Armaghane Danesh
Year:2010 | Volume:15 | Issue:1 (57)|Papers Count:12

Introduction & objective: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common hyper androgenic disorders with hyperandrogenemia and insulin resistance affecting women. Approximately 40% of sisters of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome have hyperandrogenemia phenotype. The current study was conducted to survey the abnormal glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and incidence of diabetes type2 in first degree relatives of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.Materials & Methods: This was a case-control study which was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2008. One hundered and seven individuals as case group and 107 individuals as control group were evaluated. After registering their height and weight, a blood sample was obtained from all participants in order to assay both their serum insulin and blood sugar. Then participants were asked to drink 75 gr glucose solutions, and after lapsing for 2 hours, a blood sample was taken from all participants again. After doing biochemical tests, data were gathered and analyzed by means of independent t-test and Fisher's exact test as well as chi-square. Analysis was done by using SPSS software, version 11.5.Results: Insulin resistance with fasting insulin, glucose intolerance and obesity of control group were much different from case group and these differences were statistically significant (p<0.05).Conclusion: The first degree relatives of women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome are exposed to impaired tolerance glucose, Insulin resistance and diabetic mellitus.

Introduction & Objectives: Recently, the findings of some studies have shown that, nitric oxide (NO) probably has an important role in differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of nitric oxide production inhibitor named, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), on rat mesenchymal stem cells differentiation to osteoblasts in vitro.Materials & Methods: This was an experimental study conducted at Hamedan University of Medical Sciences in 2009, in which rat bone marrow stem cells were isolated in an aseptic condition and cultured in vitro. After third passage, the cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium. To study the effects of L-NAME on osteogenic differentiation, the L-NAME was added to the culture medium at a concentration of 125, 250, and 500 mM in some culture plates. During the culture procedure, the media were replaced with fresh ones, with a three days interval. After 28 days of culturing; the mineralized matrix was stained using Alizarian red staining method. The gathered data were analyzed by SPSS software version 12 using one way ANOVA.Results: The findings of this study showed that in the presence of LNAME, differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblasts was disordered and matrix mineralization significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner.Conclusion: This study revealed that, inhibition of nitric oxide production using L-NAME can prevent the differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to osteoblast. The results imply that NO is an important constituent in differentiation of mesenchymal stem cell to osteoblasts.

Introduction & Objective: Although antibiotics are used in conventional treatment of infectious diseases, a lot of unexpected side effects along with resistance to antibiotics appear. Salvia officinalis and Mentha piperita are plants found abundantly in most parts of Iran. In the present study, we extracted and identified the chemical compounds of the essential oils of Salvia officinalis and Mentha piperita. Moreover, the anti-oxidative property, free radical scavenging capacity, and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils of these plants were studied.Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in the Biotechnology Department laboratories, Agricultural Faculty of Avicina University, Hamadan, Iran, in 2009. The aerial parts of Salvia officinalis and Mentha piperita were harvested in summer, when the plants were in their full blooming stage and dried in the shade. The essential oil of the aerial parts was extracted by hydrodistillation and was analyzed by capillary GC and GC/MS method. The micro-organisms employed in this study were: E. coli, S. aureus, S. enteritidis, L. monocytogenes. By employing disc diffusion and tube dilution methods, antimicrobial effects of the oils were studied. Antioxidative property, free radical scavenging capacity, and antimicrobial activities of the oils were also studied.Results: Chemical analysis of the extracts resulted in the identification of 28 and 37 compounds in the essential oils of Salvia officinalis and Mentha piperita respectively. The sensitivity of the bacteria to the oils in order of decreasing the sensitivity was L. monocytogenes, E. coli, S. aureus, and S. enteritidis. The antibacterial properties of the essential oil from Mentha piperita leaves were higher than the oil of Salvia officinalis leaves. Also inhibitions zones of microbial growth were not correlated with the microbicidal kinetics of the oils.Conclusion: This study showed that the herbal essences of Salvia officinalis and Mentha piperita are very active against E. coli, S. aureus, S. enteritidis and L. monocytogenes.

Introduction & Objective: Diabetes, i.e. lack of proper control of blood sugar, may cause serious complications in patients. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of electrical muscle stimulation on glucose control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.Materials & Methods: This clinical-trial study was conducted in 2009, in Shiraz, Iran. Forty nine diabetes mellitus patients, Type 2, participated in this study. In 28 cases, dietary and exercise modifications were recommended and electrical muscle stimulation was carried out. For the other 21 cases, only dietary and exercise modifications were recommended. Laboratory tests, including fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glucose tolerance test (GTT), was performed before the study and 6 weeks afterward. The results were analyzed by SPSS version 15.5 software and using t-test.Results: The mean of FBS in the case group before EMS was 156 mg/dl and 6 weeks later changed to 123 mg/dl (p<0.05), while in the control group these indices were 158 mg/dl and 154 mg/dl respectively. The mean of GTT in patients before EMS was 193 mg/dl and 6 weeks later became 150 mg/dl (p<0.05), whereas in the control group these figures were 204 mg/dl and 201 mg/dl respectively.Conclusion: The results of this study confirmed that the use of electrical muscle stimulation can be effective on glucose control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction & Objective: Effective materials from Valerian officinalis L. have too much usage in the pharmacological industry. It is used as a sedative, anticonvulsion, and antidepressant drug. Serotonin has a widespread role in vital function such as sleep, awareness and calmness. In this study we evaluated the effect of hydrochloric extract of valerian on number and size of raphe magnus neurons in adult rat.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, which was conducted at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in 2009, forty adult Wistar rats, each 170-250 gr, were divided randomly into four groups (one control group and three experimental groups). The animals were injected daily for one month with doses of 300, 400 and 600 mg/kg of the extract. The control group just received distilled water. After transcardial perfusion, the whole brain was separated, then 10 μm sections of the brain stem were prepared, and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were done. Number and size of raphe magna neurons were observed under light microscope. The gathered data were analyzed by the SPSS software using One-way ANOVA and LSD.Results: The control group did not statistically show significant changes in number of raphe magna neurons. Comparison of the means of long and short diameter neurons showed significant increases in experimental groups with control group (P<0.05). In experimental groups the neuron nucleuses were more euchromatic than the control group.Conclusion: Hydrochloric extract of valerian has no effect on raphe magnus neurons, but it is effective on neurons' size. It can be concluded that the extract increases both neurons activity and serotonin secretion.

Introduction & Objective: Numerous observations in clinical and preclinical studies indicate that the developing brain is particularly sensitive to lead (PB)'s pernicious effects. The effects of low concentrations of lead on neurodevelopment are complicated. Lead acetate can disrupt both the CNS activity and neurons development. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of low level lead exposure on learning and memory by active avoidance learning.Materials & Methods: This experimental study was conducted at the Islamic Azad University of Parand in 2008. Eight groups of NMRI rats (9 rats in each group) (weight 220±30 gr) consisting of six experimental groups (3 after infancy and 3 adult groups) were exposed to low concentrations of lead for 45 days. The drinking water of the experimental groups was replaced by 0.05 %, 0.1 % and 0.2 % of lead acetate solution whereas the two control groups received distilled water. The results were analyzed using the SPSS software and student t-test.Results: In this study, the learning and memory tests showed no significant differences between experimental groups (infancy and adulthood) and infancy control and adult control in number of shocks for 0.05% concentration of lead acetate. The memory test showed an increase in number of shocks for 0.1% and 0.2% concentration of lead acetate in adult groups and an increase in number of shocks for 0.2% concentration of lead acetate in infancy groups (P<0.05). The learning test showed an increase in number of shocks for 0.2% concentration of lead acetate in infancy groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: Mechanisms of lead poisoning in the CNS are not clear; and it as been suggested that lead exposure during life alters the granule cell neurogenesis and morphology in the hippocampus of infant or young adult rats.

Introduction & Objective: The remedial use of plants dates back to ancient time. Medicinal plants are considered to be an important source for their therapeutic and preventive effects against many diseases. Teucrium polium (Lamiaceae) is a plant that has been used over 2000 years in traditional medicine. The wild-growing, flowering plant, found abundantly in many areas of the world, including Iran. The biological activities of T. polium is widely reported and it has been shown to have, anti-hypertensive, weight loss and hypoglycemic effects. There are contradictory studies about the effects of T. polium on blood glucose, lipid, and the liver. In the present study, the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of T. polium on biochemical and hematological parameters of hepatotoxic rats were evaluated.Materials & Methods: This experimental study was conducted in 2009 at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Thirty-two Wistar male rats, weighing 250–300 gr, were randomly divided into four groups, 8 rats in each group. Animals in groups 1, 2 and 3 received 0.5 mL/kg olive oil (i.p), CCl4 (1 mL/kg, i.p) plant extract 200 mg/kg (o.p) respectively. The rats in group 4 were injected with CCl4 and plant extract. After eight days, blood samples were collected by direct cardiac puncture. The animal whole blood and serum were processed for evaluating the hematological and biochemical parameters.Results: The results showed that serum glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride values were significantly increased in animal which received T. polium in comparison with the control group. There was a significant increase in both ALT and AST enzyme activities in groups 2 and 4 compared with the control group. WBC and platelets count increased significantly in groups 2, 3, and 4 compared to the control group.Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, the use of Teucrim polium does not lead to severe liver damage, although it increases the blood cholesterol, glucose, and triglyceride. Accordingly, consumers should be advised that caution be exercised in the consumption of Teucrim polium.

Introduction & Objective: One of the infrequent complications of surgical operations is retained foreign body in body cavities which lead to morbidity and mortality for patients and also medico-legal problems for surgeons. Gossypiboma is an uncommon surgical complication, which is defined as a mass or cystic lesion due to retained surgical sponge in the abdominal cavity. Retained foreign body causes abscess, fistula, mass, obstruction after surgical operations and is diagnosed by x ray evaluation. In all patients, it is presented with pain, palpable mass. The infected post operation retained foreign bodies should be considered in differential diagnosis. In this study, we reported a patient with systemic presentation of retained two foreign bodies (surgical sponge) in abdominal cavity.Case: The patient is a 32 years old female, which after cesarean section in 2008 developed abdominal pain, anorexia, and weight loss. The patient was referred to a specialist, and para-clinical checkup was done on her. In sonography and CT-scan, two cystic lesions with calcified wall were reported in the left and right sides of the abdomen.Then, the patient was referred to a surgeon with the diagnosis of hydatid cyst. During operation, cystic lesion with adhesion to viscera in the right side of the abdomen and a mass lesion in the descending colon in the left side were seen.The pathology report showed a surgical sponge in the right cystic lesion and surgical towel in the descending colon.Conclusion: Retained foreign bodies should be considered in differential diagnosis of any post-operative patients who are presented with pain, infection, or palpable mass.

Introduction & objective: Labor pain is one of main preoccupations of pregnant women. In this study, our aim was determining the lavender aromatherapy on pain intensity perception and intrapartum outcome in primipare.Materials & Methods: The present randomize control trial (RCT) study was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2007.One hundred sixty participants, who enrolled voluntarily in our survey and signed the consent form, were divided into two equal groups by simple sampling. The intervention days were randomly separated to avoid any bias. The aroma group received 0.1 milliliter of lavender essential oil mixed with 1 milliliter of distilled water, via tissues attached to their gown close to their nostrils, and the control group received just 2 cc of distilled water via the same way.Pain perception intensity was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) before the intervention, 30 and 60 minutes after aromatherapy respectively. Both groups were observed during labor time to monitor any aroma side effects. Collected data were analyzed by t-test and chi-square using the SPSS software.Results: Independent T test analysis revealed that the differences in the means of pain perception intensity before intervention between the two groups are not significant while the means of pain perception intensity in the aroma group was lower than that of the control group at 30 and 60 minutes after the interventions (p<0.001). Paired T test showed that the means of pain perception intensity in the aroma group did not differ before the intervention,30 and 60 minutes after the intervention, but in the control group, had significant increasing in pain perception intensity (p<0.001) was seen. Aromatherapy with lavender did not affect the duration of labor phases and Apgar score.Conclusion: The present study revealed that aromatherapy with lavender affects pain perception of labor pain in the aroma group, but did not affect duration of labor phases and Apgar score.

Introduction & Objective: Wound healing is the process of repairing following injury to the skin and other soft tissues. Following injury, inflammatory response occurs and the cells below the dermis begin to increase collagen production, later on, the epithelial tissue is regenerated. Royal jelly (RJ) is a bee product. There are many reports on pharmacological activity of RJ on experimented animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of RJ on the induction of wound healing of sterile incision in Balb/C mice.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study which was conducted at Shahr-e-kord University of Medical Sciences in 60 female Balb/C mice (8 weeks old) were selected. The mice were anesthetized with ether. The dorsal fur of the animals was shaved and sterilized with alcohol, and then a longitudinal para vertebral full thickness incision of 10mm long was made. The animals were then divided into six equal groups. In group one (negative control), nothing was applied to the wound. Group 2 (positive control) was treated with nitrofurazon ointment, group 3 was treated with RJ 200 mg/kg daily, group 4 was treated with RJ 200 mg/kg every two days, group 5 was treated with RJ 300 mg/kg daily, group 6 treated with RJ 300 mg/kg every two days. Royal jelly was topically used on the wounds. The wound length was measured with vernier capilar every two days until the complete healing was occurred. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 11.5 using Kruscal Walis tests. Results: There was a significant difference between groups 1, 2 with the other groups (p<0.015). RJ promoted wound healing activity significantly in group 3, 5 compared to negative and positive control groups. There was no significant difference between the dosage of 200mg/kg with 300 mg/kg of RJ (p>0.015).Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that daily application of RJ possesses betters wound healing effects than nitrofurazon.