Delayed Effects of Remote Limb Ischemic Preconditioning on Maximum Oxygen Consumption, Lactate Release and Pulmonary Function Tests in Athletes and non-Athletes

Background: Remote Ischemic Preconditioning (RIPC) improves exercise performance, and since this phenomenon has two phases, the aim of the current study was to investigate the delayed effects of remote ischemic preconditioning on cardiopulmonary function in athletes and non-athletes. Materials and Methods: 25 male and female students were studied in two main athletes and non-athletes groups. RIPC was induced by using 3 cycles of alternative 5 minutes ischemia and 5 minutes reperfusion at arms of participants. Cardiopulmonary tests were measured before, after and 24 hours after inducing remote ischemic preconditioning. Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) estimated by using queen steps test. Results: Analysis of data demonstrated that delayed RIPC in non-athletes group caused significant improvement in Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) and noticeable improvement in some other parameters of pulmonary function tests. Moreover, it decreased systolic blood pressure and heart rate and decreased lactate release in both groups especially athletes group but it had no significant effect on VO2max of both groups. Conclusion: Delayed RIPC improves cardiovascular function of athletes and pulmonary function of non-athletes subjects. Thus, it can be considered as a good replacement for doping to improve sports performance of subjects in sports tournaments

Hydroalcoholic extract of Sargassum Oligocystum attenuates pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures by potentiating antioxidant activity in mice

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of Sargassum oligocystum extract on the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) seizure and the contribution of antioxidant capacity of this alga to its antiepileptic effect. Methods A dose of 100 mg/kg PTZ was used to induce the seizure in the male albino mice. Extract of Sargassum oligocystum in four doses (100, 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg), diazepam (5 mg/kg) and the vehicle were used 30 min before the injection of PTZ (n = 8). The onsets of clonic and tonic-clonic seizures, as well as the latency of death of animals, were recorded and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and catalase level were measured. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results Sargassum oligocystum extract at the doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg significantly increased the latency of clonic and tonic-clonic seizures. Also, at the doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly increased the TAC. Moreover, Sargassum oligocystum at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg increased the SOD activity and at the doses of 400 and 600 mg/kg increased the catalase level in neural cells compared with the vehicle-treated group. Conclusion Sargassum oligocystum extract inhibited PTZ-induced seizure. Attenuation of oxidative stress may partly be responsible for the anticonvulsant effects of this alga in the PTZ-induced seizures. Therefore, marine algae, especially Sargassum oligocystum, may be a valuable target to discover new antiepileptic drugs

Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Sargassum Oligocystum on Serum Concentration of SIRT1 and FGF21 in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rat

Background: SIRT1 and FGF21 are known to regulate glucose metabolism and moderate diabetes complications. Sargassum oligocystum extract has therapeutic characteristics. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of sargassum oligocystum on serum levels of SIRT1 and FGF21in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into six groups: the non-diabetic control, the diabetic control, the diabetic treated with 150mg/kg of the extract, the diabetic treated with 300mg/kg of extract, the diabetic treated with 450mg/kg of the extract and the diabetic treated with 100mg/kg of Metformin. After 30 days of treatment, serum levels of SIRT1 and FGF21 of rats were measured. The data was analyzed in SPSS software version 22. Results: The extract of sargassum at the dose of 450mg/kg significantly reduced the SIRT1 serum level, but no changes were observed in the serum level of FGF21 and insulin at any of the doses. Moreover, serum glucose and insulin resistance were decreased at the doses of 300mg/kg of the extract. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the algae extract did not significantly change SIRT1 and FGF21 levels in order to regulate the glucose metabolism

Anti-diabetic effects of Sargassum oligocystum on Streptozotocin- induced diabetic rat

Objective(s): Diabetes is a metabolic syndrome which is associated with the worldwide major public health problems. There are many natural compounds from the sea-market, as a valuable aquatic source, along with the variety of health and therapeutic benefits. In the present research, with respect to the traditional and ethnic uses of Sargassum oligocystum algae for healing of some diseases which have similar metabolic mechanism to the diabetes, its anti-diabetic effects in animal model was proposed. Materials and Methods: The animals (rat) were divided into the normal control, diabetic control, positive control and, the test groups. The test groups were gavaged with oral doses of 150 and 300 mg/kg of algae hydroalcoholic extracts. After 30 days of intervention the serum glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDLC, LDLC, insulin, insulin resistance, β-cells function and, the histopathology of pancreatic tissue were evaluated. Results: In animals that were fed with algae extracts a significant decrease in the fasting blood glucose, triglyceride and HOMA-IR and an increase in the HOMA-B with no significant impacts on the insulin, cholesterol and HDL were observed. Also, the histopathology evaluations in the groups which were treated with algae extract revealed the regeneration and reconstitution of damaged pancreatic β-cells. Conclusion: The results give evidence that, the S. oligocystum algae extract has a healing effect on diabetes which can be considered as a new research prospect for the natural therapy of diabetes

Healing effects of Pergularia tomentosa L., a native medicinal plant in Bushehr province, Iran on burn, in animal model

Burn injury is one of the most destructive events in the world. The Pergularia tomentosa L. is a medicinal plant that traditionally, applies for treatment of burning, in Bushehr province, Iran. Various bioactive compounds such as steroid glycosides, tannins, various vitamins, saponins, cardenolides and anthraquinones were identified into extract of the plant, which can be effective in burn wound healing. Twenty-one rats weighting every one 200±5 grams were divided equally into three groups. The second-degree burning induced on all groups. One of groups did not receive any treatment (The control group) and was treated locally with saline and eucerin. The Second group received the P. tomentosa L. as a topical ointment, and the third group received locally, a thin layer of silver sulfadiazine ointment 3% after washing the wound with saline. Afterward treatment period, the microscopic slides from histological sections were prepared. At that point, amounts of the fibroblast cells, blood vessels, wound area, necrotic tissues, and diameter of epidermis rate of wound healing were determined. Also the exterior status of wound in different days was considered. Results obtained from current study have revealed that the extract of P. tomentosa L. can significantly, cause qualitative and quantitative acceleration in healing of second degree burn wounds, due to their bioactive and vasoactive properties. In conclusion the P. tomentosa L. can is used as an overborne medicine with lower cost and side effect than the similar chemical medicines. Although, the further studies are needed on these plants, due to their some toxic effects

Comparison of the Prevalence and Latency of Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials in Normal Participants and Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Meniere's disease Patients

Background and Aim: Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) originate from the saccule and the inferior vestibular nerve. In this study, the prevalence of VEMP and latency of the p13 and n23 were compared between three groups of individuals, including symptomatic and asymptomatic Meniere's disease cases and normal participants.Methods: This study was conducted on 42 cases with the mean age of 40.48 years; thirty were Meniere's disease patients, of which 19 were symptomatic and 11 were asymptomatic; twelve were normal participants. The VEMP were recorded with 500 Hz tone bursts at 120 dBpeSPL. Then the prevalence and latency of the waves were analyzed and compared in the three above mentioned groups.Results: The prevalence of VEMP in symptomatic Meniere's disease patients (52.6%) was significantly less than asymptomatic individuals (90.9%) and also normal subjects (100%)(p0.05). The latency of p13 for symptomatic, asymptomatic and normal participants was 16.41, 15.20 and 14.14 ms, respectively and the latency of n23 for these groups was 20.25, 18.77 and 18.50 ms, respectively.Conclusion: In Meniere's disease, after medical management, the succule probably regains normal function resulting in re-existence of VEMP. It seems that there is no change in the latency of the waves, most likely due to involvement of the inner ear and intactness of the nerve. VEMP may be a useful test for diagnosis of Meniere's disease and additionally for monitoring the trend of medical management

The effects of aqueous extract of stevia plant (Stevia rebaudiana) on serum concentration of vaspin and Angiopoietin-like Protein-3 in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Background: Considering the importance of the prevalence of diabetes which involves approximately 6% of the world's adult population, the need for low-calorie natural sweetener is felt more than ever. Recent studies have shown that hormones such as vaspin and Angiopoietin-like Protein3 (ANGPTL3) are associated with diabetes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana ) plant (as a low calorie sugar) on serum concentration of vaspin and ANGPTL3 in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, forty male wistar rats weighing 180-250 g were divided into 5 equal groups: control, diabetic control and doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg/BW/day of Stevia extract treatment. Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). After 5 days, the rats with glucose above 300 mg/dl were considered as diabetic. The Stevia treatment groups received 250, 500 and 750 mg of Stevia extract for thirty days. At the end of experiment, blood samples were obtained measurement of vaspin, ANGPTL3, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, glucose, insulin and ALP. Histological study of the pancreas and liver biopsy were also performed. The results of the treatment and control groups were analyzed by SPSS software and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The level of alkaline phosphatase, insulin resistance index, glucose and triglyceride were decreased significantly in the groups 250 and 500 compared with the diabetic control group(p&le;0.05). However, insulin levels, HOMA.B, vaspin, ANGPTL3 and weight of the rats in all treatment groups were not significantly different from the control diabetic group. There were no histological changes in pancreatic and liver tissue following Stevia treatment. Conclusion: Administration of Stevia extract via reduction in serum glucose, triglyceride and insulin resistance can be effective in lowering the blood sugar and lipid, also lowering concentrations of serum alkaline phosphatase may have a protective effect on the liver. Howeve it should be considered the appropriate dosage of Stevia etract treatment is very important

The Effect of Stevia Rebaudiana on Serum Omentin and Visfatin Level in STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats

Recently the role of adipocytokines in relationship to incidence of diabetes has been demonstrated. One of the medicinal plants that are used in the treatment of diabetes is stevia. This study investigates the effect of stevia on serum omentin and visfatin levels as novel adipocytokines in diabetic induced rats to find potential mechanisms for the anti hyperglycemic effect of stevia. Forty male wistar rats weighing 180–250 g were induced with diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The animals were divided into 5 groups of 8. Rats in group 1 (non-diabetic control) and group 2 (diabetic control) were treated with distilled water, and the rats in the treated groups, group 3 (T250), group 4 (T500), and group 5 (T750) were treated with stevia, gavaged every day at 9 a.m. in doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg, respectively. At the end of the study significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS), the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglyceride (TG), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Omentin level were found in groups 3 and 4 in comparison with group 2. Pancreatic histopathology slides demonstrated that stevia extract did not induce any increase in the number of β-cells. The conclusion is that prescription of stevia in the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg/d decreases the omentin level indirectly via activating insulin sensitivity and lowering blood glucose in STZ-induced diabetic rats