Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Year:2018 | Volume:21 | Issue:8|Papers Count:15

Objective(s): Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogenic bacteria causing the infection listeriosis, which possibly affects all people, particularly immunocompromised persons and pregnant women. This microorganism can be found in several processed foods, dairy products, raw milk, meat and fish products, seafoods, eggs, fruits, and vegetables. This review discusses about the epidemiological significance, incidence, contamination routes of L. monocytogenes in different products and current data about listeriosis in the Iran. Materials and Methods: For accessing to relevant articles and studies, a search was done in main databases and also, almost all Iranian published articles were studied in this field. Results: Outbreaks of listeriosis have been reported in many parts of the worldwide, however there is scanty data about the prevalence of listeriosis in Iran. Accordingly, as a result of high incidence of L. monocytogenes in women with bad obstetric history or history of abortions, diagnosis procedures for detection of L. monocytogenes and timely treatment was suggested. Conclusion: In spite of low incidence of infection in the past, increased interest for lightly preserved and/or ready-to-eat (RTE) food products has recently led to increasing of L. monocytogenes prevalence which has become a public health concern. Subsequently, further researches about the prevalence of L. monocytogenes and also antibiotic susceptibility testing is needed to enable the detection of the contaminated foods, as well as ensures the effective treatment.

Objective(s): Chronic stress has been linked to the pathophysiology of mood disorders including anxiety and depression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of troxerutin (TRX), as a flavonol, on stress-induced anxiety and depression. Materials and Methods: 56 animals were randomly divided into seven groups (n=8 per group) as follows: control, saline, TRX 50, TRX 150, TRX 300, Diazepam, and Imipramine. Chronic mild stress (CMS) was induced by restraining animals in Plexiglas cylinders for 1 hr each day for 25 consecutive days. Different doses (50, 150, and 300 mg/kg, oral gavage) of troxerutin was gavaged for 14 consecutive days. At the end of treatments, anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors were tested using elevated plus-maze (EPM), open field test (OFT), and forced swimming test (FST). Results: CMS significantly increased immobility (P<0. 05) and decreased swimming (P<0. 01) time in FST. However, different doses of troxerutin significantly decreased immobility (P<0. 01) and increased swimming (P<0. 001) time. CMS also significantly (P<0. 01) decreased the percentage of open arm entrance (%OAE), whereas troxerutin significantly increased both %OAE and percentage of open arm time (%OAT) in the EPM. Moreover, CMS significantly decreased time spent in the center (P<0. 001) and the number of center entrances (P<0. 01) in the OFT. However, troxerutin significantly increased time spent in the center and number of the entrances crossing. Furthermore, CMS significantly increased serum cortisol levels and troxerutin decreased it. Conclusion: Troxerutin demonstrated anxiolytic-and antidepressant-like activities in rodents, which supports the use of herbal medicine in the mood disorders.

Objective(s): This study investigated the possible effects of low (3 mg/kg) and high (6 mg/kg) doses of nicotine on the skeletal development of rat fetuses by the double staining method and the protective role of melatonin (10 mg/kg) against these effects. Materials and Methods: Eighteen adult female Wistar-Albino rats were divided into six groups (n=3, each) as control, low-dose nicotine, high-dose nicotine, low-dose nicotine+melatonin, high-dose nicotine + melatonin and melatonin. While nicotine was given to the experimental groups on gestation days 1– 20, nicotine and melatonin were administered together to the treatment groups. The fetuses were delivered by cesarean section on the 20th day of pregnancy. The skeletal systems of the fetuses were stained using the double staining method. The forelimbs and hindlimbs of the fetuses were firstly investigated under a stereomicroscope, and then their photos were taken. The total bone length, the length of the ossified part and the ossification rate were calculated using the ImageJ program. Results: The degree of ossification in the bones of the feet and the hands was determined. When the total bone length and the length of the ossified part were evaluated, they were significantly decreased in the nicotine groups (P<0. 05), but were close to each other in the treatment and the control groups (P<0. 05). Conclusion: It has been found that the use of nicotine during pregnancy delays skeletal ossification and that melatonin, a powerful antioxidant, eliminates the teratogenic effects of nicotine.

Objective(s): Pyocyanin, a blue-green pigment produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, interferes with host redox cycles, which can lead to generation of reactive oxygen species and progressive cellular oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of pyocyanin on human pancreatic cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was applied to confirm the existence of a specific pyocyanin producing gene (phzM). The pigment was then characterized by UV-visible, FTIR, and HPLC analysis. Panc-1 cells were treated by different concentrations of pyocyanin and their cytotoxic effect as well as the induction of apoptosis/necrosis were evaluated by XTT assay and flow cytometry. Results: An overnight pyocyanin treatment resulted in significant cell reduction in a concentrationdependent manner. Inhibition rate of 6 mg. ml-1 pyocyanin (the highest concentration) extracted from clinical and soil isolates of P. aeruginosa were 98. 69± 0. 23 and 89. 88± 1. 86%, respectively, which decreased as the pyocyanin concentration lessened. Pyocyanin could also induce dose-dependent apoptosis/necrosis in Panc-1 cells after 24 hr. Conclusion: We reported, for the first time, cytotoxic effects of pyocyanin against human pancreatic cancer cell line. Considering this effect of the pigment, study on pyocyanin as a potential anti-tumor biodrug requires further studies.

Objective(s): Long-term, irregular endurance exercise may result in disturbance to the angiogenesis of heart muscles and blood supply. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of mid-and long-term endurance exercise on the process of angiogenesis. Materials and Methods: Eighteen male Wister rats of 220± 10 g, were randomly assigned to three groups of 6 rats including: Control, Mid, and Long Group. After the training sessions, the rats were weighed and sacrificed. Results: In comparison to the Control Group, the both groups, indicated remarkable increase in the weight of heart and significantly higher serum LDH and CK activity (P<0. 01). In addition, after the training sessions, weakened antioxidant heart system (TAC, total thiol groups, and GPX activity) and increased oxidative stress markers (MDA and NO) were remarkably observed in Mid Group and particularly in those in the Long Group in comparison to the Control Group (P<0. 05). Finally, significant increase in VEGF-B, MEF-2C and MMP-2 gene expression was found for both experimental groups, associated with the up-regulation of ANGPT-1 and HDAC4 in the Mid Group (P<0. 05). While the longer exercise period induced significantly upper VEGF-B, MEF-2C, and MMP-2 and significantly lower ANGPT-1 and HDAC4 in the Long Group (P<0. 05). Conclusion: In this study, higher oxidative status and upper angiogenic gene expression with higher VEGF-B, MEF-2c, and MMP-2 and lower ANGPT-1 and HDAC4 were traced as effects of long-term endurance exercise. These results point to the dis-regulation of blood supply in the presence of angiogenesis resulting from long-term exercise.

Objective(s): The study aimed to uncover the underlying mechanism linking wear particles to osteoclast differentiation, and we explored the effect of titanium particles of different sizes on CD147 expression and autophagy in macrophages. Materials and Methods: Effects of titanium particles on CD147 and RANKL mRNA were detected by QPCR; protein level of CD147 and Beclin-1 were detected by Western blot; soluble RANKL were detected by ELISA. To determine the effect of CD147 and autophagy, KG-1a cells were transfected with siRNA-CD147 or treated with autophagy inhibitor CQ (chloroquine), and then co-cultured with different sizes of titanium particles. Results: Our results showed that 0. 2-1. 2 μ m and 1. 2-10 μ m titanium particles up-regulate CD147 to activate autophagy, which increase the level of soluble RANKL to promote osteoclastogenesis. Suppression of CD147 with siRNA could diminish particle-induced autophagy and soluble RANKL expression. In addition, CQ could dramatically reduce particle-induced soluble RANKL expression. Conclusion: Our findings suggested a possible mechanism underlying wear debris-induced osteolysis and identified CD147 as a potential therapeutic target in aseptic loosening.

Objective(s): Asthma, the most frequent chronic respiratory disease, results from a complex interaction between multiple genes and environmental factors. To date, more than 100 candidate genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to be associated with asthma. One of the discovered genes related to asthma is ADAM33. However, the relationship between ADAM33 gene polymorphisms and asthma is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between four ADAM33 gene SNPs and susceptibility to asthma in patients from southwestern Iran. Materials and Methods: ADAM33 gene polymorphisms at positions T+1 (rs2280091), T1 (rs3918396), S1 (rs2280089), and F+1 (rs511898) were examined in 150 patients with asthma and 149 age-and sex-matched healthy controls with a PCR-RFLP method. Results: There were no differences between patients and controls in allelic or genotype frequencies of ADAM33 SNPs. We found no associations between allelic or genotype distribution of the SNPs and spirometry indices, concomitant involvement of other allergic diseases, or exposure to cigarette smoke. In contrast to H4 haplotype, which appeared to be protective against asthma, inheritance of H2 and H3 haplotypes increased the risk of asthma up to 2– 3 folds. Conclusion: ADAM33 gene polymorphisms appear to play a partial role in asthma susceptibility, investigation of expression changes in this gene in response to environmental factors or the local formation of a soluble form of the molecule in the lung can be helpful to elucidate the impact of this molecule in the induction of asthma.

Objective(s): Exercise training is a well-known accelerator for the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF). The current study aimed to investigate the restorative effects of aerobic interval training (AIT) intervention on myocardial energy metabolism in CHF rats. Materials and Methods: Post-myocardial infarction (MI) heart failure animal model was established. The Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), CHF model group, and CHF exercise group (Exercise-CHF group). Results: Our data showed that when compared to the Sham group, the left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), myocardial glycogen content, and expression levels of key components of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway were decreased significantly (P<0. 05) in the CHF-model group, while the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), fatty acid (FA) concentration, lactic acid content, and AMPKα phosphorylation (p-AMPKα ) were increased significantly (P<0. 05) in the CHF-model group. Importantly, AIT reversed these alterations induced by post-MI. Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated that AIT could improve the metabolic remodeling and enhance cardiac function, which may be associated with the activation of AMPK/ peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α (PPARα ) and its downstream signaling pathway.

Objective(s): : Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) as a severe condition of acute kidney injury (AKI) is the most common clinical problem with high mortality rates of 35-60% deaths in hospital. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) due to unique regenerative characteristics are ideal candidates for the treatment of the ischemic injuries. This work is focused on the administration of MSC to IRI-induced AKI Wistar rats and evaluating their significance in AKI treatment. Material and Methods: Animals underwent surgical procedure and AKI was induced by 40 min bilateral renal pedicle clamping. Immediately after reperfusion, 2×106 rat bone marrow derived MSCs were injected via intra-parenchymal or intra-aortic route. Results: Animals subjected to AKI after days 1 and 3 showed significant increase in the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration along with a declined glomerular filtration rate (GFR) when compared with non-ischemic animals. On the other hand, treated animals showed a significant enhanced regeneration as compared to ischemic animals in both administration route groups. Conclusion: According to the results concluded from the renoprotective effects of MSC in IRI/AKI, MSCs could be considered as promising therapeutic approach for AKI in clinical applications.

Objective(s): Schwann cells (SCs) have a wide range of applications as seed cells in the treatment of nerve injury during transplantation. However, there has been no report yet on kinds of proteomics changes that occur in Schwann cells before and after peripheral nerve injury. Materials and Methods: Activated Schwann cells (ASCs) and normal Schwann cells (NSCs) were obtained from adult Wistar rat sciatic nerves. After immunofluorescence identification, we identified differentially expressed proteins in the ASCs and NSCs using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) combined with high-resolution Orbitrap liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In addition, all the differentially expressed proteins were analyzed by Gene ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. Finally, several differentially expressed proteins were selected for Western blot verification. Results: A total of 122 differentially expressed proteins in ASCs and NSCs were screened. GO analysis suggested that these different proteins are likely to accumulate in the cytoplasm and are associated with single-multicellular organism processes. The KEGG pathway analysis suggested that proteins related to purine metabolism were significantly enriched. The expression of Transmembrane glycoprotein NMB (GPNMB), Ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase family member 3 (ENPP3), and other proteins were consistent with the proteomics data obtained by Western blot analysis. Conclusion: GPNMB, ENPP3, GFPT2, and other proteins may play an important role in the repair of peripheral nerve injury. This study may provide new insights into changes in SCs after peripheral nerve injury.

Objective(s): Skin flap necrosis is the most common postoperative side effect in reconstructive surgeries. Glutamine (GLN) has been shown to accelerate wound healing process. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of GLN either in free form or in the dipeptide form along with L-alanyl (Ala-GLN) on random skin flaps survival in rats. Materials and Methods: Dorsal skin flaps with caudal bases (8 ×2 cm) were established in 24 adult male Wistar rats. Then, the animals were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n=8). Control, GLN (0. 75 g/kg) and Ala-GLN (0. 75 g/kg). All groups administrated orally 24 and 6 hr before flap elevation and continued repeatedly daily until 7 days postoperation. The flap survival rate and vascular density using histological analysis were evaluated. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by immunohistochemical method was determined. Results: Seven days after surgery, the mean surviving area in the GLN and Ala-GLN groups were significantly greater than in the untreated control group (P<0. 001). Furthermore, in comparison with the control group, the number of blood vessels and VEGF-positive cells in treated groups with GLN and Ala-GLN were significantly higher. However, no significant differences were observed between treated groups with GLN and Ala-GLN. Conclusion: The findings from this study indicate that oral administration of GLN in free form or in the dipeptide (Ala-GLN) could promote neovascularization and improve skin flap survival in rats.

Objective(s): Nowadays, Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is widely used in different kinds of commercial products as a plasticizer. Previous studies have revealed that exposures to DEHP could be associated with precocious puberty in teenagers, but the exact mechanism is yet to be known. Materials and Methods: In this study, 48 prepubertal Wistar female rats were randomly apportioned into 4 groups and orally treated with 0, 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg/d DEHP from postnatal day 21 up to 4 weeks. Subsequently, we examined the indicators related to the initiation of sexual development. Results: DEHP was able to shorten the vaginal opening time and prolong the estrous cycles of female rats. IGF-1 expression was significantly upregulated by 1000 mg/kg/d DEHP in the hypothalamus, and the hypothalamic, as well as serum levels of GH, were also upregulated by DEHP. It also caused decrements in serum levels of FSH, LH, and T and the increment in level of progesterone. Meanwhile, DEHP was able to exert its effect on the mRNA and protein expression levels of Kiss-1, GPR54, and GnRH in the hypothalamus in pubertal female rats. Conclusion: These findings are revealing that DEHP exposure more likely causes imbalances of hypothalamus functioning in pubertal female rats and thus induces precautious puberty in these animals.

Objective(s): Stress alters sensory and cognitive function in humans and animals. Angiotensin (AT) receptors have demonstrated well-established interactions in sets of physiological phenomena. AT1 receptors can play a part in stress-induced activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; besides angiotensinergic neurotransmission plays a pivotal role in stress-evoked physiological responses. AT1 receptors are also involved in nociception and memory. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of losartan as an AT1R antagonist in locomotor activity, nociception and memory impairments induced by sub-chronic swim stress. Materials and Methods: A two-session forced swimming stress protocol was administered to the rats. Pretreatment with losartan (10 mg/kg, IP) or saline was made before each swimming session. Locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, nociception, and passive avoidance learning were evaluated 24 hr after last swim stress session. Results: Swim stress induced increased anxiety-like behavior in the open field test, which pretreatment with losartan did counterbalance. Increased thermal threshold was observed in the nociceptive measurement after swim stress. Pretreatment with losartan attenuated the increased threshold and also inhibited a decreased step-through latency that was observed in the memory paradigm after swim stress. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that sub-chronic swim stress impairs passive avoidance learning, anxiety-like behaviors, and nociception; and AT1 receptor seems to have a modulatory role in these alterations. However, further studies are suggested to examine the protective effect of AT1R inhibitors on stress-induced impairments in sensory and cognitive function.

Objective(s): The aim of this study is to explore the potential role of hypoxia/reoxygenation in necroptosis in cultured rat renal tubular epithelial cell line NRK-52E, and further to investigate its possible mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Cells were cultured under different hypoxia-reoxygenation conditions in vitro. MTT assay was used to measure the cell proliferation of cells that were exposed to hypoxiareoxygenation conditions at different time points. Receptor-interacting protein 1, 3 (RIP1 and RIP3) and NF-κ B were detected by Western-blot analysis. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was conducted to investigate the formation of necrosome. Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) was adopted to inhibit the occurrence of necroptosis. In addition, morphological changes of cells after hypoxia-reoxygenation interference were observed under transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results: MTT assay indicated that hypoxia-reoxygenation treatment can cause a decrease in cell viability. Particularly, 6 hr of hypoxia and 24 hr of reoxygenation (H6R24 group) resulted in the lowest cell viability. Western-blot results indicated that the expression of RIP3 significantly increased in H6R24 group while the expression of NF-κ B is decreased. Co-IP results demonstrated that the interaction between RIP1 and RIP3 was stronger in the hypoxia-reoxygenation induced group than the other groups, furthermore, treatment with Nec-1 reduced the formation of necrosome. TEM observation results showed that hypoxia-reoxygenation treated cells showed typical morphological characteristics of necroptosis and autophagy. Conclusion: Hypoxia-reoxygenation treatment can induce necroptosis in NRK-52E cells, and this effect can be inhibited by Nec-1. In addition, the mechanism of necroptosis induced by hypoxiareoxygenation injury on cells may be related to the low expression of NF-κ B.

Objective(s): The objective of this study was to evaluate pharmacological effect of Calligonum polygonoides against Krait snake’ s venom acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and to extent it for the treatment of Alzheimer’ s disease. Materials and Methods: Acetylcholinesterase activity was measured using Ellman method with some modification. The kinetic studies of methanolic extract of C. polygonoides against krait (Bungarus Sindanus) snake venom AChE was measured with the help of the Lineweaver Burk double reciprocal plot. Results: Statistical data of the results showed that C. polygonoides extract inhibited the krait venom AChE in concentration dependent manner. Kinetic analysis using Line weaver Burk plot revealed that C. polygonoides caused mixed type of inhibition i. e. km value increased (25-106. 6%) while Vmax decreased from 15 to 50% with an increase of C. polygonoides extract concentrations (100-300 μ g/ ml). The calculated IC50 value of C. polygonoides was found to be 250 μ g/ml. Conclusion: C. polygonoides extract can be considered as a therapeutic agent to cure Alzheimer’ s disease via inhibition of AChE activity to increase the level of acetylcholine in the body system.