Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:22 Issue: 95, 2014

Ulcerative colitis is a group of chronic inflammatory disorders of unknown etiology that affects the digestive system. Aloe vera is used in many situations such as wound healing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of this plant on the gastric acid secretion and colonic histopathology in acute ulcerative colitis model induced by acetic acid in rats. This experimental study was performed on 32 Wistar rats weighing 200-250g. Animals were randomly divided into four groups including intact, acetic acid-induced colitis group, the groups treated with Aloe Vera (8 days) and treated with sulfasalazine. The animals were anesthetized with ether, and then colitis was induced with acetic acid. After treatment, biopsies of 10 cm distal parts of the colon were removed for histopathological studies. To compare the histopathologic quantitative features, the grading system (Bita 2012) was used. The gastric acid concentration was measured by titration method. The results were expressed as Mean±SEM and P<0.05 was regarded as significant. Treatment with aqueous extract of Aloe Vera did not reduce the gastric acid. Histopathological results indicated an inflammatory response in the ulcerative colitis group. Aloe Vera reduced the severity of symptoms of ulcerative colitis histopathology, although its efficiency was less than sulfasalazine. Regarding the improving effect of Aloe vera, it seems to be useful for the treatment of colonic disorders. However, for determination of the effective dose of this plant in decreasing gastric acid secretions, further research is recommended.

Researchers have pointed out that higher rate of female athlete lower extremity injuries are related to functional imbalances in hamstring and quadriceps muscles and suggest the use of training protocols in order to gain adequate functional muscle patterns. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of neuromuscular, strength and combined trainings on H/Q strength ratio in professional female basketbalists The subjects were 42 female basketbalists in 3 experimental groups and 1 control group with mean age, height and weight of 20.73±1.88 year, 172.47±6.57 cm and 63.54±4.98 kg, and BMI of 21.36±1.17 who completed 6 weeks of neuromuscular, strength and combined trainings. Functional hamstring to quadriceps muscle strength ratio was measured prior to and after training by Isokinetic Biodex Dynamometer 4, at 3 angular velocities 60,180,240.s-1. Repeated measurement, Anova, Independent sample T test and Tukey post hoc test were used to analyze the data. Statistical analysis of data revealed that there was a significant difference in Functional H/Q Ratio in strength training group at 3 angular velocities in pre and post training. Differences between the strength training groups and the control group were meaningful. Prescription of lower extremity strength trainings in injury prevention training programs can cause improvement in functional strength ratio and may lead to reduce lower extremity injury risks.

BAD (Bcl-2-associated death promoter) is a proapoptotic protein which in phosphorylated state is inactivated in terms of its apoptotic function while in dephosphorylated status causes proceeding of apoptosis via inhibition of BCL-XL. cAMP elevating agents attenuate Doxorubicin inducedapoptosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of cAMP elevating agents via Forskolin and IBMX on phosphorylation of BAD in Pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia (pre-B ALL) cells. NALM-6 cells were incubated with cAMP increasing agents along with two concentrations of Doxorubicin 250 and 500 for 24 hours. Assessment of cell death was performed by Trypan blue staining and apoptosis was assessed by Annexin V via flowcytometry. Western blot was used for evaluating the expression of BAD protein and phosphorylation changes. Data was analyzed by Paired t-test. The flowcytometry analysis of Annexin V revealed that cAMP increasing agents in combination with Doxorubicin lead to decreased rate of apoptosis in comparison to Doxorubicin alone. Analysis of western blotting showed that cAMP increasing agents cause phosphorylate serine residues of BAD. The study also indicated that Doxorubicin alone is unable to alter the phosphorylation status of BAD. Results of this study indicate that cAMP increasing agents attenuate doxorubicin-induced apoptosis via phosphorylation of BAD in NALM-6 cells.

Burn injury is not a disease, but it is a disaster with many social, economic and mental effects which contribute to the problem and make it several times larger. Several studies have examined various factors in burn. In this study, we evaluated the effect of L-glutamine on biochemical tests in mice with second degree burns. In this experimental study, 30 male mice were included and randomly divided into two groups. First, the mice underwent general anesthesia and then using an iron plate with 80°C thermal injury for duration of one second, a second-degree burn injury was induced on the animal's skin. In the case group, the mice received glutamine powder (1 g/kg/day) dissolved in water. The control group did not receive such supplementation. The data gathered on different days and analyzed by SPSS software. There was no significant difference between two groups regarding weight and serum albumin, urea, and creatinine levels. The mean of serum levels of albumin is (4.93“0.24 and 4.84“0.79) on day 1 and 22th respectively (P≤0.4) and in the control group on day 1 and 22th (4.21 “ 0.46 and 4.21 “ 0.45) respectively (P≤0.7). The mean of serum levels of urea is (30.10 “ 3.3 and 30.48 “ 4.27) on day 1 and 22th respectively (P≤0.3) and in the control group on day 1 and 22th (25.89 “ 0.14 and 25.89 “ 2.4) respectively (P≤0.7). The mean of serum levels of creatinine is (0.82 “ 0.17 and 0.86 “ 0.25 on day 1 and 22th respectively (P≤0.9) and in the control group on day 1 and 22th (0.86 “ 0.14 and 0.86 “ 0.19) respectively (P≤0.4). The results of this study indicate that glutamine did not have any significant effect on biochemical parameters in burn. The role of glutamine in burn wound healing has not been established completely, but there is a lot of evidence supporting the beneficial effects of glutamine for treating burns. However, further research is necessary in order to understand which stage of the treating process glutamine supplementation affected.

Increasing evidence has shown that diabetes induces cognitive dysfunction and impairs learning and memory. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid and vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant with multiple pharmacological effects on diabetes. Thus, we investigated the effect of Berberine hydrochloride and vitamin E on diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction in rats. 48 male Wistar rats were randomly selected and allocated in 6 control groups: control treated with vitamin E (30mg/kg), diabetic and Berberine-treated diabetic group 100mg/kg), vitamin E-treated diabetic group (30mg/kg) and a diabetic group treated with both vitamin E and Berbrine. Diabetes was induced by STZ administration at dose of 55mg/kg through Intraperitoneal injection route. Berberine hydrochloride and vitamin E were administered per os, respectively at doses of 100 and 30 mg/kg/day 1 week after STZ injection for a period of 6 weeks. Blood samples were taken from the tail vein 1, 3, 5, 7 weeks after STZ injection to measure blood glucose levels. Behavioral tests including spatial recognition and objective recognition were performed at the end of the study. Diabetic group treated with both drugs demonstrated significant behavioral differences as compared to diabetic, vitamin E-treated diabetic (30mg/kg), and Berberine -treated diabetic (10 mg/kg) groups. In the meantime, cognitive test value demonstrated an increase in this group. Berberine hydrochloride and vitamin E administration for 6 weeks improve cognitive dysfunction in streptozotocin -induced diabetes in rats.

Dorema aucheri, Stachys pilifera and Trachyspermum copticum are used in Iranian traditional medicine especially in the province of Kohgilouyeh and Boyerahmad. This study aimed to determine the effect of these plants on proliferation of rat brain oligodendrocytes. Macerated hydroalcoholic extract of each plant was prepared using 50% ethanol. The OLN-93 oligodendrocytes were incubated for 24 h with different concentrations of these extracts. Then, percentage of viable cells was determined using a method based on the reduction of tetrazolium salt. Extract of Dorema aucheri at 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/ml decreased viable cells from 100 ± 4% (control cells) to 84 ± 4, 58 ± 6 (P<0.001), 6 ± 0.5 (P<0.001) and 4 ± 0.5% (P 0.001), respectively. Similarly, Stachys pilifera extract at 50, 100, 200 and 400 µg/ml decreased viable cells from 100 ± 4% to 81 ± 6, 64 ± 3 (P<0.01), 61 ± 4 (P<0.01) and 55 ± 2% (P<0.001), respectively. Also, Trachyspermum copticum extract at concentrations higher than 50 µg/ml significantly decreased percentage of viable cells. Extracts of Dorema aucheri, Trachyspermum copticum and Stachys pilifera reduce proliferation of rat brain oligodendrocytes.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a malignant clonal disorder of hematopoietic stem cells which results in increase of myeloid and erythroid cells and platelets in the peripheral blood and hyperplasia in bone marrow. This research evaluated the cytotoxic effect of aqueous, methanolic and ethanolic extracts of M. spicata leaves on K562 cell line as a model of chronic myeloid leukemia. In this experimental trial, leaves of M. spicata were collected from Booin city and extracted using soxhlet method. K562 cells were cultured and treated with concentrations of extracts (12.5- 150ìg/ml). Cytotoxicity of M. spicata extracts against K562 leukemia cells was estimated by the MTT test method. The absorbance was measured using ELISA plate reader at 540 nm. Ethanolic extract showed the highest cytotoxic effect (IC50=75 ìg/ml) whereas aqueous extract showed the least cytotoxic effect (IC50=150 ìg/ml) among the extracts. Methanol extracts showed the cytotoxic effect with IC50=100 ìg/ml on K562 cell line. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts exhibited a dosedependent cytotoxic effect on K562 cell line. Considering the cytotoxic effects of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of M. spicata leaves on K562 cells, this plant can be considered as a potential candidate for further studies in the treatment of CML.

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between the amount of physical activity and daily calcium intake with body mass index and the amount of bone density in post-menopausal female patients. This descriptive-cross sectional study was performed on 80 post-menopausal women with mean age of 58.13±7.59 years and BMI mean of 26.69±3.66. Participant's physical activity level was measured using Beck Physical Activity Questionnaire and daily calcium intake was measured using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and three-day dietary recall. Bone densitometry method was used for determining bone density in the spinal and femur bone regions. To analyze the data, SPSS software was used. Physical activity in 53.8% of the participants was in low level and calcium intake of 62.5% of them was lower than daily recommended level. Frequency distribution of bone density in spine region was 37.5% osteopenia and 26.2% osteoporosis while in femur bone it was 48.8% osteopenia and11.2% osteoporosis (p≤0/05). Women with a lower physical activity had 51.2% osteopenia and 46.5% osteoporosis in spine region along with 69.8% osteopenia and 20.9% osteoporosis in the femur bone region. Women whose daily calcium intake was lower than the recommended amount suffered from 38% osteoporosis and 36% osteopenia in spine region and 70% osteopenia and 14% osteoporosis in the femur region. In our study, most menopause women had osteopenia in both spinal and femur bone regions. Due to the significant effect of physical activity and daily calcium intake on bone density, an increase in daily calcium intake and encouragement of women to take part in physical activities are recommended.

Polymerization shrinkage in composite resins is responsible for microleakage restoration. A recently introduced composite resin Filtek P90 is based on siloxanes and oxiranes which polymerize by cationic "ring opening" polymerization resulting in reduced polymerization shrinkage. The aim of this study was comparative evaluation of microleakage in class II cavities restored with a silorane resin composite (Filtek P90) or a methacrylate based composite (Z250) using two different techniques of total bonding and open sandwich. A class II cavity was prepared on the mesial and distal surfaces of twenty four caries-free premolars, with the gingival margin of the cavity being 1 mm under CEJ. Teeth were assigned to restorative material and operative techniques (total bonding, open Sandwich (resin composite, RMGI), to four groups of 12 cavities: I: silorane-based composite (Filtek P90); II: RMGI (Fuji II) & Filtek p90; III: methacrylate based composite (Z250); IV: RMGI & Z250. The restored teeth were examined for microleakage after thermocycling) 5-55°c) and immersion, in a basic fuchin 0.5% solution 24 hours) and sectioned with diamond disk, using stereomicroscope (20X). The degree of dye penetration was recorded and analyzed with SPSS16 and Fisher’s exact test. Differences between group I with other groups were significant (P 0.01). Group III showed most microleakage in the degree of dye penetration 2. No significant difference was observed in groups II, I and IV. Open sandwich technique (groups I, IV) and p90 composite (total bonding) in group I showed the least microleakage.

Impaired cognitive function and memory, a characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, can be caused by decreased activity of the cholinergic system. Scopolamine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, may cause temporary impairment in memory and provide an Alzheimer's disease model. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of water extract of Elaeagnus Angustifolia on memory impairment caused by scopolamine. Sixthy male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups (n=1 for each group). Four groups received scopolamine (1mg/kg, IP) and water extract of Elaeagnus Angustifolia (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) along with a positive control group (received scopolamine) and a negative control group. Water extract of Elaeagnus Angustifolia was administered through gavage every day for 4 weeks. Using Morris water maze (MWM), spatial learning and memory were evaluated. The present study showed that scopolamine injection leads to impairment of learning and memory of rats in the Morris water test (P<0.0001). In addition, Elaeagnus Angustifolia water extracts dosedependently improved the learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine in rats (P<0.0001). There was no significant difference between groups that received water extract of Elaeagnus Angustifolia and negative control group (P=1). Water extract of Elaeagnus Angustifolia improves spatial learning and memory induced by scopolamine in rats.

The roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra (Liquorice) have long been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments from simple coughs to hepatitis and even more complexities such as cancers. This study was conducted to grasp the immunomodulatory properties of the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra in NMRI-mice challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBCs). The study population consisted of 20 male mice that randomly divided into two equal groups and immunized with SRBC. Mice in the treatment group orally received 0.75 g/Kg hydroalcoholic extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra every day from the beginning of the study for 2 weeks. The results indicated a significant increase in the level of anti-SRBC antibody and simultaneously a significant decrease in the level of cellular immunity in the treatment group compared to the control group. Moreover, the level of the respiratory burst of phagocyte cells of splenocytes significantly decreased in the treatment groups, while the level of lymphocyte proliferation significantly increased in the treatment group as compared to the control group. Hydroalcoholic root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra may be used as a natural source in immune system.

Learning is the acquisition of information about the world and memory is a mechanism to encode, store and retrieve the learned information. Weak memory and learning disorders are the most common cognitive problems. In the present study, the pharmacological effects of aqueous extract of Boswellia on learning and spatial memory in male rats was investigated using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. In this experimental study, 21 male rats were divided into 3 groups including a control group (distilled water) and two groups treated with aqueous extract of Boswellia 50 and 100 mg/kg) that received the treatment for 4 weeks. To evaluate learning ability of animals, Morris Water Maze was used. In the first and the last day of training, all groups showed significant reduction in escape latency (P<0.0001) and traveled distance (P<0.0001). In the sixth day of training, both treatment groups showed significant reduction in escape latency (P<0.05) and traveled distance (P<0.05) in comparison with the control group. The results suggest that intake of Boswellia facilitates the learning and spatial memory formation in rats via Morris water maze test method.