Social Capital and Quality of Life among University Students of Yasuj, Iran

Background: Nowadays, quality of life (QOL) is largely associated with social capital and its components such as groups and networks, trust and solidarity, collective action and social cohesion, where social capital can both lead and improve QOL. The aim of this study was to determine the association between social capital and QOL among university students. Methods: A random sample of 338 students from University of Yasuj participated in this cross-sectional study in 2016, during 8 months. Data is collected using demographics checklist, Iranian version of WHO Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), and Onyx and Bullen Social Capital Scale. All statistical analysis is performed using STAT 12. Results: Mean age of the participants was 24±3.8 years (boys 24.9±4.6; girls 23.3±2.8). Students scored highest and lowest on physical health (69.2±16.8) and environmental health (51.5±22.3) dimensions of QOL and average score of total social capital scale was 85.5±12.9. A multiple linear regression analysis confirmed the significant association between all four health-related dimensions of QOL and social capital (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, a higher social capital can be indicative of an improved QOL among university students. Therefore, we may seek to build-up social capital by utilizing strategies such as developing social networking, social interactions, security, trust and sharing among university students

Metformin inhibits polyphosphate-induced hyper-permeability and inflammation

Circulating inflammatory factor inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) released from activated platelets could enhance factor XII and bradykinin resulted in increased capillary leakage and vascular permeability. PolyP induce inflammatory responses through mTOR pathway in endothelial cells, which is being reported in several diseases including atherosclerosis, thrombosis, sepsis, and cancer. Systems and molecular biology approaches were used to explore the regulatory role of the AMPK activator, metformin, on polyP-induced hyper-permeability in different organs in three different models of polyP-induced hyper-permeability including local, systemic shortand systemic long-term approaches in murine models. Our results showed that polyP disrupts endothelial barrier integrity in skin, liver, kidney, brain, heart, and lung in all three study models and metformin abrogates the disruptive effect of polyP. We also showed that activation of AMPK signaling pathway, regulation of oxidant/ anti-oxidant balance, as well as decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration constitute a set of molecular mechanisms through which metformin elicits it's protective responses against polyP-induced hyper-permeability. These results support the clinical values of AMPK activators including the FDA-approved metformin in attenuating vascular damage in polyP-associated inflammatory diseases.Peer reviewe

Intraperitoneal administration of Telmisartan prevents postsurgical adhesion band formation

Background Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) have a potential role in reducing inflammation and fibrosis. We have integrated systems and molecular biology approaches to investigate the therapeutic potential of ARBs in preventing postsurgical adhesion band formation. Material and methods we have followed the ARRIVE guidelines point by point during experimental studies. Telmisartan (1 and 9 mg/kg), valsartan (1 and 9 mg/kg), and losartan (1 and 10 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally in different groups of male albino Wistar rat. After 7 d of treatment, macroscopic evidence and score of fibrotic bands based on scaling methods was performed. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory and antifibrosis effects of telmisartan on reduction of fibrotic bands were investigated by using histopathology, ELISA, and real-time polymerase chain reaction methods. Results Telmisartan, but not losartan or valsartan, prevented the frequency as well as the stability of adhesion bands. Telmisartan appears to elicit anti-inflammatory responses by attenuating submucosal edema, suppressing proinflammatory cytokines, decreasing proinflammatory cell infiltration, and inhibiting oxidative stress at the site of peritoneal surgery. We also showed that telmisartan prevents fibrotic adhesion band formation by reducing excessive collagen deposition and suppression of profibrotic genes expression at the peritoneum adhesion tissues. Conclusions These results support the potential application of telmisartan in preventing postsurgical adhesion band formation by inhibiting key pathologic responses of inflammation and fibrosis in postsurgery patients