مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 650 (هفته دوم بهمن 1400)

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) and KRGE-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (KRGE-loaded PLGA NPs) on testosterone-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) mice.

Female Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) post-pubertal mice were divided into control (n = 10), sham (n = 10), and PCOS (n = 60) groups. PCOS was induced in sham and PCOS groups by subcutaneous injection of testosterone enanthate 1 mg/100mg/day in the back of the mice neck for 4 weeks; then, the PCOS group was intraperitoneally treated with different concentrations of KRGE and KRGE-loaded PLGA NPs for the consecutive 15 days. The ovarian tissues were surgically removed for determinations of malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species, glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis to detect glutathione reductase (GR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2 (NRF-2) genes.

Both KRGE and KRGE-loaded PLGA NPs were beneficial to decrease MDA, and oxidative agents as well as increase the level of GSH, TAC, and GST in PCOS mice. According to qRT-PCR analysis, the expressions of NRF-2 and GR genes were elevated in the treated mice. However, statistical analysis revealed that KRGE-loaded PLGA NPs were more effective than KRGE.

Our results are consistent with the beneficial effect of KRGE on the treatment of PCOS. Nonetheless, KRGE coated with PLGA NPs were suggested more effective according to our findings.

Hydatidosis is an infection with global distribution caused by the genus of Echinococcus. Although surgery is regarded as the first choice of hydatid cyst treatment, it has not always been successful. Apoptosis has recently been studied as an important part of host innate immunity in suppressing parasites and probably, it can be an ideal mechanism for killing protoscolices of parasites. This study was designed to compare the outcomes of apoptosis in the germinal layer in infertile and fertile hydatid cysts.

6 samples of fertile and infertile cysts were used from bovine liver infected with hydatidosis. To survey gene expression of Fas-L, the mRNA was extracted from laminated-germinal layer and normal tissue of each cyst as the control, and cDNA synthesis was done. Then, the mean of gene expression in each sample along with the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene as the reference gene was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Moreover, DNA fragmentation was evaluated by electrophoresis.

The mean expression of Fas-L gene in the laminated-germinal layer of infertile cysts was higher than fertile cysts and host normal tissue. DNA Fragmentation was seen in infertile cysts.

Increasing the expression of Fas-L gene and DNA Fragmentation in laminated-germinal layer of infertile cysts represents that apoptosis may be involved in hydatid cyst infertility.

Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) is a type of hearing impairment distinct from sensorineural hearing loss in the peripheral auditory system. The purpose of this study was to emphasize the importance of using the test battery approach and the role of the family in the differential diagnosis of ANSD from common sensorineural hearing loss in the form of reports of two children with hearing impairment.

 The first child, a 19-month-old boy with cerebral palsy with a history of kernicterus and twice of blood exchange. He was first diagnosed with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss using electrophysiological tests. Due to the rejection of the hearing aid and the parent' doubts about the disappropriate reactions of the child, in re-evaluation via test battery approach, ANSD was obtained. The second child was a 6-year-old girl with no specific medical history in school entrance screening. In the first session of hearing evaluation using audiometry and acoustic immittance, bilateral mild to moderate sensorineural hearing loss was achieved with more loss at low frequencies. Due to the low word recognition score and parental denial, electrophysiological tests were performed, and ANSD was confirmed.

Accurate case history, hearing assessment of children with sensorineural hearing loss with ANSD protocols, which is an appropriate combination of behavioral and electrophysiological hearing tests, as well as increased family awareness, are important factors in the differential diagnosis of ANSD and selection of appropriate intervention.