Medical Sciences Journal of Islamic Azad University,Tehran Medical Branch
Year:2009 | Volume:19 | Issue:3 (57)|Papers Count:15

Background: Hydroxyurea (HU) is currently used for b thalassemia treatment through induction of fetal g-globin. In this study, effects of different concentrations of hydroxyurea on induction of g-globin gene in K562 cells, and inhibitory effect of siRNA against candidate gene which may be involved in HU mediated g-globin induction were assessed.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, K562 cells were treated by different concentrations of HU (0, 50, 100 and 200 mM). siRNA against candidate gene in HU mediated g-globin gene induction was transfected to K562 cells using lipofectamine 2000. The level of g-globin gene induction and inhibition were determined by quantitative real-time PCR.Results: There were 1.75-, 2.45- and 2.55- fold inductions in g-globin gene using 50, 100 and 200 mM HU, respectively. There has been 79.5% down regulation on candidate gene in siRNA transfected K562 cells.Conclusion: This study showed that g-globin induction in 100 mM HU is similar to 200 mM HU treated K562 cells. There was also efficient inhibitory effect on candidate gene which may be involved in HU mediated g-globin induction.

Background: The anti-tumor effect of saffron extract has been proved in both in vitro and in vivo in recent years. In this study, cytotoxicity effect of total saffron extract on human liver carsinoma cells (HepG2) investigated in in vitro condition.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, the effects of total saffron extract on quantitative proliferation of all cell lines were determined by using 3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2yl) -2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. Also, effects of extract on mouse fibroblast cells (L929) were evaluated as the control. MTT assay is a fast, sensitive and quantitative method for all kind of cell’s proliferation by spectrophotometry. Amount of required extract for occurring 50% cytotoxicity to the cells (IC 50) was achieved by administering different concentration of extract, and comparing the left alive cells with cells that no drug was used on them.Results: 50% inhibition of tumor cells growth was achieved at 400 mg/ml. Extract had no inhibitory effect on normal cells growth.Conclusion: Total saffron extract can be used as cytotoxic agent against Cancer in vivo by producing cytoplasmic and nuclear changes.

Background: One of the most effective methods in the treatment of b-thalassemia is gene therapy by viral vectors. The aim of this study was to design a recombinant lentivirus containing mini LCR and b-globin gene for transferring normal b-globin gene into hematopoetic stem cells.Materials and methods: In this basic-applied study, each segment was cloned into a lenti transfer vector and confirmed by restriction digestion and sequencing. Transfer vector and three packaging plasmids were cotransfected into 293T packaging cells using lipofectamine 2000. Harvested viruses were confirmed by RT PCR on extracted RNA of these recombinant lentiviruses.Results: The titer of lentiviral stock was determined in a HT1080 cell line. Transduction of target cells was increased by polybrene until 2 fold. Transduced HT1080 colonies remained after 2-week antibiotic selection. The remained transduced HT1080 colonies were expanded and DNA was extracted. PCR evaluated random integration of construct into the genome in this gene transfer technique. Optimum MOI for HT1080 cell line was determined.Conclusion: Lenti viruses can be used for effective and permanent gene transfering in mammalian cells such as hematopoetic stem cells in order to accomplish gene therapy of genetic diseases like beta thalassemia and cancers.

Background: several studies have been performed on rapid wound healing. Because of minimal side effects of herbal drugs and role of fibroblast cells in wound healing, in this study the effect of Scrophularia striata extract on human fibroblast cell proliferation was evaluate.Material and methods: In this basic-applied study, Scrophularia striata seed extract was prepared by water based extraction methods. Foreskin fibroblast (Ffk) cells, maintaining in DMEM culture medium supplemented with 10% FBS in a humidified incubator (37oC and 5% CO2) were used. 100000 Ffk cells per well were exposed to different concentrations of Scrophularia striata extract (1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 20 mg/ml) at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. MTT assay was used to evaluate effects of extract on cell proliferation.Results: S. striata seed extract had stimulatory effects on human fibroblast cells proliferation. Incubation time was effective on cell proliferation, so that cell proliferation was diminished with increasing incubation time.Conclusion: This study showed that different doses of S. striata seed extract has various effects on improvement of wound healing and anti-tumor activity. Further investigations are recommended to detect optimum dose and mode of clinical applications.

Background: It is widely recognized that losartan, as an angiotensin receptor (AT1) antagonist, has organ protective nature and effective activity against organ damage progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of losartan on renal function amelioration after unilateral ureteral obstruction of rat.Material and methods: In this experimental study, 50 Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) of left kidney and randomly divided into five groups (ten rats in each groups) as follows: (1) control group; (2) UUO; (3) UUO/LOS; (4) Sham-operated; (5) Sham/LOS. Control animals received orally drug solvent by gavage for 15 days. Unilateral ureteral obstruction was performed on groups 2 and 3 and sham, the operation was performed in groups 4 and 5. The group 2, received solvent drug and group 3 received losartan (60 mg/kg) for 15 days. Blood samples were collected at day 0, 3, 7 and 14 after UUO for evaluation of serum creatinine, urea and cholesterol levels. Rats were sacrificed at day 14 for histopathological evaluation of left kidney with H&E technique. Data were analyzed by ANOVA statistics.Results: Serum creatinine, urea and cholesterol levels significantly increased in UUO group at days 7 and 14 after operation compared with control group (p<0.05). But serum levels of creatinine, urea and cholesterol significantly decreased (p<0.05). Unlike losaratan treated animals, histopathologic evaluation showed more renal interstitial fibrosis, tubular epithelial necrosis, hemorrhage, interstitial infiltration of mononuclear cells, tubular atrophy, glumerular tufts expanding, periglomerular sclerosis, subcapsular fibrosis, glomerulosclerosis and peritubular capillaries edema in UUO groups. There were no significant differences between control and sham groups.Conclusion: This study showed the ureteral obstructions lead severe renal tissue deterioration and dysfunction, but losartan may reverse renal tissue damage.

Background: Pain is a sensorial modality, which in many cases represents the only symptom for the diagnosis of several diseases. Due to addictive properties and side effects of morphine, there is less attention to use it. Medicinal plants are used increasingly in the treatment of painful illnesses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of parsley leaves in mice.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of parsley leaves was evaluated in mice by formalin test and acetic acid test. Ethanolic extract of parsley leaves (at doses 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg) and morphine (10 mg/kg), as a standard drug, were injected intraperitoneally. The control group was administered saline as vehicle of ethanolic extract.Results: Ethanolic extract of plant decreased both phases of pain in formalin test. Also, it decreased number of abdominal muscle contraction in Writhing test.Conclusion: The present study indicated that ethanolic extract of parsley leaves has analgesic effects on mice and further studies need to evaluate its clinical properties.

Background: Chemical carcinogens may be produced by metabolic activity of microbes residing in gastrointestinal system. Researches suggest that the consumption of probiotic cultures may decrease the risk of cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate inhibitory effects of probiotic cultures on mutant and cancerous cells.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, antimutagenic effects of probiotic cultures, including Bifidobacterium bifidus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Streptococcus thermophillus, were assessed by the Salmonella/ microsome assay upon sodium azid and nitrosamine by Ames test.Results: There were anticancer and antimutagenic activities of probiotic cultures. Anticarcinogenic effects of probiotic cultures were mostly above 40%, representing their potent anticarcinogenic activities.Conclusion: This study showed that probiotic cultures have potent anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities.

Background: Metronidazole is one of the most important antibiotics in Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) eradication regimens. This study was designed to determine metronidazole resistance H.pylori isolates from patients referred to Hajar hospital, Shahrekord, Iran.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 263 patients who referred to endoscopy department of Hajar hospital, Shahrekord in 2007 were randomly selected. Gastric biopsy samples were cultured on selective Brucella agar containing 10% blood and incubated under microerophilic condition at 37oC between 3 and 7 days. Gram stain, urease, catalase and oxidase tests were used to detect H.pylori isolates, and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to determine ureC gene. H.pylori identified. Standard CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute) was used to evaluate metronidazole resistance.Results: Rapid urease test (RUT), culture and PCR detect H.pylori infection in 54.37%, 84% and 84.79%, respectively. Of isolated strains, 49 (58.33%) metronidazole resistances and 7 (8.33%) semi-sensitive were recognized. Of 49 metronidazole resistant patients, 32.65%, 20.40%, 12.24%, 6.10%, 4.80% and 24.48% had gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, esophagitis, gastric cancer and normal endoscopy, respectively. Fisher exact test shows that there are relation between metronidazole resistance and women.Conclusion: Regarding high metronidazole resistance among studied patients, alternative antibiotics with less resistance is recommended in Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) eradication regimens.

Background: Because of widespread interests to biopreservatives, several studies have been conducted within last decades that show the nisin has been used as a preservative to control food borne spoilage microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate anti-bacterial activity of nisin and its effect on decreasing concentration of current chemical preservatives.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, anti-bacterial activity of nisin and its effect on decreasing concentration of usual chemical preservatives against Staphylococcus aureus (PTCC 1112) and Listeria monocytogenes (PTCC 1301) were studied. The study was performed in two steps. First, MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimal bactericidal concentration) of preservatives, including sodium nitrite, benzoic acid and nisin, were measured in optimum pH (5.5) by serial dilution method. Second, MIC of sodium nitrite and benzoic acid were determined in combination with nisin.Results: Sodium nitrite, benzoic acid and nisin had antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes; MIC was 500, 200 and 25 ppm for Staphylococcus aureus, and 100, 200 and 10 ppm for Listeria monocytogenes, respectively. Niacin reduced MIC of sodium nitrite and benzoic acid to 200 and 50 ppm for Staphylococcus aureus, and 25 and 25 ppm for Listeria monocytogenes, respectively.Conclusion: The nisin reduces chemical preservatives concentration required, and it could be used as a safe preservative in food microbiology.

About 20% of patients who are hospitalized in ICU have ALI/ARDS. Their feeding is usually via enteral nutrition.Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a major problem in patients with enteral nutrition, and they are at increased risk for aspiration and subsequent development of pneumonia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Ginger extract on DGE and developing nosocomial pneumonia in patients with adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who are hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU).Materials and methods: In this double- blind randomized clinical trial, thirty two ARDS patients, who were on mechanical ventilation and fed via nasogastric tube, were randomly divided two groups. Experimental group (n=16) received ginger extract, and control group (n=16) received coconut oil. The amount of feeding tolerated at the first 48 hours of feeding and within study period, nosocomial pneumonia, number of ICU free days, number of ventilator free days and morality were evaluated during 21 days of intervention.Results: Nosocomial pneumonia was significantly less frequent in the ginger extract group (6.3% in the ginger extract group versus 31.3% in the control group, p=0.07). There was no significant difference between two groups in mortality rate. The mean number of ventilator free days was 11.25±4.73 days in ginger group versus 7.18±5 days in control group (p=0.02). The mean number of ICU free days was 4.43±3.5 days in control group versus 7.06±3.2 days in ginger group (P=0.04).Conclusion: this study showed that gastric feed supplementation with ginger extract might reduce DGE and help to reduce the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in ARDS patients.

Background: Nurses’ burnout, not only results in serious psychological disorders, but also reduces the quality of patients’ care because of increased absence, reduced energy and diminished effectiveness. This study was designed to determine burnout of nurses employed at Tehran psychiatric hospitals and its relation with social supports.Materials and methods: This is a descriptive- correlative study, in which 93 nurses employed at psychiatric hospitals affiliated to medical Universities of Tehran and Iran, and Welfare and Rehabilitation University were randomly selected. Data were gathered by a questionnaire, including demographic information, Maslach and Jackson job burnout questionnaire and the Haus and Wells support sources questionnaire.Results: 69.9% and 64.5% had average degree of frequency and intensity of burnout, respectively. 67.70% and 81.70% had a low frequency and intensity of emotional exhaustion and 75.30% and 71.00% of them had a low frequency and intensity of depersonalization, respectively. Instead, most nurses had high frequency and intensity of reduction in personal success (50.5% and 53.80%, respectively). Pierson coefficient of correlation statistics documented reduction of frequency and intensity of emotional exhaustion by increasing support of head nurse, decreasing the frequency of emotional exhaustion and intensity of depersonalization by increasing spousal support, and lowering intensity of emotional exhaustion by improving familial support. However, no significant relationship was noticed between colleague support and burnout.Conclusion: According to physical, mental and social problems of burnout, most authors emphasize on preventive methods. So, establishment of powerful supporting system in working environment and its outside is recommended.

Background: Campylobacter jejuni is an important pathogen in developing diarrhea, unfortunately it was not mostly searched in ordinary diagnostic laboratories using selective C. jejuni medium and many diarrhea due to this bacterium remained undiagnosed. The aim of this study was to evaluate frequency of C. jejuni in stool samples of patients with bloody diarrhea.Materials and methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, in which frequency of C. jejuni was evaluated among 90 patients with diarrhea attending to Azad University hospitals between 2007 and 2008. Stool samples were cultured in skirrow’s medium and incubated in 42oC for 24-48 hours and bacterial colonies were assessed biochemically.Results: Ninety patients with mean age of 13.08 years (range 4-80 years) were studied. 24 (26.7%) were male and 66 (73.3%) female (p<0.05). Of 90 patients, in 7 cases (7.8%) C. jejuni was obtained. Severe abdominal pain in C. jejuni positive cases was higher then C. jejuni negative subjects (28.6% in C. jejuni positive patients versus 7.2% of C. jejuni negative cases, p<0.05).Conclusion: Because of importance of C. jejuni in bloody diarrhea and bacillary dysenteries, it is recommended the use of campylobacter selective medium such as skirrow’s or campybap in examination of diarrheic stools.