The Effects of Solvent Polarity on Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Securigera Securidaca (L.) Seeds

The search for indigenous natural antidiabetic and antilipidemec agents is still ongoing. Medicinal plants are widely used for this purpose. These herbs are very rich sources of bioactive compounds as flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, alkaloids which have been reported as effective role to reduce blood glucose and lipid levels. Securigera securidaca seed is reputed in folk medicine for their value as antidiabetic and antilipidemec drugs. In this research, the effect of solvent polarity in bioactive extraction contents of this plant was evaluated by GC-MS analysis. Then antidiabetic and antilipidemic activies of different extracts were investigated in streptozotocine-induced diabetic rats and compared to glibenclamide as known chemical drug for diabetes.The results indicated that, carbon tetrachloride extract of Securigera securidaca seeds showed the best and significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities compared to other extracts because of its more sterols and fatty acids content with beta cells protecting effect from high glucose-induced apoptosis and also increasing in insulin level and sensitivity.

New insight to IL-23/IL-17 axis in Iranian infected adult patients with gastritis: effects of genes polymorphisms on expression of cytokines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Chronic inflammation is the hallmark of the pathogenesis of H. pylori-induced gastric cancer. IL-17A and IL-17F are inflammatory cytokines expressed by a novel subset of CD4+Th cells and play critical function in inflammation. We evaluated the relationship between IL-17A G197A, IL-17F A7488G and IL23R+2199 A/C polymorphisms with IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23 and TGF-β1 mRNAs expression in regard to H. pylori infection with chronic gastritis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Total RNA and genomic DNA were extracted from gastric biopsies of 58 H. pylori-infected patient with gastritis. Afterward, mucosal IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, IL-23 and TGF-β1 mRNAs expression and polymorphisms in IL-17A G197A, IL-17F A7488G and IL-23R +2199A/Cin gastric biopsies were determined by real-time PCR and PCR-RFLP.

RESULTS

Our results show that IL-17A G197A, IL-17F A7488G andIL23R +2199A/C polymorphisms have no effect on mucosal expression of IL-6, IL-17, IL-21 and TGF-β1 mRNAs expression in H. pylori-infected patients with chronic gastritis.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that IL-17A G197A, IL-17F A7488G and IL23R +2199A/C polymorphisms no alter mucosal cytokine pattern in Iranian patients with H. pylori-associated gastritis diseases.

Incidence of acute myocardial infarction in Islamic Republic of Iran: a study using national registry data in 2012

Population-based data on myocardial infarction rates in the Islamic Republic of Iran have not been reported on a national or provincial scale. In a cross-sectional study, data were collected on 20 750 new cases of myocardial infarction (ICD10 codes I21-22) admitted to hospitals and registered by the Iranian Myocardial Infarction Registry in 2012. The crude and age-adjusted incidence for the 31 provinces and the whole country were directly calculated per 100 000 people using the WHO standard population. Overall, males comprised 72.4% of cases and had a significantly lower mean age at incidence than women [59.6 (SD 13.3) years versus 65.4 (SD 12.6) years]. The male:female incidence ratio was 2.63. The age-standardized myocardial infarction incidence rate was 73.3 per 100 000 in the whole country (95% CI: 72.3%-74.3%) and varied significantly from 24.5 to 152.5 per 100 000 across the 31 provinces. The study provides baseline data for monitoring and managing cardiovascular diseases in the country.

Abstract 1110: Colorectal liver metastases induce a systemic phase shift of the biological clock

Circadian clock genes drive cyclic expression of 10-15% of the transcriptome. Disruption of the circadian clock may deregulate the cell's normal functions and can lead to carcinogenesis, indicating that clock genes also act as tumor suppressor genes. In previous work, we have shown that circadian rhythmicity is disrupted in C26 colon carcinoma cell-derived hepatic metastases, as compared to the non-cancerous tissue of the liver. It has been suggested that neoplastic tissue can influence the circadian clock of adjacent tissues, causing a tissue specific phase shift. A better understanding of how tumors affect the circadian system may help elucidate the role of the clock in cancer patients suffering from fatigue and sleep disorders. Therefore, we have examined the circadian clock in liver and kidney tissue of mice carrying hepatic C26 colon carcinoma cell metastases.

Male BALB/c mice were divided into two groups. In group 1, hepatic metastases were induced by injecting C26 colorectal carcinoma cells into the spleen. Group 2 was sham operated. Three weeks after (sham) surgery, animals were sacrificed over a 24-hour period (6 time points, n=4 per time point) and liver and kidneys were collected to compare circadian rhythmicity in control and tumor bearing animals. RNA was isolated and qRT-PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of 5 clock genes (Rev-Erbα, Per1, Per2, Bmal1, Cry1) and 3 clock controlled genes (Dbp, p21 and Wee1).

Liver and kidney tissue of healthy control mice showed normal 24-hour oscillations of all clock genes, consistent with normal circadian rhythmicity. Liver and kidney tissue of tumor-bearing mice, as compared to control mice, showed a marked phase difference in clock rhythms. In the liver we observed a 4-hour phase advance for Bmal1, Rev-Erbα and Dbp. In contrast in the kidney, there was a 4-hour phase delay for Bmal1, Rev-Erbα, Cry1 and DBP, and a 8 hour delay for Per2.

These data show that colorectal liver metastases induce a phase advance in the liver, and a phase delay in the kidney . This suggests a systemic effect of the tumor on peripheral clocks. This difference in clock phase between tumor-bearing mice and healthy controls may provide new clues to further understand the role of the clock for fatigue and sleep problems in cancer patients, but may also give opportunities to administer chemotherapeutic treatment in a chronotherapeutical setting .

Citation Format: Sander A. Huisman, F. Tamanini, A. Ahmadi, J.N.M. IJzermans, G.T.J. van der Horst, R.W.F. de Bruin. Colorectal liver metastases induce a systemic phase shift of the biological clock. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1110. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1110

Application of the Pearl model to analyze fecal coliform data from conditionally approved shellfish harvest areas in seven Texas bays

The U.S. National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP) 14/43 standard states that conditionally approved shellfish growing areas must be closed for harvest when the geometric mean of fecal coliform concentration exceeds the NSSP limit of 14 most probable number (MPN)/100 mL, or the estimated 90th percentile of fecal coliform concentrations exceeds 43 MPN/100 mL for a five-tube test. The authors hypothesized that the NSSP 14/43 standard is not sufficient to protect the public from risks from consumption of biologically contaminated shellfish and the standard should be modified to 8/26 MPN/100 mL. To verify this hypothesis, the authors analyzed fecal coliform data from conditionally approved shellfish harvest areas of seven Texas bays using the Pearl sanitation model. Results showed that the shellfish closure rules mandated by the Texas Department of State Health Services actually enforced the "Pearl" limits of 8/26 MPN/100 mL, and not the NSSP limit of 14/43 MPN/100 mL.

ROLE OF MICROPERC IN MINIMAL INVASIVE EXTRACTION OF Renal STONES IN CHILDREN

BACKGROUND

Microperc using all-seeing needle is associated with reduced tract-related morbidity.

AIM & OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of microperc in children.

PATIENTS & METHODS

From July 2010 to August 2014, a total of 17 children with renal stones underwent microperc at Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital, Nadiad, India. Renal access was achieved through 4.85-Fr (16 gauge) all-seeing needle (PolyDiagnost, Pfaffenhofen, Germany). and fragmentation with 200 µm holmium:YAG laser fiber. The patient's demographic data, clinical features, operating time, hemoglobin drop, stone clearance, complications (Clavien-Dindo), and length of hospital stay were prospectively studied.

RESULTS

A total of 17 patients with a median age of 9 years were studied. The stone size ranged from 5.3mm to 24.9mm. The median operative time was 40 minutes. The median decrease in haemoglobin was 1.2 mg/dl. The stone-free rate at first postoperative day and at the first month after the procedure were 82.4% and 88.2% respectively. The mean hospital stay was 56.4 hours. None of the patients required blood transfusion. An overall success rate of 94.1% was achieved at median follow-up of 4 months. Comparing small size stones (< 1cm) and moderate size stone (1-3cm); the immediate clearance rates were 100% and 75% respectively (p=0.331). There was no statistically significant difference in the operating time (40 vs 43mins; p=0.592), haemoglobin drop (0.85 vs 1.25 g/dl; p=0.595) and the length of hospital stay. One patient in each group had conversion to miniperc to remove residual stone fragment. There was one minor intra-operative pelvic perforation (Clavien II). There were two postoperative complications in patients with moderate stone; one of the patients had right lower lobar pneumonia and the other had colic pain and both cases were managed conservatively (Clavien I).

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated that microperc is a safe and effective procedure in the extraction of small to medium size renal stones in children.

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of New Chemical Entities from Ibuprofen as Novel Analgesic Candidates

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the first choice of drugs that are normally used for the treatment of pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen (I) and its analogues as the most widely used NSAIDs have been synthesized in recent years. In an effort to establish new candidates with improved analgesic properties, derivatives (II-VII) with substituted aromatic as well as aliphatic moieties were synthesized in this experiment and evaluated in formalin test with rats. The results were compared to ibuprofen and control groups. Findings indicated that derivatives with new alkylphenyl rings (VI and VII) had some similar or more analgesic activities relative to the control and ibuprofen groups, respectively; which could be justified as to more alkyl and phenyl groups instead of p-isobutylphenyl moiety in I.

Limited sampling strategy for estimation of amikacin optimal sampling time in critically ill adults

Aminoglycosides are a class of antibiotics that are commonly used in the treatment of gram-negative pathogens in the critically ill population. Unfortunately, dosing of these aminoglycosides in critically ill patients is difficult due to their altered pharmacokinetics in the critically ill and narrow therapeutic index. In this study, we evaluated whether a limited sampling strategy can be used to predict the area under the concentration (AUC) curve of amikacin concentrations over a 24-hour period after a single dose of intravenous amikacin (25 mg/kg). This open-labelled, non-comparative prospective study recruited 20 adult critically ill trauma patients with a diagnosis of hospital-acquired infection. We assessed the best estimate of plasma amikacin concentrations over a 24-hour period by multiple stepwise regression, using nine blood samples during this study period as the gold standard. Using a jackknife procedure, the AUC of amikacin over a 24-hour period was estimated by choosing a combination of the amikacin concentrations measured at different time-points. Overall, the mean prediction error of all models was not statistically different from zero (P >0.05). Based on bias and imprecision, all models gave good estimate of AUC of amikacin over a 24-hour period, but a two-point sampling strategy at 1.5 and 6 hours post-dose appeared to offer the best compromise between accuracy and cost-effectiveness in optimising the dosing of amikacin in critically ill patients.

Hepatoprotective effects of zataria multiflora ethanolic extract on liver toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in mice

Although cyclophosphamide (CP), an alkylating agent, has been extensively used in chemotherapy, it possesses a wide spectrum of adverse effects including hepatotoxicity. This study was aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Zataria multiflora against hepatic damage induced by CP in mice.Mice were orally (gavages) pretreated with the ethanolic extract aerial parts of Zataria at doses of 50, 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days before a single intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg CP. After 24 h, animals were anesthetized, blood samples and hepatic tissues were collected and used for biochemical and histological examination.Serum levels of hepatic markers were significantly increased after only CP treated animals but restored in Zataria pretreated groups. A single dose of CP administration also markedly induced abnormality in the levels of several biomarkers associated with oxidative stress in liver tissues homogenates. However, pretreatment with Zataria significantly inhibited the abnormality of antioxidant enzymes defense system in the liver tissues. In addition, histopathological studies proved that CP causes damage to the liver, and this was evidenced by the induced dilated and congested sinusoidal space, lymphocytic infiltration between hepatocytes, portal space with moderate to severe inflammation and necrotic hepatocyte with absence of nuclei. Zataria effectively protected animals against CP-induced hepatic tissue damages.Our results reveal that Zataria produces a potent hepatoprotective role and could be a potent candidate to use concomitantly as a supplement agent against hepatotoxicity of CP for the patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Abuse potential of carbamazepine for euphorigenic effects

Euphoric effects following administration of CBZ alone have been never reported in any international journals and this is the first case report regarding to potential abuse of CBZ for euphoria. We hope this report will be a warning to physicians who will decide to prescribe CBZ, particularly in the patients who had a history of alcohol dependence as abuse potential of CBZ for euphoric effects has been frequently reported in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal.

Protective Effects of Melatonin against Cyclophosphamide-induced Oxidative Lung Toxicity in Mice

This study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effects of melatonin against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced oxidative lung toxicity in mice. Mice were pre-treated with various doses of melatonin for 7 consecutive days and were then injected with CP (200 mg/kg b. w.) 1 h after last melatonin injection. After 24 h, the mice were euthanized and their lungs were immediately harvested. Several biomarkers associated with oxidative stress in lung homogenates, such as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were measured spectrophotometrically. A single dose of CP markedly altered the levels of these oxidative stress biomarkers in lung homogenates. However, increased lipid peroxidation, measured as TBARs, was significantly inhibited in the lung tissues of the melatonin-pretreated mice compared to the CP alone-injected group. In addition, pretreatment with melatonin also significantly restored GSH levels and SOD and CAT activities. Melatonin also effectively protected animals from CP-induced histological abnormalities in lung tissue. In conclusion, the increase in oxidative stress markers and concomitant adaptations by the antioxidant defense system indicates that oxidative stress plays an important role in CP-induced damage to the lung. Moreover, melatonin is a potent natural antioxidant that helps prevent CP-induced oxidative toxicity in mouse lung tissues. Thus, because melatonin is regarded to be a safe pineal secretory product, it may be used concomitantly as a supplement to reduce lung damage in patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Hesperidin, a citrus bioflavonoid, ameliorates genotoxicity-induced by diazinon in human blood lymphocytes

Hesperidin (Hes), a natural bioflavonoid, is abundant in citrus fruit and has been reported to exert a wide range of pharmacological effects. Diazinon (DZN) can be mutagenic, or capable of inducing genetic damage, in human blood cells. The protective effect of Hes against DZN-induced micronucleus formation, an index of DNA damage, was investigated in human blood lymphocytes. Whole blood samples were collected from 5 volunteers and were incubated with different Hes concentrations for 3 h. The samples were then incubated with 750 µM DZN for 24 h. Subsequently, the blood samples were cultured with a mitogenic stimulant to evaluate micronucleus formation in cytokinesis-blocked binucleated lymphocytes. The incubation of blood samples with DZN induced additional genotoxicity in lymphocytes, and Hes pretreatment significantly reduced the micronucleus frequency (p<0.01-p<0.001). Hes revealed a potent antigenotoxic effect against DZN-induced DNA damage, which may be due to free radical scavenging property. Since hesperidin is a natural compound and is considered safe, it can be used as a supplement to protect people exposed to chemical or environmental hazards.

An intra-hippocampal injection of nandrolone induces learning and memory impairments in rat

This study was investigated to evaluate the effect of intra-hippocampal injection of the nandrolone on spatial learning task in rats. The drug or vehicle was manually injected into the hippocampus with a 10-µl Hamilton syringe attached via polyethylene tubing to 27-gauge stainless-steel injection cannula. After 6 days of recovery, learning behaviors were evaluated using an 8-arm radial maze. The results showed that intra-hippocampal injection of nandrolone can impair trained spatial learning at a dose of 5 µl. We also observed a dense cytoplasm and nucleus in CA1 neurons as well as signs of necrosis. Nandrolone can impair the time required to reach the baited arm as well as the frequency of successful arm entries. At the 10 µl dose of nandrolone, neural hypertrophy and increased dentate gyrus volume were also observed.

Synthesis and antinociception activity of new substituted phenothiazines and ethylenediamines as antihistaminic drugs

Antihistamines play an important role in medicine when it comes to relieving seasonal or non-seasonal rhinitis, the common cold, and itching. They have also shown many various combinations of pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Phenothiazines and ethylenediamines are 2 important classes of antihistamines with analgesic activities in addition to other pharmacological effects. In this study, some new derivatives of these compounds (V-IX) were synthesized and their antinociceptive behaviors were examined by pharmacological tests. The results indicated that new analogue with methyl groups produced a better analgesic activity than chlorine atoms but less than III (without any substitutions) in ethylenediamine class. Also in phenothiazine class, adding pyrimidine and pyridine substituted showed the better analgesic activity compared to other groups. Moreover, the analgesic activities proved that dimethylamine is the best group in amino alkyl side chain of these molecules relative to the substituted piperazines in new analogues.

The potential ameliorative effects of melatonin against cyclophosphamide-induced DNA damage in murine bone marrow cells

OBJECTIVES

The protection afforded by melatonin, a pineal secretory product, against cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced genotoxicity in murine bone marrow cells was tested using micronuclei as an index of induced chromosomal damage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice were pretreated with four different doses of melatonin (2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg by weight, b.w.) via intraperitoneal injection for five consecutive days followed by injection with CP (60 mg/kg b.w.) 1 hr after the last injection of melatonin on the fifth day. After 24 hr, mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation to evaluate micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MnPCEs) and the ratio of polychromatic erythrocyte/polychromatic erythrocyte+normochromatic erythrocyte [PCE/(PCE+NCE)]. Histological examination of the bone marrow was also performed.

RESULTS

Treatment with melatonin significantly reduced the number of MnPCEs induced by CP at all doses (p < 0.0001). At 20 mg/kg, melatonin had a maximum chemoprotective effect and reduced the number of MnPCEs by 6.93 fold and completely normalized the PCE/ (PCE+NCE) ratio. Administration of 20 mg/kg of melatonin led to marked proliferation and hypercellularity of immature myeloid elements after mice were treated with CP, as well as mitigated bone marrow suppression induced by CP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study revealed that melatonin has a potent antigenotoxic effect against CP-induced toxicity in mice, which may be due to the scavenging of free radicals and increased antioxidant status. Because melatonin is a safe, natural compound, it could be used concomitantly as a supplement to protect people undergoing chemotherapy.

Melatonin ameliorates oxidative stress and reproductive toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in male mice

The present study evaluated the efficacy of melatonin in cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced testicular injury, lipid peroxidative damage, and antioxidant enzymes status of the mice testis on the basis of biochemical and histological studies. Mice were pretreated with four different doses of melatonin (2.5, 5, 10, and, 20 mg/kg by body weight (b.w.)) via intraperitoneal injection for five consecutive days followed by injection with CP (200 mg/kg b.w.) 1 h after the last injection of melatonin on the 5th day. After 24 h, mice were euthanized, testes were immediately removed, and biochemical and histological studies were conducted. Treatment with melatonin significantly mitigates lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activity and the level of reduced glutathione content abnormality induced by CP in mice testis. Histological examination clearly demonstrates that pretreatment of melatonin prevented CP-induced spermatogenesis toxicity and spermatogenic cells reduction in mice testis. The protective effect of melatonin is likely due to the antioxidative properties of the indolamine existed in the chemical structure. Because melatonin is a safe, natural compound, it could be used concomitantly as a supplement to protect people undergoing chemotherapy against reproductive toxicity.

Reliability of calcium-binding protein S100B measurement toward optimization of hyperosmolal therapy in traumatic brain injury

BACKGROUND

Osmotherapy is a cornerstone for the management of severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Hypertonic saline (HTS) has advantages as being preferred osmotic agent, but there is inadequte knowledge regarding dose and its saftey in comparison to mannitol. S100B, as a specific neuroinflammatory biomarker in TBI might be a reliable therapeutic index following osmotic therapy.

AIM

To compare both administration ways of HTS 5% (bolus and infusion) with mannitol upon S100B as a therapeutic tool for monitoring treatment in TBI patients.

METHOD

Adult patients wih modrate to severe TBI were recruited and have randomly received one of the three protocols: 125 cc of HTS 5% every 6 hrs (N: 11) as bolus; 500 cc of HTS 5% (N: 12) as infusion for 24 hrs; or 1 g/kg mannitol of 20% (N: 10) as a bolus, repeated with a dose of 0.25-0.5 g/kg every 6 hrs based on patient's response for 3 days. Serum S100B, blood pressure, serum sodium and osmolality and Glascow coma score (GCS) were measured at baseline and daily for 3 days.

RESULTS

Initial serum S100B level in TBI patients was higher than control group (p < 0.0001). Levels of measured S100B have decreased for all treatment groups, but reduction wasn't significantly after hyperosmolal therapy. GCS level increased significantly in infusion group (p = 0.002) and there were negative and significant correlation between serum S100B level and GCS level in some days. Mean arterial pressure increased significantly in HTS groups (bolus: p = 0.002, infusion < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

S100B is closely related to the pathophysiological mechanism in TBI and may be useful as a therapeutic tool for treatment monitoring in TBI patients HTS is a safe and effective osmotic agent in TBI setting.  

Influence of sepsis on higher daily dose of amikacin pharmacokinetics in critically ill patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Severe sepsis is a major problem as cause of high rates morbidity and mortality in intensive care units (ICU). Aminoglycosides are an important group of antimicrobials used for severe sepsis. However, aminoglycoside pharmacokinetics in ICU patients may be altered during sepsis, which can affect the drug concentrations. Therefore, this study was undertaken to examine the relationship between amikacin disposition kinetics after a 25 mg/kg loading dose and hemodynamic response to sepsis, as well as clinical parameters, in a population of critically ill patients.

METHODS

In this work, 30 patients who were candidate to amikacin therapy following Gram negative sepsis were enrolled. The pharmacokinetic profile of amikacin by a non-compartmental model was calculated for each patient.

RESULTS

Mean volume of distribution was 0.36 ± 0.07 L/kg and mean serum amikacin clearance was 3.88 ± 0.97 ml/min/kg. In the case of Vd, APACHE II score correlation was significant. In the case of amikacin clearance, two covariates including creatinine clearance and Sr Cr significant correlation was found.

CONCLUSIONS

It appears necessary to use higher amikacin dosage (≥ 25 mg/kg) considering hemodynamic response of patients to sepsis. To achieve therapeutic drug concentration a close drug monitoring and a shift from the population mean toward a value more representative of the critically ill patient subpopulation is crucial.  

Choronic effects of Lamotrigine on liver function in adult male rats

A number of newly developed antiepileptic drugs are currently in use, among them Lamotrigine (LTG) is more common. Despite the extensive use of this drug, it has not been possible to predict the side effects especially the hepatotoxic reactions after long-term treatment. The present study was designed to find out alterations in the activities of liver enzymes after chronic exposure of rats to different dose of LTG. Adults male (Wistar) rats were treated orally with LTG [5 mg/kg body weight or 25 mg/kg body wt.] for 60 days. After the experimental period, auto analyzer carried out liver function tests. The liver histopathology was obtained after scarifying the rats. There was a significant increase in the level of ALP, AST, ALT and bilirubin at therapeutic dose of LTG. The increase level of these enzymes and bilirubin at toxic dose were much higher and significant. However, the total protein and albumin significantly decreased at toxic dose of LTG. Elevation of liver enzymes and bilirubin after chronic exposure of rats to high dose of LTG reflects hepatocellular damage that may lead to hepatitis. It is concluded that regular liver function and drug monitoring should follow the treatment with LTG.

Effect of intrathecal midazolam in the severity of pain in cesarean section: a randomized controlled trail

BACKGROUND

The benzodiazepines are used primarily for anxiolysis, amnesia and sedation. However, recent investigations have shown that some forms of this group of drugs have also direct effect on pain. This study aims to determine the effect of midazolam in reducing the severity of pain in women scheduled for elective cesarean section.

METHODS

In a prospective, double blind randomized controlled trial, two groups parallel study, was conducted in Imam Reza/Moatazedi Hospital, an affiliate of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences. Parturient women who met study inclusion criteria were consecutively assigned into either experimental (n=62) or control groups (n=62). Women in the experimental group received bupivacaine (10 mg) plus intrathecal midazolam (2 mg/ml) (BM) and those in the control group received bupivacaine plus normal saline (BNS). The outcome pain severity was measured by Verbal Numerical Rating Scale.

RESULTS

In comparison with the BNS group, mothers in the BM group reported a significant relief in pain (15 min and 120 min) after the surgery. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding the intensity of pain 5, 30, 60 and 240 min after the surgery. The average time until the first dose of additional analgesic, per mother's request was 142.18±55.19 min in the BNS vs 178.06±77.33 min in the BM group.

CONCLUSION

Combination of bupivacaine plus intrathecal midazolam was an effective anesthetic technique to provide improvement in pain. The onset of sedation was faster in the BM group compared with the BNS group. The duration of effective analgesia, and the time for regression of sensory analgesia was the same in both groups in our study. However, incidence of nausea and vomiting was higher in the experimental group.

Diospyros lotus L. fruit extract protects G6PD-deficient erythrocytes from hemolytic injury in vitro and in vivo: prevention of favism disorder

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of Diospyros lotus L. fruit extract against the hemolytic damage induced by Vicia faba beans extract in both G6PD enzyme-deficient human and rat erythrocyte in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In the former model, venous blood samples were obtained from five subjects with known G6PD deficiency and erythrocyte hemolysis induced by Vicia faba L. bean extract was asessed spectrophotometrically in the presence and absence of Diospyros lotus L. fruits extract. In the in vivo model, G6PD-deficient rats (induced by intraperitoneal injection of dehydroepiandrosterone for 35 days) pre-treated with different doses of Diospyros lotus L. (500, 750, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg, p.o for 7 days) were challenged with Vicia faba beans extract and the protective effect of the fruit extract against hemolysis was evaluated as above.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The results have shown that Diospyros lotus L. fruits extract has antioxidant activity that may protect against hemolytic damage induced by Vicia faba bean extract in both G6PD-deficient human and rat erythrocytes. The study gives a scientific basis for the efficacy of the fruit extract as used in Iran. The fact that this was shown in human erythrocytes in vitro is significant and provides a rationale for further testing in vivo in G6PD-deficient human populations.

Dielectric and molecular dynamics study of the secondary relaxations of poly(styrene-co-methylmethacrylate) copolymers: Influence of the molecular architecture

The effect of the structure of copolymers (random, alternate or diblock) on their dynamics has been studied by dielectric spectroscopy. Six copolymers of styrene and methyl methacrylate (three diblocks, one alternate and two random) have been studied. The results show that the sub- T (g) transitions of the diblock samples can be described by one asymmetric Havriliak-Negami (HN) function, while two are necessary for the rest of the copolymers (β and γ relaxations). The characteristic times of the sub- T (g) relaxations show an Arrhenius temperature dependence and there is a strong coupling of the α and β relaxations at high temperatures. The deconvolution of the merging relaxations has been made in the framework of the Williams Ansatz set out in terms of Havriliak-Negami distributions. Because the 2D (2)H-NMR results excluded any significant contribution from the rotation of the methoxy group of the methacrylate group around the C-OCH(3) bond, the γ relaxation may be assigned to the rotation of the methyl methacrylate group in a styrene-rich environment. The Molecular Dynamics simulations of a poly(methyl methacrylate) homopolymer and of the alternate copolymer are in qualitative agreement with the experimental results, although they predict smaller values for the activation energy of the sub- T (g) relaxations.

Mechanistic links between oxidative/nitrosative stress and tumor necrosis factor alpha in letrozole-induced murine polycystic ovary:

This study aimed to investigate the possible relationship between ovarian functionality and the oxidative response during cystogenesis induced by hyperandrogenization with letrozole and examine protective effect of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) agonist, pioglitazone (PIO), in polycystic ovary (PCO). Ovarian cysts were induced by oral administration of letrozol (1 mg/kg/day) for 21 consecutive days in the female rats. Effective dose of PIO (20 mg/kg/day) was administrated orally for 21 days. Serum estradiol (E), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and the ovarian immunomodulator prostaglandin E (PGE) were analyzed as biomarkers of ovarian function. To determine the role of oxidative stress in PCO, the level of cellular lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and peroxynitrite (ONOO), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as a marker of inflammation and apoptosis were measured in serum and the ovaries. Letrozole-induced PCO in rats exhibited a significant increase in LPO and ONOO in serum and ovary while significantly decreased serum and ovarian SOD, CAT, and GPx. Serum T and TNF-α, and ovarian PGE were increased in animals with cysts compared with healthy controls, while E and P diminished. When compared to control group, letrozole-treated group showed irregular sexual cycles, polycystic ovaries characterized by high incidence of sub-capsular ovarian cyst with diminished or scant granulosa cell layer, increased number of atretic pre-antral and antral follicles and absence of corpus luteum. There were almost no primary, secondary, and tertiary follicles observed in PCO rats. All measured parameters were improved by PIO and reached close to normal levels. The present study further supports the role of oxidative/nitrosative stress and infiammatory responses in the pathogenesis of letrozole-induced hyperandrogenic PCO rats. Results indicate that PIO is able to exert direct antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on the endocrine, biochemical, and pathological alterations independent of its possible effects mediated via increased insulin sensitivity in hyperandrogenized PCO.

The dilemma of hyperoxia following positive pressure mechanical ventilation: role of iron and the benefit of iron chelation with deferasirox

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Increased oxidative stress in patients under treatment with high concentrations of oxygen (hyperoxia) is considered to be one of the major mechanisms of lung injury, which is thought among different mediators, transition metal ion, iron, by generation of very reactive free radicals which play an important role. Disruption of normal iron homeostasis has been reported in hyperoxic conditions. We hypothesized that chelation of iron can reduce hyperoxia-induced lung injury.

METHODS

Mechanically ventilated patients, who received oxygen with FiO2 >0.5 for at least 3 days, underwent bronchoscopy before and 72 hours after receiving "Deferasirox". Oxidative injury index and iron homeostasis markers were measured in lavage fluid and plasma.

RESULTS

In 12 patients, the concentrations of 8-isoprostane (p=0.005), 8-oxoguanine (p=0.04), carbonyl proteins (p=0.04)--as markers of oxidative stress--decreased significantly in lavage fluid after intervention. Levels of iron-related proteins, ferritin (p=0.04) and transferrin (p=0.005) also decreased significantly in lavage fluid.

CONCLUSION

Deferasirox--as an iron chelator--decrease oxidative injury index in hyperoxic condition and it could be consider safe and beneficial agent, along with other supportive measures in hyperoxia-induced lung injury for better toleration of oxygen therapy.