TEHRAN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL JOURNAL (TUMJ)
Year:2013 | Volume:71 | Issue:1|Papers Count:15

Background: Biliary cirrhosis is a chronic disease marked by the progressive destructtion of liver. There is no known cure for this disease; however, medications may slow its progression. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of quercetin as a plant derived flavonoid on the hepatic injury reduction of biliary cirrhotic rats.Methods: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6-7 months were randomized into three groups of ten each. One group served as control (sham operated), while the other two groups underwent a complete bile-duct ligation (BDL). Four weeks after the operation, serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine amino-transferase (ALT), and aspartate amino-transferase (AST) were measured in two BDL groups to confirm the occurrence of cirrhosis. Then one of the BDL groups received placebo and the other one injected intraperitoneally with 50mg/kg of quercetin once a day for a period of four weeks. At the end of the study, hepatic enzymes and serum bilirubin were measured again. Liver species were tested for histological characteristics.Results: Quercetin could decrease serum level of bilirubin (7.4±0.9 vs.8.9±1.6 mg/dL; P<0.05), ALP (1387±76.9 vs.2273±65.3 IU/L; P<0.001) and ALT (601.9±38.1 vs.644.8±37.4 IU/L; P<0.05) compared to cirrhotic group. AST was higher in cirrhotic groups compared to control both in the 4th and 8th week. However, the difference between BDL and BDL+Q groups was not statistically significant. Quercetin decreased ALT/AST ratio, as an indicator of liver damage. No significant histological changes were observed in quercetin group.Conclusion: These data suggest that although quercetin did not change histological characteristics of liver, it could significantly decrease bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and alanine amino-transferase, indicating less liver injury.

Background: Salen metal complexes are used successfully in a wide range of asymmetric reactions and important in the pharmaceutical and industry. On the toxicity of salen vanadium oxide (VOsalen) on embryo and cell cultures, little information is available.In the present study, the toxic and teratogenic effects of VOsalen was evaluated against chicken embryos as a animal model and liver and fibroblast cell cultures which was derived from the embryo.Methods: The VOsalen compound was synthesized. The compound solution was injected in triplicate examination, in the air sac of the eggs, at third day of incubation. Treated and control eggs, on day 19 of incubation opened and embryos were weighted, then mortality rate was recorded. The liver and fibroblast cell culture were treated by this and survival fraction was recorded.Results: The survived fraction of the embryos depends on the compound concentration.In concentration of 300mM/egg, 36.32% of the embryos survived and the Lethal dose 50% (LD50) was 226.37 mM/egg. Morphological study of the treated embryos showed retarded growth, and skeletal staining showed the deletion of caudal vertebrate. The compound was inhibited liver and fibroblast cells growth with IC50 1047.25 and 1036.82mM respectively. The cytoplasm of treated cells became dense and their interconnections were loosed.Conclusion: The VOsalen compound had low toxic effects against the embryos and the cultured cells at the concentrations. Significant cytotoxic effect was not observed in the treated cells. However the proliferative cells were affected significantly in comparison with the cells which their growth was stopped. The effect of VOsalen compound against replication of liver cells were lower than fibroblast cells.

Background: The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) have revolutionized the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Some evidence indicated the role of nodal refractoriness and concealed conduction in anticipating the ventricular rate during atrial fibrillation. Recent evidence has indicated that statins can reduce the incidence of both supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. The aim of the present study is to investigate adenosine A1 receptor role on simvastatin protective effects on atrioventricular nodal properties in isolated atrial fibrillation model of rabbit heart.Methods: The present study was performed in cardiovascular research center of Golestan University of Medical Sciences in 2012. Recovery and atrial fibrillation protocols were used to study electrophysiological properties of atrioventricular node in 5 groups of male Newsland rabbits (n=40). Extracellular recording was carried out from transitional cells of posterior and anterior extension of AV-node and upper part of atrium and its bundle. All stimuli protocols repeated in the presence of adenosine A1 receptor agonist and antagonist (dipridamole and CPX) alone or with simvastatin on isolated perfused atrio-nodal preparation. Extracellular field potential recording was sampled during specific stimulation protocols.Results: Significant inhibition was observed in basic node properties such as wenckebach prolongation, functional refractory period, effective refractory period and atrioventricular node conduction time with simvastatin (P<0.05). Simvastatin prolonged His-His interval and increased number of concealed beat in atrial fibrillation protocol (P<0.05).The simvastatin protective effects on atrioventricular nodal properties were intensified by dipridamole as an adenosine A1 receptor agonist (P<0.05), but CPX as an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist could only dampen them (P>0.05).Conclusion: Our results showed that the use of adenosine agonist increased simvastatin effects on electrophysiological properties of atrioventricular node, but its antagonist could not prevent these effects. This may indicate simvastatin protective mechanism on atrioventricular node electrophysiological properties without adenosine direct involvement.

Background: Nowadays, nanomaterials are used in daily life extensively. One of the most common of these materials is nano titanium dioxide (TiO2) which is used to purify the air and also sunscreens, shampoos and other hygienic products. Although nanoparticles are useful, can also have potential hazards. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of TiO2 on lung tissue in rabbits.Methods: We divided 18 male rabbits into three groups randomly. The first group received 50 ml of TiO2 with dose of 50 mg/kg by intratracheal instillation. The second group received 50 ml of TiO2 with dose of 100 mg/kg and the third group received 50 ml of normal saline by the same route. Chest X-rays were taken from all rabbits before injection and on days of 10, 17 and 24 after injection. Twenty four days after injection, rabbits anesthetized and histopathological assays, blood samples and biochemical factors were evaluated.Results: Radiographic assays showed a progressive pulmonary fibrosis in rabbits received TiO2 rather than the control group and this lesion developed to maximum at 24th day of the experiment. We also showed pulmonary emphysema and inflammation in histopathologycal study of groups treated with TiO2. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in the amount of liver enzymes, white blood cells and hematocrit in TiO2 treated groups compared to control group (P£0.05). There were no significant differences between plasma levels of creatinine in different groups (P>0.05).Conclusion: Results showed that nanotitanium dioxide particles can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation and also increasing liver enzymes and inflammatory cells.

Background: Tonsils and adenoid hypertrophy is a major respiratory symptom in children which is partly due to recruitment of inflammatory cells in upper airway lymph nodes as a result of the effects of synthesis and release of different inflammatory cytokines. It seems that infections play role in concert with these cytokines leading to tonsilar hypertrophy and other pathologic consequences. It is proposed that cellular infiltrate of tonsils and adenoids may secrete different quantities of these cytokines compared with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) cultures.Methods: Among patients who were admitted for adenotonsillectomy to the ENT ward, 37 patients, under 1-12 years old patients with fulfill criteria selected to include the study. Excised adenoid and tonsils cultured and inflammatory cytokines Interferon-g (INF-g), Interlukine-1 (IL-1), IL-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) measured in cellular culture supernatant. The same cytokines measured in PBMC cultures.Results: The data shows that there is a significant difference between IFN-g and IL-8 amounts in adenoid tissue culture supernatant and PBMC culture of our patients. Furthermore, the amounts of IFN-g, IL-1 and IL-8 showed considerable difference between tonsilar tissue culture supernatant and PBMC culture of these patients. Although there is a significant correlation between IL-6 amounts in tissue culture supernatant and PBMC culture (P=0.02), the respective data for TNF is only almost significant.Conclusion: Inflammatory cytokines may have significant role in the early provoke of inflammation occurred in hypertrophied tonsils and adenoid. The majority of these cytokines increase the expression of adhesion molecules on epithelial cells and influence the recruitment of leucocytes and inflamed tonsils. On the other hand lack of sufficient cytokine release may lead to persistent infections and may cause chronic inflammation and hypertrophied tissue.

Background: Alpha-actinins are located in the skeletal muscle Z-line and form actin– actin cross-links. It belongs to a highly conserved family of actin-binding proteins- the spectrin superfamily, which also contains the spectrins and dystrophin. Mammalian skeletal muscle has two isoforms: alpha-actinins-2 and alpha-actinins-3. However, the response of alpha-actinins to exercise training is little understood. This study examined the effects of 8 weeks of resistance training on muscle mass, ACTN3 (alpha-actinins-3) gene expression levels and fiber type composition in the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscle.Methods: Forty five female Sprague-Dawley rats (Initial body mass: 169.25±9gr age: 3 month) were obtained and assigned to a control (C; n=18) or exercise training (T; n=22) and pilot (P; n=5) groups. The resistance training consisted of climbing a ladder carrying a load suspended from the tail and the weight increased progressively. Real-time PCR and Immunohistochemistry techniques were used to measure gene expression levels and myosin heavy chain (MyHC) composition, respectively.Results: Following 8 weeks of training, we observed significant increase in absolute muscle mass in FHL (P=0.01). Results showed that no significant difference was found in ACTN3 gene expression levels between training and control groups (P=0.852 respectively).Also, Pearson coefficient didn' t indicated any significant relationships in gene expression and Fiber type IIX in response to resistance training in FHL (r=0.12).Conclusion: However, resistance training effects on sarcomeric proteins development, these results showed no effect of resistance training on alpha-actinins-3 levels. Although alpha-actinins-3 has an important function to produce and progress of force in sarcomere, but didn' t changed significantly in response to resistance training.

Background: Severe spondylolisthesis is related to high degenerative changes in vertebral spine. Degenerative spondylolisthesis often is seen with high-sacral slope. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between high degenerative spondylolisthesis and sacral slope.Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was done in patients with low back pain in Shafa Yahyaian and Sina University Hospitals in Tehran, in 18 months (April 2010-October 2011). Intermittent or continuous low back pain for three months and history of two disable low back pain attacks since one year ago were inclusion criteria. Pregnant patients were excluded. Lumbar vertebra displacement to vertebra body size ratio was calculated in dynamic mode. The ratio higher than 8% was considered as a lumbar instability. Rotation angle more than 11o was considered abnormal.Results: In this study, 52 patients (30 men, 22 women) with 38.35±9.49 years old were enrolled. Mean body mass index was 23.01±4.59kg/m2. Thirty cases had abnormal vertebral displacement. Angulation of the disc space more than 11 degrees was seen in 20 patients. No statistically significant difference in pelvic index between normal and abnormal lumbar vertebra displacement (P=0.443). The mean pelvic index in normal and abnormal angulation groups were 55.97o and 53.58o, respectively; the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.556).Conclusion: The results of the study showed disc degeneration had no association with sacral slope. High sacral slope can intensify spondylolisthesis but does not affect the incidence of degenerative spondylolisthesis. Additional research is required to find the other causes of degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Background: McGill pain questionnaire is the most useful standard tools for assessing pain. McGill pain questionnaire contains 78-word descriptive of the 20 subclasses forming in three main sensory, affective and evaluative domains. Due to cultural differences, the questionnaire has been translated into several languages. This study aimed to translate MPQ into Persian language and assess its reliability, validity and acceptability in patients with cancer.Methods: The study performed in Medical Oncology Department of Cancer Institute in Imam Khomeini Hospital in the Spring 2012. After translation of MPQ by two experts fluent in English, Persian version was returned to English. Then that backward translation was compared with the original questionnaire and words that did not match were reviewed. Patients with different types of cancer who suffering from chronic pain were admitted in our study. They did not receive any kind of pain killer drugs during the previous 24 hours. There was no restriction of age, sex, education, type of cancer or treatment modality. The reliability and validity of Persian-McGill pain questionnaire after interviewing patients was assessed by test–retest reliability and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha).Results: In total, 84 patients were interviewed and 30 patients who were available after 24 hour with the same condition recomplete the questionnaire. Cronbach’alpha of each domain was in 0.622-0.743 and total Crobach’s alpha (n=84) was 0.85. Evaluative aspect has only one subgroup and because of this, it is not have Crobach’s alpha. The stability coefficient (n=30) in all areas (sensory, emotional, and other domains) were 0.812-0.964.Stability coefficient among the 20 Persian McGill Pain Questionnaire (PMPQ) subclasses showed significant and reliable relationships over time for all groups.Conclusion: This study is the first study that assessed psychometric properties and usefulness of the MPQ in Iranian patients with cancer, showed that it is a potentially useful measure with a high validity and reliability standards.

Background: Probably L-Carnitine can induce increasing of Pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, decreasing of lactic acid production and performance improvements due to the reinforcement of long chain fatty acid oxidation and stabilize of Coenzyme A (CoASH) to free Coenzyme A (COA). Based on this, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute L-Carnitine supplementation on blood lactate, glucose, VO2max and anaerobic power in trained men.Methods: Sixteen trained men (aged 19-23) volunteers from University of Guilan, faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences participated as subjects in this investigation.Subjects divided to aerobic (A) and anaerobic (An) group randomly. In a double blind design, subjects participated in two separated tests by one week. Subjects ingested 3 grams of L-Carnitine supplementation or placebo (maltodextrin) 90 minute before aerobic and anaerobic exercise. For aerobic activity used shuttle run 20 meter and for anaerobic activity used RAST test. Blood samples were collected 5 minute prior at rest and 4 minute post tests. Participants were asked in the morning to obtain fasting blood samples and perform tests. A t-test was used to detect differences between supplementation and placebo groups in each exercise.Results: L-Carnitine group ((A) 141.25±20.62 and (An) 145.38±55.47) significantly had lower lactate concentration than placebo ((A) 151.00±20.85 and (An) 152.50±28.59) after tests (P£0.05). L-Carnitine group ((A) 136.00±19.74 and (An) 115.50±13.64) had significantly higher blood glucose compared to placebo ((A) 121.62±15.65 and (An) 110.12±12.63) too (P≤0.05). Also, VO2max, mean and maximum anaerobic power in L-Carnitine group were significantly more than ones in placebo (P<0.05).Conclusion: These findings indicate that acute oral supplementation of L-Carnitine can induce fatigue decreasing and improvement of aerobic and anaerobic performance.

Background: Steroid cell tumor is one of the rare ovarian tumors and forms 0.1% of all ovarian tumors, divided to three subgroups. Steroid cell tumor that are not otherwise specified (NOS) are the most common type and represent 60% of steroid cell tumors.One of the most known signs of this tumor is hormonal function, especially androgenic effects of it. Primary treatment consists of eradication of tumor via surgery.Case presentation: The patient is a 29 years old female with history of poly cystic ovarian syndrome since 10 years ago, who attended to the clinic of General Women Hospital of Tehran in January 2011. In pelvic ultrasonography, there was a 64´49mm mass in the right adnexa consisting of homogeneous component. She underwent laparotomy and unilateral salpingoophorectomy was done. Pathological report was steroid cell tumor of ovary.Conclusion: The aim of this study is reporting one of the rare tumors of ovary and assessment of the correct way of diagnosis and treatment of it.