Internal Medicine Today
Year:2014 | Volume:20 | Issue:1|Papers Count:16

Aims: Fructation causes structural changes in the proteins which finally changes or destroys the protein's function. The aim of this study was to investigate the antifructation effect of honey bee venom and compare it with aspirin.Methods: Hemoglobin extracted from healthy and nonsmoker subjects and its concentration was determined using optical- UV spectrometry. The bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as the standard protein. In order to evaluate the effect of honey bee venom and aspirin, hemoglobin in the presence of these two substances was also fructuated. The release of heme group from protein and the changes in hemoglobin soret band was done by optical-UV spectrometry. The amount of free amines available in hemoglobin during fructation in the presence of aspirin and honey bee venom was measured by changes in the fluorescence florscasmine emission method. To investigate the structural changes of fructated hemoglobin protein spectropolaimetry and circular bicolor spectrophotometery method were used. Data were analyzed using InStat 3 software and One-way ANOVA test.Results: Hemoglobin incubation in the presence of fructose decreased the absorption of soret band of fructated hemoglobin compared to control. The amount of free amine in the presence of honey bee venom in of 20 and 40μg/ml had no significant difference with free amine in the presence of aspirin. Honey bee venom inhibited the change in second structure of hemoglobin dose-dependently during fructation.Conclusion: Honey bee venom has relatively similar effect with aspirin to inhibit hemoglobin fructation process.

Aims: Appetite is a mental feeling of starvation, satiety and desire to eat specific type of foods which can be affected by various factors. This study was done to investigate the effects of one week and 9 weeks of aerobic exercise on appetite and insulin resistance in obese women.Methods: This semi-experimental study was done in obese women (30 to 45 years old) of Mashhad city, Iran in Spring 2011 who had no physical activity except daily routines.28 obese women with BMI more than 30 were selected as volunteers. Aerobic exercise was 4 times a week for 9 weeks and each session consisted 20 minute warmup with a variety of running, stretching, flexibility and the jump movements. Then, the continuous running at a steady rate of 65-75% of maximum heart rate was done. In order to assess blood biochemical variables, blood sampling after 12 to 14 hours of fasting was performed in 2 stages (before trainings and after 9 weeks of training). Independent T test and analysis of variance with repeated measures were used to data analysis.Results: There was no significant difference between indexes of insulin, serum glucose, insulin resistance, HDL, LDL, TG and TC in control and aerobic exercise groups. There were no significant difference in appetite indexes between both groups after 9 weeks of aerobic exercise (p>0.05).Conclusion: 9 weeks of moderate intensity aerobic training does not have any effect on appetite and insulin resistance in obese women.

Aims: Considering the multidimensional activity of herbal medicines and the usefulness of this drugs to treat complex disorders such as diabetes, this study was done to investigate the effect of aqueous extract ofOtostegia persica’s root on blood lipids and lipoproteins levels in hyperlipidemic diabetic type I rats.Methods: This experimental study was done on 48 male Wistar rats. All ethical issues related to the keeping and work with laboratory animals was observed.40 rats with a single dosage of 90mg per each kilogram of body weight were induced type I diabetes by intraperitoneally injection of Alloxan. Rats were divided into 6 normal, control, metformin, 200mg, 300mg and 400mg/kg ofOtostegia persica’s root aqueous extract groups each with 8 rats and they were gavaged once a day during a month. Levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C were measured in each group. The one-way ANOVA and Tukey›s tests were used to compare means of the groups.Results: The mean of triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C level in all three groups ofOtostegia persica’s root aqueous extract compared to normal, control and metformin showed a significant decrease (p<0.001).Conclusion: Using aqueous Otostegia persica’s root extract in hyperlipidemic diabetic rats decreases serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C level.

Aims: Cerebral ischemia is a condition that to the all or parts of the brain does not reach blood and as a result enough oxygen. Due to the debilitating effects of cerebral ischemia, this study was done to investigate the effect of Gallic acid on passive avoidance memory in adult female rats under bilateral cerebral ischemia condition.Methods: 84 rats were randomly divided into 6 control (C; without any manipulation of carotid artery and treatment), Gallic acid control (CGA; without any manipulation of carotid artery and treated with Gallic acid), ischemia control (CI; manipulated with carotid artery but not occlusion and without treatment), ischemia (I; complete and bilateral occlusion of carotid arteries and without treatment), solvent ischemia (IS; complete and bilateral occlusion of carotid arteries with normal saline gavage) and Gallic acid ischemia (IGA; complete and bilateral occlusion of carotid arteries with Gallic acid gavage) groups each had 14 rats. The shuttle box was used to investigate the passive avoidance learning behavior. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and LSD logistic tests.Results: After the application of electric shocks, the STL time in each of the I and IS groups had significant reduction compared to CI group and in IGA group increased significantly compared to I group.72 hours after application of electric shock, the STL time in CGA group had a significant increase compared to the CI group and 7 days after the application of electric shock the STL time in IGA group had a significant decrease compared to CI group.Conclusion: Gallic acid increases the passive avoidance memory in rats with cerebral ischemia.

Aims: Hypomagnesemia is observed in 15-10% of patients admitted to the hospital and in 40-60% of intensive care units patients. This study was done to investigate the prevalence of hypomagnesemia in patients undergoing elective surgery in the first 24 hours of hospitalization.Methods: In this interventional cross-sectional study, 60 patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery with general anesthesia and were admitted to the ICU were selected using simple sampling method. Age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), SAPS number, the probability of mortality based on SAPS, sodium, total magnesium, calcium, potassium and plasma phosphorus levels within 24 hours of hospitalization and the total urinary excretion of magnesium in the first 24-hour of hospitalization at ICU was measured and recorded. Independent T and Chi square tests were used for statistical analysis.Results: Serum magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus and demographic characteristics (age, gender, weight, height and BMI), did not show any significant correlations with total magnesium deficiency of body after loading of magnesium dosage. Also there was no significant correlation between total magnesium deficiency of body after magnesium dosage loading and the duration of being at ICU.But there was a significant difference in total magnesium deficiency of body after dosage loading of magnesium with expected mortality rate of patients using SAPS parameter (p=0.013).Conclusion: Magnesium Serum level is an unreliable indicator of hypomagnesemia.The greater the total magnesium deficiency of the body, the worse the prognosis is.

Aims: Effects of fasting on diabetic patients has been considered more in recent years.This study was done to investigate the changes in body weight, blood pressure and biochemical parameters in fasting people.Methods: In July and August (Ramadan) 2012, 75 diabetic patients from Kenareh village, Iran, were selected by census method and finally the results of 60 patients were enrolled.15 days before Ramadan, triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the sitting position, weight, height, body mass index and age of samples were calculated and recorded. At this stage, all samples in terms of the occurrence of any possible complications related to the fasting i.e. hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis were also examined. Correlation of each parameter was evaluated with age using Pearson correlation test and with gender using two-sample T-test.Results: During Ramadan, weight, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, blood sugar and body mass index of samples were significantly decreased but diastolic blood pressure did not have significant decrease. After Ramadan, 4.9% of subjects suffered from hypoglycemia, 23.8% from hyperglycemia and 1.9% from diabetic ketoacidosis.Conclusion: Changes in serum biochemical parameters in patients with type II diabetes as a result of fasting, reduces diabetes risk factors i.e. serum glucose concentration, triglyceride, and BMI.

Aims: Migraine is a chronic and invasive neurological disorder which is recognized by severe episodic and recurrent headaches. Nowadays use of non-pharmacological methods to relief pain are in progress. This study was done to compare the effect of wet-cupping and temperament modification on pain intensity in patients with migraine headache.Methods: This clinical trial was done in patients with migraine referring to Ghoochan traditional medicine official Center in 2012.198 patients were selected by convenience sampling method and were studied. To collect data, two-part questionnaire (demographic characteristics and characteristics of headache) and a pain intensity form based on the visual analogue scale were used. After homogenizing the samples, they were randomly divided into three wet-cupping, temperament modification and control groups. Paired T, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the data.Results: The mean of pain intensity in the three groups of temperament modification (7.5±1.2), wet-cupping (7.6±1.3) and control (7.2±1.2) before intervention showed no significant difference (p=0.401). There were a significant difference between the mean of pain intensity of temperament modification (6.6±1.2), wet-cupping (2.4±1.9) and control (0.6±0.8) groups before and after interventions (p<0.001).Conclusion: Wet-cupping and temperament modification are very effective tools to treat migraine headaches.

Aims: Diabetes can cause sexual dysfunction in people. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of leaf extract of plantain (Plantago major) on testis morphology, sperm parameters and serum testosterone levels in the diabetic rats.Methods: 24 male rats were randomly divided into three control (C; received normal saline), diabetic (DP) that received 100mg/kg of body weight of extract daily for 42 days intraperitoneally and the diabetic control (D) groups. After treatment, blood samples were collected to determine serum testosterone immediately. Sperms were collected from the epididym tail and sperm count and morphology were evaluated. Tissue sections were prepared from testis and Hematoxylin-Eosin and Oil-Red-Oil staining were done and the slides were examined by light microscope. Data was analyzed by ANOVA test.Results: Treatment with plantain leaf extract significantly increased serum testosterone level significantly in DP group compared to group D (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference between C and DP groups. The number of Leydig cells in the DP group was significantly increased compared to group D (p<0.05), whereas no significant difference was seen between C and DP groups. Treatment with plantain leaf extract significantly increased sperm count and decreased the level of abnormal sperm in DP group compared with group D (p<0.001), but no significant difference was seen between DP and C groups.Conclusion: Plantain increases the fertility of diabetic patients by increasing spermatogenesis.

Aims: Due to different types of stress, it is important to recognize its adverse effects on the nervous system. This study was done to investigate the effect of three types of common stresses in modern living environment i.e. electromagnetic waves, immobilization and disturbance, individually and combined on pain threshold in infant rats.Methods: In this experimental study, 40 pregnant female Sprague rats and all their male infants were studied. Female rats were divided into 5 control, electromagnetic stress, immobilization stress, disturbance stress and combined stress groups. From eighth day of gestation, pregnant rats of stress groups were exposed to stress for 10 consecutive days.75 days postpartum (after maturity), male rats were subjected to formalin pain test.Measuring the pain intensity was done via scale “zero” (putting the feet on the ground completely), “1” (putting the paw on the ground), “2” (raising the feet) and “3” (biting or licking the feet). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests.Results: The mean of pain severity at the acute phase of the formalin test between each stress groups and the control group was not significant (p>0.05). The mean of pain severity of the interphase stage of the formalin test was significant only between the electromagnetic stress and the control groups (p<0.05). The mean of pain severity at the chronic stage of formalin test was significant between each of the combined stress (p<0.01) and the immobility stress (p<0.05) groups and the control group.Conclusion: Stress during pregnancy affects the pain behavior of the mature rats.

Aims: Music is one of the non-pharmacotherapeutic approaches of pain relief. This study was done to investigate the effect of music (selective and nonselective) in reducing pain, anxiety and behavioral reactions and changes of hemodynamic parameters in the burned patients during the daily dressing changing.Methods: This clinical trial was done on 90 burned patients of Shahid Rajaei Hospital of Qazvin, Iran, in 2012 that were selected via purposeful sampling method and randomly divided into three control, selected music and nonselective music groups. Data were collected by interview, self-reporting and document observing with the demographic, the Spielberger and pain behavioral questionnaires and pain intensity recording sheet.The hemodynamic status (heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate) of the patient was measured during dressing changing. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests.Results: Music caused a significant reduction of pain and also anxiety in the burned patients (p<0.05). The selective music caused a significant reduction of behavioral reactions to pain (p=0.02). Selective and nonselective music caused significant modification of heart rate of the patients (p<0.05).Conclusion: Music, especially the familiar type can have positive effects in reducing anxiety, pain and controlling some vital sings of burned patients.