Effects of cornus mas L. on blood glucose, insulin and histopathology of pancreas in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Background: Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by elevated blood glucose levels and disturbances in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Cornus mas (cornaceae) is one of the major medicinal plants in Asian countries that cotained high level of anthocyanins with potential to prevent hyperglycemia and obesity. In this study, we investigated antidiabetic effects of cornus mas in compared to glibenclamid as a standard drug on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty two male Wistar rats (190-240 g) were divided into four groups (n = 8): group 1 nondiabetic rats, group 2 alloxan-induced diabetic rats with no treatment, group 3 alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with glibenclamid (0.6 mg/kg body weight) and group 4 alloxan-induced diabetic rats treated with cornus mas fruit 2 g daily for 4 weeks. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan 120 (mg/kg body weight). Findings: The results indicated that treatment with cornus mas fruit orally significantly reduced blood glucose levels and increased insulin levels in treatment of diabetic rats compared with no treatment diabetic group. Concurrent histological studies of the pancreas demonstrated the same results. On the base of histological results, cornus mas have a significant on increasing the size of pancreatic islets than diabetic groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Our results showed that cornus mas fruit has antidiabetic effects and can improve pancreas damage caused by free radicals in diabetes. The effects of this fruit can occur due to the presence of anthocyanin and other antioxidant compounds

Validation of the Persian Version of the Covid-19 Phobia Scale in Improved Women

The aim of this study was Validation of the Persian version of the "Phobia of Covid-19" scale in improved women. The statistical population included women studying at the Islamic Azad University, electronic unit in the second semester of the academic year 2020-21 and the statistical sample was 400 people. The instrument used was the Phobia of Covid-19 Scale Arpaci et al. (2020). The results showed that the Persian version of the Phobia of Covid-19 scale in women recovering from the disease, by combining two economic and social factors, covered three factors called psychological, psychological and socio-economic about Covid-19 disease, which are fitness indicators NFI, IFI, CFI, RFI, TLI (above 0.9) and RMSEA (range 0.08) were obtained in this 3-factor model. Therefore, the factor structure of the Persian version of the Covid-19 Fear Scale is reported to be optimal among improved women. Considering the confirmation of the structure of this tool in non-affected people in previous studies and the confirmation of the factor structure in the present study among improved women, this tool can be used as a valid tool to measure Covid-19 fear among people 18 years and older

Liver-Protective Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Allium Hirtifolium Boiss. in Rats with Alloxan-Induced Diabetes Mellitus

<p class="abstract"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong> Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorders accompanied with many metabolic syndromes. Use of herbal medicines has always been an option to treat a great number of diseases such as diabetes and its complications. In this study the liver-protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of <em>Allium hirtifolium</em> on liver enzymes level in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus was investigated.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; METHODS:</strong><strong> </strong>Thirty five male rats were randomly divided into five groups of seven; group 1: nondiabetic control, group 2: diabetic control, group 3: diabetic treated with shallot extract (0.1 g/kg), group 4: diabetic rats treated with shallot extract (1 g/kg), and group 5: diabetic treated with glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg). Using intraperitoneal (IP) injection of alloxan monohydrate, diabetes mellitus was induced in rats. Diabetic rats were treated with intraperitoneal injection for 4 weeks. At the end of the experimental period fasting blood samples were collected.</p> <p class="abstract"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; RESULTS:</strong> Statistical analysis of the data indicated that hydroalcoholic extract of shallot can significantly decrease serum contents of liver enzymes (ALP, AST, and ALT) in treated groups. In most cases, the effectiveness of the extract on reduction of these enzymes is more than glibenclamide.<strong></strong></p> <strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; CONCLUSION:</strong> Antioxidant compounds in the extract may recover liver damages caused by free radicals in diabetic rats

Association of ApaI and Taq1 polymorphic site of vitamin D receptor gene with bone mineral density in women aged 45 years and older

زمینه و هدف: پوکی استخوان یک بیماری خاموش است که مسبب کاهش در استحکام و تراکم بافت استخوانی بوده و منجر به افزایش شکستگی استخوان‌ها می‌شود. اهمیت پلی‌مورفیسم‌های ApaI و TaqI ژن گیرنده ویتامین D (VDR) در متابولیسم و تراکم استخوان در نقاط دیگر جهان نشان داده شده است. هدف از این مطالعه بررسی ارتباط بین این پلی مورفیسم ها با میزان تراکم استخوان در زنان 45 سال و بالاتر در استان چهارمحال و بختیاری بود. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه توصیفی- تحلیلی، 200 خانم 45 سال و بالاتر مراجعه کننده به مراکز سنجش تراکم استخوان شهرکرد در سال های 92-1391 شرکت کردند. تراکم استخوان گردن ران و مهره های کمر با استفاده از روش DEXA اندازه گیری و براساس درجه T-Score آن ها به دو گروه بیمار (130) و سالم (70) تقسیم شدند. ژنوتیپ های مختلف (ApaI (AA/Aa/aa وTaq1 (TT/Tt/tt) با روش PCR RFLP تعیین و فراوانی آن ها در گروه بیمار محاسبه شد. یافته ها: بین پلی مورفیسم ApaI و میزان تراکم استخوان ارتباط معنی داری مشاهده نشد. پلی مورفیسم TaqI و میزان تراکم استخوان گردن ران ارتباط معنی داری داشت؛ ولی با تراکم استخوان مهره های کمری ارتباط معنی داری نداشت. بیماران دارای ژنوتیپ هموزیگوت غالب (TT) در مقایسه با ژنوتیپ های دیگر، کمترین میزان تراکم استخوان گردن ران را داشتند و میزان تراکم استخوان مهره‌های کمر در سه ژنوتیپ TaqI یکسان بود. نتیجه گیری: پلی مورفیسم TaqI ممکن است یک نشانگر خوب در تشخیص زنان مستعد پوکی استخوان در استان چهارمحال و بختیاری و حتی در ایران باشد. اگرچه باید جمعیت های دیگر و بزرگتری برای تأیید این نتایج مطالعه شوند

The protective effect of Cucurbita pepo L. on liver damage in alloxan- induced diabetic rats

زمینه و هدف: دیابت یک ناهنجاری متابولیکی است که با هیپرگلیسمی ناشی از نقص در ترشح و عمل انسولین و یا هر دو مشخص می‌گردد. کدو در طب سنتی ایران برای درمان دیابت توصیه شده است. در این مطالعه اثر پودر کدو بر فعالیت آنزیم‌های کبدی در موش‌های صحرایی دیابتی شده با آلوکسان مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه مداخله ای 28 سر موش صحرایی نر بطور تصادفی به چهار گروه کنترل غیر دیابتی، کنترل دیابتی، دیابتی تیمار شده با g/kg 1 پودر کدو و دیابتی تیمار شده با g/kg2 پودر کدو تقسیم شدند. القاء دیابت در رات‌‌ها با تزریق درون صفاقی آلوکسان منوهیدرات انجام شد. تیمار حیوانات به مدت 4 هفته و به‌صورت گاواژ انجام گرفت. پس از اتمام مدت آزمایش خون‌گیری به ‌عمل آمد و میزان آنزیم های کبدی (ALT AST ALP) بررسی گردید. از بافت‌های کبد همه گروه‌ها نیز مقاطعی تهیه و مورد بررسی بافت‌شناسی قرار گرفت. داده ها به کمک آزمون آنالیز واریانس یک راهه تجزیه و تحلیل گردید. یافته‌ها: نتایج حاکی از افزایش معنی‌دار آنزیم‌های کبدی (ALT AST ALP) در موش‌های صحرایی دیابتی نسبت به سایر گروه‌ها بود و تیمار با پودر کدو در موش‌های صحرایی دیابتی شده موجب کاهش معنی‌داری در سطح آنزیم‌های فوق در مقایسه با گروه کنترل ‌دیابتی گردید (05/0

Hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats

This study was aimed to evaluate the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of different doses of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) powder in male diabetic rats. A total of 35 rats were randomized into 5 groups of 7 each as follows: Group 1: Normal control; Group 2: Diabetic control; Group 3: Diabetics administered with low doses of pumpkin powder (1 g/kg); Group 4: Diabetics administered with high doses of pumpkin powder (2 g/kg), and Group 5: Diabetics administered with glibenclamide (0.6 mg/kg), as positive control. The rats were made diabetic by alloxan (120 mg/kg body weight (BW)) injection and were treated for 4 weeks on a daily basis. Blood samples were collected following the experiment. Pancreatic specimens were also collected for histological analysis. Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly increased, while insulin was decreased in diabetic rats as compared to the normal control group (p < 0.05). Low dose pumpkin significantly decreased glucose, triglycerides, LDL and CRP as compared to diabetic group and high dose pumpkin decreased cholesterol (p < 0.05). Histological analysis also revealed a significant increase in the diameter and number of langerhans islets in treated group with pumpkin, which was consistent with the latter findings. Therefore, pumpkin might be beneficial in diabetic patients

Overexpression of annexin A1 suppresses pro-inflammatory factors in PC12 cells induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium

Objective: Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is suggested to have anti-inflammatory function. However, the precise function of ANXA1 has remained unclear. In this study, we therefore examined the potency of ANXA1 in regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and suppressing pro-inflammatory responses in PC12 cells induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, cDNA of ANXA1 was cloned and inserted to the PGL268 pEpi-FGM18F vector to produce a recombinant PGL/ANXA1 vector for transfection into the PC12 cells. ANXA1 transfected cells were then treated with MPP+. Apoptosis and the content of pro-inflammatory factors including ROS, Interlukin-6 (IL-6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were assessed by flow-cytometry, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot in ANXA1-transfected cells and the data were compared with those obtained from mock and control cells. Results: Data revealed that overexpression of ANXA1 is associated with decreased levels of ROS and expression level of IL-6 and iNOS transcripts, and NF-κB protein in MPP+ treated PC12 cells. Conclusion: ANXA1 may be considered as an agent for prevention of neurodegenerative or inflammatory conditions

Association between rs56066773 and rs56232250 polymorphisms of FOXP3 gene in target site of microRNA with rheumatoid arthritis in patients referred to Emam Ali clinic of Shahrekord

Background and aims: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the numder or function of regulatory T cells (Treg) is impaired. FOXP3 is one of the major factors of Treg function. Among the factors involved on FOXP3 expression are microRNAs (MIR) which bind to 3´UTR. A nucleotide substitution in the sequence of the target site of microRNA can affect the regulation of microRNA. Polymorphisms of rs56066773 and rs56232250 in the 3´UTR of gene FOXP3 can relate with rheumatoid arthritis through the target gene. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between two polymorphisms with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: In this case-control study, 98 RA patients were recruited from Emam Ali rheumatology clinic and 124 healthy individuals (without the negative history of autoimmune diseases) served as control. Rs56066773 and rs56232250 polymorphisms in the 3´UTR of FOXP3 gene were investigated with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)- Restricted Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). The data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: In the study population, the frequency of the A/G in rs56066773 in patients and control was 3.1 and 1.6%, respectively. The frequency of the same genotype in rs56232250 was 1 and 1.6% in patients and controls respectively. It was not found any significant relationship between two polymorphism and disease. Conclusion: Although not found a significant relationship between polymorphisms and arthritis, previous studies has been established the relationship between polymorphisms in the microRNA target site with a number of diseases. Therefore, it is necessary to examine other FOXP3 gene 3'UTR polymorphisms

Psychometric Evaluation of the Persian Version of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ)

Women’s childbirth experience is an outcome indicator for evaluating maternity care. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (P-CEQ). The study recruited two hundred and fifty primiparous postpartum women in the 1-3 months following birth from one private and three public hospitals in Mazandaran province, Iran. First, face validity and content validity were evaluated. Moreover, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted, and discriminant validity was assessed by applying the known-groups method. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was measured to confirm the stability and Cronbach’s alpha to confirm the internal consistency. CFA also confirmed the values of fit indices (RMSEA = 0.05, SRMSR = 0.06, CFI >0.93, χ2/df = 1.80). ICC was 0.88 and Cronbach’s alpha for all items was 0.85. Furthermore, discriminant validity of the P-CEQ was approved given that it effectively differentiated women whose stay in the labor unit exceeded twelve hours from those with a shorter stay. The P-CEQ questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for assessing childbirth experiences. It is an easy-to-use questionnaire that can be used for evaluating quality of care in terms of women’s childbirth experience. It can be used in maternity services that aim to improve quality of care during labor and childbirth