[Effect of Lycium ruthenicum L. aqueous extract on morphometric and histopathologic indices in mice lymphatic organs]

Background and Objective: Several studies reported the immunological activity of Lycium barbarum. This study carried out to determine the effect of aqueous extract of fruits of Lycium ruthenicum L. on morphometric and histomorphometric indices in mice lymphatic organs

Methods: In this experimental study, 36 adult mice were randomly allocated into six experimental and control groups. The experimental groups were received Lycium ruthenicum L. fruit aqueous extract in the doses of 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/bw, daily by feeding tube for 21 days. In the control group animals were recived 100 mg/kg/bw of saline using feeding tube. After the treatment, the relative increase in the body weight, morphometric, histomorphometric and histopathologic indices in thymus, lymph node and spleen were measured

Results: The administration of extract in doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg/bw did not effect on body weight of mice but in the doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/bw significantly reduced the body weight [P<0.05].Thymus index in 800 mg/kg/bw of extract significantly reduced in comparison with controls [P<0.05]. Thickness of thymus medulla in low doses significantly increased while it was not visible in higher doses [P<0.05]. Thickness of capsule in lymph node and spleen in dose of 800 mg/kg/bw significantly increased in comparison with control group [P<0.05]. Low doses of the Lycium barbarum extract increased stimulation and infiltration of the immune cells and hematopoiesis in the lymphoid organs while in doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg/bw caused pathological changes including fibrosis in capsule, degeneration in follicles and stromal cell apoptosis

Conclusion: Aqueous extract of fruits of Lycium ruthenicum L. in doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg/bw causes histopathological alterations in the lymphoid organs

[Cross cultural adaptation, validity and Reliability study of the Persian version of the American shoulder and elbow surgeons [ASES] questionnaire for evaluation of shoulder function in injured athletes]

The translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Persian version of the American shoulder and elbow surgeons [ASES] were carried out in accordance with published guidelines. The study was conducted on 100 athletes [25.96 +/- 5.81 years], which suffered from different shoulder disorders. When the translation and cultural adaptation of the original questionnaire was carried out on the standardized method, the participants were asked to complete a questionnaire booklet including the DASH, the Short Form General Health Survey [SF-36] and ASES questionnaires. In addition, 30 randomly selected patients were asked to complete the ASES questionnaire 48 hours later for the second time. After data collection the Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS software. The Cronbach's alpha was used to indicate internal consistency. Cronbach's alpha was 0.91 for ASES. Test-retest reliability was quantified by use of the intraclass correlation coefficient. It was 0.91 for ASES questionnaire. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used for the questionnaire validation study. The DASH questionnaire showed high correlation of ICC=0.78 with ASES. The ASES showed moderate correlation of 0.48 to 0.62 with those of the various scales of the SF-36. The Iranian ASES showed good reliability and validity and can be used for shoulder-specific patient self-assessment

effects of interaction between ghrelin and substance-P on mean plasma thyroid hormones concentration and body weight

Ghrelin increases food intakes and body weight via growth hormone secretagogues receptor [GHSR-Ia]. [D-Arg-1, D-phe-5, D-Trp-7, 9, Leu-11] Substance-P [an analog of Substance-P] is known as an antagonist of GHSR-Ia receptor which inhibits ghrelin- induced food intakes. Thyroid hormones have also an important role in the regulation of metabolism and body weight. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of different doses of either ghrelin, analog of Substance-P or their interactions on the body weight, mean plasma TSH, Triiodothyronine [T3] and Thyroxine [T4] concentration and to investigate whether ghrelin exerts its effects on thyroid axis activity via GHSR-Ia. Rats received different doses of ghrelin [1, 5, or 10 nmol], analog of Substance P [5, 10, 20 nmol] or saline via lateral cerebral ventricle. Body weight was measured daily before injection and at 9 h of the day after the final injection. The blood samples were collected at the end of experiment. Plasma was assayed for thyroid hormones concentration. Ghrelin significantly increased body weight and decreased mean plasma TSH, T3 and T4 concentrations in a dose related manner. Analog of Substance-P significantly decreased body weight and increased thyroid hormones concentration in a dose related manner. It blocked the stimulatory effect of ghrelin on body weight and the inhibitory effect of ghrelin on thyroid axis activity. From the results of this study it appears that analog of substance P may be useful for treatment of obesity