Journal of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:24 | Issue:7|Papers Count:11

Introduction: Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder that appears as sudden convulsions, and transient, repetitive and unpredictable movement, with sensory- motor and autonomic sources. Statins are a group of blood cholesterol-lowering drugs. According to the results of the anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective effects of statins on cultured brain cells (astrocytes and microglia) and endothelial cells, the purpose of this study was investigating the effect of atorvastatin on pentilentetrazole- induced seizures in gonadectomized male mice.Methods: 36 male NMRI mice, weighting 30-35 g were used in the study. The mice were divided into two groups (Each group consisted of 18 mice: healthy and gonadectomized groups. The surgical removal of the testicles was gonadectomy and injections were given intraperitoneally. In gonadectomized group, an operation to remove the testicles was done. The DMSO group (0/3 cc) and treatment group were received Atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and then 30 minutes after that they received PTZ (80 mg/kg) injection. All injections were administered intraperitoneally. After injection of PTZ- duration of seizure onset (threshold) was recorded. The data were analyzed by one way variance analysis and Tukey’s test using SPSS (p<0. 05).Results: In healthy group, receiving Atorvastatin significantly increased the time of seizure onset (threshold) compared to solvent DMSO group and on the other hand gonadectomized mice had a significant reduction in the duration of seizures than normal mice (p<0. 001).Conclusion: The results indicated that the Atorvastatin had anticonvulsant effects and gonadectomy increases seizures.

Introduction:The licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra) rhizome has been widely used in traditional medicine for treatment of gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric ulcer and relieve intestinal spasms. In the present study, the effect of hydro- alcoholic extract of licoricerhizome on mechanical activity of isolated colon of male rats has been studied.Methods: Adult male rats were anesthetized by ethyl ether, their abdomen opened, and colon tissues were removed and divided into 1 cm segments. The segments were connected to a force transducer longitudinally and inserted to an organ bathe contained oxygenated Tyrode solution (370C, pH=7.4). Their mechanical activity of ileum was recorded by power lab AD instrument in basal condition, and after administration of LNAME (10-4M), acetylcholine (4×10-5M) and Atropine (10-5M) drugs in the presence and absence of licorice rhizome extract were recorded (0.036mg/ml). Also, the mechanical activity of control group segments were recorded at the same condition with extract solvent (ethanol %70).Results: A significant decrease in mechanical activity of the isolated colon occurred after administration of hydro- alcoholic extract of licorice rhizome compared to the control group (p≤0.05). Also, a significant decrease was seen in mechanical activity occurredin the co-administration of extract and acetylcholine compared to the control group. The mechanical activity of tissue was not significantly changed in the presence of Atropine and extract between experimental and control groups. The mechanical activity of ileum tissue was not significantly changed in the co-administration of L-NAME and extract between experimental and control groups.Conclusion: We can conclude that hydro- alcoholic extract of licorice has modifying effect on colon motility, and this activity may be occurred independently in the nitrergic and cholinergic systems.

Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most prevalent brain neurodegenerative diseases and the most common cognitive deficits are memory dysfunction and spatial perception impairment. Progesterone has a neorostroid action in hippocampal neurogenesis, synaptic stability and spatial learning and memory and has antioxidant effect. Since oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and conflicting results were reported about the effects of progesterone on therefore in Alzheimer’s, the present study investigated the effect of microinjection of three doses of progesterone on the process of spatial memory and lipid peroxidation and total peroxidation in the hippocampus in the experimental model of AD.Methods: 42 adult male Wistar rats weighting 250±50 g were randomly divided into six main groups (n=7): control group, sham group, Alzheimer’s model (intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin), Alzheimer model+progesterone (0.5, 1.5, 2µg/kg). 2 weeks after injection of streptozotocin (3 mg/kg), Alzheimer's was induced then progesterone injected in different doses. After termination of behavioral testing days, the hippocampus was removed to measure the levels of oxidative stress parameter to measure levels of oxidative stress parameters. Statistical analysis was performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: Results showed that intraventricular injection of STZ decreased spatial memory in comparison to control group (P<0.001). Administration progesterone significantly improved spatial memory in experimental models of Alzheimer's rats (P<0.001). MDA and SOD in all doses of progesterone showed a significant reduction compared to the AD animals (P<0.001).Conclusion: Progesterone can prevent a decrease in spatial learning and memory by reducing oxidative stress in the hippocampus of rats with Alzheimer's.

Introduction: Bleeding, hematoma and cyanosis in the arterial catheter site are considered the most important complications after coronary artery angiography. A method in which homeostasis can result faster and patient can walk sooner should be found. Therefore, this study aimed to compare two methods of sandbags and transparent film dressings to reduce complications after coronary artery angiography.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 eligible patients at Shafa Hospital in Kerman, Iran. After angiography, the patients were randomly divided into two groups (n=40), a transparent film dressing and traditional dressing with sand bags groups. Transparent Talc and ECG paper, a 10-cm ruler, in the range of zero to ten, and the blood-soaked film weight (weight before and after angiography), were respectively used to measure cyanosis, the pain intensity and the amount of bleeding.Results: No bleeding was observed in patients using transparent film dressing. After coronary angiography, the intensity of back pain and groin pain in patients using traditional dressing with sand bags was higher than in those using the transparent film dressing. Cyanosis was the same in both groups.Conclusion: Transparent film dressing is advised because of its impact of on reduction of complications after angiography, and also flexibility, semi-permeability, convenience, simplicity of usage and visibility.

Introduction: VCAM-1 and Tie1 are endothelial molecule and receptor, respectively that may participate in atherosclerosis disease. Endothelial cells are very sensitive to mechanical forces, including microgravity and the morphological and functional changes in this condition. To examine the effect of gravity on atherosclerosis disease, we analyzed the expression of VCAM-1 and Tie1 genes in microgravity condition in HUVEC cells.Methods: The research method was experimental. HUVEC cells purchased from Pastor Institute. We used a clinostat to simulate microgravity condition for 2, 24 and 72 hours. Real time PCR technique was used for gene expression analysis after extraction of RNA from cells.Results: Our results showed that microgravity led to a significant decrease in gene expression of VCAM-1 and Tie1 (p<0.05).This response remained similar after 72 hours of exposure to microgravity.Conclusion: It seems that weightlessness has a positive impact on reducing the factors causing atherosclerosis and can be used as a new strategy in the treatment of the atherosclerosis disease. Microgravity also can be used to study development and progression of vascular disease.

Introduction: Nowadays, over- ordering of blood is a common practice in preparation for elective surgical procedures that due to the blood products shortage and and the fact that high amount of blood is not used, this problem can be solved by changing the blood ordering schedule. The aim of this study was the examination of stored blood transfusion rate in elective surgical procedures.Materials and Methods: This present cross- sectional study was undertaken on 296 patients who were chosen by the use of non- random method underwent elective surgeries C/S, thyroidectomy, total hysterectomy, laminectomy, open cholecystectomy, Spilenectomy, total hip and total Knee between September 2013to march 2014. Information was extracted by check list researcher and patient’s records and it was analyzed by the means of descriptive statistics and statistical software 21 SPSS.Results: A total of 296 patients underwent chosen elective surgery during the study period. A total of 912 blood units were cross-matched of which only 115 units were transfused. This means only 12.6% of units were transfused while 87.4% of blood units were not used. Also, no significant correlation was found between the patient's age, gender and his/her blood utilization.Conclusion: According to the findings, routine bloods reservation in chosen elective surgeries are not necessary. In order to improve the quality of ordering, the use of "maximum surgical blood ordering schedule" is suggested, by applying this, it could fit the varying demands of bloods of hospital.

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders that affect on many aspects of people's lives. Multiple treatment methods were used for epileptic patients. Recently, treatment effects of medicinal plants on epilepsy have been investigated. In attention to components of Origanum vulgare and the usage of it in traditional medicine as an anti- convulsion herb, this study was carried out to assess the anti- convulsive effects of Origanumvulgare extract on chemical kindling model of epilepsy.Methods: The present experimental study has been carried out on 40 male mice that they have been chosen randomly and divided into 5 equal experimental groups, including one control group received only Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), one sham group received distilled water and three experimental groups that 30 minutes before PTZ injection received equeous extract of Origanumvulgare in doses of 400, 600 and 800 mg/kg of body weight via gavage tube. Chemical kindling was performed on all of them for 12 times intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg of body weight of PTZ at every 48 hours. Data analyses were carried out by one way ANOVA and Tukey post- hoc test.Results: Data analysis showed that administration of Origanum vulgare extract has a significant effect on chemical kindling. It decreased the progress of seizure stages significantly (P˂0.05) and increased latency time for onset of seizure considerably (P˂0.05), but it had no significant effect on seizure duration.Conclusion: The results obtained from the present study showed aqueous extract of Origanum vulgare plant had anti convulsant effect on chemical kindling. Thus, it may be useful for epilepsy treatment.

Introduction: Betaine (trimethyl glycine) is known as methyl group donor and antioxidant in previous reports. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant effects of betaine in Indomethacin-induced gastric damages.Methods: Thirty-two adult male Sprague– Dawley rats in an experimental study were divided into four equal groups as follow: Control, Indomethacin, Betaine-indomethacin and Ascorbic acid-indomethacin. Control and indomethacin groups received normal saline and betaine and ascorbic acid- pretreated rats were administrated betaine (1.5% of the total diet) and ascorbic acid (50 mg/kg body weight) for 15 consecutive days, respectively. After 24 h fasting, all of the groups received indomethacin (48 mg/kg body weight) and control group received distilled water.Results: Indomethacin administration increased gastric ulcer occurrence (%) in comparison with control group and betaine pretreatment significantly decreased ulcer occurrence (%) when compared to the other groups (P=0.0017). Gastric wall glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity was significantly lower in indomethacin group in comparison with the other groups (P=0.0012) while, betaine and ascorbic acid pretreatment increased GPx activity in comparison with indomethacin group (P=0.0012). Catalase activity was significantly higher in betaine-pretreated rats in comparison with indomethacin and ascorbic acid-indomethacin groups (P=0.0015). Lipid peroxidation significantly decreased in betaine and ascorbic acid pretreated groups (P=0.0013).Conclusion: These results showed beneficial antioxidant effects of betaine against gastric damages induced by indomethacin in rats.