[Effects of dietary gamma-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid with paclitaxel on the treatment of mice mammary carcinoma]

Breast cancer is one of the most important causes of death in women. One of the various gene expression involved in breast cancer is human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2/neu] gene expression increases. Factors of dietary affect on regulation of hormone secretion and the rate of breast cancer. One of these factors is amount and type of fats in diet. Gamma-linolenic acid [GLA] and Docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] are members of poly unsaturated fatty acids. In this study, effects of dietary GLA and DHA alone or together with paclitaxel on treatment of mice mammary carcinoma has been evaluated. Thirty female balb/c mice were divided in six groups randomly. Carcinomatous mass induced by tumor implantation method. Spontaneous breast adenocarcinoma of mice were used as tumor stock. The tumors of these mice were removed aseptically, dissected into 0.5 cm3 pieces. These pieces were transplanted subcutaneously into their right flank. GLA and DHA added to the mice diet two week prior to tumor implantation. At the end of intervention, tumors were removed and HER2 gene expression was measured. The weight of animal and tumor volume measured weekly. It was not significant change in the weight of animals that consumed DHA and DHA with taxol. Tumor volume in those groups that received corn oil with taxol [P<0.01], DHA [P<0.05] and DHA with taxol [P<0.001] showed significant decrease in comparison with control group. HER2 gene expression in DHA with taxol decreased significantly in comparison with control group [P<0.05]. Consumption of DHA oil with taxol causes decrease the volume of carcinoma mass. The future studies with large number of sample is needed to support this finding.

Acute effects of ruta graveolens L. on sperm parameters and DNA integrity in rats

Increase in world population is one of the serious and threatening issues in this century. Therefore, it is vitally important to find safe and effective contraceptive methods, especially for men which already have few choices in this regard. Medicinal plants that were used for contraception in ancient times could be good sources of investigation in this filed. Ruta graveolens L. is one the plants introduced in the Iranian traditional medicine as an oral male contraception to be used before intercourse. In this study we tried to investigate the probable effects of the plant on the spermatozoa of male rats. Ruta graveolens L. aqueous extract [5 g/kg] was administered orally to five groups of male rats and sperm motility was checked after half, one, two, four and six hours later. Moreover, one group of rats served as the control group. Subsequently, viability of cells [Eosin-Nigrosin staining], morphological changes [Diff-Quick staining], DNA status [acridine orange dye] and serum testosterone levels were assessed in the treated groups which had significant immotile spermatozoa. For statistical analysis, Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test were employed for comparison between groups. A significant reduction in sperm motility was seen one hour after administration of the extract in the case groups compared to the controls [36% vs. 68.15%, respectively, p<0.01]. The motility gradually increased afterwards, and by 6 hours, it was the same as the control group [65.43% and 68.15%, respectively]. No significant changes were seen in viability, morphology or DNA structure of spermatozoa in each group. Testosterone levels did not show any significant changes in the treated groups when compared with the controls. Since a significant temporary immobility of spermatozoa without any adverse effects on other sperm characteristics occurred upon the administration of Ruta graveolens L. aqueous extract, it seems that this plant might have the potential to be used for the suggested male contraception

Reducing creatine kinase-MB levels following oxytocin administration during ischemia-reperfusion periods in isolated rat heart

Creatine kinase is a cardiac biomarker that is used for the assessment of ischemic injuries and myocardial infarction. The present study was designed to evaluate effects of oxytocin administration during ischemia and reperfusion periods on CK-MB levels in the coronary effluent of isolated rat heart and the possible role of oxytocin receptor, nitric oxide [NO], prostacyclin and mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium channels in this regard. Male wistar rats [n=8] were anesthetized with sodium thiopental and their hearts were transferred to a Langendorff perfusion apparatus. All animals were randomly divided into nine groups as follow; in the ischemia-reperfusion group, hearts underwent 30 min of regional ischemia followed by 120 min of reperfusion. In oxytocin group, hearts were perfused with oxytocin 5 min after ischemia induction for 25 min. In other groups, 35 min prior to oxytocin perfusion, atosiban [a non-specific oxytocin receptor blocker], L-NAME [an NO synthase inhibitor], indomethacin [a non-specific cyclooxygenase blocker] and 5-HD [a specific mKATP channel blocker] were perfused for 10 min. In all groups, we measured CK-MB levels in the coronary effluent at the end of reperfusion. Moreover, coronary flow [mL/min] was measured at baseline, during ischemia period and 60 and 120 min after reperfusion. Oxytocin administration significantly reduced CK-MB level in oxytocin group as compared to ischemia-reperfusion group. Administration of atosiban, L-NAME, indomethacin and 5-HD prior to oxytocin perfusion abolished the effects of oxytocin on CK-MB levels. Administration of oxytocin during ischemia and reperfusion periods deceased CK-MB levels but infusion of atosiban, L-NAME, 5-HD and indomethacin inhibited oxytocin from exerting its effects