Hesa-a effects on cell cycle signaling in esophageal carcinoma cell line

Background: Hesa-A is a natural compound with anticancer properties. The exact mechanism of its action in esophageal cancer is not clear, yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cell toxicity effect of Hesa-A on the esophageal carcinoma cell lines, KYSE-30, and cell cycle genes expression

Methods: In this study, we tested cell toxicity with MTT [3-[4,5-Dirnethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide] assay and flow cytometry to evaluate the cell cycle arrest

Real time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the expression of P53, PI6, P21, cyclin Dl, and cyclin Bl genes

Results: Our results showed that Hesa-A is effective in the expression of cell cycling check point proteins. Hesa-A induced an arrest in G2 phase of esophageal cell cycle. The levels of P53 [>13 times], P21 [>21 times], PI6, cyclin Bl, and cyclin Dl genes were increased 48 hours after Hesa-A treatment

Conclusion: P21 and P16 expression were the potential mechanisms for G2 arrest of KYSE-30 esophageal cancer cell line by Hesa-A

Effects of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Rhus coriaria (Sumac) Seeds on Reproductive Complications of Nicotinamide-Streptozotocin Induced Type-2 Diabetes in Male Mice

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of Rhus coriaria seeds on the reproductive system of nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetic mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 56 male Naval Medical Research Institute mice were randomly divided into seven groups (n=8): control; diabetic mice; diabetic mice administered glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg); diabetic mice who received the hydro-alcoholic extract of R. coriaria seeds (200 and 400 mg/kg groups); and normal mice who received this extract (200 and 400 mg/kg groups). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) 15 minutes after an injection of nicotinamide (120 mg/kg). Then, glibenclamide and the above mentioned extract were administered orally for 28 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, serum samples, the testes, and the cauda epididymis were removed immediately for hormonal, testis morphology, and sperm parameter assessments. RESULTS: Body and testicular weight, sperm count and viability, and serum luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone levels were significantly lower in the diabetic mice (p<0.05). The diabetic mice treated with 400 mg/kg of the hydro-alcoholic extract of R. coriaria seeds recovered from these reductions (p<0.05). Further, glibenclamide alleviated hormonal and sperm count depletion in diabetes-induced mice (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicated that the hydro-alcoholic extract of R. coriaria seeds has anti-infertility effects in diabetic males.

Paraoxonase 3 activity and the ratio of antioxidant to peroxidation in the follicular fluid of infertile women

Paraoxonase-3 [PON3], as a high density lipoprotein [HDL]-associated lactonase, is capable of preventing the oxidative modification of low density lipoprotein [LDL]. PON3 activity in follicular fluid [FF] is three times more than its activity in serum. However, the detailed role of PON3 in women's fertility remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between PON3 activity in the FF of women undergoing assisted reproductive technique [ART], in vitro fertilization [IVF], or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]. This cross-sectional study consisted of 50 women from couples with male factor infertility [MFI] or with female factor infertility [FFI]. The FF samples were obtained during the ART intervention. PON3 activity, HDL cholesterol [HDL C], total antioxidant status [TAS] and the level of malondialdehyde [MDA] were determined. The morphology of the embryo was determined using embryo cell number [ECN] and embryo fragmentation score [EFS]. In addition, fertilization rate [FR] was used an oocyte fertilization index. Of 50 women, 20 women belonged to FFI group and the remaining 30 women belonged to MFI group. PON3 activity in FF of women in FFI group was significantly lower [p<0.05] in comparison with corresponding value in MFI group. The value of PON3 activity/MDA in the FFI group was lower than that in MFI group. Moreover, MDA level in the FF of FFI group was significantly higher [p<0.05] than its concentration in MFI group. Meanwhile, no significant difference was found in HDL-C concentration and TAS of both groups. No significant correlation was observed between the ECN and FF biochemical parameters. There was also a negative correlation between FR and MDA [r=-0.42, p=0.02], whereas a positive relation between FR with PON3 activity [r=0.59, p=0.004], HDL-C [r=0.35, p=0.04] and PON3/MDA [r=0.59, p=0.001]. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, PON3 activity level as a key component of antioxidant system in FF may directly be associated with the success rate of ART and fertilization rate in women

Determination of serum paraoxonase phenotype distribution by double-substrate method in patients with coronary artery disease

Considering the high incidence of patients with coronary artery disease [CAD] in the Iranian population and a preventive role of serum paraoxonase [PON1] in development of CAD, the present study was designed to determine the distribution of PON1 phenotypes in patients with CAD. A total of 61 patients with coronary stenosis of <50% and 63 patients with coronary stenosis of >70% were included in this study. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured using paraoxon and phenylacetate as substrate, respectively. Phenotyping of the PON1 Q192R polymorphism was determined by calculating the ratio of salt-stimulated paraoxonase activity to arylesterase activity [double-substrate method]. Patients with stenosis of <50% were separated into three distinct phenotypes at ratios of 2.14 and 5.99 and the population with stenosis of >70% at ratios of 2.42 and 5.91. In patients with stenosis of <50%, PON1 phenotype frequencies were 41% [Q phenotype], 46% [QR phenotype] and 13% [R phenotype]. Frequencies of Q, QR and R phenotypes in patients with stenosis of >70% were 48%, 41% and 11%, respectively. Based on this study and other studies conducted in Iran, it can be concluded that in the Iranian population there is no statistically difference in phenotype distribution of PON1 between patients with CAD [with severe stenosis or mild stenosis] and healthy individuals

Association between paraoxonase-1 activity and the extent of coronary stenosis

Paraoxonase [PON1] can prevent oxidized low-den sity lipoprotein formation and development of atherosclerotic lesions. However, studies on the association between PON1 activity and the extent of coronary stenosis and underlying mechanism[s] are limited. In this study, the relationship between paraoxonose and arylesterase activities of PON1 with extent of coronary stenosis together with determination of PON1 phenotypes in the studied have been investigated. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were measured in 61 patients with coronary stenosis of 50% and 63 Patients with coronary stenosis of 70% Individual human serum phenotype for the PON1 Q192R polymorphism was achieved through dividing the Paraoxonase activity in the presence of IM NaCL by arylesterase activity. Patients with stenosis of 50% had significantly higher PON1 activity [p0.05] and HDL-Cholesterol [p 0.03] compared to those with stenosis of 70%. No significant difference [p 0.05] was observed in the phonotype distribution of males and females. According to the current study, there are significant differences in paraoxonase and arylesterase activates and also HDL-C levels between patients with coronary stenosis of 50% and those with coronary stenosis of 70% therefore, this study provides further support for the important role of paraoxonase activity in coronary atherosclerosis

Comparison of pulmonary hydatid disease between children and adults

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation which is endemic in many sheep and cattle raising areas and is still an important health hazard in the world. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features, radiologic accuracy, and the surgical approaches of pulmonary hydatid cysts among children and adults in Northwestern Iran. 445 patients treated for pulmonary hydatid cysts over the last ten years, were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were arranged in two groups. There were 383 adults [86%] and 62 children [14%] and their clinical, radiological and surgical characteristics of the pulmonary hydatid cysts were compared. Unlike adults, in children the frequency of pulmonary hydatid cysts in males was significantly [p=0.0036] higher than in females [65% vs. 36%]. Cough was the most common symptom in both groups. The frequency of hemoptysis was more common [p=0.0042] in adults [38%] than in children [19%]. However, giant pulmonary hydatid cysts were more commonly found in children [p < 0.05]. Cystotomy with or without capitonnage was the most preferred method used in both groups. Postoperative complications [pneumothorax] developed in five adults and one child, and were more frequent in noncapitonnage procedures. Only one recurrence was observed in the adult group. The accuracy of chest x-ray was 84% and 74% in children and adults, respectively. Due to the high accuracy of chest x-ray in diagnosis of hydatid cysts of the lung in both groups, it is recommended as the preferred method of diagnosis in endemic regions

Onion, a potent inhibitor of xantine oxidase

Onion [Allium Cepa] contains high levels of flavonoids. Although there are many studies indicating the inhibitory effects of flavonoids on xanthine oxidase, there is no report on the effect of onion on this enzyme. Therefore, in the present study, the inhibitory effects of onion on xanthine oxidase are investigated. Fresh filtered juice of onion was prepared and its inhibitory effect on guinea pig liver and bovine milk xanthine oxidase activity was assayed spectrophotometrically using xanthine as substrate. In addition, the effects of hydromethanolic extract of the powdered onion and its major flavonoid, quercetin, were also studied. The juice caused more than 80% inhibition on both guinea pig and bovine milk xanthine oxidase. The extract also resulted in a marked inhibition on guinea pig liver [IC[50]=10 micro g/ml] and bovine milk [IC[50]=13 micro g/ml] xanthine oxidase activities. Quercetin exerted its inhibitory effect on bovine milk xanthine oxidase through a linear mixed-type [K[i]=0.06 +/- 0.04 and K[i]=0.22 +/- 0.16 micro M], whereas, the guinea pig enzyme was inhibited in a competitive manner [K=0.11 +/- 0.02 micro M]. In conclusion, consumption of onion as a staple vegetable with a potent inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase not only could be useful in some diseases such as gout, but also may result in some interactions with those drugs that are metabolized by xanthine oxidase