Journal of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences
Year:2013 | Volume:15 | Issue:4|Papers Count:16

Background and aims: Isotretinoin is a common drug in treatment of acne vulgaris. In the present study, the effect of isotretinoin on serum lipids and index hepatic enzymes in patients with acne vulgaris was examined.Methods: In this clinical trial study, 44 patients with moderate to severe acne vulgaris with mean age of 23.6±6.0 years referred to dermatologist and resistant to conventional treatment were enrolled according to availability method. The patients were administered with oral isotretinoin in 0.5 mg/kg/day dose for 120 days. Fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and the activity of ALT, AST, and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) were measured by commercially available kits prior to and after treatment. The obtained data were analyzed by software using paired t-test in SPSS software.Results: This study indicated that serum level of cholesterol, triglyceride, and GGT increased by 12.02% (P=0.001), 57.9% (P=0.001) and 33.55% (P=0.001), respectively.Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated that isotretinoin has negative effects on lipid and antioxidant status in patients with acne vulgaris consuming this drug. Therefore, it is recommended to examine the administration of some antioxidants like vitamin E alongside isotretinoin in patients in the future studies.

Background and aims: Of common therapeutically methods among thalassemia patients are repeated transfusion and iron-chelation therapy. Infectious complications are considered as serious problems among thalassemia patients, which could be derived from immunologic abnormalities. In the present study, the frequency of main subsets of T lymphocytes and CD3+CD27+lymphocytes and the association between these changes and age, blood transfusion rate, serum ferritin, and ironchelation therapy were examined.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 27 patients (10-30 years old) with major thalassemia, according to clinical and experimental criteria, referring to Hajar Hospital of Shahrekord in 2011 were enrolled. Control group included 26 healthy people matched with the patients by age and gender. Venous blood samples were collected in the tubes containing sodium heparin, stained with labeled monoclonal fluorescent antibodies after red cells’ lysis, and analyzed by flowcytometrically.The number of cells was calculated according to the above analysis’ results and blood cell count. The data were analyzed by SPSS using Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation.Results: The absolute number of lymphocytes in the patients was significantly higher than that in the control group and the percentage of T lymphocytes was significantly lower in the patients compared to the control group (P<0.001). The number of T lymphocytes in both groups of CD4 and CD8 was not significantly different between the patients and the control group (P>0.05). The frequency of CD3+CD7+lymphocytes in both cell types of CD4 and CD8 was lower in the patients compared to the control group. This difference was partially significant only in CD4 subset (P=0.07). The number of CD3+CD4+CD27+lymphocytes was inversely correlated with blood transfusion rate and desferal consumption, and the number of CD3+CD8+CD27+lymphocytes was inversely correlated with age, blood transfusion, and desferal consumption.Conclusion: Regarding the results, it can be concluded that the patients with major thalassemia who are hepatitis B- and hepatitis C-negative have T cell mild disorders. The moderate increase in CD3+CD27- lymphocyte subset possibly reflects unspecific antigenic stimulation, probably explained by negative association between age, blood transfusion rate, and iron-chelation and the frequency of CD3+CD27+cells.

Background and aims: Following peripheral nerves injury, materials freed from injury return to the cell body of neurons in the central nervous system and lead to apoptosis. Since the Achillea biebersteiniihas anti-inflammatory effects, it could reduce the severity of injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of A. biebersteinii aqueous extract on a motoneurons of anterior horn in rats’ spinal cord after sciatic nerve compression.Methods: In this experimental study, 30 male wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups: control, compression, and comperession+treatment (with 50, 75, 100 mg/kg doses).Sciatic nerve was exposed to compression for 60 second using locker pincers. Extract injection was done intraperitoneally in the first and second week after compression. Then, 28 days after compression under profusion method the lumber spinal cord was sampled. After tissue passaging, cutting, and coloring, the density of motoneurons was measured using dissector method and statistical analysis was done using t-test and ANOVA in minitab software.Results: Density of a motoneuros in compression group decreased significantly compared to the control group (P=0.001) and increased significantly in all treatment (50, 75, and 100 mg/kg doses) groups compared to the compression group (P=0.01).Conclusion: Aqueous extract of A. biebersteinii leaves containing growth and regeneration factors had neuroprotective effect on spinal cord a motoneurons after injury. The extract with 75mg/kg dose had the largest impact on prevention from degeneration.

Background and aims: Despite increasing application of silver nanoparticles in industry and medicine, there is still little information about their potential toxicity, particularly to male genital system. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the cytotoxicity and protein expression alteration induced by nanoparticles of silver in the male rat genital system.Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male wistar rats were randomly divided in 4 equal groups. In experimental group one, two, and three, nanosilver was given orally for 45 consecutive days at the doses of 1, 10 and 20 ppm respectively. Rats in group four (control group) received 20 ppm ethylene glycol orally for 45 consecutive days. Results from DNA diffusion assay studies were analyzed statistically using ANOVA, and Tukey test. Also results of the electrophoresis were compared using Image J software.Results: DNA diffusion assay results about apoptosis showed a significant increase in the experimental group in the number of sperms that occurred apoptosis (P<0.05). Furthermore, the assessment results of an alteration in protein expression of testis cells showed an increase in expression of intracellular proteins with nanoparticles concentration increasing compared to control group.Conclusion: Based on the present study, it can be concluded that nanoparticles of silver can increase the incidence of apoptosis in rat sperm and cause alteration in protein expression in rat testis.

Background and aims: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most prevalent heart disease, affecting 0.2% of the global population. HCM is also the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in individuals younger than 35 years old. Approximately 35% of affected cases are associated with exons 8-24 of MYH7 gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible presence of mutation in exons 19-23 MYH7 gene in patients with HCM in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiyari province.Methods: In this experimental study, 30 HCM patients referred to cardiology clinic in Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences were selected by simple sampling. DNA was extracted using standard phenol-chloroform method. Certain exons were amplified by PCR method and converted to single stranded DNAs by SSCP procedure and, along with double stranded DNAs, were electrophorized on polyacryl amid gel. Then, the suspected bands were sequenced and the results were analyzed using Chromas software.Results: In exons 20, 21, and 23, there was no change, but two mutations including R719W and R870H, were observed in exons 19 and 22 in 2 and 1 patient, respectively.Conclusion: Because these changes of exons 19 and 20 result in amino acid changes in beta myosin, the mutations of MYH7 gene in these exons have a significant role in patients in this province. However, it is necessary to study more patients for a better conclusion.

Background and aims: Several studies indicated that auditory efferent system is effective on selective attention. Therefore, examining this system in children with autism would be very valuable. This study was aimed to investigate auditory efferent system in autistic children compared to children with normal development.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 34 children with 5 to 11-year-old assigned into two normal and autism groups were enrolled, both consisting of 17 children. All children had normal pure-tone audiometry; speech audiometery, tympanometry, and transient otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) test results. Auditory efferent function was evaluated through TEOAE measurement, with and without contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS). To analyze the results, independent t-test, paired t-test, and SPSS software was used.Results: The study revealed a significant difference in mean of suppression amplitudes between the two groups (P=0.001). Without CAS condition, amplitude mean of TEOAE was 17.63±4.09 dB in normal group and 17.40±3.78 dB in autism group, in having no statistically significant difference (P=0.83).Conclusion: The obtained findings showed a diminished auditory efferent activity in children with autism compared to children with normally development. Regarding that the test used in this study was TEOAE suppression, it could be concluded that TEOAE suppression is a sensitive, non-invasive, objective, and appropriate clinical tool for the study of the efferent system function in children with autism.

Background and aims: One of the major causes of mortality and disability in the world is burning. The proper treatment of burns has been considered by physicians from past to present.Properties of medicine plants in burn wound healing have been proven in various studies.Arnebia euchroma is a rich source of antioxidants. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Arnebia euchroma on second-degree burn wound healing in Balb/C.Methods: In this experimental study, 105 Balb/C male mice (5 groups of 20 equal mice and 1 group with 5 mice) weighing 20gr were studied. Mice in 5 groups with Vaseline 1 gr, Silver sulfadiazine 1 gr, without intervention, Arnebia euchroma 1%, and 10% were treated topically for 21 days two times per day. Wound size and healing percentage at day 0, 7, 14 and 21 were measured. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's post hoc statistical tests.Results: Results showed that the most recovery was observed in Silver groups, without intervention, Vaseline, Arnebia euchroma 1%, and Arnebia euchroma 10%, respectively. Silver group showed the best healing effects between other study groups (P<.0.05).Conclusion: This study shows that Arnebia euchroma root did not have any effect on healing of second degree burn wounds in Balb/C. More study was recommended for evaluating the effects of other dose and extracts of the plant on burn healing.

Background and aims: Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) in many countries is used as a nerve calming, spasmolytic, and antibacterial agent. Anyway, more investigations are needed to determine toxic effects of this plant. In this study, we investigated the effects of lemon balm hydroalcoholic extract on some biochemical enzymes and tissue changes (in kidney and liver) in mice.Methods: In this experimental study, 21 male mice were randomly divided into three groups of seven mice each. Group I was treated with normal saline as control and experimental groups II and III were treated with hydroalcoholic extract of lemon balm daily for two weeks intraperitoneally in doses of 0.450 and 1.350 g/kg, respectively. At the end of the experimental period (15 days), blood samples were obtained from the heart and centrifuged, and then the sera were evaluated to determine the concentrations of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and urea using autoanalyzer and commercial kits. In addition, the liver and kidney tissues were removed and examined after fixation in formalin buffer 10% and hematoxyline-eosin staining. The data were analyzed at a significance level of p<0.05 by one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc test, and Kruskal-Wallis.Results: Lemon balm caused a significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels compared to the control group. Also, it showed a dose-dependent effect.Furthermore, lemon balm extract had no effect on the amount of urea and creatinine compared to the control group. Histopathological changes of the liver and kidney in the groups that received different doses of the extract showed mild, moderate, and severe tissue injuries.Conclusion: The biochemical analysis in this study indicates that the extract of lemon balm causes liver tissue damage in mice; therefore, plant’s consumption in high doses should be avoided.

Background and aims: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease of the central nervous system characterized by inflammation, demyelization and axonal damage. The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of spatial prevalence of this disease in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province.Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, 479 patients with definite diagnosis of MS according to the diagnostic factors of MC Donald WI from 1992 to the end of 2011 were enrolled into the study. The data regarding age, gender, the years of MS diagnosis, and the patients’ address were extracted from their medical files. After gathering of diseases information and location data, it was started to map geographical distribution in the towns and rural regions of the province through calculating the prevalence and standardizing the disease with respect to the population. Mapping was performed in Arc GIS software. For mapping of the disease prevalence, quantitie method was used.Results: Shahrekord (59.7%) and Kuhrang (1%) had the highest and lowest prevalence. In Bazoft, Miankouh, and Monj, no case of MS was observed. The disease prevalence tended to exist in east and northeast of the province. The rate of prevalence in Shahrekord and Lordegan was 87.95 (highest) and 11.84 (lowest) per one hundred thousand people, respectively.Conclusions: The distribution and prevalence of MS in eastern half of the province could be attributed to the presence of large cities such as Shahrekord, Borujen and Farokhshahre. It is likely that MS is a disease being mainly prevalent in urban regions. Moreover, regarding the lower prevalence of disease in cold region in this study, it is necessary to investigate of environmental, locational factors in addition to the population in the next studies.

Background and aims: Malathion is one of the toxic organophosphorus insecticides (OPIs). OPIs induce oxidative stress in various tissues through the generation of free radicals and alteration in antioxidant system. This study was aimed to investigate the possible protective effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) as a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor on malathion-induced oxidative damage to rat liver mitochondria.Methods: In this experimental study, 20 male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 g were randomly assigned to 4 groups. The first group received normal saline and the second group with malathion (200 mg/kg/day). The third group received pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg/day) alone and the forth group with pentoxifylline (50 mg/kg/day) and malathion in combination. After two weeks of treatment, whole liver tissue, and liver mitochondria were isolated. The activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured.The extents of cellular lipid peroxidation (LPO) and the viability were determined in liver and liver mitochondria. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey test in SPSS software.Results: The activity of SOD enzyme decreased significantly in the group received malathion and pentoxifylline compared to the group received malathion alone (P<0.05). Malathion increased significantly the activity of CAT enzyme in liver (P<0.05). The groups received malathion and pentoxifylline in combination and alone showed a significant decrease in the activity of CAT enzyme in liver (P<0.05). The viability determined in mitochondria in the groups received malathion and pentoxifylline in combination and alone showed a significant increase (P<0.05).Conclusion: It is concluded that the mechanism of toxicity of malathion in liver can be recovered by antioxidants included PTX.

Background and aims: The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 4th cause of morbidity in world. Acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) represents a common complaint that leads patients to seek medical attention. One of the major agents that cause AECOPD is Chlamydia pneumoniae. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of acute C. pneumoniaeinfection in patients admitted with AECOPD at Hajar hospital in Shahrekord.Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 100 patients with AECOPD were studied. In addition to clinical and radiological examinations, two blood samples were taken three weeks apart. Antibody titers against C. pneumoniae determined by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The prevalence of C. pneumoniae infection in AECOPD was 7% and no relation with age, sex, duration of disease, and clinical signs were observed (P>0.05). However, a significant relationship between diabetic diseases: having family history and high pressure and similar diseases in family with AECOPD was observed (P<0.05).Conclusion: Our results showed Acute C. pneumoniae infection is a low significant causative pathogen in AECOPD.

Background and aims: The purpose of this study was to compare outcome of two techniques, Lichtenstein repair and Kugel in patients with inguinal hernia.Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 42 consecutive patients in age mean 49±11 years old with inguinal hernia randomly entered and divided in two groups, Kugel and Lichtenstein. They were compared during the operation based on incision length, operative time, incidence of hematoma, seroma, infection, urinary retention, and sensory disorders of inguinal area using independent t-test and Fisher exact test.Results: The results showed that incision length and operative time in Kugel was significantly less than Lichtenstein technique (P<0.001). Other variables showed no significant difference between the two methods (P>0.05).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that the Kugel hernia repair can be a safe alternative technique for Lichtenstein.

Background and aims: Primary varicella infection which is rarely seen among infants appears as chicken pox in children and zona in adults due to its reactivation. Considering its rarity in infants, an 8-month case infected with varicella due to reactivation of intrauterine primary infection is reported.Case report: An 8-month infant with 3200gr weight at a vaginal delivery was hospitalized for erythematous lesion around the left eye, diagnosed as orbital cellulitis initially. The lesion spread rapidly to 8X14cm and several fluid -filled vesicules (which then turned into yellow) developed. Referring to case history, the mother was infected to varicella with generalized macrovesicular lesions involving stomach, face, and limbs.Infant tests of varicella zoster virus about the existence of immunoglobulin M were positive. Treatment was done by cephalotine, acyclovir, and sulfacetamide eye drop. The lesions disappeared within one week.Conclusion: In this patient, because of exposure to varicella infection in utero period, reactivation of primary infection after birth in 8-month appeared herpes zoster symptoms.After diagnosis, the treatment was successful.