ABSTRACT
The cultured mesenchymal stem cells [MSC] have been used in many clinical trials; however, there are still some concerns about the cultural conditions. One concern is related to the use of FBS as a widely used xenogeneic supplement in the culture system. Human platelet-rich plasma [hPRP] is a candidate replacement for FBS. In this study, the effect of hPRP on MSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation has been evaluated. Human adipose-derived stem cells [hADSC] were expanded. Cells from the third passage were characterized by flow cytometric analysis and used for in vitro experiments. Resazurin and alizarin red stains were used for cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation assays, respectively. Treatment with hPRP resulted in a statistically significant increase in cell proliferation compare to the negative control group [P<0.001]. Cell proliferation in the 15% hPRP group was also significantly higher than that in the 10% hPRP group [P<0.05]. Additionally, it caused less osteogenic differentiation of the hADSC compared to the FBS [P<0.001], but in comparison to negative control, it caused acceptable mineralization [P<0.001]. These findings indicate that hPRP not only improves the proliferation but also it can be a suitable substitution in osteogenic differentiation for clinical purposes. However, the clinical application value of hPRP still needs more investigation
ABSTRACT
Carotid ultrasound appears to be useful in the assessment of cardiovascular risk. In this study, we have assessed the carotid intima-media thickness [CIMT] in a group of individuals without a history of cardiovascular events. A sample of 431subjects [189 [43.9%] males and 242 [56.1%] females] was obtained from an urban population using a stratified-cluster method in Mashhad stroke and heart atherosclerosis disorder study. None of the subjects had a history of the cardiovascular event. Carotid artery duplex ultrasound was used to determine the CIMT in all subjects, and to identify those with an abnormal value [CIMT [+]; i.e., CIMT >/= 0.8 mm]. Dietary intake of participants was assessed using a questionnaire for 24-h dietary recall. The relationship between anthropometric, biochemical and dietary data and CIMT were assessed. The mean age of subjects was 48.7 +/- 8.0 years. Of the 431 patients, 118 [27.4%] were found to be CIMT [+]. Of the cardiovascular parameters assessed, only age [odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]], 1.11 [0.56-4.34]; P < 0.01] and male gender [OR [95% CI], 1.14 [0.63-2.23]; P < 0.05] were significant independent predictors of ultrasound defined CIMT. Crude and total energy adjusted intake were not associated with the presence of CIMT [+]. It appears that within a relatively young Iranian population of individuals without a history of cardiovascular event, the presence of CIMT [+] defined by duplex ultrasound cut-off value of >/= 0.8 mm, did not associate with several modifiable cardiovascular risk factors or measures of dietary intake
ABSTRACT
Ganoderma Lucidum [G. Lucidum] has been suggested to increase serum insulin level. This study was undertaken to investigate its direct effect on the islets of Langerhans. Male albino Wistar rats were anesthetized and the islets were isolated after digestion of the pancreas with collagenase. The islets were incubated for 60 min in Krebs bicarbonate buffer containing 3 or 10 mM glucose in the presence of hydroalcoholic extract of G. Lucidum [1 mg/ml], 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine [IBMX, 100 micro M] or vehicle. Exposure of islets to the extract increased insulin secretion at basal [3 mM] glucose concentration. Increase of glucose concentration to 10 mM resulted in a significant increase in the rate of insulin secretion. While the IBMX could augment insulin release evoked by 10 mM glucose, the extract failed to modify it. Our results demonstrate that G. lucidum acts directly on the Langerhans islets to increase basal insulin release
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Plant Extracts , Insulin , Islets of Langerhans , Rats, WistarABSTRACT
Comparison of prooxidant-antioxidant balance [PAB] assay with crocin assay. Twenty eight serum samples were chosen, PAB and the total antioxidant capacity were measured by PAB assay and crocin, respectively, and the correlation of both assays, along with their correlation with other clinical and biochemical parameters, were determined. A significant negative correlation was established between PAB assay and crocin assay. Also a significant negative correlation was established between PAB and uric acid and creatinine. The results showed that by increasing the total antioxidant capacity, which is showed by crocin, the PAB shifts in favor of antioxidants, which is showed by PAB assay. Now, it could be considered that the PAB, along with other risk factors, might help in the prediction of the risk for cardiovascular events; and further research could clarify whether by application of PAB assay and appropriate interventions for correcting oxidative stress, progression of the cardiovascular disease could be reduced