Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2003 | Volume:2 | Issue:3-4|Papers Count:16

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is a molecule that plays a role in many biological processes. Body NO production is regulated by multifactorial mechanisms and the steroid hormones seem to have a role in this process. The role of estrogen and progesterone on NO production was not fully understood, therefore the aim of this study was to detect the effect of ovarian steroid hormones on NO production in ovarectomized adult female rats.Materials and Methods: 120 female rats were ovarectomized bilaterally and divided into 3 main groups 14 days after the surgery: Estrogen group received estradiol benzoate subcutaneously (10µg/kg), progesterone group received progesterone (25 mg/kg) subcutaneously and last group received both hormones as above. In each main group, the subgroups received L-NAME (60 mg/kg), L-Arginine (100 mg/kg) or vehicle intraperitoneally. After treatment blood samples were collected and serums nitrite and nitrate were measured using griess reaction method.Results: The serum nitrite and nitrate were decreased when progesterone was administered (stable metabolites of NO). This effect blocked with L-Arginine but enhanced with L-NAME. The administration of estradiol increased serum nitrite and nitrate, but this effect was inhibited by L-NAME. Injection of both hormones did not show any significant effects on nitrite and nitrate levels of serum. L-NAME decreased the serum nitrite and nitrate concentration, but L-Arginine increased them.Conclusion: Considering these data, it can be suggested that, ovarian steroid hormones have an affect on ragulation of NO production. The effect of sex steroid hormones on target tissues may be mediated by NO system.

Background: During thyroid operations, excised tissue studied via frozen section (FS) by a pathologist can differentiate benign lesions from malignant ones, and can help the surgeon during the procedure. In recent decades the role of frozen section in defining the nature of thyroid nodules has been declining, and being replaced by fine needle aspiration (FNA). The aim of this study was to assess the FS accuracy in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 84 patients (67 females and 17 males) undergoing thyroidectomy over the past 5 years have been studied. The mean age was 36 years (ranged from 15 to 70 years). All patients had thyroid nodules and underwent thyroidectomy at our medical center. Frozen sections from tissue samples excised during operation were evaluated for all patients.Results: According to histopathological exam, there were 12 (14.3%) cases of thyroid cancer and 72(85.7%) cases of benign thyroid diseases. Incidence of malignancy was 29.4% in men and 10.4% in women. When compared to final pathology reports, frozen section reports were correct in 95.3%. There were two false negative and two false positive reports (each 4.7%). Sensitivity and specificity of this method were 83% and 98% respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 83% and 98% respectively.Conclusion: Frozen section is a reliable and valuable method for surgeons involved in thyroid surgery and may be preferred over FNA when experienced pathologists are not available or when preoperative FNAs are inconclusive or suspicious for malignancy.

Background: One of the causes of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) in women is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Different treatments have been suggested for this syndrome. In this study, the menstrul cycle regulation was ecaluated in patients with PCOS who were under metformin therapy. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was carried out on 120 women with PCOS in Bahman clinic in 1380-1381. The patients received 1500mg metformin daily for 6 months and their menstrual status was assessed monthly. Results: After 2 months of treatment, 16 women (13.3%) had regular menses and 80 women (66.7%) had regular menstruation after 6 months of treatment. Age of women did not have any effect on the treatment, but BMI was effective. The mean of BMI in treated patients was higher than the untreated ones. The side effects of metformin were nausea (16.7% ), lack of appetite (16.7%) and diarrhea (13.3%). Conclusion: It seems that administration of metformin regulates the menstral cycle in patients with PCOS.

Background: The importance of screening for scoliosis and trunk disorders has been accepted in many communities. The aim of present prospective study was to determine the frequency of scoliosis and trunk disorders in high school students in Tehran.Materials and Methods: During 1998-2000, a total of 2075 students (1160 girls, 915 boys) aged 13 to 20 years (15.19±1.1) were examined randomly. The method of this study was based on interview and observation. For each individual, after collection of personal information, the data on dominant limb, familial history of scoliosis, back pain, type of chair and desk in school and at home were recorded. Physical examinations consisted of measurment of height, weight, sitting height, and evaluation for shoulder and pelvic asymmetries and round back. In addition lumbar lordosis and scoliosis were assessed by use of standard method.Results: The prevalence of trunk and spinal disorders was 46.3%. The prevalence in detail were obtained: shoulder asymmetry 17%, pelvic asymmetry 7.8%, structural idiopathic scoliosis 3.4%, postural scoliosis 4.9%, and round back deformity 13.2%. The mean of lumbar lordosis was 42.7 and 31.4 degrees in girls and boys respectively. Shoulder and pelvic asymmetries were seen in 8.3% of scoliotic subjects (P=0.0001). Sitting bench compare to chair increased rate of scoliosis, and round back, but decreased the degree of lumbar lordosis (P<0.05).Conclusion: According to the findings, it can be concluded that attention to the following points is very important: 1-Regular school screening for scoliosis and trunk. 2- Use of standard chairs and desks at schools. 3-Training courses for prevention and correction of bad postures in students.

Background: Primary dysmenorrheal is known as a painful menstruation without any pelvic disease in women. This descriptive study was conducted to survey the prevalence and intensity of primary dysmenorrheal according to the personality type in Rafsanjan high school students, in the year 2001.Materials and Methods: 380 students 14-18 years old were selected randomly by clustering method. A questionnaire was used for collecting the data including (demographic data, menstruation cycle characteristics based on Sun dell classification, and Bortner’s questionaire of personality type). The students were also informed about the questionnaire. For data analysis SPSS software and chi-square test were used.Results: Results showed that prevalence of primary dysmenorrheal was 85.5% and 63.3% of students had A personality type and 36.7% had B personality type. Correlation between dysmenorrheal and personality type was significant (P<0.001), which means, prevalence and intensity of dysmenorrheal in students with A personality type were higher than B types.Conclusion: In case of future confirmation of analytical investigations, it could be concluded that there is a relationship between the personality type and the prevalence of dysmenorrheal.

Background: Previous studies have shown that physicians use high doses of carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproate (VPA) to control epileptic attacks, while these drugs incur many side effects including gastrointestinal, hematologic, psychiatric, cardiac and other side effects. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum therapeutic dose with an acceptable blood level of these drugs.Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was done in 56 epileptic patients during one year. First the demographic data including age, sex, weight and the period of drug taking was recorded. Then the drugs CBZ and VPA were prescribed to adults (more than 12 years old) 9-11mg/kg, and 12-14 mg/kg respectively, and in children (less than 12 years old) 12-14 and 12-15 mg/kg respectively. Serum levels of CBZ and VPA were measured monthly by gas chromatography. Results: The results indicated that serum levels of CBZ and VPA were 7.4 and 74.7µg/ml in adults and 8.2 and 66.8µg/ml in children respectively, and patients did not have epilepsy attack during the period of assessment.Conclusion: These findings showed that with a much lower dosage of the drugs, which is suggested in texts, can lead to an appropriate blood level of CBZ and VPA for controlling the epileptic seizures

Background: Previous studies have shown that physicians use high doses of carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproate (VPA) to control epileptic attacks, while these drugs incur many side effects including gastrointestinal, hematologic, psychiatric, cardiac and other side effects. The aim of this study was to determine the minimum therapeutic dose with an acceptable blood level of these drugs.Materials and Methods: This semi-experimental study was done in 56 epileptic patients during one year. First the demographic data including age, sex, weight and the period of drug taking was recorded. Then the drugs CBZ and VPA were prescribed to adults (more than 12 years old) 9-11mg/kg, and 12-14 mg/kg respectively, and in children (less than 12 years old) 12-14 and 12-15 mg/kg respectively. Serum levels of CBZ and VPA were measured monthly by gas chromatography. Results: The results indicated that serum levels of CBZ and VPA were 7.4 and 74.7µg/ml in adults and 8.2 and 66.8µg/ml in children respectively, and patients did not have epilepsy attack during the period of assessment.Conclusion: These findings showed that with a much lower dosage of the drugs, which is suggested in texts, can lead to an appropriate blood level of CBZ and VPA for controlling the epileptic seizures.

Background: There is not strong evidences of aluminum (Al3+) toxicity by ingesting the food containing Al3+, but ingesting these food continuously may lead to Al3+ toxicity. However recent studies have strongly emphasized on Al3++ toxicity in chronic renal failure patients and also patients who have been administered aluminum containing antacids. In this study the effect of different amounts of Al3+ on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and after glucose tolerance test (GTT) has been investigated in rats.Materials and Methods: Six groups (9 in each group) of male and female Albino rats (180-220g body weight) were fed with food containing Al3+[75, 212.5, 312.5, 625, 1250, and 2500 mg/kg (PPm) food] for two months and one control group was fed with normal food. Every 15 days FPG was measured and GTT (45 minutes after administration of 1g/kg glucose orally) was done in all groups. Results: The results indicated that Al3+ can increase FPG and impair glucose tolerance in a dose and time dependent manner. FPG of the control group after 60 days intervention (113.8±4 mg/dl) was significantly lower than the case-group, which consumed food containing 2500 mg/kg Al3+ (165.9±10 mg/dl). The results also indicated that in groups consuming Al3+ (625, 1250 and 2500 ppm) the weight was reduced significantly at day 60 compare to the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed for the first time, that the toxic effect of aluminum on glucose metabolism must be considered, particularly in individuals with frequent exposure to this element, which could lead to diabetes.

Background: Bread constitutes the major food substance of Middle Eastern countries, especially Iran. Bread Provides between 18-80% of people’s foodstuff in various countries. Recent studies in Iran have shown that average daily bread consumption is 300-350 grams. About 40.2% of the total energy of an individual is obtained from bread. About 6 million tons of bread is produced in Iran annually, which, out of that, about 2 million tons is wasted. The present survey was carried out to determine the quality of bread in Rafsanjan’s bakeries.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 81 bakeries in Rafsanjan city, and lasted for six months. The main objectives were to determine some properties of the bread, such as pH, NaCl, burned area in various breads (Taftoon, Sangak, Fantezi), as well as hygienic conditions in bakeries.Results: The results showed that 10.36% of each bread was doughy, and 4.2 cm2 of each loaf of bread was burnt and unusable. The mean pH was 5.4, and 22.2% of bakeries’ breads a pH was above the standard PH. The mean NaCl was 3.27 gr/bread, which is below the standard level of Iran. Only 16% of bakeries had good hygienic conditions. Conclusion: The education of bakery’s workers, continuous inspection and control of hygienic conditions, preparing the primary materials with good quality, continuous investigation for enhancing the quality and elimination of harmful chemicals from bread can be effective in the improvement of related affairs.

Background: There are some reports on useful effects of some medicinal herbs in treatment of diseases, in traditional medicine. One of these reports is the useful effect of Papaver Somniferum L. on seizure. In this investigation, the effects of methanol extract of Papaver somniferum L. seeds on seizure induced by picrotoxin was studied in male mice.Materials and Methods: In this study the animals were pretreated with different doses of methanol extract (12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. 20 minutes after the extract injection, each animal received 12mg/kg picrotoxin for induction of seizure. Latency time for beginning of seizure, duration of seizure and death time were determined in experimental and control groups.Results: The results showed that latency of the beginning time of seizure was increased in groups that were pretreated with different doses of extract, specially with dose of 200mg/kg, (P<0.01). The duration of seizure increased in all experimental groups comprare to the control animals, but the severity of seizures was milder than the control group. Different doses of extract, specially dose of 50mg/kg delayed the death time in mice (P<0.05).Conclusion: The extract of Papaver Somniferum L, delayed the onset of seizure, decreased the severity of seizure induced by picrotoxin and lenghtened the death time, therefore it is a suitable agent for continuing investigation as anticonvulsant drug.

Background: One of the main causes of musculo-skeletal disorders is muscular imbalance, particularly in urban population who do not have suitable physical activity. This can lead to spinal, lower limbs and gait abnormalities. Applying the most appropriate and effective technique to stretch the shortened muscles is very important in these patients.The current belief is that using biofeedback simultaneously with exercise therapy may increase the effect of the treatment. This has prompted the researchers to investigate the effect of feedback during stretching the hamstring muscle.Materials and Methods: A randomized single blinded clinical trial was conducted on 45 female volunteers from Fateme Zahra Dormitory of Shahid Beheshti University (20-25 years old). All of the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire. Then they were randomly divided into three groups each one consisting 15 subjects. We considered three stretching techniques (static stretch, dynamic stretch with audio-sensory feedback and dynamic stretch only). The treatment course took 4 weeks (every day except Thursday and Friday).The flexibility of the hamstring muscle was assessed by measuring the Range of Motion (ROM) directly by a goniometer and also indirectly by Sit & Reach test at the start and the end of the treatment courses. A t-test and Tukey-B test were used to analyze the data.Results: According to the statistical analysis, all of the three stretching techniques significantly improved the flexibility of the hamstring muscles, however there was no significant differences between the techniques.Conclusion: Considering the relatively identical results of three stretching excises, it seems that the use of feedback simultaneously with stretching can encourage the patients to perform their exercises as much as possible.

Background: Stress causes glucocorticoids (GCs) and endogenous opioids release. Some steroids have inhibitory effects on convulsion but others are convulsive. Endogenous opioid mechanisms may aggravate stress-induced seizures. Swimming at 20oc for 3 min [swimming stress, (SS)] delays the onset of convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and aggravates electroshock-induced seizures. In this study we evaluated the effect of repeated swimming stress on repeated injection of PTZ for induction of chemical kindling. Materials and Methods: 56 Wistar rats were divided into 7 groups ( eight in each group). Animals were chemically kindled by PTZ injections (45mg/kg) given intraperitoneally every 48h. To evaluate the effect of GCs and endogenous opioids 30 mins before PTZ injection, metyrapone (an inhibitor of GCs synthesis) and naloxone as an opioid receptor antagonist were injected. Results: Kindling Process was aggravated by SS, whereas inducing the fifth stage of chemical kindling in SS group decreased from 4.9±1.06 days to 3.3±0.96 in PTZ group. Kindling was completely prevented by injection of metyrapone prior to PTZ injection. Mean values of the seizure stages in different days (except in the second and sixth days) in this group were significantly decreased compare to PTZ group. Naloxone pretreatment delayed the process of kindling whereas, the mean days inducing fifth stage of kindling was increased to 9±2.05 days, and in this group, 50% of animals became kindled. Application of stress 30 min after naloxone, aggravated the process of kindling and in this group all of animals became kindled. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that swimming stress increases the development of PTZ-induced kindling, probably through releasing of GCs and endogenous opioids. The mu opioid receptors may have an important role in the expression of opioid effects

Introduction: Athletes, especially bodybuilders, abuse anabolic steroid drugs to improve their strength and enhance their muscle growth and appearance. Since the frequency of the anabolic steroid abuse was not known in Kerman city, so this study was conducted to determine the type and frequency of anabolic steroid abuse by bodybuilder athletes. Material and Methods: To determine the frequency of anabolic steroid abuse in bodybuilder athletes in Kerman city, a confidential questionnaire which included the demographic data (age, education), name of abused anabolic drug, duration of drug abuse, was completed by 202 bodybuilder athletes, and the collected data were analyzed by routine statistical methods. Results: The Frequency of anabolic steroid abuse by bodybuilders in Kerman city was 18.8%. The mean period of bodybuilding activity was significantly higher in those who used the anabolic drugs (38.8 months), comparing to those who did not use any drugs (14.3 months). Oxymetholone was the most common drug used by athletes, i.e. that 42% of the abusers merely abused Oxy methadone.The frequency of anabolic steroid abuse was not related to education and age of the bodybuilder athletes.Conclusion: The results of this study showed that anabolic steroids are abused by bodybuilding athletes in Kerman city, so the health care providers should provide more information to athletes about anabolic steroid adverse effects to solve the problem of abusing these drugs by them.