Biological properties the novel application of N-trimethyl chitosan nanospheres as a stabilizer and preservative in tetanus vaccine

Purpose@#Chitosan is a natural polymer that has excellent properties include biocompatibility, biodegradability, no cytotoxicity, high charge density, low cost, mucoadhesive, permeation enhancing (ability to cross tight junction), and immunomodulating ability that makes the spectrum of its applicability much broader. This study was conducted to investigate the stabilizing, preservative and immunogenicity properties of N-trimethyl chitosan nanospheres (N-TMCNS). @*Materials and Methods@#The tetanus toxoid (TT) was encapsulated into N-TMCNS and then characterized by scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, and dynamic light scattering. For stabilizer assay of N-TMCNS after storage of TT-N-TMCNS at different temperatures for 3 weeks, they were used for immunization of mice and different temperatures groups’ anti-TT-N-TMCNS production compared with other groups. Finally, the immunized mice were challenged with tetanus toxin. The preservation activity of TT-N-TMCNS against Escherichia coli was compared with thimerosal formulated TT. @*Results@#Our results revealed that heat-treated TT-N-TMCNS could induce higher titer of neutralizing immunoglobulin G in compared to TT vaccine and was able to protect the mice better than TT vaccine in challenge test. Furthermore, N-TMCNS as a preservative inhibited the growth of E. coli more effective than thimerosal. @*Conclusion@#Overall, the obtained results indicated that the N-TMCNS is one of the best stabilizer and preservative agent that can be used in the formulation of TT vaccine.

Dill tablet: A potential antioxidant and anti-diabetic medicine

Objective: To evaluate the antiglycation and antioxidant properties of the dill tablet, an herbal product used in Iran as a hypolipidemic medicine. Methods: In this descriptive study, the antioxidant and antiradical properties of dill tablet at different concentration (0.032, 0.065, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL) were measured. The total phenolic, flavonols and flavonoid, alkaloids, anthocyanin, tannin and saponin contents in dill tablet were determined. Furthermore, antiglycation properties of dill tablet were assayed. In the in vivo experiments, male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): Group 1: normal rats; Group 2: diabetic rats; Group 3: diabetic rats + 300 mg/kg dill tablet, and Group 4: diabetic rats + 100 mg/kg dill tablet. After 2 months, the blood glucose was measured enzymatically and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation was determined using a fluorometric method. Results: Our results illustrated that different concentrations of dill tablet had significant antioxidant activity. Dill tablet markedly declined AGEs formation and fructosamine levels (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. Oxidation of protein carbonyl and thiol group was significantly reduced by dill tablet in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.001). Formation of amyloid cross-β and fragmentation were markedly inhibited by dill tablet (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. After 2 months, fasting blood glucose levels (P < 0.001) and AGEs formation (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced by dill tablet in diabetic animals. Conclusions: Dill tablet exhibited significant antiglycation and antioxidant activities. This study provides a scientific basis for using dill in treatment of diabetic patients.

Influence of Flaxseed on Some Biochemical Factors, Antioxidant Activity and Expression of ABCG5 and ABCG8 Genes in the Liver of Diabetic Rat.

Aims: The aim of this experiment is to study the effect of flaxseed on lipid profile, antioxidant activity and ATP-cassette binding proteins G5 and G8 (ABCG5 and G8) levels in the liver of diabetic rat. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry and Physiology Research Centre, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences(Kerman, Iran), between 2008 and 2011. Methodology: rats randomly were divided into three groups: diabetic rat + flaxseed (treatment group), diabetic rat (control group I), healthy rat (control group II). Afterward one month Serum lipid parameters and also Super oxide dismutase (SOD) activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. ABCG5 and ABCG8 levels were determined by RT-PCR. Results: Flaxseed markedly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) (all of them P<0.05). GSH, SOD (P<0.05) as well as liver ABCG5 and ABCG8 were significantly increased (P<0.01) in flaxseed treatedanimals compared with diabetic group. Conclusion: The results of this experiment showed that flaxseed has antioxidant and ani-atherogenic effect. This plant reduced cholesterol levels may be via ABCG5 and ABCG8 transporters in diabetic rats.

Genetic profile variation in vaccine strains and clinical isolates of bordetella pertussis recovered from Iranian patients

Re-emergence of pertussis has been reported in Iran despite a high rate of vaccination coverage. Low efficacy of the vaccine might be due to the genetic divergence between Clinical versus vaccine strains. In the current study, the genetic profiles of Clinical isolates and vaccine strains of Bordetella pertussis [B. pertussis] were assessed by using Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis [PFGE]. Following phenotypic and molecular identification of isolates, XbaIdigested genomic DNA of 5 Clinical isolates, 2 vaccine strains and a Tohama I strain were analyzed by PFGE along with B. parapertussis as a control. Seven distinct PFGE profiles were found among all examined isolates/strains. In 5 Clinical isolates, 4 profiles were identified whereas the vaccine strains displayed 2 distinct profiles. The reference strain, Tohama I had a distinct profile. Vaccine and Clinical profiles had low similarity, with relatedness of approximately 40%. The genetic profiles of B. pertussis were different between circulating isolates and vaccine strains used in the national vaccination programs. Since new genetic profiles of B. pertussis can be disseminated periodically, the profiles of isolates circulating in the population should be monitored over the course of the re-emergence

Effect of garlic extract on some serum biochemical parameters and expression of npc1l1, abca1, abcg5 and abcg8 genes in the intestine of hypercholesterolemic mice.

Some compounds in the garlic inhibit cholesterol synthesis, resulting in lowering of serum cholesterol and triglycerides and increase in HDL level. However, the mechanism of this specific effect is not fully understood. In the small intestine, ATP-binding cassette transporters G5, G8 and A1 (ABCG5, ABCG8 and ABCA1), as well as Niemann-Pick C1 like 1 (NPC1L1) protein have important roles in cholesterol metabolism. In this study, we evaluated the beneficial effect of aqueous extract of garlic on lipid profile and also expression of npc1l1, abca1, abcg5 and abcg8 genes in the intestine of N-Marry mice fed a high cholesterol diet as a possible mechanism of garlic effect. Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into three groups: Group 1: hypercholesterolmic (received chow + 2% cholesterol + 0.5% cholic acid); Group 2: garlic (received chow + 4% (w/w) garlic extract + 2% cholesterol + 0.5% cholic acid); and Group 3: received chow only. After one month, mice were anesthetized and blood was collected from their heart. The jejunum was removed, washed with PBS and entrocytes were scraped and used for the experiments. Serum lipids were measured enzymatically and expression of mRNA levels for the above-mentioned proteins was determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Garlic extract significantly reduced serum lipids (p<0.05), compared with the hypercholesterolemic group. Expression of the intestinal npc1l1 was significantly decreased (p<0.01) in the garlic group, compared with the chow group, while abcg5 (p<0.01), abcg8 (p<0.01) and abca1 (p<0.05) expressions were significantly increased. In conclusion, this study reveals a possible mechanism for the beneficial effects of the garlic in lowering serum lipids by decreasing the intestinal lipid absorption and increasing excretion of cholesterol back into the intestinal lumen.

Comparison of blue-yellow opponent color contrast sensitivity function between female badminton players and non-athletes

To compare the chromatic contrast sensitivity Junction [CSF] for the blue-yellow opponent channel [BYOC] between female badminton players and non-athlete controls, We recruited 40 young females [18-25 years old] who played badminton for at least 5 consecutive years as the test group, and 30 age-matched female control; who had no history of regular physical activity. The Pattern generator [TM] system was used to test the CSF for the BYOC which was performed at three spatial frequencies [SFs] of 2 cycles per degree [cpd], 5 cpd, and 25 cpd. Comparison of BYOC thresholds showed significantly better results in rhe lest group for alt three SFs [P<0.001]. B and pass shift [better CSF in the middle SF] was seen in the test group. The control group had low pass [bettfer CSF in the low SF]. Ocular motility [heterophoria, fusional convergence and divergence at far and near distances, and near point of convergence] was better in the test group, but the inter-group difference was not significant. The BYOC threshold results for badminton players indicated a better visual performance which may be a result of enhanced performance of the parallel processing of the parvocellular and magnocellular systems. This may be inherent and/or acquired in badminton players. In addition, badminton players appear to have developed sensory-motor programmed activities. Testing the CSF for BYOC may be useful for athlete selection in different levels and/or used as a criterion for screening players in the field of badminton