Journal of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences
Year:2015 | Volume:15 | Issue:3|Papers Count:16

Background & objectives: Hyoscine (scopolamine) as an anticholinergic and antinociceptive drug, has some side effects. Recently, it has been received much attention to the interactions between synthetic drugs and herbal extracts and their pharmacological responses which made the possibility of using the minimum dose and low side effects. In this study, we evaluated the effect of Salvia officinale extract, hyoscine and their combinationin management of pain in rats.Methods: In this experimental study animals were divided randomly into eight groups (n=6). Hyoscine (0.5, 1 and 5 mg/kg) administrated by intraperitoneal injection and extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) was administered by gavages one hour before administration of hyoscine. Thirty minutes after treatment, rats were subjected to tail-flick test and data were recorded. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05.Results: Administration of hyoscine at doses of 0.5, 1 and 5 mg/kg created significant analgesic effects compared to control group in the Tail-flick test (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). The combination of S.officinale extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) and hyoscine (1 mg/kg) significantly increased the pain threshold than the groups receiving only extract or hyoscine.Conclusion: Our data showed that hydroethanolic extract of Salvia officinale has an important antinociceptive effect which can lead to decreased pain in rats. Sincehyoscine as an analgesic drug has some side effects, combination of Salvia officinale extractand hyoscine can decrease the needed dose of hyoscine and itsside effects.

Background & objectives: Several studies have described VacA and CagA as the two important virulence determinants of Helicobacter pylori, which are associated with gastric ulcer (GU) and duodenal ulcer (DU). The aim of present study was to determine the associations of the i and d regions genotypes of H. pylori vacA gene; and cagA status with GU and DU risk.Methods: A total of 177 isolates were cultured from the biopsies of Iranian patients with different geographic origins and genotyped. Data were collected and analyzed.Results: Frequency of the vacA i1, i2, i1i2, d1, and d2 alleles and cagA in all patients was 42.9%, 55.4%, 1.7%, 41.8%, 58.2% and 68.4%, respectively. There was a significant difference between the frequencies of vacA i1 in isolates from GU than those from nonatrophic gastritis (p<0.05). When the GU was considered as a dependant factor by the multiple logistic regression analysis, the vacA i1 genotype was significantly associated with the age- and sex-adjusted risk for GU (p=0.006, odds ratio [OR]=3.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.45–8.75). Statistical analysis showed no significant association betweenvacA d genotype and digestive diseases. After controlling for age and sex variables, thecagA genotype remained in the final model when the DU was considered as a dependant factor by the the multiple logistic regression analysis (p=0.021, OR=3.77; 95% CI=1.22-11.60).Conclusion: We have proposed that the H. pylori vacA i1 and cagA genotypes could be considered as benefit biomarkers for prediction of risk of GU and DU in Iran, respectively.

Background & objectives: The most obvious indicators of a country's growth and development are technological capabilities and its scientific research. Therefore, any attempt to clarify the status of research and facing obstacles is important. The aim of this study is to investigate the problems and obstacles of knowledge from the viewpoint of faculty members of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences.Methods: In a descriptive and survey study, sample contains 126 faculty members in Ardabil University of Medical Sciences were selected using Morgan and Krejcie table of sample size determination. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire with two parts, i.e. demographic information and the Questionnaire of Research Barriers by Sotoodehasl et al. (2014) including 39 items on a 5 point Likert Scale continuum. A One-Sample T-Test, an independent samples T-Test, and an ANOVA test were used for the data analysis.Results: The mean of the area of problems related to preparation of research project and development was 2.86 which is less than the conceptual mean but is not statistically significant (p=0.056). However in the other three areas, i.e. the means of problems in the implementation of the project, administrative and managerial problems, and individual problems were greater than the conceptual mean and the differences were statistically significant (p £0.05). The mean of questions in the four areas was 3.23 which is greater than the conceptual mean and the difference is also significant (p=0.001).Conclusion: In the investigation of areas, the most important problems and research barriers from the viewpoint of faculty members are weak teamwork at the university, large bulk of work and different expectations from the faculty members and lack of proper research environment.

Background & objectives: Obesity and visceral fat accumulation after menopause are associated with lipid profile changes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8-week aerobic-resistance training and estrogen replacement therapy on visceral fat and cardiovascular risk factors in ovariectomized rats.Methods: Fifty female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and divided into 5 OVX groups (n=10 rats per group): Ovx+sedentary (Sedentary), aerobic-resistance training (Ovx+Exe), aerobic-resistance training+estrogen replacement therapy (Ovx+Exe+Est), estrogen replacement therapy (Ovx+Est) and vehicle group; or sesame oil (Ovx+Oil). The exercise consisted of aerobic-resistance training (20 m/min, 3 days/week, 60 min/day, 10% slope, Load; 3% body weight); 17b-estradiol valerate (30 mg/kg bw; in 0.2 ml sesame oil) were injected subcutaneously three days a week during 8 week. The co-treatment group received both exercise and estradiol protocol as same as previous groups.Results: After 8-week of interventions, visceral fat significantly reduced by Ovx+Exe and Ovx+Exe+Est compared to Sedentary rats (p<0.05), however no significant difference in body weight was observed. BMI significantly reduced in Ovx+Exe and Ovx+Exe+Est groups compared to Sedentary group. Also, BMI significantly reduced in Ovx+Est compared to Ovx+Oilgroup (p<0.05). Although this intervention changed lipid profiles, they were not statistically significant in neither of groups. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using one-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey's post-hoc test. The differences were considered significant at p<0.05.Conclusion: Eight weeks aerobic-resistance training successfully decreases visceral fat and BMI.

Background & objectives: Celiac disease is a gastrointestinal disorder that genetic factors have a role on its pathogenesis. The aim of the present study was to determine HLA alleles encoding HLA DQ2 and HLA DQ8 in patients with celiac disease.Methods: This descriptive analytical study was conducted on 105 patients with IBS whom referred to the gastroenterology unit in Ardabil, Iran. The patients with positive celiac serology of IgA anti-tTG test were done an endoscopic duodenal biopsy. HLA DQ2 and DQ8 testings were performed on patients. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics together with Mann-Whitney Uand Fisher’s exact tests by SPSS-16.Results: 14 patients were found positive for IgA antibodies against tTG. From these 14 patients 2 (14.3%) were male and 12 (85.71%) female. All of 14 patients (100% of case) had also abnormal intestinal pathology according to the modified Marsh classification and 10 patients had type IIIC. 11 patients had only HLA DQ2, 2 patients had only HLADQ8, and one patient had both HLADQ2 andDQ8.Conclusion: Most of patients had positive HLA D Q2. The present study emphasizes that HLA genotypes are an important background to CD development.

Background & objectives: Cancer is one of the most causes of mortality in worldwide.Components derived from natural plants that induce apoptosis are used for cancer treatment. Therefore investigation of different herbal components for new anti-cancer drug is one of the main research activities throughout the world. According to low cost, oral consumption and easy access to the public extracts of Urtica dioica, in this study we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of this herb on MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells.Methods: Cytotoxic effect of Urtica dioica extract was measured using MTT assays. To show induction of apoptosis by this plant TUNEL and DNA Fragmentation test were performed.Results: In the present study dichloromethane extracts noticeably killed cancer cells. IC50 values related to human breast adenocarcinoma cell line MDA-MB-468 were 29.46±1.05 mg/ml in 24 hours and 15.54±1.04 mg/ml in 48 hours. TUNEL test and DNA Fragmentation assay showed apoptotic characteristic in the extract treated cells.Conclusion: The results showed that MDA-MB-468 cells after treatment with dichloromethane extract of Urtica dioica, induces apoptosis in MDA-MB-468 cancer cells which may be useful in the treatment of cancer.

Background & objectives: Brain ischemia leads to irreversible functional and structural damage in various regions of the brain, especially in the hippocampus. There is an evidence indicating the physical exercise has neuroprotective effects and may decrease the cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury in rats. The purpose of this study was the study of the effect of exercise preconditioning on memory deficits and neuronal cell death in CA3 pyramidal cells of the rat hippocampus following transient global ischemia.Methods: 21 male rats weighing 260-300 g were randomly selected and allocated into three groups (sham, ischemia and exercise+ischemia). The rats in exercise group were trained to run on a treadmill 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Ischemia induced by occlusion both common carotid arteries (CCA) for 20 minutes. The passive avoidance memory test using a Shuttle box used to assess the impairment of memory. The amount of cell death was measured using cresyl violet staining method.Results: The results showed that cerebral ischemia is associated with memory impairment, and physical activity before ischemia improves ischemia-induced memory impairments significantly (p<0.05). In addition, ischemia leads to cell death in hippocampal CA3 area neurons and exercise also reduces ischemia-induced cell death significantly (p<0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that exercise, when is used as apreconditioning stimulant, has a neuroprotective effects against brain ischemia.

Background & objectives: Stroke is third leading cause of death and disability in the most of human communities. The use of herbs and medicinal plants in different countries is increasing. Today, herbal medicine is used as alternative or complementary therapies with a fewer side effects. Nigella sativa has a rich medical and religious history. Oxidative stress has important role in the pathophysiology of stroke. As Nigella sativa has antioxidant effects, its administration may produce a protective effect against complications of this disease. We examined the effects of the treatment with Nigella sativa oil on the cerebral infarction and edema.Methods: 48 Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, sham, control ischemic and Nigella sativa oil treated (2 ml/kg) ischemic groups. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by 90-min-long occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery followed by 24-h-long reperfusion. Neurological deficit score was evaluated at the end of the reperfusion period. Thereafter, the animals were randomly selected and used for two projects: (i) Measurement of the infarct volumes and neurological outcome (ii) investigation of ischemic brain edema formation using a wet/dry method.Results: Induction of cerebral ischemia in the control group produced considerable brain infarction in conjunction with impaired motor functions and severely brain edema. Treatment with Nigella sativa oil significantly reduced the infarct volume and improved the motor functions. The water content in the left (lesioned) hemisphere was considerably elevated in the control ischemic group. Administration of the Nigella sativa oil significantly lowered the water content in the ischemic lesioned hemisphere.Conclusion: Treatment with Nigella sativa oil can noticeably decrease the ischemic brain injury, attenuate edema formation and improve motor disabilities.

Background & objectives: Drug resistance is one of the most problems in controlling microbial infections which assumes to be ever-increasing problem all through the world.Production of extended-spectrum b-lactamases enzyme (ESBLS) can cause a resistance to antibiotics of gram negative bacteria. The main purpose of this study was to determine antibiotic sensitivity patterns and SHV-1 genes frequency in collected urinary samples from hospitalized patients in Ardebil.Methods: 400 isolated Enterobacteriaceae from urinary samples were recognized using an ordinary biochemical method. Antibiotic sensitivity test was conducted by Kirby and Bauer.The combined disk method was also utilized as a confirmatory test. The results were compared to clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) standards. Finally, ESBL positive isolates were investigated by PCR method regarding the SHV-1 gene.Results: From the total of 400 urinary isolates Enterobacteriaseae resistance to Ampicilin, Nalidixicacid, Co-trimoxazole, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Ceftriaxone, Ciprofloxacin Ceftizoxime, Cefixime, Gentamycin, Imipenem were 82.5, 62.3, 67, 36, 49.5, 50.3, 52, 36, 41, 24.8 and 7.7 percents, respectively.150 isolates (37.5%) were positive ESBL, and among all, 28 isolates (18.7%) contained SHV-1 gene.Conclusion: According to obtained results from the study, regarding high percentage of resistance to antibiotics and high reduction of ESBLS in bacteria from who suffered from urinary infections, taking some logical steps for prevention seems to be essential.

Background & Objectives: Salmonellosis is the most common food-borne disease in the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of salmonella serogroups and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in chicken meat and viscera in Ardabil, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study done in spring and summer of 2014, 260 samples (160 chicken meat, 50 gizzard and liver) were collected for isolation and identification of salmonella. The technique used in this study was recommended by Iran standard organization and Kirby-bauer method was also used for detection of antibiotic resistance.Results: Amongallthe samples, the range of detected salmonella was 10%In which the 42.3% of them detected in spring and 57.7% in the summer.92.3% of samples belong to C serogroup and 3.8% of them were serogroup B and 3.8% serogroup D. All isolates show resistance to at least two antibiotics. Concurrent resistance to 2-6 antibiotics was detected in 70% of the isolates. The highest resistance was to Nalidixicacidand Streptomycin (100%) and to Tetracyclin (92.3%), Penicillin (88.5%), Neomycin, Kanamycin and Furazolidon (84.6%), cloramfenicol (73.1%), Ofloxacin (15.4%), Co-Amoxi clave and Ampicillin (11.5%) and Siprophloxacin 7.7%. The lowest levels of resistance were for Gentamycin and Amikacin (3.8%). No salmonella isolates were resistant to ceftazidime, Azitromicin, Meropenem, Imipenem and cefixime.Conclusion: According to 10% pollution to salmonella and prevalence of serogroup C and salmonella importance in the human’s health, as well as high rate of antibiotic resistance of isolates, applying a health strategy for reduction of contamination level is necessary.

Background & Objectives: Maintain of fixed amount of glucose in blood has always been valuable. Especially in diabetic patients it is important to determine accurate amount of it. In this study we are trying to find a method to determination of the amount of serum glucose.Methods: First a biosensor was prepared using carbon paste electrode modified with Copper Oxide nanoparticles for determination of serum glucose. The synthesized Copper Oxide nanoparticles were studied by using a variety of chemical spectrum UV-Vis, XRD, SEM and TEM. XRD confirmed that our synthesized are Copper Oxide nanoparticles. By measuring of the oxidation currents in the several levels of glucose, the accuracy and efficiency of biosensor was studied.Results: Based on a increase of the electrocatalytic response of the oxidized form of GOD to dissolved oxygen, the proposed biosensor exhibits a linear response to glucose concentrations ranging from 0 to 15 mM with a detection limit (defined as the concentration that could be detected at the signal-to-noise ratio of 3) of 9 mM at an applied potential of 0.44 V which has better biosensing properties than those from other biosensors. This biosensor retained 89% of its initial response after 30 days storage at pH=7.Conclusion: Carbon paste electrode and Copper Oxide nanoparticles offer excellent catalytic activity toward hydrogen peroxide generation in enzymatic reaction between glucose oxidase and glucose, which would enable sensitive determination of glucose. This biosensor exhibited good stability, reproducibility and low interferences. It has been used to diagnose diabetes very fast and sensitively and to determine the glucose concentrations in serum samples with satisfactory results.