518 research outputs found
The effects of myricitrin and vitamin E against reproductive changes induced by D-galactose as an aging model in female mice: An experimental study
Background: Aging is accompanied by decreasing general function in the cells and tissues. D-galactose (D-gal) induces aging and plays a role in the pathogenesis of it. Myricitrin is a plant-derived antioxidant.
Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of myricitrin on antioxidant defense, sex hormone levels, uterus, and ovarian histology in D-galinduced aging female mouse model.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 72 female adult NMRI mice, weighing 30-35 gr, 3-4 months old, were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12/each): (I) Control (vehicle; normal saline), (II) D-gal at 500 mg/kg/d for 45 days, (III-V) D-gal + myricitrin-treated groups (these groups received myricitrin at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/d, and (VI) D-gal + 100 mg/kg/d vitamin E orally for the last 28 days. The antioxidant indices were done on the basis of colorimetric method, and sex hormone levels were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Histological assessment of the uterus and ovaries were also evaluated.
Results: D-gal impaired the estrous cycle, also degenerative changes occur in the ovarian follicles and damage to the uterus and ovarian tissue occurrs. In D-gal group, the level of sex hormones (p = 0.03) and the total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.002) decreased, while the level of malondialdehyde and gonadotropins increased (p = 0.03). Myricitrin at lower doses and vitamin E ameliorated the D-gal effects.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that myricitrin can effectively prevent D-galinduced oxidation and aging in mice. The effect of myricitrin was equivalent and sometimes better than vitamin E.
Key words: Aging, D-galactose, Mice, Myricitrin, Vitamin E
A preliminary study of the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of crocin against gastric ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar o efeito protetor da crocina em lesões da mucosa gástrica causadas por isquemia-reperfusão (I/R) em ratos. Trinta e dois ratos machos aleatoriamente divididos em grupos de ratos normais, operados como controle, I/R. I/R + pré-tratamento com crocina e crocina sozinha. Para induzir lesões I/R, a artéria celíaca foi grampeada durante 30 minutos e, em seguida, o grampo foi removido para permitir a reperfusão por 3 h. Ratos com pré-tratamento com crocina receberam crocina (15 mg/kg, ip) 30 minutos antes da indução do dano I/R. Amostras de mucosa gástrica foram coletadas para qiuantificar a expressão da proteína da caspase-3, o fator apoptótico, e óxido nítrico sintase induzível (iNOS), uma proteína anti-inflamatória, pela técnica de Western Blot. O pré-tratamento com crocina diminuiu a área total de lesões gástricas e a expressão de níveis de caspase-3 e iNOS induzidas pelo dano I/R. Nossos resultados mostraram o efeito protetor da crocina na mucosa gástrica contra o dano I/R. Este efeito foi mediado, principalmente, por diminuição da expressão das proteínas iNOS e caspase-3.The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of crocin on gastric mucosal lesions caused by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into sham, I/R, I/R + crocin pretreatment and crocin alone groups. To induce I/R lesions, the celiac artery was clamped for 30 min, and the clamp was then removed to allow reperfusion for 3 h. Crocin-pretreated rats received crocin (15 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min prior to the induction of I/R injury. Samples of gastric mucosa were collected to quantify the protein expression of caspase-3, an apoptotic factor, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a pro-inflammatory protein, by Western blot. Pretreatment with crocin decreased the total area of gastric lesions and decreased the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and iNOS induced by I/R injury. Our findings showed a protective effect of crocin in gastric mucosa against I/R injury. This effect of crocin was mainly mediated by reducing the protein expression of iNOS and caspase-3
Dietary Factors in Relation to Helicobacter pylori
Background and Aim. Helicobacter pylori (HP) and diet are both risk factors for gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Helicobacter pylori infection and dietary habits common in Khuzestan province. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011–2013 on 374 patients. Participants were interviewed using a food frequency questionnaire and tissue sample of the antrum was sent for pathology lab. The histopathological major variables were graded on a scale of 3 (mild, moderate, and severe) and data analyzed using nonparametric tests. Results. In this study, of 160 patients (43%) that were determined, 8.1 percent had severe contamination. Among dietary patterns, relationship between energy intake and carbohydrate with H. pylori was significant. A direct association was found between mean daily intakes of sausage (P=0.001) and burgers (P<0.05) with HP infection. Low intake of fresh vegetables and fruits was the most significant risk factors (P<0.05). Conclusion. There is a possibility that some dietary factors such as consumption of fast foods and low intake of fresh vegetables may increase the chance of HP and severity of this infection
Development of an indirect sandwich ELISA for detection of urinary antigen, using Legionella pneumophila PAL protein
Legionella pneumophila peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL) protein is an extremely conserved antigen among Legionella species. In this study, rabbit and rat anti-PAL immunoglobulin G antibodies were produced by immunization with purified, recombinant PAL (r-PAL) protein of L. pneumophila serogroup 1 and used as capture and detection antibodies in the PAL antigen-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect urinary PAL antigen. Urine samples were obtained from rats experimentally infected with L. pneumophila serogroup 1. The PAL antigen was measured in urine samples of 40 infected and 40 uninfected rats. After choosing the cut-off value of 0.192, the sensitivity and specificity of the PAL antigen-based ELISA were 87.5 and 97.5 %, respectively. The results obtained by PAL antigen base ELISA were compared with those obtained by Biotest. The PAL antigen was detected efficiently by both of the assays and all of the control human urine samples were negative by the ELISA test. The PAL antigen-based ELISA assay was relatively simple to perform, precise, highly sensitive and specific, and reproducible. Based on our data the PAL antigen-based ELISA described here is the first indirect sandwich ELISA for urinary antigen detection which could easily be applied for diagnosis of Legionnaires disease
Effect of crocin on cardiac antioxidants, and hemodynamic parameters after injuries induced by hepatic ischemia-reperfusion in rats
Objective(s): This research aimed to test the impact of liver ischemia/reperfusion (IR) insult on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, functional enzymes, histological, and hemodynamic parameters of heart, as well as protective function of crocin on these variables in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty two rats were randomly assigned into 4 experimental groups (8 rats in each). I: sham-operated, II: IR induction, III: Crocin alone, and IV: Crocin+IR induction. Groups I and III received normal saline at 2 ml per day and crocin at 200 mg per kg on a daily basis for a week via intraperitoneally injection. Afterwards, laparotomy was performed. Groups II and IV was also received normal saline and crocin and then experienced a 45 min ischemia followed by 1 hr reperfusion. Tissue samples of heart and blood were taken to use for further microscopic and laboratories analysis. Hemodynamic parameters were measured by tail cuff method. Results: Findings indicated that crocin dramatically elevated the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and attenuated serum concentrations of hepatic and cardiac enzymes. Crocin also inhibited histopathological disarrangements, and modulated hemodynamic parameters beyond IR-induced hepatic insult. Conclusion: Current experiment indicated that crocin has potential cardioprotective action following hepatic I/R-induced damage. Therefore, it can be administered before elective hepatic surgeries
Gallic acid protects the liver in rats against injuries induced by transient ischemia-reperfusion through regulating microRNAs expressions
Objective(s): Gallic acid (GA) is a highly effective antioxidant, which its beneficial effects are well known, but its impact on expression of microRNAs (miRs) following hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is not well recognized. Therefore, the current research was designed to specify the beneficial effect of GA on miRs (122 and 34a), liver functional tests, and histopathological alterations beyond I/R-induced hepatic injury. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 per group) including: sham-operated (S), I/R, and GA+I/R pretreated groups. Rats in sham-operated group received physiologic saline (N/S, 2 ml/kg), on a weekly basis, once a day via intraperitoneally route), then a midline abdominal surgery was performed. IR, and GA+IR pretreated groups received physiologic saline (2 ml/kg), and GA (50, and 100 mg per kg) for same time, IP, respectively, before induction of transient ischemia. One hour after reperfusion, biochemical, and histopathological evaluations were performed and expression of miRs were evaluated.Results: The results showed that GA reduced the concentrations of liver enzymes, miR-122, and miR-34a in serum, and preserved liver cells changes induced by I/R injury.Conclusion: These findings showed that GA has beneficial effect on liver damage induced by I/R. Therefore, it is suggested that GA can be administered as an anti-miR before elective hepatic surgeries for prevention of this complication
Optimization of gene expression and purification of Legionella pneumophila peptidoglycan associated lipoprotein recombinant protein
زمینه و هدف: اکثر تست های موجود برای تشخیص پنومونی لژیونلایی، با مشکلات زیادی از جمله حساسیت و ویژگی پائین و عدم توانایی در فراهم نمودن نتیجه در یک زمان کلینیکی مناسب مواجه هستند. از آنجایی که لیپوپروتئین مرتبط با پپتیدوگلیکان ( PAL ) لژیونلا پنوموفیلا در درون ادرار ترشح شده و به عنوان یک آنتی ژن در تمام سویه های آن وجود دارد. لذا برای تشخیص بیماری لژیونر از طریق ادرار مورد توجه قرار گرفته است. هدف از این مطالعه بهینه سازی بیان و تخلیص پروتئین نوترکیب PAL باکتری لژیونلا پنوموفیلا بوده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی آزمایشگاهی بیان پروتئین PAL با تغییر در پارامترهای دانسیته سلولی، مدت زمان القاء، دمای رشد، غلظت ایزوپروپیل بتا دی تیوگالاکتوپیرانوزید ( IPTG ) و نوع محیط کشت مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. پس از کلونینگ، عصاره پری پلاسمی تهیه و پروتئین نوترکیب PAL با استفاده از ستون رزین نیکل نیتروتری استیک اسید ( NTA ) تخلیص گردید. در نهایت پروتئین نوترکیب PAL با آزمایش وسترن بلاتینگ بررسی شد. یافته ها: با استفاده از محیط کشت Terrific Broth ، شروع القاء در جذب نوری 6/0 (طول موج 600 نانومتر)، غلظت یک میلی مولار ماده القاء کننده IPTG ، دمای رشد 25 درجه سانتیگراد و مدت زمان 15 ساعت پس از القاء، بهترین بیان پروتئین PAL بدست آمد. پروتئین پری پلاسمی نوترکیب PAL با استفاده از ستون رزین NTA با خلوص بیش از 80 تخلیص گردید. نتایج آزمایش وسترن بلاتینگ نیز نشان داد که پروتئین نوترکیب PAL تخلیص شده به طور اختصاصی با آنتی بادی anti-His6-peroxidase شناسایی گردید. نتیجه گیری: با تخلیص پروتئین PAL به میزان بیش از 80 می توان به منظور بررسی پتانسیل آن در تشخیص بیماری لژیونر و تهیه کیت تشخیصی بر اساس الایزا از آن استفاده نمود
The cardioprotective effect of vanillic acid on hemodynamic parameters, malondialdehyde, and infarct size in ischemia-reperfusion isolated rat heart exposed to PM10
Objective(s): Particulate matter (PM) exposure can promote cardiac ischemia and myocardial damage. The effects of PM10 on hemodynamic parameters, lipid peroxidation, and infarct size induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury and the protective effects of vanillic acid (VA) in isolated rat heart were investigated. Materials and Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats (250–300 g) were divided into 8 groups (n=10): Control, Sham, VAc, VA, PMa (0.5 mg/kg PM, intratracheal instillation), PMb (2.5 mg/kg PM, intratracheal instillation), PMc (5 mg/kg PM, intratracheal instillation), and PMc + VA (5 mg/kg PM, intratracheal instillation; and 10 mg/kg vanillic acid, gavage for 10 days). PM10 was instilled into the trachea in two stages, within 48 hr. After isolating the hearts and transfer to a Langendorff apparatus, hearts were subjected to 30 min ischemia and 60 min reperfusion. Hemodynamic parameters (±dp/dt, LVSP, LVDP, and RPP), production of lipid peroxidation (MDA), and infarct size were assessed. Results: A significant decrease in ±dp/dt, LVSP, LVDP and RPP occurred in PM groups. A significant increase in MDA and myocardial infarct size occurred in PM groups. A significant increase in LVDP, LVSP, ±dp/dt, RPP and decrease in infarct size, MDA, and myocardial dysfunction was observed in groups that received vanillic acid after ischemia–reperfusion. Conclusion: It was demonstrated that PM10 increases MDA, as well as the percentage of cardiac infarct size, and has negative effects on hemodynamic parameters. This study suggests that vanillic acid may serve as an adjunctive treatment in delaying the progression of ischemic heart disease
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: A comprehensive updated review of risk factors, symptoms, and treatment
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a subtype of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and a progressive and chronic liver disorder with a significant risk for the development of liver-related morbidity and mortality. The complex and multifaceted pathophysiology of NASH makes its management challenging. Early identification of symptoms and management of patients through lifestyle modification is essential to prevent the development of advanced liver disease. Despite the increasing prevalence of NASH, there is no FDA-approved treatment for this disease. Currently, medications targeting metabolic disease risk factors and some antifibrotic medications are used for NASH patients but are not sufficiently effective. The beneficial effects of different drugs and phytochemicals represent new avenues for the development of safer and more effective treatments for NASH. In this review, different risk factors, clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods of NASH, and current treatment strategies for the management of patients with NASH are reviewed
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