Oral zinc sulphate and prevention of radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis in patients with head and neck cancers: a double blind, randomized controlled clinical trial

This research was conducted to evaluate the potential benefits of zinc sulphate in the prevention of radiation induced mucositis in patients who are being treated for head and neck cancers. Forty patients with proven cancers of head and neck were randomly divided into 2 equal groups that either received zinc sulphate or placebo [control group]. Patients who received curative radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy were instructed to take zinc sulphate capsules [30 mg] daily at 8 hours interval. They were to begin 10 days before the start of treatment and continued until 2 weeks after completing the schedule. Mucositis was evaluated weekly according to the Oral Mucositis Assessment Scale [OMAS]. In both groups [zinc and control] mucositis was evident during the first week but its prevalence was 40% and 70.5% in the zinc and placebo groups respectively at the end of this period. This difference was significant [p<0.0001]. The mean severity of oropharyngeal mucositis increased after commencement of radiotherapy and reached to maximum intensity in the 4[th] week. Control group showed higher severity [p<0.0001]. In comparison with the placebo group, the mucositis score of OMAS in the zinc group was lower until at 2 weeks after end of the treatment [p=0.0001]. The present study shows that Zinc sulfate is effective in reducing the severity of radiation induced oropharyngeal mucositis. In addition, it delays the development of mucositis and may be used at a lower dose [30 mg 3 times daily] with the same benefit but fewer side effects

[Changes of glycosaminoglycans in the brain tissue of diabetic rats]

Diabetes mellitus affects the metabolism of components of extra cellular matrix such as Glycosaminoglycans. Although the changes of Glycosaminoglycans have been attended but investigation of the changes of Glycosaminoglycans in the brain tissue of diabetic rat is still in early stages. Investigation of changes of Glycosaminoglycans in brain of diabetic rats. Based on an experimental study, 20 male Rats [Wistar, weight 200-250 gr] were randomly divided to two groups; experimental [diabetic, N=10] and non-experimental [non-diabetic, N=10]. A single dose of Alloxan [120ml/ km] was injected to the experimental group. Three months after injection, the slides were prepared from the brain of the rats and studied after stained by Hematoxylin- Eosin and Schmorl's method and Critical Electrolyte Concentration [CEC 1-4]. CEC staining showed that Heparin sulfate was the only Glycosaminoglycans which have been decreased in the brain tissue of the experimental group and any deposits in neurons, particularly Lipofuscin pigments were not expressed in used of Schmorl's method. According to the important roles of Heparin sulfate in normal functions of the nervous system and its role in repairing of the nervous tissue's injury, decrease of Heparin Sulfate, a kind of Glycosaminoglycans, could induce nervous injury and disorder in brain functions

[Effect of denervation on the bone marrow tissue in rat]

Background and Objective: Bone marrow is a specific tissue, which is very important for Haemopoesis. Any changes in its physiological function, such as aplastic anemia, attack of infectious agents and tumors of bone marrow due to wide systemic side effects in body. Denervation is one of the factors that may effect on the function of bone marrow

Methods: Femoral and sciatic nerve of right leg were cut in the below of inguinal ligament and near of sciatic notch, respectively. 2, 8 and 12 weeks after denervation, bone marrow of right tibial bone was aspirated in all groups. Then quality and quantity of bone marrow changes, size and counter of its cells were studied by three stains [Toluidine blue, Masson trichrom and H and E] and Morphometric method

Findings: After 2 weeks denervation, condense of nucleus of cells and blood circulation of bone marrow increased. Size and cell numbers decreased and from 8th week decline of metochromasy and increase of collagen in the bone marrow were seen which was a sign of fibrillation in background tissue

Conclusion: Condense of nucleus and decrease of size and cell numbers could be result of decline of their function due to their denervation. After denervation and change of cell metabolism, turn over of tissue was disordered in which showed by decline in size and number of cells