مجله فیض
سال بیست و هفتم شماره 2 (پیاپی 130، خرداد و تیر 1402)

Rotenone as a pesticide, damages the nervous system by oxidative stress. According to the published articles that reported the protective role of estrogen in the nervous system and resveratrol against oxidative stress, in this study, the protective effect of resveratrol was evaluated on oxidative stress factors induced by rotenone in hippocampus at present and absence of estrogen in female ovariectomized rats.

Forty-eight female rats were respectively divided groups and treated with saline, rotenone, ovariectomized, resveratrol, ovariectomized+rotenone, ovariectomized+resveratrol, rotenone+resveratrol and ovariectomized+rotenone+resveratrol. Rotenone was administrated intraperitoneally and resveratrol was given orally every day for 21 days.  At the end of experiment, malondialdehyde and glutathione level, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity in hippocampus were evaluated. Also, estrogen and progesterone in serum were measured.

Rotenone significantly decreased estrogen and progesterone. Furthermore, glutathione level and glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity reduced, while malondialdehyde significantly increased. Although, estrogen and progesterone and glutathione and catalase significantly decreased in ovariectomized group, but malondialdehyde significantly increased. Resveratrol could significantly increase estrogen and progesterone in resveratrol+rotenone and resveratrol+ovariectomized groups. It significantly increased glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in the intact ovariectomized rats that received rotenone, while reduced malondialdehyde in the rotenone, ovariectomized and ovariectomized+rotenone groups were observed.

Resveratrol was able to reduce the oxidative stress which induced by rotenone and absence of estrogen in the hippocampal tissue of rats.

Testicular torsion is caused by the rotation of the spermatic cord and an emergency case, so surgery is necessary to correct the torsion and treat acute ischemia. One of the treatment methods to reduce complications is the use of herbal compounds. This study aimed to investigate the effects of marjoram and Vitamin C on testicular torsion in order to reduce its complications.

For this purpose, 30 adult male Wistar rats were used, which were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 and were treated for 21 days. The control group was given distilled water orally. The positive control group had rotation/recirculation induction without receiving extract and vitamin C. The other groups received induction of rotation/re-rotation with one of the cases in this way: The third group: injection of marjoram extract (250 mg/kg), the fourth group: injection of vitamin C (20 mg/kg), the fifth group: injection of vitamin C and marjoram. At the end, histopathological parameters, sperm parameters and oxidative stress factors were evaluated with ANOVA test.

The average percentage of progressive movements, normal shapes and the number of sperms in the groups treated with vitamin C and marjoram extract significantly (P<0.05)  increased. In the group receiving the mixture of extract and vitamin C, the spermatogenic tubes had appropriate density and diameter and various cell lines.

Marjoram extract along with vitamin C improves sperm parameters, increases sperm count and reduces spermatogenic tubule atrophy in rats.

Factors such as exercises training and taking antioxidant supplements can moderate or increase apoptosis. Therefore, this present study aimed to the effect of endurance training and vitamin C consumption in the conditions of air pollution on the expression of apoptotic proteins BAX and Bcl-2 in the brain of male Wistar rats.

In this experimental study, 30 Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: 1) polluted air control, 2) supplement, 3) training, 4) training+supplement, and 5) healthy air control .Rats trained in polluted air were maintained in a special chamber to simulate polluted air and performed endurance training protocol .Vitamin C supplement groups received the supplement at a dose of 20 mg/kg. Data analysis was done through One-Way-ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests in SPSS version 26 software.

There is a significant difference in BAX and BCL-2 protein gene expression between the groups (P≤0.0001). This significant difference was the increase in BAX protein expression in the training+supplement group as well as the healthy air control group compared to other groups (P≤0.05). In the training and supplement groups were seen a decrease in BCL-2 protein expression compared to the control group (polluted and healthy) (P≤0.05).

Considering the increase in BAX and decrease in BCL-2 expression, it is possible that training in polluted air can lead to cell damage related to apoptosis. Also, the use of vitamin C supplement alone or together with training cannot modulate the apoptosis of brain cells.

This study aimed to the effect of insulin-like growth factor-1 on the proliferation of goat spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in vitro.

The testicles of immature goats were obtained from slaughterhouse. Isolation of spermatogonial cells was performed by two-step digestion. The isolated cells were cultured in 4 different groups: 3 groups by adding different doses of IGF-1 (10, 40 and 100 ng/ml) to the basic medium (DMEM containing 5% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotic) and the control group (without IGF-1). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test at 5% level. Presence of SSCs at the end of culture was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for several important spermatogonial markers (PGP9.5, THY-1, PLZF, Oct4 and VASA) and immunohistochemical staining against PGP9.5 antigen.

In this study, the number of spermatogonial cell colonies in treatment 3 was significantly higher than the control and other treatment groups on days 4, 7, and 10 of culture (P<0.05). Also, the surface area of G10 colonies on days 7 and 10 of culture was significantly different (P<0.05). The surface area of G100 on days 4, 7, and 10 after culture was significantly higher than control, G10 and G40 (P<0.05). The isolated cells expressed all surface markers related to stem cells.

According to this results, the addition of 100 ng/ml IGF-1 to culture medium for promoting colonization of goat Spermatogonial stem cells is recommended.

Carvacrol, as antioxidant, is antimicrobial, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Research has shown that silver nanoparticles destroy sensitive tissues of the body, including the liver, through disruption of the membrane structure, oxidative stress, binding to protein or DNA, production of active oxygen, and cell death or apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of carvacrol on reducing the cytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles on the liver tissue of NMRI mice.

In this study, 24 adults male NMRI mice with a mean weight of 35±3 gr were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, sham (distilled water), silver nanoparticles (size 40 nm) (500 mg/kg/b.w/day), carvacrol (100 mg/kg/b.w/day) and silver nanoparticles+carvacrol. Then they treated orally (gavage) for 45 days. At end treatment, liver tissue was removed for histopathological studies. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by FRAP method, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) by spectrophotometric method, as well as alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) by Elisa kit were measured.

In treatment with silver nanoparticles showed a significant decrease in the mean histopathology parameters and total antioxidant capacity, and a significant increase in sinusoid volume, ALT, and AST enzymes and lipid peroxidation (MDA) compared to the control group. The above parameters in the simultaneous treatment group of silver and carvacrol nanoparticles improved to a large extent close to the level of the control group, which was significant.

Carvacrol as anti-oxidant reduces the toxicity of silver nanoparticles on liver.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive and destructive disorder of the central nervous system. This study aimed to determine the effect exercise training and olive oil consumption on genes expression of the AKT¸ caspase3 and the spatial learning of rats with parkinson's disease

in this study, 30 rats were divided into 5 groups of 6: healthy control¸ parkinson´s control¸ parkinson´s+olive oil¸ parkinson´s+exercise training¸ parkinson´s+exercise training+olive oil.  The rats were fed 0.4 ml of olive oil daily for 8 weeks. Aerobic training was performed 5 days a week for 30 minutes and at a speed of 11 meters per minute. Resistance exercise begin with %30 of the rat´s weight and it reached %100 of the rat´s weight in the eighth week. The gene expression of AKT and caspase3 was measured through PCR-real time and spatial learning using radial maze. Data analyzed using one-way of variance and Thomhan's follow up test.

Increase in AKT genes expressin, reduced in caspase3 expression and spatial learning improvement significantly observed in exercise training and exercise training+olive oil compared to the parkinson's control group (P<0.05).

exercise training with and without olive oil consumpsion can be effective in improving spatial learning by increasing AKT and decreasing caspase3.

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease, and in addition to the genetic characteristics, environmental factors such as electrolyte disorders play a role in the recurrence of seizures. Unfortunately, antiepileptic drugs are not effective enough in one third of epilepsy patients. Nowadays, probiotics are considered as a supplement for the treatment of neurological diseases. Although previous studies have focused on the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and metabolic effects of probiotics, it is possible that the effects of probiotics go beyond this.

This study was conducted with 9 patients with drug resistant epilepsy under the age of 16. In the first phase of the study, the epilepsy frequency of children was monitored, and in the second phase, probiotic supplements were prescribed to them for two months. At the beginning and end of the second phase, the serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium ions of the patients were evaluated and compared by paired t-test. Epilepsy frequency and severity based on NHS3 and HASS scales were measured and compared by Wilcoxon statistical test, also.

Two-month administration of probiotic supplement significantly reduced the frequency of epilepsy (P=0.005), the seizure severity with the NHS3 scale (P=0.002) and the seizure severity with the HASS scale (P<0.0001). On the other hand, the serum levels of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium did not differ before and after probiotic administration, significantly.

Probiotic consumption can play a role in improving the clinical symptoms of patients by reducing the severity and frequency of epilepsy, but it was not effective on the serum level of electrolytes. Therefore, more studies are necessary to investigate the mechanism of probiotics effectiveness and the factors affecting the serum level of electrolytes in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in a tumor suppressor protein called neurofibromin. The NF1 gene consists of 60 exons and due to the large size of the NF1 gene, variation in mutations and the absence of mutation hotspots is a complex problem in genetic counselling. Considering that determining the frequency of mutations in a population contributes to effective genetic counseling and prevention of more diseases. So, this study aimed to identify the underlying genetic defect in 10 Iranian patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

After collecting blood from patients and genomic DNA extraction, 9 high mutability exons were analyzed by PCR and sequencing methods. Finally, sequenced exons and reference exons were compared using the bioinformatic tools, and mutations were identified.

Among 10 evaluated patients six different mutations were detected. These mutations included two deletions (c.1458-1459 delAA, c.1541-1542 delAG in 13 & 14 exons, respectively), and four substitution mutations. The c.5172 G>A, c.3871-2 A>G, and c.3867 C>T mutations were reported for the first time in this study.

The results of this study implied that there are various mutations in this disease and the most reliable method for NF1 mutation analysis is DNA sequencing.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by excessive collagen deposition in skin and internal organs. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a late demonstration of SSc and cytokines can contribute to the disease pathology. This study aimed to determine relation between serum levels of interleukin-6 and CRP with pulmonary involvement in SSc.

After obtaining consent, demographic data and serum levels of interleukin-6 were determined in 30 SSc with (case) and 30 without pulmonary involvement (control). Duration and activity status of disease, C-reactive protein (CRP), Chest x-ray and high resolution CT-scan (HRCT), ejection fraction (EF) and echocardiography findings and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) were determined in two groups. Data analyzed with Mann-Whitney test, Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test.         

Mean age of case and control group ranged 52.5±9.3 and 43.9±9.7 years respectively (P=0.001). The serum levels of IL-6 in case and control groups were 73.1±95.4 and 46.7±83.6 pg/ml (P=0.267), respectively. IL-6 levels was significantly higher in male case compared to male control (P=0.007). Duration of SSc in case and control groups was 11.6±6.4 and 7.4±4.2 years (P=0.002). Also Quantitative CRP and PAP was significantly higher in case (P=0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). In the Case group 66.7% of them had reticulo-nodular pattern, whereas 28 (93.3%) of control had normal CXR (P<0.001).

In SSc with pulmonary involvement serum, IL-6 levels is higher than without involvement but not statistically significant. Also, the CRP and PAP are benefit for evaluation of pulmonary involvement.

Older adults are one of the large groups that use hospitals and have a longer hospitalization period than other age groups. The study aimed to examining the physical structure of hospitals affiliated to Kashan university of Medical Sciences based on elderly-friendly hospitals and the elderly's satisfaction.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences (Shaheed Beheshti, Matini, and Naqvi) and 700 older adults who were referred to these hospitals, 1401. Data were collected using a checklist and a researcher-made questionnaire in two stages. The census sampling was for hospitals and Sequential for older adults. Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in statistical Software SPSS version16.

The mean score of the hospital structure was in a relatively good range (42.3±1.52) with a score range of 0 to 72 and the mean score satisfaction of the elderly was 24.6±3.8 with a range of 0 to 45. There was a statistically significant difference in the satisfaction of the elderly with the physical structure of hospitals based on the type of hospital and its services (P<0.001).

The physical structure of hospitals affiliated to Kashan university of Medical Sciences was in a relatively good range, and the satisfaction of the elderly was average, also. Therefore, they should be modified based on the criteria of the elderly-friendly hospital to increase the satisfaction of older adults, especially the eldest, and to prevent their possible injuries.

Internet addiction is one of the problems that has arisen with the advancement of technology, which has negative effects on people's physical and mental health. This study aimed to investigating the effect of using the internet and social networks in students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences.

In this cross-sectional study, 238 students of Kashan University of Medical Sciences were selected by stratified random method in 2019. To collect data, a standard questionnaire prepared by the professors and experts of the mental health center of the Ministry of Health was used. The data was analyzed through SPSS and using chi-square test.

The findings showed that 16.1% of students were addicted to social networks, which was 18.4% and 12.7% among women and men, respectively. Also, it can be mentioned that male students use more online and offline computer games than female students (P<0.05). The rate of use of dormitory students for searching news and surfing the web and downloading movies and music was more than students of living at home (P<0.05), also.

Considering that 16.1% of students devote at least 8 hours of their time daily to use the internet, this can be a reason for their academic failure. Hence, it is necessary to hold educational workshops about the advantages and disadvantages of internet.

Brain-derived neurogenic factor (BDNF) plays an effective role in improving neurological processes, therefore it is a therapeutic target for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of exercise training on the circulating levels of BDNF in patients with MS.

PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched until April 2023 for exercise training studies on BDNF circulation levels in MS patients. This search was performed using the keywords: "exercise training", "BDNF" and "MS". Standardized mean difference (SMD) effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using CMA2 software.

20 exercise interventions from a total of 15 studies including 603 subjects with MS were included in the meta-analysis. The results of data analysis showed that exercise training with a small and significant effect size leads to an increase in the circulating levels of BDNF in patients with MS [0.45 (CI: 0.18 to 0.72), P=0.001].

exercise training leads to the positive regulation of BDNF in patients with MS, which may play an important role in controlling this disease.