Effects of genistein and swimming exercise on spatial memory and expression of microRNA 132, BDNF, and IGF-1 genes in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats

Objective(s): The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of genistein and exercise on the spatial memory and expression of microRNA-132, BDNF, and IGF-1 in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Sixty animals were divided into six groups of control, sham, ovariectomy (OVX), ovariectomized with 8 weeks of genistein administration (OVX.G), with 8 weeks of swimming training (OVX.E), and with 8 weeks of both of them (OVX.G.E). The effect of genistein and/or exercise was evaluated by measuring microRNA-132, BDNF, and IGF-1 expression levels in the hippocampus tissue. Grafts were analyzed using Real-time polymerase chain reaction for microRNA-132, BDNF, IGF-1, and spatial memory via a Morris water maze (MWM).  Results: Our findings showed that ovariectomy decreased the expression of microRNA-132, BDNF, and IGF-1 in the hippocampus (

Therapeutic potential of genistein in ovariectomy-induced pancreatic injury in diabetic rats: The regulation of MAPK pathway and apoptosis

Objective(s): Genistein, as a phytoestrogen found in legumes, has several biological activities in general and anti-diabetic activity particularly. In this study, we investigated the effect of genistein on proteins involved in β-cell proliferation, survival and apoptosis to further reveal its anti-diabetic potential in the ovariectomized diabetic rat. Materials and Methods: We used three-month-old female Wistar rats that either underwent ovariectomy (OVX) or received a sham surgery (Sham). In a subsequent series of experiments, OVX rats received high-fat diet and low dose STZ to induce diabetes (OVX.D) and genistein treatment (OVX.D.G). Western blot analysis was used for the assessment of phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AKT and expression of Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in pancreas tissue. Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining was used for histopathological assessment. Results: Genistein induced AKT and ERK1/2 phosphorylation protein expression of Bcl-2 in the pancreas. In addition, genistein suppressed protein level of caspase-3. Administration of genistein significantly improved hyperglycemia in ovariectomized diabetic rat, concomitant with improved islet β-cell morphology and mass. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the beneficial antidiabetic effect of genistein partially mediated by directly modulating pancreatic β-cell function via activation of the AKT, ERK1/2, and Bcl-2, as cell survival and anti-apoptotic factors, and decreasing of proapoptotic caspase-3

Exhaled nitric oxide is not a biomarker for idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension or for treatment efficacy

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a fatal illness. Despite many improvements in the treatment of these patients, there is no unique prognostic variable available to track these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels, as a noninvasive biomarker, with disease severity and treatment outcome. METHODS: Thirty-six patients (29 women and 7 men, mean age 38.4 ± 11.3 years) with IPAH referred to the outpatient's clinic of Masih Daneshvari Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were enrolled into this pilot observational study. Echocardiography, six-minute walking test (6MWT), FeNO, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels and the functional class of patients was assessed before patients started treatment. Assessments were repeated after three months. 30 healthy non-IPAH subjects were recruited as control subjects. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in FeNO levels at baseline between patients with IPAH and subjects in the control group. There was also no significant increase in FeNO levels during the three months of treatment and levels did not correlate with other disease measures. In contrast, other markers of disease severity were correlated with treatment effect over the three months. CONCLUSION: FeNO levels are a poor non-invasive measure of IPAH severity and of treatment response in patients in this pilot study

Manufacturing a modified carbon paste electrode with catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles for electrochemical sensing of hydrogen peroxide and their electrocatalytic properties

To find hydrogen peroxide, different techniques applied, recently. In this practice we decided to produce a modified carbon paste electrode by catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles for electrochemical sensing hydrogen peroxide and their electroactivity characteristics. Cyclic voltammetry were done electrochemical researches. A three-electrode method including a modified carbon paste electrode with catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles as the operant electrode, a platinum string electrode as a counter electrode, and saturated calomel electrode as a reference electrode, was applied. Cyclic voltammetric assays were done with different scan speed area from of 50 mV s−1 to 500 mV s−1. Transmission electron microscopy was checked external morphological characteristics of Au nanoparticles. H2O2 in 100 μM to 450 μM area could find out by designed biosensor. By perform assays in two weeks regular interval, the resistance of modified carbon paste electrode with catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles biosensor has been determine and it has been discovered that after 14 days, modified carbon paste electrode with catalase enzyme-Au nanoparticles keeps its 97% activity. Keywords: electrochemical sensing, hydrogen peroxide, catalase enzyme, Au nanoparticle

Novel Kefiran-Polyvinyl Alcohol Composite Film: Physical, Mechanical and Rheological Properties

Background and Objectives: Kefiran (Kef) is a water-soluble polysaccharide that can form transparent film; however, it is brittle. Therefore, in order to improve the mechanical properties of kefiran film, a mixture with other polymers can be offered. The expansion of mixed systems can propose kefiran and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) as a new composite film. Materials and Methods: Solutions of 20 gram per liter kef and 40 gram per liter of PVOH were prepared. A mixture of film-forming solutions of different ratios of Kef/PVOH (100/0, 68/32, 50/50, 32/68) was prepared. In this study, different experiments including the physical properties (thickness, moisture content, and film solubility in water), water vapor permeability, and mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, puncture strength, and puncture deformation) of composite films as well as the rheological properties of film forming solutions were investigated. Results: The results of physical properties such as thickness, moisture content, solubility in water and mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, puncture deformation, puncture strength and water vapor permeability indicated that the mechanical properties, thickness and solubility in water increase with increase in PVOH content; however, moisture content and water vapor permeability decrease. Rheological characterization of different film forming solutions exhibited Newtonian fluid behavior. Conclusions: These results contribute to the establishment of an approach to optimize films’ composition based on the interactions between polymers, aiming at improving the properties of polysaccharide-based films. Keywords: Kefiran, Polyvinyl alcohol, Physical properties, Mechanical properties, Rheological propertie

Unexpected behaviors of catechols with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene

Different behaviors of catechol, 3-methylcatechol, 3-methoxycatechol, 3,4-dihydroxybenz-aldehyde and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were studied in the presence of 2,3-diaminonaphthalene in the phosphate buffer/acetonitrile solution at room temperature

Involvement of microRNA-133 and -29 in cardiac disturbances in diabetic ovariectomized rats

Objective(s): Menopause and diabetes obviously increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in women. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy in type 2 diabetes on the histology and expression of miRNA-29, miRNA-133, IGF-1 and Bcl-2 genes and Bcl-2 protein and caspase 3 activity in the hearts of female rats. Materials and Methods: Forty Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, sham, ovariectomized (OVX), and ovariectomized with type 2 diabetes (OVX.D). After the 8-week experiment, the histological evaluation of the heart tissue was performed using H&E staining and PAS analysis, and cardiac expression of miRNA-29, miRNA-133, IGF-1, and Bcl-2 were evaluated using real-time PCR, and Bcl-2 protein and caspase 3 activity were evaluated using Western blot and ELISA. Results: Ovariectomy significantly decreased miRNA-29, miRNA-133, IGF-1, and BCL-2 expression and Bcl-2 protein and increased caspase 3 activity in the heart compared to sham animals group (

Apoptosis and Histopathology of the Heart after Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion in Male Rat Running title: Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

ABSTRACT Ischemia-reperfusion injury was seen in strokes, myocardial infarctions, acute kidney injury, mesenteric ischemia, liver and systemic shock. Renal ischemia-reperfusion is more importance in the setting of kidney transplantation that affects distant organs. In this study forty Male Albino Wistar rats (200-250g) were randomly divided in four group (n=10) including control, sham operation group, nephrectomy and IRI group. All rats anesthetized with intraperitoneal injection of ketamine (50 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) and maintained the core body temperature at approximately 37°C. For inducing IRI group, it was performed right nephrectomy, and in continuing, the left kidney pedicle occluded to 45 min via nontraumatic microvascular clamp for making ischemia that followed 24 hours reperfusion. TUNEL assay was used to detect the cardiac apoptotic cells. Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) procedure was used to histopathological assessment and glycogen accumulation respectively. There was more heart damage at 24 h reperfusion in IRI group. Renal IRI group showed myocardial degeneration, necrosis and increasing connective tissue in myofibril. There were apparent hypertrophy and swelling of myofibril, fragmentation and vacuolization of sarcoplasm. In addition, it was shown elevated apoptotic cell at 24 hours reperfusion in renal IRI group than sham group. There were increases of glycogen accumulation in cardimyocyte of renal IRI group. Our findings suggest that renal IRI-induced cardiac damage, accompanied by an accumulation of glycogen granules, induced apoptosis and histological changes in cardiomyocytes

Recurrent Implantation Failure from an Immunological Point of View

Introduction: Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is one of the main challenges in modern infertility treatments. Although assisted reproductive technology (ART) has undergone a lot of progression over the last recent years, some women still experience implantation failure after several embryo transfers (ET). Disruption of the mother's immunologic tolerance towards the fetus is one of the risk factors that increases the possibility of rejection the semi-allogeneic embryo by the mother’s immune system and causes failure of embryo implantation. Studies have shown that immunomodulatory treatment approaches, if used in a timely and appropriate manner, have promising results in improving pregnancy outcomes and live birth rates in this group of women. This review focuses on changes in the immune system and the use of immunomodulatory treatments in women with recurrent implantation failure. Conclusion: It seems that the appropriate use of immunologic tests and proper immunomodulatory treatments can manage IVF failure after repeated embryo transfers