A comparison of educational barriers from talented and other students’ point of view at Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2011

Introduction: Gifted and talented students are human assets. This study aims to compare educational barriers of this group of students compare to other students of Arak University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional analytical study carried out on 180 normal and 56 talented students in Arak University of Medical Sciences in 2011. Data were collected through questionnaire including items related to barriers of education, research, individual-family relationship, psycho-spritual needs and finding career. Results: The mean of total problem score in talented and normed student was 52.9 ±11.4 and 48.5±10.8 respectively. Results also showed that the mean score of educational, research and psycho-spritual difficulties between talented students and other student were significantly different (P<0/05). Conclusions: Support of academic authorities in all above mentioned fields would be helpful to improve the motivation of the gifted and talented students

Effect of alcoholic extract of Portulaca Oleracea on serum level of thyroid hormones in hypercholestrolemic Rats

Background and Objective: Thyroid hormones have a key role in regulation of metabolism and function of the tissues. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of alcoholic extract of Portulaca Oleracea on serum level of thyroid hormones in hypercholestrolemic rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 60 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into six groups including: control group with normal diet, fat diet group with high fat diet and interventional groups were received high fat diet and alcoholic extract of Portulaca Oleracea with maximum dose (800 mg/kg/bw), moderate dose (400 mg/kg/bw), minimum dose (200 mg/kg/bw) intraperitoneally for 21 days and finally, animals in atorvastatin group were received high fat diet with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/bw, intraperitoneally) for 21 days. After the end of this period, T3, T4, TSH and total cholesterol measured for each animal. Results:Serum level of T3 and T4 in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group significantly increased in compared to controls (P<0.05). Serum level of TSH level significantly reduced in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group in compared to controls (P<0.05). The serum total cholesterol level significantly reduced in the experimental groups which were received Portulaca Oleracea extract and atorvastatin group in compared to fat diet group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Portulaca Oleracea extract with increasing of secretion of thyroid hormone reduced the total cholesterol and TSH animals with hypercholesterolemia

Effect of Aerial Parts Extract of Echinophora Platyloba.L on Liver and Kidney Function Tests in Obese Hypercholesterolaemia Rats

Introduction: Obesity and its complications such as hypertension, fatty liver, type 2 diabetes and kidney failure, can be mentioned as the main life-threating elements. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of air parts extract of Echinophora platyloba.L (EP) on changes in body weight as well as liver and kidney function tests in hypercholesterolaemia obese rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were divided in to five groups (n =8) including a control group with normal control diet, control hyperlipidemia group with fatty food diet and hypertriglyceridemia treatment groups which recieved the minimum dose (100 mg/kg), average dose (200 mg/kg) maximum dose (300 mg/kg) of EP extract via a gavage. At the end of this period (42 days), to measure cholesterol, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, bilirubin, albumin, total protein, alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), the blood samples were collected and the study data were analyzed. Results: Cholesterol, ALT, AST and ALP were reported to significantly decrease (in the minimum and maximum dose groups) compared to the control group (P&le;0.05). Albumin and total protein in the maximum dose extract group significantly increased compared to the control group (P&le;0.05). Moreover, body weight in the group receiving the minimum dose of extract showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (P&le;0.05). Conclusion: EP extract, specifically in the minimal doses, in addition to protecting liver, could be recommended as a good candidate in regard with the treatment of blood lipids, and body extra weight

Effect of Diazinon on pituitary-gonadal axis and histological alteration of seminferous tubules in adult rat testis

Background and Objective: Diazinon is an organophosphate insecticide. , which inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This study was done to evaluate the effect of Diazinon on pituitary-gonadal axis and histological alteration of seminferous tubules in adult rat testis. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups including control, sham and experimental 1, 2 and 3. Animals in experimental group 1, 2 and 3 were received 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/bw of diazinon for 28 days, orally, respectively. Animals in control group did not receive any substance. Animals in sham group were received an equivalent amount of normal saline. The animals were euthanized after 28 days and a blood sample was collected via heart puncture and testes were removed for histological studies. Results: Diazinon significantly reduced serum testosterone concentration, sertoli cell, leydig cell count, primary spermatocyte and spermatid (P<0.05). Diazinon had no significant effect on the body and testis weight in the experimental groups compared to controls. Conclusion: Diazinon reduces the concentration of testosterone and cells in seminferous tubule in adult rat

The Effect of Antiepileptic Drug of Lamotrigine, on the Function of Reproductive Hormones in Male Rats

Introduction: Lamotrigine is one of the never anti-epileptic drug. In this study the effects of lamotrigine have been observed on serum concentration of LH (Luteinizing hormone), FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone), testosterone ,body and testis weight in male rat. Methods: The animal used in this experiment were 40 adult male rat from wistar race which were divided in to 5 group of 8.consisting of control group which received nothings, Sham group which received 0.2 ml distilled water via oral. Experimental group which received 100, 200, 400 mg/kg lamotrigine via oral after 14th day body weight were measured in all group and then the blood sample was taken from heart and concentration of LH.FSH, testosterone was measured. In addition the testis were separated and testis weight were measured in all group. Results: The result show that concentration of LH in experimental group did not show significant difference in compared with control group but in experimental group received 400mg/kg of lamotrigine&nbsp; show a significant decrease in concentration of FSH and testosterone in comparison with control group .In addition lamotrigine had effect and testis weight in middle and high dose was reduce. Conclusion: Lamotrigine, an antiepileptic drug, reduced reproductive activity by inhibiting of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in adult male rats

Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Testosterone Plasma Level in Wistar Rat

Background and Aims: High prevalence of infertility and many related problems has become a big problem for economy and healthy. This study is to determine the effect of dietary omega-3 based on hypothalamic&ndash;pituitary&ndash;gonadal axis (HPG) activity and testosterone plasma level in adult male adult wistar rat. Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 40 adult male wistar rats. Animals were with an average weight of 150&plusmn;20 gr. They divided into five groups (n=8), including the control group, saline group and experimental group of minimum , average and maximum in which consumed dietary including omega-3, 0.25 and 0.5 and 0.75 mg/kg dose the 29 days. The blood was take from the heart of animals. Using Radioimmunoassay methods, testosterone and LH levels were measured. In this study effects of dietary omega-3 on testosterone secretion level in experimental groups, was compared with saline and control groups. Results: The results of a compared LH and testosterone level with the control group (0.167&plusmn;0.02 and 0.182&plusmn;0.02) and all experimental groups, particularly at the maximum dose (0.654&plusmn;0.09and 0.584&plusmn;0.12 respectively), showed a significant increase. Conclusion: It was shown that the increase in omega-3 plasma levels of in the experimental group led significantly increase in the testosterone and LH level. This study showed that consumption of Omega-3 oils, significantly increase plasma levels of testosterone and LH hormone.&nbsp