Investigating the effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp on oxidative stress in testes and epididymis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus [DM] is one of the most common metabolic diseases in humans, affecting 100 million people around the world

Objective: Investigating the effects of Citrullus colocynthis pulp on oxidant and antioxidant factors of testes and epididymis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats

Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male rats were divided into four groups eight each: 1] N [normal] group, 2] N+C group, 3] D [diabetic] group and 4] D+C group. Groups N and D received normal saline 2 ml orally for two weeks and groups N+C and D+C received 10 mg/kg.bw Citrullus colocynthis pulp orally for two weeks. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin [STZ] at 65 mg/kg

Results: D group had a significant increase in H2O2 [Hydrogen peroxide] and MDA [malondialdehyde] concentrations, and CAT [catalase] activity, and also a significant decrease in Peroxidase [POD] activity compared to N group. D+C group had a significant decrease in H2O2 and MDA concentrations and, CAT activity and significant increase in POD activity compared to D group

Conclusion: Citrullus colocynthis pulp in two weeks had beneficial effects on oxidants and antioxidants changes in reproductive system in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

[ intersectoral collaboration document for cancer risk factors reduction: method and stakeholder analysis]

Cancers are one of the most important public health issues and the third leading cause of mortality after cardiovascular diseases and injuries in Iran. The most common cancers reported in the recent years have been included skin, stomach, breast, colon, bladder, leukemia, and esophagus respectively. Control of cancer as one of the three main health system priorities of Iran, needs a specific roadmap and clear task definition for involved organizations. This study provides stakeholder analysis include determining the roles of Ministry of Health and Medical Education as the custodian of the national health and the duties of other beneficiary organizations to reduce the risk of cancer for cooperation with a scientific approach and systematic methodology. This health system research project was performed by participation of Social Determinants of Health Research Center of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Office of the Non-Communicable Diseases of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and other stakeholders in 2013. At first, the strategic committee was established and the stakeholders were identified and analyzed. Then the quantitative data were collected by searching in national database concern incidence, prevalence, and burden of all types of cancers. At the last with the qualitative approach, a systematic review of the studies, documents and reports was conducted as well as conversing for the national strategic plans of Iran and other countries and the experts' views regarding management of the cancer risk factors. In practice, role and responsibilities of each stakeholder were practically analyzed. Then the risk factors identified and the effective evidence-based interventions were determined for each cancer and finally the role of the Ministry of Health were set as the responsible or co-worker and also the role of the other organizations separately clarified in each case

Preventive effect of garlic [Allium sativum L.] on serum biochemical factors and histopathology of pancreas and liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Antidiabetic action of garlic is established in animal studies. Since all of the pervious studies have focused on the therapeutic role of garlic, this study investigated the preventive effect of garlic juice on biochemical factors and histological features in Streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats. Forty male rats were divided into five groups [n = 8]: 1-Normal group [N], 2-Normal+Garlic group [N+G] received garlic juice [1 mL/100g BW] for 6 weeks, 3-Diabetic group [D] was injected with STZ [60 mg/kg, IP], 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]], three days after STZ injection, they received garlic juice for 3 weeks. Serum biochemical factors were measured by the enzymatic methods and H and E stained sections of pancreas and liver were prepared for light microscopy. In diabetic rats, elevated levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, the increment of the activities of ALT and AST, increased food and water consumption were observed. The abnormal increases were significantly [p < 0.05] decreased in D+G[b] groups compared to D group. In D group, scattered degeneration of the hepatocytes with lymphocytic infiltration in the portal areas, decrease of pancreatic islets numbers and diameter, atrophy of pancreatic islets were observed. These abnormal histological signs were dramatically ameliorated in D+G[b] group compared to D group. In D+G[a] group compared to D+G[b] group slighter effects of garlic juice on histopathological and biochemical changes were seen. These results indicate that garlic juice may help in the prevention of the complications of diabetes

Epidemiological features of hepatitis B and C infection in a high risk population: results of screening programs

The aim of this study was to report the epidemiological features of HBV and HCV infection in an Iranian high risk population. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are worldwide serious public health problems. Iran has an intermediate prevalence of infection and a. screening program was started in 2010 among high risk individuals. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 4455 new patients during two past years. Demographic information, age, gender, occupational status, medical history, history of vaccination against HBV, high risk exposure and laboratory findings were collected for each patient. Then distribution of demographic and risk factors was evaluated in each type of hepatitis. The mean age of patients was 45.6 +/- 17.3 years. More than two-thirds of the diagnosed cases were infected with HBV. 74% of patients were carriers of hepatitis virus. 60% of patients had no symptoms at diagnosis. Illicit intravenous drug use was most common high risk exposure in patients under study [n=366, 8.2%]. High risk behaviors including illicit intravenous drug use and unprotected sex were relatively higher in patients infected with hepatitis C compared to patients with hepatitis B infection. Findings of this study suggest that illicit intravenous drug use, contact with an infected household member and unprotected sex are the most common high risk exposure in Iranian patients infected with viral hepatitis. Therefore, preventive strategies such as health education, vaccination and screening programs should be directed to these groups. The results also show that a majority of patients have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis, therefore periodic screening tests in high risk groups is required

Preventive effect of garlic juice on renal reperfusion injury

Renal reperfusion injury is associated with increased mortality and morbidity due to acute kidney failure. Oxidative stress induced with renal reperfusion affects glomeruli and tubular epithelium through reactive oxygen species; therefore, the use of medicinal plants appears rational for improvement of reperfusion effects. The aim of present study was to examine the preventive effect of garlic juice [Allium sativum] on renal reperfusion injury in rats. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups: control, garlic, sham [right nephrectomy], reperfusion, and reperfusion+ garlic groups. After right nephrectomy, renal ischemia and reperfusion were induced. At the end of the experiment, all rats were killed and kidney function tests and histopathological examination were performed. Reperfusion increased serum urea and fractional excretion of sodium levels, while it decreased urine potassium levels and creatinine clearance. However, garlic juice significantly decreased serum urea levels in the reperfusion+ garlic group compared with the reperfusion group [P < .001]. Preteatment with garlic juice also resulted in significant increase in urine potassium [P=.03] compared to reperfusion. Fractional excretion of sodium and creatinine clearance were also improved. On histological examination, rats pretreated with garlic juice had nearly normal morphology. The results of this study showed that garlic juice significantly prevented renal reperfusion-induced functional and histological injuries