Journal of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences
Volume:13 Issue: 1, 2009

Previous studies have shown morphological changes after intra peritoneal drug administration in human and animals. This study examines the effect of intrapretoneal nicotine administration on pyramidal neurons in area CA1of hippocampus. The study included male Wistar rats with the mean weigh of 220-250 g. Nicotine was administered at a dose of 0.4 and 1.5 mg/kg, each for a period of three days. The animals were then anesthetized using ketamine (70 mg/kg). After being fixed through transcardiac canula with formalin 4% and bafer phosphate 6, the brains were sectioned and stained using Golgi’s staining technique. Using MOTIC software, they were then examined for histological evaluations. Data were analyzed using unpaired ttest Our results showed a decrease in the size and the number of pyramidal cells in area CA1 of hippocampus for the nicotine group. While the number of dendrites was fewer in experimental group, asterocytes had increased in comparison to the control group. Our study indicates that nicotine administration results in a significant reduction in the size of pyramidal cells in area CA1of hippocampus.

Phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) catalyzes the dephosphorylation of phosphatidic acid to yield Pi and diacylglycerol. Two different forms of PAP have been reported in rat hepatocyte: PAP1 that participates in the synthesis of phospholipids and triacylglycerols and PAP2 which is involved in lipid signaling pathways. Two isoforms of PAP2 are PAP2a and PAP2b. This study examines the effect of detergents such as Tween 80 lubrol, PX and CTAB as well as stabilizing factors including trehalose, sucrose, and albumin on the stability and activity of PAP2b. 14 Wistar rats weighing between 200-250 grams were used in the study. PAP2b was purified from liver plasma membrane by solubilizing with n-octyle glucoside and through several chromatography stages. Gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE) was performed in 10%gel slab in order to determine the purity level and to measure the molecular weight and number of the enzyme subunit. The effect of trehalose, sucrose, and albumin was examined on the stimulation of enzyme activity in different concentrations. The specific activity of purified enzyme was 7350 mU/mg protein. The purified enzyme showed a single band on SDS-PAGE with a MW of about 33.8 kDa. The enzyme was approximately activated 3times by lubrol PX and Tween 80 both at 3 mM. The activation by CTAB occurred at 1Mm.Trehalose, sucrose and albumin had the most stability effect on PAP2b in concentration of 3, 7 and 10 percent respectively. Tween 80, lubrol PX, and CTAB have the ability to activate PAP2b. In case a nondetergent agent is required to stabalize PAP2b trehalose is preferred to sucrose and albumin. The lubrol PX has a higher potential stimulatory effect to activate PAP2b. compared to other ionic and nonionic detergents.

Helicobacter Pylori is a major cause of diseases of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Having considered the high prevalence of the infection, an ideal regimen has been a matter of debate by the scientists for many years. This study evaluates the efficacy of the more tolerable regimens in the eradication of the bacteria and the effect of the treatment on the gastric symptoms. This parallel randomized control trial study included 560 patients with dyspepsia admitted to Imam Reza hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences between 2006-2007. Patients who were identified with dyspepsia based on Rome II and were candidate for endoscopy were examined for H.pylori infection through rapid urease test and histology. Those proven positive were assigned at random to one of the two groups of high dose (Omeprazole 20mg, Clarithromycin 500 mg, and Amoxicillin 1000mg) and low dose (Omeprazole 20mg, clarithromycin 250 mg, Amoxicillin 500 mg) treatment regimens. They all went under treatment every 12 hours for a period of seven days. 4 weeks after the therapy, eradication success rate and gastric symptoms were evaluated using the same protocol. Side effects were recorded through a questionnaire. From the total of 560, 480 were proven positive for H. pylori (85.7%). Eradication success rate was the same for the two groups (87.5%). History of pyrosis before the treatment was statistically associated with eradication failure at the end of the treatment. Symptoms such as pyrosis were significantly reduced. General well being was also improved but the improvement was not statistically significant. Mild side effects were observed in 11% of high and 8% of low dose treatment regimens. However they were well tolerated and did not result in drug withdrawal. Eradication success rate of one-week low dose treatment regimen was within the acceptable level. Eradication also reduced pyrosis episodes. Symptoms were improved even when the therapy did not result in eradication.