[Evaluation the nutritional effect of lavandula angustifolia L. essential oil on normal and high blood pressure and changes of the aorta in the rat]

Background: Hypertension is a health problem and alternative medicine is offered for its controlling

Objective: Nutritional effects of Lavandula angustifolia L. [lavender] oil on high blood pressure [BP], and histological changes of the aorta in rat has been investigated in this study

Methods: Therty five male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups; normal, hypertensive and control. Hypertension was induced by daily L-NAME administration in drinking water for 6 weeks and lavender oil [500 mg/kg] or its vehicle was given orally simultaneously. After basal BP measurement, lavender [50 mg/kg, iv] was injected in control groups. Histological evaluation of the thoracic aorta included staining with hematoxylin-eosin and orcein methods

Results: Hypertension induction increased mean arterial BP from 106 to 177 mm Hg and lavender treatment reduced it to 140 mm Hg [P< 0.001]. Lavender had no effect on normal rats. Intravenous injection of lavender reduced BP about 75% in normotensive and hypertensive rats [P<0.001]. Hypertension induction increased cross-section area, aorta and media thickness, and reduced elastic lamina thickness [P<0.001]. Lavender treatment reduced cross-section area of the aorta and media thickness, and increased elastic lamina thickness [P < 0.05]. Hypertension and treatment had no effect on advanthia and elastic lamina numbers.

Conclusion: Nutritional lavender oil prevented BP increases and pathological changes of the aorta in hypertensive rats. It seems lavender oil is beneficial for prophylaxis of hypertension

[Effect of intravenous and intraperitoneal injection of Lavandula angustifolia L. oil on normal blood pressure in rats]

Background and Objective: Several studies have shown that inhalation of Lavandula angustifolia L. [Lavender] reduces hypertension, while systemic effects and mechanism of action of lavender oil on blood pressure is not clear. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of intravenous and ntraperitoneal injection of Lavandula angustifolia L. oil on normal blood pressure in male rats

Methods: In this experimental study, 70 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into 10 groups [n=7]. Following anesthetizing the animals with sodium thiopental, femoral artery and vein were cannulated respectively for recording blood pressure and injection of Lavandula angustifolia L. oil. Lavender oil or its vehicle [Propylene glycol] was injected by intravenous [25, 50 and 100 mg/kg/bw] or intraperitoneal injection [500mg/kg/bw]. For the evaluation of the mechanism of Lavender oil, L-NAME [4mg/kg/bw], atropine [1mg/kg/bw], indomethacin [5 mg/kg/bw] or saline was injected intraperitoneally before intravenous administration of Lavender angustifolia L. oil

Results: Intravenous injection of Lavender oil of 25 and 50 mg/kg/bw reduced arterial blood pressure in compare to control group [P<0.05] and dose of 50 mg/kg/bw was more effective than dose of 25 mg/kg/bw [P<0.05]. 100 mg/kg/bw of Lavender angustifolia L. oil caused serious fall of blood pressure and resulted in animal death. Intraperitoneally injection of Lavender angustifolia L. oil at dose of 500 mg/kg reduced arterial blood pressure that this reduction was longer than intravenously administration of Lavender oil [P<0.05]. Intraperitoneal injection of L-NAME, atropine or indomethacin had no significant effect on baseline of blood pressure and hypotensive effect of Lavender angustifolia L. oil

Conclusion: Intravenous injection of Lavandula angustifolia L. oil in doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg/bw reduced arterial blood pressure in rat, but intraperitoneally injection of Lavender oil at dose of 500 mg/kg/bw prolonged the reduction of blood pressure in animals

[Relationship between third tri-mester maternal body mass index with maternal and neonatal complications]

Overweight, obesity and ethnicity are effective factors on pregnancy complications. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between third tri-mester body mass index [BMI] with maternal and neonatal complications. This descriptive analytic study was conducted on 551 pregnant women in third tri-mester with Fars, Sistani and Turkman ethnicities in Sayad Shirazi teaching hospital in Gorgan, north of Iran during 2012. BMI calculated at the time of labor admission and the subjects categorized into three groups of normal / underweight, overweight and obese. The mean of maternal age among Fars, Sistani and Turkman ethnic groups were 26.5 +/- 5.5, 24.6 +/- 5.3 and 26.2 +/- 5.2 years, respectively. The mean of gestational age among Fars, Sistani and Turkman ethnic groups were 38.4 +/- 2.3, 38.6 +/- 2.3 and 37.4 +/- 3.2 weeks, respectively. A significant relationship was found between BMI and cesarean section and labor dystocia in Fars and Sistani ethnic groups, respectively [P<0.05], while no relationship was found between BMI and neonatal complications. Overweight and obesity in Fars ethnicity are at risk of cesarean section and those with Sistani ethnicity are at risk of labor dystocia

[Pattern and risk factors of cryptorchidism in Gorgan, northern Iran]

Cryptorchidism or undescending testis is a developmental defect and occurred in 2-4% of male newborns. This study was done to determine the pattern and risk factors of cryptorchidism in Gorgan, northern Iran. In this cohort study, 2851 male newborns were examined for cryptorchidism at the birth and follow up for one year after birth in Dezyani referral teaching hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran during April 2010 - December 2011. Mother ethnicity, working in farmland, addiction, consanguinity, age, infant maturity and birth weight were recorded for each subject. The rate of cryptorchidism was 18.9 per 1000 live birth. Bilateral and unilateral cryptorchidism was 11.7 and 7.1 per 1000, respectively. The rate of cryptorchidism in preterm newborns [30 per 1000] was significantly higher than the term [20 per 1000] and post term [11.4 per 1000] newborns [P<0.05]. The Mean +/- SD of newborns weight with unilateral cryptorchidism [3024 +/- 537grams] was significantly lower than the healthy newborns [3253 +/- 489 grams] [P<0.05]. The rate of cryptorchidism in Turkmens [10 per 1000 births] was significantly lower than Fars [21 per 1000 births] and Sistani [23 per 1000 births] newborns [P<0.05]. One year Follow up of newborns showed that 41 [77.3%] testes were descent to scrotum. Low births weight, prematurity and ethnicity are the main risk factors of cryptorchidism in northern Iran

Acute and chronic effects of ferula persica on blood pressure of hypertensive rats and its possible mechanism of action

Ferula persica has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of high blood pressure. In this study acute and chronic effect of aqueous F. persica extract on BP of hypertensive rats and its possible mechanism of action have been investigated. Eighty two male Wistar rats were divided into 12 experimental groups. Hypertension was induced by Goldblatt method in the anesthetized rats. Aqueous extract of F. persica [15 or 30 or 60 mg/kg, iv] or it's vehicle were administered in treatments or control groups to evaluate their effects on BP and heart rate. To assess the mechanism of F. persica action on BP, L-NAME [5 mg/kg], Atropine [1 mg/kg] or Indomethacin [5 mg/kg] were injected intraperitoneally followed by intravenous administration of F. persica [30 mg/kg] in the different groups of hypertensive rats. Chronic effect of F. persica [30 mg/kg] on BP was evaluated by the aqueous extract administration in drinking water for a month. Intravenous administration of F. persica reduced BP of hypertensive rats [p<0.001]. There is no significant different between three doses of F. persica. Intraperitoneal injection of L-NAME, Atropine or Indomethacin has no significant effect on basal BP, but L-NAME eliminated and Atropine reduced hypotensive effect of F. persica extract on BP. Chronic administration of F. persica has no effect on BP. Our findings showed the hypotensive effect of F. persica in hypertensive rats may be mediated by muscarinic receptors and NO release

Pentoxifylline decreases allodynia and hyperalgesia in a rat model of neuropathic pain

Pentoxifylline [PTX] is a non-specific cytokine inhibitor that has been reported to attenuate pain in several animal models and humans. However, long-term therapeutic effects of PTX on neuropathic pain in a rat model of chronic constriction injury [CCI] are not completely clear. This study was conducted to examine the effect of long-term administration of PTX on neuropathic pain in rats. Neuropathic pain was induced by sciatic nerve ligation using of CCI model in rats. Rats were randomly assigned into sham, CCI-saline treated, and CCI-PTX treated [30 or 60 mg/kg ip] groups. PTX or saline administered at 30 min before CCI and daily for 14 days post-CCI. At the days of 3, 7, 11 and 14 following CCI, by using standard methods effects of thermal hyperalgesia, thermal and mechanical allodynia in all groups were examined using the standard methods. The CCI-saline treated group showed a significant increase in mechanical and thermal allodynia, and thermal hyperalgesia as compared with the sham group in the tested days. Administration of the higher dose of PTX [60 mg/kg/day], but not the lower dose [30 mg/kg/day] significantly reduced mechanical and thermal allodynia, as compared with the CCI-saline treated group on days of 3, 7, 11 and 14 [all P values<0.001]. Also, both doses of PTX significantly reduced thermal hyperalgesia as compared with the CCI-saline treated group on these days [all P values<0.001]. Results of this study show that chronic administration of PTX reduces the neuropathic pain in a rat model of CCI. Thus, this drug may have a therapeutic application in the treatment and management of neuropathic pain in humans

Survival of breast cancer in Southern Iran

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women in the western world. With breast cancer now affecting one in ten women, it is important to know how this disease burden is shared among women. This study was undertaken to determine the survival rate of breast cancer in southern Iran. From December 2001 to December 2006, among 8000 hospital-based registered cancer cases in southern Iran, 863 individuals with breast cancer entered our study. One, 5, 10 and 15 year-survival rates were estimated by Kaplan Meier function. Mean age at the time of diagnosis of breast cancer was 46.3 years [SD=11.5]. About 25.4% had a previous family history of cancer in their first and 13.8% in their second degree relatives. About 92.5%, 71.3% and 41.4% of breast cancer cases underwent surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, respectively. Nearly 11.7% of patients had a history of exposure to chemical materials. About 32.3% were passive and 19.2% were active smokers. Totally, one, 5, 10 and 15 year-survival rates were 97%, 67%, 45% and 25%, respectively. The survival rate had a significant negative correlation with age at the time of diagnosis. The survival rate of women with breast cancer in southern Iran seems to be identical to other parts of the country and stands between western and eastern European countries

Maternal serum zinc deficiency in cases of neural tube defect in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran

Previous studies have shown a high rate of neural tube defects [NTD] in Gorgan, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. This case-control study during 2003-04 compared serum zinc levels and other variables in 23 mothers of neonates affected with NTD and 36 mothers with normal healthy neonates in Dezyani hospital in Gorgan. Mean serum zinc levels in the case and control groups were 13.43 micromol/L [SD 6.3] and 11.41 micromol/L [SD 6.3] respectively. Zinc deficiency was found in 13 [36.5%] of the cases and 7 [19.4%] of the controls. Logistic regression analysis showed an association between the presence of NTD and zinc deficiency [OR 5.06; 95% CI: 1.51-16.94]

Neuronal migration disorder; a case report of subcortical band heterotopia associated with corpus callosum agenesis

Subcortical band heterotopia [SBH] or 'double cortex' is a congenital brain abnormality that results from aberrant migration of neurons during development of the cortex. MRI shows a continuous band of heterotopic gray matter located between the cortex and ventricular walls, separated from them by a thin layer of white matter. The condition is quite rare, found predominantly in females, and is occasionally familial with an X-linked dominant inheritance. Corpus callosum agenesis is another brain abnormality, more common than SBH, diagnosed during neurological examinations for developmental delay. We report a 6-month-old boy with SBH and corpus callosum agenesis associated with uncommon clinical and radiological findings such as polymicrogyria and periventricular cystic area

Epidemiology of neural tube defects in northern Iran, 1998-2003

We determined the rates of neural tube defects at a referral hospital in Gorgan, north Islamic Republic of Iran, and the relations of these abnormalities to sex, maternal ethnicity, maternal age and season. During 1998-2003, there were 109 cases among 37 951 births, a prevalence of 28.7 per 10 000 [24.8 and 32.8 per 10 000 among males and females respectively]. The rates in Turkmen, native Fars and Sistani ethnic groups were 40.5, 25.2 and 30.8 per 10 000 respectively. The rates of spina bifida and anencephaly were 16.3 and 11.3 per 10 000 respectively. The rate of affected newborns was highest in mothers aged over 35 years [50.7 per 10 000]. The peak prevalence was in December

[Serologic immunity of Gorgan medical personnels against hepatitis B [2003]]

Hepatitis B, is a common kind of viral hepatitis. Vaccination is the most secure way of prevention for the health care worker. The present study was designed to survey the seropositivity of Gorgan teaching hospitals. This descriptive and cross-sectional study was done on 300 medical and official personals at 3 hospitals in Gorgan in 2003, with using 3ml of peripheral blood, sampling assay was performed to determine HBs-Ab and HBs Ag. Questionnaire form concerning demographic information, vaccination status and risk factors were compeleted for participants. Statistical analysis was done by means of SPSS soft ware with confidence interval equal to 95%. 13% of individuals were not be vaccinated and 74.6% of them were vaccinated completely. There were statistically significant differences between HBs Ag and vaccination status, individual's age, the last vaccination time, occupation and use of glove [p<0.05]. Furthermore, 1% of samples [one female, two males] were HBs Ag -positive. These three Persons has 10 years at service and were vaccinated compeletely were HBs -Ab neagtive. As a result of vaccination project, vaccination coverage of employees and immunologic status of them were satisfactory. Because of repetitive encountering of under considertion individuals with hepaptitis virus, 2% of unvaccinated subject had been infected but fortunately were be cured. Concomitant reduction in probability of immunity was being occurred after vaccination with the passing time and considering the importance of booster dose injection

[Mini-review for methods of induction experimental ischemia stroke: type of model, evaluation ischemic damage and neurological deficit]

Stroke, cerebral ischemia, is the third largest cause of death and one of major causes of long-term disability in modern and development countries. Unfortunately, despite considerable efforts, no specific clinical treatment is approved for the cure of stroke. Therefore, the search for cure as well as understanding of the pathophysiology of stroke requires reliable and valid experimental models. Currently, several animal models of cerebral ischemia have been developed to evaluate potential therapies for ischemic stroke. Experimental models of cerebral ischemia are divided into global and focal cerebral ischemia. Focal cerebral ischemia is induced by occlusion of middle cerebral artery via craniotomy or embolic, while global ischemia induced by occlusion major nutrients arteries of brain and cardiac arrest. In summary, we discuss the most important animal models of focal and global brain ischemia in the present review article

Congenital malformations at a referral hospital in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran

This study recorded the rate of congenital malformations in 10000 births at a referral hospital in Gorgan, Islamic Republic of Iran in 1998-99. The overall incidence of congenital malformations was 1.01% [1.19% in males and 0.76% in females]. Anomalies of the musculoskeletal system had the highest incidence [0.38%], followed by central nervous system [0.28%] and genitourinary system [0.25%]. The incidence of congenital malformations in different ethnic groups was 0.85%, 1.45% and 1.70% in native Fars, Turkman and Sistani groups respectively. Sex and ethnic background are factors in the rate of congenital malformations in this area

Pre-ischemic treatment of pentoxifylline reduces infarct volumes in transient focal cerebral ischemia in the rat

Pentoxifylline [PTX] is used in human for intermittent claudication and cerebral vascular disorders including cerebrovascular dementia. It also inhibits the synthesis of tumor necrosis factor-

[Tuberculin reaction in 4.5 months babies and 7 years old children, vaccinated with BCG at bith]

Approximately one-third of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium Tuberculosis [T.B], which is an indicator of high distribution of these bacteria in our environment. The only vaccine currently available against TB is the attenuated Mycobacterium bovis strain bacillus Calmette-Gu‚rin [BCG], which used regularly for many years to prevent the tuberculosis in Iran and many part of the world. The efficacy of this vaccine varies in different populations, and is a matter for discussion. On this basis, the present study has been set up to determine the level of tuberculin reaction in 4.5 month and in 7 years old children that receive BCG vaccine at birth time, in Golestan province. 2700, 4.5 month infant and 2400, 7 years old children in Golestan province were chosen by cluster sampling after the proper permission from the parents, public health centers and educational authorities were taken. The presences of the BCG scar were assessed, and 0.1ml of 5tu tuberculin were injected subcutaneously. The induration was measured 48-72 h after tuberculin injection. The results were determined as percent and compare with t test. In these study 2559 infants and 2193 child were taken part in the final evaluation. The BCG Scar were present in 97.9% of infants and 87.8% of 7 years children, this difference was meaningful. The average induration in 4.5 months babies were 2.29 mm, and in 7 years child was 0.66 mm, this difference was significant [P<0.05]. More than 44.7% of babies and 82% of 7 years children did not show any reaction after PPD test, this difference was also significant [P<0.05]. The level of positive tuberculin reaction in infants of this province in spite of vaccination was very low, and this level was reduced after 7 years time, this indicate that BCG vaccination at birth did not have any major role in positive tuberculin reaction. Our results also indicate that the presence of scar can be a good indicator for previous vaccination. In regard to the negative tuberculin reaction in majority of babies, it is suggested to evaluate the efficacy of BCG vaccine in preventing the TB disease itself, by other method such as studying the TB incidence among children in long term or by determination of cytokines level after tuberculin injection

Neural tube defects in newborns in the South-East of the Caspian sea border [Gorgan, Iran 1998-2000]

Neural tube defects [NTD] are one of the most important malformations of newborns. The aim of this research is to determine the rates of NTD, anencephaly and spina bifida cystica and the relations of these abnormalities to the factors including sex, race, ethnicity, maternal age and familial marriage in the south-east of the Caspian Sea border. A three-year descriptive-analytic and cross-sectional study was carried out on 19545 newborns delivered in Dezyani hospital in Gorgan during 1998-2000. From the total sample population [19545], the NTD rate was 3.12 per 1000 deliveries. In males the rate was 2.49 per 1000, in females 3.79 per 1000, and the female to male ratio was 1.44:1. The rate of anencephaly and spina bifida was 1.25 per 1000 and 1.74 per 1000 respectively. In regard to different races the NTD rate was 7.48 per 1000, 9.5 per 1000, and 2.35 per 1000 among Turkmans, Sistanis and Farses, respectively. It can be concluded that there is a higher rate of NTD in this region that may be due to the race-ethnicity and the ecological variations

Role of nitric oxide and ATP-sensitive K+ channels in regulation of basal blood flow and hypercapnic vasodilatation of cerebral blood vessels in rabbit

The mechanisms underlying cerebral hypercapnic vasodilatation are not fully understood. To investigate the role of nitric oxide [NO] and ATPsensitive potassium [KATP] channels in basal blood flow regulation and hypercapnia-induced vasodilatation in rabbit cerebral blood vessels. The change in cerebral blood flow was measured by a laser Doppler flowmeter in 18 New Zealand white rabbits, in two groups, under general anesthesia with sodium pentobarbital. Nomega- nitro-L-arginine methyl ester [L-NAME] and glibenclamide were administered locally and systemically before and during induction of hypercapnia. The change in cerebral blood flow was not significant following local and systemic L-NAME administration, showing a nonsignificant role of local and systemic NO in regulation of rabbit basal cerebral blood flow. Hypercapnia increased cerebral blood flow by 17.3 +/- 4.4% before and 17.3 +/- 5.8% after local, and 5.8 +/- 3.2% [p<0.05] after systemic L-NAME administration. The change in cerebral blood flow was not significant after local and systemic administration of glibenclamide indicating a lack of KATP channel role in basal blood flow regulation. Hypercapnia increased cerebral blood flow by 27.2 +/- 8.7% before and 24.7 +/- 6.4% after local, and 49.3 +/- 9.7% after systemic administration of glibenclamide [p: NS in both cases]. Regional NO production had no role in basal cortical blood flow regulation and systemic NO contributed to 66% increment in cerebral blood flow during hypercapnia. Also, the KATP channels did not mediate the effect of NO or other vasodilators responsible for increasing cerebral blood flow during hypercapnia

Role of local nerves and prostaglandins in regulation of basal blood flow and hypercapnic vasodilatation of cerebral blood vessels in the rabbit

The mechanisms underlying cerebral vasodilatation during hypercapnia are not fully understood. To examine the role of nerves and prostaglandins in the regulation of basal blood flow and in hypercapnia-induced vasodilatation in the cerebral blood vessels of rabbit. Cerebral blood flow was measured by laser Doppler flowmeter in 18 NZW rabbits anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Tetrodetoxin was administered locally and indomethacin [a prostaglandin inhibitor] both locally and systemically before and during induction of hypercapnia. Basal cerebral blood flow did not change significantly in response to local tetrodetoxin, and also after local and systemic administration of indomethacin. Hypercapnia increased cerebral blood flow by 25.9 +/- 3.9% before and by 24.3 +/- 6.5% after administration of TTX and by 22.1 +/- 7.1% before and by 18.2 +/- 6.3% after administration of indomethacin. In the rabbit, prostaglandin and regional nerves had no role in regulation of basal cerebral blood flow, nor did they contribute to cerebral vascular dilatation during hypercapnia