The effect of Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extract on PTZ-induced seizure threshold in Vincristine injected mice

and aims: Studies show that Vincristine is an anti-cancer drug which has neuropathic effects. Some studies have shown that Salvia officinalis has therapeutic effects on nervous system. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extract and Vincristine on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure threshould in mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 32 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. The first group received normal saline, second group received Salvia officinalis hydroalcoholic extract (1 g/kg, i.p.), third group received Vincristine (10 µg/kg/day, i.v.) and finally the fourth group received hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis plus Vincristine. Then the seizure threshold was determined for each group after the injections. The data were analyzed using one way ANOVA followed by Tukey test. Results: The results of this study showed that hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis significantly increased the PTZ Induced seizure threshold (P<0.05). Simultaneous uses of Vincristine and Salvia officinalis extract caused a significant increase in seizure threshold in Vincristine group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Considering the existence of different types of ingredients in Salvia officinalis extract such as antioxidants, b-pinene and spathulenol, which have beneficial affects on the nervous system as well as their antioxidant effects, we can use this plant to reduce Vincristine induced neuropathic effects

The association between adiponectin (+45T/G) and adiponectin receptor-2 (+795G/A) single nucleotide polymorphisms with cirrhosis in Iranian population

Adiponectin which possesses anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties is elevated in blood circulation of liver cirrhosis patients. The genetic variations in the adiponectin gene can affect the circulating adiponectin level and stimulation of adiponectin receptor that may affect the activity of adiponectin. We investigated the effect of adiponectin single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) 45 T/G and adiponectin receptor-2 gene SNP 795G/ A in cirrhotic Iranian population. A total of 97 cirrhotic patients and 128 healthy controls from Iranian population were genotyped for the adiponectin and adiponectin receptor 2 gene (?45TG and 795G/A) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. G frequency was 21.1% versus 12.89% (P = 0.001) for SNP45, and G frequency was 75.8% versus 76.2% (P = 0.526) for SNP795G/A in the patients and control group, respectively. Based on our findings, the expression of the G allele at SNP45 is higher in the patient group compared with healthy subjects, suggesting that it may affect liver injury through changes in the plasma adiponectin level.© Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011

Changes in bone biological markers after treatment of Iranian diabetic patients with pioglitazone: No relation to polymorphism of PPAR-γ (Pro12Ala)

Background: Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) improves insulin sensitivity by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-g). We aimed to study any association between variation in bone biochemical markers and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in PPAR-γ (Pro12Ala) and investigate if these genetic variants affect bone turnover markers in Iranian diabetic population before and after treatment with pioglitazone. Materials and Methods: A total of 101 patients (type 2 diabetic (T2D) were treated for 12 weeks with pioglitazone (15 mg/day). Bone Biological markers, osteocalcin, and C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTx) were measured before and after pioglitazone therapy. We genotyped 128 nondiabetic controls and 101 T2D patients as well. Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPAR-γ was done by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using TaqMan assay. Results: There were statistically significant differences in allele frequencies of Pro12Ala while comparing the controls with T2D subjects. Ala frequency was 7 vs 3%, P = 0.036 and genotypic frequency of Pro/Ala was 5.94 vs 14.06%, P = 0.04. After treatment, the homeostasis model of assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) as a maker of insulin resistance was significantly decreased ( P < 0.001). In respect of bone turnover markers, CTx values decreased and osteocalcin significantly increased. ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our findings did not reveal a significant association between this polymorphism and bone turnover markers after pioglitazone treatment. The reduced insulin resistance might be the reason that CTx values decreased and osteocalcin increased significantly after short-term pioglitazone treatment. These findings suggest the need for further studies on the possible role of insulin in regulation of bone metabolism

Genotyping of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) polymorphism (pro12ala) in Iranian population

BACKGROUND: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) is a nuclear hormone receptor. It is predominantly expressed in adipose tissue and as a receptor for thiazolidinediones, it has drawn attentions towards itself as a key molecule to trigger pathways involving in some diseases such as cancers, type 2 diabetes, inflammations and osteoporosis. A proline changed to alanine in codon 12 of PPAR-γ gene (Pro12Ala) has been known to be responsible for decreased risk of type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study is to investigate the frequency of Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPAR-γ in healthy Iranian population to compare with other populations. Understanding this polymorphism may help us in better diagnosis, prevention, and therapeutic approaches toward a better management of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis. METHODS: 128 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. To determine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), we did real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. RESULTS: Genotype frequencies for PPAR-γ gene Pro12Ala (rs1801282) polymorphism were 0.86 for CC, 0.14 for CG, 0.00 for GG while allelic frequencies were 0.93 and 0.0.07 for C and G, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There are statistical differences between the distribution of the PPAR-γ-2 Pro12Ala polymorphism in other populations and Iranian population

Immunohistochemical study of β-catenin in experimental colon carcinoma of rat

Colorectal adenocarcinoma is one of the most prevalent and treatable malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies on colorectal neoplasia indicates β-catenin gene mutation and its intranuclear accumulation inside hyperplastic cells. Therefore, β-catenin may be an important prognosis and diagnostic index of this disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the nuclear beta-catenin expression in hyperplastic cells of colon following treatment with 1,2-dimethylhydrazine. In this study, 56 wistar male rats with the age of 12 weeks and body weight of 200-300g were selected and randomly allocated into two equal treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, two subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine every week at a dose rate of 40 mg/kg were used for 4 weeks to induce colon carcinoma. The control group was given normal saline solution similarly. After 8 weeks, tissues samples of distal colon were collected from both groups for preparation of tissue sections and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistopathological study of samples revealed that nuclear β-catenin expression in the treatment group was significantly higher than the control group (

The effects of tramadol on norepinephrine and MHPG releasing in locus coeruleus in formalin test in rats: a brain stereotaxic study

Objective(s):The relationship between tramadol, as an antinociceptive drug, and locus coeruleus (LC), the main noradrenergic nucleus of the brain that affects regulation and modulation of pain through descending noradrenergic pathways was investigated. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of 10 rats. The rats were fixed in stereotaxic instrument and then a probe was inserted into LC. Pain was induced by subcutaneous injection of 50 μl of 2.5% formalin 40 minutes after initiation of microdialysisin right hind paw, and nociceptivepain scores were calculated every 5 minutes. Subsequently noradrenaline (NA) and its metabolite, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), were collected and measured by microdialysis of locus coeruleus in freely moving rats every 15 minutes during formalin injection. Results: Nociceptive pain scores observed in formalin test had the highest nociceptive sensation 5 minutes after injection. Significant rises in concentrations of NA and MHPG, in samples taken between 30 and 45 min after initiation of the locus coeruleusmicrodialysis, coincided with the peak of the pain after injection of formalin. Conclusion: According toconcurrency of the highest nociceptive sensation and peak of NE and MHPG concentrations, tramadol can indirectly affect the LC by blocking the pain signals from different parts of the brain such as periaqueductal gray mater, central nucleus of amygdale or the spinal cord