THE LINK BETWEEN ALLERGIC RHINITIS AND RHEUMATIC DISORDERS: FROM AVICENNA'S VIEW TO RECENT FINDINGS

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most prevalent allergic disorder across the globe which has significant socioeconomic costs. In addition to direct and indirect costs, the disease also has hidden direct costs related to comorbid conditions. AR can result in several complications such as pharyngitis, sinusitis, asthma, otitis media, eczema and lymphoid hypertrophy. Although associations between AR and other airway disorders have been investigated for years, less attention has been focused on the association of this disease with non-respiratory disorders. Cosidering the fact that AR is rarely found in isolation and reprts of traditional Persian medical literatures on the relationship between rhinitis and joint disorders, this study aimed to investigate the link between AR and rheumatic disorders. In this regard, Avicenna’s Canon of Medicine which was a well known medical textbook until 17th century was reviewed. Modern medical databases were searched as well. The results of this study showed that as mentioned in the teachings of Avicenna, allergic rhinitis may have association with some rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain and gout. Findings that support this hypothesis include the wide range of symptoms and complications of allergic rhinitis, emphasizing the association by prominent medical scholars of the past like Rhazes and Avicenna, studies found an association between AR or chronic rhnosinusitis with rheumatic diseases and common cytokines and inflammatory biomarkers that serve similar roles in both allergic rhinitis and rheumatic diseases like IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17 and TNF-alpha. It is suggested that studies be conducted with the main aim of investigating the relationship between these diseases and evaluating underlying mechanisms. The result of such research can be helpful in finding new treatment modalities in both groups. Keywords: allergic rhinitis; rheumatic disorder; comorbidity, traditional medicine; Persian medicine; Avicenn

AVICENINO NAUČAVANJE O ARTERIJSKOJ HIPETENZIJI

Arterial hypertension is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Data from observational studies indicate that it may affect 90% of the general population during their lifetime. Despite much research that has been done, the exact cause of this disorder is still unknown. Avicenna (Ibn Sina) in his masterpiece The Canon of Medicine described most of the clinical features, causes, and complications which are consistent with hypertension symptoms based on modern medicine. He described in detail the symptoms of hypertension such as headache, heaviness in the head, sluggish movements, general redness and warm to touch feel of the body, prominent, distended and tense veins, fullness of the pulse, distension of the skin, coloured and dense urine, loss of appetite, weak eye sight, impairment of thinking, yawning, and drowsiness. Moreover, Avicenna described haemorrhage and sudden death as the complications of hypertension. Due to the importance of this issue, we wanted to call the reader’s attention to Avicenna’s views about what corresponds to hypertension in modern medicine.Arterijska hipertenzija među glavnim je rizičnim čimbenicima nastanka bolesti srca i krvožilja. Podaci iz opažajnih ispitivanja ukazuju na to da se arterijska hipertenzija tijekom života javlja u 90% opće populacije. Unatoč intenzivnom istraživanju, još nije utvrđen uzrok ovoga poremećaja. Avicena (Ibn Sina) je u svom kapitalnom djelu Kanon medicine opisao većinu kliničkih manifestacija, uzroka i komplikacija koje odgovaraju modernom opisu simptoma hipertenzije. Do pojedinosti je opisao simptome poput glavobolje, osjećaja težine u glavi, usporenosti, općeg crvenila, toploga tijela na dodir, izraženo proširenih i tvrdih vena, punoće bila, rastezanja kože, obojane i guste mokraće, gubitka teka, oslabjela vida, otežanog razmišljanja, zijevanja i pospanosti. Kao komplikacije hipertenzije Avicena navodi krvarenje i naglu smrt. Zbog važnosti teme, htjeli smo ovim člankom prenijeti Avicenino viđenje onoga što se danas u medicini naziva hipertenzijom

Gene Expression Survey of Serotonin Receptors (5HTR2A and 5HTR3A) and Monoamine Oxidases Enzyme After Treatment With Methadone in Addicted Individuals

Background: Addiction disrupts the nervous system of the reward system, stimulus, and memory in the brain. The disruption of these systems in the brain causes biological, physiological, social, and psychological complications. Addiction is considered a psychological, social, and economic disorder in terms of medicine, psychology, and sociology, as well as philosophy, law, ethics, and religion. The most important place of narcotic effect is the brain, and receptors affect these substances. Dopamine and serotonin receptors are among the most important receptors, in which drugs affect them. Methadone is also an opiate drug that is even more addictive than morphine and heroin and is often used as a preservative to control heroin and narcotic addiction.Methods: In this study, 3 genes of 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 2 A (5HT2Ra), 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor 3 A (5HT3Ra), and Monoamine Oxidases A (MAOA), which play an important role in serotonin function, were examined in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) of heroin addicts, who had been quitting addiction with methadone for 3 months. Therefore, peripheral blood PBMCs were isolated. cDNA was synthesized from mRNA; then, the expression of the gene was measured by real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).Results: The expression of MAOA gene in the PBMCs of the addicted patients with methadone was significantly reduced compared to the control group, while the expression of 5HT2Ra and 5HT3Ra genes showed no change in the two groups.Conclusion: These results suggest that Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) may be moderated by 5HT2Ra and 5 HT3Ra serotonin receptors and returned to their previous efficacy, but MAOA was significantly reduced.

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION IN PERSIAN MEDICINE

Introduction: erectile dysfunction (ED) is a growing problem worldwide. It is age related and the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by older patients to improve their sexual function has become common. Since Persian Medicine (PM) is one of three popular medical schools with its special view point of etiology, classification of disease, diagnostic methods and therapeutic approaches; current study is designed to clarify clinical characteristics of ED in PM. Methods: information on erectile dysfunction, sexual dysfunction and their related signs, symptoms and clinical tests was obtained from original documents and manuscripts; Moreover, we investigated the utilization of these findings in conventional medicine through searching PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. Results: there is a rich human heritage still unstudied in PM dating back to ancient times. In PM documents, 35 clinical finding of ED were identified, about half of theme is objective, and while we still use most of Subjective ones in current patient report outcomes. Conclusions: diagnosis of ED in PM is logically like conventional medicine; however, its classification of ED is different because PM believes in etiology, therefore due to lack of research on clinical assessment methods, more investigations are required to evaluate PM diagnostic procedures and treatment tactics. Keywords: Persian Medicine; Arabic Medicine; Unani Medicine; Erectile Dysfunction; Impotence; Signs and Symptom

The Potential Anti-inflammatory Effect of Spirulina Platensis on an in Vitro Model of Celiac Disease

Background: Celiac disease (CD) is a prevalent autoimmune enteropathy triggered by the ingestion of gluten. The management of CD involves adhering to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Recent studies have been actively exploring potential supplementary or alternative therapies for individuals with CD. The primary objective of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of Spirulina platensis in regulating the intestinal barrier-related gene expression and alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress associated with CD in PT-gliadin-triggered Caco-2 cells.Methods: S. platensis extracts and a pepsin/trypsin (PT) digest of gliadin were prepared and exposed to the human colon carcinoma Caco-2 cell line. Cell viability was assessed. Total RNA was extracted from Caco-2 cells and cDNA synthesis was performed. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was conducted to evaluate the mRNA levels of interleukin (IL)-6, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), COX-2, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), ZO-1, and occludin.Results: Treating Caco-2 cells with S. platensis alone (P=0.01 for both) or in combination with PT-gliadin (P=0.004 and P=0.02, respectively) resulted in decreased IL-6 expression and increased occludin mRNA expression. Additionally, S. platensis extract enhanced Zo-1 mRNA levels (P=0.002) and reduced NF-κB mRNA expression (P=0.02). The combination of gliadin and S. platensis led to decreased mRNA expression of COX-2 (P=0.03) and NF-κB (P=0.04). No significant differences were observed in TGF-β mRNA expression between the studied groups (P>0.05).Conclusion: Additional investigation is needed to examine the influence of interactions between S. platensis and gliadin regarding the comprehensive response of CD to gliadin, encompassing the activation of gluten-sensitive immune cells

Hypofractionated Radiation Versus Conventional Fractionated Radiation: A Network Analysis

Hypofractionated Versus Conventional Fractionated Radiation: A Network Analysis Introduction: Conventional fractionated (CF) and hypofractionated (HF) are two radiotherapy methods against cancer which are applied in medicine. Understanding efficacy and molecular mechanism of two methods implies more investigations. In the present study proteomic findings about the mentioned methods relative to the controls are analyzed via network analysis.  Methods: The significant differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) of prostate cancer (PCa) cell line DU145 in response to CF and HF radiation therapy versus controls were extract from literature. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed via STRING database via cytoscape software. The Networks were analyzed by “NetworkAnalyzer” to determine hub DEPs. Results: Number of 126 and 63 significant DEPs were identified for treated DU145 with CF and HF radiation respectively. The PPI networks were constructed by the queried DEPs plus 100 first neighbors. ALB, CD44, THBS1, EPCAM, F2, KRT19, and MCAM were highlighted as common hubs. VTM, OCLN, HSPB1, FLNA, AHSG, and SERPINC1 were appeared as discriminator hub between the studied cells. Conclusion: The 70% of hubs were common between CF and HF conditions and induce radio-resistance activity in the survived cells. Six central proteins were introduced that discriminate function of the two group of irradiated cells. Based on these finding it seems that DU145-CF cells are more radio-resistant relative to the DU145-UF cells

Investigation of Chronic Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation Effect on Gene Expression Profile of Human HUVECs Cells

Introduction: Understanding molecular mechanism of chronic low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) effects on human body is subject of many researches. Several aspects of cell function such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and tumorigenesis are affected by LDIR. Detection of the main biological process that is targeted by LIDR via network analysis is the main aim of this study.   Methods: GSE66720 including gene expression profiles of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) included irradiated and control cells is downloaded from gene expression omnibus (GEO). The significant differentially Expressed genes (DEGs) are determined and analyzed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis to find the central individuals. The main cell function which was related to the central nodes was introduced. Results: Among 64 queried DEGs 48 genes were recognized by STRING database. Five hub nodes including; C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1), Melanoma growth-stimulatory activity/growth-regulated protein α (CXCL1), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), and nerve growth factor (NGF) were introduced as hub nodes. Conclusion: Findings indicates that inflammation is the main initial target of LDIR in cellular level which is associated with alteration in the other essential functions of the irradiated cells

Investigation of Crucial Affected Proteins in Rat Liver in the Presence of Scrophularia

Background and objectives: Radix Scropholaria is dried root Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. which is used uses as a drug against several diseases. In the present study, the crucial affected proteins of rat liver in the presence of radix Scrophularia have been investigated. Methods: The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were downloaded from literature. The significant DEPs plus 100 added first neighbors were determined and included in “protein query” of STRING database via Cytoscape software. The network was analyzed and the central nodes among the queried DEPs were identified. The 10 first neighbors of the central DEPs were determined. Results: RT1-CE12, Gfer, Serpina3c, Rab13, Rbm14, Ighg Psmb8, COX2, Olr796, Mga, Ugt1a6, Ugt2b, Ebpl, Ugt2b, Igf2r, and Amacr as significant DEPs were analyzed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, Ugt1a1 and Ugt2b the two up-regulated proteins were highlighted as the crucial proteins in response to the radix Scrophularia. Conclusion: Two members of UDP glucuronosyltransferase family; Ugt1a1 and Ugt2b, were pointed as the critical liver enzyme which are dysregulated under effect of radix Scrophulariae. Due to crucial role of Ugt1a1 in the liver function, it is suggested that consumption of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. as a traditional medicine required more investigation

Major and minor criteria for gastric dystemperaments in Persian Medicine: Sari gastric dystemperament criteria-I (SGDC-I)

<div class="msocomtxt" id="com1" language="JavaScript" onmouseout="msoCommentHide('com1')" onmouseover="msoCommentShow('anchor1','com1')">Background: Gastric disorders are one of the most common human ailments, which impose a huge economic burden on countries. In Persian Medicine (PM), it is possible to predict the susceptibility to gastric diseases with diagnosis of gastric Mizajes (temperaments) and dystemperaments. The semiology of gastric dystemperaments has been investigated in PM textbooks, although the value of each sign and symptom is not mentioned. Consequently, this research is designed to determine the major and minor criteria for classifying gastric dystemperaments on the basis of valid manuscripts and with the help of PM specialists in the present era. Methods: This was a consensus-based study consisting of four phases. In the first phase, reference PM textbooks were studied. Symptoms and signs of gastric dystemperaments were collected and listed in four groups. In the second phase, semi-structured interviews with a sample of PM experts were carried out. Phase three included a focused group discussion with experts. Eventually, findings were integrated from the three study phases in a two-day meeting in Sari City. Results: Selected criteria included eight major and eight minor criteria for hot-cold dystemperament, as well as six major and eight minor criteria for wet-dry gastric dystemperament. Conclusion: Modern lifestyles and the interfering factors are responsible for some changes in diagnostic signs and symptoms according to PM. This was the first step to coordinate PM diagnostic criteria for gastric dystemperaments. Further studies are recommended to reach a unique protocol in the field of PM diagnostics. The next step includes design and validation of national diagnostic tools. &#160

بیماری زوال عقل (آلزایمر) و راه‌های درمان آن در طب سنتی و پزشکی رایج

Background and Aim: Texts and works of traditional (Iranian) medicine show that the physicians of this school of medicine, based on their own paradigm in the field of neurology, were familiar with dementia (Alzheimer's). Also the method of treatment and prescription of medicinal plants such as (frankincense, halibut, saffron, amla, etc.) for the treatment of this disease can be seen in the works and writings of physicians such as Razi, Ibn Sina, Ahwazi, etc. Contrary to the paradigm of traditional medicine (and its lack of commitment to the worldview of the four elements and the principles of temperaments and humors in the world), conventional medicine has taken a quantitative and reductionist approach to treating this disease. This study is an attempt to investigate the treatment of Alzheimer's disease using traditional medicine combinations and common medical prescriptions and its purpose is to answer this question: What are the therapeutic similarities between traditional medicine sources and common medical prescription methods? Materials and Methods: This study is based on a descriptive-analytical method and by taking notes from the advanced medical sources (Al-Hawi, Qanun Fi Al-Tib, Kamel Al-Sina'a, Khalasa Al-Hakma, etc.) in libraries and comparing it with the resources in the database of Magiran publications and Jihad Daneshgahi Scientific Information Database and other new research papers have been formed. Findings: Chemical analysis and decomposition of herbs and spices prescribed in traditional medicine confirms the fact that these drugs all have more or less different proportions of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and ... compounds. The most basic antioxidant properties of herbs and herbs are effective in preventing the destruction of brain cells. Conclusion: The appropriateness and proximity of the chemical structure of drugs prescribed in conventional medicine such as Tacrine, Denpzil, etc. with the compounds in herbs and spices used in traditional medicine, shows a significant and remarkable similarity. This similarity can be researched and carefully considered by researchers in the vicinity of the treatment methods of these two schools of therapy, while maintaining the principles and structural principles of each.زمینه و هدف: متون و منابع طب سنتی (ایرانی) نشان می‌دهد که اطباء این مکتب درمانی بر اساس پارادایم خاص خود در بخش بیماری‌های اعصاب و روان آشنایی با بیماری زوال عقل (آلزایمر) داشته‌اند. همچنین نحوه درمان و تجویز گیاهان دارویی چون (کندر، هلیله، زعفران، آمله و ...) برای درمان این بیماری در آثار و تألیفات طبیبانی چون رازی، ابن سینا، اهوازی و ... دیده می‌شود. پزشکی رایج نیز برخلاف پارادایم طب سنتی (و عدم التزام خود به جهان‌بینی عناصر اربعه ومبانی اخلاط و امزجه در جهان)، با نگاهی کمیت‌پذیر و تقلیل‌گرا نسبت به درمان این بیماری پرداخته است. این مطالعه تلاشی در جهت بررسی شیوة درمان بیماری آلزایمر با استفاده از ترکیبات طب سنتی و تجویزهای پزشکی رایج است و هدف آن است كه به این پرسش پاسخ دهد: چه میزان تطابق و تشابه درمانی بین منابع طب سنتی با شیوه‌های تجویزی پزشکی رایج وجود دارد؟ مواد و روش‌ها: این مطالعه براساس روش توصیفی - تحلیلی و با فیش‌برداری از منابع پزشکی متقدم (الحاوی، قانون فی الطب،کامل‌الصناعه، خلاصه الحکماء و ...) در کتابخانه‌ها و مقایسة آن با منابع موجود در بانک اطلاعات نشریات کشور مگیران و پایگاه اطلاعت علمی جهاد دانشگاهی و سایر مقالات پژوهشی نوین شکل گرفته است. یافته‌ها: آنالیز و تجزیه شیمیایی ادویه وگیاهان تجویز شده در طب سنتی مؤید این واقعیت است که این موارد همگی با نسبت‌های کم‌وبیش متفاوت دارای ترکیباتی آنتی‌اکسیدانی، ضد‌ التهابی و ... هستند. اساسی‌ترین ویژگی آنتی‌اکسیدانی ادویه‌ها و گیاهان دارویی، جلوگیری از تخریب سلول‌های مغزی مؤثر است نتیجه‌گیری: تناسب و نزدیکی ساختار شیمیایی دارو‌های تجویزشده در پزشکی رایج مانند تاکرین، دنپزیل و ... با ترکیبات موجود در گیاهان و ادویة دارویی مورد استفاده در طب سنتی، شباهت معنادار و درخور توجهی را نشان می‌دهد. این تشابه می‌تواند در نزدیکی شیوه‌های درمانی این دو مکتب درمانی، با حفظ مبانی و اصول ساختاری هریک، مورد پژوهش و دقت نظر محققین واقع شود