The effect of black and green-tea extracts on dental-plaque forming Streptococci

زمینه و هدف: چای از پرمصرف‌ترین نوشیدنی‌ها در ایران است. اثرات ضد میکربی چای روی میکروارگانیسم‌های متعددی به اثبات رسیده است و یافتن فرآورده های طبیعی مانند مشتقات چای، که فاقد مخاطرات بر سلامت انسان باشند جهت کاهش ارگانیسم های پاتوژن ضروری بنظر می رسد. لذا این پژوهش با هدف بررسی اثر عصاره چای سیاه و سبز ایرانی بر استرپتوکوک‌های دهانی (استرپتوکوکوس موتانس، استرپتوکوکوس میتیس و استرپتوکوکوس سنگوییس) و اثر بازدارندگی آنها از تشکیل بیوفیلم، روی عوامل ایجاد کنندۀ پلاک‌های دندانی و پوسیدگی دندان انجام شد. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی پس از عصاره گیری نمونه ها با حلال متانول50 و جدا نمودن مجدد در فاز اتیل استـــات، عصاره ها توسط فیلتر 44/0 میکرون استریل شده و در 4 درجۀ سانتیگراد نگهداری شدند. از روش تهیۀ رقت های متوالی در محیط مایع برای محاسبۀ حداقل غلظت بازدارندگی و با تلقیح باکتری‌ها به درون ارلن های حاوی لام‌های شیشه‌ای برای سنجش تشکیل بیوفیلم استفاده شد. تشکیل بیوفیلم با کشت نمونه از روی لام ها و شمارش کلنی‌ها و همچنین مقایسۀ آنها در زیر میکروسکوپ فاز کنتراست با نمونۀ شاهد (محیط های تیمار نشده) مقایسه گردید. میانگین اندازه گیری‌ها در سه بار تکرار بیان و خطاها در هر نمونه با استفاده از آزمون آماری استاندارد (ANOVA) تعیین گردید. یافته ها: میکروسکوپ فاز کنتراست کاهش فوق العاده ای را در چسبیدن میکروارگانیسم های تیمار شده به یکدیگر در مقایسه با نمونۀ شاهد نشان داد. در غلظت 1 میلی گرم در میلی لیتر از عصارۀ چای سیاه بیوفیلم تشکیل نشد و غلظت 5/1 میلی گرم در میلی لیتر از عصارۀ چای سبز نیز بازدارندۀ کامل تشکیل بیوفیلم بود. عصاره های چای سیاه و سبز، به ترتیب در غلظت 5/2 و 3 میلی گرم در میلی لیتر اثر باکتریسایدی روی استرپتوکوکوس موتانس، استرپتوکوکوس میتیس و استرپتوکوکوس سنگوییس داشتند. نتیجه گیری: عصاره های چای به هر دو صورت چای سیاه و سبز خاصیت باکتریسایدی داشتند و اثر ضد میکربی چای سیاه بر روی استرپتوکوک های دهانی و ممانعت از تشکیل بیوفیلم توسط آنها بیشتر از چای سبز است

Dehydroepiandrosterone Stimulates Nerve Growth Factor and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Cortical Neurons

Due to the increasing cases of neurodegenerative diseases in recent years, the eventual goal of nerve repair is very important. One approach for achieving a neuronal cell induction is by regenerative pharmacology. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are neurotrophins that play roles in neuronal development, differentiation, and protection. On the other hand, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a neurosteroid which has multiple actions in the nervous system. DHEA could be an important agent in regenerative pharmacology for neuronal differentiation during tissue regeneration. In this study, we investigated the possible role of DHEA to modulate NGF and BDNF production. The in vivo level of neurotrophins expression was demonstrated by ELISA in rat harvested brain cortex. Also neurotrophins expression after DHEA treatment was revealed by the increased neurite extension, immunostaining, and BrdU labeling in rats. Anti-NGF and anti-BDNF antibodies were used as suppressive agents on neurogenesis. The results showed that NGF and BDNF are overproduced after DHEA treatment but there is not any overexpression for NT-3 and NT-4. Also DHEA increased neurite extension and neural cell proliferation significantly. Overall, DHEA might induce NGF and BDNF neurotrophins overproduction in cortical neurons which promotes neural cell protection, survival, and proliferation. © 2013 Anahita Rahmani et al

Endometrial stem cells in regenerative medicine

First described in 2004, endometrial stem cells (EnSCs) are adult stem cells isolated from the endometrial tissue. EnSCs comprise of a population of epithelial stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and side population stem cells. When secreted in the menstrual blood, they are termed menstrual stem cells or endometrial regenerative cells. Mounting evidence suggests that EnSCs can be utilized in regenerative medicine. EnSCs can be used as immuno-modulatory agents to attenuate inflammation, are implicated in angiogenesis and vascularization during tissue regeneration, and can also be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, EnSCs can be used in tissue engineering applications and there are several clinical trials currently in place to ascertain the therapeutic potential of EnSCs. This review highlights the progress made in EnSC research, describing their mesodermal, ectodermal, and endodermal potentials both in vitro and in vivo

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection in Two Patients Suffer From Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain

Background: Discogenic low back pain is one of the leading causes of pain and disability across the world.  A growing interest in the area of regenerative medicine, led by an improved understanding of the role of mesenchymal stem cells in tissue homeostasis and repair.Cases Report: We had two patients suffered from chronic discogenic low back pain. They were underwent injection of intra-discal 1.5 cc of Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (ADMSC) and followed up for 6 months. After this period of time, there was a significant reduction in both VAS and ODI scores in patients.Conclusion: These data warrant further studies so that we can enhance our understanding of the other unknown mechanisms, which may exist behind stem cell injection. If the effectiveness of such injection to reduce pain and improve function is shown in the upcoming studies, it may provide a new insight for increasing this method of treatment as a proper option in the near future

Hydroxy decenoic acid down regulates <it>gtfB</it> and <it>gtfC</it> expression and prevents <it>Streptococcus mutans</it> adherence to the cell surfaces

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>10<b>-</b>Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid is the most active and unique component to the royal jelly that has antimicrobial properties. <it>Streptococcus mutans</it> is associated with pathogenesis of oral cavity, gingivoperiodontal diseases and bacteremia following dental manipulations. In the oral cavity, <it>S. mutans</it> colonize the soft tissues including tongue, palate, and buccal mucosa. When considering the role of supragingival dental plaque in caries, the proportion of acid producing bacteria (particularly <it>S. mutans</it>), has direct relevance to the pathogenicity of the plaque. The genes that encode glucosyltransferases (<it>gtf</it>s) especially <it>gtfB</it> and <it>gtfC</it> are important in <it>S. mutans</it> colonization and pathogenesis. This study investigated the hydroxy-decenoic acid (HDA) effects on <it>gtfB</it> and <it>gtfC</it> expression and <it>S. mutans</it> adherence to cells surfaces.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p><it>Streptococcus mutans</it> was treated by different concentrations of HPLC purified HDA supplied by Iran Beekeeping and Veterinary Association. Real time RT-PCR and western blot assays were conducted to evaluate <it>gtfB</it> and <it>gtfC</it> genes transcription and translation before and after HDA treatment. The bacterial attachment to the cell surfaces was evaluated microscopically.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>500 μg ml^-1 of HDA inhibited <it>gtfB</it> and <it>gtfC</it> mRNA transcription and its expression. The same concentration of HDA decreased 60% the adherence of <it>S. mutans</it> to the surface of P19 cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Hydroxy-decenoic acid prevents <it>gtfB</it> and <it>gtfC</it> expression efficiently in the bactericide sub-concentrations and it could effectively reduce <it>S. mutans</it> adherence to the cell surfaces. In the future, therapeutic approaches to affecting <it>S. mutans</it> could be selective and it’s not necessary to put down the oral flora completely.</p

Neurogenesis and Increase in Differentiated Neural Cell Survival via Phosphorylation of Akt1 after Fluoxetine Treatment of Stem Cells

Fluoxetine (FLX) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Its action is possibly through an increase in neural cell survival. The mechanism of improved survival rate of neurons by FLX may relate to the overexpression of some kinases such as Akt protein. Akt1 (a serine/threonine kinase) plays a key role in the modulation of cell proliferation and survival. Our study evaluated the effects of FLX on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) fate and Akt1 phosphorylation levels in MSCs. Evaluation tests included reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunocytochemistry assays. Nestin, MAP-2, and β-tubulin were detected after neurogenesis as neural markers. Ten μM of FLX upregulated phosphorylation of Akt1 protein in induced hEnSC significantly. Also FLX did increase viability of these MSCs. Continuous FLX treatment after neurogenesis elevated the survival rate of differentiated neural cells probably by enhanced induction of Akt1 phosphorylation. This study addresses a novel role of FLX in neurogenesis and differentiated neural cell survival that may contribute to explaining the therapeutic action of fluoxetine in regenerative pharmacology

A rapid sonication based method for preparation of stromal vascular fraction and mesenchymal stem cells from fat tissue

Introduction: Much attention has been paid to the idea of cell therapy using stem cells from different sources of the body. Fat-derived stem cells that are called adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) from stromal vascular fraction (SVF) are the subject of many studies in several cell therapy clinical trials. Despite production of some GMP-grade enzymes to isolate SVF for clinical trials, there are critical conditions like inconsistency in lot-to-lot enzyme activity, endotoxin residues, other protease activities and cleavage of some cell surface markers which significantly narrow the options. So we decided to develop a new method via sonication cavitation to homogenize fat tissue and disrupt partially adipose cells to obtain SVF and finally ADSCs at a minimum of time and expenses. Methods: The fat tissue was chopped in a sterile condition by a blender mixer and then sonicated for 2 s before centrifugation. The next steps were performed as the regular methods of SVF harvesting, and then it was characterized using flow cytometry. Results: Analysis of the surface markers of the cells revealed similar sets of surface antigens. The cells showed slightly high expression of CD34, CD73 and CD105. The differentiation capacity of these cells indicates that multipotent properties of the cells are not compromised after sonication. But we had the less osteogenic potential of cells when compared with the enzymatic method. Conclusion: The current protocol based on the sonication-mediated cavitation is a rapid, safe and cost-effective method, which is proposed for isolation of SVF and of course ADSCs cultures in a large scale for the clinical trials or therapeutic purposes