Background: Gamma irradiation has been recognized as a reliable and safe method for improving the bio-components of plants. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of irradiated chicory root extract on liver necrosis. Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats were divided equally into six treatment groups: Group I) Control, Group II) CCl4, Group III) CCl4 + irradiated chicory root extract, Group IV) CCl4 + chicory root extract, Group V) irradiated chicory root extract, and Group VI) chicory root extract. Animals were treated for four weeks. At the end of the study, catalase, SOD, lipid peroxidation, ALT, AST, histopathology, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were evaluated. Results: The results showed that the elevated levels of LPO, ALT, and AST in the CCl4 group decreased due to irradiated chicory and chicory root extract. Also, molecular changes and abnormalities in liver tissue improved due to irradiated chicory and chicory root extract. Moreover, the results showed that irradiated chicory roots were more effective than non-irradiated chicory. Conclusions: In conclusion, gamma-ray can increase the bioactive components of chicory root and is more effective in the scavenging of free radicals that cause liver necrosis in CCl4-treated rats.

Background: According to some researches in recent years, Blastocystis is considered as the etiological agent of some gastrointestinal disorders. This parasite is polymorphic and its detection is not easy under the microscope. Because of this problem, several microscopic based studies have already reported different Blastocystis infection rates. Application of culture methods increases the chance of diagnosis of this parasite. The in vitro culture of Blastocystis in Liver Infusion Tryptose (LIT) medium is described for the first time in this study.Materials and Methods: Liver Infusion Tryptose (LIT) containing 10% fetal calf serum in screw-capped tubes was used. Samples incubated in 37°c and examined after 24, 48 and 72 hours.Results: 420 fresh stool samples were tested by LIT culture method and 100 positive samples (23.8%) of Blastocystis sp. were detected. while only 64 samples (15.2%) were positive with direct smear examination.Conclusion: This study highlights the same sensitivity of this culture media and other regular cultures media and it introduces a new medium for Blastocystis sp. detection.

Background: Acute liver failure (ALF) is caused by massive hepatocyte death and accompanied by severe coagulation disorder and encephalopathy. It often leads to multiple organ failure and subsequently death. However, the association between ALF and other organ failure remains unclear. Objectives: Here, we evaluated patients with acute liver injury (ALI) and elevated pancreatic enzymes to demonstrate the association between ALI and pancreatic disorder. Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective study to analyze patients with ALI. Between 2012 and 2017, 163 patients with ALI were treated in our hospital. We stratified patients based on whether serum amylase and lipase were elevated above 1. 5 times the upper limit of normal. We compared the baseline characteristics, severity, prognosis, and serum cytokine levels between the two groups. Results: Of the 163 patients, 75 (54. 0%) presented elevated pancreatic enzymes above 1. 5 times the upper limit of normal. Computed tomography imaging findings associated with pancreatitis were observed in 29 patients (17. 8%). The elevation of pancreatic enzymes was associated with ALI severity. High level of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-, ) was associated with the elevation of pancreatic enzymes (elevation group Vs. no elevation group: 134. 0, 177. 2 pg/mL Vs. 89. 4, 159. 8 pg/mL). Conclusions: The elevation of pancreatic enzymes was often accompanied by ALI and associated with ALI severity. TNF-,signaling was involved in the elevation of pancreatic enzymes. It is possible that the pancreatic disorder reflected ALI severity, consequently correlated with mortality, and did not directly aggravate ALI pathogenesis. These findings provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of ALF.

Background and Objective: Liver is an important organ with specific function in relation to drug metabolism. Haloperidol is a drug for the treatment of schizophrenia, mania in bipolar disorder and dizziness. This study was performed to determine the changes in tissue and hepatic enzymes in male rats born to mothers treated with haloperidol.Methods: In this experimental study, 25 adult female Wistar rats were allocated into 5 groups. The control group, the sham group and experimental groups 1, 2, 3. Dams in experimental groups 1, 2, 3 in the pregnancy period were received 12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg /bw of haloperidol for 21 days orally, respectively. The control groups were sham and three experimental, first, second and third experimental groups. Mothers of mice received 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/kg of haloperidol during the pregnancy as 21 days of gavage. At the end of pregnancy and 22 days of infant, all infants were weighed. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate transaminase (AST), albumin and total protein were measured by autoanalysis and liver tissues were stained using hepatoxylin-eosin method.Results: The mean concentration of albumin and total protein in the second and third experimental groups significantly reduced in compare to control group (P<0.05). The mean concentration of AST in the second and third experimental groups significantly increased in comparsion with control group (P<0.05). The mean concentration of ALT and ALP in all experimental groups was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The mean of liver indices in all experimental groups was not significant in comparison with the control group. In the tissue samples of the experimental groups, necrosis was observed with increasing dosage.Conclusion: Haloperidol has been shown to increase liver enzymes and liver necrosis and increase liver necrosis in a dose-proportional manner.

Background and Objective: The diazinon insecticide is a strong acetylcholinesterase controller at the nerve terminals. This study was conducted to determine the effect of diazinon on functional tests and tissue alterations in rat liver. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats were allocated into 5 groups including the first, second and third experimental groups were received 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/bw of diazinon, respectively, orally during 21 days. The control group did not receive any medication and the sham group received solvent. At the end of study, blood samples were obtained from animals and Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) hepatic enzymes, total protein, albumin and bilirubin were measured. After anesthesia the liver of animals were removed and evaluated by hematoxylin eosin histological staining methods. Results: The level of AST and ALT enzymes in the experimental groups receiving 100 and 150 mg/kg/bw doses of diazinon significantly increased in compared to the control group (p<0. 05). The level of ALP of animals in all groups receiving diazinon was significantly higher than the control group (P<0. 05). Total protein level significantly reduced in all groups receiving diazinon compared to the control group (P<0. 05). The level of albumin in the experimental group receiving 150 mg/kg/bw dose of diazinon significantly reduced in comparision with controls. In the experimental groups, tissue samples showed more necrosis with increasing doses of diazinon. Conclusion: Diazinon increases level of liver enzymes and decreased total protein and albumin level and causes the histological alterations in rat liver.

There is an increasing tendency for traditional medicine in the world. Many people prefer to take herbal products instead of chemical medicines. However, over consumption of herbal medicines has led to many unpredictable side effects.One of these traditional medicines is Citrullus colocynthis, which is used by diabetic patients as an hypoglycemic agent, but it has been reported to cause gastrointestinal disorders after consumption in some patients.50 rats were randomly divided into five groups (4 experimental and 1 controls). In the experimental groups a single daily dose of alcoholic extract of Citrullus colocynthis (50, 100, 200, 400 g/kg) was administered intraperitonally. Normal saline was administered in control group. After two weeks, the rats were killed and the livers were removed and fixed with formalin (10%). Specimens were then processed and stained with H&E and Reticuline. The results indicated that there is a morphological change in liver cells including karyrrhexis, chromatolysis, and granulation of the cytoplasm. Additionally, collagen and reticular fibers were evident in liver parenchyma in high doses. Citrullus colocynthis can have toxic effects on liver cells which may induce hepatocyte necrosis and liver fibrosis. These effects were dose dependent. Further studies are necessary to clarify the issue.