[Inhibitory effects of Oak fruit Husks hydroalcoholic extract on serum LDL oxidation in vitro]

Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein [LDL] has been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The use of some antioxidant compounds in dietary food stuff such as vitamin E and Oak fruit [Quercus] husks hydroalcoholic extract [OHE] may inhibit the production of oxidized LDL and decrease both the development and the progression of atherosclerosis. The present work investigated the effects of OHE on LDL oxidation induced- CuSO[4] quantitatively in vitro. This study was an experimental research performed in Khoramabad province during 2010. Fasting blood samples were collected from normal people followed by LDL isolation. The population study was divided into five groups [1: control; 2: those exposed to CuSO[4] without treatment, and groups 3-5: those exposed to CuSO[4] and treated with OHE [0.2, 2, and 20 micro g/ml, respectively]. Later, the formation of conjugated dienes, lag time, and malondialdehyde [MDA] were measured. Inhibition of Cu-induced oxidation was investigated in the presence of several concentrations of OHE [0.2, 2 and 20 micro g/ml]. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 13 using Mann Whitney test. OHE was found to have the ability to inhibit the CuSO[4] -induced LDL oxidation. Administration of oak [Quercus] husks hydroalcoholic extract [OHE] showed an increased rate of 2.2, 3, and 4.3 fold s at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 20 micro g/ml against oxidation in vitro. Also conjugated dienes decreased 13.33%, 46.66% and 80.00% at concentrations ranging from 0.2 to 20 micro g/ml of OHE, respectively. The inhibitory effects of OHE on LDL oxidation at concentrations used were dose-dependent. This study showed that the OHE has the potential to prevent the oxidation of LDL in vitro and it may suggest that this compound is capable of producing a similar effect in vivo

[Immunomodulation with epigallocatechin gallate in injured spinal cord of rats]

Spinal cord injury [SCI] stimulates an immune response that causes substantial secondary damage inside the injured spinal tissue. To determine the immunomodulatory effects of epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG] on traumatized spinal cord of rats. Rats were randomly divided into three groups of 7 rats each as follows: negative control group, positive control group, and experimental group [50mg/kg EGCG, i.p., immediately after SCI]. Spinal cord samples were collected 24 hours after injury and studied for immunohistochemistry of CD4, TNF- alpha, IL-1 beta, iNOS and COX-2. Epigallocatechin gallate attenuated immunohistochemical expression of immune-related response criteria. On the basis of these findings, we propose that EGCG may be effective in protecting the rat spinal cord from secondary damage by modulating of immune responses

Study of neuroprotective effects of green tea antioxidant on spinal cord injury of rat

Recent studies revealed the neuroprotective effects of green tea antioxidant on experimental cerebral ischemia, but these effects on spinal cord injury [SCI] has not yet been studied. Rats were randomly divided into three groups of 18 rats each as follows: sham group [laminectomy], control group [SCI] and experimental group [EGCG]. Spinal cord samples were taken 24 h after injury and studied for determination of lipid peroxidation levels and TUNEL reaction. Behavioral testing was performed weekly upto six weeks post-injury. Then, the rats were euthanized for histopathological assessment. The results showed that lipid peroxidation levels were significantly decreased in experimental group. EGCG significantly reduced TUNEL-positive rate. Also, EGCG reduced significantly lesion area, and improved behavioral function more than the control group. EGCG treatment decreased secondary spinal cord injury

Maternal serum levels of adiponectin in preeclampsia

The results of the serum levels of adiponectin in preeclamptic patients are conflicting. The aim of the present study was to assess serum levels of adiponectin in women with preeclampsia compared with healthy pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was designed. The case group consisted of women with preeclampsia [n=30]. The control groups consisted of 30 matched normal pregnant women. Serum levels of adiponectin were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Serum levels of adiponectin were significantly higher in the preeclamptic group than those in the normal control group. In the preeclamptic patients serum levels of adiponectin showed a significant negative correlation with body mass index while no correlation was found in the normal pregnant women. In women with preeclampsia, levels of adiponectin were decreased significantly in the overweight women compared with normal weight women, while in the control group no significant difference was observed. In conclusion, elevation of adiponectin levels might be a physiological feedback response to minimize endothelial dysfunction in preeclamptic patients

[Study of general health of traumatic nursing team members of Bam one year after earthquake]

It is necessary to understand that psychological reactions after a natural disaster are as complex as disaster itself. Following a catastrophic earthquake like Bam's, such reactions can be seen in nursing team members as well. This study is a descriptive cross sectional analytic research, conducted with cooperation of Japanese Nursing Association to identify somatic and psychological problems of nursing team members of Bam. A total of 92 members of nursing team affiliated to healthcare centers of Bam were studied. Data collection tools were 2 questionnaires; first for evaluating demographic characteristics and general health and second- questionnaire of Goldberg and Williams- for evaluation of four domains of psychosomatic problems, anxiety and insomnia, psychosocial functioning and severe depression. Each domain contained seven questions, each scored from 0 to 3 based on Likert score. Complete score of general health was 0-84. Scores were classified in four groups: 0-20 as optimal, 21-4 as approximately optimal, 41-6 as approximately suboptimal and 61 and higher as suboptimal. One year after the earthquake, evaluation of general health of nursing team members showed 30.3% of subjects had optimal psychosomatic status, 34.8% had moderate problems of anxiety and insomnia, 40.2% had approximately optimal psychosocial functioning and 44.2% of subjects were not severely depressed. Overall, 38.4% of nursing team members had approximately optimal general health. This study showed that following a catastrophic earthquake, most of the victims suffer from several psychological and somatic reactions. In addition to on time rescue procedures, other important allaying factors are cultural and religious values and believing in God

[ effect of titanium on stearic acid transport in rat everted gut sac]

Background and Objective: an everted intestinal sac [EGS] technique has been used to extensively estimate the transport and intestinal absorption in rats. Therefore, a number of factors such as pH and the nature of solvent may play an important role in fatty acid uptake by enterocytes. There are reports indicating that fatty acid transport is affected by many biochemical parameters including trace elements. In this study the effect of titanium on stearic acid transport was investigated

Materials and Methods: wistar male rats [200-250gr] were used for the experiments. Rats were killed, their intestine was removed and the jejunum parts were dissected. Everted gut sac was prepared from these parts. Sacs full of buffer were incubated in a medium containing stearic acid and titanium. Then the transported stearic acid inside the EGS was measured by spectrophotometer under different conditions of temperature and concentrations. Data was analyzed using SPSS software and Mann Whitney test

Results: the results showed that titanium decreased fatty acid uptake by enterocytes in a dose dependent manner. Titanium concentrations of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 10 micromoles in the presence of sodium chloride can decrease the uptake of stearic acid by 32.2%, 43.4%, 54.5% and 61.5%, respectively. Titanium concentrations of 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 10 micromoles in the absence of sodium chloride in medium could decrease the stearic acid by 10%, 19.5%, 23.9% and 28.3% respectively which is not very affective

Conclusion: stearic acid transport appeared to be a Na dependent process and titanium may exert its inhibitory effect by interfering with this system. Our results showed that the incubation time, stearic acid concentration and pH were effective on stearic acid transport. Titanium decreased stearic acid transport in Rat EGS. This should be considered seriously, especially in people exposed to titanium compounds for a long period