KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH
Year:2021 | Volume:16 | Issue:3|Papers Count:7

Introduction: Improper use of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistance. On the other hand, due to the uncertainty of the stability and safety of artificial antioxidants, their use is not recommended. Plants can be used as a reliable and natural source of antioxidants. The Mastic (Baneh) plant with the scientific name of Pistacia atlantica is remarkable due to its various compounds and antibacterial properties. This stud aimed to investigate the antibacterial effects of aqueous extract of mastic tree leaf on six oral and gastrointestinal bacteria. Methods: In this study, the values of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of aqueous extract of mastic leaf against 6 bacterial species were determined by the microdilution broth method. Each experiment was repeated three times. The results were analyzed using SPSS22 software by One-Way ANOVA and the least significant difference (LSD) statistical tests. Results: All studied bacteria were sensitive to different concentrations of aqueous extract of mastic leaves. The mean MIC of aqueous extract of mastic was significantly different between the studied bacteria (P<0. 05); So that the sensitivity of gram-positive bacteria to the extract was significantly higher than gram-negative bacteria (P<0. 05). The mean MBC of aqueous extract of mastic did not show a significant difference between tested bacteria (P=0. 253). Conclusion: This study showed that the aqueous extract of mastic leaves has antibacterial properties that can be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Introduction: The deposition of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ ) in the brain is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. In addition to inducing oxidative stress and inflammation, beta-amyloid reduces the expression of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and causes behavioral disorders such as anxiety even before memory impairment. Alpha-linoleic acid is an omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of alpha-linoleic acid on anxiety induced by Aβ 1-42 and examined the possible role of BDNF in this effect. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups included control, alpha-linoleic acid, Aβ , and Aβ-alpha-linoleic acid. After intra-hippocampal injection of Aβ 1-42, the animals received alpha-linoleic acid subcutaneously at a dose of 150 µ g/kg. At the end of the course, the anxious behavior of the animals was assessed using an elevated plus-plus maze test and BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus was measured by real-time PCR. The significant level was set at 0. 05. Results: In the elevated plus-maze test, alpha-linoleic acid significantly increased the percentage of open arm entry and the percentage of time spent in open arm in rats receiving Aβ 1-42 (P<0. 001). Alpha-linoleic acid also increased BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus of these animals (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, alpha-linoleic acid has an anxiolytic effect in Alzheimer's disease model rats, and this effect is largely exerted by an increase in BDNF. Alpha-linoleic acid may be effective in reducing neurodegeneration.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate patients' clinical and laboratory characteristics with hypertension with the diagnosis of Covid-19 and its association with mortality. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed on 341 patients with hypertension and Covid-19 admitted to Baharloo Hospital. Patient information was collected from patients themselves and medical records during hospitalization. Patients' informed consent was one of the conditions for patients to enter this study. The significance level for all analyzes was considered 5%. Results: Based on this study's results, the mortality rate of these patients was 22%. The two groups of recovered and dead patients were significantly different in terms of age, oxygen level at admission, and admission to the ICU. The recovered and dead groups were different in terms of white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocyte, neutrophil, inflammatory reactive protein (CRP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine (CR), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The difference was that the deceased had fewer lymphocytes and neutrophils and more CRP, WBC, BUN, CR, and LDH than the survivors. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, patients with hypertension have a higher mortality rate. The deceased differed from the surviving group in terms of white blood cell count, lymphocyte, neutrophil, inflammatory reactive protein, blood urea nitrogen, blood creatinine, and lactate dehydrogenase.

Introduction: Constant exposure to lead, even in small amounts, can lead to damage to various systems of the body. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the weakening of the endogenous antioxidant system play a major role in lead damage. Antioxidant drugs may be effective in reducing lead-induced damage, so in this study, the effect of berberine on leadinduced oxidative agents was investigated. Methods: In this study were used forty male wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups. 1-Sham group, four groups that received lead orally for one month. These four groups included the 100ppm and 500ppm lead poisoned groups and the 100 and 500ppm lead poisoned groups treated with berberine 50mg / kg. Lead was added to the drinking water of the animals and berberine was gavaged daily. After the treatment period, the animals were deeply anesthetized and blood sample was taken from the heart of animals to evaluate the activity of antioxidants glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde MDA level in the serum. Results: The results of biochemical factors showed that serum SOD, CAT and GSH activity in lead poisoning groups were not significantly different from sham group. Berberine was able to increase SOD activity in the lead 500 group. Berberine also increased CAT activity in the lead-poisoned group receiving 500 dose of lead. Also, in lead groups treated with berberine, a significant increase in GSH activity was observed compared to the lead group. The results of the MDA examination showed that the serum MDA level of rats that received lead increased significantly compared to sham group and berberine decreased MDA level in lead 500 group. Conclusion: In general, the results of this study showed that exposure to lead for 2 months has no effect on the activity of antioxidant, but increases serum MDA. Increased MDA indicates the presence of oxidative stress. The study also found that berberine increased the antioxidants activity and decreased the MDA level.

Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease with high prevalence characterized by hyperglycemia due to relative deficiency or lack of insulin. Type 1 diabetes (destruction of Beta cells) and type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance) are the two main types of diabetes. Animal models of diabetes, as an important tool in the study of this disease, help to avoid human challenging immoral and costly studies. Therefore, the present review study aimed to investigate animal models of induced and spontaneous type 1 diabetes in rodents. Methods: In this systematic review, the keywords of “ diabetes” , “ induction” , and “ animal model” from 1991 to 2021 were searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar databases. Articles related to the subject of study were selected and reviewed. Results: From the half of the twentieth century until today, new models have been introduced for prevention and treatment of diabetes in vivo and in vitro. There are various models for inducing type 1 diabetes, each of which has its strengths and weaknesses. These models include spontaneous models, genetically engineered, and chemically induced models. Typically, one way to induce diabetes in animals is to use chemicals, especially streptozotocin (STZ). Animals used include rats, mice, cats, dogs, pigs, and primates. Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, there is still no standard animal model that can accurately detect the disease, and there is a long way to arrive at a comprehensive model of the pathogenesis and complications of the disease. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the development of these models. Given the importance of diabetes studies, it is necessary to carefully select the appropriate animal model for each study.

Introduction: Breast cancer accounts for the most common cancer in urban Indian females, and the second commonest in the rural Indian women. Early detectable cancers can potentially be cured when the tumour is small enough to be completely removed surgically. A number of biochemical tumour markers have been studied for the early detection of cancer. However these facilities are only available at sophisticated and well equipped centers with latest technology and they are also expensive. Methods: This was a case-control comparative study conducted taking 26 clinically and histopathologically established female breast cancer patients. The cases will first be categorized according to the TNM staging of Ca Breast. Serum was collected for estimation of ADA, GGT and liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT, and ALP) and lipid profile. Results: There was significant increase in the mean serum ADA, GGT & ALP levels in carcinoma breast patients in comparison to healthy controls. Inter-stage comparison of serum ADA, GGT & ALP level in various stages also showed significant hike. Results: There was significant increase in the mean serum ADA, GGT & ALP levels in carcinoma breast patients in comparison to healthy controls. Inter-stage comparison of serum ADA, GGT & ALP level in various stages also showed significant hike. Conclusion: The extent of rise in these parameters can be taken as one of the important criteria to establish its diagnostic role in carcinoma Breast patients. These might prove to be easily accessible and affordable biomarkers in remote areas for the early detection of the disease.

Introduction: Covid 19 is an emerging and acute respiratory disease with high prevalence that has spread across whole world. The disease can lead to death by progressive respiratory failure, involvement of other organs, and systemic problems. The present study aim was the survey of the histopathological changes in lung, liver and heart tissues of patients with Covid-19. Methods: In this study, acupuncture biopsy of three organs of lung, liver and heart of 6 patients with Covid-19 disease was performed in Razi Hospital, Rasht, Iran. The samples were collected after death and obtaining the consent inform from the patient’ s family. All samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Imaging, serological and paraclinical findings of patients were evaluated. Results: Tissue biopsy in this study showed advanced alveolar injury and vascular congestion in the lungs of most patients. Small vascular thrombosis was suspected in patients with advanced clinical history. Examination of liver tissue pathology showed periportal inflammation in the liver, spread of steatosis in liver cells. Signs of mild myocarditis were seen in the heart tissue. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, changes in liver, heart and lung tissues in patients may be due to secondary side effects of Covid-19, different drug therapies at the onset of Covid-19 disease or the effect of patients' clinical history.