Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:19 | Issue:4|Papers Count:15

Objective(s): Haemostasis prevents blood loss following vascular injury. It depends on the unique concert of events involving platelets and specific blood proteins, known as coagulation factors. The clotting system requires precise regulation and coordinated reactions to maintain the integrity of the vasculature. Clotting insufficiency mostly occurs due to genetically inherited coagulation factor deficiencies such as hemophilia.Materials and Methods: A relevant literature search of PubMed was performed using the keywords coagulation factors, Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay and premature translation termination codons. Search limitations included English language and human-based studies.Results: Mutations that cause premature translation termination codons probably account for one-third of genetically inherited diseases. Transcripts bearing aberrant termination codons are selectively identified and eliminated by an evolutionarily conserved posttranscriptional pathway known as nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). There are many pieces of evidence of decay among coagulation factor genes. However, the hemophilia gene (F8) does not seem to be subjected to NMD. Since the F8 gene is located on the X-chromosome, a connection between X-linked traits and mRNA decay could be assumed.Conclusion: Considering that not all genes go through decay, this review focuses on the basics of the mechanism in coagulation genes. It is interesting to determine whether this translation-coupled surveillance system represents a general rule for the genes encoding components of the same physiological cascade.

Objective(s): Human and animal studies have shown a close relationship between obesity and asthma severity. Here, we examined the effects of diet‐induced obesity (DIO) on the expression levels of IL‐1b, IRAK‐1 and TRAF‐6 mRNA in male Wistar rats tracheal after sensitization with ovalbumin (OVA).Materials and Methods: Twenty male Wistar rats divided to four groups, included, control group with normal diet (C+ND), OVA‐sensitized group with normal diet (S+ND), control group with high‐fat diet (C+HFD), and OVA‐sensitized group with high‐fat diet (S+HFD). All animals fed for 8 weeks with standard pelts or high‐fat diet, and then were sensitized and challenged with OVA or saline for another 4 weeks with designed regimens. At the end of study, trachea isolated and examined for expression levels of IL‐1 b, IRAK‐1 and TRAF‐6 mRNA with RT‐PCR method.Results: Diet‐induced obesity groups developed increased weight, obesity indexes and lipid profiles (P<0.05 to P<0.001). The expression levels of IL‐1 b mRNA in OVA‐sensitization groups (S+ND and S+HFD) showed a significantly increased when compared with control group. Also in S+HFD group, expression level of TRAF‐6 mRNA was higher than other groups (P<0.001). IRAK‐1 expression level was high in S+HFD compared with control group.IL‐1 b and TRAF‐6 mRNA correlated positively with obesity indexes.Conclusion: The results showed that DIO causes overexpression of IL‐1 b, IRAK‐1 and TRAF‐6 mRNA in an experimental model of asthma. Our results suggested that in obese‐asthmatic conditions locally production and activation of pro‐inflammatory agents can be increased. These findings showed that possible mechanism for obesity‐asthma relationships.

Objective(s): Sea cucumber is one of the classes of echinoderms, which is considered as a health marine product and possess various biological characteristics with therapeutic application. The present investigation attempted to evaluate the potential of anti‐cancer Persian Gulf sea cucumber species Holothuria arenicola (H. arenicola) aqueous extract on mice colon carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.Materials and Methods: The CT26 carcinoma cells were treated with various concentrations of extract in 24 and 48 hr, and then its anti‐proliferative effect was measured by MTT assay and morphological observations. The apoptotic effect was examined by fluorescence microscopy (DNA fragmentationassay), Flow cytometry, caspase‐3 and ‐9 colorimetric assays. Thein vivo anti‐tumor efficacy of sea cucumber extract on CT26 tumor cells transplanted in BALB/c mice was also investigated.Results: The results showed that the water extract of sea cucumber revealed remarkable antiproliferative effect on CT26 tumor cells with IC50=31 mg/ml with recruitment of intrinsic apoptotic pathwayin vitro. In addition, the colon tumor volume in treated groups remarkably reduced in homozygous mice. Histopathological examination elucidated that sea cucumber extract attenuated tumor size and volume along with apoptosis characteristics. Moreover, RT‐PCR analysis revealed that sea cucumber extract induced intrinsic apoptosisin vivo through suppression of Bcl‐2 expression.Conclusion: Our data confirmed this notion that sea cucumber administrates anti‐cancer effect that can be used as complementary in preclinical experiments, so further characterization are recommended for detection sea cucumber metabolites and clinical application.

Objective (s): We investigated the influence of genetic variation of the transforming growth-factor alpha (TGFA) locus on the relationship between smoking and oral clefts.Materials and Methods: In this study 105 Iranian infants with non-syndromic cleft lip/palate and 218 controls with non-cleft birth defects were examined to test for associations among maternal exposures, genetic markers, and oral clefts. Maternal and parental smoking histories during pregnancy were obtained through questionnaire. DNA was extracted from newborn screening blood samples, and genotyping of the BamHI polymorphism in the TGFA gene was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods.A number of factors including gender of the newborns, type of oral cleft, consanguinity of the parents, as well as the mother’s age and education were evaluated as potential confounders and effect modifiers.Results: Maternal smoking, in the absence of paternal smoking, was associated with an increased risk for CL/P (OR=19.2, 95% CI= [(6.2-59.5)]) and cleft palate only (OR=48.7, 95% CI= [(8-29.3)]). If both parents smoked, risks were generally greater (OR=55.6, 95% CI= [12-20.25]). Analyses for the risk of clefting from maternal smoking, stratified by the presence or absence of the TGFA /BamH1variant, revealed that the risk of clefting among the infants with the TGFA /BamH1 variant when their mothers smoked cigarettes was much greater than the infants who had non-smoker mothers (P=0.001, OR=10.4, 95% CI=[3.2, 33.6]).Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that first-trimester maternal smoking and infant TGFA locus mutations are both associated with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P).

Objective(s): Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multi-factorial autoimmune disease which may be characterized by T lymphocytes dysfunctions. Th17 cells have been identified as new effector cells, which play an important role in the pathogenesis. In recent years, immunomodulatory effect of vitamin D3 has been noticed. In the present experiment, the effect of vitamin D3 on the expression of IL-17, IL-23, IL-4 and IFN-g were assessed in activated chromatin-induced mouse model for SLE.Materials and Methods: Five groups of mice were included in this study; Group one received active chromatin+CFA+PBS; Group 2 received vitamin D3 starting 2 weeks before disease induction; Group 3 received vitamin D3 (50 ng/day) starting with the disease establishment; Group 4 received non active chromatin+CFA+PBS; Group 5 received CFA+PBS. On day 56 splenocytes were isolated and gene expression of interleukin IL-17, IL-23, IL-4 and IFN-g were analyzed by Real-Time PCR method. Proteinuria and serum anti-dsDNA and Th17 levels were measured using commercial kits.Results: The results showed that IL-17, IL-23, and IFN-g mRNA expression, and IL-17 titers were decreased remarkably and that of IL-4 increased in mice which received vitamin D3 before SLE induction. Administration of vitamin D3 after the establishment of SLE failed to affect the IL-17 or IL-23 mRNA levels. Lastly, pre-treatment of mice with vitamin D3 decreased the anti-ds DNA antibody titer.Conclusion: Our findings showed that vitamin D3 supplementation in lupus induced mice through modulating the expression rate of some inflammatory cytokines diminished the inflammatory conditions in SLE.

Objective (s): The beneficial and more potent role of exercise to prevent heart apoptosis in ovariectomized rats has been known. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of swimming training on cardiac expression of Bcl‐2, and Mir‐133 levels and glycogen changes in the myocyte.Materials and Methods: Forty animals were separated into four groups as control, sham, ovariectomy (OVX) and ovariectomized group with 8 weeks swimming training (OVX.E). Training effects were evaluated by measuring lipid profiles, Bcl‐2 and Mir‐133 expression levels in the cardiac tissue.Grafts were analyzed by reverse transcription–olymerase chain reaction for Bcl‐2 mRNA and Mir‐133 and by Western blot for Bcl‐2 protein.Results: Ovariectomy down‐regulated Bcl‐2 and Mir‐133 expression levels in the cardiac tissue, and swimming training up‐regulated their expression significantly (P<0.05).Conclusion: Our results showed that regular exercise as a physical replacement therapy could prevent and improve the effects of estrogen deficiency in the cardia.

Objective(s): Exposing to stress may be associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, high level of oxidative stress may eventually give rise to accumulation of oxidative damage and development of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. It has been presented that brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) supports neurons against various neurodegenerative conditions. Lately, there has been growing evidence that changes in the cerebral neurotrophic support and especially in the BDNF expression and its engagement with ROS might be important in various disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, we aimed to investigate protective effects of BDNF against stress‐induced oxidative damage.Materials and Methods: Five‐ to six‐month‐old male wild‐type and BDNF knock‐down mice were used in this study. Activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, and the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed in the cerebral homogenates of studied groups in response to acute restraint stress.Results: Exposing to acute physiological stress led to significant elevation in the markers of oxidative stress in the cerebral cortexes of experimental groups.Conclusion: As BDNF‐deficient mice were observed to be more susceptible to stress‐induced oxidative damage, it can be suggested that there is a direct interplay between oxidative stress indicators and BDNF levels in the brain.

Objective (s): Diabetic neuropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes that leads to allodynia, impaired nerve conduction, and progressive sensory loss. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of a high‐affinity cannabinoid receptors agonist, WIN 55, 212‐2, on thermal hyperalgesia, nerve conduction velocity and sciatic nerve histopathology in diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats using a single dose of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg IP).Results: Intrathecal (IT) administration of WIN55, 212‐2 (1, 10, 100 μ/10 μ, IT), produced antinociceptive effects in the hot plate test and also improved nerve conduction velocity (100 μ/10 μ, IT) and sciatic nerve histology.Conclusion: These data show that cannabinoids have potent antinociceptive effects through direct actions in the spinal dorsal horn of nociceptive pathway. This suggests that intrathecally administered cannabinoids may offer hopeful strategies for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain.

Objective (s): With regard to pharmacological effects of carvacrol on the respiratory system, its effect on cytokines genes expression in splenocytes of asthmatic mice was examined in this study.Materials and Methods: Splenocytes were isolated from non‐sensitized (control group), sensitized mice to ovalbumin (OVA) (group S), and S animals treated with dexamethasone, and three concentrations of carvacrol. IL‐4, IFN‐g, TGF‐b, FOXP3, and IL‐7 genes expression were carried out in cultured splenocytes using the real‐ime PCR method.Results: Compared to the control group, IFN‐g and FOXP3 genes expression were significantly decreased (P<0.001 for both cases), but IL‐4 and IL‐17 genes expression were significantly increased in the S group (P<0.001 and P<0.05, respectively). IL‐4 gene expression due to treatment of all concentrations of carvacrol, TGF‐ b gene expression due to its two higher concentrations, and IL‐7 gene expression due to its high concentration were significantly decreased compared to group S (P<0.01 to P<0.001). IFN‐g gene expression was significantly increased due to last carvacrol concentration (300 mg/ml, P<0.01), and FOXP3 due to its two last concentrations (150 and 300 mg/ml, P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively) in treated S splenocytes. Dexamethasone treatment of sensitized splenocytes only showed significant inhibitory effect on IL‐4 and TGF‐ b genes expression (P<0.001 for both cases).Conclusion: These results showed the immunomodulatory effect of carvacrol indicating increased IFN‐g and FOXP3 but decreased IL‐, TGF‐ b, and IL‐7 genes expression, which was more selective than the effect of dexamethasone in sensitized mice splenocytes, which indicates its possible therapeutic value in allergy, autoimmunity, and infectious diseases.

Objective (s): We previously reported a series of quinazoline derivatives as vascular-targeting anticancer agents. In this study, we investigated the mechanism underlying the anti-angiogenic activity of the quinazoline derivative compound 11d.Materials and Methods: We examined the effects of quinazoline derivative 11d on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) activation via VEGFR2-specific activation assay. Reverse transcription and immunohistochemistry were used to detect vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGFR2, and the VEGFR2-mediated Akt/mTOR/p70s6k signaling pathway in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells and hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG-2) after treatment with various concentrations of 11d (0, 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mM) for 24 hr.Results: The compound 11d exhibited potent inhibitory activity against VEGFR2 with an IC50 of 5.49 mM. This compound significantly downregulated VEGF, VEGFR2, and the VEGFR2-mediated Akt/mTOR/p70s6k signaling pathway in vitro.Conclusion: The mechanism underlying the anti-angiogenic activity of the quinazoline derivative 11d possibly involves the inhibition of VEGFR2 and the downregulation of VEGF, VEGFR2, and the VEGFR2-mediated Akt/mTOR/p70s6k signaling pathway. Overall, the findings indicate that the studied class of compounds is a source of potential antiproliferative and anti-angiogenic agents, which must be further investigated.

Objective (s): Previous research demonstrated that diabetes is one of the leading causes of learning and memory deficits. Naringin, a bioflavonoid isolated from grapefruits and oranges, has potent protective effects on streptozotocin (STZ) ‐induced diabetic rats. Recently, the effects of naringin on learning and memory performances were monitored in many animal models of cognitive impairment. However, to date, no studies have investigated the ameliorative effects of naringin on diabetes‐associated cognitive decline (DACD). In this study, we investigated the effects of naringin, using a STZ‐injected rat model and explored its potential mechanism.Materials and Methods: Diabetic rats were treated with naringin (100 mg/kg/d) for 7 days. The learning and memory function were assessed by Morris water maze test. The oxidative stress indicators [superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA)] and inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐a, IL‐1 b, and IL‐6) were measured in hippocampus using corresponding commercial kits. The mRNA and protein levels of PPARg were evaluated by real time (RT) ‐PCR and Western blot analysis.Results: The results showed that supplementation of naringin improved learning and memory performances compared with the STZ group. Moreover, naringin supplement dramatically increased SOD levels, reduced MDA levels, and alleviated TNF‐a, IL‐1b, and IL‐6 compared with the STZ group in the hippocampus. The pretreatment with naringin also significantly increased PPARg expression.Conclusion: Our results showed that naringin may be a promising therapeutic agent for improving cognitive decline in DACD.

Objective (s): Transporters have an important role in pharmacokinetics of drugs. Inhibition or induction of drug transporters activity can affect drug absorption, safety, and efficacy. P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is the most important membrane transporter that is responsible for active efflux of drugs. It is important to understand which drugs are substrates, inhibitors, or inducers of P-gp to minimize or avoid unwanted interactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of clemastine on the expression and function of P-gp.Materials and Methods: The effect of clemastine on P-gp function and expression was evaluated in vitro byrhodamine-123 (Rho123) efflux assay in Caco-2 cells and Western blot analysis. Rat in situ single pass intestinal permeability model was used to investigate the clemastine effect on digoxin Peff, as a known P-gp substrate. Digoxin levels in intestinal perfusates were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method.Results: The Caco-2 intracellular accumulation of Rho123 in clemastine and verapamil treated cells was 90.8 ± 9.8 and 420.6±25.4 pg/mg protein, respectively which was significantly higher than that in control cells (50.2±6.0; P<0.05). Immunoblotting results indicated that clemastine decreased expression of P-gp in Caco-2 cells in vitro. More over effective intestinal permeability (Peff) of digoxin in the presence of clemastine, was significantly increased compare to control group.Conclusion: Findings of our study suggested dose dependent P-gp inhibition activity for clemastine in vitro and in situ. Therefore co-administration of clemastine with P-gp substrates may result in unwanted interactions and side effects.

Objective (s): In the current study antioxidant capacities of five different extracts of Artemisia ciniformis aerial parts were evaluated by cell-free methods. Then seven fractions of the potent extract were selected and their antioxidant capacity was assayed by cell free and cell based methods.Materials and Methods: Antioxidant ability was measured using the: 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test, β-carotene bleaching (BCB) method and ferrous ion chelating (FIC) assay. Total phenolic contents (TPC) of all the samples also were determined. The cytoprotective effect of fractions was evaluated by measuring the viability of cells after exposure to doxorubicin (DOX). The mechanism of action was studied by investigating caspase-3, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), the level of super-oxide dismutase (SOD) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS).Results: Hydroethanolic extract exhibited a notably higher antioxidant activity and phenolic content. Among the fractions (A to G) of hydroethanolic extract, the highest antioxidant capacity was observed in the Fraction E. Moreover, 24 hr pretreatment of PC12 cells with fractions B, C and D decreased DOX-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, pre-treatment of cells with fraction B resulted in significant decrease in generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increase in the activity of SOD. We were able to demonstrate remarkable reduction in the activity of caspase-3 and increase in MMP in PC12 cells following pretreatment with fraction B.Conclusion: Our observations indicated that the fraction B of A. ciniformis hydroetanolic extract possessed protective effect on oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by DOX in PC12 cells.

Objective (s): In the present study, C57BL/6 female mice (n=56) were used to explore the neuroprotective effects of riboflavin in motor disability of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as a model of multiple sclerosis.Materials and Methods: The animals were assigned into 7 groups: sham-operated 1 (SO1), healthy mice receiving PBS (phosphate buffer saline); sham-operated 2 (SO2), healthy mice receiving PBS and riboflavin; sham treatment 1 (ST1), EAE mice receiving water; sham treatment 2 (ST2), EAE mice receiving sodium acetate buffer; treatment 1 (T1), EAE mice receiving interferon beta-1a (INFβ-1a); treatment 2 (T2), EAE mice receiving riboflavin; treatment 3 (T3), EAE mice receiving INFβ-1a and riboflavin. After EAE induction, scoring was performed based on clinical signs. Upon detecting score 0.5, riboflavin at 10 mg/kg of body weight and/or INFβ-1a at 150 IU/g of body weight administration was started for two weeks. The brain and spinal cord levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) were studied using real-time PCR and ELISA methods.Results: BDNF expression and protein levels were increased in the brain and spinal cord of the T3 group compared with the other groups (P<0.01). IL-6 and IL-17A expressions were increased in the brains of the T3 and T1 groups, respectively, compared to the other groups (P<0.01). The daily clinical score was reduced significantly by riboflavin in both effector and chronic phases of the disease compared with that of the controls (P<0.05).Conclusion: Our findings showed that riboflavin is capable of suppressing the neurological disability mediated by BDNF and IL-6.

Objective (s): Human Cytomegalovirus(HCMV) remains a major morbidity and mortality cause in immuno suppressed patients. Therefore, significant effort has been made towards the development of a vaccine. In this study, the expression of the pp65 and gB fusion peptides and Fc domain of mouse IgG2a as a novel delivery system for selective uptake of antigens by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in Pichia pastoris yeast system were studied.Materials and Method: In this study, four immune dominant sequences in pp65 protein and 3 immuno dominant sequences in gB protein were selected according to literature review. Peptide linker - GGGGS- was used for construction of fusion peptide. This fusion peptide was cloned in the pPICZαA expression vector and transfected into P. pastoris host cells.Results: Dot blot and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) techniques showed that a high level of pp65-gB-Fc fusion peptide was expressed.Conclusion: This CMV pp65-gB-Fc fusion peptide could be a promising candidate for the development of a novel peptide vaccine.