs, and 6 mRNAs in different groups of PC patients. Unlike the significant decrease in candidate tumor suppressors, the expression levels of specific onco-lncRNA, onco-miRNA, and oncogenes exhibited a substantial increase in different groups of the patients compared to the normal group. The expression of lncRNAs, including LINC01128 (P=0.0182), LINC02246 (P<0.0001), and LINC02288 (P<0.0001), LINC00857 (P<0.0001), GNAS-AS1 (P<0.0001), and LINC02371 (P<0.0001), the expression of miRNAs, including miR-217 (P<0.0001), miR-375 (P<0.0001), miR-203a (P<0.0001), miR-876 (P=0.0046), miR-27b (P<0.0001), and miR-152 (P<0.0001), and the expression of oncogenes, including ST14 (P<0.0001), CD24 (P<0.0001), CDH1 (P<0.0001), DSC2 (P<0.0001), TGFB3 (P<0.0001), and MYL2 (P=0.0186) had significant changes at different groups of PC patients.

Our results identified promising biomarkers that play a role in specific groups of prostate cancer patients. Detecting specific biomarkers may be an effective strategy for different groups of PC patients.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignancies and is considered as one of the leading causes of cancer deaths worldwide. Despite considerable progress in the disease's control and treatment, the patients' survival rate is relatively low. Different factors can affect the survival rate of GC patients. The current study aims to evaluate the association of demographic and pathological characteristics with the survival rate of GC patients.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on Fifty-six patients with gastric cancer from October 2015 to October 2016, who were referred to the gastroenterology clinic of Imam Khomeini and Rasoul Akram Hospitals in Tehran province and followed up for five consecutive years. The survival rate of the patients was measured using Kaplan-Meier method. Moreover, the Log-rank test and the COX regression model were used to determine the association of the survival rate with the demographic and pathological characteristics, including gender, age, tumor location, tumor type, tumor differentiation, metastasis, tumor staging, and Helicobacter pylori status. Data analysis was performed via SPSS version 22, and a P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. 

A total of 56 patients were studied; 73% were men, and 27% were women. Our results showed that gastric cancer is more common in males and older people. Patients' one-year, three-year, and five-year survival rates were 67%, 35%, and 26%, respectively. Also, the survival rate of participants over 60 and in advanced stages of GC was lower than others. The Log-rank test showed that age, tumor type, tumor differentiation, metastasis, and tumor staging could affect the survival rate. However, in the COX regression model, age, metastasis, and tumor staging influenced the survival rate of patients.

The results indicated that the survival rate of gastric cancer patients was relatively low, and the early diagnosis of GC could be a substantial factor in increasing the patients' survival rate. Therefore, an appropriate screening program is necessary to increase the survival rate of GC patients.

The design of this study was done to investigate the effects of inhibiting the activity of beta-adrenergic receptors by supplementation of different concentrations of propranolol (as a none-selective inhibitor of beta- adrenergic receptors) on some of the performance characteristics in laying hens at the end of the economic production period and the qualitative traits of eggs. The experiment was performed in a complete randomized design, over a 26-day period, using 64 laying hens (90 weeks’ age) included 4 treatments (including control treatment and propranolol treatment with concentrations of 1, 2, and 3 mg Per kilogram of live body weight) with 4 repetitions and each repetition consisted of 4 birds, and some of the performance characteristics, follicular size (F1-F5) and egg quality were measured and calculated. The data obtained from the performance characteristics show that the usage of all concentrations of this inhibitor causes the significant increase in the laying percentage, improvement of feed conversion ratio. Propranolol also significantly increased feed intake and F1 follicle size at a concentration of 3 mg. Regarding the qualitative parameters of eggs, the usage of this inhibitor causes the significant increase in the thickness of the egg shell, the significant increase in the shell weight and ratio of the shell to the total weight of the eggs and the improvement of the Hue index in concentrations of 2 and 3 mg propranolol in treated birds. Therefore, it can be concluded that supplementation of different concentrations of propranolol in this study has been capable of improving some of the performance and qualitative characteristics of eggs in laying hens at the end of the production period.

Since inflammation is considered as one of the major challenges in different parts of the livestock industry, this study was conducted to evaluate the inflammatory strategy of combination and simultaneous usage of beta-2 agonist and glucocorticoid drugs on some performance characteristics in laying hens at late production stage and some of qualitative characteristics. The research was conducted in a completely randomized design, during a period of about 4 weeks, using 112 laying hens of High Line W-36 strains (older than 90 weeks). Birds were randomly divided to seven treatments (including one level of beta-2 agonist drug, one level of glucocorticoid drug, three combined levels of these drugs, one beta-blocking treatment and control) with 4 replicates per treatment and 4 birds were put on each replicate. The results indicated that the laying percentage and feed intake increased in beta-agonist and beta-blocker treatments (P <0.05) and decreased significantly in glucocorticoid and combination treatments (P <0.05). Also, in beta-2 agonist treatment, body weight and egg weight were significantly increased (P <0.05). In contrast, these parameters significantly decreased (P <0.05) in glucocorticoid and combination treatments. However, shell thickness significantly increased (P <0.05) in some combination treatments. Therefore, it can be concluded that beta-agonist as a stimulant of inflammation (in some tissues such as the ovary) has a positive effect on the performance parameters, while egg qualitative parameters performed better in the glucocorticoid and combined treatments which act as anti-inflammatory stimulants in the body.

Metalloproteinase enzymes can lead to the digestion of the extracellular matrix and its compounds and ultimately facilitate the metastasis of cancer cells to other tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1 and 13 in the tissue and plasma samples of the patients with breast cancer and their relationship with clinical features of the disease.

In this experimental study, twenty-five patients with the diagnosis of non-metastatic luminal A breast cancer in the stage 2 or 3 from the patients referred to the Cancer Institute of Iran, as well as eight healthy subjects which was performed in the Cancer Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences from March 2017 to September 2017, were entered into the study. After obtaining written consent, a few biopsies of breast tumor tissues and 10 cc of the whole blood were collected from all the subjects. Then, the collagen zymography assay was used to evaluate the activity of MMPs 1 and 13.

The results of the present study showed that the activity of MMPs 1 and 13 in the plasma samples was significantly increased in comparison with the healthy group (respectively P=0.0055 and P=0.0263). Unlike the MMP-13, the activity level of the MMP-1 in the tumor and plasma samples was significantly different (P=0.0227). Plasma activity levels of MMP-1 (P=0.0037) and MMP-13 (P=0.0311) were also significantly different in stages 2 and 3 of the disease. Unlike the MMP-13, the activity level of MMP-1 was significantly different in lymph nodes between the tissue and plasma samples (respectively P=0.03 and P=0.015). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the activity level of MMPs 1 and 13 with menopausal and non-menopausal status between the tissue and plasma samples.

The results of the present study showed that plasma concentrations of the MMPs 1 and 13 in comparison with their tissue concentrations could be an appropriate diagnostic tool for breast cancer patients.

The preclinical reports have shown that specific probiotics like Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) can be applied as the biotherapeutic agents in the inhibition or therapy of colorectal cancer via the modification of gut bacteria. In the previous studies, we have assessed the impact of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum probiotics on gut bacteria concentration and also their chemo-protective impact on mice colon cancer. In the following, we assessed the effects of these probiotics on the  gene expression of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the leptin receptor (LPR) and the serum biochemical parameters on mice colon cancer. Thirty-six male BALB/c mice were equally shared into 4 groups; (i) health with routine dietary foods without any treatment, (ii) azoxymethane (AOM)-induced mice colon cancer with common dietary foods, (iii) and (iv) AOM-induced mice colon cancer with oral consumption of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum (1×109 cfu/g) for 5 months, respectively. Then, the serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and albumin and also VDR and LPR genes expression were evaluated. Oral consumption of L. acidophilus and B. bifidum probiotics significantly decreased the triglycerides, alkaline phosphatase, LDL, and also the VDR and LPR gene expression in mice colon cancer (P<0.005). L. acidophilus and B. bifidum probiotics with the modification of the biochemical parameters and the expression of the VDR and LPR genes can play a key role in the protection of mouse colon cancer.

Recent evidence suggests that regular exercise training is effective in treating various aspects of cancer. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 8 weeks of aerobic interval training on monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) protein and expression of p53 gene in tumor of colon cancer mice.
The present study was conducted experimentally from May to October 2014 at the Exercise Physiology Research Center of Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Twenty BALB/c mice of age 3 weekly with a mean weight of 17.6±1.4 grams were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups: control (N=5), interval training (N=5), colon tumor (N=5) and interval training犉 tumor (N=5). The cancer was induced by subcutaneous injection of a carcinogenic azoxymethane (10 mg/kg) once a week for three weeks, and aerobic exercise was performed with rodent treadmill for 8 weeks and 5 days a week. Forty-eight hours after the last training session, the mice were cleared and colon removed. Measurement of MCT1 protein was performed by ELISA and commercial kits (ZellBio, Germany). Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determine the relative expression of p53 gene. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U tests.
The results showed a significant increase in MCT1 protein (P The findings of the study showed that aerobic interval training reduced the protein content of MCT1 and increased the expression of p53 gene (as a tumor inhibitor) in the tumor of colon cancer mice. These factors are portions of the mechanisms involved in cancer cell metabolism by which aerobic interval training shows part of its therapeutic effect in colon cancer.

Breast cancer is one of the major causes of death among women. Therefore, studying the morphology of cancer is necessary. Computer models and simulations may help scientists better understand this disease, and improve current treatments. In this paper, a model of breast cancer based on Cell Cycle is presented. Five states for each cell in a 2D square lattice is considered. The rules for updating the states of the model in the Moore neighborhood are stochastic. The results of our simulations are presented with/without considering immune system. The growth fraction and necrotic fraction are used as output parameters beside a 2-D graphical growth presentation. Moreover, we introduced a new in-vivo study to measure the output parameters by using Tetrazolium chloride. It can be observed that there is an acceptable compatibility between the experimental tests and simulation results.

The presence of stem cells in leukemia and solid tumors has been demonstrated in recent decades. Cancer stem cells have the potency of tumorigenesis; furthermore, they have the ability of self-renewing and differentiation like other stem cells. They also play important role in the process of tumor invasion and metastasis. Several studies have been performed to discover the specific markers and different phenotypes of these cells that can be very important in their identification. It seems that the characteristic of cancer stem cells, like tumor genesis, is greatly related to the specific signaling pathways such as Wnt, ? catenin and hedgehog. In addition, the tumor microenvironment and its controlling agents are the important factors involving in the regulation of cancer stem cell function. The present review aimed to investigate the biology of cancer stem cells, specific signaling pathways, factors controlling the microenvironment as well as the role of microRNAs in controlling the function of these cells to provide new therapeutic methods.

It was assumed that the loss of cardiomyocytes is irreversible. The main goal is to develop widely available and clinically applicable treatments for heart diseases. The several studies have showed that the use of stem cells can improve complicacies such as cardiovascular diseases. Stem cells have a potential benefit of the self-renewal and cell differentiation into the cell types that can play an important role in the organogenesis and the embryonic development. In a lifetime, the heart muscle has a population of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) in which a dramatically increase after cardiovascular damages. So far, seven types of CSCs have been discovered with the different molecular phenotype and the cell differentiation potential. In this regard, the proliferation and the differentiation increase of CSCs in the cardiac ischemic areas can be a key factor to improve heart complicacies. Paracrine and/or autocrine factors, the extracellular matrix and the genetic mediators including microRNA can control the function of CSCs. It has clearly been understood that the factors mentioned previously have the ability to improve these complicacies. The differentiation, the survival and the self-renewal of CSCs are largely under the control of factors in the heart microenvironment. Several studies showed that the cytokines and the growth factors play the important role in the proliferation and the migration of CSCs. Taking advantage of these factors together CSCs to repair damaged heart can enhance this method efficiency. This review will discuss the different kinds of CSCs, their molecular phenotype and cardiac regeneration potential in order to improve cardiovascular diseases. It seems that CSCs-based therapy is emerging as a novel approach for myocardial repair over conventional cardiovascular therapies. Therefore, understanding the new aspects on the molecular mechanisms and the signaling pathways involving CSCs is critical for the development of the therapeutic strategies in cardiac patients that would be valuable for researchers in both fields of molecular and clinical cardiology.

Fumonisins are a group of toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxins, which contaminate the grains and their products. The aim of this study was to examine the apoptotic and proliferative activity of mouse gastric mucosa following administration of fumonisin B1 (FB1). Twenty-nine female mice divided into treatment (n=15) and control (n=14) groups. The treatment group received FB1 (150 mg/kg diet) for 16 weeks. The gastric atrophy was allocated using grading criteria modeled on the updated Sydney System. Immunohistochemistry studies were performed for evaluation of apoptosis and proliferative activity in gastric mucosa. Mild to moderate gastric atrophy were observed in microscopic findings of the gastric mucosa in treated animals (P<0.05). Number of parietal cells significantly decreased in the treatment group in comparison with the control (P<0.05). Treatment with FB1 for 16 weeks significantly reduced both gastric mucosa height and mitotic index in the gastric glands (P<0.05). TUNEL- and Bax-labeled positive cell numbers significantly increased in the FB1-treated group compared to the control (P<0.05). In addition, proliferative activity of gastric glands in the treated group was significantly lower than the control (P<0.05). Oral administration of FB1 caused atrophy in gastric mucosa both via increasing of apoptosis and suppressing the mitotic activity of these cells.

Iranian propolis is a natural product of honeybees that has significant and varied anti-cancer benefits. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Iranian propolis on gastric tissue carcinogenesis in an animal model. Propolis samples were collected from Hamadan and Taleghan districts of Iran, followed by ultra performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Fifty-five rats were divided into three groups; control, Taleghan propolis and Hamadan propolis. All the animals received N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG, 100 μg/ml) in drinking water ad libitum for 34 weeks. In the treated groups, nutrition with propolis was started two weeks before MNNG administration. At the end of the study, the entire gastrointestinal tract was scrutinized for tumors, and the rest of the body was assessed for metastatic deposits. Results indicated that the incidence and number of tumors were significantly decreased by propolis in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio, epithelial stratification, nuclear dispolarity, structural abnormality, and Beta-catenin and Bcl-2 proteins expression were significantly reduced in the propolis group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, Bax protein expression was significantly increased in the propolis group in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The present study demonstrated the potential chemoprotective effects of the Iranian propolis against gastric cancer in a typical animal model. The results provide evidence for the hypothesis that Iranian propolis may exert a chemoprotective effect on MNNG-initiated gastric cancer through inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis induction.

In this study, bimodal meso-porous silica (UVM-7) synthesized and fabricated amino silane modified supports were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption, transmission electron microscope (TEM), elemental analysis and titration. Capacity of CO2 capture on modified bimodal pore structure silica at 70°C was calculated using breakthrough curves; and it was found that the modified UVM-7 captured more CO2 than unmodified UVM-7 and pore structure of UVM-7 make it suitable for loading large molecules such as tri-amino silanes. The adsorbents modified with tri-amino silane showed the largest capacity. Dynamic and kinetic of adsorption were investigated by mathematical models in order to prediction of adsorption behavior. Yoon Nelson model was successfully employed to describe the adsorption breakthrough curves of CO2 and Avrami model applied as a kinetic model and was in good agreement with experimental data in comparison with two other kinetic models including Lagergen’s pseudo-first and pseudo-second order models.

The effect of Ce and Zr loading over HZSM-5 to increase light olefin yields has been investigated in this research. Catalysts with 2 and 8% wt loading were synthesized by impregnation method. The physicochemical features of catalysts were characterized by mean of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Temperature-Programmed Desorption (NH3-TPD). Performance of samples for naphtha thermal catalytic cracking at 650°C and 700°C, steam ratio 0.5 g/g and WHSV 60h-1 was reported. The maximum yield of light olefins achieved at 650˚C over 2%Zr/HZSM-5 due to moderate acidity.

Osteomyelitis is one of common diseases in Iran due to trauma، especially during war time. There is a variety of treatment methods for osteomyelitis. In this study we have tried to design a new animal model which is similar to human disease for future use as a standard model through studies. staphylococcus aureus was used to induce osteomyelitis in 24 rabbits’ tibia. We performed radiologic assessments on days 0، 14 and 28 after surgery. Bacteriologic studies and pathologic assessment were done on the 28th day too. At the end of 4th week، more than 95% of animals showed radiologic signs of osteomyelitis. In pathological studies، invasion of inflammatory cells and other signs of osteomyelitis were seen. This modeling method can be used for study of osteomyelitis whereby comparing different antibiotics or scaffolds and stem cells.

Cardiac preconditioning is an important method to reduce the damage caused by prolonged ischemia. Previous studies have shown that corticosteroids have protective effects on the heart, however at high concentrations this effect may be reduced with unknown mechanisms. We hypothesize that the contradictory effects of hydrocortisone at high concentration may be mediated via mineralocorticoid receptors. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the protective effects of various concentrations of hydrocortisone on the heart and its relationship with the mineralocorticoid receptor. In an experimental study, ninety-six male rats were divided into eight groups treated with different doses of hydrocortisone (1, 5, 10 and 20 μM). Spirinolactone was used as a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist to investigate its role in the hydrocortisone acute effects on the heart. The hearts were excised first, and transferred and connected to the Langendorff system, and then subjected to 30 min ischemia and 90 min reperfusion. The infarct size and ventricular arrhythmias were measured. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the groups. The results showed that hydrocortisone at various concentrations could reduce the infarct size and protect cardiomyocytes. The protective effects were lower at high concentrations (P<0.05). Spironolactone, a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist amplified these protective effects (P<0.05). Hydrocortisone and spironolactone administration not significantly decreased severity and incidence of ventricular arrhythmia in comparison with IR group (P>0.05). The results showed the hydrocortisone cardioprotective effects as a pharmacological preconditioning agent. Opposing effects of hydrocortisone at medium and high concentrations can at least be partially reversed by mineralocorticoid receptors.

Curcumin، the active ingredient of turmeric، has the ability to inhibit the carcinogenic pathways، and thus can prevent or postpone the carcinogenic process in different animal species. Retention time of curcumin is short due to the quick excretion of the body، so، the therapeutic effects of curcumin are restricted resulting in short-term retention in the plasma. Therefore، several methods are used for increasing the efficien-cy of curcumin in plasma and tissues. The present study is designed to evaluate the effects of the anti-proliferative and anti-carcinogenic of nano-curcumin in rat colon cancer. In this study which was performed in Cancer Research Center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2012. Thirty rats have divided into control، curcumin and nano-curcumin groups. All animals received azoxymethane (15 mg/kg، s. c) as a carcinogen، once a week for two consecutive weeks. Animals received curcumin 0. 2% and nano-curcumin 2 weeks before azoxymethane injection up to 14 weeks after the last injection of azoxymethane in curcumin and nano-curcumin groups، respectively. At the end of experiment، the colorectal specimens from all mucosal lesions were obtained for histo-and-immunohistochemical (Ki-67 and COX-2) studies. The cytological and morphological changes of the cells in nano-curcumin group were significantly lower compared to other groups (P<0. 05). In addition، the Ki-67 and COX-2 proteins expression was lower in the nano-curcumin group in compare-son with the curcumin and control groups (P<0. 05). The results indicate that the using a suitable nanoparticle can be appropria-tely resolved the low bioavailability of curcumin. This can be an important method to use of natural products in the prevention and/or treatment of cancer.

Endorphins are produced by cardiomyocytes, and exert different effects on the heart. The aim of the present study is to assess morphine effects on extracellular atrioventricular (AV) node field potential pattern and ventricular rhythm of isolated rabbit heart during experimental atrial fibrillation (AF). Effects of different concentrations of morphine (10, 20, 50 and 100 μM) were assessed by applying basic stimuli protocols involving Wenckebach, recovery, zone of concealment and concealed conduction parameters during experimental atrial fibrillation in isolated rabbit heart. Two-way ANOVA was used to compare the groups. Morphine significantly suppressed basic parameters of AV node. Morphine (100 μM) significantly increased wenckebach index (153.6±3.9 to 169.8±2.9 ms) and functional refractory period (156.9±3.0 to 176.4±3.5 ms) (P<0.05). During experimental atrial fibrillation, morphine nonsignificantly increased mean His–His interval, concealed conduction and zone of concealment (P > 0.05). The present results showed that morphine has concentration-dependent effects on AV node electrophysiological properties. Morphine at low concentrations can decrease nodal conduction and refractoriness of AV node, but in high concentrations causes increased nodal conduction without concealed conduction changes. Dual effects of morphine can explain the unpredictable behavior of heart in cardiac tachyarrhythmias.

The present study is aimed to evaluate electrophysiological remodeling of atrioventricular (AV) node and ventricular conduction during experimental atrial fibrillation (AF) model in isolated heart of cirrhotic rats.

Cirrhosis-induced electrophysiological remodeling was evaluated in 24 isolated retrogradely perfused rat hearts in 2 groups (control and cirrhotic). Cirrhosis was induced after 6 weeks of common bile duct ligation in rats. Extracellular filed potential was recorded from upper atrium and right ventricle. The conduction time, refractoriness and frequency-dependent properties of AV node were characterized by specific stimulation protocols. Experimental AF was simulated by high-rate atrial pacing with random coupling intervals (range 75–125 ms).

Nodal conduction time and ventricular responsiveness were significantly increased in the cirrhotic rats compared to the control (95.8 ± 4.2 ms vs. 78.8 ± 3.3 ms) (P< 0.05). Nodal protective function during AF was potentiated with increased R-R interval, concealed beats, ventricular refractoriness and zone of concealment in the cirrhotic group. Cirrhosis evoked rate–dependent ventricular conduction time shortening with different patterns during arrhythmia.

Cirrhosis-induced electrophysiological remodeling was shown by increased AV nodal conduction and shortened ventricular conduction. This electrophysiological remodeling may be considered as a new manifestation of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in the heart, which can change ventricular rhythm during arrhythmia.

The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhi-bitors (statins) have revolutionized the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Some evide-nce indicated the role of nodal refractoriness and concealed conduction in anticipating the ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation. Recent evidence has indicated that statins can reduce the incidence of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of the present study is to investigate adenosine A1 receptor role on simvastatin protecti-ve effects on atrioventricular nodal properties in isolated atrial fibrillation model of rabbit heart. The present study was performed in cardiovascular research center of Golestan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. Recovery and atrial fibrillation protoc-ols were used to study electrophysiological properties of atrioventricular node in 5 groups of male Newsland rabbits (n=40). Extracellular recording was carried out from transitional cells of posterior and anterior extension of AV-node and upper part of atrium and its bundle. All stimuli protocols repeated in the presence of adenosine A1 receptor agonist and antagonist (dipridamole and CPX) alone or with simvastatin on isolated perfused atrio-nodal preparation. Extracellular field potential recording was sampled during specific stimulation protocols. Significant inhibition was observed in basic node properties such as wencke-bach prolongation، functional refractory period، effective refractory period and atriove-ntricular node conduction time with simvastatin (P<0. 05). Simvastatin prolonged His-His interval and increased number of concealed beat in atrial fibrillation protocol (P<0. 05). The simvastatin protective effects on atrioventricular nodal properties were intensified by dipridamole as an adenosine A1 receptor agonist (P<0. 05)، but CPX as an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist could only dampen them (P>0. 05). Our results showed that the use of adenosine agonist increased simvastatin effects on electrophysiological properties of atrioventricular node، but its antagonist could not prevent these effects. This may indicate simvastatin protective mechanism on atrioventricular node electrophysiological properties without adenosine direct involve-ment.

Isolated perfused heart models such as perfusion and superfusion are commonly used for mammalian heart research. However, there are several fundamental limitations in the current techniques. In perfusion model, a suitable cannula is connected to the aorta and the perfusion is retrogradely performed. But, electrode displacement is a potential unwanted event resulted from heart contractions. In superfusion model, atrioventricular node (AV) node area is completely visible and fixed in the tissue bath after appropriate preparation, but tissue ischemia is inevitable due to the absence of cell to cell nutrition. The aim of the present study was to create a novel isolated dual perfusion/superfusion model to be used in heart physiological and pharmacological studies. The rabbit hearts (n=10) were excised. After preparation of proper sections, the electrodes were attached till the steady state appeared. The stimulation protocols consisting Wenckebach and recovery were then carried out during the isolated dual perfusion/superfusion as well as perfusion and superfusion models. The AV node conduction time was increased from 33±4 ms in the isolated dual perfusion/superfusion heart model to 43±5 and 52±5 ms in perfusion and superfusion models, respectively (P<0.05). In addition, Wenckebach cycle length, effective and functional refractory periods were increased in perfusion and superfusion models compared to the isolated dual perfusion/superfusion model (P<0.05). This study shows the superiority of the isolated dual perfusion/superfusion heart model in tissue nutrition compared to the other common methods of mammalian heart studies.

Occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction are two main deleterious events that are caused by ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in the heart. Cardiac preconditioning represents the most potent method of rescuing heart tissue from undergoing irreversible ischemic damage. The aim of the present study was to evaluate oxytocin (OT) cardioprotective effects and its signaling pathways in cardiac arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) in anesthetized rats. Fifty-four rats were divided into nine groups. Animals’ hearts were subjected to 25 min ischemia and 2 h reperfusion. Oxytocin was used 25 min prior to ischemia. In certain groups, atosiban (an oxytocin receptor antagonist), atractyloside (an opener of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, mPTP) and N-acetylcysteine (a reactive oxygen species scavenger) were used 10 min prior to OT administration. Then, the severity and incidence of cardiac arrhythmias including VT and VF were measured. OT administration significantly decreased the severity and incidence of cardiac arrhythmias compared to the IR group (P<0.05). Administration of atosiban, atractyloside and N-acetylcysteine abolished the cardiac preconditioning effect of OT in cardiac arrhythmia (P<0.05). The present study demonstrates that preconditioning with oxytocin reduced ischemia-reperfusioninduced ventricular arrhythmias and its signaling pathways are probably mediated through mitochondrial permeability transition pore and reactive oxygen species.

Breast cancer is a complicated disease and has various clinical manifestations and prognosis. The aim of this study is to make a breast cancer model suitable for basic, preclinical and clinical studies. Five virgin Bulb/c mice aged 6 weeks and spontaneous Murine Mammary Adenocarcinoma Cells (MMAC) were used. After anesthesia induction, 1-3 million of MMACs were subcutaneously injected into the mice’s right flank. Four weeks after the tumor induction, tumor size in both length and width were weekly measured using caliper for 4 weeks. Histopathology studies were done 2 months later by Scraff-Boom-Richardson grading. Visible tumors were appeared after 4 weeks. Take-rate of all cells was nearly 100%. Tumor sizes reached 0.6±0.1 mm3, 1.1±0.3, 1.68±0.5 and 3±0.7 cm3 with at fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth weeks respectively. The histopathological studies using H & E method showed invasive ductal carcinoma, grade II/III. Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer progression and metastasis has extremely gained from mouse models in which some stages of tumor progression are recapitulated.

Fumonisins, a family of mycotoxins, are mainly toxic and carcinogenic. The present study was carried out to evaluate fumonisin B1 (FB1) effects on the production of inflammatory cytokines by gastric and colon cell lines. The study was performed on two cell lines under in vitro condition, including gastric epithelial cell line (AGS) and human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (SW742). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used for inflammatory cytokine induction. The culture medium was supplemented with 4.5-72 mg/l of FB1 for 72 h before cell induction. The supernatants were harvested 24 h after the induction and measured for cytokines by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.FB1 induced a dose-dependent increase in the production of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in both AGS and SW742 cell lines. This increase was statistically significant with concentration of FB1 between 9 and 72 mg/l (P < 0.05). FB1 also induced a dose-dependent decrease in interleukin-8 production. This decrease was seen in both cell lines and showed a statistical significance with FB1 concentration (P < 0.05).The results show that FB1 increases inflammatory cytokines production by various gastric and intestinal cells. This effect in the long run can possibly be the basis for the occurrence or development of inflammation and subsequent atrophy in the above-mentioned tissues.

Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown that esophagus cancer is more common in areas with grains containing mycotoxin such as fumonisin B1 (FB1). The aim of this research is to study the effect of long- and short-term of esophagus tissue to fB1 orally administered in animal model. Forty-four female mice have been divided in two short- and long-term groups that further subdivided into control and therapeutic subgroups. FB1 (25 mg/50 g birthweight) has been gavaged for 4 weeks in the short-term therapeutic subgroups and FB1 (10 mg/l) has been used in drinking water for 12 months in the long-term group. At the end of study, liver and esophagus tissues have been studied for histo-pathological changes. Also genes expression of c-myc، TGF-α، HGF AFP and P53 were detected by using RT-PCR method. In short- and long-term groups (6 and 9 months) no macroscopic and microscopic sign were observed in the various organs. But in the microscopic examination of the liver (9 and 12 months) mild dysplasia of hepatocytes with aniso nucleus, increased Kupffer cells and nucleolus deposit of hyalonoid amorphous in liver media layer were observed. In immunohistochemical study, nuclear dysplastic of hepatocytes were detected with increased staining and hyalonoid amorphous deposit. Our results indicate that even though no pathologic changes in the esophagus tissue have been found in the short- and long-term exposure to FB1, however, metabolic effects of FB1 in animal's parenchyma organs especially liver, kidney and lung warrants further study.