fatemeh nabavizadeh

 It seems that maternal intervention, which may involve epigenetic mechanisms, can affect cerebral ischemia in offspring. Metformin consumption by the mother activates the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. Metformin has also induced the AMPK and protected neurons in cerebral ischemia. This study investigates the effect of maternal metformin administration, which activates the AMPK pathway, on cerebral ischemia in offspring.

 Animals were separated into four groups: sham, 2-vessels occlusion (2VO), Met+2VO, Met+compound c (CC)+2VO. Female rats were administrated with metformin at a dose of 200 mg.kg-1 body weight for 2 weeks prior to mating. After the final metformin injection, each female rat was paired with an intact adult male to allow for mating. Sixty-days old offspring underwent cerebral ischemia and then memory-related tests were done.

 Current data revealed that the neurological deficits score was reduced Met+2VO group (P<0.001), and the memory increased (P<0.001) in comparison to the 2VO. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio declined in the metformin group (P<0.001) while the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF), c-fos, p-AMPK/AMPK ratio and Histone H3K9 acetylation in the hippocampus augmented significantly compared to the 2VO group (P<0.001).

 These findings indicated that the metformin intervention via AMPK activation could improve the movement disability, enhance spatial memory, increase neural plasticity, and augment the bioenergetics state and histone acetylation in the hippocampus of the offspring.

Dementia is a broad category of brain diseases denoting various brain diseases with degenerative or vascular components that cause a long-term and often gradual decrease in the ability to think and remember severe enough to affect daily functioning. Literature has indicated that the G9a/GLP enzyme, through upregulating histone 3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), is a major effector in VD. In such a way that the increase of H3K9 methylation by G9a/GLP during vascular dementia leads to inhibiting the expression of neuroprotective proteins and also reduces the expression of proteins that play a crucial role in the blood brain barrier function.Using a model of permanent common carotid arteries (CCA) occlusion, we investigated the impact of a G9a/GLP inhibitor (BIX01294) on VD. After occlusion of the CCA, BIX01294 (22.5µg.kg-1 ) was given intraperitoneally three times a week for a month. Nissl staining, Evans blue, and brain water content were assessed and western blot analysis was used to evaluate the hippocampal levels of Bax and Bcl2.Using BIX01294 enhanced blood-brain barrier stability (P <0.05) and subsequently reduced brain edema in comparison to the VD group (P <0.05 for both). Neural injury in the CA1 area of the treatment group decreased by BIX01294 injection when compared to the VD group (P<0.05). On the other hand, the Bax/Bcl2 ratio considerably decreased in the treatment group (P <0.0001). To summarize, our research shows that inhibiting H3K9 methylation can prevent the development of vascular dementia by reducing the level of cerebral edema and neural apoptosis in the hippocampus area after ischemic stroke.

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy) is often abused by youth as a recreational drug. MDMA abuse is a growing problem in different parts of the world. An important adverse consequence of the drug consumption is hepatotoxicity of different intensities. However, the underlying mechanism of this toxicity has not been completely understood. Ghrelin is a gut hormone with growth hormone stimulatory effect. It expresses in liver, albeit at a much lower level than in stomach, and exerts a hepatoprotective effect. In this study, we investigated hepatotoxicity effect of MDMA alone and its combination with ghrelin as a hepatoprotective agent. MDMA and MDMA+ ghrelin could transiently increase serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) followed by tissue necrosis. However, they could significantly decrease liver tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) in both treatment groups. Unexpectedly, in MDMA treated rats, Bax, Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, Fas, Fas ligand (Fas-L), caspase 8, cytochrome c, caspase 3 gene expression, and DNA fragmentation were nearly unchanged. In addition, apoptosis in MDMA+ ghrelin group was significantly reduced when compared with MDMA treated animals. In all,MDMA could transiently increase serum transaminases and induce tissue necrosis and liver toxicity. Ghrelin, however, could not stop liver enzyme rise and MDMA hepatotoxicity. MDMA hepatotoxicity seems to be mediated via tissue necrosis than apoptotic and inflammatory pathways. Conceivably, ghrelin as an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic agent may not protect hepatocytes against MDMA liver toxicity.

Calorie restriction (CR) is one of the proven methods of extending lifespan and slowing aging. Leptin is a nutritionally regulated adipokine that has been proposed as a possible key signal in the adaptive responses relevant to CR. Under CR, plasma leptin levels decrease, thus it was hypothesized that leptin administration may counteract CR-induced weight loss. Therefore, the effect of leptin administration on modulating CR-induced alterations in some biomarkers of aging was investigated in a rat model.
Fifty male Wistar rats were fed either ad libitum (AL) or 40% calorie restricted diet for 11 weeks. Then each group randomly assigned to receive 0.5 mg/kg/day intravenous leptin or saline, for 3 days. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, and leptin levels as well as body temperature were measured at the end of the treatment.
After CR, all variables including body weight, BMI, body temperature, serum levels of glucose, insulin and leptin decreased significantly compared to the AL group. After 3 days of leptin treatment, no statistically significant differences were observed in body weight, BMI, serum glucose and insulin levels compared to the saline treatment. Body temperature did not change after leptin administration in CR subgroups, but it was significantly higher in AL-leptin compared to AL-saline group.
Based on these findings, administration of recombinant leptin was not effective in modulating the alterations of aging biomarkers induced by calorie restriction.

Hepatotoxicity is one of the clinically adverse effects of ecstasy (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine; MDMA) consumption. The detoxification tissue, liver, plays a central role in maintaining circulating levels of glucose and lipid. Hypoglycemia and hypotriglyceridemia have been reported due to ecstasy abuse. Ghrelin is a 28-amino-acid peptide secreted predominantly from the stomach. It has been demonstrated that ghrelin has hepatoprotective effects and is able to increase blood glucose concentration. In the current study, we explored the effect of hepatotoxic dose of MDMA and therapeutic use of exogenous ghrelin on the serum levels of glucose and lipids in four groups of rats. MDMA caused a severe and transient reduction in circulating levels of glucose and triglyceride and increased serum LDL. However, cholesterol and HDL levels remained unchanged. Meanwhile, altered hepatic architecture was observed with intracellular vacuolation that may indicate intracellular accumulation of lipid droplets. In addition, following ghrelin administration, the blood sugar levels improved and LDL levels returned to the baseline value, and ghrelin treatment did not improve triglycerides levels. These results showed that MDMA causes hypoglycemia, hypotriglyceridemia, and hyper LDL-cholesterolemia. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing ghrelin administration could improve hypoglycemia and normalize LDL levels induced by MDMA and partially restore hepatic architecture.

Capecitabine, an effective anticancer drug in colorectal cancer chemotheraphy, may create adverse side effects on healthy tissues. In the present study, we first induced colon adenocarcinoma with azoxymethane, a carcinogen agent, and then investigated the potentiality of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer to improve capecitabine therapeutic index and decrease its adverse side effects on healthy tissues like liver and bone marrow. Other variables such as nanoparticle concentrations have also been investigated. Drug loading concentration (DLC) and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were calculated for capecitabine/dendrimer complex. Experimental results showed an increase in DLC percentage resulted from elevated capecitabine/dendrimer ratio.Capecitabine/dendrimer complex could reduce tumor size and adverse side effects in comparison with free capecitabine form.

Noise is considered as one of the most severe sources of environmental and workplace constraints. Many noise effects are well known on immune function, hormonal levels, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. In this study, our aim is to evaluate the effects of traffic noise exposure on basal and stimulated gastric pepsin secretion. 48 male rats were exposed to traffic noise (86 dB) for a short term of (8h/ day for 1 day) and a long term of (8h/ day for 7, 14, 21 and 28 days) as well as a control group. The gastric contents were collected by the wash-out technique. Pepsin secretion was measured by employing the Anson method. Histological studies were carried out on the epithelial layer. The corticosteroid hormone was measured in the serum for the stress augmentation. The present finding indicated no changes in pepsin secretion content in the short term, but in the 14 and 21 days traffic noise exposure, basal gastric pepsin secretion increased markedly compared to the control group. Histological results showed that the number of oxyntic glands and cell nuclei decreased in comparison with the control group while the thickness of the epithelial layer increases. In addition, the corticosterone levels increase in all groups in comparison with the control. It seems that the increase of gastric pepsin secretion is due to the description and translation processes in the peptic cells and needs enough time for completion.

Exposure to stress leads to physiological changes called “stress response” which are the result of the changes in the adrenomedullary hormone system, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. In the present study, the effects of chronic physical and psychological stress and also the role of sympathetic system effects in stress on ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries have been studied in isolated rat heart. Rat heart was isolated and subjected to 30 min regional ischemia and 120 min reperfusion. The daily stress was induced for one week prior to I/R induction. Sympathectomy was done chemically by injection of hydroxyl-dopamine prior to stress induction. There were no significant changes in heart rate and Coronary Flow between groups. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and rate product pressure (RPP) in both physical and psychological stress groups decreased significantly compared to those in control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between physical and psychological stress groups. Infarct size significantly increased in both physical and psychological stress groups and control group (P<0.05. Sympathectomy before induction of stress led to the elimination of the deleterious effects of stress as compared with stress groups (P<0.05). These results show that induction of chronic physical and psychological stress prior to ischemia/reperfusion causes enhancement of myocardial injuries and it seems that increased sympathetic activity in response to stress is responsible for these adverse effects of stress on ischemic/reperfused heart.

The substantial increase that has occurred in life expectancy has left all countries with a high number of elderly people that have particular health needs. Health policy-makers must be aware of the most prevalent causes of deaths and DALYs in this age group, as well as geriatric syndromes, in order to provide appropriate care and allocate resources in an equitable manner.

The Global Burden of Disease 2010 study (GBD 2010), conducted by the institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation team, estimated the worldwide burden of diseases from 1990 to 2010. Its estimations were conducted on the basis of the proportion of deaths, the duration of symptoms and disability weights for sequelae, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to different diseases. In the present study, we extracted the data regarding the top five most prevalent causes of deaths, DALYs, and geriatric syndromes in the elderly based on the aforementioned GBD 2010, discussed the results using some tables and figures, reviewed the results, described the limitations of GBD 2010, and finally provided some recommendations as potential solutions.

According to GBD 2010, the total number of deaths in Iran in 1990 was 321,627, of which 116,100 were in elderly people (those aged 60 years and above), meaning that 36.10% of all deaths occurred in the elderly. Among all diseases in this year, the first to third ranked causes of death were ischemic heart disease (IHD; 29.44%), neoplasms (13.52%), and stroke (7.24%). In comparison, the total number of deaths in Iran increased to 351,814 in 2010, with 213,116 of these occurring in the elderly (60.58% of deaths), but the most prevalent causes of death remained the same as in 1990. The highest 1990 DALYs rates were the result of IHD (21.56%), neoplasms (10.70%), and stroke (4.85%). IHD (22.77%), neoplasms (9.48%), and low back pain (LBP; 5.72%) were the most prevalent causes of DALYs in older Iranian adults in 2010. The fourth and fifth ranked causes of deaths and DALYs in both 1990 and 2010, both in Iran and globally, were different diseases and geriatric syndromes in the elderly Iranian population.

The aged population of Iran is growing steadily, and there is a need for health policy-makers to create appropriate programs to meet the health needs of elderly people. Although GBD 2010 results are useful in providing burden estimations at regional and national levels, each individual country should estimate its burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors at a sub-national level to obtain further details regarding the health status of its people. As no comprehensive study regarding elderly people in Iran has previously been conducted, our study will be a major source for identifying the important causes of deaths, DALYs, and geriatric syndromes among this population.

Six female patients aged from 19 to 73 years، with ostium secundum atrial septal defect underwent closure procedure with Amplatzer septal occluder device. Three-dimensional Echocardiography (3D-TEE) was done during the procedure or one day after the procedure. 3D-TEE provides incremental value over Two- dimensional trans-esophageal echocardiography in measuring Amplatzer septal occluder disc sizes and correlates well with manufacture device size. 3D-TEE will surely prove to increase the technical efficiency and it will become an important tool for the interventionists for periprocedural evaluation of device closures.

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately half of new mothers. Chronic exposure to progesterone during pregnancy and its withdrawal following delivery increases depression and anxiety. In addition, there are complex interactions between hormones, neurotransmitters, and trace elements. Zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) influence the nervous system by impacting synaptic neurotransmission in the brain. Thiamine (Vit B1) deficiency results in a high percentage of depressive behaviors. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species in pregnancy are implicated in the pathogenesis of major depression. We examined the effects of different combinations of Zn, Mg, and Vit B1 in an animal model of PPD. ZnCl, MgCl, and thiamine-HCl were administered to PPD-induced mice. Depression, anxiety-related behavior, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed. Depression and anxiety-like behavior were evaluated by the forced swimming test (FST) and elevated plus-maze, respectively. The acute combined administration of Zn, Mg, and Vit B1 significantly decreased immobility time in FST, increased the percentage of both time spent in- and entries to open arms in the elevated plus-maze, and augmented TAC. Our data suggest that acute administration of combined treatment with Zn, Mg, and Vit B1 on postpartum day 3 improves depressive symptoms and anxiety-like behaviors. Our evaluation of TAC is in accordance with behavioral results.

Introduction. For continuous hemodialysis, an appropriate vascular access, mostly through an arteriovenous fistula (AVF), is crucial. The Brescia-Cimino (BC) method is a common surgical method for AVF creation. However, this method is sometimes not possible, due to a small venous diameter or its wide distance from the artery. We evaluated the success rate of bifurcated vein patch (BVP) technique as an alternative method to BC for AVF placement in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods. Candidates for AVF vascular access for hemodialysis were assigned into 2 groups of 50 patients, and AVF was placed using the BC method in one group and the BVP method in the other group. Immediate AVF thrill after the operation, first-day postoperation thrill, weighting period, and nursing staff satisfaction for hemodialysis were compared between the BC and BVP methods. Results. Although the weighting period in the BVP group was longer than that in the BC group, other parameters were similar between the two groups. The AVF thrill intensity after the operation was good to excellent in 87% of the cases with the BC method and good in 95% of those with BVP. Satisfaction of dialysis nursing staff during hemodialysis was reported as 87% good and 4% average in the BC group and 75% good and 20% average in the BVP group. Conclusions. Bifurcated vein patch can be an appropriate alternative technique for cases in which the commonly used BC method is not possible for AVF placement

Abdominal colic, constipation and delay in gastric emptying are symptoms of lead poisoning, but there is scant information about the effect of lead on gastric motility. In the present study, we investigated the effect of lead acetate on gastric motility in rats. Animals were divided into nine groups (n=8); four groups were exposed to lead acetate solution (1%) for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (Pb1, Pb2, Pb3, and Pb4 groups, respectively). Sodium acetate solution was given to another four groups for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (Na1, Na2, Na3, and Na4 groups, respectively) and the control group had free access to tap water. Gastric motility was measured in the basal and acetylcholine (Ach)-stimulated states using a physiograph instrument. Nitric oxide metabolite of gastric tissue was determined by Griess micro-assay. There were no significant differences between basal and Ach-stimulated gastric motility in Pb1, Pb2, Na1, and Na2 groups. However, it was significantly greater in Pb3 and Pb4 groups when compared with Na3 and Na4 groups in both basal and Ach-stimulated states (P<0.05). In addition, nitric oxide metabolite of gastric tissue was more in all Pb groups in comparison with their Na counterparts (P<0.05). We found that lead exposure could affect gastric motility via the nitric oxide pathway

“Teucrium polium L.” (TP) has been long recommended in Iranian folk medicine for its anti-diabetic activities. We attempt here to evaluate the effect of TP extract on insulin secretion in rat pancreas. Rat pancreas was isolated in situ and perfused with Krebs solution containing low glucose (LG, 2.8 mM) or high glucose (HG, 16.7 mM) as perfusate. The aqueous extract (Aq. E) and methanolic extract (Met. E) of TP aerial parts and two partition fractions of Met. E were added to perfusate to evaluate insulin release. Diazoxide (DZX) and verapamil (VPM) were also used for assessing the probable mechanism of the effects. In each experimental group, the peak and baseline of insulin levels in effluent samples were compared. The GC/MS analysis was carried out to detect active ingredients in the extracts. Adding Met. E to the LG caused a significant increase (P<0.05) in insulin release from the basal level of 0.17 ± 0.05 µg/l to a peak value of 3.94 ± 1.29 µg/l. when Met. E was introduced to the HG, there was a further protracted stimulation of insulin release from 2.15 ± 1.35 µg/l to 6.16 ± 0.52 µg/l. Both DZX and VPM when added separately to the LG, led to inhibition of Met. E induced insulin secretion. The Aq. E and fractions had no significant effect on insulin secretion. Only in the Met. E, the component 5-hydroxy-4'',7-dimethoxyflavone (apigenin-4'',7-dimethylether) was detected. It can be concluded that the insulinotropic properties of TP extracts can be attributed to the presence of apigenin existing only in Met. E, but not in Aq. E and fractions. Moreover, certain types of K+ and Ca2+ channels take part in this effect.

Sub chronic exposure to lead in rats slows gastric emptying, but little is known about the effects of lead on gastric secretion. This study was designed to investigate the effects of lead on gastric acid secretion and its possible mechanisms in rats. Lead acetate was dissolved in drinking water in a concentration of 1%. Sodium acetate-containing water with a molar concentration similar to lead was also prepared. We had nine groups of animals (n=8); four of them were exposed to lead for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (Pb1, Pb2, Pb3 and Pb4 groups, respectively). Sodium acetate solution was given to another four groups for 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks (Na1, Na2, Na3 and Na4 groups, respectively). Gastric secretion was collected by washout technique and its acid output was measured in the basal (Basal Acid Output, BAO), vogotomy (Vagotomized Acid Output, VAO), and vagally stimulated (Vagally Stimulated Acid Output, VSAO) states using titrator instrument. Nitric oxide (NO) metabolite of gastric tissue was determined by Griess micro assay method to evaluate the possible mechanism of lead effect on gastric secretion. VSAO was significantly less in Pb1 and Pb2 groups than Na1 and Na2 ones respectively (1.75 ± 0.17, 2.10 ± 0.30 vs. 5.79 ± 0.20, 6.18 ± 0.27 µmol/15min) (P=0.001, P=0.001). BAO was significantly more in Pb3 and Pb4 groups than Na3 and Na4 ones respectively (2.77 ± 0.37, 2.80 ± 0.31 vs. 1.73 ± 0.16, 1.79 ± 0.34 µmol/15min) (P=0.01, P=0.02), but it was the same after vagotomy. VSAO was more in Pb3 and Pb4 groups than their Na counterparts (P=0.001, P=0.0001). NO metabolite of gastric tissue was more in all Pb groups in comparison to their Na counterparts (P=0.0001). In this study, it seems that lead exposure, via NO mechanism, has different effects on acid secretion. Nitric oxide in small and large amounts decrease and increase gastric acid secretion, respectively.

Objective(s)The liver has major role in the organism homeostasis, interactions with other systems, synthesis and metabolism of bile production, drug detoxification and hormone inactivation. Cholestasis can be defined as an impairment of the bile flow which can lead to hepatocytes necrosis and finally cirrhosis. Some studies reported a gastric acid secretion reduction in cirrhotic subjects, while others reported normal production gastric acid secretion. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of cholestasis and cirrhosis on gastric acid and pepsin secretions and its possible mechanism in rat.Materials and MethodsMale Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n= 8): control, cholestasis, sham cholestasis, cirrhosis and sham cirrhosis. Laparatomy was done under general anesthesia and then bile duct ligation (BDL) was performed. After 2 and 4 weeks in cholestasis and cirrhosis groups respectively, gastric content was collected by wash-out technique. Basal and stimulated acid and pepsin secretions were measured by using titration and the Anson method respectively in all groups. In order to measure stimulated acid and pepsin secretions, pentagastrin (25 µg/kg, i.p.) was used. Nitric Oxide (NO) metabolites of gastric tissue were determined by Griess microassy method.ResultsAcid and pepsin secretions were significantly reduced in cholestatic and cirrhotic rats in comparison with control and sham groups (P< 0.01). NO metabolite of gastric tissue was significantly increased in cholestatic and cirrhotic rats (P< 0.01).ConclusionReducing of gastric acid and pepsin output in cholestatic and cirrhotic rats may be due to increasing in NO content of gastric tissue.

Postpartum depression is a mood disorder that has harmful effects on mothers, infants, family and relationships. Acute decrease of progesterone after delivery has been proposed as a cause for postpartum depression. This hormone can affect neurotransmitters’ function. Zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg) as trace elements exert their antidepressant effects through neurotransmitter pathways. On the other hand, thiamin deficiency leads to depression in animal models.

Noise is considered as one of the most severe sources of environmental and work place constraints. Noise effects on immune function, hormonal levels, cardiovascular and respiratory systems are well known. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effects of traffic noise on basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion. 48 healthy rats were divided into five traffic noise exposures (1, 7, 14, 21, 28 days) and a control groups. Pentagastrin was used IP for stimulation of gastric acid secretion. The gastric contents were collected by the wash-out technique and then titrated. Histological studies were performed on gastric epithelial layer. In the 1, 7, 14 and 21 days traffic noise exposure, basal and pentagastrin-stimulated gastric acid secretion increased compared to the control group (P<0.001), but a significant decrease was seen in hyperacidity in 28th days, in the both basal and stimulated states(P<0.05). Histological study showed that mucosal layer thickness of stomach increased, while the number of oxyntic glands and cell nuclei decreased. It seems that 1,7,14 and 21 days traffic noise increase gastric acid secretion, while 28 days traffic noise can induce adaptation.

The Heraclleum persicum is widely used as an odorant in pickles around the world and particularly in Iran. As pickle is a gastric stimulator, the question is whether this plant which is used in making pickles, decreases gastric stimulation of this group of foods, or increases it, and in general, what is the cellular mechanism of this plant on acid and pepsin secretion. Therefore, in this study the effect of plant entrants on the secretion rate of acid and pepsin surveyed in the stomach in rats. This study involves two groups (12 in each group) of rats in experimental method (Control group and Heracleum group). After anesthesia with nesdonal, 50 mg/kg IP, rats were gone under surgical process, tracheotomy, laparatomy and gasteroadeodenostomy and the Heraclleum extract (12.5 mg/kg) was send into the stomach from gasterodeodenostomy canula in Herculean group. The amount of both acid and pepsin in both basal and stimulated condition were significantly increased in heracleum group compared to control group (p<0.001). Pentagastrin also increased acid and pepsin secretion in control group (p<0.001) and increased pepsin in heraclleum group (p<0.05) but did not significantly change in acid secretion in heraclleum group. The Heracleum persicum increases acid and pepsin secretion when is used in food regimen. Its extract also increases gastric acid secretion via blockage of gastric receptor. However, a different mechanism is involved in the increasing of pepsin secretion

Background – The appendix is essentially a lymphoid organ which contributes to the production of B and T lymphocytes and is supplemental to the immune system. For many years, removal of normal appendix during other intraabdominal surgeries (incidental appendectomy) was a common practice. The present experimental study was designed to find a procedure in which, while preserving the appendix, the risk of future appendicitis is reduced.Methods – Laparotomy was carried out on four groups of N-Mari rats: 1) obstruction group (n = 10)—the base of the appendix was ligated; 2) milking group (n = 31)—the contents of the appendix were milked into the cecum prior to ligation; 3) drainage group (n = 31)—the contents of the appendix were milked into the cecum prior to ligation and the tip of the appendix was cut, so that mucosal secretions could drain and be absorbed into the peritoneal cavity; and 4) control group (n = 31)—only exploration and manipulation of the appendix via celiotomy, but no surgical procedures, were performed. The blood supply to the appendix was preserved in all animals. All animals underwent a second laparotomy to remove the appendix and detect histopathologic evidence of appendicitis after 30 days. Chi-square and two-tailed Fisher’s exact tests were used to analyze the data.Results – All animals in the obstruction group developed acute appendicitis early in the 24 hours after ligation. Histopathologic evidence of inflammation was detected in 12 of 31 rats in the milking group and in three of 31 subjects in the control group after 30 days. No animal in the drainage group developed appendicitis, but two cases of mucocele were encountered. The combined ligation and drainage protocol did not lead to more inflammation than the control protocol (p = 0.7).Conclusion – These results suggest that combined appendiceal base ligation and appendiceal tip cutting (for draining mucosal secretions into the peritoneum) may be considered as an alternative to incidental appendectomy. Further validation of this technique is required before it can be recommended for application in the clinical setting.

Although thyroid hormones are known to influence acid secretion, but exact mechanisms are not fully understood. So, in this experimental study carbachol, histamine, and pentagastrin were used to stimulate acid secretion in isolated stomach of hypo- and hyperthyroid rats and data were compared with controls. Each group consisted of 8 N-Mari rats from both sexes weighing 246 ± 5 g. Hypo- and hyperthyroid states were induced by administration of methimazole (500 mg/l) thyroxine (500 µg/l) in drinking water respectively. All animals were deprived of food 24 h before the experiments, but they accessed to water ad libitum. After general anesthesia with sodium thiopental (50 mg/kg of body weight, i.p.), celiotomy was done immediately. The end of esophagus was tied and a silicon tube (2-2.5 mm) was entered the stomach via a hole in the second portion of the duodenum. Then, it was tied in the pyloric region. After these procedures, the esophagus was cut proximal to the tied portion and the second part of duodenum was also cut. Then, the stomach was removed and put in a cold serous solution. After washing the serosal and mucosal surfaces by serous and mucosal solutions respectively, the stomach was transferred to a tissue bath containing warm serous solution (40 ml, 37 °C). Acid secretion following carbachol, histamine, and pentagastrin administration was measured by washout technique and automatic titrator in the hypo- and hyperthyroid and control groups. Furthermore, some dose-response experiments with different doses of pentagastrin (30, 60, 90, and 120 µg/kg), histamine (50, 100, 150, and 200 µM), and carbachol (50, l00, and 200 µM) were performed to clarify the mechanism of thyroid hormones effect on acid secretion. The results showed that basal and histamine (100 µM)-stimulated secretion in hypo and hyperthyroid groups significantly decreased and increased respectively compared to control ones (p<0.0001). Basal and carbachol (100 µM)-stimulated acid secretion significantly decreased in hypothyroid group, while the secretion showed a significant increase in hyperthyroid group compared to control group (p<0.0001). The results of TSH and T4 measurement showed that increased or decreased thyroid function can significantly affect gastric acid secretion following histamine, carbachol, and pentagastrin in rats. Taken together, it can be concluded that effects of thyroid hormones may not be mediated through changing cholinergic, gastrin, and histamine receptors. It is also possible that thyroid hormones exert their effects on the number or size of the secretory cells of the stomach.