JOURNAL OF ADVANCED BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2014 | Volume:4 | Issue:3|Papers Count:17

Background & Objective: Oral chelators such as deferasirox are used to treat iron overload caused by blood transfusion. Considering the significant role of liver in detoxification and drug metabolism as well as the importance of catalase as a key enzyme in detoxification, this study was performed to evaluate the effect of deferasirox, which is an iron chelator on the structure and the synthesis of the bovine liver catalase.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, the alterations in catalase activity were measured in the absence and the presence of different concentrations of deferasirox by using spectrophotometer (UV-Visible). Moreover, we used fluorescence spectroscopic methods for investigating the changes in three dimensional structure of enzyme and its function based on the changes in intrinsic emission. The data were analyzed by Excel software.Results: Analyzing the synthesis of the enzyme showed that increased drug concentrations lead to decrease in the enzyme activity and consequently inhibition of catalase enzymatic reaction. In addition, fluorescence data represented the significant decreasing in intrinsic emission of enzyme in the presence of drug, which indicates that significant changes have been done at three dimensional environments around the enzyme chromophores. Analyzing the fluorescence quenching data at different room and physiologic temperatures was represented two binding sites for deferasirox on liver catalase enzyme.Conclusion: Above results suggest that deferasirox, as a chelator drug, can bind to the catalase active site then leading to functional changes of enzyme by inactivation of it, which results in side effects of this drug in liver and liver failure.

Background & Objective: Burn injuries are one of the health hazards of today society. Considering the use of silver sulphadiazine in clinics and mastic gum-ghee mixture in some regions of Iran for burn recovery, this study was designed to compare the effect of mastic gum-ghee mixture and silver sulfasalazine ointment 1% in treating second degree burns.Materials& Methods: This experimental single blind study was performed after anesthetizing 10-rat groups with sodium thiopental (Intra Peritoneal Injection). During the four -week treatment with silver sulfadiazine ointment1%, Vaseline, pure ghee, or mastic gum-Vaseline mixture in three dosages (50, 100. and 200 mg mastic gum in Vaseline in gram) and mastic gum-ghee in dosages of 50, 100, and 200 mg mastic gum in ghee in gram, the effects of this substances on the remission of the ulcers were evaluated qualitatively and clinically.Results: In the first two weeks of treatment after burn, most groups had almost similar trend of remission. But in the next two weeks of treatment, the degree of recovery changed in different groups. The silver sulfadiazine group, the mixture of mastic gum- Vaseline (200mg/ g) and Vaseline showed the highest improvement, respectively (according to the dermatologist opinion).Conclusion: According to this study, it is suggested not to use mastic gum-ghee mixture for second degree burns. We recommend that sulfadiazine ointment 1% is the better choice for the recovery of burn injuries.

Background & Objective: Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections in humans and its appropriate treatment is extremely important. Occurrence of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogen is a worldwide problem. The evaluation of bacterial susceptibility pattern and recognizing the prevalent resistances can be helpful for appropriate treatment and management. The objective of the present study is to evaluate antibiotic resistance in gram-negative bacteria isolates of urine cultures of patients hospitalized in Fasa Vali-Asr hospital during the years 2012 and 2014.Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, urine samples of hospitalized patients in different wards of Vali-Asr hospital of Fasa were sent to the laboratory. After identification of strains, the antibiotic sensitivity definition test, using Antibiogram disk diffusion method, was done.Results: In this study, UTI was caused by gram negative bacteria. Most bacterial isolates showed highest resistance rate to ampicillin and lowest resistance rate to amikacin.Conclusion: In this study, Amikacin and Cefotaxime were identified as the most effective drugs to treat the majority of patients with urinary tract infections. However, according to Antibiogram results in different geographical regions, the use of region antibiotic resistance pattern is essential in patients’ treatment.

Background & Objective: In human malaria, genotype of cytokines affect immune system. The impact of genotype -137G/C in IL-18 and+874A/T in IFN-g on the severity of malaria and the quality of treatment-as factors to form asymptomatic persons in endemic regions- has been investigated.Materials & Methods: 100 patients and 102 healthy persons were evaluated by Nested-PCR and thick blood film. IL-18 (G-137C) and IFN-g (A+874T) were determined by Single Specific Primer-Polymerase Chain Reaction and ARMS-PCR methods, respectively. The results were analyzed statistically.Results: In this research, it has been observed that allele-T in IFN-g gene and allele-C in IL-8 gene have protective effects against severity of Malaria. In addition, it has clearly been found that development and growth rate of plasmodium in ml of blood as well as anemia induced malaria significantly reduced in carriers of these alleles (p<0.0001). This effect has also been observed in the quality of the treatment in such a way that no parasite remained at the end of second day of treatment in carriers of alleles IFN-gTT and IL-18CC.Conclusion: These findings issue the impact of immunogenetypes of patients on treatment quality and asymptomatic patients and parasite reservoir as effective factors in endemic malaria. Immunogenetypes of people may play as a remarkable factor to control malaria in endemic areas.

Background & Objective: The prevalence of cesarean section (C/S) has increased worldwide, as in Iran, in current years. This issue is more important for our country due to the change in the policy of family planning to increase population. Therefore, the objective of the present study is to determine the prevalence of C/S and its causes in Fasa in the year 2011.Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, the data were collected from profiles of women who underwent C/S in Vali Asr hospital in Fasa University of Medical Sciences; Fars, Iran in the year 2011 by using a standard questionnaire containing socio-demographic data and its causes of C/S. The rates of Normal Vaginal Delivery (NVD) and C/S were obtained from vice-chancellor for health of Fasa University of Medical Sciences. The data were described by SPSS software version 16, prevalence and percentage indices.Results: There were 4376 deliveries in Fasa in the year 2011 that 2741 (62%) of them were cesarean section that 1540 (56.7%) of them were rural and the rest of them (43.3%) were urban. The average age of them was 27.5 years. The most cause for C/S was previous section.Conclusion: The rate for cesarean section was four times more than the suggested rate by World Health Organization (WHO) (15%). This is also higher than the average rate of Iran that has increased during recent decades.

Background & Objective: Toxoplasmosis is a common infection among humans and animals. The disease is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The prevalence of this infection depends on the weather conditions, dietary habits, and exposure to cats. This infection may lead to abortion, preterm labor and congenital anomalies in pregnant women. The present study is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which has been performed in order to determine the IgG antibody against toxoplasma in high-school girl students.Materials & Methods: In this study, 260 blood samples were randomly collected from the girl students in the high schools of Ilam in the year 2012. They were tested using the indirect immunofluorescence method. In this study, a questionnaire was developed and presented to the considered population and the information like previous histories of eating underdone and roasted meat, exposure to cats, and place of residency were collected. In addition, the data were analyzed by SPSS software and chi-square test.Results: The prevalence rate of IgG antibody among these students was 21.1%. Chi-square test showed that there is a significant relationship between infection and eating underdone and roasted meat (P>0.002).Conclusions: Considering the low levels of anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in high school girls, and non-immunity in pregnancy and the parasites’ irreparable effects on the fetus, it is essential to provide the necessary training before pregnancy to reduce the risks and problems.

Background & Objective: Common antibiotics may be useless against multiple pathogens because of the multidrug resistance. Therefore, new ways of nanotechnology and effective herbal combination can be the solution for this problem. The objective of this study is to investigate the antimicrobial effect of Allicin, silver nano particles and their combination against skin infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in animal model.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of Allicin, silver nano particles, and their combination were determined by macro dilution susceptibility test. Skin infection was produced in the shoulder region of 12 mice using Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the effect of ointment of Allicin, silver nano particles, and their combination were evaluated.Results: The results showed that MIC and MBC of Allicin for pseudomonas aeruginosa were 2.38 and 4.77 mg/ml, respectively. MIC and MBC of silver nano particle for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 3.12 and 6.25 ppm, respectively. MIC and MBC of combination of Allicin and silver nano particles on Pseudomonas aeruginosa were 0.59 mg/ml and 1.5 ppm, 1.19 mg/ml and 3.12 ppm, respectively. Anti-microbial effect of Allicin, silver nano particles and the synergistic activity of their combination against skin infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa was observed in animal model.Conclusion: The results showed that Allicin in combination with silver nano particles have synergistic effect against skin infection due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Background & Objective: Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium are among important causes of infection and antibiotic resistance. It is essential to find antimicrobial compounds against them. The objective of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Lecanora muralis SP. extracts on Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium in in-vitro and in animal model.Materials & Methods: In this study, aquatic, acetonic, and ethanoic extracts of Lecanora muralis SP. were prepared. Then their antimicrobial effects were determined by agar well diffusion method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bacterial Concentration (MBC) were calculated by macro dilution method. In animal model, 24 hours after inoculation of bacteria in mice, care was provided by injecting 0.5 ml of Lecanora muralis SP. extracts (as MBC concentration).. Then, the colonies of mentioned bacteria in spleen were counted on agar media after nine days.Results: The results indicated that MIC of acetonic extract of Lecanora muralis SP. for Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium were 103.75 and 207.5 mg/ml and for ethanoic extract were 49.81 and 99.625 mg/ml, respectively. The aquatic extracts of the tested lichens didn't show any antibacterial activity on mentioned organisms. The mean of the bacterial count in experiment group showed significant reduction compared to the control group in animal model.Conclusion: The ethanoic extract of Lecanora muralis SP. had the most effective antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium in comparison with acetonic extract. In addition Salmonella typhimurium was more sensitive to extracts.

Background & Objective: Candidal vulvovaginitis occurs in female genital by the over growth of candida especially candida albicans. This infection may be resistant to therapy and occasionally becomes chronic. In some patients, this form of infection is recurrent. Moreover, discovering new antifungal drugs and the use of these drugs in new methods encourage mycologists to use these techniques. Therefore, according to the above methods, this research investigated effects of several common antifungal drugs with the use of combination methods against candida species isolated from chronic candidal vulvovaginitis.Materials & Methods: This study carried out on 19 strains of candida albicans that were isolated from recurrent vulvovaginitis. The effects of clotrimazole, miconazole, fluconazole were assessed separately and in combination with amphotericin B on candida albicans using micro dilution methods.Results: The mean Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of clotrimazole, miconazole, fluconazole, and amphotericin B were 7.05, 10.7, 47, and 0.6 mgr/ml, respectively after 48 hours incubating. Then, the azole antifungal drugs were evaluated in combination with amphotericin B. The two combinations of fluconazole+amphotericin and miconazole+amphotericin with the Fungicidal Inhibitory Concentrations (FIC) of 0.6 and 1, respectively, attracted the most attentions. In addition, comparing the antifungal effects, the most effective drug was amphotericin B with the Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) of 1.18.Conclusion: In this study, amphotericin B with the least MIC had the best antifungal effect. The most and the least synergic effects of combination therapy were for fluconazole+amphotericin B and Miconazole+amphotericin B, respectively.

Background & Objective: Cyclophosphamide is an antineoplastic drug that has many clinical uses in cancer treatment, but it has toxic effects due to creation of free radicals. In this study, the effects of curcumin "as an antioxidant drug" on liver tissue was investigated.Materials & methods: 50 wistar adult male rats were selected randomly and were divided in to five groups including control, sham (receiving normal saline and olive oil), cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg intraperitoneal), cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg)+curcumin (50 mg/kg), and curcumin (50 mg/kg by gavage). This study continued for 30 days. The liver histopathological changes were investigated after the last administration.Results: Severe apoptosis, hepatocytes necrosis, congestion, focal inflammation, and endotheliosis were revealed in cyclophosphamide receiving group. However, focal inflammation and hepatocyte necrosis were decreased considerably in cyclophosphamide+curcumin group compared to cyclophosphamide group. Congestion and endotheliosis were very small. None of the above mentioned complications was observed in curcumin receiving group.Conclusion: The results of this study show the concurrent consumption of cyclophosphamide and curcumin can reduce the cyclophosphamide free radicals effects on liver tissue.

Background & Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of central nervous system, which is approximately two to three times more common in women than men. It was suggested that sexual hormones affect MS disease. Over half of MS patients have cognitive deficits, including learning and memory dysfunction. Estrogen also influences most of the cerebral function including learning and memory. According to the involvement of estrogen on learning and memory process, the objective of this study is to investigate the neuroprotective effect of estrogen during MS disease.Materials & Methods: 28 male rats after cannnulating into the CA1 area of hippocampus, randomly divided into four groups (n=7) including control group, sham group (sesame oil, 1 ml/rat), MS group (0.01% ethidium bromide, 3 ml/rat), MS+estradiol group (ethidium bromide+estradiol benzoate, 2 mg/1ml). MS model was induced by intra hippocampal injection of ethidium bromide and estradiol benzoate was injected as a pretreatment for five days. The Morris Water Maze test was used for studying spatial memory. Data analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test.Results: Ethidium bromide reduced the spatial memory (P<0.05). Pretreatment of estradiol benzoate (2 mg/1ml) significantly improved spatial memory during MS disease (P<0.05).Conclusion: It seems that estradiol benzoate improves the reduced spatial memory during MS disease due to its neuroprotective effects.

Background& Objective: One of the most prevalent types of cancer among women is breast cancer. The objective of this study is to compare the serum level of tumor marker of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA), Prolactin, and oxidative marker Malondialdehyde (MDA) in patients with breast cancer and in control groups.Materials & Methods: This case control study was carried out on the people who went to Seyedo Shohada Hospital in Isfahan. The experimental group was composed of 44 patients with breast cancer who were under treatment and the control group consisted of 44 healthy people. The amount of CEA and Prolactin was measured via ELISA, while the measurement of MDA was made manually and on the basis of reaction to Thiobarbituric acid.Results: The results of the current study indicated that the mean concentration of CEA in patients with breast cancer (2.175±1.78 ng/ml) was significantly greater than that of healthy people (1.161±0.85 ng/ml) (P<0.001). The mean concentration of prolactin in patients with breast cancer and in healthy people were not significantly different, and the mean concentration of MDA of the patients with breast cancer (1.44±0.37 m mol/dl) was significantly greater than that of the healthy people (1.27±0.25 m mol/dl) (P<0.01).Conclusion: CEA can be used as a valuable serum marker in the efficacy of the treatment procedure as well as the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Moreover, the role of lipid peroxidation as an effective process in the formation of breast cancer was confirmed.