Internal Medicine Today
Volume:21 Issue: 2, 2015

The goal of Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery (CABGs) is to improve the quality of life in patients with coronary artery diseases. Many studies have suggested the implementation of a cardiac rehabilitation program after surgery required to achieve this goal. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cardiac rehabilitation on quality of life in post-surgery patients. In this quasi-experimental which was conducted in 2012، 70 patients (35 patients in experimental group and 35 patients in control group) undergoing CABGs in Shahid Rajaei Heart Center of Tehran City were selected by achievable sampling method. The experimental group received 12 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation program according to their health condition. The control group was not participating in the rehabilitation program. The qualities of life of patients of both groups were measured by Ferrans & Powers Questionnaire of quality of life before and after the cardiac rehabilitation program. Data were analyzed in SPSS 16 software by Paired T، independent T and linear regression tests. The experimental and the control group were matched according to age and sex. There was no significant difference between two groups before intervention in the quality of life score. After intervention، the quality of life score were increased in both the experimental (19. 99±1. 11) and the control groups (18. 49±1. 48)، respectively (p<0. 001). Participation in cardiac rehabilitation program is effective in promotion of quality of life in CABG patients.

Dialysis patients have experienced some degree of pain, especially foot pain. Some complementary interventions such as muscle relaxation are effective in relieving pain. This study was performed with the aim of assessing the effect of muscle relaxation on hemodialysis patients’ pain. This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 hemodialysis patients of Khatamolanbia and Imam Ali hemodialysis centers of Zahedan during 2013 and 2014. The patients were chosen by purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria and randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Pain intensity was measured by McGill questionnaire before intervention. Then, Benson muscle relaxation was taught to patients’ of case group and was performed by them for 15-20 minutes twice a day for a month. The control group received no training. The pain intensity of two groups was compared after one month. The data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent T and Mann-Whitney tests by SPSS 21 software. Most of the patients were men, married, housekeeper with under diploma education and the mean age of them was 43.0±15.0 years. There was a significant decrease in pain intensity in the intervention group compared to the control (p=0.03). The muscle relaxation technique can be employed to reduce pain in hemodialysis patients.

Increased levels of CRP, uric acid and total bilirubin increase the risk of coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of selected aerobic training on CRP, uric acid and total bilirubin in sedentary elderly women. In this semi-experimental study, in 2014, which was done in Mashhad, 21 sedentary and healthy women with range of 60-70 years old were selected using available and purposive sampling method. They were randomly divided into two groups; experimental (n=11) and control (n=10). The 8 weeks of aerobic training (3 times a week, 45-60 minutes per session, with intensity of 50-70 percent of reserve heart rate) were performed. Blood samples were taken at baseline and at the end of the study. Data were analyzed using paired and independent T tests in SPSS 20 software. Body weight (p=0.001), BMI (p=0.01), body fat percent (p=0.02), CRP levels (p=0.01) and uric acid (p=0.001) were decreased at the end of training compared with the beginning of aerobic training significantly in the experimental group. Moreover, a significant difference was observed between experimental and control groups according to weight (p<0.05). The aerobic training has positive effects on the new biomarker of cardiovascular indicators and aerobic training can prevent the incidence of atherosclerosis diseases.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells have therapeutic potentials due to their immunomodulatory properties. Estrogen is also an immunomodulator. The current study was to analyze the effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells’ supernatant of male rats adjacent with estrogen on the function and survival of neutrophils. In this experimental study, mesenchymal stem cells isolated from the femur and tibia of the bone marrow of male 6-8 week old rats were cultured in DMEM. After maturation, the supernatant of the mesenchymal stem cells treated with estrogen (10nM and 20nM) and cultured for 72 hours at 37°C. Then, the mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with the peripheral blood neutrophils and the neutrophil functions were measured by phagocytosis and respiratory burst (Nitro Blue Tetrazolium resuscitation) tests. The viability of neutrophils was measured with acridine-orange fluorescent staining. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18 software, using independent T, one way ANOVA and Tukey tests. The respiratory burst in the groups treated with 10nM and 20nM of estrogen showed significant difference compared with the control group. The percentage of phagocytosis in the groups treated with 10nM and 20nM of estrogen were significantly increased compared with the control group. There was a significant difference between the percentage of phagocytosis of 10nM and 20nm groups (p<0.05). The apoptosis level in the groups treated with 10nM and 20nM of estrogen showed significant difference compared with the control group. Supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells treated with estrogen increases the phagocytosis potential and respiratory explosion of neutrophils.

Intense exercise damages tissues and disturb some cellular processes through oxidative stress and antioxidants can modulate intense exercise-induced oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of Ziziphus jujube supplements on the glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum after a single session of resistance training. In this semi-experimental study, 24 young non-athletes females were purposefully selected and were randomly divided into two groups; Ziziphus jujube consumption+intensive resistance exercise and intensive resistance exercise. The first group received 0.4g/kg of body weight of Ziziphus jujube daily for 3 weeks, but another group prohibited from Ziziphus jujube consumption. Both groups carried out a session of intensive resistance exercise consisting of 5 movements at 90% of one maximum repetition. Blood samples were measured in three phases; baseline, after 3 weeks of the Ziziphus jujube consumption, and after the resistance exercise session. In order to valuation the enzymes activity the enzymatic method was used. Data were analyzed by the repeated measures ANOVA and LSD tests in SPSS 22 software. The Ziziphus jujube supplement significantly increased GPX activity (p=0.001) but it had no significant (p=0.19) influence on SOD activity. In addition, intensive resistance training significantly decreased the SOD (p=0.03) and GPX (p=0.02) activity immediately after exercise. Using Ziziphus jujube supplements improves the antioxidant enzyme activity of GPX, but this improvement is not likely enough to inhibit the depression of the antioxidant status after performing resistance exercise

Karela (Momordica charantia), is extensively used in traditional medicine as an antidiabetic drug. The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of aqueous and methanolic extrarct of Momordica charantia on blood glucose and liver enzymes of rats. In this experimental study, 36 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (6 rats in each group); control (healthy rats), negative control (diabetic rats by Streptozotocine) and 4 experimental groups (diabetic rats which recived aqueous and methanolic extracts of plant in concentrations of 50 and 100mg/kg of body weight daily for 40 days). The amount of the blood glucose was determined by sequential incision of the tip of the tail once a weak. After completing 40 days, blood was collected from heart of rats and the level of the liver enzymes serum was determined. The results were analysed by ANOVA with repeated measure and one way ANOVA tests in SPSS 19 software. The effect of different concentrations of aqueous and methanolic extracts on the blood glucose level was significant (p<0.001). Also a significant difference was observed between the amount of the aspartate aminotransfrase (p=0.049) and alanin aminotransfrase (p=0.005) enzymes activity at the two groups of negative control and 50mg/kg of body weight of methanolic extract. Using of 50 and 100mg/kg of body weight of aqueous and methanolic extracts reduced the alkalin phosphatase enzyme activity (p=0.002). Aqueous extract of Momordica charantia fruit have better effect on reducing the blood glucose than methanolic extracts. Both aqueous and methanolic extracts reduce the activity of aspartate aminotransfrase, alanin aminotransfrase and alkalin phosphatase.

In recent years, consumption of nutrition supplements such as L-Arginine has increased in athletes in order to increase efficiency and reduce fatigue. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of 4 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIT) with and without L-Arginine supplementation on anaerobic and aerobic performance in women’s futsal players. In this research study (2013), 20 healthy women futsal players in Kermanshah City, Iran, were selected by available sampling method. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups; training-supplement (n=10) and training-placebo (n=10). Both groups, in addition to futsal specific training, performed RAST (anaerobic sprint test) test as high-intensity interval training protocol, 2 sessions per week for 4 weeks. Before and after the training protocol, subjects performed Bruce and RAST tests in order to measure aerobic and anaerobic power, respectively. Blood samples were collected 30 seconds after the RAST test to measure the levels of serum lactate concentration. All data were analyzed using independent T and paired T tests. After the training, both groups showed significant increasing in VO2max and anaerobic power (p<0.05) and significant decreasing in blood lactate concentrations (p<0.05); percentage of changes were greater for the first than the second group in all three factors. Using high-intensity interval training in combination with L-Arginine lead to improvement of aerobic and anaerobic fitness in women futsal players.

One of the most basic methods for coping with diseases and pain relief had been the use of medicinal plants. The aim of this study was to the determination of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia multicaulis hydroalcoholic extract. In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were divided in 6 groups (n=7); the control (receive nothing), the sham (receive solvent intraperitoneally) and 4 groups that received plant extract at the doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400mg/kg intraperitoneally. Tail flick and formalin test were used for evaluation of thermal and chemical pain, also for assessment the degree of inflammation, rat paw edema volume was acquired by plethysmometric test. Data were analyzed in SPSS 16 software by ANOVA with repeated measuring and T student tests. The intraperitoneally injection of extract in all doses decreased the chemical pain induced by formalin (p<0.05). Hydroalcoholic extract of plant at doses 200 and 400mg/kg caused hyperalgesia in compared with control group (p<0.01). All concentrations of hydroalcoholic extract of plant decreased the inflammation (p<0.01). Intraperitoneally administration of hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia multicaulis has analgesic effects.

Among all types of headache, migraine is the third most prevalent disorder and seventh common cause of disability. In Old Persian medical literature, Coriander fruit have been introduced as a treatment of headache. The aim of this study was exploring the effect of Coriander fruit on severity and duration of migraine attacks. This randomized triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in the neurology clinic of Shohadaye Tajrish hospital in Tehran. Based on sample size formula for longitudinal data, a total number of 66 patients were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. Intervention group received common medicine plus Coriander fruit and the control group received common medicine plus placebo and both were followed during four weeks after intervention. For analyzing the data, random effect and transition models were utilized and the results were compared using Akaike criteria. The average of attacks duration in the intervention group was 4.27 hours less than the control group (p<0.001). Also, mean severity of migraine attacks in the intervention group was 2.81 (based on VAS scale) less than control group (p<0.001). Coriander fruit reduces the duration and severity of migraine attacks. Also, considering the duration and severity of last migraine attacks is necessary for prediction.

Leptin is a polypeptide that is correlated with body weight changes and energy consumption and affected by exercise training. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of 6 weeks resistance training on body composition, serum leptin and muscle strength in non-athletic men. In this semi-experimental trial, 22 non-athletes male living in dormitory of Zanjan University, who were enrolled in 2011-12 academic year were selected with purposive sampling method and randomly assigned to experimental (n=12) and control (n=10) groups. The experimental group performed training program based on the protocol of Kramer and Ratns for 6 weeks (3 sessions per week). At the beginning and end of the research, muscle strength, body composition and serum leptin were measured. Serum leptin was measured by ELISA. Independent T and paired T tests were used to analysis the data in SPSS 16 software. After 6 weeks of strength training, changes in serum leptin levels and body composition (fat mass without fat) between the two groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). But in experimental group, the upper and lower body strength training was significantly increased compared with pre-test in control group (p<0.05). It seems that no significant changing in serum leptin levels after a period of resistance training is due to no changing in body fat and not enough exercise, but this training cause in increasing muscle strength.

Preterm birth is an important unresolved issue that affected from biological, social, environmental stress and genetic factors. According to its importance, present study was conducted to identify of modifiable risk factor of preterm birth in Gonabad City, Iran. This case-control study was performed on 73 preterm and 160 term infants in 22th of Bahman Hospital of Gonabad City, Iran, in 2014. Sampling of case group was convenience and control group was random. Data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire from medical files and interviewing by mothers and then were analyzed by SPSS 18 and Chi-square, independent T, Exact Fisher, Kendall tau and logistic regression tests. Two groups were significantly different according to income levels, a history of premature birth, kind of delivery, occupation of father, location of residence, contribution in pregnancy classes (p<0.000), location of residence (p<0.001), number of children (p=0.046), unwanted pregnancy (p=0.005), mother's education level (p=0.042) and immigration status (p=0.012). A history of premature birth (OR=2.45; p=0.014), contribution in pregnancy classes (OR=2.81; p=0.007), income level (OR=0.068; p=0.002) and location of residence (OR=0.068; p=0.002) were predictors of preterm birth. A history of premature birth, contribution in pregnancy classes, income level and the location of residence were associated with chance of preterm birth.