ABSTRACT
Lupoid cutaneous leishmaniasis [LCL] is an uncommon form of chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis, which is mostly caused by Leishmania tropica in the Old World and has a high incidence throughout early life. Between 2012 and 2013, patients with active lesions suspected to be cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] were examined. Diagnosis was performed through a combination of methods, i.e., clinical examination, direct smears and kDNA polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Overall, 162[4.2%] subjects, through clinical examination and PCR confirmation alone, were diagnosed as having LCL, with the duration of the lesions varying from 2 to 5 years. Most [85.8%] of the subjects with LCL were <20 years of age. No amastigote was found in direct smears. Moreover, direct PCR on the negative smears for identifying Leishmania provided a specificity of 100%, and the species was identified as Leishmania tropica using specific kDNA PCR. Performing PCR on skin smears appears to offer a valuable method for the diagnosis of LCL because it is highly specific and sensitive, especially for clinical correlative studies
ABSTRACT
One of the most common disorders of the endocrine system is diabetes mellitus. This disease is associated with dyslipidemia. Adiponectin is a protein hormone that secreted by adipocytes and has an important role in regulating of glucose and fatty acid metabolic pathways. This study was designed to investigate the changes in serum level of adiponectin in diabetic rats treated with hydroalcoholic extracts of three medicinal plants; jujube [Ziziphus jujuba], barberry [Berberis vulgaris] and saffron [Crocus sativus] in comparison with quercetin. Streptozotocin -induced diabetic male rats were gavaged with specified doses of the extracts [25 and 100mg/kg] for two weeks. At the end of treatment period, fasting blood specimens were collected. The levels of adiponectin, fasting blood sugar [FBS], total Cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C and LDL-C were measured. Statistical analysis showed that serum levels of triglyceride and VLDL decreased significantly [P<0.05] in all treated groups. FBS level in all treated groups, decreased significantly and reach to normoglycemic level [P<0.05]. Except Jujube, other plant extracts had no effect on cholesterol. Jujube in two doses [25 and 100mg/kg] could increased significantly HDL-C [P<0.05] with no effect on total cholesterol and LDL-C. Serum adiponectin level increased in all treated groups. These beneficial effects of C. sativus, B. vulgaris and Z. jujube extracts and quercetin in diabetic rats may be associated with increase in adiponectin level