KOWSAR MEDICAL JOURNAL
Year:2008 | Volume:12 | Issue:4|Papers Count:14

Background: Reishi extract is an herbal mushroom preparation which been used worldwide for the prevention and treatment of various cancers. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of Reishi on cell viability and Nitric Oxide (NO) release by mice peritoneal macrophages (mF). Materials and Methods: Mice were anesthetized and had their macrophages collected. The macrophages were washed three times, counted and plated out at 1x106 cells/well in 24 wells plate. Cells were incubated at 37°C and 5% CO2 for 24h in the presence of different concentrations of G. lucidum. After that, Supernatant was collected for NO assay (NO2 was measured as an indicator of NO) and cell viability was checked by trepan Blue dye. Results: The Results showed that, G. lucidum at concentration between 5 to 160 mg/ml induced cell death between 5-10 percent, while at concentrations between 320  mg to 640 mg induced cell death between 25% to 28%(P<0.001). The maximum NO was released in response to 320 m/ml of G. lucidum. The level of NO production in response to all concentrations of G. lucidum was significantly different comparing to control group (p<0.005, p<0.001). Conclusion: Taken together, it can be concluded that G. lucidum at concentrations among 5 mg to 160 mg has immunomodulatory effect on peritoneal mFin term of NO production. The enhancement of cell death in response to higher concentration of G. lucidum also might be due to cytotoxic effects of nitric oxide on own cell producer, but not exactly as a result of cytotoxic effect of G. lucidum.

Exposure to low levels of lead acetate can induce hypertension in both human and experimental animals. The exact mechanisms of lead-induced hypertension are not well-known, but its pathogenesis could be explained by changes in the heart rate and contractility. In present study, the effects of 100 ppm lead exposure in drinking water (in the periods of 4, 8 and 12 weeks) on blood pressure and some physiologic parameters (electrocardiography, heart rate, contractility and coronary flow) of isolated rat heart was investigated, using Langendorff isolated heart set up. The isolated hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution at 37oC and pH=7.4, gassed with 95% O2 + 5% CO2. All data were digitized by a software program for further analysis. The blood pressure in 8- and 12-week lead-treated groups was significantly increased compared with those of the control group. The ECG findings showed the incidence of arrhythmia and conduction abnormality only in the late phases of exposure (12 weeks). The heart rate (HR) and contractility were significantly higher in 8- and 12-week lead-treated rats but not in 4-week group. Finally, no significant changes were observed in coronary flow.These results indicate that: 1) Low levels of lead exposure in the early phase would not significantly affect ECG. 2) Low levels of lead exposure would impose changes to ECG in the late phases of exposure. 3) This levels of lead exposure can increase HR and cardiac contractility with no effect on coronary flow. Thereby, it can be concluded that observed changes in lead-treated rats might participate in induction of hypertension.

Background & Aim: Invasive aspergillosis is one of the lethal and important diseases in immunocompromise, diabetic, bone marrow recipient and aids hosts. Nitric Oxide is one of the anti microbial anti inflammation products that in non special defense is important , this research performed to evaluate the effect of mycelium extract, conidia and catalase enzyme of aspergillus fumigatus an the production of nitric oxide from macrophages and neutrophills in murin model.Material & Method: Catalase enzyme was purified using Ione exchange chromatography technique. Then forty Balb/c mice were divided in to four groups and sensitized intraperitonealy by 300 mg of catalase, mycelium extract, adjuvant and with 1 × 106 conidia, respectively. Then all the mice were authorized under aseptic conditions. The neutrophils and macrophages of each group were separately exposed to catalase inducer and then the amount of nitric oxide production by each group was measured by qriess method.Results and Conclusion: production of nitric oxide in group the sensitized with catalase inducet had averagely more nitric oxide concentration comparing to the other groups (P £ 0.05). Thus catalase enzyme inducer increased. The production of nitric oxide in the peritoneal macrophages and neutrophils, which consequently increased their killing potential against Aspergillus fumigatus infections. Whereas conidia and mycellium extract did not showe such as effect.It is conculuded that catalase maybe used for induction of immune system and to design a vaccine model.

Background: The prevalence of opioid addiction is relatively high in Iran. Since the mechanism (s) of opioid addiction is not clear, this social problem is still remained unresolved. In the present study, the effects of water extract of Crocus sativus on the acquisition and expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization in male N-MARI mice (20-25 g) were investigated.Methods: Sensitization was induced by single injection of morphine (5 mg/kg) for three consecutive days followed by five days resting. On the 9th day of the experiments, the sensitization was assessed in animals by a single injection of very low dose of morphine (5 mg/kg). The extract of the C. sativus was administered during or after induction of morphine sensitization. Then, the sensitization was tested in the animals. In order to evaluate the effects of the drugs on locomotor activity, morphine and the extract were administered to the animal in a pilot study.Results: Our findings showed that administration of morphine (0.5, 5 and 50 mg/kg), induced a significant activity in animals. The increment was significant for the dose 50 mg/kg of morphine. On the other hand, administration of the plant extract (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) did not change animals locomotion activity. Preadministration of the animals by extract (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced morphine effects. Injection of the same doses of the extract (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) 30 min before the morphine (5 mg/kg) administration in the training days, caused a significant decrease in locomotor activity in animals, i.e. reduced the acquisition of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization. Injection of the plant extract (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg) in the test day, 30 min before morphine (5 mg/kg) administration also reduced the locomotor activity in the animals, i.e. reduced the expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization.Conclusion: It can be concluded that the extract of C sativus may inhibit morphine-induced hyperactivity and also acquisition and expression of morphine-induced behavioral sensitization in male mice.

After recovery from cutaneous leishmaniasis protective immunity occurs in most situations. So, vaccination with excretory and secretory antigens (ES-Ag) could leads to protective immunity. In this study the effects of excreted- secreted products of Leishmania major on cytokine production pattern in BALB/c lymph node cells were evaluated. five groups (n=12 in each group) of BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to WA(whole antigen), 24hr ES-Ag, 0hr ES-Ag, adjuvant alone and control groups, and challenged with Leishmania major promastigotes. In the second months of wound appearance, the animals were decapitated and drainage lymph nods cells were removed and cultured for cytokines assay. After 48 hr of incubation with 24hr ES-Ag, the cells culture supernatants were removed and assayed for cytokines levels. The IL-4 and IL-10 cytokines levels in WA animals group were significantly higher than the other groups. In animals receiving 24hr ES-Ag the IL-2 level was significantly high comparing to the other experimental groups.

Objective: Pneumococcus is among most common gram-positive bacteria causing infection in human and unfortunately, resistance of Pneumococcus is increasing daily like other bacteria.Considering that no useful research regarding rate of resistance of Pneumococcus against ceftriaxone has been done by E-test method (at least in Isfahan province ), the above study can be a base for future studies about determination of increase or decrease in Pneumococcus resistance rate.Materials and Method: This cross-sectional prospective study was performed in 1385 on 98 streptococcus pneumonia samples separated from clinical samples of patients presenting to AIZahra Hospital, and then MIC (Minimal Inhibitory Concentration) of antibiotics ceftriaxone and penicillin on the organisms was determined using E-Test method. Quality control was done using Pneumococcus ATCC 49619. After editing and entering in to computer, data were analyzed using SPSS-13 and WHONET-5.Results: This study was performed on 98 people with age range between 5 to 10 years. Among patient, 47% are female and 53% are male. The studied samples are 55% from throat of healthy carrier, 20% from CSF,16.5% from blood, 3% from pleural fluid, 3% from ear (patients with otitis), 1% (1 person) from abscess and 1% (1 person) from wound. Separated Pneumococcus showed about 30% sensitivity to penicillin whereas MIC of ceftriaxone for cases other than meningitis is about 90% sensitivity and this MIC for meningitis considering lesser penetration of the drug in CNS, is 81.5% sensitivity.Conclusion: Penicillin is not an effective drug for coverage of Pneumococcus even in children, but considering effectiveness of ceftriaxone, this drug alone is sufficient in cases suspicious of Pneumococcus at early presentation.

Background: Colonic pseudo-obstruction is a poorly understood syndrome, described byOgilvie, and characterized by signs of large-bowel obstruction, without a mechanical cause. An imbalance in the autonomic nerve supply to the colon has been suggested as the pathophysiology. Recently, promising results with pharmacologic manipulation with neostigmine have been described.Study Design: A prospective study was undertaken with 42 consecutive patients with clinical and radiologic signs of colonic pseudo-obstruction, in two general hospitals, over a 2-year period. Patients divided in two groups (21 patients in each group) then neostigmine group were treated primarily with 2.5 mg of neostigmine in 250 mL of saline for 30 minutes under cardiac monitoring. Results were assessed by the clinical and radiologic responses.Results: 20 patients in neostigmine group had gas passing and defication with the firs dose of neostigmine but none of the patients in control group had gas passing and defication (P=0.000). The mean (±SD) abdominal distension in neostigmine group was 121.42±17.13 vs 128.38±16.7 in control group before treatment (P>0.05) that it reached to 100.85±14.61 and 124±16.15 respectively in neostigmine and control group after 3 hours of beginning treatment (P=0.000).Conclusions: Neostigmine is a simple, safe, and effective therapy for treatment of colonic pseudo-obstruction.

Background: The mortality of gastric cancer has increased in recent decades in Iran. This observation can be explained by the increased incidence and the change of pathologic pattern of this cancer, showing more involvement of proximal rather than distal stomach. Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of mortality due to malignancies, worldwide. This condition is affected by the changes in the living style and nutritional habits in recent decades. In this report, the epidemiology and distribution of disease as well as prognostic factors, mortality and survival of patients with gastric adenocarcinomas, who were referred to Tehran Shahid Fayaz-Bakhsh Hospital from 1996-2003, were studied.Methods: One hundred gastric cancer patients with adenocarcinomas pathology who had been admitted to and operated on at the Shahid Fayaz-Bakhsh Hospital in Tehran between 1996 and 2003 as a historical cohort study and were analyzed. The patients' life expectancy after surgery and its relationship was assessed with age, gender, disease stage, and cancer site, type of treatment, disease histology, and presence of liver metastases variables. For analysis of dataset, methods of Kaplan Meier, Cox Proportional hazards model and Breslow estimator were used. The SPSS13 software used to analysis and an alpha level significant was considered, 0.05.Results: 73 percent of patients were man and others were women. The mean age at men was 63.3 years and women were 61.7 years. In 31 percent of cases, tumors observed at cardiac location and in 20 percent of cases were observed at Antrum location. In total, more than half of tumors reported in proximal location. In 25 percent of cases, metastasis to liver and in 13 percent of cases was reported peritoneal seeding. Only 9 patients were referred at early stage and 54 percent of patients were referred at locally advanced stage and 37 percent of patients were referred at metastasis stage. In 32 percent of cases, pathological reports were reported intestinal and in 54 percent of cases were reported diffuse. There was not significant relationship between gender and disease histology (p=0.167). The seven-year survival rate and the median life expectancy in the studied patients were 17.2% and 14.2 Months, respectively. The median life expectancy for the patients with locally advanced stage and metastasis were 18.2 and 8.3 months, respectively; and for patients with and without surgery was equal to 17.7 and 14.2 months, respectively; and for disease histology with intestinal and with diffuse were equal to 14.2 and 13.2 months, respectively. The Cox proportional hazards model showed that disease stage and age with life expectancy had a significant relationship. Conclusion: Most of patients were diagnosed at locally advanced stage or metastasis stage (in the late stage). One of the most important reasons for low survival rate of Gastric cancer patients seems to be delayed consultation and diagnosis. So, At this necessary to employ mass media for extensive public education about the early warning signs of the disease and performing periodic examinations.

Introduction: nasal polyposis is not a life threatening disease but the patients may have a great symptoms impact on the quality of life and the best treatment is functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the correlation between preperative computed tomography scores and the improvement of symptom score in patients treated with functional endoscopic sinus surgery to predict the symptomatic improwment preoperative.Method: in the cross sectional study we enrolled 50 patients with huge polyposis and then we symptoms score by SNOT-20 before and 6 month after endoscopic sinus surgery we also took CT scan before and 6 month after surgery for compare Sinus involvement.Results: Form 50 patients, 37 (74%) person were male. Mean age of patients was 39.46±11.28 years (minimum: 20 and maximum: 58 years). All patients had improvement in total score of SNOT-20. Mean score of SNOT-20 before surgery was 53.50±16.61 that is reached to 32.15±17.26 after functional endoscopic sinus surgery.Conclusions: There was no significant correlation between newman score and SNOT-20 score before and after surgery.Conc1utrothe severity of sinus involvement by polyps on preoperative CT scan doesn't predict the improvement of symptoms in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery that is evaluated by SNOT-20 score.

Introduction:Congenital immature teratoma of the nasopharynx is a very rare form of extragonadal teratoma. Case report: In this article, management of a newborn with nasopharyngeal teratoma who underwent tumor resection is reported. The tumor, which originated from the nasopharynx, almost filled the oral cavity and protruded through the mouth, with its external part comparable to the size of the head. She could breathe when the head and mass were turned to the left. Conclusion: For safe management of these cases, prenatal evaluation, careful preoperative assessment of the airway, sufficient preparation, and intubation by an expert are mandatory. Perioperative bleeding and obstruction of airway by the tumor or its remnant could render the case difficult.