effect of oral consumption of probiotics in prevention of heart injury in a rat myocardial infarction model: a histopathological, hemodynamic and biochemical evaluation

Background: Despite the emerging evidence on beneficial effects of probiotics on the cardiovascular system, their impact on the management of ischemic heart diseases and its possible mechanism have not been elucidated

Methods: Four viable probiotics bacterial strains, including Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus acidophilus, at the concentrations of 2×106 colony-forming units/ml were orally administered to the rats daily for 14 days before the induction of infarct-like myocardial injury using isoproterenol. Subsequently, 24 h after myocardial injury, the right carotid artery and the left ventricle were catheterized for recording blood pressure and cardiac parameters. At the end of the experiment, the heart was removed for the evaluation of histopathological and biochemical parameters, as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] assay

Results: The induction of acute myocardial injury resulted in significant [P

Conclusion: This study shows that viable probiotics have a cardioprotective effect on infarct-like myocardial injury through suppressing TNF-alpha and oxidative stress damage in a rat model. Probiotic supplements may be used as a new option for prophylaxis in patients at the risk of ischemic heart disease in future

Lavandula reduces heart injury via attenuating tumor necrosis factor-alpha and oxidative stress in a rat model of infarct-like myocardial injury

Objective: Lavender is used in herbal medicine for different therapeutic purposes. Nonetheless, potential therapeutic effects of this plant in ischemic heart disease and its possible mechanisms remain to be investigated

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, lavender oil at doses of 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg was administered through gastric gavage for 14 days before infarct-like myocardial injury [MI]. The carotid artery and left ventricle were cannulated to record arterial blood pressure [BP] and cardiac function. At the end of experiment, the heart was removed and histopathological alteration, oxidative stress biomarkers as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha] level were evaluated

Results: Induction of M.I caused cardiac dysfunction, increased levels of lipid peroxidation, TNF-alpha and troponin I in heart tissue [P<0.001]. Pretreatment with lavender oil at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced myocardial injury, troponin I and TNF-alpha. In addition, it improved cardiac function and antioxidant enzyme activity [P<0.01]

Conclusion: Our finding showed that lavender oil has cardioprotective effect through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory pathway in the rat model with infarct-like MI. We suggest that lavender oil may be helpful in prevention or attenuation of heart injury in patients with high risk of myocardial infarction and/or ischemic heart disease

[ protective effects of Saffron against the oxidative damage in a transient model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats]

Numerous studies have shown the protective effects of saffron against oxidative damage in a global model of cerebral ischemia, but its effects on brain edema and oxidative ischemic injury in focal ischemic stroke are not completely understood. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effects of saffron on brain edema, infarct volume, antioxidant enzyme activity [glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase] and concentration of malondialdehyde [MDA] in ischemic brain tissue in an experimental model of stroke. Focal brain ischemia was established with the temporary occlusion of the middle cerebral artery for one hour in rats. Saffron [100 mg/kg] was given intra-peritoneally at the onset of ischemia. 24 hours later, brain edema and infarct volume were evaluated and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities and MDA concentration were measured in the ischemic brain tissue using a specific kit. The results showed that saffron reduced infarct volume by 77% [P<0.001] and brain edema by 60% [P<0.001] compared with the control group in 24 hours following ischemia. Moreover, saffron significantly reduced the content of MDA [P<0.001] and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase [P<0.001] and glutathione peroxidase [P<0.001] in the cortex of the ischemic brain tissue. Saffron has protective effects against oxidative ischemic damage and brain edema in a transient model of focal cerebral ischemia in rats. This protective effect is probably induced by increasing the capacity of antioxidant enzymes and decreasing the production of free radicals

[ investigation of factors influencing student evaluation of teacher performance: a comprehensive study in Semnan University of Medical Sciences]

Student evaluations provide teachers with important feedback from the consumer's pointof-view. Although substantial research has been conducted with regard to the factors influencing reliability and accuracy of student evaluation of teaching quality, but the results are controversial and need to further research. Thus, this comprehensive study was conducted to determine the role of different factors influencing student evaluations of teacher faculty at Semnan University of Medical Sciences students, Iran. This analytical-descriptive study was conducted with participation of all students at least at the levels of the second semester to up of their education program at Semnan University of Medical Sciences in the academic year of 2009. A questionnaire containing demographic data and some factor influencing on teacher evaluation including effective teaching skills [9 questions], faculty personal characteristics [15 questions], educational principles and laws [1 question], personal characteristics and attitudes of students toward lessons [10 questions], daily time and place of lecture presentation [4 items], and teacher evaluation process at the University [6 questions] was given to each student before the starting of lecture at the classroom. The questionnaires were collected, and the data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods appropriate. Results showed that from the viewpoints of students proficiency on the course [94%], goodtempered [93 percent], confidence [92.7%], expressive power [91 percent], organizing the contents and having interest to teaching [90%], personality [90 percent], and old or up-to date of teaching materials [83%] have high and higher influences on student evaluation of teacher quality. Most Students [63.3%] expressed that their personal issues have low up to very low influence on teacher evaluation. Additionally, a significant relation between the gender [P<0.001], native and non native status [P<0. 01] and study field of students [P<0. 01] with teacher evaluation score was found. Finally, no significant relation was observed between student rating with faculty evaluation [P>0. 05]. The results of this study showed that acdamemic capability [such as academic proficiency and providing new and updated scientific information on the course subject] is one of the most important factor influencing teacher evaluation outcomes. Also, it seems that not only teaching methods, but also teacher personality can increase student enthusiasm and motivation for learning that ultimately improve the quality of education

Effect of central microinjection of carbenoxolone in an experimental model of focal cerebral ischemia

Previous experimental studies have shown the protective effects of CBX on brain ischemic injures in global and in vitro models of ischemia. However, effects of CBX in temporary model of focal cerebral ischemia are not clear. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of central micro injection of CBX on post-ischemic reperfusion injuries in a temporary model of focal cerebral ischemia. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced in rats by 60 min middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO], followed by 23 h reperfusion. CBX was administered into the right ventricle at doses of 1, 12, 25, 50 and/or 100 micro g/kg at the beginning of MCAO. Cortical and striatal infarct volumes and motor dysfunctions were assessed 24 h after MCAO. Administration of CBX at doses of 1, 12, 25 and/or 50 micro g/kg significantly reduced cortical infarct volumes by 35%, 49%, 41% and 43%, respectively [P<0.001]. In addition, CBX only at dose of 25 micro g/kg significantly reduced striatal infract volume and improved neurological dysfunctions [P<0.01]. Our findings indicated that central microinjection of CBX has protective effect on against ischemic reperfusion injuries in a transient model of focal cerebral ischemia

Aminoguanidine reduces infarct volume and improves neurological dysfunction in transient model of focal cerebral ischemia in rat

Focal cerebral ischemia [Stroke] is the cessation or severe reduction of blood flow to an area of the brain that through activation of a complex cytotoxic cascade results in neuronal cell death. The present study was designed to examine the effects of post-ischemic treatment with aminoguanidine [AG] on cortical, striatal infarct volume as well as neurological dysfunctions. Rats [n=23] were allocated to sham, saline or AG [300 mg/kg]-treated groups. Ischemia was induced by 90 minutes middle cerebral artery occlusion, followed by 24 hrs reperfusion. Saline or AG was administered intraperitoneal at one hour after induction of ischemia. At the end of 24hrs reperfusion, neurological deficit score was tested and cortical, striatal infarct volumes were determined by Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. Administration of AG [300 mg/kg] at one hours after ischemia resulted in a significantly lower cortical [85 +/- 25 vs. 210 +/- 13 mm[3]], striatal [35 +/- 5 vs. 58 +/- 10 mm[3]] infarct volumes, and neurological deficit score [1.88 +/- 0.23vs.2.67 +/- 0.21]. Our findings indicate that aminoguanidine is a potent neuroprotective in rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia. The future studies are required to clear cerebroprotective mechanism of aminoguanidine and possible use of this agent as a therapeutic target in stroke patients