Emerging Roles of microRNAs in Ischemic Stroke: As Possible Therapeutic Agents / 대한뇌졸중학회지

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and physical disability worldwide. The consequences of stroke injuries are profound and persistent, causing in considerable burden to both the individual patient and society. Current treatments for ischemic stroke injuries have proved inadequate, partly owing to an incomplete understanding of the cellular and molecular changes that occur following ischemic stroke. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are endogenously expressed RNA molecules that function to inhibit mRNA translation and have key roles in the pathophysiological processes contributing to ischemic stroke injuries. Potential therapeutic areas to compensate these pathogenic processes include promoting angiogenesis, neurogenesis and neuroprotection. Several miRNAs, and their target genes, are recognized to be involved in these recoveries and repair mechanisms. The capacity of miRNAs to simultaneously regulate several target genes underlies their unique importance in ischemic stroke therapeutics. In this Review, we focus on the role of miRNAs as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as promising therapeutic agents in cerebral ischemic stroke.

Effects of portulaca oleracea ethanolic extract on reproductive system of aging female mice

Background: Aging contains morphological and functional deterioration in biological systems. D-galactose [D-gal] generates free radicals and accelerates aging. Portulaca oleracea [Purslane] may have protective effect against oxidative stress

Objective: Purslane ethanolic extract effects were evaluated on antioxidant indices and sex hormone in D-gal aging female mice

Materials and Methods: 48 female NMRI mice [25-35 gr] were randomly divided into, 6 groups: 1- control [normal saline for 45 days], 2- Purslane [200 mg/kg for last 3 weeks], 3-D-gal [500 mg/kg for 45 days], 4-D-gal+Purslane, 5- Aging, 6-Aging+Purslane. Sex hormones, antioxidants and malondialdehyde [MDA] level of ovary and uterus were measured. Histological assessment was also done

Results: In D-gal treated and aging animals, LH and FSH levels were significantly increased [p<0.001] while estrogen and progesterone levels were significantly reduced [p<0.001] in comparison with control group. MDA contents were significantly increased in ovaries and uterus of D-gal and aging groups [p<0.01]. Superoxide dismutase [SOD] [p<0.001] and catalase [p<0.01] activities were significantly decreased in both aging and D-gal treated animals. Ovarian follicles were degenerated and atrophy on uterine wall and endometrial glands was observed in D-gal and aging groups. Alteration in hormone levels, MDA contents and antioxidant activity were significantly reversed by Purslane [p<0.05]. Purslane could also improve histological changes such as atrophy of endometrium

Conclusion: These findings indicate that Purslane can attenuate aging alternations induced by D-gal and aging in female reproductive system

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor compound 11B improves haloperidol-induced catatonia by enhancing the striatum dopaminergic neurotransmission

The aim of this research was to investigate the Cyclooxygenase-2 [COX-2] selective inhibition effect on haloperidol-induced catatonia. In this study, the effect of orally, acutely and Sub-chronically administrations of compound 11b [1-[phenyl]-5-[4-methylsulfonylphenyl]-2-ethylthioimidazole] [2, 4 and 8 mg/kg], a newly selective COX-2 inhibitor, was investigated against the haloperidol-induced catatonia phenomenon comparing to the standard drug scopolamine [1 mg/Kg] followed by microdialysis analysis of Striatum dopaminergic neurotransmission. The results showed a great potency for compound 11b in improvement of catalepsy followed by enhancing the dopaminergic neurotransmission p < 0.05. In addition, our statistical analysis showed that the protective effect of compound 11b against haloperidol-induced catatonia was both dose- and time-dependent. These findings are additional pharmacological data that suggest the effectiveness of compound 11b in treatment of schizophrenic drug overdoses and also Parkinson's disease [PD] affiliated rigidity

Effect of dexamethasone on striatal neurotransmissions in the rats subjected to Parkinson's disease animal model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dexamethasone on striatal dopaminergic, glutamatergic and gamma amino butyric acid [GABA] ergic neurotransmission in normal and parkinsonian rats. Dexamethasone [0.15, 0.30, 0.60 and 0.8 mg/kg] was administered to normal or parkinsonian rats [i.p.] followed by the analysis of the striatal neurotransmitters concentrations. Additionally, the effect of dexamethasone on the damaged Substantian nigra pars compata [SNc] neurons has been investigated. Dexamethasone resulted in decreased level of striatum glutamatergic-GABAergic and enhanced dopaminergic neurotransmission in normal and parkinsonian rats. In addition, acute treatment with dexamethasone did not improve the lesion at all. These findings suggest the new therapeutic mechanism of action for dexamethasone in Parkinson's disease animal model

Statistical analysis of application of teeth in forensic odontology center, Tehran, Iran, 1980-2000

This retrospective study investigated cases in Tehran Forensic Odontology Center, which have been solved by using teeth as the main proof. Two hundred forty eight files in archives of Tehran forensic odonotology center during years 1980 to 2000 were reviewed and the data collected from each file. It shows that only 12 cases [4.8%] used the forensic odonotology for proof of identity and age or crime. Theses 12 cases include seven individual files and five group cases. In individual files, six cases were identified using dental charts, position or morphology of teeth. One case remained unsolved. In-group files, from total of 119 victims, only 26 cases was identified by using dental charts, position of teeth and presence of prosthesis. Most of the cases in Tehran forensic odontology have been solved using either dental records or position of teeth

Effect of compound 11 g as a novel selective cox-2 inhibitor on movement disorders in a rat model of parkinson's disease

To test the effect of selective COX-2 inhibitors compound 11g on movement disorders of Parkinson's disease [PD]. In the study the rat Left substantia nigra pars compacta [SNc] has been destroyed using electrical Lesion [10 Sec; 1 mA DC] to generate PD model. Then 11g [2, 4mg/kg] and celecoxib a well known and standard COX-2 inhibitor [4, 8mg/kg] have been administrated orally to parkinsonian rats. Then the rigidity and locomotor activity of parkinsonian rats were evaluated. Both selective COX-2 inhibitors decreased the rigidity and improved the locomotor activity of parkinsonian rats P>O.05 as compared to the control groups. Based on the results of the locomotor activity and rigidity tests using parkinsonian rats, we found that compound 11g had remarkable rigidity-improving effect

effect of 17 days exposure to static magnetic fields on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in the male rat

Power stations produce a range of magnetic fields more than 20 mT which are harmful to those working or living around them. Several investigators have reported an increased health risk due to exposure to electric and magnetic fields [EMF] at 50 and 60 Hz. Several studies have been reported especially with increased tumor incidence, effects on reproduction and development, and neural and behavioral changes. This study evaluated the possible effect of static MFs 50 Hz on the secretion of Testosterone, LH and FSH hormones in male rats. Forty eight Wistar male rats [same range of age and weight] were randomly divided into four groups. Animals in group 1 were used as a sham exposure group. After one-week adaptation they were placed in exposure to three MFs for 40 minutes daily for 17 days. Group 2, 3 and 4 were exposed with 6, 12 and 24 mT static MFs at 50 Hz respectively. After experiments animals were killed and their bloods were collected in separated tubes and their serums were separated using a centrifuge with 3500 RPM for 15 min. Hormones were measured using gamma counter equipment with RIA and IPMA methods. The results were analyzed by ANOVA statistical method. Our results show that testosterone, LH and FSH have not changed significantly [p< 0.05] using these static MFs intensities. therefore it can be concluded that at least the static MFs used in this study [with these intensities and duration] can not affect the secretion of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal hormones