ال

One of the dangers that threatened mother and baby was a mythical creature called Al. Al has always been a panic for parturient women, and in many parts of Iran, there is still a fear that Al by stealing puerpera’s liver or changing the baby or doing other things can somehow harm both of them. The purpose of this research is to identify Al and alzadegi and study the different ways of coping with it in different regions of Iran.

The data of the present research is the result of anthropological researches based on fieldwork (in-depth interview and observation technique) and documentary based and library research methods. To collect these data, all of the field study, documentary based and library research methods have been used. Interviews with the elderly in different and numerous regions as native informed individuals have been one of these methods.

Al-assault treatment was being started from the very first moments of childbirth. As dystocia
considered one of the possible effects of Al's damage, there are ways to hide the placenta and methods to prevent Al presence in the culture of most regions of Iran. The effort to prevent puerpera from staying alone in the early days after childbirth is consistent with the current recommendations for the recognition and treatment of postpartum depression. In culture of most regions of Iran, Al has been identified in different types and genus (kinds). For the disposal of Al, in addition to the use of materials such as gunpowder and onions, keeping metal tools (preferably iron) such as skewer, Needle (or bodkin), horseshoe, dagger, knife or even a sword in puerpera dress or near her is advised. "Fencing", drawing a line around the puerpera and the baby and benefiting from healing techniques, such as reading parts of the Qur'an were found as the most common methods of fighting with Al.

In all cultures, Al is a legendary creature that damages puerpera and the baby. Folks still believe in this folktale in some regions, and it contributes to the formation of an important part of customs associated with human birth. People do things to treat alzadegi, which is closely related to their beliefs and the way they deal with nature and the dangers they confront; but obviously, by recognizing and treating alzadegi in different regions, common and different cultural characteristics in dealing with the harms that threatens human life can be achieved.

  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks of concurrent training on serum leptin levels, body composition, and lipid profiles of inactive men with overweight. Thirty young men with an average age of 19 to 25 years old and an average body mass index of 25 to 28 kg / m2 were randomly divided into three groups: Concurrent, intermittent aerobics - sauna, continuous aerobic - sauna and exercise strength- sauna (each group was 10). The subjects performed 3 sessions of aerobic and strength training per week on individual days, and then 2 sessions per week, supplementing the sauna program on twenty days for 20 -30 minutes in a dry bath with a temperature of 80 degrees Celsius. Blood samples were taken from subjects in fasting mode in two stages, 72 hours before and after 8 weeks of training. Serum lipid profiles, leptin and body composition were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test. The results showed a significant decrease after exercise aerobic exercise, continuous aerobic exercise and baseline strength training, serum levels of leptin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, lipoprotein a and body fat percent (p≤0.05). And high density lipoprotein cholesterol (p <0.05). These changes were more frequent in the aerobic exercise group, continuity and strength, but this difference was not significant between the groups (p≤0.05). The results of this study indicated that continuous aerobic exercise, continuation and strength training simultaneously with the sauna had a favorable effect on lipid profile and body composition and serum leptin concentrations. These changes were more common in the aerobic training group.

Platelet concentrate is one of the important blood products. The platelets are stored at that is an optimum temperature for bacterial growth, so the platelet bacterial contamination is considered to be the most common infective risk factor in blood transfusion.
In this experimental study, we selected ten platelet concentrates from healthy donors prepared by Iranian Blood Transfusion Inovation Center and stored at 22º C with gentle agitation up to 5 days. Then, the antibacterial effects of LC on the platelet concentrates inoculated with the gram-positive Staphylococcus epidermidis as well as the effects of LC on the metabolic parameters of the platelets were measured.
The results showed that L-carnitine in concentration of 50 mM could significantly decrease the growth of 1.5×106CFU/ml Staphylococcus epidermidis (p Conclusions : L-carnitine can improve the metabolism and quality of the platelet concentrates, as an additive, during the storage and it can decrease bacterial growth in the platelet concentrates during the storage.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a widely-used flavor enhancer and stabilizer in ready-made or packaged foods. The excessive use of MSG has been shown to increase oxidative stress in different regions of the brain. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of L-carnitine was investigated against MSG intoxication in granular cell of cerebellum in rats.
48 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: the control, sham (normal saline treated), MSG (3%), L-Carnitine200, MSGCarnitine100 and MSGCarnitine200. After 30 days of treatment, through transcardialy perfusion, the rats were sacrificed and histopathological analyses were conducted on cerebellum.
The results indicated that the density of granular cells in cerebellar folium IV, V and VI of rats in the MSG group had significantly decreased in comparison to that of the control and sham groups. Furthermore, the MSGCarnitine200 group showed the higher density of granular cells compared with the MSG group in the three folia.
Treatment with L-Carnitine could protect the granular cells in cerebellum against MSG intoxication in rats.

The present study examined the gonadotoxic effects of ciprofloxacin antibiotics and protective effects of L-carnitine.
In this study, 20 NMRI mice were divided into four groups: control, ciprofloxacin, L-carnitine, L-carnitine-ciprofloxacin (each group included 5 animals). The control group received normal saline, the treatment group 1 received 12.5 mg/kg ciprofloxacin, the treatment group 2 received 100 mg/kg L- carnitine and the treatment group 3 received 100 mg/kg L- carnitine and 12.5 mg / kg ciprofloxacin simultaneously. All animals were treated by intraperitoneal administration for 15 days. Testis and epididymis were collected to evaluate sperm parameters (sperm count, motility, morphology and viability).
In the ciprofloxacin group, a significant decrease in sperm count, sperm viability, sperm motility, progressive sperm motility and normal sperm as well as a significant increase in rotating sperm motility, sperm without movement, head and tail abnormalities were observed (p≤0.05). A significant increase in sperm count, sperm survival, motility and progressive sperm motility, normal sperm and a significant decrease in rotating sperm motility, sperm without movement and head abnormalities in the L-carnitine-ciprofloxacin group were observed (p≤0.05); however, the reduction in tail abnormalities of sperm was not significant.
L-carnitine improves sperm parameters in the adult mice treated with ciprofloxacin.

The physiological demands of soccer are complex, and is partly a consequence of the nature of the exercise pattern. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of L-Arginine supplementation on functional tests and blood Testosterone level after a football match.
This semi-experimental study with supplementation performed on football players. At first, written consents were obtained, then fasting blood samples were taken. Then, in the afternoon, speed, muscular power and aerobic endurance tests were performed. 48 hours later a football match was held. 10 min after the match, functional tests were re-tested. One day after the match, fasting blood samples were obtained. Then, players randomly divided in two groups: Supplement (N=11) and Placebo (N=11). During a 4-day recovery, supplement and placebo groups received 6 g L-Arginine and one tablet vitamin C 250 per day, respectively. After four days, fasting blood samples were drawn and subjects performed functional tests in the afternoon of the same day. To measure speed, muscular power and aerobic endurance, 35 Miter Speed, vertical jump and 1.5-Mile Run tests performed, respectively. To analyze data, repeated measures ANOVA was used.
Results showed that performance and testosterone concentration after the match decreased (p .05). Also, results showed that after recovery significant difference was found between groups only in aerobic endurance (p= .045).
After the football match, performance and testosterone concentration were decreased, and the consumption of L-Arginine during recovery significantly increased the aerobic endurance.

Oxidative stress has a crucial role in formation of platelet storage lesion (PSL) which can lead to decreased platelet viability and quality for transfusion. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the L-carnitine (LC) antioxidant properties on platelet oxidative damage during storage.
In this experimental study, we selected ten platelet concentrated (PC) bags from healthy donors prepared from Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization (IBTO) and stored at 22º C with gentle agitation up to 5 days in the presence or absence of a 100 mM L-carnitine. For evaluation of oxidative damage, we measured total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondealdehyde concentration (MDA) in L-carnitine treated platelets and untreated platelets (control group); then, the results were compared between th etwo groups.
According to the results, TAC in LC treated platelets was significantly higher than platelets without LC on day 3 and day 5 of storage (p day3 = 0.008, p day5 = 0.005). On the other hand, MDA concentration in LC treated platelets was less statistically significant compared with the control group on day 3 and 5 of storage (p day3 = 0.008, p day5 = 0.005).
According to our results, LC is able to decrease lipid peroxidation in platelets. What is more, the antioxidant effect of LC could modulate oxidative damage in platelets during storage. It seems that LC can be considered as a good additive solution in platelets to maintain platelet quality.

In this study, effects of L-carnitine on inflammatory parameters and angiogenesis were evaluated in the rat air pouch model of inflammation.
Male Wistar rats were anesthetized; 20 and 10 ml sterile air was injected subcutaneously on the back of rats at first and 3rd day. To induce inflammation, carrageenan 2% was injected intrapouch at 6th day. Saline as control and L-carnitine (250, 500, 1000 and 2000 µg/rat) were administrated intrapouch at the same time as the carrageenan injection, 24 and 48 hours after inflammation induction. After 72 hours, the pouches were opened and pouch fluids were collected to determine exudate volume, leukocyte counts, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) levels. The granulated tissue was dissected out and weighed. Angiogenesis in the granulation tissues was measured based on the hemoglobin concentration method.
Findings: All used doses of L-carnitine reduced the leukocyte accumulation in the pouch fluid (P Results of this study showed that the used doses of L-carnitine have anti-inflammatory effects without anti-angiogenesis activity in this model of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect of L-carnitine maybe related to its inhibitory effect on IL-1ß.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the main cause of morbidity in many regions and understanding its effect on quality of life and health condition is important for patient care and improving their quality of life. To this end, this study was set to investigate the effect of adjuvant L-arginine treatment on improving the health status of TB patients.
This double blind clinical trial comprised 68 tuberculosis patients who were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group received standard treatment regimen for 6 months plus L-arginine (2 grams per day for 30 days), while the control group received a 6-month standard treatment regimen plus placebo. Demographic data and GHQ-28 questionnaire were employed as data gathering instruments. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
63 Out of 68 patients’ data were analyzed. Demographic variables in the intervention and control groups were not significantly different. The mean score at the beginning of the treatment in the intervention group was 28.3 ± 9.2 and in the control group was 27.8 ± 8.7, respectively (P = 0.825). Following the intervention, the mean of the two groups was significant (P = 0.006). In the meantime, the subscales of somatic symptoms (P = 0.001), anxiety (P = 0.023) and depression (P = 0.026) were significantly different between the groups.
This study illustrates that the use of L-arginine in the treatment of TB patients may improve their health in addition to their quality of life.

Activation of brown adipose tissue can be a new approach in reducing obesity and related complications. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT) supplemented with L-Arginine (L-Arg) .on serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in overweight and obese men.
In this semi experimental study, 40 overweight and obese men ( with mean age 24.58±6.52 years and mean body mass index 29.43±3.66 kg/m2) were selected through purposive sampling method and were randomly divided into 4 equal groups of HIIT, supplementation with L-Arg, HIIT L-Arg ,and placebo. The training program consisted of 6 weeks of HIIT training (3 days.per week). L-Arg supplementation (6 gr/day) was taken orally. Blood sampling was done 24 hours before and 48 hours after intervention and the blood serum was used for the measurement of FGF21 and ANP levels. The obtained data was analyzed using ANOVA, ANCOVA and post -hoc Bonferroni tests at a significant level of P It was found that the serum level of ANP significantly increased in L-Arg and HIITArg groups (P values wwere 0.02 and 0.01, respectively), but HIIT did not cause a significant change in the level of ANP. The serum level of FGF21 had no significant changes after HIIT and use of L-Arg.
It seems that L-Arg supplementation and HIIT together with L-Arg supplementation with increased level of ANP can be considered as an effective step to activate brown adipose tissue.

All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has a variety of biological activities, including immunomodulatory action in a number of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of all-trans retinoic acid on the treatment of autoimmune diabetes in mice and its effects on expressions of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma (PPARγ) gene.
Diabetes was induced by multiple low-dose of streptozotocin (MLDS) injection (40mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days) in male C57BL/6 mice. After induction of diabetes, mice were treated with ATRA (20mg/kg/day i.p.) for 21 days. Blood glucose level was measured in 0, 7, 14 and 21 days after Streptozotocin induction induced diabetes. Splenocytes were tested for cytokines production by ELISA and Immune changes in spleens were tested by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s test were used for comparisons between groups. P ATRA treatment prevented hyperglycemia in the diabetic mice. ATRA treatment also significantly inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 17 (IL-7) as well as interferon gamma (IFN-γ) while increased the level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) gene expression in spleens as compared with those in diabetic control group.
In conclusion, these findings indicate that ATRA may have a therapeutic effect against the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta-cells during the development of MLDS-induced type 1 diabetes in mice.

Cisplatin is a widely used anti-cancer drug, which its application is limited by nephrotoxicity. In this study, the effect of pretreatment with different l-arginine doses on Cisplatin-induced renal functional injury was investigated.
63 male rats were divided into 7 groups: In groups 3, 4, 5 and 6, 60 min before the Cisplatin injection (5mg/kg); L-Arginine with doses of 50,100,200 or 400mg/kg was injected, respectively. In group7, normal saline was injected before Cisplatin administration. In groups 1 and 2, normal saline was injected instead of Cisplatin. In group 2, 60min before normal saline injection, 400mg/kg L-Arginine was administered and in group1, instead of L-arginine, normal saline was injected too. Injections were intraperitoneal. 72h after Cisplatin injection, blood sampling and plasma separation were done. Urine sample was collected 24 hours before blood sampling by metabolic cage. The mean of plasma urea and creatinine levels and creatinine clearance (ml/day.kg) and fractional excretion of Na (FENa, %) were compared among different groups as renal functional parameters.
In comparison to group 7, L-arginine injection in a dose of 400mg/kg led to significant amelioration of all parameters. 200 mg/kg L-arginine administration led to significant decrease in plasma urea level and FENa. 100mg/kg L-arginine caused significant improvement in fractional excretion of sodium. L-arginine injection with 50mg/kg dose, significantly ameliorate all renal function tests instead of creatinine clearance.
Pretreatment with L-arginine administration with 400 or 50 mg/kg doses, respectively, had the highest effect on reducing Cisplatin-induced nephropathy. L-arginine injection with intermediate doses i.e. 200 or 100 mg/kg had less effect in reducing Cisplatin-induced nephropathy and it needs more investigations.

Dyslipidemia and oxidative stress are commonly seen in the patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral L-carnitine supplementation on lipid profiles and total antioxidant capacity of the patients were treated with hemodialysis.
This study was a randomized, controlled clinical trial. The participants of this study consisted of 50 hemodialysis patients in dialysis centers of Yazd between 2013 and 2014. The patients randomly divided into two groups; L-carnitine (LG) and control group (CG). The patients in the LG were instructed to use daily 1g L-carnitine oral supplementation, as syrup for 12 weeks. The patients in the CG did not receive any supplement containing L-carnitine. At the baseline and the end of 12 weeks, triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), LDLc, and total antioxidant capacity of serum (TAC) were evaluated in both groups.
The mean of triglyceride and TC between and within groups were not significantly different. The mean of LDLc did not change in LG whereas a significant increase was seen in CG (p=0.02). The mean differences of LDLc between groups was statistically significant (p=0.05). No Significant changes were observed in serum levels of TAC in LG compared with CG (p=0.76). TAC was increased in both groups, but these changes were not statistically significant (p=0.62).
This study showed that oral supplementation of L-carnitine as syrup (1g per day) for 12 weeks among the hemodialysis patients would have no effect on triglyceride, TC, and TAC, but it would decrease the LDLc.

Several studies reported the contraventional effects of L-Carnitine on body fat percentages and lipoprotein profile. This study was done to evaluate the effect of six weeks supplementation of L-Carnitine on body fat percentages and lipoprotein profile non-athlete male students. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 20 non-athlete male students whom were non-randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Subjects in both groups performed aerobic exercises for six weeks based on the principle of overload. Over the course of this period, subjects in the experimental group were received 13 mg/kg/bw of complement g L-Carnitine, orally. Controls were received 3 mg/ke/g/bw of starch on daily bases. Blood samples were collected before and after the training period. HDL, LDL-c, VLDL, triglycerides, total cholesterol, body fat percentage and body mass index were recorded for each subject. Aerobic exercise with supplementation of L-Carnitine significantly increased HDL and reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol, body fat percentage and VLDL, but had no significant impact on LDL-c and body mass index. Consumption of slight doses of L-Carnitine in combination with aerobic exercise reduces body fat percentage and lipoprotein profile of non-athlete male students

Background and L-asparaginase is a well-known enzyme that is used as one of the most effective anti-leukemic drugs. Considering that the asparaginases used as antitumor are bacterial-based enzymes, the aim of this study was to find indigenous potential bacteria producing asparaginase. The enzyme producing bacteria was isolated from the agricultural soils around Gharchak, Tehran province, Iran. Screenings were performed on nutrient agar and M9 agar, respectively. The most efficient bacterium having asparaginase activity was selected and identified by biochemical and phylogenetic methods. Asparaginase activity was assayed by Nesslerization method. Optimization of the enzyme production was conducted by assessment of some factors such as the effect of carbon and nitrogen sources, salt concentration, pH, temperature and agitation. The selected bacterium was identified as a strain of staphylococcus that was named MGM1.The optimal conditions for enzyme activity was obtained at following conditions: 1% glucose as carbon source and 0.5 g/l beef extract as nitrogen source, without salt (NaCl) at pH range of 7-8 with shaking 120 rpm at 35 ◦C. The optimal activity for the enzyme produced by MGM1 was similar to physiological conditions of human body, therefore, further studies on this enzyme would be of great value in finding a new efficient asparginase enzyme.

Background and Embryos produced from in vitro assisted reproductive technologies (ART) manipulations, such as parthenogenesis, are less developmentally competent than in vivo-derived embryos. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine treatment during IVM on maturation of immature oocytes selected by Brilliant Cresyl Blue (BCB) staining, and their subsequent developmental competence after parthenogenesis. Immature oocytes collected from NMRI mice ovaries were stained with BCB for 90 min. BCB+ oocytes (with blue color cytoplasm) were then cultured in tissue culture medium (TCM) 199 with 0.0, 0.3 and 0.6 mg/ml L-carnitine at 37 °C and 5% CO2 under maximum humidity. After 24 hours, nuclear maturation (using Hoechst staining) and cytoplasmic maturation (by measuring the intracellular glutathione (GSH) concentration with monochlorobimane) were recorded in metaphase II oocytes. Cleavage rate, blastocyst development rates (BDR) and total cell number of blastocyst were also determined after parthenogenesis. Both L-carnitine concentrations significantly increased GSH (P<0.01), nuclear maturation (P<0.01) and BDR (P<0.05) compared with those in the control group. L-carnitine had no significant effect on cleavage rate and total blastocyst cell numbers. These results demonstrated that L-carnitine supplementation during IVM of immature BCB+ oocytes could increase developmental competence of oocytes after parthenogenesis, possibly by improvement of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes.

L- Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that can affect athletic performance. Thus the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of L- arginine supplementation on athletic performance, body composition and serum sodium and potassium levels in male athletes. This study was a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Participants, 56 male athletes with an average age of 20.85±4.29 years were selected in Isfahan University of Medical Science clubs in the winter of 2014. Athletes received l- arginine supplementation with a dose of 2 g daily for 45 days in the intervention group and the same amount of placebo (maltodextrin) in the control group received. At the beginning and end of the study, the level of athletic performance, body composition and serum sodium and potassium levels were measured and data were analysis with using SPSS software version 19. At the end of the study athletic performance in the group receiving supplements of L - arginine significantly improved compared to the control group (P=0.035). However, no significant changes in body composition and serum sodium and potassium levels were observed (P>0.05). Supplementation of L - arginine can improve athletic performance in semi-professional athletes.

L - Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that affects some blood indices. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of L - Arginine on plasma lipids, blood sugar and blood pressure in healthy subjects. This study was a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. A lot of, 56 male athletes with an average age of 20.85±4.29 were selected from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences clubs in the winter, in 2014. Athletes received L- Arginine supplementation with a dose of 2 g daily for 45 days in the intervention group and the same amount of placebo (maltodextrin) in the control group. At the beginning and the end of the study serum levels of blood lipids, blood glucose and blood pressure were measured. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software version 19. At the end of this study, levels of fasting blood sugar, lipid profile in subjects received the L – arginine supplementation significantly improved in comparison to the control group (p value<0.05). However, no significant changes were observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p value> 0.05). This study showed that a daily intake of 2 g dietary supplements of L- Arginine for 45 days in healthy subjects can improve levels of lipid profiles and fasting blood sugar and it can be used as a health-promoting supplements in healthy people.

some researches show that the amount of L-carnitine is low in diabetic patients. L-carnitine consumption could be result in metabolic processes improvement in diabetic patients. The aim of this study is investigating the effect of four weeks aerobic training accompanied by using L-carnitine on glucose and lipid parameters in patients with diabetes type 2. In this semi experimental study، 20 diabetic men at the average age of 51. 2 ± 2. 58 divided into two groups. The first group had aerobic training and using 500 mg L-carnitine and the second group had aerobic training using placebo simultaneously. Training done for four weeks (3days in week) with 60% - 80% of maximum heart rate. Blood exams done before training and after it and data compared with t- test in independent groups. fasting blood glucose had significant decrease in the L-carnitine group comparing the placebo group. There was no significant difference in blood level of triglyceride، cholesterol، LDL and HDL between two groups. Finding indicate that L-carnitine cause significant decrease in fasting blood glucose but doesnt cause significant difference in lipid profile in diabetic men.