Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2020 | Volume:22 | Issue:4|Papers Count:8

Background and aims: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation and degeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). The high level of neurofilament (NF) heavy chain (NEFH) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been reported to be associated with MS. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between NEFH rs3815335 polymorphism and risk of MS. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 MS patients and 40 controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Genotypic and allelic distributions were compared between cases and controls. Fisher’ s exact test was used to estimate the risk of MS based on genotypes in SPSS version 22. 0. Results: No significant difference was observed in the distribution of NEFH genotypes and allele frequencies between patients and controls (P = 0. 737). Conclusion: Our data indicated that NEFH, 1084-244G>A gene polymorphism, has no significant association with the susceptibility or severity of MS in Iranian patients. Further prospective studies are required for confirmation.

Background and aims: The role of Helicobacter pylori in the development of gastric ulcer and gastrointestinal cancer was identified in this study. More precisely, the study focused on the creation of a DNA vaccine based on the cagT gene of this bacterium and the investigation of its immunogenicity against H. pylori in infused BALB/c mice. Materials and Methods: To this end, the pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT was prepared and transformed into Escherichia coli. Then, animals were injected with recombinant pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT plasmid, pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT + nanoparticles, and pcDNA3. 1(+). After the plasmid purification and confirmation of the transformation by digestion and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), chitosan nanoparticles were synthesized using the ionic gelation method. Next, the animals were classified into three groups each including 21 mice. The injectable solutions including pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT, pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT + nanoparticles, or empty pCDNA3. 1 (as a control group) were injected into the quadriceps muscle of mice, separately. Finally, the blood and tissue samples of each mouse were collected 15, 30, and 45 days after the last injection, and the expression levels of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β 1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interferon-gamma (IFNγ ) were evaluated by real-time PCR. Results: The IFNγ and TGF-β 1 expression increased in the infused mice (P < 0. 01) while the IL4 expression represented a significant decrease (P < 0. 01). Moreover, the IFNγ and IL4 expression level in pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT + nanoparticle significantly altered (P < 0. 01) compared to the pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT group although the TGF-β 1 expression was not significantly different (P = 0. 075). Contrarily, the cagT gene expression in the tissue samples of both groups was significantly different 15, 30, and 45 days after the last injection (P < 0. 01). Eventually, the expression of the cagT gene in the infused mice by pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT and in the nanoparticle group was not significantly different 45 days after the last injection (P = 0. 105). Conclusion: In general, the decrease of IL-4 expression was observed in the injected mice by pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT and indicated that the immune system work by a Th1 pattern. The findings showed that a pcDNA3. 1(+)-cagT construct combined with chitosan nanoparticles can increase the stimulation of the immune system in an animal model and thus it can be used as an appropriate method for controlling H. pylori infection.

Background and aims: Several pharmacological and biological activities have been attributed to Cuminum cyminum L. (CC), including analgesic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-epileptic effects. In this regard, the present study evaluated the antidepressant-like effects of the CC essential oil (EO) on the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in male mice. Materials and Methods: The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) apparatus was used for detecting the chemical compounds of CC EO. In the present study, 72 male NMRI mice were randomly allocated to 12 groups (each containing 6 animals) including control or vehicle (10 mL/kg, i. p. ), fluoxetine (20 mg/kg, i. p. ), imipramine (30 mg/kg, i. p), and the CC EO (100, 200, and 300 mg/kg, i. p. ). Then, several parameters were measured and recorded, including immobility time, swimming time, and climbing time in FST, along with immobility time in TST, respectively. Results: Cuminaldehyde followed by cymene, γ-terpinene, phenylglycol, 2-caren-10-al, 2-β-pinene, acoradiene, and cuminic acid were the major components of the CC EO. Based on the results, all doses of the CC, fluoxetine, and imipramine reduced immobility time in both FST (P < 0. 001) and TST (P < 0. 001). On the other hand, all doses of the CC and fluoxetine increased swimming time (P < 0. 001) although climbing time was only increased by 200 and 300 mg/kg of the EO (P < 0. 01 and P < 0. 001, respectively) and imipramine (P < 0. 001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, the components of the CC induced antidepressant-like activity similar to that of fluoxetine and imipramine in both tests. However, further studies are required to confirm the role of different active components and the exact mechanism of action.

Background and aims: Some biological scaffolds are used as appropriate skin substitutes, including decellularized amniotic membrane or dermis although the ovine pericardial tissue has not been characterized or used for skin tissue engineering. In this regard, this study focused on the decellularization and characterization of ovine pericardium for skin tissue engineering. Materials and Methods: To this end, two different methods were used for decellularization, including safety data sheet (SDS) 1% (method 1) and Triton X-100 1% (method 2). In addition, histological examinations (H&E staining), DNA content assay, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), MTT test using human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells, and tensile tests were conducted for sample characterization. Results: Based on the results, the DNA content showed significant DNA removing (P < 0. 001) after decellularization with methods 1 and 2 in comparison to native tissues although the significance level between the two methods was P = 0. 06. In the SEM examination, cells were effectively removed while the extracellular matrix remained intact in both groups. Based on the results of the MTT test, the toxicity was not significant (P = 0. 36). On the other hand, mechanical property assay revealed a higher value of Young’ s modulus in method 1 (34. 12 MPa) compared to Method 2 (32. 57 MPa) and native tissues (30 MPa). Finally, the highest strain at the break point (approximately 0. 6) belonged to the native sample. Conclusion: In general, the ovine seems to be a good alternative for skin tissue engineering and regeneration since it is a post-slaughtering waste tissue has low thickness, is wide and spread, and easy to be decellularized with SDS 1% and Triton X-100. Eventually, it has good properties for cell seeding based on the findings of our study and the capability of vascularization reported in the literature.

Background and aims: Although some preclinical and clinical studies have extensively confirmed the pharmacological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract (HE) of Physalis alkekengi on several diseases, little is known about the effects of P. alkekengi HE (PAHE) on breast cancer. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of PAHE on estrogen receptor+ breast cancer. Methods: To this end, tumors were created in mice by injecting MC4L2 cells into the sternum of the mice. Then, the animals were gavaged for 16 days at 10, 50, and 100 mg/kg daily of PAHE. In addition, the tumor growth and body weight of the mice were measured on the 16th day, and they were killed on 21st day. Finally, their tumor tissues were removed and the apoptotic cell tissue and expression of the ATG-5 gene were studied as well. The experiments were repeated three times, and the data were analyzed using SPSS software (P < 0. 001 and P < 0. 05). Results: The average body weight of the control group significantly decreased 16 days after tumor establishment (P < 0. 001). Further, the PAHE inhibited the growth of the breast cancer tumor in higher doses (50 & 100 mg/kg, P < 0. 001). Based on the results, a significant histopathological alteration was found in the breast tumors of the PAHE-treated groups compared with the control group, including the decreased level of mitotic cells the intensive level of necrotic cells and lymphocyte infiltration into the breast tumors bearing mice 21 days after PAHE administration (P = 0. 012). Eventually, PAHE significantly increased the mRNA level of the expression of the autophagy ATG-5 specific gene in the effective dosage-treated group (50 mg/kg, P = 0. 037). Conclusion: The evidence suggests that the PAHE has a suitable efficacy for the treatment of ER+ breast cancer by promoting autophagy mechanisms into these tumor types.

Background and aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of resistance training (RT) using elastic bands together with green coffee supplement on novel hepatic steatosis biomarkers (hepatic steatosis index [HSI] and Framingham steatosis index [FSI]) in middle-aged obese women. Materials and Methods: This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial performed on the basis of the CONSORT Statement at Shahrekord University in Iran (summer 2018). For this purpose, 60 obese women aged 30-60 years with a body mass index (BMI) of >30 kg/ m2 were selected to participate in this study and then they were randomly assigned to one of the following four groups: green coffee (GC, n=15), resistance training and placebo (RT+P, n=15), green coffee and resistance training (GC+RT, n=15), and placebo groups (P, n=15). Results: The results showed no significant differences in FSI (P=0. 822) and HSI (P=0. 752) between four groups. However, there were significant increases in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the RT+P (P=0. 050) and GC+RT groups (P=0. 032) and significant decreases in total cholesterol (TC) in the RT+P (P=0. 023), GC+RT (P=0. 006), and GC groups (P=0. 041). Conclusion: The reduction of hepatic steatosis biomarkers in these individuals may require a longer period of resistance workouts or other exercises.

Background and aims: Postoperative pain has always been considered by surgeons because of its various complications. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of intravenous, subcutaneous and suppository morphine in reducing post-hysterectomy pain. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 90 patients undergoing hysterectomy were randomized into three groups of 30 each using simple randomization, namely, intravenous, subcutaneous, and suppository morphine (10 mg). Before intervention and 4, 8, 12, and 16 hours after intervention, pain intensity was measured using visual analogue scale (VAS). Relative frequency of nausea, vomiting, itching, bradypnea, and apnea in all groups was recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS version16. 0. Results: Mean pain severity at 0 hour postoperatively (P=0. 004), 4 hours postoperatively (P=0. 009), 8 hours postoperatively (P=0. 009), and 12 hours postoperatively (P=0. 001) was significantly higher in the suppository morphine group than in the other two groups. There was no significant difference in pain severity at 16 hours postoperatively among the three groups (P=0. 446). According to the results of repeated measures ANOVA, changes in pain severity at the five intervals were statistically significant in all three groups (subcutaneous, intravenous, and suppository morphine groups) (P<0. 001). There was also a statistically significant difference in pain severity at the studied intervals among the three groups (P<0. 001). The frequency of nausea (P=0. 05) and vomiting (P=0. 84) was higher in the suppository group than in the other two groups, although the difference was not statistically significant (P=0. 05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated better efficacy of subcutaneous and intravenous morphine in reducing post-hysterectomy pain compared with suppository morphine.

Background and aims: There are many articles about the effects of different training methods on lipid profiles in the elderly. The objective of the present study was to investigate the influence of training on the lipid profile in the elderly. Methods: In this study, databases of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar were searched. Intervention effects were presented as mean difference (MD) with a random-effects model. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were performed to study heterogeneity, following the primary screening of the full text of the articles. Results: A total of 23 trials with 1654 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (MD = 0. 47 mg/dL; P < 0. 001, SE = 0. 08, V = 0. 01, 95% CI = 0. 31 0. 63, Z = 5. 73, 19 trials), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (MD =-0. 46; P < 0. 001, SE = 0. 11, V = 0. 01, 95% CI =-0. 68-0. 25, Z =-4. 24), triglyceride (MD =-0. 62; P = 0. 001, SE = 0. 12, V = 0. 01, 95% CI =-0. 86-0. 38, Z =-5. 03, 20 trials), and total cholesterol (TC) (MD =-0. 33; P < 0. 001, SE = 0. 09, V = 0. 01, 95% CI =-0. 52-0. 15, Z =-3. 57, 16 trials) were investigated. Following sensitivity analysis and heterogeneity testing, the results were still strong and impressive. Conclusion: Lipid profiles improved in training groups, indicating higher levels of HDL-C and lower levels of LDL-C, TC, and triglyceride. Overall, training leads to a better lipid profile. However, closer scrutiny seems necessary.