Feyz Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2014 | Volume:18 | Issue:4|Papers Count:20

Background: Cyclooxygenase, the rate-limiting enzyme in prostaglandin synthesis, exists as two isoforms, cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2. Previous studies have shown the protective effect of cyclooxygenase enzyme in the development of convulsion. However, the involvement of Cyclooxygenase-1 in the pathogenesis of epilepsy has not well known. The present study was designed to explore whether indomethacin (a nonspecific COX inhibitor) can affect pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling in rats.Materials and Methods: Kindling, as a chronic model of epilepsy, was inducted by the intraperitoneal injection of PTZ (37.5 mg/kg) every 48 hours (13 times) in all groups. In the pre-treatment groups, intraperitoneal injection of indomethacin (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) was done 20 min before each PTZ injection. In sham group, tween (20%) was used as a solvent.Results: Repeated injections of PTZ after 13 sessions significantly induced the kindling in the control group. In pre-treatment groups, indomethacin (2.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) significantly decreased PTZ-induced mean kindling scores.Conclusion: The finding that the indomethacin can partially reverse the kindling mean scores in rat indicates the involvement of cycloogygenase-1 isoform. It seems that cycloogygenase-1 inhibitors could be a useful choice for the treatment of epilepsy.

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of low-level combined dualfrequency of 1 MHz and 150 kHz ultrasonication on fibro-lipid plaque with neovascularization in the rabbit common carotid artery.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the common carotid arteries in 17 rabbits were injured perivascularly by liquid nitrogen, followed by a 1.5% cholesterol-rich diet for eight weeks. The animals were randomly divided into three groups including A: a cholesterol-rich diet (n=7) and evaluation at eighth week, B: control and discontinuation of cholesterol-rich diet (n=5) and evaluation at twelfth week and C: low-level combined dualfrequency ultrasonication and discontinuation of cholesterol-rich diet (n=7) and evaluation at twelfth week. Blood volume flow and blood mean velocity were measured by color Doppler ultrasonography. Moreover, mean wall thickness and percentage of luminal cross-sectional area of stenosis were measured by B-mode ultrasonographic and histological methods in the stenotic region of the common carotid artery.Results: Results showed a significant reduction in the mean value for blood peak systolic pressure, blood mean pressure, blood mean velocity, mean wall thickness and percentage of luminal cross-sectional area of stenosis and a significant increase in the mean value for blood peak diastolic pressure and blood volume flow in group C compared with the other groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: Enhanced inertial cavitation effect of low-level combined dual- frequency ultrasonication can cause the degradation of the microvessels and the fibro-lipid content, lipolysis and thrombolysis in the plaque and significantly dilate the luminal cross-sectional area of stenosis.

Background: Considering the side effects of chemical drugs, several studies have been conducted to investigate the analgesic effect of plants. The aqueous extract of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. contains high levels of polyphenols and flavonoids. Considering the analgesic effect of such compounds, this study was designed to estimate the analgesic effect of the E. angustifolia aqueous extract in rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 5 groups (n=10 for each): the groups received the E. angustifolia aqueous extract (50, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) and control group. The aqueous extract was administered through gavage every day for 4 weeks. Finally, the pain level was evaluated using the mechanical and thermal allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia and formalin tests.Results: Our results showed that supplementation of E. angustifolia aqueous extract significantly reduced pain scores in thermal allodynia, mechanical allodynia, hyperalgesia and formalin test (P<0.05).Conclusion: Aqueous extract of E. angustifolia has a prominent dose-dependent analgesic effect on rats.

Background: In traditional medicine, many herbal medicines like lamiaceae family are used as treatment for dementia. Lamiaceae family has many pharmacological effects including antioxidant, anti-cholinesterase, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and enhancing cognition and memory. Salvia mirzayanii is one of the species of this family and has been used as an herbal medicine for many years. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of essential oil of S. mirzayanii on learning and memory in mice using the two passive avoidance methods.Materials and Methods: The aerial parts of the plant were dried in shade and essential oils were obtained using clevenger apparatus. The active components in the essential oils of the plant were also identified using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Onehundred and forty mice classified into different groups (n=10) were received certain doses of diazepam (0.5, 1 and 1.5 mg/kg) or the essential oil of S. mirzayanii (0.48, 0.96 and 1.92 mg/kg) by gavage tube. The step-down and step-through latencies were used to evaluate the learning and memory.Results: S. mirzayanii essential oil significantly increased the step-down and step-through latency times in both methods (P<0.01).Conclusion: Essential oil of S. mirzayanii can enhance learning and memory in mice and it has the potential of protection against Alzheimer and dementia.

Background: The underlying central mechanisms for the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain are unknown. The current study aimed to evaluate the long-term potentiation (LTP) changes in spinal dorsal horn wide dynamic range (WDR) neurons following a peripheral neuropathy model.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 26 male Wistar rats. The spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model was performed to induce neuropathy. After surgery, thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were evaluated one day before neuropathy, and then on days 2, 5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after neuropathy. Single-unit recording was used to study the changes of LTP. The changes of LTP and Ad- and C-fiber evoked responses by highfrequency stimulation (100 Hz and current intensity six times that of the threshold for activation of C- fibers) of sciatic nerve in spinal WDR synapses were studied on day 14 after surgery up to 2 hours.Results: Neuropathy was induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia on day 2 and persisted for 28 days after neuropathy. Electrophysiological recording revealed that HFS induced LTP either in the Ad- or in the C-fibers in both sham and neuropathy groups up to 2 hr on day 14 after neuropathy. Neuropathy also significantly decreased the threshold of these fibers.Conclusion: LTP-induced HFS in spinal WDR neurons can be one of the underlying central mechanisms in the maintenance of neuropathic pain.

Background: Sex differences in the morphology and function of the hippocampus have been reported in several species. Natural fluctuations of sex hormones during the estrous cycle affect the hippocampal neurogenesis of adult female. This study aimed to investigate the neurogenic changes in the hippocampus at different phases of estrous cycle.Materials and Methods: Different stages of the estrous cycle of the NMRI mice (6-8) mice were determined by staining of vaginal smears. Also, the qualitative assessment of cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus was performed by Nissl staining and Ki-67 immunostaining marker (Ki-67). The apoptosis was determined using the TUNEL assay. Diameter of the hippocampal vessels was measured at different stages of the estrous cycle.Results: In microscopic sections stained with Cresyl Violet observed cell density in proestrous stage of estrous cycle was greater than any other stages of the estrous cycle. Comparison of sections stained with immunohistochemistry for Ki-67 staining showed that cell proliferation at proestrous are more than any other stages. The statistical analysis showed that vessel diameter was significantly greater at the proestrous stage than diestrous and metestrous. Also, TUNEL assay showed that cell death in the proestrous stage had the least reactivity.Conclusion: Proestrous stage of the estrous cycle was associated with increased cell proliferation and vessel diameter as well as reduced cell death in the dentate gyrus of the mice hippocampus.

Background: Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is an intramembranous mitochondrial protein that the knocking down of its gene causes an induction of the pro-inflammatory responses. However, genipin, as a pharmacological inhibitor of UCP2, has anti-inflammatory effects. In this study the effect of genipin on rat paw inflammatory edema induced by formalin in the presence and absence of morphine was investigated.Materials and Methods: In this research, male Wistar rats (200-250g) were assigned to seven groups: Saline(i.p)-Saline(i.t), Saline(i.p)-DMSO(i.t), Saline(i.p)-genipin(i.t), Morphine (10 mg/kg,i.p)-DMSO(i.t), Morphine (10mg/kg,i.p)-genipin(i.t), Morphine (1mg/kg, i.p)-DMSO (i.t) and Morphine (1mg/kg, i.p)-genipin(i.t). Inflammation was induced in the rat’s hind paw by the injection of 50 ml of formalin 2.5% and paw volume was measured using plethysmometer method before and after the injection.Results: Results revealed an anti-inflammatory effect for genipin against the formalininduced paw edema (P<0.001). Genipin potentiated the anti-inflammatory effects of morphine, whereas it had no effect on pro-inflammatory effects of low dose of morphine; this dose of morphine reversed the anti-inflammatory effects of genipin.Conclusion: Although genipin, a UCP2 inhibitor, was expected to increase the inflammatory edema, but probably its anti-inflammatory effects via the NF-kB inhibition is so robust that can cover its inhibitory effect on UCP2 and the subsequent inflammation. The anti-inflammatory effect of morphine was set in the range of anti-inflammatory effects of genipin. The finding that the anti-inflammatory effect of genipin is attenuated at the presence of ultra-low dose morphine may be due to their common mechanisms which suggest further research on KATP channels.

Background: Bee venom, like many other complementary medicine approaches, has been used for thousands of years attempting to alleviate some diseases. In addition, the effect of electromagnetic field on the cell growth in different aspects has been confirmed. In this study, the effect of coadministration of 200 gauss and 50 Hz electromagnetic field (EMF) and bee venom on angiogenesis in chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was evaluated.Materials and Methods: Sixty ROSS fertilized eggs were randomly divided into 6 groups: the control, sham 1 (treated with PBS); sham 2 (treated with electromagnetic field off); experimental groups 1 (treated with EMF); 2 (treated with bee venom) and 3 (treated with bee venom and EMF). At day 8, a gelatin sponge was placed on CAM and was soaked with 10 ml bee venom in the experimental groups 2 and 3. The experimental groups 1 and 3 were placed in 200 gauss EMF for 4 hours on day 10. At day 12, CAM was examined and photographed by photo-stereomicroscope.Results: No significant difference was seen in the mean number and length of vessels between the controls and sham1 and 2 groups. There was a significant decrease in the mean number and length of vessels in the EMF and bee venom treated groups compared to the control groups (P<0.05). Moreover, a significant decrease was observed in the mean number and length of blood vessels in twin samples exposed to bee venom and EMF compared to the samples were only exposed to bee venom (P<0.05).Conclusion: Results reveal that the 200 gauss EMF has an inhibitory effect on angiogenesis in chorioallantoic membrane and can enhance the anti-angiogenesis effect of bee venom.

Background: Previous studies have shown that valerian extracts induces anxiolytic and sedative effects via the interference with GABAergic system. Since, central adrenergic system plays an important role in the anxiety-related behaviors, this study aimed to investigate the involvement of this system in the anxiolytic effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Valeriana officinalis in adult male mice.Materials and Methods: In this study, 63 mice were randomly divided into seven groups. Anxiety-related behaviors of mice were evaluated using the elevated plus maze by recording of the percentage of time the mice spent in the open arm and percentage of open arm entry. All drugs (saline, valeriana extract and epinephrine) were injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before the test of anxiety.Results: The valeriana extract decreased the anxiety-related behavior by increasing the percentage of time spent in the open arm and percentage of open arm entry. Epinephrine, when injected before the extract, decreased the anxiolytic effect of valeriana extract, whereas the same dose of epinephrine alone did not have any significant effect on the anxiety.Conclusion: It seems that the central adrenergic mechanisms may probably involve in the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of valeriana on the reduction of the anxiety-related behaviors in mice.

Background: Trichomoniasis is the most common sexually transmitted parasite in the world. The mainstay treatment for trichomoniasis is metronidazole, but some resistant strains to this treatment have also been detected. Considering the therapeutic properties of Pelarqonium roseum in traditional medicine, this study aimed to examine the antitrichomonal effects of Pelarqonium in vitro.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 1203 persons referred to Kashan Medical Centers randomly tested for Trichomonas vaginalis. Of them, 23 persons were infected with T. vaginalis. Three T. vaginalis isolates were cultured in a TYI-S-33 medium and were used to study the effect of Pelarqonium extract. Different concentrations (12.5, 25, 50,100,200,400,800, 1000mg/ml) of Pelarqonium extracts were tested in three different times (24, 48 and 72h) on T. vaginalis trophozoeites. Also the effect of metronidazole (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg/ml) was investigated as the drug control. In all tests the numbers of live and dead parasites were counted by trypan blue staining.Results: Result showed that the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Pelarqonium had the inhibitory effects on the growth of T. vaginalis trophozoeites. The IC50 of the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Pelarqonium and metronidazole after 24h were 54.67, 27.63 and 0.0326, respectively.Conclusion: While the alcoholic and aqueous extract of Pelarqonium have anti- Trichomonas effect, the anti-Trichomonas properties of alcoholic extract is more than its aqueous extract. Since Pelarqonium is a herbal drug, it can be tested in vivo.

Background: Control of the pain and bleeding after cesarean can reduce postoperative complications and increase the ability of the mothers to optimize the care for their babies. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of tranexamic acid in combination with diclofenac in decreasing blood loss and pain after cesarean section.Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial, 210 women undergoing cesarean were divided into 3 groups: the first group received tranexamic and diclofenac suppository; the second group tranexamic and placebo suppository and the third group diclofenac suppository and 2 mL of normal saline injection. The time for first need of analgesia, the analgesic dose 24 hours after surgery and the net amount of bleeding were measured and also hemoglobin measured 12 hours after surgery were compared with the pre-operative Hb.Results: There was a significant difference in analgesic consumption among the groups received tranexamic, diclofenac and both drugs. Also, the analgesic consumption in thegroup received tranexamic was higher than the other groups. Moreover, the time to first analgesic request in the tranexamic group was shorter than the other two groups and the amount of bleeding in the diclofenac group was higher than the other two groups, this difference was statistically significant. However, no significant difference was seen between the groups in mean hemoglobin.Conclusion: Combined tranexamic acid and diclofenac can reduce the amount of blood loss and pain after cesarean.

Background: Jaundice is the most common clinical problem in the neonates. Increased bilirubin can be considered as the first sign of UTI before the other signs. Due to the association of UTI with jaundice during the first days of life, this study was performed to investigate the urinary tract infection in icteric infants younger than one week referred to Shahid-Beheshti hospital in Kashan, Iran.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 icteric term neonates hospitalized in neonatal ward of Kashan Shahid-Beheshti hospital during 2012- 2013. All of the infants were younger than 7 days with a serum bilirubin level higher than 15mg/ml. Urine culture was done using a bag and in the case of a positive result, the test was repeated by suprapubic method.Results: Twenty-five out of the 384 infant cases, 25 had positive urine cultures. On sampling by suprapubic method, 16 infants (4.2%) had urinary tract infection and 31.3% of them were 2 - 3 days of age and no other cause except UTI was found for their icterus. There was no significant difference in the sex and age between the groups with and without UTI.Conclusion: It seems that icterus induced by urinary tract infection occurs not only in neonates older than 3 days, but also in infants younger than 3 days. Considering the results of this study, it is recommended that urine culture be done routinely for all of the icteric infants regardless of their ages.

Background: Parkinson disease is a CNS disease of senile characterized with gradual and progressive muscular rigidity, tremor and the loss of locomotor skills. The aim of the present study was to review the exercise/physical interventions relevant to the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson disease.Materials and Methods: This review was done using a systematic search in Sportdi, PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar cites on papers published during 1995-2013 in the field of training, exercise/movement therapy on Parkinson. Moreover, the review was done in four categories: postural instability, balance performance, quality of life, walking and risk of falling.Results: Despite the diversity in training program, the majority of studies reported significant benefits in addition to the conventional medical treatments on the movement performance in Parkinson's disease.Conclusion: Given the effectiveness of exercise in the improvement of different aspects of movement performance among the Parkinson patients, in future the clinicians are required to take special consideration on applying movement therapy along with medical treatments for specific measurements on the biomechanical aspects of the disease.