مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 738 (هفته دوم آذر 1402)

The use of laxatives reduces the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to the change in intestinal microbial flora. Reduction of worry and anxiety after colonoscopy can play a role in reducing symptoms in these patients. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in the symptoms in IBS patients in the short, medium, and long term after colonoscopy. In this descriptive study, 70 IBS patients who were candidates for colonoscopy were selected. The severity of symptoms of IBS was evaluated before colonoscopy and at intervals of one, four, and twelve after colonoscopy using the ROMEIV criteria and IBSSS questionnaire. The changes in the severity of the disease during the studied intervals were analyzed. Since receiving preparations is unpleasant for patients, therefore, the control group was not considered. The average score of IBS severity before colonoscopy was 296.71 ± 87.2. One,4 and 12 weeks after colonoscopy was 226.9 ± 85.8, 191.1 ± 88.4, and 154.1 ± 84.8 respectively, compared to before treatment, the mean difference was 142.6±85.4 and the trend of IBS severity changes showed a significant decrease during 12 weeks after colonoscopy (P < 0.001). Colonoscopy in patients with irritable bowel syndrome not only does not aggravate the symptoms of the disease, but also reduces the symptoms, and performing this procedure should not be avoided in those who have indications for colonoscopy.

Vaccination is an efficient and cost-effective way to control brucellosis. This study aims to generate recombinant Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) with Brucella abortus (B. abortus) BLS cytoplasmic protein.

The target vector, gene, and signal peptide (pNZ8148-Usp45-BLS) were developed and made in this study. Cloning accuracy was verified by PCR, enzyme digestion, and sequencing. Top10 F Escherichia coli was transformed using the recombinant expression vector. The column plasmid extraction kit selected and eliminated chloramphenicol-effected bacteria from an agar plate. In electroporation, Lactococcus lactis bacteria received the recombinant vector. Both SDS-PAGE and RT-PCR confirmed the transition.

To confirm the correctness of cloning and to confirm the presence of the BLS gene in the pNZ8148 vector, PCR and enzymatic digestion were performed. Observation of the BLS gene fragment with a length of 477 bp and plasmid pNZ8148 - Usp45 without the BLS gene fragment with a length of 2997 bp, the cloning of the BLS gene fragment was confirmed. Also, in the study conducted by the nanodrop device, the concentration of the extracted plasmid was estimated at 848.9 ng/µl and the degree of purity was 2.07. The results of RT-PCR indicated the success of the BLS gene transformation of Brucella abortus in L. lactis bacteria. Also, a single protein band of 18 kDa was observed in transformed L. lactis.

The present study showed that the BLS gene of the probiotic L. lactis transfected with pNZ8148-Usp45-BLS is expressed by electroporation.

Aspartame is a member of the artificial sweetener family, which is increasingly used in diet products, low-calorie foods, and various types of foods, medications, and hygiene products. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of aspartame on the small intestine of mice. In this experimental study, 36 adult male mice were randomly divided into four groups of nine each. Three groups received aspartame orally via gavage at doses of 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg.BW, respectively, for 90 days. Additionally, a control group was included. 24 hours after the last treatment, serum, and tissue samples were collected for biochemical, histomorphological, histomorphometrical, histochemical, and gene expression analyses. Significant changes in carbohydrate compositions were not observed in the histochemical studies between the groups, but the amount of fibrous tissue increased in the groups receiving aspartame. In histomorphometric evaluations of the small intestine, aspartame at doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg. BW caused a significant reduction in histomorphometrical parameters compared to the control group. Aspartame administration dose-dependently led to significant changes in oxidative parameters compared to the control group. Additionally, the expression of the Caspase-3 gene showed a significant increase in the group receiving aspartame at a dose of 160 mg/kg. BW compared to the control group. It seems that aspartame can cause negative effects on histomorphology, histomorphometry, histochemistry, and oxidative parameters in a dose-dependent manner and increases the expression of the Caspase-3 gene in the small intestine.