مجله زنان مامائی و نازائی ایران
سال هجدهم شماره 151 (هفته اول تیر 1394)

Brassica vegetables belong to Cruciferous family، and include diverse types of cabbage (green، red، etc.)، cauliflower، broccoli، Brussels sprouts and kale. Several studies have shown that consumption of these vegetables can lower incidence rate of cardiovascular and cancer diseases. One of these vegetables is Brassica oleracea. Studies suggested that red cabbage contains beneficial compounds which play a significant role in treatment of different disease such as cancer. This study evaluated cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of Brassica oleracea on cell line MCF-7.

The in-vitro study was carried out on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) at the end of the year 2014 in Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants. Cells were cultivated in DMEM medium with 10% fetal bovine serum، 100 units/ml penicillin and 100 µg/ml streptomycin. Then، the cells were incubated with different concentrations of extracts. Cell viability was assessed by dint of MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were detected using propidium iodide (PI) staining of DNA fragments by flow cytometry (sub-G1 peak).

RC [S1] inhibited the growth of malignant cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner. Following 24 hours، extract undermined cell viability at dose of 2000 µg/ml (P<0. 05)، after 48 hours increased cell death at doses of 1000 (P<0. 05)، 1500 (P<0. 05) and 2000 (P<0. 01). After 72h، rate of cell death increased at doses of 500 (P<0. 05)، 1000 (P<0. 01)، 1500 (P<0. 01) and 2000 (P<0. 001). Also، the extract induced apoptosis at doses of 1000 (P<0. 05)، 1500 (P<0. 01) and 2000 (P<0. 001). Further، the extract did not have any cytotoxicity effect on normal cells after 24، 48 and 72 hours. The IC50 was 2685 µg/ml.

The results of this study indicated that red cabbage accelerated cell death in MCF-7 cells via apoptosis induction. Therefore، red cabbage can be considered an effective treatment for breast cancer.

Many studies confirm the health benefits of exercise during pregnancy both for mother and fetus. Given the possibility of poor pregnancy outcomes as well as adverse economic، physical and psychological consequences، the main purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between physical activity levels، maternal weight (before delivery) and serum cortisol levels (during labor) in nulliparous women. The participants of this cross-sectional study were women admitted to Imam Hussein hospital for delivery in Shahrood، Iran، 2013. Overall، 76 women were chosen randomly as the sample. The physical activity level was determined via PPAQ questionnaire and maternal weight and serum cortisol level were measured using a scale and ELISA kit، respectively. The validity of all the data gathering tools was approved by a number of experts in the field and the reliability of the questionnaire was measured (α=0. 81). The data was analyzed using SPSS software version 18. Kolmogorov-Smironov، Pearson correlation and Spearman correlation were performed (P-value less than 0. 05 was considered significant). Our findings proposed that there is a significant inverse relationship between physical activity Level of pregnant women and maternal weight before delivery (p<0. 05); however، no significant relationship was found between physical activity level of pregnant women and maternal serum cortisol level while in labor (p>0. 05). Delivery، considered as the most physically and mentally stressful event for pregnant women، is completely independent of pregnancy. Therefore، serum cortisol levels during labor is not affected by physical activity during pregnancy، however، the weight gain during pregnancy can be controlled through physical activity.

Determination of the relationship between in-vitro embryos and their owners is of great importance for establishing couples’ rights regarding in-vitro embryos. Moreover، deciding on their ownership is significant for selecting the credible person to make decision about them. In this analytical and descriptive study library methods were applied. In this regard، almost all library sources such as books، articles، domestic and international laws and regulations about the subject (both in Persian and in English) were retrieved. Also، clergies’ opinions on this issue were sought. Some consider embryos as properties of parents. Three criteria are necessary for claiming an ownership relationship including exclusiveness، absoluteness and permanence. However، meeting these criteria is not possible in embryo-parent relationship. Nevertheless، some believe that embryo ownership is exclusive to its father. On the other hand، based on the labor theory another group believes this right belongs to its mother (considering the threats and pain a mother suffer during pregnancy and delivery). A few others take economic issues into account and consider embryos belonging to those who mostly benefit from them. Lastly، some recognize both parents as the owners of embryos. It seems that a non-financial ownership and dominance relationship between parents and in-vitro embryo can be assumed. Besides، due to involvement of both male and female reproductive cells in formation of in-vitro embryo، a joint ownership for parents might be claimed.