مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی قم
سال سیزدهم شماره 7 (پیاپی 90، مهر 1398)

Researches have shown that progesterone influences the viability of breast cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of progesterone on the viability of MCF-7 cell line and evaluation of Expression level of P53, Bax, and Bcl-2 Genes. In this laboratory-experimental study, MCF-7 cells were purchased from Pasture institute and divided into control group and the group received progesterone in the concentrations of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10mg/mL. The viability of the cells was assessed using MTT assay. The relative expression level of P53, Bax, and Bcl-2 genes was investigated by Real Time PCR technique. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-test. Exposure to 10mg/ml of progesterone resulted in decreased viability of MCF-7 cells compared to the control group (p<0.001). However, exposure to 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1mg/ml of progesterone did not significantly alter the viability of the MCF-7 cells, as compared to the control group. The expression level of P53 and Bax genes significantly increased in MCF-7 cells exposed to the concentration 2.5mg/ml of progesterone compared to the control group (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively), but, the expression level of Bcl-2 gene significantly decreased compared to the control group (p<0.001). The results of this study revealed that high concentration of progesterone reduces the viability of MCF-7 cells and the cytotoxic effect of progesterone on MCF-7 cells is performed by induction of Bax dependent apoptosis and increased expression level of P53 tumor suppressor gene. Accordingly, progesterone is important in the treatment of breast cancer.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the most common cause of dementia. The characteristics of this disease are amnesia, cognitive and verbal disorders, memory deficit, paranoia, depression, and anxiety. In this study, the alterations of cognitive-behavioral and nuclear factor kappa (NF-κ) factor, were investigated following the xenogenic transplantation of human dental pulp of stem cells on the AD animal model.
  In this experimental study, 18 male Wistar rats (weighing 200±20g), were used. The animals were randomly divided into three groups of 6 each: control (without any treatment), sham (TMT+PBS), and experimental (TMT+DPSCs). The experimental and sham groups received trimethyltin (TMT) intraperitoneally (dose, 8mg/kg bw). Then, the anxiety level, working and spatial memory, were assessed with Elevated Plus and Y Maze tests. Also, the level of NF-κ was assessed using ELISA method.
  Intraperitoneal administration of TMT caused a significant increase (p<0.05) in the time spent in closed arm of the elevated plus maze and a significant decrease in the alteration behavior and spatial memory in the sham group compared to the control group. On the other hand, following stem cell transplantation, a significant decrease was observed in the anxiety level and working and spatial memory in the experimental group compared to the sham group. Also, the NF-κ level significantly increased in the sham group in comparison with the control and experimental groups (p<0.05).
  Xenogenic transplantation of the human dental pulp stem cells has an improvement effect on the symptoms of AD. Thus, transplantation of this stem cells line is promising for the treatment of cognitive and psychological diseases.

 Given the rising prevalence of breast cancer in Iran over the past two decades and also high mortality rate of the patients, and on the other hand, according to oral administration, low cost, and easy public access to hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), in this study, the effectiveness of this herbal product, was investigated on MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.
   In this experimental study, MCF-7 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 5% CO2 at 37°C with concentrations of 10-1000µg/mL of the hyssop extract. To evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the extract on the cells, colorimetric method MTT, was used and the viability rate of the cells was determined. The results were analyzed by t-test.
   In this study, using colorimetric method MTT, after 72 hours, the methanol extract of hyssop flower in the concentration of more than 500µg/mL, could reduce the chances of viability of MCF-7 cells from 100% to 60%, while the ethanol extract of hyssop leaves has little effect on death of MCF-7 cancer cells.
   According to the results of this study, it seems that methanol extract of hyssop flower has a significant cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cell. Therefore, with further research on active substancesof this plant, it can be used in the treatment of cancer in the future.

Dexamethasone is one of the common drugs, which is used in the human severe allergies and can cause defect in the reproductive system by inducing oxidative stress. In this study, the effect of pentoxifylline as a potent antioxidant, was investigated on changes in testicular tissue and spermatogenesis indices in mice treated with dexamethasone.
  In this experimental study, 24 adult male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice weighing 35±2g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=6 each group): control, dexamethasone (7mg/kg/day), dexamethasone+pentoxifylline, and pentoxifylline (200mg/kg/day). After 7 days of intraperitoneal injections, the mice were dissected and their right testis, were removed for stereological assessments and estimation of spermatogenesis indices. Then, serum level of testosterone, was measured. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Tukey’s test at the significance level of p<0.05.
  The mean total volume of testis, volume of seminiferous tubules, the mean number of spermatocytes, round and long spermatids (p<0.001), leydig cells (p<0.01), also spermatogenesis indices, serum testosterone level (p<0.001), and the body weight (p<0.01) significantly decreased in the dexamethasone group compared to the control group. Also, a significant increase was observed in the volume of interstitial tissue in the dexamethasone group compared to the control group (p<0.001). The above parameters did not show any significant differences in dexamethasone and pentoxifylline co-treated group compared to the control group (p>0.05).
  The result of this study revealed that simultaneous treatment with pentoxifylline and dexamethasone can prevent the adverse effects of dexamethasone on testis and spermatogenesis indices.

Promotion of oral and dental health in children is an underlying factor for increased level of community health, which is not achieved without providing desirable dental services. Accessibility and patient satisfaction are two factors affecting oral and dental health services. The aim of this study was to investigate the barriers to access to oral and dental care services in children and satisfaction with these services from the viewpoint of parents referring to dental care centers in Tehran city.
  This descriptive cross-sectional study, was performed on 262 parents of children referred to dental care centers in Tehran city. Data collection tool was a questionnaire containing demographic information, current status of health care, barriers to access to dental care services, and satisfaction with these services. Data were analyzed using regression test.
  Ninety-four percent of the parents reported at least one barrier to access to dental care services. The most common barriers, were insufficient dental insurance coverage, wasting a lot of time in the waiting room, and high costs of dental treatment; 91.5% of the children had dental visit during the last year. The reason for the last dental visits in 50.6% of the children, was toothache and in 37.9%, was dental checkups; 45.38% of the children had received preventive dental care. Also, parental satisfaction with dental services for children, was reported to be 50.76%.
  Based on the evaluation of many parents, there were barriers to access to children's dental services in Tehran's health care centers. The insufficient dental insurance coverage, high waste of time in waiting room, and high cost of treatment, are the most common mentioned barriers. According to the results, half of the parents, were satisfied with the services received by their children.

Berberine is a yellow alkaloid, which is found in root, rhizome, skin, and stem of many plants, including barberry, turmeric, and poppy. Berberine has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties. In the present study, the protective effect of berberine on letrozole-induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), was investigated in adult female Wistar rats.
  In this experimental study, the rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: normal control, berberine (25, 50, and 100mg/kg intragastrically, daily) alone, PCOS control rats (letrozole, 1 mg/kg, intragastrically, daily), and rats treated with berberine (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg intragastrically, daily) together with letrozole. The administration of berberine was started 30 min before the first dose of letrozole and continued up to 28 days. The Animals were anesthetized 24 hours after the last dose of treatment. Blood sample was collected by cardiac puncture and the separated serum was evaluated to determine the levels of estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, and testosterone. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA.
  letrozole treatment alone significantly decreased the serum levels of FSH and progesterone, while significantly increased the serum levels of LH, estrogen, and testosterone. Also, our results showed that the administration of berberine caused a significant rise in FSH, and progesterone levels and a significant decrease in the levels of LH, estrogen, and testosterone. Our results showed that treatment with berberine regulates the level of sex hormones in the letrozole-induced PCOS rats.
  The results of the present study indicated that berberine is probably useful in the treatment of letrozole-induced PCOS in rats.

Today, given the numerous complications caused by use of chemical drugs, attention has been paid to the use of herbal medicines. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of female cones of Juniper and Plantago ovata in male Wistar rats.
  In this study, 144 male Wistar rats were used. To investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of each extract using formalin and xylene test, the animals were divided into 6 groups. The groups received hydroalcoholic extract of female cones of Juniper (at doses of 50, 100, 150, and 200mg/kg) and hydroalcoholic extract of Plantago ovata (at doses 10, 50,100, and 150mg/kg) orally by gavage for 28 days. The control groups (normal saline recipients) and positive control (receiving morphine at dose of 10mg/kg in the pain group or dexamethasone at dose of 15mg/kg in the inflammatory group), were considered for each extract. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test were used to determine the difference between the groups.
  In this study, the hydroalcoholic extract of the female cone of Juniper and Plantago ovata significantly decreased the pain in two acute (p≤0.05) and chronic (p≥0.05) phases. Also, the results of the test of xylene showed the reducing effect of both extracts on inflammation (p≤0.05).  
  According to the results of this study, the hydroalcoholic extract of the female cone of Juniper and Plantago ovata has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties.

One of the most commonly used restorations for teeth with severe crown destruction is restoration with fixed prosthesis. The present research was conducted to evaluate dental crowns made in the School of Dentistry of Qom University of Medical Sciences.
  This cross-sectional retrospective descriptive study was performed on 62 patients who received crowns. Patients' information was collected by referring to their records in the department and they were invited for clinical examinations. After the clinical examination, their information was recorded in the relevant checklists.
  In this study, 62 patients (26 males, 36 females) receiving fixed prosthesis, were evaluated in the department of prosthetic dentistry of Qom University of Medical Sciences. Most of the patients (98%), were satisfied with their treatment with fixed prosthesis, and in 100% of the cases, appropriate occlusion, had been provided for patients. Also, fracture was not observed in any of the ceramic component of the studied crowns and in one case, movement and veneer lining (2%), was covered due to the presence of temporary cement and absence of permanent cement.
  The results of the present research showed that use of crowns made at the School of dentistry of the Qom University of Medical Sciences, have been clinically successful and have been able to satisfy the patients.