Atorvastatin attenuates the ovarian damage induced by cyclophosphamide in rat: an experimental study

Background: Cyclophosphamide [CP], as an anticancer agent, causes ovarian toxicity and subsequent infertility in women. Atorvastatin [ATV] at a low dose has antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of ATV against CPinduced ovarian injury in rat

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, thirty-two female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups as I] control, II] ATV [10 mg/kg], III] CP [150 mg/kg], and IV] CP +ATV. The ATV treated groups were received ATV for 10 days via oral gavage. In the CP+ATV group, ATV was administrated on 5 days before and 5 days after CP injection. Histological structure, apoptosis [caspase-3], oxidative stress parameters as malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, protein carbonyl levels and cell viability were evaluated in ovary tissue by histological scores, immunohistochemistry, histochemical and biochemical assays. The levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones were measured on the 12th day of study

Results: ATV pretreatment significantly decreased the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers as malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species and protein carbonyl levels and increased cell death in CP-treated rats as compared with the CP alone group. ATV significantly increased estrogen and progesterone levels in CP-treated rats. In addition, the histological examination showed ATV mitigated acute inflammation, degenerative cells in stroma and follicles, stromal edema, vacuolization, atresia of the follicles and congestion of blood vessels in the CP-treated animals. Furthermore, ATV significantly reduced immunoreactivity level of caspase-3 in CPtreated rats

Conclusion: Our results showed that the ATV with antioxidant and anti-apoptosis [caspase-3] activities protected ovarian against CP-induced toxicity

Investigation of genetic association between PRODH gene and schizophrenia in Iranian population

Schizophrenia is a complicated, debilitative mental disorder. Evidence is emerging for the association of polymorphisms in PRODH gene and increased risk of schizophrenia. In the present research, we investigated relationship between of this gene and schizophrenia disease by means of a gene polymorphism using PCR-RFLP technique.150 persons suffering from acute Schizophrenia and 160 healthy persons volunteering for this project were bled. Based on intended SNP, pair of primers was designed by Oligo7 program and polymerase chain reaction [PCR] was performed by thermo cycler. Then the resulted reactive mixture was exposed to a special enzyme, which we had intended for our study. Finally, the fragments of enzyme cut were transferred on the gel [4%] and migration pattern of resulted components were compared in healthy and patient subjects, whereby obtaining genotypes of different persons in polymorphic position. We utilized SPSS 16.0 program for statistical investigation of the work and studied SNP 1945T>C and its relation with the disease in statistical population. Our findings showed a meaningful relation between the occurrence of this nucleotide mutation and its frequency in patients [given P value=0.00]. Results of this work indicate that PRODH gene can be considered to be a significant candidate in our population as a factor influencing the occurrence of Schizophrenia

Congenital hypothyroidism: a review of the risk factors

This study was aimed to evaluate the situation of congenital hypothyroidism [CH] in Guilan using the screening program and determine the correlation of CH with birth weight, gestational age and seasonality. During 2006 to 2010, in Guilan province, neonatal screening for CH by measurement of serum TSH level was performed in 3-5 days after birth. All neonates with TSH level >/= 5mu/l were referred to endocrinologists and serum TSH, T3 and T4 were measured. Based on public health data and profiles, total number of newborns, gestational age, route of delivery, birth season and birth weight in all screened neonates was reviewed and for ones with CH, their TSH measurements was also recorded. During 5 years, 119701 neonates were screened and CH was confirmed in 10.8% [221] of the referral cases [prevalence=1:542]. No significant statistical difference was seen between gender and birth season among patients with CH and the rest of the population. Interestingly, low birth weight [LBW] [31% vs. 4.9%, P<0.01], postdate delivery [1.4% vs. 0.2%, P<0.01] and macrosomia were more prevalent in CH versus normal population [Odds ratio for post-date delivery was 6.9 and for LBW was 3.2]. Rate of normal vaginal delivery [NVD] was significantly higher in neonates with CH compared to normal population [39.2% vs. 29.2%, P=0.01]. LBW, postdate delivery and macrosomia are risk factors for CH. No association between sex, birth season or caesarian section delivery was seen

Does congenital hypothyroidism have different etiologies in Iran?

To determine the prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism [CH], permanent and transient CH. From November 2006 to September 2007, 63031 newborns were screened by measuring serum TSH obtained by heel prick. The neonates who had a TSH>/=5mU/L were recalled for measurement of serum T[4], thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and TSH receptor blocking antibodies [TRBAb] in venous samples. In 43 primarily diagnosed as cases of CH, treatment was discontinued at age 2-3 years for 4 weeks and T[4] and TSH were measured again. Permanent or transient CH was determined from the results of these tests and radiologic evaluation. The incidence of congenital hypothyroidism was found to be 1:1465 with a female to male ratio of 1.19:1. The most common clinical findings were prolonged jaundice [73%], large anterior fontanel [56%] and wide posterior fontanel [55%]. In 43 patients with CH, prevalence of permanent and transient form of the disorder was 53.6% and 46.4% respectively. Permanent CH was associated with higher initial TSH level than transient hypothyroidism [P<0.001]. The most common etiology of permanent CH was dyshormonogenesis [57%]. TRBAb was found in 6.8% of the total 43 cases. Congenital hypothyroidism in Iran may have different etiologies. Due to higher rate of transient CH than other similar researches, it is reasonable to follow these patients for a longer period to rule out the possibility of permanent hypothyroidism

Relationship between the severity of airway obstruction and inspiratory muscles dysfunction in COPD patients

COPD is known as the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Morbidity in COPD patients is mainly due to the respiratory muscle dysfunction especially diaphragm and chest wall muscles. Respiratory muscle dysfunction is mostly seen in severe and progressive stages of the disease. COPD results in increased functional residual capacity [FRC]. In severe cases of COPD, respiratory muscle dysfunction and FRC raise lead to the deterioration of hyperinflation. In our study, 30 COPD patients [28 males, 2 females] referred to Masih Daneshvari Hospital were evaluated. All cases were studied with the exact same body plethysmography equipment and the same technician. The average age, height, weight and BMI of cases were 53 +/- 11 yrs,168.86 +/- 6.33 cm, 65.44 +/- 16.78 kg and 23.56 +/- 6.32, respectively. The mean FEV1 according to the GOLD criteria was in the range of moderate to severe. Hyperinflation noted characterized by RV and reverse RV/TLC, was clearly noticed in our study [RV=225.9 +/- 82.11, RV/TLC%= 195 +/- 34.49]. Based on our study results, there was a significant correlation between FEV1, hyperinflation [RV/TLC, RV], respiratory muscle function [PImax/P1] and respiratory time cycle Ti/Ttot .It should be mentioned that there was a significant correlation between PImax and Tension Time Index as well