[ protective effect of green tea [Camellia sinensis] extract on kidney tissues and blood factors of kidney functions in male mice treated with paclitaxel]

Background: In the world of today, where the diseases are on the rampage, doctors and patients both are trying to diagnose and treat them, however, the difficulty is ignoring some causes in diagnosis and even treatments. Paclitaxel is a treatment chemical drug that can cause kidney toxicity, including degenerative changes in the renal parenchyma

Objectives: The aim of this study was investigated the effects of green tea as a strong antioxidant on kidney tissue and blood factors of kidney functions in mice treated with paclitaxel

Methods: Doing this experimental 35 mice divided into7groups randomly: 1 control group was not achieved any materials,2control group achieved Saline for one week,1 Shame group were injected with Paclitaxel IP of 0.3 mg/kg for three days; 2and 3 Shame group injected with IP of green tea with doses of 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg respectively for twenty-eight days.1 and 2 Experimental group went through treatment with green tea extract and paclitaxel, they first achieved said doses of green tea for twenty-eight days and then paclitaxel with the dosage of 0.3 mg/kg from the fourteenth day for three days. Seven days after the last injection, the kidney was dissected and after fixation in Formaline buffer solve, have been painted with haematoxylin and eozine, and was studied. Also the level of blood urea and creatinine has been investigated. Data was analyzed by ANOVA test

Results: Blood urea and creatinine levels in 1Shame group were significantly increased compared with the control group the after using green tea extract in 1 and 2 Experimental group showed a significant decrease[P<0.05]. In 1Shame group, dilatation of the renal collecting tubular with minor tissue necrosis was observed the trend in 1 and 2 Experimental group to be reversible so that the control group had no significant difference

Conclusion: On the Base of these results, consuming green tea was decreased of the level of blood factors of kidney and the kidney tissue changes brought about by paclitaxel will be improved

[Study the chemical composition of essential oil of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and antioxidant and cell toxicity]

Background: Ginger Zingiber officinale has been used as a medicine since ancient times

Objective: This study has been concentrated on identification of chemical compositions of essential oils of Indian and Chinese gingers. Also, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Chinese oil were determined

Methods: The first species was collected from India Province and other was purchased from Iranian markets. The essential oils were obtained by Hydrodistillation in a Clevenger type apparatus and were dried over anhydrous Sodium Sulphat. The yields of essential oils were 1.45 and 1.3% w/w, respectively. Then, the oils stored at +4 degree C in the dark place until analysis. The chemical compositions of essential oils were analysis by GC and GC/MS method. The identification of the essential oils components was based on calculation of retention Indices and comparison of mass spectra with standards. The Chinese oil was subjected to screening for its possible antioxidant and cytotoxic activities by means DPPH and MTT assays, respectively

Results: 46 constituents were identified in the essential oils. The major constituents of Indian species were andalpha;-Zingiberene [28.25%] andbeta;-Sesquiphellandrene [15.65%], andalpha;-Curcumene [15.23%] and trans-andgamma;-Cadinene [11.88%]. In Chinese species andalpha;-Zingiberene [35.67%] andbeta;-Sesquiphellandrene [15.27%], trans-andgamma;-Cadinene [9.25%] and E-Citral [6.0%] were main components. In the DPPH test and the MTT test systems, the IC50 values of Iranian ginger essential oil were 80.7 and 72.6 micro g/ml, respectively

Conclusion: The main class of the compounds were found in these species to be sesquiterpenes. Chinese ginger essential oil exhibited the strong cytotoxicity and antioxidant activity at low concentration

Determination of phenolic compounds in Pinus eldarica by HPLC

The antioxidant components have been identified in some pine species. Antioxidant properties of proantocyanidins reduce free radicals induced by DNA fragmentation and lipid proxidation and also proanthocyanidines could curb lipid peroxidation. In this study, we analyzed different parts of Pinus eldarica [bark, seed and needle] and assessed their antioxidant contents. Pine specimens were collected from four different geographic locations in Tehran. The HPLC method [UV detector, C[18] reverse phase column, 4.6 mm [25 cm, and water/ H[3]PO[4]/ methanol/ acetonitril as eluant] were employed for evaluating total polyphenols. The wavelength for detection of polyphenolic compounds was 280 nm in this study. The highest range of total polyphenols was detected in the bark of this pine, specially reported a considerable amount of tyrosol in Pinus eldarica. Tyrosol stimulated resistance to oxidative stress and also has anti aging effect. The high amount of total phenolic compounds in P. eldarica bark might be attractive for future research considering its health benefits

Vitamin D status of type 2 diabetic patients compared with healthy subjects in the Islamic Republic of Iran

An inverse relationship has been shown between vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes mellitus[DM]. In this cross-sectional study in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, a country with a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, we determined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among 90 type 2 DM patients and 90 healthy subjects. Based on serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the rates of deficiency[< 50 nmol/L] and insufficiency[50-75 nmol/L] were 59.0% and 27.0% respectively in patients with type 2 DM, and 47.0% and 24.0% respectively in healthy subjects. Using the national cut-offs for vitamin D deficiency, 64.0% women with DM and 47.4% of healthy women were suffering from different degrees of vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in men with type 2 DM and healthy men were 42.7% and 22.2% respectively. None of the differences between the 2 groups was statistically significant

[Evaluation of the influence of conventional water coolers on drinking water quality]

Drinking water quality after treatment and before reaching the consumer could be affected by distribution pipes, service lines and Home devices. The structure of water coolers, a home device that are widely used in warm months of the year, could potentially affect the quality of drinking water. The aim of this study was to assess the microbial and chemical quality of water from conventional water coolers. Water samples were collected from 29 water cooler systems at the Isfahan university of medical sciences. 29 control samples also obtained from the nearest drinking water taps. All samples were examined for total heterotrophic bacteria and physicochemical parameters including temperature, ph, turbidity and heavy metals. All samples from the water cooler systems complied with the EPA guidelines for total heterotrophic bacteria count. There were no significant differences between the levels of heavy metals in water samples from the water cooler systems and taps. There was only a significant difference between the level of Cu in the water samples from cooler systems and taps The overall results of this study indicated that the use of water cooler systems from hygienic point of view could not cause any problems for consumers

[Comparison of growth parameters of infants of Ramadan fasted and non-fasted mothers]

The many advantages of exclusively breast feeding infants are documented: breast-feeding enhances the growth and development of breast fed infants. The impact of Ramadan fasting by breast-feeding mothers on the growth parameters of exclusively breast-fed infants is still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of maternal fasting during Ramadan on the growth parameters of their exclusively breast-fed infants. This cohort study was performed throughout Ramadan and for five months after, on healthy, exclusive breast-fed infants [n=116], aged between 15 days to 6 months, assigned into two groups based on their mothers fasting: Control group [n=80] and fasting group [infants with fasting mothers: n=36]. All infants underwent periodic physical examinations twice in Ramadan, 3 times in the second month and then twice monthly in next 4 months. The infant's growth status was evaluated by calculating each growth parameters [weight, height, head circumference] as a percentage of the median value for age, based on appropriate growth charts. The mean age of infants in the case group was 3.43 +/- 1.38 and in the control group was 2.31 +/- 1 45 months age being significantly different between the two groups [P<0.05]. Fifty-four [46.6%] were boys and this proportion was the same in both groups [P>0.05]. According to the repeated measures ANOVA, all growth parameters increased during the study period [P< 0.05] but the rate of increasing was the same for both groups [P>0.05]. Ramadan fasting by breastfeeding mothers did not adversely affect on the growth parameters of exclusively breast-fed infants

[ effect of maternal Ramadan fasting on growth parameters of their breast-fed infants]

Breast feeding is the best feeding pattern for infants. As a large number of mothers are fasting during the Ramadan, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of maternal Ramadan fasting on growth parameters of the infants whom fed only with maternal breast milk. This cohort study was performed from the beginning of Ramadan till the end of the following month in 1385. A total of 60 infants who fed only with maternal breast milk aged ranging from 15 days to 6 months were selected. Based on their mother fasting, they were divided in two groups of case [27 infants who their mothers were fasting] and control [33 infants who their mothers were not fasting]. The growth statue of the infants were evaluated using parameters weight, height, head circumference, during Ramadan and the following month. Using descriptive and analytical statistics, analysis of variance and independent t-tests data were analyzed. The mean age and sex of the infants was the same [P>0.05]. Weight, height and head circumference of the infants increased by 21, 7 and 6 percent, respectively during the study [P<0.05]. The repeated analysis variance showed that there was no significant difference in increasing of growth parameters between fasting and non-fasting mothers [P>0.05]. Ramadan fasting of mothers with exclusively breast-feeding infants did not adversely affect on the growth parameters of their infants

Comparison of a generic and a brand metformin products in type II diabetes: a double blind randomized clinical trial study

Metformin is often prescribed for glycemic control in type II diabetes mellitus. This drug is the first line treatment for obese without renal or liver failure. Different pharmaceutical types of Metformin are available. As a clinical trial, therapeutic effects of a generic [Aria Pharmaceutical Company, Iran] with a brand metformin [Glucophage, product of Merck pharmaceutical company, France] in diabetic patients were compared. This double blind randomized clinical trial study was performed in 60 non-pregnant diabetic patients in order to compare therapeutic effects of combination therapy [Glibenclamide - Metformin "Generic or Brand" a 12-week period]. Patients were evaluated for FBS, BS2hpp, HbA1C, lipid profile, liver function tests, weight, BMI, and side effects. Both pharmaceutical types of Metformin had the same therapeutic effects for controlling of glycemia, and lipid profile and weight, between two groups statistically were not significantly different. GI discomfort [distention] was the most common side effects of both drugs [33%]. There were no significant statistical differences between these two products regarding their side effects and 70% of patients were satisfied by taking each kind of product. On the basis of results, while both products had comparable efficacy, the generic product which is a domestic product and easier for patients to have access to it showed fewer side effects

Diagnosis of pendred syndrome: MRI versus other traditional criteria

Background and purpose: Pendred syndrome, defined traditionally as the constellation of goiter, sensori-neural hearing loss and positive perchlorate discharge test. Since the relatively newer approaches to the diagnosis of this syndrome, as MRI and genetic and/or molecular analysis are much more expensive and complicated than the traditional approaches, we planned to study the value and reliability of MRI as the sole, or adjunctive diagnostic approach to the syndrome

Materials and methods: We presumed the classic triad is still the most widely accepted gold standard, and compared MRI findings in six such defined patients with six seemingly incomplete forms with goiter and hearing loss, but with negative Perchlorate discharge test

Results: There were a sensitivity and specificity of 83.3% and 66.7%, respectively for MRI in patients fulfilling all three criteria and 66.7% and 100% for sensitivity and specificity in the group lacking perchlorate test positivity

Conclusion: Although MRI can not replace the holistic approach, In [partial] cases with equivocal findings, and in the evaluation of relatives of the patients MRI may be considered as a valuable diagnostic adjunct