[Protective effects of aqueous extract of internal septum of walnut fruit on diabetic hepatopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice]

Backgrounds and Aim: Treatment of diabetes by ethnomedicinal plants which have fewer side effects than chemical drugs has been on the rise. In this study we assessed hepatoprotective and antidiabetic effects of aqueous extract of internal septum of walnut fruit [ISWF] on diabetic mice

Material and Methods: In this experimental study 35 mature male mice were made diabetic by administration of 60 mg/kg of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. The mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. The negative [non diabetic] and positive [diabetic] control groups received normal saline and the 1[st], 2[nd] and 3[rd] treatment groups received 0.5 mg/kg of glibenclamide, 200 and 400 microl/kg of aqueous extract of ISWF through gavage respectively for 15 days. On the last day, serum levels of blood glucose, ALT [alanine aminotransferase], AST [aspartate aminotransferase] and ALP [alkaline-phosphatase] were measured. After tissue processing, we measured total volume of the liver, hepatocytes, sinusoids, portal vein, central vein, hepatic arteries and bile ducts in the sections of the tissues

Results: Use of aqueous extract of ISWF in the treatment groups led to significant decrease in blood glucose levels, AST and ALP enzymes and also total volume of liver, sinusoids and central vein [p<0.05] compared to those in the non-treated diabetic group

Conclusion: According to the results, aqueous extract of ISWF, can regulate the blood glucose level and inhibit hepatic damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Hematoprotective and nephroprotective properties of ethanolic extract of anthemis odontostephana boiss in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Background: Certainly, the trend in the treatment of diabetes by ethnomedicinal plants which have fewer side effects than chemical drugs has enhanced. Anthemis odontostephana Boiss has been recently known as an antioxidant, antiflammatory, and antimicrobial agent

Objective: hematoprotective and nephroprotective properties of Anthemis odontostephana Boiss ethanolic extract [AOEE] on diabetic mice has been evaluated in the present study

Methods: In this study, 70 mice were used. Diabetes was experimentally induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ [60 mg/kg] in 60 mice. After three days, they were divided randomly into 7 groups. Group I and II served as non-diabetic and untreated diabetic controls, respectively. Group III received 30 mg/kg glibenclamide orally. Groups IV, V, VI and VII were given 10, 30, 90 and 270 mg/kg, respectively of AOEE for 20 days orally. At 20th day, the mice were dissected and blood and Kidney samples of them collected for hematological and pathological parameters analysis

Results: Daily treatment of diabetic mice with several doses of AOEE especially AOEE270 significantly declined FBG levels and improved RBC, platelet and WBC parameters in comparison of untreated diabetic control. Also kidney of the treated diabetic mice with AOEE especially AOEE270 indicated significant improvement of the renal tissue compared to those of the untreated diabetic mice

Conclusion: According to the obtained results, all doses of AOEE especially AOEE270 can improve hematological parameters and FBG changes and inhibits from kidney damages in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. It appears that AOEE can be utilized for treatment of diabetic as an antidiabetic drug.

[Prevalence of thyroid dysfunctions pregnant women referring to clinics in Kermanshah, 2011-12]

Thyroid diseases, especially among women, are very common, and most women with severe hypo- or hyperthyroidism are faced with infertility, recurrent miscarriage and poor outcome pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in pregnant women referring to clinics in Kermanshah, between 2011-2012. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of women with pregnancies under 16 weeks gestation, admitted for routine tests. Two-stage cluster sampling was conducted and 1200 samples were analyzed. Statiscal analysis was performed using the Chi 2 Correlation Test. Of subjects, 248[20.7%] were diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction; 194 patients [16.17%] with hyperthyroidism and 54 [4.5%] patients with hypothyroidism. The highest prevalences of hyperthyroidism [27.9 %] and hyporthyroidism [23.3%] were observed in pregnant women with their 4th gravidity. Significant relationships between variables such as family history of thyroid dysfunction, spontaneous abortion, infertility and preterm delivery in pregnant women with thyroid dysfunction were observed. Considering the high prevalence of thyroid dysfunction and relationships between some of the identified risk factors, it is recommended that screening tests for thyroid function in pregnant women at the first prenatal visit be conducted, at least in those with known risk factors of this condition

[Plasma levels of zinc among patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis]

Zinc status has been shown to influence various cell-mediated immunologic mechanisms. These cell-mediated mechanisms are important in preventing mucocutaneous infections caused by Candida albicans. This study was designed to evaluate the association of zinc status and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis. In this case-control study, plasma levels of zinc in 51 patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and 50 age-matched healthy control women were assessed by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Mean plasma levels of zinc were 74.9 +/- 13 micro g/dl and 87 +/- 23.5 micro g/dl in patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and control group, respectively [NS]. 4 [8%] women of control group and 5 [11.1%] women of patients group had zinc levels lower than normal value [NS]. It seems that zinc deficiency is not a risk factor of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis

[Postpartum depression and its relation to baby gender and unplanned pregnancy]

Postpartum depression is a disabling illness which can influence in the women's social relationship and their ability to achieve the task of neonatal care. Early diagnosis of depression and recognition of its related factors, preventive and therapeutic measures can be considered which can lead to health of mother, neonate, family and society. The aim of this study was to investigate postpartum depression and its relation to unplanned pregnancy and baby gender in the women who had given birth in community oriented medical clinic of Kermanshah University. This was a cross-sectional study. 531 primiparous women, who had referred to community oriented clinic between 10-40 days after delivery, were included in the study and evaluated for depression. Sampling method was census. Data were collected by use of Edinburgh postnatal Depression scale [EPDS] and an informational form about demographic characteristics, baby gender, planned or unplanned pregnancy and history of depression. SPSS software was used and data were analyzed by means of analytical statistics [chi-square and t-test]. 40.7% of the subjects had postpartum depression. Postpartum depression revealed a significant relationship with unplanned pregnancy and the history of depression [p=0.002], but no significant relationship was found between postpartum depression and neonatal gender. Postpartum depression has a high prevalence in our study affecting approximately 50% of mothers. Therefore screening for postpartum depression should be considered mandatory in postpartum care. Also special measures should be considered for women with unplanned pregnancy and history of depression during pregnancy and postnatal period

[Evaluation of Giardia infection and comparison of two treatment regimens to eradicate giardiasis in patients referred to laboratories in the South of Tehran]

Parasitic infections are one of the most common problems world wide specially in developing countries including our country. One of the commonest parasitic diseases is giardia lamblia. The objective was to compare effect of Metronidazol and Furazolidon on Giardiasis to evaluate the frequency of giardiasis in south of Tehran. The study is cross-sectional prospective. Between 23 October 1999 and 22 nd February 2000, a total numder of 650 stool specimens from patients with abdominal discomfort were collected for giardia lamblia in 3 laboratories that were located in the south of Tehran. Stool specimens were taken at 3 different times and stool exam was performed by conventional methods. Patients were divided to 3 age groups [0 - 10 years, 10- 20 years, >20 years] and questions regarding sex, age, symptoms, education, economic, water supply were asked. The patients with positive stool exam for giardia labmblia were divided to two groups, one group took metronidazol and another group took furazolidon, and two weeks after completion treatment their stool exams were repeated. A total number of 74 stool specimens were positsve for giardia lamblia, 36 [48.64%] men, 38 [51.35%] women; 36 [10.71%] in age group 0 - 10 years, 20 [25%] in age group 10-20 years, and 18 [7.69%] > 20 years. The most common symptom in children was diarrea and in adult abdominal pain. 88.38% of patients were cured by Metronidazol and 94.11% by Furazolidon. There was no significant difference between metronidazol and furazolidon in the cure of giardia lamblia [P> 0.05, P= 0.6]. In this study, women and age group 10 - 20 were infected more, and education was important in age group 0 - 10 years, therefore, education about water supply, hygiene is effective in controlling giardiasis. Furazolidon was as effective as Metronidazol with fewer side effects, therefore, we can use Furazolidon in treatment of giardiasis