Internal Medicine Today
Year:2012 | Volume:18 | Issue:3 (57)|Papers Count:11

Aims: Diabetic neourophaty is one of the long-term usual outcomes of diabetes. According to anti-tumor, anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant effects of Cannabis sativa, the aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Cannabis sativa alcoholic extract on Alpha motoneurons degeneration after sciatic nerve compression in diabetic rats.Methods: This experimental laboratorial research was performed in 30 Wistar male rats with the weight of 300 to 350g in 5 "control", "compression", "compression+diabetes", "compression+diabetes+treatment with 25mg/kg alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa seed" and "compression+diabetes+treatment with 50mg/kg alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa seed" groups. After preparing the alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa seed, 18 rats were undergone diabetes induction and 24 rats were taken compression surgery. Spinal cord samples were taken from all 30 rats. Data was analyzed by Minitab 14 software and ANOVA test.Results: Neuronal density of "compression" group (789±28) was decreased significantly in comparison with "control" group (1766±70). There was a significant difference between neuronal density of "compression" group and "compression+diabetes" (543±14) group.Comparison of neuronal density between "compression+diabetes" group and rats treated with 25 and 50mg/kg doses of ethanolic extracts showed significant differences, in both treated groups, the neuronal density was increased compare to "compression" and "compression+diabetic" groups.Conclusion: Using alcoholic extract of Cannabis sativa as a neuroprotective agent can prevent the progression of neural system disorders as a result of hyperglycemia.

Aims: Apoptosis or programmed cell death is a normal physiological process of cell that leads to active and natural development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. Apoptosis occurs due to different external factors. This study aimed to investigate a low risk method to induce apoptosis in human leukemia cells using static magnetic field (SMF).Methods: In this laboratory research, the cultured human T-lymphoblastoid cell line (Jurkat E6.1), exposed to 6mT SMF for 6 and 24 hours. Luminometry, flowcytometry and western blot were used to measure total apoptosis rate, primary apoptosis rate and phosphorylated ATM and E2F1 proteins, respectively.Results: Increasing in the rate of apoptosis in treated cells according to control cells was significant 36 hours after treatment with 6mT SMF for 6 (p=0.011) and 24 (p=0.055) hours.36 hours after treatment with 6mT SMF, the first significant difference was seen between treated and control cells (p<0.001).24 hours after cells exposure to 6mT SMF, cells population was decreased in G2 and S and 36 hours after treatment, the population was increased in G2 and S and decreased in G1. Exposure to 6mT SMF increased the amount of phosphorylated ATM protein in 1981 Serin and E2F1 protein in 31 Serin positions.Conclusion: 6mT SMF induces apoptosis in exposed Jurkat cells by enhancing and activating ATM and E2F1 proteins.

Aims: Physical exercises have a positive effect in preventing and treatment of obesity and diabetes. Regulation of lipid tissue derived hormones like adiponectin, CRP and IL-6, may have effect in this. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of combination training on adiponectin, CRP, Insulin Resistance Index and IL-6 in inactive men.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, a sample of 20 inactive men was selected by random sampling method among 100 suitable volunteers in 2011 in Mobarakeh city and was randomly divided in 2 equal experimental and control groups. The used exercise protocol included 36 sessions of combinational exercises (aerobic-resistance) during 12 weeks. The control group didn't perform any physical exercises. At the end of the combinational exercise, blood samples were collected from both groups. Adiponectin, CRP, IL-6 and insulin resistance index were measured before and 12 weeks after exercise training.Results: At the end of the 12 weeks, improvements in fitness, body composition and insulin sensitivity were observed, but these changes were not associated with decreased CRP or increased adiponectin levels. After 12 weeks of combinational exercise, a significant decrease was seen in insulin concentration and insulin resistance index in exercise group, but there were no significant change in adiponectin, CRP and IL-6 concentration before and after 12 weeks of training.Conclusion: Aerobic-resistance combination exercise cannot improve the level of adiponectin, CRP and IL-6 and the changes in insulin resistance index cannot explain the changes of inflammatory markers' level.

Aims: Unbalance between coagulation and fibrinolysis systems and their regulatory mechanisms may cause bleeding and formation of coagulate. There are conflict reports about the effect of regulated physical activities on these systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of resistant exercise on coagulation and fibrinolysis factors in inactive aged men.Methods: This experimental study was done in all inactive healthy men of Saghez city, Iran which were between 60 to 70 years old.16 studied samples that were selected by easy accessible sampling method were randomly divided into 2 resistance and control groups.Resistance group performed 12 sessions of exercises in 4 weeks and control group did no exercises in this period. Each session of exercise included 6 movements in 3 rounds (8 repeats during each round). The levels of fibrinogen, PT, PTT, D-dimer and platelets counts were measured before and after exercise period. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 16 software and dependent and independent T tests.Results: Resistant training induced significant decrease in fibrinogen, PTT, PT and platelets counts (p<0.05) and significant increase in D-dimer (p<0.05). These changes were not traced in the control group (p>0.05).Conclusion: Medium level of resistant training lead to decrease of coagulation factors, PT, PTT and platelets counts and increase of D-dimer fibrinolysis factor that can prevent vascular thrombosis.

Aims: Inserting at least one chest tube is necessary in cardiac and thoracic surgery patients. Chest tube removal (CTR) has been described as one of the worst experiences by patients in intensive care unit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the application of ice bag on pain intensity of chest tube removal in adult patients undergo cardiothoracic surgery.Methods: This single-blinded crossover clinical trial was done on 51 post cardiac surgery patients in Imam Reza Hospital of Mashhad, Iran, who had at least two chest tubes in situ. Patients assigned to 3 groups of Ice bag, placebo and control. Ice and placebo bags were applied to the area surrounding the chest tubes for 20 minutes before CTR. Pain intensity was measured by visual analog scale before, immediately after and 15 minutes after CTR. Data analysis was done by ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square tests.Results: There were no significant difference in pain intensity and quality scores of three groups before CTR. Immediately after CTR, pain intensity score in ice bag group (2.5±2.3) was significantly less than placebo (4.2±3.2) and control groups (4.0±2.7). After 15 minutes of CTR, there was significant difference in pain intensity scores of ice bag (0.6±0.7) versus placebo (2.0±2.6) and control (1.9±1.9) groups.Conclusion: Applying ice bag is an effective, cheap and low risk intervention for decreasing pain associated with CTR.

Aims: During brucellosis, infection macrophages and T lymphocytes perform effectively to eliminate microbes. Cytokines are small proteins that have role in activation, differentiation and performance of immune cells. The cytokine secretory pattern can be important in clinical brucellosis outcome. The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of some important cytokines in acute and chronic brucellosis patients during immune response.Methods: In this case-control study which was performed in Sanandaj's Tohid Hospital, Iran, 63 patients referred to infectious department were studied.30 healthy persons were selected as control.12ml of blood was taken from each patient for performing brucellosis diagnosing tests like serological tests, blood cultures and PCR. Cytokines were measured by using Sandwich-ELISA. Data were analyzed by SPSS 12 software using independent T test and Mann-Whitney U tests.Results: The mean serum levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-g and TGF-b in acute and chronic patients were significantly higher than the control group, but cytokine levels were not significantly different between patients with acute and chronic brucellosis. The serum level of IL-12p70 was not only significantly higher in acute and chronic patients than control group but also was significantly higher in acute than chronic patients.Conclusion: The inflammatory and non-inflammatory cytokines increases in brucellosis It seems that low levels of IL-12p70 in chronic brucellosis in comparison with acute brucellosis patients is due to a defect in performance of macrophages in chronic patients.

Aims: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a periodically experience of specific physical and psychological symptoms in the last few days of the menstrual cycle. These symptoms are severe and very disabling in some women and interfere with their career, social function and family relations. In this study we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome and some of its relative factors.Methods: This cross sectional community based study was performed in 2009-2010 in population of 18-45 year old Iranian women.1200 samples were selected using the stratified, multistage probability cluster sampling method. Used questionnaire was based on the standard of Americam Colledge of Women and Midwifery. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and logistic regression tests by SPSS 15 software.Results: 52.9% of samples were suffered from premenstrual syndrome and 34.5% of them were suffered from its severe type. Premenstrual syndrome had a significant relation with each age, education status and career of samples but hadn't any significant relation with marriage status and number of deliveries. Age groups and educational status were potential to predict premenstrual syndrome.Conclusion: PMS affects more than half of reproductive aged women and this disorder is more prevalent in aged and more educated women.

Aims: Exercise and physical activity are effective factors on serum level of homocysteine. C-creative protein (CRP) is a serum protein that is synthetized in liver and increasing of its production is a response to infectious diseases, inflammations and tissue traumas. The goal of the current research was to evaluate the short-time effect of acute exercise on the plasma levels of homocysteine and CRP in obese and non-obese women.Methods: This quasi-experimental controlled pretest and posttest study was conducted in 20 to 30 year old women referred to sport physiology laboratory and 10 women with the lipid level of 35-45% were selected by random sampling method as test group.10 female students with lipid level of 21-23% were selected as control group. Weight, fat percentage, waist hip ratio (WHR) and body mass index (BMI) of samples were measured before and after one session of acute exercise. Data were analyzed with paired T-test and covariance by using SPSS 16 software.Results: As a result of one session of acute exercise, the homocysteine level were increased significantly in test group (p=0.02) and this increasing was not significant in control group (p=0.1). CRP levels were increased in both test (p=0.001) and control groups (p=0.0001).Homocysteine levels change after one session of acute exercise was significant between 2 groups (P=0.004) and increasing was more in test group. There was no significant difference between 2 groups according to CRP levels (p=0.62).Conclusion: One session of acute exercise can elevate the serum levels of homocysteine and CRP in both obese and normal women.

Aims: Early exposure to hypoxia condition increases the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), blood hemoglobin and hematocrit. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of training in hypoxia-normobaric and normal condition on concentration of serum VEGF, hemoglobin and blood hematocrit.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done in Shahid Beheshti University students.24 non-active volunteer men who had no regulated physical activity up to 6 month before study were selected randomly. Body mass index, subcutaneous fat, VO2 max and maximum heart rate were measured in 2 periods and samples were divided into 3 groups of hypoxic (12% oxygen), normobaric and control, each consisting of 8 people. Data were analyzed using two way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test by SPSS 16 software.Results: 8 weeks of training in hypoxia-normobaric condition increased serum VEGF concentration significantly in hypoxic group according to other groups. Also, there was no significant change in hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit percent between hypoxia and normobaric groups, though this change was significant in relation to control group.Conclusion: Endurance training in hypoxia condition increases serum VEGF more than training in normobaric condition. Endurance training in hypoxia- normobaric condition increases blood hemoglobin and hematocrit.

Aims: Early exposure to hypoxia condition increases the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), blood hemoglobin and hematocrit. The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of training in hypoxia-normobaric and normal condition on concentration of serum VEGF, hemoglobin and blood hematocrit.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was done in Shahid Beheshti University students.24 non-active volunteer men who had no regulated physical activity up to 6 month before study were selected randomly. Body mass index, subcutaneous fat, VO2 max and maximum heart rate were measured in 2 periods and samples were divided into 3 groups of hypoxic (12% oxygen), normobaric and control, each consisting of 8 people. Data were analyzed using two way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test by SPSS 16 software.Results: 8 weeks of training in hypoxia-normobaric condition increased serum VEGF concentration significantly in hypoxic group according to other groups. Also, there was no significant change in hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit percent between hypoxia and normobaric groups, though this change was significant in relation to control group.Conclusion: Endurance training in hypoxia condition increases serum VEGF more than training in normobaric condition. Endurance training in hypoxia- normobaric condition increases blood hemoglobin and hematocrit.