PATHOBIOLOGY RESEARCH
Year:2025 | Volume:28 | Issue:1|Papers Count:8

As the global population continues to age, the prevalence of Parkinson's Disease (PD) is increasing. PD is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, particularly among the elderly. Its key symptoms include tremors, shaking, movement difficulties, and challenges with balance and coordination. The disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in a specific part of the brain, the substantia nigra pars compacta, and the aggregation of the α-synuclein protein within cells. In recent years, research has highlighted the significant role of inflammatory processes in PD pathology. However, it remains unknown If neuroinflammation is a cause or consequence of PD. Strong evidence suggests that microglia, the resident immune cells in the central nervous system, play a crucial role in protecting neurons and that dysfunctional and overly activated microglia are present in the brains of individuals with PD. Under normal conditions, microglia are in a "homeostatic" state, but in response to disease-related triggers, they transition to a "reactive state." The transition of microglial phenotypes can result in either pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory (M2) states, each characterized by distinct markers and released substances. Prolonged activation of the M1 phenotype is associated with a range of inflammatory conditions, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease. Consequently, further investigation into the role of microglia is essential for enhancing our understanding of and therapeutic approaches to PD. This review will delve into the involvement of microglia in the neurodegenerative process of PD and explore the impact of microglia-mediated inflammation on the disease.

While the precise functions of sleep are not fully understood, it is an important part of daily life and involves a series of events that follow a consistent night-time cycle and enable the human body to function at its best. More than 30% of adults suffer from sleep deprivation (SD). SD can lead to negative effects on cognitive function, including reward and emotional processing. Here, we review the consequences of acute SD on reward network and emotional processing, and the activity and connectivity of different brain regions involved in reward network and emotional processing, with a focus on neuroimaging studies.

Background: Oral health issues, such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer, represent significant challenges to global health. Proper and balanced nutrition plays a vital role in this context, as it is fundamental to overall health, which includes the condition of the oral cavity and teeth. Nutrition pertains to the specific nutrients absorbed by the body, while diet encompasses all nutrients and non-nutrients consumed. The quality of nutrition directly influences the growth, development, and metabolic functions of the periodontium. A deficiency in essential nutrients can lead to changes in the primary factors associated with periodontal diseases, and dietary choices can significantly influence the progression of these ailments. This review article provides a meta-analysis of the existing literature to evaluate the effects of dietary and lifestyle factors on the prevention of oral health problems. Method: A systematic review of studies was performed from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from 2000 onward to investigate the connections between specific dietary components, lifestyle habits, and oral health outcomes. Results: The findings indicate notable correlations among elevated consumption of processed sugars, inadequate oral hygiene, and the use of tobacco and alcohol, all of which increase the likelihood of developing oral diseases. Conversely, a diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, and vital nutrients, along with consistent oral hygiene practices, is linked to a lower risk of these health issues. Conclusion: This meta-analysis highlights the essential role that dietary and lifestyle modifications play in strategies aimed at preventing oral diseases

Introduction: Clinical studies have supported the effective role of gluconeogenic in hepatic glucose release, especially in type 2 diabetics (T2D). This study was aimed to investigate the effect of resistance training on hepatocyte fat mass and obesity associated (FTO) gene expression as well as fasting glucose and insulin resistance in obese rats with type 2 diabetes. Methods: For this purpose, T2D induced by 6 weeks high-fat diet (HFD) and intraperitoneal STZ injection in 14 male Wistar rats (220 ± 10 grams) and were then randomly divided into exercise (n = 7, resistance training) and control (n = 7) groups. The rat in exercise group were completed 8 weeks resistance training (5 times/weekly) and control rats remained non-training. 48 hours after exercise intervention, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin, insulin resistance and hepatocyte FTO expression were compared by independent t test between groups. Results: Compared to control subjects, significant decrease were observed in fasting glucose (P = 0.001), insulin resistance (P = 0.001) and FTO expression (P = 0.024) and increase in serum insulin (P = 0.005) by exercise intervention in resistance group. Conclusion: Resistance training is accompanied by improving fasting glucose in T2D rats. This improvement may be attributed to the reduction of hepatocytes FTO expression and insulin resistance in response to resistance training.

Introduction: Diazinon is an organophosphate pesticide that has widespread applications in both agriculture and household settings. Diazinon poisoning can have detrimental effects on the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to diazinon on histological features of the liver and kidney of rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty adult male Wistar rats, aged 10 - 12 weeks and weighing 150-200 grams, were purchased and divided into two groups of 10. In the treatment group, diazinon was administered at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day to each animal for 3 months, while the control group was maintained on a normal diet and drinking water. After 12 weeks of exposure, the animals were prepared for H & E staining, and the samples were examined under a light microscope. Findings: The structural integrity of the liver and kidney was preserved in the diazinon-treated group compared to the control group, but mild effects of diazinon were observed in the liver tissue, such as foci of inflammation and hyperplasia of Kupffer cells, and in the kidney, such as the presence of epithelial cells in the distal tubule and cell detachment from the basement membrane. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the rats exposed to diazinon did not show significant changes in histological features in the liver and kidney, and these changes were subtle, possibly indicating a need for higher doses or longer exposure durations to diazinon.

Introduction: Endothelial dysfunction is a consequence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. In this study, the effect of CX Works training (CX) on serum endothelial microparticles (EMPs) and nitric oxide (NO) as markers of vascular endothelial function was measured in women with metabolic syndrome. Methods: For this purpose, 24 sedentary adult obese women were randomly divided into CX (8 weeks, n= 12) and control (no training, n = 12) groups. CX were performed every other day for 8 weeks. Serum NO and EMPs after an overnight fast were measured in both study groups (pre-training) and measurements were repeated 48 hours after the last CX training session (post-training). Independent / paired t-test was used to compare between groups. Results: CX training resulted in significant increase in serum NO and decrease in EMPs compared to the pre-training (p<0.05). No significant change were observed in any variables in control groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: CX training, as a novel exercise modality, is associated with improved vascular endothelial function in women with metabolic syndrome. Measurement of other vascular markers is needed to better understand the mechanisms responsible for these changes.

Introduction: Malaria, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a significant public health concern. The aim of this study is to evaluate the canonical correlation between physiological traits and growth parameters of two Anopheles stephensi biotypes: intermediate and mysorensis. Methods: A total of 25 males and 25 females were reared under controlled laboratory conditions (27 ± 2°C, 75 ± 5% relative humidity, 12:12 light-dark cycle), and parameters such as egg lifespan, larval stages, pupal duration, and adult longevity were examined. Growth parameters, including the finite rate of population increase, life expectancy, net reproductive rate, and average generation time, were analyzed separately. Results: Canonical correlation analysis revealed that only the first canonical variable was significant, explaining 87.24% of the data fit. The first canonical variable exhibited the highest cumulative percentage (87.32), canonical square (0.94), and eigenvalue (23.59). Among growth parameters, life expectancy had the highest canonical correlation coefficient (r = 0.942). Significance tests indicated that Wilks' Lambda produced the highest eigenvalues, while other methods yielded Hotelling-Lawley Trace: 0.38, Pillai’s Trace: 1.43, and Roy’s Greatest Root: 37.40. Conclusion: Findings indicate that growth parameters, such as net reproductive rate and average generation time, are directly correlated. A higher net reproductive rate corresponds with a longer average generation time, leading to an increased intrinsic rate of population growth and life expectancy. These insights into Anopheles stephensi population dynamics may contribute to improved vector control strategies.

Background: Cerebral stroke, known as one of the most common causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The frequency of stroke is rising by ageing the population and placed a significant concern for public health. However, modifying risk factors contributing to stroke may decrease the burden of the disease. This study aimed to examine the association of life stressors and personality types with stroke. Method: The participants were a convenient clinical sample of 100 patients with ischemic stroke and 100 individuals without stroke. The Paykel life event questionnaire and Friedman and Rosenman personality type questionnaire were used to evaluate life stressor and personality characteristics, respectively. Results: Among the different types of stressor subgroups, mean prevalence score of total life stressors, psycho-social stressors, frustration-despair stressors and mental-physical stressors were significantly higher in patients (p=0.001, p<0.001, p=0.001, and p<0.001 respectively). The prevalence of type A personality in stroke patients and control groups were 52 and 45 %, respectively (p = 0.322). Severity scores of stressors were often higher in cerebral infarction patients with type A personality. Conclusion: There is an association between higher psychological stressors and stroke, and people with type A personality in both groups experienced more stress than type B. It suggests that cerebral infarction patients with type A personality have a higher level of stress in response to life events which could be considered as a modifiable factor.