[ efficacy of carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of chronic and lupoid cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Kerman city: a randomized clinical trial]

Lupoid [LL] and chronic leishmaniais [CCL] are variants of cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] which are resistant to various treatments. The diseases are endemic in some developing countries such as Iran. A Variety of drugs with different effects have been suggested in recent decades. Carbon deoxide laser has been recently applied in the treatment of different dermatological diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of CO[2] laser compared to systemic Glucantime plus Allopurionl in the treatment of LL and CCL. A total of 50 patients with 86 LL or CCL lesions were participated in this study. They were divided into the two groups; the first group was treated with CO[2] laser for one session and the second group was treated with Glucantime [50 mg/kg IM for 21 days] plus Allopurionl [20mg/kg for 30 days]. All patients were followed at weeks 4[th], 8[th], 48[th] and 72[nd] and the results were compared. At week 4, the cure rate of complete improvement of two treatment groups was not statistically different [P=0.609]. By week 8, the cure rate slightly decreased [P=0.417]. The decreasing trend continued until weeks 48[th] and 72[nd] [P=0.289 and P=0.095, respectively]. Finally, 16 patients of laser group and 22 patients of the other group were cured, but statistically no significant difference was observed between the two groups [P=0.095]. Carbon deoxide laser therapy could be used in patients with hypersensitivity to pentavalent antimoniate or those with serious systemic diseases

[Frequency of dysplastic and cancerous Pap smear and genotyping of human papillomavirus by DNA probe techniques in Kerman, Iran]

Around the world, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women. Today, screening programs have reduced morbidity and mortality rates of this disease. Epidemiological and molecular studies have shown that certain types of the human papillomavirus are carcinogen types and the primary cause of cervical cancer. HPV type 16 and 18 are the most common high-risk types. In this study, frequency of different HPV genotypes in women who referred for a routine visit to an outpatient clinic of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, has been obtained by DNA probe technique. Our study is a cross-sectional, analytic study on 20000 Pap smear samples over four consecutive years among women in reproductive ages [15-50 years] referred to University centers and private institutions in Kerman, Iran. All samples were collected in the laboratory of Afzalipour, and Bahonar Hospitals, and private institutions. The typical samples of dysplasia and cancer were reviewed by two pathologists and a pathology assistant according to the World Health Organization standards. The samples were examined after DNA extraction and molecular DNA probe technique. 62 cases of 82 Pap smear samples were dysplastic and 20 samples were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]. Moreover, 20 cases [32.2%] of dysplastic Pap smears and 12 cases [60%] of SCC samples were HPV positive. A total of 32 patients [39%] were positive for HPV. Of all samples only two were genotype 18 [25.6%], one was a mixture of 16 and 31 genotypes, and the remaining were all genotype 16 [93.75%]. In the comparison between dysplasia severity [mild, moderate, and severe] and the HPV status [+ or -], and also the relation between age and status of HPV and the severity of dysplasia no relations were found. However, there was a significant relation between detection [dysplasia, SCC] and the HPV status, and also the relation between age and type of lesion diagnosis. Based on the findings of our study and the Iranian culture, prevalence of HPV infection among women with cervical cancer is less common than in other countries. HPV type 16, which is a carcinogenic genotype, was the predominant genotype

[Preventive effect of garlic juice on food intake and serum levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats]

Diabetes mellitus, a state of chronic hyperglycemia, is associated with high risk of atherosclerosis, renal diseases and nervous system and ocular damage. Garlic as a medicinal plant has shown to have diverse biological activities, including antidiabetic actions. Garlic and its preparations are affected in cardiovascular diseases which have been caused by diabetes. Since the pervious studies have focused on the therapeutic role of garlic in diabetes, we have decided to investigate the preventive effect of garlic juice on the changes of serum lipids. Forty male Wistar rats [250 +/- 20 g] were divided into five groups as follows. 1] Control group [N], 2] Normal+Garlic group [N+G] received garlic juice for 6 weeks, 3] Diabetic group [D] was injected with STZ [60 mg/kg BW, i.p.], 4] Diabetic+Garlic_before group [D+G[b]] received garlic juice for 3 weeks before STZ injection and continued for another 3 weeks, 5] Diabetic+Garlic_after group [D+G[a]] received garlic juice for 3 weeks; after injected with STZ. Garlic juice was given by gavage [Iml/100g BW/day]. At the end of experimental period, food intake measured by metabolic cages and serum levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides were assessed by enzymatic methods. D+G[b] and D+G[a] groups in comparison with D group showed significant increases [p<0.05] in the body weights and significant decreases [p<0.0001] in food intake. D+G[b] group in comparison with D+G[a] group, showed significant increase [p<0.05] in the body weights and significant decrease [p<0.001] in food intake. In D+G[b] and D+G[a] groups, glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels in comparison with D group showed significant decreases [p<0.0001]. In D+G[b] group, glucose levels have no significant difference with N and N+G groups, but in comparison with D+G[a] group showed significant decrease [p<0.05]. In D+G[b] group, serum level of cholesterol in comparison with N and N+G groups [p<0.01] and serum level of triglycerides in comparison with N and D+G[a] groups showed significant decreases [p<0.001]. These results suggest that garlic juice could influence in prevention against increases of cholesterol and triglycerides in diabetic rats

histopathological changes and immunohistochemical findings of acute, chronic nonlupoid and chronic lupoid types of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Dry type localized cutaneous Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica is one of the most prevalent cutaneous parasitic infections in Kerman province. It seems that cellular immune response and the nature of immune inflammatory cells comprising the inflammatory background play a determinant role in this infection. Skin biopsies of 53 patients with acute [<2 years duration], nonlupoid chronic [>/= 2 years duration] and lupoid chronic [new lesions around old scar] types of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica were studied by hematoxylin-eosin staining for evaluation of inflammatory cells and epidermal and dermal changes. Immunohistochemical staining was used to determine immunophenotypic patterns [CD1a, CD68, CD3, CD8, CD4, CD20] and to evaluate host immune response at tissue level, the correlation between the presence and concentration of certain cell types, and the clinical presentation and duration of disease. Mean percentages of epidermal and dermal Langerhans cells CD1a+ were higher in lupoid than in acute lesions. Also, the predominant T lymphocyte in acute, chronic and lupoid leishmaniasis was T CD8+. It seems that Langerhans cells CD1a+ are responsible for the suppression of the inflammatory response against L.tropica infection and by providing Leishmania antigens in a steady state induce tolerance to the Leishmania antigens and consequently cause cutaneous chronic lupoid leishmaniasis. This study also suggests that T CD8+ play an effective role in parasite elimination and in the process of healing of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania tropica

[Preventive effects of garlic juice on renal damages induced by diabetes mellitus in rats]

Since all previous studies on the ameliorative effects of garlic in diabetic nephropathy have been conducted after diabetes induction, we decided to assess its preventive role on renal complications in diabetes. Forty male rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: 1- Group normal [N] 2- Group Normal + Garlic [N+G], received garlic juice for 6 weeks. 3- Diabetic [D[received STZ, 60 mg/kg BW /i.p. 4- Group diabetic + garlic before [D+Gb], received garlic juice for 3 weeks before STZ injection and continued for over three weeks. 5- Group diabetic + garlic after [D+Ga], three days after STZ injection, they received garlic juice for 2 weeks. Garlic juice was given by gavage [1ml/100g BW]. Diabetic rats showed significant increase in serum creatinine and urea, creatinine clearance [GFR], water intake, and decreased urinary urea to creatinine ratio [Ur:Cr], compared to the other groups [P<0.0001]. Administration of garlic juice in diabetic rats restored these changes towards normal to some extent. Long-term consumption of garlic juice in group D+Gb caused significant improvement, compared to that seen in group D+GA. In this study, for the first time, we showed that administration of garlic juice before diabetes induction resulted in enhanced amelioration of renal complications compared to the group receiving it after induction, indicating that garlic juice can play both a preventive and a therapeutic role in such patients

Effects of garlic on testicular damages induced by diabetes mellitus in rats

Diabetes mellitus is associated with histologic alterations of the testis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate both preventive and protective effects of garlic juice on testicular damage in male rats with streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetes. Forty male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: 1] Group normal [N], 2] Group Normal+Garlic [N+G], 3] Diabetic [D] received STZ, 60mg/kg BW /i.p., 4] Group diabetic+garlic before [D+Gb] received garlic juice for 3 weeks before STZ injection and for 3 weeks after, and 5] Group diabetic+garlic after [D+Ga] three days after STZ injection, received garlic juice for 3 weeks. Garlic juice was given by gavage [1ml/100g BW]. Testicular damage was examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in seminiferous tubule diameter and the number of germ cells. Garlic significantly attenuated the diabetes-induced morphological changes and the decrease in germ cells. The diabetic group receiving garlic before STZ injection [D+Gb] showed more amelioration in complications than that receiving it after STZ injection. In this study, for the first time, we showed that administration of garlic juice could play both preventive and therapeutic roles in testicular damage in male diabetic rats

Preventive effect of garlic on histopathology of liver and markers of hepatic injury in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is associated with biochemical, physiological, and pathologic alterations in the liver. In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of garlic juice on changes in the structure of rat liver and serum activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases after streptozotocin injection. Forty rats were divided into five groups of 8 rats each: a] Normal group [N], b] Normal+Garlic group [N+G] received 1 ml of garlic juice/100g BW/day for 6 weeks, c] Diabetic group [D] was injected with streptozotocin [60rng/kg BW, i.p.], d] Diabetic+Garlic_before group [D+Gb] received garlic juice for 3 weeks before STZ injection and continued for another 3 weeks, e] Diabetic+Garlic - after group [D+Ga] received garlic juice for 3 weeks after being injected with STZ. Hepatic histological changes were assessed with hematoxylin-eosine staining using a light microscope. In diabetic rats, the activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly increased [p < 0.05] compared to other groups. In D+Gb and D+Ga rats the activity of serum ALT was significantly decreased compared to the D group. The activity of serum AST in D+Gb group had no significant difference with the N and N+G groups and was significantly decreased compared to the D group. In the D group, separated necrosis of hepatocytes, anarchism of liver plates, and lymphocytic inflammation were observed; in the D+Gb and D+Ga groups compared to the D group, all of previous signs improved. Garlic juice was found to influence changes of aminotransferases and prevent the histopathological changes of liver associated with STZ diabetes in rats

[Effect of morphine on the number of adenohypophysis acidophil cells in male rat]

The influence of morphine on pituitary secretion through micrimu receptors has been nearly known. It is also reported that morphine has an effect on cell proliferation. In the present study we investigated the effect of morphine on the proliferation of acidophil cells of adenohypophysis in male rat. This study has been carried out on 14 adult male Wistar rats divided into two groups of morphine dependent and control. The animals in morphine-dependent group were addicted through consumption of morphine for 21 days. After controlling withdrawal syndrome signs, serum prolactin level was determined by Elisa method. In the next step after anesthetizing animals and performing cardiac perfusion, the hypophysis was removed and fixed at 10% formalin. After processing, staining was done by routine immuno-histochemistry method and the number of mammotropes and somatotropes in morphine-dependent and control groups were compared. Mean prolactin production in dependent group as compared with control group showed significant increase. There was a significant increase in the ratio of mammotropes to acidophil cells and a significant decrease in the ratio of somototrops to acidophil cells in morphine-dependent group compared to the control group [P<0.05]. Morphine dependency may lead to increase in the percentage of prolactin secreting cells and serum prolactin level and decrease of growth hormone secreting cells

[Comparison of the effects of progesterone, allopregnanolone and gender on suppressing edema formation after traumatic brain injury in rats]

Brain edema is one of the most important causes of death within the first few days following head trauma. In this study we investigated the role of gender as well as the effects of progesterone and allopregnanolone one hour after diffuse traumatic brain injury on edema formation in rats. This interventional-experimental study was performed on 12 groups of female and male rats. They were divided into 12 groups as follows: 1 and 2: intact female and male rats, 3 and 4: trauma male and female rats, 5: vehicle of progesterone [benzyl alcohol with sesame oil], 6: sham [ovariectomized female rats: ovx], 7: sham [no ovx], 8: sham[male], 9 and 10: low dose [4mg/kg] and high dose [8mg/kg] of progesterone, 11: allopregnanolone and 12: vehicle of allopregnanolone [water]. Hormones were injected i. p one hour after diffuse traumatic brain injury through Marmarou model. The results showed a significant increase of 5.32 times in Evans blue and 2.42% in water content in trauma male group comparing to control groups, while in female rats the difference was significant just for Evans blue [4.68 times]. Evans blue and water content were also significantly greater in traumatic males than female rats [1.57 times and 2.04% respectively]. After injection of low and high doses of progesterone, there was a significant decrease in water content [2.21% and 2.30%] and Evans blue content [2.55 and 2.98 times]. Allopregnanolone significantly decreased these parameters [2.36% and 1.82 times respectively]. Moreover, the injection of progesterone in both low and high doses increased the serum progesterone of female ovarectomized rats as compared to vehicle group. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the rate of edema formation in traumatic male rats is higher compared to traumatic female rats. Moreover, both progesterone and allopregnanolone decrease edema formation in ovariectomized female rats

[ case report of periapical actinomycosis of maxilla]

Actinomycosis is a chronic and less common infectious process that established by Actinomyces israilii. Involvement of faciocervical region is more common than thermic and visceral types and typicality involves the angle of mandible and with less occurrence rate the upper jaw may also be involved. Periapical lesions of maxilla that involved in this process by Actinomyces israilii are rare and common site of them is the periapical area of central incisors of maxilla. A subject is a 31-year-old woman who after multiple effort of endodontic and surgical procedures eventually with meticulous surgical debridement and pathologic examination with diagnosis of periapical actinomycosis was treated with penicillin for I0 weeks and after that showed no sign and symptom in involved area