Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Year:2016 | Volume:34 | Issue:379|Papers Count:7

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common and asymptomatic disease which is characterized by rapid loss of hair in an area. Etiology of the disease is not fully understood. Several studies declare relationship between AA and celiac disease. This study aimed at evaluating the frequency distribution of celiac autoantibodies in patients with AA comparing to the control group.Methods: This study is a case-control study. 35 subjects entered in each group. Anti-tissue-trans-glutaminase IgA (Anti-tTg IgA) were tested in all subjects. And the result was reported as positive/negative. Finally the frequency distribution of these autoantibodies were compared between two groups.Findings: There was no significant difference between two groups based on gender and sex (P=0.151) and (P=0.621) respectively, via chi-square test analysis. Anti-tTg IgA was positive in one person (2.8%) In the case group. No one was positive in the control group, and therefor there is no significant difference between two groups (P=0.314) based on chi-square test. In the case group the most common form of AA was patchy, and the most common nail involvement was Pitting. 17.1% of patients had positive family history of AA.Conclusion: The study shows the frequency distribution of one of the celiac autoantibodies in patients with alopecia areata is not higher than normal population of the community of Isfahan. Therefore screening other autoantibodies such as Anti-Gliadin IgA and Anti-Gliadin IgG in these patients are recommended.

Background: Alcohol related motor vehicle accidents results in thousands deaths and severe morbidity around the world annually. Motor vehicle accidents are the first killer of 5- to 34-years old population and alcohol has a role in 45% of fatal crashes in western societies. Theoretically, identification of alcoholism or alcohol related injuries may help to prevent alcohol related problems. This study conducted to determine the blood alcohol level (BAL) of victims of motor vehicle accidents presented to two Tehran trauma referral hospitals.Methods: In four 12-hour clinical shifts per week, two hundred adult victims of motor vehicle accidents who presented within 4 hours of accidents were sampled. The samples have been tested for BAL at a reference laboratory.Findings: Of 200 patients, 174 were male and 26 were female. Blood alcohol level was positive in 19 patients (18 males and 1 female). The mean±SD blood alcohol level was 29.2±25.3 mg/dL and the mean±SD time of accident till sampling was 80.5±51.9 minutes.Conclusion: The prevalence of positive alcohol level in this study was lower than counterpart studies reported from western societies, possibly due to religious values and more strict legal limitations.

Background: The brain is organ that has high adaptability in response to morphological, metabolic and functional to exercise and nutrition. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of omega-3 intake and aerobic training on nerve growth factor (NGF) in the hippocampus of healthy male rats and rats with homocysteine induced Alzheimer's model.Methods: Ninety male Wistar rats (12 weeks old and mean weight 219.99±12.60 g), were divided into 9 groups. To induce Alzheimer's disease, homocysteine was infused into the rats cerebroventricule at a dose of 0.6M were used. Aerobic training on a treadmill (5 days per week, with 50 to 55% of maximal oxygen consumption) were carried out and supplemented groups during the 8 weeks, daily 800 mg per kg body weight were administered omega-3 supplements. 72 hours after the last intervention session, the rats anesthetized, and surgically removed the hippocampus tissue. Data analysis using one way ANOVA and Tukey tests were performed (P<0.05).Findings: In healthy subjects, intake of omega-3 caused a significant increase in NGF level (P=0.001). Exercise training and absence of omega-3 along with exercise training, had no significant effect on NGF levels (P=0.990 and P=0.210 respectively). In subjects with Alzheimer's disease, aerobic training caused a significant increase in NGF levels (P=0.020), and omega-3 intake with its combination with exercise training, had no significant change in the level of NGF (P=0.930 and P=0.220 respectively).Conclusion: It seems that exercise training and omega-3 intake in the strategy of prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease can affect in many different forms.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases that impair the function of other body systems. This study conducted to determine the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi on biochemical blood parameters of diabetic rats.Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats (215±35 g) randomly were divided into 6 equal groups. Normal control and diabetic control groups received distilled water, and the control group receivedhydroalcoholic extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi (120 mg/Kg). Three treatment diabetic groups received 40, 80 and 120 mg/Kg of a hydroalcoholic extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi respectively. All groups were treated orally by gavage which continued for 21 days. The level of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), albumin, creatinine and urea nitrogen in blood was measured at the end of the study in different groups.Findings: The Mean blood glucose in the treatment groups with extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi decreased significantly compared to the diabetic control (P<0.05). The mean of AST, ALT and ALP was significantly reduced in treating diabetic groups in comparison to the diabetic control (P<0.05). The mean of albumin and urea nitrogen in the treatment groups with 80 and 120 mg/Kg of the extract were reduced significantly compared to the diabetic control (P<0.05).Conclusion: The dosage of 80 and 120 mg/Kg extract of Dracocephalum kotschyi improve liver and kidney function in diabetic rat.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is a Para-clinical finding in several diseases including obesity, diabetes, nervous diseases and etc. Numerous studies have been done to determine the causes and effects of low-grade inflammation on the body. Today, chronic low-grade inflammation is considered in pathogenesis of these diseases. Chronic inflammation is reflected by increased circulating levels of gram-negative bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which is associated by high level of inflammatory markers. Numerous factors can be involved in induction and progression of low-grade inflammation which lead to some consequences on different parts of body. In this review, we aimed to discuss about the causes and consequences of low-grade inflammation.