Medical Sciences Journal of Islamic Azad University,Tehran Medical Branch
Year:2023 | Volume:33 | Issue:2|Papers Count:9

Background: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that may have negative effects on the structure of the adrenal gland. Nowadays, herbal medicines, including Scrofularia striata, are prescribed in the treatment of many diseases. Materials and methods: In this study, 32 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 8. Control: The diabetic group was fed a high-calorie diet containing 20% cow fat, 20% sucrose, and 60% normal diet for 6 weeks, and then streptozotocin drug was injected intraperitoneally at the rate of 20 mg/kg. Diabetes-Scrofularia striata group: This group was given a high-calorie diet for 6 weeks, and then streptozotocin drug was injected at the rate of 20 mg/kg. Then (in addition to receiving a high-calorie diet), the hydroalcoholic extract of Scrofularia striata plant at the rate of 400 mg/kg was given by gavage daily for 28 days. Scrofularia striata group: This group was given 400 mg/kg of Scrofularia striata plant extract daily for 28 days along with the usual. Results: In the diabetic group, the diameter of the layers of the cortical part of the adrenal gland increased, but the diameter of the central part showed a significant decrease, compared to the control group. Following the consumption of Scrofularia striata, the diameter of cortical layers in the diabetes-Scrofularia striata group showed a significant decrease compared to the diabetes group, but the diameter of the central part showed a non-significant increase. Conclusion: Scrofularia striata have beneficial effects on the structural changes caused in the adrenal gland.

Background: Uteroplacental insufficiency (UPI) by inducing oxidative stress in the fetal brain leads to disruption of its development. The present study evaluated the effects of Naringin on the antioxidant defense system in the fetal forebrain and prevention of the hippocampal damage following UPI. Materials and methods: 20 pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, UPI+Saline, UPI+Nar50 (UPI+naringin with a dose of 50 mg/kg) and UPI+Nar100 (UPI+ naringin with a dose of 100 mg/kg). In order to induce UPI, permanent occlusion of the anterior uterine vessels was performed on the embryonic day (ED) 18. Naringin and saline were gavagd from ED12-18. On the ED21, measuring the level of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and antioxidant capacity (TAC) by ELISA technique and malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid method in the fetal forebrain and evaluating neuronal density in the CA1 and CA3 areas of the hippocampus were done. Results: A significant decrease in the brain activity of CAT, SOD, TAC and neuronal density in the CA1/CA3 areas of the hippocampus along with a significant increase in MDA was seen in the UPI+Saline group compared to the control group (p<0.05). While, a significant increase in CAT, SOD, TAC and CA1/CA3 neuronal density and a significant decrease in MDA was seen in the groups receiving Naringin compared to the UPI+Saline group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Administering Naringin before induction of UPI by strengthening the antioxidant system in the fetal forebrain caused the prevention of neurological complications caused by UPI in the fetal brain.

Background: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes. The aim of this study was the effect of six weeks of aerobic training and melatonin on MBP gene expression and pain threshold in an experimental model of diabetic neuropathic pain. Materials and methods: Forty 8-week-old male Wistar rats (weight range 204 ±,11. 3 g) were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 each) including: diabetic neuropathy (50 mg / kg streptozotocin intraperitoneal injection), diabetic melatonin neuropathy (mg / kg 10 melatonin daily for 6 weeks), diabetic neuropathy exercise (30 minutes of aerobic exercise at 15 meters per minute, 5 days a week for 6 weeks), diabetes melatonin neuropathy and healthy exercise and control. After confirmation of diabetic neuropathy by behavioral tests, exercise protocol and supplementation were performed. MBP gene expression in spinal cord tissue was measured by real-time technique. Results: Exercise and melatonin reduced the nervous system's sensitivity to thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia (P=0. 026). Aerobic exercise with melatonin significantly increased MBP gene expression compared to diabetic neuropathy group (P =0. 001). Conclusion: Aerobic exercise and melatonin appear to reduce the complications of diabetic neuropathy by increasing MBP protein. It is recommended to use aerobic exercise with melatonin for diabetics to reduce the neuropathic pain of diabetes.

Background: Skin cancer is the most common cancer and very high risk of metastasis of cancer. In recent years, proteins derived from natural sources such as poison animals are considered toxic. The aim of this study was purified Iranian cobra venom using chromatography & fractions obtained by examining toxicity and anti-tumor effect on skin cancer cell line. Materials and methods: B16F10 melanoma cells in RPMI 1640 medium with 10% FBS were cultured. Iranian cobra venom gel filtration chromatography and ion exchange was purified. Molecular weight fractions were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The effect of anti-adhesion and cytotoxicity of the active fractions using trypan blue staining and MTT was measured on B16F10 cells were cultured and data were analyzed using student t-test. Results: Six fractions obtained of gel filtration chromatography. The isolated fractions were evaluated antiadhesion effect and fraction F3 for further purification by ion exchange chromatography was nominated and 4 fractions were separated. The fraction with a molecular weight of about 47 kDa (F2) was nominated. Totally toxicity was calculated as 49% and 8% on skin cancer cell line and HEK-293, respectively (P≤,0. 05). Conclusion: In this study, cytotoxic effect on skin cancer cells B16F10 showed that Iranian cobra venom have a protein with highly valued medicinal properties and could be an option for future research against skin cancer.

Background: Warfarin is the most commonly prescribed anticoagulant drug for treating thromboembolic events. There is a variation in dose requirements for each individual due to nongenetic factors and gene polymorphisms. In this study, we performed Tetra-ARMS PCR molecular technique in order to investigate the association between 5 gene polymorphisms and patient characteristics with warfarin dose requirements in all Iranian ethnic groups. Materials and methods: This study was done on 68 Iranian patients on warfarin treatment who attended the cardiovascular centers in Tehran Province for regular INR monitoring. Genotyping of VKORC1 (rs9923231 and rs2884737), CYP4F2, and CYP2C9*3 were performed using Tetra-Arms-PCR and conventional PCR was done for the detection of CYP2C9*2 (rs1799853) SNP. Multiple regression model was performed for statistical analyses and P<0. 05 was considered as the significance level. Results: Of 5 SNPs, VKORC1 rs9923231, CYP2C9*2, and CYP2C9*3 variants alleles had a significantly lower mean warfarin daily dose compared with the wild-type genotypes, whereas no significant association was seen between VKORC1 rs288473710, CYP4F2, and warfarin maintenance doses. Furthermore, despite a significant association between patients’,age and warfarin dose (p=0. 021), it was not statistically significant for other demographic characteristics. Conclusion: It can be concluded that VKORC1 rs9923231, CYP2C9*2, and CYP2C9*3 gene polymorphisms and patients’,age had a significant effect on warfarin dose. The new warfarin-dosing algorithm was developed based on VKORC1 rs9923231, CYP2C9*2, and CYP2C9*3 genotypes for predicting the required dose of warfarin.

Background: Paying attention to the mental health and optimal cognitive function of children and adolescents is of great importance in societies. Therefore, the current study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of neurofeedback and transcranial electrical stimulation on students' attention and concentration skills and mathematical progress. Materials and methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in the form of pre-test, post-test and one-month follow-up with a control group. 51 students were randomly divided into three groups,two experimental groups including neurofeedback and transcranial electrical stimulation and the control group (n= 17 each group). Participant included all students aged 8 to 16 in Tehran in the year 2021. The data collection tool included IVA-2 software and Dr. Asgari's math achievement test. A mixed analysis of variance test was used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that both neurofeedback and transcranial electrical stimulation were effective in increasing and improving attention and concentration and mathematical progress. Conclusion: Based on the findings, it can be concluded that neurofeedback and transcranial electrical stimulation are effective in improving students' attention and concentration skills and mathematical progress. The mentioned findings can help therapists to choose the type of treatment.

Background: Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder around the world. Large size of the gene and heterogeneous nature of its mutations, make it difficult to determine the exact nature of mutations in VWD. Some missense mutations are common in VWD and can be assessed as first step of determining the genetic cause of the disease. Materials and methods: Forty four unrelated patients categorized as VWD type 3 were included in study. Tetra ARMS-PCR was applied to determine the presence of the point mutations rs61753984 and rs62643623. Then ARMS-PCR was performed with the same primers. In cases with mutant patterns, Sanger sequencing was used for conformation of results. Results: Two patients showed two bands of 248bp and 181bp in rs61753984 (R34X), which corresponds to homozygous mutant genotype. In other patients, homozygous pattern with 248bp and121bp bands was observed. In rs62643623 (Q218X) position, one patient with two bands of 378bp and 260bp showed homozygous mutant genotype while other patients showed homozygous wild genotype (378bp and 168bp bands). The results of ARMS-PCR was the same as tetra ARMS-PCR. Finally, the results of tetra ARMSPCR were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Conclusion: In present study we used tetra ARMS-PCR for detection of point mutations, while in most studies PCR-PFLP has been used. We found that tetra ARMS-PCR can be used as a simple, cost effective and reliable method. If these mutations are not found, advanced molecular methods such as sequencing should be applied.

Background: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy with compassion-focused therapy on internalized shame and self-esteem of patients with vitiligo. Materials and methods: The method of this study was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test and follow up with the control group. The population of this study consisted of all women with vitiligo in Tabriz in 2021 who had referred to the medical clinics of this city. In total, 45 patients were selected by purposive sampling method, who were randomly divided into three groups. Members of both experimental groups received their treatment in 8 sessions of 1. 5 hours,however, the control group did not receive any treatment. Measuring instruments were Cook internalized shame's (1993) and Cooper Smith self-esteem's (1976) questionnaires. Analysis of findings through repeated measures analysis of variance & Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: In the pre-test, mean and standard deviation of internalized shame and self-esteem were not significantly different in the experimentals and control groups (p>0. 05). After the test, internalized shame was reduced and self-esteem was increased among patients of both treatment groups compared to the control group (p<0. 001). In the follow-up phase, the effect of these two treatments was lasting (p<0. 001). The effect of these two treatments on internalized shame and self-esteem at posttest and follow-up was not different (p>0. 05). Conclusion: It seems that these two therapies can increase the acceptance of the disease in vitiligo, so they can probably be considered as a useful treatment strategy to improve the mental status of patients with vitiligo.

Background: Quality of life plays a significant role in improving the health of chronic patients. This study was developed in order to predict the quality of life of women with multiple sclerosis based on the illness perception, health hardiness and self-compassion. Materials and methods: This was a descriptive-correlation study. 470 women with MS who were members of the MS Association of Iran during the first six months of 1401 were selected by convenient sampling and were asked MSIS, Brief Broadbent illness perception, Revised Health Hardiness Inventory-24, and the selfcompassion questionnaire. Results: There were significant and negative correlation coefficients between the variables of illness perception, health hardiness and self-compassion with the quality of life. Illness perception, health hardiness and self-compassion purely explained 39% of the changes in quality of life in the equation. Conclusion: According to the results, it seems that it is possible to improve the quality of life of women with MS by using methods to increase the illness perception, health hardiness and self-compassion.