[Evaluation of formalin substitution fixative effects on H and E staining results]

These days, Formalin is considered as a good and cheap fixative, but very harmful for human health. It is one of chemical components which has traditionally been used as a routine fixative in anatomy and pathology laboratories; however, their personnel are still under its harmful effects. In this study, effects of formalin substitution fixatives on H and E staining results were investigated. Three kinds of formalin substitution beside 10% buffered formalin were used in this study. They were named and recognized as B, K, M. Pieces of rabbit liver were placed in dishes which contained each kind of above mentioned fixatives. After 24 hours, tissues were processed and embedded by paraffin followed by sectioning, staining by hematoxylin and eosin. Then, they were studied under light microscope. Overall, preserving of tissue structures and staining results with M fixative were more desirable. In general, two out of the three fixatives, with some advantages and disadvantages rather than formalin, made tissues fixed desirably, and had acceptable results in staining. Thus, they can be known as suitable substitution for formalin

[Hepatoprotective effect of sodium molybdate on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats]

The liver as a key organ of metabolism and excretion is constantly endowed with the task of detoxification. Hepatotoxicants can induce various disorders of the organ. Carbon tetrachloride [CCl4] is a potent hepatotoxin producing centrilobular hepatic necrosis and is widely used for animal models of hepatotoxicity. Molybdenum functions as a co-factor for a limited number of enzymes including xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and sulfite oxidase in mammals, and is believed to be an essential trace element in human and nutrition. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of sodium molybdate against experimentally induced-CCl4 liver injury. Adult male rats were orally administered with different doses of sodium molybdate [0.05, 0.1 and 0.2g/kg bw/daily] along with CCl4 [50% CCl4, in olive oil, 1ml/kg bw, intrapertioneally] twice a week for 28 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters like alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase and total protein levels in the serum were determined. In present study, the level of serum markers such as alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased in CCl4 treated rats. While Simultaneous treatment of sodium molybdate at doses 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2g/kg bw significantly decreased alanine amino transferase, aspartate amino transferase and alkaline phosphatase at the dependent dosage manner. Moreover, it had no effect on serum total protein levels. The results of this study demonstrate the hepatoprotective effect of molybdenum and thus scientifically supports the use of this trace element for treatment of liver disorders

Hypoglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of Carum carvi L. seeds in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Herbal medicine has been used for many years by different cultures around the world for the treatment of diabetes. The hypoglycemic effect of caraway ethanolic extract [Carum carvi L.] was investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Intraperitoneal administration of caraway ethanolic extract seeds [0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg body wt.] on the level of serum glucose and insulin in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Before administration and 1, 3 and 5 h after administrations of the ethanolic extract, blood samples were drawn from the retro-orbital sinus. Serum glucose and insulin levels were determined. The results showed that the caraway ethanolic extract seeds at doses 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg body wt. significantly decreased serum glucose and insulin in diabetic rats in 3 and 5 h but not in healthy rats. It could be proofed that the traditional use of caraway as a hypoglycemic agent is justified and that extract from this plant show a dose-dependent hypoglycemic activity

[Effect of L-carnitine supplement on semen parameters in men with idiopathic infertility]

It is proposed that L-carnitine is a useful agent for treatment of various dysfunctions of sperm in infertile men. So, in the present study, effect of L-carnitine supplement on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility was evaluated. Thirty infertile men, aged between 20 and 40 years, with the following baseline sperm selection criteria, including sperm count< 66.6 x 10[6], motility< 30%, viability< 60%, normal morphology< 35%, were studied. Patients received 3 gram per day L-carnitine for six months. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines before study, and 3 and 6 months of therapy. Sperm parameters included liquefaction, pH, volume, sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphology. The results showed that L-carnitine supplementation increased significantly sperm count, motility, viability and normal morphogy and pregnancy rate after 3 months [p<0.01] and 6 months [p<0.001]. Also, L-carnitine supplementation increased sperm motility and viability in idiophatic infertile men after 3 and 6 months [p<0.001]. Five couples became pregnant during the study. The present study indicated that L-carnitine supplementation is an appropriate drug in the treatment of men with idiopathic infertility

[Effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of cucumis melo L. fruit skin on prevention of calcium oxalate crystallization in vitro]

Although several plants and procedures for treatment of kidney stone disease in Iranian folk medicine, Urolithiasis has been an important problem for patients, yet. Aim of present study, was the investigation of effect of Cucumis melo fruit skin hydro-alcoholic extract on calcium oxalate crystallization was studied in vitro. At first, hyro-alcoholic extract of plant at doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml were prepared. Urine samples were collected from 6 individual men without kidney stone history. The urine samples were centrifuged. Calcium oxalate crystallization was induced by adding sodium oxalate to urine samples. Then, number and size of calcium oxalate crystals were measured by spectrophotometer and calibration of ocular lens of light microscope in control [without plant extract] and experimental [in presence of different of doses plant extract] groups, respectively. Different doses of hydro-alcoholic extract of plant increased percent of small crystals [2.5-5 and 6-9 micro], while decreased percent of big crystals [17-21, 22-30, and 31-40 micro in comparison to control samples. On the other hand, the plant increased mono-hydrate calcium oxalate crystals in comparison to di-hydrate calcium oxalate crystals. Also, the extract increased number of calcium oxalate crystals. Present results showed that hydro-alcoholic extract of Cucumis melo fruit skin could facilitate kidney stones excretion by decreasing size of crystals. So, it could prevent formation of kidney stone primary nucleus

[Antinociceptive effects of essential oil of Salvia officinalis L. in mice]

Pain is a sensory modality, which in many cases represents the only symptom for the diagnosis of several diseases. It often has a protective function. Although morphine has reigned for centuries as the king of painkillers, its rule hasn't been totally benign. There are concerns about its addictive properties and side effects, which include respiratory depression, drowsiness, decreased gastrointestinal motility, nausea and several alterations of the endocrine and autonomic nervous systems. Since Salvia officinalis [sage] is used traditionally in the treatment of painful illnesses, it became worthwhile to evaluate its antinociceptive activities in mice. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the analgesic activity of essential oil of sage leaves by the formalin test in mice. The interaction between the plant leaves and opioidergic system on formalin-induced pain were carried out. The essential oil [0.2, 0.25 and 0.3 ml/kg] was injected intraperitoneally. The control groups were administered sunflower oil as vehicles of essential oil. Also, the LD50 of the essential oil of the plant was measured. The results showed that the essential oil of the plant [0.3 ml/kg] decreased both phases of pain. Also, the antinociceptive effect of essential oil [0.3 ml/kg] and morphine [0.5 ml/kg body wt.] were reversed by pretreatment with naloxone [0.5 ml/kg]. The LD50 of the essential oil was found 0.5 ml/kg, i.p. The potent analgesic effects were blocked by naloxone, indicating that the analgesic effects are associated with the activation of opioid receptors in the central nervous system. The present data indicate that the plant has analgesic effects on mice and the plant should be considered in future therapeutic researches

[ effect of low flow inhalation anesthesia on operative hemodynamic condition in comparison with high flow anesthesia]

Low flow anesthesia technique in which the flow fresh gas is lower than minute volume of the patient results in improvement in the patient's care such as reduction of operative hypothermia, reduction of postoperative shivering and leads to an increase in economical and enviornmental interests. The goal of the study was to investigate the patients' operative hemodynamic variations using the high and low flow anesthesia techniques. This prospective, clincal and single blind study was carried out in Tbriz Emam Khomeini Hospital in 1384. In this study 97 patients in ASA class I or II after routine induction of G.A, during maintenance of anesthesia were randomly divided in two groups; group I [high flow anesthesia] and group II [low flow anesthesia]. For all patients ECG, HR, SPO[2], BP, B.T, ETCO[2] and inspiratory, expiratory percentage of O[2], N[2]O, halothane, postoprative shievring and duration of oprations were recorded. 46 patients underwent high flow anesthesia and 51 patients underwent low flow anesthesia. The average blood pressure in group I was as follow: preoperative, systol=138 +/- 20 mmHg and diastol=78 +/- 15 mmHg, intraoperative, systol=105 +/- 31 mmHg and diastol=64 +/- 10 mmHg and in recovery systol=116 +/- 15 mmHg and diastol=70 +/- 13 mmHg. In group II who had low flow anesthesia the blood pressure was found to be systol=139 +/- 22 mmHg and diastol=79 +/- 22 mmHg preoperative, systol=122 +/- 21 mmHg and diastol=75 +/- 17 mmHg intraoperative and systol=118 +/- 15 mmHg and diastol=77 +/- 17 mmHg in recovery. The differences in blood pressure in both group were statiscally significant [p=0.01]. The average heart rate in group I was 90 +/- 18 beat/min preoperative, 70 +/- 14 intraoperative and 126 in recovery. The avrage heart rate in group II was 87.9 +/- 21 preoperative, 86 +/- 16 intraoperative and 104 +/- 17 in recovery. The differences were statiscally significant but there was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to sex, age and weight. Maintenance of anesthesia with low flow anesthesia gasses maintains more hemodynamic condition during operation

[Hypolipidemic effects of allium porrum l. leaves in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice]

There is evidence about medicinal effects of Allium porrum, Liliaceae [leek] in Iranian traditional medicine. The plant has many properties such as improvement of digestive defects, atherosclerosis, joins pain, respiratory inflammation and kidney stone disease. The hypolipidemic effect of leek is investigated in diabetic rabbit, but its hypoglycaemic effect is unknown yet. In the present study the hypoglycemic effect of the ethanolic extract of Allium porrum L. [Leek] leaves was investigated in both normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The animals were made diabetic using by streptozotocin [60 mg/kg, i.p.]. The ethanolic extract at doses 100, 200, 250 and 300 mg / kg, i.p. were administered for 14 days intraperitoneally. Blood samples were obtained from heart after 14 days. The healthy and diabetic control groups were administered saline as vehicle of extract. Serum glucose and insulin levels were measured by glucose oxidase and radioimmunoassay methods, respectively. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of leek significantly reduced the serum glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice but not in healthy mice. Also, the ethanolic extract increased serum insulin in diabetic mice. LD50 of ethanolic extract was measured 3500 mg/kg. The present data indicates that extract of leek has hypoglycaemic effect on diabetic animals by releasing insulin from pancreatic beta cells. So, this plant should be considered in future therapeutic researches

Effect of seminal plasma selenium concentration on semen parameters

Selenium is an essential trace nutrient for humans and animals. It is required for normal testicular development and spermatogenesis. In the present experimental study, correlations between seminal plasma glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity [as selenium status] and semen parameters are evaluated in 200 males. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization guidelines. Totally, 200 males were subdivided into 5 groups as normospermic, oligospermic, asthenozospermic, azospermic and varicocele groups according to their spermograms. Plasma seminal glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity was determined by Kit [Randox, Germany]. The results showed that glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity is higher in normospermic than oligospermic, asthenozospermic, azospermic and varicocele groups. Meanwhile, there were an inverse significant correlations between glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity and plasma seminal fructose concentration, white blood cell, tail defects of sperm, coiled tail sperms and short tail sperms. On the other hand, the present data showed that there are positive correlations between vitality, sperm count, motility and normal morphology. The present study indicated that measurement of glutathione peroxidase enzyme activity as selenium status could be a good marker for evaluation of male infertility

[Hypoglycaemic effect of alcoholic extract of olive [Olea europaea L.] leaf in healthy and diabetic rats]

In traditional medicine leaves of olive [Olea europaea L.] are used as a diuretic, hypotensive, antibacterial and antiatherosclerotic. In the present study, oral administration of 0.1, 0.25 and 0.5g/kg body wt. of the alcoholic extract of leaves of olive for 14 days on the level of glucose and insulin in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. The results showed that oral administration of the alcoholic extract of olive exhibited a significant reduction in blood glucose and increased plasma insulin in diabetic rats. The extract didnot change the level of blood glucose and plasma insulin in healthy rats significantly. A comparison was made between the action of the alcoholic extract and a known antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide [600 [micro]g/kg body wt.]. The hypoglycaemic effect of the extract was greater than that observed with glibenclamide