Journal of Gorgan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2022 | Volume: | Issue: |Papers Count:14

Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disease that increases oxidative stress and causes immune system disorders. Curcumin is the active component of turmeric with anti-inflammatory properties. This study was conducted to determine the effects of curcumin on cortisol, catalase, and nerve growth factor (NGF) expression in an animal model of MS. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 30 female Wistar rats. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was chosen as an experimental model of MS. The rats were divided into 3 groups of 10, including a healthy control group, an affected group, and a group treated with curcumin. The disease was induced by immunization of rats with homogenized guinea pig spinal cord and Freund's complete adjuvant. Then, the immunized animals were allocated into two equal groups. Treatment with curcumin (100 mg/kg daily) was started 12 days after the immunization when the rats showed the first symptoms of neurologic disability. The treatment was continued until day 24 post-immunization. Simultaneously, the EAE group received the medicine solvent (distilled water). Finally, the rats' weights as well as cortisol, catalase, and NGF levels were measured in the study groups. Results: Curcumin significantly increased the level of cortisol to a level equal to that of healthy rats (P<0. 05). It also significantly increased the expression of NGF and reduced the amount of catalase in the affected rats (P<0. 05). The curcumin administration significantly increased the overall weight of rats with MS but had no significant effect on the spleen weight of the treated rats. Conclusion: Curcumin can be beneficial for treating EAE by reducing the destructive effects of oxidative damage and increasing NGF.

Background and Objective: Many studies have been done on the effects of ginseng and green tea on inflammatory factors and liver enzymes, but no research has yet studied the comparative effects of ginseng and green tea extracts with Pomeol Breuler on C-reactive protein (CRP) and liver enzymes in hyperlipidemic rats. This study was done to evaluate the effects of ginseng and green tea extracts in comparison with Pomeol Bruler on CRP and liver enzymes in hyperlipidemic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 42 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 7 groups. Animals in group 1 (control group) received a normal diet. The experimental groups 2-7 received a high-fat diet for a month. The groups were treated with the extract for 8 weeks and by intraperitoneal injection. Groups 1 and 2 received 77. 5 mg/kg/day and 155 mg/kg/day green tea extract, respectively. Groups 3 and 4 received 103. 3 mg/kg/day and 206. 6 mg/kg/day ginseng extract, respectively. Group 5 received 0. 16 g/kg/day of Pomeol Bruler, and group 6 received green tea extract (155 mg/kg/day) and ginseng extract (206. 6 mg/kg/day). At the end of the treatment, the level of CRP and liver enzymes including aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured. Results: The level of CRP was significantly reduced in the rats treated with ginseng, green tea, and Pomeol Bruler compared with the control group (P<0. 05). The level of AST and ALT did not differ significantly between the ginseng, green tea, Pomeol Bruler, and control groups. Conclusion: The combined use of ginseng and green tea with Pomeol Breuler for 8 weeks may reduce inflammatory factors but does not affect liver enzymes.

Background and Objective: The use of lumbar braces affects kinetics and kinematics. This study evaluated the effects of two types of simple and sensor thoracolumbosacral braces on electromyography activity of selected muscles in patients with kyphosis during running. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 15 males with kyphosis. The subjects performed a running task in three conditions: without braces, with simple braces, and with sensor braces. An 8-channel wireless electromyography system was used to record the activity of the muscles of the lower back and lower limbs during running. Results: There was no significant difference between the tested conditions in response to loading, middle support and swing,however, during push-off, the median frequency of the gastrocnemius muscle was greater when running with a simple brace compared with running without brace (P<0. 05). In addition, the median frequency of the semitendinosus muscle was significantly higher while running with sensor brace compared with simple brace (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Using brace, especially sensor brace, can improve muscle activities in patients with kyphosis.

Background and Objective: Major depression is a common disease in the world, which is associated with cognitive impairment. Executive functions are among the cognitive functions that are influenced by major depression. This study was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the executive functions of people with major depressive disorder and normal people using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 13 patients with major depressive disorder and 13 normal individuals aged 21 to 35 years who were referred to psychology and psychiatry centers in Tehran (Iran) in 2019. The subjects were randomly selected from six centers in four districts of Tehran and then divided into an experimental group and a healthy control group. Both groups were subjected to cognitive assessment using the CANTAB, n-back test as well as Daneman and Carpenter's working memory sentences. Results: The mean of executive functions was significantly lower in people with major depressive disorder compared to their healthy counterparts (P<0. 05). When examining the components of executive functions in both the experimental and control groups, there was a significant increase in the shifting in the total number of errors and the inhibition component in direction errors. In addition, there was a statistically significant decrease in the updating component in errors 1 and error 2 and an increase in time 2. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the component of working memory maintenance in error as well as the planning toenoomoc in the average delay (response speed) to the first choice, to correct the error and a decrease in working memory manipulation (P<0. 05). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the executive functions of people with major depressive disorder are lower than healthy counterparts according to the CANTAB.

Background and Objective: Genu varum is a lower limb deformity. This study was done to evaluate the effects of shoe aging on the general and directional contraction of ankle muscles during running in females with genu varum. Methods: This case-control study was done on 30 female students (15 individuals with genu varum degree 2 and 15 healthy individuals) using new and old sneakers for 6 months in the sports biomechanics laboratory of the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Iran. Each subject was given a new pair of sneakers, and after the initial data collection, the subjects were asked to use them in their daily activities for at least an hour a day for 6 months. Electrical muscle activity was recorded using surface electromyography. Results: There was no significant difference in the general and directional contractions if ankle muscles during the running phases. Conclusion: Shoe aging has no effect on ankle joint co-contractions.

Background and Objective: Hemodialysis is an important replacement therapy for 70-90% of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is the vascular access of choice in these patients due to its higher efficiency and lower risk of mortality compared to arteriovenous grafts. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of vascular access types used in hemodialysis centers of Gorgan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 200 hemodialysis patients (101 men and 99 women) at 5 Azar and Sayyad Shirazi hospitals in Gorgan, north of Iran, during April 2020 to July 2021. The subjects were selected by the census method. Information including age, sex, education level, duration of dialysis, the initial and current types of vascular access, site of vascular access, history of diabetes or hypertension, race, and history of smoking were recorded in a checklist. Results: The mean age of women and men was 58. 34±, 4. 71 and 57. 95±, 13. 76 years, respectively. In addition, 61. 5% of the patients were under 3 years old. The most commonly used vascular access to initiate dialysis was non-cuffed temporary catheters (69%) and AVF (24%). Smoking, ethnicity, diabetes, hypertension, and gender had no significant association with the type of vascular access used. In addition, there was no significant relationship between the duration of dialysis and the type of vascular access. Conclusion: Considering the diversity of catheters and fistulas, it is necessary to emphasize that the use of AVF in patients undergoing dialysis for the first time and the timely placement of AVF in ESRD patients can improve the quality of life of the patients. It is also recommended to use jugular catheters instead of subclavian catheters when required.

Background and Objective: Chronic myeloid leukemia is one of the most well-known types of leukemia. Inflammation is one of the leading causes of cancer,therefore, anti-inflammatory agents are used for reducing and suppressing the growth of cancer cells. Dexamethasone, a cortisol agonist, has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and apoptotic effects. Diclofenac is a cyclooxygenase enzyme inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties. This study was performed to determine the synergistic effect of diclofenac and dexamethasone on the growth of K562 cancer cells. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, K562 cell line was cultured in RPMI-1640 medium enriched with glutamine, penicillin, and streptomycin. The cytotoxic effects of dexamethasone, diclofenac and their combination (multi-target tracking) were evaluated using MTT assay. Hoechst staining and DNA electrophoresis were carried out to evaluate the occurrence of apoptosis. Results: Diclofenac, dexamethasone and their combination had cytotoxic effects on the cells at concentrations of 20, 40, 60, and 80 µ, mol/ml. A significant cytotoxic effect was observed after 72 hours of treatment with different concentrations of the drugs (P<0. 05). Hoechst staining showed that DNA fragmentation was increased in the treated cells. DNA electrophoresis also showed induction of apoptosis by diclofenac, dexamethasone, and their combination. Conclusion: The combination of diclofenac and dexamethasone at concentration of 20 µ, mol/ml is more effective in inducing apoptosis in K562 cells compared with each drug alone.