Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:18 | Issue:2|Papers Count:10

Background: Leishmaniases are important diseases in many parts of the world, which are transmitted by bites of sand flies.Objectives: This study aimed at investigating some ecological aspects of sand flies in Hamadan.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, sand flies were collected weekly by sticky traps.Results: For this study, 3305 sand flies were collected and identified during 2013. Sand flies active season began from May till October in Hamadan. The greatest activity occurring between 08:00 pm till 12:00 pm.Conclusions: In order to avoid the possible transmission of diseases and reduction of harassments of sand flies, especially in the period of greatest activity, personal protection is recommended.

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of purslane on hepatic enzymes following renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats by two methods.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats randomly divided into 6 groups (n=6): I) previously nephrectomized control, II) simultaneously nephrectomized control, III) previously nephrectomized + IR, IV) simultaneously nephrectomized + IR, V) previously nephrectomized treated by aqueous extract of P. oleracea L. + IR, VI) simultaneously nephrectomized treated by aqueous extract of P. oleracea L. + IR control and ischemia-reperfusion groups received vehicle and treatment groups received aqueous extract of purslane (300 mg/kg). In model 1, the right kidney was nephrectomized, 20 days prior to experiment, in model 2, nephrectomy was done just before induction of 45 minutes ischemia and 24 hours reperfusion to the left kidney.Results: Hepatic enzymes were elevated after induction of ischemia reperfusion. Administration of purslane decreased hepatic enzymes.Conclusions: Purslane prevented liver damage more effectively in simultaneously nephrectomized model.

Background: Introduction of therapeutic genes into the injured site of nervous system can be achieved using transplantation of cellular vehicles containing desired gene. To transfer exogenous genes into the cellular vehicles, lentiviral vectors are one of interested vectors because of advantages such high transduction efficiency of dividing and non-dividing cells. Unrestricted somatic stem cells are subclasses of umbilical cord blood derived stem cells which are appreciate candidates to use as cellular vehicles for ex vivo gene therapy of nervous system.Objectives: In current study we investigated the effect of lentiviral vector transduction on the neuronal related features of unrestricted somatic stem cells to indicate the probable and unwanted changes related to transduction procedure.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, lentiviral vector containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) were transduced into unrestricted somatic stem cells and its effect was investigated with using MTT assay, qPCR and immunohistochemistry techniques. For statistical comparison of real time PCR results, REST software (2009, Qiagen) was used.Results: Obtained results showed lentiviral vector transduction did not have cytotoxic effects on unrestricted somatic stem cells and did not change neuronal differentiation capacity of them as well the expression of some neuronal related genes and preserved them in multiline age situation.Conclusions: In conclusion, we suggested that lentiviral vectors could be proper vectors to transfer therapeutic gene into unrestricted somatic stem cells to provide a cellular vehicle for ex vivo gene therapy of nervous system disorders.

Background: In the present study the effect of Salvia rhytidia extract on thickness of cerebral cortex and hippocampal regions following ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injuries is evaluated.Objectives: In the present study the extract of S. rhytidia, an endemic plant from south eastern of Iran, was used to prevent IR injuries induced in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of rats.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 35 male healthy Wistar rats between 250 - 350 g were randomly divided into 7groups of 5 rats. Control group (A), ischemic groups (B, D, E, F, G) that left common carotid and left vertebral arteries were occluded for 10 minutes. Group D received S. rhytidia extract (3.2 mg/kg) and group E received silymarin (50 mg/kg), a chemical drug which is used for reducing oxidative stress, 2 hours after ischemia, whereas group F received S. rhytidia extract (3.2 mg/kg) and group G received silymarin (50 mg/kg), 72, 48, 24 and0hours before ischemia. Group B received no drug and sham group (C) received normal saline (NS) without ischemia. After 24 hours reperfusion, the brains of rats were prepared for histological studies and the data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Duncan as posthoc test.Results: IR resulted in decrease in thickness of the cerebral cortex, CA1 and CA2 regions of the hippocampus in groups B, D and E compared to control (P< 0.05). But no significant decrease observed in thickness of the cerebral cortex and all hippocampal regions in groups C, F, G and CA3 and dentate gyrus regions of the hippocampus in groups B, D and E compared to control.Conclusions: This study showed that S. rhytidia extract can protect the forebrain from IR injuries due to antioxidative effect of the drug.

Background: Plants have a great potential for producing new drugs of great benefit to mankind. There are many approaches to the search for new biologically active principles in higher plants.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine antifungal effect of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Avicenniamarina on Penicilliumdigitatum and Alternariacitri in vitro.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, antimicrobial effects of extract were determined by screening antimicrobial activity and disk agar diffusion test in 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/mL concentration of the extract against P. digitatum and A. citri. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined by incorporating various concentrations of extracts in Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) in tubes against P. digitatum and A. citri. The data were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS-17.Results: The results indicate that extracts of A. marina mostly had been effective on P. digitatum and have the least impact on A. citri. The results show that the ethanol extract of mangrove leaf with antimicrobial activity method in 2 mg/mL, were inhibited the growth of P. digitatum and A. citri. In disk agar diffusion test the mentioned extract were shown inhibition effect on pathogen molds growth (P < 0.05).Conclusions: Ethanolic extract compared to the aqueous extract was more effective and has a greater inhibition effect. The results of this study showed that the extract of A. marina has antifungal properties that justify their traditional use as medicinal plants.

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) as a signaling molecule plays a predominant role in different physiological and pathological processes in a variety of organs such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It is produced from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which in turn is inhibited by L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME).Objectives: This study aimed to stereologically analyze colon under exposure of L-arginine and L-NAME in female Wistar rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 female rats (200 - 250 g, 8 weeks age) were divided into 5 groups (N = 8). Normal saline (2 mL/kg), L-arginine (200 mg/kg), L-NAME (20 mg/kg) and L-arginine + L-NAME (with the same doses) were administered i.p. for 3 days. After 2 weeks, the colon was removed, stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) and evaluated under light microscopy. Colonic mucosal thickness, gland height and diameter, and total thickness of the wall were measured using optical software and analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test using SPSS-16. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The data of the present work revealed relatively narrow ranges of decrease in mean variables compared to the control group, which was not significant.Conclusions: Despite the remarkable role of NO in GI tract, the results demonstrated no significant effect of L-arginine and L-NAME on colon parameters.

Background: Medicine plants have been used as sources of medicine in virtually all cultures. During the last decade, the use of traditional medicine (TM) has been expanded globally and is gaining popularity.Objectives: The antimicrobial activities of methanol and water extracts of Myrtus communis L. leaves were evaluated in this study.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the tests were carried out using disk agar diffusion method at four extract concentrations (5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/mL). The MICs and MBCs of the extracts of M. communis were determined by agar dilution method. Average results were reported as the mean and standard error (mean±SE) and SPSS-18 statistical software, one way ANOVA followed by Turkey’s test were used to do inter-group comparison, while considering P£0.05 as the significance level.Results: Methanol extract of M. communis exhibited significant antibacterial activity in the concentration of 20 mg/mL (P£0.05) against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis with a greater inhibition zone of 20mm, while a 14mm zone of inhibition was observed in Escherichia coli and Shigella flexneri. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extracts ranged between 2mg/mL and 128 mg/mL while the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranged between 4 mg/mL and 256 mg/mL.Conclusions: The study showed that species, strains and concentrations of M. communis extract are of those factors that may influence the sensitivity of the tested bacteria. A significant correlation was observed between zone of inhibition and concentration of extract.

Background: Diazinon (DZN) is one of the most organophosphates that widely used in agriculture and ectoparasiticide formulations. Its extensive use as an effective pesticide was associated with the environmental deleterious effects on biological systems.Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the potency of DZN to affect serum biochemical parameters and the antioxidant defense system in the liver and kidney of two rat strains.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 female Wistar and 30 female Norway rats were randomly divided into control and DZN groups. DZN group was divided into four subgroups: 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of DZN administered groups by i.p. injection. The parameters were evaluated after 24 hours.Results: At higher doses of DZN, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities and glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde levels in liver and kidney of Wistar rats were higher than Norway rats. At these concentrations, DZN increased some serum biochemical indices such as liver enzymes activities and levels of urea, uric acid and creatinine in Wistar rat.Conclusions: DZN at higher doses alters the oxidant-antioxidant balance in liver and kidney of both rat strains and induces oxidative stress, which is associated with a depletion of GSH and increased lipid peroxidation. However, Wistar rats are found to be more sensitive to the toxicity of DZN compared to Norway rats. In addition, the effect of DZN on liver antioxidant system was more than kidney.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been classified into 8 genotypes (A - H) according to at least 8% difference in complete nucleotide sequences or more than 4% in S gene. Different genotypes of HBV have important roles in development of certain disorders as: hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, knowing the distribution of HBV genotypes, have considerable impacts on treatment strategies, vaccination program, diagnosis and prevention.Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of HBV genotypes in patients infected with the virus in Sistan and Baluchestan province (south-east Iran).Patients and Methods: In this descriptive study, 163 patients infected with HBV were selected over the first 6 months (beginning from March 2012 onward). All the patients were HBsAg (hepatitisBsurface antigen) and HBeAg (extracellular form of HBcAg) positive along with viral load> 10000 copies/mL. After DNA extraction from the patients’ sera, viral genotypes were determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using special primers for each genotype.Results: From 163 samples, 154 samples (94.5%) had D genotype which was dominant genotype, and 9 samples (5.5%) had mixed genotype of C/D.Conclusions: This study showed that in Sistan and Baluchestan, like other regions of Iran as well as Mediterranean countries, D genotype is dominant genotype. In additional, C/D mixed genotype is also seen less frequently in this province.

Background: Ginger is a medicinal plant with wide use around the world which has several therapeutic implications especially in gastrointestinal discomfort such as dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.Objectives: Therefore, given the widespread use of ginger for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, in the present study we have investigated the effect of this herbal medicine and underlying mechanism on pre-contracted rat ileum segments.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male rat divided to 5 groups (n = 8 in each group) randomly. Groups were consisting: ginger alone, KCl + ginger, carbachol + ginger, pretreated with L-NAME and KCl + ginger, pretreated with verapamil and KCl + ginger. To investigate the mechanism underlying relaxation induced by ginger extract on rat ileum, isolated rat ileum segments were pre-contracted by KCl 120mmolor carbachol 100 mmol and then relaxation response induced by ginger hydroalcholic extracts (with 100 or 200 mg/mL of organ bath) was studied in the presence of verapamil (a calcium channel blocker agents) and L-NAME (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor).Results: Non-cumulative concentrations of ginger extract (100 and 200 mg/mL) was able to decrease contractile responses to KCl (120mmol/mL of organ bath) and carbachol (100 mmol/mL of organ bath) in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). Incubation of tissue with L-NAME (300 mmol/mL) was not able to reduce the relaxation response, however incubation with verapamil inhibited the relaxation response induced by ginger extract.Conclusions: The relaxation response induced by ginger extract in the present study was not mediated by nitric oxide. However calcium channel may contribute to relaxation response.