Evaluation of the Effect of Alkaloid Berberine on the Positive and Negative Symptoms of the Patients with Schizophrenia: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric condition that affects approximately 1% of the global population. Over the last decade, the efficacy of berberine as a complementary therapy in psychiatric diseases without significant side effects has been demonstrated. Therefore, this study assessed the effect of alkaloid berberine on the positive and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. From December 2020 to March 2021, a total of 86 patients with schizophrenia who were referred to Shiraz Ebne Sina Hospital in South of Iran were divided into two groups; 42 patients with schizophrenia in the placebo group received risperidone at a dosage of 4-6 mg per day, and 44 patients in the treatment group, in addition to risperidone, received berberine at a dosage of 500 mg per day. This treatment regimen was followed for 30 days. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the patients’ symptoms. According to data analysis, The PANSS score in both groups showed a statistically significant decrease after 30 days (p < 0.05); however, this decreasing trend was not statistically significant between the groups (p > 0.05). The current study showed that complementary use of alkaloid berberine capsule with a dose of 500 mg per day did not show better outcomes compared with the placebo in patients with schizophrenia.

Methamphetamine Downregulates the Sperm-Specific Calcium Channels Involved in Sperm Motility in Rats

Calcium channels play essential roles in sperm motility. A family of sperm-specific cation channels including CatSper1-4 has been identified as voltage-dependent ion channels that act as sperm motility regulators. Methamphetamine is known to cause apoptosis in seminiferous tubules and affect sperm quality. This research was conducted to investigate the effects of methamphetamine on expression of the CatSper family and Mvh genes. Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups of nine rats each: the control and experimental groups 1, 2, and 3. The control group received no solvents or drugs, but experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 were daily given 0.2 mL of a solution by gavage that contained 0.5, 1, and 2 mg of methamphetamine, respectively, for 45 days. The rats were then anesthetized, and one testis removed from each rat was used in a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's posthoc test were used to analyze the data at the P < 0.05 significance level. Treatment with methamphetamine resulted in decreased testis and epididymis weights compared to the control rats. The results showed that the mRNA fold expression level of the CatSper family and Mvh genes decreased significantly in experimental groups compared to that in the control (P < 0.05). Methamphetamine decreased the expression levels of the CatSper and Mvh genes, and thus, it seemed that it can increase the probability of infertility through sperm motility reduction by lowering the expression levels of these genes.

Evaluation of S100A12 and Apo-A1 plasma level potency in untreated new relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and their family members

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the spinal cord and brain. Receptor for advanced glycation end products and Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-AI) have been recommended to have a pathogenic role in the neuroinflammatory disorder as multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this research was to measure the plasma levels of S100A12 and Apo-A1 in the first-degree family of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Plasma levels of S100A12 & Apo-A1 were evaluated via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the thirty-five new cases of untreated patients with deterministic RRMS according to the McDonald criteria, twenty-four healthy controls, and twenty-six first-degree members of untreated RRMS patients (called them as high-risk group). The main findings of this study were as follows: the plasma level of S100A12 was significantly lower in the new cases of untreated RRMS (P ≤ 0.05; 0.045) and high-risk (P ≤ 0.05; 0.001) groups. Although the plasma protein level of Apo-A1 was reduced significantly in the high-risk group (P < 0.05, P = 0.003) as compared to the healthy control group, there was no significant difference in the untreated RRMS patients (P = 0.379). The plasma level of vitamin D3 in both RRMS patients and high-risk groups displayed significance reduction, although, there was no significant association between vitamin D and S100A12 & Apo-A1 levels. Given the role of S100A12 and Apo-A1 in the inflammatory process performed in the first-degree family members of the RRMS patients, which revealed a significant decrease in this group, we concluded that they can be considered as one of the contributing factors in the pathogenesis of MS, though more research is needed before assuming them as predictive biomarkers.

Effect of curcumin on gene expression and protein level of methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA), SOD, CAT and GPx in Freund's adjuvant inflammation-induced male rats

Objective

Curcumin is the well-known compound which is extracted from turmeric powder, the dried rhizome of the Curcuma longa Linn. This have been used for the treatment of various disorders including inflammation. In this study we have analyzed the effect of curcumin on arthritis induced by adjuvant in rats, considering changes in methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) expression and antioxidant enzymes levels.

Methods

Five groups of adult male Wistar rats (n=10), were randomly selected as control, placebo, experimental 1, 2 and 3. The induction of arthritis was carried out by injection of 0.1 ml adjuvant in plantar region. The first experimental group received no curcumin treatment, whereas the experimental two and three received curcumin (1 and 2 g/kg daily) respectively, for fourteen days. MSRA gene expression was assessed by real-time PCR and protein levels of MSRA, SOD, CAT and GPx were analyzed via ELISA method.

Results

The results showed no significant weight changes among the groups during the experimental period and the paw swelling caused by adjuvant was recovered within fourteen days of treatment with curcumin. However, the levels of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were increased by a dose dependent manner. These results also illustrated that the gene expression and protein level of MSRA in groups treated with curcumin increased significantly (p≤0.05).

Conclusion

We concluded that the curcumin can be used against inflammation. The increasing level of MSRA can be due to the antioxidant effect of curcumin. The enzymatic level changes (MSRA, SOD, CAT and GPx) may interfere with the aging process and delay it.

Exploring needs and expectations of spouses of addicted men in Iran: a qualitative study

Addiction is one of the majore problems that affect everyone in the society especially the spouses of addicted men who have to face a large number of problems which are the consequences of their husband’s addiction. This qualitative study was conducted to explore the needs and expectations of women who are living with their addicted husband in Iran. Twenty-four spouses of addicted men participated in this study. The participants were interviewed and each interview was analyzed via the content analysis method. The results of this study showed that the women’s difficulties were related to their approach to the treatment, or their husbands’ response to the treatment, financial constraints and emotional and informational needs. Moreover, these Iranian women expected more stringent control by the government on the phenomenon of addiction and drug trafficking with a view of having a drug-free country. The needs and expectations of the wives of addicted men are context-based and should be assessed separately between individuals, families, and communities. In addition to the addicted person, it is vitally important that the health of the family members of drug addicts be taken into account and for whom supportive services be provided.

Chronic effect of gabapentin on liver function in adult male rats

Gabapentin (GPN) is a new antiepileptic agent currently in used as add-on therapy in adult patients suffering from partial seizures. The extent of liver damage at different dosage and long term treatment with GPN is not yet clear. Therefore this study was undertaken to find out the possibility of liver damage by this drug. Adult male (Wistar) rats of 180-220 g were administered intraperitoneally with GPN (20 or 100 mg/kg) for 45 days. After the experimental period, the liver function tests were carried out in control and experimental groups. The activity of liver enzymes, with 20 mg/kg of GPN were not significantly different from the control group but, the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin were enhanced significantly with 100 mg/kg of GPN. Total protein and albumin decreased in this group as compared with control animals. The histopathology of the liver parenchymal cells also showed minute foci of necrosis in a few rats treated with high dose of GPN, whereas, at therapeutic dose the histopathology and biochemical indices showed almost normal values. At therapeutic dose GPN is a safer drug with regards to liver function and hepatocellular damage as compared with other antiepileptic drugs.

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.

Ocular refractive and biometric characteristics in patients with thalassaemia major

BACKGROUND

Thalassaemia major is associated with characteristic findings in craniofacial bony structures and thereby may render abnormal bony orbit and subsequently distinctive ocular biometry. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ocular refractive and biometric characteristics in patients with thalassaemia major.

METHODS

This case-controlled study comprised 94 eyes of 47 patients with thalassaemia major and 88 eyes of 44 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. All participants had a complete ocular examination including slitlamp biomicroscopy, fundoscopy, ocular biometry, keratometry, refraction and analysis using Fourier transformation.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in spherical equivalent (p = 0.66) and total astigmatism (p = 0.83) between groups. Mean uncorrected vision and visual acuities (logMar) were similar (p = 0.32 and p = 0.71, respectively). Compared with controls, thalassaemic patients had a shorter axial length (23.01 ± 0.12 [SEM] mm versus 23.46 ± 0.12 mm, p = 0.035), thicker crystalline lens (4.01 ± 0.11 mm versus 3.87 ± 0.1 mm, p = 0.046) and steeper average keratometry (44.02 ± 0.24 D versus 43.44 ± 0.24, p = 0.03). Fifty-seven per cent of thalassaemic patients had against-the-rule astigmatism (total), while 64.6 per cent of controls showed a with-the-rule pattern (p < 0.05). These patterns were also found for corneal astigmatism. The magnitudes of total, corneal and lenticular astigmatism were similar among groups. Regression analysis showed significant correlation between corneal (J0 and J45) and total (J0 and J45) astigmatism. The correlations were less prominent between lenticular and total J0 and J45. The mean intraocular pressure was 14.68 ± 0.27 mmHg and 13.3 ± 0.26 mmHg in the thalassaemia and control groups, respectively (p < 0.001). Six eyes (12.8 per cent) of four patients in the thalassaemia group had posterior subcapsular cataract, while the condition had not been observed in controls (p = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Shorter axial length, thicker lens, steeper corneal curvature and more against-the-rule pattern were characteristic findings in patients with thalassaemia major.

Post operative voiding efficacy after anterior colporrhaphy

The aim of this study was to determine the most effective and suitable time to remove the urinary catheter (Foley) after anterior and posterior colporrhaphy surgery. Patients who experience anterior Colporrhaphy operation for genuine stress incontinency or pelvic organ prolapsed will have post operative voiding dysfunction. These patients need postoperative drainage. One of the methods preferred for this purpose is to apply Foley Catheter, but there is no particular regimen available for the exact time of catheter removal in these patients. We have tried to find out the best time to remove Foley catheter after which the repeated Foley catheter is not required or minimized. One hundred and eighty nine patients who have been undergone Colporrhaphy have been selected randomly and divided into three groups' as 1, 2 and 4 days of catheter removal. The number of patients in each group was 62, 63 and 64 respectively. In all three groups, before removing urinary catheter, it was clamped every 4 hrs, for 3 times. After removing of Foley, the patients were guided for urination; the voiding and residual volume was measured. In the patients with an increase of residual volume, the repeated Foley requirement was increased. However, 5.6 % of the patients with residual volume of < or = 33 percent and 23.9% of the patients with residual volume between 33 to 68 percent, and finally 64.8% of the patients with residual volume of > or = 68% had repeated Foley insertion. When considering the number of days, 85, 65 and 35.7 percent of the patients needed repeated Foley after 1, 2, and 4 days of catheter removal respectively. Interestingly, in the third group (4 days of the catheter removal) with residual volume of < or = 33% the repeated Foley requirement was nil, with no increase risk of urinary infection. We suggest that the best time to remove the urinary Foley catheter after anterior and posterior Colporrhaphy is the day four.

Bcl-2 associated athanogene-1 overexpression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Apoptosis and cell cycle regulation play an important role in pathogenesis and tumor progression in patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Bcl-2 associated athanogene-1 (BAG-1) is an antiapoptotic protein as well as a regulator of cell growth. There is no conclusive evidence about BAG-1 protein expression in this disease.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression level of BAG-1 protein in DLBCL.

METHODS

Thirty patients diagnosed from 1997-2004, as having DLBCL, were selected. Also 30 normal lymph nodes were included as normal counterparts in this study. BAG-1 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining in both DLBCL and normal lymph node samples.

RESULTS

Of the 30 DLBCLs examined, 100% were positive for nuclear and 83% were positive for cytoplasmic BAG-1 staining. Of the 30 normal lymph nodes investigated, 20% were positive for nuclear and 0% were positive for cytoplasmic BAG-1 staining. Nuclear staining in DLBCL samples was significantly higher than those of normal lymph nodes (100% versus 20%, p <0.001). Besides, cytoplasmic staining in DLBCL samples was significantly higher than those of normal lymph nodes (83% versus 0%, p <0.001). There was no association between BAG-1 staining and patients' overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicated that BAG-1 protein was deregulated in this disease similar to some other malignancies such as breast and colon cancer. Overexpression of BAG-1 in DLBCL suggests that this protein probably plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DLBCL. Besides, higher nuclear BAG-1 staining might be correlated with poor prognosis.

Effect of chronic administration of phenytoin on regional monoamine levels in rat brain

Phenytoin (DPH) is a widely used anticonvulsant drug but a conclusive mode of action is not yet clear. This study was undertaken to assess the effects of chronic administration of DPH on monoamine levels. DPH (50 mg/kg body weight) was administered to adult male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injections for 45 days and the regional brain levels of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) were assayed using high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. The experimental rats revealed no behavioral deficits of any kind nor body and brain weight deficits were observed. Increased NE levels were observed after DPH administration in motor cortex (P < 0.05), striatum-accumbens (P < 0.01) and hippocampus (P < 0.01), whereas, NE level was decreased in brain stem (P < 0.05). DA levels were increased in striatum-accumbens (P < 0.05), hypothalamus (P < 0.001) and cerebellum (P < 0.001) but decreased in brainstem (P < 0.01). In DPH treated rats, 5-HT levels were increased in motor cortex (P < 0.001) but decreased in cerebellum (P < 0.001) when compared to control group of rats. The present study suggest that chronic administration of DPH induces alterations in monoamine levels in specific brain regions. DPH seems to mediate its anticonvulsant action by selectively altering the monoamine levels in different brain regions.