Method of Housing and Transfer and Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis: An Experimental Study on C57BL/6

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of human central nervous system. Although experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is the most commonly used method to induce MS, there are unexpected results in the modeling outcomes, which led to inappropriate clinical score scaling. Recent studies focused on the possible factors that may affect the final outcome of EAE modeling. Some of these factors were observed and discussed in our experiment on C57BL/6 model. Objectives: The present research was carried out to find the possible effects of environmental factors, including transfer, handling, housing, and dark-light cycle on EAE modeling scoring. Materials and Methods: Twenty female mice (C57BL/6) were used that divided into two groups (n = 10) by random. The routine method of MS induction in mammals was used in both groups. Following induction, animals of group one were placed in a separated room with the least local translocation and handling, whereas animals of the second group were placed in the same room as the other animals with normal local allocation as others. The animals were observed and scored using routine clinical scoring for EAE. Results: Our data showed that the EAE induction in group one was significantly more successful than group two (with the mean score > 3). Conclusions: Although the EAE is still a scientific method to induce MS in rodents, it requires more attention to environmental factors that might influence the result. The mechanisms of these factors are unknown, but it seems that the role of housing environment should be taken into consideration

Recombinant λ-phage nanobioparticles for tumor therapy in mice models

Lambda phages have considerable potential as gene delivery vehicles due to their genetic tractability, low cost, safety and physical characteristics in comparison to other nanocarriers and gene porters. Little is known concerning lambda phage-mediated gene transfer and expression in mammalian hosts. We therefore performed experiments to evaluate lambda-ZAP bacteriophage-mediated gene transfer and expression in vitro. For this purpose, we constructed recombinant λ-phage nanobioparticles containing a mammalian expression cassette encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and E7 gene of human papillomavirus type 16 (λ-HPV-16 E7) using Lambda ZAP- CMV XR vector. Four cell lines (COS-7, CHO, TC-1 and HEK-239) were transduced with the nanobioparticles. We also characterized the therapeutic anti-tumor effects of the recombinant λ-HPV-16 E7 phage in C57BL/6 tumor mice model as a cancer vaccine. Obtained results showed that delivery and expression of these genes in fibroblastic cells (COS-7 and CHO) are more efficient than epithelial cells (TC-1 and HEK-239) using these nanobioparticles. Despite the same phage M.O.I entry, the internalizing titers of COS-7 and CHO cells were more than TC-1 and HEK-293 cells, respectively. Mice vaccinated with λ-HPV-16 E7 are able to generate potent therapeutic antitumor effects against challenge with E7- expressing tumor cell line, TC-1 compared to group treated with the wild phage. The results demonstrated that the recombinant λ-phages, due to their capabilities in transducing mammalian cells, can also be considered in design and construction of novel and safe phage-based nanomedicines

Association of body mass index and physical activity with fatigue, depression, and anxiety among Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis

IntroductionDepression, fatigue, and anxiety are three common clinical comorbidities of multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the role of physical activity (PA) level and body mass index (BMI) as modifiable lifestyle factors in these three comorbidities.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in the MS specialist clinic of Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Demographic and clinical data were collected. BMI was categorized in accordance with the WHO’s standard classification. Physical activity (PA) level and sitting time per day were obtained using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Fatigue, anxiety, and depression scores were measured using the Persian version of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) questionnaires, respectively. The correlation between the metabolic equivalent of tasks (MET), BMI, and daily sitting hours with depression, anxiety, and fatigue were checked using the linear regression test. The normal BMI group was considered a reference, and the difference in quantitative variables between the reference and the other groups was assessed using an independent sample t-test. Physical activity was classified with tertiles, and the difference in depression, anxiety, and fatigue between the PA groups was evaluated by a one-way ANOVA test.ResultsIn total, 85 MS patients were recruited for the study. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 39.07 ± 8.84 years, and 72.9% (n: 62) of them were female. The fatigue score was directly correlated with BMI (P: 0.03; r: 0.23) and sitting hours per day (P: 0.01; r: 0.26) and indirectly correlated with PA level (P < 0.01; r: −0.33). Higher depression scores were significantly correlated with elevated daily sitting hours (P: 0.01; r: 0.27). However, the correlation between depression with PA and BMI was not meaningful (p > 0.05). Higher anxiety scores were correlated with BMI (P: 0.01; r: 0.27) and lower PA (P: 0.01; r: −0.26). The correlation between anxiety and sitting hours per day was not significant (p > 0.05). Patients in the type I obesity group had significantly higher depression scores than the normal weight group (23.67 ± 2.30 vs. 14.05 ± 9.12; P: 0.001). Fatigue (32.61 ± 14.18 vs. 52.40 ± 12.42; P: <0.01) and anxiety (14.66 ± 9.68 vs. 27.80 ± 15.48; P: 0.01) scores were significantly greater among participants in the type II obesity group in comparison with the normal weight group. Fatigue (P: 0.01) and anxiety (P: 0.03) scores were significantly different in the three levels of PA, but no significant difference was found in the depression score (P: 0.17).ConclusionOur data suggest that a physically active lifestyle and being in the normal weight category are possible factors that lead to lower depression, fatigue, and anxiety in patients with MS

Gastrointestinal adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs in intractable epileptic patients

AbstractGastrointestinal (GI) discomforts are among the most common side effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that might lead to discontinuation or irregular consumption of the drugs. This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of GI side effects of different AEDs in intractable epileptic patients treated with single or multiple drugs. GI discomfort of 100 epileptic patients (aged 35–76 years) treated with one or multiple AEDs was assessed. Seventy six patients (76%) were treated with two or more AEDs, and 24 (24%) were on monotherapy. The most common prescribed drug for monotherapy was carbamazepine and the most frequent combination was phenytoin and carbamazepine. Patients were suffering from different GI side effects including heartburn (34.6%), nausea (33.7%), constipation (26%), vomiting (22.1%), diarrhea (21.2%) and dysphagia (19.2%). Nausea and vomiting were significantly higher in patients receiving monotherapy with carbamazepine and valproic acid, respectively. When phenytoin, gabapentine, or valproic acid was added to the other AEDs, the risk of the occurrence of diarrhea, dysphagia, or heartburn was significantly increased, respectively. Addition of gabapentine to the other AEDs in multiple drug therapy was accompanied with the highest frequency of GI complications. This study indicated that GI side effects, which can affect drug absorption and utilization, were common in intractable epileptic patients with long-term AEDs treatment. This may influence the efficacy of the therapy with AEDs and enhance the probability of further attacks

Is it safe for Multiple Sclerosis patients to fast?

Ramadan fasting predispose multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to a great challenge. Clinicians should have practical knowledge about the effects of fasting on MS. A mini-symposium was held in 2013 to answer the common questions about fasting in MS patients. In current review we present a summary of the mentioned mini-symposium.Generally, fasting is possible for most stable MS patients. Thorough monitoring of symptoms, proper adjustment of drug regimens, as well as, providing patients with evidences on MS and fasting are inevitable parts of management. Data from experimental studies proposed that calorie restriction prior to disease induction ameliorated disease severity by reducing inflammation and demyelination. According to the results of the mini-symposium, fasting doesn’t have adverse effects on disease course in patients with mild disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score ≤3). There was a general consensus that during fasting (especially in summer), some MS symptoms (such as dizziness, fatigue, fatigue perception, cognitive problems, spasticity, vision, weakness, gait, and balance) may exacerbate. However, they return to normal levels during feasting period. A majority of experts did not recommend fasting to patients: with EDSS score of 7 or more, during attacks, with active disease or coagulopathy; on high doses of anti-spastics, corticosteroids, and anti-convulsants

The association of dietary and lifestyle indices for hyperinsulinemia with odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Iranian adults: a case–control study

Abstract Background Evidence on the association of insulinemic effects of dietary pattern and other lifestyle factors with the odds of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited. In the current study, we aimed to examine the association of the empirical dietary index for hyperinsulinemia (EDIH) and empirical lifestyle index for hyperinsulinemia (ELIH) index with the NAFLD odds in the adult population. Methods In the current case–control study, 120 cases of NAFLD and 240 controls aged 20–60 years were included. The ultrasonography test was used to determine NAFLD. We used a validated food frequency questionnaire to collect dietary data of individuals and determine the scores of EDIH. Also, we determined the ELIH score based on diet, body mass index, and physical activity. The odds ratio (OR) of NAFLD was calculated using logistic regression test across EDIH and ELIH tertiles. Results The mean ± SD age of subjects (53% men) were 41.8 ± 7.5 years. In the age and sex-adjusted model, there is a significant association between a higher ELIH score and higher odds of NAFLD (OR = 2.74;95%CI:1.51–4.96,Ptrend = 0.001). Also, based on the multivariable-adjusted model, after controlling for age and sex, smoking, SES, and dietary intake of energy a remarkable positive association was observed between the higher score of ELIH and the odds of NAFLD (OR = 2.70; 95%CI:1.46–5.01,Ptrend = 0.002). However, there is no significant relationship between the higher score of EDIH and NAFLD odds. Conclusions Our results showed that the high insulinemic potential of lifestyle, determined by the ELIH score, can be related to an increased NAFLD odds. However, no significant association was found between higher EDIH score and odds of NAFLD

The association between depression, obesity and body composition in Iranian women

Summary: Objective: Depression and obesity are two serious health problems influencing both physical and mental health. Regarding the high prevalence of these two conditions and their high morbidity and mortality rates associated to both, investigation the association between them seems necessary. Method: This cross sectional study was conducted on 174 women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 who referred to the obesity clinic of Sina hospital, through convenience sampling. Data from anthropometric measurements, Beck Depression inventory-II and body composition were collected and SPSS was used to statistical analysis. Results: Mean age of participants was 36.6 ± 8.8 year. The prevalence of dysthymic disorders in obese women was higher than in those with overweight. In women with obesity, the prevalence of severe depression, was higher than mild and moderate depression (P < 0.001). According to the linear regression analysis, increasing each score in depression score, increases the fat mass by 0.44 kg, significantly (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Depression and obesity follows a dose response association. According to the association between depression and obesity, focusing on interdisciplinary studies is suggested for the future researches

Impact of Acute Phase Epigallocatechin-3-gallate Supplementation on Consciousness and S100B Serum Levels in TBI Patients: A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Aim: Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability in young adults. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, the antioxidant compound of green tea, has been proposed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study evaluates the potential effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on the early clinical outcome and serum S100B levels (biomarker for brain tissue damage severity) in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. Methods and Materials/Patients: Thirty patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury admitted to the intensive care unit were enrolled. The patients were randomly allocated to treatment with either a daily oral dose of 400 mg epigallocatechin-3-gallate or placebo (distilled water) for seven days. The main outcome measures were duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, Glasgow Coma Scale, and S100B protein level. Results: The results revealed a significant improvement in consciousness level after seven days in the epigallocatechin-3-gallate group (2.93±3.9 unit improvement in GCS versus 0.14±3.05 reduction in GCS, p-value:0.033). There was also a significantly shorter duration of mechanical ventilation in the epigallocatechin-3-gallate compared to the control group (5.1 days versus 9.8 days, p-value:0.02). Reduction of the serum S100B level was slightly higher in the epigallocatechin-3-gallate group (23.96 versus 18.6 pg/ml) but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate supplementation had beneficial effects on consciousness level of the patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury in the acute phase