Effects of Lavandula angustifolia essential oil on Interleukin 23 and Brain-Derived neurotrophic factor gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of multiple sclerosis patients

Introduction: We aimed to determine the effect of lavandula angustifolia essential oil (LEO) on IL-23 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expressions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of relapse-remitting MS (RRMS) patients.Methods: LEO was prepared using the hydrodistilation method on the plants aerial parts.    8 female RRMS patients and 8 healthy sex and age matched controls were entered into this study. PBMC cells were separated using Ficoll method and were treated with a concentration of 225 µg/ml LEO which and then the mRNAs were used for determining the effects of LEO on IL-23 and BDNF gene expressions using Quantitative Real Time PCR technique. Moreover in order to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of LEO, we measured the gene expression of IL-6 and IL-23 in stimulated healthy PBMC cells treated with LEO.Results: Results showed that there is no significant difference between PBMC of patients compared to healthy controls in case of IL-23 gene expression. Moreover, LEO has no significant effect on gene expression of IL-23 in PBMC of neither patients nor control. Also the results showed that BDNF gene expression is reduced to 41% compared to healthy controls and LEO can increase the BDNF gene expression by 81% in patients PBMCs. Moreover we observed that LEO can significantly reduce the LPS stimulated IL-6 gene expression in healthy PBMCs but had no significant effect on IL-23 gene expression.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that L.angustifolia essential oil may have a protective effect against neuron damage via increasing the gene expression of BDNF in PBMCs from RRMS patients. However, further studies are necessary to confirm our results

A concentration of serum selenium in multiple sclerosis patients compare to healthy subject in Tehran

     Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease which the exact etiology is still are far to be clear. Reasons for this autoimmune disease are unknown origin. The aim of present study was to evaluate serum levels of selenium in patient with MS compare to healthy subjects. A total of 46 subjects were enrolled in the study, Sera of 23 MS cases and 23 healthy normal cohorts as control group were obtained. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was employed for estimating serum selenium level. Serum selenium levels were significantly lower in MS than in control cohorts (60.87±13 compared with 85.74±12, P-value < 0.0001). Serum selenium levels may thus be a marker of MS; the decreasing levels of serum selenium may be host defense strategies of body

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis As A Paraneoplastic Manifestation in the Neuroendocrine Tumor of Stomach: A Case Report

Motor neuron diseases have been reported as a rare paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS) of a systemic neoplasm. We present a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in association with neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of stomach, which is the first case of motor neuronopathy with underlying neuroendocrine tumor. A 79-year old woman presented with a two months history of progressive dysphagia, spastic dysarthria and marked fasciculation in her atrophic tongue. Gag reflexes were diminished bilaterally. Other cranial nerves were intact. In muscle testing there was significant atrophy in thenar and hypothenar areas of both hands compatible with diffuse motor neuronopathy with active denervation. Upper GI endoscopic study showed patchy erythematous mucosa with congestion in body of stomach, Histological biopsy of stomach confirmed the neuroendocrine tumor (NET). The importance of considering a paraneoplastic syndrome in a patient with presentation of ALS, which can leads to searching for underlying neoplasm before its apparent signs and symptoms, to initiate tumor treatment so much sooner. In addition even though paraneoplastic motor neuron disease is rare, treating the underlying neoplasm may resolve neurologic signs and symptoms

The Frequency of Cerebral Microembolism in Acute Myocardial Infarction

ABSTRACT Introduction: Stroke is more common in patients with cerebral microembolisms. Frequency of cerebral microembolisms (high intensity transient signals, HITS) in acute myocardial infarction has been reported about 17%. The factors that influence on microembolism after myocardial infarction (MI) are not definitive. Type of MI, Ejection fraction, Hx of Streptokinase is the factors that were studied. Methods: During three years we studied the frequency of cerebral microembolisms in AMI patients, we studied forty patients with microembolism as a case group and ninety patients without microembolism as a control group. We detected microembolism in patients by transcranial doppler study within 72 houre after myocardial infarction. Two-dimensional echocardiogram was performed for all patients during hospitalization. Excluding criteria were prosthetic heart valves, carotid stenosis >50% and poor window for TCD monitoring. Results: number of patients who had history of receiving SK were significantly more common in case group in comparison to control group. OR 2.4 CI(1.1-5.2) The frequency was more prevalent in anterolateral MI in comparison to inferior MI.OR=3.3 CI(1.4-7.4). Ejection fraction has no significant effect on frequency of microembolism. OR 0.5 CI(0.2-1.3).Hypokinesia is also a risk factor for increasing risk of microembolism. OR 4.5 CI(1.4.13.8) Discussion: frequency of microembolism has been increased in patients with history of streptokinase or in the type of Anterolateral MI or wall motion abnormality, so we should be careful for risk of microembolism in this groups

Serum uric acid level in acute stroke patients

Abstract Background: The role of uric acid as a risk factor for vascular disease and acute stroke is controversial and there is little information about it. In this study, we determined serum uric acid levels in patients with acute stroke and assessed its relationship with cerebrovascular risk factors. Methods: In this cross sectional study, we assessed patients with acute stroke who were admitted in Firoozgar Hospital from September 2010 to March 2011. Clinical records of patients and their serum uric acid level was investigated. Finally, collected data were analyzed using SPSS software Ver.16. Results: Fifty five patients with acute stroke were evaluated who 25 of these patients (45.5%) were female and 30 of them (54.5%) were male. The mean age of patients was 67±14 years. Mean serum uric acid levels in the patients studied 5.94±1.70 mg/dl, and about half of the patients (47.3%) were hyperuricemic. There was a significant negative correlation between age of patients and their serum uric acid level (p=0.04, R =-0.27). Uric acid level was significantly higher in men than women (p=0.03). Hyperuricemia was associated with increased amounts of triglycerides and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (p=0.03, p=0.02). In patients with acute stroke, there was no significant association between serum uric acid level and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, history of ischemic heart disease, smoking, prescription rTPA, and type of stroke. Conclusion: Due to the high prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients with acute stroke, and its accompanying increase in triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, it can be considered as a risk factor for acute stroke