Phytochemical Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Two Techniques Using Saturaja rechengri Jamzad Extract: Identifying and Comparing in Vitro Anti-Proliferative Activities

Purpose: A lot of plants are available which can produce nanoparticles used in medicine, life sciences, and the pharmaceutical industry. The present study aims to introduce safe biological and eco-friendly methods for synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using Saturaja rechengri Jamzad extract, which can replace traditional chemical methods. In addition, the chemical nature and antimicrobial activities were identified and accordingly the anticancer effects of AgNPs was successfully reported on colon cancer cells (HT-29). Methods: Light and ultrasound, as two green chemistry techniques were first used for AgNPs synthesis. Then, morphological and crystalline structure of AgNPs was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, respectively. In addition, functional groups were determined by using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum. Further, a maximum adsorption of AgNPs was observed in UV-visible spectrum. In the next stage, antibacterial activity of green synthesized AgNPs was evaluated against two pathogenic bacteria including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, the cytotoxicity of AgNPs on HT-29 at different concentrations and times of AgNPs was determined by MTT assay. Results: The findings indicated that the synthesis of AgNPs by ultrasonic technique leads to smaller particle size and more distribution. Based on the results of MTT test for calculating the IC50%, the anti-proliferative effects of the light and ultrasound AgNPs were observed on HT-29 cell lines depending on the dose and time. Finally, the AgNPs had the most cytotoxicity HT-29 cell lines at 100 μg/ml concentration although the lowest toxicity effect was reported on HEK-293 cell lines at the same conditions. Conclusion: The change in the concentration, physical and chemical properties of AgNPs including the form and size of particles, and their type of covering and fields can influence the induction of cytotoxicity and morphological change in the treated cells. The present research opens a new horizon on the development of new biological and cytotoxicity agents

The effect of probiotics on signaling pathways of genes involved in depression: review article

Depression is the psychological disorder which caused by chronic stress and extensive communication network between the gastrointestinal system via the “gut–brain-microbiota axis”. Depression can systematically activate/deactivate many genes and signaling molecules involved in the pathogenesis of the gastrointestinal disease. Whereas, most of the anti-depressant drugs suppress the depression symptoms by altering the neurotransmitters activity; studies on probiotics have shown the anti-depressant potential of them. Nutritional psychiatry is a field of psychiatry that investigates the relationship between dietary patterns and risk of mental disorders. The special type of probiotic has been identified to improve a number of diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal infections, cancers, reduction of allergies and mood disorders such as depression. There is an evidence about therapeutic effects of probiotics in symptoms of depression, but because of the low number of samples, the limitation in use of different strains of bacteria and the limited laboratory equipment, it is difficult to make a definitive view about these results and need to more clinical study to determine the effective dose of probiotics in the treatment of depression. The articles related to this subject were collected from reliable database till the 2017 year, new studies and reviews articles which determine the effects of probiotics on the treatment of digestive and neurological diseases. The objective of this review is to study the current clinical research about the effects of probiotics in the treatment of symptoms of depression and discuss future directions in this field. Most of the studies demonstrated probiotics’ ability to improving mood, change behavior and improve the symptoms of stress and depression such as insomnia by increasing of serotonin and reducing of inflammation; and modulation of emotional behavior with effect on specific cytokines in brain. It has been discovered that probiotics have therapeutic effects extend beyond the gut and into the central nervous system by influence signaling pathways. In conclusion, it seems they have the potential to be used as a dietary supplement to optimize and enriched the food products and effective step in the prevention and treatment of various disorders in the nervous system instead of chemical drugs

Association of Body Mass Index with Leptin and Other Hormonal Parameters in Women with Unexplained Infertility and Fertile Women

Background & objective: Obesity, as a major health concern in developed and developing countries, has many outcomes for people, among which is infertility in women. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between the Body Mass Index (BMI) and the hormonal parameters in patients with unexplained infertility and normal subjects. Materials & Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 40 patients with unexplained infertility and 30 fertile women with inclusion criteria of Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)<10, BMI<30, Anti-M&uuml;llerian hormone (AMH)&ge;1, normal Antral follicle count (AFC), and under the age of 35 years, after obtaining the informed consents, in Valiasr Fertility Clinic of Imam khomeyni Hospital in 2013-2014. On the third day of menstruation, the hormonal profile (including LH, FSH, Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Prolactin (PRL), and AMH was measured and then, 5 ml of blood was taken. In addition, the serum leptin was measured using the leptin ELISA kit, and the correlation between BMI and all the hormones was evaluated. Results: In all samples, the mean age, hormonal profile, and BMI had no statistically significant difference in the two groups. A direct and significant correlation was observed between BMI and leptin (p=0.003), and also between FSH and BMI (p=0.012) in the fertile women group. Conclusion: Given the presence of a correlation between leptin and BMI, and the effect of leptin on ovulation, it is recommended that the infertile women maintain the BMI in the normal range, exercise and put the physical activity in their daily life schedules

Comparison of viability of adipose-derived Mesenchymal stem cells on agarose and fibrin glue scaffolds

Background & aim: Utilizing tissue engineering techniques and designing similar structures of the damaged tissues require the use of tools such as scaffolds, cells, and bioactive molecules in vitro. Meanwhile, appropriate cell cultures with the ability to divide and differentiate on the natural scaffolds lacking features like immunogenicity and tumorgenesis is particularly important. Adipose tissue has attracted researchers&rsquo; attention due to its abundance of mesenchymal stem cells and its availability through a liposuction. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the reproducibility and viability of the adipose-derived stem cells on natural scaffolds of fibrin glue and agarose. Methods: In the present experimental study, the isolation and identification of the mesenchymal stem cells was performed on tissue obtained from liposuction. The tissues were extensively washed with PBS and were digested with collagenase I, then the mesenchymal stem cells were isolated. The cells were cultured in RPMI medium supplemented with antibiotic. Subsequently, the expression of cell surface markers including CD34, CD44, CD90, and CD105 were analyzed by flow cytometry to confirm the mesenchymal cells. After preparing fibrin glue and agarose scaffolds, the viability and proliferation of the adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells were examined at the period of 24, 48, and 72 hours by MTT and ELISA assays. The obtained results were analyzed by SPSS ver.19. Results: The results of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells culture on the fibrin glue and agarose scaffolds indicated that cell viability on fibrin glue and agarose scaffold were 68.22% and 89.75% in 24 hrs, 64.04% and 66.97% in 48 hours, 222.87% and 1089.68% in 72 hours respectively. Significant proliferation and viability cells on a synthesized agarose scaffold were seen compared to the fibrin glue scaffold after 72 hrs. The viability of the cells significantly increased on the agarose scaffold. Conclusion: Due to stability and permeability of scaffolding agarose, it seems that scaffolding agarose created better adhesion of cells in the performance of cell proliferation process compared with fibrin glue scaffold

The effect of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase polymorphisms on susceptibility to human papilloma virus infection and cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women worldwide. Several factors lead to cervical cancer, among which human papilloma virus (HPV) infection has a prominent role. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is crucial in folate metabolic pathway and plays an important role in DNA synthesis and DNA methylation. MTHFR gene polymorphisms, including C677T and A1298C, lead to reduced enzyme activity. This case-control study aims to illustrate the association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and the risk of cervical cancer. This study was conducted on 196 samples, which included 96 cervical biopsy samples compared to 100 Pap smear samples of normal healthy women without HPV infection. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used for the MTHFR polymorphism detection, followed by fluorescent amplification-based specific hybridization PCR method to detect HPV16 and HPV18. The results show that the MTHFR 677TT genotype plays a protective role in cervical cancer (P = 0.0030) (OR = 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.07–0.59). Furthermore, there was a strong significant association between MTHFR 1298CC genotype and the risk of cervical cancer (OR = 10.69; 95% CI: 4.28–26.71, P = 0.0001). It can be concluded that A1298C polymorphism is a genetic risk factor for cervical cancer in the assessed Iranian population group. It seems that MTHFR 1298CC genotype is more susceptible to HPV 16 infection. Combination analysis of MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms revealed that combined MTHFR 677CC and 1298CC are strongly associated with a risk of cervical cancer

The association between polymorphism XRCC1 (rs25487) and the susceptibility of chemical industry workers to benzene

Background & Objective: Benzene, as a carcinogenic compound, can damage DNA by producing free oxygen radicals. Benzene effects have been reported in the blood system. It seems that XRCC1 gene, as a gene involved in the repair of damaged bases, plays a role in the sensitivity of individuals to benzene. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between rs25487 polymorphism in XRCC1 gene and the susceptibility of chemical industry workers against benzene. Material & Methods: In this case-control study, 60 cases and 60 controls who were exposed to benzene for 2 consecutive years were examined. People who did not have any changes in blood parameters were selected as the control group and those who have shown lymphocytes outside the normal range were considered as a case group. Blood samples were collected from chemical workers. Gene polymorphism was determined by RFLP-PCR using MSP1enzym. Results: There was no significant difference between allelic frequencies A and G (P >0.05). No significant association was found between XRCC1 polymorphism and benzene susceptibility and lymphocytic abnormalities (OR: 1.43, 95% CI (0.47 - 4.31), P = 0.52). Conclusion: It seems that rs25487 polymorphism in the XRCC1 gene does not play a role in the sensitivity of individuals to benzene. Of course, due to the role of XRCC1 gene in response to DNA damage, other polymorphisms of this gene and polymorphism that are targeted in this study are evaluated at a wider level

Study of Matrix Metalloproteinase -1 Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Bladder Cancer

Introduction: Matrix metalloproteinase-1 with the destruction of the basement membrane and extracellular matrix not only facilitates the spread of cancer cells, but also with the release of growth factors and angiogenesis plays a key role in cancer cell survival and nutrition. The purpose of this study was to recognize the relation between the polymorphism of Matrix metalloproteinase-1 gene and risk of bladder cancer. Methods: This case-control study included 157 patients with bladder cancer and 143 healthy controls who were age-matched. First, DNA extraction from peripheral blood and then PCR was performed using specific primers. Then, RFLP method was used to evaluate the MMP-1 (-1607) polymorphism. Results: There was no significant difference between the frequency of 1G/1G, 2G/2G allels (P˃0.05). There was no association between polymorphism and susceptibility to bladder cancer [OR:1.23, 95%CI (0.67-2.28),P=0.49]. Conclusion: Due to the lack of association between MMP-1 polymorphism (-1607) and the risk of bladder- cancer, it is suggested that other polymorphisms of the matrix metalloproteinase-1 gene will be investigate

Lack of relatedness between Human cytomegalovirus in semen and male infertility

Background and Aim: Infertility refer to an inability to conceive (irrespective of causes) after having regular unprotected sex. Men are responsible for infertility in 50% of infertile spouses. Numerous factors contribute to male infertility including genital infections that may appear following microbial, fungal, and viral infections. The aim of the present study was detection of Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in the semen of infertile men and evaluation of its relation with sperm parameters such as motility, count and morphology. Materials and Methods: In this study, 100 semen samples of fertile men (as a control group) and 100 semen samples of infertile men were collected from Infertility Center of Qom Jahad Daneshgahi, Iran. The semen samples were analyzed according to World Health Organization’s standard methods (WHO). After DNA extraction, cytomegalovirus was detected using Nested polymerase chain reaction technique. The results were analyzed using SPSS (version 19) software (Significance level of P<0.05). Statistical assessments were conducted using descriptive statistics including the Chi-square test and t test. The difference was considered significant at the P<0.05 level. Results: The analyzed sperm parameters of 100 infertile samples showed that 56%, 70%, and 82% of the samples had problems, respectively in terms of count, motility, and morphology. However, 60% of the infertile samples had problems in all three parameters. Human cytomegalovirus DNA was detected in six and four samples of infertile and fertile men respectively. Conclusions: According to statistical analysis, no significant correlation was obtained between the cytomegalovirus infection and male infertility. Although the achieved results may vary with changes in population size