ABSTRACT
Background: Pomegranate is a medical plant with antioxidant effects. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pomegranate juice on pituitary- thyroid axis in adult male rats
Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 50 adult male rats with mean weight body of 200 +/- 20 gr were divided in to 5 groups of 10 rat each: control, sham, and three experimental groups which received in minimal pomegranate juice [3ml per day], medium [6ml per day], and maximal amounts [9ml per day], respectively, for 10 days using gavage method. One day after the last gavage, the blood sample collected by bloodletting from the heart. After preparing serum, the level of T3, T4, and TSH hormones were measured using ELISA method
Results: Mean body weight in experimental groups didn't show any significant difference in comparison with control and sham groups. Serum levels of T3 hormone in groups receiving maximum dose of pomegranate juice showed significant decrease compared to control and sham groups. Serum level of T4 hormone in experimental groups received pomegranate juice showed significant decrease compared to control and sham groups. Serum level of TSH hormone in minimum dose of pomegranate juice showed significant increase compared to control and sham groups
Conclusion: Pomegranate juice reduced pituitary-thyroid axis activity in adult male rats
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Background and Objectives: Dexamethasone is one of the widely used glococorticoids that prescribe in many situations such as pregnancies that are prone to preterm deliver, so this study was conducted to investigate the effect of prenatal dexamethasone administration on the function of pituitary-gonadal axis and secretary function of testis of offspring of rats
Material and Methods: in this study, 40 pregnant rats were divided into control group, sham group, and 3 experimental groups that receiving 0.5, 1. and 2 mg/kg doses of dexamethasone administered from the eight day until the end of pregnancy Quaqu on day [QOD]. After delivery, neonates and mothers received no treatment and after puberty, sampling from the heart and testis of male children was done, the plasma levels of testosterone, FSH, LH and the number of spermatogony, spermatocyte, spermatid, sertoli and leydig cells were determined. Result were analysed with the SPSS-20 and ANOVA and Duncan test [p
Results: Results of this study revealed that, dexamethason administration leads to increase of FSH and, LH levels and decrease of testosterone levels and number of spermatogony, spermatocyte, spermatid and leydig cells
Conclusion: Dexamethasone causes permanent disorders in reproductive system of male rats by inhibiting mitosis activity, increasing putative gonadotropin inhibitory hormone and impairing fetal testise development
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Pain control after cesarean operation is very important for mothers on infant care and breastfeeding. Aromatherapy massage and massage are two of the CAM therapies are useful in controlling pain and anxiety. Lavender plant has analgesic properties that are used in aromatherapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of massage with lavender oil on pain relief after cesarean operation in primiparous women
Material and Methods: In this experimental study, 30 volunteers among primiparous women between 18 and 30 years who were undergoing cesarean operation were selected and randomly were assigned to experimental and control groups of 15. The experimental group in three steps is received massage with lavender oil for a 10 minute massage and a 10 minutes relaxation and control group were treated under massage with almond oil. Pain intensity was measured by VAS diagram in the two groups. Results were analyzed by using independent and correlated t-test
Results: The results showed that the pain intensity in the experimental group than the control group in the first massage step was decreased round at the P=0.05, the second stage at P=0.001 and the third stage at P=0.0005 significantly
Conclusion: This study showed that massage with lavender oil led to decrease pain in the experimental group than the control group, which was due to anxiety reduction and Morphines-like increasing
ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: tarragon is a plant of Asteraceae Family that has any medical and edible uses. This study aimed to investigate effects of Tarragon hydro-alcoholic extract on serum cations and sexual ratio of mice infants is performed
Materials and Methods: in this experimental study 100 adult male mice and 100 adult female mice divided in 4 groups of males and females for mating to determine infants' sex and to measure males and females cations were used. Each of them were divided into 5 categories of 10 including control, sham, experiment 1, 2 and 3 receiving Tarragon hydro-alcoholic extract at 500,1000 and 1500 mg/kg for 35 days. After phlebotomizing mice' hearts, serum rates of Mg[2+], Ca[2+], K[+]and Na[+] was measured and other females groups with his teammates of male mice as intergroup mated, after the end of period, sex ratio of males and females were measured. The results obtained by using ANOVA and Duncan tests and SPSS 18 software was analyzed
Results: the results showed that tarragon extract in experimental groups caused the significant increase of serum concentrations Mg[2+], Ca[2+] ions in male and female mice and increase females infants' percentage compared to male infants than in control group. Limitations including lack of adequate studies on Tarragon effect on the infants' sex ratio and the pituitary-gonad axis function can be mentioned
Conclusion: the results showed that tarragon extract by having Ca[2+], Mg[2+]and increasing serum ions mentioned and possibly by changing vagina environment pH caused to increase the gynogenesis percentage, so recommended that by supplementary research on tarragon effect on infants' sex in human samples also be considered
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from different sources have different characteristics. Moreover, MSCs are not isolated and characterized in Guinea pig for animal model of cell therapy. AIM OF THE WORK: was the isolating of bone marrow MSCs (BM-MSCs) and adipose tissue MSCs (AT-MSCs) from Guinea pig and assessing their characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study, bone marrow and adipose tissue were collected from three Guinea pigs and cultured and expanded through eight passages. BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs at passages 2, 5 and 8 were seeded in 24-well plates in triplicate. Cells were counted from each well 1~7 days after seeding to determine population doubling time (PDT) and cell growth curves. Cells of passage 3 were cultured in osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation media. RESULTS: BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs attached to the culture flask and displayed spindle-shaped morphology. Proliferation rate of AT-MSCs in the analyzed passages was more than BM-MSCs. The increase in the PDT of MSCs occurs with the increase in the number of passages. Moreover, after culture of BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs in differentiation media, the cells differentiated toward osteoblasts and adipocytes as verified by Alizarin Red staining and Oil Red O staining, respectively. CONCLUSION: BM-MSCs and AT-MSCs of Guinea pig could be valuable source of multipotent stem cells for use in experimental and preclinical studies in animal models.
Subject(s)
Animals , Adipocytes , Adipose Tissue , Bone Marrow , Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy , Guinea Pigs , Guinea , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Models, Animal , Multipotent Stem Cells , OsteoblastsABSTRACT
Background: Role of medicinal plants on enhancement of memory and improvement of Alzheimer's disease symptoms has attracted many researchers. Salvia leriifolia has several properties including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety. At this study, effect of ethanolic extract of Salvia leriifolia leaf on scopolamine-induced memory impairment was evaluated
Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups of eight subjects for investigating effect of Salvia leriifolia ethanolic extract on memory in normal rats and effective dose on scopolamine-induced memory impairment: control received saline, extract with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses, scopolamine with 1 mg/kg dose, and scopolamine [1 mg/kg] and extract effective dose [200 mg/kg] co-administration. The memory was evaluated by passive avoidance test. The step-through latency [STL] for entering the dark compartment and time spent in dark compartment [TDC] were measured
Results: Intraperitoneal injection of various doses of the extract caused significant difference in mentioned parameters. TDC was reduced in all groups treated by extract [p<0.001] and STL increased in doses of 100 [p<0.05] and 200 mg/Kg [p<0.001] than the control, significantly. Maximum effect on memory was shown in 200 mg/kg dose of extract. The effective dose of extract [200 mg/kg] enhanced memory and improved scopolamine-induced memory impairment
Conclusion: Salvia leriifolia extract has enhancing and improving effects on memory
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Hop with, scientific name of Humulus Lupulus, has got estrogenic, sedative, hypnotic, and antiseptic properties in the treatment of certain diseases. The present study aimed at assessing the effects of the herb on pituitary-thyroid hormones in adult male rats
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 45 adult male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into 5 equal groups including control [no treatment], control [saline] and three experimental groups receiving doses of the hop flower extract 50,100, and 150mg/kg gavage for 10 days, respectively. At the end of the tenth day., blood samples were derived from the rats' hearts and their blood hormone concentrations of Thyrotropin [T[3]], Thyroxine [T[4]], and Thyrotropin [THS] were measured by means of gamma counter. The obtained data was analysed employing SPSS software [V: 18] using Anova and Tukey. Statistical tests at the significant level P
Results: It was found that the experimental groups receiving doses of 150 and 100 mg/kg, their serum hormone levels of T[4], T[3] and TSH levels significantly reduced [P>/=0.05]
Conclusion: The results showed that the ethanol extract of hop flowers with a flavonoid phytoestrogens reduce T[4], T[3] and TSH hormones
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Background and Objectives: infertility in men is mainly caused by as low or abnormal spermatogenesis and hormonal problems. Because of high costs and potential side effect of routine therapeutic modalities. It seems that use of herbal medicine have fewer side effects; the aim of the study is to examine the effect of palm pollen extract on serum levels of hormones and spermatozoa dynastic cells in adult male mice
Materials and Methods: this experimental study was conducted on 40 adult male rats. They were divided into 5 groups 8, in each group that included controls [no treatment], only saline treated and three experimental groups that received aqueous extract of date palm pollen in three different dosages, doses 100, 200 and 400 mg / kg respectively. All prescriptions were done intraperitoneally for 35 days. At the end of experiment animals were phlebotomized from the heart and by separation of serum samples, amounts of testosterone, estrogen, progesterone were counted, and by separation of testicle, the numbers of sperrnatogonia, sperrnatocytes and spermatid were counted and the results were analyzed using unilateral ANOV A and Duncan methods
Results: the results showed that aqueous extracts of palm pollen dose-dependently caused significant increasing the levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone and increasing the numbers of spermatocytes and spennatid
Conclusions: the presence of compounds such as cadmium, zinc, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, lipids, and by substances that inhibiting the enzyme 5- alpha redoctase could increase testosterone and sexual dynastic cells
ABSTRACT
Pentoxifylline [PX] is a methyl xanthine derivative that influences the sperm motion characteristics and L-carnitine [L-C] is an amino acid that is naturally produced in the body. In general, separate administration of PX and L-C has been reported to be effective on preserving sperm motility in vitro, and also when is consumed orally by the Idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia [IOAT] patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate any possible effect of a combination of L-C and PX on sperm characteristics and improving the type of assisted reproductive techniques [ART] in a group of patients with unexplained oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Two hundred twelve infertile men with IOAT in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial were allocated for this study. They randomized to four groups. Group I received PX/ and L-C [each one, twice daily], group II, PX and placebo, group III, L-C with the placebo, and group IV, received placebo tablets. Finally, we compared pre and post intervention sperm parameters and ART procedures between groups. While the use of PX and L-C are only improved sperm motility, but their combined uses improved all sperm parameters, especially the sperm count. Also the combination of PX and L-C was effective on improving the ART procedures [p<0.01]. Our results demonstrate that the combination use of PX and L-C is useful in improving of sperm parameters in IOAT patients and also, improve ART procedures in this group of patients
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The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of valsartan, an angiotensin II antagonist, on the function of the pituitary- gonad axis. Adult male Wistar rats [200 to 220 g] were used as experimental and control groups. The 3 experimental groups received either 100, 200, or 400 mg/kg/day valsartan in 1 ml water orally for 28 days, while a set of control group received 1 ml distilled water for the same period of time and another set received no treatment. At the end of the experimental period, blood was collected and serum was analyzed for FSH, LH, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels by RIA methods. There were no significant differences among FSH levels at all doses of valsartan used, while the serum LH level was decreased significantly at the maximum dose of the drug used. Serum testosterone level decreased at both the 200 and 400 mg/kg dose compared to the control, while the dihydrotestosterone level was reduced significantly at all the three dosages used. According to our founding, suggested that the effects of valsartan on serum LH, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone may be mediated through angiotensin II receptor
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Background: Nicotine is one of the ingredients in cigarettes. Nicotine is toxic to the brain, cardiovascular system and respiratory tract and the body tissues. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nicotine on the enzymes alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP], glucose, and insulin lipid profile in diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 50 Wistar adult male rats weighing 220-250 g were used and divided into five groups of 10, including control [no treatment], diabetic control, and experimental [diabetic mice] groups 1, 2 and 3 that treated with 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg nicotine, respectively. In this study, diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin [STZ]. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were taken from mice and serum enzymes AST, ALP, ALT; and LDL, HDL, cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and glucose levels were measured. Data analyses were performed in SPSS software 18, using ANOVA and Tukey test.
Results: The results showed a significant increase in the concentration of enzymes ALT, AST and ALP; and glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL levels; but a significant decrease in HDL level in the experimental group compared with the control group.
Conclusion: Nicotine increases the complications of diabetes, such as increase in glucose, lipids and liver enzymes ALP, AST and ALT.
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Background: Pain is an unpleasant sensory experience resulted from tissue damage. Due to the side effects of analgesic medicines; the study was conducted to investigate the influence of music on severity of pain.
Materials and Methods: this experimental study was carried out on 24 adult male rats divided into a control group and two case groups. In the control group, formalin 2.5% injected into the right sole paw and experimental groups were affected to the Adagio calm and Allergo music from 20 minutes prior of formalin injection to the end of the experiment and based on formula of pain scores. Severity of pain was measured every 5 minutes over one hour. Data were analyzed by means of spss.18 and statistical ANOVA and Tukey tests were used.
Results: findings indicated that Adagio calm music can significantly reduce the acute [P
Conclusions: this is highly likely that music relieve pain through neural pathways, dopaminergic and opioidergic systems of the brain.
ABSTRACT
Background: Hops [Humulus lupulus L.] has industrial and medical applications and is used in the treatment of several diseases. Infertility is a medical important issue that its treatment with chemical medicines has various side effects. Due to fewer side effects of herbal medicines, yet little research has been done on the hops. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of hops extract on sexual hormone levels and sexual dynastic cells in Syrian adult male mice.
Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on 40 Syrian adult male mice that were divided into 5 groups of 8: two controls groups and three experimental groups receiving various doses of hops extract [50, 100 and 150 mg/kg]. Administrations were done by gavage for 35 days. At the end of the treatment period, blood samples were taken from the heart of animals and testosterone, estrogen and progesterone levels was measured. Also, after isolation of mouse testis, the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatid were counted. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests.
Results: The results showed that hop caused a significant increase in estrogen and testosterone levels and spermatogonia and spermatocytes cells number; but has no effect on progesterone levels.
Conclusion: Hops extract, possibly by having phytoestrogen compounds and by stimulating LH secretion, increases estrogen and testosterone levels, and spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatid cells number. Therefore, further investigation on hops can utilize to help infertile men.
ABSTRACT
Anxiety and stress during labor increase plasma level of cortisol hormone and slow down the progress of delivery. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of massage therapy on the progress of labor and plasma level of cortisol in nulliparous women in labor. In this experimental study, 30 subjects were selected voluntarily among nulliparous women aged 20 to 30 years in active labor phase. They, then, divided into two equal experimental and control groups randomly. The experimental group in the active phase [dilated 3-4 cm] to transitional phase [dilated 8-10 cm] received massage therapy. The massage was done for 10 minutes with 10 minutes rest in between sets. Meanwhile, control group received no intervention. Next, labor duration and plasma level of cortisol hormone were evaluated by drawing blood of parturient women. Results were analyzed using independent t-test and paired t-test. The mean age of control and experimental groups were, 23.9 +/- 30 and 23.6 +/- 4.0 years, respectively. In terms of educational level, 10% in both groups were under diploma, 23.3% and 24.3% of subjects in control and experimental groups, in turn, had diploma, and 16.7% and 15.7% in control and experimental groups possessed bachelor degree, respectively. The results from statistical analysis showed that labor duration and level of cortisol hormone had significant reduction in experimental group than control group [p
ABSTRACT
Morphine and other addicting drugs induce an uncontrolled desire in man to consume the drugs overtly and stimulate the brain compensative systems such that the neuron sensitivity produced is not desensitized for some time after the consumption and detoxification of the drug. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of memory attenuation in creating morphine dependency. In this study, 60 male mature mice [85 days old] with a weight of 30-35 grams were enrolled as the experimental and the control groups. The experimental groups included 3 subgroups treated with morphine, scopolamine or morphine+ scopolamine, respectively. Morphine was used for dependency and scopolamine for memory attenuation. Conditioned place preference [CCP] method was used to estimate dependency. Results showed no meaningful difference between the control and the witness groups and between the control and scopolamine groups in preferring a special location to receive the drug. However, there was a meaningful difference [p<0.05] between the control and the morphine groups in preferring a location to receive morphine, and a meaningful attenuation was observed in the scopolamine+morphine group in preferring the location for receiving the drug compared with the group receiving morphine alone. The results show that through memory attenuation, scopolamine decreases morphine dependent CPP. Binding of scopolamine to muscarinic receptors and blocking them affects the opioid receptors which together with reduced nitric oxide synthesis and decreased intracellular calcium, reduces the morphine-induced CPP
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Diabetes is a metabolic disorder resulting from defects in insulin secretion and function. Walnut is used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. In this study we evaluated the anti-diabetic effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of walnut male flowers in streptozocin diabetic rats and its probable side effects on the liver. Eighty adult male Wistar rats were randomly selected and divided into 4 subgroups including a control [N=8] with no intervention, witness group receiving normal saline and another 3 groups of rats each receiving either 2, 4, or 6 g/kg of the extract per day for 15 days. Diabetic groups of rats each treated with the above doses of the extract for the aforementioned period of time, and a group of 8 diabetic rats without any further treatment. Eight rats were also used to determine the LD50 of streptozotocin. Diabetes was induced in rats by injection of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin. At the end of the experimental period, blood was taken from the experimental and control groups and the serum levels of insulin, glucose and liver enzymes [ALT, AST, ALP] were measured. Results showed that the hydro-alcoholic extract of walnut male flowers increased the levels of insulin, decreased blood glucose, AST and ALP enzymes in the treated diabetic groups compared to the non-treated group [p<0.05]. The anti-diabetic effects of the extract were not dose dependent. The effectiveness of the hydro-alcoholic extract of walnut male flowers in diabetic rats through prevention of liver damage and reduction of blood glucose
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MdMYB10 gene expression results in accumulation of anthocyanin in many tissues including flesh of apple fruit. The MdMYB1 and MdMYBA genes are close homologues to MdMYB10 gene and both are responsible for red color phenotype in apple fruit skin. In the current study, an apple genome sequence draft analysis indicated that these three genes are located in a unique contig. Further analysis suggested that these homologues are alleles of a single locus and they differ in a repeated sequence of the promoter region. This repeated sequence ensures high expression level of MdMYB10 in most of the plant tissues while MdMYB1 and MdMYBA alleles lack such a repeated sequence in their promoters and their expression is confined to the fruit skin. Also, we suggest a tissueand genome-specific expression pattern for these three alleles considering our data and other recent publications. No variation was detected in the sequence or in the number of repeats of MdMYB10 promoter in Iranian red flesh apple geo-variants, pointing that the number of repeat is not related to flesh color intensity or variation, and the repeat elements have occurred once during the evolution
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Among the trophic factors in CNS, the role of neurotrophins for their multiple actions is more pronounced. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two weeks light aerobic running on protein levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor [BDNF] and the specific receptor of TrkB, relying on the more transparent role of exercise on synaptic and neurogenerative modification. This experimental study was conducted with the animal model. Twelve adult male wistar rats, 8 weeks of age, were selected as subjects [with mean body weight of 200-225 gr]. The animals were randomly divided into 2 groups of control [n=6] and runner [n=6]. In runner group, animals were allowed to run on treadmill at a speed of 12 m/min daily for 30 minutes for 2 weeks. Twenty four hours after the last session of exercise, the animals were sacrificed and the hippocampus of both sides of hemisphere removed. Changes in protein levels were determined with ELISA technique. Statistical analysis by independent sample t test showed that between the runner and control groups there was a significant difference [p?0.05] statistically and running significantly increased the protein levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus of rats. Increase in these factors shows the effect of exercise as a positive moderating factor in the growth and survival of neuronal and synaptic plasticity